Amu: At least 51 people have been killed and 89 injured in flooding across Afghanistan over the past eight days, according to Taliban figures, as heavy rains continue to batter multiple provinces. In the past 24 hours alone, three people were killed and 16 others injured as floods swept through at least 18 provinces, the data shows. The latest flooding affected parts of Kabul, Panjshir, Paktika, Khost, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, Herat, Farah, Badghis, Jawzjan, Baghlan, Badakhshan, Nangarhar and Laghman. The damage has been extensive. Click here to read more (external link).
Kandahari Hat: From Style Choice to Forced Attire in Kabul
8am: Many residents of Kabul say that to stay safe from Taliban scrutiny and to gain the favor of their forces, they have been forced to wear the Kandahari hat, grow beards, and adopt traditional clothing. While some view this change as a return to traditional values, public accounts indicate that for many, this shift is primarily out of necessity and adaptation to conditions that now affect even the simplest daily choices. Some men say that to avoid problems and not attract attention, they have adopted clothing similar to that of the Taliban. The Taliban’s insistence on traditional clothing has led even some who previously wore the pakol to abandon it and wear the Kandahari hat to gain the group’s favor. Click here to read more (external link).
UN review finds Taliban policies violate women’s rights convention
Amu: A comprehensive UN legal review has found that a sweeping set of policies imposed by the Taliban since 2021 violate Afghanistan’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, one of the core international human rights treaties. The report, published jointly by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Women, examines 16 key Taliban directives and laws affecting women and girls and concludes that many constitute direct and systemic discrimination under international law. Click here to read more (external link).
Bennett Reports 471 Civilian Casualties from Unexploded Ordnance in Afghanistan Last Year
Deminer (file photo)
8am: Richard Bennett, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, stated ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness that unexploded ordnance caused 471 civilian casualties in Afghanistan last year. On Thursday, April 2, in a report on casualties from unexploded mines in Afghanistan, Bennett expressed particular concern over child victims. He called on the international community to invest in demining operations and the protection of Afghanistan citizens’ lives. He added that 67 percent of casualties from explosions involve children. Click here to read more (external link).
Senior Officials Sent To China For Talks With Taliban, Says Pakistan
Afghanistan International: Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said a delegation of senior officials has travelled to Urumqi, China, for talks with the Afghan Taliban. Tahir Andrabi said the delegation is in Urumqi to explore a “sustainable solution” to stop cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan. Speaking at a weekly briefing on Thursday, Andrabi said the talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban were being held at a working level and led by senior officials. He did not provide details on which officials were involved or how long the talks would continue. Click here to read more (external link).
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Tolo News in Dari – April 2, 2026
19 Afghan migrants killed as boat capsizes off Turkish coast
Ariana: At least 19 Afghan migrants, including a baby, have died after a speedboat capsized in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Bodrum, Turkish authorities said on Wednesday. According to the Turkish Coast Guard Command, the vessel was carrying dozens of migrants when it ignored repeated orders to stop and attempted to flee at high speed despite rough sea conditions. The boat later began taking on water before overturning. Rescue operations were launched immediately, with teams supported by a helicopter from Izmir. Authorities said 20 migrants were rescued from the water, while 18 bodies were initially recovered at the scene. One more person later died in hospital, bringing the death toll to 19. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan falls 5–1 to Syria in Asian Cup qualifier
Ariana: Afghanistan’s national football team suffered a 5–1 defeat to Syria on Tuesday in an Asian Cup qualifying match in Jeddah, as a strong second-half performance by Syria overwhelmed the Afghan side. The loss follows Afghanistan’s earlier defeat to Myanmar in the qualifiers, adding pressure on the team as it seeks to remain competitive in the group. Click here to read more (external link).
Floods, rainfall kill 48 in Afghanistan over past week, ANDMA says
Amu: At least 48 people have been killed and 73 injured in Afghanistan since March 26, as heavy rains, flooding and lightning battered large parts of the country, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Taliban-run Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA). In the past 24 hours alone, six people were killed and seven others injured across 20 provinces, including Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Zabul, Uruzgan, Ghor, Badghis, Sar-e Pol, Faryab, Samangan, Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kunar and Laghman, the ANDMA said. Click here to read more (external link).
US eases asylum freeze for vetted migrants, keeps Afghanistan ban
Ariana: The US Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday it is easing asylum restrictions for vetted migrants from low-risk countries, while maintaining bans on “high-risk” nations, including Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia. The move comes after last November’s attack near Washington’s Farragut Square, in which an Afghan asylee killed one National Guardsman and injured another, prompting stricter asylum screening under President Donald Trump. Click here to read more (external link).