#GRAVITAS | A magnitude 6.0 earthquake left over 800 people dead and thousands injured in Eastern Afghanistan. Entire villages have been reduced to rubble and dozens of houses destroyed. In what is being feared as one of Afghanistan's worst earthquakes. The question is: why is Afghanistan frequently prone to earthquakes. Watch this video to find out more. 


Afghanistan earthquake: 6.0 magnitude quake wreaks havoc in eastern Afghanistan

#GRAVITAS | A magnitude 6.0 earthquake left over 800 people dead and thousands injured in Eastern Afghanistan. Entire villages have been reduced to rubble and dozens of houses destroyed. In what is being feared as one of Afghanistan's worst earthquakes. The question is: why is Afghanistan frequently prone to earthquakes. Watch this video to find out more. 

Afghanistan: A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Jalalabad, Afghanistan, killing over 800  people and injuring many others. Watch the video to know more updates on this!


Afghanistan earthquake: why Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes explained

Afghanistan: A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Jalalabad, Afghanistan, killing over 800  people and injuring many others. Watch the video to know more updates on this!

Magnitude 6.0 quake jolts Afghanistan's Nangarhar province 

A powerful and devastating earthquake has struck Afghanistan, leaving more than 500 people dead and over 800 injured. Rescue operations are underway as authorities and humanitarian agencies rush to respond to the crisis. Homes have collapsed, infrastructure has been damaged, and survivors are still being pulled from the rubble.

Afghanistan earthquake: Over 800 dead, epicenter reported near Jalalabad

Afghanistan: A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Jalalabad, Afghanistan, killing 622 people and injuring many others. Watch the video to know more updates on this!


Afghanistan earthquake: Jalalabad shaken by deadly 6.0 quake , at least 622 people dead

Afghanistan: A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Jalalabad, Afghanistan, killing 622 people and injuring many others.


Afghanistan: Jalalabad Shaken by Deadly 6.0 Quake , Killing 622 People and Injuring Many 

Afghanistan earthquake: Deadly earthquake jolts Afghanistan; over 800 killed, over 100 injured

Afghanistan earthquake: The death toll from the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan overnight has risen alarmingly, with the country's Interior Ministry reporting that over 800 people have been confirmed dead. The death toll may rise further. Over a thousand others have been injured. "610 people were killed and 1,300 were injured in Kunar province, with numerous houses destroyed", spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani said earlier, adding that in Nangarhar province 12 people were killed and another 255 injured.Previously, in a statement, the Kunar Disaster Management Authority said that at least 250 people were killed and 500 have been injured in Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare districts. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at 11:47 pm local time (1917 GMT), with its epicentre about 27 kilometres northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province. The tremors originated at a shallow depth of eight kilometres, amplifying their impact. Just 20 minutes later, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit the same region, according to USGS. It was then followed by another aftershock, this one of 5.2 magnitude. Both the aftershocks happened at a depth of 10&nbsp;km (6.21 miles).<h2>Orange ‘significant casualties’ alert in place&nbsp;</h2>In the aftermath of the earthquake, an orange alert was issued by the USGS PAGER system, which predicts economic and human loss after earthquakes. It said that "Significant casualties are likely, and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/deadly-6-0-earthquake-rocks-afghanistan-at-least-9-killed-including-2-children-1756689621194">Deadly 6.0 earthquake rocks Afghanistan; At least 9 killed, including 2 children</a><h2>Taliban confirms human casualties</h2>On X, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Sadly, tonight's earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces." He added that “Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people. Support teams from the center and nearby provinces are also on their way, and all available resources will be utilised to save lives.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sadly, tonight&#39;s earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces. Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people. Support teams from the center and nearby provinces are also on their way,&mdash; Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1962271404436369530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The death toll from the powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday has risen to at least 622 people.

Afghanistan earthquake: The death toll from the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan overnight has risen alarmingly, with the country's Interior Ministry reporting that over 800 people have been confirmed dead. The death toll may rise further. Over a thousand others have been injured. "610 people were killed and 1,300 were injured in Kunar province, with numerous houses destroyed", spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani said earlier, adding that in Nangarhar province 12 people were killed and another 255 injured. Previously, in a statement, the Kunar Disaster Management Authority said that at least 250 people were killed and 500 have been injured in Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare districts. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at 11:47 pm local time (1917 GMT), with its epicentre about 27 kilometres northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province. The tremors originated at a shallow depth of eight kilometres, amplifying their impact. Just 20 minutes later, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit the same region, according to USGS. It was then followed by another aftershock, this one of 5.2 magnitude. Both the aftershocks happened at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). Orange ‘significant casualties’ alert in place In the aftermath of the earthquake, an orange alert was issued by the USGS PAGER system, which predicts economic and human loss after earthquakes. It said that "Significant casualties are likely, and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response". Also read | Deadly 6.0 earthquake rocks Afghanistan; At least 9 killed, including 2 children Taliban confirms human casualties On X, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Sadly, tonight's earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces." He added that “Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people. Support teams from the center and nearby provinces are also on their way, and all available resources will be utilised to save lives.”

The death toll from the powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday has risen to at least 622 people.

Afghanistan earthquake: 6.0 magnitude quake killed over 800, confirms Taliban Interior Ministry

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday (Aug 31), killing at least two children and injuring more than a dozen others, local officials said. The death toll may be higher, Reuters, citing Ajmal Darwaish, spokesperson for the Nangarhar province’s health department, reports that at least nine people were killed and 25 were injured.&nbsp;<h2>What happened?</h2>The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at 11:47 pm local time (1917 GMT), with its epicentre about 27 kilometres northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province. The tremors originated at a shallow depth of eight kilometres, amplifying their impact. Just 20 minutes later, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit the same region, according to USGS. It was then followed by another aftershock, this one of 5.2 magnitude. Both the aftershocks happened at a depth of 10km (6.21 miles).&nbsp;Provincial authorities said the two children died when the roof of their home collapsed. At least 15 others were injured, with damage reported across several districts.&nbsp;The quake was felt hundreds of kilometres away, shaking buildings in Kabul and even Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, which is around 370 kilometres from the epicentre, according to AFP.<h2>Taliban confirms human casualties</h2>On X, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Sadly, tonight's earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces." He added that "Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people. Support teams from the center and nearby provinces are also on their way, and all available resources will be utilised to save lives."

