It would be unforgivable to waste a slight gap to rescue more Afghan allies
A Tal story
THE words “charm offensive” and “Taliban” are not often used together.
“Offensive”, yes, but “charm”, no.
Nonetheless Afghanistan’s new rulers yesterday insisted that under them there would be no discrimination, and no home for terrorism.
They vowed those who had aided the US and its allies would be safe, and women could work and study “within the limits of Islam”.
For many, not least female journalists forced into hiding or subjected to death threats, that caveat may be worryingly open to interpretation.
One reporter who continues to film on the streets, Hasiba Atakpal, has been dubbed “the bravest woman in Kabul”.
We hope for her sake the reality of Taliban rule matches the rhetoric. Sadly, we have to side with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who, asked if the regime could be trusted, replied bluntly: “No.”
But if the Taliban’s crocodile smile gives us even a slight gap to rescue more Afghan allies, it would be unforgivable to waste it.
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It’s working
THE UK economy continues to claw back the ground lost during the Covid nightmare with astonishing rapidity.
True, the employment and unemployment figures are not back to where they were pre-pandemic yet, but with job vacancies now nearing a million, that’s in touching distance.
The large cloud on the horizon is the potential for interest rate rises, which could yet torpedo Rishi Sunak’s plans.
For now, however, the Chancellor could hardly have hoped for better progress.
Signal strength
YOU might think teaching unions would be all in favour of banning the distraction of mobile phones from the classroom.
Not the Association of School and College Leaders, which frets doing so will make pupils anxious and “trigger poor behaviour”.
And kids checking their TikTok every few minutes in maths lessons isn’t poor behaviour? It’s surely healthier to break their gadget addiction as early as possible.
They may even learn something, not least respect for their teachers.
Nand’oh!
IS THERE anything in the universe as pointless as a Nando’s restaurant without any chicken?
OK, there’s Labour leader Keir Starmer, we’ll give you that, but apart from him we’re stumped.
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Let’s hope the purveyors of peri-peri perfection are able to restore normal service for their famished customers at the 50 affected outlets soon.
Otherwise it could get spicy.