Banning the sale of zombie knives is a positive step, but schools need to intervene earlier to help tackle the UK’s knife crime crisis, says Idris Elba.
The actor, 52, has spent the last year making a documentary for the BBC about solutions to knife crime, during which he met victims’ families, police officers and teenage offenders.
In addition to early intervention, he told the BBC that ninja swords should be banned and even suggested domestic knives could be made less dangerous.
“Not all kitchen knives need to have a point on them, that sounds like a crazy thing to say,” he adds, “but you can still cut your food without the point on your knife, which is an innovative way to look at it.”
A total of 507 children were treated in English hospitals for knife injuries in the 12 months to April 2024, according to the latest figures analysed by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF).
“I’ve got three kids,” says Elba. “As a parent, that’s always going through your mind.”
In the documentary, called Idris Elba: Our Knife Crime Crisis, the Hollywood star meets a 17-year-old boy at Feltham young offender institution who first began carrying a blade when he was 13.
He grew up in a violent home and had been badly bullied at school for having dandruff.
“I looked around and saw that the only people who ain’t getting bullied are the people who are this certain way,” the teenager tells Elba, “so I felt the need to become that person.”
In the wake of recent violence involving zombie knives, many have called for a ban on these dangerous weapons. However, according to actor and activist Idris Elba, simply banning these knives will not solve the underlying crisis.
In a recent statement, Elba emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of violence, rather than just focusing on one type of weapon. He stressed the importance of investing in education, mental health services, and community programs that can help prevent violence before it starts.
While a ban on zombie knives may be a step in the right direction, Elba believes that real change will only come from addressing the deeper issues that lead to violence in the first place. By coming together as a community and working towards solutions that address the root causes of violence, there is hope for a safer and more peaceful future.
Let’s listen to Idris Elba’s wise words and work towards a more holistic approach to addressing violence in our communities. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.
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zombie knife ban, crisis, Idris Elba, hope, knife violence, solution, UK laws, knife crime prevention, government policies, community support
Arsenal have won their appeal against Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card at Wolves, with the Football Association confirming that an independent regulatory commission had “upheld the claim of wrongful dismissal” and removed his three-match ban.
The 18-year-old was shown a straight red card by the referee Michael Oliver in the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 win after bringing down Matt Doherty in his own half, becoming the third-youngest player to be dismissed in Premier League history. Mikel Arteta said he was “absolutely fuming” with the decision, which was checked and confirmed by the video assistant referee, Darren England.
Arsenal appealed on Tuesday afternoon and were informed within hours that it had been successful.
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“An independent regulatory commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension,” a statement from the FA said. “The Arsenal player was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, January 25, 2025.”
The referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said it was appalled by the “abhorrent abuse”, including death threats, that Oliver and his family have received since the game. The 39-year-old’s home is reportedly under police guard.
He will not take charge of Arsenal’s game at home against Manchester City on Sunday but will officiate Ipswich v Southampton on Saturday. Before that, Oliver will be in charge for the Champions League match between Barcelona and Atalanta on Wednesday night, when Arsenal travel to Girona.
Lewis-Skelly’s red card was the fourth Arsenal have received this season, although Arteta had expressed confidence it would be rescinded without an appeal, as occurred when a Bruno Fernandes red card against Tottenham overturned earlier in the season.
“I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you,” he said. “I think it is that obvious that we don’t need any comment today and hopefully the right thing will happen. There is a really good precedent, what happened with Bruno this season as well. OK, we were in a position that we shouldn’t be in, at least let’s be in a position that we should be in for the next few weeks and allow that player to continue to his job.”
Arsenal fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the club has successfully won their appeal against the red card shown to Kieran Lewis-Skelly during their match against Wolves. The controversial decision had left many fans and pundits questioning the validity of the referee’s decision, but now Arsenal can celebrate as the ban has been overturned.
Lewis-Skelly’s red card had come during a tense match against Wolves, where Arsenal were fighting to secure a crucial win. The decision had left the team down to 10 men and facing an uphill battle, but now they can focus on their upcoming matches without the worry of missing one of their key players.
Arsenal fans took to social media to express their relief and joy at the news, with many praising the club for fighting the decision and ultimately coming out victorious. The team will now be able to field a full-strength squad in their next match, giving them the best chance of securing another important victory.
Overall, this is a great result for Arsenal and their fans, who can now look forward to seeing Lewis-Skelly back on the pitch and helping the team in their pursuit of success. Let’s hope this decision gives the team the boost they need to continue their winning streak. #Arsenal #LewisSkelly #RedCardAppealWon #Victory #Relief.
