Italy and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have launched an emergency restoration project to protect the historic Blue Mosque (Rawza) in Mazar-e-Sharif after it was damaged in a recent earthquake.

The Italian Embassy in Afghanistan said the initiative is designed to safeguard one of the country’s most important cultural heritage sites while also creating employment opportunities for local communities involved in the restoration work.

The restoration effort follows a powerful magnitude-6.3 earthquake that struck Afghanistan on November 3, 2025, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 530 others. The quake caused damage to homes, public buildings and several historic structures, including parts of the centuries-old Blue Mosque.

In a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday, the embassy said the project demonstrates the shared commitment of Italy and the United Nations to support the Afghan people and preserve Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage.

The Blue Mosque, also known as the Rawza of Mazar-e-Sharif, is one of Afghanistan’s most renowned religious and historical landmarks, drawing thousands of worshippers and visitors each year.

Located in the heart of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, the centuries-old shrine is celebrated for its striking Timurid-era architecture and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most significant cultural and architectural treasures.

The emergency restoration project aims to stabilise and repair earthquake-related damage, helping to ensure the long-term preservation of one of Afghanistan’s most treasured historic sites for future generations.

A total of 325 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan after being released from detention centres and prisons in Pakistan, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said on Thursday.

In a statement, the ministry said the returnees included families, children and individuals who had been detained in Pakistan for varying periods and for different reasons.

According to the ministry, 156 migrants entered Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing in eastern Nangarhar province, while another 169 returned via the Spin Boldak crossing in southern Kandahar province.

The ministry said the returnees were registered at reception and transit centres before being transported to their home provinces with assistance from partner organisations.

The latest returns come as Afghan migrants in Pakistan continue to face arrests, detentions and deportations, with many affected by documentation and residency-related issues.

The opening One-Day International between Afghanistan and Ireland was abandoned without a ball being bowled after persistent rain left conditions unplayable at Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

The match was scheduled to begin at 10:45am local time (1:30pm Kabul time), but continuous rain prevented the toss from taking place.

Match officials delayed the start and carried out a pitch inspection at midday before deciding at 12:27pm local time to abandon the fixture.

The washout denied both sides the opportunity to make an early impact in the five-match ODI series, with Ireland also set to begin a new era under head coach Gary Wilson.

The teams are due to meet again in the second ODI at Bready on Friday before the series moves to Stormont in Belfast for the remaining three matches.

The Afghanistan-Ireland ODI series is being broadcast live by Ariana Television across Afghanistan.