Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty December 22, 2020 Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Chris Miller has held consultations with Afghan officials about on the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban. The Pentagon said in a statement on December 22 that Miller’s trip was not announced ahead of time due to security concerns. Miller held talks with President Ashraf Ghani
1TV: Five health workers were killed after a bomb exploded in Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday. Two others were wounded in the blast which happened in Doghabad area of the city. The health workers targeted were working at Pul-i-Charkhi prison. Click here to read more (external link). More Security News 7 Civilians, 2 ANA Soldiers
Ariana: Mohammad Halim Fedayee, governor of Paktia province, said Monday the Taliban is using children in a conflict capacity on the battlefields – which is in violation of Islamic principles and international rules of war. According to Fedayee, the insurgent group is using children as suicide bombers and to carry explosives, among other conflict-based activities.
Tolo News: The Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday reported 201 new positive cases of COVID-19 out of 1,636 samples tested in the last 24 hours. The data by the ministry shows that the cumulative number of total cases is now 51,089, the number of total reported deaths is 2,105, and the total number of
Tolo News: Peace negotiator Fawzia Koofi won the CASA Asia award for “diversity and sustainable development” for her support of the rights of women and children, her role in the peace process and her commitment to the education of girls and women, said the organization. The winners of the Casa Asia 2021 Awards were announced
Tolo News: Lawmakers in Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament) on Monday accused the nation’s First Lady Rula Ghani of trying to interfere in the work of the legislative body. Recently, Rula Ghani said that the parliament floor has changed into a trading ground for votes. She said that whether the MPs want it
Tolo News: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in an interview that aired on Monday, said that 2,000 Afghans are still fighting in Syria and that Iran would be willing to arm more in the fight against Daesh if the Afghan government was willing. Click here to read more (external link). Related Transcript of TOLO
Ariana: Rahmatullah Nikzad was gunned down outside his home in Ghazni province on Monday evening, police have confirmed. Nikzad, who did work for The Associated Press and who was the head of the province’s Journalist Union, reportedly survived a similar attack in September last year. Click here to read more (external link).
1TV: Azerbaijan’s president said on Monday his country is ready to open an embassy in Kabul next year. President Ilham Aliyev said this during a meeting with visiting Afghan National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib in Baku. Click here to read more (external link).