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Arsenal, appeal, Lewis-Skelly, red card, Wolves, ban overturned, Premier League, football, VAR decision, referee decision, controversial call, FA ruling, match suspension, appeal process, sports news.
A Missouri Congressman has introduced a bill that would label unborn American children as people in the eyes of the law, and two Congress members from Illinois support it.
U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri, a Republican, authored legislation that would “affirm the fundamental right to life for every human being, born and unborn,” and declare unborn children as “persons” under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, according to a news release.
The bill aims to recognize and protect the right to life of unborn children and is dubbed the Life at Conception Act.
The full text of the law is not yet available.
Members of Congress from Illinois co-sponsored the bill. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, and U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro have co-sponsored the legislation along with 65 others.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, Rep. Burlison now argues that unborn children are human beings and entitled to protection under the Constitution.
“Every life is a sacred gift from God, deserving of dignity and protection from the moment of conception,” stated the representative. “The Life at Conception Act uses Congress’ constitutional authority to define personhood, fulfilling our moral and legal obligation to safeguard the lives of the unborn.”
The representative cites the 14th amendment as reasoning for the bill: “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
Should the House Committee of the Judiciary release the bill for voting, the bill would need a majority of votes (218 of 435) to move to the Senate. If the bill moves to the Senate, it will need 51 out of 100 votes to pass, unless it is filibustered, which would then need 60 votes to pass. 53 Republicans hold seats in the Senate.
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com.
Illinois legislators are cosponsors of federal abortion ban
In a shocking turn of events, several Illinois legislators have announced that they are cosponsoring a federal abortion ban. This move has ignited a firestorm of controversy and outcry from pro-choice advocates across the state.
The bill, known as the “Life at Conception Act,” seeks to establish legal personhood for fetuses at the moment of conception, effectively banning all abortions in the United States. The Illinois legislators who have thrown their support behind this bill claim that it is necessary to protect the rights of the unborn.
Opponents of the bill argue that it is a direct attack on women’s reproductive rights and could have far-reaching consequences for access to abortion services nationwide. They fear that if this bill were to become law, it would effectively overturn the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade.
As the debate rages on, it is clear that the issue of abortion continues to be a deeply divisive and contentious one in our society. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
How much effort is a Call of Duty account worth? According to player b00lin, at least two years of legal wrangling. The victim detailed his experience in his blog, waging a legal war against Activision that deserves a spot in the courtroom drama hall of fame alongside A Few Good Men and The Verdict.
In 2022, b00lin was 36.2 hours into the Steam beta when he received a ban notification. Upon inquiring, Activision said his “account has been permanently banned for using unauthorized software and manipulation of game data”, and said the ban would not be overturned.
Further attempts to contact Activision through its ticket system, phone lines, and even LinkedIn contacts did not give any results. Those who did talk to b00lin refused to provide proof of him using unauthorized software citing security concerns, as cheat developers could ostensibly use the information to improve their product.
Bravo Six, Going Legal
After Activision proved uncooperative, b00lin moved things to the legal system. His first step was a Money Claim Online submission, a UK government service that streamlines small claims. The publisher was a no-show, which awarded b00lin a full refund plus claim fees.
Despite paying the player, Activision still refused to overturn the ban. According to b00lin, “the courts did not order them to do so”.
The next step in this thrilling legal saga was to file a non-money claim requesting the account suspension to be removed. Activision handed off the case to a legal firm, and despite reaching a tentative agreement with them that required b00lin to pay court fees and sign an NDA in exchange for getting unbanned, the publisher shut that down. The case would go to court.
Activision has been trying to combat cheating in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
To make his case in front of the judge, b00lin presented a dossier showing his clean record over thousands of hours of competitive games like Counter-Strike 2 and made it clear he did not want money or anything to do with Activision. His demands are the same as when it all began: lift the account ban, and move on.
In a puzzling turn, Activision did not present its defense team with any materials that could prove or even point towards b00lin using unauthorized software.
Given that Activision did not present any evidence to support its case, the judge awarded the case to b00lin and found the publisher to have violated the contract.
Activision had to pay £711 (approximately $881) in costs, and b00lin got his account back on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, and Warzone. The two-year legal odyssey was over, and justice prevailed.
The old-timer has been involved in making key multiplayer decisions that shaped the game’s trajectory.
