Afghanistan International: The Taliban’s Sports Authority has formally suspended the Afghanistan Chess Federation, declaring the game of chess “haram” (forbidden under Islamic law), Afghanistan International has learned. The game has now been officially banned, following in the footsteps of other sports such as mixed martial arts, which were previously outlawed under similar justifications. Click here
Khaama: On Saturday, May 10, retired government employees once again protested in front of the Pension Treasury building, demanding their overdue pension payments. This marks the latest in a series of weekly protests, but the retirees say their grievances have been ignored by the authorities..Despite repeated requests, the retirees claim that relevant Taliban institutions have
Afghanistan International: The Taliban have confirmed that hundreds of books have been banned and removed from libraries and bookstores across Afghanistan over the past three years. In addition to suppressing independent publications, the Taliban have also banned several university textbooks, further restricting academic freedom and access to diverse sources of knowledge within higher education institutions.
Afghanistan International: The Taliban have deployed additional forces to Argo district in Badakhshan province amid growing unrest and protests by local residents. Sources report that more than 30 people have been arrested by the group as tensions escalate. Residents of Argo have expressed growing discontent over the Taliban’s poppy eradication campaign, which they say has
Afghanistan International: According to the detainees, many have been held without formal charges or legal proceedings for between 10 and 15 days. In a video obtained by Afghanistan International, the detainees allege that they are being held in inhumane conditions crammed into a small room and denied access to food and water. Several sources have
8am: Several citizens have complained about the growing unemployment, expanding poverty, and lack of job opportunities in Afghanistan. They argue that despite the Taliban’s claims of creating employment opportunities, their downsizing of government structures has not only failed to generate jobs but has also deprived people of their livelihoods. These citizens further state that favoritism,
Amu: Taliban authorities in the eastern province of Logar have once again destroyed fields of tomato crops cultivated by local farmers, according to multiple sources who shared video evidence with Amu. The farmers said the provincial Department of Agriculture, under Taliban control, had previously warned them against planting tomatoes this season, claiming that the crop
Khaama: On Saturday, May 3, World Press Freedom Day arrives amid mounting concerns over the deteriorating state of media freedom in Afghanistan. Under Taliban rule, the country’s once-vibrant press landscape continues to shrink under severe censorship and repression. Click here to read more (external link). More Afghanistan ranks 175th out of 180 countries in press
Amu: A young woman named Abida died after setting herself on fire in Ghor province, following what her family says was a prolonged campaign of coercion by a local Taliban commander who sought to force her into marriage. Speaking to Amu on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, a close relative said the commander—identified
8am: Beauty parlours that are forced to operate covertly say they are worn down by the Taliban’s systematic extortion and blackmail. They explain that they work out of sheer necessity—to earn a piece of bread for themselves and their children—yet Taliban security sectors continually threaten them and demand pay-offs. Click here to read more (external link).