NEW YORK - It is imperative that avenues for peace be explored with the utmost urgency and seriousness, as conflict diverts resources that would be better spent on developing Afghanistan and helping its people, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Represent

BAMYAN - An agreement to establish district-level civil society networks to promote improved transparency and accountability in local governance was the key outcome of a UN-backed workshop in central Bamyan’s Panjab district.

HERAT - An Afghan student took both Best Film and Best Director awards at Herat’s first ever film festival on the effects of armed conflict on children, held over the weekend in Herat city, the capital of western Herat province.