Global News Update: France and Azerbaijan Expel Diplomats, Russia Charges Danes as Mercenaries, Taliban Closes Education Department, Russian Theater Cancels Anti-War Plays, Former Pakistani PM to Seek Fourth Term

In a series of geopolitical developments, France and Azerbaijan engage in diplomatic tit-for-tat, Russia charges Danish citizens as mercenaries, the Taliban continues to erode secular education in Afghanistan, a Russian theater cancels plays by an anti-war author, and former Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif announces his intention to run for a fourth term.

• France has expelled two Azerbaijani diplomats in a move of 'reciprocity', following Azerbaijan's expulsion of two French diplomats.
• Russia has charged six Danes with fighting as foreign mercenaries in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
• The Taliban has closed the Monitoring and Evaluation Department in the Education Ministry, threatening the jobs of over 5,000 people and further eroding secular education in Afghanistan.
• The Russian Academic Youth Theater in Moscow has cancelled plays by writer Grigory Chkhartishvili, known as Boris Akunin, amid a crackdown on institutions linked to the writer, who is known for publicly expressing his opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will seek a fourth term in office, his party has announced.

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