Armed men wearing masks attacked an outpost on the Tajik-Uzbek border in an overnight operation, leaving 17 people dead.
According to Tajik authorities, the 20 attackers killed a border guard and a policeman before 15 of them were killed by return fire.
Another five officers were taken captive, they added.
While the identity of the attackers is yet to be officially revealed, officials said an investigation into the attack 50 km southwest of the capital, Dushanbe, is underway.
Trump says Iran war deal close as Strait of Hormuz tensions linger
Hopes grew on Friday for peace between Iran and the US after President Donald Trump said a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend, even as Tehran said it had not made a final decision on a pact.
Fire breaks out at New Zealand's Wellington airport, disrupting flights
A blaze broke out at Wellington Airport in the capital of New Zealand on Friday, forcing evacuations from the main terminal and flight diversions.
Ukraine and Russia trade overnight drone strikes, officials say
Ukraine and Russia exchanged overnight drone strikes into early Friday, with Ukraine targeting a major oil processing and petrochemical region while Russia attacked railway stations and electrical substations.
UN says Taliban arrest 30 women for violating hijab rules in Afghanistan
Authorities in Afghanistan's western city of Herat arrested at least 30 women, accusing them of violating dress rules imposed by the Taliban government, the UN agency for women's rights said, but added that some were later released.
Trump cancels US strikes on Iran, citing progress in talks
US President Donald Trump called off plans for renewed military strikes on Iran at the last minute on Thursday, saying negotiations with Tehran had advanced to the highest levels of Iran's leadership and had been approved by a broad coalition of regional powers.
A reckless female driver has been summoned by Dubai Police for allowing a female co-passenger sit on the door of a moving convertible to take photos.
A Dubai court has sentenced a driver to three months in prison and suspended his driving licence for one year after a dangerous road rage incident.
The UAE has launched a humanitarian initiative called 'Step of Hope' to provide prosthetic limbs for Palestinians who have suffered amputations during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
