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Several international developments unfolded on Thursday, February 5, 2026, including a prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia, a postponement at the Winter Olympics due to a norovirus outbreak, and a diplomatic exchange regarding Taiwan's relationship with the United States. Additionally, Polish authorities detained five individuals involved in a cigarette smuggling ring, and Sri Lanka urged Pakistan to reconsider a boycott in an upcoming cricket match.
Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement to exchange prisoners of war, with over 300 individuals heading home. According to Al Jazeera, freed prisoners immediately contacted their families upon their release.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, a women's ice hockey match between Finland and Canada was postponed due to a norovirus outbreak within the Team Finland camp. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the decision after consulting with medical professionals, and the rearranged match is scheduled for February 12th at the Rho Arena.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te insisted that the island's relationship with the United States is "rock solid," despite a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. During their conversation, Xi urged Trump to be "prudent" about providing arms to Taiwan, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
In Poland, authorities detained five men connected to a smuggling operation that used weather balloons to transport cigarettes from Belarus. The suspects, including Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Polish nationals, face charges related to organized crime, air traffic violations, and supporting aggression against Ukraine. If convicted, they could face prison sentences ranging from nine months to 12 years, Euronews reported. The smuggling operation caused millions in tax losses and disrupted air traffic.
Finally, Sri Lanka's cricket board requested that Pakistan reconsider its decision to boycott its first-round encounter with India in the T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka is co-hosting. Pakistan decided to boycott the match in Colombo to express solidarity with Bangladesh, who were excluded from the tournament after refusing to play their matches in India, Al Jazeera reported.
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