The Taliban on Monday rejected concerns and criticism raised by the United Nations over new vice and virtue laws that ban women in Afghanistan from baring their faces and speaking in public places.
Roza Otunbayeva, who heads the UN mission in the country, UNAMA, said Sunday that the laws provided a 鈥渄istressing vision鈥 for Afghanistan鈥檚 future. She said the laws extend the 鈥渁lready intolerable restrictions鈥 on the rights of women and girls, with 鈥渆ven the sound of a female voice鈥 outside the home apparently deemed a moral violation.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the main spokesman for the Taliban鈥檚 government, issued a statement warning against 鈥渁rrogance鈥 from those who he said may not be familiar with Islamic law, particularly non-Muslims who might express reservations or objections.
鈥淲e urge a thorough understanding of these laws and a respectful acknowledgment of Islamic values. To reject these laws without such understanding is, in our view, an expression of arrogance,鈥 he said.
Afghanistan鈥檚 Taliban rulers on Wednesday issued the country鈥檚 first set of laws to discourage vice and promote virtue. They include a requirement for a woman to conceal her face, body and voice outside the home. They also ban images of living beings, such as photographs.
鈥淎fter decades of war and in the midst of a terrible humanitarian crisis, the Afghan people deserve much better than being threatened or jailed if they happen to be late for prayers, glance at a member of the opposite sex who is not a family member, or possess a photo of a loved one,鈥 Otunbayeva said.
In response to the UNAMA statement, Mujahid added, 鈥淲e must stress that the concerns raised by various parties will not sway the Islamic Emirate from its commitment to upholding and enforcing Islamic law."
In rare public criticism of Afghanistan's rulers, the Japanese Embassy in Kabul expressed its deep concern about the continuing restrictions on women and girls as announced in the laws.
The embassy said Monday on the social platform X that it would keep urging authorities to 鈥渓isten to the voice of Afghan women and girls for education, employment, and freedom of movement鈥 for the future of the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced his caucus for the first time Wednesday since rebuffing calls from two dozen Liberals to resign. He seemed to satiate some MPs鈥 concerns, with a presentation on party campaign strategy that includes rolling out new ads.
The Canadian dollar is trading against the U.S. dollar at levels not seen since 2020 as the combined pressures of economic outlooks, elections, and energy prices weigh. Here's what you need to know.
The National Food Allergy Action Plan calls for major changes to assist the millions of Canadians with food allergies. The plan is designed to bring improvements to allergy diagnosis, treatment, consistent standards of care, improved access to care, and an overall upgrade in investments for education and research.
A 33-year-old mother climbed over a safety rail and intentionally went over Niagara Falls with her two children, a 9-year-old and 5-month-old, according to New York state police, who said Wednesday that search and rescue efforts were unsuccessful.
A South Frontenac Township man is facing charges, including impaired operation causing death, in connection to a boat crash that killed three people on Bobs Lake in eastern Ontario over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Vanita Lindsay has been paid $8,816.20 for a job she has never worked.
A long-time animal foster said the recent behaviour of her dog and cat is something she had never witnessed.
Jagmeet Singh says the NDP will not support the Bloc Qu茅b茅cois and Conservative leaders to help them bring down the Liberal government.
The mother of a 17-year-old victim in a mass slaying in Manitoba is suing a child welfare agency for allegedly failing to protect the girl.
The mother of a 17-year-old victim in a mass slaying in Manitoba is suing a child welfare agency for allegedly failing to protect the girl.
A long-time animal foster said the recent behaviour of her dog and cat is something she had never witnessed.
Global Affairs Canada says it is aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in Russia, but won't confirm reports that he was a foreign fighter fighting for Ukraine.
Three people were found dead after a fire tore through a rental home on Vancouver Island earlier this week. Investigators believe one of the victims initially escaped the blaze, but ran back inside to rescue others before he succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Two cute, fluffy alpacas brought a smile to commuters鈥 faces Wednesday morning as they rode the GO Train from Scarborough to Union Station in advance of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which kicks off this weekend.
