Chess in Afghanistan is banned; Taliban cites religious concerns

In a move that has sparked international criticism but little surprise, the Taliban has officially suspended the sport of chess in Afghanistan, citing concerns over gambling and religious alignment. The suspension, announced by the country’s Sports …

International Nurses Day: The Dire Plight of Afghanistan’s Health-Caregivers

May 12 is International Nurses Day. Celebrated annually in many countries, the day honors nurses’ tireless service and the crucial role they play in strengthening and advancing public-health systems. Nursing is the most essential component of patient care: …

Taliban add chess to list of things banned in Afghanistan

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Afghanistan-Uzbekistan joint chamber of commerce opens in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A joint chamber of commerce between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan was opened on Monday in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, to promote and expand trade ties between the two countries. Regional officials from …

UK veterans saw colleagues 'executing' civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan

Uzbekistan sends agricultural aid to Afghanistan

KABUL, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan has sent agricultural aid, including rice and cotton seeds, to Afghanistan as part of cooperation to help the neighboring country improve its agricultural field, state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Monday. Aimed …

SAS accused of ‘barbaric’ war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan

British special forces committed “barbaric” acts in Iraq and Afghanistan, including shooting an unarmed child and slitting the throat of an injured man, according to an investigation. The Special Air Service (SAS) is facing further allegations of war …

OCHA warns of intensifying water crisis in Afghanistan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a warning about the worsening water crisis in Afghanistan, citing below-average rainfall across much of the country. In a recent report, OCHA noted that while some …

Afghanistan provides 1,000 houses for earthquake-affected families

KABUL, May 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,000 houses had been built and handed over to families affected by earthquakes in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province, the state-owned Bakhtar news agency reported on Monday. The newly constructed houses, built …

No chess or music: Life in Afghanistan under Taliban's bizarre bans

Marking yet another draconian measure, the Taliban had also imposed a ban on women's voices being heard in public, participation in sports, visiting public baths and parks. Women are also not allowed to use transport without being accompanied by a man. …