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Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi welcomed the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar and Turkiye to reach the ceasefire agreement that was signed by Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha. The GCC Secretary-General noted that this agreement represents a positive step towards consolidating stability and strengthening bridges of trust between the two countries. He affirmed the GCC's support for all initiatives aimed at establishing peace and promoting dialogue in the region and beyond, contributing to a more stable and prosperous future for peoples.

Ten civilians were killed and a dozen more were wounded late Friday in a Pakistani strike on a border province in western Afghanistan, an official at the Paktika provincial hospital said."In the airstrike on Urgun district, 10 civilians were killed and 12 others wounded," he told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that two children were among the dead.Earlier Friday, a senior Taliban official accused Pakistan of breaking a 48-hour ceasefire that had brought two days of calm to the border, and warned that Kabul would "retaliate."

Qatar has expressed concern over escalating tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the potential repercussions for regional security and stability.In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on both sides to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, exercise restraint and work to defuse differences in ways that de-escalate the situation to achieve regional security and stability.The ministry reaffirmed Qatar’s support for all regional and international efforts to bolster global security and peace, underscoring its commitment to fostering security and prosperity for the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan.Saudi Arabia has also expressed concern over the tensions and clashes taking place in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for restraint, avoiding escalation, and embracing dialogue and wisdom, which would help reduce tensions and maintain the security and stability of the region.The ministry affirmed its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its continued commitment to ensuring security in order to achieve stability and prosperity for the Pakistani and Afghan people.

Just before nightfall on Wednesday, the near-deserted streets of Afghanistan's capital Kabul suddenly filled with people -- mobile phones everywhere had pinged back to life.With phones pressed to their ears or tightly gripped in their hands, Afghans poured onto the streets to check if others were also online."Congratulations, the internet is back!" a shopkeeper shouted, as drivers honked in response.Children were handed balloons, parents bought sweets and friends gathered in restaurants -- all while chatting animatedly on their phones.For 48 hours, Afghans had been offline -- cut off from mobile and internet services -- in a telecommunications shutdown imposed by authorities without warning."It felt we had gone back centuries. We were thinking of sending letters just to get updates from our families," mobile phone shop owner Mohammad Rafi said."The streets were empty -- it felt like a holiday even though it was a weekday. But now, even in evening, it's crowded again," the 33-year-old added.Sohrab Ahmadi, a 26-year-old delivery driver, had sat idle for two days, unable to reach clients through the apps he works for.Now, rows of bikes lined up to collect orders from restaurants lit by neon signs or from juice vendors playing music."It's like Eid al-Adha; it's like preparing to go for prayer," he said.Also visible on the streets was an increase in the number of women, who have faced sweeping restrictions under the Taliban government, including a ban on education beyond primary school."I can't tell you how relieved I am. I'm breathing again," said one young woman, who is studying online and asked not to be named."Online classes are the only hope left for Afghan girls."The United Nations said the shutdown in connectivity threatened economic stability and exacerbated one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.The Taliban government have yet to comment on the blackout.However, it came weeks after the government said it would begin cutting high-speed internet in some provinces to prevent "immorality".Balkh provincial spokesman Attaullah Zaid said at the time the ban had been ordered by the Taliban's shadowy supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.The internet was still a relatively nascent technology during the Taliban's first rule between 1996 and 2001, when the country was too war-torn and poor to build infrastructure.But in recent decades, the economy has become increasingly dependent on internet connectivity.Even in rural areas, many Afghans use mobile phones to conduct business."The world has progressed. This is not like 30 years ago," said mobile credit seller Ghulam Rabbani, whose store was packed on Wednesday night."We were hopeful that internet would return. It was a loss for everyone -- including the government."

His Excellency Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah Al Hanzab met with Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Afghanistan Yerkin Tokumov, during his visit to the country.The meeting discussed a number of topics of common interest, particularly the political, security, and humanitarian situations in Afghanistan.

An Afghan government defence official said Sunday that a deal over Bagram air base was "not possible", after US President Donald Trump said he wanted the former US base back.Bagram, the largest air base in Afghanistan located north of the capital Kabul, was the centre of US operations in their 20 year-war against the Taliban.Trump threatened unspecified punishment against Afghanistan if it was not returned — four years after it was abandoned by US troops."If Afghanistan doesn't give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!" the 79-year-old leader wrote on his Truth Social platform.On Sunday, Fasihuddin Fitrat, chief of staff of Afghanistan's ministry of defence, said "some people" want to take back the base through a "political deal"."Recently, some people have said that they have entered negotiations with Afghanistan for taking back Bagram air base," he said in comments broadcast by local media."A deal over even an inch of Afghanistan's soil is not possible. We don't need it."Later in an official statement, the Afghan government said warned that "Afghanistan's independence and territorial integrity are of the utmost importance".Trump has repeatedly criticised the loss of the base, noting its proximity to China.But Thursday while on a state visit to Britain was the first time he publicly raised the idea of the United States retaking control of it.US and Nato troops chaotically pulled out of Bagram in July 2021, under Joe Biden's presidency but as part of a 2020 Trump-brokered deal with Taliban insurgents.The loss of crucial air power saw the Afghan military collapse just weeks later and the Taliban sweep back to power.Trump was asked by reporters at the White House if he was considering sending US troops to retake Bagram."We won't talk about that, but we're talking now to Afghanistan, and we want it back and we want it back soon, right away. And if they don't do it, you're going to find out what I'm going to do," he said.A massive, sprawling facility, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and others have repeatedly raised allegations of systematic human rights abuses by US forces at Bagram, especially pertaining to detainees in Washington's murky "War on Terror".The original airfield was built with assistance from what was then the Soviet Union in the early 1950s, expanded with US help during the Cold War, and significantly developed further by Moscow during the decade-long Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.At the height of US control around 2010 it had grown to the size of a small town, with supermarkets and shops including outlets such as Dairy Queen and Burger King.It was visited by several US presidents including Barrack Obama in 2012 and Trump in 2019.

