Omid RadioNew York Mayor Proposes Requesting Return of Koh-i-Noor Diamond from British Crown
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he would request the return of the Koh-i-Noor diamond from King Charles III, reigniting debates over the gem's ownership between Afghanistan and India. The mayor avoided naming a specific recipient due to the diplomatic sensitivity of the issue.
ReliableDeputy Administrative Chief Visits Eastern Provinces to Assess Returnee Settlement Conditions
Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi led a government delegation to eastern Afghanistan to evaluate settlement conditions for returnees and direct ministries to improve housing, water access, and infrastructure. The assessment covers Nangarhar, Kunar, and Nuristan provinces.
ReliableDeputy Minister Calls on Media to Counter Vaccine Misinformation
Deputy Minister of Information and Culture for Broadcasting Mawlawi Mohajer Farahi urged media outlets to combat vaccine misinformation and prioritize accurate public health education during a recent awareness conference.
ReliableTwo Suspects Arrested in Logar Over Killing of Four Family Members
Logar provincial security forces have arrested two suspects who confessed to killing four family members during a robbery. The case has been transferred to judicial authorities for Sharia-based proceedings.
ReliableFormer US Envoy Khalilzad Condemns Pakistani Strikes on Kunar Province
Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad condemned recent Pakistani artillery strikes on Kunar province as "savage," questioning Islamabad's role as a peace mediator. Local health officials report eight deaths and 81 injuries, with casualties expected to rise.
Reliable209 Al-Fath Corps Launches Three-Day Training Seminar for Personnel
The 209 Al-Fath Corps has begun a three-day professional training seminar under Ministry of National Defense directives, focusing on military principles, inspection procedures, and administrative efficiency. Chief Inspector Mufti Latifullah Hakimi is leading key instructional sessions to enhance personnel capacity.
ReliableUK and Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Hold Talks on Return of Rejected Asylum Seekers
UK and Afghan officials are holding diplomatic talks regarding the return of rejected asylum seekers, with parallel negotiations underway with the European Union. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged the discussions but declined to confirm specific repatriation agreements.
ReliableConstruction of $160 Million Cement Factory to Begin in Jawzjan Province
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced the start of construction for a $160 million cement factory in Jawzjan province, which is expected to produce 3,000 tons daily and create 5,000 jobs.
ReliableAfghan Electricity Company Delegation Secures Russian Cooperation for Power Grid Development
A delegation from Afghanistan’s national power company met with Russian energy firms to secure investment and technical cooperation for grid expansion and staff training. Russian technical teams are scheduled to visit Afghanistan soon to assess and implement joint power projects.
ReliablePaktia Police Arrest Suspect in Three-Year-Old Parwan Double Murder Case
Paktia provincial police have arrested a suspect in connection with a three-year-old family dispute in Parwan province that left two dead and three injured. The detainee will be transferred to judicial authorities following preliminary investigations.
ReliableUK Government Reviews Return of Rejected Afghan Asylum Seekers
The UK government is reviewing a policy to deport rejected Afghan asylum seekers to Afghanistan, potentially via direct flights to Kabul, amid similar initiatives by EU states and the US. The plan faces significant legal and humanitarian hurdles due to ongoing instability and diplomatic complexities.
ReliableTwo Women Killed in Wall Collapse Following Heavy Rains in Maidan Wardak
Two women were killed on Wednesday when a wall collapsed in Maidan Wardak province following heavy rains, local officials confirmed. The incident adds to a rising toll of rain-related fatalities across Afghanistan in recent weeks.
ReliableIslamic Emirate of Afghanistan Officials Pledge Strict Monitoring of Foreign Workers on Tourist Visas
Officials from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced strict monitoring of foreign nationals working on tourist visas, alongside streamlined procedures for legal work permits to support economic development.
ReliableMinistry of Agriculture Focuses on Farm Mechanization and National Self-Sufficiency
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Maulawi Sadr Azam Osmani announced new initiatives to mechanize farming, expand livestock facilities, and achieve national self-sufficiency to boost exports.
ReliableSweden and EU to Host Islamic Emirate Delegation in Brussels to Discuss Migrant Returns
Sweden and the European Commission will host a technical delegation from the Islamic Emirate in Brussels before summer to coordinate the return of Afghan nationals. The meeting, confirmed by Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell, will include representatives from multiple EU member states and follows recent diplomatic outreach to Kabul.
ReliableTaliban and Uzbekistan Agree to Form Joint Technical Group to Combat Drug Trafficking
The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior and Uzbekistan have agreed to form a joint technical group to enhance cross-border coordination and combat drug trafficking following a recent high-level meeting. The initiative aims to address rising narcotics smuggling through improved information sharing and coordinated interdiction efforts.
