Photographers in Kabul

Campaigners call for end to “horrible war” in Ukraine

Reporting style, Informative: Primarily factual reporting with quoted personal views

A rally in Norwich marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, with Ukrainian community members and supporters urging continued international backing and calling for an end to the conflict. Speakers highlighted worsening conditions in Ukraine, the need for unity, and fears that Russian aggression will continue unless confronted. The event concluded with the Ukrainian national anthem and a moment of silence for those killed in the war.

The US left $7 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly factual reporting based on a Pentagon report, with limited interpretive language.

Political context, Centre: Primarily factual coverage of the equipment left behind, with attributed criticism of the US withdrawal.

After the US withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, military equipment valued at about $7 billion was left behind and came under Taliban control. Citing a Pentagon report, the article lists 78 aircraft, 22,000 Humvees and thousands of advanced weapons, as well as bombs, missiles and communications equipment. The Taliban celebrated its takeover with US weapons, while social-media footage of armored vehicles reportedly moving through Pakistan and Iran fueled speculation that equipment had been sold across borders. The Pentagon said the US had supplied Afghan security forces with $18.6 billion in equipment between 2005 and 2021. US officials said they had no plans to return to recover or destroy the equipment, despite reports that functioning aircraft remained at Kabul airport.

How severely Afghanistan is affected by the climate crisis

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly factual description of climate impacts with minimal subjective commentary

Severe flooding in May devastated large parts of Afghanistan, killing hundreds and destroying entire regions. A farm affected by the catastrophe is visited to illustrate the human toll and the growing vulnerability of the country to the escalating climate crisis.

Covering the earthquake response in Afghanistan

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly factual project description with minimal subjective commentary

A Fairpicture project was commissioned after flooding prevented the client, Cordaid, from traveling to Afghanistan. Photographer Sayed Aman Sadat and editor Mickael Franci documented the first six months of humanitarian response to the October 2023 Herat earthquakes. The work highlights the efforts of Dutch Relief Alliance partners supporting affected communities amid Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. The project includes interviews and documentary photography depicting aid workers, local populations, and rebuilding efforts. The collected material will be used in print and online publications targeting policymakers, humanitarian professionals, and advocates for continued support in Afghanistan.

Child malnutrition crisis worsens in Afghanistan

Reporting style, Factual: Factual news footage description reporting malnutrition figures and hospital conditions.

A video report describes a worsening child malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan. UNICEF estimates that 3.7 million children suffer acute malnutrition, including about one million with severe, potentially life-threatening cases. Hospitals, especially in the south, are reporting more admissions while facing limited treatment capacity; children under two are among the most affected. Footage shows children receiving treatment at Kabul’s Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital.

Kabul Marks Five Years of Taliban Rule

Reporting style, Factual: Factual description of a commemoration ceremony and its attendees.

A ceremony at Kabul’s Loya Jirga Hall marked five years since the Taliban returned to power after U.S. troops withdrew in 2021. Senior Taliban officials, diplomatic representatives—including Arab and Western diplomats—and media attended. The video also shows streets in Kabul on the anniversary.

Ban on Girls’ Education: How Afghan Women Continue Learning in Secret

Reporting style, Informative: Predominantly factual reporting, though it uses critical framing about Taliban repression and the risks faced by Afghan girls and teachers.

Political context, Centre-left: Critical coverage of Taliban rule and emphasis on women’s rights, access to education, and humanitarian consequences.

More than 2.6 million Afghan girls are barred from attending regular school from seventh grade onward under Taliban restrictions. Women and teachers continue education through secret schools and online classes, including a program run by Cologne-based Anar Academy that enrolled more than 1,400 girls this year. Unstable internet, poverty, and the threat of raids and violence force many students to abandon their studies, while Taliban officials claim that basic, religious, home-based, and online education remains permitted. The restrictions are compounded by Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis, but many girls continue to assert their right to learn.

