Lula is visiting Manila as Guest of the Chair at the 49th ASEAN Summit, hosted by the Philippines from 15 to 17 November. The gathering brings together Southeast Asian leaders and international partners to discuss regional security , trade and economic cooperation.

According to The Indian Express, Barautiya was sitting around a bonfire with his family after dinner when his neighbour, identified as Ramabhagat Barautiya, joined him.

During their conversation, the neighbour allegedly offered him what he described as a rasgulla, a popular Indian dessert made from soft, round cheese dumplings soaked in sugar syrup.

Police said the object was instead a homemade explosive commonly known as a "pig bomb," which is used in some rural communities to kill wild boars.

The device exploded when Barautiya bit into it, causing serious injuries. His family rushed him to hospital, where he died while receiving treatment.

According to police, such explosives are made by concealing gunpowder inside balls of dough, sometimes using explosive materials obtained from firecrackers or quarries.

The devices are designed to detonate when an animal bites into them or applies pressure. Their round appearance can resemble traditional Indian sweets such as rasgulla.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether the explosive was deliberately given to the victim.

"We don't know if the motive was to kill, or if it was a mischief," police officer Rekha Singh told Agence France-Presse.

"That is a matter of investigation."

Investigators are also working to establish how the explosive was obtained and whether other individuals were involved.

“China's scientific and technological progress is driven by independent innovation and open cooperation; the US should cease fabricating so-called espionage narratives to find pretexts for imposing a technological blockade,” Mao said.

The controversy intensified following reports of a second alleged affair involving Nvidia vice president Kimberley Powell. Huang has acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife, while reports suggested Nvidia's board was preparing an emergency meeting to discuss his future.

Beijing has denied the espionage allegations, which remain publicly unsubstantiated. Asked whether Alice Huang was currently living in Beijing, Mao said she was unaware of her whereabouts.

The dispute comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, where US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet.

His remarks followed a Wall Street Journal report suggesting Beijing preferred a carefully structured meeting with prepared statements, while Washington wanted more open discussions.

The proposed summit could take place during the APEC leaders' meeting in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19, although no agreement has been announced.

Trump has expressed interest in discussing nuclear arms control and international conflicts, including the war involving Iran, while Moscow has also acknowledged ongoing discussions.

Meanwhile, Guo dismissed allegations that Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang had been recruited by Chinese intelligence to gather information about Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

“The 'Chinese spy' allegation is purely unsubstantiated and directed at smearing China,” he said.

US media reports have linked Alice Huang, formerly associated with Singapore-based Megaspeed International, to alleged intelligence-gathering involving Nvidia's advanced semiconductor technology.

Investigators suspect the officials entered telephone numbers into a police surveillance system without obtaining the necessary authorisation, potentially exposing sensitive government communications.

Authorities believe the operation began in 2025, when Listyo headed the national police. Politicians, journalists, businesspeople and civil society representatives were also allegedly targeted.

A fourth suspect was identified on Thursday but was not detained because of ill health .

Officials warned that the suspected interception of sensitive information could constitute treason, which carries penalties including life imprisonment or death.

The scandal has intensified scrutiny of Prabowo’s relationship with Jokowi, whose endorsement helped secure his victory in the 2024 presidential election .

Listyo, dismissed shortly after his arrest, is widely regarded as a longtime Jokowi ally.

Although neither leader has acknowledged a political split, Prabowo has increasingly pursued his own priorities, including a nationwide free school meals programme, while sidelining Jokowi’s ambitious new capital project, Nusantara.

Government reshuffles have also weakened the former president’s influence, while his son, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, faces questions over his educational credentials.

Police insist the investigation is unrelated to political rivalries, while Jokowi has urged respect for the legal process.

The controversy comes as Prabowo confronts economic uncertainty, funding pressures, environmental crises and public protests over corruption and living costs.

For Indonesians, the unfolding political drama raises broader questions about government accountability and competing priorities.

During the hearing, the former president displayed his diploma and submitted supporting documents to the judge, seeking to counter longstanding allegations about his degree from Gadjah Mada University.

