Afghan Taliban appoints new leader

The Afghan Taliban has named its new leader as Haibatullah Akhundzada, an influential religious figure, following the death of former commannder Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a US drone strike. 

"Haibatullah Akhundzada has been appointed as the new leader of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) after a unanimous agreement in the shura (supreme council), and all the members of shura pledged allegiance to him," the Islamist group said in a statement.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, a sworn enemy of America, and Mullah Yakoub, the son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, have been appointed his deputies, The Telegraph reports.