Afghanistan
World Opens to the Taliban Despite Their Shredding of Women’s Rights (New York Times)
Is Afghanistan’s Most-Wanted Militant Now Its Best Hope for Change? (New York Times)
What We Learned Talking to the Taliban’s Most Fearsome Leader (New York Times)
Explosion in a packed Kabul market injures 11 people, including children, humanitarian group says (AP)
Pakistan
Dozens of US lawmakers call for release of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan (Reuters)
US lawmakers label Pakistan’s governance ‘military rule with civilian facade’ (VOA)
Pakistani court grants bail, orders release of ex-leader’s wife (VOA)
Pakistan’s weapons programs face scrutiny after US curbs (VOA)
Pakistani security forces kill 9 militants in a raid in the restive northwest near Afghanistan (AP)
In Pakistan, polio workers persist despite perils (VOA)
India
A Modi-Xi Meeting Could Signal a Thaw Between India and China (New York Times)
With Pressures at Home and Abroad, China’s Xi and India’s Modi Thaw Ties (Wall Street Journal)
BRICS summit: China and India should manage differences, Xi tells Modi (Reuters)
Modi Says BRICS Must Avoid Being an Anti-West Group as It Grows (Bloomberg)
A ‘Gangster’ Is Blowing Up India-Canada Relations—From Behind Bars (Wall Street Journal)
Pollution-free environment a ‘fundamental right’, India’s top court says (Reuters)
Germany and India seek closer ties with high-level talks (Deutsche Welle)
The India-Canada Breakdown (Wall Street Journal – opinion)
NSB
Bangladesh bans student wing of ousted Sheikh Hasina’s party (Reuters)
Sri Lanka Boosts Security as US, Israel Warn of Terrorist Attack (Bloomberg)
Israel issues travel warning to parts of Sri Lanka over terrorism threat (Reuters)
Troops deployed to Jewish community center in Sri Lanka surfing town after U.S. warns of possible attack in area (CBS News)
NPP Poised for Victory in Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Election (The Diplomat)
Central Asia
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Resist Russia’s Coalition-Building In ‘Sovereignty Test’ (Radio Free Europe)
US and Turkmenistan discuss joint methane emission reduction initiatives (News.Az)
Ancient Cities Unearthed in Mountains of Central Asia (New York Times)
Short of planes, Russia asks Central Asian airlines to run domestic flights (Reuters)
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SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
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