Myanmar imposes martial law in 63 townships for 90 days
Myanmar’s National Defense and Security Council has imposed martial law in 63 townships across the country, following the declaration of a state of emergency in those areas, according to Xinhua.
The order grants the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services full executive and judicial authority in the affected regions. Authorities say the move aims to restore peace, stability, and effective governance.
The townships span multiple regions and states, including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Rakhine, and Shan. The martial law will remain in effect for 90 days, Xinhua reported.
Putin orders roadmap for high-speed rail network by 2026
Russian president Vladimir Putin has directed the government to develop a roadmap for a national high-speed rail network by March 31, 2026. The plan will set timelines and key details for each project, starting with the Moscow–St. Petersburg line, Xinhua reported.
He also instructed the government and SberBank to outline how 300bn rubles (about $3.7bn) from the National Wealth Fund will be used to fund the route, with a report due by October 1.
The Moscow–St. Petersburg line will be Russia’s first high-speed rail, cutting travel time to 2 hours and 15 minutes. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov will lead the effort, according to Xinhua.
US and Mexico begin 90-day trade talks
President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Mexico have agreed to a 90-day extension of their current trade terms, aiming to reach a new agreement during that period.
The decision came after a phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who confirmed that planned US tariffs—previously set to begin on August 1—have been postponed to allow space for dialogue, according to Xinhua.
Trump highlighted the complexity of negotiating with a neighboring country but said the two sides are building a better understanding. Both leaders described the conversation as positive, with hopes of finalizing a long-term trade deal within the 90-day window.
Talks are expected to continue actively during this period, Xinhua reported.
Indonesia, Somalia agree to boost bilateral ties
Indonesia and Somalia have agreed to strengthen ties in trade, agriculture, maritime affairs, and education following a meeting in Jakarta between Foreign Minister Sugiono and his Somali counterpart, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, according to Xinhua.
Sugiono reaffirmed Indonesia’s support through technical assistance in key sectors, including fisheries, agriculture, and health—highlighting an ICU project at the University of East Africa Hospital in Bosaso.
He also encouraged Somali students to take advantage of Indonesian scholarships and training programs to help deepen future cooperation, Xinhua reported.
Syria seeks stronger ties with Russia after regime change
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, on his first official visit to Moscow, said Damascus wants Russia “by our side” as the country rebuilds after last year’s regime change. He called for ties based on “mutual respect” despite existing challenges, Al Jazeera reported.
The visit marks a shift under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has taken a pragmatic approach to Moscow. Russia has maintained a military presence in Syria and continued economic ties, including oil shipments.
Chile moves to protect endangered Darwin’s frog
Chile has launched a new effort to save the endangered Darwin’s frog, a tiny amphibian where males carry tadpoles in their mouths. The initiative aims to protect habitats, support breeding areas, and work with private landowners to expand the frog’s range, according to Reuters.
The species includes two types — one endangered and the other critically endangered and nearly extinct. Once found across southern Chile and Argentina, the frog’s population has sharply declined due to deforestation, climate change, and urbanization.
Officials and conservationists hope the move will boost awareness and restore fragile populations of this unique native species, Reuters reported.
Floods kill over 60 in northern China
Severe flooding triggered by days of heavy rain has killed at least 60 people in northern China, including 44 in Beijing, officials said. Among the dead, 31 were residents of an elderly care home in Miyun district, according to Xinhua.
The nearby Hebei province reported 16 deaths, with several others missing after landslides and rising waters overwhelmed villages near the Miyun Reservoir, which reached record levels.
Authorities say extreme weather, likely worsened by climate change, has also disrupted local industries and posed major challenges for emergency response, Xinhua reported.
Ukraine parliament votes to restore anticorruption agencies after protests
Ukraine’s parliament has voted 331-0 to restore the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies, reversing a controversial move that sparked mass protests and international concern, Al Jazeera reported.
The bill, submitted by President Volodymyr Zelensky, rolls back changes that had allowed the prosecutor general to sideline the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The reversal comes after intense pressure from citizens, opposition lawmakers, and European officials, who warned it could threaten Ukraine’s EU bid. Protesters outside parliament cheered as the bill passed, marking a significant win for democratic accountability, according to Al Jazeera.