An orange alert has been issued by the USGS PAGER system, which predicts economic and human loss after earthquakes. It said that "Significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response".&nbsp;Earthquakes are common in Afghanistan, particularly near the Hindu Kush mountains where major tectonic plates converge. The country's vulnerability is worsened by poor infrastructure, which often leads to high casualties during strong tremors.&nbsp;The disaster came just a day after flash floods in Nangarhar killed five people and destroyed farmland and property, piling further strain on local communities.

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, killing at least 9 people and injuring over 115. The shallow quake, which hit late Sunday, was centred near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province and was followed by multiple aftershocks.

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday (Aug 31), killing at least two children and injuring more than a dozen others, local officials said. The death toll may be higher, Reuters, citing Ajmal Darwaish, spokesperson for the Nangarhar province’s health department, reports that at least nine people were killed and 25 were injured. What happened? The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at 11:47 pm local time (1917 GMT), with its epicentre about 27 kilometres northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province. The tremors originated at a shallow depth of eight kilometres, amplifying their impact. Just 20 minutes later, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit the same region, according to USGS. It was then followed by another aftershock, this one of 5.2 magnitude. Both the aftershocks happened at a depth of 10km (6.21 miles). Provincial authorities said the two children died when the roof of their home collapsed. At least 15 others were injured, with damage reported across several districts. The quake was felt hundreds of kilometres away, shaking buildings in Kabul and even Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, which is around 370 kilometres from the epicentre, according to AFP. Taliban confirms human casualties On X, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Sadly, tonight's earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces." He added that "Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people. Support teams from the center and nearby provinces are also on their way, and all available resources will be utilised to save lives."

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, killing at least 9 people and injuring over 115. The shallow quake, which hit late Sunday, was centred near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province and was followed by multiple aftershocks.

Deadly 6.0 earthquake rocks Afghanistan; At least 9 killed, including 2 children

The Taliban administration has initiated programs to provide land and housing to returning refugees and internally displaced people. It has recently started a five-year plan, which said it is “preparing the ground for the dignified and safe return of Afghan refugees”. In January 2025, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing allocated 13,895 acres across Kabul, Kandahar, Bamiyan, Panjshir, and other provinces to establish new settlements for returning Afghan refugees.&nbsp;<h2>Likelihood of dignified and safe return</h2>Millions of Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan and Iran. According to UNHCR estimation, 3.4 million refugees have been deported since 2023, with nearly 1.5 million being deported in 2024 alone. Pakistan is by far the largest contributor; it has already forced 1 million Afghans back. Iran regularly deports Afghans, who are consistently blamed for the economic woes of the country. During the 12-day conflict, the regular deportation jumped from a few thousand to 30,000 daily. Between January and June 2025, almost 1 million Afghans returned, with over 250,000 returning from Iran alone in June.Human rights groups have raised concerns about the influx of refugees returning to Afghanistan and its ability to provide shelter and sufficient financial resources. The Taliban's rule has seen restrictions on women's employment and education, making the process of aid delivery and economic recovery tougher. The broader humanitarian response remains inadequate. A joint UNAMA and OHCHR report on July 2025 documents abuses against individuals involuntarily returned to Afghanistan, especially women, former government officials, media figures, and civil society activists. These abuses range from imprisonment, detention, torture, breaking bones, public flogging, mock execution and waterboarding.On August 30, 2021, the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, ending a 20-year-long war. The US troops left Kabul after a chaotic evacuation following the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban on August 15, prompting the collapse of the Afghan government. The Doha agreement of 2020 had earlier set the premise for the US troops' withdrawal. &nbsp;Since the US withdrawal, the World Bank and the IMF have suspended funding, and the US froze $9 billion of foreign reserves, creating a crisis. According to the Afghanistan Peace Campaign, nearly 24 million Afghans rely on humanitarian assistance. The annual aid to the country of $3.8 billion per year pledged by donors in the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund has dropped to $300 million in early 2025, &nbsp;and the country is facing 47.3 per cent poverty, 18.6 per cent unemployment and 36.9 per cent food insecurity.&nbsp;Taliban recently took back refugees from Britain, Germany and also refused to take payments, but said they will accept aid for rehabilitation. A senior Taliban official said to the Telegraph that Afghanistan “is home to all Afghans” regardless of their legal status abroad.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Four years after the US withdrawal, the Taliban launched a housing plan for returning Afghan refugees amid poverty, socioeconomic crisis, aid cuts, and an ongoing humanitarian crisis

The Taliban administration has initiated programs to provide land and housing to returning refugees and internally displaced people. It has recently started a five-year plan, which said it is “preparing the ground for the dignified and safe return of Afghan refugees”. In January 2025, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing allocated 13,895 acres across Kabul, Kandahar, Bamiyan, Panjshir, and other provinces to establish new settlements for returning Afghan refugees. Likelihood of dignified and safe return Millions of Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan and Iran. According to UNHCR estimation, 3.4 million refugees have been deported since 2023, with nearly 1.5 million being deported in 2024 alone. Pakistan is by far the largest contributor; it has already forced 1 million Afghans back. Iran regularly deports Afghans, who are consistently blamed for the economic woes of the country. During the 12-day conflict, the regular deportation jumped from a few thousand to 30,000 daily. Between January and June 2025, almost 1 million Afghans returned, with over 250,000 returning from Iran alone in June. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the influx of refugees returning to Afghanistan and its ability to provide shelter and sufficient financial resources. The Taliban's rule has seen restrictions on women's employment and education, making the process of aid delivery and economic recovery tougher. The broader humanitarian response remains inadequate. A joint UNAMA and OHCHR report on July 2025 documents abuses against individuals involuntarily returned to Afghanistan, especially women, former government officials, media figures, and civil society activists. These abuses range from imprisonment, detention, torture, breaking bones, public flogging, mock execution and waterboarding. On August 30, 2021, the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, ending a 20-year-long war. The US troops left Kabul after a chaotic evacuation following the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban on August 15, prompting the collapse of the Afghan government. The Doha agreement of 2020 had earlier set the premise for the US troops' withdrawal. Since the US withdrawal, the World Bank and the IMF have suspended funding, and the US froze $9 billion of foreign reserves, creating a crisis. According to the Afghanistan Peace Campaign, nearly 24 million Afghans rely on humanitarian assistance. The annual aid to the country of $3.8 billion per year pledged by donors in the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund has dropped to $300 million in early 2025, and the country is facing 47.3 per cent poverty, 18.6 per cent unemployment and 36.9 per cent food insecurity. Taliban recently took back refugees from Britain, Germany and also refused to take payments, but said they will accept aid for rehabilitation. A senior Taliban official said to the Telegraph that Afghanistan “is home to all Afghans” regardless of their legal status abroad.

