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China’s anti-graft chief stresses high-quality discipline inspection: Xinhuanet

September 18, 2021

China’s top anti-graft official stressed efforts to advance the high-quality development of discipline inspection and supervision work. Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, delivered the remarks amid an inspection tour to north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from Wednesday to Friday.
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Premier pledges action to stabilize commodity prices: China Daily

September 20, 2021

Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to adopt steps that are in keeping with market principles to stabilize the price of bulk commodities, saying that the nation would roll out tailored macro policies focusing on the demand of market players and keeping its economic performance within a proper range.

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China leads global 6G patent applications: China Daily

September 17, 2021

China has taken a leading role in 6G patent applications in the world, outweighing the US and Japan, according to Nikkei Asia on Thursday. China’s 6G patent applications account for 40.3 percent of the world total, crowning the list of global 6G patent filings, said a survey conducted by Nikkei in partnership with Tokyo-based research company Cyber Creative Institute.
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Xi urges eradication of terrorism forces in Afghanistan: Global Times

September 17, 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for efforts to promote the steady transition of the Afghan situation as soon as possible, engage Afghanistan in dialogue, and help the Afghan people tide over their difficulties. Xi made a three-point proposal in Beijing at a joint summit of the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states on the Afghan issue by video link.

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China strongly condemns explosive attack at its Consulate General in Brazil, urges thorough probe: Global Times

September 18, 2021

The Chinese Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday severely condemned the attack that happened on Thursday in which a man threw an explosive at the consulate general, causing damage to some buildings but no injuries. In a statement released on its official website, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Brazil said it is in close communication with Brazilian authorities and that it has called for a thorough investigation into the attack and the arrest and punishment of the culprit, and that appropriate measures be implemented to prevent similar accidents from happening again.
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Wikipedia’s neutrality ‘hugely impaired’ after ban on Chinese mainland users, says WMC insider: Global Times

September 18, 2021

The Wikimedians of Mainland China (WMC), a Wikipedia-editing enthusiast group from the Chinese mainland, hit back against the Wikimedia Foundation after a number of the group’s leading members were banned or deprived of administrative rights by the foundation. An insider of the volunteer-led group, who requested to be anonymous, told the Global Times on Thursday that the “office action” of the foundation has “significantly changed” the “political landscape” of Chinese language Wikipedia, and “hugely impaired” the neutrality of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that is edited by volunteers and hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation.
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China urges World Bank to conduct full probe in issues related to business report: Global Times

September 17, 2021

China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday called on the World Bank to conduct a full investigation into relevant issues to protect both the credibility of its business environment report and reputation of its members, after the World Bank ended its “Doing Business” report citing “data irregularities.” The World Bank canceled the report rating the business environment in countries, after US media reports suggested that an investigation concluded that senior bank management pressured staff to alter data affecting the ranking of China and other nations.

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Chinese lenders ‘reluctant’ to offer African countries further debt relief: South China Morning Post

September 20, 2021

Chinese lenders may not be willing to throw good money after bad and have reportedly declined to approve a further freeze on debt repayment for some countries. China, the largest bilateral lender in Africa, has said its commercial lenders should not be forced to provide debt relief and criticised the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for not doing enough to ease the debt burden.

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Chinese military steps up night drills and brings in more advanced equipment close to Indian border: South China Morning Post

September 19, 2021

The Chinese military’s Western Theatre Command has introduced more night drills for units stationed near the Himalayan border as it seeks to familiarise its troops with new-generation weapons and equipment. Since the start of the autumn, several forces in the Xinjiang military district have been carrying out night battle drills at altitudes of around 5,000 metres (16,400 feet), according to the military newspaper PLA Daily.

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As Evergrande totters, cracks in stressed Chinese developers widen as rating outlook dims and borrowing costs jump: South China Morning Post

September 20, 2021

China Evergrande Group’s liquidity crunch is stoking concerns other developers may also feel the squeeze from higher borrowing costs as lenders turned more cautious about the nation’s weakest borrowers. The effective yield on bonds sold by Chinese junk-rated companies, a measure of funding cost, jumped last week to 15.8 per cent, according to an index compiled by Intercontinental Exchange, up from 10.5 per cent on June 30. The 226 bonds in the index, dominated by property names, have lost 7.4 per cent on average this month, taking the decline this year to 15.4 per cent.

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China losing battle to sell ‘win-win’ deals to Congolese: Taipei Times

September 19, 2021

Much has ground to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not the march of Sino-Congolese friendship, or so the Chinese embassy in Kinshasha is keen to show, amid growing scrutiny of Beijing’s activities in the mineral-rich nation. On the Boulevard Triomphal in Kinshasa, opposite the People’s Palace, work is still under way on the gigantic Central African Cultural and Arts Centre — a fact that the Chinese embassy took to social media to highlight.
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Afghanistan

New Cabinet Members Announced, Inauguration Cancelled: Tolo News

Some new members of the caretaker cabinet of the Taliban were announced on Tuesday with an effort to ensure inclusivity by adding “minorities” to the cabinet as Zabihullah Mujahid, the deputy minister for information and culture, said.
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Afghan Media Face Budget Issues, Lack of Access to Information: Tolo News

Afghan media outlets are running out of budget and are faced with lack of information under the Taliban, watchdog organizations said, alarming that it will leave long-term impacts on their activities.
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Only minister of Ashraf Ghani’s cabinet sacked by Taliban: The Khaama Press

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan sacked the only remaining acting minister of the previous government Waheed Majroh and appointed Qalandar Ebad as acting minister of public health on Tuesday, September 21.
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Pakistan, China, Russia’s envoys meet Taliban premier, Afghan politicians: The Khaama Press

Special representatives of Russia, China, and Pakistan to Afghanistan met with the Prime Minister of Afghanistan Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund in the presidential Palace (Arg) on Tuesday, September 21.
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Taliban changes name of university in Kabul: The Khaama Press

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan officially changed the name of a government university from University of Burhanuddin Rabbani-former Afghan President and founder of Afghanistan’s second-biggest political party- to Kabul Education University.
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Bangladesh

‘Bangladesh to get 89 lakh Covid vaccine doses in last quarter of 2021’- The Daily Star

A total of 89 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine will be shipped to Bangladesh in the last three months of the year, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said in a Facebook post early on Wednesday.
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Chart roadmap for the ones left behind- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed the need for charting out a bold and ambitious global roadmap to put the world back on the SDGs track.
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Indian officials claim to have seized 3 tonnes of Afghan heroin- The Daily Star

Indian officials said on Tuesday they had seized nearly three tonnes of heroin originating from Afghanistan worth an estimated 200 billion rupees ($2.72 billion) amid the chaos following last month’s takeover of the country by the Taliban.
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Covid test at airport: Six labs expected to test samples- Dhaka Tribune

Hossain/Dhaka Tribune Lack of coordination among government authorities delaying the set-up of rt-PCR labs at Dhaka airport, says expatriate minister.
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Get organized for anti-govt movement- New Age

Stating that farmers are now the most neglected section of people in Bangladesh, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged the peasants to get organised for waging a strong anti-government movement.
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Time to introduce online agricultural supply chain- The Observer

It is widely known that, during the initial days of the lockdown in 2020, farmers and wholesalers around the country had to struggle for delivering their products to the markets of large cities.
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PM seeks US investment in ICT, renewable energy, blue economy- The Independent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought US investment in country’s different promising sectors such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), renewable energy, agro-processing, blue economy, tourism and hi-tech parks.
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PM for forming Women Leaders’ Network to pursue gender equality- The Independent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today laid special emphasis on forming a Women Leaders’ Network as it can act as a force to ensure gender equality.
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Bangladesh PM gets SDG Progress Award- New Age

The UN-sponsored Sustainable Development Solutions Network has conferred prime minister Sheikh Hasina with ‘SDG Progress Award’ for Bangladesh’s.
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Bhutan

India Commits Rs.45 Billion For Bhutan’s Development For 12th Five-year Plan- Republic World

Strengthening India’s diplomatic ties with Bhutan, India has announced the allocation of Rs. 45 Billon for Bhutan’s development in its 12th Five-year plan.
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Bhutan celebrates 50 years of UN membership- Kuensel

More than 50 years after His late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck delivered this landmark address in 1971, after Bhutan’s successful admission to the United Nations Organisation.
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6 ways Bhutan is building better food systems – from farm to table- ReliefWeb

To overcome systemic problems in Bhutan’s food systems — which include every step involved in getting food from farm to table — the World Food Programme (WFP) is investing US$7 million to support the Royal Government of Bhutan in improving climate-resilient agriculture.
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Ericsson to install 5G network in Kingdom of Bhutan- Capacity

