8am: Several residents of Badghis province report that this year, the Taliban have beaten many people for breaking “Shul Pista,” a local rule against collecting pistachios before they ripen. According to Badghis residents, the Taliban tortured them for breaking this rule before the official announcement by the group, even though it was the Taliban’s associates who initially broke the rule. Additionally, they state that after collecting the pistachios, the Taliban extorted them under the guise of religious taxes (Ushr) and forcibly took most of the products from the people. Click here to read more (external link).