He Was Once a Covert Taliban Operative. Now He’s the Friendly Taxman.
Abdul Qahar Ghorbandi, head of Afghanistan’s Taxpayers Services Directorate, has the hard job of raising money in an impoverished country hobbled by international sanctions.
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Topics
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My Father Spoke to Me Only Once About Why He Led This Nation
He told me once, in the Lincoln Bedroom.The New York Times - 1d -
Ex-Army recruiter blamed wife for his demotion. Did he kill her for revenge?
Cati Blauvelt was discovered in an abandoned South Carolina farmhouse in 2016 — a broken knife blade inside her body. Almost immediately, her friends had one suspect in mind: John Blauvelt, her ...CBS News - 1d -
I signed a prenup, but my husband refuses to make a will or set up a trust. If he dies, will I inherit his estate?
“He has one adult son from whom he is estranged. He is 71 and I am 69.”MarketWatch - 1d -
I'm lucky to be alive, says journalist tracked by Russian spies
Roman Dobrokhotov tells the BBC he thinks Vladimir Putin ordered the operation against him.BBC News - 2d -
‘I’m an endless honey pot’: My wife and I are in our 70s. We gave our son $40,000 for his L.A. wedding. Now he wants more.
“We have four sons. We financed three of them through college, so none of our kids have student loans.”MarketWatch - 1d -
Fox host asks Trump whether he is 'comfortable' that 'Ukraine may not survive'
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo pressed President Trump on whether he is “comfortable” with the idea that Ukraine “may not survive” the war with Russia. Trump sat down for an interview with Bartiromo ...The Hill - 10h -
Trump on if he's expecting recession this year: 'I hate to predict things like that'
President Trump faced a slew of questions about the economic ripple effects of his tariff policy during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News, including whether he worried about a looming ...The Hill - 19h -
Vance says pro-Ukraine protestors confronted him while he was with his daughter
Vice President Vance said that he was confronted by a group of pro-Ukraine protestors while he was walking with his 3-year-old daughter on Saturday. Vance wrote that he encountered “Slava Ukraini” ...The Hill - 1d -
Starmer praised for statesman role abroad but can he show 'same mojo' at home?
The PM seizes the spotlight as Trump upends the world order - but he faces serious challenges in the UK.BBC News - 1d -
In 3 Words, Travis Kelce Just Explained How He Makes a Tough Decision. It’s a Lesson in Leadership
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end says he makes decisions ‘off of feel.’ It can be an effective approach.Inc. - 1d -
Back home and healthier, Houston QB Conner Weigman optimistic he can live up to five-star pedigree
Weigman's injuries over the last two seasons went well beyond what he revealed publiclyCBS Sports - 18h -
Pope following Vatican's spiritual retreat from afar as he recovers from pneumonia
Pope Francis is participating in the Vatican’s spiritual retreat from a Rome hospital as he continues his recovery from double pneumoniaABC News - 30m -
UConn's Dan Hurley on the intensity he brings to coaching
As March Madness nears, UConn basketball coach Dan Hurley sat down with 60 Minutes to talk about his superstitions, sideline antics, and living up to the family name.CBS News - 11h -
I fled our $2.2M home due to domestic abuse. I’m on the loan, but we’re both on the title. My husband won’t sell. What now?
“He contributed a $1 million down payment. I mortgaged the rest in my name.”MarketWatch - 13h -
Trump says he sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader over country's advancing nuclear program
U.S. President Donald Trump says he sent a letter to Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, something not immediately confirmed by the supreme leaderABC News - 2d -
Live updates: Trump says he hates to 'predict things like that’ when asked if he expects a recession
House Republicans on Saturday unveiled a 99-page, six-month stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown and increase defense funding while seeking cuts for nondefense programs, which will ...The Hill - 14h -
Detained South Korean president is freed to cheers and jeers as he faces insurrection trial
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from detention on Saturday, deepening political division in the key U.S. ally as he faces insurrection charges over his failed attempt to ...NBC News - 1d -
Tim Walz says he and Harris were too ‘safe’ during 2024 presidential campaign
Former vice-presidential candidate claims pair should have held more in-person events around the US. Tim Walz has said he and Kamala Harris were too “safe” during their 2024 election campaign, with ...The Guardian - 1d -
Covid’s Deadliest Effect Took Five Years to Appear
What once belonged to all of us now belongs to corporations.The New York Times - 1h -
Taliban insist Afghan women's rights are protected as UN says bans cannot be ignored
The Taliban say Afghan women live in security with their rights protectedABC News - 2d -
Trump says he sent a letter to Iran urging negotiations on nuclear weapons
"There are two ways Iran can be handled, militarily or you make a deal. I would prefer to make a deal," Trump told Fox host Maria Bartiromo.ABC News - 2d -
'The Bondsman' star Kevin Bacon on the role he has no interest in resurrecting
In the L.A. Times studio at the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival, Bacon talked about 'The Bondsman,' 'Tremors' and his love for the Philadelphia Eagles.Los Angeles Times - 2d -
Kennedy Wants to Cure Chronic Disease. Here’s What He’s Up Against.
Ending chronic disease requires major social change.The New York Times - 1d -
Pope thanks those who care for the sick as he continues to recover in hospital
Francis pays tribute to ‘miracle of tenderness’ after doctors report slight improvement in his condition. Pope Francis has issued a message from his hospital bed thanking medical staff and ...The Guardian - 22h -
Núñez's days at Liverpool might be numbered, but he is still delivering
Mohamed Salah added to his legend, but the Reds' win over Southampton was all Darwin Núñez.ESPN - 18h -
Carney talks tough on Trump threat - but can he reset relations?
Canada's next PM, who described the US as a "country we can no longer trust", will need to work with the US president.BBC News - 7h -
Kirk Cousins reportedly tells Falcons owner Arthur Blank he wants move to team where he can start in meeting
Is there a team that will take on Kirk Cousins' $180 million contract?Yahoo Sports - 2d -
‘It’s not because I want people to think I’m great’: Michael Sheen on paying off £1m of his neighbours’ debts
The actor grew up poor, got rich, then lost everything backing the 2019 Homeless World Cup. Now he’s giving away more of his money to help 900 total strangers. Doesn’t he think he’s done enough?. ...The Guardian - 5h -
Trump has microwaved my Cornetto of hope | Stewart Lee
The gadfly-minded abuser has openly threatened Greenland, Ukraine and Europe. He, and America, are the enemy now. I’d say writing comedy about the ever-shifting opinions of Donald Trump, the Speedy ...The Guardian - 1d -
Still uncertain about Trump? Let Boris Johnson guide you on this ‘very compassionate man’ | Catherine Bennett
Some of the president’s Tory fans seem to find the grim reality of the president’s actions invigorating rather than terrifying. Short of emigration, what is the best option for Britain’s dazzled ...The Guardian - 1d -
John Mulaney on "Everybody's Live," sobriety and fatherhood
The Emmy Award-winning comedian and former "SNL" writer became a superstar as a stand-up; now, he's sitting down, as host of a Netflix talk show, "Everybody's Live with John Mulaney."CBS News - 19h -
The disturbing case of a Tantric yoga guru and his followers
Under the guise of spiritual leadership, Gregorian Bivolaru allegedly exploited hundreds of people through an international network of yoga camps and retreats. Now he’s awaiting trial, accused of ...The Guardian - 22h -
Pirates ace Paul Skenes is working on 2 new pitches. Does he really need them?
Skenes thrives, more than many other arms, on creating a sense of total discomfort for the hitter. More pitches mean more decisions, and more decisions mean more discomfort.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Blind date: ‘He was very handsome, with a great set of teeth and a bold look. I knew it would be a night to remember’
Lewis (left), 26, a digital video executive, meets Max, 23, a business management trainee. What were you hoping for? To meet someone nice, and if it seems like there’s a mutual interest there, ...The Guardian - 2d -
‘A very camp environment’: why Alan Turing fatefully told police he was gay
Ubiquity of then-illegal relations at King’s College, Cambridge, explains puzzling 1952 admission, says scholar. . For decades, it has puzzled historians. Why, in the course of reporting a burglary ...The Guardian - 1d -
Warriors' Stephen Curry surpasses 25K points, and here's how high he could climb on the NBA's all-time list
Curry is the 10th player in NBA history to score 25,000 points with one teamCBS Sports - 1d -
Trump does not rule out recession as he rejects business fears over tariffs
US administration concedes some prices might rise as fears grow of trade chaos causing disruptionFinancial Times - 17h -
Dan Hurley in '60 Minutes' interview: UConn coach says he was 'embarrassed' by 'I'm the best coach' quote
Hurley's quest to lead UConn to a third straight title will be covered with a behind-the-scenes lookCBS Sports - 11h -
King Charles pays tribute to ‘marvellous’ Bob Marley as he shares favourite songs
Monarch recalls ‘infectious energy’ of late reggae singer in Apple Music broadcast to celebrate Commonwealth Day. King Charles has paid tribute to the “marvellous, infectious energy” of the late ...The Guardian - 4h
More from The New York Times
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China’s Tariffs on U.S. Agricultural Products Take Effect
The action came in response to the higher levies on Chinese imports that President Trump announced last week.The New York Times - 53m -
Trump’s Tactics Lead Americans to Question Role on World Stage
Among supporters and detractors alike, his transactional approach to foreign policy has upended old notions about the United States as a global leader.The New York Times - 1h -
Covid’s Long-Term Effects on the Lungs, Gut, Brain and More
Five years on, scientists are starting to understand how the virus can lead to long-term, sometimes invisible changes.The New York Times - 1h -
For a Family That Lost 5 Loved Ones, ‘Covid Will Never Be Over’
Elizabeth Fusco’s relatives had their usual family dinner in New Jersey in early 2020. Soon, her mother, three siblings and aunt were all dead.The New York Times - 3h -
Russian Forces Depleted and Stalling on Eastern Front, Ukraine Says
But as Ukraine prepares to meet with U.S. officials, Ukrainian soldiers say they are bracing for attacks to take advantage of a pause in U.S. intelligence.The New York Times - 6h
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King to launch Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Baton Relay
King Charles will hand the baton to champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy as the first bearer on its journey.BBC News - 10m -
Russia expels two more British diplomats
The pair have been accused by Russian security services of "intelligence and subversive activity".BBC News - 16m -
Tom Grennan joins Sam Fender as Radio 1's Big Weekend headliner
The Little Bit Of Love hitmaker joins Sam Fender as a headliner for the festival in Liverpool.BBC News - 36m -
Russia expels 2 British diplomats from embassy in Moscow over espionage claims
Russian said it is expelling two British diplomats over allegations of spyingABC News - 45m -
US 'just about' ready to lift Ukraine intel freeze, Trump says ahead of Saudi meet
Tuesday's talks in Riyadh are intended to revitalize bilateral relations following weeks of tense exchanges between Washington, D.C., and Kyiv.ABC News - 46m