Pressure on Taliban reconsider making hijab compulsory: US

Washinton DC: In response to the Taliban diktat making the hijab compulsory for Afghan women, the United States stated that if the Taliban do not halt their actions, it will increase pressure on the regime.

The State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the pressure would continue until the Taliban rescind some of their recent decisions restricting women’s and girls’ rights, reported The Khaama Press.

The Taliban earlier had imposed restrictions on women, including the requirement that they cover their faces in public places and accompany a male relative while travelling.

The Taliban leader issued a new directive requiring all Afghan women to wear the Islamic hijab.

Sri Lankan army chief denies armed forces poised to shoot at general public

Colombo: Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva on has refuted allegations that the armed forces poised to shoot at the general public to provoke them.

The allegations were levelled by Duminda Nagamuwa of the Frontline Socialist Party, reported Daily Mirror Online.

General Shavendra Silva, while rejecting the statement, assured that the members of the armed forces would not resort to any such disgraceful acts under any circumstances.

It was reported that Silva owes his position to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and he might use the army against the people.