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According to the Henley Passport Index, South African passport holders can travel to 101 destinations without a prior visa. The ranking places the country 50th or 96th globally, depending on the report, with regional highlights across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Caribbean.
Northern Virginia Democrats face scrutiny following the escape of Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, a Tajik national committed to a psychiatric facility, who fled to his home country after being allowed supervised and unsupervised leaves. Lawmakers acknowledge systemic failures, while a prosecutor's office defends its actions in court.
China has unveiled plans for a massive ring road spanning over 25,000km along its land borders and coastline, aiming to boost development and national unity. The project, set for completion by 2030, will pass through regions with large ethnic-minority populations and faces geopolitical and ecological challenges.
Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry expects to fully cover domestic electricity demand by Q1 2027 and end the year with a surplus of about 1.3 billion kWh, according to two regional reports. The plans include commissioning 845 MW in 2027, with nearly 70% from renewables, following a 2.6 GW capacity boost in 2026, against a backdrop of recent regional outages, aging infrastructure, and rising demand.
Singapore coach Gavin Lee urged calm ahead of the ASEAN Championship semi-final second leg, where the Lions trailed Thailand 3-1 on aggregate. Despite a spirited 2-1 win in Bangkok, Singapore exited 4-3 on aggregate, with Lee reflecting on the positives and the team's near-miss.
Iran has summoned Ukraine's diplomats after an attack on a ship in the Caspian Sea, which Tehran says was a commercial vessel and killed a sailor. Ukraine claims it struck a Russian warship and vessels carrying Iran-linked military cargo, including drone and missile components.
China is advancing overland trade routes across Central Asia as global shipping chokepoints face continued disruptions. New railway and road links, including a multi-modal corridor to Afghanistan via Uzbekistan, aim to cut delivery times significantly. The Belt and Road Initiative's rapid development in the region has made China the largest trading partner of all Central Asian countries, with trade exceeding $100 billion.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, speaking at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting, stated that regional peace and stability depend on eliminating terrorism from Afghanistan. Dar also held bilateral meetings with the Kyrgyz president and China's foreign minister on the sidelines.
Russia's 201st military base in Tajikistan has conducted a series of exercises, including anti-terror drills repelling simulated attacks and combat training with grenade launchers. The drills, as reported by TASS, involved around 30 to 60 personnel and focused on countering UAVs, tactical shooting, and medical skills.
Explosions have been reported in several Iranian cities, including Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, and Jask, according to Iranian news agencies cited by TASS. The reports have been linked to US-Israeli strikes on Iran, though specific details remain limited.
President Asif Ali Zardari concluded a four-day official visit to Kyrgyzstan, marking the first such trip in 21 years. The two leaders reaffirmed bilateral ties, discussed economic cooperation, and agreed to pursue a strategic partnership.
Iran has started six days of public funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli air strike on February 28, 2026. The ceremonies draw international dignitaries from around 30 countries, with the burial set for Thursday in Mashhad.
Iran has commenced a week of funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike in late February. Foreign dignitaries and representatives of Tehran-backed groups have gathered in Tehran, with millions expected to attend public mourning events before burial on July 9.
Russian authorities say defendants in the plot to assassinate RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan confessed to planning the crime for $50,000. Twelve individuals, led by Mikhail Balashov, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to twenty-five years, with Balashov receiving twenty years.
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, urging reduced trade deficits and diversified exports. The visit highlights Dhaka's efforts to balance ties with China and India amid a complex geopolitical landscape.
CSTO officials have reported rising tensions on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border and discussed Armenia's membership status, including fee arrears, while also addressing broader security challenges.
Belarus has requested an extraordinary UN Security Council meeting over a drone attack on a bus carrying Belarusian children in Russia's Bryansk Region, with Russia's support. Minsk has also delivered a note of protest to Ukraine, demanding a thorough investigation and accountability, while CIS countries condemned the attack as incompatible with international law.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the 'Shanghai spirit' at an SCO meeting in Bishkek, calling for joint action against terrorism, organised crime, and cybercrime. He also signed agreements with Russia and held bilateral talks with several regional counterparts.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's three-day visit to China marks the latest in a series of high-level diplomatic engagements, with Al Jazeera tallying 26 foreign leaders or senior officials from 23 countries visiting China this year. The UK aims to revive economic and diplomatic ties despite differences over security and the Ukraine war, while China reports record trade figures for 2025.
Russia's FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov has warned that ISIS-K is actively recruiting citizens from Central Asian countries and migrant workers in Russia to build clandestine terrorist networks across the region. He also claimed that British intelligence is supporting the group in its efforts to destabilize Afghanistan and influence Central Asia.