Taliban suspend chess over gambling
Taliban authorities have barred chess across Afghanistan until further notice over concerns it is a source of gambling, which is illegal under the government's morality law, a sports official said on Sunday.
"Chess in sharia (Islamic law) is considered a means of gambling," which is prohibited according to the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law announced last year, sports directorate spokesperson Atal Mashwani told AFP.
"There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess," he said.
"Until these considerations are addressed, the sport of chess is suspended in Afghanistan," he added.
Mashwani said the national chess federation had not held any official events for around two years and "had some issues on the leadership level".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Madleen to reach Gaza in 24h with aid in bold challenge to Israeli blockade
Listen to article Madleen, the humanitarian aid vessel aiming to break the Israeli blockade, has sailed off the Egyptian coast and is expected to reach Palestinian waters within a day. Swedish climate activists Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian member of the European parliament (MEP) Rima Hassan and 10 other international activists are on board the ship launched by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). In a post shared on Instagram, Rima Hassan stated, 'In 24 hours, we will arrive in Palestinian waters, illegally controlled and occupied by Israel.' She urged European governments to guarantee the vessel's safe passage, warning that any interception would violate international humanitarian law. German activist Yasemin Acar, speaking to AFP, confirmed that the group was sailing off Egypt's coast and that all members were in good health. The International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza, a flotilla coalition member, said it was in contact with legal and human rights bodies to ensure the safety of those aboard. The committee warned that interference with the vessel would constitute a breach of international law. Israel has declared that it will prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, labelling it a security threat. Past flotilla attempts to break the blockade on Gaza have typically been intercepted within approximately 100 nautical miles of the coast. Despite the risks, Hassan and the other activists remain committed to delivering humanitarian aid and drawing attention to the blockade. 'Targeting this mission would be a flagrant violation of international law,' Hassan said. The vessel is expected to approach the interception zone by Monday. The vessel aiming to break Israel's blockade Named after Gaza's first and only female fisherwoman, Madleen departed from Catania, Sicily, on June 1. Its voyage began just a month after another FFC ship, Conscience, was struck by Israeli drone attacks off Malta, forcing it to abort its mission. Launched in response to Israel's near-total ban on aid into Gaza since March 2, Madleen's mission highlights the growing humanitarian disaster in the besieged enclave. Aid agencies report that over 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents are suffering from severe food insecurity, with dozens of children reported dead from Madleen is expected to cover its 2,000km (1,250-mile) journey in about seven days, assuming it encounters no interruptions. To ensure transparency and safety, the vessel's location is being tracked in real time by Forensic Architecture and a Garmin GPS device installed onboard. As of June 4 at 04:00 GMT, the ship was located roughly 600km (375 miles) from Sicily. On Tuesday night, a surveillance drone was spotted circling the vessel around 68km (42 miles) from Greek territorial waters. The drone was later identified as a Hellenic Coastguard Heron, which has since moved away from the area. Gazans at risk of famine Roughly one in five Palestinians in Gaza is now experiencing starvation, as Israel's total blockade of the territory enters its third month. According to the latest findings by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), nearly 1.95m people—accounting for 93 percent of Gaza's population—are suffering from severe food insecurity. The IPC warns that the ongoing restrictions could cause 'further mass displacement' both within Gaza and across its governorates, as essential resources required for survival continue to run out. Efforts to address the crisis have faltered. A US-backed Israeli initiative known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was launched in May to manage aid delivery. However, its central distribution hub collapsed into disorder just hours after opening on May 27, and the situation has since worsened following fatal shootings near food aid sites. Israel stands accused of deliberately drawing Palestinians to these distribution points before opening fire. More than 100 people have reportedly been killed in such incidents over the past eight days. The humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding amid Israel's ongoing military campaign, which has, since October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of over 54,000 Palestinians. Madleen's crew As FFC continues its course toward Gaza, the 12 individuals onboard the Madleen are preparing for a potential standoff with Israeli forces, who have announced their intent to intercept the vessel. The ship's diverse group includes: Greta Thunberg, the well-known Swedish climate and social justice advocate. As @GretaThunberg makes her way to #Gaza aboard the 'Madleen,' the #FreedomFlotillaCoalition continues to honor the promise we made to the Palestinians in Gaza back in 2008: to sail until Israel's illegal siege is broken. Greta's powerful message reminds us that climate justice… — Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 6, 2025 Rima Hassan, French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament representing the La France Insoumise party. Omar Faiad, a French journalist with Al Jazeera, reporting on the voyage. Yanis Mhamdi, a reporter with French independent outlet Blast, also documenting the journey. Pascal Maurieras, a French activist and veteran of previous flotilla missions. Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian political activist and journalist, known for nearly 20 years of outspoken support for the Palestinian cause. Baptiste André, a French medical doctor onboard to provide care in the event of injuries during any confrontations. Yasemin Acar, a German activist of Kurdish heritage, who serves on the FFC's steering committee. Reva Viard, a climate activist from France. Suayb Ordu, an activist from Turkey. Sergio Toribio, a Spanish crew member affiliated with the marine conservation group Sea Shepherd. Marco Van Rennes, a Dutch student of marine engineering, serving as part of the ship's crew. Past attempts to break Gaza blockade highlight risks facing Madleen Over the years, several vessels have attempted to challenge Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza, often facing interception or violence: SS Liberty and Free Gaza (2008): In a historic first, two wooden ships from the Free Gaza Movement reached Gaza's port in August 2008, marking the first foreign docking in over four decades. The 44 activists aboard delivered hearing aids for children. Mavi Marmara (2010): On May 31, 2010, Israeli forces raided this Turkish-led aid flotilla in international waters. The operation left nine activists dead, including one with dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship. A tenth later died from injuries. Marianne (2015): The Israeli navy intercepted and boarded the Marianne roughly 100 nautical miles off Gaza on June 29, 2015, preventing its arrival. Akdeniz (2024): This ship was grounded in Turkey after its flag registration was reportedly revoked under diplomatic pressure. It had planned to carry 5,000 tonnes of aid and included participants from 40 countries, among them Mandla Mandela. Conscience (2025): Earlier this year, drones struck the Conscience before departure. The attack damaged the vessel's engine and hull, halting the mission in Malta. Notably, Greta Thunberg was among those due to board. These incidents underline the high political and physical stakes for the Madleen and its crew as they attempt to reach Gaza.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
