Kabulov: The Islamic Emirate Has Appointed Its Ambassador to Moscow

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Kabulov

Tolo News: Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan stated that the Islamic Emirate has appointed its ambassador to Moscow. Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan, said that the Islamic Emirate has nominated a diplomat to serve as ambassador of the interim government in Moscow. Kabulov said: “This nominee is currently undergoing the necessary approval procedures within Russian institutions. I hope that once the process is complete, an agreement will be signed.” Click here to read more (external link).

More Taliban Diplomatic News

Quartz Mine discovered in Khost, Afghanistan

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Khaama: Mr. Sadiq Jan Hamza, the Head of Mines and Petroleum in Khost, made the announcement during a field visit to the Shamal Dwamanda district, confirming the identification of a significant quartz mine in the region. Quartz is a valuable and widely used mineral in various global industries. It plays a crucial role in the production of glass, electronic devices like computer and TV screens, precision watches, camera and telescope lenses, radar systems, and even in the oil industry. Click here to read more (external link).

More Economic News

FIDE condemns Taliban’s ban on chess in Afghanistan as ‘regrettable’

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Amu: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s reported ban on chess in Afghanistan, calling the move “regrettable” and warning it could have a lasting impact on the development of the sport in the country. In a statement, FIDE said it is in consultation with the International Olympic Committee, the Asian Chess Federation and other international sports bodies to explore “constructive solutions” to restore the game’s presence in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the Afghan Chess Federation has remained inactive, with no official clearance to resume its operations. Click here to read more (external link).

WHO warns lack of mental health services in Afghanistan is alarming

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Ariana: The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the absence of mental health services in provincial hospitals across Afghanistan, despite a critical need among the population. The organization reports that all 34 provincial hospitals in the country currently lack specialized mental health facilities. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban dismiss more than 200 university staff in southeastern Afghanistan, sources say

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Taliban militants (file photo)

Amu: Taliban have dismissed more than 200 professors and university employees in the southeastern provinces of Khost and Paktia as part of a sweeping campaign to downsize public institutions, according to four academic and administrative sources familiar with the matter.  A source close to Sheikh Zayed University said many of those let go were seen as politically inconvenient, either because of their previous affiliations with the former Afghan government or because of academic independence that clashed with Taliban ideology. Sources allege that the firings have been selective, sparing individuals with close ties to Taliban leadership, while disproportionately affecting those without political backing or those who had previously served in the former government. Click here to read more (external link).

Once a thriving trade, Carpentry in Balkh faces deepening decline

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Amu: Once a pillar of the local economy in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, the carpentry trade is now faltering under the weight of economic decline, dwindling demand, and a collapse in construction activity, according to local craftsmen. Carpenters in Mazar-e-Sharif say their businesses have slowed to a crawl as customers vanish and new building projects all but disappear. Click here to read more (external link).

More Economic News

Islamic Emirate welcomes Trump’s move to cancel protection program for Afghan refugees

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Ariana: Afghanistan’s [Taliban] Foreign Ministry says the recent announcement by the US Department of Homeland Security on the suspension of the Temporary Protective Program Status (TPS) program for Afghans was a “positive step” and acknowledgement of an improved situation in Afghanistan. The Trump administration said Monday it was ending the TPS program that offered deportation protection to thousands of people from Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) said Wednesday this move “affirms progress in Afghanistan’s security and economic environment”. Click here to read more (external link).

Related

Taliban dismantle Afghanistan’s decades-old national film institution

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Amu: Taliban have dissolved the Afghan Film Organization, once the country’s only state-run film body, and closed its offices, according to four sources, including two familiar with the agency’s operations. No formal statement has been issued by the Taliban. However, staff have been informed that the institution’s structure has been nullified and its operations halted. Founded in 1968 during the reign of King Mohammad Zahir Shah, Afghan Film served for decades as the backbone of Afghanistan’s cinematic and documentary production. It played a pivotal role in preserving the country’s visual history — from newsreels in the 1970s to feature-length fiction films under the Republic. Click here to read more (external link).