World

Delegations from the United States and Iran concluded another round of talks on Iran's nuclear program in Geneva, mediated by Oman. Omani representatives announced this on February 26.

A gas explosion occurred at a restaurant called 'Plov Center' in Shchuchinsk, Akmola Region, Kazakhstan, on the evening of February 26. The explosion resulted in seven fatalities and 26 injuries.

The Pakistani government stated that recent months of tension have escalated into an "open war with the Taliban." Relations between the two countries deteriorated in autumn 2025 after Islamabad accused the Taliban of inaction against terrorists.

Pakistan launched strikes on targets in major Afghan cities overnight, according to officials from both sides, amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

Explosions occurred in Kabul after Pakistan declared an 'open war' against Afghanistan. Several people were killed and many injured at the scene. Pakistani officials described the action as "counter-terrorism," while the Afghan government labeled it an "attack." Concerns are rising about escalating regional tensions.

Pakistan has bombed Afghanistan's capital Kabul and other cities, as fighting escalated following attacks by Afghan forces on Pakistani military positions along their shared border.

At least one American citizen was shot dead and another injured by Cuban officials intercepting a speedboat off its coast on Wednesday, a US official said.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon's Bekaa Valley have killed one person and wounded 29 others, the latest in a series of ceasefire violations.

Columbia University stated that United States immigration enforcement agents "made misrepresentations" to access one of the school's residential buildings to detain a student. In a statement from the university's acting president, Claire Shipman, federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered the building around 6:30am (13:30 GMT) on Thursday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated in his remarks that negotiations between the US and Iran are ongoing and the two sides are moving closer to an agreement. He described the process as "positive" but did not disclose specific details. This statement comes amid diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, indicating Iranian leaders' push to improve relations with the US in recent months.

Columbia University students held a protest against an arrest made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at university housing. The demonstrators condemned the incident as an example of overly harsh immigration policies and called on the university to strengthen student protections.

Washington, DC – US President Donald Trump hailed the first 13 months of his second term as "transformative" during his State of the Union address, a message the White House plans to use to build support for the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections.