Left behind, Afghanistan is now an environmental hellhole

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Photo: Akmal Dawi/IRIN

Responsible Statecraft: From poisoned water sources to barren lands, the natural world has become another casualty of war, with the most vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of this catastrophe. Every war in Afghanistan’s modern history has left an ecological footprint that will endure long after the last bullets have been fired. The use of depleted uranium munitions has left behind radioactive waste. The destruction of irrigation networks has crippled agriculture. Rising respiratory diseases and cancer rates, linked to exposure to hazardous materials, are only beginning to be understood. Click here to read more (external link).

Former Afghan MP Abdul Zahir Qadir Reportedly Arrested In Dubai

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Qadir

Afghanistan International: Abdul Zahir Qadir, a former member of the Afghan Parliament, has reportedly been arrested at Dubai International Airport, according to his nephew, Jalal Qadir, who spoke to Afghanistan International. “A few days ago, Abdul Zahir Qadir left for a foreign trip. Unfortunately, during our last call, he told us he had been detained by US intelligence officials at Dubai Airport,” said Jalal Qadir. “He has not contacted us since and is now effectively missing.” Click here to read more (external link).

A ‘strange dance’: media mogul Saad Mohseni on making TV under the Taliban

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Saad Mohseni

The Guardian (UK): Once dubbed the ‘Afghan Rupert Murdoch’, Mohseni’s media business was founded after the fall of the Taliban and is now navigating their return. Founded by Mohseni and his siblings – Afghan emigres who returned to their childhood home from Australia after the removal of the Taliban in 2001 – Moby was the country’s largest media conglomerate until the Taliban returned to Kabul nearly four years ago. Click here to read more (external link).

Polio Vaccination Campaign begins in Afghanistan

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Khaama: The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan has announced the launch of a new polio vaccination campaign across the country, starting today, Monday, April 21. The campaign aims to reach over 11 million children under the age of five. The national polio vaccination drive, which started today in all provinces of Afghanistan, will target approximately 11.6 million children under the age of five. Dr. Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed that health teams will carry out door-to-door vaccinations to ensure that no child is left behind. Click here to read more (external link).

Ariana Afghan Airlines increases flights to China

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Ariana: Ariana Afghan Airlines officials have announced that the company will operate two flights to the Chinese city of Urumqi every week from now. “Ariana Afghan Airlines serves the people of Afghanistan in the sector in which it operates. Its responsibility is to control prices, and make as much profit as possible so that the company does not face problems,” Abdul Wali Seddiqi, head of Ariana Afghan Airlines, said at a ceremony to mark the occasion. Click here to read more (external link).

US Plans to Remove Special Envoy Office for Women in Afghanistan

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Donald Trump

Khaama: According to a report by The New York Times April 20, the draft order aims to dissolve offices tied to democracy promotion, human rights, immigration, and climate change. The proposed restructuring aligns with the administration’s goal of streamlining foreign policy to match the president’s strategic vision. The document further indicates that positions related to women’s affairs, including the Office of the Special Envoy for Women of Afghanistan, are listed among those to be cut. The removal of such roles could have far-reaching implications for women’s rights advocacy in conflict and post-conflict regions. Click here to read more (external link).

Other Afghanistan-US News

UFC Fighter Ahmad Hasanzada arrested on child abuse charges in California

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Khaama: A court in California has arrested Afghan UFC fighter Ahmad Hasanzada on charges of committing sexual acts against a child under the age of 14, a serious criminal offense in the United States. According to AG Fight, the 28-year-old athlete was taken into custody last week in Sacramento. The charges carry greater legal weight due to the more than 10-year age gap between Hasanzada and the minor victim. Click here to read more (external link).

Other Sports News

Exiled Afghan Leaders Propose Federal Constitution as Alternative Political Roadmap

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Mohammad Sarwar Danish

Khaama: The proposed constitution, developed by the Majma-e Federal-Khahan Afghanistan (Assembly of Afghan Federalists), outlines a federal parliamentary system in which power would be shared between a central government and autonomous regional states. The group says this structure could help end the cycle of instability, promote equality, and ensure that the country’s diversity is respected and protected. Sarwar Danish, former Vice President and a leading figure in the group, emphasized during the unveiling that waiting for Afghanistan to first be “liberated” before planning for its political future has proven to be a repeated mistake.  Click here to read more (external link).