Pakistan, Afghanistan Talk Ceasefire in China

0:00It's April 1st, I'm Cory with the story, and this is U.S. News Today National News powered by AI. Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban government just kicked off fresh talks in China to hammer out a lasting ceasefire after over a month of intense. Border clashes. Officials from Pakistan say reps from both sides are meeting in Orunchi, northern China, with Beijing stepping in as mediator. China has been pushing for this since late February, sending on voice to both capitals last month. Pakistan's foreign ministry hasn't confirmed it yet, but sources call it the start of a real peace push that could drag on for days. Millions on both sides of the border are hoping for relief from the violence that's killed hundreds and sparked fears of wider chaos. Pakistan blames Afghanistan for sheltering militants like the Pakistani Taliban who hit targets inside Pakistan while Kabul denies it. The fighting exploded in late February with air strikes, cross-border raids, and disputed strikes on civilian spots, breaking earlier truces from Qatar.

1:03And Saudi Arabia, a brief eye pause didn't stick, and past talks in Istanbul flop too. If these Orunchi sessions deliver, experts say the real test will be setting up checks to stop attacks from Afghan soil, potentially cooling one of the region's hottest flash points for good.