Dr. Ahadi and Driving the Final Nail into Afghanistan’s Coffin
8am: In recent days, Dr. Anwar al-Haq Ahadi’s interview with Amu TV, an Afghan international satellite channel, has sparked widespread reaction and debate. In the interview, Dr. Ahadi addressed issues of ethnic and national identity, presenting a perspective grounded in the argument that, globally, many nation-states derive their national identity from the ethnic, tribal, or founding group that established them. From this standpoint, he concludes that Afghanistan’s national identity should be defined as either “Afghani” or “Pashtun.” Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan Beats Saudi Arabia 3-0 in First Match of Asian Futsal Cup
Khaama: Reza Hussainpuri and Omid Ghanbari scored the goals that secured Afghanistan’s victory in the Group 4 encounter at the continental championship. Afghanistan competes in Group 4 alongside Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Iran. The team will face Malaysia on Friday and Iran on Sunday in their remaining group stage matches. Click here to read more (external link).
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Over 90% of 10-Year-Olds in Afghanistan Cannot Read, UNICEF Warns
Khaama: UNICEF said on Tuesday, January 27, that Afghanistan’s education system is at a critical point, with widespread illiteracy undermining basic learning for children. The agency stated, “More than 90 percent of 10-year-olds cannot read a simple text, reflecting a crisis of schooling without learning.” Since the Taliban regained power, Afghanistan’s education system has faced severe disruption, including school closures, lack of qualified teachers, and curriculum limitations. Click here to read more (external link).
Saleh alleges US cash transfer to Taliban in January
Amrullah Saleh
Amu: Afghanistan’s former vice president Amrullah Saleh said on Tuesday that the United States transferred tens of millions of dollars in cash to the Taliban this month, an allegation that neither US nor Taliban officials have publicly confirmed. Saleh said in a post on X that the United States handed over $45 million in cash to the Taliban in Kabul on Jan. 13 at around 2 p.m. local time. He alleged the transfer took place while the Taliban were still holding about $23 million from a previous delivery. Click here to read more (external link).
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Tolo News in Dari – January 27, 2026
Child workers allege sexual abuse, mistreatment in Taliban detention
Amu: The children, most of whom work on the streets to support their families, said they were detained during street round-ups in Kabul and other areas and taken to Taliban-run prisons or so-called Dar-ul-Hifaz facilities, centres authorities say are meant to provide protection and assistance. “They arrested us and took us to Badam Bagh prison,” he said. “The food was very bad. They beat us and told us not to work anymore. Some of them made obscene comments, touched our hair and our bodies. We were afraid. They were very bad people.” Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban seeks Guantanamo prisoner release for American detainees
Ariana: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has called for the release of the last Afghan prisoner held at Guantanamo Bay in return for freeing American detainees still in Afghanistan, the New York Times reported. According to the newspaper, U.S. and Afghan officials have held secret negotiations for months focused on the release of American detainees, a priority for U.S. President Donald Trump and a prerequisite for any broader diplomatic talks with the IEA. Click here to read more (external link).
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Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by four wickets at U19 World Cup
Amu: Sri Lanka Under-19s beat Afghanistan Under-19s by four wickets on Monday in their Super Six match at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026. The defeat leaves Afghanistan needing a strong result in their next Super Six fixture against Ireland Under-19s in Harare on Friday to keep their tournament hopes alive. Click here to read more (external link).
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Taliban revoke licences of media support organizations, extend three
Amu: Taliban have revoked the operating licences of an unspecified number of organizations that support media and journalists, while extending the licences of three others, according to a statement from the Taliban-run Ministry of Information and Culture. The ministry said the decision followed a review of “repeated complaints” of media outlets and journalists against “media organizations”, a term it used to refer to institutions that work in support of journalists and media development. According to the statement, most of the organizations reviewed were found to be “irresponsible” or inactive, prompting the ministry to revoke their licences nationwide. The ministry said only three organizations were granted licence extensions. Click here to read more (external link).