Afghanistan
‘My whole body was praying for my death’: LGBTQ Afghans say they face abuse in detention as Taliban crackdown intensifies (CNN)
Pakistan
Pakistan bans large gatherings in the capital ahead of a rally by Imran Khan’s party (AP)
Pakistani security forces raid a militant hideout in the northwest and 10 insurgents are killed (AP)
Militants kill 8 Pakistani soldiers, abduct 7 police officers (VOA)
Pakistan’s Top Cleric Declares VPN Use Un-Islamic (Newsweek)
Cop29: ‘We’re here for life and death reasons,’ says ex-climate minister of Pakistan (The Guardian)
India
One dead as renewed unrest erupts in India’s Manipur state (Reuters)
India to send 5,000 extra troops to quell Manipur unrest (Agence France-Presse)
Ukraine Warns India That Russia Trade Puts Western Ties at Risk (Bloomberg)
Starmer Seeks India Trade Deal Even Sunak Couldn’t Pull Off (Bloomberg)
UK to relaunch trade talks with India, seeks ‘new strategic partnership’ (Reuters)
China Seeks to Resume Direct Flights With India as Tensions Ease (Bloomberg)
China and India Flex New Hypersonic Weaponry (Newsweek)
India’s capital chokes as pollution hits 50 times safe limit (AP)
Toxic smog persists over India’s north; Delhi pollution remains severe (Reuters)
India’s worsening, "severe plus" air pollution forces even more dramatic safety measures (CBS News)
Indian Students Rush to US Colleges, Driving Attendance Record (Bloomberg)
Thousands of Indian Sikhs visit the shrine of the founder of their religion to mark his birthday (AP)
India Finance Minister Says Bank Rates Should Be More Affordable (Bloomberg)
NSB
Bangladesh’s Yunus hopes US ties will strengthen despite Trump victory (Reuters)
Sri Lankan President Keeps Finance Minister’s Job in New Cabinet (Bloomberg)
Professor Keethaponcalan on Sri Lanka’s New Government (The Diplomat)
The NPP’s Rise and the Opposition’s Fall in Sri Lanka (The Diplomat)
Central Asia
Central Asia’s ‘Island Of Democracy’ Endangered As Kyrgyz Opposition Fades Away (Radio Free Europe)
Attack From Afghanistan Kills Chinese National In Tajikistan, Sources Say (Radio Free Europe)
Turkmenistan’s Gas Company Will Enlist Experts to Combat Methane Leaks (Bloomberg)
Indo-Pacific
India and Pakistan’s Indian Ocean military buildup must be contained (Nikkei Asia – opinion)
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SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS