Showing 1 - 10 of 1,036
Taliban ‘beard police’ pursue Afghan barbers
AFP, Published on 19/02/2026
» KABUL - Barbers in Afghanistan risk detention for trimming men’s beards too short, they told AFP, as the Taliban authorities enforce their strict interpretation of Islamic law with increasing zeal.
Afghan woman's boutique brightens Bamiyan
AFP, Published on 18/02/2026
» BAMIYAN (AFGHANISTAN) - With women banned from most jobs in Afghanistan, an embroidery boutique run by 22-year-old Rahima Alavi is a surprising and treasured sight in Bamiyan.
Bitter pill: Taliban government shakes up Afghan medicine market
AFP, Published on 16/02/2026
» KABUL — Afghanistan's decision to overhaul its medicine market was meant to improve quality and boost domestic production, but industry specialists say the swift changes have led to a litany of problems.
Less glamour, more content, says Wim Wenders of Berlin Film Fest
AFP, Published on 13/02/2026
» BERLIN - Berlin Film Festival jury president Wim Wenders said Thursday that this year's 76th edition of the festival would have "less glamour" but "more content" in its eclectic selection.
Suicide blast at Islamabad mosque kills at least 31
AFP, Published on 06/02/2026
» ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad killed at least 31 people on Friday, local authorities said, with a police source saying more than 130 were wounded.
Hedgehoppers in search of good news
Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/02/2026
» Being the very first day of February it would have been nice if there was some good news worth celebrating, but unfortunately nothing immediately springs to mind. Cheerful news is an increasingly rare commodity these days. It all seems to be gloom and doom and hardly portends a joyful 2026. It can get a bit wearying grappling with news reports featuring contradictions, cover-ups and cock-ups, often accompanied by half-truths, prevarications and porky pies. But this is the world we now live in.
A missing item in the rural soundtrack
Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/01/2026
» As usual at this time of the year I have been enjoying life in the Northeastern province of Chaiyaphum for several weeks. However on this visit there was something slightly different which I couldn't immediately put my finger on. It took a few days before realising I was not being woken up by the usual early morning chorus of roosters or chickens of any sort.
US confirms sweeping visa service suspensions
Published on 15/01/2026
» WASHINGTON - The administration of US President Donald Trump is suspending processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries including Thailand, a State Department spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday, as part of Washington’s intensifying immigration crackdown.
US to suspend visa services for 75 countries, including Thailand
Published on 15/01/2026
» The Trump administration is preparing to suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries — including Thailand — starting on Jan 21, Fox News reported on Wednesday, citing a memo from the US State Department.
US to suspend visa services for 75 countries, including Thailand
Published on 14/01/2026
» WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is preparing to suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries — including Thailand — starting on Jan 21, Fox News reported on Wednesday, citing a memo from the US State Department.