Afghanistan

Ned Price: Islamic Emirate Has Not Fulfilled Doha Agreement – Tolo News

The spokesman for the US State Department once again accused the Islamic Emirate of violating the Doha agreement. Ned Price in a press conference said that Islamic Emirate has not “fulfilled the Doha Agreement” in terms of engaging in political dialogue, fighting terrorist groups and respecting human rights. Click here to read…

Six TTP Members Killed in Afghanistan’s Khost IED Blast – The Khaama Press

At least six members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) including a prominent commander were killed and 15 others injured in a blast that took place in Afghanistan’s Khost province on Thursday. Sources reported that six TTP militants were killed and 15 others injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Khost province. The identities of the slain commanders were revealed to be Abdul Manan, Alam Khan Mudakhel, Kajir, and three others unidentified. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Dhaka calls on G20 to take corrective actions to reverse global warming – Dhaka Tribune

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged the G20 countries to take corrective actions to reverse the trend of global warming and advocate for fulfilling the global commitments of financing and technology transfer to fight climate change. Click here to read…

Dhaka, Delhi discussing de-dollarisation – Daily Star

Bangladesh and India are in talks about doing away with the dollar as the official currency for payments between the two countries — a development that would bring down the cost of trade as well as the conversion rate losses for businesses and ordinary people. The talks took place on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting held in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru on February 24-25. Click here to read…

‘Have so far identified 33 militants’ – Daily Star

Rapid Action Battalion claimed to have seized a video from a member of newly-formed militant outfit Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya in Chattogram on Wednesday. During a briefing at Rab’s media centre in the capital’s Karwan Bazar, the law-enforcement agency disclosed the 7-minute video, purportedly created by the militant organisation. The video also contains speeches of Jama’atul Ansar ameer Anisur Rahman alias Mahmud, and chief of dawah (invitation) wing Abdullah Maimun. Khandaker Al Moin, Rab’s director of legal and media wing, said, “we have so far identified 33 militants from this one and another video…” Click here to read…

Bhutan

Govt. foregoes Nu 3.31B as fiscal incentives – Kuensel

The government had foregone estimated tax revenue of Nu 3.31 billion (B) in 2021 with the implementation of the fiscal incentives measures, according to the National Revenue report 2021-22. In 2020, the tax foregone was estimated at Nu 5.01B. The fiscal incentives are government policy tools and the Fiscal Incentives (FI) 2017 was formulated to stimulate private sector growth, generate employment opportunities and entice foreign investments in Bhutan. Click here to read…

Bhutan reports outbreak of African swine fever in pigs, villages near India affected – Mint

An outbreak of African swine fever in pigs is reported from a Bhutanese village near the border with India. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on Thursday cited Bhutan health authorities and informed that the outbreak killed 6 pigs in a herd of 58 in a village in the Dagana district. Click here to read…

Inflation drops to 4.33 percent in January – Kuensel

Going by the trends of the country’s domestic inflation rate, which measures the price of consumer goods and services in the country, it is cooling down. As of January this year, the year-on-year consumer price index was recorded at 4.33 percent compared to the same month last year. Recording a drop to 30 months low, the rate is lower than the Royal Monetary Authority’s (RMA) upper threshold of 6 percent. Click here to read…

Maldives

UNICEF Regional Director to South Asia calls on State Minister Khaleel – Raajje

UNICEF Regional Director to South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. During the meeting, State Minister Khaleel and the Regional Director discussed the role of UNICEF in the Maldives, in areas on child protection, maternal and child heath, immunization, nutrition, pre and primary education and social inclusion. Further, both parties identified the progress in the implementation of the UNICEF Country Programme Document which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2022-2026) and the Government’s Strategic Action Plan 2019–2023 with the vision of transforming Maldives into an equitable, prosperous, inclusive and connected island nation. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Malaysia’s Anwar says ASEAN must be tougher in bid to resolve Myanmar crisis – The Print

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said during a visit to the Philippines that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must prove it is “relevant” in helping to resolve the crisis in Myanmar. In a pre-recorded interview with Philippine news channel ANC aired on Friday, Anwar said that ASEAN, which is leading diplomatic efforts to bring peace, needed to be more assertive and noted that his country was shouldering 200,000 displaced people from Myanmar. “We can’t see this as a purely internal issue, so I have appealed to friends in ASEAN to say, look we have to be tougher,” Anwar said. “If necessary engage with the armed forces of this country because sometimes the military junta do not understand the civilian narrative.” Click here to read…

Only Civilian Govt Can Deliver Stability, Myanmar’s NUG Tells China – Irrawaddy

Myanmar National Unity Government (NUG) Acting President Duwa Lashi La told China that only the NUG can guarantee the country’s stability and foreign investment. The remark followed Chinese special envoy Deng Xijun’s visit to the China-Myanmar border, where he met with seven of Myanmar’s ethnic armed organizations (EAOs). The acting president said at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that he heard about the visit of the special envoy and his meetings with northern EAOs through the news media. Click here to read…

13 Crony Parties Keen to Contest Myanmar Junta’s Proposed Election – Irrawaddy

Late last month, Myanmar’s military regime enacted the new Political Parties Registration Law requiring parties to re-register with the junta-appointed Union Election Commission within two months or face dissolution. So far, 13 out of over 90 political parties have re-registered with the junta’s election body. Five of the parties are running nationally and the eight others in their regions and states, according to the junta-appointed UEC. The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), Democratic Party (Myanmar), and United Democratic Party have also re-registered under new names. Click here to read…

Nepal

CPN (Unified Socialist) decides to vote for NC’s Poudel in presidential election – The Kathmandu Post

