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North Korea’s economy expanded by more than three percent in 2025 for the third consecutive year, according to new estimates released by South Korea’s central bank. The report suggests that stronger economic and military cooperation with Russia played a major role in boosting growth despite North Korea’s continued international isolation. The Bank of Korea, which has published annual estimates of North Korea’s economy since 1991 because Pyongyang does not release official economic data, estimated that the country’s real gross domestic product grew by 3.5 percent last year. The report valued North Korea’s economy at approximately 38.26 trillion won, or about 26.6 billion dollars. According to Bank of Korea officials, expanded cooperation with Russia was one of the main reasons for the improvement. Analysts have said North Korea has strengthened ties with Moscow by supplying troops and military equipment for Russia’s war in Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang is believed to have received financial assistance, food supplies, energy resources and military technology. A Bank of Korea official said increased weapons exports to Russia supported growth in North Korea’s manufacturing sector. The official also noted that a rise in Russian tourists and improved transport links between the two countries contributed to stronger performance in construction and service industries. The report estimated that North Korea’s exports increased by 30 percent during 2025, reaching around 470 million dollars. Among the leading export products were prepared feathers and wigs, along with toys and sporting goods. Although the report did not identify all exported items, officials said stronger overseas sales contributed significantly to economic growth. The latest figures were released as reports continued to highlight growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Ukraine’s military intelligence, quoted by the Kyiv Independent, claimed that more than 7,000 North Korean troops were killed or wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces during military operations in Russia’s Kursk region between 2024 and 2025. Neither Russia nor North Korea has independently confirmed those figures. Separately, the Ukrainian human rights organisation Truth Hounds said Russia and North Korea are close to completing their first road bridge connecting the two countries. The group said such a link could strengthen military and economic cooperation by allowing easier movement of personnel, equipment and supplies across the border. The Bank of Korea also reported a significant increase in North Korea’s gross national income, which measures the total income earned by a country’s residents. The estimate showed GNI rising by 9.4 percent to 48.5 trillion won, or approximately 33.8 billion dollars. Officials said the increase was supported by higher foreign currency earnings, including income linked to North Korean personnel sent to Russia. Despite the recent growth, North Korea’s economy remains extremely small compared with its southern neighbour. According to the Bank of Korea, North Korea’s gross national income is still less than two percent of South Korea’s economy, highlighting the large economic gap that continues to separate the two countries. The latest estimates suggest that while North Korea remains under international sanctions and largely isolated from global markets, its expanding partnership with Russia is providing new sources of economic activity that have helped sustain growth for a third straight year.

Apple has projected slower sales growth for the current quarter, disappointing investors as ongoing supply chain problems continue to limit the company’s ability to meet strong customer demand. The weaker outlook sent Apple shares down by more than five percent in after hours trading despite the company reporting better than expected financial results for the previous quarter. The technology giant said revenue for the quarter ending in September is expected to grow between 9 and 11 percent compared with the same period last year. That forecast fell short of market expectations, which had predicted growth of around 12 percent. Apple also expects iPhone sales to increase at a mid teens rate, slightly below analysts’ forecasts. Chief Executive Tim Cook said the company’s biggest challenge is not weak demand but limited supplies of critical components. He explained that shortages of advanced chip manufacturing technology have reduced Apple’s ability to produce enough of its custom designed processors, especially for its Mac computers. Cook said the company is reviewing all possible options to secure additional supplies, including working with alternative memory chip suppliers. Apple’s Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh told investors that the company expects gross profit margins to remain between 47 and 48 percent during the current quarter. Although supply problems remain a concern, executives said demand for Apple products continues to be stronger than expected across several product categories. According to Cook, the company experienced particularly high demand for its Mac lineup during the recently completed fiscal third quarter. Sales of Mac computers rose by nearly 29 percent, driven by strong demand for the entry level MacBook Neo and the premium MacBook Pro models. Cook said the advanced chip manufacturing industry currently lacks the flexibility to respond quickly to unexpectedly high demand, making it difficult for Apple to increase production. Despite concerns about future growth, Apple reported financial results that exceeded most market expectations. Revenue for the fiscal third quarter, which ended on June 27, increased by 16.4 percent to 109.42 billion dollars. Net profit reached 2.02 dollars per share, including benefits from tariff refunds provided by the United States government. Even without those refunds, earnings remained above analysts’ expectations. The company’s strongest performance came from iPhone sales, which climbed 21.7 percent to 54.25 billion dollars. These were Apple’s highest ever third quarter iPhone sales, a period that usually experiences slower demand as customers wait for new models to be released later in the year. Analysts believe some consumers accelerated purchases because of concerns that future price increases could result from the global shortage of memory chips. Mac sales also exceeded expectations, reaching 10.35 billion dollars during the quarter. However, iPad sales declined by 5.9 percent to 6.19 billion dollars. Cook said the decline reflected difficult comparisons with the previous year, when Apple launched a lower priced iPad model that generated unusually strong demand. Revenue from Greater China increased by 22.4 percent to 18.82 billion dollars, although that figure still fell below market forecasts. Analysts said investors remain uncertain about whether demand will remain strong if Apple decides to raise iPhone prices during its expected product launch in September. Although Apple continues to benefit from strong consumer interest and solid financial performance, the company acknowledged that supply chain disruptions remain a major obstacle. Executives said resolving shortages of advanced chips and memory components will be critical to maintaining growth as demand for premium technology products continues to rise.

A court in New Delhi on Friday sentenced former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Tahir Hussain to life imprisonment for the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Delhi riots. The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh after the court found Hussain guilty in the high-profile murder case linked to the communal violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020. The court also awarded life imprisonment to four other convicts found guilty in the same case. All five were held responsible for the killing of Ankit Sharma, whose death became one of the most widely discussed incidents of the riots. According to the prosecution, Sharma was attacked and killed during the violence that broke out in northeast Delhi, where clashes between rival groups resulted in widespread destruction, loss of life and damage to public and private property. The 2020 Delhi riots lasted several days and claimed dozens of lives while leaving hundreds of people injured. The violence triggered multiple criminal investigations, with police registering several cases against individuals accused of involvement in killings, arson and rioting. Tahir Hussain was elected as a municipal councillor from northeast Delhi on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket in 2017. He was considered a prominent local political figure before the riots. Following his arrest in connection with multiple cases related to the 2020 violence, the Aam Aadmi Party suspended him from the party. Since then, Hussain has remained at the centre of several legal proceedings arising from the riots. Friday’s judgment marks a significant development in one of the most prominent cases linked to the 2020 Delhi violence. The court concluded that Hussain and the four co-convicts were responsible for the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma and imposed life imprisonment as punishment. The ruling is expected to remain one of the most significant judicial decisions connected to the 2020 Delhi riots, which continue to have legal and political implications in India.