Four years after the US withdrawal, the Taliban launched a housing plan for returning Afghan refugees amid poverty, socioeconomic crisis, aid cuts, and an ongoing humanitarian crisis

Four years after US withdrawal, Taliban focuses on housing for returning afghan refugees

Airstrikes attributed to Pakistan have struck Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Khost, killing at least three civilians and injuring seven others, according to Taliban authorities. The strikes damaged homes and prompted the Taliban foreign ministry to summon the Pakistani ambassador, condemning the attacks as a provocative act. Pakistan has yet to comment on the incident.

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of deadly air-strikes | 3 children dead, 7 wounded

Taliban says it is "ready and willing" to work with, United Kingdom PM hopeful Nigel Farage. This comes after Farage and his fellow Reform UK politician Zia Yusuf unveiled a plan called "Operation Restoring Justice", under which they pledged the deportation of 600,000 asylum seekers if their party comes to power. Under the plan, they've proposed a £2 billion ($2.68 billion) reserve — of the total £10 billion ($13.4 billion) cost of the programme — to forge return agreements with foreign governments like Afghanistan and Eritrea.<h2>What did Farage's Reform UK propose?</h2>Under the £10 billion "Operation Restoring Justice" the party wants to deport 600,000 asylum seekers. Of this £2 billion ($2.68 billion) would be earmarked for return arrangements with foreign nations like Eritrea and Afghanistan. Yusuf noted that the plan was quite reasonable, given that the UK already pays Afghanistan £151 million (around $202 million) annually in foreign aid. "It's not a drop in the ocean for Afghanistan. It's certainly not a drop in the ocean for Eritrea. These are the two countries that are top of the list for boat crossings." He added that "the notion that Afghans top the list in terms of foreign nationals crossing the Channel illegally, while this country gives £151 million of aid to Afghanistan — we don’t think that’s fair."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/california-governor-newsom-insinuates-trump-has-dementia-drags-musk-s-ai-grok-into-trolling-potus-1756275649900">California Governor Newsom insinuates Trump has dementia; drags Musk's AI Grok into trolling POTUS</a><h2>What did Taliban say?</h2>Talking to the Telegraph, a Kabul-based senior Taliban official said that the Afghan rulers were ready to work with Farage and accept deported Afghans. However, the group indicated that it would not accept payments directly in return to deal, but that it would accept aid to support the returned migrants."We are ready and willing to receive and embrace whoever he [Nigel Farage] sends us. We are prepared to work with anyone who can help end the struggles of Afghan refugees, as we know many of them do not have a good life abroad," said the official who chose was not named. The Talibani official insisted that they won't "take money to accept our own people," adding, "but we welcome aid to support newcomers, since there are challenges in accommodating and feeding those returning from Iran and Pakistan."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-reveals-who-could-replace-fed-governor-lisa-cook-as-she-readies-to-battle-firing-in-court-1756262180423">Trump reveals who could replace Fed Governor Lisa Cook as she readies to battle&nbsp;firing&nbsp;in&nbsp;court</a>“Afghanistan is home to all Afghans, and the Islamic Emirate is determined to make this country a place where everyone – those already here, those returning, or those being sent back from the West by Mr Farage or anyone else – can live with dignity." The official as per the report also suggested that given Farage's "different views" it may be easier to negotiate with him if he became PM.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Taliban officials say they are "ready and willing" to work with Nigel Farage should he become the UK's prime minister, after his Reform UK party unveiled a plan to deport 600,000 asylum seekers.

Taliban says it is "ready and willing" to work with, United Kingdom PM hopeful Nigel Farage. This comes after Farage and his fellow Reform UK politician Zia Yusuf unveiled a plan called "Operation Restoring Justice", under which they pledged the deportation of 600,000 asylum seekers if their party comes to power. Under the plan, they've proposed a £2 billion ($2.68 billion) reserve — of the total £10 billion ($13.4 billion) cost of the programme — to forge return agreements with foreign governments like Afghanistan and Eritrea. What did Farage's Reform UK propose? Under the £10 billion "Operation Restoring Justice" the party wants to deport 600,000 asylum seekers. Of this £2 billion ($2.68 billion) would be earmarked for return arrangements with foreign nations like Eritrea and Afghanistan. Yusuf noted that the plan was quite reasonable, given that the UK already pays Afghanistan £151 million (around $202 million) annually in foreign aid. "It's not a drop in the ocean for Afghanistan. It's certainly not a drop in the ocean for Eritrea. These are the two countries that are top of the list for boat crossings." He added that "the notion that Afghans top the list in terms of foreign nationals crossing the Channel illegally, while this country gives £151 million of aid to Afghanistan — we don’t think that’s fair." Also read | California Governor Newsom insinuates Trump has dementia; drags Musk's AI Grok into trolling POTUS What did Taliban say? Talking to the Telegraph, a Kabul-based senior Taliban official said that the Afghan rulers were ready to work with Farage and accept deported Afghans. However, the group indicated that it would not accept payments directly in return to deal, but that it would accept aid to support the returned migrants. "We are ready and willing to receive and embrace whoever he [Nigel Farage] sends us. We are prepared to work with anyone who can help end the struggles of Afghan refugees, as we know many of them do not have a good life abroad," said the official who chose was not named. The Talibani official insisted that they won't "take money to accept our own people," adding, "but we welcome aid to support newcomers, since there are challenges in accommodating and feeding those returning from Iran and Pakistan." Also read | Trump reveals who could replace Fed Governor Lisa Cook as she readies to battle firing in court “Afghanistan is home to all Afghans, and the Islamic Emirate is determined to make this country a place where everyone – those already here, those returning, or those being sent back from the West by Mr Farage or anyone else – can live with dignity." The official as per the report also suggested that given Farage's "different views" it may be easier to negotiate with him if he became PM.

