Afghanistan

Clashes Occur Across Durand Line at Spin Boldak: Tolo News

Clashes between the forces of the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan military happened along the Durand Line in Spin Boldak port, a spokesman told TOLOnews. Haji Zaid, a spokesman for Kandahar governors, said that one member of the Islamic Emirate was killed and 10 others were wounded in the clashes. Meanwhile, a source from Chaman on the other side of the Durand Line told TOLOnews that one Pakistani forces member was wounded in the fightingClick here to read…

Indonesia, Qatar Host Conference Supporting Women’s Education: Tolo News

The International Conference on Afghan Women’s Education, co-chaired by Indonesia and Qatar, was convened in Bali, Indonesia on 8 December 2022.
At the International Conference on Afghan Women’s Education, representatives from more than 30 countries stressed the need of supporting women’s education in Afghanistan. The foreign minister of Pakistan, who attended the conference, said that his country supports women’s access to education, saying an investment in female education is an investment in the future of the nation. Click here to read…

Drought and Lack of Water, a Major Concern in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

The problem of lack of water caused by continued drought over the past couple of years in Afghanistan is a huge concern on different fronts. Providing clean and safe water for the people has been a great challenge, particularly, with climate change which is an addition to the existing problem. “The problem of lack of water is serious and UNICEF would help Afghanistan in addressing the problem. Bringing clean, safe water to 9 million people the following year is a priority for the organization,” Salam Al-Janabi, UNICEF Afghanistan spokesperson, said. Click here to read…

Afghan FM Meets with Ambassador of Japan Discussing Aid and Economy: The Khaama Press

Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign affairs minister, met with Takashi Okada, the Japanese ambassador, in the Afghan capital to discuss aid to Afghanistan and the resurrection of the Afghan economy.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, announced in a string of tweets on Sunday, December 11, that the leadership of the ministry visited the Japanese envoy in a constructive meeting. The Japanese diplomat, according to the ministry’s statement, said that his country is in dialogue with the international community to set the stage for the reconstruction of the Afghan economy. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh on razor’s edge: Why India must wake up to the looming economic crisis and political instability to its east – Indian Express

So routine are protests and violence in Bangladesh that treating the ongoing crackdown against Sheikh Hasina’s opponents as anything but election-generated noise could seem a stretch. From the latest deaths of opposition activists in police firing, and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) demanding a “caretaker” administration that could ensure electoral transparency, to an angry Hasina vowing to never let “arson terrorists” come to power — this is quintessential Bangladeshi politics. Even Western criticism, visible in a recent ambassadorial joint statement asking for free, fair, and peaceful elections, and Indian and Chinese silences, are not novel. Click here to read…

Awami League remains unmoved over BNP MPs’ resignation – Dhaka Tribune

Terming the BNP lawmakers’ decision to resign from Parliament a mistake, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said that the House would not sit idle without the seven of them. Several other senior leaders reacted to the BNP’s move a day after the party conducted its 10th and last divisional rally, and declared 10-point charter for demands that included the dissolution of Parliament and holding the next election under a non-party government. Click here to read…

‘People to determine who will rule Bangladesh; not external power, internal conspiracy’ – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not “bend down to any external pressure” or internal conspiracy to derail the nation from its constitutional path towards democracy and fundamental freedom, said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam in unison on Sunday. They said the government is determined to hold the next parliamentary elections in a free, fair, transparent and participatory manner under the independent election commission. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Capital budget up by 5 percent in this FY: Kuensel Online

The capital budget for this fiscal year 2022-23 was revised by 4.79 percent to Nu 40.31 billion (B) as compared to the approved budget of Nu 38.47B. This, according to the finance ministry’s first quarter budget report, is an increase of Nu 1.84B. The fiscal year (the last year under the 12th five-year Plan) has allocated about 52 percent of the total budget as capital budget. It is more than the current expenditure, unlike in the past. Click here to read…

China threatens Bhutan for aligning with India: Report: ANI

China’s act of flaring up the territorial disputes can be the means to ‘punish’ Bhutan for aligning with India as Beijing assumed that Thimphu’s foreign policy for their country is influenced by New Delhi’s dominance and control, Epardafas.com reported citing scholars. Click here to read…

Maldives

RBI Signs Currency Swap Agreement with Maldives Monetary Authority – Adda

The Reserve Bank of India has signed a Currency Swap Agreement with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) to enable MMA to make drawals in multiple tranches up to a maximum of $200 million from the RBI. This agreement has been signed under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework. Click here to read…

EC initiates dissolution of DRP – Sun

Elections Commission (EC) has initiated the process of dissolving Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) due to failure to meet the 3,000-member requirement. EC’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq told Sun on Sunday evening that DRP had been given three months’ notice to bring up membership numbers after the party’s membership fell below 3,000.“According to the law, we need to give three months’ notice to political parties that fail to meet the 3,000-member requirement, and take measures to dissolve the party if they fail to meet the membership mark during that period,” he said. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Follow ASEAN path on Myanmar, says Indonesian FM, after New Delhi engages military rulers – The Hindu

In comments to The Hindu about India’s decision to engage the Myanmar military government that came to power in February 2021 after deposing the elected National Unity Government (NUG) and jailing thousands of leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi, Ms. Marsudi said that it could make the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) efforts towards democracy “less effective”. Instead, she urged India and other countries to follow the ASEAN “five point consensus” that calls for an immediate end to violence in the country; dialogue among all parties; the appointment of a special envoy; humanitarian assistance by ASEAN; and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties. Click here to read…

Is China using Pakistan as its proxy to arm military rule in Myanmar? – Times of India

It is reported that Pakistan is looking forward to intense collaboration with China regarding the development of sub-warfare equipment. China is allowing Pakistan to maintain and overhaul Chinese-made equipment, thus letting Pakistan’s defence industries become a course of action for Chinese defence sales. It is alleged that Pakistan, enticed by China, has intensified military-industrial collaboration with the new regime in Myanmar, one of India’s critical neighbours to the East. It is reported that Myanmar is keen to advance its domestic arms industry with Pakistan-China combined sustenance even as it has developed a bilateral defence corporation with RussiaClick here to read…

Nepal

Dahal sees foreign hand in poll debacle: The Kathmandu Post

CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday said foreign powers directly interfered in the November 20 federal and provincial elections and called the situation serious.This is the first time a top politician has publicly accused foreign powers of meddling in the recent elections. “We have seen many elections since joining the peace process [in 2006]. But never before had I seen this level of foreign meddling, when foreign forces meticulously decided whom to defeat and whom to elect,” said Dahal while addressing a meeting of the office bearers of the Press Centre Nepal, the press wing of his party, at Harisiddhi in Lalitpur. “All past elections were announced and conducted by Nepalis, but that was not the case this time. This is a very serious development.” Click here to read…

Editorial: Assessing the election results: The Kathmandu Post

Our general elections took place at a time of great turmoil in the international arena. The Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, bitter rivalry between China and the United States—all have cast a long shadow over South Asia. The world is coping with geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown, rising unemployment and skyrocketing food and energy prices. Nepal too is suffering from rising inflation, liquidity crunch, unemployment, loss of tourism revenue and public frustration over poor state response. Click here to read…

Pakistan

‘Unprovoked’ shelling by Afghan forces kills seven at Chaman: Dawn

At least seven people lost their lives and 16 others suffered injuries on Sunday in Chaman, which came under heavy gunfire and artillery shelling by Afghan border forces, the military’s media wing said. Pakistani troops retaliated against the “unprovoked and indiscriminate” fire, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement, without giving details of any losses on the other side. Click here to read…

Imran wants ‘apolitical’ military to help stabilise economy: Dawn

Despite the former army chief stressing in his farewell address that the institution had decided to stay away from politics, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chair¬man Imran Khan on Sunday urged the establishment indirectly to facilitate early elections as he believed the country was fast heading towards a default. Click here to read…

OIC secretary general visits LoC: The News

The Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Secretary General, Hissein Brahim Taha, has said that Kashmir is the top priority of OIC agenda and he will submit a comprehensive assessment report on the human rights situation in Kashmir to member countries.https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1019253-oic-secretary-general-visits-loc” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

IMF chief cites ‘fruitful exchange’ with China on SL debt issues – Daily News

A Reuters report said Georgieva, World Bank President David Malpass and other financial leaders met in person in China’s Anhui Province last week with officials from the People’s Bank of China, China’s Finance Ministry and its EXIM Bank and China Development Bank. Georgieva said the discussions touched on the common framework for debt treatment set up in late 2020 by China, the United States and other Group of 20 major economies, as well as some specific cases of countries seeking debt relief. Click here to read…

Shanakiyan Rasamanickam | An MP to watch in Sri Lanka – The Hindu

In the two years since he was first elected to Parliament, Sri Lankan legislator Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has won many fans within Sri Lanka, including from the Sinhalese majority. But his recent speech in Parliament, threatening to launch a “China go home” campaign, similar to the “Gota go home” people’s movement that dislodged the former President, made more heads turn. China was “forcing down” useless investments in Sri Lanka, China has “no democracy, no human rights,” he roared in the House. If China is truly a friend of Sri Lanka, it must restructure the bankrupt island’s debt and help the crisis-hit country access IMF support, the 32-year-old Opposition MP argued. Click here to read…

He Wei elected Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party chairman: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

He Wei was elected as chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party (CPWDP) on Thursday. The decision was announced after the CPWDP, a non-communist political party with about 192,000 members, concluded its 17th National Congress. Click here to read…

Xi says China to continue supporting Iraq’s reconstruction: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Friday that China will continue supporting Iraq’s economic reconstruction and help it restore industries, improve people’s livelihood and achieve sustainable development. Click here to read…

Full text of Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at China-GCC Summit: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech here Friday at the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit. The following is the full text of the speech:

Building on Past Achievements and Jointly Creating a Brighter Future of China-GCC RelationsClick here to read…

Full text of Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at China-Arab States Summit: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech here Friday at the first China-Arab States Summit. The following is the full text of the speech:

Carrying Forward the Spirit of China-Arab Friendship and Jointly Building a China-Arab Community with a Shared Future in the New EraClick here to read…

China to launch SSE 50 index options trading: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

China’s top securities regulator agreed that China Financial Futures Exchange could launch the options trading of the SSE 50 stock index from December 19, China Securities Regulatory Commission said in a statement Friday. Click here to read…

China to issue 750 bln yuan of special treasury bonds: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

China will issue 750 billion yuan (about 108 billion U.S. dollars) worth of three-year special treasury bonds to bolster its economy, the finance ministry said on Friday. The notes will be issued on Dec. 12, and will be targeted and issued to particular banks in the interbank bond market, the Ministry of Finance said. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 2,171 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Sunday reported 2,171 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Monday. Altogether 6,455 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified. Click here to read…

“Zero-carbon” heating, electricity project in Tibet readied: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

With the successful electrification of a 110-kV booster station in Tibet’s Ngari Prefecture, the local “zero-carbon” solar photovoltaic energy storage project has been readied to further enhance the supply capacity of clean energy in the autonomous region. Upon completion, the project is expected to provide an average of 357.95 million kWh of clean electricity to the power grid each year and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 254,000 tonnes. Click here to read…

China puts three AG600M large amphibious aircraft into flight test: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

China has put three AG600M aircraft, a full-configuration firefighting model belonging to the AG600 large amphibious aircraft family, into flight test missions, announced the developer Friday. The third AG600M firefighting aircraft prototype successfully completed its first flight test mission on Friday in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province, said the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country’s leading plane-maker. Click here to read…

CPPCC members discuss improving mechanism for evaluating scientific and tech achievements: China Daily

December 9, 2022

Members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, on Friday, discussed measures to improve the mechanism for evaluating scientific and technological achievements at a consultation session in Beijing. Click here to read…

Chinese defense minister delivers video speech at SCO, CIS defense ministers’ meeting: China Military

December 10, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe attended and addressed the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) defense ministers via video link upon invitation on December 9, 2022. Click here to read…

AI assistance to boost efficiency of judicial sector: China Daily

December 10, 2022

A competent artificial intelligence system to support the judicial sector is expected to be set up by 2025 to help improve legal services, China’s top court said. The goal was embedded in the Opinions on Regulating and Strengthening the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Judicial Fields, a 20-article guideline issued on Friday by the Supreme People’s Court. Click here to read…

Chinese netizens visit Beijing courts online: China Daily

December 10, 2022

A visit to Beijing courts was livestreamed on Saturday, as a part of the nationwide weeklong campaign to improve public knowledge of the country’s Constitution. The online visit was organized by the Supreme People’s Court, China’s top court, to celebrate the ninth national Constitution Day, which fell on Dec 4. Click here to read…

New Omicron variant inspires new control measures: China Daily

December 10, 2022

With a significantly lower pathogenicity of the current Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, the focus of the country’s COVID-19 control have shifted to the intervention of potential severe cases. Zhong Nanshan, a prominent respiratory expert, commented on the country’s COVID-19 control measures, which have been optimized, as he met the media on Friday. Click here to read…

China, Saudi Arabia achieve steady progress in cultural communication: People’s Daily

December 10, 2022

The Murabba’ Palace, also known as the Qasr al Murabba, which means “the square” in Arabic, is a two-story structure in the southwest corner of the yard of the national museum in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh. It is a witness to the China-Saudi Arabia friendship. Click here to read…

To build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era: People’s Daily

December 10, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia on Dec. 8, and will attend the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit on Dec. 9 in Riyadh upon invitation. Xi and leaders from Arab states are expected to jointly lay out the blueprint for future cooperation, usher in a bright future of China-Arab strategic partnership, chart the course for building a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era, and inject confidence and impetus in promoting world peace and development. Click here to read…

Newsmaker: China’s Wang Huning, a backstage ideologue and political survivor: Reuters

December 10, 2022

When ex-Chinese leader Hu Jintao was escorted from the stage in October at the Communist Party Congress, a powerful behind-the-scenes figure took a brief turn in the spotlight as China-watchers pored over video to try to figure out what happened. Wang Huning, one of just two top officials reappointed to join President Xi Jinping on the elite seven-man Politburo Standing Committee, has carved an unusual career path as the party’s top theoretician. Click here to read…

China regulators, state banks split staff as fears mount about new COVID outbreaks: Reuters

December 10, 2022

Chinese regulators and state-owned banks are taking steps to split staff at their workplaces in Beijing, sources told Reuters, as businesses brace for a possible spike in COVID cases after China relaxed virus restrictions in a major policy shift. Click here to read…

US watching China’s space activities: Kyodo

December 10, 2022

The US is closely monitoring Chinese activities that potentially threaten US assets in space as debris rapidly accumulates in low Earth orbit, the head of US Space Force said yesterday.
US Space Command Commander James Dickinson cheered the overwhelming passage in the UN of a resolution that countries not conduct direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) tests that create vast fields of space debris, which endanger satellites and space stations. Click here to read…

China opposes inclusion of Taiwan-related content in U.S. bill: Xinhuanet

December 10, 2022

A Chinese government spokesperson on Friday voiced firm opposition to the inclusion of Taiwan-related content in a U.S. defense bill. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks when asked to comment on an agreement reached by the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives to include Taiwan-related content in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2023. Click here to read…

