Afghan businesses seek new trade links at Iran construction expo
Afghan business representatives are seeking new trade and investment opportunities at Iran’s 26th International Building Industry Exhibition,...
Israel delayed releasing 620 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, citing Hamas' failure to meet conditions. Hamas responded by tying further ceasefire talks to the release.
Israel delayed the planned release of 620 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, stating that the delay will continue until the release of additional hostages is assured. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office noted that the delay was prompted by Hamas' recent conduct during prisoner handovers, which U.N. officials criticised for not adhering to international law.
A White House statement backed Israel's decision, calling Hamas’ actions “barbaric treatment” of Israeli hostages. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said the delay was an “appropriate response.” President Donald Trump has signaled that he will support Israel's decision on how to handle Hamas.
Hamas official Basem Naim said that any further discussions about ceasefire steps through mediators depend on the agreed-upon release of the 620 Palestinian prisoners. He stated, “The mediators must ensure that the enemy adheres to the terms of the agreement.”
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society accused Israel of “state-terrorism” against prisoners and their families. Meanwhile, families like that of Ghasan Washahi, whose brother was set for release, expressed deep disappointment over the delays.
Despite frequent accusations of violations, the ceasefire that started on January 19 has held. However, a long-term resolution remains uncertain. Both sides have expressed willingness to enter a second phase of talks aimed at returning all remaining hostages and facilitating a full withdrawal of Israeli troops.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
Afghan business representatives are seeking new trade and investment opportunities at Iran’s 26th International Building Industry Exhibition, as they look to expand ties with Iranian and international companies.
Alexey Chadayev has resigned as an advisor to Russia’s transport minister after Azerbaijan placed him and two other Russian citizens on an international wanted list over alleged calls for violence and terrorism, amid a widening diplomatic row between Baku and Moscow.
At least six Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, according to Palestinian health officials, as efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to advance a plan to end the war remain deadlocked.
Georgia’s newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III is set to visit Istanbul, with the upcoming trip discussed during a meeting with Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, a representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
Azerbaijan’s strategic rise is turning it from a transit state into a regional rule-setter, with the Middle Corridor giving Baku growing influence far beyond its size, analyst Ahmad Alili says.
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