Digest for 04 July, 2025
Russia Becomes First Nation to Formally Recognise Taliban Government
Russia has officially recognised the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group took power in 2021. The Russian foreign ministry accepted the credentials of Afghanistan's new ambassador in Moscow, a move they stated would boost bilateral cooperation. While China and the UAE have exchanged ambassadors, they have not extended formal recognition. The Taliban's foreign minister hailed it as a "brave decision," even as the UN continues to highlight a deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan.
SEBI Bars Global Trading Giant Jane Street from Indian Market
India's market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has reportedly barred global quantitative trading firm Jane Street from accessing the country's securities market. While the specific reasons for the ban were not immediately available, the action against such a prominent high-frequency trading firm is significant. The move could have major implications for foreign institutional investors and the algorithmic trading landscape in India, pending further clarification on the nature of the alleged violations and the ban's duration.
ED Raids Former Jharkhand Minister in Money Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in Jharkhand, including Hazaribag and Ranchi, targeting former state Agriculture Minister Yogendra Sao. The action is part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged illegal sand mining, extortion, and land grabbing. According to sources, the probe focuses on substantial proceeds of crime allegedly generated through these illicit activities. Sao, a Congress leader, had previously been questioned by the ED in a separate case involving his MLA daughter, Amba Prasad.
PM Modi Visits Trinidad and Tobago to Bolster Diplomatic and Cultural Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Trinidad and Tobago, engaging in high-level diplomacy focused on strengthening bilateral relations with the Caribbean nation. The visit heavily emphasized shared cultural heritage, with the Prime Minister being welcomed with traditional Bhojpuri 'Chautaal' music. He highlighted the journey of the Indian diaspora and recalled the ancestral ties of Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to Bihar. The diplomatic gesture included gifts such as a replica of the Ram Mandir and sacred Sangam water.
Puducherry Man's Suicide Exposes Harsh Reality of Predatory Lending
A 33-year-old man in Puducherry died by suicide after being trapped by illegal moneylenders who charged exorbitant interest rates. Having borrowed ₹3.8 lakh, he was allegedly forced to pay ₹38,000 in monthly interest. A workplace accident left him paralyzed and unable to earn, escalating his debt crisis. In a suicide note, he named the lenders, one of whom allegedly demanded he send his wife and daughter as collateral. The tragedy highlights the severe societal danger posed by unregulated, predatory lending practices.