INSEAD Day 4 - 728x90

2PointZero posts profit surge

Growth driven by merger consolidation.

Mashreq Q1 profit rises

Total revenue increased 10% year-on-year.

TECOM profit climbs

High occupancy across assets boosts earnings.

Emirates Stallions Q1 revenue up 11%

The rise helped by strong demand in real estate

ADNOC Distribution 2025 dividend $700m

The company had reported EBITDA of $1.17 bn in 2025.

Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban

This handout photograph taken on July 3, 2025 and released by Afghanistan's Ministry of foreign Affairs shows Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (R) shaking hands with Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov during their meeting at the foreign ministry in Kabul. AFP
  • The announcement came after a meeting between Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul
  • Moscow's special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, told the Russia's state news agency Ria Novosti that the government had "recognised" the Taliban government

Kabul, AfghanistanAfghanistan’s government said on Thursday that Russia had become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling it a “brave decision”.

The announcement came after a meeting between Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul.

“This brave decision will be an example for others… Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone,” Muttaqi said in a video of the meeting posted on X.

“Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate,” Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal told AFP, using the government’s name for their administration.

Moscow’s special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, told the Russia’s state news agency Ria Novosti that the government had “recognised” the Taliban government.

Russia’s foreign affairs ministry also confirmed the news to the TASS news agency.

Multiple other states, including China and Pakistan, have Taliban ambassadors in their capitals, but have not officially recognised the Islamic Emirate.