The Taliban’s reclusive leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, made a rare public appearance and speech at Kandahar University, where he warned of an ongoing “narrative war” waged by the western countries following what he described as their military defeat in Afghanistan.
The Taliban has arrested a social media user critical of its rule and reportedly coerced him into making a public confession.
The Taliban’s Minister of Energy and Water has expressed gratitude to Russia for removing the group from its list of terrorist organisations and has called on Russian investors to participate in major infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.
The Taliban's Ministry of Information and Culture has convened a meeting of the Book Evaluation Commission, which approved several books for publication. The ministry stated that these books align with "Islamic, national, and Afghan values."
The Taliban has ordered a 20 percent reduction in its security forces, directing that the dismissals begin with individuals labelled as “undesirable and unpopular,” according to an internal letter signed by Defence Minister Yaqub Mujahid and obtained by Afghanistan International.
The Taliban has announced that Kazakhstan plans to invest $500 million in a major railway project in Afghanistan, as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides.
Abdul Zahir Qadir, a former member of the Afghan Parliament, has reportedly been arrested at Dubai International Airport, according to his nephew, Jalal Qadir, who spoke to Afghanistan International.
Habibullah Badr, deputy head of the Taliban's prison administration, has confirmed that Allah Gul Mujahid, a former member of the Afghan parliament, is currently imprisoned in Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul on charges of murder.
Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered a 20 percent reduction in the group's security personnel as part of a sweeping downsizing initiative driven by a deepening budget crisis.
Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, arrived in Kabul on Monday, 21 April, leading a high-level delegation for talks with Taliban officials focused on bilateral relations and economic cooperation.
Germany’s Deutsche Welle has reported that Nazira Khairzad, an Afghan female footballer who fled Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power, now faces the risk of deportation to Italy.
The Department of Education in Tehran has announced that Afghan migrant students holding census registration documents or “return-to-Afghanistan” papers will no longer be permitted to enrol in Iranian schools for the upcoming 1404 academic year (March 2025 – March 2026).
Mostafa Rezaei, CEO of the Afghanistan Rail Development Consortium, has announced that 60000 tonnes of export and transit goods were transported to Afghanistan over the past year via the Khaf-Herat railway.
Polio Free Afghanistan has announced the launch of a new nationwide polio vaccination campaign set to begin on Monday, 21 April.
Telecommunications giant MTN has officially concluded its operations in Afghanistan, transferring its stake to the Beirut-based M1 Group. The company will now operate under the brand name “ATOMA,” marking a new chapter in the country’s telecom sector.
The Taliban has bolstered security measures along the Pak-Afghan border, particularly at the Torkham crossing, amid growing concerns that ISIS operatives are attempting to infiltrate Afghanistan disguised as returning migrants, Taliban sources told Afghanistan International.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water, under the Taliban administration, issued a flood warning on Saturday, cautioning that 11 provinces are at high risk due to expected heavy rainfall and snowfall over the coming days.
The Taliban’s Prime Minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, has called on Pakistan to immediately halt the mass deportation of Afghan migrants and instead work with Kabul on a coordinated and dignified repatriation process.
Afghanistan’s Under-19 cricket team has secured qualification for the 2026 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup after finishing top of their group in the regional qualifiers.
The Taliban’s High Commission for Addressing Migrant Issues announced that 4320 Afghan migrants were deported from Pakistan on Friday, just one day before the arrival of Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Kabul for high-level talks with Taliban officials.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Kabul early Saturday, leading a high-ranking delegation on his first official visit to Afghanistan since assuming office.