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The U.S. has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including the interior minister who also heads a powerful network blamed for bloody attacks against Afghanistan’s former Western-backed government, officials in Kabul said Sunday. Sirajuddin Haqqani, who acknowledged planning a January 2008 attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul, which killed six people, including U.S. citizen Thor David Hesla, no longer appears on the State Department’s Rewards for Justice website. The FBI website on Sunday still featured a wanted poster for him. Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said the U.S. government had revoked the bounties placed on Haqqani, Abdul Aziz Haqqani, and Yahya Haqqani. “These three individuals are two brothers and one paternal cousin,” Qani told the Associated Press. The Haqqani network grew into one of the deadliest arms of the Taliban after the U.S.-led 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. The group employed roadside bombs, suicide bombings and other attacks, including on the Indian and U.S. embassies, the Afghan presidency, and other major targets. They also have been linked to extortion, kidnapping and other criminal activity. A Foreign Ministry official, Zakir Jalaly, said the Taliban’s release of U.S. prisoner George Glezmann on Friday and the removal of bounties showed both sides were “moving beyond the effects of the wartime phase and taking constructive steps to pave the way for progress” in bilateral relations. Japan China and South Korea discuss trilateral cooperation “The recent developments in Afghanistan-U.S. relations are a good example of the pragmatic and realistic engagement between the two governments,” said Jalaly. Another official, Shafi Azam, hailed the development as the beginning of normalization in 2025, citing the Taliban’s announcement it was in control of Afghanistan’s embassy in Norway. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, China has been the most prominent country to accept one of their diplomats. Other countries have accepted de facto Taliban representatives, like Qatar, which has been a key mediator between the U.S. and the Taliban. U.S. envoys have also met the Taliban. The Taliban’s rule, especially bans affecting women and girls, has triggered widespread condemnation and deepened their international isolation. Haqqani has previously spoken out against the Taliban’s decision-making process, authoritarianism, and alienation of the Afghan population. His rehabilitation on the international stage is in contrast to the status of the reclusive Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who could face arrest by the International Criminal Court for his persecution of women.

A 90-year-old woman was fatally attacked by her pet German Shepherd in Rawatpur, Kanpur of India’s in Uttar Pradesh.. The incident took place last Friday when Mohini Trivedi was mauled by the dog. The matter surfaced on Wednesday after her grandson, Dheer Prashant Trivedi, a mechanical engineer, approached the veterinary department of Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC), seeking approval to hand over the dog to the family. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), Arti Singh, confirmed the attack, stating, “We have not received any written complaint on this matter till now.” However, she has instructed her subordinates to investigate and submit a report promptly. According to police, the dog bit the elderly woman multiple times, including on her head, face, stomach, and hands. She was rushed to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead. 5 killed as under-construction elevated road collapses in Bangkok The attack occurred when Mohini Trivedi went to the courtyard for some work. The dog began barking at her, and when she hit it with a stick in irritation, it turned aggressive and attacked her. Her grandson Dheer and daughter-in-law Kiran Trivedi, who were inside the house at the time, were unable to intervene as both had fractures in their legs. Upon receiving the information, police and a KMC team reached the spot and took the dog to the veterinary department. KMC's chief veterinary officer, R K Niranjan, told reporters that Dheer Prashant has submitted a formal request to reclaim the dog. A final decision regarding its return will be made following a detailed examination of the animal. Source: NDTV

A court formally arrested the mayor of Istanbul and key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday and ordered him jailed pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained following a raid on his residence earlier this week, sparking the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade. It also deepened concerns over democracy and rule of law in Turkey. His imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. Government officials reject accusations that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated and insist that Turkey’s courts operate independently. The formal arrest came as more than 1.5 million members of the opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, began holding a primary presidential election to endorse Imamoglu as its presidential candidate. With Imamoglu as the sole candidate, the primary — announced last month — was largely a symbolic show of support. Japan China and South Korea discuss trilateral cooperation The party has also set up symbolic ballot boxes nationwide — called “solidarity boxes” — to allow people who are not party members to express their support to the mayor. “Honestly, we are embarrassed in the name of our legal system,” Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, a fellow member of Imamoglu’s CHP, told reporters after casting his vote, criticizing the lack of confidentiality in the proceedings. “We learned from television pundits about the allegations that even lawyers did not have access to, showing how politically motivated this whole ordeal has been,” he said. The Council of Europe, a Europe-wide body that focuses on promoting human rights and democracy slammed the decision to imprison the mayor. “We deplore the decision to place Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu in detention, and demand his immediate release,” said Marc Cools who heads the grouping’s congress of local authorities. Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and an author of a biography of Erdogan, said with Imamoglu’s arrest, Erdogan was taking an extreme measure against his key opponent. “Erdogan is determined to do whatever it takes to end Imamoglu’s career,” he said. “(Imamoglu) beats Erdogan in every imaginable presidential poll.” Cagaptay said the international environment — where the European Union appears keen to maintain Turkey’s favor amid security threats from Russia, and the United States is unconcerned by other countries’ internal affairs — allows Erdogan to proceed without fear of international scrutiny.

Foreign ministers from Japan, China and South Korea reaffirmed the importance of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula and sought common ground in areas like aging, low birth rates, natural disasters and cultural exchange at a meeting that took place at a time of growing tensions. At a joint news conference after the talks, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said he, his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul agreed on the need to promote mutual understanding and tackle shared, multi-generational concerns to gain wider support for trilateral cooperation. Iwaya emphasized his concerns about North Korea' s nuclear and missile development and cooperation with Russia as regional threats, and stressed the importance of pursuing the North's full denuclearization under the U.N. Security Council resolutions. Iwaya reiterated Japan's condemnation of Russia's war on Ukraine, adding that there is no place in the world for unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, a subtle message about China's growing assertiveness in the region. Wang said that China supports the formation of a mutual regional economy and proposed further efforts toward achieving an economic framework for the three countries. He said trilateral cooperation in a range of areas including technology, climate exchange and other issues will “serve as key driving force for East Asian cooperation.” Japan's leader calls for common ground ahead of key meeting with China and South Korea The meeting on Saturday focuses on plans for a trilateral leaders' summit later this year amid growing political and economic uncertainty at home and challenges from U.S. President Donald Trump. The three-way meetings are an accomplishment for Japan, which has historical and territorial disputes with both China and South Korea. An earlier trilateral meeting was held in South Korea last year. Cho, whose country chaired their leaders’ first summit after a four-and-half-year hiatus due to the pandemic, said the ongoing global crisis makes the trilateral cooperation more important than ever and it is important to maintain their positive flow. He said that their cooperation is especially important as the world faces tension and divisions, and that their cooperation in areas of common challenges will set a good model for global cooperation. Later Saturday, delegations from Japan and China were to meet separately to hold their first high-level economic dialogue since April 2019. Iwaya and Wang will also hold separate bilateral talks with Cho.

Demonstrations erupted across multiple cities in Turkey on Friday in response to the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, a key opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, despite a stern warning from the Turkish leader against public protests. In Istanbul, security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray to disperse hundreds of demonstrators attempting to breach barricades near the city’s historic aqueduct. Protesters hurled flares, stones, and other objects at police. Authorities also intervened in protests in Ankara, the capital, and in the coastal city of Izmir, sometimes using force, according to footage aired by private broadcaster Halk TV. Thousands of people marched in various cities, demanding the government step down, the station reported. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that at least 97 individuals had been detained across the country during the demonstrations. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was taken into custody during a dawn raid on his home Wednesday, accused of corruption and links to terrorist groups, further intensifying the government’s crackdown on opposition figures. Several other political figures, including two district mayors, were also arrested. Critics view Imamoglu’s detention as a politically motivated effort to sideline a strong opposition leader ahead of the 2028 presidential election. However, government officials deny any political interference, asserting that Turkey’s judiciary remains independent. Imamoglu spent four hours being questioned by police over corruption allegations, rejecting all accusations, according to Cumhuriyet newspaper and other media. He is expected to be taken to court for further questioning by prosecutors on Saturday evening. Taiwan's leader calls for tougher measures against Chinese spying His arrest has triggered the largest wave of protests in Turkey since 2013, when mass anti-government demonstrations led to the deaths of eight people. Earlier on Friday, Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, reiterated his call for peaceful demonstrations, while authorities expanded restrictions on protests and criticized his appeal as irresponsible. “I invite tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and millions, to peacefully demonstrate, express our democratic reaction, and exercise our constitutional rights,” Ozel said. Speaking at a large rally outside city hall, Ozel accused Erdogan of exploiting the judiciary after being unable to defeat Imamoglu “in a fair way.” Erdogan Warns Against Street Protests Erdogan, who has become increasingly authoritarian after more than 20 years in power, stated that the government would not permit street demonstrations and accused the opposition party of ties to corruption and terrorism. “An anti-corruption operation in Istanbul is being used as an excuse to stir unrest in our streets. I want it to be known that we will not allow a handful of opportunists to bring unrest to Turkey just to protect their plundering schemes,” Erdogan said. “Pointing to the streets instead of courtrooms to defend theft, plunder, lawlessness and fraud is a grave irresponsibility,” he added. “Just as we have not surrendered to street terrorism until now, we will not bow to vandalism in the future either.” Authorities in Ankara and Izmir announced a five-day ban on demonstrations Friday, following an earlier restriction imposed in Istanbul. Officials also ordered more road closures in Istanbul and shut down metro stations near a university in Ankara, where violent clashes had taken place the day before.

Thirty years after the deadly sarin gas attack on Tokyo’s subway system, survivors and families of victims continue to seek justice and closure. On March 20, 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult released sarin nerve gas in packed subway trains, killing 13 people and sickening thousands. The attack, one of Japan’s worst acts of domestic terrorism, shocked the nation. The cult’s leader, Shoko Asahara, and 12 senior members were executed in 2018, but survivors say their struggles persist. Around 1,600 former Aum members still operate under renamed groups and have refused to pay court-ordered compensation to victims. Families of those killed, like Shizue Takahashi, whose husband was a subway station worker who died saving passengers, demand stronger government action. US firebombing of Tokyo 80 years ago; survivors seek compensation The attack led to major counter-terrorism measures, including laws banning sarin production and strict monitoring of Aum’s successor groups. However, experts warn that more public awareness is needed to prevent extremist cults from gaining influence. Survivors continue to face health issues and trauma, while legal battles over compensation remain unresolved. “We must not let the memories fade,” said Takahashi, urging authorities to ensure justice for the victims and prevent future tragedies. Sourceo: With input from agency 

A significant number of Chinese military aircraft, ships, and drones operated near Taiwan between Sunday and Monday, according to the island’s Defense Ministry. China described the exercises as a reaction to recent statements and actions by both the United States and Taiwan. Although Beijing conducts such operations regularly to pressure Taiwan’s defenses and morale, the majority of the island’s 23 million residents reject China's sovereignty claims over Taiwan. Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo told lawmakers that the drills underscored China's role as a “troublemaker” threatening regional stability. On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry shared images of Chinese military assets on social media, noting that 43 of 59 aircraft entered its air defense identification zone. However, no direct confrontations occurred. Taiwan responded by deploying aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation. The reason behind the large-scale Chinese deployment remains unclear, as daily numbers fluctuate depending on statements from Taiwan or its US allies. North Korea fires several ballistic missiles after the US and South Korea began military drills Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated Monday that the drills were a firm response to foreign “connivance and support” for Taiwan’s independence and a warning to separatist forces. She defended Beijing’s military maneuvers as “necessary, legal, and justified” actions to safeguard national sovereignty. Mao also criticized the US for modifying its State Department website, removing language that previously aligned with Beijing’s one-China principle and opposed Taiwan’s independence. She argued that such changes sent misleading signals to pro-independence forces in Taiwan. Adding to tensions, Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te recently described mainland China as a “foreign hostile force” under Taiwanese law and announced stricter measures to counter Chinese influence in the media and civic space. Lai also warned of the risks posed by individuals leaking sensitive information to Beijing. The Taiwan Strait, a crucial global trade route, remains an area of contention. While China does not disrupt civilian shipping in the Strait or the broader South China Sea—territories it largely claims—it regularly protests the presence of US and allied naval forces in the region. Over the weekend, China strongly rebuked the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations after their diplomats accused Beijing of threatening maritime security. The G7’s joint statement condemned China’s “provocative and coercive” actions, including land reclamation and military expansion, which they said destabilize regional security. In response, China dismissed the accusations as “arrogant, prejudiced, and malicious.” Amid growing security concerns, Taiwan has been bolstering its defenses by acquiring advanced weaponry, including missiles and aircraft, from the US, while also strengthening its domestic defense industry. Iran warns airlines to avoid its airspace for 3 hours on Thursday over military drills, Egypt says Taiwan and China have been politically divided since a civil war 76 years ago. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping remains committed to bringing Taiwan under Beijing’s control, despite China facing economic challenges and an ongoing technological rivalry with the West. Source: With input from agency 

