Afghanistan News highlights: Taliban bans broadcast of IPL in Afghanistan

The US State Department has confirmed that a Qatar Airways flight flew 21 US citizens and 48 permanent residents out of Afghanistan on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Taliban said that it sacked the executive director of Afghanistan's cricket board. Follow DH for live updates

India, Bangladesh must keep close watch on Afghan situation: ex- Bangladesh foreign secretary

Former Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shamsher M Chowdhury on Tuesday said India and Bangladesh should together keep a close watch on the situation unfolding inAfghanistanas it could have repurcussions in the sub-continent.

Chowdhury who has served as his country's Ambassador to both the superpowers Russia and United States pointed out the new Taliban regime inAfghanistanis driven by a ‘communal’ rather than a political ideology. (PTI)

Taliban bans IPL broadcast in Afghanistan

The Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has banned the broadcast of the hugely popular Indian Premier League (IPL) in the country over the presence of "female audience and spectators" in stadiums.

Ever since the Taliban's takeover of the strife-torn country last month, the international sporting community has been concerned about the fundamentalist group's position on women participating in sports.

Former Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) media manager and journalist M Ibrahim Momand said the live broadcast of IPL matches was banned due to possible "anti-Islamic" content. (PTI)

IED blasts targeting Taliban vehicles in Nangahar, Jalalabad allegedly kill two fighters: Local accounts

PM Modi, Macron discuss Afghanistan situation, flag concerns over possible spread of terrorism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday discussed the recent developments inAfghanistanand shared their concerns about possible spread of terrorism, narcotics, illicit weapons and human trafficking.

During their telephonic conversation, the two leaders reviewed the increasing bilateral collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region, and the important role that the India-France partnership plays in promoting stability and security in the region, a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office here said. (PTI)

Afghan crisis, ways to contain terrorism to figure prominently in Modi-Biden talks

The developments in Afghanistan, ways to stem radicalism, extremism and cross-border terrorism and further expansion of India-US global partnership will figure prominently in bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in Washington on September 24, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday.

In their first in-person talks after Biden became the US President, the two leaders are expected to focus on bolstering bilateral trade and investment ties, strengthening defence and security collaboration and boosting the strategic clean energy partnership, Shringla said sharing details of Modi's "official working visit" to the US from September 22-25. (PTI)

UK apologises for email error revealing details of Afghan interpreters

Britain on Tuesday apologised for a data breach revealing details of people in Afghanistan seeking relocation to Britain after the Taliban retook control of the country when foreign troops withdrew earlier this year.

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Pakistan in 'constant touch' with Afghan Taliban: military official

Pakistan is in "constant touch" with the Afghan Taliban for safeguarding the country’s security interests, a top military official has said.

Military spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said the Taliban have reiterated on several occasions that no group or terrorist organisation will be allowed to use Afghan territory for any terrorist activity against any country, including Pakistan.

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Taliban, Russian officials hold meeting in Afghan Presidential Palace: Report

Government workers' salaries will be paid soon, says Taliban spokesperson (Pajhwok Afghan News)

Taliban say no al Qaeda or ISIS in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Taliban rulers said on Tuesday there was no evidence of Islamic State or al Qaeda militants being in the country, days after Islamic State claimed responsibility for bomb attacks in the eastern city of Jalalabad.

Since toppling the Western-backed government in Kabul last month, the Taliban have faced pressure from the international community to renounce ties with al Qaeda, the group behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

At the same time, they have had to deal with a series of attacks claimed by an affiliate of Islamic State, with which they have been in conflict for several years over a mix of economic and ideological disputes. (Reuters)

Daesh is not a threat because it is not accepted by the Afghan people, no one supports it: Taliban (Ariana news)

Inauguration ceremony of the acting cabinet has been cancelled (Reports)

Girls will return to school soon, Taliban promise (Pajhwok Afghan News)

Taliban acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaghi met Qatar ambassador Saeed Mubarak today

The meeting involves discusiions on the situation in Afghanistan and other important issues. During the meeting, the two sides emphasised on bilateral relations.

Discussions were also held on the recognition of the new government. (nunn.asia)

Doctor Lutfullah Khairkhwa as professional deputy of the Ministry of Higher Education (Reports)

Commander Arsala Khoruti made deputy minister of refugees (Reports)

Mohammad Faqir made acting director of Central Statistics Organization (Ariana news)

President Mullah Mohammad Ibrahim is deputy security minister of the Ministry of Interior, Mullah Abdul Qayum Zaker is deputy minister of defense (Reports)

Dr Qalandar Ebad as acting minister of health (Ariana news)

Gul Zarin Kochi, Haji Gul Mohammad appointed deputy minister of borders (Ariana news)

2 acting ministers, 11 deputy ministers and 3 acting ministers were appointed by Taliban (Pajhwok Afghan News)

We are using all diplomatic channels to unfreeze the Afghan assets: Taliban spokesperson (Reports)

Caretaker government needs time to address women's demands: Taliban (Reports)

Recent Daesh attacks were their last attacks, they cannot attack again: Taliban spokesman (ITV news)

UK, US recognised need to deliver coordinated response to Afghanistan humanitarian crisis and agreement on how to to engage with Taliban: UK

Haji Nooruddin Azizi, a prominent figure from Panjshir, has been appointed as acting Minister of Commerce & trade (Reports)

Dr Abdul Bari Omar and Mohammad Hassan Ghiasi appointed as deputy ministers of health (Reports)

Eng. Najibullah appointed as atomic energy chief: Taliban spokesman (ITV news)

Taliban to allow girls back in school 'as soon as possible': spokesman

The Taliban announce a list of deputy ministers, failing to appoint any women, doubling down on an all-male, all-Taliban government in Afghanistan.

Taliban satisfied with security guarantees: Pakistan Army (Reports)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan

However, he has said that hecannot protect Afghan refugees who have gone to Turkey.

He added that the United States and Europe should make an urgent decision on these refugees. (Khama Press)

Barbers suffer under Taliban rule as Afghans shun fashion

Quiffs, mohawks, and crew cuts were hairstyles Nader Shah was accustomed to styling for image-conscious young men in Afghanistan's third-biggest city of Herat.

But since theTalibanswept to power in mid-August, Afghans have little cash to spare and fear being punished for sporting short or fashionable cuts.

"Before, people came and asked for different hairstyles, but it's simply not like that anymore," 24-year-old Shah said at his barber's shop, with mirrors covering every wall. "Now they are heartbroken." (AFP)

Motorists concerned about rising fuel prices in Afghanistan (Ariana News)

25 weapons of British soldiers present in Maiwand war were recovered from a house in Kandahar (Reports)

UK Defence Secretary orders investigation into disclosure of Afghan translators ' email addresses (BBC Pashto)

Ex-official in Trump admin for greater counter-terrorism coordination with India on Afghanistan

Ahead of a maiden bilateral meet between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, a former national security official in the Trump Administration's pushed for greater counter-terrorism coordination with India on Afghanistan and reevaluation of its reliance on Pakistan in the matter. (PTI)

If the situation becomes critical in Afghanistan, it might harm the whole world: Taliban spokesperson (Reports)

Will address rights issue after recognition: Taliban spokesperson (TOLO news)

Biden administration to raise cap on refugee admissions

Biden’s decision is unlikely to affect two groups of people most recently in the news: tens of thousands of people from Kabul fleeing the Taliban takeover inAfghanistan.(NYT)

Biden looks to turn page on 20 yrs of war in UN address

President Joe Biden begins his first visit to the UN General Assembly ready to make the case to world leaders that after closing the book on 20 years of war, the US aims to rally allies and adversaries to work together on a slew of crises including the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and trade and economics.

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How US helped, hampered escape of Afghan journalists

The secretary of state cites a “massive effort” by the government, but people involved in the evacuation instead describe bureaucratic snags.

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Taliban fire director of Afghan cricket board

The Taliban have sacked the executive director of Afghanistan's cricket board.

Hamid Shinwari posted on his official Facebook page on Monday that he had been fired by Anas Haqqani, the younger brother of the Taliban's new Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.

He said he was not given any reason for his dismissal, but was told he would be replaced by Naseebullah Haqqani. - AP.

Another evacuation flight leaves Afghanistan with 21 US citizens onboard

The US State Department has confirmed that a Qatar Airways flight flew 21 US citizens and 48 permanent residents out of Afghanistan on Sunday.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement Monday that the US will continue to help citizens, permanent residents and Afghans affiliated with the US government to depart Afghanistan.

Price says: “We are thankful to Qatari authorities, who continue to coordinate these flights with the Taliban.” - AP.