Afghanistan

Noted religious scholar gunned down in Kabul- Pajhwok

Noted religious scholar Sardar Wali Saqib has been killed by unknown gunmen in the capital Kabul, an official said on Thursday. Click here to read…

Taliban to Participate in Tashkent International Conference- Afghanistan Times

he Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) delegations will participate in an International Conference on Afghanistan which will be held On July 25-26, 2022, in Tashkent with the participation of more than 20 countries and international organizations, a statement from the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs published. Click here to read…

Dozens Dead as Flash Flood in Afghanistan- Afghanistan Times

Unseasonal rain and flooding has plagued Afghanistan over the past week. The UN has reported at least 39 deaths and 14 injuries. The central Afghan province of Ghazni is the hardest-hit region. Afghanistan’s eastern region has experienced three flash floods in less than a month. Click here to read…

Afghanistan Ranked Worst Country for Gender Gap- Tolo News

Afghanistan was ranked 146 — the lowest country — in the Global Gender Gap Index 2022 rankings. Click here to read…

Kabul Asks Ex-ANDSF Soldiers Studying in India to Return- Tolo News

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs asked all military students who are in India and other countries to return to Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Country first in S Asia for secondary education- Daily Star

Bangladesh has the lowest proportion of youths aged between 15 and 24 without secondary education level skills in South Asia, found a recent study. Click here to read…

Jute, jute goods exports fall for soaring shipping costs- Daily Star

Exports of jute and jute goods from Bangladesh declined in the last fiscal year due to the unprecedented surge in shipping costs and the higher price of raw fibres. Click here to read…

G20 finance leaders meet in Bali under cloud of Ukraine war- Dhaka Tribune

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a “special military operation”, has overshadowed previous G20 meetings, including last week’s gathering of foreign ministers. Click here to read…

Foreign loans stressed to keep forex reserves in good shape- Asian Age

As a precautionary move, Bangladesh has started talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about taking a loan of $4-4.5 billion to shore up the precarious foreign currency reservesClick here to read…

Bangladesh may face Sri Lanka-like situation: GM Quader- Asian Age

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quade on Thursday warned that Bangladesh may face a Sri Lanka-like situation due to the implementation of mega projects with foreign loans. Click here to read…

Bhutan

DTT members confident of getting party registered- Kuensel

Members of the newly formed political party, Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa (DTT), are confident of getting the party registered with the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB). Click here to read…

Both countries should ensure minimum cost and avoid delays to maintain viability of future hydro projects- Kuensel

Outgoing Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Ruchira Kamboj, talks to Kuensel reporter Dechen Dolkar on issues pertaining to hydropower projects, fuel prices and railway network. Click here to read…

Nepal

Facilitating Nepal’s economic growth and strengthening trade ties are key priorities, says Dean Thompson, US Ambassador nominee to Nepal- Himalayan Times

US Ambassador nominee to Nepal, Dean R Thompson said that facilitating Nepal’s economic growth and strengthening trade ties are his key priorities during his time in Nepal, in his opening statement before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Click here to read…

National pride projects’ cost goes up- Himalayan Times

Both the cost and completion time of projects run under the national pride projects have increased, finds the report released by the Office of the Auditor General yesterday. Click here to read…

‘Eligible people deprived of Nepali citizenship’- Himalayan Times

The House of Representatives today held a debate on the Nepal Citizenship (First Amendment) Bill. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties said that eligible citizens had been deprived of citizenship for long due to non-enactment of new federal citizenship law. Click here to read…

US envoy nominee: Nepal ratified MCC despite China’s ‘disinformation campaign’- Kathmandu Post

In his opening statement before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate, Thompson says he is ‘well prepared’ to take up the assignment in Kathmandu. Click here to read…

Nepal, China agree to activate existing boundary mechanisms- Kathmandu Post

Mechanisms will be formed soon, either during Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka’s upcoming China visit, or at another bilateral meeting, officials say. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Imran ‘deeply hurt’ by detailed SC judgement- Dawn

PTI Chairman Imran Khan, expressing his disappointment with the detailed verdict issued by the Supreme Court in suo motu case against the ruling of the deputy speaker on Wednesday night, said the top court should have probed the issue after President Arif Alvi shared it with the chief justice. Click here to read…

Authorities across country brace for ‘rain disaster’- Dawn

Disaster management authorities are bracing for another spell of torrential rains, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan, in anticipation of a “vigorous monsoon” as rain lashed parts of Balochistan, triggering another wave of flash floods in the southwestern province on Thursday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Urea under Indian credit line arrives- Daily Mirror

Forty-six thousand metric tons of urea fertilizer under the Indian credit line reached Sri Lanka recently. The consignment was taken to government warehouses in Colombo yesterday. Click here to read…

Nod given for use of lethal force- Island

The Armed Forces had been ordered to use lethal force if it is necessary to protect public property, key installations, vulnerable points and human lives, the Army announced yesterday. Click here to read…

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation official- Ceylon Today

Gotabaya Rajapaksa has officially resigned as Sri Lanka’s President. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena made the announcement at a media briefing earlier this morningClick here to read…

Fulfill people’s expectations within democratic framework: Chief Prelates- Daily News

The country will become anarchic, through arbitrary power struggles, the Mahanayake Theras of the Three Chapters issuing a statement said yesterday (14). Click here to read…

Afghanistan

HRW Decries 300 Days of Closed Girls’ Schools: Tolo News

Human Rights Watch said that the “Taliban’s ban on secondary education” has already caused girls in Afghanistan to lose 300 days of their studies with devastating “consequences for them, their families, and the country’s future.” Click here to read…

Uzbekistan to Host Conference on Afghanistan: Tolo News

The government of Uzbekistan is to host a conference on Afghanistan on July 25-26 in which delegations from more than 20 countries will participate, a statement of the country’s foreign ministry saidClick here to read…

Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund Receives $2.2 Million Contribution from Switzerland: OCHA: The Khaama Press

UNOCHA tweeted its appreciation to Switzerland on Wednesday, July 13th, for its commitment of $2.2 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) to support the impoverished people of Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Govt takes austerity to field level- The Daily Star

In the face of growing pressure on the country’s economy, the government issued strict directives to field-level administration to practise austerity while spending from the budget allocation. Click here to read…

Many digital services exist just in name- The Daily Star

People are not getting the maximum benefit from the 761 services the government have digitalised for slow servers and poor internet speed, according to a government evaluationClick here to read…

Still a lot to do- The Daily Star

Key infrastructures around Karnaphuli tunnel yet to be completed even though deadline approaches; 28-point recommendation placed to avoid traffic congestion. Click here to read…

EU envoy meets Fakhrul- The Daily Star

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday. Click here to read…

Bangladesh will never be like Sri Lanka- The Daily Star

Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif yesterday said the situation of Bangladesh will never be like that of Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Curbing inflation top priority- The Daily Star

Reining in inflation, stabilising the volatile exchange rate and shoring up the foreign currency reserves are among the major priorities for keeping the economy afloat, newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder said yesterday. Click here to read…

$4.5b loan: IMF team to arrive tomorrow- The Daily Star

A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow on a nine-day trip to discuss the government’s request for a $4.5 billion loan in the form of budgetary supportClick here to read…

Bhutan

Trans Bhutan Trail in TIME’s annual list of World’s greatest places- Kuensel

The newly-restored Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT) has been named in TIME’s 50 extraordinary travel destinations around the world for 2022 yesterday. Click here to read…

Most PTA projects nearing completion- Kuensel

Of the 82-project-tied assistance (PTA) projects worth Nu 28 billion (B) in the 12th Plan funded by the government of India (GoI), only 16 have been completed to date. Click here to read…

Human resource shortage in LG hampers public service delivery- Kuensel

Without sufficient human resources, some gewogs in Dagana are facing difficulty to provide basic public services. Click here to read…

Flash flood damages seven acres of fields in Minjigang in Samdrup Jongkhar- BBS

Usually, at this time of the year, farmers of Minjigang chiwog in Phuntshothang Gewog transplant paddy. But this year, some families are yet to start their work. Click here to read…

Maldives

Sri Lankan president flees to Maldives, protesters demand prime minister’s ouster – Reuters

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country on Wednesday, hours before he was due to step down, after a people’s uprising over a devastating economic crisis ended his family’s powerful grip on the island nation. Click here to read…

Protests Near Maldives Prez’s House Urging To Send Gotabaya Rajapaksa Back To Sri Lanka – OmmcomNews

Maldivians and Sri Lankan expatriates are protesting near Maldives President Ibrahim Solih’s house urging the authorities to send ousted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa out from their country’s soil, the Head of the Maldivian TV channel told Daily MirrorClick here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visits Russia – RFA

Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for what Russia’s Embassy in Myanmar called a “private” visit, only two days after U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken vowed to ramp up international pressure on the military regimeClick here to read…

ICJ to give verdict on Myanmar objections July 22 – New Age

The International Court of Justice on Monday set July 22 to deliver its judgment on the Myanmar preliminary objections to the case filed over the latter’s genocide against the Rohingyas in Rakhine stateClick here to read…

Bamar People’s Liberation Army receives support of major rebel groups on one-year anniversary – Myanmar Now

A coalition of three major ethnic armed armed groups on Sunday declared its support for the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), which was formed a year ago to fight against the juntaClick here to read…

The PDFs marching to their own tune – Frontier Myanmar

The Anti-Dictatorship People’s Revolutionary Army was formed with 100 members in April of last year, after the military’s brutal crackdowns on peaceful protesters left hundreds dead. Since then, it has swelled to nearly 1,000 fighters, most of which operate in the war-torn Sagaing Region, while some stage urban guerrilla attacks in Yangon and Mandalay. Click here to read…

Children, Not Soldiers – UN Children and Armed Conflict

Launched in 2014, the campaign Children, Not Soldiers, an initiative of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and UNICEF, aimed to bring about a global consensus that child soldiers should not be used in conflictClick here to read…

Nepal

Ruling alliance backs Pushpa Bhusal for deputy speaker- Himalayan Times

The ruling alliance has decided to field Nepali Congress whip Pushpa Bhusal for the post of deputy speaker. Click here to read…

Heavy rainfall forecast in four provinces, public urged to remain alert- Himalayan Times

According to Meteorological Forecasting Division, the weather will be generally cloudy throughout the country today while light to moderate rain with thunder. Click here to read…

HoR passes two bills- Himalayan Times

A meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today endorsed two bills that were tabled in the National Assembly. Click here to read…

Nepal, China crucial talks today, with aim to revive mechanisms to settle boundary row- Kathmandu Post

Two countries have failed to conduct joint inspection of the border since 2011. Recent reports suggest disputes in some places, including Humla. Click here to read…

