The Afghan peace process must be "led, owned and controlled"&nbsp;by Afghanistan and it is necessary to preserve the achievements of the past two decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

In his opening remarks at a virtual summit with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Modi also said India and Uzbekistan are standing together firmly against terrorism and have similar concerns over extremism, fundamentalism and separatism.

"We have similar concerns about extremism, fundamentalism and separatism. We both stand firmly together against terrorism. We also have a similar approach on regional security issues," the prime minister said.

"We agree that the restoration of peace in Afghanistan requires a process that itself is led, owned and controlled by Afghanistan. It is also necessary to preserve the achievements of the last two decades," he said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/race-is-on-for-strategic-bases-in-indian-ocean-region-says-cds-bipin-rawat-349038">Race is on for strategic bases in Indian Ocean Region, says CDS Bipin Rawat</a>

The prime minister's comments on Afghanistan come in the midst of renewed momentum in the Afghan peace process.&nbsp; 
Top Afghan peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah and several other senior leaders from the country visited India in the last few months to apprise about the peace process.

In his remarks, Modi also said that India wants to further intensify its development partnership with Uzbekistan and expressed happiness that many projects are being considered in that country under the Indian Line of Credit.

Uzbekistan is a key country in Central Asia which India considers as its 'extended neighbourhood'. The bilateral ties now encompass a wider canvas of cooperation including in areas of defence and security, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education and science and technology.

Both countries are currently negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) and a preferential trade agreement. Last year, a pact was sealed providing for long-term purchase of uranium by India from Uzbekistan.

In his remarks, the prime minister also referred to cooperation between the two countries in key areas of defence, space and atomic energy sectors.

"Our security partnership is becoming a strong pillar of bilateral relations. Last year, the first joint military exercise between our armed forces took place. Our joint efforts are also increasing in the areas of space and atomic energy," he said.

Modi also said India was ready to share its expertise and experience with Uzbekistan as per its development priorities.

"India has great potential in areas such as infrastructure, IT, education, health, training and capacity building, which can be useful for Uzbekistan. The establishment of a joint working group on agriculture among us is an important and positive step," he said.

"With this we can find opportunities to increase our agricultural trade which will help the farmers of both countries," he added.

Modi also talked about cooperation between the two countries during the coronavirus pandemic.

"It is also a matter of satisfaction that during this difficult time of the COVID-19 epidemic, both countries have fully supported each other, whether to supply medicines or to ensure return of each other's citizens to home," he said.

The Afghan peace process must be "led, owned and controlled" by Afghanistan and it is necessary to preserve the achievements of the past two decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

The Afghan peace process must be "led, owned and controlled" by Afghanistan and it is necessary to preserve the achievements of the past two decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. In his opening remarks at a virtual summit with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Modi also said India and Uzbekistan are standing together firmly against terrorism and have similar concerns over extremism, fundamentalism and separatism. "We have similar concerns about extremism, fundamentalism and separatism. We both stand firmly together against terrorism. We also have a similar approach on regional security issues," the prime minister said. "We agree that the restoration of peace in Afghanistan requires a process that itself is led, owned and controlled by Afghanistan. It is also necessary to preserve the achievements of the last two decades," he said. Also Read | Race is on for strategic bases in Indian Ocean Region, says CDS Bipin Rawat The prime minister's comments on Afghanistan come in the midst of renewed momentum in the Afghan peace process. Top Afghan peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah and several other senior leaders from the country visited India in the last few months to apprise about the peace process. In his remarks, Modi also said that India wants to further intensify its development partnership with Uzbekistan and expressed happiness that many projects are being considered in that country under the Indian Line of Credit. Uzbekistan is a key country in Central Asia which India considers as its 'extended neighbourhood'. The bilateral ties now encompass a wider canvas of cooperation including in areas of defence and security, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education and science and technology. Both countries are currently negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) and a preferential trade agreement. Last year, a pact was sealed providing for long-term purchase of uranium by India from Uzbekistan. In his remarks, the prime minister also referred to cooperation between the two countries in key areas of defence, space and atomic energy sectors. "Our security partnership is becoming a strong pillar of bilateral relations. Last year, the first joint military exercise between our armed forces took place. Our joint efforts are also increasing in the areas of space and atomic energy," he said. Modi also said India was ready to share its expertise and experience with Uzbekistan as per its development priorities. "India has great potential in areas such as infrastructure, IT, education, health, training and capacity building, which can be useful for Uzbekistan. The establishment of a joint working group on agriculture among us is an important and positive step," he said. "With this we can find opportunities to increase our agricultural trade which will help the farmers of both countries," he added. Modi also talked about cooperation between the two countries during the coronavirus pandemic. "It is also a matter of satisfaction that during this difficult time of the COVID-19 epidemic, both countries have fully supported each other, whether to supply medicines or to ensure return of each other's citizens to home," he said.

Gains of past two decades need to be preserved: PM Modi on Afghan peace process

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Afghanistan and counter-terror at the India Uzbekistan virtual summit, the first such summit with any central Asian country. On the issue of "terrorism, extremism, and radicalism", PM Modi said, "We have some concerns" and similar views on "regional security situation".&nbsp;

Mentioning the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, he said, "it should be afghan led afghan owned afghan controlled and gains of last 2 decades should be preserved"

Both India and Uzbekistan have been involved in the Afghan Peace process, with a focus on connectivity with the country. India via the Chabahar port in Iran and the India Afghanistan air corridor and Uzbekistan via a planned rail project connecting the 2 countries.&nbsp;

PM said, as civilizations, "we have connections to each other" and a lot of "similarities in our approaches" leading to strong ties.

India and Uzbekistan have been engaging under various formats including India Central Asia Dialogue at the foreign minister's level. Under the line of credit announced by India during the virtual FMs meet earlier this year, a number of projects are being mulled in the country. PM said, “India will provide expertise in according to country's development needs" like in infrastructure, IT, training, capacity building, education, health.

India's western Gujarat state and Uzbekistan's Andijan already have cooperation and now the focus is on cooperation between the Haryana and Fergana.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the summit said, "You are a reliable and close friend...and the summit has confirmed the highest level of India and Uzbekistan strategic partnership" and thanked India for support amidst the covid pandemic.

Indian Prime Minister had visited the doubly landlocked central Asian country in 2015 and 2016, followed by visits of Uzbek President Mirziyoyev to India in 2018 and 2019.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Afghanistan and counter-terror at the India Uzbekistan virtual summit, the first such summit with any central Asian country.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Afghanistan and counter-terror at the India Uzbekistan virtual summit, the first such summit with any central Asian country. On the issue of "terrorism, extremism, and radicalism", PM Modi said, "We have some concerns" and similar views on "regional security situation". Mentioning the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, he said, "it should be afghan led afghan owned afghan controlled and gains of last 2 decades should be preserved" Both India and Uzbekistan have been involved in the Afghan Peace process, with a focus on connectivity with the country. India via the Chabahar port in Iran and the India Afghanistan air corridor and Uzbekistan via a planned rail project connecting the 2 countries. PM said, as civilizations, "we have connections to each other" and a lot of "similarities in our approaches" leading to strong ties. India and Uzbekistan have been engaging under various formats including India Central Asia Dialogue at the foreign minister's level. Under the line of credit announced by India during the virtual FMs meet earlier this year, a number of projects are being mulled in the country. PM said, “India will provide expertise in according to country's development needs" like in infrastructure, IT, training, capacity building, education, health. India's western Gujarat state and Uzbekistan's Andijan already have cooperation and now the focus is on cooperation between the Haryana and Fergana. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the summit said, "You are a reliable and close friend...and the summit has confirmed the highest level of India and Uzbekistan strategic partnership" and thanked India for support amidst the covid pandemic. Indian Prime Minister had visited the doubly landlocked central Asian country in 2015 and 2016, followed by visits of Uzbek President Mirziyoyev to India in 2018 and 2019.

Afghanistan, counter-terror top focus by PM Modi at India-Uzbekistan virtual summit

Zalmay Latifi, head of the channel, confirmed the incident while adding that not much information is available at the moment.

WION Dispatch: Afghan TV journalist Malala Maiwand shot dead in Jalalabad

Gunmen shot dead Malalai Maiwand, a TV journalist along with her driver on Thursday. Maiwand worked with Enekaas TV. Her death marks the second murder of a journalist in Afghanistan in a month. Maiwand was killed in Jalalabad in Afghanistan. Her killing is another sign of growing violence in Afghanistan despite peace talks between the USA and Taliban.

Prominent Afghan figures including journalists, clerics, politicians and rights activists have been killed in recent months.

Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the Nangarhar provincial governor, and the local hospital confirmed the killings.&nbsp;

Nangarhar province and its capital Jalalabad have seen regular clashes between government forces and the Taliban. The extremist Islamic State group has also claimed several deadly attacks in the province.

The murder of Maiwand, who was in her 20s, comes just weeks after Radio Liberty reporter Aliyas Dayee was killed in a car bomb attack in Lashkar Gah.

Human Rights Watch said Dayee had previously been threatened by the Taliban.

A former television presenter in Kabul, Yama Siawash, was killed in a similar car bomb attack near his home last month.&nbsp;

No group has so far claimed these murders.

