Taliban Detentions in West Afghanistan: Taliban forces in Ghor detained eight former officials and security personnel, including ex-NDS staff and municipal and provincial figures, with detainees’ whereabouts and conditions still unknown. Women’s Rights Under Pressure: A new aid-sector survey says Taliban restrictions are driving funding cuts, dismissals of female staff, and tighter operating rules across Afghanistan’s provinces, with Herat and Kabul among the hardest hit. Education Claims vs Reality: A senior Taliban education official says Afghanistan offers the “best” learning environment despite the continued ban on girls’ secondary and higher education, while critics and UN figures warn millions of girls are blocked from schooling. International Diplomacy Signals: A report says the Islamic Emirate and several European countries have reached an understanding to accept Islamic Emirate diplomats in Europe, with six expected to begin missions soon. Legal Fight Over ICC: US advocacy groups sued over Trump-era sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, arguing the measures violate Americans’ free speech rights—an issue that also intersects with Afghanistan’s broader rights and accountability debate. Regional Security Lens: An Afghan analyst argues Pakistan’s cross-border strikes and deportations don’t fully explain why militancy persists inside Pakistan, pointing to deeper political and security dynamics.