DAILY NEWS BULLETIN Published: 2026-10-12 Author / editor: Board of Directors Monday, 12 October 2026 — 20 Mizan 1405  Solar Hijri Afghanistan UN: 1,415 Afghan children killed or maimed over three years According to a report carried by TOLOnews, the United Nations has stated that 1,415 children in Afghanistan were killed or maimed in incidents related to armed conflict over the past three years. Of these, 446 children lost their lives and 969 were injured. The figures are not limited to casualties caused by unexploded ordnance; they cover the recorded total of child casualties in conflict-related incidents. These figures once again highlight the human consequences of decades of war—consequences that continue to threaten the lives of children and their families even after fighting has ended. Source: TOLOnews; report on child casualties in Afghanistan. Hamid Karzai calls for schools and universities to reopen to girls Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has marked the International Day of the Girl by stressing the need for girls to have access to every level of education and calling for schools and universities to reopen to them. Depriving girls of education restricts opportunities for personal development and social participation, while undermining the country’s scientific, economic and cultural future. Source: Pajhwok; report dated 11 October 2026. OIC representative meets Afghanistan’s foreign minister Tariq Ali Bakheet, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the organisation’s special envoy for Afghanistan, held meetings on 10 and 11 October with Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of Afghanistan, and several officials of the Taliban administration. According to published statements, the discussions covered Afghanistan’s and the region’s political, humanitarian and economic circumstances, as well as the expansion of cooperation. Further details about the practical outcomes of the discussions have not yet been released. Sources: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; report on the 11 October meeting. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation; report dated 10 October. Afghanistan among countries facing high casualties from explosive remnants of war The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned about the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war. These devices continue to threaten civilians, particularly children. Clearing contaminated areas, raising public awareness about the dangers of leftover munitions, and securing funding for mine-clearance organisations remain urgent needs for the country. News accuracy note: Afghanistan’s precise global ranking and the percentage of victims who are children should be checked against UNAMA’s original report. Without direct confirmation from the primary source, the ranking and percentage have not been presented as definitive figures. Officials in western Afghanistan discuss job creation and crime reduction The governor of Herat and officials from Badghis, Ghor, Farah and Nimroz provinces met in Herat to discuss creating employment opportunities, preventing crime and drug trafficking, and improving public services. Job creation for young people—particularly in agriculture, industry and construction—was among the topics discussed. Whether these goals are achieved will depend on implementation plans, financial resources and the availability of genuine employment opportunities. Source: Ariana News; report dated 11 October 2026. Afghanistan placed in Tier 3 in the US State Department’s human trafficking report In the US Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report, Tier 3 is assigned to countries that do not fully meet the minimum standards for combating human trafficking and are not making sufficient efforts to address the problem. Afghanistan has also been placed in Tier 3 in previous reports issued by the department. However, attributing this classification to the 2026 report requires checking that year’s original document. Concerns about forced labour, the exploitation of children and inadequate support for trafficking victims remain serious. Poverty, unemployment and the vulnerability of families can also increase the risk of exploitation. Source: US Department of State; report on human trafficking in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s Minister of Water and Energy travels to Saudi Arabia for the World Energy Forum Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, Afghanistan’s Minister of Water and Energy, travelled to Riyadh on 10 October to attend the 17th World Energy Forum. According to Ariana News, ministers and representatives from around 100 countries are expected to participate in the meeting to discuss energy cooperation and the exchange of experience. For Afghanistan, the important outcomes of such gatherings would be practical cooperation, technical expertise and investment in energy infrastructure. Source: Ariana News; report dated 10 October 2026. Afghanistan and Austria cooperate to expand carpet exports An Afghan company and an Austrian company have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at facilitating Afghan carpet exports to European markets. According to Ariana News, cooperation on design, marketing and improved access to international markets are among the main elements of the memorandum. Carpet weaving is one of Afghanistan’s traditional industries, and expanding export markets could create further economic opportunities for producers, weavers and traders. Source: Ariana News; report dated 10 October 2026. Iran proposes allocating more than 110 hectares in Chabahar for Afghan economic activities The possible allocation of more than 110 hectares in Iran’s Chabahar port and free-trade zone for Afghan economic activities has been discussed in recent days. Iranian parliamentarian Mohsen Zanganeh initially referred to a preliminary understanding, but later clarified that the proposal concerned facilitating Afghan investment within the port and free-trade zone—not transferring sovereignty over part of Iranian territory. The discussions also cover expanding industrial cooperation, establishing a joint industrial park and increasing bilateral trade. However, the matter should be reported as a proposal or preliminary understanding, not as a completed final agreement or a transfer of Iranian land to Afghanistan. If implemented, the plan could help diversify Afghanistan’s trade routes and improve Afghan traders’ access to international markets. Its legal and practical details, however, require further clarification. Sources: TOLOnews; report on the preliminary Chabahar understanding. Afghanistan International; further information about the nature of the proposal. Communist Parties, Left-Wing Movements and Social Struggles Indian communist parties condemn the suppression of protesters in Delhi The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other left-wing forces have condemned the arrests of protesters in Delhi. During demonstrations calling for the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, hundreds of political activists, students and young people were detained. The protests were also linked to the revision of voter lists and opposition concerns about the independence of the Election Commission. Government officials and the Election Commission have rejected allegations of political interference. Source: Communist Party of India (Marxist); statement dated 10 October. Communist Party of Cuba stresses the link between national defence and social needs Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba and First Secretary of the Communist Party, has emphasised the importance of coordination between defence institutions and social services in the context of defence preparedness and local administration. The initial report referred to his visit to a local defence council in Havana and to programmes supporting older people and vulnerable families, improving access to water and electricity, and collecting rubbish. However, the details of the visit and the specific programmes mentioned were not independently confirmed in the sources reviewed. The original Cuban media report or relevant official statement should therefore be checked before this item is published in its final form. Communist Party of Paraguay outlines its electoral activities In a report on the municipal elections of 4 October, the Communist Party of Paraguay announced its participation in the United Socialist Alliance. The party fielded a candidate for the Asunción City Council and emphasised strengthening workers’ organisation and fighting for socialism and communism. The report also refers to the party’s allegations of electoral irregularities. These claims should be presented as the party’s position, not as independently established findings. Source: International Communist Press; report dated 11 October. Hadash-affiliated Israeli lawmaker convicted in a case related to a 2022 protest On 8 October, the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court convicted Ofer Cassif, a lawmaker affiliated with the Hadash alliance, in a case concerning an encounter with a police officer during a 2022 protest. Cassif has described the ruling as political and denied the allegation. The case relates to a protest in the Masafer Yatta area of the occupied West Bank against the displacement of Palestinian villages. Reports also indicate that further legal proceedings concerning the ruling may follow. Source: International Communist Press; report dated 11 October. Communist Party of Australia criticises central bank policies In an article published in Workers’ Weekly Guardian, the Communist Party of Australia examined the country’s central bank policies in relation to the cost-of-living crisis and economic pressures. From the party’s perspective, monetary and anti-inflation policies should be assessed in light of their effects on ordinary people and workers. This is the party’s political and economic position and should be distinguished from independent reporting on monetary policy. News accuracy note: The original article and its publication date were not independently confirmed in the sources reviewed. The direct article link should be checked before final publication. Communist Party of Turkey announces Spanish edition of the book Revolution A Spanish edition of Revolución, written by Kemal Okuyan, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Turkey, has been published. According to an International Communist Press report dated 9 October, the book was translated by Can Sun and published in Spain by Tinta Roja. Translating political works into other languages is one way of sharing experiences and theoretical debates among left-wing movements in different countries. Source: International Communist Press; report dated 9 October. Portuguese Communist Party opposes visit by US Secretary of State The Portuguese Communist Party criticised Portugal’s foreign policy in response to the visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and warned against expanding cooperation with Washington. According to International Communist Press, the party views such cooperation in the context of Portugal’s increasing involvement in military conflicts. This position reflects the party’s official view of the country’s foreign relations. Source: International Communist Press; report dated 9 October. World News Fresh Israeli strike in Gaza kills at least two Palestinians Reuters reported that an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza on Monday, 12 October, killed at least two Palestinians. The Israeli military said it had targeted an armed individual but provided no further details. The strike followed a separate