Afghanistan
No longer a US priority, is Afghanistan a Central Asia problem now? (VOA)
Pakistan
Pakistan and Iran vow to enhance efforts at a ‘united front’ against Afghanistan-based militants (AP)
Pakistan, Iran see Afghanistan-based terror groups as ‘serious threat’ to global security (VOA)
Cost of doing business with Iran? US warns Pakistan of sanctions risk (Al Jazeera)
IMF executive board to meet April 29 on $1.1 bln Pakistan disbursement (Reuters)
India
Australian Journalist Says She Was Pushed Out of India (New York Times)
India Extends Central Bank Deputy Governor Sankar’s Tenure (Bloomberg)
India central bank bars Kotak Mahindra Bank from taking on new clients digitally (Reuters)
India plans curbs on suspect bank accounts to fight cyber fraud, sources say (Reuters)
Modi accused of hate speech by opposition as India’s phased elections roll on (VOA)
Why Indian Voters See Job Creation as the Election’s Biggest Issue (Time)
Indian Corruption: Forgotten but Not Gone? (Wall Street Journal – opinion)
Modi wants to turn the election into a Hindu-Muslim war (Al Jazeera – opinion)
India looks beyond Russia for defense imports (Politico – opinion)
The ‘Modi-fication’ of India Is Still Thrilling Markets (Bloomberg – opinion)
NSB
Searing heat shuts schools for 33 million children (BBC)
‘Absolute power’: After pro-China Maldives leader’s big win, what’s next? (Al Jazeera)
Nepal’s president asks visiting Qatari emir to help free student held hostage by Hamas (AP)
Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring Talks With Private Bondholders Hit a Snag (The Diplomat)
Central Asia
A high-profile murder trial in Kazakhstan boosts awareness of domestic violence (AP)
Kazakh Foreign Minister, U.K. Foreign Secretary Hold Talks In Astana (Radio Free Europe)
Arson Attacks Reported In Kazakh Town After Alleged Rape Of Teen Girl (Radio Free Europe)
Relatives Demand Open Trial For Kyrgyz Group That Protested Border Deal (Radio Free Europe)
8 Members Of Tajik Opposition Group Detained In Italy (Radio Free Europe)
Indo-Pacific
Rising Threat At The Water’s Edge: Along the mighty Bay of Bengal, forces unleashed by climate change overwhelming lives and livelihoods (Washington Post)
Twitter
Afghanistan
Pakistan
India
NSB
Central Asia
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS