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Trump suggests US troops could return to base in Afghanistan, citing its proximity to rival China
Read full article: Trump suggests US troops could return to base in Afghanistan, citing its proximity to rival ChinaPresident Donald Trump has suggested he's working to reestablish a U.S. presence at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
Taliban claim an agreement is reached with US envoys on a prisoner swap as they seek better ties
Read full article: Taliban claim an agreement is reached with US envoys on a prisoner swap as they seek better tiesThe Taliban says that they've reached agreement with U.S. envoys on an exchange of prisoners as part of an effort to normalize relations between the United States and Afghanistan.
Russia becomes the first country to formally recognize Taliban's latest rule in Afghanistan
Read full article: Russia becomes the first country to formally recognize Taliban's latest rule in AfghanistanRussia has become the first country to formally recognize the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021, after Moscow removed the group from its list of outlawed organizations.
Taliban release an American man who was abducted while traveling in Afghanistan
Read full article: Taliban release an American man who was abducted while traveling in AfghanistanAn American man who was abducted more than two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist has been released by the Taliban.
Taliban deputy tells leader there is no excuse for education bans on Afghan women and girls
Read full article: Taliban deputy tells leader there is no excuse for education bans on Afghan women and girlsA senior Taliban figure says the group's leader should scrap education bans on Afghan women and girls.
Thousands attend the funeral of a Taliban minister killed by an Islamic State suicide bomber
Read full article: Thousands attend the funeral of a Taliban minister killed by an Islamic State suicide bomberThousands of people have attended the funeral of a Taliban government minister killed in an Islamic State suicide bombing the previous day.
Stranded on the Eiffel Tower, a couple decide to wed, with an AP reporter there to tell the story
Read full article: Stranded on the Eiffel Tower, a couple decide to wed, with an AP reporter there to tell the storyFrench police have arrested a man climbing on the Eiffel Tower, temporarily stranding a crowd at the top.

Saudi Arabia set to stage record $20M horse race in 2020
Read full article: Saudi Arabia set to stage record $20M horse race in 2020The new Saudi Cup will comfortably eclipse horse racing's previous richest individual race, the Pegasus World Cup, which peaked at a purse of $16 million in 2018 before dropping back behind the $12M Dubai World Cup. The Saudi Cup will take place at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on February 29 -- between the Pegasus and the Dubai World Cup -- and will be contested on dirt over nine furlongs (1,800 meters). Sport is playing an increasing part in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's plan to modernize Saudi Arabia, relax the conservative social code and improve in its controversial global image. "As for $20m for a horse race, that's a drop in the ocean - it's nothing. They're creating the idea that Saudi Arabia is not dissimilar to the UAE."