The Taliban's impending ban on beauty salons in Kabul is causing panic among Afghan women, marking another severe restriction on their public life. The United Nations has warned that the Taliban's actions could amount to gender apartheid and gender persecution. The ban, effective at the end of July, will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons in Kabul, representing a significant economic impact on women since the Taliban's rise to power nearly two years ago.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which threatens to close 3,000 women-run salons and eliminate one of the few remaining places where women can work and gather. The ban, part of a series of restrictions on women's public life, has been condemned by U.N. officials and Western diplomats. Salon owners like Samia Faqiri and Yalda Hashimi, who have supported their families through their businesses, are devastated by the news. The ban is justified by the Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue as a measure against the financial burden of wedding makeovers and practices they deem un-Islamic. The impending closure of salons has led to protests and fears among female workers, with some considering leaving the country.

Afghan women are facing a Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, a move that will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons and impact thousands of female employees. The ban, part of a series of edicts restricting women's public participation, has been criticized by U.N. officials and Western diplomats. Salon owners, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families, are devastated by the impending closure. The Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue cites the financial burden of wedding makeovers and the un-Islamic nature of certain beauty practices as reasons for the ban. The decision has sparked small protests and fears that it may extend to all beauty salons in Afghanistan. Some salon workers are considering leaving the country to escape the oppressive regime.

The Taliban's impending ban on beauty salons in Kabul, Afghanistan, is causing panic among women, as it will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons, eliminating one of the few remaining workplaces for women under Taliban rule. The United Nations has warned that the Taliban's restrictions on women could amount to gender apartheid and persecution. Salon owners like Samia Faqiri and Yalda Hashimi, who have supported their families through their businesses, are facing economic hardship and the loss of their livelihoods. The ban, justified by the Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue as a measure against debt and un-Islamic practices, has been condemned by U.N. officials and Western diplomats. Women in the beauty industry are considering leaving the country or protesting, as they fear for their future.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons by the end of July. This ban is part of a series of restrictions that severely limit women's participation in public life, with the U.N. warning of gender apartheid. Salon owners, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families, are devastated by the economic and social implications. The ban is justified by the Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue as a measure against the financial burden of wedding makeovers and practices deemed un-Islamic. The international community, including U.S. special envoy Rina Amiri, has condemned the ban. Affected women are protesting and some are considering leaving the country.

Afghan women are facing a Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, a move that will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons and impact thousands of female employees. The ban, which is part of a series of restrictions on women's public participation, has been criticized by U.N. officials and Western diplomats. Salon owners, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families, are expressing despair and considering leaving the country. The ban is justified by the Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue as a measure against economic pressure on men and adherence to conservative Islamic law. Small protests have occurred, and the fear is that the ban may extend nationwide.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons and impact thousands of jobs. The salons were one of the few places where women could work and gather socially under Taliban rule. The ban has been condemned by U.N. officials and Western diplomats, and salon owners like Samia Faqiri and Yalda Hashimi express despair, with some considering leaving the country. The ban is part of a series of edicts restricting women and girls from public life, which the U.N. has warned could amount to gender apartheid and persecution.

The Taliban's impending ban on beauty salons in Kabul has caused panic among Afghan women, as it represents a significant economic and social blow. The ban will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons, eliminating one of the few remaining workplaces for women under Taliban rule. The United Nations has warned that the Taliban's restrictions could amount to gender apartheid and persecution. Salon owners, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families, are facing the loss of their livelihoods. The ban has been condemned by international officials, and some salon workers are considering leaving the country or protesting. The Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue cites the financial burden of wedding makeovers and adherence to conservative Islamic practices as reasons for the ban.

The Taliban's impending ban on beauty salons in Kabul, Afghanistan, is causing panic among Afghan women, as it represents a significant economic and social blow. The ban will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons, eliminating one of the few remaining workplaces for women under Taliban rule. The United Nations has warned that the Taliban's restrictions on women could amount to gender apartheid and persecution. The ban has been condemned by international officials, including the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan, Rina Amiri. Salon owners like Samia Faqiri and Yalda Hashimi, who have supported their families through their businesses, are facing despair, with some considering leaving the country. The Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue cites the financial burden of wedding makeovers and adherence to conservative Islamic practices as reasons for the ban.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which threatens to close 3,000 women-run salons and eliminate one of the few remaining places where women can work and gather. The ban, part of a series of restrictions on women's public life, has been condemned by U.N. officials and Western diplomats. Salon owners, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families, are devastated by the impending closure. The Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue cites the pressure on men to pay for wedding makeovers and the practice of hair weaves and eyebrow plucking as reasons for the ban, which they claim is in opposition to Sharia law. The ban has sparked small protests and fears among beauty workers, with some considering leaving the country.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which threatens to close 3,000 women-run salons and eliminate one of the few remaining workplaces for women. The ban, part of a series of restrictions on women's public life, has been condemned by U.N. officials and Western diplomats. Salon owners, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families, are devastated by the impending closure. The Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue cites the pressure on men to pay for wedding makeovers and the practice of hair weaves and eyebrow plucking as reasons for the ban, which they claim is in opposition to Sharia law. The ban has sparked small protests and fears among beauty workers, with some considering leaving the country.

Afghan women are facing a Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons by the end of July, eliminating one of the few remaining workplaces for women under Taliban rule. The ban has been condemned by U.N. officials and Western diplomats, and is seen as economically damaging for women who rely on these salons for their livelihoods. Salon owners and employees, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families, are in despair, with some considering leaving the country. The ban is part of a series of edicts curtailing women's participation in public life, and is enforced by the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue, which cites the pressure on Afghan men to pay for wedding makeovers and the practice of hair weaves and eyebrow plucking as reasons for the ban.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons by the end of July. This ban is part of a series of restrictions that severely limit women's participation in public life, with the UN warning of gender apartheid. Salons have been a significant source of income and a rare space for women to congregate, as they are excluded from most professions and public spaces. Salon owners and workers, who are often the sole breadwinners for their families, are devastated by the ban. The Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue justifies the ban by citing the financial burden of wedding makeovers and practices they deem un-Islamic. The international community, including U.S. special envoy Rina Amiri, has condemned the ban. Some salon workers are protesting, while others, like 22-year-old owner Yalda Hashimi, are considering leaving the country.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which threatens to close 3,000 women-run salons and eliminate one of the few remaining places where women could work and gather. The ban, part of a series of restrictions on women's public life, has been condemned by U.N. officials and Western diplomats. Salon owners like Samia Faqiri and Yalda Hashimi, who support their families through their businesses, are devastated. The ban is justified by the Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue as a measure against the financial burden of wedding makeovers and practices deemed un-Islamic. The impending closure of salons has led to protests and fears among female workers, with some considering leaving the country.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which will close approximately 3,000 women-run salons by the end of July. This ban is part of a series of restrictions that severely limit women's participation in public life. The United Nations has warned that the Taliban's actions could amount to gender apartheid and persecution. Salon owners, who are often the sole breadwinners for their families, are devastated by the impending closures. The ban was justified by the Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue as a measure against the financial burden of wedding makeovers and practices they deem un-Islamic. The international community, including U.S. special envoy Rina Amiri, has condemned the ban. Some salon workers are protesting, while others, like salon owner Yalda Hashimi, are considering leaving the country.

Afghan women are facing a new Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which threatens to close approximately 3,000 women-run salons, eliminating one of the few remaining workplaces for women under Taliban rule. The ban, which is set to take effect at the end of July, has been met with panic and dismay among salon owners and employees, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families. The United Nations has warned that the Taliban's restrictions on women could amount to gender apartheid. U.S. special envoy Rina Amiri and others have condemned the ban, which is justified by the Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue as a measure against the financial burden of wedding makeovers and practices they deem un-Islamic. Salon workers have protested the ban, fearing for their livelihoods and considering leaving the country.

Afghan women are facing a Taliban ban on beauty salons in Kabul, which threatens to close 3,000 women-run salons and eliminate one of the few remaining workplaces for women. The ban, part of a series of restrictions on women's public life, has been condemned by U.N. officials and Western diplomats. Salon owners, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families, are devastated by the impending closure. The Taliban's Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue cites the financial burden of wedding makeovers and the un-Islamic nature of certain beauty practices as reasons for the ban. The move has sparked small protests and fears among salon workers, with some considering leaving the country.