Xi proposes eight major initiatives on China-Arab practical cooperation: Xinhuanet

December 10, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday proposed eight major initiatives on China-Arab practical cooperation at the first China-Arab States Summit held here at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center. Click here to read…

Zheng Jianbang elected chairman of Chinese KMT Revolutionary Committee: Xinhuanet

December 11, 2022

Zheng Jianbang was elected as chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK) on Saturday. The decision was announced after the RCCK, a non-communist political party with about 158,000 members, concluded its 14th national congress in Beijing. Click here to read…

Chinese rural areas urged to upgrade ICUs and open fever clinics by December amid Omicron waves: Global Times

December 11, 2022

China’s top COVID epidemic control group released a working announcement to boost the medical supplies in rural areas by demanding qualified clinics in counties and villages to open fever clinics and operate those clinics 24 hours a day by the end of December as part of the country’s efforts in optimizing tiered medical services in preparation for the waves of infection. Click here to read…

China-Arab ties open a new chapter; influence profound: Global Times

December 11, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday concluded his Saudi Arabia trip, his first to the Middle East region after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which was also an unprecedented diplomatic event with the Arab world. The trip has not only yielded fruitful results in economic and trade sense, but also demonstrated that in addition to continuing to play the role of a contributor to regional development, China will also increasingly contribute to peace in the strategically important Middle East, experts noted. Click here to read…

Provinces roll up sleeves to reinvigorate economy: Global Times

December 11, 2022

As China ramps up implementation of an optimized approach to deal with the coronavirus, local governments are moving resolutely to reinvigorate economic activities with the facilitation of flows of people and goods, among wide-ranging announcements that intend to put the world’s second-largest economy back on track. Click here to read…

Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai jailed over five years on fraud charge: Reuters

December 11, 2022

Pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Saturday to five years and nine months in prison for fraud, convicted of violating a lease contract for the headquarters of a liberal newspaper he used to run. Lai, 75, was found guilty of two counts of fraud for covering up the operations of a private company, Dico Consultants Ltd, at the headquarters of the now shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, in what was ruled a breach of its land lease. Click here to read…

Su Hui elected chairperson of Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League: Xinhuanet

December 12, 2022

Su Hui was elected chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League (TDSL) on Saturday. The decision was announced after the TDSL, a non-communist political party with about 3,400 members, concluded its 11th national congress in Beijing. Click here to read…

Senior CPC official addresses ACFIC national congress: Xinhuanet

December 12, 2022

Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Li Qiang on Sunday attended the opening session of the 13th national congress of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and delivered a congratulatory speech on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Click here to read…

China to remove digital itinerary card service starting Tuesday: China Daily

December 12, 2022

China to remove digital itinerary card service starting Tuesday, Xinhua News Agency reported. Click here to read…

Xi stresses systematic protection of intangible cultural heritage: Global Times

December 12, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping has underlined making solid headway in the systematic protection of intangible cultural heritage and better promoting Chinese culture around the world. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks recently in an important instruction on the protection of intangible cultural heritage. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Facing Intl Condemnation, Islamic Emirate Defends Sharia Executions: Tolo News

Following widespread reactions over a recent execution, the Islamic Emirate said that the execution of guilty people is a divine command and that no one should be concerned about it. A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Bilal Karimi, said that the execution, which happened on Wednesday in the western province of Farah, was carried out after many investigations and assessments.

Click here to read…

Afghanistan Needs Further International Aid to Avoid Economic Crisis: The Khaama Press

According to an official statement by the Taliban Central Bank, the Afghan interim administration so far has received more than 1 billion and 700 million USD in cash mostly in the format of international aid. “Due to the prevailing worsening economic and humanitarian situations, the aforementioned amount is not enough to alleviate the negative impacts of the existing conditions on ordinary people’s lives. Therefore, more international aid is required to cope with the ongoing economic challenges,” the Central Bank’s spokesperson said.

Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Making Bangladesh more investor-friendly – Daka Tribune

It is undeniable that Bangladesh has made exceptional progress over the last many years, especially considering its status as a least developing country. As we move closer to graduating from that status, however, we must acknowledge the need — now, more than ever — for foreign investment, in order to boost our economy further.’
Click here to read…

India and its neighbours: New direction in South Asia? – Dhaka Tribune

India’s influence on Bangladesh and the rest of South Asia only looks to be increasing…Along with the growth of the Indian economy, the strategic balance will also increase. China, however, is likely to be against India’s economic growth.Any potentially offensive action by China is likely to destabilize the Indian growth trajectory.
Click here to read…

A competition of errors – The Daily Star

After 51 years of Bangladesh’s existence and 32 years of unbroken democratic rule – however flawed – we are proving to ourselves and to the world that we, as a polity, have not matured enough to settle even minor disputes peacefully with those who oppose us. An otherwise simple issue of where BNP should hold its rally has transformed itself into a situation where the public is in full uncertainty as to how the immediate future will unfold.
Click here to read…

Bhutan

Wasting no time on waste – Kuensel Online

Waste is the biggest problem facing the country today. As a country that has been recognised as environment-conscious, the amount of waste fly around is ironic, and, embarrassing. Waste is an issue in Bhutan because of the deeply-seated culture. Waste is an issue of serious concern because a large number of our people are uneducated. Waste also deserves sober treatment because more than laws, rules, and regulations, we need practical solutions.
Click here to read…

FAO supports projects to strengthen food systems and water management – Kuensel Online

High dependency on food imports, constraints to agriculture production, strong rural-urban migration and increasing fallow land are some aspects of Bhutan’s current food system. The food systems project aims to transform agri-food systems at the farm, landscape and value-chain levels.
Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives will uphold the principles of the SAARC Charter: Pres Solih – Avas

The government has assured that the Maldives will always uphold the principles of the SAARC Charter. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih gave the assurance in a message to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)’s Secretary-General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon on the occasion of SAARC Charter Day. SAARC Charter Day is celebrated on December 8 every year.
Click here to read…

RBI signs Currency Swap Agreement with Maldives Monetary Authority – News Deal

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed a Currency Swap Agreement with the Maldives Monetary Authority under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework. This agreement will enable the Maldives authority to make drawals in multiple tranches up to a maximum of 200 million dollars from the RBI. The agreement will provide swap support as a backstop line of funding for short-term foreign exchange liquidity requirements.
Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar Junta Receives New Thai Ambassador – The Irrawaddy

Thailand’s new ambassador to Myanmar Mongkol Visitstump presented his credentials to junta boss Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday before holding separate talks with deputy junta leader Soe Win and foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin. The new Thai ambassador and Min Aung Hlaing discussed cooperation to boost border trade and investment in Myanmar, and development of its tourism industry, according to junta media.
Click here to read…

UN urges Southeast Asia governments to rescue stranded Rohingya – Aljazeera

The United Nations Refugee Agency has urged countries in Southeast Asia to rescue some 200 Rohingya refugees whose unseaworthy boat has been reported drifting in the Andaman Sea. The UNCHR said in a statement on Thursday that it had received reports that the Rohingya had been stranded on a boat off the coast of Thailand since its engines failed on December 1.
Click here to read…

15 killed in a shootout between drug gang and Thai security forces at Thai-Myanmar border – BNI Online

Thai border security forces reported that they intercepted a drug- trafficking gang and a 10minute shoot-out occurred along the Thai- Shan State border, killing 15 gang members according to a report in the Chiang Mai News. Thai border security were conducting inspections at Mumt Pin Gate No.12 in Phan township of Chiang Mai municipality (opposite side of Poung Par Khem sub-township of Mongton township in eastern Shan State) on the early morning of December 8. The drug smuggling gang, composed of more than 20 men, infiltrated through theforest passages on the Myanmar side.
Click here to read…

Source to VOA: US to Downgrade Relations with Myanmar – VOA News

A diplomatic source has told VOA Burmese that the U.S. will downgrade its diplomatic relations with Myanmar upon the departure of the current U.S. ambassador, Thomas Vajda, whose assignment is scheduled to conclude at the end of this month. The administration of President Joe Biden has decided not to send a successor, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter not yet officially announced by the State Department. “Deputy Chief of Mission Deborah Lynn will assume duties as charge d’affaires at [the] U.S. Embassy Rangoon after Ambassador Vajda’s departure,” the source said. The previous U.S. ambassador to Myanmar, Scot Marciel, told VOA that the U.S. doesn’t want to present credentials to the ruling military junta, formally known as the State Administrative Council (SAC).
Click here to read…

Nepal

UML trying every trick in the book to break five-party bond – The Kathmandu Post

Some leaders said breaking the ruling coalition is proving to be a hard nut to crack, at least for now. This is why the party may decide to be a strong opposition should their efforts to break the alliance fail. According to UML insiders, of late, been meeting leaders of the Maoist Centre including its general secretary, Dev Prasad Gurung.
Click here to read…

India’s Agnipath Scheme and the Impact on Ties with Nepal – ORF Online

Altering its military recruitment policy is undisputedly India’s prerogative, but this is certain to have a direct fallout on Nepal’s military labour migration to the Indian Army. Still, youth from Nepal’s financially marginalised sections may be interested in joining the Indian Army under Agnipath. However, more prominent Gorkha families will likely push their offspring to join the British or Nepali armies because they view military recruitment as a matter of prestige and not from the lens of monetary gain.
Click here to read…

Nepal need not import electricity in two years from now: Kulman Ghising – Khabarhub

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising has claimed that the authority’s investment is focused on the development of electrical infrastructure to increase electricity consumption and Nepal will be fully independent in electricity in two years from now. He mentioned that various EV Expos are being held to increase the consumption of electricity produced in Nepal.
Click here to read…

Sweden, Nepal study India’s digital rollout of health assurance scheme – Mint

Two countries on opposing ends of the development scale— one a much-praised welfare state and the other among the world’s poorest nations—have been studying India’s AB PM-JAY, intrigued by the ambitions of the world’s largest health assurance scheme. The Swedish health delegation came as part of a visit by joint working groups (JWG) of the Sweden-India Health MoU. The idea of the meeting with the NHA was to have an introduction to its work, and the role it plays in public health.
Click here to read…

Darjeeling’s tea gardens at risk due to climate, cheap Nepal tea – Goa Chronicle

The tea plantations of Darjeeling, which had been developed in the 19th century under the British Raj to reduce dependence on China for tea, are now suffering from an economic crisis, and more than half of the tea plantation owners are on the verge of becoming bankrupt. At the same time, the production cost of the authentic Darjeeling tea from West Bengal is more as compared to Nepal’s tea.
Click here to read…

Pakistan

Bilawal calls for people-centric democracy: The Express Tribune

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that democracy was the foundation of an emancipated society and underscored the importance of democracies in the developing countries to collaborate in responding to common challenges. Addressing the 15th Bali Democracy Forum held in the Indonesian holiday resort of Bali, the foreign minister called for reform of international financial institutions. He said that the people of Pakistan always strove for a people-centric democracy.

Click here to read…

Govt considers Rs60b mini-budget: The Express Tribune

The government may slap 17% sales tax on high-grade petrol as it is considering imposing more taxes on imports to cover a projected shortfall of Rs100 billion in customs duty collection. Tax authorities have recently shared options with the government to bridge the shortfall by imposing taxes on duty-free imports and raising the additional customs duty to collect roughly Rs60 billion in taxes, according to sources in the Ministry of Finance.

Click here to read…

TIP releases NCPS 2022 report: Police, judiciary among top three most corrupt institutions: The News

The NCPS 2022 released at 01:00am on Friday also showed no-confidence in anti-corruption entities including NAB. At the national level, the majority of people considered anti-corruption institutions’ role as ‘ineffective’ in curbing corruption in Pakistan, the report said. The following are the key findings of the NCPS 2022: Police remain the most corrupt sector, tendering and contracting was seen as the 2nd most corrupt, judiciary 3rd most corrupt while education has climbed to become 4th most corrupt since the last NCPS 2021. The provincial breakdown of the three most corrupt sectors reveals the following:

Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Unpopular decisions have to be taken for benefit of country’s future, President – Daily News.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the country has had to face adverse repercussions today due to the short-sighted popular decisions taken in the past and unpopular decisions have had to be taken for the future prospects of the country. The President made this observation yesterday (08) taking part in the Third Reading debate of the Budget proposals for the financial year 2023. He said further that a Parliamentary Select Committee will be established on a resolution by the Parliament to look into those who led the economy to bankruptcy with their incorrect fiscal policies.
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Economic support to Sri Lanka not based on communal approach, Jaishankar – Daily News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday justified the government’s support to Sri Lanka, saying India would be shirking its responsibility if it did not step forward to support a crisis-hit neighbour. The economic support that India offered to Sri Lanka during its worst post-independence economic crisis was for the entire country and not based on any communal approach, he said.On the issue of Palestine, he said India stands for a two-state solution, with the two states living peacefully side-by-side.
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Six companies express interest to invest in ‘Colombo Port City’ project – Daily News

Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama told Parliament yesterday that six companies have already expressed their interest to invest in the ‘Colombo Port City’ project. The State Minister was speaking during the Committee Stage debate on Expenditure Heads of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies Ministry.
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Xi Jinping chairs meeting of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on December 6 to analyze economic work in 2023, hear a briefing on the work of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC and the National Commission of Supervision, and make arrangements for improving Party conduct, building a clean and honest government, and combating corruption in 2023. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

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New Party chief appointed for Tianjin: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

Chen Min’er has been appointed secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Tianjin Municipal Committee, a post he will hold concurrently, according to a recent decision of the CPC Central Committee. Li Hongzhong will no longer concurrently hold the post, read the decision made public on Thursday.

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Xi Jinping chairs symposium to solicit opinions and suggestion on economic work: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a symposium on December 2 to solicit opinions and suggestions from the central committees of other political parties, heads of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and representatives of personages without party affiliation on this year’s economic situation and next year’s economic work.

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China, Egypt pledge to deepen Belt and Road cooperation: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, here on Thursday, with both sides pledging to deepen Belt and Road cooperation. Noting that China and Egypt enjoy shared visions and interests, Xi said the two sides should join hands to strive for a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era and push for new and greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

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China’s insurance sector reports adequate solvency: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

China’s insurance sector maintained steady operation and adequate solvency in the first three quarters of this year, the country’s banking and insurance regulator said. The average comprehensive solvency ratio of the 181 insurers reviewed at a regulatory meeting was 212 percent by the end of September, and their average core solvency ratio was 139.7 percent, said the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.

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Chinese grab Russian car market share after Western rivals depart: Reuters

December 8, 2022

Chinese brands account for almost a third of Russia’s car market, data shared with Reuters shows, as the sector more than any other shows China’s growing importance to the economy following the exodus of Western companies. New sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LVC) are down almost 61% year-on-year, as Western sanctions curb Russia’s access to some materials and falling demand and high prices further hobble the sector.

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Easing of “zero-COVID” policy triggers confusion, anxiety in China: Kyodo
December 8, 2022

A significant easing of China’s stringent “zero-COVID” policy announced Wednesday amid the continued spread of the coronavirus has triggered confusion and anxiety among the public, with cold medicines flying off the shelves and health authorities no longer tracing positive cases.

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Japan to describe China military moves as “challenge” to int’l order: Kyodo

December 8, 2022

Japan is considering describing Chinese military moves as posing a “challenge” to the international order, as well as to Japan and like-minded countries, in its National Security Strategy to be revised together with two other security-related documents next week, a government source said Wednesday.

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Former Guangdong police chief under investigation for corruption: South China Morning Post

December 8, 2022

Guangdong’s former police chief is the latest senior official to be placed under investigation for corruption, amid a far-reaching campaign targeting China’s security apparatus. Li Chunsheng – former deputy governor and director of the Public Security Department in the southern province – “turned himself in” to authorities, the Communist Party’s anti-graft watchdog said in a statement on Thursday. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said the 61-year-old was “suspected of serious violations of discipline and law” – a euphemism for corruption.

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China vows to crack down on local authorities taking ‘excessive’ approach: South China Morning Post

December 8, 2022

The top decision-making body of China’s Communist Party has vowed to crack down on what it called excessive measures taken by local governments to implement national policies. It did not directly mention Covid-19 controls, but comes as Beijing has started easing restrictions and as the party’s discipline watchdogs go after authorities at the local level for taking the measures too far. Meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, the 24-member Politburo – led by President Xi Jinping – called for a continued tough stance on corruption, state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday.

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Rocket scientist Yuan Jiajun named China’s Communist Party chief for mega city Chongqing: South China Morning Post

December 8, 2022

Chinese rocket scientist Yuan Jiajun, newly named to the Communist Party’s 24-member Politburo, has been appointed to take the helm of the southwestern mega city Chongqing as party secretary. The appointment was announced on Thursday by state news agency Xinhua, seven weeks after the 20th Party Congress, a landmark edition of the five-yearly conclave which saw President Xi Jinping secure a groundbreaking third term and reveal a top leadership stacked with loyalists.

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Chongqing, Tianjin and other places see new Party chiefs: China Daily

December 9, 2022

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has decided that Chen Min’er no longer concurrently serves as secretary, standing committee member and member of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, and that Yuan Jiajun concurrently serves as member, standing committee member and secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday. Li Hongzhong no longer concurrently serves as secretary, standing committee member and member of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee. Chen concurrently serves as member, standing committee member and secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee.

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New solid-fuel carrier rocket launched: China Daily

December 9, 2022

Kuaizhou 11, the newest carrier rocket model developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, completed its first successful flight on Wednesday morning, lifting an experimental satellite into space, according to the company.

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China, Saudi Arabia deepen relations amid development synergy: Global Times

December 9, 2022

A grand welcoming ceremony, high-level bilateral meetings and wide-covering investment agreements are among proofs that China-Saudi Arabia relations have been lifted to a new high. On Thursday, President Xi Jinping and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud signed an agreement on the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and also agreed to hold a meeting between the two heads of state by turns every two years.

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China’s new high-altitude, high-speed demonstrator drone makes first flight: Global Times

December 9, 2022

China recently carried out the maiden flight for a type of new high-altitude, high-speed demonstrator drone, which can help test and verify a number of new technologies including artificial intelligence, loyal wingman and drone swarm, the aircraft’s maker announced on Thursday.

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China Eastern takes delivery of the world’s first made-in-China C919 jet: Reuters

December 9, 2022

The world’s first C919, a Chinese-made narrowbody jet, was delivered to launch customer China Eastern Airlines in Shanghai on Friday and took off for a 15-minute flight to mark the historic moment. The plane, a rival to the Airbus (AIR.PA) A320neo and Boeing (BA.N) 737 MAX single-aisle jet families, is expected to make its maiden commercial flight next spring, according to state-owned Xinhua News Agency.

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42 Hong Kong residents qualify as candidates for deputies to national legislature: People’s Daily

December 9, 2022

A total of 42 residents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were confirmed as qualified candidates for deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, according to a presidium meeting of the Conference for Electing Deputies of the HKSAR to the 14th NPC on Thursday.

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New party chief appointed for Guizhou Province: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

Xu Lin has been appointed secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Guizhou Provincial Committee, according to a recent decision of the CPC Central Committee. Shen Yiqin will no longer hold the post, and will be assigned to another post, read the decision made public on Friday.

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China, IMF pledge to strengthen macro-policy coordination: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, pledging to strengthen macro-policy coordination. Noting that China has been a participant in, upholder of and contributor to global economic governance, Li said China has kept a sound cooperative relationship with the IMF for many years.

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Belt and Road cooperation promotes building of China-Arab community with shared future: Qiushi

December 9, 2022

From the gleaming Lusail Stadium in Qatar, an 80,000-seat venue for the World Cup, to the Mohammed VI Bridge in Morocco, and the Great Mosque of Algiers, the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Arab countries has been in full swing since the initiative was proposed in 2013.

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Chinese mainland reports 3,588 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet

December 9, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported 3,588 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Friday. Altogether 13,004 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified.

Click here to read…

keywords- COVID-19, IMF, Guizhou, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia

Afghanistan

Female Students in Grade 12 Take Final Exam to Graduate: Tolo News

On Wednesday, female students in the 12th grade took a final exam in Kabul, as well as in other provinces. Some of them were positive about the test, but they voiced concerns over the fate of younger female students above sixth grade in the country. “We learned at the start of this week that they would give an exam on Wednesday, and we are not as prepared compared to previous years,” said Rukhsar, another studentClick here to read…

Restoration of Great Mosque of Herat Begins: Tolo News

After seven decades, Herat’s information and culture department said that it has begun the restoration of the province’s Great Mosque, also known as the “Jami Masjid of Herat.”The restoration of all of the mosque’s ancient tiles is expected.Reportedly, natural disasters in recent years have damaged the majority of the tiles of Herat’s Great Mosque.”Seventy years ago, it wasn’t really that everything was repaired, only the places that collapsed were restored, but right now, all of them are under the restoration process,” said Zalmai Safa, the head of Herat’s department of information and culture’s historical monument preservation group. Click here to read…

First Public Execution Conducted in Western Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

The de facto government of Afghanistan publicly executed a man named Tajmir convicted of a murder at a crowded football stadium in South-Western Farah province earlier today, where a number of the group’s top ministers and leaders attended the execution. Enforcing the Sharia law has been the foremost priority of the rolling government, as the verdict was issued by the Taliban’s supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada last month. The punishment includes public executions, public amputations, and stoning. Click here to read…

Afghan Traders Face Critical Challenges in Exporting Pine Nuts: The Khaama Press

Afghan Traders in Khost Province are wrestling with critical challenges in exporting pine nuts abroad. Hundreds of tons of pine nuts are harvested annually, however, a lack of export and a proper marketing system to transfer products to the regional markets causes massive losses to Afghan traders. The traders called on the Afghan administration to enhance trade agreements with the neighboring counties, Pakistan in particular, to facilitate the movement of commercial goods and other necessary items in a timely manner. Otherwise, the products will get rotten before reaching any commercial markets. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

PM Hasina: BNP, Jamaat cause misery for the people – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday slammed the BNP and Jamaat for causing misery for the people, stressing that her government has been squarely focused on mitigating the woes of the public…She urged the people to vote for the boat symbol for the trend of development and democracy to continue in Bangladesh. Click here to read…

Next general election in first week of Jan 2024: PM – New Age

‘After 2023, in the first week of January 2024, the next national election would be held. In this election, I seek your (countrymen) vote for our electoral symbol boat,’ the prime minister said while addressing a grand public rally at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar, organised by the Cox’s Bazar district Awami League. Click here to read…