The CPN (Unified Socialist) has decided to give the party’s support to Nepali Congress’ presidential candidate Ram Chandra Paudel in the upcoming presidential election. The decision was taken during the party’s central committee meeting on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Poll code defers Dahal’s confidence vote- The Kathmandu Post

With the presidential election only nine days away and the parties in the newly revived coalition focused on the poll, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal could delay the vote of confidence in Parliament. Government spokesperson Rekha Sharma said Dahal will seek a vote of confidence and reshuffle his Cabinet only after the presidential polls. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Govt swallows last bitter pills to keep IMF sweet – Dawn

With unprecedented policy doses within 24 hours, Pakistan on Thursday completed all the prior actions needed for staff-level agreement (SLA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avert sovereign default and secure long-delayed $1.2bn disbursement. Sources told Dawn that policy actions stood completed after the exchange rate was allowed to move freely with a massive Rs25 per dollar depreciation in two days, an unusual 300-basis-point surge in State Bank’s policy, and the government’s announcement of continuing with an almost 10pc increase in power rates on a permanent basis through a special surcharge. Click here to read…

No backchannel talks with India, says Pakistan’s Foreign Office – India Today

Pakistan said on Thursday that no backchannel talks were being held between Islamabad and New Delhi. “At this stage, there is no backchannel between Pakistan and India,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at the weekly media briefing here while responding to a question. India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free of terror and hostility for such an engagement. Click here to read…

Pakistan: Inflation hits highest level on record – The Print

Monthly inflation, measured by a basket of products called the Consumer Price Index (CPI), jumped to 31.6 per cent in February year-on-year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday. Last month, prices rose at the fastest pace ever in the country’s history, according to available data, with food, beverage and transport costs driving inflation to a point where analysts fear “families will have to make choices and sacrifices,” reported the Dawn. Click here to read…

Pakistan Risks $18 Billion Fine For Delaying Completion Of Iran Gas Pipeline: Report – BQ Prime

Pakistan could face a whopping $18 billion as a penalty for not completing the gas pipeline project with Iran in the time frame stipulated in the agreement. The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, which met with its chairman Noor Alam Khan in the chair on Wednesday, deliberated on the non-utilisation of Rs 332 billion ($4 billion) in gas infrastructure development cess, which was collected for developing three mega gas projects, including the building of a pipeline to import gas from Iran. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Election Commission, Other Commissions to get new members this month? – Daily Mirror

The Constitutional Council (CC) is planning to finalize the appointments of members to the independent commissions including the Election Commission before the end of this month, a top source said. The CC, a parliamentary body headed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, called for applications to select nominees to the commissions in keeping with the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The source said the applications are sorted out for the selection of candidates at the moment. “New commission members are to be appointed within the course of this month,” the source said on condition of anonymity. Click here to read…

The aftermath of Sri Lanka’s economic crash – The Hindu

As the island nation eagerly awaits a provisional IMF package to chart its path to economic stability, it is currently witnessing a new wave of protests, mainly by workers and professionals, as people’s economic hardships increase. The government also faces criticism over the recent postponement of local body electionsClick here to read…

Russia Ready to Bring Nuclear Power to Sri Lanka – Power

Government officials in Sri Lanka said they will work with Russia to bring nuclear power to the country as part of its effort to increase the supply of electricity for the island nation. Professor S.R.D. Rosa, chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, told local media the country is looking at offshore and onshore installation of small modular reactors, or floating nuclear installations, that would have generation capacity of 100 MW per unit. Click here to read…

The Real Cause of Sri Lanka’s Debt Trap – The Diplomat

The root causes of the country’s debt problem have been attributed to various factors, including corruption and nepotism, alleged predatory lending from China (the so-called “Chinese debt trap”), and a structural balance of payments deficit. These debates aside, it is increasingly clear that the immediate cause for Sri Lanka’s collapse is the structure of the country’s debt itself – specifically, its deep and growing exposure to international sovereign bonds (ISBs) issued at high interest rates. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Saudi diplomats leave Afghanistan, relocate to Pakistani capital -sources – The Print

Saudi diplomats have left Afghanistan for “training” and will return, the Taliban administration said on Monday, though three sources familiar with the matter said security concerns had contributed to their departure. Click here to read…

Dollars Smuggled From Pakistan Provide Lifeline for the Taliban – Bloomberg

Millions of dollars are being smuggled into Afghanistan from Pakistan every day, providing some support for the squeezed economy after the US and Europe denied the Taliban regime access to billions in foreign reserves. For Islamabad, the outflows are exacerbating a rapidly developing economic crisis. Click here to read…

Qatar Envoy Speaks with Kabul Officials About Economy, Girls’ Education – Tolo News

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution, Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani, had discussions with the Islamic Emirate officials regarding politics, the economy, girls’ education, and women’s employment in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh could buy 10-12 spot LNG cargoes in Feb-June – Reuters

Bangladesh will buy 10-12 spot LNG cargoes between February and June if prices soften further, an energy adviser to the prime minister told Reuters on Monday, in a reversal of a government decision last year to halt spot purchases after prices spiked. “This is a high demand season for us. Ramadan is coming, this is also irrigation season, therefore, if market softens, we will buy 10-12 more spot LNG cargoes,” Bir Bikram Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said on the sidelines of the India Energy WeekClick here to read…

Idols at 14 Hindu temples vandalised in Bangladesh: Report – Hindustan Times

As many as 14 Hindu temples in Bangladesh were vandalised by “unidentified miscreants” on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, sparking fear among locals. The incident took place in Baliadangi Upazila area, news agency ANI reported citing local media. Click here to read…

4 direct questions to Bangladesh Home Minister after 14 attacks on Hindu temples | Exclusive

India Today’s Shahidul Hasan Kokhon spoke to Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to understand how he perceived the issue and his party’s stand on it. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bangladesh could buy 10-12 spot LNG cargoes in Feb-June – Reuters

Bangladesh will buy 10-12 spot LNG cargoes between February and June if prices soften further, an energy adviser to the prime minister told Reuters on Monday, in a reversal of a government decision last year to halt spot purchases after prices spiked. “This is a high demand season for us. Ramadan is coming, this is also irrigation season, therefore, if market softens, we will buy 10-12 more spot LNG cargoes,” Bir Bikram Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said on the sidelines of the India Energy WeekClick here to read…

Idols at 14 Hindu temples vandalised in Bangladesh: Report – Hindustan Times

As many as 14 Hindu temples in Bangladesh were vandalised by “unidentified miscreants” on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, sparking fear among locals. The incident took place in Baliadangi Upazila area, news agency ANI reported citing local media. Click here to read…

4 direct questions to Bangladesh Home Minister after 14 attacks on Hindu temples | Exclusive

India Today’s Shahidul Hasan Kokhon spoke to Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to understand how he perceived the issue and his party’s stand on it. Click here to read…

Maldives

Beyond Realpolitik: Enlisting the Maldives into the U.S. Indo-Pacific Vision – South Asian Voices

In February 2020, then-U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo visited the Maldives to announce plans to open a resident U.S. embassy in the country. That same year, the United States also entered into a “Framework for Defense Cooperation” with the Maldives, committing both countries to uphold peace and security in the Indian Ocean and to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. While bilateral relations date back to 1966, this will mark the first time Washington will have resident diplomatic representation in the Maldives, symbolizing a growing mutual interest in strengthening relations. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar Junta Rewards Crony Arms Dealer With Palm Oil Plum – Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military regime has permitted the US-sanctioned Htoo Group, owned by a notorious arms dealer, to import over US$5.4 million worth of palm oil per month, according to operators in the edible oil business. The Htoo Group of companies is owned by junta crony U Tay Za, who was sanctioned by the US last year for providing arms to Myanmar’s military. The group is currently led by his sons, who have also been targeted by US sanctions. Click here to read…

10 Myanmar immigrants held in Manipur – Times of India

At least 10 Myanmar nationals, including five women, were arrested from Churachandpur district on Sunday afternoon for crossing into the Indian territory illegally without any valid papers. The development took place after 80 illegal immigrants from Myanmar were arrested by a joint security team from Tengnoupal district last month. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal’s RSP quits coalition government, 3 ministers resign – The Telegraph

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the third largest member of the ruling coalition in Nepal, has quit the government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ after he denied reinstatement of the party’s chairperson Rabi Lamichhane to the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. Three ministers of the RSP on Sunday resigned after a joint meeting of the party’s central members and lawmakers decided to quit the government. Click here to read…

After Power, another senior US official is visiting Nepal – The Kathmandu Post

The Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power starts her two-day Nepal visit on Tuesday. And a week after her return, another senior official of the Biden administration is visiting Kathmandu, foreign ministry officials said. Click here to read…

Amid slump in power generation, NEA reduces supply to industrial sector – The Kathmandu Post

The Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, the country’s largest power project with a capacity of 456 megawatts (MW), is currently producing just around 77MW of electricity. This, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), is due to the reduced water level in the Tamakoshi river with the country seeing no winter rainfall. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Normalisation of India-China relations better for the world; weak Pakistan would not be better for the region, says Russian envoy – The Hindu

The sooner there is normalisation in India-China relations, the better it would be for the world, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said, adding that a weak Pakistan would not be better for the region, India or Afghanistan, and Russia would not do anything detrimental to India in its relations with Islamabad. Mr. Alipov acknowledged that India-Russia ties have been under stress for sometime in terms of economic ties, which had accelerated since last year due to the “tectonic geopolitical” shifts in Europe, referring to the war in Ukraine. Click here to read…

Pakistan will lose moral ground on Kashmir if it gives recognition to Israel, says Imran Khan – The Print

“Because Kashmir is a disputed territory between Pakistan and India, we do make statements on that. About Israel, it was the stated position of the founder of Pakistan and the situation is similar to what is happening in Kashmir,” he said, responding to a query about him not commenting about China’s atrocities towards Uyghur Muslims. Click here to read…

Split-up polls unaffordable, agree Punjab, KP governors – Dawn

Khyber Pakhtun­khwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali on Monday met his Punjab counterpart Balighur Rehman and caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi and agreed that the country could not afford separate elections in current circumstances and, therefore, polls for national and provincial assemblies should be held later this year after the completion of the federal government’s tenure in August. Click here to read…

Analysis: How dependable is US offer of help with terror threat – Dawn

A SPIKE in terrorist attacks in Pakistan has once again forced the United States and its old — but not always close — ally to consider reviving their coordination against terrorism. “There are groups in Afghanistan that pose a threat to both of us, and it’s only appropriate that we coordinate our efforts to counter them,” Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari told Dawn. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan President Pledges Full Implementation of 13th Amendment – Diplomat

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe informed the All-Party Leaders Conference on Reconciliation on January 27 that the Cabinet was agreeable to fully implementing the 13th amendment to the constitution. Wickremesinghe said that he is bound to implement the laws of the land. The 13th amendment, he pointed out, is part of the constitution. He reiterated this in his address to the nation on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day. Click here to read…

Prez Wickremesinghe Assures To Fix Sri Lanka’s Debt-Ridden Economy – Business World

Amidst the ongoing financial crisis in Sri Lanka, President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday assured of fixing the debt-ridden country by treating the “root cause” of the malaise and not by administering “painkillers.” The president in his series of tweets suggested systematic change and national unity in conjunction with economic reforms can help the country to achieve prosperity. He further pointed out many of his decisions as unpopular. But this will not let any of my fellow citizens starve or die in queues, he added. Click here to read…

