Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Access to Federal Lands in the U.S. 
US and Iran Near Nuclear Deal as Ceasefire Extension Awaits Trump Approval 
US-Iran Ceasefire Extension Near as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Deal Advances 
Trump Administration Threatens Newark Airport International Travel Shutdown Over Immigration Dispute 
US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay 
Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Boston Sanctuary City Policy 
U.S. Reinstates Sanctions on U.N. Expert Francesca Albanese Amid Legal Battle 
Netanyahu Gaza Expansion Plan Sparks Hamas Condemnation and International Concern 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
UN Blacklists Israel and Russia Over Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Claims 
China Expands Nuclear Defense Network in Remote Desert 
Netanyahu Orders Expansion of Israeli Control in Gaza to 70% 
Baltic Drone Incidents Raise NATO Security Concerns 
Poland Considers Revoking Zelensky’s Top Honor Over Controversial UPA Army Unit Recognition 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Kentucky School District Secures $27 Million in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Settlements 
U.S.-China Taiwan Conflict Could Trigger Nuclear Escalation, IISS Warns 
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan criticized the Taliban for detaining three of its Afghan female staff for questioning. The organization then called on the insurgent group to cease its intimidation tactics against its local female staff.
UNAMA issued a statement Monday condemning the Taliban for its temporary detainment of three of its Afghan female staff. UNAMA also called on the Taliban to end their harassment and intimidation of its local female employees.
“The UN calls for an immediate end to all such acts of intimidation and harassment targeting its Afghan female staff, calling on the de facto authorities to reiterate and enforce explicit guarantees for the safety and security of all UN personnel operating in Afghanistan,” said the statement.
“There has been an emerging pattern of harassment of Afghan UN female staff by the de facto authorities,” the statement said.
The insurgent group denied the allegations, with Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi telling Reuters that the incident where the three employees were questioned was with officials of the Ministry of the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in the southern area of Kandahar.
Karimi said the officials wanted to know about a “gathering of women” but left the staff alone once they were informed that they were UN employees.
The incident comes at a time when the Taliban has imposed increasing restrictions on women and girls since taking over the country last year. The policies were a contrast to the pledges the insurgent group has made to uphold the rights of women and girls.
The UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan Richard Bennett said Monday that human rights were deteriorating in the country under the Taliban’s leadership and called for major changes to be made. Bennett cited the policies against women and girls as well as the insurgent group’s crackdown on its critics and the media in the country.
Bennett described the situation as a “descent towards authoritarianism.”
The UN human rights council issued a mandate to monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan nearly a year ago. The European Union is expected to renew the mandate in its draft resolution, and a decision is expected to be announced on October 7.
