Afghanistan, Sudan, North Korea
Today's three stories you should know
Afghanistan
The Taliban has locked about 2.4 million girls out of secondary education since introducing a ban when it returned to power in 2021, according to the U.N. The figure could rise to nearly 4 million by 2030 if the ban remains in place, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, said. Despite promising it would respect women’s rights when it formed a government, the Taliban has put limits on female employment and barred women from public parks, gyms and beauty salons, effectively erasing them from public life.
More from DW here.
On a recent episode of The Proximities Podcast, I spoke to journalists Zahra Joya and Amie Ferris-Rotman about their new book “The Vanishing Girl of Kabul.” Zahra, the founder of a women-led news organization, fled Afghanistan after the Taliban threatened her life. Our conversation is on Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here and YouTube here.
Sudan
The bodies of 25 civilians have been found in a mass grave a month after the Sudanese military recaptured a town from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The dead included women, children and health workers, Abdel Aty Mohamed al-Faki, the commissioner of the town of Kurmuk, said. In March, Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the war, said the RSF looted health facilities in Kurmuk, destroyed its main hospital and assaulted medical workers. The militia, which has been at war with Sudan’s military-led government for more than three years, has been accused of committing a string of war crimes, including carrying out genocidal acts after capturing the city of el-Fasher.
More from the New Arab here.
North Korea
North Korea has launched its second ballistic missile in a week after the U.S. and South Korea announced plans for their annual joint military drills. The Japanese and South Korean militaries said the rocket flew more than 700 km before landing in the Sea of Japan. The Ulchi Freedom Shield drills will begin on August 17 and continue for 11 days, with 18,000 South Korean soldiers taking part, Seoul said. Pyongyang says the drills are a rehearsal for an invasion, often responding with missile tests, while Washington and Seoul insist they are defensive.
More from Al Jazeera here.