'Return to your country,' Taliban tells Afghans amid US migration curbs
Listen to article The Taliban government on Saturday urged Afghans hoping to emigrate to the United States to instead return to Afghanistan, after Washington tightened entry conditions. US President Donald Trump this week announced a travel ban targeting 12 countries, including Afghanistan, which his proclamation said lacked "competent" central authorities for processing passports and vetting. Commenting on the ban on Saturday, Prime Minister Hassan Akhund urged Afghans to return to their country, saying they would be protected even if they worked with US-led forces in the two-decade fight against the Taliban insurgency. "For those who are worried that America has closed its doors to Afghans... I want to tell them, 'Return to your country, even if you have served the Americans for 20 or 30 years for their ends, and ruined the Islamic system'," he said in a speech marking the Eid al-Adha holiday, broadcast by state media. Read more: Trump restores travel ban on 12 countries "You will not face abuse or trouble," he said, making reassurances that the Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had "granted amnesty for all". After surging to power in 2021, Taliban authorities announced a general amnesty for Afghans who worked with the Western-backed forces and government. However, the United Nations has recorded reports of extrajudicial killings, detentions and abuses. In the past four years, the Taliban government has imposed a strict view of Islamic law and restrictions on women which the UN says amount to "gender apartheid". Afghans fled in droves to neighbouring countries during decades of conflict, but the chaotic withdrawal of US-led troops saw a new wave clamouring to escape Taliban government curbs and fears of reprisal for working with Washington. Also read: US revokes temporary protections for Afghans The United States has not had a working embassy in Afghanistan since 2021 and Afghans must apply for visas in third countries, principally Pakistan which has recently ramped up campaigns to expel Afghans. Since Trump returned to the White House in January, Afghans have gradually seen their chances of migrating to the United States or staying there shrink. Trump administration orders have disrupted refugee pathways and revoked legal protections temporarily shielding Afghans from deportation starting in July.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Gaza rescuers say Israel fire kills 36, six of them near aid centre
GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 36 Palestinians on Saturday, six of them in a shooting near a US-backed aid distribution centre. The shooting deaths were the latest reported near the aid centre run by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) in the southern district of Rafah and came after it resumed distributions following a brief suspension in the wake of similar deaths earlier this week. An aid boat with 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, was meanwhile nearing Gaza in a bid to highlight the plight of Palestinians in the face of an Israeli blockade that has only been partially eased. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that at around 7:00 am (0400 GMT), 'six people were killed and several others wounded by the forces of the Israeli occupation near the Al-Alam roundabout'. Gazans have gathered at the roundabout almost daily since late May to collect humanitarian aid from the GHF aid centre about one kilometre (a little over half a mile) away. AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls compiled by the civil defence agency or the circumstances of the deaths it reports. US-backed Gaza aid group says all distribution sites closed after shootings The Israeli military told AFP that troops had fired 'warning shots' at individuals that it said were 'advancing in a way that endangered the troops'. Samir Abu Hadid, who was there early Saturday, told AFP that thousands of people had gathered near the roundabout. 'As soon as some people tried to advance towards the aid centre, the Israeli occupation forces opened fire from armoured vehicles stationed near the centre, firing into the air and then at civilians,' Abu Hadid said. The GHF, officially a private effort with opaque funding, began operations in late May as Israel partially eased a more than two-month aid blockade on the territory. UN agencies and major aid groups have declined to work with it, citing concerns it serves Israeli military goals. Activist boat nears Gaza Israel has come under increasing international criticism over the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory, where the United Nations warned in May that the entire population was at risk of famine. The aid boat Madleen, organised by an international activist coalition, was sailing towards Gaza on Saturday, aiming to breach Israel's naval blockade and deliver aid to the territory, organisers said. 'We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast,' German human rights activist Yasemin Acar told AFP. 'We are all good,' she added. In a statement from London, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza – a member organisation of the flotilla coalition – said the ship had entered Egyptian waters. The group said it remains in contact with international legal and human rights bodies to ensure the safety of those on board, warning that any interception would constitute 'a blatant violation of international humanitarian law'. 'For this case as well, we are prepared,' army spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said on Tuesday, when asked about the Freedom Flotilla vessel. 'We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.' A 2010 commando raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which was part of a similar attempt to breach Israel's naval blockade, left 10 civilians dead. Body of Thai hostage recovered The Israeli military has stepped up its operations in Gaza in recent weeks in what it says is a renewed push to defeat Hamas. In a special operation in the Rafah area on Friday, Israeli forces retrieved the body of Thai hostage Nattapong Pinta, Defence Minister Israel Katz said. 'Nattapong came to Israel from Thailand to work in agriculture, out of a desire to build a better future for himself and his family,' Katz said. He was 'brutally murdered in captivity by the terrorist organisation Mujahideen Brigades', the minister charged. The Mujahideen Brigades is an armed group close to Hamas ally Islamic Jihad that Israel has also accused over other deaths of hostages seized from Kibbutz Nir Oz near the border. The military said Nattapong's family and Thai officials had been notified of the operation to recover his body. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said the country was 'deeply saddened' by his death.