The article profiles Mullah Ibrahim Sadar, a key figure in the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan. Sadar, a mid-level Taliban field commander in 2001, learned harsh lessons from the US invasion that year. Over the next 19 years, he utilized his experience to help transform the Taliban into a formidable guerrilla force. Despite his significant role, Sadar has maintained a low profile. The article traces his life from his early years in Helmand province, through his involvement with the mujahideen against Soviet forces, to his rise within the Taliban ranks. Sadar's loyalty to the Taliban's hardline Islamic law and his strategic military leadership have been instrumental in the Taliban's campaign against US and Afghan forces, resulting in thousands of deaths. The US is preparing to withdraw troops based on a deal with the Taliban, but the future of Afghanistan remains uncertain. Sadar's stance will be influential in determining whether the Taliban will seek peace or continue fighting post-US withdrawal.

In Pakistan, tractors, particularly those from Belarus known as 'Russian tractors,' are not only essential for farming but also hold a significant cultural value. Farmers in rural Pakistan, especially in Punjab province, often give their tractors elaborate makeovers, which include vibrant art and decorations. These tractors have been instrumental in making many landowners wealthy by enabling profitable agriculture, such as sugarcane farming. The prosperity brought by these tractors is also reflected in local cultural events like horse races, where the wealth generated from agriculture is on display. The article highlights the deep connection between the farmers and their tractors, showing how these machines are cherished and celebrated in Pakistani culture.

In Pakistan, tractors, particularly those from Belarus known as 'Russian tractors,' are not only essential for farming but also a cultural icon. Farmers in rural Pakistan, where these tractors have contributed to their wealth, often give them elaborate makeovers. This tradition extends to other vehicles like trucks and tuktuks. The tractors, introduced by the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1970s, found their way to Pakistan through smuggling. Today, they are celebrated in songs and are a staple in agricultural activities such as plowing and transporting sugarcane. The prosperity brought by these tractors is evident in local horse races, where wealthy landowners, who have benefited from the tractors, participate in tent pegging, a traditional equestrian sport.

In Pakistan, farmers show their appreciation for Belarusian tractors by giving them elaborate makeovers, reflecting their cultural significance and the prosperity they bring to landowners. These tractors, originally introduced to Afghanistan by the Soviets, made their way to Pakistan where they have become a staple in agriculture. The customizations include vibrant art, bells, and lights, making each tractor unique. The tractors have not only transformed the agricultural landscape but also contributed to the wealth of farmers, enabling them to engage in local cultural events such as horse races.

The article provides an in-depth look at the situation in Sangin, a district in northern Helmand, Afghanistan, which has become the center of the new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The author reflects on the history of conflict in the area, the presence of foreign jihadists, and the impact of the U.S. military's longest war. The piece discusses the Taliban's control over Sangin, their governance, and the local opium trade, which is a significant source of income for the insurgents. The article also covers the U.S. and NATO's military efforts and casualties in the region, the strategic importance of Sangin, and the Taliban's vision for Afghanistan. The author traveled through Taliban-controlled areas, observing life under their rule and the potential for future conflict as the U.S. plans to withdraw troops by September 11, 2021. The article is a blend of reportage and analysis, providing a vivid account of the current state of affairs in a key region of Afghanistan.

The book 'Night Letters' by Chris Sands and Fazelminallah Qazizai explores the history of the Islamist group Hizb-e Islami and its leader, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. The group aimed to counter Soviet and American influence in Afghanistan and played a significant role in global jihad, influencing events like 9/11 and the rise of ISIS. Despite Hekmatyar's failure to rule Afghanistan, his life took a surprising turn with a peace deal in 2016. The book is based on extensive interviews and offers a detailed account of the political struggles in Afghanistan over the past fifty years. It has received praise for its meticulous research and compelling storytelling, making it a critical resource for understanding modern Afghanistan and jihadist militancy.