School ban under the Taliban: How Afghan girls continue learning in secret

Reporting style, Informative: Predominantly factual reporting, with critical accounts of the Taliban's education restrictions and humanitarian conditions.

Political context, Centre: Fact-based coverage of Taliban education policy that emphasizes its consequences without adopting a clearly partisan political position.

Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, girls in Afghanistan have been barred from secondary schools and universities, excluding around 2.6 million from further education. Some schools continue teaching older girls discreetly, while the Cologne-based Anar Academy offers online classes for grades seven through twelve. More than 1,400 students joined the program this year, although internet problems, poverty and security threats prevent many from completing it. Students and teachers say education, particularly English and vocational training, is essential, but they stress that online lessons cannot replace safe in-person schooling. Taliban officials claim that home, online and religious education remain permitted, creating a narrow and uncertain space for such initiatives.

How the Taliban’s “War on Drugs” Could Backfire

Reporting style, Balanced: Fact-based investigative analysis with a strongly critical interpretation of the Taliban’s drug ban and its consequences.

Political context, Centre-left: The article is critical of Taliban governance and coercive policies, emphasizes humanitarian and economic harms, and advocates pragmatic drug-policy analysis without presenting a broader partisan platform.

The Taliban’s bans on opium cultivation and ephedra processing are eliminating vital cash income for impoverished rural families amid Afghanistan’s economic collapse, without clear evidence that drug availability or addiction has fallen. Farmers, dealers, and analysts report that Taliban members continue to control or profit from parts of the trade, while addicts face violent arrests and severely abusive rehabilitation conditions. The policy may be intended to secure international legitimacy and humanitarian aid, but the lack of viable agricultural alternatives or income support risks starvation, alienating Taliban supporters, increasing corruption, and destabilizing the regime. A sustained reduction in heroin supply could also encourage synthetic-drug production and worsen overdose risks in Afghanistan and international markets.

Afghanistan: The Taliban “Hunt” Drug Addicts

Reporting style, Informative: A reportage headline frames the Taliban’s actions, but the limited text provides little subjective commentary.

A reportage from Kabul by Ilario Piagnerelli and Andrea Vaccarella concerns the Taliban’s pursuit of people with drug addictions in Afghanistan.

Destruction of Poppy Fields and Shooting at Farmers in Badakhshan

Reporting style, Interpretive: The article contains subjective statements and personal accounts, indicating a mix of opinion and fact.

Political context, Far right: The article discusses actions and policies of the Taliban, a far-right group.

In Badakhshan's Khash district, Taliban forces, not native to the area, initiated a violent operation to destroy poppy fields, the primary income source for many families. The operation led to clashes, resulting in multiple farmer casualties and injuries. Despite local protests and mediation by some Taliban members, the destruction continued, exacerbating the economic plight of the farmers. The Taliban's actions have been met with criticism for their harshness and lack of alternative solutions for the impoverished farmers. The situation highlights the ongoing conflict and human rights issues in the region.

Taliban, Gold, and China; Power Play in Takhar Mines

Reporting style, Balanced: The article presents a mix of factual reporting and subjective viewpoints, particularly regarding the impact of Chinese involvement and Taliban control.

Political context, Far right: The article discusses the Taliban's control and policies, which are often associated with far-right ideologies.

Chinese citizens are heavily involved in gold mining operations in Takhar, Afghanistan, under Taliban protection. The operations have sidelined local workers, leading to protests and accusations of exploitation and environmental damage. The Taliban have granted mining rights to Chinese companies, raising concerns about transparency and local economic impact. Despite local opposition, the Taliban maintain strict control over the mining areas, prioritizing foreign investment over local interests.

Meet the Woman Who Makes the Taliban Squirm

Reporting style, Interpretive: The article contains subjective statements and personal beliefs about women's rights and the Taliban's policies.

Political context, Left: The article advocates for women's rights and criticizes the Taliban's conservative policies.

