Afghanistan highlights: Attackers strike Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, 5 killed

The Taliban have asked to address world leaders at the United Nations in New York this week and nominated their Doha-based spokesman Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan's UN ambassador. Meanwhile, the US thanked India for its cooperation in the evacuations last month. Stay tuned for live updates.

With 'Haqqani network influence' on cricket, can ICC Board allow Afghanistan to play T20 World Cup?

Afghanistan's participation in next month's T20 World Cup is becoming a matter of intrigue after the Taliban's takeover of the strife-torn country, following which its Cricket Board's top official has been abruptly replaced and women have been barred from playing the game.

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In Pic | Passengers board a commercial aircraft bound to Kabul at Herat Airport. Credit: AFP Photo

Afghan women MPs arrive in Greece on way to US: officials

Greece on Wednesday said it was temporarily hosting six Afghan women MPs and their families who fledAfghanistanahead of eventual resettlement in the United States. Greece was hosting a "symbolic" number of Afghans who are "defenders of fundamental values, freedom of expression and gender equality," the foreign ministry said.

"Six Afghan MPs arrived in Athens via Tbilisi (Georgia) a few hours ago, accompanied by family members," it said, revising an earlier statement referring to seven MPs. "(They) will be hosted in Greece for a short time until resettlement procedures to the United States are completed," it said.

The women, whose identities were not revealed, leftAfghanistanwith assistance from the New York-based NGO Zaka Khan, the ministry said. Greece took part in US-led evacuation efforts in August to remove a small number of people fromAfghanistanfollowing the Taliban return to power after two decades.

A ministry source said Greece has so far taken in around 65 Afghan evacuees, and evacuated three Greek nationals. Greece is currently home to 40,000 long-term Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, making it the largest migrant population in the country, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

(Credit: AFP)

Attackers strike Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, 5 killed

Attackers struck Taliban vehicles in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, witnesses said, killing at least two fighters and three civilians in the latest violence since the group's takeover of the country in mid-August.

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Afghanistan unrest could inspire US-based extremists: FBI Director

The possibility of a 9/11-type attack has diminished over the last 20 years, but the Taliban victory in Afghanistan could embolden US-based extremists at the same time that the FBI is confronting increasing threats from individuals motivated by racial and political grievances, top national security officials warned Tuesday.

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Taliban UN envoy nomination complicates a quandary for the General Assembly

The Taliban have nominated an ambassador to represent Afghanistan at the United Nations, UNofficials said Tuesday, injecting a new twist into what was already a delicate diplomatic quandary in the global organisation.

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US top military officer meets with Russian counterpart

The top USmilitary officer met with his Russian counterpart Wednesday, against the backdrop of USstruggles to get military basing rights and other counterterrorism support in countries bordering Afghanistan — a move Moscow has flatly opposed.

The meeting in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, between Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the USJoint Chiefs of Staff, and Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov comes at a crucial time in the wake of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. (AP)

Seven female Afghan taekwondo athletes resettle in Australia

A sports association official says seven female taekwondo athletes who fled Taliban-controlled Afghanistan have resettled in Melbourne.

Australian Taekwondo's chief executive Heather Garriock said Wednesday the women are completing quarantine this week. Although most of the athletes were not identified, there were no female Afghan taekwondo athletes scheduled to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

Garriock said former Australia national soccer captain and humanitarian advocate Craig Foster worked with the Australian government, Australian Taekwondo and Oceania Taekwondo on a high-risk evacuation from Afghanistan after the Taliban re-took control of the country. No other details of the evacuation were provided. (AP)

Afghan board sacks Shinwari, appoints Khan as new CEO

Taliban UN envoy nomination complicates a quandary for the General Assembly

The Taliban have nominated an ambassador to represent Afghanistan at the United Nations, UN officials said Tuesday, injecting a new twist into what was already a delicate diplomatic quandary in the global organisation. Read more

Behind India's biggest heroin smuggling at Mundra port, a Chennai couple, Afghan national and his Indian pointsman

In what is said to be the largest seizure of narcotics substance in the country, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has recovered a consignment containing 3,000 kg of heroin at Mundra port in Kutch district. The international value of the contraband is considered to be valued at Rs 21,000 crore. The DRI has described the case as “alarming”.

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Taliban write to UN chief nominating spokesman Shaheen as Afghan envoy, ask for participation at UNGA

The Taliban have written to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nominating their spokesman Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan’s new ambassador to the UN and have asked to participate and speak in the high-level 76th session of the General Assembly currently underway here.

Migrants, mainly fromAfghanistan, are seen after they were detained by Turkish security forces during an operation in the border city of Van, Turkey late August 21, 2021. Credit: Reuters Photo

Qatar's ruler urges world leaders not to boycott Taliban

The ruling emir of Qatar, whose nation has played a pivotal role in Afghanistan in the wake of the US withdrawal, urged world leaders gathered at the United Nations against turning their backs on the country's Taliban rulers.

SAARC meeting cancelled over Pakistan's demand on allowing Taliban to represent Afghanistan

The annual conclave of the SAARC Foreign Ministers on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly in New York has been called off, as India and other members of the eight-nation bloc turned down Pakistan’s demand to allow an official of the Taliban government in Kabul to represent Afghanistan in the meeting.

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India, France express 'grave concern' over Afghanistan

India and France on Tuesday expressed "grave concern" over the situation in Afghanistan with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron discussing the possible spread of terrorism, narcotics, illicit weapons and human trafficking.

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US thanks India for cooperation on Afghan evacuation

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in a phone call with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh has thanked India for its cooperation during the recent evacuation from Afghanistan and the two leaders committed to continue monitoring the situation in the war-torn country, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

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Taliban names Afghan UN envoy, asks to speak to world leaders

The Taliban have asked to address world leaders at the United Nations in New York this week and nominated their Doha-based spokesman Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan's UN ambassador, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

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