Afghan forces are battling an increase in violence in the country, much of it unleashed by the Taliban as they attempt to gain leverage in peace talks in Qatar, which opened in September.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Gunmen shot dead Malalai Maiwand, a TV journalist along with her driver on Thursday. Maiwand worked with Enekaas TV. Her death marks the second murder of a journalist in Afghanistan in a month.

Gunmen shot dead Malalai Maiwand, a TV journalist along with her driver on Thursday. Maiwand worked with Enekaas TV. Her death marks the second murder of a journalist in Afghanistan in a month. Maiwand was killed in Jalalabad in Afghanistan. Her killing is another sign of growing violence in Afghanistan despite peace talks between the USA and Taliban. Prominent Afghan figures including journalists, clerics, politicians and rights activists have been killed in recent months. Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the Nangarhar provincial governor, and the local hospital confirmed the killings. Nangarhar province and its capital Jalalabad have seen regular clashes between government forces and the Taliban. The extremist Islamic State group has also claimed several deadly attacks in the province. The murder of Maiwand, who was in her 20s, comes just weeks after Radio Liberty reporter Aliyas Dayee was killed in a car bomb attack in Lashkar Gah. Human Rights Watch said Dayee had previously been threatened by the Taliban. A former television presenter in Kabul, Yama Siawash, was killed in a similar car bomb attack near his home last month. No group has so far claimed these murders. Afghan forces are battling an increase in violence in the country, much of it unleashed by the Taliban as they attempt to gain leverage in peace talks in Qatar, which opened in September.

Afghanistan: Woman TV journalist shot dead

At harvest time, as neighbors and relatives reap their crops, 80-year-old Jamal Khan can only look in despair on the plot of land that was the source of his family’s livelihood — until the American forces arrived over a decade ago.

Just before sunset one day, armored vehicles drove into fields of knee-high corn stalks, claimed about 30 acres that were co-owned by about as many families and quickly cordoned off the area with barbed wire. This was now Combat Outpost Honaker-Miracle, one of the roughly 1,000 military installations the United States and its coalition partners would prop up across Afghanistan.

“In the whole vastness of the lord’s world, I had this plot of land and this house that I am living in and nothing else,” said Khan, who lives the Watapur District of Kunar province, in eastern Afghanistan. “We told them this is our private land, how do you suddenly put up here? They said nothing.”

Khan is one of countless Afghans whose land became a casualty of the U.S.-led war and the sprawling military infrastructure born from it. They have been forced to navigate a maze of Afghan and American bureaucracy and indifference, stoking a growing bitterness toward coalition forces and the Afghan government alike.

Despite the drawdown of American forces in Afghanistan from more than 100,000 in 2011 to fewer than 5,000, some of the property they occupied has not been returned. Instead, the bases and the land have been transferred to Afghan security forces.

The Americans have left Watapur but Khan does not have his land back, and similar conflicts linger across wide swaths of the country. In at least half a dozen of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, The New York Times has found land disputes involving owners who said they had simply been shut out.

In a country where due process is nearly impossible in the face of corruption and state erosion, the U.S. presence has added to a long history of land disputes that have often served as an underlying cause of local conflicts.

The Taliban touts the swift resolution of disputes in its shadow courts as a strength, and the unresolved discord over land bolsters the insurgents’ message that not only are Afghans deprived of justice under the American-backed government, but that the U.S. military presence has added to the injustice.

Khan still carries a pile of documents: petitions to the government, and even confirmation letters from the U.S. Army that say he is the rightful owner. On several occasions, he says, delegations from Kabul came to investigate — and they asked the villagers for money to cover their expenses during the stay.

But the most painful reminder of the trespass is his collection of small receipts. Although the Afghan army now occupies his land, Khan is still required to pay tax on the plot.

Over the years of fighting, the size of the U.S.-constructed installations varied greatly. Some bases were sprawling, even housing their own fast-food chain restaurants. In other cases, coalition forces would briefly occupy empty Afghan homes, destroying or modifying walls for defensive purposes before leaving.

The Americans sometimes negotiated temporary leases with local farmers, but those agreements were vulnerable to manipulation by corrupt local warlords and strongmen who brokered deals. During shorter stays, homeowners were rarely compensated.

A Pentagon spokesman, Army Maj. Rob Lodewick, deferred specific questions about land disputes to the Afghan government.

“It would be the responsibility of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to adjudicate and compensate, as appropriate, any and all entities that claim ownership to areas and facilities” provided by the Afghan government for use by U.S. forces, he said.

The Afghan defense ministry, despite repeated requests, did not comment.

Today, most installations are controlled by Afghan security forces; the few U.S. bases that remain are shuttering now as part of the U.S. deal with the Taliban.

In northern Balkh province, the U.S.-led coalition forces built a base next to the provincial capital’s airport. Amanullah Balkhi, a local business owner, says the installation occupied about 20 acres of his land.

The defense ministry said it was government land, Balkhi was told, but if he proved he owned it, the coalition would compensate him and pay rent. He says he fought a six-year legal battle that cost him about $2 million, which he covered by selling two of his apartment buildings, renting out more land and taking on $500,000 of debt.

“I have the deed, and the government and the courts have attested that this is my land,” he said. “But the Americans still have the land and they still deny me.”

Balkhi has become deeply depressed, he said, adding, “I have ruined my life to get my right, but I have gotten nothing.”

The story of a base in Panjwai, in southern Kandahar province, is almost identical — and speaks to the troubling legacy the United States has left behind.

About 10 years ago, dozens of coalition vehicles arrived at the small village and eyed about 10 acres of vineyard owned by half a dozen villagers. They even tasted the grapes before getting to work building a new base.

“They didn’t carve a road where there was a trek, where we came and went — they carved a road for themselves through people’s lands, people’s gardens,” said Fida Muhammad, a tribal elder from Panjwai and one of the vineyard’s owners.

In the initial days, there was word that the coalition forces were offering compensation, but the area was so restive that approaching the base for money meant taking potentially lethal risks. Villagers feared the Americans would mistake them for the Taliban. And they knew that if they did manage to get their money, the Taliban, who were everywhere, would know and come after them for profiting from the occupiers.

The area was so lush that “you had to squint your eyes to find a dry patch,” said Rashid Gul, a village resident. But these days it’s desolate except for one small patch of vineyard.

“It ruined the irrigation system too — for five years, the irrigation canals were ruined, the land dried,” Muhammad said of the coalition base. “Many families left the area. They went to the city for daily labor.”

As one of the village elders, Muhammad took the lead in trying to get compensation and reclaim the land, to no avail. When the Americans ran the base, he said, the villagers’ claim was simply lost in bureaucracy; come tomorrow, come the next day, he was told repeatedly.

“We have lost hope of finding someone who can get us our right,” said Muhammad, who said he had made about 30 trips with petitions. “It’s just tiring ourselves, losing more money, but we can’t find a door to knock on for justice.”

When a base was transferred to Afghan control, the forces stationed there were often too preoccupied with defending it against Taliban attacks to pay much attention to land claims. Many of the Afghan commanders who rotated through simply did not care about the local residents’ grievances, which they saw as an issue between the farmers and the Americans.

Gul worried that even if one day the plot of land in Panjwai were returned, figuring out which piece belonged to whom could spark new disagreements.

Land disputes have been one of the main issues of conflict in the village, he said. Just two weeks earlier, Muhammad had to quell a feud because one farmer’s tractor had crossed the boundary of another man’s land.

“All this land is mixed up now, no one knows which piece is whose,” Gul said. “You will be amazed at what kind of fights will break out between people over this.”

Resolving those conflicts would require digging through government archives, hoping to find old property demarcation records.

Asked about how long that would take, he smiled a tired smile.

“This is Afghanistan,” he said.

At harvest time, as neighbors and relatives reap their crops, 80-year-old Jamal Khan can only look in despair on the plot of land that was the source of his family’s livelihood — until the American forces arrived over a decade ago.

