Mali attacks: Militants strike Bamako and regional towns as explosions and gunfire reported
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (...
The second meeting of customs leaders from Central Asia and China was held in Almaty, focusing on digitalization, AI integration, border crossing agreements, and expanding cooperation to strengthen regional trade and logistics.
Today in Almaty, Kazakhstan, customs leaders from Central Asian countries and China held their second meeting under the “C5+1” format to strengthen cooperation in customs and trade.
The meeting reviewed progress since the first online meeting in April 2023 and emphasized the growing need for deeper practical collaboration amid global challenges. Participants agreed that simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures is key to maintaining stable transport and logistics chains as trade expands across the region.
Special attention was given to artificial intelligence, including new AI tools in electronic customs declarations that automatically identify transportation costs and product codes, cutting clearance times by up to 30 minutes.
A new Customs Clearance Center has reduced the number of local customs posts by consolidating processes, making trade more efficient. The group also actively discussed a draft agreement to improve cooperation at border crossing points, aiming to increase capacity and synchronize infrastructure development.
The meeting ended with the signing of memoranda on AI-powered image analysis from inspection complexes and enhanced risk management.
The next meeting will take place in Kyrgyzstan in 2027, continuing the shared effort to boost customs cooperation and support growing trade between Central Asia and China.
The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tehran said U.S. breaches, blockades and threats are undermining “genuine negotiations.”
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Around 14% of Central Asia’s population - about 12 million people - are facing food shortages, according to the United Nations. The issue was a central focus at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana.
Türkiye sent six trucks carrying critical medical supplies to Iran on Thursday, reinforcing humanitarian assistance amid challenging cross-border conditions.
Afghanistan is exploring new business opportunities in cotton, tourism and minerals following trade and investment talks this week with officials from Uzbekistan and Türkiye.
Georgia is entering a pivotal economic and geopolitical phase, as talks with China to expand a free trade agreement coincide with renewed progress on the Anaklia Deep Sea Port.
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