South Asian countries endorse SL’s proposal to set up climate change university – Daily News

Bhutan Education and Skills Development Minister Jai Bir Rai called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees yesterday and held detailed discussions on bilateral relations, potential for investments and regional issues. The Prime Minister referred to the historic religious and cultural relations between the two countries and said the efforts must be made to enhance trade, investments and tourism. Minister Jai Bir Rai thanked Sri Lanka for providing scholarships to Bhutanese students to study medicine, engineering, information technology and other courses in premier universities. He also expressed willingness to send Bhutanese teachers and educationists to the South Asian Teacher Education Development Centre set up in Sri Lanka with assistance from UNESCO. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

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

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

Click here to read…

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

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

Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Making Bangladesh more investor-friendly – Daka Tribune

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

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

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

A competition of errors – The Daily Star

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

Wasting no time on waste – Kuensel Online

Waste is the biggest problem facing the country today. As a country that has been recognised as environment-conscious, the amount of waste fly around is ironic, and, embarrassing. Waste is an issue in Bhutan because of the deeply-seated culture. Waste is an issue of serious concern because a large number of our people are uneducated. Waste also deserves sober treatment because more than laws, rules, and regulations, we need practical solutions.
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FAO supports projects to strengthen food systems and water management – Kuensel Online

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

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

The government has assured that the Maldives will always uphold the principles of the SAARC Charter. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih gave the assurance in a message to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)’s Secretary-General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon on the occasion of SAARC Charter Day. SAARC Charter Day is celebrated on December 8 every year.
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RBI signs Currency Swap Agreement with Maldives Monetary Authority – News Deal

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

Myanmar Junta Receives New Thai Ambassador – The Irrawaddy

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

UN urges Southeast Asia governments to rescue stranded Rohingya – Aljazeera

The United Nations Refugee Agency has urged countries in Southeast Asia to rescue some 200 Rohingya refugees whose unseaworthy boat has been reported drifting in the Andaman Sea. The UNCHR said in a statement on Thursday that it had received reports that the Rohingya had been stranded on a boat off the coast of Thailand since its engines failed on December 1.
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15 killed in a shootout between drug gang and Thai security forces at Thai-Myanmar border – BNI Online

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising has claimed that the authority’s investment is focused on the development of electrical infrastructure to increase electricity consumption and Nepal will be fully independent in electricity in two years from now. He mentioned that various EV Expos are being held to increase the consumption of electricity produced in Nepal.
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Sweden, Nepal study India’s digital rollout of health assurance scheme – Mint

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

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

Bilawal calls for people-centric democracy: The Express Tribune

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

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Govt considers Rs60b mini-budget: The Express Tribune

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

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

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

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Sri Lanka

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bangladesh

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bhutan

Not a good season for orange exporters – Kuensel Online

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

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

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

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

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

Maldives

Cabinet approves MoU with Maldives on immigration – Colombo Gazette

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

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

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

Myanmar

Online passport applications temporarily suspended – Mizzima

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

Myanmar Junta and Pakistan Boost Military Ties – The Irrawaddy

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

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

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

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

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

Pakistan

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

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

Editorial: Disquiet on the western front: Dawn

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

Govt snubs talk of economic emergency: The Express Tribune

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

Environmental emergency imposed in Punjab: The News

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

Sri Lanka

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

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

Bilateral discussions – Daily News

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

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

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

Afghanistan

Acting Min. Muttaqi Meets with Norwegian Charge d’Affaires: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with Norway’s chargé d’affaires in Afghanistan to discuss political and humanitarian cooperation. Amir Khan Muttaqi said during the meeting that attempting to leverage Afghanistan is useless and that the international community should instead choose the path of engagement. Click here to read…

Kabul Province Students Complain of Lack of Buildings, Teachers: Tolo News

Students complain of a lack of buildings and of teachers in the Khaki Jabbar District of Kabul. They said that the cold weather has made it difficult for them to continue their education and that they lack a proper space to study. “We ask them to build structures for us, because even when it rains we sit here,” said Hasib, a student. “The shop was cold, we came out and here the ground is wet, we ask them to build buildings for us, it’s cold here, we can’t study, we all get sick here,” said Mohammad, another student. Click here to read…

Yesterday’s Military Men, Today’s Coal Mining Workers; Mine Collapse Kills 2 Miners: The Khaama Press

Two military men of the fallen Afghan government, who worked at a coal mine in the northern province of Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of the country, died after the mine collapsed, local sources said. Click here to read…

Events in motion to have new chief within the week: Dawn

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday sought a defence ministry summary for the appointment of the new army chief, along with the service dossiers of all prospective candidates, as the government seems set to name outgoing Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s successor by Friday. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

New Indian envoy calls on Momen – Dhaka Tribune

Newly appointed Indian high commissioner in Dhaka Praney K Verma yesterday made his maiden call on foreign minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen at the foreign ministry. Both considers India as the closest and the most important neighbor and termed the relations as “Solid and Unique one”. Momen stressed on Bangladesh as a “Regional Connectivity Hub” and India being the closest neighbor can reap the benefits of the connectivity outlook. He also referred to Indo-Pacific region, stressing upon the need for international rules and norms based free and fair connectivity amongst the countries of the region. Whereas the Indian envoy stressed upon the India’s Presidency of G20 and Bangladesh’s active participation to promote issues of mutual interest in the global discourseClick here to read…

21st century is Asia-Pacific century – New Age

THE US empire is going to face competition in the Asia-Pacific. Years ago, the empire could not have imagined it. The competition will be tougher. To the empire, the Asia-Pacific region was its own yard, a self-sphere for maneuvering, forward positioning to counter the then-Soviet Union and China, dominance, and resource and labor exploitation. All the economic potentialities of the region were within easy reach of the empire. That was the reality, and the empire imagined that this reality would perpetuate. Click here to read…

A red alert indeed – The Daily Star

We are shocked to learn that two militants escaped police custody from the Dhaka court premises on Sunday. Reportedly, four cops were escorting the two death-row convicts along with ten other militants to the prison cell when unidentified individuals attacked a constable, and snatched the two. Both were members of the banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam, and convicted in the murder cases of slain publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan and blogger Avijit Roy. Such dangerous criminals being on the loose, amid suspicions of a resurgence in militant activities fueled by mysterious disappearances of young men in recent months, is indeed concerning. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Govt. recommends loan rescheduling to resolve NPLs – Kuensel Online

The government has recommended rescheduling the loan repayment period to the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) to resolve non-performing loans (NPL), Finance Minister Namgay Tshering said. Suppose the loan repayment period is extended from 10 to 20 years, it could benefit both the lenders and the borrowers, he said when quizzed by the Nanong-Shumar MP Lungten Namgyel on NPLs in the National Assembly on November 18. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives-Mauritius boundary dispute; the unspoken – Edition

For years Maldives has maintained its position regarding the boundary conflict it has with neighboring Mauritius, claiming the former’s decision to vote against the 2019 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion has never been about supporting colonizers to maintain their colonial control – but rather it was always tied to the fears over Maldives possibly having to relinquish territorial control from part of its border, specifically by the disputed line. Click here to read…

Structural Issues Plague the Fight Against Terrorism in the Maldives – European Eye on Radicalisation

Known for being a popular tourist destination, the Maldives is facing a lesser-known challenge of extremism. It has more than 1,400 extremists residing within the country and is also holds the world’s highest record for foreign terrorist fighters per-capita. With the growing awareness of this challenge, the Maldives has undertaken various institutional, technical, and legal initiatives in recent years to tackle the problem. However, its reforms weigh thin against its broader domestic structural challenges that fuel extremism. Prevalent political, economic and social conditions, directly and indirectly, contribute to the country’s extremist challenges and even fuel them further. Click here to read…

Myanmar

India’s foreign secretary visits Myanmar, discusses border management – Business Standard

India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday concluded a two-day visit to Myanmar during which he discussed issues relating to border management and security. Kwatra’s visit came amid escalating violence between ethnic armed organisations and the Myanmar army that could have some impact on the border regions in India’s northeastern states. Click here to read…

Russia, Myanmar Only States to Use Landmines in 2022, Report Says – VOA

Russia and Myanmar are the only two countries to have used antipersonnel mines this year, according to the latest annual report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Neither country is among the 164 states that are party to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Click here to read…

Myanmar crisis: Rights expert urges Korea to play ‘enhanced leadership role’ – UN News

Concluding a six-day official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), a UN-appointed independent human rights expert urged the country to help reverse the international community’s failure to address the crisis in Myanmar by taking the regional lead in ending violence against civilians there. “The Republic of Korea can play a vital leadership role in denying the Myanmar junta the means to continue holding 54 million people hostage while becoming a leader in providing humanitarian support to those in desperate need’’, said Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, in a statement on Monday. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal poll results signal upset – Nepali Times

While early results show that the rivalry between the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML that dates back 30 years is still as fierce as ever, Nepal’s politics may be seeing the dawn of a new era. The reason for this appears to be mainly that many supporters of the NC and Maoist-Centre voted for independents or rebel candidates, rejecting the alliance of convenience between the right and left-wing parties. Although the UML is also losing a lot of votes to new and independent candidates, the opposition UML appears to have been able to better ride out the storm. Click here to read…

Rastriya Swatantra Party emerges as third largest in initial PR votes count – My Republica

The newly-formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led by Ravi Lamichhane has stood third in the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system in the initial vote counting. According to the EC data, the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) has secured 7,881 votes and the CPN-UML 6,486 votes under the PR electoral system. CPN (Maoist Center) is trailing behind the RSP with a total of 2464 votes followed by RPP with a total 1813 votes so far. Click here to read…

Could the rise of Rastriya Swatantra Party boost anti-federal forces? – The Kathmandu Post

The newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party, which is doing rather well in the federal elections based on votes secured in the early stages of vote-counting, didn’t field candidates in provincial elections. Lamichhane is not the only next-generation leader with reservations over the current provincial setup. Balen Shah, mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, was also seen avoiding casting votes for provincial candidates. After Shah cast his vote in federal elections, the police personnel present at the polling booth appeared to have asked him to also vote for provincial assembly candidates. He ignored the call. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pak-Afghan border reopens after a week: Dawn

Pakistan on Monday reopened its border with Afghanistan at Chaman, which remained closed for a week hampering trade between the two neighbouring countries as well as the movement of people through the Friendship Gate. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s default risk worsens: The Express Tribune

The perception of Pakistan’s risk of default has worsened with the five-year credit default swap (CDS) surging by 30 percentage points in a week to 93% on Monday ahead of the repayment of $1 billion for a maturing international bond early next month. Click here to read…

Inquiry into Bajwa family tax record leak ordered: The Express Tribune

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has taken serious notice of the illegal and unwarranted leakage of tax information of the family members of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Monday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Govt’s intention to resume negotiations on FTAs – Secretary to the President – Daily News

The Government’s intention was to resume negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), said Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake. It is the vision of the President that Sri Lanka will integrate with the global value chains and with the largest economies in South Asia and East Asia and then expand to the eastern region linking to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Further, the Secretary to the President invited private sector stakeholders to creatively engage in this development initiative as they are the ultimate beneficiaries.He made these observations during an awareness session on the resumption of negotiations of Free Trade Agreements held for Trade Chambers and Industry Advisory Committees at the Finance Ministry in November (16). Click here to read…

