News stories

KABUL - Nearly 10,000 people who fled fighting and drought conditions eight years ago in the north and west of Afghanistan are heading back home. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is helping the first…

5 June 2009 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced his concern at the "emerging pattern of killings" of high profile personalities in Guinea-Bissau, where a presidential candidate and a member of parliament were gunned…

KABUL - The World Bank in Afghanistan has announced a new assistance strategy for the country. Ensuring the effectiveness of sound national programmes that deliver services equitably and pooling donor resources are vital to…

NEW YORK - The top United Nations human rights official, highlighting the suffering of civilians caught up in armed conflict, has urged the Human Rights Council to protect this vulnerable group. “The condition of civilians in…

KABUL - Afghanistan will see its best wheat harvest in 32 years, according to a report released today by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Estimates…

KABUL - The United Nations Environment Programme is promoting the importance of environmental protection in Afghanistan. As part of a series of events leading up to World Environment Day on 5 June 2009, UNEP is highlighting…

NEW YORK - The Security Council today extended the United Nations presence in Afghanistan for another year, while recognizing the key role played by the world body in coordinating international efforts in the country and in…

1 June 2009 - In less than three months, people from across Afghanistan go to the ballot box to elect the next president of their country. Scheduled on 20 August, the presidential and provincial council elections are the…

KABUL - In less than three months, people from across Afghanistan go to the ballot box to elect the next president of their country. Scheduled on 20 August, the presidential and provincial council elections are the second…

31 May 2009 - A major programme is underway in Afghanistan to train 35,000 police officers in time for the 20 August presidential and provincial council elections. Officers are being readied to tackle security threats and to…