Trump Threatens 200% Tariff on French Wine Over Macron’s Refusal to Join Peace Board 
Trump Says Greenland Is Key to Global Security After Call With NATO Chief 
Guatemala Declares State of Siege After Deadly Gang Violence and Prison Hostage Crisis 
Trump Signs Executive Order to Limit Wall Street Investment in Single-Family Homes 
JD Vance and Wife Usha Announce They Are Expecting Fourth Child in July 
Trump Signals Possible Harvard Deal Amid Ongoing Tensions 
Russian Drone and Missile Attack Disrupts Power and Water in Kyiv 
Syria Announces Ceasefire With Kurdish Forces as U.S. Pushes Integration Deal 
Japan Government Bond Rout Deepens as Election Spending Fears Shake Markets 
Minnesota U.S. Citizen Detained by ICE in Armed Raid Sparks Outrage and Civil Rights Concerns 
Trump Criticizes NYSE Texas Expansion, Calls Dallas Exchange a Blow to New York 
Trump Declines G7 Paris Meeting Amid Rising Tensions With European Allies Over Greenland Remarks 
Kazakh President Tokayev Accepts Invitation to Join Trump-Proposed “Board of Peace” 
Trump Administration Appeals Judge’s Order Limiting ICE Tactics in Minneapolis 
Trump Revives Greenland Ownership Push Ahead of World Economic Forum in Davos 
Syrian Government Consolidates Control as Kurdish Forces Withdraw from Key Regions 
Russian Air Attacks Plunge Kyiv Into Darkness, Raise Nuclear Safety Fears 
The world witnessed a rapid takeover by the insurgent Islamic group Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan at the heels of the withdrawal of US troops and NATO forces in the region. The spokesperson for the insurgent group addressed a number of concerns in a news conference, among them regarding women’s rights.
The insurgent group held a publicity blitz this week in the hopes of convincing world leaders along with the people of Afghanistan that their beliefs have changed. Many Afghans remain skeptical of the so-called change, leading to the chaos that occurred in Kabul airport with the US military jets. Following their rapid advancement towards Kabul and takeover of the country’s provincial capitals, the Taliban are now looking to show that their views have become more moderate compared to the ultraconservative beliefs the group held during their reign in the 1990s.
Along with others, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who was a shadowy figure of the insurgent group for years, said that they pledged to honor women’s rights, along with forgiving those who have resisted them and ensuring peace in the region. Mujahid said the Taliban would honor the rights of women in keeping with Islamic norms. Mujahid added that the group would want private media outlets to work independently but stressed that the journalists should not go against the national values.
“We assure you that nobody will go to their doors to ask why they helped,” said Mujahid, regarding those who have worked for the foreign governments or forces and the former government of Afghanistan.
Mujahid’s comments follow the statements made by another spokesperson of the insurgent group, Enamullah Samangani, who said that the Taliban would extend “amnesty” while encouraging women to join the government.
Another spokesperson for the Taliban also said this week that the 20-year war in the region is now over. Speaking with Al-Jazeera Mubasher TV the previous weekend, Mohammad Naeem said that the Taliban will not target any diplomatic body or headquarters. Naeem also assured that the Taliban will provide safety for its citizens and diplomatic missions.
“We are ready to have a dialogue with all Afghan figures and will guarantee them the necessary protection,” Naeem told the outlet, adding that the group is determined to make peace with everyone, taking their steps to ensuring it seriously.