Ericsson has won a 5G contract with Bhutan Telecom as the landlocked Eastern Himalayan country prepares to launch 5G services at the end of the year.
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Bhutan’s boulder exports stuck since 1st September Tenzing Lamsang- The Bhutanese

Bhutan’s thriving boulder exports business is stuck since the 1st of September as Bhutanese trucks from Phuentsholing and Samtse are not being allowed to move in West Bengal.
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Once in a Life Time Event: How Bhutan celebrated her admission to the United Nations- Kuensel

Exactly fifty years ago, Bhutan was unanimously elected as the 128th member of the United Nations.
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Illegal structures on State land removed in Tsirang- Kuensel

The Tsirang dzongkhag administration demolished 12 of the 14 houses that were built illegally on State land in Dzomlingthang under Gosarling gewog on September 15.
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RCSC removes about 500 positions in civil service- Kuensel

The 12th Five-Year Plan staffing and organisation structure review resulted in removal of 228 messenger (GSP) positions.
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Bhutan’s pursuit of happiness in the pandemic era- The Asia Pacific Policy Society

After decades of development gains, the impacts of COVID-19 threaten the inclusiveness and sustainability of Bhutan’s future, Dendup Chophel and Phurba write.
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Maldives

Maldives’ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih addresses the UN – UPI

Maldives’ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih addresses the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 in New York City. (Pool Photo by John Minchillo/UPI)
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ISRO case: Maldives women urge CBI to place their damages claim before Supreme Court – New Indian Express

Two Maldives nationals, who were also arrested along with scientist Nambi Narayanan in the 1994 ISRO spy case, have moved the CBI requesting it to place before the Supreme Court their claim for damages of Rs 2 crore from each of the 18 officers who are arrayed as accused in the conspiracy case being probed by the agency.
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Myanmar

Myanmar’s extreme Buddhist nationalists – Lowly Institute

In a surprise move, Myanmar’s ruling military junta announced on 6 September the release from prison of Ashin Wirathu, a controversial Buddhist monk whose sermons have been blamed for inciting anti-Muslim violence over the last decade.
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Junta steps up raids and arrests in effort to stamp out Yangon guerrilla attacks – Myanmar Now

Soldiers carried out raids from Monday through Thursday in five townships across Myanmar’s largest city after resistance forces carried out several recent attacks against the junta’s armed forces.
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Rohingya Armed Groups Active Again in Western Myanmar – The Irrawaddy

Long before the junta’s February 1 coup, the Rohingya crisis was making headlines in the international media.
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This video has circulated in reports since 2020 about another conflict in Myanmar – Fact Check

A video of an attack on a military convoy has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts in August 2021 that claim it shows a recent ambush in Myanmar.
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U.S. and China Avert Potential Clash in U.N. Over Myanmar Representation – WSJ

Myanmar’s permanent representative to the United Nations, a holdover from the country’s deposed civilian government, will sit out a series of high-level meetings in New York this week, averting for now a potential clash between the U.S. and China over who should represent the country on the world stage.
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Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (14 – 20 September 2021) – Relief Web

The humanitarian situation in Sagaing Region remains challenging, with armed clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and local People’s Defence Forces (PDF) reported in several areas, which led to the displacement of some 18,600 people from Kalay, Kani, and Myaung townships between 7 and 10 September.
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Nepal

We have ample evidence that China has encroached upon our land in Humla: Lawmaker Shahi- KhbaraHub

Members of the committee recently formed by the government to study the border dispute in t Shahihe Humla district are currently working on the report.
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1036 new Covid cases recorded Tuesday, active caseload stands at 21,524- Himalaya

Nepal’s coronavirus caseload reached 786,577 on Tuesday with 1,036 more people testing positive for the infection in the past 24 hours.
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Nepal Infrastructure Bank (NIFRA) proposes 8.50 per cent cash dividend- Himalaya

Nepal Infrastructure Bank (NIFRA) has proposed to distribute dividends to the shareholders from the FY 2077/78.
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Appropriation Bill tabled in National Assembly- Himalaya

The Appropriation Bill, 2078 BS was tabled in the National Assembly today.
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SAARC meet on UN assembly sidelines called off over Afghanistan- Kathmandu Post

Officials say there was lack of concurrence from member states on the meeting which Nepal proposed last week and sent out invitations to all except Kabul. https://tkpo.st/3EDy6lQ” target=”_blank”>Click here to read…
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UML’s partisan politics enters upper house, as members demand Speaker’s resignation- Kathmandu Post

Observers say Nepali parties have failed to comprehend the spirit of the National Assembly and made it a platform to squabble over petty interests.
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Deuba recalls 12 envoys appointed by Oli- Kathmandu Post

Twenty-three missions are now set to go headless, and some are in key countries—India, China, US, UK and Qatar.
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Prithvi Highway disrupted after landslide- Republica

Landslide occurred at Ichhakamana in Chitwan has disrupted vehicular movement along the Prithvi Highway.
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Gilles Bourbao is the new French ambassador to Nepal- Online Khabar

France has appointed senior foreign affairs advisor Gilles Bourbao as the new ambassador to Nepal.
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Landslide Buries Three to Dead In Gulmi- Rising Nepal

At least three people died after a landslide buried their house in Gulmi.
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Pakistan

Qureshi says no rush to recognise Taliban govt in Afghanistan: Dawn

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers should understand that if they want recognition and assistance in rebuilding the war-battered country
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Pakistan feels ‘used and binned’, says Ramiz after England cancels tour: Dawn

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja said on Tuesday he felt “used and then binned” after England cancelled a white-ball tour for their men’s and women’s teams next month.
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Pakistan calls for unfreezing of Afghan assets ahead of UN talks: The Express Tribune

Pakistan has called on world powers to unblock billions of dollars in Afghan assets frozen after the Taliban takeover but said it did not expect recognition soon of the new government.
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Afghanistan will descend into civil war without inclusive govt: PM: The Express Tribune

If they [Taliban] don’t include all factions, sooner or later they will have again a sort of a civil war,” the premier said in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday.
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NCOC to relax COVID-19 curbs in Punjab, KP districts from September 23: The News

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Tuesday decided to ease additional restrictions in districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after September 23.
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Sri Lanka

President Rajapaksa and Kuwait PM hold bilateral talks in NY – Adaderana

A meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, has taken plane in Manhattan, New York on Sunday (Sep. 19), on the side lines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
has made a request for more employment opportunities for skilled workers.
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IMF has a role in Sri Lanka after framework decided: Jayasundera – economynext

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will “definitely” have a role to play in Sri Lanka’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery, but that will be after the authorities formulate the policy framework, President’s Secretary P B Jayasundera said.
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1,321 persons test positive for COVID-19 – Daily FT

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections rose to 507,330 with the detection of 1,321 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday. Persons who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday include 1,321 persons from the New Year cluster.
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Sri Lanka, World Bank sign agreement to strengthen climate resilience – Ceylon Today

The Government of Sri Lanka and the World Bank recently signed a US$ 92 million financing agreement for the Climate Resilience Multi-Phased Program Phase I Project.
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Afghanistan

After Recognition We Will Address Rights Issues: Mujahid: Tolo News

Zabihullah Mujahid, deputy minister of the Ministry of Information and Culture of the caretaker cabinet, said on Monday that if the international community recognizes the new government, they will address the concerns over allegations of human rights violations.
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IMF Funds for Afghanistan ‘On Hold,’ Says Spokesman: Tolo News

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently announced a $650 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation for member countries, but Afghanistan at the moment will not be allowed to access these funds.
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China to provide unconditional aid to Afghanistan by winter: The Khaama Press

Chinese ambassador to Kabul Wang yu said that his country is prepared to continue his country’s unconditional humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan.
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ISIS-K claims responsibly for blasts in Nangarhar province: The Khaama Press

The Khurasan branch of Islamic State (ISIS-K) has claimed that they have conducted three blasts on Saturday, September 18 and one the following day in the capital city-Jalalabad- of eastern Nangarhar province.
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Ex-Officials Seek Urgent Attention as Banking Crisis Deepens: Tolo News

As the banking crisis deepens in Afghanistan, some senior officials from the previous administration at a meeting on Monday asked immediate attention by the US government and the Taliban to make sure Afghan reserves are unfrozen as a short-term solution to the current crisis in the country.
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Bangladesh

PM plants tree, unveils bench dedicated to Bangabandhu at UN gardens- Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday planted a honey locust tree and unveiled a bench at UN gardens.
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First Phase Up Polls: Three killed as violence rules the day- Daily Star

At least three people were killed and dozens others injured in clashes between supporters of ruling Awami League’s chairman candidates and party rebels.
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Strictly implement Paris accord- Daily Star

Sheikh Hasina has asked global leaders to take stronger steps urgently to address the planetary emergency of climate change.
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Child Marriage: Creeping through the pandemic- Daily Star