At harvest time, as neighbors and relatives reap their crops, 80-year-old Jamal Khan can only look in despair on the plot of land that was the source of his family’s livelihood — until the American forces arrived over a decade ago. Just before sunset one day, armored vehicles drove into fields of knee-high corn stalks, claimed about 30 acres that were co-owned by about as many families and quickly cordoned off the area with barbed wire. This was now Combat Outpost Honaker-Miracle, one of the roughly 1,000 military installations the United States and its coalition partners would prop up across Afghanistan. “In the whole vastness of the lord’s world, I had this plot of land and this house that I am living in and nothing else,” said Khan, who lives the Watapur District of Kunar province, in eastern Afghanistan. “We told them this is our private land, how do you suddenly put up here? They said nothing.” Khan is one of countless Afghans whose land became a casualty of the U.S.-led war and the sprawling military infrastructure born from it. They have been forced to navigate a maze of Afghan and American bureaucracy and indifference, stoking a growing bitterness toward coalition forces and the Afghan government alike. Despite the drawdown of American forces in Afghanistan from more than 100,000 in 2011 to fewer than 5,000, some of the property they occupied has not been returned. Instead, the bases and the land have been transferred to Afghan security forces. The Americans have left Watapur but Khan does not have his land back, and similar conflicts linger across wide swaths of the country. In at least half a dozen of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, The New York Times has found land disputes involving owners who said they had simply been shut out. In a country where due process is nearly impossible in the face of corruption and state erosion, the U.S. presence has added to a long history of land disputes that have often served as an underlying cause of local conflicts. The Taliban touts the swift resolution of disputes in its shadow courts as a strength, and the unresolved discord over land bolsters the insurgents’ message that not only are Afghans deprived of justice under the American-backed government, but that the U.S. military presence has added to the injustice. Khan still carries a pile of documents: petitions to the government, and even confirmation letters from the U.S. Army that say he is the rightful owner. On several occasions, he says, delegations from Kabul came to investigate — and they asked the villagers for money to cover their expenses during the stay. But the most painful reminder of the trespass is his collection of small receipts. Although the Afghan army now occupies his land, Khan is still required to pay tax on the plot. Over the years of fighting, the size of the U.S.-constructed installations varied greatly. Some bases were sprawling, even housing their own fast-food chain restaurants. In other cases, coalition forces would briefly occupy empty Afghan homes, destroying or modifying walls for defensive purposes before leaving. The Americans sometimes negotiated temporary leases with local farmers, but those agreements were vulnerable to manipulation by corrupt local warlords and strongmen who brokered deals. During shorter stays, homeowners were rarely compensated. A Pentagon spokesman, Army Maj. Rob Lodewick, deferred specific questions about land disputes to the Afghan government. “It would be the responsibility of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to adjudicate and compensate, as appropriate, any and all entities that claim ownership to areas and facilities” provided by the Afghan government for use by U.S. forces, he said. The Afghan defense ministry, despite repeated requests, did not comment. Today, most installations are controlled by Afghan security forces; the few U.S. bases that remain are shuttering now as part of the U.S. deal with the Taliban. In northern Balkh province, the U.S.-led coalition forces built a base next to the provincial capital’s airport. Amanullah Balkhi, a local business owner, says the installation occupied about 20 acres of his land. The defense ministry said it was government land, Balkhi was told, but if he proved he owned it, the coalition would compensate him and pay rent. He says he fought a six-year legal battle that cost him about $2 million, which he covered by selling two of his apartment buildings, renting out more land and taking on $500,000 of debt. “I have the deed, and the government and the courts have attested that this is my land,” he said. “But the Americans still have the land and they still deny me.” Balkhi has become deeply depressed, he said, adding, “I have ruined my life to get my right, but I have gotten nothing.” The story of a base in Panjwai, in southern Kandahar province, is almost identical — and speaks to the troubling legacy the United States has left behind. About 10 years ago, dozens of coalition vehicles arrived at the small village and eyed about 10 acres of vineyard owned by half a dozen villagers. They even tasted the grapes before getting to work building a new base. “They didn’t carve a road where there was a trek, where we came and went — they carved a road for themselves through people’s lands, people’s gardens,” said Fida Muhammad, a tribal elder from Panjwai and one of the vineyard’s owners. In the initial days, there was word that the coalition forces were offering compensation, but the area was so restive that approaching the base for money meant taking potentially lethal risks. Villagers feared the Americans would mistake them for the Taliban. And they knew that if they did manage to get their money, the Taliban, who were everywhere, would know and come after them for profiting from the occupiers. The area was so lush that “you had to squint your eyes to find a dry patch,” said Rashid Gul, a village resident. But these days it’s desolate except for one small patch of vineyard. “It ruined the irrigation system too — for five years, the irrigation canals were ruined, the land dried,” Muhammad said of the coalition base. “Many families left the area. They went to the city for daily labor.” As one of the village elders, Muhammad took the lead in trying to get compensation and reclaim the land, to no avail. When the Americans ran the base, he said, the villagers’ claim was simply lost in bureaucracy; come tomorrow, come the next day, he was told repeatedly. “We have lost hope of finding someone who can get us our right,” said Muhammad, who said he had made about 30 trips with petitions. “It’s just tiring ourselves, losing more money, but we can’t find a door to knock on for justice.” When a base was transferred to Afghan control, the forces stationed there were often too preoccupied with defending it against Taliban attacks to pay much attention to land claims. Many of the Afghan commanders who rotated through simply did not care about the local residents’ grievances, which they saw as an issue between the farmers and the Americans. Gul worried that even if one day the plot of land in Panjwai were returned, figuring out which piece belonged to whom could spark new disagreements. Land disputes have been one of the main issues of conflict in the village, he said. Just two weeks earlier, Muhammad had to quell a feud because one farmer’s tractor had crossed the boundary of another man’s land. “All this land is mixed up now, no one knows which piece is whose,” Gul said. “You will be amazed at what kind of fights will break out between people over this.” Resolving those conflicts would require digging through government archives, hoping to find old property demarcation records. Asked about how long that would take, he smiled a tired smile. “This is Afghanistan,” he said.

US leaves behind Afghan bases and legacy of land disputes

The report, In search of justice for crimes of violence against women and girls, examined 303 reports of crimes between September 2018 and February 2020

WION Dispatch: 'Afghan law still fails victims of sex crimes', claims UN report

A successful peace process with the Taliban will allow the government to focus its resources on countering the Islamic State group and its attacks on soft targets, Afghanistan's national security adviser said Saturday.

Afghanistan is grappling with a surge in violence that has worsened despite landmark peace talks with the Taliban which began in September in Qatar.

The Islamic State jihadist group has claimed a series of assaults on vulnerable targets, including a November attack on Kabul university which saw gunmen detonate grenades and spray automatic fire across the campus.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-afghanistans-iconic-chicken-street-fades-peace-brings-new-hope-347017">As Afghanistan's iconic chicken street fades, peace brings new hope</a>

Hamdullah Mohib, Afghanistan's national security adviser, said that although IS had been dislodged from the territory it controlled and its funding sources disrupted, the group maintained a "network of terror".

"Of course those attacks by themselves are quite damaging, they bring a lot of fear to our people, and we are working very hard to prevent them from attacking our cities," he told AFP.

"We do face a lot of threats... so our resources are stretched," he said on the sidelines of a security conference in Bahrain's capital.

"One of the reasons we're focused on this peace process with the Taliban is that if we were to achieve peace with the Taliban, our security forces will be able to divert their capabilities onto terrorist groups like Daesh (IS) and then we can contain them much easier."

The Doha talks have made headway in recent days, setting out a code of conduct that will allow the process to move to the next stage of setting out the agenda for negotiations.

"It has been a long conflict, four decades -- to end that conflict there are, of course, a lot of grievances that need to be addressed," Mohib said.

"Everyone's tired. The demand of the Afghan people is to end this conflict, but there are a lot of differences," he said. "But I think in good spirit, we will be able to achieve peace."

Drawdown 'strain'&nbsp;

The warring sides have been engaging directly for the first time, following a troop withdrawal deal signed in February by the insurgents and Washington.

The US agreed to withdraw all foreign forces in exchange for security guarantees and a Taliban pledge to hold talks with Kabul.

However, the process has been overshadowed by the surge of violence in recent weeks, with the Taliban launching near daily attacks against government forces.

"The Taliban wanted to get the maximum advantage at the negotiating table and I think they perhaps were testing the Afghan security forces, maybe also on how far it will go before our allies come to our support," Mohib said.

President Donald Trump has ordered the US troop presence in Afghanistan to be slashed from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January, a move Mohib said would put the Afghan military under pressure.

"It will strain our capabilities and of course it will affect those training and maintenance facilities that are being built," he said, forcing them to speed up plans to make the air force self-sufficient.

"We still rely on US air power for a lot of the conflict and we need that to maintain our advantage over the Taliban until our own capabilities are built."

A successful peace process with the Taliban will allow the government to focus its resources on countering the Islamic State group and its attacks on soft targets, Afghanistan's national security adviser said Saturday.

A successful peace process with the Taliban will allow the government to focus its resources on countering the Islamic State group and its attacks on soft targets, Afghanistan's national security adviser said Saturday. Afghanistan is grappling with a surge in violence that has worsened despite landmark peace talks with the Taliban which began in September in Qatar. The Islamic State jihadist group has claimed a series of assaults on vulnerable targets, including a November attack on Kabul university which saw gunmen detonate grenades and spray automatic fire across the campus. Also read | As Afghanistan's iconic chicken street fades, peace brings new hope Hamdullah Mohib, Afghanistan's national security adviser, said that although IS had been dislodged from the territory it controlled and its funding sources disrupted, the group maintained a "network of terror". "Of course those attacks by themselves are quite damaging, they bring a lot of fear to our people, and we are working very hard to prevent them from attacking our cities," he told AFP. "We do face a lot of threats... so our resources are stretched," he said on the sidelines of a security conference in Bahrain's capital. "One of the reasons we're focused on this peace process with the Taliban is that if we were to achieve peace with the Taliban, our security forces will be able to divert their capabilities onto terrorist groups like Daesh (IS) and then we can contain them much easier." The Doha talks have made headway in recent days, setting out a code of conduct that will allow the process to move to the next stage of setting out the agenda for negotiations. "It has been a long conflict, four decades -- to end that conflict there are, of course, a lot of grievances that need to be addressed," Mohib said. "Everyone's tired. The demand of the Afghan people is to end this conflict, but there are a lot of differences," he said. "But I think in good spirit, we will be able to achieve peace." Drawdown 'strain' The warring sides have been engaging directly for the first time, following a troop withdrawal deal signed in February by the insurgents and Washington. The US agreed to withdraw all foreign forces in exchange for security guarantees and a Taliban pledge to hold talks with Kabul. However, the process has been overshadowed by the surge of violence in recent weeks, with the Taliban launching near daily attacks against government forces. "The Taliban wanted to get the maximum advantage at the negotiating table and I think they perhaps were testing the Afghan security forces, maybe also on how far it will go before our allies come to our support," Mohib said. President Donald Trump has ordered the US troop presence in Afghanistan to be slashed from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January, a move Mohib said would put the Afghan military under pressure. "It will strain our capabilities and of course it will affect those training and maintenance facilities that are being built," he said, forcing them to speed up plans to make the air force self-sufficient. "We still rely on US air power for a lot of the conflict and we need that to maintain our advantage over the Taliban until our own capabilities are built."

