Afghanistan

Pakistan has carried out strikes inside Afghanistan, in an escalation of cross-border tensions between the two neighbours. Coverage frames the action alongside Türkiye as a coordinated show of strength, suggesting the two countries are sending a unified message to Kabul. Details on casualties or targets remain limited, and the wider diplomatic fallout is being closely watched across the region.

Canada, together with the Netherlands and other allies, took the unprecedented step of initiating proceedings against Afghanistan at the International Court of Justice over the Taliban's systematic persecution of women and girls. Two years on, observers are asking what the case has achieved, as restrictions on Afghan women's education, work and public life continue and accountability through international legal channels remains slow and uncertain.

India have advanced to the semi-finals of the cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games after their quarter-final match against Afghanistan was washed out. With no play possible, the result was decided by tournament rules, sending India through to the last four and keeping their gold medal hopes alive at the multi-sport event.

UN Women is highlighting efforts to expand Afghan women's access to banking and financial services under the banner 'Banking on Potential'. The initiative focuses on helping women entrepreneurs and households in Afghanistan overcome barriers to finance, a critical issue given restrictions on women's work and economic participation under Taliban rule.