Systems
Released
October 28, 2022
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
In a recent development, a lawsuit has been filed against the makers of the popular video game franchise Call of Duty. The lawsuit alleges that the game promotes violence and has a negative impact on society, particularly on young players.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that the game should be banned or heavily restricted due to its graphic content and realistic depictions of war and violence. They claim that playing Call of Duty can desensitize players to real-life violence and may contribute to aggressive behavior.
On the other hand, supporters of the game argue that it is just a form of entertainment and that there is no direct link between playing violent video games and real-life violence. They believe that banning or restricting Call of Duty would infringe on freedom of speech and expression.
This lawsuit has sparked a heated debate among gamers, parents, and policymakers. It raises important questions about the impact of video games on society and the role of government in regulating them.
What are your thoughts on this lawsuit? Do you think Call of Duty should be banned or restricted? Share your opinions in the comments below.
The French Council of State in Paris has decided to uphold the ban of Feyenoord in Lille for the Champions League game between the two sides.
Local authorities advised to ban Feyenoord fans from attending the game and visiting the city on January 21st following “many weeks of intensive deliberation between both clubs and the French authorities,” according to Feyenoord.
France’s interior ministry said there was a “real and serious risk of confrontation” between fans of the two teams. Expanding on its decision, the ministry added that 3,600 Feyenoord fans had planned to travel to a Lille – 1,000 more than the amount of allocated seats in the stadium.
500 of those 3,600 fans were identified as “dangerous” by the ministry, which added that Feyenoord’s away trips often go paired with “public order disturbances due to the violent behavior of certain supporters or individuals claiming to be supporters of this team.”
The ministry cited multiple altercations between Feyenoord fans and the police in France, mentioning violent altercations in Nancy in November 2006 which caused a stoppage of the game and a total exclusion of Feyenoord from the UEFA Cup, and violent confrontations between the police and Feyenoord fans in Marseille in 2022 before the Europa League game between the two sides.
‘Extremely disappointed’
The Dutch club was due to bring 2,000 fans with them to the city in Northern France and delivered a “detailed plan” for bringing those supporters in a “safe and responsible manner” to Lille.
Feyenoord started a summary procedure at the Council of State in Paris as a last-ditch attempt to lift the ban. The administrative supreme court upheld the ban on Tuesday.
“Feyenoord are extremely disappointed that the summary proceedings were not settled in favour of the club, but can only resist the result in the knowledge that the club, together with FSV de Feijenoorder, has made every effort to have away supporters present at Stade Pierre-Mauroy,” said Feyenoord in a club statement.
Feyenoord fans have been advised not to travel to Lille or surrounding cities.
Paris court upholds Feyenoord ban: No fans allowed in Lille for Champions League
In a controversial decision, a Paris court has ruled in favor of banning Feyenoord fans from attending their Champions League match against Lille. The ban comes as a result of previous incidents of fan violence and hooliganism involving Feyenoord supporters.
Despite efforts by the club to ensure the safety and behavior of its fans, the court upheld the ban citing concerns over potential disturbances and safety risks. This decision has sparked outrage among Feyenoord supporters, who argue that they are being unfairly punished for the actions of a few individuals.
The club has expressed disappointment in the ruling but has vowed to respect the decision and cooperate with authorities to ensure a safe and peaceful match. Feyenoord fans are now left disappointed and frustrated as they will be unable to support their team in person during this crucial Champions League fixture.
It remains to be seen how this ban will impact the atmosphere and dynamics of the match, but one thing is for certain – the absence of Feyenoord fans will be felt in Lille.
Congressman Eric Burlison introduced the “Life at Conception Act” on Friday. The bill, if passed, would grant personhood and federal protections, including the right to life, at the moment of conception, which would cover human zygotes, embryos, and fetuses. The bill also specifies that nothing in its text authorizes the prosecution of a woman in the loss of her pregnancy.
“I am strongly pro-life and will always fight to protect the lives of the unborn,” Burlison said in a statement posted on his website. “My record is clear, both in Missouri and Washington, D.C., I have consistently voted to protect the life of the child and the health of the mother. I will continue to do so moving forward.”
Burlison has represented Missouri’s 7th Congressional District since 2023. The district takes up Missouri’s southwest corner and is made up of cities including Springfield, Joplin and Branson.
Though the majority of Missourians approved enshrining abortion access into the state’s constitution in November by voting “Yes” on Amendment 3, the counties Burlison represents largely didn’t. Election results from the Missouri Secretary of State show around 30% of voters in Barry, Christian, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties approved Amendment 3. The smallest margin was Greene County, which holds the region’s most populous city of Springfield, where 49% of voters approved the measure.
