About this Episode
UNESCO is calling for Afghan girls and women to regain full access to education, five years after the Taliban returned to power. Afghanistan remains the only country banning girls and women from education beyond primary school. UNESCO estimates 2.4 million girls are excluded from secondary education this year. The organisation warns the restrictions deepen poverty and increase risks including early marriage and says its alternative education programmes have reached almost 70,000 learners, 73 percent of them women. UNESCO supports Afghan media to produce educational broadcasts and community-based literacy and skills classes, held in local learning spaces. However, the organisation stresses these programmes cannot replace formal education.
German digital rights group HateAid has filed criminal complaints over Meta’s AI smart glasses. The group argues the glasses could qualify as illegal disguised surveillance devices under German law. HateAid says the devices resemble ordinary glasses and can enable covert filming. Complaints target managers at Meta, Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica and German retailers selling the glasses. Meta rejects the allegations and says German authorities reviewed its glasses in 2022. Germany’s Federal Network Agency currently has no smart-glasses product banned. Prosecutors in Frankfurt must now decide whether to open proceedings.
Mount Etna’s eruption has disrupted air traffic in Sicily for a sixth consecutive day. Catania airport suspended all flights until last night, with around 55 departures cancelled. Hundreds of flights have already been scrapped since the eruption began, while others were diverted to Palermo, Trapani and Comiso. Volcanic ash has also affected routes near Malta and reached as far south as northern Libya. The disruption has renewed debate over Catania airport’s location.