Taliban officials say they are "ready and willing" to work with Nigel Farage should he become the UK's prime minister, after his Reform UK party unveiled a plan to deport 600,000 asylum seekers.

Taliban says 'ready and willing' to work with UK Reform Party's Farage and accept deported Afghans

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced a controversial five-year plan to detain and deport up to 600,000 migrants, if his party wins the next UK general election. Unveiled as Operation Restoring Justice, the proposal would block asylum claims from small boat arrivals, establish returns deals with countries like Afghanistan, and impose sanctions on non-cooperative nations. Farage argues this would stop illegal crossings "within days" by removing incentives.
The party says it would allocate £2 billion to fund the operation. Critics say the plan raises serious legal, logistical, and humanitarian questions.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage floats his own immigration policy

China hosted a trilateral meeting with Pakistan and Taliban leaders in Kabul, aiming to ease tensions and expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan. As Islamabad and Kabul seek diplomatic normalization, analysts question China’s ability to navigate historic mistrust and security risks in the region.

Counter terrorism': China's message to Taliban | Wang Yi expresses concern

The death toll from a bus crash in western Afghanistan has risen to 79, after two survivors died from their injuries, an interim Taliban administration official said.

The incident occurred late on Tuesday in Herat province’s Guzara district, when a passenger bus carrying Afghan returnees from Iran struck a motorcycle and a fuel truck, triggering a huge fire.

Afghanistan bus crash: Bus carrying deported migrants to Kabul crashes with truck 

Afghanistan marks 106th anniversary of independence from the British 

The death toll from a bus crash in western Afghanistan has risen to 79, after two survivors died from their injuries, an interim Taliban administration official said.

The incident occurred late on Tuesday in Herat province’s Guzara district, when a passenger bus carrying Afghan returnees from Iran struck a motorcycle and a fuel truck, triggering a huge fire

Afghanistan: 79 dead in bus crash tragedy in Herat province

Afghanistan faces a brutal climate reality. Kabul, a city of over six million people, could become the first modern city to run out of water in the next five years, a new report has warned.
Fields are gone, villages washed away, can the country survive this?

Afghanistan floods worsen water crisis, thousands forced from their homes

Afghanistan: Bus tragedy reported in Herat province, 79 reported dead 

A tragic bus crash in western Afghanistan killed at least 79 people, including 17 children. The bus was carrying Afghan migrants deported from Iran, the BBC reported, citing a Taliban interior ministry spokesperson. Most of the people killed, were on the bus, which was en route to Kabul.The bus was travelling from Iran to the Afghan capital on late Tuesday, when it collided with a motorbike and another vehicle in the western province of Herat near the Iranian border, a senior Afghan government official, Ahmadullah Muttaqi said.“The car was carrying fuel and it caught fire after a head-on collision with the bus, fully loaded with passengers,” he said.He added, “The bus also caught fire and the majority of people on the bus died of burn injuries.”"All the passengers were migrants who had boarded the vehicle in Islam Qala," provincial governor spokesman Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi told news agency AFP, referring to a town near the Afghanistan–Iran border.According to the Herat police, the accident happened because of the bus driver's "excessive speed and negligence."Muttaqi also said that these Afghan refugees were returning home after spending a long time in Iran, but they could not reach their destination as their bus met with a tragic accident.These Afghan migrants are among hundreds of thousands of Afghans who have returned in the last months from Iran and Pakistan, after the announcement of a crackdown in October 2024, claiming that they were living illegally.Since the 1970s, millions of people have fled Afghanistan for Iran and Pakistan, due to several reasons. The Afghan migrants have complained that in both countries, they have faced systematic discrimination and violence.According to UN human rights officials, over two million people have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan since the start of the year, including more than 1.8 million from Iran and almost 400,000 from Pakistan.However, the authorities in Iran and Pakistan denied that they are specifically targeting Afghans.&nbsp;

In the tragic accident, 17 children died, who were mostly on board the bus as they were returning from Iran. The official said that the car was carrying fuel and it caught fire after a head-on collision with the bus. 

A tragic bus crash in western Afghanistan killed at least 79 people, including 17 children. The bus was carrying Afghan migrants deported from Iran, the BBC reported, citing a Taliban interior ministry spokesperson. Most of the people killed, were on the bus, which was en route to Kabul. The bus was travelling from Iran to the Afghan capital on late Tuesday, when it collided with a motorbike and another vehicle in the western province of Herat near the Iranian border, a senior Afghan government official, Ahmadullah Muttaqi said. “The car was carrying fuel and it caught fire after a head-on collision with the bus, fully loaded with passengers,” he said. He added, “The bus also caught fire and the majority of people on the bus died of burn injuries.” "All the passengers were migrants who had boarded the vehicle in Islam Qala," provincial governor spokesman Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi told news agency AFP, referring to a town near the Afghanistan–Iran border. According to the Herat police, the accident happened because of the bus driver's "excessive speed and negligence." Muttaqi also said that these Afghan refugees were returning home after spending a long time in Iran, but they could not reach their destination as their bus met with a tragic accident. These Afghan migrants are among hundreds of thousands of Afghans who have returned in the last months from Iran and Pakistan, after the announcement of a crackdown in October 2024, claiming that they were living illegally. Since the 1970s, millions of people have fled Afghanistan for Iran and Pakistan, due to several reasons. The Afghan migrants have complained that in both countries, they have faced systematic discrimination and violence. According to UN human rights officials, over two million people have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan since the start of the year, including more than 1.8 million from Iran and almost 400,000 from Pakistan. However, the authorities in Iran and Pakistan denied that they are specifically targeting Afghans.

In the tragic accident, 17 children died, who were mostly on board the bus as they were returning from Iran. The official said that the car was carrying fuel and it caught fire after a head-on collision with the bus.&nbsp;

At least 79 Afghan deportees from Iran killed in deadly accident after bus blasts into flames

A Humanitarian Crisis is Unfolding in Afghanistan,

Where Climate Change, Not Conflict, Has Become the Leading Driver of Displacement....

