Politics
US in talks with Taliban over return to Bagram base for counterterrorism operations: WSJ

The US is in talks with the Taliban about re-establishing a small American military presence at Afghanistan’s Bagram air base to support counterterrorism operations, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
According to the Journal, a US official confirmed that the discussions, led by Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler, may also involve a potential prisoner exchange, an economic agreement, and a security component.
President Donald Trump stated on Thursday, during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, that Washington aims to regain control of Bagram air base in Afghanistan. However, Afghan officials have dismissed the need for any US military presence.
The historic Soviet-era airstrip served as the main base for American forces in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks, until the 2021 withdrawal, which allowed the Taliban to take control.
“We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said of Bagram, highlighting its strategic location near China. “We want that base back.”
Kabul, however, rejected the proposal. Zakir Jalal, an Afghan foreign ministry official, wrote on X that Afghanistan and the US must engage without any American military presence on Afghan soil.
The two nations could establish economic and political ties on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests, he added.
China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, a spokesperson of its foreign ministry said, urging all parties to play a constructive role for regional peace and stability.
“The future and destiny of Afghanistan should be held in the hands of the Afghan people,” Lin Jian told a regular press conference on Friday, when asked about Trump’s comments.
“I want to stress that stoking tensions and creating confrontation in the region wins no popular support.”
Engaging with Kabul to free citizens wrongly detained abroad, US officials held talks on Saturday with Afghan authorities regarding Americans held in Afghanistan.
Adam Boehler, the Trump administration’s special hostage envoy, and Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US special envoy for Afghanistan, met the Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Washington does not recognise the Taliban administration, which seized power in 2021 after 20 years of US military intervention in Afghanistan.
Politics
Cyberattack disrupts operations at European airports including Heathrow, Brussels


- Cyberattack disrupts flights at multiple European airports.
- Airports warn of delays, cancellations after cyberattack.
- Frankfurt and Zurich airports confirm no disruption.
BRUSSELS: A cyberattack at a service provider for check-in and boarding systems has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin, causing flight delays and cancellations on Saturday.
Collins Aerospace, which provides check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports globally, is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers, London’s Heathrow Airport said on Saturday, having warned of delays.
RTX, Collins Aerospace’s parent, was not immediately available for comment outside of US business hours.
The attack has rendered automated systems inoperable, allowing only manual check-in and boarding procedures, Brussels Airport said on its website.
“This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights…The service provider is actively working on the issue and trying to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”
Passengers with a flight scheduled for Saturday were advised by the affected airports to confirm their travel with airlines before heading to the airport.
“Due to a technical issue at a system provider operating across Europe, there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution,” Berlin Airport said in a banner on its website.
Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest, was not affected, a spokesperson said. An official from the operations control centre at Zurich Airport also said it had not been impacted.
Politics
Woman telecaller’s audio clip bashing Indian paramilitary personnel goes viral


A viral audio clip has triggered outrage in India after a woman identified as telecaller Anu Radha Verma was heard hurling curse words and derogatory language at a “debt-ridden” Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel during a dispute over loan repayment.
According to Indian media, Verma allegedly insulted the officer’s education and profession, telling him he was ‘ignorant” and would not have been “sent to the border if you were educated”.
She also accused him of “usurping others’ money”, adding: “That is why your children are born disabled.”
At one point, she dismissed his attempt to respond, saying: “What lesson will you teach me? My family is also linked to the army. You are living on debt and you will teach me?”
After the audio circulated widely on social media, speculation arose that Verma was connected to a bank.
The bank in question, however, issued a clarification, denying she was an employee, though many questioned how she might have obtained sensitive loan data if not linked to the institution.
Amid mounting criticism and a worsening public perception of the Indian armed forces, another audio clip of Verma, but this time offering an apology to the CRPF personnel, also surfaced online.
The woman was heard requesting to “stop harassing” her with audio or video calls and offensive messages to stop.
Politics
Viral audio of woman telecaller slamming Indian paramilitary sparks uproar

A viral audio clip has sparked outrage in India after a woman, identified as telecaller Anu Radha Verma, was heard using abusive and derogatory language against a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel during a dispute over loan repayment.
According to Indian media reports, Verma allegedly mocked the officer’s education and profession, telling him he was “ignorant” and would not have been “sent to the border if you were educated.”
She went further, accusing him of “usurping others’ money” and even remarking, “That is why your children are born disabled.”
At one stage, when the officer tried to respond, she cut him off, saying: “What lesson will you teach me? My family is also linked to the army. You are living on debt and you will teach me?”
As the audio spread widely across social media, speculation mounted that Verma was linked to a bank.
However, the bank named in online claims issued a clarification denying she was an employee though questions remain about how she obtained sensitive loan details if not through official channels.
Amid mounting criticism and a worsening public perception of the Indian armed forces, another audio clip of Verma, but this time offering an apology to the CRPF personnel, also surfaced online.
The woman was heard requesting to “stop harassing” her with audio or video calls and offensive messages to stop.
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