Karim Khan
Amu: Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), met with Afghan women’s rights activists on Friday to underscore the court’s focus on addressing gender-based crimes in Afghanistan. In a statement posted on X, the ICC said, “Alongside victims and civil society, the Office of the Prosecutor has prioritized action on gender-based crimes in Afghanistan.” The announcement comes as six nations — Chile, Spain, France, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Luxembourg — formally referred cases of alleged human rights violations by the Taliban to the I.C.C. last week. Click here to read more (external link).
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Amu: Three days after the Taliban shut down Arezo TV in Kabul, the whereabouts of seven employees, including managers and dubbing staff, remain unknown. The Taliban have provided no updates on their status, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice claimed responsibility for the arrests, accusing the employees of collaborating with foreign media and violating Islamic values. The office of Arezo TV has been sealed, with a notice alleging that the station broadcasted “immoral films” and engaged in activities contrary to Islamic principles. The closure has sparked outrage among Afghan journalists, who see it as part of an escalating crackdown on press freedom in the country. 
Ariana: Muhammad was the most popular name given to baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, ousting Noah to take the top spot, official figures showed on Thursday. Muhammad had been among the 10 most popular names since 2016 and had been in second place in 2022, according to the annual list produced by the Office for National Statistics. For baby girls, the top three most popular names in 2023 – Olivia, Amelia and Isla – were unchanged from the previous year. 
ESPN: Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird has defended the governing body’s stance on not playing bilateral matches against Afghanistan after being accused of hypocrisy by outgoing ICC chair Greg Barclay. Barcley’s tenure came to an end on December 1 when Jay Shah took over at the ICC and as part of a wide-ranging interview with the UK’s Daily Telegraph he took aim at boards who have suspended playing Afghanistan outside of global tournaments. “If you really want to make a political statement, don’t play them in a World Cup,” Barclay said. “Sure, it might cost you a semi-final place, but principles are principles. It’s not about having half a principle.”