Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have discussed the continuing crisis in Afghanistan at a summit in Delhi.
Both countries have a strong interest in ensuring that Afghanistan, which faces a growing food crisis and clashes between ISIS terrorists and the ruling Taliban militant group, does not create wider regional instability.
Afghanistan borders a number of former Soviet republics including Tajikistan, an ally of Moscow, as well as an unstable area of northern Pakistan, where some anti-Indian militant groups have been able to operate.
The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August has led to a humanitarian crisis, which both New Delhi and Moscow have previously said could destabilise the region.
"The fight against terrorism is also a fight against drug trafficking and organised crime," Mr Putin said on Monday in introductory remarks broadcast by Indian media. "In that regard, we are concerned about developments of the situation in Afghanistan."
The visit by Mr Putin and several leading Russian officials comes as relations between Russia and the United States, also an ally of India, become increasingly strained.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier on Monday said a deal to supply India with S-400 air defence missile systems was being arranged despite what he said were US efforts to undermine the accord.
India and Russia are expected to cement several trade and defence pacts at the summit.
"The relation between India and Russia is truly a unique and reliable model," Mr Modi said.
In pictures: Modi and Putin meet in Delhi
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
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Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
Look north
BBC business reporters, like a new raft of government officials, are being removed from the national and international hub of London and surely the quality of their work must suffer.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
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Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Scoreline
Bournemouth 2
Wilson 70', Ibe 74'
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At a glance
- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government
Titan Sports Academy:
Programmes: Judo, wrestling, kick-boxing, muay thai, taekwondo and various summer camps
Location: Inside Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: 971 50 220 0326
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
'Ashkal'
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