Archive

In a recent gathering held in Kandahar, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada declared that the group’s intelligence apparatus constitutes the “backbone” of its regime.

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 Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has reported that Taliban intelligence forces have detained Sulaiman Rahil, the director of Radio Khushal, in Ghazni province.

Local Taliban officials in Nangarhar have announced that the Torkham border crossing has reopened to passenger traffic following a one-day closure caused by heavy rainfall.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) has claimed responsibility for an attack that reportedly killed two Taliban fighters and injured another near Bandar-e Khan Abad in the northern province of Kunduz.

Shawn VanDiver, head of Afghan Evac, an organisation advocating for the relocation of Afghan nationals to the United States, has announced that the US federal government has granted a 60-day extension to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans.

Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, met with Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, during his visit to Kabul this week.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has officially approved the formation of a women’s football team comprised of Afghan refugees in exile, and has ratified a strategy for its practical implementation.

Several travellers at the Torkham border crossing told Afghanistan International on Friday, 9 May, that the border has been closed to passenger movement. However, they reported that freight trucks are still being allowed to pass.

Iran International, the 24-hour Persian-language news network, has been honoured with the prestigious AAM Award, which is granted annually to leading media outlets and advocates of free expression and civil society.

In a joint statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that Moscow and Beijing will continue their collaboration on Afghanistan, working towards the establishment of an independent, neutral, united, and peaceful nation.

The Taliban’s High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Issues has reported that a total of 4135 Afghan nationals were deported from Iran and Pakistan on Thursday, 8 May.

The Iran Human Rights Organisation has reported that the Iran executed seven prisoners, including one Afghan national and four Iranian Baluch citizens, at Birjand Prison in South Khorasan Province.

The Japanese humanitarian organisation Peshawar-kai has announced plans to resume the treatment of leprosy in Afghanistan, nearly 15 years after suspending its operations in the country.

Several provincial governors affiliated with the Taliban travelled to the Afghan capital for meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, according to a statement released by the ministry.

A new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reveals that 90 percent of Afghan households experienced economic shocks in 2024, driven by a worsening humanitarian crisis and deepening socio-economic instability.

Zamir Kabulov, the Russian president’s special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that while Afghanistan is not among Moscow’s top foreign policy priorities, it holds critical importance due to its geopolitical positioning.

The Taliban’s High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Issues has announced that a total of 4978 Afghan migrants were deported from Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday.

The Taliban have confirmed that hundreds of books have been banned and removed from libraries and bookstores across Afghanistan over the past three years.

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov held virtual talks this week to review progress on key regional infrastructure projects, with particular emphasis on expediting the TAPI gas pipeline.

The US State Department has confirmed it is engaging with the Taliban to address national security concerns and facilitate the release of American hostages.