Eighty-five girl students out of 345 of Baravita Girls High School in Kurigram’s Phulbari upazila have been married off during the closure of the school amid the pandemic.
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Bangladesh to get vaccines from India as priority- Dhaka Tribune

India is set to resume export under “Vaccine Maitri” in the fourth quarter starting from October.
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Covid-19: Less than 10% fully vaccinated in Bangladesh- Dhaka Tribune

Less than 10% of the country’s population has been fully vaccinated despite the frantic efforts of the government.
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Four new sectors to get cash assistance on export- The Daily Observer

The government has taken a decision to provide export incentive or cash assistance to four new sectors for the current fiscal year 2021-22.
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Bangladesh health department driver jailed for 30 years- New Age

The Dhaka Special Tribunal-4 on Monday jailed Abdul Malek, a driver at the Directorate General of Health Service, for 30 years in a case of possessing an illegal firearm and ammunitions.
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3 killed as violence, rigging mark Bangladesh local body polls- New Age

At least three people were killed and several dozens injured in violence over the first phase of union parishad elections held on Monday.
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Saudi Arabia keen to invest more in Bangladesh- The Independent

Noting that Bangladesh has an investment-friendly climate, the Saudi investment minister said there is a potential for more Saudi investment in Bangladesh.
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Bhutan

MoE seeks urgent strategised interventions to improve students’ performance- Kuensel

Around 46 percent of Class IV-XII students scored lower than 40 percent on the 2021 midterm examinations, according to the Ministry of Education’s consolidated midterm examination report.
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The importance of agriculture- Kuensel

Agriculture development in the country must take a new turn. Otherwise, we would be talking about the same problems 100 years from now.
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Potato exporters worry as their trucks stopped at border- Kuensel

Customs officials in India stopped trucks carrying potatoes from Bhutan without a plant quarantine certificate (PQC), which has affected business for potato exporters and bidders in Samdrupjongkhar.
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Maintaining small, compact and efficient Civil Service still a challenge- BBS

As per the commission’s Annual Report 2020 – 2021, this time, the increase in the number of civil servants is due to the increased demand in the education and health sectors.
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HH awards Toedtse Jim to Khenpo Karma Loday- BBS

The special award is an honorary appreciation for 59-year-old Khenpo Karma Loday’s unwavering service for the benefit of all sentient beings. He is from Toepaisa in Punakha.
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Maldives

Three pilots trained by India for MNDF – Edition

Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir said India have been training pilots for helicopters and the Dornier aircrafts gifted to Maldives. Three pilots have returned to Maldives after completing their training, according to the high commissioner.
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UNGA President hosts special dinner for President Solih upon arrival to attend 76th UNGA session – Raajje

President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has hosted a special dinner in honor of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is currently in the states to attend the 76th UNGA session.
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Myanmar

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Denies False Reports That She Opposes Armed Resistance to Junta – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has denied false reports that she didn’t accept armed resistance against the military regime.
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Agreement Moves Myanmar’s Kyaukphyu Port Project a Step Forward – The Irrawaddy

An agreement to conduct preliminary field investigation work for the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Deep Sea Port Project has been signed.
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Rohingya Armed Groups Active Again in Western Myanmar – The Irrawaddy

Long before the junta’s February 1 coup, the Rohingya crisis was making headlines in the international media.
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Nepal

Govt told not to arrest anyone for negative remarks- Himalaya

The Supreme Court today issued a stay order against the government asking it not to arrest anyone for making negative statements.
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India to resume export of COVID-19 vaccines under the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ programme from October-December- Himalaya

India is all set to resume the export of surplus COVID-19 vaccines under the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ program.
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‘Opposition must play responsible role in Parliament- Himalaya

The government has urged the opposition to play a responsible role in running the federal Parliament.
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Deuba’s plan for Cabinet expansion constrained by coalition partners- Kathmandu Post

Janata Samajbadi Party wants ordinance to ease party splits withdrawn while CPN (Unified Socialist) wants the prime minister to wait until court order on Oli’s petition/
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Government allocates record Rs15 billion to ensure fertiliser- Kathmandu Post

The government has set aside a record Rs15 billion for its fertiliser subsidy programme this year, fearing steep price rises in the world market may result in shortages.
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Mahalaya in Nepal: Why Hindus remember their forefathers before the festive season- OnlineKhabar

The offerings made to the priest during the ceremony is believed to reach the three generations caught in pitri lok.
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Budhigandaki hydropower project delay incurs a loss of billions: BRB- OnlineKhabar

Former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai joins a protest programme demanding the early launch of the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, in Kathmandu, on Monday, September 20, 2021.
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Energy Roadmap Launched for Achieving SDG-7- Rising Nepal

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal formally launched the roadmap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-7) on Monday.
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Supreme Court hearing writ against 14 lawmakers today- KhabarHub

A hearing of the writ petition filed at the Supreme Court (SC) demanding to revoke the membership of 14 UML lawmakers will be conducted today.
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लोकतन्त्रविरोधी अध्यादेश खारेजी नभएसम्म सरकारले पूर्णता पाउँदैन : उपेन्द्र यादव

(Government will not be complete until anti-democracy ordinance is repealed: Upendra Yadav)- Nepal News

Yadav said that the Council of Ministers would not be complete until the ordinance weakening democracy and political parties was repealed.
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Pakistan

Pakistan satisfied with security assurances by Afghan Taliban: ISPR: Dawn

Pakistan is maintaining a regular engagement with the Afghan Taliban for safeguarding the country’s security interests, said military spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Monday.
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Pakistan GDP to grow at 4.2pc: Fitch: Dawn

With some subdued downward risks, Fitch Ratings on Monday forecast Pakistan’s economic growth at 4.2 per cent — against the government’s target of 4.8pc.
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Govt refuses to reveal details of foreign gifts given to PM Imran: The Express Tribune

The federal government has refused to make public details of gifts given to Prime Minister Imran Khan by foreign heads of states, saying the disclosure can damage country’s national interest and its relations with other states.
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Saudi Arabia offers to play role in easing Pakistan-India tension: The Express Tribune

Saudi Foreign Minister Amir Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who is on his maiden visit to India, has said that Saudi Arabia could play a role in easing tensions between archrivals Pakistan and India.
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Security concerns: ECB also pulls out of October twin series: The News

England cricket chiefs on Monday withdrew their men’s and women’s teams from next month’s white-ball series in Pakistan citing “increasing concerns about travelling to the region”.
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‘Contact with Taliban in national interest’: The News

Pakistan is confident that the Taliban will fulfil their commitment of not allowing any terrorist organisation to use the Afghan soil against any country including Pakistan.
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Sri Lanka

Lanka, Turkish FMs powwow in NY- The Island

Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris has expressed condolences on the death of two Turkish nationals as a result of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks when he met the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavusoglu at the Turkish House.
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‘War crimes’: Lanka rejects fresh probe- The Island

Sri Lanka yesterday (14) rejected the UNHCR proposal to initiate a fresh inquiry into accountability issues.
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Vaccination centres drying up as youngsters refuse vaccines- Daily Mirror

Health authorities yesterday raised serious concerns over the lack of interest among the 20 to 29 age group to get themselves vaccinated against COVID19 with many having fears that it may lead to infertility while some preferred unproven natural remedies.
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Jayantha Ketagoda to be sworn in today- Daily Mirror

Jayantha Ketagoda who is expected to fill the National List MP slot created after the resignation of former State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal is to be sworn in today, Serjeant-at-arms Narendra Fernando said yesterday.
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Afghanistan

Nangarhar: Taliban Vehicle Targeted by Blast, Child Killed: Tolo News

A child was killed and two people, including a Taliban forces member, were injured in an explosion on Sunday evening in Nangarhar province.
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Guterres Calls for UN Engagement with Taliban: Tolo News

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in an interview with the Associated Press says the international community wants to see an inclusive government in Afghanistan and to achieve that the United Nations must engage with the Taliban.
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Taliban have not met their commitments: former Afghan president: The Khaama Press

The former Afghan president Hamid Karzai in his recent interview said that the Taliban have pledged education of girls, women’s rights, the national flag, and other national values but no implementation of the promises has been seen yet.
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Women protest in Kabul against Taliban’s policies for them: The Khaama Press

A number of women gathered at the gate of the ministry of women affairs-now replaced- and protested against the policies of the Taliban vis-à-vis them asked for the rights of education and work on Sunday, September 19.
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Fuel Prices in Kabul Rise in Past Week: Tolo News

According to residents, gas prices rose by 15 Afs per kilo and oil prices increased 4 Afs per liter during the last week. Currently the price of each kilo of gas is 75 Afs in the Kabul market.
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Bangladesh

Exports to Bhutan go up as trade agreement kicks in- Daily Star

Bangladesh’s exports to Bhutan could rise on the back of the bilateral trade pact signed last year.
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Khaleda’s Jail Term: Suspended for another 6 months- Daily Star

The government has extended for six months the suspension of the jail term of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
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Govt mulls new citizens’ database- Daily Star

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics is going to develop what officials said would be an extensive and comprehensive identity database.
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’Non-Muslims, transgender people their new target’- Daily Star

Militant outfit Ansar al Islam, said to be the Bangladesh chapter of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, is now targeting non-Muslims and transgender people to recruit them into militancy.
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Government mulls vaccinating 20m people a month- The Asian Age

DG of Directorate General of Health Services- DGHS has said, the government is mulling vaccinating 20 million doses of Covid vaccines a month.
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UN ready to provide electoral assistance to BD- The Asian Age

The United Nations is ready to offer assistance to Bangladesh in its next national elections only if the government asks for it.
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Inter-district bus terminals to be moved outside Dhaka- Dhaka Tribune

The government plans to build five new inter-district bus terminals outside Dhaka city, aiming to reduce traffic congestion in the capital.
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PM arrives in New York to attend UNGA- The Observer

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New York on Sunday afternoon to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
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Bhutan

Are the wetlands safe? – Kuensel

A few years ago, villagers in Sangtana in Gangtey gewog complained about ABC Lodge discharging grey water directly into the wetland, threatening the black-necked cranes and their habitat.
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More buses with modern amenities in Thimphu Thromde from November– Kuensel

The thromde added 27 new buses to its fleet on August 29.
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The Buxa Durbar– Kuensel

The story of how Bhutan received its subsidy in 1909 from the British.
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Guru Rinpoche, the legendary saint who spread Buddhism in Bhutan- Daily Bhutan

He was born from a lotus, fully enlightened. He went on to become the patron saint of Bhutan and established the Nyingma sect of Buddhism.
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Maldives

Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh and High Commissioner of Maldives to Bangladesh visit UAP on Invitation from OIA – The Daily Star

On September 14, 2021, two teams from of the Embassy of Nepal and the High Commission of Maldives to Bangladesh visited University of Asia Pacific (UAP) on invitation from the Office of International Affairs (OIA), UAP.
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Maldives removed from UK’s red list – Raajje

After weeks of remaining hopeful of being moved up to the United Kingdom’s Travel Amber List, Maldives has been removed from the country’s Travel Red list.
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Pres Solih departs to New York to attend UNGA – Avas

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Saturday departed to New York City, United States, to attend the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
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Myanmar

Burmese Army Attacks a Baptist Church in Chin State – Persecution

Following intense fighting between the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) and the local defense groups in Myanmar’s Christian-majority Chin state, on September 14, the Tatmadaw shelled a Baptist church in Thantlang township.
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Myanmar’s All-Out War in the Making – The Diplomat

After the announcement of the all-out war (dubbed D-Day) by the National Unity Government (NUG) on September 7, some Myanmar people resorted to panic buying.
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Myanmar Is a Failing State—and Could Be a Danger to Its Neighbors – Council on Foreign Relations

When the new coronavirus emerged, Myanmar remained relatively unaffected: Until August 2020, it had recorded only six COVID-19 deaths, and development specialists praised the civilian government, led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), for implementing measures to limit the virus’s spread.
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Myanmar Military Launches Artillery Strike Near Kachin Armed Group’s HQ – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military fired artillery on Wednesday night near Laiza, the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State, for no reason, said KIA information officer Colonel Naw Bu.
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Court jails Rakhine anti-war protesters for two and a half years – Myanmar Now

Four student activists who were arrested for staging an anti-war protest last year were each sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Thursday, almost a year after they were first detained.
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Attacks on Myanmar telecom towers show evolving tactics in conflict – Reuters

Around 700,000 people in Myanmar are estimated to have lost internet access after attacks on telecommunication equipment run by Mytel, the partly army-controlled company said amid reports that dozens of its towers were damaged.
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Nepal

SSB arrests two persons including Chinese national from India-Nepal border- ANI

SSB arrests two persons including Chinese national from India-Nepal border.
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1413 recover as 656 new Covid-19 cases surface; 12 deaths reported- Himalaya

Nepal’s coronavirus caseload reached 784,566 on Sunday with 656 more people testing positive for the infection in the past 24 hours.
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Need to realize the aspirations of the people: President Bhandari- Himalaya

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that it is our eternal duty to realize the people’s aspirations guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal.
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No regard for rule of law as Nepali state runs on ad hocism- Kathmandu Post

Ordinances are allowed by constitution but governments are issuing them as per their wish, not paying attention to their timely approval, leading to legal vacuum.
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Nepal observes Constitution Day- Kathmandu Post

On Sunday, President Bidya Bhandari, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, ministers and other dignitaries attended a special programme organised at Tundikhel to observe the Constitution Day.
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Foreign firms showed interest to invest in two dozen hotels in first two months of current FY- Republica

Foreign investors are found increasingly attracted to run hotels in Nepal with such companies proposing to invest in around two dozen hotels in the first two months of the current fiscal year.
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Many cooperatives in Nepal into fraud thanks to nominal monitoring- OnlineKhabar

The Cooperative Federation’s Kandel says problems are arising because it has only been a few years since the task of monitoring was handed to the local governments and hence calls for patience.
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Nepali theatre is making a comeback, slowly but steadily- OnlineKhabar

The Nepali theatre sector that was trying to get up after the first wave of Covid-19 was again brought to a standstill in the second wave.
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Teachers Of Private Schools Lose Jobs To COVID-19- Rising Nepal

Teachers of private schools might be the worst affected professionals from COVID-19 in Nepal.
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PM Stresses Constitution’s Full Implementation for Attaining Prosperity- Rising Nepal

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the objective of the government is to ensure the prosperity of the nation through successful implementation of the Constitution.
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Pakistan

‘No other way’: Fawad says 2023 general elections will be based on reforms-Dawn

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday said that the 2023 general election would be based on and possible only after electoral reforms, adding that “there is no other way [possible] except this.”
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NZ tour abandoned after alert from ‘Five Eyes’ alliance about a ‘serious’ threat: PCB CEO- Dawn

The Black Caps devastated Pakistan’s cricket fraternity on Friday after opting out of their tour of Pakistan minutes before the first ODI was to be played. They had cited a “security threat” as the reason without divulging any further.
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Taxes on imports fuel inflation: The Express Tribune

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) data showed that the Rs149 billion revenues during July-August 2021 period were also 132% more than the collection during the same period of the last fiscal year.
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Pakistan begins dispatching humanitarian aid to Afghanistan via Torkham: The Express Tribune

Pakistan on Sunday started dispatching humanitarian aid to Afghanistan through land route and sent 13 truckloads of fresh consignment of humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country through Torkham border crossing.
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Corona kills 71 more: Unvaccinated people in Sindh to be arrested: The News

The Sindh government has decided to arrest unvaccinated people after the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued fresh directives for expediting COVID vaccination in the country.
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Sri Lanka

SL receives 20 state-of-the-art Indian train coaches – Ceylon Today

Sri Lanka received 20 state-of-the-art custom-made modern train coaches from India as part of the USD 82.6 million contract.
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Govt.’s secret deal with US company affects Lanka’s sovereignty, says FSP – The Island

Sri Lanka was now dependent on the United States to supply LNG to Sri Lankan power stations thanks to an agreement it had entered into with a US-based energy company.
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President arrives in New York to attend 76th UNGA Session – PMDnews

The delegation headed by the President arrived at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on September 18.
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Foreign Minister Peiris Reaffirms Sri Lanka’s Active Commitment to Dialogue And Engagement With The Commonwealth – MFA

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s active commitment to dialogue and engagement with the Commonwealth at a virtual meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in New York.
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Sri Lanka, Ukraine discuss potential for enhancing tourism and economic ties – Daily FT

State Minister of Regional Co-operation TharakaBalasuriya undertook an official visit to Ukraine from 8-10 September to participate in a Sri Lanka tourism promotion campaign.
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Afghanistan

Ghani’s Fleeing Ruined Last-Minute Deal: Khalilzad: Tolo News

According to Khalilzad, the plan was to keep Kabul out of the Taliban’s hands and negotiate a political transition, but Ghani’s escape created a power vacuum and the Taliban entered the city, the Financial Times reported.
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Afghan Students Anxious as Schools Remain Closed: Tolo News

Although a month has passed since the fall of the previous government, secondary schools (grade 7 and up) remain closed, causing concerns, a number of students told TOLOnews on Thursday.
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Black Market Visa Business Booming in Afghanistan: Tolo News

As most embassies in Kabul closed following the collapse of the former government, and the number of people demanding visas has increased, the black market business for visas is skyrocketing.
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We impose no conditions on Taliban, they declared their objective themselves: Russia: The Khaama Press