ADB to help set up University on Climate Change – Daily News

The Commonwealth and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have come forward to help Sri Lanka to set up a University on Climate Change, Senior Advisor to the President and United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said.He said that the above was agreed during the meetings held on the sidelines of the COP 27 in Egypt. He pointed out that a number of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Korea are willing to help Sri Lanka to face the impacts of climate change, adding that the Government intends to discuss with them in the near future. Click here to read…

President assures his support to expand Scout Movement – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured to provide the necessary assistance to expand the Scouting Movement by increasing its membership to 200,000 covering all nine provinces by 2024. The President also mentioned that he would seek the support of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Affairs for this purpose. The Sri Lanka Scout Association officially conferred the title of Chief Scout and Patronus to President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday morning (21) at the President’s Office, where he made these comments. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Norway Donates $22 Million to Afghanistan: Tolo News

Norway announced its package of NOK 220 million (approximately $22 million) for the UN and World Bank to enhance food security and provide basic services, the Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt announced. Click here to read…

U.S employers urge Congress to pass Afghan Adjustment Act before December: The Khaama Press

According to an International Rescue Committee (IRC) press release, in a letter sent to Congress, employers and business associations across the U.S. emphasized the contributions that Afghans are already making to the social and economic fabric of the country after being in the U.S. for little over a year, and that supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act is not only morally right but also makes economic sense. New IRC data has revealed that Afghans are projected to contribute $1.4 billion in earnings and nearly $200 million in taxes in their first year of employment aloneClick here to read…

Border clashes along Durand line between Afghanistan and Pakistan leave casualties: The Khaama Press

According to the reports, military forces in both sides of the border in the South-Eastern Paktya province have opened fire to each other which has caused casualties. The number of death and injuries were not immediately reported, however, Pakistan media outlets have reported that a number of civilians including women and children have been wounded inside Pakistan border. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Lavrov calls off Dhaka visit – The Daily Star

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has cancelled his planned visit to Dhaka and said he will talk to Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen over the phone today or tomorrow. Lavrov was supposed to be in Bangladesh from November 23 to 24 to attend a minister-level meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). He was scheduled to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen. “I can understand it. They are very busy. Their activities due to the war have increased to a large extent. Maybe for that reason, he is unable to come,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told a few reporters after an event of the IORA at the InterContinental Hotel. Click here to read…

Bangladesh, Gulf Cooperation Council sign MoU on priority areas – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Bahrain on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue. Under this MoU, both sides will hold regular consultations for political, economic, cultural, people-to-people contact, climate change, agriculture, food security, and environmental protection cooperation. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf signed the MoU on Friday. Click here to read…

Bangladesh, India discuss border management, security issues – Dhaka Tribune

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and his Indian counterpart Amit Shah Friday discussed various aspects relating to border management and common security-related issues. The two home ministers held the meeting on the sidelines of ‘No Money for Terror’ (NMFT) Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing, which began in New Delhi on Friday. “Both sides had productive exchanges on border management and common security-related issues,” the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs tweeted in the evening after the meeting. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan’s performance-based pay for civil servants revives debate over similar policy in India – The Print

In November 2015, the 7th pay commission recommended introducing Performance Related Pay — an almost corporate-like pay structure that would be determined on the basis of one’s performance and efficiency — for government employees. It met resistance from some IAS officers and never saw the light of day. With neighbouring Bhutan considering the Pay Structure Bill of 2022, that links performance to incentives for its own civil servants, the spotlight is yet again on the policy. The Bhutanese Bill was brought before the National Assembly by Finance Minister Namgay Tshering on 14 November. Click here to read…

New political party gearing to register with ECB – Kuensel Online

With one more political party being formed, Bhutan could have five parties contesting the elections in 2023. The party doesn’t have a name yet. National Land Commission’s Secretary, Dasho Pema Chewang is going to be its president. He is resigning from the commission on Monday. Dasho Pema Chewang said that the regionally-balanced development, equal opportunity and participation of all social groups in governance, economic transformation by leveraging on technology and strong leadership are some of the party’s initial focus. Click here to read…

Maldives

From Maldives, with hope – UNICEF

The low-lying island nation has sped up land reclamation projects around the country for shoreline protection and tourism development. What is land reclamation, one may ask? Picture this: tons of sand being pumped from the ocean to create new land. UNICEF has been consistently partnering with the government to support climate education in schools, reduce plastic pollution through behaviour change campaigns, engage young people in conversations around climate, and provide them with the tools, support systems and confidence to grow, thrive, and survive in a climate-changed world. Click here to read…

COP27 | U.N. climate talks poised for deal creating ‘loss and damage’ fund – The Hindu

Delegates at the U. N. climate conference in Sharm El-Sheikh continue to negotiate a final agreement, with the latest draft suggesting the creation of a fund to compensate a section of developing countries for the damage already done by disasters linked to climate change. Country representatives at the 27 th Conference of Parties (COP27) of the U. N. Framework Convention on Climate Change are expected to convene again at a closing plenary session in the Egyptian resort town that is to commence late Saturday night by Indian time. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Thirty-five Rohingya sentenced in Myanmar to 5 years in jail – Mizzma

Military Council troops apprehended 62 Rohingya people near Kadonelay island, Kadonkani village-tract, Bogale Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region, at 10 pm on 30 October. ”Thirteen Rohingya under the age of 18 have been sent to the Hnget Aw San training school, and 35 adults have been sentenced to prison. The remaining individuals have been sued for lack of valid travel documents. They were from Gwa Town, Rakhine State,” a representative of a lawyers firm said. Click here to read…

Myanmar Resistance Medics on Front Line of Fight Against Military Rule – The Irrawaddy

Nearly 5,000 of the CDM health workers are now working among resistance groups under the shadow civilian National Unity Government (NUG), according to the CDM Medical Network, which compiles lists of health workers. They include 320 specialist doctors, 560 nurses, 1,554 basic health workers, and volunteers, according to the NUG. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Ramps Up Landmine Use – Human Rights Watch

In 2022, 25 years since the international Mine Ban Treaty was adopted, only two countries actively use antipersonnel landmines: Russia and Myanmar. Myanmar’s forces have used landmines since 1999, but new use by the junta has surged since the February 2021 coup, according to the Landmine Monitor Report 2022, released last week. The report analyzed photographs of hundreds of landmines manufactured by the junta and planted across the country. Click here to read…

Pakistan-Myanmar military axis becoming deeper under Chinese guidance – The Economic Times

Pakistan-Myanmar military industrial link has received a major boost following reciprocal visits by delegation of both the countries. Last month, a senior-level Pakistani military delegation visited Myanmar to inspect a defence industry complex near Yangon and participate in a workshop on JF-17 block II aircraft that Myanmar had purchased from Islamabad, ET has learnt. Click here to read…

Nepal

Vote counting of FPTP, PR being conducted simultaneously – Khabarhub

The Election Commission (EC) has directed the offices of the chief returning officers to ensure vote counting of the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system of the House of Representatives (HoR) and Provincial Assembly, and proportional representation (PR) of the HoR and Provincial Assembly in four different places simultaneously. The EC made such directive as some ballot papers of the HoR and Provincial Assembly were mixed up in some polling stations while voting due to carelessness of the officials and voters. The EC has planned to release the results within eight days. Click here to read…

Nepal Elections Record 61% Voter Turnout, 1 Death Reported In Election Violence – Outlook

The voter turnout is significantly lower as compared to the past two elections, which was 77% in 2013 and 78% in 2017. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Nepali Congress-led coalition is likely to win the polls. Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said, “The nationwide voter turnout has stood at around 61 per cent. This is likely to increase slightly as we continue receiving details from districts across the country. This is certainly less than what we had expected.” Click here to read…

What sets this election apart – The Kathmandu Post

Observers say that this time, political parties are primarily focused on power politics rather than specific agendas and ideologies. Yet this election is vital, according to them, as the country passes seven years of promulgation of the new constitution. “Now, there are no such big national or regional campaign agendas,” Adhikari said. “Unlike the 2017 polls, contested between communist and non-communist forces, ad hoc alliances this time have left no room for ideological polarisation.” Click here to read…

Pakistan

Imran claims PDM offered talks, vows to surprise all: Dawn

Days after a meeting between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar and President Arif Alvi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan claimed that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government had approached the former ruling party for talks. Click here to read…

For US, Pakistan remains key regional ally, India global partner: Dawn

“India is an invaluable partner, not just in the region but as it relates to a lot of the United States’ shared priorities across the world,” said the department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel while commenting on Washington’s ties with New Delhi. Click here to read…

Wazirabad attack, Kenya killing plot ‘hatched in London’: The Express Tribune

According to private TV channel on Sunday, Tasneem Haider Shah, who said he was associated with the PML-N for the past 20 years, told a press conference that he had three meetings with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the office of his son Hassan Nawaz, alleging that he was called to kill Arshad Sharif and Imran Khan. Click here to read…

Pakistan sees ‘hope’ for vulnerable communities after UN climate summit adopts ‘loss and damage’ fund:The News

Pakistan Sunday saw “hope” for vulnerable communities all over the world, who are fighting for their survival from climate stress after the UN’s climate summit adopted the “loss and damage” fund. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka targets one million Chinese tourists – Daily Mirror

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing, consistent with its efforts to continuously promote Sri Lankan tourism in the Chinese market, is targeting one million Chinese tourists to visit Sri Lanka after the China travel restrictions are relaxed, a statement from the mission said. Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona met with the General Manager of Beijing Spring Travel Service Co., Ltd, Mr.Yang Yang, on November 16, 2022, in order to further bilateral cooperation in the tourism industry. The Ambassador Dr. Kohona said that the Embassy is also exploring all possible ways to position Sri Lanka as a preferred destination in the Chinese Market including a formal request to the authorities. General Manager Mr. Yang said that Beijing Spring Travel Service Co., Ltd is among the top 10 Travel companies in Beijing and Shanghai and has been accorded award certificates many times by the Chinese Government and the travel trade. The annual business turnover of Spring Travel in 2019 was 24.5 billion RMB (3.5 billion USD). Spring Airlines is valued at 50 billion RMB. Click here to read…

Budget 2023 at risk: Dayasiri – Daily Mirror

General Secretary of the SLFP and former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said if the budget 2023 gets defeated on December 8th after the third reading as speculated by certain quarters, the country will have to face a snap Parliamentary election in accordance to the Constitution. In the event of failure of passage of the Appropriation Bill in Parliament, the Executive President will have no say as Parliament gets dissolved automatically, he stressed.
Under the normal circumstances, the President is required to dissolve Parliament when 113 members or more make a request or the President is empowered to dissolve parliament at any time on completion of two and half years since the inaugural session of Parliament which falls on February 19th, 2023, he told Daily Mirror. Click here to read…

Govt holds talks with Cyril Ramaphosa on truth seeking mechanism – Daily Mirror

The government held talks with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa to explore the possibility of getting his country’s support for the establishment of the domestic truth seeking mechanism as part of reconciliation process, a Minister said. The South African leader was in Sri Lanka for a short time on November 16 on his way home from Bali after attending the G20 summit. In South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up to investigate political crimes during the apartheid era. Mr. Ramaphosa was also the chief negotiator of iconic South African leader Nelson Mandela in holding talks with the apartheid regime for transition to democracy. Click here to read…