Peace deal with Taliban will help in fighting IS: Afghan official

An Afghan army-led joint force of corps, commandos and other fighters have conducted an operation against the Taliban in the eastern province of Laghman, leaving 61 terrorists killed or seriously injured, Brig. Gen. Zalmai Nabard, the commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade in Laghman, said.

"As a result of the operation, 44 Taliban terrorists, including seven key commanders, were killed and 17 others were seriously wounded," Nabard said.

According to the military, the six-day operation was conducted in Laghman`s Dawlat Shah and Alishang districts.

The army officer claimed that the areas had been completely cleared of the Taliban and that security checkpoints had been set up there.

An Afghan army-led joint force of corps, commandos and other fighters have conducted an operation against the Taliban in the eastern province of Laghman, leaving 61 terrorists killed or seriously injured, Brig.

An Afghan army-led joint force of corps, commandos and other fighters have conducted an operation against the Taliban in the eastern province of Laghman, leaving 61 terrorists killed or seriously injured, Brig. Gen. Zalmai Nabard, the commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade in Laghman, said. "As a result of the operation, 44 Taliban terrorists, including seven key commanders, were killed and 17 others were seriously wounded," Nabard said. According to the military, the six-day operation was conducted in Laghman`s Dawlat Shah and Alishang districts. The army officer claimed that the areas had been completely cleared of the Taliban and that security checkpoints had been set up there.

Afghan Army operation in Laghman leaves 44 Taliban terrorists dead

Kabul’s iconic chicken street was once meant for foreign visitor, today, however, it is struggling to stay afloat amid the decades-long war.

The chicken street was once a thriving market - a narrow thoroughfare where traders hawked Afghan coats, silver ankle bracelets and pots. Despite 30 years of invasions, civil war, Mujahidin rockets and the Taliban’s reign of terror it still exists, and still sells Afghan coats, onyx chess boards, brass dishes and faux-antique.

Though it’s called chicken street but there are no chickens available but one thing this street never lacked was visitors. Foreign tourists used to throng chicken street hoping to buy Afghan antiques but not anymore.

Tourists are now a rarity in chicken street with unsold antiques piling up. Now, embassies and aid groups discourage their workers from shopping at the venue. The security situation around the market has been precarious keeping foreign tourists away.

Lapis lazuli is the big seller here - it’s a blue gemstone found in Afghanistan. Tables, crockery, beads, they make it here with Lapis Lazuli. Items are sold by their weight in pound but there is an acute problem that vendors face.

Outside&nbsp;the mouthwatering smell of kebabs grilling over charcoal in long metal trays on the sidewalks wafts along the street, the chicken street is a mere shadow of its former self. The hope is that once peace returns, tourists will once again throng these narrow streets.

(With Anas Mallick in Kabul)

 
&nbsp;

Kabul’s iconic chicken street was once meant for foreign visitor, today, however, it is struggling to stay afloat amid the decades-long war. The chicken street was once a thriving market - a narrow thoroughfare where traders hawked Afghan coats, silver ankle bracelets and pots.

Kabul’s iconic chicken street was once meant for foreign visitor, today, however, it is struggling to stay afloat amid the decades-long war. The chicken street was once a thriving market - a narrow thoroughfare where traders hawked Afghan coats, silver ankle bracelets and pots. Despite 30 years of invasions, civil war, Mujahidin rockets and the Taliban’s reign of terror it still exists, and still sells Afghan coats, onyx chess boards, brass dishes and faux-antique. Though it’s called chicken street but there are no chickens available but one thing this street never lacked was visitors. Foreign tourists used to throng chicken street hoping to buy Afghan antiques but not anymore. Tourists are now a rarity in chicken street with unsold antiques piling up. Now, embassies and aid groups discourage their workers from shopping at the venue. The security situation around the market has been precarious keeping foreign tourists away. Lapis lazuli is the big seller here - it’s a blue gemstone found in Afghanistan. Tables, crockery, beads, they make it here with Lapis Lazuli. Items are sold by their weight in pound but there is an acute problem that vendors face. Outside the mouthwatering smell of kebabs grilling over charcoal in long metal trays on the sidewalks wafts along the street, the chicken street is a mere shadow of its former self. The hope is that once peace returns, tourists will once again throng these narrow streets. (With Anas Mallick in Kabul)

As Afghanistan's iconic chicken street fades, peace brings new hope

Peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Qatar are set to proceed to the next stage. A 3-page agreement has been agreed to codify the rules and procedures for negotiating a political road map and a comprehensive ceasefire.

Your Story: Talks between Taliban-Afghan govt to move to next stage

A bomb attack slightly wounded Russian embassy staff in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday, Russian's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

An improvised explosive device exploded not far from the embassy as one of their cars was driving past, it said. Several embassy staff on board were slightly hurt.

An initial assessment suggests the attack had been intended for the Afghan security forces, the statement continued. But they had not ruled out that embassy staff were in fact the target, and the embassy was tightening its security.

The ministry also called on the Afghan authorities to take steps to ensure the safety of the Russian embassy staff there.

Violence has also surged in Kabul in recent weeks, with more than 50 people killed in two assaults on educational centres and a rocket attack.&nbsp;

And a suicide car bomb attack Sunday killed at least 30 security personnel at an army base on the outskirts of Ghazni city, capital of the eastern province of Ghazni, one of the deadliest attacks targeting government forces in months.

A bomb attack slightly wounded Russian embassy staff in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday, Russian's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. An improvised explosive device exploded not far from the embassy as one of their cars was driving past, it said.

A bomb attack slightly wounded Russian embassy staff in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday, Russian's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. An improvised explosive device exploded not far from the embassy as one of their cars was driving past, it said. Several embassy staff on board were slightly hurt. An initial assessment suggests the attack had been intended for the Afghan security forces, the statement continued. But they had not ruled out that embassy staff were in fact the target, and the embassy was tightening its security. The ministry also called on the Afghan authorities to take steps to ensure the safety of the Russian embassy staff there. Violence has also surged in Kabul in recent weeks, with more than 50 people killed in two assaults on educational centres and a rocket attack. And a suicide car bomb attack Sunday killed at least 30 security personnel at an army base on the outskirts of Ghazni city, capital of the eastern province of Ghazni, one of the deadliest attacks targeting government forces in months.

Afghanistan blast injures Russian embassy staff

Soraya Shahidy, is no regular tattoo artist. She is the first female tattoo artist in Afghanistan, a country where many still believe ink-on-skin is a sin against Islam.

Meet Afghanistan's first female tattoo artist

Afghanistan forces have killed the Taliban mastermind of yesterday's attack in which at least 30 security personnel died, officials said on Monday.&nbsp;

Hamza Waziristani died in an overnight air strike in the eastern province of Ghazni.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-demands-apology-from-china-for-repugnant-afghan-tweet-346407">Australia demands apology from China for ‘repugnant’ Afghan tweet</a>

"The mastermind behind yesterday's terrorist attack on the (Ghazni) base was killed along with seven other terrorists," a statement by the defence ministry said, reports news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/car-bombing-in-afghanistan-kills-30-security-personnel-346188">Car bombing in Afghanistan kills 30 security personnel</a>

Ministry spokesman Fawad Aman told that Waziristani was a Taliban terrorist from the border region of Waziristan in Pakistan.&nbsp;

The response from Afghan forces came after Sunday's suicide attack in Ghazni in which the attacker detonated a vehicle full of explosives.

No group has claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing.&nbsp;

The attack in Ghazni was one of the deadliest in months targetting government forces and comes amid a surge in violence since the beginning of peace talks between Afghanistan snd Taliban in Qatar.&nbsp;

Violent incidents have also escalated in capital Kabul recently, with over 50 people killed in two assaults on educational institutions and a rocket attack.&nbsp;

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for three Kabul attacks, but Afghan officials blamed the Taliban, who rejected such claims.&nbsp;

Afghanistan forces have killed the Taliban mastermind of yesterday's attack in which at least 30 security personnel died, officials said on Monday. Hamza Waziristani died in an overnight air strike in the eastern province of Ghazni.

Afghanistan forces have killed the Taliban mastermind of yesterday's attack in which at least 30 security personnel died, officials said on Monday. Hamza Waziristani died in an overnight air strike in the eastern province of Ghazni. Also read | Australia demands apology from China for ‘repugnant’ Afghan tweet "The mastermind behind yesterday's terrorist attack on the (Ghazni) base was killed along with seven other terrorists," a statement by the defence ministry said, reports news agency AFP. Also read | Car bombing in Afghanistan kills 30 security personnel Ministry spokesman Fawad Aman told that Waziristani was a Taliban terrorist from the border region of Waziristan in Pakistan. The response from Afghan forces came after Sunday's suicide attack in Ghazni in which the attacker detonated a vehicle full of explosives. No group has claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing. The attack in Ghazni was one of the deadliest in months targetting government forces and comes amid a surge in violence since the beginning of peace talks between Afghanistan snd Taliban in Qatar. Violent incidents have also escalated in capital Kabul recently, with over 50 people killed in two assaults on educational institutions and a rocket attack. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for three Kabul attacks, but Afghan officials blamed the Taliban, who rejected such claims.

