Khaama: One of Afghanistan’s renowned free fighters, Wahidullah Nazhand, clinched his eighth victory by triumphing over his opponent from the Czech Republic. The competition between Wahidullah Nazhandand Jacub Beneš, a Czech athlete, took place on Saturday, March 23, in the 74-kilogram weight category at the Octagon in Stuttgart, Germany, where Nazhand emerged victorious. Click here to read more (external link).
Other Afghan Sports News
8am: The relationship between the Taliban and Pakistan has indeed soured, but it cannot be claimed that the two sides have turned their backs on each other, especially Islamabad, which has always advocated for Kabul’s obedience. A less costly option for Pakistan than military intervention is tacit attention to anti-Taliban fronts, which it does not do, as the Taliban Emirates are still favorable to it. Click here to read more (external link).
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Tolo News: “The Iranian police treat us very badly. If they catch any Afghan in the park or on the road, they take away his phone and money, everything he has, and if he has nothing on him, they transfer him to a camp,” Akbar Sultani, one of the Afghan migrants in Iran, told TOLO news. Click here to read more (external link).
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By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi
March 23,2024
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have issued a stark condemnation of the March 22 attack on a Moscow concert venue that left at least 115 dead and wounded more than 100 others. The Taliban Foreign Ministry “condemns in the strongest terms the recent terrorist attack in Moscow… claimed by Daesh & considers it a blatant violation of all human standards,” ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi wrote on X, formerly Twitter, referring to the Islamic State (IS) extremist organization by its Arabic acronym. IS has staged frequent attacks in Afghanistan since the return of the Taliban to power in 2021. On March 21, IS claimed an attack that killed 19 Taliban employees outside a bank in Kandahar.
Michael Hughes: The U.S. exit from Afghanistan was partially based on rolling the dice that the reconstitution of al-Qaeda under the Taliban would be a problem for the neighbors in Central and South Asia, not the Western powers. This was also based on the supposition that should al-Qaeda begin to plot another 9-11-style attack, U.S. counterterrorism organizations would not be asleep at the switch. The U.S. has more antiterror capabilities today, so goes this argument, hence the al-Qaeda threat is not seen as imminent. Al-Qaeda, for its part, may not have its eyes on the American homeland, yet, but it is certainly getting stronger by the day, including by securing millions worth of straight profit from mining proceeds and stealing aid funds. Click here to read more.
Ariana: The Ministry of Interior said on Thursday that the process of installing security cameras has started in Pul-e-Khumri city of Baghlan province. Faridullah Abid, who is heading up the installation process, says so far 20 security cameras have been installed in different parts of the city and at the entrance gates to ensure security. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban (file photo)
Khaama: The Pakistani newspaper Dawn wrote in an analytical piece that with the resurgence of the Afghan Taliban, the forces of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have become more daring and active. The newspaper wrote, “Hafiz Gul Bahadur, once known as the ‘good Taliban,’ has turned into the ‘bad Taliban.’” In the analytical piece published on Thursday, March 21, it is stated, “The ruthless tactics of the Pakistani army, besides killing Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s relatives, have helped his growing animosity towards the Pakistani government.” Click here to read more (external link).
Ariana: Since 2012, Afghanistan has ranked among the most unhappy nations in the world. However, Finland has been the happiest country in the world for seven consecutive years. The survey asks people in 143 countries and territories to evaluate their life on a scale from zero to 10, taking into account factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption. Click here to read more (external link).