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Developments in Afghanistan

Taliban spokesman denies Bagram airbase may be handed over to China

Earlier, it was reported that Pakistani Air Force specialists were now inspecting all five airbases in Afghanistan, while a Chinese delegation had held a meeting with the Taliban's top officials to discuss security matters. However, the information was later denied

Taliban Spokesperson in Qatar Suhail Shaheen EPA-EFE/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL

Taliban Spokesperson in Qatar Suhail Shaheen

© EPA-EFE/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. The spokesman for the political office of the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, has denied media reports the former US airbase Bagram in Afghanistan may be handed over to China.

"It's a lie," he told the media on Wednesday.

India's daily The Pioneer on Monday quoted sources as saying the Taliban might hand over the Bagram airbase to China and allow Pakistan to use an airdrome in Kandahar for operative purposes. The daily's sources said Pakistani Air Force specialists were now inspecting all five airbases in Afghanistan, including those in Kandahar, Bagram, and Kabul, while a Chinese delegation had held a meeting with the Taliban's top officials to discuss security matters, including the possibility of using the Bagram airbase. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin denied this at a regular news conference on Tuesday.

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Afghanistan China Power transfer in Afghanistan

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Russia looking to open diplomatic missions in South Sudan, Niger, Sierra Leone — diplomat

According to Alexey Klimov, in 2023, almost 30,000 temporary entrance (return) permits were issued abroad and over 460,000 foreign passports were issued

Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

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Involvement of NATO states prolongs Ukrainian conflict — Russian ambassador to Germany

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Russian ambassador criticizes Germany for lack of answers in spy case

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Lavrov slams West for promoting 'dishonest schemes' for restrictions on nuclear weapons

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Russian troops level off frontline near Kremennaya in LPR for further advance

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US capitalizing on Israel-Palestinian conflict — Syrian president

America preys on any conflict and then steps aside to watch the growing havoc, waiting for a moment to deal a knockout blow, Bashar Assad said

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Russia ready to offer access to Asian markets to partners in BAM upgrade — Putin

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Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

NATO’s backing of Kiev’s strikes beyond special op area makes peace unachievable — expert

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North Korea presumably launches ballistic missile — Japan Coast Guard

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Moldovan authorities try to present Gagauz as separatists — official

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Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

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TikTok criticizes bill that would ban platform in US as free speech violation

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Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three attacks in past day, moving to better positions

Units of Battlegroup Center have improved their tactical positions

Ukraine 'not in a position to win' against Russia — Spanish reserve colonel

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Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

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Ukrainian intelligence predicts dire situation from mid-May onward

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WADA explains difference between Valieva’s case and Chinese swimmers’ violations

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Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

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The operation to recover bodies of people killed in Israeli bombardments continues in the city

Armenia purchasing only defensive weapons — PM

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Romanian rescuers find Ukrainian deserters who spent four days in mountains

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Russian troops liberate Novomikhailovka community in DPR — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West repulsed four Ukrainian army counterattacks over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

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North Korea stages first combined tactical drill simulating nuclear counterattack — KCNA

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Russian peacekeepers heading for temporary deployment centers in Armenia

The Armenian government provided Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh with places for temporary deployment in Goris and Sisian

Revival Party leader released after being questioned by Moldovan special services

According to Natalia Parasca, around 100 delegates to the Moldovan opposition forum in Moscow were held at the Chisinau airport for about three hours

Current Russian turn eastward possible owing to Baikal-Amur railway — Putin

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Armenia remains engaged with CSTO — head of post-Soviet security bloc

Imangali Tasmagambetov noted that "relations between the CSTO and Armenia, which is a member state of our organization, are far from being at their best"

Russia firmly ready for peace solution in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

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