Afghanistan's security forces have seized weapons in the northern Baghlan province, the Afghan caretaker government confirmed on Sunday. The confiscated weapons that were found following an intelligence operation in Baghlan-e-Markazi district included 18 assault rifles, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a landmine, and a large quantity of ammunition, the government said in a statement. READ: 13 killed in N. Afghanistan clashes, including pro-gov't local leader "No one has been arrested in connection with the case so far," the statement added. The Taliban-led caretaker government has ordered security forces to confiscate weapons from outside security organizations.

 A judge in Fiji has ruled that U.S. authorities can seize a Russian-owned superyacht — but has put a hold on his order until at least Friday while defense lawyers mount a challenge. The yacht Amadea — worth $325 million — had earlier been stopped from leaving the South Pacific nation because of its links to Russia. That order will stand for now, preventing U.S. authorities from taking the yacht to Hawaii or elsewhere. A question remains over which of two Russian oligarchs really owns the Amadea, with only one of them facing sanctions. There are also questions about how far U.S. jurisdiction extends into Fiji. Suva High Court Justice Deepthi Amaratunga on Tuesday granted an order allowing the U.S. to seize the superyacht after the U.S. had earlier filed a warrant. But the judge has also allowed for a pause while defense lawyers put together their challenge. The judge's next decision in the case will come on Friday, when he will decide whether to continue to put a hold on the yacht's seizure pending a formal appeal by the defense. Also read: US official: Russia plans to annex parts of eastern Ukraine The U.S. Justice Department in March announced the creation of a team of federal agents and prosecutors to pursue wealthy Russians or those aiding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The team, called Task Force KleptoCapture, was set up to seize assets belonging to oligarchs with the aim of pressuring Russia to end the war. The U.S. claims the real owner of the superyacht Amadea is Suleiman Kerimov. The economist and former Russian politician was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for alleged money laundering and has faced further sanctions from Canada, Europe, Britain and other nations after Russia invaded Ukraine. Kerimov made a fortune investing in Russian gold producer Polyus, with Forbes magazine putting his net worth at $14.5 billion. But defense lawyers claim the real owner is Eduard Khudainatov, the former chairman and chief executive of Rosneft, the state-controlled Russian oil and gas company. Khudainatov currently does not appear to face any sanctions, unlike many oligarchs and people with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin who have been sanctioned since the war began. As with many superyachts, determining the real ownership of the Amadea is difficult due to the shadowy trail of trusts and shell companies. On paper, the superyacht is registered in the Cayman Islands and owned by Millemarin Investments Ltd., also based in the Cayman Islands. Defense lawyers have claimed in court that Millemarin Investments Ltd. is the legal owner of the vessel and that the company is linked to the real, or beneficial, owner, Khudainatov. But U.S. authorities have claimed that behind all the various fronts, the real owner is Kerimov. On April 19, after the yacht had sailed into Fiji from Mexico, the High Court in Suva ordered that the Amadea not leave Fiji until the merits of the U.S. warrant to seize the vessel were determined. Perhaps reflecting the question over ownership, the court later ordered Fijian prosecutors to amend an original summons, which named just Kerimov, to also include Millemarin Investments Ltd. as a second respondent to the case. For now, the yacht continues to sit in a Fijian harbor with its crew of about 25 rotating on and off the vessel, while a police officer remains on board to ensure it stays put. According to Boat International, the Amadea is 106 meters long and was built in 2017. It features a stainless steel albatross that extends off the bow and weighs more than 5 tons, a live lobster tank in the galley, a 10-meter (33-foot) pool, a hand-painted Pleyel piano and a large helipad. The U.S. Embassy in Suva earlier said in a statement that the U.S. was acting with allies and partners around the world to impose costs on Russia because of its “war of choice.” Also read: EU energy ministers meet to discuss Russian gas, sanctions “We continue to ratchet up the pressure on Putin’s oligarchs and we are working with allies and partners to go after corrupt gains from some of the individuals closest to Putin, no matter where they are held around the world,” the embassy said.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered 1.05kg crystal meth, 10,000 pieces Yaba and 142 cans of Andaman Gold Beer, with a street value of Tk 5.58 crore, in a drive at Teknaf Upazila in Cox’s Bazar, said a media release on Monday. A special patrol team of BGB-2 under Sabrang BOP, was patrolling on the banks of the Naf River near the perimeter of Jinnah Khal Salam Member on Sunday night. The patrol team took a strategic position after hearing the footsteps of some people in the Keora garden around 4am and challenged 3 people. Also read: BGB recover drugs worth Tk 335 crore including yaba, crystal meth since January Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the suspected smugglers abandoned three sacks and fled into the deep jungle. Later, the patrol team recovered the drugs from the sack they left at the spot. Legal steps are being taken in this regard, said the release. Also read: 'Drug peddler' snatched after attack on BGB men in Cox's Bazar

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized various smuggled goods, arms and drugs worth Tk 106.98 crore in various drives across the country in September. The seized drugs include 20,03,787 Yaba pills, 2.95 g crystal meth ice, 22,368 bottles of phensidyl, 15,684 bottles of foreign liquor, 2,938 cans of beer, 1,565 kg 965 g of cannabis, 9.15 kg of heroin, 13,099 injections, 7,496 Iskaf syrups, 125 bottles of Magdil/Cofidil, 49,675 Anegra/Senegra tablets and 1,75,102 other tablets. Around 6.78 kg gold, 53.60 kg silver, cosmetics s, 4,842 sarees, 112 readymade garments, 3,378 Cubic feet of wood, 10,826 kg of tea leaves, 26,050 kg of coal, 5 trucks/covered vans, 10 private cars/ microbuses, 8 pickups, 60 CNG/battery run autorickshaws and 70 motorcycles were among the smuggled goods. Also read: BGB seizes 2000g crystal meth in country’s biggest haul in Teknaf The arms and ammunition recovered included three pistols, five different types of guns, five magazines and 12 rounds of bullet. Besides, legal action has also been taken against 345 people for their involvement in smuggling. Some 221 Bangladeshis and nine Indians were arrested for illegal border crossing. Also read: Benapole: BGB on high alert to prevent rawhide smuggling