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said that they are not imposing any conditions on the Taliban and added that they are declaring their objectives themselves which are fighting terrorism and drug trafficking.
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Taliban asks UN’s cooperation in recognition, lifting sanctions: The Khaama Press

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan asked the UN to help them in recognition of their government, removing names of the Taliban leaders from the black list, and lifting all other sanctions imposed by the international community.
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Bangladesh

Quarterly GDP growth data from next fiscal year- Daily Star

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is going to publish the gross domestic product (GDP) growth data every quarter from the next fiscal year.
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PM at UNGA: Post-pandemic recovery high on agenda- Daily Star

Bangladesh will focus on post-Covid economic recovery, climate change and Rohingya crisis at the UN General Assembly in New York, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend from September 21
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Social Safety Net: High allocations, but off target- Daily Star

Bangladesh is failing to reap the maximum benefit from its high social safety net allocations.
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Editors’ Council concerned as BFIU seeks bank details of journos- Asian Age

The Editors’ Council has expressed concern as the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has sought bank details of eleven journalist leaders.
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Investigate how many people Zia killed in jail- Asian Age

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged lawmakers to find out how many people were killed in each jail across the country during Ziaur Rahman’s regime.
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ED: A scientifically sound climate strategy for Bangladesh- Dhaka Tribune

COURTESY With the weakening of Bangladesh’s naturally protective mechanisms such as the Sundarbans, the government needs to take adequate steps to reverse the damage.
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BNP policymakers now will sit with grassroots leaders- The Observer

BNP policymakers now will sit with grassroots leaders BNP policymakers are now planning to sit with the grassroots leaders.
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PM flies for Finland Friday morning on her way to UNGA- The Independent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave for Finland on Friday morning as part of a two-week official visit to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
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Hasina pledges concrete-steel houses for poor- New Age

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that the government was now building houses with concrete and steel for homeless people so that none could damage those easily.
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Bhutan

Parties renewing membership without consent?- Kuensel

Despite being the ruling party, the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) has become the smallest party in terms of membership.
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Lhuentse-Mongar local bus service resumes- Kuensel

Local bus service from Lhuentse to Mongar resumed on September 14 almost five months after.
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Understanding mental health and well-being: Me For Myself- Kuensel

About 50 Bhutanese youths are engaged in the Me For Myself (M4M) campaign that focuses on mental health and well-being.
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Commercial youth farmers wait for NLCS’s approval- Kuensel

To expand their commercial farming, a youth group in Samarchu, Dagana, proposed to lease 11.40 acres of state land nearby their farm in March this year.
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200-bedded quarantine facility at Dhamdum ready- Samtse- BBS

The 200-bedded Quarantine Facility at Dhamdum in Samtse is now ready. The facility which was inaugurated on Tuesday.
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Maldives

Nepal, Maldives envoys visit UAP – New Age

Two teams from of the embassy of Nepal and the high commission of Maldives to Bangladesh headed by Nepal ambassador Banshidhar Mishra and Maldives high commissioner Shiruzimath Sameer visited University of Asia Pacific.
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UNWTO Plans Restart of Tourism Across Asia and the Pacific – Travel Agent Central

The 33rd joint meeting of the World Tourism Organization’s Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and its Commission for South Asia was held September 14, 2021.
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Ex-pres. issued warning for violating house arrest terms – Raajje

Maldives Correction Service (MCS) has closed the case of incarcerated Former President Abdulla Yameen violating the conditions and terms of his house arrest by taking part in an opposition rally, after issuing a warning.
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Hungary consulate opens in the Maldives – Avas

The Consulate was opened by Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Hungarian Ambassador to the Maldives, András László Király and Maldives’ Horonary Consul to Hungary, Mohamed Ali Janah at a special ceremony held Thursday.
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Myanmar

Norway’s Telenor says Myanmar unit sale plan followed junta’s pressure on surveillance tech – Reuters

Norwegian telecom firm Telenor is selling its Myanmar operations to avoid European Union sanctions after “continued pressure” from Myanmar’s military junta to activate intercept surveillance technology, the company’s Asia head told Reuters.
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Cold, frightened and armed: In Myanmar’s jungles, a struggling resistance – Indian Express

The Myanmar soldiers attacked the village of Yay Shin, deep in the furrows of the Himalayan foothills, just after dusk, descending with flamethrowers and heavy weaponry.
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Finding fault lines within the Tatmadaw – Frontier Myanmar

A split in the Tatmadaw has been unlikely since its founding in 1962, but a steady increase in defections and desertions since the coup amid plunging morale has some questioning whether unity can be maintained within the nation’s most powerful institution.
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Myanmar Military Battles Ethnic Armed Group in Kachin State – The Irrawaddy

The ethnic armed group and the Myanmar military have been clashing on the strategic Tanai-Shingbwiyang Road since September 7, after regime soldiers attempted to retake control of Tarong Village, which lies along the road, said KIA information officer Colonel Naw Bu.
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Military Junta Attempts To Undermine AA Rule In Rakhine State – BNI Online

The Tatmadaw has called up leaders of Muslim villages in Kyauktaw Township to tell them not to accept the authority of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) in Rakhine State, whose hold over the area has grown since an informal ceasefire late last year temporarily ending years of conflict.
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Nepal

Oli rules out Nepal’s return to CPN-UML- Himalaya

CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli today said UML’s door was shut for Madhav Kumar Nepal as he had led a campaign to topple his own party’s government and support the leader of opposition to form a new government.
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Arun Valley Hydropower Development Company (AHPC) proposes 10 per cent Bonus shares; When’s the book closure?

Arun Valley Hydropower Development Company Limited (AHPC) has proposed 10 per cent bounus shares and 0.526% cash dividends on Thursday.
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Nepal to wrap up evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan on September 18- Kathmandu Post

The government is preparing to wrap up the evacuation of its citizens from crisis-ridden Afghanistan on September 18.
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A load of rubbish- Nepali Times

Kathmandu’s garbage problem is not new, it has been five decades in the making.
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TU urges colleges to run physical classes- Republica

The Tribhuvan University (TU) has urged the campuses affiliated to it to run physical classes from Friday.
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NRB injects additional Rs 20 billion in country’s financial market to ease liquidity crunch- Republica

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Thursday injected an additional Rs 20 billion in the domestic financial system in an attempt to ease a growing shortfall of liquidity in the banking system.
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Pakistan

SCO leaders caution against abandoning Afghanistan: Dawn

Several regional leaders participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Thursday underscored the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan and concurred with Pakistan that the war-ravaged country should not be abandoned after the Taliban takeover.
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US urges Pakistan’s constructive role in resolving Afghan crisis: Dawn

The US State Department has urged Pakistan to play a constructive role in persuading the Taliban to fulfil their commitments.

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Ties with Russia key priority for Pakistan, says foreign minister: The Express Tribune

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Dushanbe and reiterated commitment to further enhance the bilateral ties.
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Pakistan to recognise Taliban govt ‘independently, not under duress’: The Express Tribune

Pakistan has announced that it will take an independent decision in line with its interests on recognising the Taliban government in a major policy statement rejecting the US demand asking Islamabad not to give legitimacy to Afghanistan’s new rulers unless they meet international demands.
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Slow pace of work on CPEC irks Chinese companies: Dawn

A Senate panel on Thursday expressed concern over the slow pace of development on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and dissatisfaction being expressed by the Chinese companies over the negligible progress over the past three years.
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UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls on COAS: The News

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, current situation in Afghanistan and collaboration in humanitarian assistance were discussed.
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Taliban be given time to run country effectively: Rashid: The News

The world needs to understand the ground realities about Afghanistan, said Rashid. He added that the Taliban must ensure the availability of financial and human resources for governance.
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Sri Lanka

Port City’s International Financial Centre postponed – The Morning

D to the prevailing pandemic situation, commencement of construction has been postponed.
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2,271 persons test positive for COVID-19 – Daily FT

COVID-19 detections in the country rose to 498,694 with the detection of 2,271 COVID-19 cases yesterday.
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Fresh concerns as manufacturing, services contract in August – Daily FT

The country’s manufacturing and services sector had contracted in August as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) compiled by the Central Bank, sparking fresh concerns over the impact of the COVID third-wave-induced lockdowns.
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EU delegation to visit Sri Lanka for talks on GSP+ concessions – Adaderana

A delegation of the European Union is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on September 27, the Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage said.
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United States Delivers $40 Million in Financing to Support Small Businesses and Empower Sri Lankan Women – US Embassy

The United States provided $40 million in financing to SDB Bank in order to bolster Sri Lanka’s Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME) sector and assist women entrepreneurs.
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Afghanistan

