Afghanistan
Biden Admin Claimed US Could Still Monitor Afghanistan Following Withdrawal. Rubio Says the Situation Is ‘Far More Uncertain.’ (Washington Free Beacon)
Groups call on veterans to protest Trump administration’s ‘intentional betrayal’ of Afghans who helped U.S. forces (PBS)
U.K. Husband and Wife, Both in 70s, Arrested by Taliban in Afghanistan (New York Times)
Taliban confirm British couple in their 70s arrested in Afghanistan as family call for their release (AP)
Daughter calls for UK to help British couple in their 70s detained by Taliban (Reuters)
Taliban Officials Confirm Arrest Of Two Britons And A Chinese-American (Agence France-Presse)
Taliban says it will try to release British couple as soon as possible (BBC)
Pakistan
Pakistani security forces kill 10 militants in a raid near Afghanistan (AP)
Pakistan, Azerbaijan sign agreements, MOUs on trade and energy (VOA)
World Bank unit lambasts Pakistan over army-backed energy talks (Financial Times)
Why is Pakistan expelling Afghan refugees? (Deutsche Welle)
Can Pakistan’s new anti-extremism policy defeat rising armed attacks? (Al Jazeera)
India
US imposes new sanctions on Chinese and Indian firms to ‘target Iran’s oil supply chain’ (The Independent)
Fourth flight of illegal immigrants deported from US lands in India (The Independent)
Musk’s ‘Doge’ claim about USAid funds for India sets off political firestorm (The Guardian)
Hopes Fade for Workers Trapped for Days in Tunnel in India (New York Times)
India, Britain step up trade talks amid Trump tariff threats (Reuters)
UK and India relaunch free trade talks after year-long pause (The Independent)
Setbacks for Adani cast shadow on India’s soft power (Nikkei Asia)
Struggling Tesla looks to Indian market under Trump’s watchful eye (Nikkei Asia)
NSB
One dead and several injured in clashes at air force base in Bangladesh (The Independent)
China woos Bangladesh with Beijing invitation (BBC)
Nepal Says Seven More U.S.-Funded Projects Paused After Trump Order (Reuters)
Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan put border troubles behind them (EurasiaNet)
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to hold trilateral summit (Amu TV)
Turkey wants gas supply deal extension with Turkmenistan, minister tells Hurriyet (Reuters)
Twitter
Afghanistan
Pakistan
India
NSB
Central Asia
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS