Yue Xiaoyong, Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan, held separate meetings with a Qatari deputy foreign minister and the Taliban ambassador in Doha to discuss Afghanistan and rising tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan.
Tawus, a 26-year-old married woman from Daykundi, says a man allegedly backed by the Taliban is trying to force her into a second marriage, driving her into hiding to avoid arrest and coercion.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Justice says a new regulation on marital separation, approved by the group leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has been published, setting out conditions for divorce and separation between spouses.
The United States announced on Thursday it would provide $1.8 billion to the United Nations, saying the aid must be spent in line with the foreign policy priorities of President Donald Trump.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, again claimed that the recent attack on a police post in Bannu was organised and directed from Afghan territory.
The United Nations Development Programme says around 1.4 million more people in Afghanistan fell into livelihood insecurity in 2025 amid deepening economic and humanitarian crises.
Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, says between 18,000 and 23,000 militants from more than 20 groups are currently active in Afghanistan, calling the situation a major concern for regional security.
Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Sergei Shoigu says ongoing instability in Afghanistan remains one of the main security threats within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The European Union says Afghans are facing poverty, food insecurity, climate shocks and widespread displacement, stressing that restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan must be lifted.
Local sources reported that explosions and gunfire were heard in Kabul early on Thursday, followed by the sound of fighter jets and drones flying over the Afghan capital.
The Afghanistan Shia Commission says it discussed the “insulting treatment” of Shia cleric Ayatollah Hussaindad Sharifiwith Taliban morality officials and urged steps to prevent similar incidents.
A new global displacement report says around 7 million people in Afghanistan were internally displaced last year by conflict and natural disasters, accounting for nearly half of South Asia’s internal displacement cases.
The Taliban’s economic office said it signed a $46 million contract with Indian company TCRC to build and equip laboratory centers in Kabul and nine Afghan customs facilities.
The Taliban has published a new law allowing it to seize land deemed “state-owned”, including existing residential areas, and resell it to residents and property owners.
Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, said Pakistan and the Taliban view the Urumqi process positively and are ready to cooperate for peace, security and development.
The European Commission said inviting Taliban officials to Brussels for talks on returning Afghan migrants does not amount to recognising the Taliban government.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture confirmed the detention of two Tolo News journalists, saying their cases are under review and no court ruling has yet been issued.
Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, rejected Pakistani claims that the recent attack on a police center in Bannu was planned in Afghanistan, insisting Afghan soil is not used against any country.
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said arrests and killings of former Afghan security personnel continued in early 2026, documenting 23 arbitrary detentions, nine torture cases and five killings.
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said 372 civilians were killed and 397 injured in border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan between January and March 2026.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the European Commission will soon invite Taliban officials to Brussels for talks on the deportation of Afghan migrants.
Local sources told Afghanistan International that Taliban morality police detained and beat prominent Shia cleric Hussaindad Sharifi after he officiated the marriage of an engaged couple before their wedding ceremony.