Tafsir Siyaposh, a former Afghan government spokesperson, challenges the Taliban's restrictive policies on women's rights through media appearances and debates. She emphasizes that Islam grants rights to women, countering the Taliban's narrative. Despite losing her job due to the Taliban's return to power, Siyaposh continues to advocate for women's participation in society, education, and government. Her efforts have garnered significant public support, providing her some protection in a challenging environment. The article highlights the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

Meet the Taliban’s Would-Be Rainmaker

Reporting style, Balanced: Balanced between factual reporting and subjective interpretation

Political context, Right: Supports the Taliban's governance and economic policies

Hassib Habibi, the 31-year-old deputy director of economic cooperation at the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is tasked with attracting foreign investment to Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Despite his intimidating appearance, Habibi is a measured and pragmatic figure who aims to rebuild the war-torn nation. He faces significant challenges, including international sanctions and the Taliban's brutal image. Habibi's personal history includes imprisonment by the former Afghan government, and he is now focused on reversing the corruption and dysfunction of past regimes. He is willing to work with any foreign country, including the United States, to uplift Afghanistan's economy, provided they respect the Islamic Emirate's laws and cultural norms.

HPV Genotype Trends in Iran: Necessity for a Reevaluation of Prevention Strategies

Reporting style, Informative: The article is based on research data and statistical analysis, with some interpretation of trends.

The study analyzes HPV genotype trends in Iran, highlighting a significant increase in certain genotypes like HPV 6, 11, 16, 31, 53, and 54, while low-risk HPV cases show a non-significant decline. The research underscores the need for targeted prevention strategies, especially for high-risk genotypes, to mitigate HPV-related cancer risks. Despite the introduction of HPV vaccines, the prevalence of high-risk genotypes remains a concern, necessitating improved vaccination coverage and public awareness. The study also considers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HPV management and calls for updated vaccine policies and enhanced screening programs.

Always the Same Story: What is Said on the Streets (and on the Networks) of Iran, Between Israeli Missiles and Rumors About the Collapse of the Regime

Reporting style, Interpretive: The article contains subjective statements and opinions from various individuals about the political situation in Iran and the potential conflict with Israel.

Political context, Centre: The article presents a range of views on the political situation in Iran and the potential conflict with Israel, without a clear bias towards any political spectrum.

The article discusses the tense situation in Iran amidst Israeli missile threats and internal unrest. Iranian citizens express mixed feelings on social media, with some fearing war and others seeing it as a potential catalyst for regime change. The Iranian government faces criticism for its repression of protests and handling of the situation. The article highlights the complex dynamics between Iran, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries, with various stakeholders expressing concerns about regional stability. The potential for conflict raises fears among Iranian citizens and immigrants, who worry about the impact on their lives.

Children play at refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan

The article presents a visual account of World Children's Day as observed in a refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, on November 20, 2020. Through the photographs taken by Rahmatullah Alizadah, the article depicts the lives of children in the camp, highlighting the innocence and resilience of the young ones in the face of adversity. One photo shows children playing, while another captures a tender moment of a girl holding her little sister, providing a glimpse into the daily life within the refugee camp.

Women Of Afghanistan Won't Give Up Their Soccer Dreams

The article discusses the Afghan women's soccer league, highlighting the challenges and progress made by female athletes in Afghanistan. It describes the championship game between Herat Storm and Kabul Fortress, noting the conservative attire and gender segregation at the event. The article recounts the history of the Kabul stadium, once a site of Taliban punishments, and the journey of Herat Storm's captain, Sabria Nawrozi, who faced societal and militant threats for playing soccer. Despite the league's temporary shutdown in 2017 and allegations of abuse against the federation's president, the league restarted, partly due to international pressure. The article also touches on the personal stories of players like Adiba Ganji, who aspires to play professionally. However, the ongoing peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban pose a new threat to women's soccer, as the Taliban consider women playing in public unIslamic. The article ends with Nawrozi's team winning the championship and her concerns about the future of women's soccer in Afghanistan.