Afghanistan
Russia became the first country to recognize Taliban Administration-The Khaama Press
Russia has officially recognized the Taliban administration, marking the first country to do so, despite ongoing concerns over human rights violations. According to TASS, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this recognition, with Zamir Kabulov, the special representative of the Russian President for Afghanistan, acknowledging the move in an interview with the news agency RIA Novosti. This makes Russia the first country to formally recognize the Taliban administration after nearly four years of Taliban control in Afghanistan. Click here to read...
Afghanistan: Russia’s Recognition of Taliban sparks fierce backlash from leaders and activists-The Khaama Press
The recognition of the Taliban by Russia has faced strong reactions from Afghanistan’s political figures and activists. Some view this as a “lose-lose” situation for both parties, while others describe it as “regrettable.” Nasir Ahmad Andesha, Afghanistan’s representative at the United Nations office in Geneva, stated that the recognition would lead to a “lose-lose” situation for both sides. He added that opportunities would arise, but they must be seized effectively. Click here to read...
UK Acknowledges 'Taliban's' Partial Containment of ISIS in Afghanistan-Tolo News
The United Kingdom has acknowledged that the interim government in Afghanistan has partially managed to contain ISIS. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, speaking at a conference in Islamabad, added that ISIS has not been entirely eradicated and still retains the capacity to launch attacks both inside and beyond Afghanistan’s borders. Click here to read...
Maldives
Rise in Fish Exports Boosts Revenue by 40 Percent – PSM News
Maldives’ revenue from fish exports rose 40 percent in the first five months of the year, according to central bank data. Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) monthly key economic indicators report showed that revenue from fish increased to USD 63.7 million in the first five months of this year as opposed to the USD 45.5 million recorded during the same period in 2024. According to the data, fish export revenue was the highest in April with USD 18.2 million earned during that month alone. On average, revenue from fish export revenue for the first five months of this year, except January, was more than USD 10 million which is considerably higher than the average revenue figure last year. Click here to read...
Agreement with company connected to Indian businessmen to cultivate corals in Rasfari reef – Adhadhu
The government has signed an agreement with a company connected to Indian businessmen to support coral cultivation in a reef where a Chinese company was previously contracted to do research. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed an agreement with Oblu Select by Atmosphere at Sangeli to support coral cultivation in Rasfari Reef. The company's Managing Director is Indian businessman Salil Panigrahi. The company's board has several Indian businessmen. The EPA did not say what work Oblu would do in the Rasfari reef. The government previously signed an agreement with the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology to conduct research on coral cultivation in the Rasfari reef. The agreement was signed in February 2025. Under the agreement, sea monitoring devices will be installed in the area. Click here to read...
Myanmar
Anti-regime fighters shoot down Myanmar junta fighter jet: KNDF – Myanmar Now
The Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) claimed on July 3, 2025 to have shot down a junta warplane over Hpasawng Township, Karenni (Kayah) State, causing the deaths of both men on board. The fighter jet was flying towards Hpasawng, Karenni State, with the apparent aim of conducting an airstrike on the KNDF-controlled town, located around 16 miles from the Thailand-Myanmar border in southern Karenni State. “Our frontline positions have heavy machine guns at the ready, including point-fives and point-eights, which use to fire on junta warplanes when they fly over,” KNDF spokesperson Tar El Soe told Myanmar Now. Click here to read...
Myanmar Regime Leader Rejects World Bank Economic Forecast as Inaccurate – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar military junta boss Min Aung Hlaing, who frequently claims that data and information from global organizations like the UN is inaccurate and incomplete, is now insisting that the World Bank’s economic forecasts for Myanmar lack credibility. The World Bank predicted last month that Myanmar’s economy is set to shrink 2.5 percent in the 2025/26 financial year, largely as a result of March’s devastating magnitude-7.7 earthquake. During the National Economic Development Coordination Meeting on Wednesday, Min Aung Hlaing claimed the World Bank’s prediction is based on “inaccurate and incomplete data”, state run media reported. Click here to read...
Pakistan
Pakistan, Russia to strengthen road & rail links- The Express Tribune
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to enhance road and rail connectivity between their countries through Central Asia, in a bid to boost regional trade and economic cooperation. The development came during a bilateral meeting between Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Russian Deputy Minister of Transport Andrey Sergeyevich Nikitin, held on the final day of the SCO Ministerial Conference in Tianjin, said a press release issued here on Thursday. Click here to read...
30 terrorists killed in North Waziristan as bid to infiltrate via Pak-Afghan border thwarted: ISPR-Dawn
Thirty terrorists of an “Indian proxy” outfit were killed as they attempted to infiltrate through the Pak-Afghan border in Hassan Khel tehsil of North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Friday. A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) read that on the nights of July 2 and July 3, “Movement of a large group of khwarij, belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khawarij, who were trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was detected by the security forces in general area Hassan Khel, North Waziristan district.” Click here to read...
