Middle East & Central Asia News
LAST UPDATE: July 26, 2025
More than 1.3 million return to homes in Sudan: UN
UN agencies report that over 1.3 million internally displaced people have returned home in recent months, including some 320,000 refugees returning from neighboring countries. The UN is urging more international aid for reconstruction in regions such as Khartoum, Sennar, and Al Jazirah.
Insight
The mass return of displaced Sudanese civilians reflects pockets of relative stability, but also introduces urgent humanitarian needs. Without significant reconstruction and aid support, many returnees face dire conditions amid lingering conflict.
Kazakhstan central bank sees tenge rate as undervalued, governor says
Kazakhstan’s central bank governor stated that fundamental factors indicate the tenge is currently undervalued, despite ongoing pressure on the currency from heavy state spending and rising imports.
Insight
The comment suggests policy flexibility: officials may allow gradual appreciation or adjust interventions to support the tenge. It reflects concern about inflation and the impact of a weak currency on import costs.
Pakistan: Monsoons claim hundreds of lives across South Asia
Severe monsoon flooding across South Asia has killed over 250 people in Pakistan (including at least 85 children) and around 120 deaths in India. Infrastructure damage is widespread, with military-led rescue operations in cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Insight
The human and economic toll underscores how climate change is worsening monsoon impacts. In Pakistan, where regions rely on tourism and agriculture, recurring disasters heighten vulnerability and emphasize urgent need for flood resilience and climate finance.
