Lithuania officially completed the procedure of withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention on December 27, which allows it to use and produce anti-personnel mines. The country plans to spend hundreds of millions of euros on the purchase and production of tens of thousands of units of ammunition.
Syrian authorities announced the arrest of Taha al-Zubi, known as Abu Omar Tibiya, ISIS's "wali" of Damascus, during a "carefully planned" operation. A suicide belt and weapons were seized from him; the US Army Central Command did not confirm the operation.
Turkish intelligence detained Mehmet Goren, an ISIS member, on the Afghan-Pakistani border. He was planning terrorist attacks in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and European countries.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni put more than 270 state gifts up for auction, including python skin shoes and an iPad from Zelenskyy. The total value of the lots is about 800,000 euros, and the sale is due to a law prohibiting keeping gifts worth more than 300 euros.
In Ukraine, December accounts for 30% of the annual import of mandarins, the demand for which was growing before the war. The main suppliers are Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt.
Several countries held talks in Iran, agreeing to deepen coordination and calling for the lifting of sanctions against Kabul. Afghanistan, led by the Taliban movement, refused to participate despite an invitation.
Polish border guards discovered a tunnel under the border with Belarus, through which 180 illegal migrants entered Poland. Over 130 people, mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, have been detained.
The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel advisories for Cuba, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Guangdong Province due to outbreaks of chikungunya. This incurable mosquito-borne disease causes symptoms of fever and joint pain, and in severe cases can lead to hospitalization and death.
Tajikistan and Russia are negotiating joint patrolling of the border with Afghanistan after attacks that killed five Chinese citizens. Russia may use helicopters to patrol the 1,344-kilometer border.
This year, 17 people have been executed in Singapore for drug and murder offenses, the highest number since 2003. This comes amid renewed debate over the use of capital punishment.
At least six people have been killed in an attack by three suicide bombers on the Federal Police headquarters in Peshawar, Pakistan. One militant blew himself up at the gate, while two others were neutralized by security forces.
The UN Security Council will vote on a US resolution supporting Donald Trump's plan for the future of Gaza. The document has received support from several Arab countries but has drawn objections from Israel and Hamas.
In Pakistan, 27 people were injured in a suicide bombing near a police vehicle. The group "Jamaat-ul-Ahrar" claimed responsibility for the attack, although the Pakistani "Taliban" denied its involvement.
A suicide bomber detonated explosives near a district court in Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring 27. The attacker tried to enter the court but fired at a police car.
Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Turkey ended inconclusively due to disagreements over control of Pakistan's internal security. Both sides confirmed their intention to adhere to the current ceasefire.
The German government is offering Afghans in Pakistan financial payments to forgo resettlement in Germany. This is part of a tougher migration policy amid the growing popularity of the right-wing populist party.
A meeting of foreign ministers from Muslim states has begun in Istanbul to support a ceasefire in Gaza and establish international monitoring forces. Representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia are participating in the talks.
In an interview with CBS News, Donald Trump pulled out a list of 8 "ended wars" that he allegedly completed in 8 months. Critics questioned his claims.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to observe a ceasefire after peace talks in Istanbul. The parties plan to meet again on November 6 to agree on a monitoring and verification mechanism.
Six Pakistani soldiers and seven militants were killed in a clash near the Afghan border in the mountainous Kurram district. The Pakistani government blames extremist groups operating from Afghanistan for the escalation.
Glaciers in the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan, are stable and even growing, while most of the world's glaciers are melting. European scientists are investigating this phenomenon, known as the Karakoram Anomaly, to find ways to protect glaciers globally.
US President Donald Trump said he would resolve the crisis between Afghanistan and Pakistan "very quickly. " This statement came on the second day of peace talks between the warring countries.
Polio vaccination coverage in the European Region has reached its lowest level since 2017, leaving approximately 450,000 infants vulnerable. Poliovirus remains endemic in several Asian countries, posing a risk to Europe.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire. Negotiations took place in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Ankara. The parties plan to hold another meeting to ensure sustained adherence to the ceasefire.
Representatives of Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in Qatar after Islamabad's airstrikes on the neighboring country. Kabul ordered its troops to observe a ceasefire, and Pakistan will also refrain from attacks.
Washington and Riyadh are negotiating a strategic defense agreement that could be concluded during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House in November. Saudi Arabia is interested in guarantees similar to the US agreement with Qatar, which considers an attack on Qatar a threat to the US.
On October 15, Kabul was hit by airstrikes from the Pakistani armed forces. Clashes erupted on the Afghan-Pakistani border, leading to civilian and military casualties.
The escalation in the Middle East region began after Pakistani airstrikes, to which Afghanistan responded with fire. The number of dead and wounded is increasing, and border crossings have been closed.
Fierce fighting between Taliban forces and the Pakistani army began along the entire Durand Line on the Afghan-Pakistani border. The Taliban claimed responsibility for deadly attacks that killed 20 security personnel and three civilians.
