Javid Basharat Beats Russian Opponent in Winning PFL Debut
Javid Basharat
Khaama: The fight took place on Sunday, August 23, 2026, as part of the PFL Tampa event at Benchmark International Arena. Basharat entered the bout with a 15-2 professional record, while Ibragimov had an 8-1 record. The PFL had listed the matchup as part of its preliminary bantamweight card. Click here to read more (external link).
Badakhshan’s Gold: Expanding Chinese Presence Fuels Fears of Natural Resource Plunder
8am: Several Badakhshan residents have expressed concern over the growing mining activities of Chinese companies in the province. They say Chinese companies are preventing residents from approaching extraction sites by setting up large camps and centers for their staff and equipment. These residents say that when extracting minerals, Chinese companies do not pay sufficient attention to the environmental consequences of their activities and have taken on extensive powers in mineral extraction. They also speak of suspicious activities by some Chinese companies and suspect that these companies are not limiting themselves to gold extraction, and that at night they may also be extracting or processing certain rare minerals. Meanwhile, several economic experts say China’s presence in Afghanistan’s mining sector is a two-sided issue; on one hand it could create important economic, investment and employment opportunities, and on the other hand it could increase the risk of economic dependency and geopolitical consequences. Click here to read more (external link).
The Taliban have built a system for enslaving women in Afghanistan
The Guardian (UK): The Taliban did not just ban women from schools, impose the burqa and outlaw smartphones. The Taliban built a system that enslaves nearly half the country’s population, or according to outdated statistics: 21,701,532 women and girls. Click here to read more (external link).
Reactions to Desecration of Bodies: Calls Grow to Investigate Taliban’s Actions as War Crimes
8am: Videos obtained by the Hasht-e Subh Daily show that the Taliban killed several fighters loyal to Juma Khan Fateh, their disgruntled commander, in Darwaz and then desecrated their bodies. In one of the recordings, the person killed is seen to be an elderly, white-bearded man lying in a pool of blood, while a Taliban fighter stomps on the elderly man’s face with his feet. The videos also show Taliban fighters desecrating the body of Hasib Panjshiri, one of the senior commanders of the National Resistance Front (NRF), who was killed in an ambush by the group in northern Salang. In the footage, Taliban fighters are seen grabbing his hair and dragging his body after killing him, while hurling insults at him. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Enacts Nationwide Ban On Demonstrations
Afghanistan International: The Taliban on Saturday published a new law governing the “Shurta”, the term it uses for police, banning “all demonstrations throughout Afghanistan”. The group had previously changed the name of the police to “Shurta”, an Arabic term meaning police. Click here to read more (external link).
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Tolo News in Dari – August 22, 2026
Dissident Commander Juma Khan Fateh Will Face Trial, Says Taliban
Fateh
Afghanistan International: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Afghanistan International on Saturday that Juma Khan Fateh, the group’s former Nusay district governor, will be put on trial. Mujahid said further details were not yet available because “the case and charges must first be prepared and then referred to the judicial authorities”. Click here to read more (external link).
Kabul Teacher Accuses Taliban Of Using Religion To Pursue Ethnic Objectives
Fitrat
Afghanistan International: Nawidullah Fitrat, a teacher in Kabul, accused the Taliban in a Facebook video on Friday of using religion to pursue ethnic objectives, saying the group’s true nature had become clear to the public. In the video, which was broadcast live on his Facebook page, Fitrat said: “This may be my last video, but I will tell the truth before I die.” Click here to read more (external link).
Aisha Wahab’s US Congress Victory Highlights Afghan Women’s Potential, Karzai Says
Aisha Wahab
Khaama: In a message posted on X on Saturday, Karzai said Wahab’s victory in what he described as an “unequal contest” reflects the competence of Afghan women when they are given opportunities to participate in public life. “If women are provided equal opportunities inside or outside Afghanistan, they can make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of society,” Karzai said. Click here to read more (external link).
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