Taliban Says it Will Build Regular Army, Include Former Members: Tolo News

Two weeks after the announcement of members of a Taliban caretaker government, the Taliban government’s acting army chief of staff, Qari Fasihuddin, on Wednesday said they are working to form a “regular” and “strong” army.
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Afghan Journalists: Reporting Hindered by Lack of Govt Sources: Tolo News

Several journalists on Tuesday complained that they face many restrictions while reporting, and media workers said that their questions sent to official sources remain unanswered most of the time.
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Over $12 million seized from former officials given to central bank by Taliban: The Khaama Press

Taliban gave the total amount of 12368246 dollars in cash to the central bank-De Afghanistan bank-that were seized from the residences of officials of the former government. In addition to the cash, the Taliban has also given the central bank gold bricks on Wednesday, September 15.
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EU announces additional 100 million euros in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

Head of the European Union Urela Von Der Leyen said that the union of 27 European states is standing beside Afghanistan and is announcing additional 100 million euros in humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan.
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We will suppress those who defend gains of past two decades: Taliban: The Khaama Press

Chief of Army Staff of the Taliban Fasihudin said that they will suppress all who defend the gains of the past two decades under the name of specific ethnic groups or resistance in Afghanistan.
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Bangladesh

Will jab 50pc by year-end- Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday in parliament said efforts were underway to vaccinate students aged 12.
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DU provost committee recommends reopening halls from October 5- Daily Star

Dhaka University’s (DU’s) provost committee yesterday recommended reopening residential halls for master’s and final-year honours students from October 5.
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No need for hired leadership- Daily Star

A section of BNP leaders yesterday slammed the party’s leadership for contesting the 2018 parliamentary election under the banner of Jatiya Oikyafront.
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About two-thirds industrial loan now gone bad- Daily Star

About two-thirds of the industrial loan has been turned default as of March, said Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday.
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India considers resuming vaccine exports soon- Asian News Desk

India is considering resuming exports of Covid-19 vaccines soon, mainly to Africa.
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Bangladesh inks TIFA deal with Australia- The Asian Age

Bangladesh on Wednesday inked a framework on trade and investment with Australia to provide a platform for institutionalized economic interactions.
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Covid-19: Bangladesh records 51 more deaths, 1,901 new cases- Dhaka Tribune

The country recorded 35 and 41 deaths on Tuesday and Monday respectively. On Sunday, the single-day death toll stood at 51.
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Canadian buyers urged to import more garments from Bangladesh- Daily Observer

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has called on Canadian buyers to choose Bangladesh as a safe, sustainable and ethical apparel-sourcing destination.
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NU graduates lag behind in Bangladesh job market- New Age

The National University has failed to produce quality graduates for the job market, said educationists and private sector employers.
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Bhutan

Embracing solar power to promote clean energy- Kuensel

To diversify renewable energy resources, Department of Renewable Energy (DRE) launched an 11.7-kilowatt peak (kWp) in an hour grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) car park.
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Geptay-Satsam road in dire need of maintenance- Kuensel

Motorists and pedestrians commuting towards Geptay from Paro town are frustrated with the worsening road condition every year.
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Yathra weaving, the uniquely Bumthang culture- Daily Bhutan

Traditionally, every household owns a backstrap loom and girls are taught to weave from as young as 8 years old. The more women who weave in the family, the greater the source of pride.
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Maldives

Authorities detain foreign vessels trespassing on Maldivian waters – Avas

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said two vessels fishing in the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone were detained on September 11 and September 13.
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Munu Mahawar appointed as HC of India to Maldives – BigNewsNetwork

Munu Mahawar, presently Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.
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76th UNGA President Shahid officially assumes office – Raajje

The President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid has officially assumed office.
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Myanmar

Myanmar: Southeast Asia’s Next Frontline of Jihadism? – Global Risks Insights

In November 2020, Myanmar’s first explicitly Salafi-Jihadist militant group, Katibah al-Mahdi fi Bilad al-Arakan, declared jihad against Naypyidaw to avenge the persecution of Rohingya Muslims by Myanmar’s military junta.
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Myanmar Junta Troops Suspected of Killing and Mutilating Civilians – The Irrawaddy

Five civilians have been found dead with their bodies mutilated close to where junta troops clashed last week with local resistance fighters in Magwe Region’s Gangaw Township.
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Any Embassy Sales by Junta Would Be Illegal, Myanmar’s Shadow Govt Warns – The Irrawaddy

Amid reports that the Myanmar military junta seeks to sell the land housing the country’s embassy in Japan, the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) has warned that any sale, in part or in whole, of a Myanmar diplomatic mission by the “illegal” military regime would be unlawful.
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Junta’s Demand to Spy on Customers Prompts Telenor to Leave Myanmar – The Irrawaddy

The Norwegian parent company of telecom operator Telenor Myanmar said Wednesday it could not maintain its presence in Myanmar, as doing so would require it to help the military regime conduct surveillance of its clients.
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Myanmar Junta Cuts Internet Access in Anti-Regime Resistance Strongholds – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military regime has cut off internet access in several townships in Sagaing and Mandalay regions. The affected townships are strongholds of anti-regime resistance groups who have inflicted heavy casualties on junta forces.
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Nepal

First Private Cargo Train Arrives in Nepal from India After 17 Years- Rising Nepal

The private sector cargo train has arrived in Nepal from India for the first time in 17 years after the operation of Nepal-India railway service. The first private cargo train has arrived at Birgunj-based dry port Wednesday morning.
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70% migrant workers say they will not choose same recruiting agency again- Khabarahub

This is the finding of an analysis report of the Migrant Recruitment Advisor (MRA) in Nepal which was shared in a sub-regional South Asia meeting on MRA.
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पुस्तान्तरणको मुद्दाले दबाबमा देउवा (Deuba under the pressure of generational transfer)- Kantipur Daily

Deuba, who has been trying to do arithmetic in the work and appointment of the government, has been delaying the appointment of his own advisor and the formation of the secretariat.
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Deuba Cabinet expansion faces ordinance hurdle- Himalayan

Even two months after coming to power, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has not been able to expand his Cabinet.
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Quake-damaged school rebuilt, handed over- Himalayan

A handover ceremony of the reconstructed Namuna Machhindra Secondary School was held in Lagankhel today.
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Journalists, activists against human trafficking awarded- Himalayan

The Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens has honoured various institutions and individuals for their contribution to controlling human trafficking.
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UML looks set for a showdown amid spending halt- Kathmandu Post

Ruling alliance may steamroller the budget through lower house, but its passage from upper house looks difficult without a deal with main opposition.

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Country’s three key state organs are in disarray- Kathmandu Post

The executive is hobbling, legislature is facing an impasse, and the judiciary is caught in tangles.
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Health Ministry raises an alarm over resuming physical classes in educational institutions- Republica

The Ministry of Health and Population has directed concerned authorities not to take the decision of allowing educational institutions to reopen in haste.
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Kathmandu recorded a high number of road accidents during the lockdown. Is it safe other times?- OnlineKhabar

The police and other agencies need to find common mistakes done by these drivers because there are places where accidents happen on a regular basis.
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Pakistan

World should incentivise Taliban instead of trying to control Afghanistan from outside: PM Imran on CNN: Dawn

In an exclusive interview on CNN programme ‘Connect the World’ on Wednesday, host Becky Anderson asked Prime Minister Imran about apprehensions that the Taliban will not protect human rights, especially those of women and children.
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NSA assails world’s ‘wait and watch’ policy on Afghanistan: Dawn

National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf on Wednesday denounced the world’s ‘wait and watch’ policy on recognising Afghanistan’s Taliban regime as a flawed strategy that would push the war-ravaged country further towards economic collapse.
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Govt jacks up petrol, diesel prices by Rs5 per litre: The Express Tribune

According to the notification the per-litre price of petrol goes up by Rs5, HSD by Rs5.01, kerosene oil by Rs5.46 and light diesel oil (LDO) by R 5.92.
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Pakistan participates in first China-hosted multinational peacekeeping drill: The Express Tribune

Troops from Pakistan, Thailand and Mongolia joined China’s armed forces for the 10-day exercise dubbed “Shared Destiny 2021” at the military base in Queshan county in central Henan province.
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Use of EVM in elections is not new: IHC: The News

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved judgment on the maintainability of a petition filed against holding election through Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
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PM flies to Dushanbe to attend SCO meeting today: The News

All eyes are on Dushanbe to see who represents Afghanistan at the two-day 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS) starting today (16-17 September).
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Sri Lanka

High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka calls on Foreign Secretary of India – Daily FT

High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to India Milinda Moragoda paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary of India Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla yesterday at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
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2,314 persons test positive for COVID-19, over 3,000 delayed cases added to total – Daily FT

