LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY CONTINUE WORKING ON A PLAN TO REOPEN GIRL’S SCHOOLS – The question of schooling for female students was posed to members of the Academy of Science at a recent press conference. The officials said that a plan was in the works and attempted to reorient the discussion to announce the various research projects and accomplishments of the Academy. The event concluded with a call for academics who had left the country to return.
OVER 200 AID AGENCIES CLOSED IN 2022 – An official for the Ministry of the Economy said that nearly 220 aid organizations had been forced to close their operations in Afghanistan over the course of 2022. Most were sanctioned for ‘not obeying guidelines’. The Ministry said the organizations have only been suspended and will be allowed to relaunch operations once they accept the Taliban’s rules. A source in Kandahar said the suspensions have resulted in the loss of over $100 million dollars worth of support for Afghans.
NEW REPORTS OF MISTREATMENT OF AFGHAN REFUGEES IN TURKEY, TURKISH POLICE MAKE ARRESTS – Over 60 Afghan refugees were rounded up in Arzantan on Sunday and charged with illegally entering the country. Turkish officials said they took action after receiving information that a smuggling operation was operating on the Arzanjan-Arzum highway. Apparently, all of the refugees were being transported in a single truck driven by an Iranian national. TOLO News interviewed several Afghan refugees who had returned from Turkey recently and were told that border security forces continued to shoot at refugees and that beatings were administered to some of the asylum seekers. Many of the refugees called on the United Nations and the Turkish government to stop the abuses.
PAKISTAN’S MILITARY CHIEF ISSUES ‘LAST WARNING’ TO TTP – General Asim Munir issued the warning while visiting Peshawar, where he had traveled to lay a wreath at Yaadgar-eShuhada. The General issued another warning to the Taliban during the event and said the involvement of Afghan nationals in recent terror attacks threatens regional peace.
NEXT 24 HOURS
FLOODING IN NORTHEASTERN PROVINCES EXPECTED – Extremely heavy rains have been falling in Badakhshan, Takhar, Kunar, Nuristan, Panjshi, and Baghlan Provinces. In addition, wind gusts up to 70km per hour are expected. Flooding is expected to disrupt transport and could threaten people, livestock, and crops. The forecast is calling for as much as 30mm of rain and floodwaters may take a few days to recede.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The dispute between Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia over oil reserves has caused Saudi Arabia to put the planned reopening of its embassy in Damascus on hold.
Israeli air strikes in Syria kill 4 Syrian soldiers and 2 Iranian-backed militia members near Damascus yesterday.
A survey of Iranian media outlets on President Raisi’s first two years in office was not flattering.
PAKISTAN
Officials said that rail operations have been restored along the line where the recent tragic derailment occurred.
A spokesman for the Electoral Commission of Pakistan (ECP) pushed back against media reports that claimed it had removed the PTI chief from the party’s chairmanship.
A new audio leak was released yesterday which purports to be a recording of senior PTI leaders discussing plans to target the Army in the lead-up to the 9 May riots.
SPOTLIGHT GENDER
Afghan women’s football team a symbol of resistance against Taliban repression
By Amin Saikal - ASPI
This month marks two years since the US and allied retreat from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s resumption of power there. Amid all the depressing news about the brutal, misogynistic rule of the Taliban, in July there was a welcome moment in Australia’s display of support for Afghan women. Foreign Minister Penny Wong joined the Afghan women’s football team in a friendly kick of the ball in solidarity with them—an act that deserves commendation.
AFGHAN NEWS
Acting Interior Minister Calls for Adherence to Sharia, Support for Govt
By Mitra Majeedy - TOLO News
Speaking to a gathering of religious clerics, tribal elders and local officials in Laghman, Haqqani said that the academics who stayed in Afghanistan should be encouraged and…
Over 200 poisoned after eating donated food in Afghanistan’s Khost
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The incident occurred in Zazai Maidan, Ban Sabari and Khost City after the people attended a…
Kabul woman champions art for female students amid educational constraints
By AMU TV
In the heart of Kabul, a woman has taken a stand for education by establishing an art workshop tailored for students who have been denied access to…
REGIONAL NEWS
Haibatullah Akhunzada labels attacks on Pakistan as “haram”
By Samaa
During recent bilateral discussions , senior Taliban leaders conveyed a decree from Hibatullah Akhundzada to Pakistani officials, emphasizing their…
Taliban Prepare Suicide Bombers in Water Dispute With Iran
By Eltaf Najafizada - Bloomberg News
After two decades fighting the US, Taliban leaders now find themselves sparring with neighbors as the realities of global warming hit…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Mother of Fallen Soldier Rips Biden for Afghanistan Exit: 'Heartless'
By Katherine Fung - Newsweek
The mother of one of the 13 U.S. troops killed in the deadly bombing in Kabul amid the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan blasted…
‘Dire Need’: US Prosecutors Rush To Evacuate Colleagues From Afghanistan
By Clint Van Winkle - The Medialine
“The Taliban released everybody [from jail] and said, ‘Go take your revenge with impunity,’” Executive Director of Jewish Humanitarian Response (JHR) Caroline Marks told…
THE DAILY WTF
Nimroz residents say charged double fee for Iran visa
By Shema Sediqi - Pajhwok Afghan News
The residents say Nimroz borders Iran and its people travel to the country more often, but the visa price for them is twice high as compared to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.12 AFN (as of 8 AUG 2023)