Years of Relentless Drought and Sudden, Devastating Floods Are Forcing Families to Abandon Their Homes and Communities....

400,000 displaced by environmental disasters

The capital of Afghanistan, which has a population of over six million people, might become the first modern city to run out of water by 2030. The nonprofit Mercy Corps, in a report, stressed that Kabul is running dry and its water reserves are emptying nearly twice as quickly as they are being filled.&nbsp;The groundwater levels in the Afghan capital have dropped drastically due to over-extraction and climate change effects.&nbsp;Kabul, however, is surrounded by snowy mountains and three rivers, and it was never known as a dry city. But, since its population grew nearly sixfold over the last 25 years, no decent water management system has been set up for the residents.&nbsp;Notably, at least 700,000 Afghans are displaced every year because of climate change, according to a United Nations report. While one-third of Afghanistan's population doesn't have access to clean drinking water.&nbsp;To bring a change and help the distressed people in Afghanistan, international donors have financed multiple dam projects as well as initiatives, but either it was never implemented or were abruptly stopped during the Taliban takeover in 2021.&nbsp;“Kabul has been struggling with water issues for two decades, but it was never a priority,” said Najibullah Sadid, an expert on water resources. “Now the wells are drying up, and it’s an emergency.”&nbsp;According to the report, Kabul's aquifers will become dry in the next five years, which might pose an existential threat to the Afghan capital. It can further cause the displacement of around three million Afghan people.&nbsp;Moreover, up to 80 per cent of groundwater is believed to be unsafe, with high levels of sewage, arsenic and salinity.<h2>Residents complain</h2>Karimi, a tailor in Kabul, said that they are fighting for water, stressing that it is like gold for them. “We are increasingly fighting because water is like gold for us,” he said as he pushed a wheelbarrow filled with 40 gallons of water that his family of five would use for household chores.&nbsp;A former head of the City Council and a retired mechanical engineer Zahir, told the New York Times that the well had run dry years ago and the public pipe to his two-story house was spluttering water only every three days.He further urged the Taliban to keep Kabul afloat, but added, "Where is the money for that?"&nbsp;

Kabul, however, is surrounded by snowy mountains and three rivers, and it was never known as a dry city. But, since its population grew nearly sixfold over the last 25 years, no decent water management system has been set up for the residents.

The capital of Afghanistan, which has a population of over six million people, might become the first modern city to run out of water by 2030. The nonprofit Mercy Corps, in a report, stressed that Kabul is running dry and its water reserves are emptying nearly twice as quickly as they are being filled. The groundwater levels in the Afghan capital have dropped drastically due to over-extraction and climate change effects. Kabul, however, is surrounded by snowy mountains and three rivers, and it was never known as a dry city. But, since its population grew nearly sixfold over the last 25 years, no decent water management system has been set up for the residents. Notably, at least 700,000 Afghans are displaced every year because of climate change, according to a United Nations report. While one-third of Afghanistan's population doesn't have access to clean drinking water. To bring a change and help the distressed people in Afghanistan, international donors have financed multiple dam projects as well as initiatives, but either it was never implemented or were abruptly stopped during the Taliban takeover in 2021. “Kabul has been struggling with water issues for two decades, but it was never a priority,” said Najibullah Sadid, an expert on water resources. “Now the wells are drying up, and it’s an emergency.” According to the report, Kabul's aquifers will become dry in the next five years, which might pose an existential threat to the Afghan capital. It can further cause the displacement of around three million Afghan people. Moreover, up to 80 per cent of groundwater is believed to be unsafe, with high levels of sewage, arsenic and salinity. Residents complain Karimi, a tailor in Kabul, said that they are fighting for water, stressing that it is like gold for them. “We are increasingly fighting because water is like gold for us,” he said as he pushed a wheelbarrow filled with 40 gallons of water that his family of five would use for household chores. A former head of the City Council and a retired mechanical engineer Zahir, told the New York Times that the well had run dry years ago and the public pipe to his two-story house was spluttering water only every three days. He further urged the Taliban to keep Kabul afloat, but added, "Where is the money for that?"

Kabul, however, is surrounded by snowy mountains and three rivers, and it was never known as a dry city. But, since its population grew nearly sixfold over the last 25 years, no decent water management system has been set up for the residents.

Kabul's DAY Zero soon? Afghan capital might run out of water by 2030

Four years after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the country continues to face severe challenges. Economic hardship, human rights violations, and widespread insecurity have left the Afghan people struggling for survival, with little relief or hope for the future.


Four Years Under Taliban Rule: Afghanistan Faces Continued Hardship

Four years after the Taliban returned to power, Afghanistan faces deepening economic struggles, erosion of human rights, and fading hope for its people. 


Four Years Of Taliban 2.0: Economy, Rights, Hope Plumb New Depths

The United States blocked a planned visit by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan by refusing to approve a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) travel ban exemption, according to a report by Dawn.According to Dawn, Muttaqi was scheduled to visit Pakistan on August 4 as part of a recent push to improve relations between Kabul and Islamabad. The engagement followed Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's earlier visit to Kabul, which had been facilitated by China.Citing diplomatic sources, Dawn said that as the Afghan foreign minister is under international sanctions, he is barred from foreign travel without a special waiver from the UN sanctions committee. The committee, set up under UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011), oversees travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes on Taliban-linked figures.The Dawn report stated that Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip.Dawn noted that the US decision is believed to have been influenced by concerns over the Taliban government's growing closeness with China.When asked at a recent briefing whether the US had blocked Muttaqi's travel, the State Department said, "We do not comment on rumours," Dawn reported.Pakistan's Foreign Office, however, did not directly confirm the US role. At a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters there were "certain procedural issues" being worked out and maintained that no official dates had been confirmed for Muttaqi's visit. As quoted by Dawn, he added, "Once these procedural matters are resolved, we look forward to welcoming the Afghan foreign minister to Pakistan."The Dawn report also highlighted that the US has often clashed with China and Russia in the UNSC sanctions committee, with Beijing and Moscow supporting more lenient travel exemptions for Taliban officials.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION&nbsp;audience.

Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip, according to reports. 