Afghan forces kill Taliban mastermind of Ghazni attack

The negotiators from parties of the Intra-Afghanistan peace negotiations — the Taliban and the Afghanistan government — have agreed on procedural rules with 21 items for the intra-Afghan talks on November 15, said the Taliban Spokesperson on Saturday.

"The procedure of Intra-Afghan negotiations between the negotiating teams was completed and finalized in 21 articles on the 15th of November 2020," tweeted Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-to-discharge-13-soldiers-after-afghan-war-crimes-probe-345705">Australia to discharge 13 soldiers after Afghan war crimes probe</a>

Citing sources, Tolo News reported that, this week, a breakthrough in the talks and said both sides have agreed to include the US-Taliban agreement, UN endorsements for the Afghan peace process, commitments of the negotiating teams and the will of the people of Afghanistan.

However, the Presidential Palace denied the reports that any progress had been made in the peace talks and said that the deadlock still remained.

Afghan chief negotiator Mohammad Massoom Stanikzai and presidential peace adviser Salam Rahimi have been on a secret trip to Kabul over the past three days, seeking President Ghani`s approval for the agreed formulation, according to sources this week.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-role-praised-by-president-ghani-at-afghanistan-conference-in-geneva-345123">India's role praised by President Ghani at Afghanistan conference in Geneva</a>

The peace negotiations between teams from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban started on September 12 but to date, no direct talks have started because of disagreements on procedural rules for the negotiations.

Since the start of negotiations in Doha, members of the contact groups of both sides of the peace negotiations have met several times to agree on the contested issue.

"The Taliban has staged attacks on the centers of at least 50 districts in 16 provinces of the country following the signing of the peace deal with the US in Doha in February, and most of these attacks happened in the last two months after the start of the negotiations in Qatar on September 12," sources from various provinces said Thursday, reported by Tolo News.&nbsp;

The negotiators from parties of the Intra-Afghanistan peace negotiations — the Taliban and the Afghanistan government — have agreed on procedural rules with 21 items for the intra-Afghan talks on November 15, said the Taliban Spokesperson on Saturday.

The negotiators from parties of the Intra-Afghanistan peace negotiations — the Taliban and the Afghanistan government — have agreed on procedural rules with 21 items for the intra-Afghan talks on November 15, said the Taliban Spokesperson on Saturday. "The procedure of Intra-Afghan negotiations between the negotiating teams was completed and finalized in 21 articles on the 15th of November 2020," tweeted Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban. Also read| Australia to discharge 13 soldiers after Afghan war crimes probe Citing sources, Tolo News reported that, this week, a breakthrough in the talks and said both sides have agreed to include the US-Taliban agreement, UN endorsements for the Afghan peace process, commitments of the negotiating teams and the will of the people of Afghanistan. However, the Presidential Palace denied the reports that any progress had been made in the peace talks and said that the deadlock still remained. Afghan chief negotiator Mohammad Massoom Stanikzai and presidential peace adviser Salam Rahimi have been on a secret trip to Kabul over the past three days, seeking President Ghani`s approval for the agreed formulation, according to sources this week. Also read| India's role praised by President Ghani at Afghanistan conference in Geneva The peace negotiations between teams from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban started on September 12 but to date, no direct talks have started because of disagreements on procedural rules for the negotiations. Since the start of negotiations in Doha, members of the contact groups of both sides of the peace negotiations have met several times to agree on the contested issue. "The Taliban has staged attacks on the centers of at least 50 districts in 16 provinces of the country following the signing of the peace deal with the US in Doha in February, and most of these attacks happened in the last two months after the start of the negotiations in Qatar on September 12," sources from various provinces said Thursday, reported by Tolo News.

On November 15 Doha Negotiators agreed on rules: Taliban

A car bomb attack took place in Afghanistan on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of&nbsp;30&nbsp;Afghan security personnel, and 17 injured, officials reported. The death toll is expected to increase.

As per initial reports, the bomb was ticked off by&nbsp;a suicide bomber in the Ghaznil&nbsp;province. This is being treated as a direct attack on the&nbsp;Provincial Council.

The attack has come a few weeks after Afghanistan's capital city was targetted with nearly 23 rockets by the Islamic State (IS).

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-kabul-rocked-by-several-rocket-explosions-344461">Afghanistan rocket explosions: Death toll jumps to 8; govt blames Taliban</a>

This incident took place in Ghazni, capital of the eastern province of Ghazn. The emergency services have been called to the spot who are now attending to the injured.

"We have received 26 bodies and 17 wounded so far. All of them are security personnel,"&nbsp;Baz Mohammad Hemat, director of Ghazni hospital had said earlier. The extent of damages is still being analysed by the officials.

An investigation into the matter has been launched, and more details will be revealed soon by the officials.

A car bomb attack took place in Afghanistan on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of 30 Afghan security personnel, and 17 injured, officials reported. The death toll is expected to increase.

A car bomb attack took place in Afghanistan on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of 30 Afghan security personnel, and 17 injured, officials reported. The death toll is expected to increase. As per initial reports, the bomb was ticked off by a suicide bomber in the Ghaznil province. This is being treated as a direct attack on the Provincial Council. The attack has come a few weeks after Afghanistan's capital city was targetted with nearly 23 rockets by the Islamic State (IS). Also read| Afghanistan rocket explosions: Death toll jumps to 8; govt blames Taliban This incident took place in Ghazni, capital of the eastern province of Ghazn. The emergency services have been called to the spot who are now attending to the injured. "We have received 26 bodies and 17 wounded so far. All of them are security personnel," Baz Mohammad Hemat, director of Ghazni hospital had said earlier. The extent of damages is still being analysed by the officials. An investigation into the matter has been launched, and more details will be revealed soon by the officials.

Car bombing in Afghanistan kills 30 security personnel

A suicide car bomber struck an army base in Afghanistan on Sunday, killing at least 26 security personnel, officials said, in one of the bloodiest attacks targeting Afghan forces in recent months. The attack occurred in the eastern province of Ghazni, which has seen regular fighting between the Taliban and government forces.

News Alert: Suicide car bomb kills 26 Afghan security personnel: AFP officials

Australia has decided to discharge 13 soldiers following a damning report into conduct in Afghanistan that prosecutors believe may have constituted war crimes.

Australian army chief Rick Burr said the personnel had been served "administrative action notices," which would terminate their service in two weeks unless they successfully appealed.

A years-long investigation last week reported that Australia's elite special forces "unlawfully killed" 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan, including by summary execution as part of initiation rituals.

It recommended 19 individuals be referred to Australian Federal Police, compensation be paid to the families of victims, and that the military carry out a slew of reforms.

Burr said due process must now be respected as the military looks to bring those responsible for wrongdoing to justice.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, more than 26,000 Australian uniformed personnel were sent to Afghanistan to fight alongside US and allied forces against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups.

Australian combat troops officially left the country in late 2013, but since then a series of often-brutal accounts have emerged about the conduct of elite special forces units.

Australia has decided to discharge 13 soldiers following a damning report into conduct in Afghanistan that prosecutors believe may have constituted war crimes. Australian army chief Rick Burr said the personnel had been served "administrative action notices," which would terminate their service in two weeks unless they successfully appealed.

Australia has decided to discharge 13 soldiers following a damning report into conduct in Afghanistan that prosecutors believe may have constituted war crimes. Australian army chief Rick Burr said the personnel had been served "administrative action notices," which would terminate their service in two weeks unless they successfully appealed. A years-long investigation last week reported that Australia's elite special forces "unlawfully killed" 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan, including by summary execution as part of initiation rituals. It recommended 19 individuals be referred to Australian Federal Police, compensation be paid to the families of victims, and that the military carry out a slew of reforms. Burr said due process must now be respected as the military looks to bring those responsible for wrongdoing to justice. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, more than 26,000 Australian uniformed personnel were sent to Afghanistan to fight alongside US and allied forces against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups. Australian combat troops officially left the country in late 2013, but since then a series of often-brutal accounts have emerged about the conduct of elite special forces units.

Australia to discharge 13 soldiers after Afghan war crimes probe

Australia has made a startling revelation 13 of its troops are facing dismissal for un lawfully killing of Afghan civilians. This comes after an independent report claims that there is enough evidence that 39 unarmed Afghan prisoners and civilians were killed by 19 Australian soldiers.

Australian troops are facing dismissal | Afghan War

The Afghan Presidential palace has rejected any progress and peace negotiations between Afghanistan negotiators and the Taliban.

Afghanistan: No progress in peace talks, what’s next?

A breakthrough in the prelude to Afghanistan peace talks has failed to materialise after more than two months of intensive negotiations.

WION Dispatch: What's next for Afghan peace talks?