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections exceeded 496,000 with the detection of 2,314 COVID-19 cases yesterday and the addition of over 3,000 delayed cases. The patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster.
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UN intervention will cause embarrassment – SJB – Ceylon Today

The SJB said it would be a disgrace to Sri Lanka if UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has to intervene to ensure the existence of democracy in the country. SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said the Sri Lankans in Italy are pushing the international community to protest because of the loss of democracy and the loss of human rights of people in Sri Lanka.
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UN office in Colombo condemns ill-treatment of prisoners – The Island

The United Nations (UN) office in Sri Lanka says it condemns any ill-treatment of prisoners.
“In our work on prison reform and drug rehabilitation UN Sri Lanka works to strengthen capacities to uphold the rights of all those in custody and condemns any ill treatment of prisoners,” Hanaa Singer-Hamdy tweeted.
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Senior CPC official calls for strengthened ethnic and religion works: Xinhuanet

September 16, 2021

A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official, You Quan, has stressed the full and accurate implementation of the Party’s ethnic and religious policies to cement national unity and promote religious harmony. You, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour to northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from Tuesday to Thursday.
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China to press ahead with smart taxation system: People’s Daily

September 17, 2021

China will unswervingly advance the digitalization of tax administration in the country, an official said on Wednesday. Driven by developments in smart taxation, the automatic calculation of taxes is one step closer to reality, said Wang Jun, head of the State Taxation Administration, at a meeting of the heads of tax authorities of the BRICS countries, which concluded on Wednesday.

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President to take part in SCO summit: China Daily

September 17, 2021

With President Xi Jinping set to attend two key regional meetings on Friday, Beijing is expected to shore up unity among countries for better handling of the Afghanistan issue and to boost the influence of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, officials and experts said. On Friday, Xi will participate in the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO via video link in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying announced on Thursday.
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Former Shanghai official’s bribery trial concludes: China Daily

September 16, 2021

Former vice mayor of Shanghai and director of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Gong Dao’an stood trial for bribery of allegedly 73.43 million yuan ($11.4 million) at the Tangshan City Intermediate People’s Court in Hebei province on Thursday.
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Military base urged to better use, protect space assets: China Daily

September 17, 2021

President Xi Jinping called for improving management and protection of space-based assets as he inspected a military base in northwestern China’s Shaanxi province on Wednesday. After listening to the base’s work report, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said space assets are of national strategic importance so they must be well managed, utilized and protected.
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China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran must exert positive influence to stabilize situation in Afghanistan: Global Times

September 17, 2021

As important neighbors of Afghanistan and influential countries in the region, China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran need to strengthen communication and coordination, make unanimous voices, exert positive influence and play a constructive role in promoting the smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said with senior officials from Russia, Pakistan and Iran at an informal meeting on Afghanistan in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe on Thursday.

China urges India to stick to UNSC resolution to refrain from engaging in nuclear tests: Global Times

September 16, 2021

China hopes all parties in South Asia, including India, will make constructive efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the region, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday in response to India’s plan to conduct a trial of intercontinental-range ballistic missile that covers Beijing and other Chinese cities, citing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1172. The resolution condemned India’s nuclear bomb tests in 1998 and demanded it to refrain from engaging in further tests.
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Beijing slams South China Sea ‘provocation’ after turning away German warship: South China Morning Post

September 17, 2021

Beijing said other countries’ patrols in the South China Sea were “provoking incidents” and “creating contradictions” as it rejected a German warship’s port call request. In response to the German foreign ministry’s announcement that the frigate Bayern had been refused permission to visit Shanghai, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday that “countries outside the region should respect regional countries’ efforts to maintain peace and stability, and play a constructive role”.
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Chinese workers at Samsung’s Ningbo shipyard rally for more coronavirus severance pay: South China Morning Post

September 16, 2021

South Korean shipbuilding giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) announced the closure of its plant Ningbo in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang last week after allegedly agreeing to hand over its land to the local government for industrial renewal, sparking days of protests by laid-off workers seeking better severance pay.
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China slows game approvals: sources: Taipei Times

September 17, 2021

Chinese regulators are reviewing new games to determine whether they meet stricter criteria on content and protections for children, people familiar with the matter said, an effort that is likely to slow rollouts in the world’s largest mobile arena. China’s National Press and Publication Administration is reassessing titles submitted for approval by developers from Tencent Holdings Ltd to NetEase Inc to ensure they comply with fresh curbs on playing time and other anti-addiction safeguards unveiled last month, the people said.
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Investors brace for a great fall in China: Reuters

September 17, 2021

International investors that have been piling into China in recent years are now bracing for one of its great falls as the troubles of over-indebted property giant China Evergrande come to a head. The developer’s (3333.HK) woes have been snowballing since May. Dwindling resources set against 2 trillion yuan ($305 billion) of liabilities have wiped nearly 80% off its stock and bond prices and an $80 million bond coupon payment now looms next week.
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Afghanistan

UN Raises Concerns Over Civilian Casualties In Panjshir: Tolo News

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Monday at the UN meeting on Afghanistan in Geneva said she is worried about reports over civilian casualties and human rights violations in Panjshir.
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Taliban Welcomes Intl Aid, Pledges to Distribute Transparently: Tolo News

Taliban’s government acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the Taliban wants good bilateral relations with the world’s countries, including the United States.
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Thousands of people protest against Taliban in Kandahar province: The Khaama Press

Thousands of men and women took to the streets of Kandahar city and protested against the Taliban’s decision based on which the families of late Afghan security forces should evacuate their residence.
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Taliban denies human rights’ violation, war crimes in Panjshir province: The Khaama Press

In front of a Taliban flag, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks at at his first news conference, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. For years, Mujahid had been a shadowy figure issuing statements on behalf of the militants.
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Virtual protest, Afghan women defy all-black attire: The Khaama Press

A number of Afghan women living abroad have posted their photos wearing traditional Afghan clothes to defy the all-black attire worn by hundreds of women in Kabul and other provinces recently.
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Bangladesh

PM reiterates call to follow health safety guidelines- Daily Star

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call to the countrymen, particularly the lawmakers, to follow the health guidelines properly.
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Farming accounts for 35pc of it- Daily Star

Animal farming accounts for twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as plants grown for consumption.
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Universities to reopen after September 27- The Asian Age

The Bangladesh authorities are allowing universities to reopen for in-person classes and exams after Sept 27 following the long coronavirus-induced shutdown.
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HC: Shut down unregistered online news portals- The Asian Age

The High Court on Tuesday directed authorities concerned to shut down all the unregistered online news portals in the country.
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‘BNP’s unabated falsehood reflects its fascist mentality’- The Asian Age

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said BNP’s unabated falsehood is part of their fascist mentality.
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Bangladesh wants peaceful settlement between Guyana and Venezuela- Observer

Bangladesh on Tuesday chaired the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana and reaffirms the proposal of the group for peaceful settlement of the dispute between Guyana and Venezuela through the intervention of the ICJ.
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Bangladesh reports 2,074 fresh cases, 35 deaths from COVID-19- The Independent

Bangladesh on Tuesday reported 2,074 COVID-19 cases while the coronavirus claimed overnight 35 lives.
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Dengue cases on rise as Dhaka city bodies fail to kill Aedes- New Age

The number of dengue cases is on the rise as the city authorities have failed to control the mosquito menace.
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Bhutan

Class VII and VIII students in P/ling return to schools- Kuensel

The schools are operating with strict Covid-19 protocols prepared by the Southern Covid-19 Task Force (SC19TF).
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Creating pathways for sustainable food systems- Kuensel

Various representatives from stakeholders relevant to the agricultural sector yesterday took stock of Bhutan’s future in agriculture.
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Subsidised rural timber allotment begins- Kuensel

According to records, out of 15 applicants, nine applied for renovation and six for new construction.
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Cabinet asks home ministry to submit action plan for combating human trafficking- Bhutan Times

In a stark revelation, Bhutan failed to meet minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and remains in Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year in 2021 U.S. report.
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Bhutanese Ambassador presents his letter of credence to His Majesty King Philppe, King of the Belgians- Bhutan Times

Bhutan’s accredited Ambassador to Belgium Tshering Gyaltshen Penjor presented his letter of credence to His Majesty Philppe, King of the Belgians at the Royal Palace in Brussels on 8 September 2021.
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Nu 19.47mn worth of vegetables exported to India- Business Bhutan

This is as per the provisional trade statistics for the first quarter of this year.
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Maldives

Covid-19 health, social expenditure reaches MVR 2,106.9 million – Raajje

According to latest statistics publicized by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, between September 2 – 9 expenditures related to health social sectors saw a 0.04 percent increase from the week before.
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Maldives tourist arrivals figure exceeds 800,000 by Monday – Raajje