The United States blocked a planned visit by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan by refusing to approve a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) travel ban exemption, according to a report by Dawn. According to Dawn, Muttaqi was scheduled to visit Pakistan on August 4 as part of a recent push to improve relations between Kabul and Islamabad. The engagement followed Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's earlier visit to Kabul, which had been facilitated by China. Citing diplomatic sources, Dawn said that as the Afghan foreign minister is under international sanctions, he is barred from foreign travel without a special waiver from the UN sanctions committee. The committee, set up under UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011), oversees travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes on Taliban-linked figures. The Dawn report stated that Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip. Dawn noted that the US decision is believed to have been influenced by concerns over the Taliban government's growing closeness with China. When asked at a recent briefing whether the US had blocked Muttaqi's travel, the State Department said, "We do not comment on rumours," Dawn reported. Pakistan's Foreign Office, however, did not directly confirm the US role. At a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters there were "certain procedural issues" being worked out and maintained that no official dates had been confirmed for Muttaqi's visit. As quoted by Dawn, he added, "Once these procedural matters are resolved, we look forward to welcoming the Afghan foreign minister to Pakistan." The Dawn report also highlighted that the US has often clashed with China and Russia in the UNSC sanctions committee, with Beijing and Moscow supporting more lenient travel exemptions for Taliban officials. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip, according to reports.&nbsp;

US allegedly blocks Afghan's foreign minister Pakistan visit over UN travel ban waiver

Iran has deported hundreds of thousands of Afghans in recent months, alleging national security concerns. This comes after the authorities in March gave a deadline to Afghans to return to their homeland by July. More than four million undocumented refugees from Afghanistan had been living in Iran after they fled conflict in their country. According to the United Nations, about 50,000 people were returning daily in early July.&nbsp;Iran’s immigration crackdown comes amid the widespread accusations suggesting that Afghans have links with the intelligence agency Mossad, with several individuals being arrested for espionage.&nbsp;Tehran may be “looking for scapegoats” for its shortcomings in the war against Israel, an expert told the BBC. “The Iranian government is very embarrassed by their security failures", which show Iran "was very thoroughly penetrated by Israeli intelligence,” said Barnett Rubin, who served as senior adviser to the US Department of State. “So they had to find someone to blame.”&nbsp;Some critics have also suggested that the Iranian government is seeking legitimacy by accusing undocumented Afghans of espionage to deport them.On June 13, when Israel launched an attack on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, the government urged citizens to report any suspicious activities that could be linked to Israeli operatives. Following this, several people, including Afghans, were detained in alleged connection to the Israeli attacks.&nbsp;The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on June 18 said that 18 Afghans were arrested in Mashhad for building drones for Israel, according to Afghan Witness, an independent monitoring group. However, the provincial deputy security chief later said that the arrests had no connections to drone-making or Israeli links and were solely made for being in the country illegally.&nbsp;According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 1.5 million Afghans have left Iran since January. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation told the BBC that over 918,000 Afghans, some of whom had been in Iran for generations, returned between 22 June - 22 July.&nbsp;Since the 1970s, millions of Afghans have fled to Iran and Pakistan, most of whom did so at the time of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and when the Taliban took over in 2021. Afghans also face hate crimes in Iran, which have been heightened by social media in recent years.&nbsp;Experts have warned that Afghanistan does not have the capacity to accommodate the growing number of nationals who are being forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan during the time of economic crisis in the country.

Iran’s immigration crackdown comes amid the widespread accusations suggesting that Afghans have links with the intelligence agency Mossad, with several individuals being arrested for espionage.

Iran has deported hundreds of thousands of Afghans in recent months, alleging national security concerns. This comes after the authorities in March gave a deadline to Afghans to return to their homeland by July. More than four million undocumented refugees from Afghanistan had been living in Iran after they fled conflict in their country. According to the United Nations, about 50,000 people were returning daily in early July. Iran’s immigration crackdown comes amid the widespread accusations suggesting that Afghans have links with the intelligence agency Mossad, with several individuals being arrested for espionage. Tehran may be “looking for scapegoats” for its shortcomings in the war against Israel, an expert told the BBC. “The Iranian government is very embarrassed by their security failures", which show Iran "was very thoroughly penetrated by Israeli intelligence,” said Barnett Rubin, who served as senior adviser to the US Department of State. “So they had to find someone to blame.” Some critics have also suggested that the Iranian government is seeking legitimacy by accusing undocumented Afghans of espionage to deport them. On June 13, when Israel launched an attack on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, the government urged citizens to report any suspicious activities that could be linked to Israeli operatives. Following this, several people, including Afghans, were detained in alleged connection to the Israeli attacks. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on June 18 said that 18 Afghans were arrested in Mashhad for building drones for Israel, according to Afghan Witness, an independent monitoring group. However, the provincial deputy security chief later said that the arrests had no connections to drone-making or Israeli links and were solely made for being in the country illegally. According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 1.5 million Afghans have left Iran since January. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation told the BBC that over 918,000 Afghans, some of whom had been in Iran for generations, returned between 22 June - 22 July. Since the 1970s, millions of Afghans have fled to Iran and Pakistan, most of whom did so at the time of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and when the Taliban took over in 2021. Afghans also face hate crimes in Iran, which have been heightened by social media in recent years. Experts have warned that Afghanistan does not have the capacity to accommodate the growing number of nationals who are being forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan during the time of economic crisis in the country.

Iran’s immigration crackdown comes amid the widespread accusations suggesting that Afghans have links with the intelligence agency Mossad, with several individuals being arrested for espionage.

Why is Iran deporting hundreds of thousands of Afghans, accusing them of being ‘Israeli spies’?

