Afghan Local Police (ALP) commander Shujayi, despite being accused of severe human rights violations including murder and torture, was supported by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Efforts by Afghan authorities to bring him to justice were consistently obstructed by a combination of U.S. military indifference and local political alliances. Shujayi's case exemplifies the broader issue of warlordism and the impunity enjoyed by those with foreign backing in Afghanistan. Despite formal complaints and attempts to arrest him, Shujayi remains at large, with some considering him a hero while others view him as a perpetrator of ethnic violence.

Angela Gulbenkian, a German-born art consultant, was involved in a bizarre art fraud that spanned Europe and Asia, defrauding Hong Kong art dealer Mathieu Ticolat of $1.4 million through the sale of a Yayoi Kusama sculpture that she did not own. Despite her claims of being part of the philanthropic Gulbenkian family, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has distanced itself from her. Angela's lavish spending and lifestyle were funded by the stolen money. Legal actions were taken against her, and she was eventually arrested in Portugal and extradited to the UK for trial.

The article recounts the story of Peter Madsen, a Danish inventor and entrepreneur, who became a local antiestablishment celebrity through his ambitious projects such as the UC3 Nautilus submarine and the Copenhagen Suborbitals rocket venture. However, his life took a dark turn when journalist Kim Wall disappeared after boarding the Nautilus for an interview. Her dismembered body was later found, and Madsen's changing accounts of the events led to his arrest and indictment for her murder. The case shocked Denmark, a country with a low homicide rate, and raised questions about the dangers journalists face while reporting.

In Kabul, Abdullah Sharifi, a young Afghan man, turned to a fortune-teller named Arab Shah after losing his job and facing the harsh realities of a country in turmoil. The article explores the role of fortune-tellers in Afghan society, where many seek guidance on issues ranging from love and money to migration and asylum. The narrative delves into the history of such practices, their intersection with Islam, and the societal needs they fulfill. It also touches on the political and religious tensions surrounding fortune-telling, including the murder of Farkhunda Malikzada and subsequent crackdown on the practice. Despite the controversies, fortune-tellers like Shah continue to serve those who have lost faith in their country and seek a better life abroad, highlighting the enduring human desire for hope and direction amidst uncertainty.