Afghanistan
U.S. Presses for Release of Americans Held in Afghanistan (New York Times)
U.S. in Talks to Swap Detained Americans in Afghanistan for Guantanamo Prisoner (Wall Street Journal)
US, Taliban in talks to swap detainees, WSJ reports (Reuters)
US Inadvertently Funding the Taliban, Republican Says (Newsweek)
UK special forces soldiers tell inquiry of Afghan murder concerns (Reuters)
Pakistan
Clashes in northwest Pakistan kill 19 militants, 3 soldiers, military says (VOA)
Protests over power outages block Pakistan’s trade route with China (VOA)
Pakistan Slides Into New ‘Era Of Terrorism’ (Radio Free Europe)
With Trump looming, Pakistan braces for foreign policy challenges in 2025 (Al Jazeera)
India
Indians slam MAGA ‘war’ over H-1B skilled visas as ‘racist’ (Washington Post)
India’s Modi looks to new economic playbook as risks mount (Reuters)
Calls grow for better protection after brutal killing of journalist in India (VOA)
A journalist’s murder highlights risks of reporting in small-town India (BBC)
India’s first human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases confirmed, but officials say "no reason to worry" (CBS News)
India high court halts Bhopal waste disposal plans after protests (Nikkei Asia)
One body recovered from flooded Indian mine as rescuers search for trapped men (Reuters)
India names rocket scientist Narayanan as new space agency chief (Reuters)
NSB
Bangladesh’s ailing former premier Khaleda Zia leaves country to undergo medical treatment in London (AP)
Ailing Bangladeshi ex-PM flown to London for treatment (Agence France-Presse)
Bangladesh to Probe Hasina’s Niece, UK City Minister Tulip Siddiq (Bloomberg)
Bangladesh authorities seek Siddiq account details (BBC)
Why are millions of Bangladeshi girls quitting school? (Deutsche Welle)
Deflation to Provide ‘Respite’ to Sri Lankans, Says Governor (Bloomberg)
Sri Lanka c. bank to focus on stronger crisis recovery in 2025 (Reuters)
With eyes on China and India, Sri Lanka lifts ban on foreign research vessels (South China Morning Post)
Central Asia
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway officially launched, but sidetracked at least until summer (EurasiaNet)
Is Uzbekistan the next great architectural destination? (CNN)
Indo-Pacific
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalate amid border clashes (Washington Post)
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SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS