VOA Afghan

UN says committed to work with Pakistan for voluntary returns of Afghan refugees

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the United Nations will work with Pakistan to “uphold protection principles and ensure that returns of Afghans proceed in a voluntary, safe and dignified way.”

Taliban's ban on girls' education "unacceptable" says UN official

The head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) says that the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan is “totally unacceptable” and represents a “very poor” development policy.

WHO: Malnutrition is worsening in Afghanistan

Afghanistan faces a “serious and widespread” malnutrition problem, where more than 3.7 million children under the age of five face severe malnutrition, says a Kabul-based World Health Organization official.

US cautions nations against supporting Taliban as Moscow hosts Afghanistan meeting

The United States cautioned countries against supporting the Taliban as the group took part in a consultative meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow. A U.S. State Department spokesperson told VOA that the Taliban remains on the U.S. Specially Designated Global Terrorist list.

Teachers' Day marked amid continuing Taliban restrictions on women

The world marked International Teachers’ Day on Monday, while Afghan girls remain barred from attending school beyond sixth grade and many female teachers have been forced to stay home under Taliban restrictions on women.

US seeks options to relocate Afghans in Qatar camp

US says Afghan Taliban to remain ‘entity of particular concern’ over religious freedom violations

UN urges Taliban to end restrictions on girls on International Women’s Day

Afghan women face growing despair as Taliban increase repressive measures

Trump order suspending refugee resettlement affects US Afghan allies, says advocacy group 

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that called the US Refugee Admissions Program detrimental to US interests and suspending it beginning on January 27

VOA Afghan: Taliban deny Pakistan's allegation they sought money to remove Pakistani Taliban from border areas

Killing of Taliban minister could widen divisions within the group

Taliban shutter Afghan broadcaster over foreign content

Journalists at Arezo TV are detained as Kabul office is sealed over Taliban claim that station produced 'vulgar' content

Kabul residents queue up for hours to collect water

UN warns city’s groundwater could deplete by 2030

Women's rights activists at UN call for inclusion in negotiations with Taliban

A threat to girls' rights in Afghanistan is a threat to girls everywhere, said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai

In Afghanistan, media students still keen to learn despite Taliban restrictions

Under the Taliban, the news media in Afghanistan are among the least free in the world, but a new generation of journalists is still keen to learn the skills of the trade. Even women, who are barred from attending university in Afghanistan, are finding ways to study.

Analysts: Completed Afghanistan-China road not yet ready for trade

Taliban officials in the northeastern province of Badakhshan announced the completion of a road connecting Afghanistan to China this year. But experts doubt the road will become a trading route because it needs more work, and China still has security concerns. VOA’s Afghan Service has the story.

Aid groups: Afghanistan at risk of becoming 'forgotten crisis'

Afghan women and girls will suffer 'for years to come' without increase in diplomatic engagement and funding, statement says

Kabul’s Chinatown: A marketplace for Chinese products

Kabul Chinatown is filled with Chinese-made products but very few Chinese faces. VOA’s Afghan service has more on what can be found in Kabul’s Chinatown. The story is narrated by Bezhan Hamdard. Contributors: Roshan Noorzai, Noshaba Ashna

Regional Governments Seen Struggling to Control IS-Khorasan

Experts say last week’s Moscow attack shows the terror group’s ability to reach beyond South-Central Asia

Taliban Arrest Poet, Magazine Editor, Family Members Say

The move is seen as part of current crackdown on freedom of expression, independent media