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Afghanistan and Russia discuss expansion of banking cooperation in Moscow meeting
During the discussion, both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening banking relations and broadening economic cooperation.
The Afghanistan Embassy in Moscow has announced that a high-level meeting between Afghan diplomats and senior Russian officials took place to explore opportunities for expanding banking and economic cooperation.
Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan represented Afghanistan in the talks, meeting with Vladimir Chistyukhin, the First Deputy Governor of Russia’s Central Bank.
During the discussion, both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening banking relations and broadening economic cooperation. Ambassador Hassan highlighted key areas for collaboration, including the development of Afghanistan’s banking sector, expanding technical cooperation, and providing professional training. He also proposed establishing direct banking ties and streamlining financial transfers to benefit Afghan traders.
In response, the Russian delegation expressed its strong support for Afghanistan’s efforts to enhance its banking infrastructure. Chistyukhin assured the Afghan side that Russia would continue to assist in building a more robust financial system in Afghanistan, offering both technical support and facilitation measures to improve financial exchanges between the two countries.
This meeting marks a significant step toward deepening financial and economic ties between Afghanistan and Russia, with potential benefits for both nations’ economies.
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AI backs Argentina in World Cup final, but football still has final say
One of the most common scoreline forecasts is a 2-1 victory for Argentina, with Lionel Messi tipped to either score or play a decisive role in the match.
As the football world counts down to tonight’s FIFA World Cup final, artificial intelligence has weighed in with its prediction – and it’s backing Argentina to edge Spain in a closely contested showdown.
After analysing thousands of data points, including team form, player performances, goals scored, defensive records and head-to-head statistics, several AI prediction models are giving Argentina a narrow advantage over Spain.
One of the most common scoreline forecasts is a 2-1 victory for Argentina, with Lionel Messi tipped to either score or play a decisive role in the match. Some AI models have also named Messi as the likely Player of the Match, while predicting the final will be settled within 90 minutes.
Spain, however, remains far from an underdog. The European champions have impressed throughout the tournament with disciplined defending, clinical finishing and a possession-based style that has frustrated opponents.
While AI can process vast amounts of historical data in seconds, it cannot predict the emotion, drama and unpredictability that make football the world’s most popular sport.
History is filled with matches that defied statistics, from giant-killing upsets to dramatic late winners and penalty shoot-outs that left millions stunned.
Fans have been quick to debate the AI prediction on social media, with many insisting that “football isn’t played on a computer.” Others have embraced the technology, comparing their own score predictions with those generated by artificial intelligence.
Whether AI proves to be a football genius or gets it spectacularly wrong will only become clear when the final whistle blows.
One thing is certain: when Argentina and Spain step onto the pitch tonight, algorithms will take a back seat to skill, passion and whatever surprises football has in store.
So, who’s your pick? Argentina? Spain? Or will the World Cup be decided after extra time or penalties? Tonight, the beautiful game will have the final answer.
VISIT ATN AND ARIANA NEWS’ SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES TO COMMENT AND HAVE YOUR SAY ON WHO YOU THINK WILL WIN.
Don’t forget – fans across Afghanistan can tune in to Ariana Television from 10pm tonight, Sunday July 19, for the preshow ahead of kickoff of tonight’s much anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Local authorities in Nimroz say the bodies of five young Afghans who were attempting to cross into Iran illegally have been recovered from the desert in Chahar Burjak district.
Gol Mohammad Qudrat, spokesperson for the Nimroz Police Command, said the group left Zaranj, the provincial capital, about eight days ago in a vehicle bound for Iran. The vehicle reportedly became stranded in the Chahar Burjak desert during a dust storm, and the passengers died from extreme heat and dehydration.
Qudrat said around 19 people were traveling in the vehicle. Search and rescue efforts are still underway to locate the remaining victims.
Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Finance and Administration, Mohammad Naeem, says the Islamic Emirate’s ban on poppy cultivation not only promotes public health and security but also strengthens Afghanistan’s international standing.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Naeem made the remarks during a meeting organized by the ministry’s Directorate of Dawat and Guidance to explain the Islamic Emirate’s decree banning poppy cultivation.
The ministry said the meeting was attended by ministry officials, employees and religious scholars, who discussed the objectives, legal and social aspects of the decree, international support for the ban, the Islamic Emirate’s counter-narcotics policy, and its impact on preventing the cultivation, production, trafficking and use of narcotics.
Naeem described combating narcotics as a shared social responsibility, urging citizens to help raise public awareness and protect communities, particularly young people, from drug abuse.
He said the full implementation of the decree is important not only for improving public health, security and prosperity, but also for advancing Afghanistan’s development, strengthening the rule of law and enhancing the country’s international standing.
The meeting concluded with a call for greater public awareness and continued cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of the decree banning poppy cultivation.
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