Bhutan

South Asian Foundation Bhutan to assist more youth in Bhutan – Kuensel Online

The 19th Governing Council Meeting of the South Asian Foundation (SAF) decided in Thimphu yesterday to make programmes vibrant in the region for youth. Dignitaries from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal attended the in-person meeting. Click here to read…

Smilegate supports literacy education in Bhutan – The Korea Herald

Smilegate Foundation, the charity arm of South Korean gaming giant Smilegate, said Wednesday it has opened two new community learning centers on Nov. 28, to support literacy education for women and children in Bhutan. According to the foundation, the centers, which were built together with UNESCO and Bhutan’s Education Ministry, seek to provide women and children in remote areas with access to education, with the hopes of increasing their overall quality of life. Click here to read…

Maldives

50 years of tourism in the Maldives and, remarkably, it’s still the ‘ultimate island paradise’ early visitors found – SCMP

“Does it really exist?” asked Dirk Brink – a “well-known local money trader and inveterate traveller” – in the pages of the South China Morning Post in March 1976. “Is there really a country which belongs to the ‘Brotherhood of enemies’ (United Nations) which has all the qualifications of paradise?” Brink had, a headline teased, “finally found the ultimate island paradise for the jaded jet-setter looking for a place to lie down”. And he was going to tell readers all about it. Click here to read…

Maldives gov’t requests to waive Schengen Visa requirement – Avas

The Maldives has asked for ease in obtaining a visa for travel to all European Union (EU) countries — the Schengen Visa. Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid made the request to the Head of Taskforce for Electoral Campaign Bid Committee Expo 2030 Rome, Dr. Gaetano Castellini Curiel, at a meeting at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. The meeting was held as part of the ongoing high-level engagements of Representative Curiel, who is currently undertaking a visit to the Maldives from 5 to December 7, 2022.
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Myanmar

WFP Says It Received $7Mln From EU To Tackle Food Insecurity In Myanmar – UrduPoint

The European Union has allocated around 6.5 million Euros ($6.8 million) for the support of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in its efforts to tackle the humanitarian food crisis in Myanmar, the WFP said on Wedesday. “More than 800,000 people in the southeast, northwest and border areas, as well as impoverished peri-urban Yangon, will be reached thanks to the continued EU humanitarian support. The funding was made through the EU’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations,” the statement read. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Praises Young Anti-Junta Resistance Fighters – The Irrawaddy

In her first public comments about Myanmar’s ongoing ant-regime resistance movement since last year, the country’s ousted leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said she was proud of young Burmese people and all those struggling to defend and fight for democracy. She shared the message via her Australian former economic adviser, Sean Turnell, who was released by the regime three weeks ago after spending 650 days in prison.Click here to read…

How long will the world drag its feet on Myanmar – UCA News

An internationally-respected Baptist leader is arrested and detained, a Cardinal’s home village is bombed and seven students are sentenced to death — yet still the corridors of power around the world echo with silence and inaction over the tragedy in Myanmar. On Monday, Reverend Dr. Hkalam Samson, the former president of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), was stopped at Mandalay International Airport, on his way to Bangkok. Click here to read…

Nepal

Investing in hydro-power projects – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal has started issuing hydro-power developers licences to mobilise domestic and foreign capital. In this line of thought, licences to so-called developers are being overwhelmingly issued. Politicians, bureaucrats to technocrats have bagged such licences to generate electricity from the ever-flowing rivers. But neither has it worked in the past, nor is there a hope to realise the anticipated output in the futureClick here to read…

Repercussions of remittance economy – The Kathmandu Post

Remittance has remained one of the largest contributors to the national economy for years, and will probably remain so for quite a while. The World Bank estimates that remittances accounted for 22 percent of the GDP this year. Informal inflows are considered to be at least 50 percent higher than official figures. The economic size of remittances is too high not to have a significant impact on the political economy of the country. Click here to read…

Officials from Nepal and India agree to course Mahakali to its original state – Khabarhub

The Nepal-India Border Coordination Meeting held at the NHPC in Dharchula on Wednesday agreed to let the Mahakali river flow in its original course. Earlier, there had been tension in the border area after India built a temporary dam to divert the flow of the Mahakali river towards Nepal. Wednesday’s meeting agreed to remove the temporary dam with wire mesh and let the river follow the natural courseClick here to read…

Nepal Elections: How Machiavellian Moves By Beijing’s Proxy In Nepal Backfired And Prompted Its Rivals To Close Ranks – Swarajya

Oli, reportedly egged on by Beijing which is desperate to install its proxy in power in Kathmandu, called up his bete noire Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the chairperson of the CPN(MC) on 24 November. Oli invited Dahal to join his alliance and form the government. The CPN(MC) then tried to leverage Oli’s offer and use it to extract more than its due from the NC. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Delay in finalising ‘dissolution’ plans bad for PTI’s cause: Dawn

As Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan reiterated his threat to dissolve the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies, the delay in securing support for and implementing his plan seems to be working against him, as the situation on the ground is changing with each passing day. Click here to read…

Pakistan seeks emergency $3b Saudi cash injection: The Express Tribune

Pakistan on Wednesday requested Saudi Arabia to urgently provide $3 billion in cash after its foreign exchange reserves fell to a critically low level, as the new army chief was also expected to play a role in bagging the bailout during his upcoming maiden visit to the Kingdom. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar made the request during a meeting with Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador, according to his ministry’s officials. Click here to read…

Pakistan sends oil import deal draft to UAE: The News

Pakistan has sent the draft of Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to the UAE for an official nod from authorities concerned in Abu Dhabi. Once it is approved, negotiation for a commercial agreement for the import of Mogas under GtG mode will start between officials of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). One of the top officials at the Energy Ministry confirmed the development to The News. “We have sent the IGA draft to the UAE for approval. Once it is signed, commercial talks would begin between the state entities of both the countries.”Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Country receives entire stock of MOP fertilizer required for paddy cultivation – Daily News

Sri Lanka has received the entire amount of Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertilizer required for paddy cultivation for Maha season. This stock of fertilizer has been imported from Canada at a cost of USD 40 million. The total stock of fertilizer consisting of 41,876 metric tons was officially handed over to Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera by the Secretary of the Ministry of Irrigation and Mahaweli Development. D. C. Jayalal. The Ministry had taken steps to buy MOP fertilizer by spending the money provided to the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme, which is funded by the Asian Development Bank. MOP fertilizer is given to the farmers for paddy cultivation in our country after two seasons as it was not imported after chemical fertilizers were banned in 2021.

Sri Lanka’s children go hungry as food prices soar – BBC

The three-year-old is losing weight and complains of leg pains and weakness. The doctor’s diagnosis is clear – Nitisha is underfed and malnourished. But the treatment suggested is difficult to come by for her family – wholesome meals. Like many people in Sri Lanka, this family from a tea estate village in Hanthana, in the centre of the country, have seen their finances collapse. “We manage two meals a day and it’s the same thing – rice with potatoes or lentils. We can’t afford anything else,” says Harshini, Nitisha’s mother. For weeks, the family has not had milk or eggs, she added. Click here to read…

Annual Sri Pada Pilgrimage Season begins – Daily News

The annual Sri Pada Pilgrimage season 2022/23 began on Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day yesterday. It will end on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day in May. The processions, carrying the Sacred Casket Relics of the Buddha, sacred objects, and the statue of God Saman from the the Sri Pada Raja Maha Viharaya temple in Galpoththaawala, Ratnapura reached the Sri Pada Maluwa yesterday morning. Large crowds came to pay homage to Sri Pada on the first day of the pilgrimage season yesterday. Click here to read…

New Party chiefs appointed for Chinese provinces: Xinhuanet

December 7, 2022

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has decided that Yuan Jiajun no longer concurrently serves as secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee. Yi Lianhong has been appointed as secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, and no longer serves as secretary of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee.