A South Frontenac Township man is facing charges, including impaired operation causing death, in connection to a boat crash that killed three people on Bobs Lake in eastern Ontario over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Fresh slivered onions served on McDonald鈥檚 Quarter Pounders were the likely source of an E. coli outbreak that has led to one death and illnesses in more than a dozen states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and USA Today may have declined to endorse a candidate in this year鈥檚 presidential election. But former President Donald Trump doesn鈥檛 see it that way.
The United States and other mediators are ramping up efforts to halt the wars in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, circulating new proposals to wind down the regional conflict during the Biden administration鈥檚 final months.
Flash floods in Spain turned village streets into rivers, ruined homes, disrupted transportation and killed at least 95 people in the worst natural disaster to hit the European nation in recent memory.
The man suspected of setting fires in ballot drop boxes in Oregon and Washington state is an experienced metalworker and may be planning additional attacks, authorities said Wednesday
After a ridiculous spike over the past five weeks that had absolutely nothing to do with the company鈥檚 actual business, former President Donald Trump鈥檚 social media stock is suffering a sudden setback.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced his caucus for the first time Wednesday since rebuffing calls from two dozen Liberals to resign. He seemed to satiate some MPs鈥 concerns, with a presentation on party campaign strategy that includes rolling out new ads.
Jagmeet Singh says the NDP will not support the Bloc Qu茅b茅cois and Conservative leaders to help them bring down the Liberal government.
The parliamentary budget officer says if the federal government wants to meet NATO's military spending target by 2032 as promised, it will have to almost double defence spending to $81.9 billion.
A recent case of measles detected in the Maritimes has a B.C. connection, provincial health officials say.
H5N1 bird flu has been identified in a pig in the United States for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday.
A team at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) is the first in Canada to treat a neuroendocrine tumours cancer patient using an innovative treatment.
Scientists in Argentina have discovered the oldest-known fossil of a giant tadpole that wriggled around over 160 million years ago.
In a surprising discovery, Bristol Zoo's conservation team captured night vision footage of a 'mysterious' creature on zoo grounds.
Archeologists in Cambodia have unearthed a dozen centuries-old sandstone statues in a "remarkable discovery" at the Angkor World Heritage Site near the city of Siem Reap, authorities said Wednesday.
Olivia Rodrigo has had a big world tour that she said has been fun - despite an accident that made headlines.
The headliners for the region鈥檚 biggest outdoor country music festival are locked in, and once again, the multi-day event has garnered big names.
Teri Garr, the quirky comedy actor who rose from background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to co-star of such favourites as 'Young Frankenstein' and 'Tootsie,' has died. She was 79.
A new poll suggests more than a quarter of Canadians will spend $100 or more on Halloween, with roughly 70 per cent of respondents saying they'll fork over as much money as they did last year on candy and costumes.
Chipotle customers have complained that portion sizes are all over the map. The company finally has a solution 鈥 'consistent and generous portions.'
Costco locations in Ontario will join hundreds of other grocery and big-box stores that can start selling wine and beer as soon as this Thursday.
A 114-year-old Pennsylvania woman is now believed to be the oldest living person in North America.
As winter approaches and daylight hours grow shorter, people prone to seasonal depression can feel it in their bodies and brains.
Topps, Fanatics' trading card company, is partnering with the Westminster Kennel Club to release a line of inserts named 'Stars of the Show,' which feature champion pooches from Sage the Miniature Poodle to Trumpet the Bloodhound.
Travis Kelce traded up his Kansas City Chiefs jersey for a Winnipeg Blue Bombers one.
All-star forward Scottie Barnes is out with a fractured right orbital bone. The Toronto Raptors say Barnes's injury will be re-evaluated in three weeks' time.
The two New York Yankees fans who were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series after ripping the ball from Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts' glove will be banned from Yankee Stadium for Wednesday鈥檚 Game 5.
Volkswagen has informed employee representatives that it wants to close at least three plants in Germany, the head of the company's works council said Monday.
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Based on initial appearances, there are signs indicating the automobile industry is in healthy shape 鈥 for now.
A Halifax junk remover shares some of his company鈥檚 strangest discoveries.
When Leah arrived at work directing traffic around a construction site, she never expected to see a van painted in all sorts of bright colours, and covered in eclectic decorations, including a stuffed moose attached to its roof.