His lawyer, Yakup Hasibuan, welcomed the proceedings, expressing hope that the evidence would address public concerns over Widodo's academic qualifications.

However, Suryo disputed the document's authenticity, claiming that the diploma presented in court differed from one previously shown at Jakarta police headquarters in December 2025.

Widodo has repeatedly denied the forgery allegations, while Gadjah Mada University has confirmed that he graduated from its forestry faculty and that his diploma was officially issued.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the courthouse as security personnel restricted access to the proceedings.

Authorities deployed approximately 6,770 police and military personnel, alongside tactical vehicles and water cannon trucks, to maintain security around the court.

As of 31 October, around 135,000 dengue patients had been admitted to hospitals nationwide, with 6,236 still receiving treatment. October alone accounted for 174 deaths, making it the deadliest month of the year so far. Hospital officials urged residents to remove stagnant water where Aedes mosquitoes breed and seek medical attention early if symptoms develop.

Israeli forces launched the operation after two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others at a military checkpoint near Hebron on 23 October. The Israeli military said the operation aimed to thwart terrorism in the city, while Palestinian media reported that troops withdrew from several neighbourhoods on Monday, allowing residents to begin returning.

The mobile clinics, converted from public transport and government vehicles, are equipped with oxygen tanks, medical supplies and health workers to assist communities affected by the haze.

Residents, particularly children , older people and outdoor workers, can receive supplemental oxygen during sessions lasting five to ten minutes.

Health worker Eka Nirmala said patients undergo oxygen saturation and blood pressure checks before receiving treatment, medication and vitamins. “Some have shortness of breath, while others feel weak, tired and exhausted,” she said.

Local resident Fatimah, who suffers from asthma, said the worsening haze had made breathing difficult despite wearing a mask and taking precautions.

Health officials say the mobile clinics are helping ease pressure on hospitals as respiratory illnesses increase across the region.

However, residents and environmental advocates warn that the buses offer only temporary relief and are calling for stronger action against illegal land clearing.

Indonesia regularly experiences forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, but this year's blazes have been described as the worst in more than a decade.

The operation, led by the National Disaster Management Agency, has focused on areas surrounding Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport, where thick smoke has disrupted flights.

“Over the previous four days, we have achieved quite significant results,” said Colonel Asep Wahyu Wijaya, commander of Sri Mulyono Herlambang Air Base.

Officials reported that visibility improved from as low as 650 metres to approximately 6,000 metres following the operation.

Unlike conventional cloud seeding, which aims to stimulate rainfall, the technique is intended to disrupt atmospheric conditions that trap smoke near the ground.

However, authorities acknowledged that the haze often returns by evening, while experts warned that the operation does not address the fires responsible for the smoke.

The aerial intervention is scheduled to continue until October 25.

That earlier visit sparked controversy after Israel’s Central Elections Committee ordered Netanyahu to remove a video of the appearance from his personal social media accounts, ruling that it contained elements of election propaganda. US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu’s re-election bid on Sunday.

Footage showed personal belongings scattered outside the venue, while ambulances transported victims to hospital.

Local first responder Rajdeep Varma described desperate attempts to rescue people trapped in the crowd, including women, children and elderly visitors.

Police have arrested seven people, including organisers and security personnel, as investigations continue into possible overcrowding and safety failures.

The venue has been closed, while authorities have launched inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Police said permission for the demonstration had been denied, but supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued their campaign against the election chief.

The movement accuses Kumar and the Election Commission of manipulating electoral rolls through a voter list revision, allegedly disenfranchising millions of eligible voters.

The Election Commission has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the exercise is intended to remove duplicate entries, deceased voters and other ineligible names.

Police also detained CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke ahead of the protest. Writing on X, Dipke condemned the security operation, describing it as evidence of a leadership fearful of public opposition.

The crackdown follows similar demonstrations in Mumbai and New Delhi earlier this month.

The Cockroach movement gained national attention in July through protests over education-related grievances, which reportedly led to clashes with police and the resignation of India's education minister.

