Pakistan says a new round of peace talks with Afghanistan is underway in China
Pakistan confirmed it was holding peace talks with Afghanistan's Taliban government in China, where Beijing is trying to broker a lasting ceasefire after weeks of deadly fighting.
Why it mattersThis matters because it affects the broader geopolitical picture, stability, trade, or diplomatic posture beyond a one-day headline cycle.
NPR WorldThe Associated Press2026-04-03
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ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Thursday confirmed it was holding peace talks with Afghanistan's Taliban government in China, where Beijing is trying to broker a lasting ceasefire after weeks of fighting that have killed hundreds, disrupting trade and cross-border travel. The confirmation came after officials from the two sides said representatives had traveled to Urumqi in western China for the talks. Pakistan says the success of the process depends on Kabul taking visible and verifiable action against militant groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan. Afghanistan says diplomatic engagement grounded in mutual respect and non-interference can help produce practical and lasting solutions, while also accusing Pakistan of continued shelling in eastern Afghan provinces. Though China has not formally confirmed the talks, Beijing says it has been actively mediating and facilitating a resolution between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Artemis II blasts closer to the far side of the Moon
The four astronauts aboard Artemis II have now left Earth orbit after Orion fired its main engine for the final push toward the Moon.
Why it mattersThis matters because it affects the broader geopolitical picture, stability, trade, or diplomatic posture beyond a one-day headline cycle.
BBC World2026-04-03
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The four astronauts on the Artemis II mission have now left the Earth's orbit after their Orion spacecraft fired its main engine for a final push towards the Moon. The burn went flawlessly, according to NASA, and the mission is now on a looping path that will carry the crew around the far side of the Moon and back again. It marks the first time since 1972 that humans have travelled outside Earth orbit. NASA says the spacecraft may carry the crew farther from Earth than anyone has been before, more than 4,700 miles beyond the Moon, before gravity swings them back. The mission is both symbolic and practical: a demonstration that deep-space human flight is back in serious operational form.