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Deadly Earthquake Hits Northern Afghanistan, Causing Casualties and Power Outages
A severe 6.3 magnitude earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan, resulting in at least 20 deaths and over 320 injuries, primarily in the provinces of Samangan and Balkh. The Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health reports on the urgent need for medical support as power outages affect Kabul and surrounding areas. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with infrastructure challenges exacerbating the response to this natural disaster.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Concerns Grow Over Taliban’s Use of Violent Offenders for Targeted Killings in Balkh
Reports reveal a disturbing trend in Balkh, where Taliban officials are allegedly releasing prisoners with violent histories to carry out organized killings against opposition figures. This alarming development follows a recent murder of a family in Mazar-i-Sharif, raising serious human rights concerns amid a climate of rising political repression and insecurity in northern Afghanistan.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Pashtun Leader Critiques Taliban’s Concessions to the U.S.
A prominent Afghan Pashtun figure in Europe has voiced strong criticism of the Taliban’s Kabul faction for yielding to American demands, exposing deep divisions within the group. He argues that the Taliban should instead pursue compensation for the damages inflicted during two decades of U.S. military intervention, warning that a history of concessions will only lead to further humiliation.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Afghanistan’s Export Growth Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports that exports through air corridors have totaled $154 million in the past nine months, while imports reached $121 million. Notably, trade through Iran’s Chabahar port has surged, with imports surpassing $2.5 billion, reflecting Afghanistan’s strategic shift amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan that have resulted in trade route closures.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban Foreign Minister Accuses Pakistan of Aggressive Policies and Airspace Violations
At a recent graduation ceremony, Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Molavi Amir Khan Mutaqi condemned Pakistan’s aggressive four-year policies toward Afghanistan, citing repeated violations of Afghan airspace, including over Kabul. Mutaqi expressed the Taliban’s commitment to defending their sovereignty while also seeking to maintain positive relations with the international community, despite rising tensions stemming from certain factions within the Pakistani military.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Peace Talks Between Taliban and Pakistan Fail Amid Disputed Demands
The latest round of peace negotiations between the Taliban and Pakistan in Istanbul has collapsed, as the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry criticized the Pakistani side for presenting unrealistic demands. Deputy spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal highlighted ongoing tensions, suggesting that certain factions within the Pakistani military are reluctant to engage in meaningful dialogue. The stalemate underscores the complexities surrounding security issues, particularly concerning the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, which the Taliban insists is a matter solely for Pakistan.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Claims Another Victory Over Qatar
In a thrilling practice match in Doha, the Afghanistan national cricket team secured a 20-run victory against Qatar, setting the stage for their upcoming participation in the Asian Youth Cup 2025. After putting up a target of 156 runs, Afghanistan’s impressive performance saw Qatar manage only 135 runs. The teams will meet again tonight for their final warm-up before the tournament begins on November 14.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
UK Faces Dilemma as Afghan Allies’ Identities Are Exposed
The British government’s recent decision to allocate £7 billion for the relocation of Afghan security personnel, whose identities were disclosed, highlights the ongoing risks they face amid uncertain outcomes following two decades of military intervention. Experts express concern over potential covert dealings between the UK, US, and the Taliban, raising questions about the future safety of those who assisted Western forces.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban Confirms Pakistani Request for Fatwa Amid Ongoing Negotiations
During recent discussions in Istanbul, a Taliban representative revealed that Pakistan requested a fatwa declaring the fight against its government as unlawful. This revelation adds complexity to the fragile negotiations, highlighting the challenges in understanding the sensitivities between the two nations. The Taliban’s Foreign Minister reiterated Afghanistan’s commitment to addressing Pakistan’s security concerns, amid allegations that terrorist groups are operating from Afghan territory.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban’s Economic Deputy Sets Tough Conditions for Reopening Trade with Pakistan
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs, has declared that trade routes with Pakistan will remain closed until Islamabad provides a written guarantee against future closures. The announcement comes amidst over a month of closed border crossings and escalating tensions. Baradar also urged local traders to find alternative routes and announced a halt on pharmaceutical imports from Pakistan, allowing drug importers three months to adjust.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
