Afghanistan
Islamic Emirate Asks France to Resume Diplomatic Presence in Kabul-Tolo News
Suhail Shaheen, the Islamic Emirate’s ambassador in Qatar, in a meeting with Jean-Marin Schuh, France’s chargé d'affaires for Afghanistan, called on the French government to reactivate its political representation in Kabul. The two sides also discussed the current political situation, bilateral relations between Kabul and Paris, humanitarian aid, and other related issues. Click here to read…
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan Sign $50 Million in Trade Agreements-Tolo News
Thirty trade agreements have been signed between the private sectors of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, valued at nearly $50 million. At a bilateral trade connectivity conference, the deputy minister of industry and commerce of the Islamic Emirate stressed the need to resolve trade challenges and increase Afghan exports to Uzbekistan. Click here to read…
US ends Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan-The Khaama Press
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan, effective July 12. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghan refugees will expire by next month. The move is set to affect approximately 11,000 Afghan nationals currently residing in the United States under this humanitarian designation. Click here to read…
Ex-UK Special Forces expose shocking claims of war crimes in Afghanistan: BBC Panorama-The Khaama Press
Former UK Special Forces veterans have revealed disturbing accounts of war crimes in Afghanistan, including executions and unlawful killings. Former members of the United Kingdom’s elite Special Forces have come forward publicly for the first time, alleging war crimes committed by fellow soldiers during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The BBC Panorama investigation presents chilling eyewitness testimonies that detail extrajudicial killings, including the execution of unarmed civilians and detainees. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Bhutan govt partners with Binance Pay to launch crypto tourism payment system – Northeast News
The Royal Government of Bhutan has announced the launch of crypto payment system in the tourism sector through a landmark partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank. Bhutan is set to become the first sovereign country to officially integrate cryptocurrency into its national tourism policy. The innovative mechanism will allow travellers with Binance accounts to experience truly cashless journeys. Tourists can avail a range of tourism services, including flight and hotel tickets, visa and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) fees, monument entry fees, and local shopping, using Binance Pay via static and dynamic QR code payments. Crypto payments are automatically converted into Ngultrum (BTN), Bhutan’s fiat currency, ensuring vendors receive price-stable payouts. According to Binance’s official statement, over 100 Bhutanese businesses have already adopted the platform, many of which are located in rural regions with limited access to credit card infrastructure. Click here to read…
Maldives
Maldives thanks India for offering $50 million financial support – DD News
Maldives, on Monday, expressed gratitude to India for offering a Government Treasury Bill of $50 million, which has supported the island nation in its fiscal reform efforts towards economic stability. Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel thanked External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and the Indian government for offering the timely financial assistance. On the request of the Government of Maldives, the State Bank of India (SBI) has subscribed, for one more year, a $50 million Government Treasury Bill issued by the Ministry of Finance of Maldives, said the High Commission of India, Maldives in a press release. Click here to read…
'Maldives 2.0' Summit Lays Groundwork for Sweeping Technological Reform – PSM News
The 'Maldives 2.0' Digital Transformation Summit concluded on May 11, marking a significant step in the government's ambitious effort to modernise public services and administration through technology. Over three days, policymakers, industry leaders, and international experts convened at Barceló Nasandhura to discuss the nation's digital future and outline a strategy for transformative change. At the heart of the summit was the formal presentation of the National Digital Declaration to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who attended the closing ceremony as the guest of honour. The document, compiled from discussions among key stakeholders, sets forth the government's commitment to advancing digital infrastructure and governance. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Myanmar Junta in Moscow to Boost Military Technology and Training Cooperation – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is attending Moscow’s World War II Victory Day parade in his second Russian visit this year. While the March visit aimed to boost economic cooperation, this trip is focused on deepening military ties with the junta’s chief of the general staff, General Kyaw Swar Lin, and defense minister General Maung Maung Aye, joining the delegation. Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday met Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, attended a formal dinner with President Vladimir Putin and watched a ballet. Maung Maung Aye laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow and met Russia’s deputy defence minister, Alexander Fomin, to discuss military technology and training cooperation. Click here to read…
Myanmar Junta Chief Meets China’s Xi for First Time: State Media – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s junta chief met China’s president for the first time since seizing power, state media reported on May 10, the highest-level meeting with a key ally for the internationally sanctioned military leader. In the four years since the coup of 2021, the Myanmar Junta has battled dozens of ethnic armed groups and rebel militias — some with close links to China — opposed to its rule. The conflict has seen Myanmar junta draw condemnation from rights groups and pursued by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, but the junta chief has maintained close ties to allies China and Russia. He met Beijing’s leader Xi Jinping in Moscow on the sidelines of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9 and thanked China for its humanitarian assistance following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March. Chinese state media reported that Xi expressed his country’s support for Myanmar pursuing development “suited to its national conditions, safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national stability, and steadily advancing its domestic political agenda”. Click here to read…
Dozens of children killed, injured in Myanmar junta’s deadliest attack in two years – Myanmar Now
Airstrikes by Myanmar’s military left at least 20 children dead and more than 50 others injured in Sagaing Region’s Depayin Township early Monday morning, according to preliminary reports. The attack was carried out at around 9:40am and targeted a middle school in Oe Htein Kwin, a village about five miles north of the junta-controlled town of Sai Pyin. “So far we have recovered 22 bodies—two teachers and 20 students,” said a representative of Depayin Township’s anti-regime People’s Defence Team, adding that at least 10 of the injured were in critical condition. Other sources said the death toll was likely much higher, as many bodies had not yet been retrieved, including some that had been torn apart by the blasts. Click here to read…
Pakistan
PM declares 'Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq' on May 10 to mark operation victory-The Express Tribune
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday declared that May 10 will be observed annually as 'Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq' to commemorate the “magnificent success” of 'Operation Bunyanum Marsoos' and to express national solidarity, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. In a national address, the PM said the day would be marked each year across the country with fervour and passion, paying tribute to the exceptional bravery and professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. “The professional capabilities of our brave forces kept our head high with pride,” he remarked. Click here to read…
Pakistan, India hold first round of DGMO-level talks-The Express Tribune
Pakistan and India have held the first round of talks between their Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) via hotline, sources confirmed on Monday. The exchange marks a rare instance of direct military communication amid heightened tensions between the two countries that follows recent tensions that saw the two South Asian neighbours on the brink of full-scale war. Click here to read…
Pakistan, India agree to uphold ceasefire-The Express Tribune
Senior military officials from Pakistan and India on Monday held their first round of talks through a hotline and agreed to maintain the ceasefire agreed on Saturday after the five-days of war. As part of the ceasefire deal, brokered by the United States, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan Major General Kashif Abdullah and his Indian counterpart Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai spoke to each other. Click here to read…