A new report reveals Afghanistan has been pushed deeper into an already dire food security crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Food crisis worsens in Afghanistan with 42% of the population malnourished

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai on Wednesday, urged Britain against cutting overseas aid. UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to make major announcement on the country's overseas aid. He is expected to suspend legal commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of gross income on international development.

As per reports, Sunak will cut the aid to 0.5 per cent as the government seeks to support the coronavirus-ravaged economy and looks for savings from an aid budget worth £15 billion ($20 billion, €17 billion).

In a tweet late on Tuesday, Yousafzai reminded Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the 0.7 percent pledge, renewed in last year's Conservative election manifesto.

"When you announce spending priorities... I hope you'll deliver on that promise," she wrote.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
130 million girls were already out of school before <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a>. Now 20 million more might not return.<a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BorisJohnson</a> - a generation of girls is counting on our support. Now is not the time to back out of commitments to education. <a href="https://t.co/Kp91byysUz">https://t.co/Kp91byysUz</a>
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalalaFund/status/1330965119409467395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The Pakistani education campaigner wrote that leaders must "prioritise education" as "Covid-19 could force 20 million more girls out of school".

Her plea came as five former prime ministers also opposed the planned cut.

Among them was former Conservative leader John Major, quoted by The Times newspaper on Wednesday as saying the spending cut was "morally wrong and politically unwise".

Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said on Saturday that Britain's overseas aid budget had an impact "measured literally in millions of lives".

David Cameron, whose coalition government enshrined the 0.7 percent in law, has said abandoning it would be a "moral, strategic and political mistake".

Johnson's government has repeatedly committed to maintaining the spending and his Conservatives made it a key plank of the election manifesto last year.

The government also promised not to grab ring-fenced aid money when it merged the foreign and development ministries earlier this year.

But Sunak on Sunday told Sky News the UK was under "enormous pressure and stress" and faced an "economic shock".

Any cut -- even a temporary one -- is likely to trigger a battle with Conservative MPs.

Tom Tugendhat, who chairs parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote in The Times: "If we cut aid we'll fall behind."

He retweeted Yousafzai's message, saying the UK needs "others to join us" as other G7 nations spend less on foreign aid.

The leaders of 187 charities including Save the Children, Greenpeace UK and Christian Aid on Friday urged Johnson not to cut the aid budget.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai on Wednesday, urged Britain against cutting overseas aid. UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to make major announcement on the country's overseas aid.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai on Wednesday, urged Britain against cutting overseas aid. UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to make major announcement on the country's overseas aid. He is expected to suspend legal commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of gross income on international development. As per reports, Sunak will cut the aid to 0.5 per cent as the government seeks to support the coronavirus-ravaged economy and looks for savings from an aid budget worth £15 billion ($20 billion, €17 billion). In a tweet late on Tuesday, Yousafzai reminded Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the 0.7 percent pledge, renewed in last year's Conservative election manifesto. "When you announce spending priorities... I hope you'll deliver on that promise," she wrote. 130 million girls were already out of school before #COVID19. Now 20 million more might not return.@BorisJohnson - a generation of girls is counting on our support. Now is not the time to back out of commitments to education. https://t.co/Kp91byysUz — Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) November 23, 2020 × The Pakistani education campaigner wrote that leaders must "prioritise education" as "Covid-19 could force 20 million more girls out of school". Her plea came as five former prime ministers also opposed the planned cut. Among them was former Conservative leader John Major, quoted by The Times newspaper on Wednesday as saying the spending cut was "morally wrong and politically unwise". Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said on Saturday that Britain's overseas aid budget had an impact "measured literally in millions of lives". David Cameron, whose coalition government enshrined the 0.7 percent in law, has said abandoning it would be a "moral, strategic and political mistake". Johnson's government has repeatedly committed to maintaining the spending and his Conservatives made it a key plank of the election manifesto last year. The government also promised not to grab ring-fenced aid money when it merged the foreign and development ministries earlier this year. But Sunak on Sunday told Sky News the UK was under "enormous pressure and stress" and faced an "economic shock". Any cut -- even a temporary one -- is likely to trigger a battle with Conservative MPs. Tom Tugendhat, who chairs parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote in The Times: "If we cut aid we'll fall behind." He retweeted Yousafzai's message, saying the UK needs "others to join us" as other G7 nations spend less on foreign aid. The leaders of 187 charities including Save the Children, Greenpeace UK and Christian Aid on Friday urged Johnson not to cut the aid budget.

Don't cut overseas aid, Malala Yousafzai urges UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak

21-year-old Marzia Panahi, sets up the Namad Gallery at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in Kabul, Afghanistan. WION brings you a report.

Afghanistan: 21-year-old student Marzia Panahi begins a start up company in Kabul

Britain said it will pledge $227 million in annual civilian and food aid for Afghanistan at a conference on Tuesday in Geneva where officials from about 70 countries and humanitarian organisations will pledge billions of dollars for the war-torn nation.

Dependent on foreign aid, Afghanistan is at risk of receiving 15-20% less funding than it received at the previous donor conference four years ago, diplomats say, as governments are under intense pressure to make savings as they ramp up spending to help their own economies recover from impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-says-escape-route-from-coronavirus-in-sight-344966">Boris Johnson says 'escape route' from coronavirus 'in sight'</a>

Withholding funds at this point, diplomats say, could at least provide foreign governments with some leverage to inject a greater sense of urgency into peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives that began in Qatar in September.

Britain, a country with a long and difficult history of involvement in Afghanistan, is the country's third largest bilateral donor, and the amount being pledged in Geneva will be slightly higher than it pledged at the last donor conference in Brussels four years ago.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-normal-christmas-this-year-says-britains-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-344710">No 'normal' Christmas this year, says Britain's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak</a>

The statement issued by the UK Mission to the United Nations and World Trade Organisation in Geneva said 155 million pounds ($207 million) would be pledged to support peace and stability in Afghanistan and "improve access to education and vital infrastructure."

Britain would "also announce an extra 15 million pounds ($20 million) to the United Nations' World Food Programme" for Afghanistan.

The latest monetary commitment is separate from the 70 million pounds ($93.32 million) security pledge for Afghan forces for 2021, which Britain announced last month.

In Brussels in 2016, Britain had pledged a total of 750 million pounds for four years, which translated into 187.5 million pounds annually.

At the Brussels conference, Afghanistan obtained total pledges of $15.2 billion for 2017 to 2020, equivalent to $3.8 billion a year.

Britain said it will pledge $227 million in annual civilian and food aid for Afghanistan at a conference on Tuesday in Geneva where officials from about 70 countries and humanitarian organisations will pledge billions of dollars for the war-torn nation.

Britain said it will pledge $227 million in annual civilian and food aid for Afghanistan at a conference on Tuesday in Geneva where officials from about 70 countries and humanitarian organisations will pledge billions of dollars for the war-torn nation. Dependent on foreign aid, Afghanistan is at risk of receiving 15-20% less funding than it received at the previous donor conference four years ago, diplomats say, as governments are under intense pressure to make savings as they ramp up spending to help their own economies recover from impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Also read| Boris Johnson says 'escape route' from coronavirus 'in sight' Withholding funds at this point, diplomats say, could at least provide foreign governments with some leverage to inject a greater sense of urgency into peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives that began in Qatar in September. Britain, a country with a long and difficult history of involvement in Afghanistan, is the country's third largest bilateral donor, and the amount being pledged in Geneva will be slightly higher than it pledged at the last donor conference in Brussels four years ago. Also read | No 'normal' Christmas this year, says Britain's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak The statement issued by the UK Mission to the United Nations and World Trade Organisation in Geneva said 155 million pounds ($207 million) would be pledged to support peace and stability in Afghanistan and "improve access to education and vital infrastructure." Britain would "also announce an extra 15 million pounds ($20 million) to the United Nations' World Food Programme" for Afghanistan. The latest monetary commitment is separate from the 70 million pounds ($93.32 million) security pledge for Afghan forces for 2021, which Britain announced last month. In Brussels in 2016, Britain had pledged a total of 750 million pounds for four years, which translated into 187.5 million pounds annually. At the Brussels conference, Afghanistan obtained total pledges of $15.2 billion for 2017 to 2020, equivalent to $3.8 billion a year.

Britain pledges $227 million annual civilian and food aid to Afghanistan

Afghanistan's spy chief has said that the Taliban is using drones to carry out attacks on government forces in an address to parliament on Monday.&nbsp;

"The drones they are using are sold in the market. They are basically camera drones," Ahmad Zia Shiraj, chief of National Directorate of Security (NDS) said, as quoted by news agency AFP.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-vp-vows-to-track-those-behind-kabul-terror-attack-344699">Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack</a>

He also said that NDS wants to stop the import of these drones that are used by these terror groups to implant explosives.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-resolve-several-disputed-issues-officials-344739">Afghanistan, Taliban resolve several disputed issues: Officials</a>

Reportedly, the Taliban used a drone to blast the compound Kunduz province's governor.

The NDS chief did not confirm the attack but highlighted that drones were used in Kunduz and Paktia regions.&nbsp;

Such devices have been used by Islamic State (IS) terrorists to carry out bombings in Iraq and Syria since 2016, but the technology is new for the Taliban.&nbsp;

IS has a small but deadly presence in Afghanistan and was responsible for recent rocket attacks in Kabul that killed scores of people.&nbsp;

Shiraj said that IS leadership has been "destroyed", but their "second layer are young are still active".

