Dec. 28: A Day of Historical Milestones and Tragic Memories, from the Lumiere Brothers’ Film Debut to the End of U.S. Combat in Afghanistan

As 2024 nears its close, December 28 marks not only the 363rd day of this leap year but also an opportunity to reflect on significant historical events that occurred on this day across different years. Among today’s critical remembrances is the 2015 decision by a Cleveland grand jury not to charge two white officers in the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, a Black youth, who was holding a toy pellet gun at the time. This tragic event is among several impactful occurrences that have taken place on December 28, spanning from breakthroughs in entertainment … Read more

UN Commits to Ongoing Dialogue with Taliban Amid Restrictive Laws on Women in Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan – The United Nations has declared its commitment to continue engagements in Afghanistan, even as the ruling Taliban regime intensifies restrictions on women’s rights, including barring them from receiving education and participating in public life. This decision underlines the international body’s ongoing focus on humanitarian efforts and human rights advocacy in the crisis-stricken nation. Despite the challenging political landscape, the UN’s mission transcends these new restrictive laws by emphasizing the crucial role of aid and support for the most vulnerable populations. The organization is particularly concerned with the potential escalation in human rights … Read more

Taliban Dismisses UN Critique of New Laws Muting Women’s Public Presence in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Taliban leadership on Monday firmly dismissed international concerns regarding the imposition of stringent laws targeting the visibility and vocal presence of women in Afghanistan. This new legal framework, which mandates women to cover their faces and prohibits their speaking in public, has sparked significant international backlash. Roza Otunbayeva, leader of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, communicated deep distress regarding these developments. On Sunday, she critiqued the measures for intensifying already severe limitations on women and girls. According to Otunbayeva, even the natural act of a woman speaking outside her home is … Read more

Taliban Introduces New Restrictions: Women’s Voices and Faces Banned in Public Across Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan – In a sweeping enforcement of stringent codes of conduct, Afghanistan’s ruling regime, the Taliban, has recently instituted regulations that severely restrict women’s participation in public life. These new laws ban women’s voices from being heard on radio and television, and also prohibit the display of their images in both public and private media spaces. Upon reclaiming power in August 2021, the Taliban initially promised a more moderate governance approach. However, their recent actions mark a significant regression to the harsh policies implemented during their previous rule in the late 1990s. This includes … Read more