In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, American citizen George Glezmann has been released by the Taliban after two and a half years in captivity. His release marks the first time U.S. officials have engaged in direct talks with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities within the country since the Taliban regained control in 2021.
Glezmann, who was detained by the Taliban in December 2022, was declared wrongfully detained by the U.S. government in September 2023. His freedom came after a high-level meeting in Kabul between Adam Boehler, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Hostage Affairs, and Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s de facto foreign minister. The Taliban stated that Glezmann’s release was made on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of goodwill toward the United States.
Former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who was part of the delegation, took to social media platform X to announce the development. He emphasized that the Taliban agreed to release Glezmann as a goodwill gesture to President Trump and the American people.
In a statement, Afghanistan’s de facto authorities highlighted the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes. They expressed their commitment to engaging with all parties, particularly the United States, on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests. The Taliban also extended gratitude to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for their role in facilitating Glezmann’s release.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X, “George was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, but now he’s on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra. Welcome home, George!”
The announcement has been met with relief and celebration, particularly from Glezmann’s family and supporters, who have long advocated for his freedom. As Glezmann returns home to reunite with his wife, the U.S. government continues to emphasize its commitment to securing the release of all wrongfully detained Americans abroad.
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UNICEF on Saturday urged the interim Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan to lift the ban on girls' secondary education as the new school year begins without girls for a third consecutive year.
U.S. President Donald Trump will personally attend a key meeting with Japanese trade officials on Wednesday, signaling his direct involvement in negotiations stemming from his recent wave of tariffs on global imports.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
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A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Moscow on Thursday, with discussions expected to center on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and broader Middle Eastern regional affairs, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday.
The presidents of Azerbaijan and Georgia held talks in Baku, reaffirming their centuries-old friendship, strategic partnership, and commitment to regional peace, stability and cooperation.
The 2nd Central Asia Media Forum is underway in Astana, Kazakhstan, gathering media leaders and experts from across the region and beyond. The forum focuses on media development prospects, digital transformation, and regional cooperation in the age of AI and big data.
U.S. President Donald Trump will personally attend a key meeting with Japanese trade officials on Wednesday, signaling his direct involvement in negotiations stemming from his recent wave of tariffs on global imports.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
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