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Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks Stall In Turkiye; Agreement Elusive Amid Terror Concerns

Islamabad, Oct 28 (PTI) Officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan were still trying to find common ground to settle their dispute over cross-border military and other issues despite three days of talks held in Turkiye. Talks began on Saturday and continued through Monday, but without any final agreement. Quoting officials, the Dawn newspaper reported that a final agreement still remained elusive. Sources familiar with the closed-door discussions said that while “most of the points had been mutually agreed between the two sides”, the mechanism for verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory continued to be the main sticking point. “We kept hoping that we would be able to sign a mutual document with Afgha­nistan soon, followed by a joint statement, but it still remains out of our reach,” the newspaper quoted one source as saying. The atmosphere early on Monday had been markedly positive. Participants des­c­­ribed “encouraging progress” and “serious engagement” from both delegations. As the day wore on and talks stretched into the evening, optimism began to fade. “It is a difficult phase,” a source said. By nightfall, it appeared that the process had once again hit a roadblock, accordinf to the newspaper. The Afghan Taliban delegation continued to resist putting anything in writing, particularly on the issue of providing verifiable guarantees to end support for the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to the participants. The tone at the start of Monday’s proceedings contrasted sharply with the pessimism that followed Sunday’s session, when Pakistani officials told reporters that Islamabad had presented its final position to the Taliban delegation — a statement widely interpreted in local media as signalling the possible collapse of the talks. In contrast to those reports, members of the Afghan negotiating team had on Sunday night and Monday morning continued to express optimism. They maintained that the dialogue in Istanbul could still yield results, describing the remaining disagreements as “few” and “resolvable”. “The Afghan side has made it clear that tensions benefit no one,” one member of the delegation said. “We are hopeful that these talks will produce a positive outcome.” Mediators from Turkiye and Qatar were said to share this sentiment, stressing the importance of maintaining engagement and preventing the process from unravelling. Despite the lingering stalemate, diplomatic sources described Monday’s session as “not without significance”. “Even if the talks didn’t produce a breakthrough, the fact that both sides stayed engaged for three straight days is important,” one mediator said. “It shows that neither wants the process to collapse.” By late evening, negotiators in Istanbul were weighing whether to extend discussions into a fourth day, according to the newspaper. Dozens of soldiers, civilians and terrorists were killed in clashes between earlier this month, creating a war-like situation; however, peace was restored temporarily on October 19 after the two sides held talks -- facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye -- in Doha. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday warned of an “all-out war” with the Afghan Taliban if the talks failed.  (Disclaimer: This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

2025 Women’s World Cup: Shafali Verma sweats it out in nets, Richa Ghosh keeps wickets as India prepare for Australia semifinal

Shafali Verma has been unexpectedly drafted into India's squad for the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup semifinal against Australia due to Pratika Rawal's injury. Verma, a dynamic but inconsistent opener, trained intensely with the team. Keeper-batter Richa Ghosh also showed no discomfort after her finger injury, boosting team confidence.

What happens when you light a match in space? Astronauts reveal the stunning blue flame mystery

Chinese astronauts aboard Tiangong station witnessed a match flame transform into a blue sphere in microgravity. Unlike Earth's rising flames, this phenomenon occurs due to altered airflow and heat transfer. This groundbreaking experiment offers crucial insights into fire behavior in space, vital for enhancing safety systems on future long-duration missions.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s heartwarming gesture for Prithvi Shaw after Ranji masterclass – Watch

Ruturaj Gaikwad generously shared his Player of the Match award with Prithvi Shaw, celebrating Shaw's incredible 222-run innings that secured Maharashtra's Ranji Trophy victory. This act highlighted sportsmanship and team spirit. Shaw's spectacular knock, his first double century for Maharashtra, marks a significant comeback after a challenging season, showcasing his renewed determination and talent.

Why Earth is losing its symmetry

Earth’s once-balanced energy budget between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres is shifting, according to 24 years of NASA CERES data. The Northern Hemisphere is now absorbing significantly more solar energy due to melting ice, reduced pollution and rising water vapour. With clouds failing to compensate, scientists warn this growing imbalance could reshape climate patterns and accelerate global warming.

Indian Man Stabs 2 Teens With Metal Fork On Flight, Slaps Woman; Arrested

An Indian national has been charged in the United States for allegedly stabbing two teenagers and assaulting passengers on board a Lufthansa flight travelling from Chicago to Germany, according to a statement issued by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. The accused, identified as 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, is facing one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while travelling on an aircraft within US jurisdiction. Violent Outburst Mid-Air According to court documents, the incident took place when Usiripalli allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old passenger in the shoulder with a metal fork while the teenager was asleep in a middle seat. When the victim woke up in shock, Usiripalli reportedly lunged toward another 17-year-old, stabbing him in the back of the head with the same fork. Cabin crew and passengers tried to intervene, but the situation escalated further. In a bizarre turn of events, Usiripalli allegedly raised his hand in the shape of an imaginary gun, placed it in his mouth, and pretended to pull the trigger. He then turned to a female passenger and slapped her, before attempting to hit a crew member. Emergency Diversion and Arrest Following the violent episode, the flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where law enforcement officers detained Usiripalli. Authorities later confirmed that he currently does not have lawful immigration status in the United States and had entered the country on a student visa. According to the press release, Usiripalli was enrolled in a master’s programme in biblical studies at the time of the incident. Legal Consequences If convicted, Usiripalli faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Shardul Thakur sends strong message to Ajit Agarkar: ‘I am eyeing No. 8 bowling all-rounder spot at 2027 ODI World Cup’

Shardul Thakur is targeting a comeback to the Indian ODI team, specifically eyeing the all-rounder spot at No. 8 for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. Despite being overlooked recently, Thakur remains confident in his readiness for international cricket. He also praised young spinner Himanshu Singh's performance and encouraged Shams Mulani.

Japan’s mysterious ghost plants may hold the secret to how life adapts, survives, and grows in darkness

Japanese botanist Kenji Suetsugu's childhood fascination with ghost flowers led to a career uncovering their secrets. These unique mycoheterotrophic plants survive without photosynthesis by parasitizing fungi, challenging biological norms. Suetsugu's research revealed their reliance on camel crickets for seed dispersal and tiny insects for pollination, even discovering new species and a rare plant genus.

Scientists discover Star Wars-like planetary system with 3 Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting twin stars

NASA’s TESS has uncovered three Earth-sized planets orbiting twin suns, defying long-held beliefs that binary systems are too unstable for planet formation. The TOI-2267 system not only breaks records but also reshapes our understanding of how worlds emerge in hostile environments, blurring science fiction and reality in a cosmic echo of Tatooine’s double sunset.

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