KABUL - The curtains open to applause, giving way to 10 musicians performing, ostensibly, at a wedding. The men and women, all European one judges by their accents, sport salt-and-pepper wigs, glasses with black rims and, for some strange reason, large noses and moustaches.

KABUL - Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission has announced the final list of candidates for the presidential and provincial council elections due to be held on 20 August.

KABUL - Until two years ago, Lona, a widow and mother of two, had no job, couldn’t send her daughter to school and had difficulties to make her ends meet.