The Taliban registers 1,800 unemployed Afghan refugees for jobs in Qatar

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban on Wednesday registered 1,800 unemployed Afghans expelled from neighboring countries for the chance to work in Qatar in the latest round of a labor agreement with the Gulf nation, a Labor Ministry spokesman said.

The program is aimed at easing unemployment in Afghanistan, and the Taliban has said talks are also underway to send labor to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, and Russia.

Last month, 3,100 Afghans were registered for jobs in Qatar, including in the food and hospitality industries. Wednesday's one-day registration period was open only to Afghans expelled from Iran and Pakistan, and took place in four major cities.

At least two million Afghans have left Iran and Pakistan this year after both governments launched separate campaigns to expel foreigners they said were living there illegally. They deny targeting Afghans, but most of those forcibly returned are Afghan.

People with refugee certificates were able to visit registration centers in Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Nangarhar for the chance to work in Qatar, Labor Ministry spokesman Samiullah Ibrahimi said.

“These work visas cover 22 different job categories, and the 1,800 visas available are for these jobless Afghan returnees,” he said.

Dozens of men waited in long lines outside a registration center in Kabul.

Poyan Ahmadi, who left Iran, said he wanted the Taliban government to talk to other countries. “Here in Afghanistan, there is no work, and there is a shortage of job opportunities.”

Men register for Qatar work visas for unemployed Afghans expelled from neighboring countries, outside a registration center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

Men register for Qatar work visas for unemployed Afghans expelled from neighboring countries, outside a registration center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

Men register for Qatar work visas for unemployed Afghans expelled from neighboring countries, outside a registration center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

Men register for Qatar work visas for unemployed Afghans expelled from neighboring countries, outside a registration center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

Men wait in line to register for a Qatar work visa for unemployed Afghans expelled from neighbouring countries, outside a registration center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — John Marino scored at 4:03 of the third period to break a tie and give the Utah Mammoth a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Marino also assisted on Nick Schmaltz's 17th goal of the season and Karel Vejmelka made 26 stops as the Mammoth won for the fifth time in six games.

Mikko Rantanen scored and Jake Oettinger had 25 saves for Dallas, which has lost nine of its last 11 games.

Schmaltz broke a scoreless deadlock with 7 seconds left in the second period, tipping in a feed from Marino. It was the fourth latest goal in any regulation period in Utah's short franchise history.

The Mammoth nearly made it 2-0 just 38 seconds into the third, but Lawson Crouse had his goal wiped off the board for high-sticking.

Rantanen leveled the score with a power-play goal at the 2:04 of the third.

Marino answered two minutes later, snapping the puck home from long distance to put the Mammoth up 2-1 with his second winning goal of the season.

Utah improved to 16-1-1 this season when leading after two periods.

Stars: host Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Mammoth: host Seattle on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) shoots the puck against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, center left, fights for the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)