Always strive to learn something useful. --Sophocles

This is just too stupid to not quote the article. Then again, we are talking about an Islamic fundamentalist state, which is so fundamentalist that it is quite stupid. So here's the quote: "It’s the first time a ban of this kind has been imposed since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, and leaves government offices, the private sector, public institutions, and homes in northern Balkh province without Wi-Fi internet. Mobile internet remains functional, however.

Haji Attaullah Zaid, a provincial government spokesman, said there was no longer cable internet access in Balkh by order of a “complete ban” from the leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

“This measure was taken to prevent immorality, and an alternative will be built within the country for necessities,” Zaid told The Associated Press. He gave no further information, including why Balkh was chosen for the ban or if the shutdown would spread to other provinces."

Good luck creating that 'alternative'. I'm sure there's lots of people willing to sell you copies of Novell Netware and can lay coax cable for you. Meanwhile, families will be leaving the province and I expect you're going to see more young people thinking about pulling a Russian Exodus and never returning.

While they talk about cellular WiFi being available, it's slow and expensive and apparently also failing due to 'technical issues'.

https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-internet-ban-balkh-0554049d724b8c8e0fb1e668ff34bbd2

Well, they didn't really drop it. They referred it back to the prosecutor, saying that there isn't enough evidence and there's gaps in the case.

I find it interesting that this case is even possible. The article cites that it is a violation of Shariah law to be an Islam and become apostate, in this guy's case, he converted to Catholicism in Pakistan. I thought Shariah law went away with the Taliban being kicked out when the US invaded. I know elements of the Taliban remain, I'm just surprised that this law is still on the books.

The nasty thing is that apostasy under Shariah law is apparently punishable by death.

What adds complicating and interesting facets to this case is that one of the reasons the judge threw it back to the prosecutor is that there are questions about the guy's mental state/capacity. I heard on an NPR report prior to the case being thrown out that he had a history of violence against his family. Now, considering Afghani social structure, I'm not sure what Americans would consider violent would count in Afghanistan. The other interesting thing is that his family are the ones who turned him in.

Definitely weird stuff.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060326/ap_on_re_mi_ea/afghan_christian_convert