Afghanistan

The economy remains fragile and reliant on foreign aid and regional trade negotiations. Italy made a new contribution to the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan, while Pakistan traders sought a waiver of port charges on Afghan cargo after re-export approval. Iran's President Pezeshkian called for increased efforts to secure Iran's water share from Afghanistan.

• 1MCIT, MOPH hold workshop on digital transformation and AI
• 1Pakistan traders seek waiver of port charges on Afghan cargo after re-export approval
• 1Italy's new contribution to the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan
• 1President Pezeshkian calls for increased efforts to secure Iran’s water share from Afghanistan: Energy minister

The Taliban government is diplomatically isolated, facing international condemnation for a new law legalizing slavery and granting immunity to mullahs. External political discourse is dominated by outrage over Trump's remarks on NATO's role in Afghanistan, with the UK political leader, Italian PM, and Norwegian PM all criticizing the claims. China directly engaged the Taliban government, asking it to protect Chinese citizens.

• 1'Tehran ready for dialogue, but if US pushed...': Iran UN reminds when 'US blundered into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq'
• 1Taliban's New Law Legalises Slavery In Afghanistan, Makes Mullahs Immune
• 1Trump sparks anger with claim Nato troops avoided Afghanistan front line
• 1China asks Taliban govt to protect its citizens
• 1Exclusive: Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan urges investigation, aids injured amid Kabul blast

Security is dominated by a major attack targeting Chinese nationals in Kabul and the Taliban's confirmation it is holding Americans. An explosion in a Kabul hotel killed several people and injured Chinese nationals, prompting urgent calls from Beijing for protection. The Taliban also entered a German safe house for Afghan evacuees, and Pakistan's PM Shehbaz cited Kabul's inaction against terrorists as the reason for a trade blockade.

• 7Explosion in Kabul hotel kills several people, injures Chinese nationals
• 2UAE condemns terrorist attack in Kabul, expresses condolences to grieving families
• 2Beijing urges Afghanistan to protect Chinese citizens after bombing
• 2US strike eliminates al Qaeda operative connected to ISIS ambush that killed 3 Americans in Syria
• 1Taliban confirms it is holding Americans in Afghanistan

Society is gripped by a severe humanitarian crisis and the Taliban's contradictory actions on women's rights. A hunger crisis is worsening amid severe winters and aid reductions, while the Taliban launched national guidelines to combat child malnutrition. Simultaneously, the Taliban continue their war on women and girls, exemplified by the arrest of a female taekwondo coach, though they released a female taekwondo teacher.

• 2Prince Harry says sacrifices by Nato troops in Afghanistan deserve 'respect'
• 2'Content to die': Afghanistan's hunger crisis worsens amid severe winters, aid reductions
• 1As the Taliban continue their war on women and girls, it is clear that appeasement has failed
• 1Afghanistan launches national guidelines to combat child malnutrition
• 1Taliban release female taekwondo teacher