live Russia, Ukraine preparing new major prisoner exchange
Russia and Ukraine are preparing another major prisoner exchange, with officials from both sides working to fin...
Afghanistan and Qatar have signalled interest in expanding cooperation in investment and agriculture during talks in Doha, as Afghanistan’s defence chief attended a major regional defence exhibition.
Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Qatar, met Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Hanzab, the special envoy of Qatar’s foreign minister, to discuss bilateral relations and economic cooperation, according to a statement from the Afghan embassy.
The talks focused on investment opportunities in Afghanistan and the modernisation of the agricultural sector. Trade, tourism and other areas of mutual interest were also discussed.
The embassy said both sides "emphasised further strengthening cooperation" in these fields.
The diplomatic engagement coincided with a visit to Doha by Mohammad Fasihuddin Fitrat, chief of staff of Afghanistan’s armed forces, who attended the opening of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026).
Afghanistan’s defence ministry said Fitrat travelled to Doha on Sunday on an official visit to take part in the exhibition, where he was expected to engage with defence representatives from various countries and observe the latest developments in maritime and defence technology.
DIMDEX 2026 is being held from 19 to 22 January under the patronage of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and is organised by the Qatar Armed Forces.
Qatar’s government has said the ninth edition reflects the country’s "ongoing commitment to supporting the pillars of global security and stability".
Qatar hosted the Taliban political office for several years and facilitated talks between the group and the United States, which led to the signing of a withdrawal agreement in February 2020.
While Doha has not formally recognised the Taliban administration, it has accepted Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan’s ambassador.
The meeting highlighted the gradual deepening of engagement between Afghanistan and Qatar, with both sides indicating an interest in building on existing diplomatic channels to advance cooperation in economic, agricultural and trade-related sectors.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers Washington will focus on sanctions and other pressure on Iran “for the time being”, Axios reports. Meanwhile, Iran and Oman have resumed talks on a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Russia and Ukraine are preparing another major prisoner exchange, with officials from both sides working to finalise lists of people who could be released, Russia's state news agency TASS said Wednesday.
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U.S. President Donald Trump has formally sent a landmark nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, opening a new phase in a deal that has already sparked debate over nuclear proliferation and Riyadh's ambitions.
The Trump administration has temporarily suspended some visa appointment scheduling at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world as part of a new training initiative for consular staff, adding another layer to the administration's broader immigration policy overhaul.
The United States has launched what it describes as its most aggressive sanctions campaign yet against Iran, expanding secondary sanctions and targeting sectors ranging from shipping and aviation to technology and finance.
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