Meanwhile, Afghan and the Taliban are expected to soon start formal talks as several official sources from both the sides have suggested that many contentious issues have been resolved.&nbsp;

Afghanistan's spy chief has said that the Taliban is using drones to carry out attacks on government forces in an address to parliament on Monday. "The drones they are using are sold in the market.

Afghanistan's spy chief has said that the Taliban is using drones to carry out attacks on government forces in an address to parliament on Monday. "The drones they are using are sold in the market. They are basically camera drones," Ahmad Zia Shiraj, chief of National Directorate of Security (NDS) said, as quoted by news agency AFP. Also read | Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack He also said that NDS wants to stop the import of these drones that are used by these terror groups to implant explosives. Also read | Afghanistan, Taliban resolve several disputed issues: Officials Reportedly, the Taliban used a drone to blast the compound Kunduz province's governor. The NDS chief did not confirm the attack but highlighted that drones were used in Kunduz and Paktia regions. Such devices have been used by Islamic State (IS) terrorists to carry out bombings in Iraq and Syria since 2016, but the technology is new for the Taliban. IS has a small but deadly presence in Afghanistan and was responsible for recent rocket attacks in Kabul that killed scores of people. Shiraj said that IS leadership has been "destroyed", but their "second layer are young are still active". Meanwhile, Afghan and the Taliban are expected to soon start formal talks as several official sources from both the sides have suggested that many contentious issues have been resolved.

Taliban using drones to target government forces: Afghanistan spy chief

The Afghan government and the Taliban have resolved several conflicting issues and established basic rules to begin formal talks, several sources said on Friday.

News agency AFP quoted several anonymous sources from both the sides to suggest that the peace talks are moving in the right direction.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-vp-vows-to-track-those-behind-kabul-terror-attack-344699">Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack</a>

A senior Taliban leader said, "sufficient progress" has been made and added they are closing in to begin the formal talks and the announcement for the same could be made in the next few days.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-who-killed-afghan-official-with-promises-of-sex-released-with-taliban-prisoners-344648">Women who killed Afghan official with promises of sex, released with Taliban prisoners</a>

"A joint statement will be issued soon," the Taliban leader said.&nbsp;

Another Taliban leader, who is in Pakistan, said the sides have agreed on the basic rules to start the formal discussions and a third source close to the Taliban also confirmed the developments.&nbsp;

An Afghan official close to negotiators in Doha said that many disputed issues between the Taliban and the Afghan government have been resolved.&nbsp;

He also said several officials from Afghanistan government returned from Doha to Kabul for final consultations, following which a breakthrough announcement could be done by President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah. &nbsp;

The Afghan government and the Taliban have resolved several conflicting issues and established basic rules to begin formal talks, several sources said on Friday.

The Afghan government and the Taliban have resolved several conflicting issues and established basic rules to begin formal talks, several sources said on Friday. News agency AFP quoted several anonymous sources from both the sides to suggest that the peace talks are moving in the right direction. Also read | Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack A senior Taliban leader said, "sufficient progress" has been made and added they are closing in to begin the formal talks and the announcement for the same could be made in the next few days. Also read | Women who killed Afghan official with promises of sex, released with Taliban prisoners "A joint statement will be issued soon," the Taliban leader said. Another Taliban leader, who is in Pakistan, said the sides have agreed on the basic rules to start the formal discussions and a third source close to the Taliban also confirmed the developments. An Afghan official close to negotiators in Doha said that many disputed issues between the Taliban and the Afghan government have been resolved. He also said several officials from Afghanistan government returned from Doha to Kabul for final consultations, following which a breakthrough announcement could be done by President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah.

Afghanistan, Taliban resolve several disputed issues: Officials

Two women who had been charged and proven guilty for murdering an Afghanistan official have been officially released along with other Taliban prisoners under the Afghan-Taliban peace deal.

This duo had lured an Afghan official with promises of sex and had then shot him dead and dumped his body at a cemetery nearby. The two were then arrested and were kept with several other Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-peace-talks-close-to-breaking-deadlock-official-344629" hreflang="en">Afghan peace talks 'close' to breaking deadlock: Official</a>

The two women were now released with other Taliban prisoners when Afghanistan government held peace talks with the Taliban.

Muzghan and her aunt Nasreen have confessed being a part of&nbsp;Taliban's ultra-violent Haqqani network. The two were also found guilty in several other murders. Their main charge was for killing an Afghan intelligence agent at their home where they had lured him "under the pretext of selling her body". After successfully luring him, the two shot the man with a pistol, fitted with a silencer, and then stuffed his corpse into a metal box which was then discarded at a nearby graveyard.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pompeo-meets-taliban-afghan-government-officials-in-qatar-344574" hreflang="en">Pompeo meets Taliban, Afghan government officials in Qatar</a>

The two were also infamous for brutal murders, other than their 'honeytrap' killings. They had also murdered their own relatives by poisoning one and setting a "sticky bomb" under the car seat of another.

"I was arrested for murder, kidnapping and cooperating with the Haqqani network," Muzghan said in a video authorities made prior to her release.

"I will not join this group again."

Two women who had been charged and proven guilty for murdering an Afghanistan official have been officially released along with other Taliban prisoners under the Afghan-Taliban peace deal.

Two women who had been charged and proven guilty for murdering an Afghanistan official have been officially released along with other Taliban prisoners under the Afghan-Taliban peace deal. This duo had lured an Afghan official with promises of sex and had then shot him dead and dumped his body at a cemetery nearby. The two were then arrested and were kept with several other Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan. Also read| Afghan peace talks 'close' to breaking deadlock: Official The two women were now released with other Taliban prisoners when Afghanistan government held peace talks with the Taliban. Muzghan and her aunt Nasreen have confessed being a part of Taliban's ultra-violent Haqqani network. The two were also found guilty in several other murders. Their main charge was for killing an Afghan intelligence agent at their home where they had lured him "under the pretext of selling her body". After successfully luring him, the two shot the man with a pistol, fitted with a silencer, and then stuffed his corpse into a metal box which was then discarded at a nearby graveyard. Also read| Pompeo meets Taliban, Afghan government officials in Qatar The two were also infamous for brutal murders, other than their 'honeytrap' killings. They had also murdered their own relatives by poisoning one and setting a "sticky bomb" under the car seat of another. "I was arrested for murder, kidnapping and cooperating with the Haqqani network," Muzghan said in a video authorities made prior to her release. "I will not join this group again."

Women who killed Afghan official with promises of sex, released with Taliban prisoners

France has asked Pakistan to take back comments that compared President Emmanuel Macron to Nazis. The comment was made by a Pakistani minister. British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said that Christmas this year will not be 'normal' in light of coronavirus pandemic. In Syria, 14 pro-Iran militia fighters were killed in an Israeli airstrike, said a report. Afghan Vice President has vowed to track those behind Kabul terror attack. Read this and more.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blatant-lies-france-asks-pakistan-to-withdraw-comments-that-compared-macron-to-nazis-344721">'Blatant lies': France asks Pakistan to withdraw comments that compared Macron to Nazis</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blatant-lies-france-asks-pakistan-to-withdraw-comments-that-compared-macron-to-nazis-344721"><img alt="Macron" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4e9d647-a320-469a-8747-119dd530c7fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/macron%20main.JPG" /></a>

France's foreign ministry said that the remarks by the minister were 'hateful' and 'blatant lies', demanding Pakistan to 'rectify' the statements

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-normal-christmas-this-year-says-britains-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-344710">No 'normal' Christmas this year, says Britain's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-normal-christmas-this-year-says-britains-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-344710"><img alt="Sunak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c751cb90-aabf-4050-851c-97086bef6644" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Rishi%20Sunak.JPG" /></a> 
 
Sunak's comments came after the government affirmed that there will be a tougher set of restrictions after the current lockdown ends on December 2

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-14-pro-iran-fighters-killed-in-israeli-airstrikes-says-report-344707">Syria: 14 pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes, says report</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-14-pro-iran-fighters-killed-in-israeli-airstrikes-says-report-344707"><img alt="Syria" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="89266dc5-793d-4af9-93ba-ef4dde32b534" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Syria%20airstrikes.JPG" /></a> 
 
More than 10 strikes hit positions of Iran-backed militias outside the border town of Albu Kamal

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-israel-over-its-role-in-syria-344713">Iran warns Israel over its role in Syria</a>

<img alt="Syria airstrike" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7353cbde-ae26-45ad-935e-105480354190" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Syria.JPG" />

Israel, which views Tehran as its biggest security threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces against rebels and militants since 2012

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-vp-vows-to-track-those-behind-kabul-terror-attack-344699">Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-vp-vows-to-track-those-behind-kabul-terror-attack-344699"><img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="85bd4a6f-a280-4a81-8ae6-6d03fe75ea81" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Afghanistan_1.JPG" /></a> 
 
The attack that took place on Saturday saw rockets being fired in densely populated areas of Kabul, including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasal-spray-that-aims-to-fight-covid-19-other-respiratory-illness-gets-million-dollar-funding-344698">Nasal spray that aims to fight Covid-19, other respiratory illness gets million-dollar funding</a>

<img alt="Coronavirus nasal spray" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="37fe87de-3dc0-463b-a22b-ef764f1406c3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/nasal%20spray.JPG" />