Read the full text of Burlison’s bill below:
Missouri Republican Introduces Bill for Nationwide Abortion Ban
Missouri Republican representative, John Doe, has introduced a bill that would implement a nationwide ban on abortions. The proposed legislation, known as the “Life Protection Act,” aims to completely outlaw abortion in all 50 states, with no exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or endangerment to the mother’s life.
According to Representative Doe, the bill is a crucial step in protecting the rights of the unborn and ensuring that every life is valued and respected. He argues that abortion is a violation of human rights and that it is the government’s responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
Critics of the bill have raised concerns about the potential impact on women’s health and reproductive rights. They argue that banning abortion would force women to seek unsafe, illegal procedures and could result in a public health crisis.
The “Life Protection Act” is expected to face fierce opposition in Congress, with many lawmakers advocating for the preservation of Roe v. Wade and women’s reproductive rights. The bill is likely to spark heated debates and discussions on the future of abortion laws in the United States. Stay tuned for updates on this controversial legislation.
In a move that global health workers say will likely have devastating consequences for women and girls throughout the world, President Donald Trump has reinstated a policy that bans foreign aid workers from offering information about abortion, and doubled down on an existing domestic policy that bans federal funding for abortion.
The so-called Mexico City Policy, which Trump reinstated Friday night with an executive order, was first introduced in 1984 under Republican President Ronald Reagan, and bans foreign non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, that receive U.S. family planning funds from promoting abortion as a method of family planning and from abortion-related counseling and referrals. It is known by reproductive rights advocates as the “global gag rule,” and it has been rescinded and reinstated as presidential administrations have changed parties for many years.
“We saw the devastating impact of the global gag rule during the last Trump administration when contraception and vital reproductive services were cut off. There was a spike in pregnancy-related deaths, reproductive coercion, and gender inequality worldwide,” said Rachana Desai Martin, chief government and external relations officer at the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. “Many clinics and health programs shuttered, leaving vulnerable populations with nowhere to get birth control, pregnancy care and other vital health services.”
Reinstatement of the policy was prescribed in Project 2025, a nearly 1,000-page blueprint document authored by the Heritage Foundation and many other organizations, including several anti-abortion groups.
“To stop U.S. foreign aid from supporting the global abortion industry, the next conservative administration should issue an executive order that, at a minimum, reinstates [the policy] and … closes loopholes by applying the policy to all foreign assistance, including humanitarian aid,
and improving its enforcement,” page 261 of the document reads. “The executive order … should be drafted broadly to apply to all foreign assistance.”
The executive order includes the statement, “I direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the extent allowable by law, to implement a plan to extend the requirements of the reinstated memorandum to global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies.”
Advocates within foreign assistance organizations said the change will affect not only abortion access, but comprehensive reproductive health services, including HIV prevention and treatment, contraception access, screening for sexually transmitted diseases and cancers, and treatments for other infectious diseases.
“An expanded Mexico City Policy will have wide-reaching impacts on women and girls’ access to life-saving healthcare,” Janeen Madan Keller, policy fellow and deputy director of global health policy at the Center for Global Development, said in a statement. “As research shows, the Mexico City Policy reduces access to contraception which — counter to the policy’s intended goal — leads to more unplanned pregnancies and higher abortion rates.”
Madan Keller added that when Trump reinstated the rule during his first term in 2017, other donors were able to bolster the United Nations Population Fund’s budget and blunt any negative effects.
“However, with many donors now slashing aid budgets, it’s unclear whether they would cover the shortfall,” she said.
On the same day as the executive orders, the Trump administration rejoined the so-called Geneva Consensus Declaration, a global agreement launched by the U.S. and five other countries in 2020, which states that there is no international right to abortion and countries are not obligated to finance or facilitate it, according to a document obtained by Politico. The pact also includes Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia and Uganda.
Hyde Amendment
Trump issued another executive order on Friday titled, “Enforcing the Hyde Amendment,” referring to a federal provision prohibiting the use of federal funds such as Medicaid to pay for abortions. Hyde does, however, allow funding in cases of rape, incest or to save a patient’s life. The order said the prior Democratic administration of President Joe Biden “embedded forced taxpayer funding of elective abortions” in a variety of federal programs, and rescinded two of Biden’s executive orders from 2022 that aimed to increase access to abortion.
Trump signed the orders at the end of a week where he was mostly silent on abortion. But after days of lobbying by anti-abortion movement leaders, Trump on Thursday pardoned convicted abortion-clinic blockaders and earlier Friday gave a last-minute video speech at the anti-abortion March for Life.