An elderly British couple released by the Taliban authorities after almost eight months in detention in Afghanistan arrived back in the UK Saturday.Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, arrived on a flight from the Qatari capital Doha, where they had stayed for medical checks following their release on Friday.Qatar played a key role in helping to free the couple after mounting fears about their health.Barbie Reynolds smiled broadly as the couple walked out of the arrivals area at London's Heathrow airport, but did not stop to talk to reporters.They were accompanied by their daughter, Sarah Entwhistle, and British special representative to Afghanistan Richard Lindsay.The family has spoken of their "immense joy" on hearing that the Reynolds were released, and there were emotional scenes when they arrived in Doha on a flight from Kabul to be met by Entwhistle."This experience has reminded us of the power of diplomacy, empathy and international cooperation," their four children said in a joint statement on Friday."While the road to recovery will be long as our parents regain their health and spend time with their family, today is a day of tremendous joy and relief."The couple married in Kabul in 1970 and have spent almost two decades living in Afghanistan, running educational programmes for women and children. They also became Afghan citizens.When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they remained in Afghanistan against the advice of the British embassy.The Taliban authorities have not explained why the pair were detained.Speaking at Kabul airport on Friday before they left, Barbie Reynolds said the couple had been treated well and were "looking forward to seeing our children"."We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can. We are Afghan citizens," she added.Their son, Jonathan, echoed to the BBC that his parents were hoping to return to the country they love.In July, independent UN human rights experts called on the Taliban government to free the couple, warning that they risked "irreparable harm or even death" as their health deteriorated.Their family had made repeated pleas for their release, citing their failing health.Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said on Friday the couple "had violated the laws of Afghanistan" and were released from custody "following the judicial process".Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the "long-awaited news will come as a huge relief" to the family.

Qatar announced that it had facilitated the release of two UK citizens detained in Afghanistan. The detainees, Peter Reynolds and his wife, Barbie Reynolds, arrived in Doha Friday and will depart for London at a later date.In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi expressed Qatar's appreciation for the fruitful co-operation shown by both the Afghan caretaker government and the United Kingdom.HE Dr al-Khulaifi also noted Qatar's efforts, its continuous encouragement of direct dialogue and its firm belief in multilateral co-operation to enhance and preserve human dignity and protect human rights, stressing in this context that Qatar is always keen in its mediation to consolidate human values ​​by protecting lives and guaranteeing rights.Meanwhile, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudawi praised Qatar's efforts in the release of UK citizens.Albudawi said in a statement that the efforts reflect Qatar's commitment to enhancing security and stability in the region and the world, as well as its ability to communicate with all sides of a conflict, through its wise policy of mediation and dialogue.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Friday hailed the "vital role" played by Qatar in winning the release of a British couple.He welcomed the release of Reynolds, 80, and his wife, Barbie, 76, saying: "This long-awaited news will come as a huge relief to them and their family.""I want to pay tribute to the vital role played by Qatar," including His Highness Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, "in securing their freedom", Starmer added in a statement."We've been treated very well. We're looking forward to seeing our children," said Barbie.On their arrival in Doha, the couple embraced by their daughter Sarah Entwistle and other family members, television images showed.Entwistle told AFPTV she was "overwhelmed with gratitude and relief"."This is a moment of immense joy for our family. We are deeply thankful to everyone who played a role in securing their release."A Qatari diplomat said the British couple would receive medical checks in Doha before leaving for London on a commercial flight.