“I was just about to go to sleep when suddenly I heard people shouting, ‘Fire, fire, fire!’” resident Rohayati recalled, describing how quickly the flames spread through the tightly packed wooden structures.

The fire broke out in the Kramat Pulo Dalam area at around 18:45 local time. Narrow alleyways and crowds reportedly hampered emergency operations, with authorities deploying 33 fire engines and 156 personnel.

No casualties were reported, but dozens of families lost their homes and belongings. Rohayati said her immediate priority was replacing her children's school uniforms and books.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control after more than two hours and completed cooling operations early Friday. Authorities are investigating the cause.

Smit said he had suffered multiple injuries and collapsed before realising the aircraft was going down. He said he forced himself back up and opened the cockpit door, allowing others to intervene. “I knew that I could not let them all die,” he said.

Flydubai confirmed an “altercation” aboard Flight FZ1073, which made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The airline said crew members travelling on the flight secured the aircraft and landed it safely, with all passengers and crew accounted for. Around 170 people , mostly Israelis, were reportedly aboard.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had stabbed the pilot and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft. He credited Smit with resisting and opening the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the alleged attacker.

Dentist Dr Shota Musayev was also praised for providing first aid to the injured captain, while US President Donald Trump highlighted the reported role of Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun in helping restrain the alleged attacker and take control of the aircraft. Flydubai has urged against speculation while authorities investigate the incident.

The Golden Dragon began as a small village event around 12 years ago and has since become one of the Yulong River’s signature attractions, combining bamboo rafting, folk traditions and lights. The display has also been recreated in Beijing and Suzhou and is listed among Guilin’s municipal-level representative intangible cultural heritage projects.

Resident Shahid Shirani said the victims were mostly civilians and travellers from Bannu and Balochistan. "In the Darazinda area, there is a police checkpoint, and there are often other personnel present there. A suicide attack was carried out at this checkpoint by unknown individuals," resident Shahid Shirani recounted.

The official news agency said nine men, two women and a child were among those killed.

The explosion heavily damaged the checkpoint and destroyed a nearby house, while heavy gunfire was reported following the blast.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack. Pakistan's Interior Ministry described the targeted facility as a “designated anti-smuggling checkpoint”.

Sharif also defended the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, saying it was intended to promote defence, stability and peace rather than target another country. On the war in the region, he renewed Pakistan’s support for an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and called for an end to Israeli military action in Lebanon and Syria.

Airport spokesperson Andi Wiguna said affected passengers were being provided with accommodation, food and drinks while awaiting updates from airlines. Some travellers had faced repeated cancellations over several days.

Flight disruptions began on September 17 as visibility deteriorated, falling to around 300 to 500 metres on Wednesday. The haze has been driven by ongoing forest and land fires across Central Kalimantan.

Air quality in Palangka Raya reached hazardous levels on Thursday, with an Air Pollution Standard Index reading of 352. Local authorities recorded 9,324 cases of acute respiratory infections between June and September.

President Prabowo Subianto has ordered police to investigate companies potentially linked to fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan as authorities battle the outbreaks.

Shah also thanked India and China for their assistance after catastrophic flash floods and debris flows struck Nepal in August, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving thousands missing. He said other countries, UN agencies, humanitarian organisations and people around the world had also supported Nepal as the country responded to the disaster.

Netanyahu had accused Turkey of spreading what he called antisemitic claims, hosting Hamas leaders and other actions, while describing Erdogan as a “tyrant”. Dozens of delegates left the General Assembly hall as Netanyahu began speaking on Thursday, amid growing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza .

“I came here looking for my younger brother, whose name is Sulisman. We still have not received any news about him,” Slamet Hermanto said. “Hopefully, we will receive some good news.”

By Thursday afternoon, officials had received 70 ante-mortem records and collected 31 DNA samples. Biological relatives are being prioritised for DNA comparison, alongside information on missing passengers' physical characteristics and personal records.

The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 people from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when it capsized in bad weather early on Sunday. Six people have been confirmed dead and 108 rescued, leaving 129 missing.

