- 4 security forces killed as ex-PM Khan supporters flood Pakistan capital
- Four bodies, four survivors recovered from Egypt Red Sea sinking: governor
- Ayub century helps Pakistan crush Zimbabwe, level series
- French court cracks down on Corsican language use in local assembly
- Prosecutors seek up to 14-year terms for French rape trial defendants
- Russia expels UK diplomat accused of espionage
- Israeli security cabinet to discuss ceasefire as US says deal 'close'
- COP29 president blames rich countries for 'imperfect' deal
- Stocks retreat, dollar mixed on Trump tariff warning
- No regrets: Merkel looks back at refugee crisis, Russia ties
- IPL history-maker, 13, who 'came on Earth to play cricket'
- Ukraine says Russia using landmines to carry out 'genocidal activities'
- Prosecutors seek up to 12-year terms for French rape trial defendants
- 'Record' drone barrage pummels Ukraine as missile tensions seethe
- Laos hostel staff detained after backpackers' deaths
- Hong Kong LGBTQ advocate wins posthumous legal victory
- Ukraine says cannot meet landmine destruction pledge due to Russia invasion
- Rod Stewart to play Glastonbury legends slot
- Winter rains pile misery on war-torn Gaza's displaced
- 'Taiwan also has baseball': jubilant fans celebrate historic win
- Russia pummels Ukraine with 'record' drone barrage
- Paul Pogba blackmail trial set to open in Paris
- China's Huawei unveils 'milestone' smartphone with homegrown OS
- Landmine victims gather to protest US decision to supply Ukraine
- Indian rival royal factions clash outside palace
- Equity markets retreat, dollar gains as Trump fires tariff warning
- Manga adaptation 'Drops of God' nets International Emmy Award
- China's Huawei launches 'milestone' smartphone with homegrown OS
- Philippine VP denies assassination plot against Marcos
- Four Pakistan security forces killed as ex-PM Khan supporters flood capital
- Hong Kong's legal battles over LGBTQ rights: key dates
- US lawmakers warn Hong Kong becoming financial crime hub
- Compressed natural gas vehicles gain slow momentum in Nigeria
- As Arctic climate warms, even Santa runs short of snow
- Plastic pollution talks: the key sticking points
- Indonesia rejects Apple's $100 million investment offer
- Pakistan police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at ex-PM Khan supporters
- Ronaldo double takes Al Nassr to brink of AFC Champions League last 16
- Pakistan police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at pro-Khan supporters
- Hong Kong same-sex couples win housing, inheritance rights
- Indonesia digs out as flooding, landslide death toll hits 20
- Liverpool's old guard thriving despite uncertain futures
- Mbappe takes reins for Real Madrid in Liverpool clash
- As AI gets real, slow and steady wins the race
- China's Huawei to launch 'milestone' smartphone with homegrown OS
- Porzingis and Morant make triumphant NBA returns
- Hong Kong top court affirms housing, inheritance rights for same-sex couples
- Philippines, China clashes trigger money-making disinformation
- Most Asian markets drop, dollar gains as Trump fires tariff warning
- England 'not quivering' ahead of New Zealand Test challenge
Taliban supreme leader urges world to recognise government
Afghanistan's supreme leader called again Friday for the international community to recognise the Taliban government, saying the world had become a "small village" and proper diplomatic relations would help solve the country's problems.
No nation has formally recognised the regime installed by the Taliban after they seized power in August and reintroduced the hardline Islamist rule that is increasingly excluding women from public life.
In a written message ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada did not mention international sticking points -- including reopening secondary schools for girls.
Instead, he said recognition should come first "so that we may address our problems formally and within diplomatic norms and principles".
"Undoubtedly, the world has transformed into a small village," said Akhundzada, who has not been seen in public for years and lives reclusively in Kandahar, the Taliban's spiritual heartland.
"Afghanistan has its role in world peace and stability. According to this need, the world should recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan."
His Eid message comes as the country has been rocked by a series of bomb blasts -- some claimed by the jihadist Islamic State group and targeting the minority Shiite Hazara community.
Akhundzada made no mention of insecurity, but said the country had been able to build "a strong Islamic and national army", as well as "a strong intelligence organisation".
- Link aid to rights -
Many in the international community want humanitarian aid and recognition to be linked to the restoration of women's rights.
Tens of thousands of women lost their government jobs after the Taliban takeover, and they have also been barred from leaving the country -- or even travelling between cities -- unless accompanied by a male relative.
In March, the Taliban prompted global outrage by shutting all secondary schools for girls just hours after allowing them to reopen for the first time since they seized power.
Several Taliban officials said the ban was personally ordered by Akhundzada.
Akhundzada's Eid message didn't touch on girls' schools, but he did say authorities were opening new centres and madrassas for both "religious and modern education".
"We respect and are committed to all the sharia rights of men and women in Afghanistan... do not use this humanitarian and emotional issue as a tool for political ends," he said.
But he said people should willingly embrace the Taliban ideals, and not be forced.
"The relevant authorities should invite people towards sharia with wisdom and avoid extremism in this regard," he added.
He said also the government was committed to freedom of speech according to "Islamic values", although hundreds of news outlets have closed, public broadcasts of music banned, and movies and TV dramas featuring women taken off air.
Akhundzada, believed to be in his 70s, has been the spiritual leader of the hardline Islamist movement since 2016, but has remained in the shadows despite the Taliban enjoying largely uncontested power.
His absence from public life has fed speculation he may be dead and his edicts the product of a committee.
Still, in October the Taliban released an audio recording they said was him addressing a madrassa in Kandahar.
R.Adler--BTB