No closure after Nepal’s insurgency- Nepali Times

Sixteen years after the conflict ended, families still struggle for transitional justice. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Flight From Pakistan Takes 181 Afghans to the Netherlands: The Khaama Press

The Dutch government announced Wednesday that a group of 181 Afghans had flown to safety following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan last year. They landed in the Netherlands on a chartered flight from Pakistan, according to Dutch media. Click here to read…

Editorial: Lankan meltdown lessons: Dawn

THE spectre of the Sri Lankan situation has come to haunt many a developing nation facing serious economic challenges. After an economic meltdown, the South Asian country is now witnessing the unravelling of its political system. A mass uprising triggered by rising commodity prices has forced the government out. But the crisis is far from over. Click here to read…

Ambassador Masood Khan meets key US Senate committee’s chief: The Express Tribune

Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan held a meeting with Senator Jack Reed, chairman of the powerful US Senate Armed Services Committee, during which he expressed Pakistan’s interest in building on the existing relationship with respect to security between the two countries. Click here to read…

Imran vows to win July 17 by-polls despite rivals ‘enjoying support of umpires’: The Express Tribune

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday vowed to win the much-hyped July 17 Punjab by-poll despite the opponents enjoying the support of the “umpires”.
Click here to read…

Global Gender Gap report released: Pakistan is second-worst country in terms of gender parity: The News

Pakistan, with a population of 107 million women, is the second-worst country in terms of gender parity. This key finding was shared by the World Economic Forum in its Global Gender Gap Report, released on Wednesday. The report ranks Pakistan 145 out of 146 countries. Click here to read…

Pakistan reaches staff-level agreement with IMF: The News

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a staff-level agreement to complete the combined 7th and 8th reviews of Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with an increased size of $7 billion. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Prospects of SL securing IMF bailout remain bright despite political unrest-The Daily Mirror

Despite the current leadership vacuum in the country, a reputed economist remains optimistic of the prospects of Sri Lanka securing a rescue package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by September-October and following a staff-level agreement expected in about three weeks. Click here to read…

Ukrainian President blames Russia for causing the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka-The Daily Mirror

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Russia for causing the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka as he pointed out that blocking of food products during the invasion of Ukraine has resulted in unrest all around the world. Click here to read…

75 admitted to NHC following clashes today-The Daily Mirror

At least 75 persons including members of the security forces were injured during clashes which erupted today, hospital sources said. Click here to read…

GR does not depart Maldives, awaits private jet-The Daily Mirror

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has not departed for Singapore on the scheduled Singapore Airlines flight from Male to Singapore but instead will now await to travel on a private aircraft, the Daily Mirror exclusively learns. Click here to read…

Security forces want a political solution- The Island

Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva yesterday said that he along with the heads of the tri-forces had requested the Speaker to convene a party leaders’ meeting to resolve the current political turmoil. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

BGB, BSF exchange Eid greetings at Panchbibi border in Joypurhat- The Daily Star

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel today exchanged greetings with India’s Border Security Force (BSF) personnel with sweets at Hatkhola border in Panchbibi of Joypurhat on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. Click here to read…

Without land, Bangladesh’s Manta people live — and die — on boats- Arab News

More than 30 million people around the world had to relocate within their home countries due to natural disasters in 2020, nearly 4.5 million of them in BangladeshClick here to read…

Millions left destitute in northeastern Bangladesh three weeks after floods- Down to Earth

Flood victims lacking basic essentials such as rice, fuel, cooking utensils; forced to live on roads. Click here to read…

Opinion: Will Bangladesh’s garment industry find new markets in Asia as West could restrict access?- Daiji World

At present about 80 per cent of exports of RMGs are directed to the US and European countries. But with rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics, many in the industry have voiced their opinion for establishing new markets at the earliest. Click here to read…

Rising violence in Bangladesh’s hills worries Christians- UCA News

Unrest in Chittagong Hill Tracts is blamed on a turf war between ethnic groups and long-running communal tensions. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan mourns the death of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe- Kuensel

His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen offered 1,000 butter lamps in memory of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, at the Kuenrey of Trashichhodzong on July 9 morning. Click here to read…

NPL drops to Nu 17.56B in March- Kuensel

The non-performing loans (NPL) in the financial sector saw a drop of 29 percent in March this year from the same month last year. Click here to read…

GoI makes special trade concessions for Bhutan- Nepali Times

The Government of India (GoI) has made a special exemption for Bhutan by lifting the restriction on imports of potatoes only from Bhutan, for another year with effect from 04 July until June next year, thereby alleviating the difficulties faced by Bhutanese traders in exporting potatoes to India.
Click here to read…

US donates 33,600 doses of Pfizer’s pediatric Covid vaccine to Bhutan- Business Standard

The US government on Sunday delivered 33,600 doses of Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine to Bhutan. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives Covid-19 case tally exceeds 183,000 – Raajje

As such, between July 3 – July 9, 192 cases were reported from the congested capital, Greater Malé Area, 304 from residential islands outside of the capital and 275 Covid-19 cases were reported from others including industrial islands, liveaboard vessels and resorts. Click here to read…

Deputy FM meets Maldives Foreign Minister

On behalf of the Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Eng. Waleed Al Khereiji met on Monday here the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Mizoram: Two MDF rebels held in Siaha near Myanmar border – NE Now

In another breakthrough, troopers of Assam Rifles have apprehended two cadres of a Myanmar based Maraland Defence Force (MDF) with ammunition in south Mizoram’s Siaha district near the Myanmar border, Assam Rifles said in a statement. Click here to read…

Observers say inclusive dialogue unlikely in Myanmar without added pressure on junta – RFA

Myanmar’s junta is unlikely to sign off on an all-inclusive dialogue to resolve the country’s political crisis unless additional pressure is applied, observers said Monday, following calls by both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China to allow all stakeholders to the negotiating table. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Chief Perpetuates Predecessors’ Superstitious Obsession With Rubies – The Irrawaddy

Successive military dictators since the previous military regime the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) have one thing in common—being superstitious and thick-headed. Click here to read…

Communities defy bombs to keep schools running in Myanmar – The New Humanitarian

The New Humanitarian spoke with educators and students in three areas of the country where ethnic revolutionary organisations and so-called “people’s administration teams” are running education systems in the midst of war, serving tens of thousands of students. Click here to read…

Tightened security checks reported in Arakan State – BNI Online

The Myanmar military has been tightening security checks on locals and travellers in some Arakan State townships since June, according to residents. The military arrested at least 50 locals in Sittwe, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun and Mrauk-U townships last month after the Arakan Army detained 14 junta soldiers and police personnel. Click here to read…

Chinese Foreign Minister Snubs Myanmar Junta Chief – The Irrawaddy

It must be embarrassing for Myanmar regime chief Min Aung Hlaing when the top diplomat from the foreign country he relies upon most declines to pay him a visit—particularly if the diplomat is already in Myanmar. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal’s retail inflation hits near six-year high in June- Himalayan Times

Nepal’s annual retail inflation accelerated to 8.56% for the month ending mid-June, central bank data showed on Monday, pushed by a spurt in food and fuel costs amid pressure on the country’s currency. Click here to read…

Bill giving victims more time to report rape passed- Himalayan Times

The House of Representatives today unanimously passed the Bill to Amend Some Acts against Sexual Violence, extending statute of limitation in rape cases. Click here to read…

HoR passes Nepal Police-Province Police coordination bill for Kathmandu Valley’s security- Himalayan Times

The House of Representatives (HoR) has passed the ‘Nepal Police and Province Police (Work Operation, Supervision and Coordination) First Amendment Bill, 2022. Click here to read…

Inflation close to double-digit mark- Kathmandu Post

Central bank report shows year-on-year inflation hit 8.56 percent in the first 11 months of this fiscal year. Click here to read…

Deuba under fire— from a section of Congress, and opposition- Kathmandu Post

UML charges prime minister with failing in governance. Congress group questions party president’s performance. Click here to read…

Unified Socialist Chairman Nepal directs cadres to build organization- Republica

Chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal has directed cadres to build party organization by reaching every village. Click here to read…

Pakistan

In Lodhran power show, Imran urges supporters to defeat ‘turncoats, nexus of ECP and PML-N’: Dawn

Former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday urged his workers and supporters to defeat the “turncoats” as well as the “nexus” of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the PML-N by voting for his party in the upcoming by-polls in Lodhran. Click here to read…

Like Sri Lanka, two ruling families taking Pakistan towards crisis: Imran: The Express Tribune

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has expressed fear that Pakistan is heading towards a similar situation to that of Sri Lanka due to the dynastic rule of two families – Sharif and Zardari. Click here to read…

Severe urban flooding in Karachi after record heavy downpour: The Express Tribune

The southern areas of Karachi, including DHA, Clifton, Kemari, Saddar and other localities reportedly received the highest amount of rainfall after a slow-moving thunderstorm stalled over the city during early morning hours. Click here to read…

‘Biggest relief package’ to be announced by PM Shehbaz, reveals Maryam Nawaz: The News

Announcing “good news” for the nation, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Monday said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon unveil the “biggest relief package” for the people of Pakistan. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Immigration officers withdraw from Silk Route operations at BIA- Daily Mirror

The Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association (SLIEOA) has decided to withdraw from functioning at the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from this morning until further notice. Click here to read…

UAE’s flydubai suspends operations to Sri Lanka- Daily Mirror

United Arab Emirates carrier flydubai has suspended operations to Colombo in Sri Lanka until further notice, a spokesperson for the budget airline said on Monday. Click here to read…

Parliament to elect new President on July 20: Speaker- Daily Mirror

Party leaders have decided to elect a new President on July 20 through a vote in Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane said today. Click here to read…

Basil’s exit from country foiled after protests by passengers- Daily Mirror

An attempt by former Minister Basil Rajapaksa to leave the country through the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal was foiled due to airport immigration officials refusing to let him leave the country following the protests by passengers. Click here to read…

Adani power projects delayed- The Island

Two renewable energy projects by India’s Adani Group to generate 500 MW at a cost of USD 500 million will be further delayed due to conflicts of interest here, a senior official saidClick here to read…

US envoy calls for democratic transition of power- The Island

US Ambassador in Colombo Julie Chung has called on all political parties to ensure democratic transition of power. Click here to read…

Sonia Gandhi urges international community to support Sri Lanka- The Island

Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi has urged the international community to extend all support and assistance to Sri Lanka.In a statement she said that the Indian National Congress has been following with concern the evolving political situation in Sri Lanka.Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Afghan Coal Sold to Companies Linked to Pakistan Army: Analyst: Tolo News