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CPC leadership analyzes economic work for next year, makes arrangements for anti-graft work: Xinhuanet

December 7, 2022

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a meeting on Tuesday to analyze and study the economic work in 2023, and make arrangements for improving Party conduct and moral integrity, and combating corruption.

Click here to read…

Chinese, Arab media organizations launch initiative to deepen exchanges, cooperation: Xinhuanet

December 7, 2022

Chinese and Arab media organizations have launched an initiative to deepen bilateral media cooperation to help cement the China-Arab friendship and jointly contribute to the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future.

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China launches nationwide workplace safety checks: Xinhuanet

December 7, 2022

The Office of the Work Safety Commission under China’s State Council has ordered a nationwide workplace safety inspection starting from Wednesday to March 2023, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM).

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Policy looks to boost industry growth: Qiushi

December 7, 2022

China has introduced measures to shore up the growth of its industries, pledging to boost the resilience of industry and supply chains, steady the exports of industrial products and step up services and support for foreign businesses.

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COVID quarantine made voluntary: China Daily

December 7, 2022

Centralized quarantine for COVID-19 patients has been made voluntary and the rule requiring a negative nucleic acid test result for domestic travel and entry to public venues has been scrapped, as the country takes “small, yet continuous steps” to adjust to the disease.

Click here to read…

Chinese scientists establish first deep-sea in-situ spectroscopy lab in South China Sea: Global Times

December 7, 2022

Chinese scientists have successfully developed the first lander-based multi-channel Raman spectroscopy system, which can be mounted on the lander to form a deep-sea, in-situ spectroscopy lab in the South China Sea.

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China’s newly released 10-point plan an active move to optimize COVID response, more scientific and precise: Global Times

December 7, 2022

China’s newly released 10-point plan is a more scientific and precise move that the country has taken proactively to further optimize COVID-19 response, rather than “a complete relaxation,” leading health experts said during a press conference on Wednesday.

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New energy, heating equipment drive foreign trade, highlighting the resilience, rapid response of China’s industrial chain: Global Times

December 7, 2022

Chinese foreign trade has begun to show a clear diversification amid the epidemic, with traditional manufacturing under order pressure. However, some sectors such as new energy, heating equipment and World Cup-related products are witnessing rising demand.

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Digital industrial clusters prosper in China: People’s Day

December 7, 2022

The rapid development of the digital economy over the recent years in China has led to a tide of the construction of digital industrial clusters. A batch of digital industrial clusters with international competitiveness has taken shape and grown strong across China, injecting fresh impetus into the high-quality development of the Chinese economy.

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Reaction to China relaxing COVID restrictions in major policy shift: Reuters

December 7, 2022

China announced on Wednesday the most sweeping changes to its tough zero-COVID policy since the pandemic began three years ago, loosening rules that curbed the spread of the virus but had hobbled the world’s second-largest economy and sparked protests.

The relaxation of rules, which include allowing infected people with mild or no symptoms to quarantine at home and dropping testing for people travelling within the country, are the strongest sign yet that Beijing is preparing its 1.4 billion people to live with the disease.

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‘Too many positives!’: As China rows back COVID curbs, virus fears spread:Reuters

December 8, 2022

As many Chinese embraced new found freedoms on Thursday after the country dropped key parts of its tough zero-COVID regime, some cities warned residents to maintain vigilance against a virus that, until now, has been largely kept in check. Three years into the pandemic, many in China had been itching for Beijing to start to align its rigid virus prevention measures with the rest of the world, which has largely opened up in an effort to live with the disease.

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Senior Guangdong provincial legislator under probe:: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

Li Chunsheng, vice director of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress, is under probe for suspected severe violations of Party discipline and laws. Li has turned himself in and is being investigated by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission, according to an official statement Thursday.

Click here to read…

New Party chief appointed for Chongqing: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has decided that Chen Min’er no longer concurrently serves as secretary, standing committee member, and member of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, and that Yuan Jiajun concurrently serves as member, standing committee member, and secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee.

Click here to read…

Full text of Xi’s signed article on Saudi media: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

A signed article by Chinese President Xi Jinping was published Thursday on the Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh, as he is attending the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, and paying a state visit to Saudi Arabia in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

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Xi lands in Riyadh for China-Arab States Summit, China-GCC Summit, state visit: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Wednesday afternoon to attend the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, and pay a state visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 4,031 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet

December 8, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Wednesday reported 4,031 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Thursday. Altogether 17,134 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified.

Click here to read…

CPC leadership analyzes economic work for next year, makes arrangements for anti-graft work: Qiushi

December 8, 2022

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a meeting on Tuesday to analyze and study the economic work in 2023, and make arrangements for improving Party conduct and moral integrity, and combating corruption. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

Click here to read…

China’s leadership holds symposium for soliciting advice on economic work: Qiushi

December 8, 2022

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has held a symposium with non-CPC personages to solicit opinions and suggestions on this year’s economic situation and economic work for the next year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the symposium on Dec. 2 and delivered an important speech.

Click here to read…

Nations step up space cooperation: China Daily

December 8, 2022

Scientists from Saudi Arabia will soon have the opportunity to carry out an experiment aboard China’s Tiangong space station that is expected to help with the design and production of high-efficiency solar cells.

Click here to read…

Vaccination drive targets elderly in Guangzhou: China Daily

December 8, 2022

Gu Qiongzhi, 75, reassured her family members over the phone after she had received her third dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site for elderly people in Guangzhou’s Huangpu district on Tuesday. It took only minutes for Gu to complete her vaccination against the novel coronavirus, she said.

Click here to read…

Alibaba founder Jack Ma steps down as head of Zhejiang entrepreneur association: Global Times

December 8, 2022

Jack Ma Yun, founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, has stepped down as head of the General Association of Zhejiang Entrepreneurs, domestic news site ThePaper.cn reported on Wednesday.
Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Uzbekistan NSA: It is Important Afghanistan Not Be Isolated: Tolo News

Uzbekistan National Security Advisor Victor Mohammadov said that it is “important” to not allow Afghanistan to be Isolated or to leave it on its own. He made the remarks at the first India-Central Asia Meeting of the National Security Advisers/Secretaries of Security Councils. “Afghanistan is one of the important factors of security and steady development of Central Asia and South Asia,” he said. “It is important that we do not allow Afghanistan to be isolated and leave it on its own to deal with the social, economic, and humanitarian crisis. It is important… because this will lead to increasing poverty in the region which we are already feeling ourselves. Click here to read…

Amiri Visits Indonesia for Intl Conference on Afghan Women’s Education: Tolo News

The US special envoy for Afghanistan women and human rights has begun a trip to Indonesia, Switzerland and Turkey from December 5-12, the US Department of State said in a statement. “Special Envoy Amiri will participate in the International Conference for Afghan Women’s Education co-hosted by the Governments of Indonesia and Qatar to support Afghan women and girls’ access to education,” the statement reads. This comes as students called on the caretaker government to provide educational opportunities for them. Click here to read…

Kazakhstan Inks Agreement to Manage Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif Railway: The Khaama Press

