Afghanistan–Uzbek Health Trade: Afghan and Uzbek officials met in Uzbekistan to expand cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, health products and food, including technical knowledge transfer and joint programs. Textile Jobs Push: A Kabul textile factory is nearing completion and says it will start fabric production soon, aiming to create 12,000 direct jobs across three shifts. Trade & Visas with India: Afghanistan’s chamber of commerce urged easier business procedures and faster business visas to deepen trade and investment ties with India as transit with Pakistan keeps shrinking. Transit Trade Collapse: Afghanistan–Pakistan transit trade reportedly plunged to $367m in FY26 (from about $5b in FY21), with Kabul increasingly rerouting via Iran. Counter-Narcotics Drive: Farah police seized over 2 tonnes of materials linked to illicit drug manufacturing and detained two suspects. Land & Rangeland Mapping: Samangan authorities say they identified 741,600 hectares of rangeland, while noting some land has already been converted to farming and housing. Industry Under Pressure: Herat industrialists warn that US strikes affecting Iranian ports could strand Afghan imports and delay customs clearance. Poppy Ban Messaging: Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the poppy cultivation ban is improving public health, security and international standing. Agriculture Market Strain: Samangan melon growers report falling prices and weak cold-storage and export options are squeezing incomes. Regional Shockwaves: US–Iran escalation is again raising uncertainty for Gulf shipping, with Chabahar-related concerns spilling into Afghanistan’s connectivity plans.