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Taliban warns UN over Afghanistan talks exclusion

Published

1 month ago

May 2, 2023

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres held a second day of talks with world powers Tuesday on how to deal with Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders amid warnings from the Kabul administration that the meeting could be “counter-productive”.The talks in Doha were arranged by Guterres after the Taliban government banned Afghan women from working for the United Nations, prompting the world body to put its huge relief operations in Afghanistan under review.

Women are also banned from working for other NGOs, and are barred from almost all secondary and university education and most government jobs.

The talks involve envoys from the United States, Russia, China and 20 other countries and organisations, including major European donors and neighbours such as Pakistan, but exclude the Taliban government.

“Any meeting without the participation of IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) representatives — the main party to the issue — is unproductive and even sometimes counter-productive,” said the head of the Taliban political office in Doha, Suhail Shaheen.

“How can a decision taken at such meetings be acceptable or implemented while we are not part of the process? It is discriminatory and unjustified,” he said.

Meanwhile, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will lead a delegation to Islamabad at the end of the week for talks with Pakistani and Chinese officials, the ministry said Tuesday.

Muttaqi, who is subject to a UN travel ban, has previously been given exemptions to travel to the neighbouring country for talks.

The UN Security Council last week unanimously condemned the ban on its Afghan women staff, which the world body says has seriously threatened its efforts to aid the population.

Women’s groups staged protests on Saturday fearing the Doha meeting could propose steps toward recognition of the Taliban administration that returned to power in August 2021.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday however that “is not up for discussion” at the talks, which are being held behind closed doors.

The meeting would discuss human rights, including women’s rights, Afghanistan’s governance and ways to counter terrorism and drug trafficking, Djurric said.

Guterres wants “a common understanding with the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues”, he added.

The UN review of its Afghanistan operation is due to be completed on Friday. The world body has said it faces an “appalling choice” on whether to stay in the country.

AFP

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Barcelona release statement on Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami

Published

17 hours ago

June 8, 2023

Editor 3

Spanish football giants, Barcelona have reacted to Lionel Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami.The club, on Wednesday night, released a statement after Lionel Messi confirmed he would be joining Inter Miami.The LaLiga champions revealed that they presented a contract to Messi, but the player decided to move to Major League Soccer (MLS).The statement read: “On Monday, June 5, Jorge Messi, the player’s father and representative, informed Club President Joan Laporta of the player’s decision to join Inter Miami, despite having been presented with a proposal from Barça, in consideration of the desire of both FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi for him to once again wear blaugrana.“President Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years.“Both Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from Barça fans to honor a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barça.”

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Champions League: how Man City can defeat Inter Milan in final – Guardiola speaks

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2 days ago

June 7, 2023

Editor 3

Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has talked about how his team can be victorious in the Champions League.He gave a tactical breakdown into how his team can defeat Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.The Serie A side stand in between City and winning the Treble this season.Although many observers feel Guardiola’s men are big favourites, the Spaniard has said it will not be an easy game.“Inter will be a team with a lot of difficulties. It’s not easy to attack the defensive system they use. We have to be with a lot of rhythm but be patient. We are not going to do it in three, four passes.“We have to use the right tempo that we have to play in these type of games. As much as the game goes through, you become more anxious and that will be a problem.“They are used to controlling all the games in Italy, they have good patterns and of course we have to defend really, really well.“It’s a final against a top team, we have to do it. We are confident and so optimistic, but at the same time I cannot deny the qualities of the opponents, especially in the final of the Champions League,” Guardiola said.

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Transfer: they still have aame problem – Pique hits Barcelona Amid Messi’s return

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2 days ago

June 7, 2023

Editor 3

Gerard Pique, the former Barcelona defender, has slammed his former club.He criticized his former club under the leadership of President Joan Laporta for his stance on Lionel Messi’s potential return to Camp Nou.Messi recently played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain against Clermont Foot last Sunday.The Argentine will leave PSG as a free agent after June 30 and has been linked with a return to Barcelona.Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, recently had a meeting with Laporta.Speaking on the developments, Pique said (via Barca Universal) that Barcelona still have the same financial issues.The Spaniard said, “We have left and they still have the same problem. In theory, we were the ones responsible for the financial issues with our salaries.“Now we are not there and they cannot register either. Who else has to go?”Pique retired in the middle of the 2022-2023 season and the likes of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will also leave at the end of the season.