Afghanistan
Islamic Emirate, Pakistan Upgrade Diplomatic Ties to Ambassadorial Level-Tolo News
The enhancement of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan was one of the key topics discussed in a telephone conversation between the acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate Amir Khan Muttaqi and Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, both sides described the upgrading of diplomatic missions in Kabul and Islamabad to the ambassadorial level as a positive step. Click here to read...
Over 5M Refugees Return as Deportations Rise, Aid Declines-Tolo News
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation reported that since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power in Afghanistan, more than 5.097 million Afghan citizens have returned from neighboring countries. Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, the ministry’s spokesperson, said that in just the past two months of the current year, 268,000 Afghans have been deported and returned from Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey. Click here to read...
Russia Warns of NATO Attempts to Re-Enter Afghanistan-Tolo News
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, once again warned of NATO attempts to return to Afghanistan. Lavrov said that NATO, after its "chaotic" withdrawal from Afghanistan, is now seeking a return to the country. According to Lavrov, NATO is trying to find allies for Moscow in Central Asia and is pressuring them to choose between Russia and the United States. Click here to read...
Herat Launches 220-Megawatt Wind Project for Energy Independence-Tolo News
A 220-megawatt wind power project, costing nearly 70 million dollars, was inaugurated in Herat with the presence of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs. The project is planned to be implemented in several phases, with the first phase having a production capacity of over 40 megawatts.At the inauguration ceremony, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs stated that this project marks the first step toward the country's self-sufficiency in sustainable domestic electricity production. Click here to read...
Bhutan
Bhnakha Hydropower Project Construction to Kickstart in 2026 – Kuensel
After more than a decade of promises, delays, and uncertainty, the Bunakha Hydropower Project in Chapcha, Chukha is expected to begin its main construction works by August 2026. Although the 180-megawatt (MW) project was included in Bhutan's 10,000 MW target by 2020, the project was delayed multiple times. Bunakha is one of the six hydropower projects the ruling government had pledged to build during the election campaign. Given past experiences, local residents ars, however, uncertain about the hydropower project development. Despite its role in supporting downstream power plants like Chukha, Tala and the proposed Wangchhu project, Bunakha faced implementation and financing problems. In response to a question raised by the Member of Parliament from Bongo-Chapcha at the ongoing Parliament session, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Gem Tshaning said the work on the project is moving ahead with support from the Aslan Development Bank (ADB). The ADB has approved USD 5 million for Project Readiness Financing Loan to revise the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment prepared for the project in 2013. Click here to read...
Maldives
No discussions on FTA and fish exports during UK-Maldives dialogue – Adhadhu
The topic of a free trade agreement that would allow the Maldives to export fish to the UK without duties was not raised during last week's UK-Maldives dialogue. Negotiations on a free trade agreement to eliminate duties on fish exports began during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. But the matter was not discussed during the second meeting of the UK-Maldives dialogue on May 28. The major topic during the meeting was addressing the UK’s change in immigration policies and resolving difficulties in obtaining visas. The first meeting of the UK-Maldives dialogue was held on February 20, 2023, during the former government. Click here to read...
Maldives and Japan Partner to Launch Solar-Powered Desalination Plant in Kulhudhuffushi – PSM News
The Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) Pvt Ltd and Japan's Kanadevia Corporation have signed an agreement to establish a zero-carbon solar desalination plant in Kulhudhuffushi City. The project aims to transition the city’s water supply entirely to renewable energy. The signing ceremony held Sunday was attended by senior officials from both companies and the Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives, Ishigami Rumiko. MWSC’s Managing Director, Abdul Matheen Mohamed, signed the agreement on behalf of the company, while Kanadevia Corporation was represented by its General Manager Takeshi Aiba. According to MWSC, the desalination plant developed under the project will produce enough water for the entire city. The solar-powered desalination plant will produce 500 cubic metres of water per day. While a 500 kW solar power system will be installed at the plant to supply the energy required, a 1450 kW battery system will be installed to ensure the sustainability of the system. Click here to read...
Myanmar
China restricting trade, pressuring Ta’ang anti-junta group before planned ceasefire talks – Myanmar Now
Officials of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a group under pressure from China to negotiate peace with the Myanmar military junta, said this week that the Chinese government is blocking shipments to its territory. Speaking to various media outlets in an online meeting on May 28, TNLA joint general secretary Colonel Tar Pan La said that China had lifted restrictions on goods flowing to territory under the control of its sometime ally, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). However, he added, they had continued to stop the delivery of goods destined for areas under TNLA control. Click here to read...
Myanmar Junta Extends Ceasefire Again After Quake – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s junta has extended a post-earthquake truce, after the expiry of a previous humanitarian ceasefire it was accused of flouting with a continued campaign of air strikes. The junta initially declared a truce in the many-sided civil war after a huge quake in late March killed nearly 3,800 people and left tens of thousands homeless. The truce has been extended before, although conflict monitors say fighting has continued, including regular air strikes. A statement from the junta information team on Saturday said there would be an extension of the armistice, which expired May 31, until June 30. Click here to read...
Pakistan
Army will crush all threats: COAS-The Express Tribune
While interacting with tribal elders during a Grand Jirga at the Zehri Auditorium in Quetta, the chief of the army staff lauded the bravery and resilience of security forces and the law-enforcement personnel operating in Balochistan, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir jointly addressed the Jirga, which was organised to interact with the tribal leadership and discuss the evolving security situation in Balochistan, with particular focus on the ongoing proxy war fuelled by India. Click here to read...
Bilawal-led delegation in US to brief Pakistan's stance on Indian aggression-The Express Tribune
A high-level parliamentary delegation led by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached United States to represent Pakistan’s position on the recent conflict with India, Express News reported on Sunday. According to sources, the committee headed by Bilawal will meet members of the US administration, Congress, think tanks, and media outlets to brief them on Pakistan’s stance regarding the escalating tensions with India. Click here to read...
DPM Dar, acting Afghan FM Muttaqi reaffirm support for UAP Railway Line Project-The Express Tribune
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project, calling it a vital step for enhancing regional connectivity. Click here to read...
Field Marshal Asim Munir assails India’s ‘hydro-terrorism’ during address to Quetta college-Dawn
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday emphasised the need for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute, assailing India’s “unlawful and legally untenable hydro-terrorism,” a statement from the military’s media wing said. His statement came during a visit to Quetta Command and Staff College where he addressed student officers and faculty of the college. Click here to read...