The British couple, Barbie and Peter Reynolds, have now been imprisoned in Afghanistan for around six months, being put in underground cells and facing fire situations. Their son, Jonathan, stressed that his parents' health has been deteriorating and they need to get to the hospital immediately.&nbsp;During their time in prison, the elderly couple was even kept in the underground cells, with no sunlight for six weeks. Peter, 80, has been chained and shackled and had convulsions on the floor recently.&nbsp;Barbie, who is 75 years old, has suffered from malnourishment and has reported that her hands and feet have turned blue.&nbsp;“There’s a chance they die in there, and it’s escalating pretty fast,” their youngest son, Jonathan, 45, said. “They need to get to the hospital immediately.”&nbsp;The couple was arrested on February 1, but is being held without any charges. Their family has been trying hard to get the couple out of prison.&nbsp;Earlier, they were allowed to call their family regularly from prison, but now, for more than a month, there has been no contact.&nbsp;Barbie and Peter lived in Afghanistan for 18 years, as they ran educational programs and training. Since the Taliban gained control in 2021, they have banned education for girls over 12 years of age.&nbsp;The United Nations has intervened for the couple and warned them that they might die in "degrading conditions" if they do not receive hospital treatment soon. Last week, officials from the British Foreign Office met with the elderly couple; however, there has been no official confirmation of their release yet.&nbsp;Earlier, Peter said that he would not leave prison without Joya, an Afghan interpreter who was arrested alongside the couple and has since been released.&nbsp;“Dad was like: ‘You’ll have to kill me. Do not let him stay in here. He has done nothing wrong,” Jonathan recalled what his dad said. “I think they could have maybe gotten out a lot earlier, but those kinds of demands, although selfless, made it more difficult.”&nbsp;Jonathan said that some people on social media might have misperceived the case. “I have seen people saying: ‘Let them die there, we’re not using British taxpayer money on this,’” he said.&nbsp;“But this is not just an emotional plea from some adult kids saying: ‘Somebody help my parents because they were on vacation in a place they shouldn’t have been.’ That’s not what this is …. They know full well the risks, but they are being held in an unjust manner, and they are innocent," Jonathan added. &nbsp;

Son of British couple imprisoned in Afghan prison, has urged for hospital treatment for his parents amid their "deteriorating health". Jonathan even stressed that his parent might die there given the escalating situation in the prison. 

The British couple, Barbie and Peter Reynolds, have now been imprisoned in Afghanistan for around six months, being put in underground cells and facing fire situations. Their son, Jonathan, stressed that his parents' health has been deteriorating and they need to get to the hospital immediately. During their time in prison, the elderly couple was even kept in the underground cells, with no sunlight for six weeks. Peter, 80, has been chained and shackled and had convulsions on the floor recently. Barbie, who is 75 years old, has suffered from malnourishment and has reported that her hands and feet have turned blue. “There’s a chance they die in there, and it’s escalating pretty fast,” their youngest son, Jonathan, 45, said. “They need to get to the hospital immediately.” The couple was arrested on February 1, but is being held without any charges. Their family has been trying hard to get the couple out of prison. Earlier, they were allowed to call their family regularly from prison, but now, for more than a month, there has been no contact. Barbie and Peter lived in Afghanistan for 18 years, as they ran educational programs and training. Since the Taliban gained control in 2021, they have banned education for girls over 12 years of age. The United Nations has intervened for the couple and warned them that they might die in "degrading conditions" if they do not receive hospital treatment soon. Last week, officials from the British Foreign Office met with the elderly couple; however, there has been no official confirmation of their release yet. Earlier, Peter said that he would not leave prison without Joya, an Afghan interpreter who was arrested alongside the couple and has since been released. “Dad was like: ‘You’ll have to kill me. Do not let him stay in here. He has done nothing wrong,” Jonathan recalled what his dad said. “I think they could have maybe gotten out a lot earlier, but those kinds of demands, although selfless, made it more difficult.” Jonathan said that some people on social media might have misperceived the case. “I have seen people saying: ‘Let them die there, we’re not using British taxpayer money on this,’” he said. “But this is not just an emotional plea from some adult kids saying: ‘Somebody help my parents because they were on vacation in a place they shouldn’t have been.’ That’s not what this is …. They know full well the risks, but they are being held in an unjust manner, and they are innocent," Jonathan added.

Son of British couple imprisoned in Afghan prison, has urged for hospital treatment for his parents amid their "deteriorating health". Jonathan even stressed that his parent might die there given the escalating situation in the prison.&nbsp;

'Chained, shackled, might die there': Son of elderly UK couple jailed in Afghanistan urges hospital treatment for his parents

The United Kingdom on Tuesday (Jul 15) revealed a secret scheme involving thousands of Afghans, who worked for the UK government, and their families were relocated to Britain after a data breach in 2022 that put their lives at risk. Speaking in the parliament after the UK High Court lifted a gag order banning reports of the scheme, Defence Minister John Healey described how a “serious departmental error” could have put the lives of nearly 19,000 Afghans “at stake”.&nbsp;In February 2022, a spreadsheet containing names and details of about 19,000 people from Afghanistan seeking relocation to the UK was accidentally leaked by a British official, Healey said. This incident happened just six months after the Taliban took over Kabul.&nbsp;<h2>‘Serious departmental error’</h2>&nbsp;“This was a serious departmental error,” said Healey, adding that “lives may have been at stake.” The previous Conservative government launched a secret programme to help those “judged to be at the highest risk of reprisals by the Taliban,” he said.&nbsp;Under the programme, the Afghan Response Route, some 900 Afghans and 3,600 family members have been brought to the UK or are in transit at a cost of around £400 million ($535.7 million), Healey said. They are among 36,000 Afghans who were accepted by Britain under different schemes since the fall of Kabul in 2021.&nbsp;Healey, Labour’s opposition defence spokesman, was briefed about the programme in 2023. However, the Conservative government asked a court to impose a “super-injunction” to ban any mention of the scheme in parliament or by the media. The Labour Party came into power in July last year, when the scheme was in full swing.&nbsp;<h2>Minister offers ‘sincere apology’</h2>&nbsp;The defence secretary offered a “sincere apology” for the data breach that “should never have happened. In his statement to the Commons, he said that he felt “deeply concerned about the lack of transparency” around the data breach, adding that he had been “deeply uncomfortable to be constrained from reporting to this house”.&nbsp;“Ministers decided not to tell parliamentarians at an earlier stage about the data incident, as the widespread publicity would increase the risk of the Taliban obtaining the dataset,” he added.&nbsp;After becoming the defence minister in the new Labour government, Haley ordered a review of the scheme, which concluded there was “very little intent by the Taliban to conduct a campaign of retribution.”&nbsp;The minister said that the programme has now been closed. “From today, there will be no new ARR offers of relocation to Britain, the route is now closed,” he said. “However, we will honour the 600 invitations already made to any named person still in Afghanistan and their immediate family. When this nation makes a promise, we should keep it.”

