Russia Prepares New Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine, Zelenskiy Warns 
Trump Administration Threatens Newark Airport International Travel Shutdown Over Immigration Dispute 
Trump Adviser’s Investment in Thrive Capital Draws Scrutiny Over Federal Contracts 
US to Accelerate Troop Withdrawal from Europe, NATO Allies to Review Plans Next Month 
Kentucky School District Secures $27 Million in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Settlements 
US and Iran Near Nuclear Deal as Ceasefire Extension Awaits Trump Approval 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Brazil Extends Fuel Subsidies and Tax Relief Measures Through July 2026 Amid Global Oil Market Volatility 
US Designates Brazil’s PCC and Comando Vermelho as Global Terrorist Entities Ahead of FTO Listing 
Netanyahu Gaza Expansion Plan Sparks Hamas Condemnation and International Concern 
US Plans Faster Military Drawdown in Europe, NATO Allies Face Greater Defense Role 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
US Condemns Russia’s Oreshnik Missile Strike, Warns Against New Attacks on Kyiv 
Netanyahu Orders Expansion of Israeli Control in Gaza to 70% 
Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Boston Sanctuary City Policy 
Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Access to Federal Lands in the U.S. 
US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay 
The United Nations aid chief visited Afghanistan’s capital Kabul this week, relaying concerns about the Taliban administration’s policies targeting women. The concerns follow the Taliban’s latest policies that barred women from participating in humanitarian work and attending university.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths visited Kabul on Monday and met with the Taliban’s acting minister of foreign affairs. During the meeting, Griffiths raised concerns over women’s education and work and how the Taliban’s policies affected UN operations, according to the statement by the Afghan foreign affairs ministry.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Griffiths would continue to engage with the Taliban administration “with the same message we’ve been delivering since the beginning on the need to rollback the policies that were put in place” on women in Afghanistan.
Griffith’s visit follows last week’s visit by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed to Afghanistan, who expressed concerns to Taliban officials in Kabul and the Kandahar province over the policies that restricted women from aid work and education.
Afghan acting foreign affairs minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said he asked Griffiths to share with the international community the “achievements and opportunities” of the Taliban administration, including granting a general amnesty for former opponents rather than “complaints and shortcomings.” The statement by the ministry also said the UN aid chief acknowledged the improved security in the country.
The Taliban administration has yet to receive recognition from the international community as diplomats have said the insurgent group must change its stance on women’s rights. Many other countries have also raised concerns about the Taliban’s policies on women and girls, such as barring girls over the age of 12 from attending schools or universities.
Mohammed went on a four-day visit to Afghanistan, the UN said Friday last week, issuing a statement after the trip making clear the consequences of restricting women and girls to their homes.
“My message was very clear: While we recognize the important exemptions made, these restrictions present Afghan women and girls with a future that confines them in their own homes, violating their rights, and depriving the communities of their services,” said Mohammed in her statement.
