Afghanistan
Violent poppy clearing sparks backlash in northeastern Afghanistan (Agence France-Presse)
Pakistan
Iran, Pakistan seek ways to complete gas pipeline project (Reuters)
Iran smuggles $1bn worth of fuel into Pakistan annually: report (Nikkei Asia)
Pakistan considers raising retirement age ahead of IMF visit (Reuters)
India
Modi, Adani Vote as India Election Campaign Turns Hostile (Bloomberg)
India votes in third phase of national elections as PM Modi escalates his rhetoric against Muslims (AP)
India’s Modi casts his vote as giant election reaches half-way mark (Reuters)
Improper ‘shadow’ ads thriving on Facebook during India’s election (Washington Post)
India election: Inside Modi and BJP’s plan to win a supermajority (Reuters)
Can Modi finally win over the southern states and reshape India’s electoral map? (The Guardian)
India court extends pre-trial detention of opposition leader Kejriwal until May 20, Live Law says (Reuters)
India’s Boom Faces a Pitfall: Sharing the Wealth (Wall Street Journal)
NSB
Activists in Bangladesh march through universities to demand end to Israel-Hamas war (AP)
Bangladesh activists raise alarm over culture of impunity for rights abusers (VOA)
China-Bangladesh Military Exercises Signal Shifting Geopolitical Landscape (The Diplomat)
Nepal map on new currency note threatens to reignite border row with India (The Independent)
Sri Lanka inks 20-year power purchase deal with India’s Adani Green (Reuters)
Central Asia
Kazakh refinery to export gasoline made from Russian oil (Reuters)
Kazakh Ex-Minister Insists In Court He Had No Intention To Kill Wife (Radio Free Europe)
Investigation Launched Into Convicted Kyrgyz Mercenary’s Escape To Russia (Radio Free Europe)
Court Rejects Kyrgyz Politician’s Appeal Against Fraud Conviction (Radio Free Europe)
Mudslides Caused By Heavy Rains Kill 3 In Tajikistan (Radio Free Europe)
Uzbek farmers battle to save cotton, wheat crops from mortal enemy: salt (Nikkei Asia)
Cotton Campaign Urges Uzbekistan to Investigate Harassment of Activists (The Diplomat)
Central Asian Presidents to be ‘Guests of Honor’ for Russian Victory Day Parade (The Diplomat)
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SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS