Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada
Afghanistan International: After recent remarks by the Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, demanding unconditional obedience, some Taliban members have criticised him, saying his comments suggest he sees himself “in the position of a prophet”. So far, only Sirajuddin Haqqani and Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai have publicly criticised Akhundzada, while other members have not voiced criticism openly. Click here to read more (external link).
8am: The Taliban have declared 2,500 hectares of land in Khost province as “Emirate-Owned Property” and taken control of it. In recent days, the Taliban have also declared more than 300 hectares of land in the Omid Sabz township in western Kabul and nearly 180 hectares of land in eastern Kabul as “emirate-owned property.” Click here to read more (external link).
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Amu: Residents of Bala Murghab district in Badghis say there are no functioning facilities dedicated to maternal care, leaving pregnant women without access to treatment from early pregnancy through childbirth. Women in the area said all deliveries now take place at home, often assisted by untrained local birth attendants. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: The Afghanistan Wushu Federation said athletes were selected last week in Kabul following national trials in the sanda, or combat, division. The selected fighters include Shahzada in the 56-kilogram category, Hamed Sharifi in 65 kg, Mohammad Khalid Hotak in 70 kg and Jafar Soltani in 75 kg. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: About 136,000 people in eastern Afghanistan were left without access to food, health care and other basic services for weeks after tensions with Pakistan blocked a key road, prompting a large-scale humanitarian response, the International Committee of the Red Cross said. The disruption followed an escalation of hostilities in mid-February that closed the main road linking Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal districts in Nuristan province for nearly two months, isolating remote mountain communities. Click here to read more (external link).
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Hamid Karzai
Ariana: Karzai said in a statement: “While I consider universal education vital, I once again emphasize that the doors of schools and universities must be opened to girls as soon as possible. By providing opportunities for education and learning to young people—both girls and boys—the country’s problems and needs can be resolved by the capable hands of its own children, and Afghanistan can be freed from external dependence.” Click here to read more (external link).
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Amu: Afghanistan ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, maintaining one of the lowest positions globally as press freedoms remain severely restricted under Taliban rule, according to Reporters Without Borders. Within Afghanistan, access to independent information is increasingly restricted, with many people relying on foreign or exile-based media when internet access is available, the organization said. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) imposed four-month bans on Samiullah Shinwari, Aftab Alam and Mohammad Shahzad, barring them from all domestic and international cricket during that period, the report said. The suspensions stem from the players’ participation in the Legends League Cricket in India without obtaining a required no-objection certificate (NOC) from the ACB, which regulates players’ involvement in overseas tournaments. Click here to read more (external link).