Ben Roberts-Smith
Amu: Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living war veteran, on Friday lost his appeal in a high-profile defamation case stemming from allegations that he unlawfully killed four unarmed Afghans during his military service. A full bench of the Federal Court upheld a 2023 ruling that found the former Special Air Service Regiment corporal was not defamed by a series of 2018 newspaper articles detailing the alleged killings and other war crimes. The articles, published by Nine Entertainment, had accused Roberts-Smith of being involved in six unlawful deaths during his deployments in Afghanistan. Justice Anthony Besanko, who presided over the original case, concluded that the majority of the allegations were “substantially true” to the civil standard of proof, finding Roberts-Smith responsible for four of the deaths. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s reported ban on chess in Afghanistan, calling the move “regrettable” and warning it could have a lasting impact on the development of the sport in the country. In a statement, FIDE said it is in consultation with the International Olympic Committee, the Asian Chess Federation and other international sports bodies to explore “constructive solutions” to restore the game’s presence in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the Afghan Chess Federation has remained inactive, with no official clearance to resume its operations. 
Ariana: The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the absence of mental health services in provincial hospitals across Afghanistan, despite a critical need among the population. The organization reports that all 34 provincial hospitals in the country currently lack specialized mental health facilities. 
Amu: Once a pillar of the local economy in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, the carpentry trade is now faltering under the weight of economic decline, dwindling demand, and a collapse in construction activity, according to local craftsmen. Carpenters in Mazar-e-Sharif say their businesses have slowed to a crawl as customers vanish and new building projects all but disappear.