
Taliban delay govt formation; fight with resistance forces for Panjshir continues | Key points
India Today
The Taliban are finalising the new Afghan government, now slated to be announced next week. But first, they are determined to quell the resistance forces in Panjshir and stake their claim on the valley. Here are top five points related to the Afghanistan crisis.
Top Taliban leaders in Kabul were finalising the formation of the new Afghan government, even as skirmishing renewed against resistance forces in the northern province of Panjshir on Saturday. Unconfirmed reports claimed that the insurgents had entered provincial capital Bazarak and stormed the governor’s office there. Celebratory firing by Taliban fighters, who believed propaganda that the insurgents had finally captured Panjshir valley, caused heavy casualties in Kabul, with at least 17 people killed in the gunfire.
Legal immigration to the US in 2025 has seen one of its sharpest declines since the pandemic. About 2,50,000 fewer visas in total were issued compared to 2024, reported The Washington Post. The drop has been global, but India stands out as one of the worst affected, alongside China. Visa approvals for the two countries fell by a combined 84,000.

Oil and gas refineries and hubs are up in flames not just in the Middle East, but also in Russia and the US. Crude oil prices have surged over $100 a barrel. With the energy infrastructure in the Middle East likely to take years to be rebuilt, the world could be set for the biggest oil disruption in history.











