Habibi
Reuters: Taliban denies detaining Habibi despite evidence, complicating U.S. efforts for his release. CIA operation targeting Zawahiri linked to Habibi’s detention, sources reveal.
U.S. offers $5 million reward for Habibi’s release, Trump administration intensifies efforts. Click here to read more (external link).
Rashid Khan
Khaama: Afghanistan’s cricket star Rashid Khan has officially joined the Red Bull athlete roster, a move confirmed by both the player and the global energy drink brand. Rashid announced the partnership in a post and video shared on his official Instagram account, while Red Bull also featured the cricketer in its promotional content. ESPNcricinfo reported that the announcement was made during a Red Bull event, with cricket media outlets noting that Khan is now part of an elite group of athletes that includes KL Rahul, Ben Stokes, and Kagiso Rabada. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: According to the sources, Taliban morality enforcers have established multiple checkpoints throughout Panjshir to monitor women’s clothing. At these posts, women are required to wear a full-body burqa to pass. The sources added that even girls under the age of 15 have been questioned and warned that they are not allowed to travel unless they wear a burqa — even if they wear a traditional cloak and cover their faces. Click here to read more (external link).
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Afghanistan International: Abdul Latif Mansoor, the Taliban’s Minister of Energy and Water, accused Pakistan of opposing any form of stable central authority in Afghanistan, whether under the Taliban, Mujahideen, or even Communists. Speaking in an interview with Shamshad TV on Thursday, Mansoor said: “Some of our neighbours, especially Pakistan, do not want a government in Afghanistan, it doesn’t matter if it’s Taliban, Mujahid, or Communist.” He added: “We now understand that Pakistan doesn’t want an Afghan government that stands on its own feet.” Mansoor accused Islamabad of deliberately fuelling internal divisions and crises in Afghanistan to serve its own political and economic interests. Click here to read more (external link).
Gulbadin Naib
Ariana: Afghanistan’s senior all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has expressed optimism about the future of cricket in the country, revealing that Afghanistan is hopeful of hosting an ICC tournament in the near future. In an interview with CricTracker, Naib highlighted the positive developments in Afghan cricket and the growing interest from international teams to tour the country. Click here to read more (external link).
Khaama: Bagram Airfield, once the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan, has reemerged in global debate. Its strategic location near China and Central Asia fuels speculation about potential U.S.–China competition over influence and control. Afghan observers suggest that if the Taliban were to permit foreign use of Bagram, they might prefer U.S. involvement over China’s, seeing greater potential for aid, recognition, and political leverage. Bagram remains a symbol of the U.S. war in Afghanistan and its contentious end, but no verified evidence supports claims of Chinese control. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan International: The Taliban have weaponised Afghanistan’s justice system to suppress women and girls, amounting to possible crimes against humanity, according to Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan. Speaking before the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Bennett said that since seizing power, the Taliban have suspended the Afghan constitution and repealed all laws that previously protected the rights of women and girls. He noted that all judges from the former government, including 270 women, have been removed from their positions. Click here to read more (external link).
8am: Several families, devastated economically after the Taliban’s takeover, have been compelled to force their daughters into unwanted marriages or pairings they have no interest in, due to the group’s stringent laws, the absence of clear educational programs, and the fear of forced marriages with Taliban members. Meanwhile, findings by the Hasht-e Subh Daily indicate that some officials of religious schools affiliated with the Taliban in areas around Pul-e-Khumri and other parts of the province have been demanding photos from girls under the pretext of processing documents. These photos are then sent to Taliban members for marriage selection. According to available information, this practice has persisted over the past three years. Girls who reject marriage proposals from Taliban members are either forced into marriage or threatened with the withholding of educational documents if they do not comply. Click here to read more (external link).
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