Top Taliban official tells leader there’s ‘no excuse’ for female education ban
One of the Taliban’s top officials is urging the head of the terror group, which now controls Afghanistan in the wake of the United States’ withdrawal, to scrap its education ban for Afghan women and girls. The country’s deputy minister of foreign affairs shared a video on his official account on X, saying there’s “no excuse” for the ban, which does not allow females in Afghanistan to pursue and education after 6th grade.
“We are committing an injustice against 20 million people out of a population of 40 million, depriving them of all their rights,” Sher Abbas Stanikzai said in the video. “This is not in Islamic law, but our personal choice or nature.”
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, urged the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to open the doors of education for everyone.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony of a madrasa in Khost province, he said, "The path we are currently following stems from… pic.twitter.com/doj1AoIvT6
Sher Abbas Stanikzai was once the head of the Taliban team in talks that led to the complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
This is not the first time Stanikzai has spoken out about educating females. In September 2022, a year after schools closed for girls and just months before the introduction of a university ban, he made similar remarks.
Other education bans
In September 2024, there were also reports women had been banned from medical training and courses, but the Taliban has not confirmed that. A ban like that could create further problems because, in Afghanistan, women and girls can only be treated by female doctors and health professionals.
No country recognizes the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, but countries like Russia and China have been building ties with them.
Taliban sells emeralds, gold and minerals to revive struggling Afghanistan economy
Hoping to revive Afghanistan’s struggling economy, the Taliban is mining emeralds, gold and gemstones to get cash flowing. Without U.S. aid to the country, the Islamic fundamentalist group is turning to buyers and investors in China, Russia and Iran.
The World Bank estimated last April that Afghanistan’s economy lost more than a quarter of its value in the previous two years. The Taliban took over the country in August 2021, as U.S. troops departed after a 20-year war.
The decline comes from a range of factors, including not just the loss of U.S. aid but the Taliban banning opium production. The World Bank said it accounted for $1.3 billion and 8% of the country’s economy. The Taliban also implemented major limitations on the rights of women to work.
Pentagon officials estimated Afghanistan has as much as $1 trillion worth of gemstones, minerals and metals available for underground mining.
Those include rare earth elements crucial to making technology, including smartphones and laptops.
The U.S. spent hundreds of millions of dollars helping Afghanistan’s previous government develop mining projects. However, the effort failed due to weak laws, a lack of infrastructure and corruption.
The Taliban may face the same issues but hopes to centralize the process, auctioning off emeralds weekly and requiring buyers to pay a tax on them.
One gemstone dealer who bought from the government told The New York Times that he didn’t mind paying the tax as long as the government used the money to help the country’s people.
The Taliban announced it plans to close all non-governmental national and foreign groups in Afghanistan that employ women. This comes two years after the group told NGOs to stop employing Afghan women, allegedly because women weren’t wearing their Islamic headscarves correctly.
In a letter posted to X on Sunday, Dec. 29, the Taliban-run Economy Ministry reiterated its order saying, “In case of lack of cooperation, all activities of that institution will be canceled and the activity license of that institution, granted by the ministry, will also be canceled.”
وزارت اقتصاد منحیث مرجع ثبت و راجستر موسسات غیر امارتی، مسولیت انسجام، رهبری و نظارت تمامی فعالیت های انجو های داخلی و خارجی را به عهده دارد. بناً یکبار دیگر طی متحدالمال تعقیبی در مورد توقف کار طبقه اناث در موسسات غیر امارتی داخلی و خارجی هدایت داده شده است. در صورت عدم همکاری… pic.twitter.com/kqiW7Re3an
On Saturday, Dec. 28, the Taliban’s leader ordered buildings should not have windows looking into places where women might sit or stand, including homes.
Trump wants charges for military leaders over Afghanistan withdrawal: Report
President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reportedly investigating the 2021 U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan and whether military leaders could face charges over their involvement. NBC News reported Trump’s team is putting together a list of current and former military officials who had a hand in the withdrawal and determining if they could be charged with treason.
It’s not clear what would legally justify treason charges, since the military officers were following the orders of President Joe Biden to withdraw all U.S. forces.
A source tells NBC, the team is looking at the possibility of recalling several commanders to active duty for the possible charges.
The investigation stems from an attack by a suicide bomber in August 2021 that killed 13 U.S. service members outside an airport gate in Kabul.
Trump has repeatedly condemned the attack, blaming the Biden-Harris administration. He has called it “the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country.”