The minister said that the programme has now been closed. “From today, there will be no new ARR offers of relocation to Britain, the route is now closed,” he said. Healey, Labour’s opposition defence spokesman, was briefed about the programme in 2023. 

The United Kingdom on Tuesday (Jul 15) revealed a secret scheme involving thousands of Afghans, who worked for the UK government, and their families were relocated to Britain after a data breach in 2022 that put their lives at risk. Speaking in the parliament after the UK High Court lifted a gag order banning reports of the scheme, Defence Minister John Healey described how a “serious departmental error” could have put the lives of nearly 19,000 Afghans “at stake”. In February 2022, a spreadsheet containing names and details of about 19,000 people from Afghanistan seeking relocation to the UK was accidentally leaked by a British official, Healey said. This incident happened just six months after the Taliban took over Kabul. ‘Serious departmental error’ “This was a serious departmental error,” said Healey, adding that “lives may have been at stake.” The previous Conservative government launched a secret programme to help those “judged to be at the highest risk of reprisals by the Taliban,” he said. Under the programme, the Afghan Response Route, some 900 Afghans and 3,600 family members have been brought to the UK or are in transit at a cost of around £400 million ($535.7 million), Healey said. They are among 36,000 Afghans who were accepted by Britain under different schemes since the fall of Kabul in 2021. Healey, Labour’s opposition defence spokesman, was briefed about the programme in 2023. However, the Conservative government asked a court to impose a “super-injunction” to ban any mention of the scheme in parliament or by the media. The Labour Party came into power in July last year, when the scheme was in full swing. Minister offers ‘sincere apology’ The defence secretary offered a “sincere apology” for the data breach that “should never have happened. In his statement to the Commons, he said that he felt “deeply concerned about the lack of transparency” around the data breach, adding that he had been “deeply uncomfortable to be constrained from reporting to this house”. “Ministers decided not to tell parliamentarians at an earlier stage about the data incident, as the widespread publicity would increase the risk of the Taliban obtaining the dataset,” he added. After becoming the defence minister in the new Labour government, Haley ordered a review of the scheme, which concluded there was “very little intent by the Taliban to conduct a campaign of retribution.” The minister said that the programme has now been closed. “From today, there will be no new ARR offers of relocation to Britain, the route is now closed,” he said. “However, we will honour the 600 invitations already made to any named person still in Afghanistan and their immediate family. When this nation makes a promise, we should keep it.”

The minister said that the programme has now been closed. “From today, there will be no new ARR offers of relocation to Britain, the route is now closed,” he said. Healey, Labour’s opposition defence spokesman, was briefed about the programme in 2023.&nbsp;

‘Serious departmental error’: UK reveals $535 million secret scheme to relocate 19,000 Afghans after data leak

Taliban has a peaceful message for America - in a video featuring hostages. A video was shared online by a few Taliban-linked accounts in an effort to promote tourism in Afghanistan - ruled by the Islamic extremists. The video was aimed at rebranding Afghanistan as a peaceful, tourist-friendly place. But the only twist is, the makers use dark humour to do so. The viral 50-second clip was created by Yosaf Aryubi, founder of Raza Afghanistan, a tour agency that offers travel packages to international visitors, according to The Independent. It starts with a scene mimicking a hostage situation. It showed three men kneeling with black bags on their hands and faces covered with them, while three men stood behind with guns. &nbsp;“We have one message for America,” one of them said. Then suddenly, he removes the black bag from one of the "hostages" and the man smiles and says, “Welcome to Afghanistan,” while showing his thumb to the camera.&nbsp;The video came amid persistent warnings from the US government, which strongly advises its citizens against travelling to the country.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">شاهد الرسالة القوية التي وجّهها شباب أفغانستان إلى الولايات المتحدة!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#أفغانستان_بالعربي</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#افغانستان</a> <a href="https://t.co/W3LrrNJy88">pic.twitter.com/W3LrrNJy88</a>&mdash; أفغانستان بالعربي (@afghanarabc) <a href="https://twitter.com/afghanarabc/status/1941486419668762740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The video further showed a montage of armed men smiling, giving peace signs to the camera. In one shot, the camera zooms in on a rifle labelled “Property of US Government” as a man chuckles, noting, “It's not even on safety." The video also showed foreigners enjoying a lavish Afghan meal. A parrot perches on a diner's head, a flower is tucked into a gun barrel, and the stunning Afghan countryside is seen on full display in the video.&nbsp;Why the video?&nbsp;The makers, Yosaf, grew up in the US and keep travelling to Kabul and California. He told The Independent that the video was meant to challenge the Western perception of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. “It mocks how most of the West sees Afghanistan and then shows a bit of the reality that our guests experience,” he told the news agency.&nbsp;

 The viral 50-second clip was created by Yosaf Aryubi, founder of Raza Afghanistan, a tour agency that offers travel packages to international visitors, according to The Independent. It starts with a scene mimicking a hostage situation.

Taliban has a peaceful message for America - in a video featuring hostages. A video was shared online by a few Taliban-linked accounts in an effort to promote tourism in Afghanistan - ruled by the Islamic extremists. The video was aimed at rebranding Afghanistan as a peaceful, tourist-friendly place. But the only twist is, the makers use dark humour to do so. The viral 50-second clip was created by Yosaf Aryubi, founder of Raza Afghanistan, a tour agency that offers travel packages to international visitors, according to The Independent. It starts with a scene mimicking a hostage situation. It showed three men kneeling with black bags on their hands and faces covered with them, while three men stood behind with guns. “We have one message for America,” one of them said. Then suddenly, he removes the black bag from one of the "hostages" and the man smiles and says, “Welcome to Afghanistan,” while showing his thumb to the camera. The video came amid persistent warnings from the US government, which strongly advises its citizens against travelling to the country.

&nbsp;The viral 50-second clip was created by Yosaf Aryubi, founder of Raza Afghanistan, a tour agency that offers travel packages to international visitors, according to The Independent. It starts with a scene mimicking a hostage situation.

'We have one message for America': Taliban 'welcomes' US tourists - in video featuring hostages. YES, you read it right

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