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Tajikistan faces border attacks from Afghanistan, killing five Chinese workers. Tajik authorities discuss deploying Russian forces for border patrol, amid ongoing tensions with Taliban Afghanistan. China urges citizens to evacuate the border area as Tajikistan tightens security.
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Tensions flared along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border today, with both sides blaming each other for renewed clashes near key crossings. Despite a fragile ceasefire, border crossings at Chaman and Torkham are now temporarily open for UN relief shipments, but remain closed for trade and travel. The conflict follows recent deadly clashes and ongoing disputes over militant activity and border security.
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Since July, U.S. corporations have reported significant tax savings due to new Republican laws, reducing federal revenue by about a third. Meanwhile, Texas and Hawaii face budget challenges, with debates over tax cuts for high earners and new initiatives for children. Recent political moves highlight ongoing fiscal and ideological conflicts.
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The historic Ariana Cinema in Kabul was torn down starting December 16, replaced by a shopping complex. The Taliban government, which seized power in 2021, ordered the closure of cinemas and the dissolution of the Afghan Film Administration, citing economic and ideological priorities. The cinema was a cultural landmark since 1963, symbolizing Afghanistan's modern history and resistance through decades of conflict.
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Australia has established a new autonomous sanctions framework targeting Taliban officials involved in oppressing women and undermining governance in Afghanistan. The measures include travel bans, arms embargoes, and prohibitions on dealings with assets, reflecting ongoing international concern over restrictions on women's rights since 2021.
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Research in Mali shows Fulani women under JNIM control adopt survival strategies rather than radicalization, amid economic and social upheaval. In Afghanistan, young men are detained for dressing as Peaky Blinders characters, highlighting Taliban restrictions on cultural expression. Both stories reveal tensions between authority, culture, and social change.
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Pakistan's Deputy Interior Minister claims that social media accounts linked to militants operate from Afghanistan and India, spreading extremist content and supporting outlawed groups. Pakistan warns these activities threaten regional security amid ongoing border clashes and violence, with limited cooperation from social media platforms.
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Regional powers including China, Pakistan, Russia, and Central Asian states gathered in Iran to discuss Afghanistan's future, but the Taliban-led government declined to attend, citing ongoing engagement with regional organizations. The talks focused on security, economic ties, and reducing tensions with Pakistan amid ongoing border clashes.
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Tajikistan reports killing three alleged terrorists crossing from Afghanistan, amid ongoing border clashes. Afghan authorities investigate, while regional tensions persist. Meanwhile, humanitarian crises deepen in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Sudan, with aid cuts worsening conditions for millions. The stories highlight ongoing instability and humanitarian challenges in these regions.
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Afghanistan's traditional sport, buzkashi, concluded its 11-day national tournament with northern Sar-e-Pul winning 7-0. The event, revived after Taliban restrictions, featured 11 provincial teams and international participants, drawing thousands of spectators in Kabul. The sport remains a cultural symbol despite political challenges.
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A series of militant attacks in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have resulted in multiple casualties. The Pakistani government blames groups linked to India and Afghanistan, amid ongoing tensions and regional security concerns. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, which involved a remote-controlled bomb targeting police personnel.
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The UN warns of a deepening food crisis across West and Central Africa, driven by conflict, economic hardship, and reduced humanitarian funding. Over 13 million children face malnutrition, with communities in Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon, and Niger at increasing risk of famine. Urgent funding is needed to prevent catastrophe.
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On Monday, a suicide bomber attacked a Chinese restaurant in Kabul's Shahr-e-Naw district, killing at least seven people, including one Chinese national, and wounding five others. The Islamic State's Afghanistan affiliate claimed responsibility, linking the attack to China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims. China has urged Afghan authorities to protect its citizens and warned its nationals to avoid travel to Afghanistan.
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Since late January 2026, Pakistan's security forces have launched Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1 in Balochistan following coordinated attacks by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The operation has killed over 200 militants, with significant casualties among civilians and security personnel. Pakistan accuses India and Afghanistan of backing the insurgents, allegations both countries deny. The insurgency targets security forces, civilians, and Chinese interests in the resource-rich province.
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The Virginia Supreme Court has reversed a 2020 adoption of an Afghan girl by U.S. parents, citing legal flaws and a law that bars challenges after six months. The case highlights procedural irregularities and international diplomatic tensions surrounding the child's custody amid a complex bureaucratic failure.
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A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad on February 7, claimed by Islamic State in Pakistan, killed at least 31 and wounded 169. The attack, the deadliest in the capital since 2008, highlights ongoing sectarian violence amid Pakistan's rising militant activity and regional tensions.
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A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad on Friday killed 32 people and injured over 170. The Islamic State claimed responsibility. Pakistani authorities arrested suspects, including the alleged mastermind, during operations in Peshawar and Nowshera. The attack marks the deadliest in Islamabad in over a decade, raising concerns over regional security.
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The European Parliament approved new migration policies, including a list of 'safe' countries and rules for deportation, amid increased anti-immigration sentiment. The measures could lead to deportations to countries with poor human rights records and restrict asylum access, raising concerns about human rights violations and the treatment of vulnerable migrants.
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Police in Dera Ismail Khan were ambushed after an operation against militants. Four militants were killed in the exchange. The attack follows a surge in violence linked to the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State affiliates, amid regional tensions and ongoing militant activity.
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Since October 2023, 5.4 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan and Iran due to border expulsions, economic hardship, and natural disasters. The scale of returns has strained Afghanistan's already fragile resources, raising concerns about sustainability and humanitarian impact amid ongoing crises.
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Recent attacks in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, attributed to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), have resulted in civilian casualties and heightened tensions with Afghanistan. The military reports thwarting an attack, with ongoing violence raising concerns over regional stability.
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Afghanistan's Taliban government released three Pakistani soldiers detained during border clashes in October. The release, mediated by Saudi Arabia, aims to ease tensions after months of cross-border fighting and a fragile ceasefire. Relations remain strained, with ongoing accusations and border disruptions.
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On February 27, 2026, Pakistan launched air and ground strikes against Taliban military targets in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia following coordinated Afghan attacks on Pakistani border positions. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared "open war" after a series of militant attacks in Pakistan, accusing Afghanistan of harboring insurgents. Both sides report heavy casualties amid a breakdown of ceasefire efforts.
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The Taliban's recent decree, signed in January, introduces a penal code that criminalizes criticism of leadership, enforces corporal punishment for various offenses, and discriminates based on social class. UN officials urge Afghanistan to rescind the decree, citing violations of international legal obligations and human rights, especially affecting women and minorities.