Owners of coal factories in Afghanistan said the Afghan coal is being sold to three Pakistani companies: Fauji Fertilizer Power Station, Cherat Cement Factory and Lucky Cement and Coal. Economists said these companies are connected with the Pakistan Army. Click here to read…

Islamic Emirate Leader Vows to Enforce Islamic Law Across Country: Tolo News

The supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate, Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, vowed to enforce the Islamic system in Afghanistan. In audio recorded from Eid prayers in Eid-Gaah Mosque in Kandahar, Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, the Islamic Emirate’s leader, said that the laws which were not based on Sharia in the previous government will be demolished.Click here to read…

Kabul Sees Hike in Customs Revenue amid Hunger Strikes: The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) said it has collected more than 24 billion Afs in revenue from customs offices within the first three months of the fiscal year – a promising figure for a country that has been suffering from financial loose since the fall last August. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Commit to country’s wellbeing with spirit of sacrifice: PM- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on the eve of the holy Eid-Ul-Azha, has urged all to devote themselves to the welfare of the country while being imbued with the spirit of sacrifice. Click here to read…

Forfeit leaseholders’ deposits if they don’t clean up cattle markets: Mayor Atiqul- The Daily Star

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam today said deposit money of leaseholders will be declared forfeit if they do not clean up cattle markets under DNCC. Click here to read…

Over 12 crore Bangladeshis can’t afford a healthy diet- The Daily Star

It is roughly Tk 286 ($3.064) in Bangladesh whereas the global average is about Tk 331 ($3.54), according to the UN’s flagship report styled “The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2022: Repurposing Food and Agricultural Policies to Make Healthy Diets More Affordable.” Click here to read…

Dhaka cattle markets finally booming- The Daily Star

After seeing a scarcity of customers, Dhaka’s cattle markets have started gaining momentum after Juma prayers yesterday, as a huge number of buyers rushed to the markets. Click here to read…

“Recall with gratitude Abe’s contributions to elevating Bangladesh-Japan relations”- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (July 8, 2022) expressed deep shock at former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe’s assassination, calling his sudden demise a great loss for Japan and the world.Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan embarks on small hydropower projects for energy security- Kuensel

The Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) will begin construction of three small hydropower projects, one each at Lhuentse, Zhemgang and Haa, with a total generation capacity of 104 megawatts (MW). Click here to read…

Are managed-out civil servants eligible to contest elections?- Kuensel

With the next parliamentary elections approaching, the political ambitions of the executives who have been managed out through the leadership assessment exercise hinges on what the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) decides. Click here to read…

Walups question legality of land, owner refutes- Kuensel

There are about 30 households in Walungna. Villagers said they were never consulted nor knew that a new settler had bought 14 acres of land above the village, once their tsamdro (grazing land). Click here to read…

Their Majesties offer prayers and butter lamps for late former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe- Bhutan Times

His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen offered prayers and butter lamps at Tashichhodzong yesterday for the late former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. Cabinet ministers, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community and the Japanese community in Bhutan attended the ceremony. Click here to read…

Sudhakar Dalela appointed as next Ambassador to Bhutan- The Print

Sudhakar Dalela, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1993 batch has been appointed as the Ambassador of India to the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives seeks loan from Bangladesh – The Daily Star

In another show of the growing strength of Bangladesh’s economy, the government might give loans to the Maldives after the Island nation sought funds. If the government agrees to the request, it will mark the second time that Bangladesh has lent money to another country. Click here to read…

Bilateral ties between Maldives and South Sudan will continue to flourish: FM Shahid – Raajje

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has expressed confidence that the bilateral ties of friendship between Maldives and South Sudan will continue to develop and flourish in the years ahead. Minister Shahid stated this in his message of felicitations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan, Mayiik Ayii Deng, on the occasion of their Independence Day. Click here to read…

Myanmar

UN rights body adopts resolution urging Myanmar to repatriate Rohingyas – TBS News

The resolution on the “Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar” was adopted without a vote at the 50th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. Click here to read…

Junta forces overrun resistance base in northwestern Myanmar – Myanmar Now

A base belonging to the anti-junta Yaw Defence Force (YDF) in Magway Region’s Htilin Township was attacked by junta troops last week, forcing resistance fighters to abandon the site and some 20m kyat (US$10,800) worth of supplies. Click here to read…

Blinken hits at ASEAN for lack of pressure on Myanmar – Federal News Network

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is criticizing Southeast Asian nations for not doing enough to press Myanmar’s military government to return the country to the path of democracy following last year’s power seizure. Click here to read…

India running out of options in Myanmar as a civil war rages and China backs the junta – National Herald India

The military junta in Myanmar, which seized power in a coup in February last year, have had luck and China on their side, making them far less vulnerable to external pressure than the Taliban in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Junta Watch: Coup Leader Says Military Still Needed in Politics; Another ASEAN Snub, and More – The Irrawaddy

Offering a view that is the complete opposite of that held by the Myanmar people, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said during a meeting with military personnel and their families in Pulaw Township, Ayeyarwady Region on Monday that the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) must continue to take a leadership role in the country’s politics and maintain its oversight position as the “guardian” of the country. Click here to read…

Nepal

NRB seeks suggestions for monetary policy- Himalayan Times

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has sought suggestions for the monetary policy. Click here to read…

New citizenship bill does away with 7 years wait- Himalayan Times

The government registered a new citizenship bill last night proposing to continue the provision that allows foreign women married to Nepali men to obtain matrimonial naturalisation immediately after they take steps to renounce the citizenship of their mother country. Click here to read…

CPC foreign department chief Liu arrives in Kathmandu- Himalayan Times

Foreign Department Chief of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Liu Jianchao, arrived here this morning, leading an eight-member delegation. Click here to read…

Deuba government taking a leaf out of Oli’s book in obscene fashion, experts say- Kathmandu Post

A bill to amend Constitutional Council Act comes as the latest case to demonstrate current administration is no different from the previous one in disregarding rule of law. Click here to read…

Tax waiver sets off investment rush in automobile assembly plants- Kathmandu Post

Six motor vehicle assembly companies with a combined capital of Rs6.83 billion have been registered with the Industry Department in the current fiscal year. Click here to read…

Govt holds discussion with UML leader Nembang on citizenship bill- Republica

The government has expedited consultation with the main opposition party to endorse the citizenship bill through parliament. Click here to read…

Deuba protested Oli’s intent to change Constitutional Council rules. But, he is proposing the same changes now- OnlineKhabar

KP Sharma Oli issued the same ordinance between 2019 and 2021 introducing changes in the rules of the operation of the Constitutional Council. The ordinance was never endorsed in parliament as the then main opposition Nepali Congress was against it. Click here to read…

No closure after Nepal’s insurgency- Nepali Times

Sixteen years after the conflict ended, families still struggle for transitional justice. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Severe urban flooding in Karachi after record heavy downpour: The Express Tribune

The port city is facing severe urban flooding and continuous torrential rainfall since Sunday night with predictions that heavy downpour will continue for hours to come on Monday. Click here to read…

Deadline extended for energy standards: The Express Tribune

The government has extended the deadline for implementing the minimum energy performance standards for electric fans in an effort to minimise
power outages. Click here to read…

PM Shahbaz Shaarif extends Eid greetings to Erdogan, King Hamad: The News

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a telephonic call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, conveyed warm greetings to the government and people of Türkiye on the happy occasion of Eidul Azha. Click here to read…

Editorial: CPEC resumption: Dawn

Work has reportedly resumed on the Main Line 1 (ML-1) upgradation project, the largest component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Pakistan and the centrepiece of the second phase of CPEC. Click here to read…

Two PMLN ministers resign to participate in by-poll campaign: The News

Former speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and former provincial health minister Khwaja Salman Raffique resigned from their posts. PMLN Deputy Secretary Information and Punjab Law Minister Atta Tarar said that both the PMLN leaders had resigned from their posts to participate in the by-election campaign. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

GR confirms to resign on Wednesday; Presidential Polls before March- The Daily Mirror

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will end his presidency on Wednesday after handing in his resignation to the Parliament Speaker after which a decision has been taken to hold a presidential and parliamentary election before March next year, senior political sources told Daily Mirror last evening. Click here to read…

Slain Japanese PM’s funeral tomorrow; SL declares day of mourning- The Daily Mirror

Tomorrow, the country will observe a state of mourning as a mark of respect to the longest served late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Click here to read…

More than 1.5mn litrs of fuel distributed so far: LIOC MD- The Daily Mirror

More than 1.5 million litres of petrol and diesel have been released for distribution so far from the oil terminal at Trincomalee, Manoj Gupta, Managing Director, Lanka IOC PLC said. Click here to read…

India denies report of sending Indian troops to SL- The Daily Mirror

The Indian High Commission in Colombo categorically denied speculative reports in sections of media and social media about India sending her troops to Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Pope Francis appeals for peace for SL- The Daily Mirror

Pope Francis has renewed his appeal for peace in Sri Lanka today. “I unite myself to the sorrow of the Sri Lankan people, who continue to suffer the effects of political and economic instability,” Pope Francis said on Sunday, following the weekly prayers. Click here to read…

India always stands with Sri Lanka, no refugee crisis at the moment: Jaishankar- The Daily Mirror

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that India has been providing assistance to Sri Lanka and is monitoring the developments in the island nation adding that there is no refugee crisis now. Click here to read…

EU calls on all parties to focus on a peaceful, democratic transition in SL- The Daily Mirror

The European Union (EU) today called on all parties to cooperate and focus on a peaceful, democratic and orderly transition in Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

US urges SL leaders to work ‘quickly’ to address ‘discontent’- The Daily Mirror

As President Gotabaya Rajapaksa prepares to step down, the United States calls on “the Sri Lankan Parliament to approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation – not any one political party,” a State Department spokesperson said as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Thailand. Click here to read…

IMF hopes for resolution of SL crisis to allow bailout talks- The Daily Mirror

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it is hoping for a resolution to Sri Lanka’s political turmoil that will allow a resumption of talks for a bailout package after a violent day of protests. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Recent Floods Inflicted Human, Financial Losses Nationwide: Tolo News

The fatal floods flowed recently across Afghanistan Inflicted human casualties and financial losses with hitting thousands of acreses of agricultural land. Click here to read…

Stanekzai Calls for Inclusion of Women in Govt Departments: Tolo News

The deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, said that the inclusion of women in government departments is necessary.
Speaking at an inauguration ceremony of a trade exhibition of domestic products, Stanekzai said that women make up half the population and that they are “not neglected” and “they should be involved in all areas of life including the economy, politics, and the nation’s reconstruction.” Click here to read…