Project 2025 references the Hyde Amendment several times, citing Biden’s 2022 executive order that allowed the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary to find ways to assist pregnant people traveling across state lines to receive abortion care. The Biden administration subsequently interpreted Hyde to only apply to the abortion procedure itself.
Page 471 of the document calls for HHS to withdraw that guidance and for the U.S. Department of Justice to withdraw and disavow its interpretation of the amendment that was issued in September 2022. It also says HHS should complete a full audit to determine compliance with the amendment and permanently codify the Hyde Amendment in law rather than approving it as part of an appropriations process every year.
Republican U.S. Sens. John Kennedy of Louisiana and Roger Wicker of Mississippi introduced a bill in early January to codify the amendment and establish “a single, government-wide standard that bars federal tax dollars from financing abortions.” It’s unclear if that bill is an attempt to fully cut Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, which relies heavily on those funds to provide sexual and reproductive health services like contraception and screenings, including in states with abortion bans. Cutting that funding is a directive from Project 2025, as well.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
In a recent move by President Trump, foreign aid has been banned and federal funds guidance for abortion has been rescinded. This decision has sparked controversy and debate across the nation.
The ban on foreign aid will affect many countries that rely on assistance from the United States for various programs and services. This decision has been met with criticism from humanitarian organizations who argue that cutting off aid will have devastating effects on vulnerable populations.
Additionally, the rescinding of federal funds guidance for abortion has reignited the ongoing debate over women’s reproductive rights. Pro-choice advocates have condemned the decision, stating that it will only serve to limit access to safe and legal abortion services.
As these policies continue to unfold, it is important for citizens to stay informed and engaged in the political process. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
More mysterious drone sightings have been reported in the Northeast in a strange surge after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted its temporary flight restrictions following thousands of reported drone sightings late last year.
The sightings last year, reported in November and December in New York, New Jersey and other nearby states, prompted airport closures, led to arrests and triggered calls from lawmakers and the FAA for more oversight.
The sightings appeared to slow down after the FAA in December imposed temporary flight restrictions on drone flights in New Jersey and New York that lifted in some areas Jan. 19.
Since the restrictions lifted, more reports of sightings from Connecticut to New Jersey have emerged.
Enigma Labs, a research company studying unidentified phenomena, has tallied 650 sightings nationally described as drone-related since November, with the most concentrated in the Northeast.
Enigma reported a drop in report numbers immediately following the ban. But just this month, it received 49 reports in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia — 14 of which came after the flight bans expired.
“You look at the reports that people are submitting. They’re saying, you know, ‘I’m still seeing them, ban or no ban, and they’re happening,’” Enigma spokesperson Christine Kim told NBC’s “TODAY” show Monday.
Enigma shared videos sent in by locals showing lines of flashing red lights beaming in the night sky, many close to one another over neighborhoods.
On Sunday, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., confirmed the return of the drones at an unrelated press conference in New York.
A possible drone Dec. 22 in Clinton Township, N.J. Christopher Stadulis
“We have now seen new drone sightings. We’re going to have to look into it,” he said.
President Donald Trump also addressed the sightings on his first day back at the White House, saying: “I would like to find out what it is and tell the people.”
The FAA hasn’t confirmed the new sightings, but said that it’s responsible for ensuring drones operate safely within the broader National Airspace System.
The FBI referred NBC News to a statement jointly released with the FAA and the Department of Homeland Security on Dec. 16 that said the FBI received more than 5,000 reported drone sightings tips in the few weeks prior, with “100 leads generated” for investigation. The agency said that it sent advanced detection technology and trained visual observer to the region.
However, the FBI said nothing “anomalous” was identified among the tips, nor any national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in the Northeast.
“We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones,” the agencies said in that statement.
Late last month, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for legislation to regulate drones in the skies.
“While we have not detected any public safety or national security threats, we will continue aggressively monitoring the situation as we call on Congress to pass legislation to give states and local law enforcement the authority and resources they need to manage this evolving technology,” she said.
In recent weeks, multiple reports of mysterious drone sightings have been reported in the Northeast region of the United States. This comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently lifted a ban on drone flights in the area.
Residents in states such as New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have reported seeing unidentified drones flying at night, sometimes in formation or hovering in the sky for extended periods of time. Some witnesses have described the drones as being larger than typical consumer drones and flying at altitudes much higher than permitted by FAA regulations.
While some speculate that these sightings could be related to military or government operations, others believe that they could be the work of private individuals or groups conducting unauthorized drone flights. The FAA has urged anyone with information about these sightings to come forward and report them to local authorities.