ReliableKandahar Authorities Intercept Smuggling of 70 Water Buffaloes from Pakistan
Kandahar provincial authorities have intercepted 70 water buffaloes being smuggled from Pakistan in Spin Boldak district, marking the second livestock seizure in the area within days. Detained suspects will face legal proceedings following a court ruling.
ReliableMeteorological Department Issues Rain and Flood Warning for 29 Provinces
The Afghan Meteorological Department has issued a warning for rain, lightning, and flooding across 29 provinces, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 100 kilometers per hour. The alert follows weeks of heavy rainfall that have killed nearly 200 people and injured hundreds nationwide.
ReliableIOM Urges Pakistan to Halt Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees
The International Organization for Migration has urged Pakistan to halt the forced deportation of Afghan refugees, calling for lawful and voluntary returns amid a daily influx of hundreds of returnees. Officials from the Islamic Emirate maintain that the repatriation process is being managed effectively.
ReliablePublic Security Police Intercept Hundreds of Undocumented Vehicles in Kabul
Kabul's Public Security Police intercepted 529 undocumented vehicles at city entry points and within the capital, redirecting them to enforce traffic regulations and strengthen urban security.
ReliableEU to Host Islamic Emirate Delegation in Brussels for Migrant Return Talks
The European Union plans to host a technical delegation from the Islamic Emirate in Brussels to coordinate the return of Afghan migrants without legal residency. The talks follow prior diplomatic visits and come amid ongoing humanitarian concerns regarding forced deportations.
ReliableAfghan Minister Meets UNHCR Representative to Discuss Refugee Support and Employment Initiatives
Afghanistan’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation met with the UNHCR representative to discuss humanitarian aid, border camp registration challenges, and new employment initiatives for returning migrants. The meeting also highlighted upcoming visits by UN leadership and international refugee groups to assess support efforts.
ReliableStandards Authority Rejects 83 Tons of Substandard Construction Materials at Farahi Port
The Standards and Quality Authority has returned 83 tons of substandard tiles and rebar at Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi port for failing to meet national construction benchmarks. Officials reaffirmed that strict quality inspections will continue across all national entry points.
ReliableInterest in Learning Chinese Increases in Eastern Afghanistan
Interest in learning Chinese has grown in eastern Afghanistan, particularly Nangarhar province in addition to Kabul, driven by job opportunities with Chinese mining companies and access to scholarships. Local students say the language skills open doors for future work and studies, according to a Xinhua report.
ReliableNooruddin Azizi Travels to Uzbekistan for INNOPROM Central Asia Exhibition
Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan's Minister of Industry and Commerce, has traveled to Uzbekistan to participate in the INNOPROM Central Asia exhibition with more than 60 Afghan companies from sectors including cotton, minerals and agriculture. The visit comes as food prices rise in Afghanistan due to closed trade routes with Pakistan, with some items increasing up to 47 percent according to the UN World Food Programme.
ReliableIslamic Emirate Directs Agencies to Facilitate Residential Construction
The Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate has directed government agencies to issue residential construction permits for those with valid land documents in a bid to resolve the housing crisis affecting returnees, while instructing security forces not to interfere and requiring mapping of prohibited areas.
ReliableIslamic Emirate Minister Claims Ability to Strike Pakistan With Drones
Mullah Noorullah Noori, the Minister of Borders, Ethnicities, and Tribes, claimed in a speech in Kunduz that the Islamic Emirate has advanced technologically to the point of being able to strike Pakistan with drones. He emphasized the focus on modern sciences and self-reliance over the past four years.
ReliableUkraine Conducts Drone Strike on Large Oil Depot in Russia's Krasnodar Region
A Ukrainian drone strike targeted a large oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar region, resulting in a visible fire captured on video. No damage assessments are available as mutual attacks continue in the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war.
ReliableMaulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi Visits Qosh Tepa District in Jowzjan Province
Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, administrative deputy to the prime minister, visited Qosh Tepa in Jowzjan province where he met with officials, scholars, elders and residents and announced development projects including a new branch canal. He said Afghans have gained real freedom after the occupation and that Islamic Emirate officials are addressing the people's problems.
ReliableConstruction Begins on 18-Kilometer Road in Balkh's Keshndi District
Construction has begun on an 18-kilometer road from Pul Barq to Keshndi district in Balkh province. The project is valued at around 450 million Afghanis, includes two bridges, culverts and retaining walls, and is 20 percent complete with an expected completion in two years using local engineers and machinery.