Afghanistan

From the moment Saleema Rehman was born, her father believed she was destined to be a doctor. Now she is the winner of a top U.N. award for her work helping displaced women in Pakistan.

Veterans of the Soviet Union's decade-long war in Afghanistan see parallels — and stark contrasts — with the U.S. experience and exit after two decades there.

Taliban-appointed Mohammad Ashraf Ghairat said in a tweet that female students will need to stay at home until a "real Islamic environment" is created. He did not provide a timeline or other details.

The head of Save the Children in Afghanistan says it has been difficult to operate under the Taliban and their restrictions on women. Without humanitarian aid, he predicts serious casualties ahead.

Afghanistan's new rulers have asked for United Nations recognition so they can address the current General Assembly session. But the U.N. credentials committee is unlikely to move that quickly.

The meeting between Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his Russian counterpart in Finland comes at a crucial time in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In the back rooms of Kabul's photo shops, thousands of photos dating as far back as 40-plus years sit unclaimed. It remains to be seen if these photo studios can survive a new period of Taliban rule.

The Taliban beat him for being Hazara. He spent his life savings to smuggle his family to Turkey — climbing over its border wall — to find a community of Afghans that helps each other get settled.

President Biden gives his first address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. He may find some skepticism for his pitch to work together on COVID-19 and climate after some recent decisions.

Kabul's interim mayor did not give an exact number on just how many female employees would be forced to stay home because of the new rule. Previously about a third of city employees were women.

The Qatar Airways charter flight, which was the latest departure from the country now under Taliban control, also included seven U.S. permanent residents.

Dr. Wahid Majrooh tells NPR that "If I am hesitant and doubtful now it won't help anyone, and people in need of care will be the first to be affected."