Download  During the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, football stadiums were used for executions.

Television was banned - so watching World Cup football was outlawed.

Now Afghans are flocking to the streets of the capital, Kabul, to watch live, on big screens, the matches taking place in South Africa.

Zubair Babakarkhail joined them.

Download  There have been important leadership movements in the United States that affect this region.

The President has removed his top commander in Afghanistan after a humiliating magazine article featured derogatory comments about the Obama Administration.

His decision to replace Stanley McChrystal with another well known General, David Petraeus, has been supported from both sides of politics.

Lisa Millar, North America correspondent for Radio Australia reports.

Download  Helmand Province in Afghanistan is one of the most violent areas - hundreds have died in suicide attacks, roadside explosions and military operations over the past few months.

High levels of rural poverty and unemployment are helping to drive young people to join the Taliban.

Due to insecurity in the southern provinces there are no available unemployment figures.

However, a report by Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission estimates the unemployment rate is as high as 60 percent.

A group of local boys in the province has just made a feature film called “The Result of Unemployment” about what it’s like to be without a job and young in Helmand.

Zubair Babakarkhail joined locals at the opening night of the film, for Asia Calling.

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Imagine leaving your family and travelling to a new country you don't have permission to enter on your own.

That's what thousands of children are doing to escape hardship and war in places like Afghanistan.  

Some are sent by their parents and others get separated from their family on the long and dangerous journey to Europe.  

These findings are the result of a United Nations report which says there's been a massive increase in the number of children from Afghanistan travelling illegally across Europe, alone.

Saif Khan in Germany and Zubair Babakarkhail in Kabul teamed up to hear what it’s like from both sides of the journey.