The ferry was carrying 243 people, including 213 passengers and 30 crew, when it overturned in the Masalembo waters while travelling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin. Authorities deployed 17 ships and aircraft and around 622 personnel on Monday, alongside underwater teams and navy-operated drones , as the search continued for survivors.

Technology investment was another focus, with Marcos meeting executives from Indian companies including HCLTech, Cognizant, Hinduja Group and VVDN Technologies. The visit builds on the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership established in 2025, while Marcos attended the summit as the 2026 ASEAN chair and the Philippines participated as an invited Outreach Country.

Banjarmasin search and rescue chief I Putu Sudayana said nearby commercial vessels helped rescue 103 people from the water .

“As of noon, some of the passengers have been successfully evacuated by vessels operating in the area,” Sudayana said.

The ship left Surabaya on Saturday with more than 240 people aboard and lost contact early Sunday after its captain reported that it was listing amid bad weather and high waves. It later capsized about 148 kilometres from Trisakti Port.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency deployed vessels and a helicopter, while the navy sent the KRI Nala to assist. Commercial ships operating nearby also joined the rescue effort.

At Trisakti Port, relatives said they had received little information about those still missing, with some relying on social media posts for confirmation that loved ones had boarded the vessel.

Xi is expected to spend about 24 hours in the Indian capital and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening, with trade and investment expected to feature prominently.

The visit comes as China and India continue efforts to stabilise relations following years of tensions and a series of recent high-level contacts.

The two-day summit, hosted under India's BRICS chairship, brings together leaders and senior representatives from the bloc's 11 member countries.

Running from September 12 to 13, the summit is being held under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

“We believe BRICS will become a real force in the global economy when the results of our cooperation are reflected in contracts, factories, ports, and the economic lives of the peoples of our countries,” he said.

He called for greater use of national currencies in trade between member states, backed by mechanisms to manage currency risks and settlements.

Pezeshkian also urged the BRICS New Development Bank to expand local-currency financing for infrastructure and energy projects, while proposing a joint reinsurance company with initial capital of $10 billion to support major investments.

He called for streamlined customs procedures, fewer regulatory barriers and greater private-sector participation across the bloc.

The Iranian president said Iran was ready to use its energy resources and geographical position to strengthen BRICS food, energy and transport supply chains.

The latest information indicated the boat was still near Anak Krakatau at around 18:13 on Monday, Amrad said. "So far, the search has yielded no results."

Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency, Basarnas, deployed four teams to search waters around Anak Krakatau, Rakata Island and Panjang Island. All eight people remained missing as of Wednesday morning.

Anak Krakatau has continued to erupt intermittently, with authorities maintaining a three-kilometre exclusion zone around its active crater.

German traveller Ana said her flight to Lombok had been cancelled and passengers were struggling to get clear information. "It's a little bit difficult for us because nobody can tell us anything about the flights and where we can get our money back and what the next step is," she said.

Passenger Ronald Tampubolon said his flight had been delayed from 11:00 to 14:00, while another traveller, Maurin, said long queues made both refunds and rescheduling difficult.

Reports said hundreds of flights and around 22,800 passengers were affected at Soekarno-Hatta. A further 31 Jakarta-bound flights were cancelled at airports across Malaysia.

Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, erupted repeatedly on Saturday. Indonesia's meteorological agency reported ash plumes reaching up to 6,000 metres on the Java side and as high as 15,000 metres on the Sumatra side and over parts of Banten province.

Neighbour Bidhnu Karman said the family was trapped inside for around four hours as floodwater surged around the building.

"They were saying goodbye and waving their hands as if it was the end," he said. "But fortunately, they were lucky to stay alive by God's grace, and the house withstood the floods."

Owners Prakash Pandey Pyakurel and Lakshmi Pandey had been at a nearby shop when the flood approached and rushed back to the house, where relatives were still inside.

Karman said he lost all his belongings, including decades of savings, but was grateful to have survived. There has been no formal engineering assessment explaining why the house remained standing.

Nepalese authorities said on Friday that 1,287 bodies had been recovered, 5,083 people remained missing and more than 13,000 had been rescued following the August 26 disaster.

