LAST 24 HOURS
COMMUNITIES ACROSS GREAT BRITAIN CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO AID AFGHAN REFUGEES – The British Home Office released figures detailing the number of Afghan refugees currently in the United Kingdom. The move has been seen as a riposte to the criticism mounted by charities and migrant rights groups that contend the government was not doing enough to facilitate asylum for the Afghans. The Home Office says that over 20,000 Afghan refugees have been accepted into Great Britain and provided a detailed location-based demographic map of where they have settled. While the report struck a hopeful tone and implied that things were being handled effectively, migrant-centric NGOs point to the disparity in the numbers of Ukrainian refugees who have been resettled in roughly the same time period (120,000). A looming 1 September deadline for the roughly 7,000 Afghans who are living in government-sponsored hotels could create a crisis as houses for the Afghans have been difficult to secure.
US REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ANNOUNCED IMPEACHMENT EFFORT AGAINST THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE – Republican Congressman from Florida, Cory Mills, made the announcement yesterday and claims that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ‘intentionally abandoned American citizens’ during the chaotic withdrawal. It is unclear how much support the effort has in the Congress.
NEW MEDIA LAW SENT TO THE SUPREME LEADER FOR APPROVAL – Details of the new law have not been widely publicized but the basic function of the law is focused on controlling foreign media outlets operating in the country. Basically, any journalists representing a foreign media outlet will be subject to the domestic laws of Afghanistan. Surprisingly, the law actually has broad support among journalists in Afghanistan who say that the lack of any law has led to many difficulties while attempting to report the news, and arrests have occurred when reporters inadvertently stepped over a line. International journalism-centric NGOs take a different view and have expressed early criticism of the forthcoming legislation.
NEXT 24 HOURS
THREATS MADE AGAINST CHRISTIAN ENCLAVE IN RAWALPINDI – Unconfirmed reports arrived on Friday that some religious leaders in Rawalpindi had called on the Muslim community to form a mob and attack the Christian colony of Bark Khana in the city. It was not immediately clear when the proposed attack would take place, if at all.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Denmark announced it had introduced legislation to ban the desecration of religious objects in the wake of several high-profile Quran burnings that have caused international protests.
Friday saw protests begin in the troubled Sistan Baluchestan Province as thousands of protestors took to the streets after prayers. Roads were blocked and burning tire barricades were reported in several of the larger cities. Protestors called for the release of several political prisoners currently being held by the regime.
The foreign ministry announced that Iraq had released a large portion of funds that had been frozen and was tied to the prisoner exchange deal between Iran and the US.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan refuted rumors that it had made a formal request to join the BRICS coalition.
High food prices drove the inflation index up over the past week to 25.3%. Drought and increased transportation costs have been attributed to the price increases.
Monsoon rains have been forecasted for Lahore and portions of Punjab in the coming days. Flooding will almost certainly disrupt transportation in these areas.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
Complex Dynamics: Understanding Lack Of Warmth In India-Taliban Relations
By Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai - EurAsia Review
To understand the current state of India-Taliban relations, it’s crucial to revisit history. During the Taliban’s previous rule in Afghanistan during the 1990s, India maintained strained relations due to the group’s support for Pakistan-based militant organizations. India’s steadfast support for the Northern Alliance, a group opposing the Taliban, further solidified the gap between the two entities. This history has cast a shadow of distrust over the present interactions.
AFGHAN NEWS
University entrance exams conclude amid female students’ demand for inclusion
By AMU TV
The fifth and final round of the university entrance exams took place in Kabul on Friday, marking the completion of the examination…
Thousands of People Rush Passport Department in Herat
By TOLO News
Thousands of people rushed into the passport department in western Herat province, as passports have recently become a challenge for citizens—with many of them…
ICRC treats over 580,000 patients in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
During the initial half of 2023, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported providing health care to 581,548 patients, mainly women and children, across 47 health facilities…
REGIONAL NEWS
Three Female Students Arrive in Dubai, Following Delay of Group
By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group, said in a video posted on X social media platform that he met three Afghan…
Deadlier As It Gets: Explaining Resurgence Of Terrorism In Pakistan
By Asma Siddiq - EurAsia Review
On July 30, a deadly suicide attack rocked the JUI (F) rally in Pakistan’s northwestern Bajaur district killing at least 63 people and injuring…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Switzerland issues special passport for Afghans declared stateless
By Middle East Monitor
Afghans living in Switzerland, who no longer have valid papers, are entitled to a special Swiss passport, the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration told…
UN Security Council Holds Meeting on Terrorist Threats
By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News
“The report says that (Daesh Khorasan) has increased its operational capabilities inside Afghanistan, with the total number of fighters and family members associated with the…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban Says Huawei to Install Cameras to Locate Militants
By Jamie Tarabay & Eltaf Najafizada - Bloomberg News
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government is working with Huawei Technologies to install a wide-ranging surveillance system across the country in an effort to identify and target insurgents…
“And you can be sure that ETIM will be the priority.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 83.06 AFN (as of 26 AUG 2023)