Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s Delicate Diplomacy amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict-Tolo News
In a volatile periods in Iran-Israel relations, Afghanistan is striving to maintain a realistic outlook and a balanced policy to stay out of the conflict's reach. The Islamic Emirate is attempting to adopt a cautious stance: on one hand, expressing support for Iran, and on the other, distancing itself from direct involvement in the conflict. Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy minister for technical affairs at the Ministry of Economy, said: “The policy of the Islamic Emirate is to support peace and lasting stability in the region. The Islamic Emirate believes that all countries must respect the national sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of other nations in accordance with the UN Charter.” Click here to read…
UN rights chief: Women removed from Public Life in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press
The UN Human Rights Chief warned that women in Afghanistan have been systematically removed from public life, facing severe restrictions and discrimination. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned about the deteriorating condition of Afghan women during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Speaking on Monday, June 16, Türk stated that women and girls in Afghanistan have been “erased from public life” under the current authorities, raising global concern. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Trump again puts Bhutan, one of the world's happiest countries, on US travel ban list if it doesn't address concerns – The Economic Times
Trump is once again putting pressure on countries over immigration and security, and this time, even one of the world’s happiest nations isn't being spared. The U.S. has warned Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom known for its Gross National Happiness index, that it could soon face a travel ban if it doesn’t take swift action to address a list of U.S. concerns. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the memo giving these countries 60 days to meet U.S. requirements or risk a full or partial travel ban. This comes after Trump’s recent proclamation blocking entry from 12 countries. The updated policy signals a tougher stance on immigration and national security at the start of Trump's second term. Click here to read…
World Bank approves USD 34.5 million for job creation and green value chains – Kuensel
The World Bank has approved USD 34.5 million in financing for Bhutan, aimed at boosting employment and value addition within the agriculture, livestock, and forestry sectors under the new ‘Accelerating Bhutan’s Job Transformation through Renewable Natural Resource Value Chains’ Project on June 14. These sectors, which are key drivers of Bhutan’s green economy, will benefit approximately 42,000 people, 65 percent of whom are women. Click here to read…
Maldives
China Ambassador in Awe of “Engineering Marvel” Sinamale’ Bridge – PSM News
The Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua has described the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge as an engineering marvel which has transformed Maldivians' life and economy. Responding to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s directive to declare 30 August of each year as National Engineers’ Day to mark the anniversary of the inauguration of the China–Maldives Friendship Bridge, Ambassador Xianhua in a post on his X account said this engineering marvel of Chinese and Maldivian engineers transformed Maldivians' life and economy dramatically. Click here to read…
Fitch maintains 'junk' rating as fear of Maldives defaulting on debt grows – Raajje
One of the world’s largest credit rating agencies, Fitch Ratings has maintained the Maldives' credit rating at "CC" again, considering the extremely high risk of default. A 'CC' rating is given when there is a high risk of default and bankruptcy. The next lower rating is 'C', which is given when bankruptcy is certain. The 'CC' rating given to the Maldives indicates a high risk of default. Fitch downgraded the Maldives' rating twice last year. As such, the rating that was at "B-" in 2023 and 2022 was downgraded to "CCC+" in June of last year. Then again in August of last year, the Maldives' rating was lowered to "CC". The biggest concern highlighted in that review was the risk that the Maldives might not be able to pay the large debt due this year and next year. As such, this year alone USD 688 million is due on foreign debt, while next year that amount will rise to USD 1.1 billion. The Fitch review stated that the CC rating indicates that there is a risk of default in some form. Click here to read…
Myanmar
More than 600 flee Shan State village as Myanmar military fights anti-junta forces – Myanmar Now
Hundreds of Myanmar families were being uprooted from their homes on Saturday, a community organiser said, piling their belongings onto evacuation convoys to escape fighting between the military and anti-junta fighters. Myanmar has been consumed by a many-sided civil war since the military snatched power in a 2021 coup, leaving more than 3.5 million people displaced according to United Nations figures. Heavy combat has been raging since Monday around the village of Saung Nang Khae, near the Moebye Reservoir in southern Shan State’s Pekhon Township, according to locals and evacuation organisers. Click here to read…
Myanmar Junta Attacks to Reclaim KIA’s Jade and Rare Earth Strongholds – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s military regime has ramped up its counteroffensive in Kachin State, northern Myanmar, targeting rare earth and jade hubs controlled by the ethnic Kachin Independence Army (KIA). KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu said the regime is planning to reclaim Special Region 1 – a rare earth hub previously controlled by the junta-aligned New Democratic Army Kachin (NDA-K). Spanning the eastern borderlands of Kachin State, Special Region 1 encompasses Chipwi, Tsawlaw, Pangwa, Kanpiketi and Waingmaw townships. Click here to read…
China’s Bet on Myanmar Junta Risks Backfiring – The Irrawaddy
Beijing’s long-standing policy of “non-interference” in other countries’ internal affairs appears increasingly hollow when it comes to Myanmar. By forcing the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) out of Lashio two months ago, it has not only blatantly interfered in Myanmar’s internal affairs, but openly propped up a brutal regime committing widespread war crimes against its own civilians. China arrested the MNDAA leader and closed its border crossings with territories controlled by the ethnic armed organization, while helping the regime to reclaim Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State, which the MNDAA liberated last year as part of anti-regime Operation 1027. The MNDAA launched the operation with the Arakan Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, its two partners in the Brotherhood Alliance. Click here to read…
Pakistan
PM Shehbaz meets Iranian Ambassador, reaffirms support amid Israeli aggression-The Express Tribune
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation of recent Israeli aggression against Iran and expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and government amid heightened tensions in the region. The PM made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam on the sidelines of the International Maritime Expo and Conference in Islamabad on Monday. “The entire Pakistani nation’s sympathies are with Iran over the martyrdom of innocent people,” he said. Click here to read…
DPM rebukes fake news claiming Pakistan plans nuclear strike on Israel-The Express Tribune
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has strongly rejected what he called "irresponsible" and "fabricated" fake news circulating on social media, which falsely attributed to a senior Iranian general a claim that Pakistan would launch a nuclear strike on Israel in retaliation for any attack on Iran. Speaking in the Senate on Monday, Dar condemned the spread of false information in the wake of rising regional tensions and urged restraint amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Click here to read…
Punjab unveils Rs5.35 trillion 'tax-free' budget for 2025-26-The Express Tribune
Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman on Monday presented a Rs5,335 billion budget for fiscal year 2025–26 in the provincial assembly, terming it a "people-friendly" plan aligned with the development vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The provincial cabinet, led by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, approved the budget ahead of the session. Click here to read…