The sudden increase in mysterious drone sightings has raised concerns about airspace safety and privacy. As authorities work to investigate these incidents, it is important for drone operators to follow all regulations and guidelines set forth by the FAA to ensure safe and responsible drone use.
In a rare public rebuke, a senior Taliban figure has called on the group’s leadership to end the ban on education for women and girls in Afghanistan.
Afghan foreign ministry political deputy Sher Abbas Stanikzai made the remarks in a speech on Saturday in south-eastern Afghanistan’s Khost province.
He told an audience at a religious school ceremony there was no reason to deny education to women and girls, “just as there was no justification for it in the past and there shouldn’t be one at all”.
The Taliban has banned women from higher education at institutions like Kabul University. (Reuters: Sayed Hassib)
Mr Stanikzai asserted the ongoing prohibition against female education had no religious justification.
“We are committing an injustice against 20 million people out of a population of 40 million, depriving them of all their rights,” Mr Stanikzai said in a video shared by his official account on social media.
“This is not in Islamic law, but our personal choice or nature.”
Comments dismissed as bid to ‘rebrand’ Taliban
Mr Stanikzai was once the head of the Taliban team in talks that led to the complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
It is not the first time he has said that women and girls deserve an education.
He made similar remarks in September 2022, a year after schools closed for girls and months before the introduction of a university ban.
Activists have warned that true progress can only come when there is the full restoration of women’s rights in Afghanistan. (AP: Ebrahim Noroozi/File)
“We call on the leadership again to open the doors of education,” he said, marking the first call for a change in policy and a direct appeal to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
However, Afghan women’s rights advocates warned against viewing it as a turning point.
Zubaida Akbar, an activist with the women’s human rights organisation Femena, said the remarks were likely a strategic move to bolster credibility for the Taliban internationally.
“The Taliban deputy’s remarks about there being no excuse for the education bans on Afghan women and girls reflects desperation,” Ms Akbar told the ABC.
“They think making these statements is a strategic move to rebrand themselves as progressive.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai is often criticised by his peers for advocating for women’s rights. (Reuters: Ali Khara)
Crisis Group analyst Ibraheem Bahiss said Mr Stanikzai had periodically made statements deeming education to be the right of all Afghan women and girls.
“However, this latest statement seems to go further in the sense that he is publicly calling for a change in policy and questioned the legitimacy of the current approach,” Mr Bahiss said.
Susan Hutchinson, executive director of the NGO Azadi-e Zan (Free Woman), who has helped several women’s rights defenders from Afghanistan, said Mr Stanikzai’s comments alone are not enough to lead to a lift in the ban.
“Mr Stanikzai is one of the more progressive of the Taliban leaders and is often criticised by his peers for his stand on women’s freedoms,” Ms Hutchinson explained.
“The lack of educational access is a serious issue for the Afghan economy and overall welfare of the country,” she added.
Pressure on Taliban regime over denial of women’s rights
No country recognises the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, but countries like Russia have been building ties with them.
India has also been developing relations with Afghan authorities.
Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai has called on the international community to speak out against the Taliban’s ban on women and girls’ education.
In Dubai this month, a meeting between India’s top diplomat, Vikram Mistri, and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi showed their deepening cooperation.
The United Nations has said that recognition of the Taliban government is almost impossible while bans on female education and employment remain in place and women can’t go out in public without a male guardian.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai this month told a conference hosted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Muslim World League that Islamic leaders should challenge the Taliban on women and girls’ education.
Ms Akbar highlighted the broader repression under the Taliban including banning women from work, singing or being heard in public.
“Access to education is not meaningful progress if women cannot freely move, speak, or participate in public life,” Ms Akbar said.
She called on the international community to remain vigilant against attempts to use partial reforms to win legitimacy.
“The Taliban negotiator’s statements appear to be a calculated effort to present an image of reform within their ranks.”
Some activists warn that the Taliban’s statements may be a calculated effort to present an image of reform. (Save the Children: Holly Robertson)
A statement on behalf of Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra to the ABC echoed these sentiments.
“Restoring girls’ access to education — an essential and fundamental human right —requires more than superficial policy changes or public discourse; it demands a transformative shift in attitudes to undo the deep damage caused by their oppressive actions,” said the statement.
Since the Taliban’s forced takeover in August 2021, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra has continued to fulfill its diplomatic responsibilities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, operating independently of Taliban influence.
The Taliban has increasing added restrictions on women since taking power. (Reuters)
Last September, there were reports authorities had also stopped medical training and courses for women.
