Ariana: In the opening fixture of the day, Jawanan Maihan secured a narrow 1-0 win over Etihad FC in a tightly contested match at the Afghanistan Football Federation’s futsal gymnasium in Kabul. Later, Sadaqat FC turned heads with a commanding 4-1 victory over Arya Forj, showcasing their attacking prowess and positioning themselves as early contenders in the league. Click here to read more (external link).
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Ariana: Kabul could become the first modern city to completely run out of water by 2030, according to a report by Mercy Corps. Over the past decade, water levels in the city’s aquifers have dropped by up to 30 meters due to rapid urbanization and climate change. Nearly half of Kabul’s boreholes—the primary source of drinking water—have already dried up, and water extraction exceeds the natural recharge rate by 44 million cubic meters annually. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: Several women employed by United Nations agencies in Afghanistan say Taliban have escalated threats against their families in a bid to force them to quit their jobs, raising alarm over the safety of humanitarian workers and the future of international aid operations in the country. Click here to read more (external link).
Ariana: The Afghanistan Futsal Premier League (AFPL) Season 4 continued its high-energy pace on Saturday, with two exciting matchups that kept fans on the edge of their seats at the Afghanistan Football Federation’s gymnasium in Kabul. In the third match of the tournament, Zaher Asad FC pulled off a stunning 4–2 comeback victory over Omid FC. Click here to read more (external link).
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Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada
Afghanistan International: Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, censored parts of an audio recording of Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada’s Eid speech at the Eidgah Mosque in Kandahar. Notably, Akhundzada’s voice was cut off at the moment he began criticising the widespread influence of the media among the public. The censorship of Akhundzada’s speech prompted sharp reactions on social media. Some users remarked: “Censorship in the Taliban regime is so extreme that it even silences the voice of its own leader.” Click here to read more (external link).
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Ariana: Major League Cricket (MLC) officials remain optimistic that Afghan players, including Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, will be able to fulfill their contracts for the 2025 season, despite the new US travel ban signed by President Donald Trump, set to take effect next week. Click here to read more (external link).
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Moscow Times: A U.S.-sanctioned Russian telecom equipment developer installed 4G mobile network systems in Afghanistan last year to provide mobile services for up to 10 million people, the Vedomosti business newspaper reported Thursday. The work highlights Moscow’s deepening ties with the Taliban since the Islamist group returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).