Afghanistan
Six days on a small boat in rough seas: my terrifying, death-defying escape from the Taliban (The Guardian)
Politicians can’t expect cricket to clear up mess they left in Afghanistan (The Times – opinion)
Pakistan
Pakistan’s premier welcomes World Bank’s 10-year funding plan of $20 billion (AP)
Pakistan welcomes World Bank’s $20 billion lending pledge (VOA)
PIA, Pakistan’s national airline, in trouble over disturbing social media ad (CNN)
Pakistan PM orders inquiry after national airline ad accused of evoking 9/11 imagery (The Guardian)
India
India Panel Seeks Legal Action Against Person in US Murder Plot (Bloomberg)
India panel calls for legal action against individual after US accusations in foiled murder plot (Reuters)
India Achieves ‘Historic’ Space Docking, Key for Future Missions (Bloomberg)
India’s ISRO carries out successful space docking mission (Reuters)
India’s navy expands fleet with eyes on Indian Ocean rivalry (Al Jazeera)
India police arrest dozens over alleged rape and sexual abuse of teen girl over 5 year period (CBS News)
Carmakers in India plan EV onslaught in 2025 despite slowing global demand (Reuters)
Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan out of danger after stabbing at Mumbai home (Reuters)
India’s Hotels Can’t Surrender to the Marriage Police (Bloomberg – opinion)
NSB
Bangladesh eyes shakeup of key institutions after PM Hasina’s exit (Nikkei Asia)
Bangladesh top court acquits ex-PM Khaleda Zia in corruption case (Al Jazeera)
Bangladesh’s top court clears way for former PM Khaleda Zia to run in new elections (The Independent)
Tulip Siddiq ‘did not speak out’ when told 86 people were ‘disappeared’ in Bangladesh, lawyer says (The Telegraph)
China, Sri Lanka agree more investment and economic cooperation (Reuters)
Sri Lanka Signs Landmark $3.7 Bn Deal With Chinese State Oil Giant (Agence France-Presse)
Central Asia
Central Asian Migrants Say They’re Being Held In Russian Jails Without Access To Proper Food (Radio Free Europe)
Kazakhstan to compensate oil overproduction under OPEC+ deal until end-June 2026, Ifx says (Reuters)
Kyrgyz lender Keremet Bank to appeal after being hit with US sanctions (Reuters)
Uzbekistan unveils plan to upgrade Middle Corridor trade (EurasiaNet)
Indo-Pacific
In South Asia, Power Shifts Usher in Diplomatic Surprises (Foreign Policy)
Twitter
Afghanistan
Pakistan
India
NSB
Central Asia
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS