Afghanistan News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Earthquake of magnitude 5.9 strikes Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan
Kabul, April 16: In the early hours of Wednesday, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
Pakistan plans 'high-level engagement' with Afghanistan amid escalating tension over deported Afghans
Islamabad, April 15: The Pakistan government is planning high-level visits and engagements with Afghanistan to de-escalate tensions and work towards mutual understanding through some confidence-building measures. The plan was discussed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs in Islamabad during which the committee members were briefed about the plan to ease apprehensions between the two neighbouring countries.
US-made weapons found in Jaffar Express hijack site, Washington Post claims
Quetta, April 15: The US-made weapons were used in Jaffar Express attack, ARY News cited The Washington Post report on Monday.
Earthquakes hit India, other Asian nations
New Delhi, April 13: A series of earthquakes struck India and other Asian countries on Sunday, including Myanmar, which is still dealing with the aftermath of the March 28 quake.
Afghan Taliban conducts four public executions despite international condemnation
Kabul, April 11: Despite mounting international condemnation, the Afghan Taliban carried out four public executions on Friday in the western provinces of Badghis and Nimroz of Afghanistan, as confirmed by the Taliban-run Supreme Court.
US, Pak hold first phone call to discuss counterterrorism cooperation
Islamabad, April 8: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed ways to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries in their first telephone conversation. A key focus of the discussion was the return of US military equipment that was left behind in Afghanistan following the withdrawal in 2021.
Pakistan: Terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa claim 152 lives in 2025
Peshawar, April 7: During the first quarter of 2025, terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) resulted in the deaths of 152 people, including police officers, security personnel, and civilians, ARY News reported.
US Dept of State welcomes release of citizen Faye Hall from Taliban's captivity
Washington DC, March 31: The US Department of State welcomed the release of American citizen Faye Hall, who was recently freed from Taliban captivity.
I'm glad you're the President: US citizen Hall thanks Trump after being freed from Taliban
Washington DC, March 30: American citizen Faye Hall, who was recently freed from Taliban captivity, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to US President Donald Trump in a message released on Saturday (local time).
American Woman Faye Hall freed from Taliban custody in Afghanistan
Washington, DC, March 30: Faye Hall, an American woman detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan since February, has been released and is reported to be in "good health," CNN reported, citing a source statement.
US woman thanks President Trump after release by Taliban in Afghanistan
Washington, March 30: Faye Hall, an American woman who was recently freed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, thanked US President Donald Trump in a video message for securing her release.
Germany evacuates Afghan refugees from Pakistan amid imminent deportation threats
Berlin, March 28: Over 170 Afghan refugees facing imminent threats in Pakistan were evacuated by Germany in a chartered plane as part of Berlin's ongoing efforts to resettle at-risk Afghans.
UN calls denial of education to Afghan girls a grave injustice; urges restoration of their rights
New York, March 27: The United Nations Women stated that denying Afghan girls access to education is a grave injustice and will haunt generations. The agency calls for safeguarding the fundamental rights of Afghan girls as schools reopen in Afghanistan without them.
WFP warns of malnutrition threats in Afghanistan, 3.5 million children at risk in 2025
Kabul, March 27: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that in 2025 a whopping 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are at risk of malnutrition. The agency expressed concern over the huge number of children expected to be affected.
Five-year deal establishes Abu Dhabi as Afghanistan cricket's second home.
New Delhi March 25: Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH) have proclaimed a five-year "destination support agreement," designating Abu Dhabi as the UAE host for every ACB training camp and all Afghanistan A and national age-group competitions, as per a report by ESPNcricinfo.
UN warns education ban on Afghan girls will 'haunt generations'
New York, March 25: The United Nations Women on Tuesday warned that it will have generational consequences in Afghanistan as girls are denied education for the third year in a row.
UN agency calls for lifting ban on education for girls in Afghanistan
New York, March 22: The United Nations children's agency on Saturday urged that all girls in Afghanistan must be allowed to return to school as the new school year in the country begins. The appeal was made since it marks three years of the ban on girls' secondary education. The decision of the Afghan Taliban to deprive education rights continues to harm the future of millions of Afghan girls.
US citizen George Glezmann freed after two and a half years in Taliban captivity following negotiations
Washington DC, March 21: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that George Glezmann, who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, was freed.
Funding cuts to close 220 additional healthcare facilities in Afghanistan: WHO
Kabul, March 18: The World Health Organization (WHO) raised alarms about funding shortages in Afghanistan, warning that these shortages could lead to the shutdown of 80 per cent of essential healthcare services supported by the agency.
Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Russia among 43 countries likely to face Trump's new travel ban
Washington DC, March 17: The Donald Trump administration is considering imposing a new travel ban that could affect citizens from as many as 43 countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Russia, The New York Times reported, quoting anonymous officials.
Pakistan blames Afghanistan for Jaffar Express train attack; Kabul slams 'baseless' allegations
Islamabad, March 14: Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan of the massive attack on the Jaffar Express passenger train by the militants of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the Bolan district, earlier this week, stating that the militants involved in the hijacking of the train were in "direct contact" with their handlers based in Afghanistan.
Thousands of trucks carrying lifesaving food items remain stuck at Torkham border
Kabul, March 13: The World Food Programme (WFP) has stated that thousands of trucks remain stranded at the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan which remains closed since February 21 after several violent clashes that have resulted in the death of many armed forces personnel and civilians on both sides.
UN agency raises concern over denial of basic education to girls in Afghanistan
Kabul, March 10: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday highlighted that girls in Afghanistan have not been able to go to primary school for the third consecutive year and urged that no child should go to school hungry.
Rights of Afghan women and girls in focus as world celebrates International Women's Day
Kabul, March 8: As the world celebrates the International Women's Day under the theme of 'For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment', international organisations on Saturday emphasised the need to support Afghan women and restore their rights. The UN Women in Afghanistan stated that investing in Afghan women is akin to investing in Afghanistan's future.
Afghanistan: WHO reports surge in acute respiratory disease
Kabul, March 6: Afghanistan is grappling with acute respiratory disease challenges with children being the most affected, a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report has revealed stating that there is an alarming 54.1 per cent increase in acute respiratory diseases in the war-torn country in January 2025 compared to December 2024.
US likely to bar entry of Pakistanis, impose complete travel ban soon
Islamabad, March 6: Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, is likely to feature on top of the list of countries that are expected to face new travel restrictions - including a complete ban on citizens of these countries from entering the United States - in the new travel ban plan being prepared by the Donald Trump administration.
ISIS-K operative brought from Pakistan confesses to attacks in Kabul, Russia: US officials
New York, March 6: The ISIS-K terror operative behind the suicide attack on US military personnel in Kabul has been involved in web of terrorist attacks in Russia and elsewhere in Afghanistan, according to the US.
President Trump delivered justice for American heroes killed at Abbey Gate: US Press Secy on detention of Mohammad Sharifullah
Washington DC, March 6: The White House said that the US has detained Mohammad Sharifullah and that he will face the "swift sword of American justice". As per CNN, Sharifullah was allegedly involved in the bombing at Kabul Airport's Abbey Gate in Afghanistan, which resulted in the death of 13 US service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians in August 2021.
We will hunt ends of earth and find you: FBI Director Kash Patel
Washington DC, March 5: Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel on Tuesday (local time) made a bold statement, reaffirming the US government's commitment to tracking down terrorists worldwide.
ICC rankings: Omarzai becomes no. 1 all-rounder, Gill remains top ODI batter
Dubai, March 5: Afghanistan's rising star Azmatullah Omarzai has capped off a stellar ICC Champions Trophy campaign by reaching the summit of the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings.
ICC Rankings: Afghan star Omarzai at number one among ODI all-rounders, Virat rises to 4th in batters' list
Dubai, March 5: In the latest ICC ODI Rankings, two massive moves involved Afghanistan all-rounder and ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024, Azmatullah Omarzai reaching the number one spot among all-rounders and star India batter Virat Kohli moving to number four among batters.
Trump announces capture of 'monster' behind Afghanistan suicide bombing, thanks Pakistan
New York, March 5: President Donald Trump thanked Pakistan for the capture of the "monster" responsible for the suicide bomb attack on US troops during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Trump thanks Pakistan for extraditing wanted terrorist to US
Washington, DC, March 5: US President Donald Trump thanked Pakistan for helping the US in the arrest of the terrorist responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan during the 2021 withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. He said that US is once again "standing strong against the forces of radical Islamic terrorism."
Vivian Richards urges West Indies to learn from Afghanistan's fighting spirit
New Delhi, March 2: West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards has urged his national team to take inspiration from Afghanistan's rise in world cricket, highlighting their passion, energy, and determination.
Dale Steyn backs Afghanistan to win ICC tournament in next decade
New Delhi, March 1: Afghanistan's steady rise in international cricket has caught the attention of cricketing greats, with former South African pacer Dale Steyn expressing confidence in their ability to win an ICC tournament within the next decade. However, he emphasized that for this to become a reality, the team must develop greater patience both individually and collectively, accoreding to ESPNcricinfo.
Steyn backs Afghanistan to win an ICC trophy in the next decade but calls for more patience
New Delhi, Mar 1: Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn backed Afghanistan after their performance in the ongoing Champions Trophy and believes it’s only a matter of time before they lift an ICC trophy. However, he urged Afghanistan’s players to develop more patience in their approach to sustain success in major tournaments.
CT 2025: Australia seal semi-final spot after rain-hit clash against Afghanistan
Lahore, February 28: Australia have secured a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after a rain-affected match against Afghanistan, according to the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Champions Trophy: Australia enter semis after clash against Afghanistan abandoned due to rain
Lahore, Feb 28 : Australia are through to the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy after their Group B clash against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday. With Australia through to the last four stage with four points claimed in their kitty, Afghanistan are on the brink of elimination from the competition after reaching three points.
Champions Trophy: Atal and Omarzai fifties carry Afghanistan to 273 against Australia
Lahore, Feb 28: Sediqullah Atal overcame an early examination to hit 85, while Azmatullah Omarzai shined with 67 to help Afghanistan post a competitive 273 in their 50 overs against Australia in the Group B Champions Trophy clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
Champions Trophy: Afghanistan win toss, opt to bat first against Australia
Lahore, Feb 28: Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in the Group B clash of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.