UNICEF Warns of Climate Crisis Impact on Afghan Children Amid Water Scarcity
A new UNICEF report highlights Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate change, revealing that 80% of its population relies on contaminated water, leading to a public health crisis. The organization emphasizes the urgent need for clean water, shelter, and health facilities, particularly for children, while implementing climate resilience programs to combat the dire consequences of environmental degradation.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Tajikistan and Taliban Engage in High-Level Talks to Enhance Bilateral Relations
A delegation from Tajikistan, headed by the Deputy Governor of Khatlon, has met with Taliban officials in Kunduz to discuss improving cooperation amidst historic tensions. The talks focused on preventing opposition groups from operating across borders and emphasized the importance of regional stability and trade. This visit marks a potential shift in Tajikistan’s approach toward the Taliban, aiming to foster better relations and address longstanding issues.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban Supreme Court Orders Public Lashings for Fifteen Individuals Amid Global Outcry
In a troubling development, the Taliban’s Supreme Court has mandated public lashings for fifteen people, including a woman, in Nangarhar and Ghor provinces. These harsh penalties have drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, which assert that such practices violate international law and human dignity. With calls for immediate action against these punishments, the Taliban continues to face scrutiny for its enforcement of Sharia law since regaining control of Afghanistan.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Pakistan Escalates Measures Against Afghan Immigrants Amid Security Concerns
In response to recent terrorist attacks and accusations of Afghan involvement, Pakistan’s Punjab police are offering a 10,000 rupee reward for information on undocumented Afghan immigrants. The measures, which include warnings to landlords in Islamabad to evict Afghan refugees, have intensified fear within the Afghan community. The crackdown follows a deadly attack in Islamabad claimed by a faction of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, with officials identifying the attacker as linked to Afghanistan.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban’s Burqa Mandate Causes 28% Drop in Women’s Hospital Visits in Herat
Médecins Sans Frontières reports a significant decline in female patients at its Herat hospitals following the Taliban’s recent decree requiring women to wear burqas outdoors. This restriction has further hindered women’s access to essential healthcare, highlighting ongoing issues of gender inequality in Afghanistan.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Controversial Degree Initiative by Taliban Promotes Pashtunization in Higher Education
In a bid to reshape Afghanistan’s educational and governmental landscape, the Taliban has issued degrees to 11,000 individuals, primarily from jihadist backgrounds and unskilled Pashtun communities, as mandated by leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. This initiative has sparked concern over the dismissal of qualified professors and the ongoing restrictions on female education, marking a significant shift towards consolidating Pashtun influence in key institutions.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Former Afghan Security Chief Distinguishes Public Sentiment from Taliban Ties with Pakistan
Rahmatullah Nabil, ex-head of Afghanistan’s National Security Directorate, clarifies that Afghan opposition to Pakistani incursions does not equate to support for the Taliban. He warns against the group exploiting this sentiment, highlighting the Taliban’s historic ties with Pakistani intelligence and the rising tensions affecting bilateral relations.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Russia Offers to Mediate Conflict Between Taliban and Pakistan
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has announced Moscow’s readiness to mediate the growing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, advocating for resolution through diplomatic channels. This comes as both parties face escalating conflicts over security and migration issues, with Zakharova emphasizing the importance of a peaceful resolution for the wider global community.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
UNHCR Warns of Alarming Surge in Afghan Migrant Detentions in Pakistan
The UNHCR has sounded the alarm over a dramatic rise in the detainment of Afghan migrants in Pakistan, with over 100,000 facing expulsion in 2025, marking a tenfold increase from the previous year. Disturbingly, a significant portion of those detained hold refugee documentation, indicating a potential shift in Pakistan’s treatment of refugees amid growing nationalistic policies and escalating humanitarian concerns.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Pakistan Urges Taliban for Written Assurance on Border Security
In response to escalating tensions and terrorist threats, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has called on the Taliban to provide a written guarantee that Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan. He emphasized the need for backing from regional allies to ensure compliance, arguing that current internal conditions in Afghanistan contradict Taliban declarations of control over terrorism.
Friday, 18 September , 2026