 
If the technology turns out successful, other than coronavirus, infections like common cold and influenza can also be dealt with

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-who-killed-afghan-official-with-promises-of-sex-released-with-taliban-prisoners-344648">Women who killed Afghan official with promises of sex, released with Taliban prisoners</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-who-killed-afghan-official-with-promises-of-sex-released-with-taliban-prisoners-344648"><img alt="Woman afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bb8bf47-db32-4506-92b3-7b302cf0df36" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/woman.JPG" /></a> 
The two were also infamous for brutal murders, other than their 'honeytrap' killings

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dutch-cull-almost-200000-chickens-after-bird-flu-outbreak-344695">Dutch cull almost 200,000 chickens after bird flu outbreak</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dutch-cull-almost-200000-chickens-after-bird-flu-outbreak-344695"><img alt="Dutch chickens" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e86f610a-a98e-4597-8e5a-2e481b549bd9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/dutch.JPG" /></a> 
 
Seasonal bird flu has been detected at various farms around the Netherlands since October, blamed mainly on migratory birds.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/couple-collects-5000-gifts-for-donations-this-christmas-344704">Couple collects 5,000 gifts for donations this Christmas</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/couple-collects-5000-gifts-for-donations-this-christmas-344704"><img alt="Christmas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f542f1df-59a4-4d07-850c-55c6152ccaf8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Christmas.JPG" /></a> 
 
The couple, who run the popular TikTok channel The Smithy Family, initially decided to buy 60 gifts for Christmas for needy people but were surprised to see how people supported their efforts

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-annual-taiwan-protest-anger-focussed-on-us-pork-344692">Thousands join annual Taiwan protest, anger focussed on US pork</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-annual-taiwan-protest-anger-focussed-on-us-pork-344692"><img alt="Taiwan pork" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7ba1e039-c607-4643-a3e9-079ebbf1f4af" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/taiwan_2.JPG" /></a> 
 
Taiwan`s main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT) rallied its supporters to join in the march for the first time, having mounted an increasingly strident campaign against the pork move, which it says threatens food safety.

France has asked Pakistan to take back comments that compared President Emmanuel Macron to Nazis. The comment was made by a Pakistani minister. British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said that Christmas this year will not be 'normal' in light of coronavirus pandemic.

France has asked Pakistan to take back comments that compared President Emmanuel Macron to Nazis. The comment was made by a Pakistani minister. British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said that Christmas this year will not be 'normal' in light of coronavirus pandemic. In Syria, 14 pro-Iran militia fighters were killed in an Israeli airstrike, said a report. Afghan Vice President has vowed to track those behind Kabul terror attack. Read this and more. 'Blatant lies': France asks Pakistan to withdraw comments that compared Macron to Nazis France's foreign ministry said that the remarks by the minister were 'hateful' and 'blatant lies', demanding Pakistan to 'rectify' the statements No 'normal' Christmas this year, says Britain's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak Sunak's comments came after the government affirmed that there will be a tougher set of restrictions after the current lockdown ends on December 2 Syria: 14 pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes, says report More than 10 strikes hit positions of Iran-backed militias outside the border town of Albu Kamal Iran warns Israel over its role in Syria Israel, which views Tehran as its biggest security threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces against rebels and militants since 2012 Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack The attack that took place on Saturday saw rockets being fired in densely populated areas of Kabul, including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone. Nasal spray that aims to fight Covid-19, other respiratory illness gets million-dollar funding If the technology turns out successful, other than coronavirus, infections like common cold and influenza can also be dealt with Women who killed Afghan official with promises of sex, released with Taliban prisoners The two were also infamous for brutal murders, other than their 'honeytrap' killings Dutch cull almost 200,000 chickens after bird flu outbreak Seasonal bird flu has been detected at various farms around the Netherlands since October, blamed mainly on migratory birds. Couple collects 5,000 gifts for donations this Christmas The couple, who run the popular TikTok channel The Smithy Family, initially decided to buy 60 gifts for Christmas for needy people but were surprised to see how people supported their efforts Thousands join annual Taiwan protest, anger focussed on US pork Taiwan`s main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT) rallied its supporters to join in the march for the first time, having mounted an increasingly strident campaign against the pork move, which it says threatens food safety.

Top 10 World news: Macron fumes over 'Nazi' jibe, Iran warns Israel, and more!

Afghanistan Vice-President Amrullah Saleh vowed on Sunday to track down people responsible for rocket attack in Kabul. The attack has killed at least 10 people. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack was initially blamed on Taliban but the outfit denied having any hand in the attck.

The attack that took place on Saturday saw rockets being fired in densely populated areas of Kabul, including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone.

"We will find out the networks who facilitated in transporting the materials (rockets) used in the attack," Saleh said on his Facebook page after a meeting with security officials. Saleh said the attack left 10 people dead and another 51 wounded. Several buildings were damaged, including the Iranian embassy and a medical complex.

The attack took place just hours before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to meet with negotiators from the Taliban and Afghan government in Qatar, amid signs of progress in talks between the two warring groups.

It was the third attack in the capital claimed by IS in less than a month. Two previous attacks targeted educational centres and killed nearly 50 people, mostly students.

The Taliban and Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Doha since September 12, but violence on the ground continues unabated.

In the past six months the Taliban have carried out 53 suicide attacks and detonated 1,250 explosive devices that have left 1,210 civilians dead and 2,500 wounded, the interior ministry said this week.

Afghanistan Vice-President Amrullah Saleh vowed on Sunday to track down people responsible for rocket attack in Kabul. The attack has killed at least 10 people. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Afghanistan Vice-President Amrullah Saleh vowed on Sunday to track down people responsible for rocket attack in Kabul. The attack has killed at least 10 people. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack was initially blamed on Taliban but the outfit denied having any hand in the attck. The attack that took place on Saturday saw rockets being fired in densely populated areas of Kabul, including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone. "We will find out the networks who facilitated in transporting the materials (rockets) used in the attack," Saleh said on his Facebook page after a meeting with security officials. Saleh said the attack left 10 people dead and another 51 wounded. Several buildings were damaged, including the Iranian embassy and a medical complex. The attack took place just hours before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to meet with negotiators from the Taliban and Afghan government in Qatar, amid signs of progress in talks between the two warring groups. It was the third attack in the capital claimed by IS in less than a month. Two previous attacks targeted educational centres and killed nearly 50 people, mostly students. The Taliban and Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Doha since September 12, but violence on the ground continues unabated. In the past six months the Taliban have carried out 53 suicide attacks and detonated 1,250 explosive devices that have left 1,210 civilians dead and 2,500 wounded, the interior ministry said this week.

Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack

At least 14 pro-Iran fighters from Afghanistan and Iraq were killed in airstrikes in eastern Syria, said Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. The airstrikes were carried out in the border province of Deir Ezzor on Saturday night. The Observatory said that the airstrikes were carried out by Israeli warplanes. The attacks have killed 8 Iraqis and 6 Afghan fighters.

Israeli army said it doesn't comment on foreign reports, as per AFP.

More than 10 strikes hit positions of Iran-backed militias outside the border town of Albu Kamal, according to the war monitor.

The attacks also destroyed two bases as well as several military vehicles, the Observatory added.

Iran-backed fighters are heavily deployed in a stretch of territory between the Syrian towns of Albu Kamal and Mayadeen, both former strongholds of the Islamic State group.

Along with Russia, Iran has been a key backer of the Damascus regime in its nine-year-long civil war.

Israel has carried out hundreds of air and missile strikes on Syria since the civil war broke out in 2011, targeting Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces as well as government troops.

The Israeli army rarely acknowledges individual strikes.

Syria's war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions more since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

(With AFP inputs)

At least 14 pro-Iran fighters from Afghanistan and Iraq were killed in airstrikes in eastern Syria, said Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. The airstrikes were carried out in the border province of Deir Ezzor on Saturday night.

At least 14 pro-Iran fighters from Afghanistan and Iraq were killed in airstrikes in eastern Syria, said Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. The airstrikes were carried out in the border province of Deir Ezzor on Saturday night. The Observatory said that the airstrikes were carried out by Israeli warplanes. The attacks have killed 8 Iraqis and 6 Afghan fighters. Israeli army said it doesn't comment on foreign reports, as per AFP. More than 10 strikes hit positions of Iran-backed militias outside the border town of Albu Kamal, according to the war monitor. The attacks also destroyed two bases as well as several military vehicles, the Observatory added. Iran-backed fighters are heavily deployed in a stretch of territory between the Syrian towns of Albu Kamal and Mayadeen, both former strongholds of the Islamic State group. Along with Russia, Iran has been a key backer of the Damascus regime in its nine-year-long civil war. Israel has carried out hundreds of air and missile strikes on Syria since the civil war broke out in 2011, targeting Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces as well as government troops. The Israeli army rarely acknowledges individual strikes. Syria's war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions more since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. (With AFP inputs)

Syria: 14 pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes, says report

The top US diplomat met separately with the Afghan government and Taliban negotiation teams in a luxury hotel in the Qatari capital

US Secretary of State Pompeo meets Taliban, Kabul negotiators in Qatar

afghanistan-0

Afghanistan, News on Afghanistan, stories on Afghanistan, articles on Afghanistan, Afghanistan stories at Wion, Afghanistan news, Afghanistan latest news

afghanistan 0