Following the attack in Kabul, Biden responded to what was at the time vocal and bipartisan criticism by defending his troop withdrawal.
“I was not going to extend this forever war and I was not extending a forever exit,” Biden said on Aug. 31, 2021, following the attack.
A 2022 review by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) blamed both the Trump and Biden administrations for the fallout from the withdrawal.
Afghanistan withdrawal timeline
In 2020, Trump reached an agreement with the Taliban to withdraw all 13,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The agreement also released 5,000 Taliban fighters from prison.
The Trump administration said if the Biden administration stuck with the May 1, 2021 deadline they had signed to leave by, the Taliban wouldn’t attack American forces.
However, the Biden administration said the complete drawdown would take much longer and set a Sept. 11, 2021 deadline instead.
Biden finished the withdrawal and according to the review, it overestimated the ability of Afghan government forces to fight the Taliban on their own.
Trump’s choice for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has criticized the withdrawal, saying the U.S. wasted billions of dollars.
Trump’s transition team hasn’t commented on the reported investigation into military leaders and the troop withdrawal.
Taliban invited to UN climate conference for first time
For the first time since taking over Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban is attending the U.N. climate conference, known as COP29. This year’s conference is being held in Azerbaijan and is one of the most important talks to host the Taliban which isn’t officially recognized as the ruler of Afghanistan.
Azerbaijan invited the Taliban-run Afghan Environment Agency officials to COP29 as observers. The Taliban won’t be allowed to take part in the proceedings of full member states.
A report from international aid agency Save the Children published in August said Afghanistan is the sixth most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change.
Twenty-five of its 34 provinces face severe or catastrophic drought conditions, affecting more than half the population. The report also said Afghanistan had the highest number of children made homeless by climate disasters of any country as of the end of 2023.
Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’ at his golf club: FBI
For the second time in just over two months, authorities say former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent “attempted assassination.” We have the latest on the investigation. And the red carpet was rolled out for TV’s biggest stars Sunday night. We recap who won at the 76th Emmy Awards. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
FBI: Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’
The FBI is investigating what it said “appears to be an attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida Sunday, Sept. 15. Authorities said Trump was playing a round of golf when Secret Service agents spotted the gunman a few hundred yards away pointing a weapon through the bushes.
The agents fired five to six shots at the gunman. The suspect dropped his weapon, described as an AK-47-style rifle, and fled in his vehicle. It was not clear if the suspect had fired any shots.
The suspect was soon taken into custody during a traffic stop in a nearby county.
Authorities said the rifle with a scope was found in the shrubbery along with two backpacks, ceramic plates, and a GoPro camera.
Shortly after the incident, a spokesperson for the Republican presidential nominee said Trump was safe. Trump later sent out a letter to supporters saying, “Nothing will slow me down! I will never surrender.”
Law enforcement sources have told multiple news outlets the suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh of Hawaii. Authorities are said to be looking into Routh’s possible motives, including his reported grievances about the war in Ukraine. The New York Times reported the paper interviewed Routh last year about recruiting Afghan soldiers fleeing the Taliban to fight in Ukraine.
During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw spoke about the Secret Service’s presence protecting Trump at the time of the assassination attempt.
“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have this entire golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw said. “Well, because he’s not, the security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible. So, I would imagine the next time he comes to the golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”
Biden said he has directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has every resource” necessary for Trump’s “continued safety.” Harris said, “We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.”
Late Sunday night, Trump posted a message on Truth Social thanking law enforcement for “an incredible job done” and saying, “It was certainly an interesting day.”
I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible… pic.twitter.com/mV15rJygOR
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 16, 2024
Israel says Houthis will pay ‘heavy price’ after attack on Tel Aviv
Israel’s Prime Minister has vowed retaliation after a missile fired by Houthi rebels reached central Israel for the first time. A Houthi spokesman said the hypersonic ballistic missile, fired from Yemen, traveled more than 1,200 miles in just over 10 minutes Sunday.
Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, a surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from Yemen and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces said there were repeated attempts to shoot down the missile mid-air, but it most likely fragmented as it approached Tel Aviv. Israel said there were no direct casualties from the missile, but at least nine people suffered minor injuries.
This is just the latest attack by the Houthis, in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, in support of Hamas.
At least 8 dead as torrential rain triggers flooding in central Europe
At least eight people are confirmed dead as torrential rain continues to pound central Europe, causing widespread flooding. Thousands of people evacuated their homes in the Czech Republic Sunday as rivers overflowed their banks in various parts of the country.