attack in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis late on Sunday, which local health officials said killed three people. Source: Reuters; report dated 12 October. Russia–Ukraine energy ceasefire proposal has yet to become an implemented agreement On 11 October, US President Donald Trump spoke of a ceasefire concerning attacks on Russian and Ukrainian energy infrastructure. However, the details of its implementation remained unclear, and Ukraine said it needed further information to assess the proposal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure were continuing. A political announcement of a ceasefire should therefore not be confused with an agreement that has been implemented and observed by both sides. Source: Reuters; report dated 11 October on the proposed energy ceasefire. Houthi attack on Riyadh airport reported to have caused heavy casualties According to reports published on 10 October, a Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. Saudi officials reported that the number of injured exceeded 300. Subsequent reports described another attack on Sunday in which one person was killed and 11 were injured. The incident has heightened concerns about the spread of regional conflict and its implications for aviation security. Sources: Al Jazeera; report dated 10 October. The Guardian; report on the subsequent attack dated 11 October. At least 139 migrants dead or missing after boat capsizes between Djibouti and Yemen The International Organization for Migration, a United Nations agency, reported that at least 139 migrants died and another 84 were missing after a boat capsized on the sea route between Djibouti and Yemen. The boat was carrying more than 300 people, and reports indicate that 82 survived. The maritime route used by migrants seeking economic opportunities in Gulf countries carries risks of drowning, human trafficking and violence. Source: Reuters; report dated 11 October. Reports of two mass shootings in the United States; combined death toll of 14 requires confirmation The original version of this bulletin stated that at least 14 people were killed in two separate shootings in Georgia and Pennsylvania, and that the victims of the Pennsylvania incident included two children and a pregnant woman. A review of reliable news sources did not sufficiently confirm the combined death toll or the details of both incidents. Before publication, this item should be checked against the original Ariana News report and statements from local police. Until then, the figure of 14 deaths should not be published as a confirmed total. United States imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court The US government announced sanctions against the International Criminal Court on 9 October. Washington said the measures were intended to prevent the prosecution of American citizens and restrict the court’s activities. The court, meanwhile, described the sanctions as an attack on the rule of law and stated that it would continue its investigations and prosecutions. The move has heightened tensions between the United States and international criminal justice institutions. Source: Reuters; report dated 9 October. Navi Pillay announced as the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate On 9 October, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that Navi Pillay, a South African jurist and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, had won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The award was reportedly granted in recognition of her efforts to advance peace and international law. The announcement came amid growing tensions over the independence of international judicial institutions. Source: Norwegian Nobel Committee; official announcement of the 2026 Peace Prize. Debt crisis and energy shocks raise concerns at IMF and World Bank meetings The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12 to 18 October. They are being held amid regional wars, disruptions to energy supplies and rising government debt, all of which are putting pressure on the global economy. Low-income countries and emerging economies face heavy debt-servicing costs and fluctuations in energy and commodity prices. These conditions may restrict governments’ financial capacity to invest in public services and poverty-reduction programmes. Source: International Monetary Fund; official information on the 2026 Annual Meetings. Germany’s Social Democratic Party nominates Alexander Schweitzer for Labour Minister Germany’s Social Democratic Party has nominated Alexander Schweitzer to replace Bärbel Bas as federal labour minister. Reuters reported on 12 October that Bas would leave the position after announcing her resignation from the ministry and the party’s co-leadership. The change comes at a time when employment, wages and social protection policies are under pressure from economic and budgetary debates in many European countries. Source: Reuters; report dated 12 October. Editorial Note Awareness, solidarity and struggle: Three strongholds against oppression and exploitation Today’s world is an arena of struggle between oppression and justice, exploitation and liberation, reaction and progress. We publish news not merely to report events. Our mission is to raise awareness, expose injustice and amplify the voices of workers, labouring people, women, young people and oppressed peoples. We believe that awareness, solidarity and organised struggle are forces capable of transforming society. The New Standard-Bearers of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, committed to social justice and human liberation, seek to reflect the truth and amplify the voices of progressive and revolutionary struggles in Afghanistan and around the world. Against oppression: conscious and steadfast. On the road to liberation: united and militant! Compiled by: Yama Afghan