Iran says it spends over $10 billion annually on Afghan refugees

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Ariana: Iran’s envoy to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said on Thursday that Tehran spends more than $10 billion annually to meet the needs of Afghan refugees, while it does not receive sufficient assistance from the international community. “As a neighbor, Iran has borne a disproportionate share of the burden of the Afghan crisis, especially after the reckless withdrawal of the United States in 2020. More than six million Afghans have taken refuge in Iran, which has put a lot of pressure on our limited resources. Iran spends more than 10 billion dollars annually to meet their needs, but this time it has not received enough support from the international community,” Iravani said at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban Continues To Host Al-Qaeda, Claims US State Department

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Afghanistan International: In its annual report on terrorism, the US State Department announced that the Taliban continues to host and shelter al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. The report, citing the UN’s independent assessment of Afghanistan, said that the Afghan Taliban also allowed the Pakistani Taliban to operate on Afghan soil. Click here to read more (external link).

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Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe in second match of T20I

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Ariana: Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 50 runs in the second T20I at the Harare Sports Club on December 13, Friday. Zimbabwe won the first T20I by 4 wickets but the visitors made a stunning comeback to level the three-match series at 1-1. The series decider will be played on December 14, Saturday. Click here to read more (external link).

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Ahmad Massoud Invited To Washington For Talks On Afghanistan’s Future

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Massoud

Afghanistan International: Tim Burchett, a pro-Trump representative in the US Congress, told Afghanistan International that he had invited Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF), to visit Washington and discuss Afghanistan. “I also invite the leaders of other groups opposed to the Taliban,” he added. Burchett had previously invited Amrullah Saleh, the former Vice President of Afghanistan, to Washington. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban’s Inability to Deliver Healthcare: Fragile and Under-Resourced Services

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8am: Over the past three years, the Taliban’s restrictive policies on women have significantly disrupted Afghanistan’s healthcare system. These policies include bans on medical education and training for women, restrictions on women entering specialized medical programs, replacing doctors with clerics in healthcare management, prohibiting simultaneous visits of men and women to hospitals in some provinces, and barring female doctors and healthcare workers from attending health centers without a male guardian. These measures have exacerbated the healthcare crisis. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban Bans Broadcast Of Music In Kabul

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Afghanistan International: The Taliban in Kabul has banned the broadcast of music in the media. The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice announced on Thursday that the ministry’s ombudsman met with media representatives in Kabul and asked them to refrain from broadcasting music. Previously, the Taliban had banned media outlets from broadcasting music in other provinces. Click here to read more (external link).

Mohammad Nabi becomes first Afghan cricketer to play 300 international matches

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Mohammad Nabi

Amu: Mohammad Nabi, one of cricket’s leading all-rounders, has become the first Afghan player to reach the milestone of 300 international matches. The 39-year-old, who has been a cornerstone of Afghanistan’s cricket journey, achieved this feat on Wednesday during the first match of a T20 series against Zimbabwe. Click here to read more (external link).

One Person Set Ablaze In Faryab By Taliban For Allegedly Being NRF Member

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Afghanistan International: Taliban members set fire to a man in Khyber District, Faryab province, on charges of being a member of the National Resistance Front (NRF) of Afghanistan. In a video provided to Afghanistan International, Taliban gunmen can be seen gathering around the man’s body. Sources confirmed to Afghanistan International that Taliban fighters set fire to a man in the village of Jawdana in the newly-established Khyber district of Faryab province on Saturday night. Click here to read more (external link).

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