Poland Considers Revoking Zelensky’s Top Honor Over Controversial UPA Army Unit Recognition 
U.S. Reinstates Sanctions on U.N. Expert Francesca Albanese Amid Legal Battle 
U.S. Lawmakers Back Ukraine’s Request for More Patriot Missiles Amid Rising Russian Attacks 
U.S.-China Taiwan Conflict Could Trigger Nuclear Escalation, IISS Warns 
Kentucky School District Secures $27 Million in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Settlements 
Brazil Struggles to Stop Illegal Amazon Gold Mining as Gold Prices Surge 
US Designates Brazil’s PCC and Comando Vermelho as Global Terrorist Entities Ahead of FTO Listing 
DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation Into E. Jean Carroll Over Alleged Perjury 
Netanyahu Orders Expansion of Israeli Control in Gaza to 70% 
Russia Prepares New Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine, Zelenskiy Warns 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
US-Iran Ceasefire Extension Near as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Deal Advances 
Netanyahu Gaza Expansion Plan Sparks Hamas Condemnation and International Concern 
Baltic Drone Incidents Raise NATO Security Concerns 
US and Iran Near Nuclear Deal as Ceasefire Extension Awaits Trump Approval 
US Condemns Russia’s Oreshnik Missile Strike, Warns Against New Attacks on Kyiv 
Flavio Bolsonaro Meets Trump, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio Amid Brazil Political Crisis 
The Taliban’s extended ban on Afghan women has forced the United Nations to make a hard decision on whether to continue operations in the country. The latest extension of the ban is part of the increasingly restrictive policies the Taliban administration in Afghanistan has implemented since retaking control of the country in 2021.
The UN Mission in Afghanistan issued a statement on Tuesday criticizing the insurgent group’s ban on Afghan women working for the UN. This is the latest restriction the insurgent group has implemented on women since banning women from attending school and working for the government.
By December, the Taliban extended the ban to Afghan women working for both local and foreign humanitarian organizations, and early this month extended, it to Afghan women working for the UN.
UNAMA said the ban was “unlawful” and a violation of international law as well as the UN Charter, which means the UN cannot comply with the Taliban’s restrictive policy.
“Through this ban, the Taliban de facto authorities seek to force the United Nations into having to make an appalling choice between staying and delivering in support of the Afghan people and standing by the norms and principles we are duty-bound to uphold,” said UNAMA.
“It should be clear that any negative consequences of this crisis for the Afghan people will be the responsibility of the de facto authorities,” said the statement.
Around 400 Afghan women are working for the UN, with UN humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan Ramiz Alakbarov saying that the restriction is a violation of the UN charter. Alakbarov stressed to AFP News that no authority could decide who the UN should employ.
UNAMA also said in the statement that after a review of its operations, all of its Afghan staff would not report to work at least until May 5 as it makes “necessary consultations,” the needed adjustments, and increased contingency planning.
The latest restriction on Afghan women has led to widespread international criticism even as the Taliban has been seeking to be recognized internationally since coming back to power in 2021. The restrictions have also resulted in concerns that major donors may decide to pull out from supporting the country’s humanitarian aid program.
