Afghanistan
Islamic Emirate to Appoint Ambassador to Russia as Bilateral Ties Deepen-Tolo News
The acting minister of foreign affairs, in a meeting with Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan, who visited Kabul, announced that the caretaker government will soon appoint a diplomat at the ambassadorial level to Moscow. In this meeting, both sides emphasized expanding bilateral relations and starting a new phase of cooperation between Afghanistan and Russia. Click here to read…
Islamic Emirate Cuts 1000s of Governmental Jobs-Tolo News
The spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, announced a reduction in positions across governmental institutions. Mujahid described the reduction of positions as a natural measure, stating that these changes aim to improve operations and reduce bureaucracy. According to documents obtained by TOLO news, the Ministry of Education has eliminated 90,000 of its positions. Click here to read…
India donates 4.8 tons of Vaccines to Afghanistan-The Khaama Press
India has donated 4.8 tons of vaccines to Afghanistan, helping prevent deadly diseases like rabies, hepatitis, and influenza. India’s Ministry of Public Health has welcomed a donation of 4.8 tons of vaccines from India, calling it a critical step in preventing deadly diseases in Afghanistan. Click here to read…
Russia warns against NATO’s Return to Afghanistan’s Geopolitical Game-The Khaama Press
Russia has warned against NATO’s return to Afghanistan, expressing concerns over geopolitical interference and the potential destabilization of the region. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has sharply criticized the “questionable engagement” of Western countries with the Taliban, particularly condemning any potential return of NATO military facilities to Afghanistan. Lavrov described such a move as unacceptable, labeling it as a “time bomb,” without providing further details on NATO’s plans. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Bhutan trade with Thailand hits record high – The Nation
Bhutan’s imports from Thailand surged to Nu 2.67 billion (US$0.031 billion) in 2024, making the Southeast Asian country the third-largest source of imported goods. This is according to the latest figures from the Department of Revenue and Customs. The value of imports increased by nearly Nu 900 million (US$10.49 million) compared to 2023, when Bhutan imported Nu 1.77 billion (US$0.021 billion) worth of goods from Thailand. Thailand now accounts for 13.44 % of Bhutan’s total imports, excluding those from India. The main imports include food items such as meat, milk, vegetables, bread, cakes, sauces and chips, along with beverages, books, toilet paper, cereals, textiles and yarn. Click here to read…
Maldives
Maldives President Denounces Kashmir Terror Attack – PSM News
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has denounced the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir to offer his condolences to families of the victims. Gunmen opened fire on tourists and killed 26 people in Kashmir's worst attack on civilians in a quarter of a century. President Dr Muizzu on X said he was deeply saddened and shocked by the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, which has claimed innocent lives and left many injured. “The Government of Maldives remains steadfast in its commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.” Click here to read…
Finance Ministry Reports Fiscal Turnaround, Achieving USD 142.67 Million Surplus – PSM News
The Maldives has marked a significant fiscal achievement, shifting from a budget deficit of USD 103.76 million at this time last year to a surplus of USD 142.67 million as of 17 April. This turnaround highlights the government's determined efforts to rein in expenditure, which has been reduced by approximately USD 64.85 million compared to the previous year. The Ministry of Finance and Planning, in its 'Weekly Fiscal Developments' report, revealed that total state revenue had reached USD 758.55 million by 17 April, an increase of USD 45.39 million over the same period last year. Withholding tax stood out as the most substantial contributor to state income. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Rosatom Green-Lights Myanmar Nuclear Plant in Quake-Wrecked Naypyitaw –The Irrawaddy
Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) is pressing on with its plan to build a nuclear power plant in Naypyitaw, despite the partial destruction of the city during the March 28 earthquake. “Rosatom adheres to the highest international safety and reliability standards, including strict seismic resistance requirements,” Rosatom was quoted as saying by Reuters. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing finalized the deal for Myanmar’s first nuclear reactor in a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in March, during his first official visit to Russia. The deal came three years after a memo of understanding to study the feasibility of a small modular reactor in Myanmar was signed at the 2022 Atom Expo in the Russian resort city of Sochi. Click here to read…
Myanmar junta continues attacks in northern Shan State despite ceasefire – Myanmar Now
Clashes continue in and near Nawnghkio Township in northern Shan State despite the Myanmar military regime’s extension of a temporary post-quake ceasefire until April 30. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) claimed that the junta carried out aerial assaults on Ohn Ma Thee, a village about 12 miles southwest of the TNLA-controlled town of Nawnghkio, at around 10:30am on April 22. At least five houses were damaged by the junta bombardment, according to a statement from the group’s press team. Click here to read…
Pakistan
$1b foreign loan deal reached- The Express Tribune
Pakistan and two foreign commercial banks have reached an understanding for a $1 billion loan at an interest rate of around 7.6%, which Islamabad is obtaining on the back of Asian Development Bank (ADB) guarantee due to its low credit rating. Click here to read…
Pakistan mulls response after India points the finger without proof-Dawn
The country’s top security body will meet today (Thursday) to assess India’s sharp response — in the wake of a deadly attack in India-held Kashmir that claimed over two dozen lives — and formulate a comprehensive policy reaction to the slew of aggressive measures announced by New Delhi, which have ramped up tensions in the Subcontinent. Among the Indian measures, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty stood out as the most severe. The 1960 pact, brokered by the World Bank, has endured through wars and decades of hostility. Its suspension, therefore, marked a watershed moment in the already fraught relationship between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Click here to read…
India suspends Indus Waters Treaty, expels Pakistani officials after Pahalgam attack-The Express Tribune
India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan in the aftermath of a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), that killed 26 tourists and injured 17 others. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the media on Wednesday, stating that the cabinet was given a comprehensive briefing on the attack. He declined to take questions but outlined the key decisions made during the emergency session. Click here to read…
World Bank trims Pakistan’s economic growth forecast to 2.7pc-Dawn
The World Bank on Wednesday slightly lowered its growth forecast for Pakistan to 2.7 per cent for the current fiscal year, citing continued economic stabilisation but persistent constraints from tight monetary and fiscal policies. The World Bank had earlier predicted Pakistan’s economy to grow by 2.8pc during the current fiscal year in its Pakistan Development Update (PDU) released in October last year. Click here to read…
