Afghanistan
Discussions about Reopening US Embassy in Kabul Ongoing: Mujahid- Tolo News
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, told Al Arabiya that negotiations are ongoing for handing over the Afghan embassy in Washington to the caretaker government and for reopening the US embassy in Kabul. He also stated that these two issues were shared with the American delegation that had visited Kabul, and the caretaker government is now awaiting Washington's response. Click here to read…
Taliban requests handover of Afghanistan Embassy in Washington during US Delegation meeting-The Khaama Press
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban, stated that during a meeting with an American delegation, the group requested the handover of Afghanistan’s embassy in Washington, D.C. Click here to read…
Afghanistan excluded from US Security Threat List despite Alleged ISIS Presence-The Khaama Press
The U.S. National Intelligence Agency recently published its annual threat assessment, notably omitting Afghanistan from the list of national security threats. Last year’s report highlighted Afghanistan and the Taliban multiple times, but this year’s report made no mention of them, raising concerns about the current U.S. assessment of regional security. Click here to read…
Afghanistan’s Transit through Pakistan Fell by 84% in Past Year-Tolo News
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, during the conference titled "Presentation of Achievements and Challenges of the Private Sector in 1403," announced that due to challenges posed by Pakistan, Afghanistan's transit through that country decreased by 84% over the past year. Click here to read…
Bangladesh
China executive vice premier meets Yunus – The Daily Star
Executive Vice Premier of the State Council of China, Ding Xuexiang, called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference in China. He met the Bangladesh chief adviser at Bo'ao State Guest House at Qionghai, Hainan this morning. Click here to read…
Trump greets Yunus on Independence Day, pledges stronger ties – The Daily Star
US President Donald Trump has greeted Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Independence Day, according to a post on CA's verified Facebook page. "On behalf of the American people, I wish you and the people of Bangladesh a happy Independence Day. This time of transition presents an opportunity for the people of Bangladesh to build capacity for democracy, economic progress, and enhanced security," Trump said. Click here to read…
Yunus sought India visit before China, Shafiqul tells The Hindu – Dhaka Tribune
Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus wanted to visit India before his upcoming trip to China, but the request did not receive a "positive" response from New Delhi, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reportedly told The Hindu on Tuesday. “We showed our interest and asked the Indian side as early as December last year for a bilateral visit of Chief Adviser Prof Yunus to India, weeks before finalizing his China visit. Unfortunately, we did not receive a positive response,” the Indian newspaper quoted Shafiqul as saying. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Bhutan hits record high 40°C as global temperatures rise – Kuensel
For the first time since meteorological records were maintained in 1996, Bhur Meteorological Station in Sarpang has recorded a staggering 40°C, marking the highest daily maximum temperature of 2024. This extreme temperature surpasses the highest recorded temperature in recent years, signaling the intensifying impacts of global warming on the Himalayan region. Until now, only two instances of 40°C had been recorded in the country’s history—Phuentsholing in 1997 and Tangmachu in 2018. The new record aligns with global trends, as the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has declared 2024 the hottest year on record. According to the WMO’s State of the Global Climate 2024 report, the global mean near-surface temperature was 1.60°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900), marking the first year to exceed 1.5°C. Click here to read…
Experts call for research to combat growing waste crisis – Kuensel
Amid growing concerns over Bhutan’s waste crisis, experts have called for research and policy interventions to address the country’s mounting environmental challenge. The PLEASE Project Waste Symposium, held on March 24, brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including entrepreneurs, academics, and government officials, to discuss the pressing need for data-driven waste management solutions. Participants underscored the urgency of rethinking the country’s waste management landscape and identifying key areas requiring research and policy attention. A major theme of the discussion was the need to shift public perception—viewing waste as a valuable resource rather than mere refuse. Click here to read…
Maldives
Gov’t Aims to Take Annual Awqaf Investments to Over USD6.5 Million– PSM News
Government is aiming to expand Awqaf investments to at least USD6.5 million per year, in a bid to minimise dependency on the State budget to implement projects, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has revealed. Speaking at the Huffaz Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday evening at the Islamic Centre, Minister Dr Shaheem said under efforts to expand Awqaf investments, two major projects are set to be launched after the end of Ramadan, adding that financing has already been arranged through the country national bank, Bank of Maldives (BML). Once these projects are completed, USD778,210 will be deposited into the Islamic Waqf Fund every year till 2045, which he said will increase to USD4.5 million a year from there on in. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Arakan Army launches conscription drive in Myanmar’s Rakhine State – Myanmar Now
The Arakan Army (AA) has been recruiting youths from Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U townships in Myanmar's Rakhine State this week, according to residents and sources with ties to the military junta.A 26-year-old woman from Mrauk-U Township, who was preparing to join the AA, a powerful ethnic armed group based in Rakhine State, said that the recruitment targets men aged 18 to 45 and women aged 18 to 35.The enlistment period lasts two years, she added, noting that selections are made through a random lottery system. "The AA troops held meetings in the villages to announce the news,” she said. Click here to read…
Myanmar Junta’s Lottery Intensifies Conscription in Mandalay – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s junta has started conscription in Mandalay Region for its 12th batch of military recruits. The junta has a list of eligible individuals aged 18 to 35, using a lottery system to determine who gets conscripted. Earlier this month, parents in Mandalay Region were forced to sign declarations agreeing to draw lots and voluntarily send their children to administrative offices if selected or face jail under the Conscription Law. On Monday, forced lotteries for the 12th round were held in townships including Maha Aung Myay, Aungmyaythazan, Chanayethazan, Pyigyitagon Chanmyathazi and Patheingyi townships. Click here to read…
Pakistan
PM Shehbaz commends team, nation for unlocking IMF deal, new $1.3bn climate fund-Dawn
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday commended his team for unlocking the new $1.3 billion arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with a successful first review of the ongoing 37-month bailout programme. The announcement from the global money lender came early Wednesday morning, saying that it had reached a staff-level agreement (SLA) with the Pakistani authorities. Click here to read…
US lawmakers introduce bill targeting Pakistani officials-The Express Tribune
Two US lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives seeking sanctions against Pakistani state officials over alleged human rights violations, including the “persecution” of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to US media. Click here to read…
US spy agencies declare TTP as 'future threat'-The Express Tribune
As many as 18 US intelligence agencies have declared the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a "potential future threat" to Washington. A 30-page report prepared by the agencies and published on Tuesday said in South Asia, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operations in recent years have focused exclusively on targeting the government of Pakistan, probably to avoid drawing more counterterrorism pressure. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
How can the UK sanction military leaders for ending a war against terrorism?: Mahinda Rajapaksa – Daily Mirror
Former President and leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Mahinda Rajapaksa has strongly criticized the United Kingdom for imposing sanctions on Sri Lanka’s former military leaders, questioning how the UK could penalize those who ended a war against terrorism. Click here to read…
India surpasses Sri Lanka to become second largest tea exporter – Daily Mirror
According to data released by the Tea Board of India, India has exported 254 million kg of tea in 2024, thus becoming the second-highest exporter in the world. While Kenya retained the first spot in global tea exports, India surpassed Sri Lanka to take the second spot. Kenya exported over 500 Mkg of tea in 2024. Click here to read…
