Afghanistan–Iran Trade Push: Kabul hosted talks between Afghanistan’s Industry and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi and Iran’s Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, aiming to lift bilateral trade to $10 billion by easing barriers, expanding private-sector cooperation, and improving logistics like transit through Iran and refrigerated containers via Chabahar. Industrial Growth in Panjshir: Afghanistan’s eastern Panjshir has started $10 million in new industrial projects, including factories for drinking water, serum, and non-alcoholic beverages, with local support for private investors and job creation. Security and Mining Pressure in Badakhshan: A bomb attack killed Faizabad’s mayor, Habib-ur-Rahman Mansour, in Badakhshan, highlighting how the province’s growing mining role under the Taliban is paired with persistent militant threats. UN Counterterror Update: A UN report says the November 2025 Red Fort attack was officially attributed to AQIS, warning the group is evolving into a regional terrorist entity with decentralized cells and possible efforts to exploit Bangladesh—while also noting rising South Asia cross-border tensions. Cement and Power Signals: Pakistan’s Fauji Cement reported strong FY26 results and dividend plans, while Afghanistan-linked power-sector interest continues, including offers to assess and rehabilitate power plants—key signals for regional industrial reliability.