Amu: Afghans across the country marked Yalda Night, also known as Shab-e Chella, the longest night of the year, celebrating a centuries-old tradition that many regard as a symbol of hope, patience and the belief that light follows darkness. Families in several provinces gathered late into the night, sharing food and conversation to honour the ancient occasion, even as some households faced limited access to electricity and basic services. Click here to read more (external link).
Khaama: Vietnamese-American sculptor Tuan Andrew Nguyen will install an eight-meter replica of the Bamiyan Buddha along Tenth Street in Manhattan in spring 2026. Titled The Light That Shines Through the Universe, the sculpture is intended as a symbol of resilience, hope, and peace, commemorating the destroyed 6th-century statues in Afghanistan. The installation is part of the High Line Plinth program and will be displayed in a suspended park at Tenth Street and 30th Avenue. Click here to read more (external link).
Ariana: The suspect, identified as Mehmet Goren, is a Turkish citizen. He was apprehended during a covert operation and transferred to Turkey. Details on the timing of the operation or the involvement of Afghan and Pakistani authorities were not disclosed. According to the report, Goren had risen through the ranks of Daesh and was allegedly tasked with carrying out suicide bombings in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Europe. Click here to read more (external link).
Munir
Afghanistan International: Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, has warned the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that no threat to Pakistan’s security and sovereignty will be tolerated, claiming that about 70 percent of the group’s fighters are Afghans. Munir described the TTP as a direct challenge to the Pakistani state and said restoring the writ of the government is the exclusive responsibility of the state. He stressed that the declaration of jihad lies solely with the government, not with individuals or armed groups. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: Details of the meeting have not been made public, but the visit came days after Haqqani sharply criticised the Taliban’s style of governance in a speech in the eastern province of Khost on December 12. Following his trip to Kandahar, the Taliban’s traditional power centre, Haqqani struck a markedly different tone, publicly stressing obedience to Akhundzada’s orders and calling for unity within the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
8am: Many residents of Kabul say that stray dogs have become increasingly common on roads and in neighborhoods, especially in outlying areas. People describe how these dogs roam the streets early in the morning and late at night, spreading fear and constant anxiety. Children and older people face the greatest danger, they say, and some residents no longer feel safe enough to step outside their homes. At the same time, several doctors warn that the rising number of stray dogs in residential areas has created serious health concerns, especially the risk of spreading infectious diseases. They stress that without proper control, diseases such as rabies and other infections could spread more widely and endanger public health. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: Afghanistan on Saturday formally launched the Afghanistan Premier League Twenty20 (APL T20) at a ceremony in the United Arab Emirates, unveiling the tournament’s logo, proposed window, venue and number of teams, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said. Click here to read more (external link).
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8am: The Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Saturday, December 20, that 30 families returned via Islam Qala in Herat, 185 families through Spin Boldak in Kandahar, 790 families through Torkham in Nangarhar, and 58 families through Bahramcha in Helmand. Click here to read more (external link).
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