As the country inches closer to its tourist arrival target of 1.3 million for the year, by September 13 Maldives recorded 809,764 arrivals, of which 53,798 have been welcomed during the ongoing month.
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Myanmar

Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Attends Court as Health Improves – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended a hearing at a special court in Naypyitaw’s Zabuthiri Township on Tuesday, as she was feeling better.
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What to make of the US-China deal on Myanmar’s UN seat? – Barbedwires

On 13 September, Foreign Policy, in an exclusive report, revealed that the US and China had brokered a deal between them to defer a decision on who would occupy Myanmar’s seat at the UN – the junta or the National Unity Government (NUG) – to November.
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Int’l Community Can’t Be Relied on for Myanmar Democracy Movement or People’s Safety: NUG – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) said it could no longer rely on the international community to support the country’s democracy movement or to protect the people of Myanmar from the brutality of the military junta.
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China’s Infrastructure Projects in Myanmar, Nepal and Tibet Threaten to Encircle India – The Irrawaddy

On August 25, when the international media was busy covering the Afghan crisis, China quietly opened a strategic rail link through civil war-hit Myanmar to access the Indian Ocean.
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What Has Happened to Myanmar’s Tatmadaw? – The Irrawaddy

The decision by Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) to declare a “defensive people’s war” against the military junta that usurped power in Naypyitaw on Feb. 1 has not been met with much sympathy from the international community.
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Myanmar’s UN Ambassador to Stay On: UN Sources – The Irrawaddy

The United States and China have brokered an agreement that will effectively block Myanmar’s military rulers from addressing the United Nations’ General Assembly next week.
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Nepal

Let UML’s Pandey, Bhatta join Nepal’s party, EC told- Himalaya

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order to the Election Commission asking it not to bar CPN-UML lawmakers Som Prasad Pandey and Sharada Devi Bhatta from joining the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led CPN (Unified Socialist) party.
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UML lawmakers continue to disrupt House- Himalaya

CPN-UML lawmakers continued to stall the proceedings of both the houses of representatives today accusing Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota of being complicit in the ‘conspiracy’ to split their party. Sapkota postponed the HoR meeting till September 20.
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Child marriage cases up by 31.25pc

The evil of Child marriage is rampant and continues to worsen in the country.
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SAARC meet on UN assembly sidelines uncertain after Afghan regime change-Kathmandu Post

Citing the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will not be travelling to New York, one of his aides has said, as the 76th session of the UN General Assembly officially opens.
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Government faces financial deadlock as budget fails to get through Parliament- Kathmandu Post

The obstruction of the House of Representatives by the main opposition CPN-UML on Tuesday has led to a government shutdown situation.
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CPN (Unified Socialist)’s first central committee meeting scheduled for Sept 21- The Republica

The first central committee meeting of the CPN (Unified Socialist) is going to take place on September 21.
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Scores of lawmakers in Nepal lack intelligence and integrity: A review of their statements in House- Online Khabar

CPN-Maoist Centre chief whip Dev Gurung also agrees that his party has not been able to change this and train lawmakers.
https://english.onlinekhabar.com/lawmakers-in-nepal-parliament.html” target=”_blank”>Click here to read…

Pakistan

PM Imran annoyed over PTI defeat in Punjab cantt polls: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed annoyance over defeat of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insasf (PTI) in recent cantonment boards elections in four major stations — Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar and Multan, sources told Dawn.
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Opposition submits no-confidence motion against Balochistan CM: Dawn

Sixteen opposition members in the Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday submitted a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani to the assembly secretary, demanding that a session be called for a debate on the motion within seven days.
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Imran to Putin: Pak-Russia close coordination on Afghanistan crucial: The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday received a telephone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin wherein both the leaders discussed latest situation in Afghanistan and other matters.
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Blinken says US will assess Pakistan ties over Afghanistan’s future: The Express Tribune

The United States will be looking at its relationship with Pakistan in the coming weeks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday, to formulate what role Washington would want it to play in the future of Afghanistan.
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Lockdown in 18 districts to be lifted tomorrow: The News

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar Tuesday announced to lift lockdown in 18 out of 24 districts with high risk of delta variant of COVID-19 until September 30.
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Sri Lanka

GoSL opposes ‘polarising’ UNHRC initiative – The Morning

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, addressing the 48th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (14) via online technology, said that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) rejects any external initiatives established by Resolution 46/1, which was adopted at the Council earlier this year, as it will polarise the Sri Lankan society.
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Total COVID-19 detections exceed 490,000 with 2,475 new cases – Daily FT

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections exceeded 490,000 with 2,475 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday.
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SL to establish diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste – Ceylon Today

The Foreign Minister’s proposal to establish formal diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste (East Timor), was approved by the Cabinet.
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UN Core Group ‘deeply concerned’ about human rights developments in Sri Lanka – Adaderana.lk

The United Nations Core Group on Sri Lanka has expressed its deep concerns over the current human rights developments in Sri Lanka and the country’s counter-terrorism legistation.
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Complaints against China’s banking sector rise in Q2: Xinhuanet

September 15, 2021

China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and its local bureaus received a total of 84,424 cases of consumer complaints in the second quarter of this year, up 25.5 percent year on year. More than half of the complaints were related to credit card businesses. The number of cases involving credit card service increased 37.2 percent year on year to 46,273 in the second quarter, accounting for 54.8 percent of the total.
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China unveils 5-year plan to control plastic pollution: Xinhuanet

September 15, 2021

China on Wednesday unveiled a plan on controlling plastic pollution over the next five years, aiming to effectively curb white pollution by 2025. The action plan, jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, details measures to cut the production and use of plastics, develop alternatives for plastics, and substantially reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and environmental leakage during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
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Chinese FM meets South Korean president, wraps up four-nation visit: People’s Daily

September 16, 2021

In the final stop of his four-nation Asia trip, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday, with both sides agreeing to boost ties, and Moon called on China to continue to play a constructive role in the Korean Peninsula issue.
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Stricter rules help stabilize home prices: People’s Daily

September 16, 2021

China’s home prices increased in August but at a slower pace as regulatory measures continue to rein in and stabilize the disorderly market. So, major cities are expected to see limited room for growth in home prices, industry experts said. In August, home prices in 70 Chinese major cities either grew marginally or edged down, both in year-on-year and month-on-month terms, suggesting the long-term nature of tightening rules continues to have the desired effect at local levels, said Sheng Guoqing, chief statistician with the National Bureau of Statistics.
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China’s first joint peacekeeping exercise concludes: China Daily

September 15, 2021

Multinational peacekeeping exercise, Shared Destiny 2021, concluded on Wednesday at a military training base in Henan province, according to the Chinese military’s headquarters at the exercise. More than 1,000 troops from China, Mongolia, Pakistan and Thailand conducted a joint exercise on Wednesday morning at the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s Queshan Combined Tactical Training Base.
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Cyberspace regulator urges internet platforms to strengthen management of push systems, minor protection: Global Times

September 16, 2021

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s top cyberspace regulator, issued a guideline on Wednesday urging internet platforms to strengthen the management of push news and protection for minors. The move represents the regulator’s ongoing effort to create a clean and healthy internet environment.
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Chinese diplomat warns Germany, EU against targeting businesses: Global Times

September 15, 2021

A senior Chinese diplomat on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Germany and the EU over their discriminatory actions against Chinese businesses, vowing that China will not “sit idle” regarding such actions and urging relevant parties in Europe to not take a condescending attitude toward China and behave like a teacher.
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Chinese mining firms told to stop work and leave Democratic Republic of Congo: South China Morning Post

September 16, 2021

China has ordered its companies that broke laws and environmental standards in the Democratic Republic of Congo to cease operating and leave the country – at a time when the African nation’s government is aiming to renegotiate “infrastructure for minerals” deals with Beijing. It came after South Kivu province suspended six Chinese firms’ operations over illegal mining and destruction of the environment. The companies had missed a deadline to register their activities with the Congolese authorities.
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Holders of HK vigil jailed: Taipei Times

September 16, 2021

Nine Hong Kong democracy advocates and former lawmakers yesterday were sentenced to prison terms of up to 10 months for their roles in last year’s banned candlelight vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. The nine are part of a group of 12 defendants who earlier this month pled guilty to participating in the vigil that was the only large-scale public commemoration on Chinese soil of the 1989 crackdown in Beijing on student-led protests.
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China Evergrande’s liquidity crisis deepens, report flags interest payment miss: Reuters

September 15, 2021

China’s major banks have been notified by the housing authority that Evergrande Group (3333.HK) won’t be able to pay loan interest due Sept. 20, Bloomberg reported, underlining the broadening impact of the property developer’s liquidity crisis. The troubles ailing the nation’s no. 2 property developer have already sparked social anger among investors and homebuyers and raised risks for China’s vast financial system.
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