The Afghan officials signed management of the Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway with a Kazakhstani company named Mansour Fatih, after months of discussion on the topic. The company will manage technical issues for the railway, getting paid over $4.1 million annually, according to sources. According to Bakht Rahman Sharafat, the acting head of Afghanistan Railway Authority, the current leadership will pay only about 25% of what the previous Uzbekistan company would receive for the service. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Dhaka, Delhi agree on security, border management to strengthen cooperation – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh and India on Tuesday reiterated their commitment to further deepen and strengthen mutual cooperation in the security and border-related issues. The outcome came as the 18th meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on security and border management between Bangladesh and India was held on December 5-6, according to a media statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs. The Indian delegation was led by Piyush Goyal, additional secretary, Indian Ministry of Home Affairs while Bangladesh delegation was led by AK Mukhlesur Rahman, additional secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. Click here to read…

Awami League, BNP at odds over Dec 10 rally – Dhaka Tribune

Tension over the BNP’s December 10 rally in Dhaka mounted high on Tuesday as the opposition party once again failed to reach an agreement with the government and law enforcement agencies on the venue of its rally. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) sources said the BNP must hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, as it has been given permission to use the venue. However, the BNP leaders are adamant that they will not hold the rally there, although mentioning that they are open to other options. Click here to read…

What Bangladesh must do now as a global climate leader? – Daily Star

In Bangladesh, we have an opportunity to lead the other LDCs by taking forward the proposal to set up a National Mechanism for Loss and Damage (NMLD) as a public-private partnership under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as well as the ministries of disaster management, finance, and planning. Together with private sector actors such as insurance companies, civil society and researchers, Bangladesh is in a position to become a pioneer in developing a national-level mechanism to deal with the inevitable losses and damages caused by climate change. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Not a good season for orange exporters – Kuensel Online

Mandarin orange farmers and exporters in the country could likely face a difficult season this year if Bangladesh decides not to import. As a measure to save its dwindling foreign currency exchange reserves, Bangladesh has restricted many import categories. In the case of mandarin oranges, one of the most exported cash crops from Bhutan, Bangladesh importers have not yet been able to provide Letter of Credits (LC) without which exporters in Phuentsholing have not been able to export. Click here to read…

Ramifications of the Tax Bill of Bhutan 2022 – Friedrich Naumann Foundation

The current parliament of Bhutan, the third in line, has in its eighth session introduced and endorsed the Tax Bill of Bhutan 2022 in a bid to address the shortage of foreign currency reserves, prioritize the local sector (whilst substituting potential imports with local products) and encompass amendments to laws pertaining to Custom Duty (CD), Sales Tax (ST) and Green Tax (GT). The proposal from the Finance Ministry is to increase taxes on goods that are harmful to health and the environment while reducing taxes on essential commodities. Click here to read…

Assam: Task force to deal with man-elephant conflict at Indo-Bhutan border formed – Northeast Now

The Dhansiri Forest Division Udalguri have taken up several measures to combat the acute man-elephant conflicts in the Indo-Bhutan border areas in the Udalguri district. According to reports, the department has formed special task forces to deal with the menace and drive away the herd of elephants descending into human habitation areas and paddy fields from the hills. Click here to read…

Maldives

Cabinet approves MoU with Maldives on immigration – Colombo Gazette

In the course of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives it has been proposed to establish a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in immigration matters between the two countries. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles to enter in to a Memorandum of Understanding to improve and strengthen cooperation in immigration matters between the two countries. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka plans deal with Maldives to tighten border controls – EconomyNext

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers had cleared a plan to enter into a deal with Maldives to counter illegal migration and tighten border controls. The Minister of Public Security had proposed to enter into memorandum of understanding agreement with Maldives immigration authorities to prevent “informal migration, human trafficking” and also tackle “blacklisted travelers”, a government statement said. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Online passport applications temporarily suspended – Mizzima

The Myanmar Passport Issuance Board announced on 4 December that the Online Booking System for obtaining a QR Code to apply for a passport will be temporarily suspended beginning 5 December. It said that the current system is being suspended so that it can be improved with the introduction of new technology that will allow people to make appointments easily and quickly 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta and Pakistan Boost Military Ties – The Irrawaddy

Senior Pakistan defense official Colonel Imran Khan visited the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw last week to discuss military cooperation with the junta, according to sources familiar with his visit. Colonel Khan’s two-day visit from November 29 to December 1 is the latest sign of the growing defense ties between Islamabad and Naypyitaw. The military regime did not comment on the attaché’s visit and no details of what was discussed have emerged. Click here to read…

New narrative: NUG claims it controls 60% of Myanmar – Khmertimeskh

He condemned the Junta Government for its unwillingness to end the violence and rocking the country. Duwa Lashi La also called for Asean and other international communities to give them the same support they have been providing to Ukraine. The military, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlain, on February 1, last year launched a coup against the civilian government led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, bringing the country into unrest and turmoil. Click here to read…

Russian Trade Delegation Signs Seven Agreements With Myanmar Junta – The Irrawaddy

A second Russian trade delegation in a month is visiting Naypyitaw to boost bilateral economic ties. After talks with Myanmar junta boss Min Aung Hlaing and his ministers, Russian economic development minister Maxim Reshetnikov met business owners and signed seven agreements. No details were provided by the junta but Russian state news agency Tass reported that a joint protocol on trade, disease control, education and science was signed. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Nawaz greenlights poll prep as ‘N’ pushes back plans to ‘save assembly’: Dawn

In an apparent effort to dispel the impression that the PML-N is ‘running away’ from elections in Punjab, and seemingly out of legal options to forestall a possible dissolution of the provincial assembly, the party’s supreme leader, Nawaz Sharif, has directed the PML-N’s provincial chief to begin homework for shortlisting suitable candidates for polls. However, party leaders insist they’re only preparing for the eventuality where the province goes to polls; they believe the ruling coalition in Punjab would not dissolve the legislature. Click here to read…

Editorial: Disquiet on the western front: Dawn

It is very difficult for Pakistan to be delinked from Afghanistan, because of reasons of geography and history. Yet a strategically mature and realistic policy is needed to manage relations cordially with Pakistan’s western neighbour. At a recent consultative dialogue in Islamabad, former generals, diplomats and other experts put their heads together to discuss the situation, made all the more critical following the banned TTP’s rescinding of the ceasefire with the state. There was wide consensus that a reorientation or reformulation of Pakistan’s Afghan policy was required. But the million-dollar question remains: how? Click here to read…

Govt snubs talk of economic emergency: The Express Tribune

The government ruled out on Tuesday the possibility of imposing an economic emergency in the country to deal with one of the worst crises in its history but said it was contemplating energy conservation measures to reduce the import bill. In a statement, the finance ministry said that the government remained committed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme and the talks for starting the review under the programme are at an advanced stage.
Click here to read…

Environmental emergency imposed in Punjab: The News

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Tuesday imposed an environmental emergency in Lahore and other cities to reduce the smog, which has been declared a calamity. “There is a ban on burning crop residues across Punjab,” the CM said and ordered implementation of a plan designed to reduce smog. He said action should be taken to control the factors causing smog. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

President meets donor agencies for lengthy round table discussion – Daily News

The World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) representatives decided that a coordinated assistance programme supported by the multilateral financial institutions is required for Sri Lanka to recover from the economic crisis the country is currently facing. Click here to read…

Bilateral discussions – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the British High Commissioner, Japanese Ambassador, US Ambassador, Indian High Commissioner and Australian High Commissioner in Colombo and exchanged views on bilateral development cooperation. Click here to read…

Sri Lankan HC in Pakistan visits Karachi to further business ties – Daily News

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Pakistan Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama who visited Karachi to engage with the business communities and in promotional activities formally handed over the Commission of Appointment to Barrister-at-Law and Senior Partner Mandviwalla and Zafar Mehmood Mandviwalla appointing him as Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Hyderabad in Sindh Province. Click here to read…