Ban on demonstrations and women in sports in Afghanistan
The Taliban have announced a ban on all kinds of demonstrations throughout Afghanistan, and have also decided that Afghan women would no longer be able to play any form of sport that “exposes their bodies” or shows them to the media. The Taliban said public protests “disturb normal life, harass people” and create security problems. As regards the ban on women in sports, they said the women “may face situations where their face or body is not covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen this way”.
‘Stop Taliban genocide in the Panjshir Valley”
The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan has appealed to the international community, the UN and other regional and international organisations to stop what it called “the Taliban genocide in the Panjshir Valley”. Calling the interim government “illegal”, they claimed the Taliban continue deliberate and large-scale attacks on civilians. They resorted to a “continuous campaign of massacres of people” across the province after the resistance inflicted heavy casualties on them in several parts of Panshir, a statement read.
Ex-President Ashraf Ghani apologises to the nation
Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has apologised to the nation and said he regretted how “it ended” with the Taliban taking over. Ghani fled Kabul as militias of so-called Koranic students entered the capital on August 15. “I apologise to the Afghan people for not being able to make things turn out differently,” he said in a statement.
Trial opens on Paris 2015 terrorist attacks
The historic trial of 20 men charged for the November 13, 2015 terror attacks in Paris opened on Wednesday. Nine gunmen and suicide bombers struck France’s national stadium, the Bataclan concert hall and Paris restaurants and cafes that night, leaving 130 people dead and hundreds more injured.The main defendant in the case is Salah Abdeslam, the sole survivor of the extremist cell of the so-called Islamic State that carried out the attacks – the deadliest jihadist attacks in France’s history. His lawyers denounced his detention conditions with Abdelslam complaining they were “being treated like dogs”.
Biden unveils climate change strategy
The Biden administration has said the United States should aim to garner nearly 50% of its electric supply from solar energy by mid-century, unveiling the latest component of its climate change strategy. A report released by the Department of Energy (DOE) said solar could account for 40% of the power supply by 2035 and 45% by 2050, up from its current level of just 3%. However reaching this level would require the United States to quadruple its annual solar capacity additions.
80 rebels, pro-government soldiers die in Yemen battle
At least 80 rebels and pro-government soldiers were killed in the ongoing battle in Marib, an oil-rich region of Yemen and the last stronghold of the pro-Saudi government in the north of the country. Clashes between the government of Yemen and Iran’s allied Houthi rebels have intensified in recent days in Marib.
Football: Italy set unbeaten run record
European champions Italy became the first national team to go 37 games without defeat as they thrashed Lithuania 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier. There were suggestions the Azzurri had broken the record during last Sunday’s goalless draw againt Switzerland. However, Roberto Mancini’s side ended any doubt, with Everton’s Moise Kean – on loan at Juventus – scoring twice. Giovanni di Lorenzo, Giacomo Raspadori and Edgaras Utkuse’s own goal sealed Italy’s first win since Euro 2020. Mancini’s side have not been defeated for three years since losing to Portugal in a Nations League match on 10 September 2018. The Azzurri are six points clear at the top of Group C with four games remaining, although second-placed Switzerland have two games in hand.