An elevated road being built in Thailand’s capital Bangkok collapsed, killing at least five people, officials said. The collapse, which happened in the early morning in southwestern Bangkok, also injured 24 other people at the construction site, said Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. Suriya offered his condolences and said victims would be compensated by contractors and relevant agencies. He said four workers and an engineer were killed, and no road users were affected as traffic lanes near the construction were closed at the time. Bangkok police commander Siam Boonsom said authorities were still investigating to determine the cause of the collapse and that they would pursue legal actions against those found responsible. Hamas will release the American-Israeli hostage only if a truce is implemented Photos from the site showed that large metal and concrete structures fell on the ground and completely blocked the road. The construction of the 5-kilometer (3-mile) elevated road started in 2022, according to project information published on the website of the Expressway Authority of Thailand. Surachet Laophulsuk, governor of the agency, said they were working to clear the debris as quickly as they could, but he said it might take a week. He added that the contractors working on the project were ordered suspended for 14 days pending the investigation. Taiwan's leader calls for tougher measures against Chinese spying Road and construction safety is a major problem in Thailand. The site of Saturday’s collapse is a part of a major road connecting Bangkok to Thailand’s south, which has been a subject of controversy over its prolonged construction and frequent fatal accidents. Suriya said the transportation ministry is in the process of issuing new regulations that would suspend contractors found liable for construction accidents and blacklist them from bidding on future government projects.  

Taiwan's president, William Lai Ching-te, stated on Thursday that stricter measures are necessary to combat China's increasing infiltration, espionage, and other efforts to undermine Taiwan’s security and hasten Beijing's ambition to seize control of the self-governing island republic, a key ally of the U.S. Lai pointed to several recent incidents involving China that fall into a “gray area,” including psychological warfare that stops short of direct military conflict. He explained that Beijing’s attempts to “subvert, steal secrets, lure military personnel, and manipulate public opinion to erode trust in our national defense” require Taiwan to enhance its legal protections to prevent and identify such activities. Lai outlined proposed actions to counter China’s influence, such as reintroducing military tribunals for crimes like espionage and making it harder for individuals from China and the Chinese territories of Hong Kong and Macau to acquire Taiwanese identification. This is complicated by the high rate of intermarriage between Taiwanese and Chinese. China says US has 'gravely backpedaled' on Taiwan Taiwan will also restrict contact with individuals linked to China’s Communist Party’s United Front department, which aims to use cultural exchanges and personnel to promote Beijing's unification agenda. This decision followed an incident last year in which a student in a delegation backed by a pro-unification Taiwanese group used disparaging language about Taiwan, causing public outrage, though no legal action was taken. Lai's Democratic Progressive Party supports Taiwan's de facto independence from Beijing. Since Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, took office eight years ago, China has largely cut off official communication with the DPP. China frequently sends ships and planes into Taiwan's airspace and waters to intimidate its 23 million citizens and weaken Taiwan’s military and morale. Taiwan’s government recently expelled the Chinese wife of a Taiwanese man after she posted videos on Chinese social media claiming that China could conquer Taiwan in half an hour and praising the Chinese leadership. These actions violate Taiwan’s laws on aiding the enemy. The woman, who also held Chinese government roles, will be allowed to reapply for residency in five years. Other recent cases include Taiwanese influencers and artists in China sharing Chinese state media statements affirming China's sovereignty over Taiwan. Retired Taiwanese military personnel have also provided information about Taiwan’s weapons systems to Chinese agents and attempted to recruit active-duty soldiers as spies. The Defense Ministry confirmed a recent case where a retired air force major, claiming to work for a U.S. think tank, convinced an air force intercept controller to provide classified documents in exchange for money. The retired major, surnamed Shih, sent the files to his Chinese handlers for around $45,000, sharing $6,000 of it with the active-duty officer, surnamed Hsu. The leaked information pertained to Taiwan’s domestically developed Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles and Taiwan’s response to Chinese incursions into its air defense identification zone. The two sides have been separated since the 1949 civil war, with China continuing to view Taiwan as its territory to be reclaimed by force if needed. Lai’s remarks coincided with the 20th anniversary of China’s Anti-Succession Act, which sets out conditions for an invasion, including if Taiwan declares formal independence or refuses unification indefinitely. Taiwan maintains that it is already functionally independent, a stance supported by most of the population, and does not see the need for a formal declaration of independence. Thousands in Taiwan and China celebrate the Lantern Festival with high hopes and rice dumplings To strengthen its defenses, Taiwan has been bolstering its military with new missiles, U.S. tanks and planes, and domestically produced submarines. The country has also recently extended mandatory national military service for all men from four months to one year.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte refused to be fingerprinted and threatened legal action against a police general during a chaotic arrest, according to Philippine authorities. Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre revealed details of the tense 12-hour standoff that took place on Tuesday at a Philippine air base. Despite resistance from Duterte, his family, lawyers, and friends, police eventually succeeded in placing the 79-year-old former leader onto a government-chartered jet bound for The Hague, Netherlands. There, the International Criminal Court (ICC) detained him on charges of crimes against humanity. Former Philippine president Duterte arrested on ICC warrant for killings Once a feared figure for his harsh anti-crime policies and controversial remarks—such as calling Pope Francis a “son of a bitch” and telling former U.S. President Barack Obama to “go to hell”—Duterte’s dramatic downfall has been hailed by human rights advocates as a major victory against state impunity. Duterte was apprehended upon arrival at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, accompanied by his common-law wife, daughter, and friends returning from Hong Kong. He was then taken under heavy police escort to the presidential lounge at Villamor Air Base for booking, which included fingerprinting before his transfer to the Netherlands. However, Duterte and his entourage resisted, preventing his immediate transport to a Gulfstream G550 executive jet, Torre said. The standoff lasted about 12 hours and was highly tense. According to Torre, one of his officers sustained a head injury after being struck with a cellphone by Duterte’s common-law wife, while Duterte’s daughter hurled expletives at him. Despite the hostility, Torre maintained his composure. The former president, a former prosecutor and congressman, refused to comply with the police booking process. “We wanted to have him fingerprinted, but he resisted,” Torre said. In a separate interview, he confirmed that he had arrested and handcuffed Duterte’s executive secretary for obstructing the transfer. A widely circulated video on social media captured Duterte surrounded by his family, lawyers, and friends, questioning Torre: “Are you going to bring me straight to the airplane?” Torre recalled Duterte defiantly stating, “You have to kill me to bring me to The Hague.” Torre responded, “That’s not our intention, sir,” as officers removed individuals blocking Duterte’s path. Duterte’s legal team has challenged the arrest, arguing that Philippine authorities failed to present an official copy of the ICC warrant and violated his constitutional rights. His lawyers and supporters also criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government for allowing the ICC to take custody of Duterte, despite the Philippines having withdrawn from the court. Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter, condemned the move, calling it a “blatant affront” to national sovereignty and an insult to Filipinos. “This is not justice—this is oppression and persecution,” she said. President Marcos, who has since had a political rift with the vice president following their short-lived alliance in the 2022 elections, appeared on national television at midnight, refuting her accusations. Days before his arrest, Duterte spoke to supporters in Hong Kong, acknowledging the ICC warrant and expressing his willingness to face imprisonment. “If this is my fate in life, it’s OK, I’ll accept it. I can’t do anything if I get arrested and jailed,” he said, peppering his remarks with expletives. Impeachment complaint filed against Philippine VP Duterte for threatening President Marcos Duterte’s political career was built on his ruthless stance against crime, particularly his bloody war on drugs, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Throughout his presidency, he remained unapologetic, even lashing out at world leaders who criticized his policies. He infamously told Obama to “go to hell” after being condemned for his violent anti-drug campaign. In 2015, he shocked the Catholic Church when he cursed Pope Francis while venting frustration over a traffic jam during the pontiff’s visit to Manila. “I wanted to call. ‘Pope, you son of a bitch, go home. Don’t visit here anymore,’” he told a cheering crowd. Following widespread outrage from Filipino bishops, he later issued an apology.