Afghanistan

For the first time (the BBC) have been able to map two distinct groups at the very top of the Taliban - each presenting competing visions for Afghanistan. One entirely loyal to Akhundzada, who, from his base in Kandahar, is driving the country towards his vision of a strict Islamic Emirate … And a second, made up of powerful Taliban members largely based in the capital Kabul, advocating for an Afghanistan which - while still following a strict interpretation of Islam - engages with the outside, builds the country's economy, and even allows girls and women access to an education they are currently denied beyond primary school.

A new round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan has failed to produce a breakthrough to end tensions between the South Asian neighbours, although they agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire, officials from both countries said on Wednesday.

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has vowed a "necessary response" after air strikes it alleged were carried out by Pakistan killed at least 10 people -- nine of whom were children -- just inside the country's eastern border region.

Afghan and Pakistani negotiators are set to resume ceasefire talks in Turkey on Thursday, aiming to prevent a return to hostilities following their worst clashes in years. 

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend a ceasefire for at least another week during talks in Turkiye, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The sides plan to meet again at a higher-level gathering in Istanbul on November 6 to finalise how the ceasefire will be implemented, the ministry said in a statement released on behalf of Pakistan, Afghanistan and mediators Turkiye and Qatar.

Governments moving to restore ties with the Taliban risk legitimising oppression and deepening Afghanistan’s crisis, an independent UN human rights expert cautioned on Thursday, calling for a principled approach that defends the rights of women and girls.

Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban government have agreed to an "immediate ceasefire" after more than a week of deadly fighting. The foreign ministry of Qatar, which mediated talks alongside Turkey, said both sides had agreed to establish "mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability".

At least 15 civilians have been killed and dozens more wounded in renewed border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Afghan officials said Wednesday. Cross-border violence has flared since Kabul was rocked last week by explosions blamed on Pakistan, which in turn accuses Afghanistan of harbouring militant groups that carry out attacks on its territory.

India on Friday upgraded ties with Afghanistan's Taliban administration, giving a boost to the diplomatically isolated group, by announcing it would reopen its embassy in Kabul that was shut after the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Cell phone and internet services were restored in Afghanistan on October 1 two days after the Taliban imposed a nationwide shutdown of telecommunications, a move that largely cut off the country from the rest of the world.