Defense one: More than $148 billion was spent by the U.S. government in its failed attempt to build a free Afghanistan, according to the final report by the official watchdog office, whose careful documentation of waste and fraud, and its warnings of Taliban resurgence, went largely unheeded. For 17 years, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, tracked every dollar allocated to the country for security, development, and humanitarian aid. As early as 2012, the office saw signs that the U.S. government and military’s efforts were falling short. Click here to read more (external link).
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8am: Many residents of Kabul now live with deep worry as water shortages and pollution spread across the city. They say the water from their taps and wells can no longer be used for drinking, forcing families to spend thousands of Afghanis each month on bottled water. Even then, they do not always trust the quality of this water, as no one clearly knows what substances are used to purify it. Some residents say the situation has become so difficult that they have left their homes and moved to rented houses in other areas. 
Ariana: In the 23rd match of the fifth season of the Afghanistan Champions League, Arman FC put on a dominant and electrifying display, overpowering Aino Mina 6–0. In Thursday’s 24th fixture, Khurasan Faryab took on Ettifaq Khanzadah and secured a solid 2–0 victory. Looking ahead to tomorrow’s games, Jawanan Perozi will face Abu Muslim Farah at 10:00 a.m. in the 25th match, while Istiqlal Kabul meets Sarsabz Yashlar at 1:30 p.m. in the 26th encounter. 
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Khaama: Pakistan has intensified pressure on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities following a series of security and diplomatic developments, including Washington’s suspension of Afghan refugee cases and recent deadly border attacks in Central Asia. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of failing to prevent militant activity, with officials telling the Economic Times that Kabul bears responsibility for rising regional insecurity. 
Amu: An estimated 1.5 million people in Afghanistan are living with significant disabilities, many of them the result of decades of conflict, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Wednesday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Aid organizations also warn that women and girls with disabilities face added risks because of Taliban restrictions on movement, schooling and public participation, which have further reduced their access to support networks and essential services. 
8am: After clashes erupted along the border between the Taliban and Pakistan and political tensions intensified, Pakistan shut down its borders with Afghanistan. These crossings have remained closed to commercial trade ever since. The Taliban had earlier claimed that the closures did not affect the domestic market, but many Kabul residents now say otherwise. They report a sharp rise in the price of Pakistani cement across the city. According to them, sellers have taken advantage of the situation, and the lack of market oversight by the Taliban has allowed prices to soar. As a result, the cost of each bag of cement has increased by 300 to 400 Afghanis. Residents also say that imported Iranian cement now sells at high prices, while Pakistani cement has nearly vanished from the market. When it does appear, its price often doubles.