US: It is “Too Early” to Recognize the Taliban’s Government: The Khaama Press

The US says no foreign government is considering recognizing the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, despite the fact that the group will complete a year in power in Kabul next month.Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Lift sanctions against Russia- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the Western countries to lift the sanctions on Russia, saying that millions of people across the world were suffering as the sanctions impacted global supply chains and increased prices food and other commodities. Click here to read…

More steps mulled to cut power demand- The Daily Star

The power outages the people are enduring nationwide could go on until September, and the government may change office and school hours and reintroduce home office to reduce electricity demand. Click here to read…

Don’t take their source of livelihood- The Daily Star

Eight environmentalist organisations yesterday collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies, urging them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union of Khulna’s Dacope upazila. Click here to read…

Cattle markets near Rohingya camps buzzing- The Daily Star

With Eid getting ever closer, Rohingya camps have been in a festive mood lately, as many were seen buying animals for sacrifice in nearby cattle markets. Click here to read…

Govt to implement nationwide Religious Harmony, Awareness Project- The Daily Star

The government will implement a nationwide “Religious Harmony and Awareness Project” through education and cultural activism involving women, youth, civil society, community, and faith leaders to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Click here to read…

“Globally accepted methodologies of social science research were followed”- The Daily Star

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has appreciated Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s expectations of evidence-based arguments and said there is no scope of treating any aspect of its research on fossil fuel-based power plants in the country as unfounded. Click here to read…

‘Lowering age limit not a solution’- The Daily Star

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights. Click here to read…

Unicef voices concern over attacks on teachers- The Daily Star

Expressing concerns over the recent attacks on teachers in Bangladesh, Unicef has called for ensuring their safety and security. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Government to continue rationalisation measures in this fiscal year- Kuensel

As the country’s domestic revenue is adequate to only meet recurrent expenditure, the government will continue implementing rationalisation measures in this fiscal year. Click here to read…

Second phase of cancer screening underway- Kuensel

Some 70,000 people are on triple therapy medication after testing positive to H.Pylori bacteria during the ongoing nationwide screening campaign. Click here to read…

India issues special trade concessions for Bhutan- Fresh Palza

India has decided to make special trade concessions to Bhutan in view of the close trade and economic ties with the Himalayan Kingdom. Click here to read…

India-Bhutan hydropower cooperation: Assessing the present scenario- ORF India

Despite the strong bilateral ties between Bhutan and India, unfavourable opinions about India’s involvement in the hydropower sector are emerging. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Lift sanctions against Russia- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the Western countries to lift the sanctions on Russia, saying that millions of people across the world were suffering as the sanctions impacted global supply chains and increased prices food and other commodities. Click here to read…

More steps mulled to cut power demand- The Daily Star

The power outages the people are enduring nationwide could go on until September, and the government may change office and school hours and reintroduce home office to reduce electricity demand. Click here to read…

Don’t take their source of livelihood- The Daily Star

Eight environmentalist organisations yesterday collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies, urging them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union of Khulna’s Dacope upazila. Click here to read…

Cattle markets near Rohingya camps buzzing- The Daily Star

With Eid getting ever closer, Rohingya camps have been in a festive mood lately, as many were seen buying animals for sacrifice in nearby cattle markets. Click here to read…

Govt to implement nationwide Religious Harmony, Awareness Project- The Daily Star

The government will implement a nationwide “Religious Harmony and Awareness Project” through education and cultural activism involving women, youth, civil society, community, and faith leaders to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Click here to read…

“Globally accepted methodologies of social science research were followed”- The Daily Star

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has appreciated Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s expectations of evidence-based arguments and said there is no scope of treating any aspect of its research on fossil fuel-based power plants in the country as unfounded. Click here to read…

‘Lowering age limit not a solution’- The Daily Star

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights. Click here to read…

Unicef voices concern over attacks on teachers- The Daily Star

Expressing concerns over the recent attacks on teachers in Bangladesh, Unicef has called for ensuring their safety and security. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Lift sanctions against Russia- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the Western countries to lift the sanctions on Russia, saying that millions of people across the world were suffering as the sanctions impacted global supply chains and increased prices food and other commodities. Click here to read…

More steps mulled to cut power demand- The Daily Star

The power outages the people are enduring nationwide could go on until September, and the government may change office and school hours and reintroduce home office to reduce electricity demand. Click here to read…

Don’t take their source of livelihood- The Daily Star

Eight environmentalist organisations yesterday collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies, urging them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union of Khulna’s Dacope upazila. Click here to read…

Cattle markets near Rohingya camps buzzing- The Daily Star

With Eid getting ever closer, Rohingya camps have been in a festive mood lately, as many were seen buying animals for sacrifice in nearby cattle markets. Click here to read…

Govt to implement nationwide Religious Harmony, Awareness Project- The Daily Star

The government will implement a nationwide “Religious Harmony and Awareness Project” through education and cultural activism involving women, youth, civil society, community, and faith leaders to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Click here to read…

“Globally accepted methodologies of social science research were followed”- The Daily Star

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has appreciated Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s expectations of evidence-based arguments and said there is no scope of treating any aspect of its research on fossil fuel-based power plants in the country as unfounded. Click here to read…

‘Lowering age limit not a solution’- The Daily Star

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights. Click here to read…

Unicef voices concern over attacks on teachers- The Daily Star

Expressing concerns over the recent attacks on teachers in Bangladesh, Unicef has called for ensuring their safety and security. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Lift sanctions against Russia- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the Western countries to lift the sanctions on Russia, saying that millions of people across the world were suffering as the sanctions impacted global supply chains and increased prices food and other commodities. Click here to read…

More steps mulled to cut power demand- The Daily Star

The power outages the people are enduring nationwide could go on until September, and the government may change office and school hours and reintroduce home office to reduce electricity demand. Click here to read…

Don’t take their source of livelihood- The Daily Star

Eight environmentalist organisations yesterday collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies, urging them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union of Khulna’s Dacope upazila. Click here to read…

Cattle markets near Rohingya camps buzzing- The Daily Star

With Eid getting ever closer, Rohingya camps have been in a festive mood lately, as many were seen buying animals for sacrifice in nearby cattle markets. Click here to read…

Govt to implement nationwide Religious Harmony, Awareness Project- The Daily Star

The government will implement a nationwide “Religious Harmony and Awareness Project” through education and cultural activism involving women, youth, civil society, community, and faith leaders to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Click here to read…

“Globally accepted methodologies of social science research were followed”- The Daily Star

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has appreciated Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s expectations of evidence-based arguments and said there is no scope of treating any aspect of its research on fossil fuel-based power plants in the country as unfounded. Click here to read…

‘Lowering age limit not a solution’- The Daily Star

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights. Click here to read…

Unicef voices concern over attacks on teachers- The Daily Star

Expressing concerns over the recent attacks on teachers in Bangladesh, Unicef has called for ensuring their safety and security. Click here to read…

Maldives

India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Mauritius jointly deliberate on national security – United News of India

India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Mauritius concluded a joint meeting to discuss importance of national security in a conclave held on ThursdayClick here to read…

Australia has been a longstanding partner of Maldives: VP Naseem

The High Commissioner of Australia to the Maldives, David Holly, paid his farewell call on Vice President Faisal Naseem.

The Australian High Commissioner paid his farewell call to the VP on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the President’s Office. Click here to read…

“I look forward to strengthening the friendly relations between Maldives and Solomon Islands”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid has expressed his wish to strengthen the friendly relations between the Maldives and Solomon Islands.

Foreign Minister Shahid expressed this in his message of felicitations to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Solomon Islands. Click here to read…

Maldives and Comoros will continue to collaborate closely: FM Shahid

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid has stated that the Maldives and Comoros will continue to collaborate closely.

Minister Shahid stated this in his message of felicitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Comoros, Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day. Click here to read…

You’re Not Imagining It, This Maldives Floating City Concept Does Look Like a Brain

This is the Maldives Floating City concept, a fascinating collection of houses, hotels and restaurants floating among some islands.

As a picturesque island nation, the Maldives is extremely vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. Click here to read…

Maldives advances its disaster and climate resilience agenda

As a small island developing state, the Maldives is among the most at-risk countries to the impacts of climate change. With 80% of its population living less than one metre above sea level, the climate emergency is an existential threat for the Maldives, driving increasingly severe hazards such as floods, strong winds, swells, and storm surgesClick here to read…

Myanmar

Insecurity Growing in Rohingya Refugee Camps – International Policy Digest

5 years have passed since the Rohingya refugee influx in 2017. More than a million Rohingya refugees are living in squalid conditions in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh making it the largest refugee settlement in the world. The increasing rate of trans-border crime in those camps is not only making the Rohingya vulnerable but also threatening the security of the region. Click here to read…

Myanmar army soldiers defect to KNU to side with anti-coup protesters – Myanmar Now

Twelve soldiers serving in the Myanmar military have deserted and turned themselves over to the Karen National Union (KNU) in a show of solidarity with anti-coup protesters, the ethnic armed group has reported. Click here to read…

Manipur : Security Tightened In Moreh; After Mob Torches ‘Myanmar Army Sentry Post’ Over Killing Of 2 Tamils – NorthEast Today

Security has been tightened in Moreh, after mob from Manipur entered neighbouring Myanmar and torched a small army sentry post, marking protest against the killing of two Tamil men in the nation. Click here to read…

Vox Pop: Reactions from Arakan State to deadly junta air raid on AA camp near Thai-Myanmar border – BNI Online

Six members of the Arakan Army were killed when the Myanmar military carried out airstrikes on an AA outpost in territory of the Karen National Liberation Army’s Brigade 5, near the Myanmar-Thai border in Kayin (Karen) State. Some members were also injured, and a handful of buildings in the area were damaged or destroyed. The AA has vowed retaliation for the attack. Click here to read…

Nepal

Finance Minister Sharma resigns- Himalayan Times

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, who has been accused of changing tax rates to benefit business houses and deleting CCTV footage of May 28 night from his office, resigned from his post today. Click here to read…

Deuba’s US visit, initially proposed for mid-July, appears uncertain- Kathmandu Post

Foreign Ministry officials say the prime minister’s visit is ‘still on the plan’ but they are yet to hear from Washington. Click here to read…

Import explosion and trade deficit pushing Nepal into economic crisis- Kathmandu Post

Feverish consumption has been a bonanza for the trading sector, but the phenomenon brought disaster to manufacturing and agriculture sectors, experts say. Click here to read…

SC paves the way for Adhikari to continue office as NAC Executive Chair- Republica

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order, asking the government to give continuity to Yubaraj Adhikari as Nepal Airlines Corporation’s (NAC) Executive Chairperson. Click here to read…