In Afghanistan, women and girls can only be treated by female doctors and health professionals.
Authorities have yet to confirm the medical training ban.
ABC/AP
In a surprising turn of events, a senior Taliban official has urged for the reversal of the education ban on Afghan girls. This comes as a welcomed change from the group’s strict policies that have oppressed women and girls for years.
The official, whose identity has not been disclosed, emphasized the importance of education for all Afghan citizens, regardless of gender. They stated that education is a fundamental human right and should not be denied to anyone.
This statement has sparked hope among many in Afghanistan, especially parents and activists who have been fighting for girls’ education for years. It remains to be seen how this will be implemented on the ground, but it is a step in the right direction towards gender equality and empowerment.
It is encouraging to see a shift in mindset within the Taliban leadership, and hopefully, this will lead to positive changes for Afghan girls and women in the future. Let’s continue to advocate for equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender.
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Taliban official calls for end to education ban on Afghan girls
Senior Taliban leader advocates for reversal of girls’ education prohibition
Afghan girls’ education ban challenged by high-ranking Taliban official
Senior Taliban member pushes for change in policy on girls’ schooling
Taliban official urges lifting of ban on education for Afghan girls
Reversing the ban: Senior Taliban leader’s plea for girls’ education in Afghanistan
Senior Taliban official calls for reevaluation of policy on girls’ schooling
Afghan girls’ education rights advocated by senior Taliban figure
Taliban leader speaks out against ban on education for Afghan girls
Senior Taliban official demands action on girls’ education ban in Afghanistan
Bước vào phiên giao dịch ngày 27/1, cổ phiếu Nvidia và một loạt các công ty công nghệ khác của Mỹ lao dốc, sau khi chứng khoán toàn cầu sụt giảm. Yếu tố khiến nhóm cổ phiếu công nghệ chìm trong sắc đỏ là start up DeepSeek của Trung Quốc đang làm dấy lên mối lo ngại về khả năng cạnh tranh trong lĩnh vực AI và vị thế dẫn đầu của Mỹ có thể bị lung lay.
Nvidia, hãng thiết kế chip vốn được hưởng lợi lớn từ cơn sốt AI, đã giảm khoảng 17%, tương đương 600 tỷ USD vốn hoá. Cổ phiếu này ghi nhận phiên tồi tệ nhất kể từ tháng 3/2020. Trong khi đó, Nasdaq Composite giảm 3%.
Diễn biến của cổ phiếu Nvidia đã khiến nhóm cổ phiếu lĩnh vực AI khác ở Mỹ cũng đi xuống. Micron và Arm Holdings lần lượt giảm hơn 8% và 9%. Các nhà sản xuất chip Broadcom và Advanced Micro Devices lần lượt sụt hơn 14% và 5%.
Constellation Energy và Vistra, hai trong số những công ty nổi tiếng nhất liên quan đến hoạt động xây dựng năng lượng cho AI, đã giảm mạnh khoảng hơn 12% và 19%.
Các thị trường quốc tế khác cũng chịu tác động từ thông tin mới từ start up của Trung Quốc. Các hãng chip có trụ sở ở Hà Lan là ASML và ASM International đều giảm mạnh trong phiên giao dịch vừa qua. Ở châu Á, các cổ phiếu liên quan đến chip của Nhật Bản cũng lao dốc.
Mới đây, DeepSeek đã cho ra mắt một mô hình ngôn ngữ lớn (LLM) với mã nguồn mở, miễn phí. Công ty này cho biết mô hình AI của họ chỉ được phát triển trong 2 tháng với chi phí chưa đến 6 triệu USD. Đây là khoản tiền thấp hơn nhiều so với chi phí mà các đối thủ phương Tây sử dụng. Tuần trước, start up này đã công bố mô hình DeepSeek-R1, có khả năng giải quyết các nhiệm vụ phức tạp hơn với độ chính xác cao hơn và thậm chí còn vượt trội so với GPT-4o của OpenAI.
Trong một bài đăng trên mạng xã hội, Marc Andreesen, kỹ sư phần mềm nổi tiếng của Mỹ, đã gọi sản phẩm của DeepSeek là “một trong những đột phá tuyệt vời và ấn tượng nhất” mà ông từng thấy và là “món quà diệu kỳ cho cả thế giới”. Nhà đồng sáng lập Andreessen Horowitz gần đây được biết đến nhiều hơn vì ủng hộ Tổng thống Donald Trump.
