Afghanistan Roundup: Taliban court punishment, famine, sports, spy allegations
Internal displacement
Taliban authorities in Afghanistan evicted thousands of displaced people in Kabul and demolished their informal settlements, making over 800 families homeless. The Norwegian Refugee Council urged the Taliban to stop the evictions and find long-term relocation solutions. Afghanistan is facing a humanitarian crisis, with 4.2 million internally displaced due to conflict and violence, and 1.5 million due to disasters. According to The Peninsula, the sudden return of 600,000 Afghans from Pakistan has further strained resources.
Navy hero detained over spy allegations
Navy hero and George Cross recipient, Lance Corporal Matt Croucher, has been detained in a Dubai prison for seven months on accusations of spying. According to the Daily Mail, Croucher, who is a security consultant, was arrested and had his passport confiscated, with little information about the case against him. His family and friends are shocked and stressed, and the UK Foreign Office is providing support.
Famine threats
There are warnings of a possible famine in northern Gaza, despite aid efforts and restrictions on data collection during the Israel-Hamas war. Famine is declared if 20% of households lack food, 30% of children suffer from malnutrition, and hunger-related deaths occur. FEWS NET, a respected authority, provides the first technical assessment of possible famine. Data collection is impeded by the ongoing conflict, and urgent action is needed to prevent further hunger-related deaths. Arabnews reports that Israel denies famine and allegations of using hunger as a weapon, but international pressure is mounting to increase aid access.
Convicts whipped by Taliban Supreme Court
The Taliban Supreme Court in northern Afghanistan whipped 63 convicts, including 14 women, for sodomy, robbery, and moral crimes. This is part of the reintroduction of corporal punishment in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, which has been criticised by the United Nations for violating the UN Convention against Torture. The GNA reports that Taliban authorities defend this form of punishment as necessary for public safety.
Afghanistan beats Uganda in sports
Afghanistan recorded the fourth-largest win in T20 World Cup history after beating Uganda by 125 runs. Afghanistan's openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz stitched a 154-run partnership, but Uganda bowled tightly to limit Afghanistan to 183/5. In the chase, Uganda struggled and was bundled out for 58 runs, with Fazalhaq Farooqi taking 5/9. Afghanistan's win was the result of a dominating performance in both batting and bowling, Daily Mirror reports.