"There was nothing here after the floods. Now they have set up this Tuin, and it is helping our people . We are able to help 150 to 200 people cross each day," former government official Seetharam Baneth said.

The crossing provides an alternative route for isolated communities after the August 26 floods devastated parts of the Trishuli Valley. Authorities said at least 1,287 people have been killed and more than 5,000 remain missing across Nepal.

The disaster was triggered by the collapse of part of a glacier and underlying rock near the Nepal-China border, unleashing flash floods, landslides and debris downstream. Nuwakot is among the worst-hit districts, where damaged infrastructure has complicated relief efforts and access to remote areas.

Katz said the continued Israeli military presence would be intended to protect communities in Israel’s western Negev region. His comments come as Israel maintains that any lasting settlement in Gaza must include Hamas’s disarmament and the territory’s demilitarisation, while Hamas has tied the surrender of its weapons to the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Tarlac has declared a state of calamity after widespread flooding made major roads impassable and damaged homes, property and farmland. The Aquino and Agana bridges are key links between Tarlac City and western municipalities including Sta Ignacia, Mayantoc, Camiling, San Clemente and San Jose. Authorities are working on temporary bridge connections and alternative routes as monsoon rain continues across the province.

The tradition historically involved participants throwing stones at one another, but organisers replaced them with fruits and flowers following intervention by the Uttarakhand High Court in 2013 to reduce injuries. Some stone-throwing, however, has continued at previous events.

"This is a tradition of our village. This does not harm anyone," participant Bahadhur Singh said, describing blood shed during the ritual as "a blessing for everyone."

This year's battle lasted around eight minutes, with the four clans distinguished by white, pink, yellow and saffron colours.

Bagwal Mela is one of Devidhura's best-known traditions and is held annually at the Maa Barahi temple on Raksha Bandhan, the Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.

"Communication lines in that area, they are totally disrupted, and therefore it has been difficult to get in touch with people on the ground," Jaiswal said.

Those out of contact include hydropower workers and pilgrims from several Indian states. Twenty-one Indians from Tamil Nadu have been rescued, while around 200 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims stranded on the Chinese side have requested evacuation assistance.

India has deployed two military aircraft carrying 47.5 tonnes of emergency supplies, including medicines, food and shelter materials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah, pledging "all possible humanitarian and relief assistance."

At least 910 people remain missing or out of contact across Nepal after the flood swept through Rasuwa and downstream along the Trishuli and Narayani river systems.

Preliminary reports said the disaster was caused by a partial glacier collapse, triggering a large ice and rock avalanche. At the time of publication, Nepalese authorities reported 567 deaths and nearly 2,000 people missing, while five deaths had been confirmed in Tibet, with 558 people listed as missing. Citizens from more than 20 countries are among those unaccounted for, including eight Russians whose whereabouts were unknown, according to the Russian Embassy in Nepal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to those affected.

Authorities said 28 bodies had been recovered in Nuwakot by Thursday evening. Chitwan recorded the highest toll with 137 deaths, followed by Nawalparasi East with 87.

At least 910 people remain missing or out of contact across Nepal, including residents, security personnel and hundreds of domestic and foreign travellers. Rescue teams continue to search devastated areas along the affected river systems.

The flood swept through Rasuwa before surging downstream along the Trishuli and Narayani rivers, destroying settlements and damaging roads, bridges and other infrastructure . Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said preliminary satellite imagery suggested an ice and rock avalanche may have created a temporary debris dam on the Lhende River that later burst.

“We have no any kind of official confirmation of any kind. But looking at the scale of destruction, it looks bad,” he said, adding that the immigration building where the group was believed to have been was washed away.

Sadhguru said the group's leader, Praveen, sent a message at 9:05 saying they had reached the immigration building shortly before the disaster struck. His Nepal phone never became active, leading the foundation to believe the group had not crossed the border. Sadhguru said he had sought assistance through the Indian and Chinese embassies, while the pilgrims' families had been informed.

The floods swept through the mountainous border region on Wednesday, sending water , mud and debris through communities along Nepal's Trishuli river system. Scientists have suggested a collapsed glacier could have triggered the disaster. At least 165 people have been killed, and nearly 1,500 remain missing across Nepal and China's Xizang, including foreign tourists and pilgrims.

Homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure were swept away, while around 40 kilometres of roads and dozens of bridges were damaged. Nepal deployed security forces, helicopters and medical teams as rescuers struggled to reach communities cut off by the destruction.

Scientists have suggested the disaster may have been triggered by a collapsed glacier along the border. China's People's Liberation Army Western Theatre Command also deployed a team aboard a Y-20 transport aircraft to coordinate military aviation, medical, engineering and transport units.

At least 292 people have been killed, and more than 1,384 remain unaccounted for across China and Nepal. Chinese authorities have reported three deaths and 558 missing, while Nepal has recorded 289 deaths and more than 826 people still out of contact. More than 1,500 personnel have been mobilised to search for survivors, clear roads and assess the damage.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing travelled to the area to oversee the response after President Xi Jinping ordered all-out rescue efforts. Operations remain complicated by unstable terrain, disrupted access and a barrier lake near Gyirong Port, while authorities have warned that further rainfall could trigger additional mudflows and landslides.

Chinese authorities said the mudslide crossed the border from Nepal at around 10:30 local time, causing major casualties at Gyirong Port in Shigatse.

President Xi Jinping ordered an all-out search for the missing, the evacuation of residents at risk and treatment for the injured. He also called for increased monitoring and warnings against further disasters .

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing travelled to the area to oversee rescue operations.

China activated a Level I emergency response in Xizang, deploying 431 firefighters, 72 vehicles, rescue dogs, life detectors and inflatable boats. A national Level II disaster relief response was also activated.

Across the border in Nepal, a landslide of mud and rock crashed into the Lhende River, triggering severe flooding that swept away homes, roads and other infrastructure. At least 95 people were killed.

"At around 1:00 or so, there were one or two slight, minor explosions, and it wasn't until around 2:40 or so that a second major blast occurred," one resident said.

The fire reportedly broke out shortly after 01:00 in Annan District, with a major explosion occurring around 02:45 as firefighters battled the blaze.

Authorities said the site contained industrial waste, including discarded oil barrels and materials containing aluminium and magnesium. The cause remains under investigation.

"The preliminary findings... confirmed that there were discarded oil barrels inside, as well as scrap aluminium and magnesium," Tainan Fire Department director Yang Zonglin said. Fifteen people were injured, including three firefighters, although none sustained life-threatening injuries.

At least 68 homes were affected, including 11 directly damaged by fire, while more than 20 civilian and emergency vehicles were also damaged. Authorities deployed 144 firefighters and 53 vehicles to the scene.

The procession was among several events in Yogyakarta marking the anniversary, with musical parades and exhibitions drawing public participation.

"This event marks the commemoration of Indonesia's 81st Independence Day, featuring public participation to honour the services of our past heroes," participant Selasih said.

Yogyakarta played a significant role in Indonesia's independence struggle, serving as the country's capital from 1946 as the young republic resisted Dutch attempts to restore colonial rule.

Indonesia celebrates Independence Day on August 17, marking the proclamation of independence by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta in 1945.

Supporter Ajmal Badri described the anniversary as a celebration of the defeat of foreign forces after years of conflict. "Five years ago, the great powers of the world that came to occupy Afghanistan used all kinds of bombs, cruise missiles, and forces here, but Praise be to God, through the sacrifices of the Mujahideen and great personalities, they were defeated," Badri said.

Another supporter, Qari Sajid, described August 15 as "Independence Day" and celebrated the Taliban's victory over the United States . "On this day, we defeated a superpower, meaning we defeated America," Sajid said, claiming Afghans were now living in a peaceful environment.

Badri also dismissed the prospect of US forces returning to Afghanistan, saying; "The Americans can neither come here again nor will they have the courage to return."

US President Donald Trump previously expressed interest in regaining control of Bagram Airbase, arguing that the facility was strategically important because of its proximity to China.

The final US troops left Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, ending a nearly 20-year military presence that began following the September 11 attacks.