afghanistan

The magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck early on Wednesday about 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Kabul.

Over 1,500 people are believed to be injured

A Sikh worshipper and a Taliban fighter were killed following a blast in a car loaded with explosives.

The explosions killed at least nine and injured 15 members of the local Shi'a community, who are a religious minority in Afghanistan. A bomb also went off in a mosque in Kabul.

The Taliban ordered female news anchors to cover their faces while on air, prompting the men to cover their faces too in solidarity, in the latest example of anti-women laws by the extremist group.

“The Taliban have left us no choice but to pick up our weapons again to win back our freedom.” Former leaders of the West-backed republic.

A TTP statement on Wednesday also confirmed that talks were underway in Kabul and that a ceasefire has been put in place will May 30.

Afghanistan is dealing with rising security issues and an economic meltdown, while aid agencies figure out how to help 50 million Afghans without giving the Taliban direct access to funds.

The Taliban on Saturday ordered women to cover their faces in public, a return to a signature policy of their past hardline rule and an escalation of restrictions.

The Taliban's rule over Afghanistan looks to be returning to the horrors of the 1990's.