Sajha starts e-bus service in Kathmandu- Nepali Times

Nepal needs to shift to electric transport to reduce trade gap and reach net-zero target. Click here to read…

Pakistan

ECC okays up to 335pc gas price increase: Dawn

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved up to 335 per cent increase in consumer-end gas prices on Thursday with effect from July 1 to generate about Rs666 billion in revenue for two gas utilities during the current fiscal year. Click here to read…

Key CPEC projects back on track as confidence restored: Dawn

Pakistan and China’s ties are back on track after Pakistani security forces successfully smashed the terrorist cell and nabbed the mastermind involved in an attack that killed three Chinese teachers at Karachi University, a source told Dawn on Thursday. Click here to read…

Fawad seeks an end to ‘threatening calls’: The Express Tribune

PTI leader and Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday sought an end to “threatening calls” from “unknown numbers” saying chief of the army staff (COAS) and the DG ISI had assured that their institutions would not get involved in any political activity. Click here to read…

PLL’s $1bn LNG tender flop to worsen energy crisis: The News

The country’s energy agonies will further soar in August as it will only have 700mmcfd imported gas —six cargoes from Qatar and one from ENI- amid a shortfall of 500mmcfd in the system as it did not receive a single offer in a $1 billion LNG purchase tender, The News learnt on Thursday. Click here to read…

SBP’s forex reserves fall to $9.8 billion: The News

The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves again fell below $10 billion in the week that ended June 30 on foreign debt and import payments, it said on Thursday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Church of Ceylon calls on Prez, PM to resign immediately- The Daily Mirror

The Church of Ceylon has called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to immediately resign and form a truly representative interim administration which can regain the confidence of the Sri Lankan people and the international community. Click here to read…

SLTB TUs threaten to withdraw from service if authorities don’t respond- The Daily Mirror

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) trade unions have decided to withdraw from all their operations from 10:00 am today if the authorities do not provide adequate fuel for their employees to report to workClick here to read…

Court rejects AG’s request to prevent protesters entering close proximity to President’s House- The Daily Mirror

A request made by Fort Police through the Attorney General to issue an order preventing the protesters from entering in close proximity to the President’s house premises on Friday (8) and Saturday (9) was yesterday rejected by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Click here to read…

It is inaccurate that some countries await change of Govt to offer aid or assistance- The Daily Mirror

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung said yesterday it is inaccurate that some countries are waiting for the change of government to offer aid or assistance to Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Probe the huge profit margins CPC makes on imports, sales of fuel: PUCSL Head- The Daily Mirror

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman, Janaka Rathnayake, today urged the government to investigate the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for making huge profit margins on fuel imports and sales. Click here to read…

Korea to issue E-7 visas to Lankan workers- The Daily Mirror

Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Santhush Woonjin Jeong promised to draw attention of the Korean government over providing ‘E7 visa facility’ for Sri Lankan workers have worked in Korea for more than ten years and returned. Click here to read…

Two representatives of Russian Oil Company arrive in SL- The Daily Mirror

Two representatives of a Russian Oil Company arrived in Sri Lanka to discuss the fuel supply to Sri Lanka. National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa and several others were present at the Airport to welcome them. Click here to read…

SL looks to Indian visitors to restore battered tourism sector- The Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka will hold road shows in five key Indian cities to attract more visitors from its populous northern neighbor in a bid to bring more foreign currency into the crisis-hit island, the Tourism Minister said yesterday. Click here to read…

Interruption to water supply in many parts of Colombo- The Daily Mirror

Water supply to Colombo 12, 13, 14 and 15 was interrupted due to a water supply pipeline rupture, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said. Click here to read…

6.26 mn people in Sri Lanka are food insecure: WFP- The Daily Mirror

The World Food Programme (WFP) in its latest report said that 6.26 million people in Sri Lanka are food insecure and it targets 3 million people to receive emergency food, nutrition and school meals until December. Click here to read…

US ambassador speaks glowingly of JVP- The Island

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung yesterday said the JVP’s popularity was growing because the party resonated with the public. Click here to read…

Monetary Board increases interest rates drastically to tackle runaway inflation; highest levels in 21 years- The Island

The Monetary Board on Wednesday (06) increased the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 100 basis points to 14.50 per cent and 15.50 per cent, respectively. Click here to read…

No MCC arrangement again – Ambassador Chung- Daily News

US Ambassador Julie Chung said the US was not considering to have an arrangement from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) at this time for Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Defense Min. Mawlawi Yaqoob Mujahid Visits Qatar- Tolo News

The acting Minister of Defense, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, is on an official visit in Qatar, where he will meet the country’s senior officials, the Islamic Emirate’s Qatar-based political office said.Earlier, Qatari officials expressed criticism of the Islamic Emirate’s policies regarding girls’ schools beyond grade sixClick here to read…

Islamic Emirate Leader Seeks Good Relations with Intl Community- Tolo News

The supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate, Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, in an Eid message said that the Islamic Emirate seeks good relations with the international community including the USClick here to read…

’13 Billion Afs’ Allocated for Disabled: Ministry of Martyrs- Tolo News

The Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled said it has allocated more than 13 billion Afghanis to pay six-months’ worth of compensation for the nation’s disabled people. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Country may face deep economic crisis: BNP- The Daily Star

BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain yesterday warned that Bangladesh is likely to face a deep economic crisis like Sri Lanka though the government is now trying to hush up the reality. Click here to read…

EC dialogue starts July 17- The Daily Star

The Election Commission is going to start sitting with political parties on July 17 as part of a series of dialogues with a cross-section of people, seeking recommendations on how to hold free and fair elections. Click here to read…

Barapukuria plant: Shortage of coal may halt power generation- The Daily Star

The Barapukuria 525MW coal-fired power plant may be mothballed once its current stock of coal is depleted later this month due to uncertainty over the resumption of coal supply from the nearby mine for underground development works. Click here to read…

Gas crunch, power cuts: No sign of relief now- The Daily Star

A day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she was thinking of asking authorities concerned to temporarily reduce electricity to save fuel, she categorically said yesterday that it has become a financial burden to run power plants with imported gas, oil and coal. Click here to read…

Govt believes in transparency, freedom of speech: Momen- The Daily Star

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged journalists to uphold the country’s interest and dignity while exercising their right to free expression. Click here to read…

Preventing child marriage in Bangladesh: Momen seeks help from UN agencies- The Daily Star

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has requested UN agencies to assist Bangladesh government in curbing early marriages in Bangladesh. Click here to read…

“Buying US lies on Xinjiang may hurt Bangladeshi RMG industry”- The Daily Star

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has claimed that Washington is spreading “lies” about “forced labour” in China’s Xinjian, and warned that if Bangladesh is not cautious enough, the “lies” may hurt the Bangladeshi RMG industry. Click here to read…

Digitalisation in govt services saved time, money: Study finds- The Daily Star

The digitalisation of 66 percent of the services offered by six ministries/divisions has saved both time and money of the ordinary people and also ensured service delivery, found a recent study by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division. Click here to read…

Load shedding at specific times likely- The Daily Star

The government is considering reducing electricity production to save the fuel for producing power, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Nu 45B worth of transformation initiatives begin- Kuensel

The government is set to implement “transformation initiatives” worth more than Nu 45 billion (B) in the next 10 years. Click here to read…

Export restriction on potatoes from Bhutan to India lifted- Kuensel

The government of India (GoI) has given a one-year extension of exemption on the export of potatoes from Bhutan to India. Click here to read…

India makes special trade concessions for Bhutan- East Mojo

The Indian government had recently revised the import policy to allow import of fresh wholly produces ginger from Bhutan with effect from May 19, 2022. Click here to read…

NC accuses the NA Speaker of not following due procedure while deciding the fate ACC’s HR independence- BBS

The Joint Committee’s recommendation to give human resource independence to the ACC failed to get a two-thirds majority for endorsement on Monday. The members of the National Council said this happened because of the voting procedure the Speaker initiated for that particular recommendation. Click here to read…

Maldives

Immigration extends passport service hours: The Sun

Maldives Immigration on Wednesday announced that its passport services have been extended until 00:00 hours on Thursday, July 7. Controller General (CG) of Immigration Maldives said that this extension is because of the high number of people preparing to travel during the upcoming public holidays in July. Click here to read…

GST bump will propel Maldives inflation rate: Edition MV

The Maldives inflation rate is expected to surge in the upcoming year with the government’s decision to bump both Goods and Services Tax (GST) components in 2023. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Wang Yi’s Myanmar trip could derail Asean’s peace plan by legitimising junta, analysts say – SCMP

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to Myanmar this week has received mixed reactions by analysts, with some welcoming China’s willingness to keep dialogue channels open and others saying it had undermined Asean’s efforts to help resolve the country’s crisis. Click here to read…

Myanmar receives first Su-30SME fighters from Russia – Shephard Media

The Myanmar Air Force received its first pair of twin-engine Su-30SME fighters from Russia in March this year, according to local press reports. These Su-30SME fighters had been ordered from Moscow in January 2018 during a visit by Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu. These fighters now constitute the air force’s most advanced combat aircraft. Click here to read…

ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy welcomes Myanmar’s Year for Peace in 2022 – Khnertimeskh

The Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar Prak Sokhonn has announced to welcome the State Administration Council (SAC) ‘s declaration of Myanmar’s Year for Peace in 2022. Click here to read…

India shuts Myanmar border as anger over pro-junta militia killings rises – RFA

Authorities in India’s Manipur state have temporarily closed the Indo-Burmese border after pro-military militiamen killed two Indian nationals in Myanmar’s war-torn Sagaing region, prompting Indian protesters to attack a junta border checkpoint on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Protest over Indian youths’ death in Myanmar – Telegraph India

The border town of Moreh in Manipur on Wednesday erupted in protest following the killing of two Indian youths in Myanmar’s Tamu town on Tuesday afternoon, when they had gone visiting a friend. Tension had been running high in Moreh since Tuesday afternoon following reports of the killings in coup-hit MyanmarClick here to read…

Barred again: Myanmar Junta FM not allowed to attend upcoming Asean meetings i Khmertimeskh

The Myanmar Junta’s Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin will again be barred from attending an upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings in Cambodia because there has been little progress on a “Five-Point Consensus (5PC)”, agreed on by the bloc leaders last year. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Exiled Government Calls for Religious Freedom – Persecution.org

A member of Myanmar’s government-in-exile, Maung Taing San, recently gave a speech demanding religious freedom. The military coup that occurred in February 2021 deposed Myanmar’s democratically elected government and replaced it with a violent military regime. Click here to read…

