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US backs Pakistan’s ‘right to defend itself’ against Taliban after strikes on Afghanistan

US backs Pakistan’s ‘right to defend itself’ against Taliban after strikes on Afghanistan

Taliban offer to resolve dispute via dialogue after Pakistan bombed cities in Afghanistan in latest escalation with its neighbour Washington endorsed Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” after it bombed major cities across Afghanistan amid heightened tensions between the two hostile neighbours. The Taliban government in Kabul stressed it was ready to negotiate on Friday as violence intensified between the two countries. Continue reading...

Two fronts heating up - UN alarmed as Pakistan declares 'open war' against Afghanistan, countries evacuate Iran

Two fronts heating up - UN alarmed as Pakistan declares 'open war' against Afghanistan, countries evacuate Iran

"The United Nations voiced alarm over escalating violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan, while also urging continued diplomacy in indirect talks between the United States and Iran, during a press briefing in New York City on Friday. UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the Secretary-General is "deeply concerned by the escalation of violence we are seeing between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that violence is having on civilian populations." "He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and he reiterates his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy," Dujarric persisted. The UN also raised concerns about reported attacks affecting civilians inside Afghanistan, including an incident at a transit and reception centre at the Torkham border crossing in the country's east. "We continue to call on all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular to ensure that civilians are protected at all times, as well as civilian infrastructure," he asserted. Asked about reports that Pakistan described the situation as an 'open war', Dujarric said the UN's political mission in Kabul is closely monitoring developments and maintaining contacts on the ground. Turning to Iran, the spokesperson stated that the secretary-general welcomes the continuation of the indirect talks mediated by Oman between Washington DC and Tehran. He urged both sides to work "with determination and in good faith towards a lasting agreement," stressing that "full and comprehensive IAEA verification is essential for any successful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue." Responding to questions about several countries urging their nationals to leave Iran amid fears of possible conflict, Dujarric acknowledged mixed signals in the region. "We're seeing both positive messages come out of the diplomatic track, which we're continuing to encourage. We're also seeing very worrying military movements throughout the region, which is extremely concerning as well," he asserted. "Clearly, we encourage everyone to focus on the diplomatic track." On Israel's top court suspending a halt to operations by more than 35 NGOs in the Palestinian territories, Dujarric reiterated the UN's reliance on humanitarian partners. "We as a UN system could not do what we do without that partnership. And we want to see them be able to continue their work." Separately, the United Nations Security Council met this week to discuss the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. UN officials reported continued shortages of electricity, water and medical supplies, while calling for expanded access for aid deliveries."

Tricolour pride - Mexico kicks off World Cup fever with Guinness Record for largest human football shirt in Tuxtla

Tricolour pride - Mexico kicks off World Cup fever with Guinness Record for largest human football shirt in Tuxtla

"Mexico set a new world record on Friday by forming the largest human image of a football shirt, with 4,757 participants creating a massive tricolour display in Tuxtla, Chiapas state, as World Cup 2026 fever builds. Footage shows the enormous shirt formed by participants wearing green, white, and red – Mexico's national colours – arranged in the shape of a football jersey at Tuxtla's Victor Manuel Reyna stadium. "They have to go over 3,700 people, so with 3,800 or 3,900 [people] they break the record. Done. And now comes another extremely important part, which is the formation of the shirt," commented Alfredo Arista, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records. He explained that to obtain Guinness World Record recognition, the shirt's shape must be perfectly distinguishable and there must be no visible gaps, or 'the record could be voided'. Chiapas Secretary of Tourism Segundo Guillen Gordillo stated that it is "a collective effort that symbolises the strength of Chiapas" and showcases the identity and creativity of its inhabitants. Chiapas Governor Eduardo Ramirez Aguilar, Secretary of Education Roger Mandujano, and Director General of the Institute of Sports, Barbara Altuzar Galindo, also took part in the event and congratulated the thousands of participants who broke the record. This event coincided with the arrival of the FIFA World Cup trophy in Mexico, where it will tour cities such as Guadalajara, Leon, Veracruz, Chihuahua, Queretaro, Monterrey, Puebla, and Merida. "

Times a-changing? Merz warns NATO's current structure may not exist in 'five or ten years'

Times a-changing? Merz warns NATO's current structure may not exist in 'five or ten years'

"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared on Thursday that Germany has moved from being Europe's laggard to taking a leadership role on defence, yet warned that the future of NATO in its current form is uncertain. "I am not sure whether, in five or ten years' time, we will still have this NATO in its present form," he said during the Christian Democratic Union election event, ahead of the Hessian local elections taking place on March 15. Merz also said that Europe must be capable of defending itself independently, however argued that the transatlantic alliance remains indispensable. "I shall tell Trump again on Tuesday morning: the hand remains extended. I want NATO, with America and Europe, to remain the Western alliance it has always been. It was never merely a military alliance," noted Merz. The German chancellor said he would tell US President Donald Trump that "the hand remains extended," but at the same time underscored that Europe must be prepared for a scenario in which Washington shifts its strategic focus elsewhere. "Then we must ourselves be in a position to defend our own security. And I believe that, with 450 million inhabitants in this European Union, we are capable of doing so. In terms of population, we are larger than the United States of America — one and a half times as large," said Merz. He urged that Germany must become a 'true locomotive of the European Union' but still there is a need to correct 'some distortions.' "Quite simply, we are no longer sufficiently competitive […] But if you come back from China, ladies and gentlemen, you are left with an even clearer sense that prosperity in our country cannot be sustained in the long term with a work-life balance mentality and a four-day working week. We shall simply have to put in a bit more effort." Merz also drew a sharp line between environmental ambition and industrial survival, warning that green targets must not come at the expense of the country’s manufacturing base. "I am not prepared to give up Germany as an industrial location simply because we are pursuing a completely over-the-top environmental policy," he concluded."

'They want to pass it with repression' - Protesters clash with police in Buenos Aires as Argentina debates labour reform

'They want to pass it with repression' - Protesters clash with police in Buenos Aires as Argentina debates labour reform

"Clashes broke out between police officers and protesters on Friday in front of the National Congress in Buenos Aires, as the Senate debated the controversial labour reform promoted by the ruling party. Footage shows police dispersing demonstrators with water cannons and tear gas as protesters march with banners reading 'Salary increase now, no to the labour reform' and 'Anti-worker labour reform', shake fences, set fires near Congress barriers, and deploy smoke grenades. "The government started repressing very early. It is with repression, the only way for a labour reform that is destined to worsen the social drama that Argentines live today, to pass," said Rodolfo Aguilar, Secretary General of the Association of State Workers, adding, "We are facing the greatest setback in labour legislation." "This is a defeat for the working class. If it passes, they are leading us to precarise, to destroy the productive system, so that our country never has an alternative. And we must face this in unity. We must all fight together," remarked a protester. Some demonstrators began leaving the vicinity of Congress in the early afternoon, when the disturbances started, and individuals with covered faces and backpacks, which, according to local media, were filled with stones, were identified. The labour reform debated in the Senate proposes reducing severance pay for companies. It would also allow a maximum 12-hour workday through an overtime compensation system and restrict the right to protest in sectors considered essential. "