South Korea heatwave death toll rises to 16

KABUL: Afghan fathers are facing growing distress as their daughters remain unable to continue their education beyond primary school under restrictions imposed by the Taliban authorities. Families across Afghanistan say the education ban is creating deep emotional and financial pressure. Some fathers are openly questioning the policy, despite their religious beliefs and support for other government measures. The Taliban administration has defended the restrictions as temporary and based on its interpretation of religious principles. However, many Afghan men say they cannot understand why girls should be prevented from receiving secondary education. A United Nations survey conducted last year found that about nine out of 10 Afghan men considered it important for girls to attend secondary school. Nearly two-thirds also viewed supporting a daughter’s education as a religiously commendable act. Girls were barred from secondary schools after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Women were later also prohibited from attending universities. The restrictions have affected a large number of young Afghan women and girls. For many families, the approaching end of primary education has become a source of fear. Fathers worry that their daughters will lose their chance to pursue higher education and build professional careers. One father, identified as Ahmad, said he had never imagined that his daughters could be forced to stop studying. His wife is a mathematics teacher who is also unable to continue teaching secondary-level students. Ahmad said his eldest daughter is approaching the end of primary school. The family has considered private and underground educational options, but the cost is difficult to manage. Another father, a doctor identified as Mohammad, said he had always wanted his daughters to attend leading universities. He believes women are essential to Afghanistan’s development and should have opportunities beyond household responsibilities. His daughters are approaching the age when they will be forced to leave formal schooling. The family has considered sending them abroad, including to Pakistan, but changing regional circumstances have made that option difficult. Some families have turned to private schools that secretly provide general education alongside religious studies. These institutions often charge high fees and may not provide recognised graduation certificates. Parents also fear that authorities could take action against schools operating outside official restrictions. This leaves families caught between protecting their children and trying to continue their education. Another father from Kandahar said his young daughter has a strong interest in astronomy. She asks questions about the solar system, gravity and science. The girl reportedly asked her father how she could continue learning if she could not study beyond the sixth grade. Her question has become a painful reminder of the limited opportunities available to girls. Some families have moved to Kabul in search of better educational opportunities. Others are relying on online courses, home schooling and secret classes. The restrictions are also affecting children emotionally. Parents say many girls feel frustrated, isolated and uncertain about their future. One father said his teenage daughter often stays at home and becomes deeply upset when she thinks about her education. He said he sometimes leaves the room because he cannot control his emotions and ends up crying privately. Another family has created a home-schooling routine using old secondary-school textbooks. The parents try to maintain a school-like schedule so their daughters can continue learning. However, the parents say home education cannot fully replace a formal school environment. They worry about the lack of recognised qualifications, social interaction and access to trained teachers. Some girls have also begun attending secret classes. Their families remain concerned about possible consequences if the authorities discover them. The prolonged restrictions have created uncertainty for an entire generation of Afghan girls. Parents fear that years without formal education will limit their daughters’ future opportunities

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has urged North Korea to return to dialogue to establish a permanent peace regime and formally conclude the 1950–53 Korean War. Delivering a speech to mark the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee emphasised the necessity of peaceful coexistence and proposed diplomatic discussions to address Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities alongside regional security safeguards. The Korean War concluded with an armistice agreement rather than a formal peace treaty, leaving the peninsula in a technical state of conflict for decades. Lee affirmed that Seoul is prepared to implement pre-emptive measures to reduce military friction and prevent escalation, building upon earlier pledges to respect North Korea’s governance system. Diplomatic relations between the two nations remain strictly frozen, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un officially abandoning reunification goals and designating South Korea as a primary adversary. Pyongyang has repeatedly rejected previous diplomatic overtures from Seoul while criticising joint US–South Korean military exercises. Additionally, Lee addressed regional affairs with Tokyo, advocating for an approach that confronts historical grievances while fostering future cooperation with Japan as a neighbouring state.