A storm system named Boris has caused heavy downpours from Austria to Romania, leading to the worst flooding the Czech Republic and Poland have seen in nearly 30 years.
The relentless rain is expected to last at least through Monday.
US Coast Guard hearing into deadly Titan submersible implosion begins
Former employees of OceanGate are expected to testify. The company was behind the experimental submersible that imploded while on its way to the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean in June 2023, killing all five people on board.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Coast Guard released a statement saying the hearing “aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The hearing will take place in Charleston County, South Carolina and is expected to last about two weeks. Witnesses scheduled to appear include one of OceanGate’s co-founders and the company’s former engineering, operations, and scientific directors.
Apple’s AI-powered operating system to launch Monday
Apple’s latest operating system, featuring the company’s artificial intelligence capabilities, is set to go live Monday. iOS 18 will come with changes for all compatible iPhone models, but Apple Intelligence will be the highlight of the update for iPhone 15 Pro and later models.
Some tech experts say this is Apple’s biggest update since it originally launched the iPhone.
Apple usually releases its updates at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.
‘Shogun,’ ‘Hacks,’ ‘The Bear’ win at the 76th Emmy Awards
History was made at the 76th Emmy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. The big winner was the historical drama Shogun.
“Shogun” became the first non-English language series to win best drama. It claimed a total of 18 wins, including lead actor, actress, and directing.
While the Biden administration cited the Doha Agreement, a Trump-era agreement with the Taliban to leave Afghanistan by May 2021, as a main reason for the withdrawal, the report says the decision “was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies. Rather, it was premised on the president’s longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan.”
The report accuses the administration of missing warning signs pointing to how quickly Kabul would fall to the Taliban upon a U.S. withdrawal and says the planning of and calling for an evacuation was delayed.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
With just one day to go, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are preparing for the first debate between the presidential candidates. And Apple is reportedly set to unveil its latest iPhone models powered by artificial intelligence. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
We’re now one day away from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump facing off on the debate stage. Tuesday night, Sept. 10, both presidential candidates will be in Philadelphia to answer questions over policies, address Americans’ concerns in the country and make their case for why voters should choose them in November.
Over the weekend, Harris was seen by reporters on a stroll with her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. She ignored the reporters’ first few questions but when asked if she’s ready for the debate, she said, “I’m ready.”
Also over the weekend, the Harris-Walz campaign unveiled a website detailing policies for the first time. It outlines proposals on key issues such as the economy, crime and immigration.
Harris will be in Pittsburgh Monday, Sept. 9, preparing for the debate with a team of advisors.
Meanwhile, sources told ABC News that Trump is “holding informal policy sessions with a small team of advisers, including GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.”
Trump was on the campaign trail in Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 7, where he also spoke of the upcoming debate.
“Oh, they’re waiting for the debate. You know, if I destroy her in the debate, they’ll say, ‘Trump suffered a humiliating defeat tonight,’ no matter what,” Trump said.
Two of the latest battleground polls, one from the New York Times and the other CBS News, show razor thin margins between the two candidates in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
While the Biden administration cited the Doha Agreement, a Trump-era agreement with the Taliban to leave Afghanistan by May 2021, as a main reason for the withdrawal, the report says the decision “was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies. Rather, it was premised on the president’s longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan.”
The report accuses the administration of missing warning signs pointing to how quickly Kabul would fall to the Taliban upon a U.S. withdrawal and says the planning of and calling for an evacuation was delayed.
Defense secretary says temporary budget would severely impact military
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is warning Congress that passing a temporary bill to keep the government open would have devastating impacts on the Defense Department. The bill would keep the federal government funded for another six months, but cap spending at 2024 levels.
In a letter to members of Congress on Sunday, Sept. 8, Austin said that the stop-gap would cut defense spending by more than $6 billion, compared to the 2025 spending proposal. Austin said that would impact thousands of defense programs and damage recruiting just as the military is starting to recover from the pandemic.
Congress needs to approve a stop-gap spending bill before the end of the budget year on Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
Manhunt continues for suspect in Kentucky freeway shooting
The suspect in a shooting on a Kentucky freeway that left seven people injured over the weekend remains on the loose. Police said Joseph A. Couch is the man responsible for opening fire Saturday, Sept. 7, on Interstate 75, striking at least 12 vehicles.
Police said in a Sunday night, Sept. 8, news briefing, Couch purchased his weapon legally the morning of the shooting. He also bought a thousand rounds of ammunition.
