The number of members of the Islamic State terrorist organisation in Afghanistan has increased threefold to 6.000 since the Taliban came to power last year, said Zamir Kabulov, head of the second Asian department of the Russian Foreign Ministry

As traditional agriculture in western Ghor province is affected by drought, farmers turn to greenhouse cultivation and drip irrigation to increase production: over 120 greenhouses equipped are currently active in the province

Ghazni Residents are building a 31km stretch of a road with personal funds: to solve a longstanding problem, the entire cost is being covered through contributions from local residents and support from a community charity fund

Over 11.500 Afghans returned to the country between 3 and 9 May, the majority from Pakistan and some hundreds from Iran, Tajikistan and other countries; IOM photos show hugging and smiling as families reunite