Taliban

Women are banned from private and public universities until further notice, a Taliban government spokesman said, the latest edict cracking down on their rights and freedoms.

A recent visit to Afghanistan showed a country facing an economic crisis. The banking system has seized up. Credit cards aren't working. Afghans abroad struggle to send money to relatives back home.

President Biden was elected on a promise of competency. The bungled exit from Afghanistan undercut that image. His approval ratings took a big hit, and have never recovered.

For the first time in decades, Afghans are living in relative peace. But with sanctions on the Taliban, the economy is in shambles and hunger is widespread. Girls are still out of school.

Morale across Afghanistan's military was "destroyed" when then-President Trump made a deal with the Taliban in 2020 and President Biden affirmed the U.S. exit in 2021, a new watchdog report says.

After six months of Taliban rule, many Afghans say they fear for their economic future of lack of personal freedoms.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, in an interview with The Associated Press, said the Taliban have changed since they last ruled. He says they have no issue with the United States.

The statement from Taliban officials came at the end of the first direct talks between the former foes since the withdrawal of U.S. troops in August. There was no immediate comment from the U.S.

The head of Save the Children in Afghanistan says it has been difficult to operate under the Taliban and their restrictions on women. Without humanitarian aid, he predicts serious casualties ahead.

Joseph Ladapo is Florida's new surgeon general, an outspoken critic of mask mandates and lockdowns. Plus, inequities in Florida's vaccine distribution and a local organization assisting with Afghan refugee resettlement.

Kabul's interim mayor did not give an exact number on just how many female employees would be forced to stay home because of the new rule. Previously about a third of city employees were women.

About 200 people, including some Americans, departed the Afghan capital on Thursday. Officials said this was not an evacuation flight, but rather that people were leaving of their own free will.