Women-led microenterprise under pressure: In Kabul’s outskirts, a jam-making workshop run by Najia shows how a rare income path for women is shrinking as Taliban rules require men to market products and restrict women’s public trade participation. Energy security & costs: Afghanistan consumes about 3.5 million tonnes of petroleum products yearly, with only 5–7% from domestic supply and over 90% imported; diesel prices are cited as volatile as shipments arrive. Drought hits livelihoods: Balkh’s Zari district faces worsening rain-fed farming losses, rising transport costs, and shortages of clean water, healthcare, and education. Regional gas infrastructure: Turkmenistan says it will resume substantive TAPI pipeline talks with Pakistan within months, aiming to complete the Herat section by year-end. Food price shock from shipping war: Black Sea disruptions are pushing up global wheat prices as U.S. cuts forecasts for Russian and Ukrainian exports. Local security & governance: Badakhshan’s Taliban-appointed mayor of Faizabad was assassinated, underscoring instability around resource disputes. Trade & industry risk: U.S. seized 440+ pounds of seed cotton from an Afghan traveler, citing threats to U.S. agriculture and the textile industry.