Spinner Nasum Ahmed produced a miserly spell to help Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by eight runs Tuesday and keep their Asia Cup hopes alive.Bangladesh posted 154-5 batting first as opener Tanzid Hasan starred with his 52 off 31 balls in Abu Dhabi.Nasum and fellow spinner Rishad Hossain then took two wickets each before pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman returned figures of 3-28 to help bowl out Afghanistan for 146.Taskin Ahmed also claimed two wickets as he wrapped up the innings with the final ball of the match.Bangladesh ended Group B with two wins and one defeat in their three outings.Their chances of reaching the Super Four stage will depend on the final match of the group between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka on Thursday.Bangladesh will go through if Sri Lanka win, but an Afghan victory would see them progress and leave the Sri Lankans and Bangladesh to be split on net run-rate.Left-arm spinner Nasum rocked the Afghanistan chase early when he struck with the first ball of the innings to trap Sediqullah Atal lbw and then grabbed the key wicket of Ibrahim Zadran, for five, in the fifth over.He returned figures of 2-11 from his four overs.Rishad dismissed Gulbadin Naib caught and bowled for 16 with his leg-spin and then sent back the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 35 to dent Afghanistan.Azmatullah Omarzai attempted to revive the chase with three sixes in his 16-ball 30 but holed out off Taskin.Skipper Rashid Khan made one final push with a quickfire 20 but fell to Mustafizur, who struck again to be on a hat-trick which was avoided by Fazalhaq Farooqi.Earlier Tanzid put on an opening stand of 63 with Saif Hasan, who made 30, as the two racked up 59 in the powerplay.Rashid broke the stand as he struck in his first over by bowling Saif and Afghanistan's spinners soon took control.Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad trapped skipper Litton Das lbw for nine to further peg back Bangladesh.Tanzid raised his fifty off 28 deliveries but fell to Noor in the next over.Towhid Hridoy added a 20-ball 26 but although Bangladesh managed just 67 runs in the final 10 overs, it proved enough for the win.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi received Sunday a phone call from Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Caretaker Government of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. During the call, the latest developments in the region were reviewed, particularly the treacherous Israeli attack that targeted Doha. The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the caretaker government expressed his country's solidarity with the State of Qatar. He also conveyed Afghanistan's appreciation to the State of Qatar for operating an air bridge to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the recent earthquake in the eastern part of the country, and for its continued support for the Afghan people.

The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global education and development organisation, joins the international community in marking the United Nations International Day to Protect Education from Attack.This year’s observance comes amid a worsening global education crisis. As of early 2025, as many as 85mn children affected by wars, armed conflict, and emergencies are entirely out of school — a staggering rise from the 72mn reported in 2023.Among these children, 52% are girls, over 20% are children with disabilities (more than 17mn), and approximately 17% (15mn) are forcibly displaced, either as refugees or internally displaced persons.This educational catastrophe is not confined to a few regions — nearly half of all these out of school children are found in just five protracted crisis zones: Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Pakistan.The deliberate targeting and disruption of education systems, from bombing schools to displacing families, are not only violating children's rights but also inflicting enduring damage on societal stability.At the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, the EAA Foundation and QatarDebate hosted a special Youth Hub dialogue in Geneva under the theme “Words Uniting Worlds: Action for Education.”The session opened with remarks by Maryam al-Attiyah, chairperson of the Qatar National Human Rights Committee, and Nada al-Nashif, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, alongside Patricia Danzi, a senior Swiss official.Moderated by Jennifer Vaughan, spokesperson for the UN Special Envoy for Syria, the dialogue featured youth advocates Noor al-Thani and Ahmad al-Naimi from QatarDebate, as well as Randa al-Dawoudi and Manveer Singh Sandhu from the EAA–OHCHR Youth Rights Academy.The discussion highlighted how young people worldwide are confronting the growing threats to education in conflict-affected contexts and calling for stronger global accountability to safeguard the right to learn.The EAA Foundation also unveiled “Reshaping Action”, a powerful multi-format exhibition that confronts the devastating impact of war on education. Through striking photojournalism, immersive installations, and reflective art, the exhibition highlighted the resilience of children and teachers striving to learn amid bombed schools in Gaza and Sudan, underground lessons in Ukraine, and makeshift classrooms in Rohingya refugee camps.More than a showcase of images, Reshaping Action served as a global call to defend the right to learn, urging leaders and the international community to #UniteToProtect education in times of crisis and to stand with the more than 222mn children worldwide whose futures are threatened by conflict and displacement.The UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack was established through a resolution spearheaded by Qatar and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser at the United Nations General Assembly in 2020. Supported by 62 countries, the resolution declared September 9 as the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack.

The representative of Qatar Charity (QC) in Afghanistan carried out a field visit to Kuner province, in co-ordination with a rescue team from Qatar, to assess the humanitarian impact caused by the ongoing landslides and aftershocks following the powerful earthquake that struck the southeastern part of the country.The disaster has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries and has left hundreds of thousands displaced.“We witnessed overwhelming destruction and immense human suffering,” Mumin Shah, the QC representative in Afghanistan, stated: “Entire villages were cut off due to landslides and aftershocks, with significant casualties. We observed continuous tremors and landslides during our visits.”“From both air and ground, we saw widespread devastation, collapsed homes, and displaced communities,” he continued. “Families sat beside the rubble of their homes in mourning, while survivors struggled to cope with severe shortages of food, water, and medical care.”“We observed families taking their children in hands towards the settled area for seeking shelter and protection,” Shah added.In light of the scale of the crisis, the QC is currently preparing to launch emergency relief efforts expected to include emergency medical care, safe drinking water, temporary shelters, and food baskets, along with sanitation facilities in declared camps.According to the latest official reports, the death toll has risen to 2,205, while the number of injured has exceeded 3,700, following the 6.0-magnitude earthquake.The disaster has caused extensive damage to thousands of homes, particularly in Kuner province and surrounding areas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in what is considered one of the most devastating natural disasters the country has witnessed in recent years.