Internet and telecommunications services in Afghanistan are gradually being reinstated following a nationwide blackout imposed by the Taliban government, which sparked widespread criticism. Local journalists reported that connectivity is being restored across various provinces, while Netblocks, an internet monitoring organization, confirmed a ‘partial restoration’ of network services based on live data. The 48-hour shutdown severely disrupted businesses, halted flights, restricted access to emergency services, and heightened concerns about the further marginalization of women and girls, whose rights have been significantly curtailed since the Taliban regained power in 2021. The Taliban has yet to provide an official explanation for the blackout. However, last month, a spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Balkh province cited the shutdown as a measure ‘for the prevention of vices.’ Since their return to power, the Taliban has enforced numerous restrictions aligned with their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Afghan women have described the internet as a crucial link to the outside world, especially after the Taliban banned girls over the age of 12 from receiving an education. Women’s employment opportunities have also been drastically limited, and in September, books authored by women were removed from university curricula. The United Nations condemned the shutdown, warning that it left Afghanistan nearly entirely isolated from the global community and risked ‘inflicting significant harm on the Afghan people, including by threatening economic stability and exacerbating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.’
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British man, 23, faces drug charges in Thailand
Thai authorities have apprehended a 23-year-old British man, George Wilson from Buckinghamshire, on charges of drug smuggling in Bangkok. The arrest took place at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area, where police discovered 9.1 kilograms (20 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine concealed in foil bags labeled as tea. The Metropolitan Police Bureau has confirmed that charges are being filed against Wilson for the possession and intended commercial sale of Category I controlled narcotics, specifically methamphetamine. The investigation was initiated following a tip-off about a planned narcotics handover involving foreign nationals at the hotel. Wilson has denied any knowledge of the suitcase’s contents in video footage captured during the arrest. The UK Foreign Office has acknowledged the incident, stating that it is in contact with Thai authorities. Thailand enforces stringent drug laws, with even minor possession offenses potentially resulting in severe penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment. The case has drawn significant attention, with Thai police sharing images of the arrest on social media platforms.
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UN approves larger force to combat Haiti gang violence
The United Nations Security Council has greenlit a significant expansion of international security forces in Haiti to address the escalating gang violence that has ravaged the Caribbean nation. The newly established ‘Gang Suppression Force’ (GSF) will comprise up to 5,550 police and military personnel, equipped with the authority to detain suspected gang members. This move aims to bolster the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission (MSS), which, despite its initial mandate for 2,500 members, has struggled with insufficient numbers and resources since its deployment in 2023. The MSS has been largely ineffective in curbing the violence, which claimed over 5,500 lives in 2024 alone. Armed gangs now control approximately 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, exacerbating the country’s ongoing economic and political crises following the assassination of its president in 2021. The UN Security Council adopted a US-proposed resolution on Tuesday to establish the GSF, which will collaborate with Haitian authorities to enhance security and facilitate humanitarian access. The current MSS force, numbering fewer than 1,000 officers, has been overwhelmed by the well-armed gangs. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz emphasized that the expanded mission, five times the size of its predecessor, is crucial to restoring stability. The resolution also includes the creation of a UN support office in Haiti to provide logistical and operational assistance. Haiti’s UN representative, Ericq Pierre, hailed the decision as a pivotal moment in the nation’s struggle against one of its most severe challenges. The GSF’s deployment timeline and contributing countries remain unclear, but the move comes as nearly 1.3 million Haitians have been internally displaced due to rampant violence. Gangs continue to expand their territories, committing human rights violations such as child exploitation, murder, and trafficking.
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Sudanese city under siege: ‘My son’s whole body is full of shrapnel’
The city of el-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region has become the epicenter of a brutal conflict as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) tighten their grip on the area. For 17 months, the RSF has besieged the city, which lies in their ethnic heartland, and recent weeks have seen significant advances toward key military sites. The conflict, which erupted in 2023 following a power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has left tens of thousands of civilians trapped in a living nightmare.
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Kenya offers reward as anger grows over failure to arrest suspected serial killer
Kenyan authorities have announced a reward of 1 million shillings ($7,700) for information leading to the arrest of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, a suspected serial killer who escaped police custody over a year ago. Khalusha, the prime suspect in the murders of more than 40 women, fled from a high-security police station in Nairobi on August 20, 2024, along with 12 others. The victims’ mutilated bodies were discovered in a disused quarry near the capital, sparking widespread outrage and criticism of the police’s handling of the case. Despite initial arrests of officers allegedly involved in his escape, Khalusha remains at large. Activists have accused the police of negligence, with some claiming that additional bodies may still be rotting in the quarry. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the reward following a local media documentary highlighting police inaction. Critics, however, view the move as a reactive measure rather than a genuine effort to solve the case. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has described the escape as ‘regrettable,’ while Khalusha’s lawyer alleged that his client was tortured into confessing. The case continues to raise questions about Kenya’s law enforcement capabilities and accountability.
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Trump’s Gaza peace plan could revive Pax Americana
A potential resolution to the prolonged Middle East conflict appears on the horizon as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorses US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza. While the plan’s success remains uncertain due to its incomplete details and pending implementation, it has garnered significant attention for its potential to reshape the region’s political landscape. The US has strategically engaged key Muslim nations, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, and Indonesia, signaling the emergence of a new peace framework. This initiative could bolster America’s global influence, particularly in Asia, where its recent actions have been perceived as inconsistent. Notably, Russia and China have been excluded from the process, marking a significant shift in a region critical to their strategic and economic interests. The plan’s success hinges on US and Israeli leadership, underscoring America’s historical advantage over its geopolitical rivals. However, challenges persist, including rising antisemitism, the ongoing Ukraine conflict, and delicate diplomatic balances, particularly between India and Pakistan. The agreement’s implementation remains fraught with complexities, but its potential to redefine Middle Eastern geopolitics cannot be overlooked.
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Envoy: China and US should be partners helping each other succeed
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng emphasized the importance of deepening mutual interests and fostering a partnership where both nations can thrive together. Speaking at a reception in Washington to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, Xie highlighted China’s potential to purchase more American products and create business opportunities for the US, despite a significant decline in bilateral trade this year. He cautioned against the detrimental effects of tariff wars, stating that such conflicts yield no winners. Recent data revealed a sharp drop in US exports to China, particularly in agriculture, with soybean sales plummeting by over 50% in the first half of 2025. Xie underscored the vast room for cooperation between the two nations, citing the growth in bilateral trade from $2.5 billion in 1979 to $688 billion in 2024. He also noted that 82% of American businesses operating in China reported profits in 2024, reflecting the mutual benefits of economic ties. Xie called for equal-footed consultation to resolve trade disputes and stressed the need to avoid confrontation, particularly on sensitive issues like Taiwan. He urged the US to adhere to the one-China principle and refrain from actions that could destabilize bilateral relations. The reception was attended by over 700 guests, including representatives from the US government, international organizations, and foreign ambassadors.
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Man suspected of ordering murder of three Argentine women arrested
Peruvian authorities have apprehended a key suspect linked to the brutal murders of two 20-year-old women and a 15-year-old girl in Argentina. The victims, identified as Morena Verdi, Brenda del Castillo, and Lara Morena Gutiérrez, were lured to a house near Buenos Aires on September 19 under the false promise of payment for attending a party. Their mutilated bodies were discovered days later, buried in the garden of the property. The crime, which was livestreamed on Instagram to a closed group of 45 people, has sparked widespread outrage and anti-femicide protests across Argentina. The suspect, Tony Janzen Valverde Victoriano, also known as ‘Little J,’ was captured by Peruvian police while hiding in a fish-transporting van on a motorway 70 kilometers south of Lima. Peruvian police also detained Matías Ozorio, Valverde’s alleged right-hand man, in a separate operation. Ozorio, an Argentine national, claimed he was coerced into entering Peru by a drug gang to whom he owed money. Argentine authorities have praised Peruvian police for their swift action in capturing the suspects. Valverde, a Peruvian citizen, will remain in custody in Peru pending an extradition request from Argentina, while Ozorio is set to be handed over to Argentine police.
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Youth-led anti-government protests in Morocco turn deadly, with 2 killed in a small town
Morocco has been gripped by a wave of anti-government protests, led predominantly by the country’s youth, which have escalated into violent confrontations with law enforcement. The unrest, now in its fifth consecutive night, has spread across multiple cities, with demonstrators decrying widespread corruption, inadequate public services, and misplaced government priorities, particularly the allocation of billions towards preparations for the 2030 World Cup while schools and hospitals remain underfunded.
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South African opposition leader Julius Malema is found guilty on gun charges
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Julius Malema, the prominent leader of South Africa’s opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted on Wednesday of violating firearm laws during a 2018 political rally. The incident, which was captured on video, showed Malema firing a rifle at his party’s five-year anniversary event in the Eastern Cape province. The footage sparked widespread controversy and led to criminal charges brought by Afrikaner lobby group Afriforum. Malema argued in his defense that the weapon was a toy gun, but Magistrate Twanet Olivier dismissed this claim, finding him guilty of contravening the Firearms Control Act. His then-bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, who was accused of providing the rifle, was acquitted. Malema criticized the verdict, alleging racial bias, as Snyman is white. Outside the East London Magistrates Court, Malema vowed to appeal the decision, potentially taking the case to the Constitutional Court. While he could face up to 15 years in prison, the absence of a minimum sentence leaves room for leniency. His sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2024. Malema, a polarizing figure in South African politics, has been a vocal advocate for controversial policies, including the expropriation of white-owned land without compensation and the nationalization of key industries. His influence was highlighted earlier this year when U.S. President Donald Trump referenced him in a tense meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, falsely alleging a ‘white genocide’ in the country. Malema’s EFF, South Africa’s fourth-largest political party, secured 9% of the vote in the last general elections.