Afghanistan International: The latest incident occurred on Thursday evening in Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan, where armed men shot and killed Mohammad Shah, an Ismaili resident originally from Shighnan district. Shah, who worked for a private office in the province, was attacked in the Dasht-e-Qargh area while returning home from a bakery, according to eyewitnesses. Click here to read more (external link).
Pakistan Under‑19s defeat Afghanistan U19 by 133 runs in Zimbabwe tri‑series
Ariana: Pakistan Under‑19s secured a dominant 133‑run victory over Afghanistan Under‑19s in the 5th match of the Zimbabwe Under‑19 One‑Day Tri‑Series at Sunrise Sports Club, Harare, on Friday. This marked Afghanistan’s second consecutive loss to Pakistan in the tournament. Click here to read more (external link).
Killed Taliban Members In Court Attack, Says Resistance Group
Afghanistan International: The Afghanistan Freedom Front said it carried out a rocket attack on a Taliban court building in northern Afghanistan, killing four Taliban members and wounding two others. In a statement issued on Friday, the group said the attack targeted the Taliban’s Court of Appeal in Maimana, the capital of Faryab, at about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The AFF said the strike hit a meeting of the Taliban’s judicial police, which it described as an enforcement arm of the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban spokesman accuses Pakistan of seeking to destabilise Afghanistan
Zabihullah Mujahid
Amu: Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has accused Pakistan of seeking to destabilise Afghanistan in coordination with major powers, including the United States, as relations between the two sides remain strained despite multiple rounds of talks. He linked the allegation to renewed US statements about Afghanistan’s former Bagram air base, adding: “When the United States raises the issue of Bagram, the question of Pakistan’s role in destabilising Afghanistan also arises. This can be pursued in a coordinated manner between the US and some military circles in Pakistan.” Click here to read more (external link).
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Residents Clash With Taliban Members Over Gold Mining Operation In Takhar
Afghanistan International: The incident took place in Chah Ab district of Takhar province, where Taliban forces and personnel connected to a gold mining company entered the area to launch an extraction operation. Several people on both sides were injured, according to the sources. A video obtained by Afghanistan International shows residents throwing stones at Taliban members, while gunfire can be heard in the background. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – January 2, 2026
Afghanistan Identified as World’s Worst Country for Women
8am: In this report, the situation of women has been examined based on three main indicators: inclusion, justice, and security, and it shows that women in Afghanistan are in the lowest global position in terms of security and access to justice. According to the report, severe restrictions on women’s right to work and education have also seriously disrupted their access to humanitarian aid and basic services. Click here to read more (external link).
Hibatullah appoints 15 Taliban officials in latest reshuffle
Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada
Amu: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has appointed 15 Taliban officials to new positions, including their provincial governors, deputy governors and senior security officials, according to a statement. According to a notice released by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Gul Haidar Shafaq, previously Taliban governor of Jawzjan, was appointed governor of Bamiyan, while Abdullah Sarhadi, the Taliban former Bamiyan governor, was reassigned to Jawzjan. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban to jail barbers who shave men’s beards for up to 15 months
Daily Mail (UK): Some young men are also reportedly being beaten up and ‘humiliated’ for defying strict cultural laws by daring to pick a Western-style haircut. Offending hairdressers will be referred to the Taliban’s feared judicial authorities and could face up for 15 months in prison. Click here to read more (external link).