After 14 years of repairing and selling bicycles out of the garage of her home, a Guelph, Ont. woman鈥檚 efforts have ended 鈥 for now, at least.
Epcor says it has removed more than 20,000 goldfish from an Edmonton stormwater pond.
Witches and warlocks have been flocking to New Brunswick waterways this month, as a new Halloween tradition ripples across the province.
New Brunswicker Jillea Godin鈥檚 elaborate cosplay pieces attract thousands to her online accounts, as well as requests from celebrities for their own pieces.
A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.
Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
The owner of a pair of teardown homes in Vancouver's rapidly redeveloping Oakridge neighbourhood has been ordered to refund a would-be buyer's deposit of $1.5 million.
A former teacher from B.C.鈥檚 Fraser Valley who pleaded guilty to sexual assault and other charges last year has agreed to give up his teaching certificate.
Three people were found dead after a fire tore through a rental home on Vancouver Island earlier this week. Investigators believe one of the victims initially escaped the blaze, but ran back inside to rescue others before he succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Junior Henry says he was shot by a Taser in his bedroom all because police got the wrong home in Brampton.
Two cute, fluffy alpacas brought a smile to commuters鈥 faces Wednesday morning as they rode the GO Train from Scarborough to Union Station in advance of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which kicks off this weekend.
Ontario鈥檚 deficit for 2024-25 has shrunk by $3.3 billion since the Ford government released the provincial budget earlier this year, and the province says it expects that deficit to flip to a larger-than-expected surplus within the next two years.
The Alberta government is looking to increase oversight of the child-care sector.
The Alberta government, in the interest of protecting human and animal health as well as the meat industry, is increasing the penalties for the sale of illegal uninspected meat.
Police in Alberta have arrested a Quebec man on numerous charges related to human trafficking.
A South Frontenac Township man is facing charges, including impaired operation causing death, in connection to a boat crash that killed three people on Bobs Lake in eastern Ontario over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Two men are being treated for burns after being injured while working at an apartment building in Ottawa's Alta Vista neighbourhood.
Ottawa's city council voted on Wednesday to enable city staff to look into the feasibility of implementing a 'bubble bylaw' that could restrict demonstrations near certain community spaces, including schools and hospitals amid an increase in hate crimes.
Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed Wednesday afternoon that they are investigating a homicide after a body was found in the l鈥櫭巐e-de-la-Visitation nature park in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.
For the past 25 years, Jean-Paul D茅silets has fully immersed himself in the spirit of Halloween. The DIY Halloween decor enthusiast has transformed his home in Trois-Rivi猫res into a year-round spooky, magical world鈥攕traight out of a Tim Burton movie.
The Montreal police's sexual exploitation unit is once again asking for the public's help in locating potential victims of a convicted sex offender who allegedly reoffended.
The Alberta government is looking to increase oversight of the child-care sector.
Hundreds of pages of documents detailing potential asbestos exposures at Edmonton鈥檚 largest school division reveal human error led to more than a dozen worker exposures last year.
An Edmonton woman is asking trick-or-treaters to stop by her house to visit her dog.
The lawyer for a homeless man who died at a Halifax encampment is arguing in court today that his client's welfare payments should have been as high as those received by people with permanent housing.
Famed Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan is postponing her 30th Anniversary tour of 鈥淔umbling Towards Ecstasy鈥 due to health concerns.
Collisions on both bridges spanning the Halifax Harbour led to traffic troubles for commuters Wednesday morning.
The mother of a 17-year-old victim in a mass slaying in Manitoba is suing a child welfare agency for allegedly failing to protect the girl.
Police say a 44-year-old man was rushed to hospital after an unprovoked attack in a Winnipeg park involving a machete and bear spray.
Travis Kelce traded up his Kansas City Chiefs jersey for a Winnipeg Blue Bombers one.
The Saskatchewan Party has avoided being swept off the map by the NDP in Saskatoon with 麻豆影视 confirming that Ken Cheveldayoff has been re-elected in Saskatoon Willowgrove.
Following the Saskatchewan Party's formation of a fifth straight majority, the party will enter historic territory as one of the province's three longest serving governments.