An AR-15 rifle was found not far from the shooting scene and Couch’s vehicle was located abandoned nearby.
California’s Line Fire consumes 20,000 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations
Firefighters in California are battling against more than a dozen wildfires fueled by a heatwave and high winds. The most intense blaze is the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which has surged to over 20,000 acres and prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and as of Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, the fire was zero percent contained. The blaze has injured three people, though details on their conditions are not yet available.
Thunderstorm winds are complicating firefighting efforts, causing unpredictable fire behavior, while critically dry vegetation and smoke continue to pose other challenges.
Officials said more thunderstorms on Monday could add fuel to the Line Fire.
Apple expected to reveal iPhone 16 lineup at ‘Glowtime’ event
It’s “‘Glowtime!” That’s the title Apple has given its event Monday where the tech giant is expected to unveil its latest lineup of iPhones.
Apple is set to reveal the iPhone 16 models. They will reportedly be the first ones powered by the company’s artificial intelligence program, Apple Intelligence, which was announced earlier this year.
The phones will also likely have larger screen displays and upgraded cameras.
Germany deports 28 Afghans after deadly Solingen knife attack
Germany resumed deportations to Afghanistan on Friday, Aug. 30, marking a significant shift in its migration policy. This decision comes nearly three years after deportation to Afghanistan stopped due to safety concerns following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The flight carried 28 Afghan nationals, individuals German authorities identified as convicted criminals, from Leipzig to Kabul.
This move reflects the growing pressure on Germany’s coalition government to adopt a tougher stance on migration, particularly following recent high-profile crimes linked to asylum-seekers.
Last week’s knife attack in Solingen, allegedly carried out by a Syrian asylum-seeker with ties to the Islamic State, resulted in three deaths and has intensified public debate. The suspect previously evaded a deportation order to Bulgaria, further fueling scrutiny of the government’s migration policies.
Earlier this week, Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to the Solingen attack by pledging to tighten deportation laws and crack down on knife regulations. His government faces increased pressure ahead of key regional elections and passed legislation aimed at streamlining deportations.
The resumption of deportations also aligns with upcoming regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is gaining support by advocating for stricter immigration controls.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced plans to further tighten security measures, including new knife laws, in response to the Solingen attack.
However, human rights organizations criticized the decision to deport individuals to Afghanistan. The groups argued that the country remains unsafe under Taliban rule and that the move could violate international law.
Trump lays wreath at Arlington for Afghanistan attack anniversary
Former President Donald Trump laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of the 13 U.S. service members who died in Kabul during the Afghanistan withdrawal. Monday, Aug. 26, is the third anniversary of the suicide attack that killed the military members and 100 Afghans.
“These are people that should have never been killed,” Trump said after the wreath laying.
Now that President Joe Biden is out of the race, Trump is trying to tie the pullout and the bombing to Vice President Harris with this interview on CNN in April 2021:
Reporter: President Biden always said that he wants you to be the last person in the room, particularly for big decisions, just as he was for President Obama. He just made a really big decision: Afghanistan. Were you the last person in the room?
Harris: Yes.
Reporter: And you feel comfortable?
Harris: I do.
“Because of that event, we did so badly that Russia went in and invaded Ukraine,” Trump said to reporters after the ceremony. “Israel was attacked, as you know, on October 7th. People don’t respect us. They don’t respect us anymore as a country.”
Trump criticized both Biden and Harris on their foreign policy.
“We have a fascist person running who is incompetent,” Trump said. “And we have a president who’s not even around.”
Neither Biden nor Harris hosted an event to remember the soldiers killed.
“These 13 Americans—and the many more that were wounded—were patriots in the highest sense,” the statement said. “Some were born the year the war in Afghanistan started. Some were on their second or third tour.”
Harris also released a statement.
“Today and everyday, I mourn and honor them,” the statement said. “My prayers are with their families and loved ones.”
Three years ago today, outside of Kabul Airport, an ISIS terrorist killed 13 American service members and more than 100 innocent Afghans, and wounded many more.
On this solemn day, let us come together as one nation to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the… pic.twitter.com/PJymETLOyf
Republicans tried to paint the military withdrawal and Abbey Gate explosion an example of the Biden administration’s foreign policy failures.
A Pew Research poll found that 54% of Americans believed it was the right decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. However, 69% said it was a failed mission and 42% said the Biden administration did a poor job of handling it, while 27% said good or excellent.