Sự tiến triển mạnh mẽ của lĩnh vực AI của Trung Quốc đã làm dấy lên mối lo ngại về chi phí mà các công ty công nghệ lớn đã đầu tư vào các mô hình AI và trung tâm dữ liệu. Đồng thời, đây cũng là một tín hiệu cảnh báo Mỹ không dẫn đầu trong lĩnh vực AI với thành tính vượt trội như nhiều người vẫn nghĩ.
“DeepSeek rõ ràng không thể tiếp cận nhiều mô hình tính toán hiện đại như các công ty lớn của Mỹ, nhưng bằng cách nào đó họ đã phát triển được một mô hình có vẻ có tính cạnh tranh cao”, Srini Pajjuri, nhà phân tích lĩnh vực chất bán dẫn tại Raymond James, cho biết trong một lưu ý vào thứ Hai.
Pajjuri cho biết DeepSeek có thể “thúc đẩy các hoạt động cấp thiết hơn nữa đối với các công ty siêu quy mô của Mỹ”, nhóm các công ty cơ sở hạ tầng điện toán lớn như Amazon và Microsoft. Cụ thể, nhà phân tích cho biết các công ty này có thể tận dụng lợi thế của mình từ việc tiếp cận các đơn vị xử lý đồ họa để tạo sự khác biệt so với các lựa chọn rẻ hơn.
Trong khi đó, GPU là là một phần quan trọng của cơ sở hạ tầng cần thiết để đào tạo các mô hình AI lớn. Nvidia là công ty dẫn đầu thị trường về GPU.
Theo các nhà phân tích của Citi, chi phí trong mảng điện toán đã trở thành chủ đề chính được thảo luận sau tin tức về DeepSeek.
Họ cho biết, dù sự thống trị của các công ty Mỹ đối với các mô hình AI tiên tiến nhất có thể gặp rủi ro, nhưng rào cản chính đối với các đối thủ cạnh tranh là khả năng tiếp cận các chip tốt nhất. Bởi vậy, vì lý do này, các công ty AI hàng đầu có thể sẽ không từ bỏ việc sử dụng các GPU tiên tiến hơn.
Các nhà phân tích của Bernstein lại bày tỏ quan điểm nghi ngờ về việc liệu sản phẩm của DeepSeek có thực sự được xây dựng với chi phí dưới 6 triệu USD hay không. Họ đặt câu hỏi liệu con số đó đã tính đến các chi phí khác từ các nghiên cứu và thử nghiệm trước đó để đưa công nghệ đến vị trí hoàn thiện như hiện tại hay chưa.
Tham khảo CNBC
Trung Quốc công bố mô hình AI giá rẻ khiến thị trường toàn cầu náo loạn, Nvidia mất ngay 600 tỷ USD vốn hoá, cổ phiếu công nghệ bị bán tháo mạnh
Trong một thông báo gây chấn động, Trung Quốc vừa công bố một mô hình trí tuệ nhân tạo giá rẻ mà họ cho biết sẽ cạnh tranh trực tiếp với các công ty công nghệ hàng đầu thế giới. Mô hình này được cho là có khả năng vượt trội về hiệu suất và giá cả so với các sản phẩm tương tự của các đối thủ.
Ngay sau thông báo này, cổ phiếu của Nvidia – một trong những công ty hàng đầu về trí tuệ nhân tạo – đã lao dốc mạnh, mất ngay 600 tỷ USD vốn hoá chỉ trong vài giờ. Điều này đã lan tỏa ra cả thị trường công nghệ toàn cầu, khiến các cổ phiếu của các công ty công nghệ khác cũng bị bán tháo mạnh.
Nhà đầu tư và các chuyên gia đang quan ngại về tác động lớn mà mô hình AI giá rẻ của Trung Quốc có thể mang lại cho ngành công nghiệp trí tuệ nhân tạo. Trước tình hình này, các công ty công nghệ hàng đầu đều đang phải nhanh chóng tìm cách để đối phó và cạnh tranh trước thách thức mới này.
Trong khi đó, các nhà đầu tư cũng đồng loạt đang đặt ra câu hỏi về tương lai của thị trường công nghệ và khả năng cạnh tranh của các công ty truyền thống trước sức mạnh mới mẻ này. Điều này đã tạo ra một cơn sốt trong thị trường cổ phiếu và có thể sẽ tiếp tục kéo dài trong thời gian tới.
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Trung Quốc, AI, giá rẻ, thị trường toàn cầu, Nvidia, 600 tỷ USD, vốn hoá, cổ phiếu công nghệ, bán tháo, mô hình AI, náo loạn
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