Myanmar conducts naval exercise off Rakhine coast – The Star

The Myanmar navy, the naval warfare branch of the armed forces of Myanmar, has conducted a naval exercise in the Myanmar seas off Rakhine State, according to the military-owned newspaper Myawady Daily on Wednesday (July 6). Click here to read…

Nepal

Finance minister resigns after public outcry and probe panel- Kathmandu Post

Main opposition UML boycotts the House meeting where Janardan Sharma announced his resignation. Parliamentary panel has 10 days to submit its investigation report. Click here to read…

(Op-Ed) Towards an even brighter future- Kathmandu Post

China-Nepal relations have achieved significant progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Click here to read…

FinMin Sharma steps down following tax-rate controversy- Kathmandu Post

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced that he is stepping down from his post to ease the investigation around his alleged involvement in a recent controversy. Click here to read…

Indian Ambassador pays courtesy call on Energy Minister Bhusal- Himalayan Times

Newly-appointed Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal today. Click here to read…

Govt to accept World Bank’s concessional loan- Republica

The government has decided to accept the concessional loan of 59.6 million SDR to be provided by the World Bank for governance of drinking water sector and infrastructure assistance. Click here to read…

Pakistan

PTI tells masses to take to streets, snatch rights- Dawn

Alleging that the current situation was not even observed during martial laws in the country, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday urged the masses to come out of houses and snatch their rights from the government. Click here to read…

Govt mulling policy to reduce palm oil imports- Dawn

The government is working on a policy that will not only reduce dependence on imported palm oil but also facilitate and support farmers to grow oilseed crops, Minister for National Food Security and Research, Tariq Bashir Cheema, said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Call to resume business activity at Taftan border- Dawn

The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) has called upon the authorities to start business activities at the Bazarcha border terminal at the Taftan border to bring trade and job opportunities to residents. Click here to read…

Bilawal, Blinken discuss economic ties, food crisis- Dawn

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday and the two talked about expanding the partnership on economic stability and Pakistan’s food security. Click here to read…

Govt urged to reduce LPG price as citizens cut down trees for firewood- Dawn

The government must do something about reducing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, especially for people deprived of piped gas supply, as higher prices are leading residents in many areas to cut down trees in their own backyards for firewood, stakeholders said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka further tightens Monetary Policy Stance: News First

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 06 July 2022, decided to increase the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 100 basis points to 14.50 per cent and 15.50 per cent, respectively. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka is ‘bankrupt,’ Prime Minister says: CNN News

Sri Lanka is “bankrupt,” Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Tuesday, as the country suffers its worst financial crisis in decades, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine and fuel. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka to send minister-led team to Russia for deals on oil discounts: Economic Times

Sri Lanka will send a ministerial delegation to Russia next week to negotiate discounted oil deals amid a crippling fuel shortage that has cast a long shadow on a debt-laden economy, ET has learnt from Colombo-based sources. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Karzai Calls Clerics’ Gathering ‘Symbolic’: Tolo News

Former President Hamid Karzai called the gathering of the Islamic clerics held in Kabul “symbolic,” saying that this was more a gathering of the “Taliban movement themselves.” Click here to read…

Unknown Disease Strikes 50 Children in Southern Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

The disease that has affected 50 children in the Siori region of the province of Zabul has cholera-like symptoms, according to the state-run Bakhtar news agency. A mobile medical team has reportedly been sent to the region to examine and attend to the sick children and prevent the spread of the unknown disease, according to Dr. Abdul Hakim Hakimi, the Taliban’s head of the public health department in Zabul province. Click here to read…

China Envoy in Kabul Says Humanitarian Aid is Priority: Tolo News

China says that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is critical and noted that the United States has not released the frozen assets of Afghanistan. Wang Yu, China’s ambassador to Kabul, expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan at an event which was held to hand over Chinese aid to needy people in Afghanistan, making remarks that held the US responsible for this situation. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Load shedding at specific times likely- The Daily Star

The government is considering reducing electricity production to save the fuel for producing power, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday. Click here to read…

PM Hasina’s mango diplomacy: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif gets 1 metric tonne Amrapali- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sent 1000kg of famed Amrapali mango to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as gift in a gesture of goodwill. Click here to read…

Bangladesh Ambassador to Poland, Japanese Ambassador to receive ‘Bangabandhu Medal for Diplomatic Excellence’- The Daily Star

Bangladesh Ambassador to Poland, Sultana Laila Hossain, and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ito Naoki, will receive the ‘Bangabandhu Medal for Diplomatic Excellence’ – for their significant contributions. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Ngawang Dramtoe lhops struggle to save maize- Kuensel

Lhops (Doyas) of Ngawang Dramtoe in Tading, Samtse are struggling to save their maize from wild animals. Click here to read…

Water flagship programme to address water shortage in Tangmachhu- Kuensel

Catering to Maenbi gewog, Tangmachu school and other government offices like the basic health unit and RNR office, Tangmachu town is growing. Click here to read…

Export restriction on potatoes from Bhutan to India lifted – Kuensel

The government of India (GoI) has given a one-year extension of exemption on the export of potatoes from Bhutan to India. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives to introduce an unemployment benefit scheme: Edition MV

Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer signed the agreement on behalf of the government while Country Director for Maldives Faris Hadd-Zavos signed the agreement on behalf of the World Bank. Click here to read…

Government announces measures to decrease expenditure, increase revenue: The Sun

The government, on Tuesday, has announced measures which will be taken to decrease state expenditure and increase state revenue in order to improve the fiscal situation of Maldives. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar’s SAC refuses to allow Sokhonn to meet Aung San Suu Kyi – Asia News Network

Foreign minister and ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar Prak Sokhonn was unable to meet with former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi due to unspecified “judicial procedures” cited by the ruling State Administration Council (SAC). Click here to read…

Two Indians shot dead in Myanmar near border: Report – Hindustan Times

Two people of Tamil origin were shot dead in the Tamu area of Myanmar, bordering Manipur, on Tuesday, according to media reports in the neighbouring country that Indian authorities were trying to corroborateClick here to read…

Beijing wants instability in Myanmar: Southeast Asia expert Bertil Lintner – India Blooms

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Myanmar on Saturday to attend a regional conference that the opposition views as a “violation of peace efforts”. For his first visit since the military seized power in Myanmar ousting the elected government, Chinese FM Wang Yi will look to secure Beijing’s long-term interests. Click here to read…

Further clashes break out between resistance and junta forces in southern Shan, Karenni states – Myanmar Now

The anti-junta Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) launched a lethal attack on a military vehicle southeast of Loikaw last week, causing multiple casualties, a spokesperson for the resistance group said. Click here to read…

A Toothless International Response to a Merciless Myanmar Regime – The Irrawaddy

The world sees Myanmar’s generals and their military as “a bunch of thugs”. The problem, however, is that it doesn’t treat them as thugs. In a recent interview with The Irrawaddy, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet called the ruling military “a bunch of thugs” Click here to read…

Myanmar military’s proxy party convenes central assembly – Myanmar Now

The proxy party of Myanmar’s military convened its annual central committee meeting in Naypyitaw on Wednesday amid tight security and expectations of a shakeup of senior leaders. Click here to read…

Nepal

Govt to withdraw citizenship bill, pass new one- The Himalayan Times

The government today decided to withdraw the Citizenship Act (Amendment) Bill from the Parliament. It will register a new citizenship bill and seek its passage through a fasttrack process. Click here to read…

Malaysia’s Weston Company to hire Nepali workers on zero investment- The Himalayan Times

Malaysia-based Information Technology (IT) Company is all set to hire Nepali workers on zero investment. Click here to read…

Federal government overlooks statute as it wants to oversee Valley’s security- The Kathmandu Post

Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are in favour while the Maoists are against the proposed arrangement. Click here to read…

Gender-responsive budgeting: Good on paper, poor on implementation- The Kathmandu Post

In the absence of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, existing gender financing policies of Nepal have failed to yield desired results. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Parliamentary body to keep eye on talks with TTP: Dawn

The military on Tuesday secured the nod of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security’s for peace talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) after conceding to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s demand for the process to be overseen by a parliamentary committee. Click here to read…

Pakistan turns net importer of Afghan goods: Dawn

As Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan saw a deeper drop since the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021, the government on Tuesday took a major decision to allow trade of all products to Kabul in the rupee via land routes owing to the non-availability of tradable currency through banking channels. Click here to read…

Army budget trimmed to pave way for IMF deal: The Express Tribune

Pakistan has slashed the armed forces development programme by Rs72 billion or one-fifth of the allocation made on June 10 in order to meet a major condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about achieving primary budget surplus in the new fiscal year. Click here to read…

Power subsidy dilemma: Govt reluctant to approve proposed hike in tariff: The News

Despite making a commitment with the IMF for raising the electricity tariff by Rs7.92 per unit, the federal cabinet has not yet approved the recent proposed increase of the power tariff by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) in a phase-wise manner. Click here to read…

Imran Khan warns of spilling beans if pushed to wall: The News

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan said Tuesday he would spill the beans if pushed to the wall, adding he was silent only for the sake of the country. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Bankrupt Sri Lanka’s inflation jumps beyond 50 percent: ABS-CBN News

Sri Lanka’s inflation hit a ninth consecutive record in June, official data showed Friday, rising to 54.6 percent a day after the IMF asked the bankrupt nation to rein in galloping prices and corruption. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka is ‘bankrupt,’ says PM Wickremesinghe: DW News

Sri Lanka is bankrupt and its unprecedented economic crisis is set to last until at least the end of next year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told lawmakers in parliament on TuesdayClick here to read…

India to Supply Fuel to Sri Lanka Only After Advance Payment: Bloomberg

India is seeking payment in advance for supply of fuel to Sri Lanka after credit lines were exhausted, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The larger South Asian neighbor stopped supplying gasoline and diesel on credit after the island nation ran out of dollars to purchase fuels amid its worst economic crisis. Click here to read…

UK reinstates warning against travel to Sri Lanka: BBC

A shortage of basic necessities including medicines, cooking gas, fuel and food has sparked protests and violence in the Asian country. Sri Lanka’s government said it only had enough petrol to last one day as it faces its worst crisis in 70 years. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Taliban Grand Meeting Did Not Lead to Breakthrough: HRW: The Khaama Press

The Human Rights Watch (HRW), including a number of students and teachers, said their expectations from the recent national assembly of Afghan clerics were not met, according to sources, as there was no specific mention of girls’ education and their rights in the country. Click here to read…

I Want to See Girls Back to School: UNAMA Acting Head: The Khaama Press

The acting Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ramiz Alakbarov said the promises made by the Islamic Emirate government are just words, according to sources, adding he wants the door for girls’ school to be re-opened. Click here to read…

