Taliban announce remaining cabinet members, no woman included
The Taliban on Tuesday announced a list of deputy ministers and once again did not name any woman, despite an international warning that the group will be judged by their actions and that its recognition would be linked to the treatment of women and minorities in Afghanistan. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid present that list of new names at a press conference in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Mujahid defended the expansion of the cabinet, saying it included members of ethnic minorities, such as Hazaras. He also said that women might be added later.
Also read | In Mohammad Akhund-led Taliban govt, several key faces from Haqqani Network
The Taliban announced an interim setup to govern Afghanistan on September 7 and said it will be led by a founding member, Mohammad Hassan Akhund as they returned to power after two decades. They also named several leaders of the dreaded Haqqani Network in key positions. Sirajuddin Haqqani, the son of the founder of the Haqqani Network, was named as the new Afghan interior minister. He is one of the FBI's most wanted men due to his involvement in suicide attacks and ties with al Qaeda.
The reclusive Taliban chief Haibatullah Akhundzada was named the supreme leader with the final say on religious, political and security affairs.
(With agency inputs)
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China races to contain Covid outbreaks in tourism hubs Tibet, Hainan
Chinese authorities on Tuesday closed down parts of Tibet and launched mass testing in the capital after a rare outbreak of Covid-19 was reported in the remote region, even as the local government scrambles to contain Covid clusters in Hainan province's tourism hotspot, where thousands of tourists remain stranded. Authorities also suspended large events, shut entertainment and religious venues, and closed some tourist sites, including the famous Potala and Norbulingka Palaces, both world heritage sites.
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77 years for Atomic Bombing- Nagasaki marks anniversary
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SL reaffirms excellent relations with China post deferring visit by Chinese ship
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Chinese cities in Tibet begin mass Covid testing as clusters grow in Hainan
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Beijing using Pelosi as an excuse for war games, says Taiwan
China used the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei as a pretext to hold war games in the region that helped prepare it for a possible invasion of the island, Taiwan's foreign minister said, adding Beijing had been planning the move for some time. Taiwan responded by deploying aircraft and vessels, issuing radio warnings and deploying land-based missile systems to monitor the activities.
