Amu: Afghanistan’s national futsal team defeated New Zealand 6-1 on Thursday to conclude its campaign at the 2026 Continental Futsal Cup in Thailand. Afghanistan finished the competition with one win, one draw and two defeats in four matches. The team lost to Thailand and Vietnam, drew with Russia, and closed the tournament with the victory over New Zealand. Click here to read more (external link).
Five Years of Taliban Rule: Consolidation Without Consent
Afghanistan International: As the Taliban complete five years in power this August, two confident predictions made in the autumn of 2021 have both aged badly. The first was that the movement, unable to govern, would fracture within a season. The second, its mirror image, was that whoever governed Afghanistan would eventually be disciplined by the ordinary requirements of statecraft — revenue, recognition, neighbours — into moderation. Neither happened. Click here to read more (external link).
Related
Tolo News in Dari – August 5, 2026
Fighters Are Ready To Battle Taliban, Says Fatemiyoun Commander
Afghanistan International: A Fatemiyoun Division commander told Afghanistan International on Tuesday that he and hundreds of fighters under his command were ready to fight the Taliban. The commander said that any anti-Taliban group able to provide sufficient resources could mobilise hundreds of his fighters under its banner for operations against the group. The Fatemiyoun commander, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said remarks by Seyed Hassan Mortazavi, Iran’s deputy ambassador in Kabul, that Tehran did not regard war against the Taliban as “resistance” had angered Fatemiyoun fighters. Afghanistan’s Hazaras and Shias, who make up a large proportion of Fatemiyoun members, continue to face security and legal challenges under Taliban rule. Click here to read more (external link).
Related
Taliban Officials’ Visit To Moldova Triggers Political Storm
RFE/RL: A visit by officials from Afghanistan’s unrecognized Taliban government to Moldova has triggered a political storm in the small Eastern European country. Three officials from the Taliban’s Agriculture Ministry arrived in Chisinau on August 3 for a dayslong visit after they were granted visas. Click here to read more (external link).
First Afghanistan-Ireland ODI abandoned without a ball bowled
Ariana: 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. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Intelligence Member Killed In Faryab, Says United Front
Afghanistan International: The United Front of Afghanistan says it killed a Taliban intelligence member in Qaisar district of Faryab during its latest operation. In a statement accompanied by a video, the front said oppression, abuse and violations of Afghans’ dignity and honour will not go unanswered. The United Front said on Tuesday, 4 August, that the Taliban member had been killed in Qaisar district. Click here to read more (external link).
Serial Killings in Panjshir: Sources Say Taliban Have Killed More Than 10 Members of a Single Family
8am: Local sources in Hesa-e Awal district of Panjshir province have expressed concern over an increase in what they describe as “serial killings” carried out by the Taliban. These sources told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that the Taliban enter villages at night without coordinating with local elders and village heads, and carry out military operations. According to them, Taliban forces claim to have a complete list of the family’s members and are seeking to detain or kill the remaining relatives. They say that a number of the family’s surviving members, including women, children, and men, have fled their homes out of fear of arrest or death and have taken refuge in unknown locations. They warn that these individuals continue to face the risk of detention or death. Click here to read more (external link).
Final touches being made to Ayubi Cricket Stadium ahead of Kabul Premier League
Ariana: Preparations are in the final stages at Kabul’s Ayubi Cricket Stadium as ground staff complete the finishing touches ahead of the start of the fourth season of the Kabul Premier League (KPL) on Saturday, August 8. Workers have been busy ensuring the venue meets the highest standards, with improvements focused on the playing surface. Click here to read more (external link).
WHO: Afghanistan reports 15 polio cases in 2026
Amu: The World Health Organization said no new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) were confirmed in Afghanistan or Pakistan during the latest reporting week, leaving Afghanistan with 15 confirmed cases in 2026 — the highest number recorded globally this year. In its latest Eastern Mediterranean Polio Bulletin, covering the week ending Aug. 2, the WHO said a total of 18 wild poliovirus cases have been reported this year, including 15 in Afghanistan and three in Pakistan. Click here to read more (external link).
Other Health News