Will request India to speed up return of Af students: Taliban: Times of India

The Taliban have said they will ask the Indian government to expedite return to India of Afghan students who want to resume their studies here. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Momen’s new book launched- The Daily Star

A new book authored by Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was launched yesterday highlighting Bangladesh’s successes over the last 50 years and the potential to grow further. Click here to read…

Gas crunch brings back power cuts- The Daily Star

People have been enduring severe power cuts for the last few days as electricity production was hampered mainly due to a shortage of natural gas supply. Click here to read…

“Compared to food crisis in US, UK, we’re still in decent state”- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh today (July 4, 2022) said Bangladesh is in a good state compared to food crisis in the United States and United Kingdom. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Pvt Sector and Banks wrestle over Phase Four Monetary Measures as Govt tries to be a referee- Bhutan Today

The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) recently announced the Phase Four Monetary Measures that offers loan deferments between one year to two years and eight types of loan restructuring depending on the risk category. Click here to read…

PHPA-I employees’ contract extended until July end-Kuensel

Contract has been extended for the employees of Punatshangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA-I) by another one month, until end of this month. Click here to read…

Bhutanese have a strong bond with WFP- Kuensel

With the education ministry, but also in collaboration with agriculture and health ministries, we are rolling out a digital platform called School Meal Planner (SMP) PLUS, which allows us to design nutritious menus based on a digital database of 3,500 types of food. Click here to read…

Govt allows imports of potatoes from Bhutan till June 2023- Mint

The Indian government on Tuesday allowed the import of fresh and chilled potatoes from Bhutan without any license up to June 2023. According to a notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), import of potatoes from Bhutan is permitted freely without any license up to June 30″.Click here to read…

Maldives

Finance Ministry sign $10 million grant with World Bank: The Sun

The Finance Ministry detailed that the project – Sustainable and Integrated Labor Services (SAILS) was aimed at supporting Maldives in promoting competition in the broadband market with the grant. Click here to read…

Prince Faisal bin Salman receives Maldives president in Madinah: Arab News

President of the Republic of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived in Madinah on Monday to visit the Prophet’s Mosque. The president was received by Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman and a number of officials at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Growing insecurity in Rohingya Refugee Camps: A Threat to South Asian Security? – Modern Diplomacy

The increasing rate of trans-border crime in those bordering camps is not only making the Rohingya refugees vulnerable and prone to crimes but also threatening South Asian security as a whole. The Rohingya community leader’s speech of “We don’t want to stay in the camps. It’s hell.” in the ‘Go Home’ campaign in 20th June, 2022, made us rethink about the security situation in the campsClick here to read…

Myanmar hosts 1st regional meeting since army takeover – ABC News

Myanmar’s military government on Monday hosted its first high-level regional meeting since the army took power last year, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and counterparts from Mekong Delta nations attending. Click here to read…

Junta’s imprisonment of two Sittwe men under controversial law draws criticism – BNI Online

U Maung Aye, 53, and U Hla Thein Aung, 46, both the residents of Danyawaddy ward, were detained by junta soldiers on June 24 as the regime searched wards and detained residents after the Arakan Army (AA) abducted two junta soldiers in the state capital the previous day.
Click here to read…

Nepal

NOC hikes price of petroleum products- Himalaya

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has increased the price of petroleum products effective from tonight. Click here to read…

Newly appointed ministers take oath of office- Himalaya

President Bidya Devi Bhandari today administered oath of office and secrecy to newly appointed ministers in Kathmandu. Click here to read…

Newly appointed tourism minister Shrestha pledges full support to solve problems in mountaineering sector- Himalaya

Newly appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha pledged his full support to resolve different challenges in the mountaineering sector during a meeting with a delegation of Everest Summiteers Association led by President Maya Sherpa, at his office on Sunday. Click here to read…

Move to lower eligibility age for elderly allowance to cost over Rs15 billion- Kathmandu Post

Government expenditure for social security allowances to nearly double in two years. Click here to read…

Calls are growing for Finance Minister Sharma to quit, as he fails to come clean- Kathmandu Post

Prime minister’s reluctance to take action raises suspicion if there are too many skeletons in the closet. Click here to read…

Issue of school textbook shortage raised in National Assembly session- Republica

The National Assembly, the Upper House of the Federal Parliament, has unanimously approved its decision to send the ‘COVID-19 Crisis Management Bill, 2078 BS’ to the Legislation Management Committee for clause-wise deliberations on it. Click here to read…

Tribhuvan University hostels: While many buildings are unlivable, the livable ones are captured by non-students- Online Khabar

Problems have always plagued Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal’s oldest university. It has problems with its policy, infrastructure, management, course and the list goes long. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Cabinet approves second NAB amendment bill in span of a month: Dawn

The federal cabinet on Monday passed the National Accountability (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022, with fresh legislation aiming to restrict the watchdog’s role in corruption cases of over Rs500 million and taking away the president’s authority to appoint accountability court judges. Click here to read…

Editorial: LNG emergency: Dawn

PAKISTAN is looking to buy a lot of LNG amid ongoing countrywide blackouts. The government has just released one of its biggest LNG purchase tenders ever to procure 10 cargoes for delivery through September. Click here to read…

Spymaster directs intelligence officers to stay away from political activities: The Express Tribune

The country’s spymaster has issued strict orders to his commanders from top to the lowest tier and other officials to stay away from any activity involving politics and politicians following policy directives from the chief of army staff. Click here to read…

Foreign plot: Maryam says Imran staged ‘biggest drama’ in Pakistan’s history: The Express Tribune

Lashing out at former prime minister Imran Khan for “ignoring Punjab” — Pakistan’s most populous province with 120 million people — PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz on Monday said that the ex-PM staged “the biggest drama in the history of Pakistan under the name of foreign conspiracy”.Click here to read…

Trade deficit goes up by massive 55.29pc: The News

The country’s trade deficit ballooned by 55.29 percent in the financial year ended June 30, 2022 on the back of surging imports, especially of petroleum and groups. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka extends school closures: Arab News

Schools across Sri Lanka will close for one week starting Monday, the Education Ministry has announced, as the island nation grapples with its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. Click here to read…

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka offers fuel quotas to firms which can pay in dollars: Business Standard

Potential purchasers must pay as much as a month in advance to open a consumer account at state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corp., Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera tweeted on Sunday. Fuel will be issued on a daily or weekly basis from July 12, according to the minister. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka limits fuel to essential services with supplies set to run out in days: The Guardian

Sri Lanka’s energy minister has said the country’s fuel supplies will run out in a few days, forcing nationwide school closures and prolonged power cuts, as the worst economic crisis in its history continues. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka central bank guidance peg falls 24 cents: Economy Next

A guidance peg announced by Sri Lanka’s central bank for interbank transactions dropped 24 cents to 359.79 against the US dollar on July 04 from the previous day’s 359.55, banks’ data showed. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Critical Concerns Not Addressed at Clerics’ Gathering: Citizens: Tolo News

Some Afghan citizens said that the essential problems faced by the people of Afghanistan were not addressed in the resolutions issued by the major gathering of the Islamic clerics. A three-day gathering of Islamic clerics was held from Thursday to Saturday, concluding with a resolution of 11 principles. Click here to read…

Islamic Clerics’ Gathering Issues 11-Point Resolution: Tolo News

The participants of the clerics’ gathering held at the Kabul Loya Jirga Hall released a resolution comprised of 11 principles, in which they called on the world to lift sanctions on Afghanistan and to recognize the Islamic EmirateClick here to read…

Different Narratives of One Event; Taliban Embassy in Pakistan Says the Man Killed at Torkham Was an Afghan National: The Khaama Press

The elderly man who attempted to cross the Torkham border on July 2 but was barred from doing so by Pakistani forces, and afterwards killed himself by running himself under a car, was an Afghan national, according to officials of the Taliban administration’s embassy in Pakistan. Click here to read…

The EU Provides an Additional €40 Million for Child Protection and Polio Vaccination in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

According to a statement made by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Sunday, the European Union provides an additional €25 million for polio vaccines and €15 million for child protection in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

China wants to build Dhaka-Ctg expressway- The Daily Star

China has proposed to build the Dhaka-Chattogram Expressway under a government-to-government-Public Private Partnership (G2G-PPP) framework, bringing the project cancelled last year back into focus. Click here to read…

Present evidence-based arguments: Japanese ambassador to TIB- The Daily Star

Japan ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki urged Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) to publish reports with evidence-based arguments. Click here to read…

Labour rights situation: Bangladesh listed among 10 worst countries- The Daily Star

Bangladesh is one of the world’s 10 worst countries for workers, according to the Global Rights Index 2022 of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). Click here to read…

Bhutan

Inward remittance scheme incentives hiked to 2 percent- Kuensel

The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) extended the incentive scheme for inward remittance for Bhutanese who live, work or study overseas for another six months beginning yesterday. Click here to read…

Members can’t be casual in Parliament: Speaker- Kuensel

Amid serious discussions, it is the viral remarks and statements of ministers and MPs in Parliament that have caught widespread attention. Click here to read…

(Editorial) A national priority- Kuensel

The Royal Bhutan Police is apprehending traffickers or smugglers of the so-called contraband substances or “drugs”. Both the frequency and the quantity is alarming and worrying at the same time. Click here to read…

Highest irregularities observed in PHPA-I: AAR 2020-21- Bhutan Today

Among the six hydropower projects in the country, Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA-I) had the highest irregularities in the annual audit report (AAR) 2020-21 with a reported amount of Nu 1,920.237 million (M). Click here to read…

India’s Israel envoy accredited to Bhutan- The Tribune

Bhutan, which is extremely selective about establishing diplomatic relations, accepted the credentials of Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon. Click here to read…

HH Je Khenpo appoints Kilkhor Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang- BBS

His Holiness the Je Khenpo conferred Tashi Lekdhar to appoint Kilkhor Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang at the Tashichhodzong today. Lopen Dorji Wangdi from Rukubji in Wangdue Phodrang is the new Kilkhor Lopen. Click here to read…

Maldives

MMA launches currency symbol for Maldivian Rufiyaa: The Sun

The symbol, which introduces an additional horizontal stroke to the Dhivehi letter “Raa”, was unveiled by Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Aminath Shauna in a special ceremony at the MMA headquarters on Sunday. Click here to read…

Maldives New ‘Evidence’ Law Undermines Media Freedom: Human Right Watch

In a serious setback for media freedom, the Maldives parliament today enacted legislation allowing courts to force journalists and media outlets to reveal their sources. Click here to read…

