RFE/RL

U.S. General Meets With Afghan Taliban Officials To Discuss 'Need To Reduce Violence'

The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, Austin Miller, has met with representatives of the Taliban’s political office in Doha to discuss the reduction of violence, officials said.

Taliban Kills Five Bank Employees In Western Afghan Province

Pakistan Plans Staggered End To Lockdown After Grim Economic Warning

Pakistan Calls On Kabul To Hand Over Jailed Head Of IS-Linked Group

The Pakistani government has called on Afghanistan to hand over the captured leader of the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), an affiliate of the extremist group Islamic State (IS). 

Taliban Calls Back Negotiators After Suspending Prisoner-Exchange Talks

The Taliban called back its team of negotiators from Kabul hours after saying it broke off talks with the Afghan government on a prisoner exchange. 

HRW Urges War Crimes Charges For Jailed IS-Linked Group’s Head

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging the Afghan government to bring war crimes charges against the captured leader of the Islamic State of Khorasan Province, an affiliate of the extremist group Islamic State (IS).

Taliban Breaks Off 'Fruitless' Talks With Afghan Government On Prisoner Exchange

The Taliban has broken off talks with the Afghan government on a prisoner exchange, a main step in peace talks being brokered by the United States.

U.S. Rejects Taliban Claim It Is Violating Doha Peace Deal

The U.S. military has rejected a claim by the Afghan Taliban that the United States is violating the terms of a peace deal signed by the two sides in late February.

Pakistan Vows To Appeal Acquittal Of Suspects In Daniel Pearl Murder

NATO Top Commander To Work On Coronavirus Response

NATO foreign ministers have tasked the alliance’s top military officer to help boost the 30 allies’ response to the coronavirus pandemic.

At Least Eight Afghan Civilians Killed By Roadside Bomb In Helmand

At least eight civilians, mostly children, were killed when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand.

UN Official Urges Afghan Rivals To 'Rally Together' To Help Bring Peace Deal

The UN Security Council has called on political rivals in Afghanistan to “rally together” and finalize talks with the Taliban to help end the country’s long, costly war.

U.S. Extends Sanctions Waivers On Iranian Nuclear Program

The U.S. government has extended for another 60 days sanction waivers that allow Russian, Chinese, and European countries to continue nonproliferation work at Iranian nuclear sites.

RSF Points Finger At Pakistani Intelligence After Exiled Journalist Disappears In Sweden

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) suspects that a Pakistani journalist who has been missing for a month in Sweden was abducted "at the behest" of an intelligence agency in Pakistan.

IMF’s Georgieva Says World In Recession, Urges Funds for Emerging-Market Nations

International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva says the global economy has already been thrust into a recession because of the coronavirus pandemic and she urged countries to respond with “very massive” spending programs.

Afghan Government, Taliban To Discuss Prisoner Release 'Face To Face'

Afghan government officials are set to meet with a Taliban delegation in the coming days to discuss an initial release of militant prisoners, Afghanistan's National Security Council says.

India Imposes Nationwide Coronavirus Lockdown

India has imposed a nationwide lockdown in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, joining a growing list of countries that have taken a similar move.

Pompeo Condemns Attack On Afghan 'Woman Of Courage' Award Recipient

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned an attack on Afghan politician Zarifa Ghafari, who received an award as a woman of courage from the U.S. State Department just a few weeks ago.

Pakistani Media Urged Caution Over Coronavirus After Three Journalists Infected

Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says the media in Pakistan should temporarily close their bureaus to lower health risks after three TV journalists working in the field tested positive for the coronavirus.

Coal Mine Accident In Southwestern Pakistan Kills Three

Seven miners have been killed in an accident inside a coal mine in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan.