Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Following the Taliban’s takeover of the Afghan government, the war-torn country of Afghanistan is still at risk of attacks from militant groups. Over the weekend, a bombing took place outside a mosque in Kabul, killing five people.
The Associated Press reports that a bombing took place outside the Eid Gah Mosque in Kabul. The bomb blast took place at a time when a memorial service was taking place for the mother of chief Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid. The bomb blast would be the deadliest attack that occurred in the country since the withdrawal of the US and its allied forces.
Five people were killed from the explosion, according to Interior Ministry spokesperson Qari Saeed Khosti. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing. However, it is suspected to be the work of IS extremists who have ramped up their attacks on the insurgent group over the last several weeks.
The bombing comes as the insurgent group now faces a challenge in trying to deter their rival militants who are using the same methods. IS has also ramped up its attacks on the Taliban, a sign of the deepening conflict between the two Islamic groups. The economic collapse of Afghanistan has also added to the challenges of the Taliban as they look to shape the Afghan government.
Taliban spokesperson Bilal Kirami said that three people had been arrested in connection with the bombing. No Taliban members have been harmed from the blast as well.
Despite it being over a month since the withdrawal of the US military and its allies from the country, many are still looking to flee from the rule of the insurgent group. This includes members of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music and the Zohra Orchestra who were able to leave the country. 101 students, teachers, and musicians were airlifted to Doha, Qatar.
“One hundred lives have been saved. One hundred dreams have been saved,” said ANIM director and founder Dr. Ahmad Sarmast.
The all-female Zohra Orchestra had almost fled Afghanistan back in September, but their departure was delayed when they were turned away by the Taliban when the guards refused to wake a sleeping commander at Kabul airport.
