Afghanistan

1. No Near-Term Plan to Return Diplomatic Functions to Kabul: US

https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-187302

2. Muttaqi Meets With Sinirlioğlu, Calls UN Special Envoy Post ‘Unnecessary’

https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-187304

3. Japan urged to help boost Afghan education system

https://pajhwok.com/2024/02/07/japan-urged-to-help-boost-afghan-education-system/

4. Turkey announces detention of 85 Afghan Asylum seekers

https://www.khaama.com/turkey-announces-detention-of-85-afghan-asylum-seekers/

5. Taliban diplomat assumes control of Afghanistan’s embassy in Uzbekistan

https://www.afghanistantimes.af/taliban-diplomat-assumes-control-of-afghanistans-embassy-in-uzbekistan/

6. Tajikistan disputes Taliban claims of decreased drug trafficking from Afghanistan

https://www.afghanistantimes.af/tajikistan-disputes-taliban-claims-of-decreased-drug-trafficking-from-afghanistan/

7. Trade through Herat-Khaf railway will start in next two weeks

https://www.ariananews.af/trade-through-herat-khaf-railway-will-start-in-next-two-weeks/

8. UK provides $36.5 million in aid to Afghanistan

https://www.ariananews.af/uk-provides-36-5-million-in-aid-to-afghanistan/

9. The Taliban vowed to cut ties with al Qaeda, but the terror group appears to be growing in Afghanistan

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-taliban-al-qaeda-growing/

Middle East

10. Syria says Israel bombed targets in Homs area

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68224415

11. Raid on Media Office in Tehran May Be Linked to Iran Sanctions

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202402077409

12. Oil gains after Israel rejects ceasefire offer

https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/markets/2024-02-08-oil-gains-after-israel-rejects-ceasefire-offer/

13. US drone strike kills Iran-backed militia leader in Baghdad

https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iraq/2024/02/08/us-baghdad-drone-strike/

14. Blinken meets MBS amid heightened Mideast tensions

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40287475

15. Israel’s business ties to UAE tested by Gaza war fury

https://www.ft.com/content/94143567-2815-48ce-9ada-ed40f969e705

16. War on Gaza: Jordan in hot water after report it’s helping Israel break Red Sea blockade

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jordan-protests-helping-israel-break-red-sea-blockade

17. Israel’s Self-Destruction

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/israels-netanyahu-self-destruction

Africa

18. Ethiopia’s leader plays down fears of conflict with Somalia over a planned naval port

https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/06/ethiopias-leader-plays-down-fears-of-conflict-with-somalia-over-a-planned-naval-port//

19. Sudan hit by internet blackout as civil war continues

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68228340

20. Kenya religious cult leader, 29 others charged with murder of 191 children

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/6/kenya-religious-cult-leader-29-others-charged-with-murder-of-191-children

21. ‘Life is hell’: Zimbabwe flood survivors lament loss of land, livelihoods

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/1/30/zimbabwe-displaced-people-lament-losses