Myanmar

China’s top diplomat makes first trip to Myanmar since coup –

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has arrived in Myanmar on his first visit to the country since the military seized power in a coup last year. Click here to read…

Myanmar Regime Sorry for Junta Jet Intrusion into Thai Airspace – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar air force chief General Htun Aung has apologised to his Thai counterpart after a Myanmar military fighter jet intruded into Thai airspace on Thursday, just a day after coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met a Thai army general to discuss stability and anti-terrorism in areas along the Myanmar-Thailand frontierClick here to read…

Junta Watch: Military Bends Rules to Fill Ranks; Loyal Monk Promoted, and More – The Irrawaddy

Over the past year, Myanmar people have developed a deep loathing for the country’s military thanks to its terrible atrocities against civilians. The number of young people opting to join the junta’s institutes has consequently plunged, forcing the army to loosen age limits in order to lure fresh recruits. Click here to read…

Local seriously injured in army-planted landmine explosion – Narinjara

A cowherd was seriously injured on Friday when he stepped on a landmine, planted by the junta forces nearby LIB 375 battalion based in Kyauktaw locality of Rakhine State. The injured individual is identified as U Than Sein Maung (45 years old) hailing from Wet Hmaing village under Kyauktaw township. Click here to read…

Nepal

Dahal proposes a new front of ‘socialists’ but offers little clarity- Kathmandu Post

In what comes as a surprise to many, the Maoist Centre chair holds a meeting of members of the Secretariat of the invalidated NCP—without those from the UML. Click here to read…

Complications galore as there’s more to Rana impeachment than meets the eye- Kathmandu Post

Questions remain what happens if House expires before his retirement. Some experts argue he can return to office. Click here to read…

Covid resurgence and cholera outbreak pose ‘increasing challenge’ to public health- Kathmandu Post

Focus on curative methods instead of preventive methods makes problems perennial, experts say. Click here to read…

Taking a ‘corrupt judiciary’ by its horns- Himalayan Times

Lawyers say structural reforms are needed to address the problem of corruption in the judiciary.
Click here to read…

Over 200,000 foreign tourists visit Nepal in six months- Himalayan Times

As many as 237,813 foreign tourists have visited Nepal in the last six months. Click here to read…

Nepal yet to inform the US of its withdrawal from the State Partnership Program- Online Khabar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the government of Nepal is yet to inform the United States government that it has decided to withdraw from the controversial State Partnership Program (SPP). Click here to read…

Pakistan

PM Shehbaz orders early resolution of energy crisis: Dawn

Taking action over increasing public complaints about loadshedding across the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday ordered an early resumption of power generation from the plants closed due to various administrative and technical issues. Click here to read…

Pakistan seeks Qatar gas on deferred payment: Dawn

Amid severe energy crunch and unprecedentedly expensive fuel imports, Pakistan is seeking more gas imports on deferred payments from Qatar, which is irritated by roadblocks to its infrastructure investment plans, particularly in import terminals. Click here to read…

PML-N rifts deepen over Miftah’s future: The Express Tribune

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has found unequivocal support from party stalwarts at a time when he has been facing criticism from within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) amid speculations of ex-financial czar Ishaq Dar’s return to Pakistan to replace him. Click here to read…

Army chief’s fresh directions: The News

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has issued fresh directions to all his commanders and key officers, including those associated with the ISI, to stay away from politics and avoid interacting with politicians. Click here to read…

Only way out of crisis is holding polls: Imran: The News

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Sunday again said it was his clear message to the imported government and its backers that the only way out of descending into total chaos was to hold free and fair elections immediately. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has less than a day’s worth of fuel left: Times of India

Sri Lanka has less than a day’s worth of fuel left, the energy minister said on Sunday, even as the cash-strapped nation extended school closures for one week because there isn’t enough fuel for teachers and parents to get kids to classrooms. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka keeps schools shut amid fuel crisis: Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka extended school closures for one more week starting July 4 amid unprecedented fuel crisis, the education ministry announced on Sunday. The government and state-approved private schools will remain closed for a week as there’s not enough fuel for teachers and parents to get children to classrooms. Click here to read…

Cardinal appeals to Pope to solicit aid for Sri Lanka: Asia News Network

Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says that the need of the hour is the initiation of a high profile investigation to find out how this country was dragged down to its present plight of being a beggar nation, fix responsibility for these crimes and find ways to recover the money stolen from the people. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Meeting in Kabul of Clerics from Across Afghanistan Begins: Tolo News

The anticipated gathering of clerics from across Afghanistan was held in Kabul on Thursday to discuss the current Afghan situation. It was attended by Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund and other top members of the Islamic Emirate as well as thousands of clerics from across the country. Click here to read…

India Delivers a Consignment of 6 Tons Medical Assistance to Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

As part of its continuous humanitarian support, India delivered the seventh consignment of medical aid to Afghanistan today, containing 6 tons of essential medicines, according to an official statement of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, released on 30th JuneClick here to read…

The Taliban’s Religious Gathering Emphasizes on Beheading Critics: The Khaama Press

Mawlawi Mujib Rahman Ansari, a vigilante, bearded clergyman, a preacher in a mosque in northwestern Afghanistan’s Herat province, who is also an attendee of the Taliban’s religious grand assembly has stated in the gathering that anyone who rebels against the Islamic regime should be beheaded. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Energy Treaty – Bangladesh should not sign it: CAB- The Daily Star

Bangladesh should not sign the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), as the international agreement only serves the purposes of international businesses in the energy sector, not the country’s national interest, said Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at a dialogue with journalists yesterday. Click here to read…

Yunus Centre tries to hide the truth: Hasan- The Daily Star

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today denounced the Yunus Centre’s statement that denied Dr Muhammad Yunus’s alleged role to scrap World Bank’s financing in Padma Bridge construction as evil attempts to hide the truth. Click here to read…

Birth certificates for street children: High Court issues rule- The Daily Star

The High Court today (June 30, 2022) directed the government to submit a report on the steps taken to issue birth certificates to all street children across the country in three months before this court. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan set to raise SDF to 200 USD- The Daily Bhutan

On the 24th of June 2022, the National assembly passed the Tourism Levy Bill of 2022. With this new act the sustainable development fee (SDF) of 65 USD per night has now been increased to 200 USD per night. Along with the increase in the SDF the minimum daily package rate (MDPR) has been removed as well. Click here to read…

Government outs Sung-jeon App from 12th FYP- Bhutan Today

With overwhelming priorities in the 12th Five-Year-Plan, the government is not in a position to implement one of its election pledges, the Sung-jeon App. Click here to read…

DHI projects to earn foreign currency- Bhutan Today

Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) is working on two to three major projects according to Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering. He said that the earnings from those projects are expected to generate foreign currency. Click here to read…

Water shortage hampers service delivery in Tsirangtoed- The Kuensel

Due to its strategic location, Tsirangtoed gewog serves as a centre for residents of neighbouring gewogs to avail health and education services. Click here to read…

Maldives

Imports to Maldives increase to 52 percent in May 2022: Edition Mv

According to the latest update from Maldives Customs Service, the total imports inclusive of fuel rose to 52 percent in May 2022. The total imports to the country in the review month was recorded at MVR4.4 billionClick here to read…

In the future as well, Maldives will mainly depend on India: The Sun

Speaking in the fifth episode of ‘Ask Speaker’ show on Thursday night, Nasheed said that India is the country that has been most helpful to Maldives in the past and in present. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar fighter jet crosses into Thailand’s air space in Tak: Bangkok Post

A Myanmar fighter jet crossed into Thailand’s air space over Phop Phra district late on Thursday morning, panicking local residents and forcing two local schools to suspend classes. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Using Massive Airstrikes to Defend Strategic Outpost: The Irrawady

Myanmar’s military regime is employing massive airstrikes against resistance forces attempting to seize a strategic junta outpost in Karen State near the border with Thailand. Click here to read…

Nepal

90 settlements in Salyan at risk of landslides, forest department says- The Kathmandu Post

Risk aggravated by haphazard road construction, claims Disaster Management Committee chiefClick here to read…

Despite six-decade history, parliamentary practice remains weak in Nepal- The Kathmandu Post

Experts say that in countries where political parties aren’t democratic, the parliamentary practice cannot be effective. Click here to read…

Power utility calls off bid to sell 200MW to India under long-term contract- The Kathmandu Post

Citing complications in bidding, Nepal Electricity Authority now aims to trade power in the day-ahead market of Indian Energy Exchange Limited. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Chasing simple majority in PA session without PTI, ‘Q’: Dawn

The Punjab Assembly’s marathon 40th session, that saw the controversial election for the chief minister on April 16, would resume its proceedings on Friday afternoon (today) for a do-over of the election of the chief executive, sending both treasury and opposition parties into late night huddles to devise their strategies for the ‘big day’. Click here to read…

Govt jacks up petrol price by Rs14.85 per litre: Dawn

The federal government on Thursday announced another hike in the prices of all petroleum products – especially petrol by Rs14.85 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs13.23 per litre, with the change set to take effect from midnight. Click here to read…

Pakistan dumping ground for global hazardous waste, Senate body told: Dawn

Pakistan is importing massive amounts of hazardous waste from several countries, including the United Kingdom, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, a parliamentary committee was informed on Thursday. Click here to read…

CPEC’s Karot Hydropower Plant put into ‘full commercial operation’: The Express Tribune

Karot Hydropower Plant, the first hydropower investment project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), was put into full commercial operations on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Rupee falls 30pc against dollar in FY22: The News

The rupee posted slight gains against the dollar in last trading session of the 2021/22 fiscal year, pushed by routine import payments and greenback sales by exporters, dealers said. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

IMF end-of-mission report highlights ‘corruption vulnerabilities’ in Sri Lanka: The Island

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) personnel that remained in Sri Lanka for ten days from 20-30 June to study the exact reasons for the current economic crisis in the country and design a comprehensive economic programme have stressed the need to reduce ‘corruption vulnerabilities’ in Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Indian fishermen back again and ‘crushing’ our livelihoods, say Sri Lankan counterparts: The Hindu

Just after Tamil Nadu’s annual fishing ban ended mid-June, Indian fishing trawlers are back near Sri Lanka’s northern coast, “crushing” fishermen’s livelihoods that are already under enormous strain during the island’s economic crisis, according to northern Sri Lankan fisher leaders. Click here to read…

India made a recommendation for Adani Green: Sri Lankan power board: Business-Standard

The Ceylon Electricity Board, in a clarification to a Sri Lankan business daily, has said that the Indian government recommended Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) for constructing wind power projects in the Mannar and Pooneryn regions of the country. Click here to read…