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Kabul slams Pakistan's 'violence' against Afghans pressured to leave

The Taliban government accused Pakistan on Tuesday of violently expelling Afghans after Islamabad cancelled hundreds of thousands of residence permits, pressuring families across the border.Islamabad announced at the start of March that 800,000 Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) would be cancelled -- the second phase of a deportation programme which has already expelled around 800,000 undocumented Afghans.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Kabul slams Pakistan's 'violence' against Afghans pressured to leave

Pro-Turkey Syria groups reduce presence in Kurdish area: official

Pro-Turkey Syrian groups have scaled down their military presence in an historically Kurdish-majority area of the country's north which they have controlled since 2018, a Syrian defence ministry official said on Tuesday.The move follows an agreement signed last month between Syria's new authorities and Kurdish officials that provides for the return of displaced Kurds, including tens of thousands who fled the Afrin region in 2018.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Pro-Turkey Syria groups reduce presence in Kurdish area: official

Protests as Israel court hears petitions against security chief sacking

Israel's top court held a hearing on Tuesday on the hotly contested decision to sack domestic security chief Ronen Bar, with protests from government supporters and critics briefly interrupting the proceedings.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced last month that his government had unanimously approved a motion to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, citing "lack of trust" and requiring Bar to leave his post by April 10.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Protests as Israel court hears petitions against security chief sacking

Talks with Trump a necessity for sanctions-hit Iran

US President Donald Trump appeared to catch Tehran off guard on Monday when he announced "direct talks" between the arch-foes over Iran's nuclear programme, having previously threatened to bomb the Islamic republic.Despite previously having expressed major reservations over the talks, Tehran has agreed to participate but through an intermediary.- What does Iran want? -The priority for the Islamic republic is the lifting of biting sanctions that have placed a stranglehold on the energy-rich country's economy for decades.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Talks with Trump a necessity for sanctions-hit Iran