The Taliban's supreme leader on Sunday ordered a ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, with a warning that the hardline government would crack down on farmers planting the crop.
Afghanistan is the world's biggest producer of poppies, the source of sap that is refined into heroin, and its production and exports have boomed in recent years.
"All Afghans are informed that from now on cultivation of poppy has been strictly prohibited across the country," said a decree issued by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
The decree was read out by government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid at a gathering of reporters, foreign diplomats and Taliban officials.
"If anyone violates the decree the crop will be destroyed immediately and the violator will be treated according to the Sharia," it said.
The order said the production, use or transportation of other narcotics was also banned.
It is not the first time the Taliban have outlawed the poppy trade. Production was banned in 2000 before the group was overthrown by US-led forces after the 9/11 attacks.
During their 20-year insurgency against foreign forces, the Taliban heavily taxed farmers cultivating the crop in areas under their control.
It became a vital resource for the group to generate funds.
The United States and Nato forces tried to curb poppy cultivation during their two decades in Afghanistan by paying farmers to grow alternative crops such as wheat or saffron.
But their attempts were thwarted by the Taliban who controlled the main poppy-growing regions and derived hundreds of millions of dollars from the trade, experts say.
Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi rejected claims that the Taliban helped to fuel poppy cultivation during their insurgency.
"How come it was exported all over the world when they [US-led forces] had full control over Afghanistan?" Mr Hanafi said on Sunday.
Afghan media reports say production increased in two southern provinces, Kandahar and Helmand, since the Taliban seized power in August, although data is not available.
Afghanistan has a near monopoly on opium and heroin, accounting for 80 to 90 per cent of global output, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has suggested.
The area under poppy cultivation hit a record high in 2017 and has averaged about 250,000 hectares in recent years, roughly four times the level of the mid-1990s, UN figures indicate.
A farmer in Helmand said poppy prices had already more than doubled in recent weeks after rumours that the Taliban would ban cultivation. But he said he needed to grow poppies to support his family.
"Other crops are just not profitable," he told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
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Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
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Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
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Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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Range: Up to 610km
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When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
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Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
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Game is on BeIN Sports
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