Saskatchewan RCMP has confirmed that 37-year-old Nathaniel Hewton, a candidate for mayor in Regina鈥檚 upcoming civic election, is wanted in relation to an assault investigation.
All lanes of Highway 401 are closed eastbound near Townline Road in Cambridge.
Kaitlyn Braun, the woman who pleaded guilty to defrauding numerous doulas last year, has pleaded guilty to four additional charges.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony鈥檚 board of directors says the association has bounced back from bankruptcy.
Delegates from 74 Saskatchewan First Nations head to the polls on Thursday to elect a new chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).
The 24-hour public washroom trailer in Pleasant Hill closes for the season on Thursday.
Following the Saskatchewan Party's formation of a fifth straight majority, the party will enter historic territory as one of the province's three longest serving governments.
A North Bay woman was sentenced this week in connection with the fatal stabbing of Nicholas Nicholls in 2021.
Towns and municipalities in northern Ontario are concerned about the increased costs of Ontario Provincial Police services.
Daniel and Rita Auger of Chelmsford in Greater Sudbury are celebrating after winning $1 million in the Sept. 17 Encore draw.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is being investigated by London Police Service, who LHSC confirmed on Wednesday are looking into 鈥榩ast financial practices.鈥
On Wednesday morning Nicholas Burtch, 36, entered a guilty plea at the Simcoe Courthouse to a charge related to failing to stop at the scene of a collision causing death. The 14-year-old boy, whose identity has been protected by the courts, was struck by a pick-up truck.
A London man is facing a total of 53 charges in connection to a multiple theft investigation.
The family of a gas station worker who was killed earlier this month in Amaranth is pleading for help in finding the person responsible for his murder.
A woman claiming Lauriston and Amber Maloney exploited her while she lived and worked for the Essa Township couple continued her testimony on Wednesday, telling the court she was controlled for years.
Amid a critical need for family doctors, the Town of Huntsville is taking steps to attract physicians and tackle the long-standing waitlist for primary care.
Local judge, Justice Maria Carroccia, has ruled previous conduct will be considered when it comes to her final judgement in a Windsor terrorism trial.
The Doug Ford government plans to provide Ontario taxpayers with a $200 tax-free rebate. Parents will receive an additional $200 cheque for each eligible child.
If she can dream it, Dora Strelkova can likely make it a reality 鈥 as long as there鈥檚 a 3D printer nearby.
Three people were found dead after a fire tore through a rental home on Vancouver Island earlier this week. Investigators believe one of the victims initially escaped the blaze, but ran back inside to rescue others before he succumbed to smoke inhalation.
A coalition of Canadian environmental groups has lost its latest bid to prevent Alaska's salmon fishery from being labelled as sustainable by an international certification body.
Prison officials discovered several packages containing tens of thousands of dollars worth of contraband cannabis products on the perimeter of a British Columbia prison last week, as the Correctional Service of Canada says it has increased its deployment of anti-drone and detector dog services at federal institutions across the country.
More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.
Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.
A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.
A Lethbridge police officer faces multiple charges in relation to an off-duty domestic incident.
According to the last Alberta crop report of 2024, 99.9 percent of crops in the south region have been harvested.
With Remembrance Day ceremonies set to take place in less than two weeks, a Lethbridge pilot is gearing up to hit the skies to help honour Canadian soldiers.
From Jan.1-Oct. 20, Ontario Provincial Police officers laid 95 impaired charges on Manitoulin Island, compared to 93 in all of 2023.
A Goulais River man has been charged with impaired driving and entering a premises without permission after he pulled into a driveway he thought was his and argued with the homeowner.
Environment Canada issued weather alerts Wednesday in anticipation of severe thunderstorms, heavy rain the first accumulating snowfall of the season in the northeast with up to 10 cm expected.
Newfoundland and Labrador's auditor general has issued a warning about the province's financial position as the government announced it would finish the 2024-25 fiscal year with a higher-than-expected deficit.
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador have charged an off-duty RCMP officer for allegedly driving while impaired, following a crash on Sunday.
The human remains recovered off Placentia Bay, N.L., earlier this month have been identified as the coast guard employee who went missing at sea in September.
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