KYIV: At least nine people were killed and 28 others injured after Russian ballistic missile strikes hit Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, on Saturday morning, Ukrainian officials said. The attack caused heavy damage in several areas of the city. Multiple explosions were reported as missiles struck residential areas and other locations. Emergency teams rushed to the affected sites to rescue people and control fires. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the capital came under a major missile attack. He said several explosions were heard across the city, while fires broke out and some areas faced power disruptions. Officials said the Darnytskyi district was among the worst-hit areas. At least seven people were killed there, while 14 others were injured. Two children were among those wounded in the strike. Another missile strike hit the Solomyanskyi district, killing two people and injuring eight others. A five-storey residential building was partially destroyed, trapping some residents inside. Rescue workers carried out operations to search for survivors and clear the damaged structure. The attack also affected the area around the Lithuanian embassy. Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry said a missile landed nearby, damaging windows and spreading debris inside the embassy compound. No casualties were reported among diplomatic staff. The latest strikes are part of an increase in Russian missile attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials say Moscow has intensified the use of ballistic missiles, creating greater pressure on the country’s air defence systems. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for additional air defence support, especially Patriot missile interceptors, which Ukraine says are essential for stopping ballistic missile attacks. Zelensky raised the issue during his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. He urged greater support for Ukraine’s air defence capabilities as Russian attacks continue. Trump said discussions over Ukraine’s request to produce Patriot interceptors are still ongoing. However, he expressed concerns about sharing advanced US military technology and said such decisions require careful consideration. Ukraine has faced shortages of Patriot systems as Russian air attacks have increased. Kyiv says these systems remain among the few weapons capable of intercepting high-speed ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued launching retaliatory strikes against Russian targets. Ukrainian officials say their operations are aimed at disrupting military supply routes and damaging facilities linked to Russia’s war efforts.

Thousands of migrants gathered overnight in the Moroccan town of Fnideq near the border with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, creating fresh pressure on one of Europe’s busiest migration routes. The large movement of people came despite a major security operation launched by Moroccan and Spanish authorities to stop illegal border crossings. Security forces strengthened patrols and reinforced checkpoints around the border. However, many migrants continued searching for ways to reach Ceuta. Some walked along the coastline looking for gaps in the border fence, while others prepared to swim across the sea in hopes of entering Spanish territory. According to Spanish media reports, between 2,000 and 3,000 migrants managed to cross into Ceuta on Thursday. Most of the successful crossings reportedly took place before security measures were tightened later in the day. Ceuta, along with the nearby Spanish enclave of Melilla, is the European Union’s only land border with Africa. The two territories have long served as major entry points for migrants hoping to begin a new life in Europe. Spain responded to the latest migration surge by sending additional military personnel and police officers to Ceuta. Authorities in the enclave also confirmed that nine bodies had been recovered following the crossing attempts, although officials have not released further details about the victims. Moroccan authorities deployed water cannon vehicles and additional security personnel at the border. Officers repeatedly pushed back groups attempting to force their way through the crossing points. Despite the heavy presence, migrants continued gathering throughout the night. Violence broke out near the border as tensions escalated. Several vehicles, including a bus and seven other vehicles, were set on fire during clashes. Burnt-out vehicles remained on the roadside after the unrest, highlighting the intensity of the confrontation. Many migrants described scenes of panic and confusion. One migrant said he became trapped in a stampede as people rushed toward a narrow coastal route. He said he feared for his life as people pushed and stepped on one another while trying to reach the border. Traffic into Fnideq remained heavily congested as more migrants continued arriving from different parts of Morocco. Some travelled along highways on foot, while others used mountain paths to avoid police checkpoints. Many spent the night waiting for another opportunity to cross. The crowds included men, women and children from Morocco as well as several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Many families remained stranded near the border after repeated attempts to enter Ceuta were blocked. Among them was 23-year-old Fatima Mahli from the Moroccan city of Tetouan. She said she had travelled with her two daughters hoping to cross into Ceuta with her husband. According to her, her husband left before dawn to try to swim across after they realised the border crossing was effectively closed.