Afghanistan
Hanafi Leads Delegation to China for South Asia Forum Participation-Tolo News
As part of the Islamic Emirate’s ongoing efforts to expand diplomatic ties with neighbouring and regional countries, a high-ranking delegation led by Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy administrative prime minister, departed for China on Tuesday. Abdul Salam Hanafi said that the purpose of the trip is to participate in the 9th China–South Asia Forum exhibition and to share the achievements of the Islamic Emirate with forum participants. Click here to read...
25-Year Oil Contract for Amu Darya Cancelled-The Khaama Press
The Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has announced the cancellation of a 25-year oil extraction contract in the Amu Darya basin with the Chinese company Afchin, citing repeated breaches of agreement terms. In an official statement issued on Tuesday, June 17, the ministry stated that joint investigative committees had been formed to examine contractual violations. The findings reportedly confirmed that Afchin had repeatedly failed to meet its obligations. Click here to read...
Afghan Refugee Families Flee Tehran due to Israeli Attacks: Purple Saturdays-The Khaama Press
The “Purple Saturdays” movement, led by women’s rights activist Maryam Marouf Arvin, has reported that Israeli airstrikes on Iran have forced dozens of migrant families to flee their homes in Tehran, seeking refuge in other areas. According to a statement from the movement, most of these migrants are human rights activists, protesting women, and other vulnerable groups who fled Afghanistan due to Taliban threats. They now face severe challenges, with many unable to return to Afghanistan. Click here to read...
Bhutan
Bhutan embarks on second joint external evaluation to strengthen health security – Kuensel
Bhutan has officially embarked on its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), reaffirming its commitment to national and global health security. The five-day evaluation, which began yesterday, brings together 21 international experts and over 70 Bhutanese technical professionals from more than 19 government agencies and sectors. The JEE is a voluntary, collaborative, and multi-sectoral process led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess a country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. Bhutan conducted its first JEE in 2017. Since then, the country has used the lessons from the first evaluation to inform strategic decisions, secure international funding, and implement public health measures. Click here to read...
Maldives
President Muizzu dedicates ‘Maldives Engineering Day’ to China-backed project – Adhahdu
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has declared August 30th as "Maldives Engineering Day", a move that has drawn sharp criticism for celebrating a Chinese-led project rather than Maldivian engineering achievements. The date marks the inauguration of the Sinamalé Bridge, built by a Chinese company and widely seen as a symbol of China’s growing influence in the Maldives. According to the President’s Office, the day was chosen because the bridge is the largest infrastructure project in the country’s history, and therefore, "the most appropriate" to honor engineering. However, the decision has triggered public backlash, with many accusing President Muizzu of using the occasion to glorify a project he oversaw as Housing Minister and to cement his political legacy. Click here to read...
Nasheed to Dissolve The Democrats, Rejoin MDP – PSM News
Former President Mohamed Nasheed has decided to dissolve The Democrats, the political party formed under his leadership. The decision was made during a sitting of the party’s National Assembly on June 17, where a resolution to dissolve the party was passed by a majority vote. The resolution stated the best way to restore confidence in the multi-party political system is to have a strong opposition movement. It further recognised the need for broad cooperation to achieve this goal, and thus resolved to join the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Several senior leaders members had already resigned from The Democrats in recent months. Click here to read...
Myanmar
Myanmar Tourism Sector Mocks Junta’s Russia Tourist Drive – The Irrawaddy
Despite repeated overtures by the regime to attract Russian visitors, Myanmar’s tourism operators say the efforts are unlikely to yield meaningful results amid the ongoing armed conflicts. While “tourism sector development” has always been on the agenda of bilateral meetings, tourism insiders remain skeptical about the chances of successful cooperation. The junta’s hotels and tourism minister, Kyaw Soe Win, is attending an international travel forum in Moscow, urging Russian travelers to visit and encouraging Russian investment, according to the junta media. The minister met Russian economic development minister Maxim Reshetnikov on Tuesday to discuss familiarization trips, visa exemptions, investment in hotels and promotion of Myanmar as a travel destination, including for Russian government employees. Click here to read...
Arakan Army intensifies assaults on junta bases in Rakhine and Ayeyarwady – Myanmar Now
The Arakan Army (AA) launched a heavy artillery assault on an important infantry battalion positioned next to the airport in Kyaukpyu town, Rakhine State, on Sunday night, intensifying its campaign against key junta positions.At the same time, the AA, an ethnic armed group fighting for greater autonomy in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, continued sustained attacks on Artillery Battalion 344 in Yegyi Township, Ayeyarwady Region. The offensive has forced the military unit to withdraw and redeploy its heavy weapons after facing relentless pressure since June 12, according to local sources. At approximately 8pm on Sunday night, at least three explosions from artillery were heard near the military Light Infantry Battalion 34, or LIB 34, a local resident told Myanmar Now. The explosions occurred close to the entrance, adjacent to Kyaukpyu Prison and the junta's General Administration Department office, he said. Click here to read...
Pakistan
Pakistan recalls diplomats, non-essential staff from Tehran amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict- The Express Tribune
Pakistan has recalled some of its diplomats, non-essential staff, and their families from Tehran due to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and the changing regional situation. According to a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the move was prompted by the ongoing war and heightened tensions in the region. However, the official clarified that the Pakistani Embassy and Consulate in Tehran will continue their operations. Click here to read...
Total of 1,200 Pakistanis repatriated via Taftan border- The Express Tribune
A total of 78 Pakistanis, including 47 students, returned to Pakistan today through the Taftan border, raising the total number of repatriated citizens to 1,200. The Pakistani nationals, comprising mostly pilgrims, were stranded in Iran due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. According to Express News, during the last two days, 987 pilgrims and students have been safely brought back. The returnees have travelled on 37 buses, with many more expected to return soon. Click here to read...
PM Shehbaz for linking Reko Diq with railway network by 2028-Dawn
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed relevant authorities to link the Reko Diq project in Balochistan with the Pakistan Railway’s line network by 2028 to meet the requirements of future transportation and cargo services. In January, Saudi Arabian mining fund Manara Minerals said it was set to buy a 10-20 per cent stake in the Reko Diq copper and gold project in Pakistan for proceeds of about $500 million to $1 billion. Click here to read...
Pakistan, US agree to advance talks on reciprocal tariffs: Aurangzeb-Dawn
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday said that Pakistan and the US will continue to strengthen their economic partnership as both sides agreed to advance negotiations on reciprocal tariffs through constructive engagement, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. Pakistan faces a potential 29 per cent tariff on its exports to the US due to a $3 billion trade surplus with the world’s biggest economy, under tariffs announced by Washington in April on countries around the world. Click here to read...
