Afghanistan
Ministry of Education: Over 1,100 Schools Built in Past 4 Years- Tolo News
The Ministry of Education said that in the past nearly four years, buildings have been constructed for more than 1,100 schools and religious schools across the country. According to ministry spokesperson Mansoor Ahmad Hamza, these schools were built using the ministry's budget, with financial support from aid organizations, businesspeople, and education advocates. In addition, nearly 3,000 other schools that were damaged by natural disasters have also been rebuilt during this period. Click here to read…
Putin Cites Afghanistan in Regional Security Talks with Kazakhstan- Tolo News
The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in a press conference responded to a question about cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan amidst global challenges, saying that Moscow is concerned about the security situation in the region — including the situation in Afghanistan. According to Vladimir Putin, although Kazakhstan does not share a border with Afghanistan, some of Russia's allied countries that do have been affected by terrorism in the past. Click here to read…
From Kalashnikov to Pen: Fighters Turn to Writing War Memoirs-Tolo News
Some former fighters of Afghanistan's past 20-year war have laid down their weapons and taken up the pen. Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, these fighters have begun writing memoirs of their time on the battlefield and their wartime experiences. Click here to read…
Muttaqi: Norway's Recognition of Afghan Envoy Builds Trust-Tolo News
Four years after political changes in Afghanistan and the cooling of relations with most Western countries, signs are now emerging of a gradual thaw in diplomatic ties. In the latest development, the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan met with the chargé d’affaires of the Norwegian Embassy in Kabul. The meeting, which primarily focused on bilateral relations and regional developments, saw Amir Khan Muttaqi describe Norway’s acceptance of the Islamic Emirate’s diplomatic representative as a “positive step” toward confidence-building. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Govt. to lose Nu 5.57 billion in revenue under proposed Tax Bill- Kuensel
The tax reform proposed in the Income Tax Bill 2025 is expected to cost the government up to Nu 5.57 billion in lost revenue. Finance Minister Lekey Dorji acknowledged the significant revenue impact while introducing the Bill to the National Council (NC) yesterday, attributing roughly 95 percent of the projected loss to state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Click here to read…
Maldives
Maldives, China Reaffirm Ties, Signal Closer Engagement in Vice President's Meeting with Chinese Ambassador- PSM News
Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef reaffirmed the longstanding diplomatic ties between the Maldives and China during a meeting on Thursday with Chinese Ambassador Kong Xianhua. Held at the President's Office, the meeting also underscored both nations' mutual interest in advancing bilateral cooperation. During the exchange, the vice president and the ambassador described the Maldives–China relationship as one grounded in mutual respect, goodwill and a shared commitment to development, according to a statement issued by the President's Office. Both sides, the statement added, reiterated their determination to strengthen these ties in the years ahead. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Mon Groups Vow to Boost Attacks on Myanmar junta- The Irrawaddy
A coalition of Mon State groups has vowed to step up anti-regime operations and work closer with other organizations across Myanmar. The Mon State Federal Council (MSFC) conference over the weekend agreed to adopt a charter for Mon State and a strategy to boycott the junta’s planned election. The council also said it would form a committee to help displaced people. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Govt decides to abolish tax exemptions for SEZs, STZs - The Express Tribune
The Senate Standing Committee on Finance was informed on Thursday that the federal government has decided to abolish tax exemptions for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Special Technology Zones (STZs) in line with the IMF conditions. During a meeting chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla on Thursday, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial briefed the committee that under the IMF agreement, all tax exemptions must be phased out by 2035. Click here to read…
Govt spending on education ‘hits new low’-Dawn
The government spending on education in Pakistan has fallen to a new low in the past year despite being declared a national emergency with 26 million children — or more than one in three — out of school, one of the highest percentages globally, Save the Children said in a statement on Thursday. Since the start of the current fiscal year in July 2024 to March 2025, education expenditure fell by 29 per cent. The percentage of GDP spent on education has fallen consisten¬tly since 2018 when it was 2pc to 0.8pc, according to the latest Pakistan Economic Survey. Click here to read…
