Key road projects launched in Afghanistan's Kabul

STORY: Key road projects launched in Afghanistan's Kabul SHOOTING TIME: April 29, 2024 DATELINE: April 30, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:06 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the construction site STORYLINE: Afghan caretaker government's Acting Deputy Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has inaugurated three essential road projects in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported. Launched on Saturday and implemented by the Kabul municipality, the projects at a cost of 950 million afghanis (over 13 million U.S. dollars) are intended to reduce the traffic chaos in the city with some 6 million population. The projects would be financed by the revenue of Kabul municipality within 20 months, the deputy prime minister was quoted in the Bakhtar report, adding the administration would spare no effort to create job opportunities for people through development projects across the war-torn country. The Afghan caretaker government has

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

(240429) -- KABUL, April 29, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 29, 2024 shows the construction site of a major road in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Afghan caretaker government's Acting Deputy Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has inaugurated three essential road projects in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported. Launched on Saturday and implemented by the Kabul municipality, the projects at a cost of 950 million afghanis (over 13 million U.S. dollars) are intended to reduce the traffic chaos in the city with some 6 million population. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

(240429) -- KABUL, April 29, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Workers work at the construction site of a road in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, April 29, 2024. Afghan caretaker government's Acting Deputy Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has inaugurated three essential road projects in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported. Launched on Saturday and implemented by the Kabul municipality, the projects at a cost of 950 million afghanis (over 13 million U.S. dollars) are intended to reduce the traffic chaos in the city with some 6 million population. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

(240429) -- KABUL, April 29, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 29, 2024 shows the construction site of a major road in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Afghan caretaker government's Acting Deputy Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has inaugurated three essential road projects in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported. Launched on Saturday and implemented by the Kabul municipality, the projects at a cost of 950 million afghanis (over 13 million U.S. dollars) are intended to reduce the traffic chaos in the city with some 6 million population. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

(240429) -- KABUL, April 29, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 29, 2024 shows the construction site of a major road in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Afghan caretaker government's Acting Deputy Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has inaugurated three essential road projects in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported. Launched on Saturday and implemented by the Kabul municipality, the projects at a cost of 950 million afghanis (over 13 million U.S. dollars) are intended to reduce the traffic chaos in the city with some 6 million population. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-ROAD CONSTRUCTION

(240429) -- KABUL, April 29, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 29, 2024 shows the construction site of a major road in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Afghan caretaker government's Acting Deputy Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has inaugurated three essential road projects in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported. Launched on Saturday and implemented by the Kabul municipality, the projects at a cost of 950 million afghanis (over 13 million U.S. dollars) are intended to reduce the traffic chaos in the city with some 6 million population. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Downpours, floods add to suffering of impoverished Afghans

STORY: Downpours, floods add to suffering of impoverished Afghans SHOOTING TIME: April 18, 2024 DATELINE: April 19, 2024 LENGTH: 0:03:28 LOCATION: PARWAN, Afghanistan CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the flood-affected area in Parwan Province, east Afghanistan 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): QAND AGHA, Resident of Parwan Province 3. various of the flood-affected area in Parwan Province 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): MOHIBULLAH, Resident of Parwan Province 5. various of the flood-affected area in Parwan Province 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): GUL LALA, Resident of Parwan Province 7. various of the flood-affected area in Parwan Province STORYLINE: Standing inside his destroyed mud house and thinking about how to cope with the problems arising out of the destructive flood, the impoverished Qand Agha lamented that rebuilding his house requires at least 600,000 afghanis (about 8,333 U.S. dollars) which he does not have. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): QAND AGHA, Resident of Parwan Province "My house has been destroyed, and people know th

Afghan authorities to asphalt Kabul-Kandahar highway

STORY: Afghan authorities to asphalt Kabul-Kandahar highway DATELINE: July 16, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:28 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the asphalting scene of a highway linking Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan STORYLINE: Afghan authorities started the project of asphalting a major section of the Kabul-Kandahar highway on Saturday, according to a statement from the caretaker government. Costing 1 billion afghanis (about 11.6 million U.S. dollars), the 27-km-long and 11-meter-wide road will be covered with asphalt between the Arghandi Bazaar and the Durrani area along the Kabul-Kandahar highway, said the office of Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullal Abdul Ghani Beradar. The project is financed by the caretaker government and is expected to be completed by private companies, according to the statement. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul. (XHTV)

Afghan gov't begins reconstruction of major highway in southern region

STORY: Afghan gov't begins reconstruction of major highway in southern region DATELINE: Oct. 10, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:43 LOCATION: KANDAHAR, Afghanistan CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the reconstruction of highway in Kandahar province, Afghanistan STORYLINE: The Taliban-run caretaker administration has started the reconstruction of a major highway in the southern Kandahar province, officials have said. In the first phase, 55 km of the road linking Kandahar to the neighboring Zabul province would be reconstructed, followed by the reconstruction of highways linking Kandahar to Kabul and Kandahar to Herat, said Bakht Mohammad, who is with the reconstruction project. The first phase project will be finished in five months with funds provided by the administration, the official said. Abdul Baqi, another official with the reconstruction project, told Xinhua that the reconstruction of the Kandahar-Zabul highway requires 250 million afghanis (2.84 million U.S. dollars) and is financed by the M

U.S. shadow still hangs over Afghanistan, one year on

STORY: U.S. shadow still hangs over Afghanistan, one year on DATELINE: Aug. 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:32 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: various of street view in Afghanistanvarious of childrenSOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): ALYAS, Ice-cream sellerSOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): NAJIBULLAH JAMI, Professor with Kabul UniversitySOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): ABUZAR KHAPALWAK ZAZAI, Professor with Kabul University STORYLINE: After the United States hastily withdrew from Afghanistan one year ago in disregard of its responsibilities and obligations, Afghanistan has been facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, economic depression and terrorist attacks. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): ALYAS, Ice-cream seller "I'd rather be at school instead of selling ice cream on the street." 11-year-old Alyas and his elder brother have dropped out of school to work in the street since last month. However, their average income was less than 60 afghanis (0.67 U.S. dollar) a day. As poverty and unemployment rise across the country, the number of beggar

Chinese humanitarian aid eases sufferings of Afghan families

STORY: Chinese humanitarian aid eases sufferings of Afghan families DATELINE: Aug. 16, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:44 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Saye Hasan's home and family life in Kabul 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): SAYE HASAN, Local resident in Kabul 3. various of Saye Hasan's home in Kabul 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): MOHAMMAD NASIM HAQQANI, Spokesperson, State Ministry for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs 5. various of Abdul Salam's family life in Herat province 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): ABDUL SALAM, Resident in Herat province 7. various of donations from China in Kabul 8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Dari): ABDUL NASIR RISHTIA, Economic expert and chief executive of Afghanistan Steel Mills Union 9. various of Chinese humanitarian aid STORYLINE: Saye Hasan and his six family members live in a semi-underground hut in Mount Afshaar, one of the largest slums in the Afghan capital Kabul. Earning 500 afghanis (about 5.62 U.S. dollars) daily, Hasan was barely able to feed his family. Donations from

New dams being built in southern Afghanistan to ease water shortage

STORY: New dams being built in southern Afghanistan to ease water shortage DATELINE: July 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:17 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the construction site of new dams in Kandahar Province 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Pashto): MULLAH ABDUL KHALEQ, Religious leader in Kandahar Province 3. various of the construction site of new dams 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): MOHAMMAD SHARIF, Farmer 5. various of the construction site of new dams STORYLINE: Three new dams are being built in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar in an effort to ease an acute water shortage as a result of years of drought, which has affected the local agricultural production. The new dams are located in the province's Shah Walikot and Spin Boldak districts, said Mullah Abdul Khaleq, a religious leader in the province. According to the leader, the dam in Spin Boldak district is designed to store up to 2.3 million cubic meters of water and can be constructed at a cost of 35 million afghanis (about 400,000 U.S. doll

Afghanistan's central bank auctions 12 mln USD to keep national currency stable

STORY: Afghanistan's central bank auctions 12 mln USD to keep national currency stable DATELINE: July 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:13 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a money exchange market in Kabul STORYLINE: Afghanistan's central bank Da Afghanistan Bank put on auction 12 million U.S. dollars on Sunday as part of efforts to keep the national currency stable, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported. The bidders, including moneychangers and private banks, should deposit the necessary money in cash in afghani as a guarantee in the central bank before the auction begins. Afghanistan's national currency, the afghani, has been tumbling against foreign currencies, especially the U.S. dollar. The exchange rate of 1 U.S. dollar increased from last week's 88.10 afghanis to 88.40 afghanis on Saturday. In similar efforts, the central bank auctioned 12 million dollars on June 20 and the same amount on June 27 to keep the national currency stable against foreign currencies. Xinhua

Afghans preparing for Eid al-Adha celebration amid U.S. sanctions

STORY: Afghans preparing for Eid al-Adha celebration amid U.S. sanctions DATELINE: July 9, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:00 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1 various of a market in Kabul 2 SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): SHAFIQULLAH, Dry fruit seller in Afghanistan 3 various of streets in Kabul 4 various of the White House in the U.S. 5 SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): MUMTAZ, Kabul resident 6 SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): FRESHTA SAFARI, Businesswoman STORYLINE: As Muslims in various countries get ready to mark Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, many in Afghanistan are still struggling to survive. Eid al-Adha is one of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide every year. This year, for many Afghans, Eid al-Adha comes amid soaring prices. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): SHAFIQULLAH, Dry fruit seller in Afghanistan "The price of one packet of chocolate was 150 afghanis last year but this year its price increased to 250 afghanis. If Washington releases Afghanistan's assets, the prices of daily necessities would drop by 30 percent." Since th

Afghan capital city to launch 181 development projects

STORY: Afghan capital Kabul launches 181 development projects DATELINE: May 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:25 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: ECONOMY/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street view in Kabul STORYLINE: The Afghan capital has launched and implemented 181 development projects throughout the current year in Kabul, state-run news agency Bakhtar reported on Thursday. The projects at a cost of 4.8 billion afghanis (about 53 million U.S. dollars) would cover all parts of Kabul to make the city clean and prosperous, Bakhtar quoted Kabul Mayor Mawlawi Abdul Rashid Balouch as saying. Without providing details on the nature and types of projects, Balouch has urged Kabul residents to help the municipality implement all the projects as per schedule on time. According to the mayor, the projects would provide thousands of job opportunities. Afghanistan's capital Kabul with a population of nearly 6 million has been facing a variety of problems ranging from a shortage of drinking water, energy, sewerage, poor trans

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-DEVELOPMENT

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-DEVELOPMENT

(220519) -- KABUL, May 19, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Kabul municipal workers work in a square in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 19, 2022. The Afghan capital has launched and implemented 181 development projects throughout the current year in Kabul, state-run news agency Bakhtar reported on Thursday. The projects at a cost of 4.8 billion afghanis (about 53 million U.S. dollars) would cover all parts of Kabul to make the city clean and prosperous, Bakhtar quoted Kabul Mayor Mawlawi Abdul Rashid Balouch as saying. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-DEVELOPMENT

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-DEVELOPMENT

(220519) -- KABUL, May 19, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on May 19, 2022 shows a flower wall set up by Kabul municipality in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Afghan capital has launched and implemented 181 development projects throughout the current year in Kabul, state-run news agency Bakhtar reported on Thursday. The projects at a cost of 4.8 billion afghanis (about 53 million U.S. dollars) would cover all parts of Kabul to make the city clean and prosperous, Bakhtar quoted Kabul Mayor Mawlawi Abdul Rashid Balouch as saying. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-DEVELOPMENT

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-DEVELOPMENT

(220519) -- KABUL, May 19, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Kabul municipal workers work in a square in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 19, 2022. The Afghan capital has launched and implemented 181 development projects throughout the current year in Kabul, state-run news agency Bakhtar reported on Thursday. The projects at a cost of 4.8 billion afghanis (about 53 million U.S. dollars) would cover all parts of Kabul to make the city clean and prosperous, Bakhtar quoted Kabul Mayor Mawlawi Abdul Rashid Balouch as saying. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghanistan announces national budget for current fiscal year

STORY: Afghanistan announces national budget for current fiscal year DATELINE: May 15, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a conference during which the national budget is announced in Kabul 2. various of the view of Kabul city STORYLINE: Afghanistan on Saturday announced a 231.4-billion-afghani (2.6 billion U.S. dollar) national budget for the 1401 fiscal year on the Persian calendar beginning March 21, 2022. Of the total sum, 203.5 billion afghanis will be allocated for the ordinary budget, and 27.9 billion afghanis for the development budget, Acting Deputy Prime Minister of the Afghan caretaker government Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi told reporters. The budget was announced following the final review of the cabinet and approval of the Taliban's supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, according to Hanafi. "This year's budget, whether in the field of education, government staff salaries, defense, or any other parts, will be funded by national rev

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CURRENCY-VALUE

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CURRENCY-VALUE

(220206) -- KABUL, Feb. 6, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Currency exchange dealers wait for customers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 6, 2022. The U.S. dollar has depreciated against Afghanistan's national currency Afghani, compared with a couple of days ago, according to Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) on Sunday. According to the foreign exchange rate issued by the DAB, the country's central bank, the value of 1 U.S. dollar has dropped from 103.3 afghanis on Jan. 27 to 86.86 afghani on Sunday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CURRENCY-VALUE

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CURRENCY-VALUE

(220206) -- KABUL, Feb. 6, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Feb. 6, 2022 shows Afghani banknotes in Kabul, Afghanistan. The U.S. dollar has depreciated against Afghanistan's national currency Afghani, compared with a couple of days ago, according to Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) on Sunday. According to the foreign exchange rate issued by the DAB, the country's central bank, the value of 1 U.S. dollar has dropped from 103.3 afghanis on Jan. 27 to 86.86 afghani on Sunday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CURRENCY-VALUE

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CURRENCY-VALUE

(220206) -- KABUL, Feb. 6, 2022 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan currency exchange dealer waits for customers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 6, 2022. The U.S. dollar has depreciated against Afghanistan's national currency Afghani, compared with a couple of days ago, according to Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) on Sunday. According to the foreign exchange rate issued by the DAB, the country's central bank, the value of 1 U.S. dollar has dropped from 103.3 afghanis on Jan. 27 to 86.86 afghani on Sunday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Women Started Online Twitter Campaign - Afghanistan

Women Started Online Twitter Campaign - Afghanistan

★In protest to the Taliban's dress code, I proudly share these photos in traditional Afghan attire. Vibrant, bright colors adorned with jewels. Afghan women have started an online Twitter campaign to protest the Taliban's female dress code by posting photos with traditional clothes. The photos went viral with a hashtag: #DoNotTouchMyClothes. That hashtag and #AfghanistanCulture soon became a worldwide trend on social media. It all started with one photograph from Dr Bahar Jalali, a former history professor at the American University in Afghanistan. The photos, the hashtags and the viral online campaign soon became a global protest- where Afghan women were saying 'No' to the Taliban diktat on clothes. Dr Bahar Jalali, an Afghan historian and gender studies expert, posted the first photo using the #DoNotTouchMyClothes hashtag, which has since inspired Afghan women across the globe. Afghanis