The Taliban tell the West to look past harsh edicts on Afghan women and girls and build ties

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban is saying the West should look past their harsh edicts on Afghan women and girls to improve relations. No country officially recognies the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan and the U.N. has said that recognition remains almost impossible while bans on female education and employment remain. But the Taliban’s chief spokesman said Sunday that the political understanding with other nations was improving and that the West should follow suit. He was speaking on the opening day of a U.N.-sponsored meeting that has drawn sharp criticism for excluding Afghan women and civil society.