hibatullah akhundzada

American academic Dennis Coyle, detained for over a year in Afghanistan, has been released by Taliban authorities on humanitarian grounds coinciding with Eid al-Fitr. While Washington welcomes this positive step, it renews calls for the return of other Americans still believed to be held, emphasizing an end to 'hostage diplomacy'.

Pakistan launched strikes on Afghan military facilities and alleged terrorist hideouts in Kandahar, escalating tensions with the Taliban. These actions follow Pakistan's interception of drone attacks originating from Afghanistan. The Taliban administration reported limited civilian damage, while Pakistan warned of retaliation after its president stated a "red line" was crossed by targeting civilians.

Taliban leader Mawlawi hibatullah akhundzada in a message on the arrival of Eid-al Adha, said the Taliban wants good political and economic relations with the world, "especially with Islamic countries, and has fulfilled its responsibility in this regard", TOLO News reported. "Just as we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, in the same way, we do not allow others to interfere in our internal affairs," he said.

Over 3,000 clerics and elders have gathered in Kabul since Thursday for the three-day meeting, and Akhundzada's appearance had been rumoured for days -- although media are barred from covering the event. He rarely leaves Kandahar, the Taliban's birthplace and spiritual heartland, and apart from one undated photograph and several audio recordings of speeches, has almost no digital footprint.

"In spite of the military gains and advances, the Islamic Emirate strenuously favors a political settlement in the country," Taliban's supreme leader hibatullah akhundzada said in a message released ahead of next week's Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

The Taliban leader, hibatullah akhundzada, has released a rare audio message in which he says justice is crucial for the survival of the Afghan government. The message was shared on Twitter by the Taliban's main spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, but it was not clear where or when it had been recorded.

Taliban leader makes rare public appearance, leading Eid prayers in Kandahar. Maintains low profile with strict security measures. Only one photo of him exists. Afghan government spokesperson confirmed the event with thousands of worshippers present.

Taliban leader hibatullah akhundzada defended the recent public executions of four men convicted of murder, asserting they are part of Islamic law. He rejected criticism and stated the Taliban's aim is to fully implement Islamic law, not to seek power or wealth.

On October 30 - two months after a Taliban spokesman insisted hibatullah akhundzada was alive and well in Kandahar - rumours swirled in the southern city that the "emir" had delivered a speech at a Koranic school, or madrassa. Taliban officials gave their stamp of authenticity to his appearance at the Hakimia madrassa, releasing a crackling audio recording lasting more than 10 minutes.

Women presenters on Afghanistan's leading news channels went on air Sunday with their faces covered, a day after defying a Taliban order to conceal their appearance on television. Since seizing power last year, the Taliban have imposed a slew of restrictions on civil society, many focused on reining in the rights of women and girls to comply with the group's austere brand of Islam.

Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan, including capital Kabul on Friday, with Islamabad’s defence minister declaring the neighbours at “open war” following months of tit-for-tat clashes. Pakistan claimed to have killed more than 270 Taliban fighters and injured over 400 others in airstrikes while Afghanistan’s Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers.

An Afghan man convicted of murder was executed in public on Wednesday, the Taliban said, the first confirmation of such a sentence since the hardline Islamists returned to power. "The supreme court was instructed to implement this order of qisas in a public gathering of compatriots," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, referring to the "eye for an eye" justice in Islamic law.

The Taliban's supreme leader, Mullah hibatullah akhundzada, reaffirmed the group's commitment to harsh policies towards women, including public punishment for adultery. Despite international condemnation, the Taliban continues to enforce draconian measures, citing adherence to Islamic Sharia law. Akhundzada's remarks signal a defiance against democratic values and international norms, posing a significant setback for human rights, particularly for Afghan women.

The Taliban have waged a systematic assault on the freedom of Afghanistan's people, including women and girls experiencing "immeasurably cruel" oppression, the U.N.'s human rights chief said Tuesday.

The Taliban on Saturday ruled Afghan women must cover their faces, according to a decree from the group's supreme leader, an escalation of growing restrictions on women in public that is drawing a backlash from the international community and many Afghans.