In a sudden escalation of hostilities, fierce border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have left dozens killed, making it the most serious confrontation since the Taliban assumed power in Kabul. Pakistani officials reported 23 fatalities among their soldiers, while the Taliban said nine of its fighters died in the fighting, prompting a closure of a key border crossing.

An American citizen who had been held by the Taliban in Afghanistan since December 2024 is finally free. The release ends a nine-month ordeal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.