Basil Returns – Daily Mirror

Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa returned to the country last morning to a grand welcome at the BIA. Rajapaksa left for the US in September to receive medical treatment, after the Supreme Court allowed him to travel overseas. A number of SLPP members including Parliamentarians were at the BIA to welcome the former minister on his arrival. It was reported that Basil Rajapaksa will work towards securing a two thirds majority for the budget in Parliament, however Minister Prasanna Ranatunga denied this report and wanted the opposition MPs not to refer to Rajapaksa as ‘Kaputa’. Click here to read…

PTA, ‘Aragalaya’ and need for long-term goals – Editorial- Daily Mirror

The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) (of 1978 first enacted as a temporary measure in 1979 under J. R. Jayewardene was later made permanent in 1982) is a broad law to search, arrest and detain suspects for periods of up to 18 months. This law has been subject to international condemnation. Originally intended to crush the demand for a separate state in the North and East (under a claim of fighting terrorism), today the self-same PTA is being used in all parts of the country. The use of the PTA more recently began in the aftermath of the ‘Aragalaya’, which followed the fleeing of the past president, acts of violence and arson and the burning down of the incumbent president’s residence. The present protests against the PTA are organized by the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) who are presently the main targets of the application of the PTA. Two members of the IUSF have been taken into custody, the IUSF is protesting their arrest and demanding their immediate release. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Envoys of Over 10 Countries Discuss Afghanistan at Moscow Format: Tolo News

Representatives and officials from more than 10 countries exchanged views on the Afghan situation in the “Moscow Format” meeting on Afghanistan that began on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Doha Office Says Gaining Recognition Takes Time: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s Political Office in Qatar said it considers the recognition of the Islamic Emirate by the international community to be a process that will take time, and that efforts are ongoing to achieve recognition. Click here to read…

SIGAR Assesses Factors Behind the Collapse of Afghan Gov’t: The Khaama Press

The US Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) in a recent report assessed the underlying factors behind the collapse of former Afghan government in 2021, listing at least nine factors that led to Taliban’s regime in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Russia’s Multilateral Talks on Afghanistan Opens without Taliban: The Khaama Press

Sputnik reported that there are 11 countries represented at this meeting, including Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. At a news conference in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the discussion will center on the military-political, socioeconomic, and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as well as coordinating measures to bolster regional security. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Lavrov’s Dhaka visit: Dhaka to focus on food, energy supply, Rohingya crisis – The Daily Star

Lavrov will visit Bangladesh to attend the 22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting on November 23-24 to be held at Hotel InterContinental at the invitation of Bangladesh, the current chair of IORA. Lavrov, who happily accept the invitation, will also be meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, officials have confirmed. International relations analysts said Russia faces global isolation. The UN General Assembly has adopted several resolutions since March this year demanding end to the war, territorial integrity of Ukraine and Russia’s reparation for the damages caused by attacks in Ukraine…Bangladesh has abstained from voting in two UNGA resolutions and voted for Ukraine in one…The US and European Union are Bangladesh’s major export destinations and they are supporting Bangladesh in the Rohingya crisis, politically and financially. Click here to read….

Bangladesh seeks Singaporean investment to become ‘connectivity hub’ – The Daily Star

Decribing Singapore as a “connectivity hub” for distribution of services as well as trade, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam yesterday shared the aspirations of Bangladesh to emerge as a facilitator of regional connectivity for the land locked countries and regions of South Asia. Highlighting the need for more investment in infrastructure development, including sea ports and air ports, he sought more Singaporean investments to facilitate Bangladesh’s transition as a regional connectivity and manufacturing hub. Click here to read…

Shahriar Alam: Dhaka, Tokyo relations to be strengthened through PM-level talks – Dhaka Tribune

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday expressed his optimism that Bangladesh-Japan relations would further be strengthened through the upcoming prime ministers-level meeting in Tokyo. The prime minister is scheduled to pay the official visit to Japan from November 29 to December 1 at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. Click here to read…

Dhaka to warn diplomats against commenting on internal matters – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh will warn diplomats stationed in Dhaka against making remarks on the country’s internal matters, Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque has said. “We will not tolerate any ambassador’s interference; they will be cautioned again,” the minister said while responding to questions from reporters in Meherpur on Wednesday morning. “Bangladesh is a sovereign nation; we liberated this country through a bloody war. We will not make any concessions when it comes to maintaining the dignity of our country.” The minister’s comments came in light of Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s statement on Monday that he had heard about “ballot stuffing” and that some police officers had stuffed ballot boxes the night before the last general election, which was something he had never heard about happening in any other country. Click here to read…

Bhutan

RBI provides an additional currency swap facility of USD 200M to RMA – Kuensel online

RBI and RMA signed an agreement to extend the validity of the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed on January 31, 2020 and also to provide additional swap support to Bhutan, yesterday. This agreement enables the RMA to avail an additional swap amount of up to USD 200M or equivalent in Nu 16.57B from the RBI. This support of USD 200M INR equivalent is in addition to the existing currency swap support of USD 200M INR equivalent extended by the RBI. This agreement was facilitated by the government of India at the request of the government of Bhutan. The agreement will be valid till June 30, 2023. Click here to read…

Japan, Bhutan sign technical cooperation project on digital health – Kuensel online

To improve healthcare services, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a record of discussions in Thimphu for implementation of the project “Strengthening government capacity for using digital technology and data” yesterday. Representatives from the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), which will implement the project, attended the signing ceremony. Click here to read…

Bhutan at risk of dropping to Tier 3 of Trafficking in Persons Report – Kuensel online

Since 2020 Bhutan was ranked on Tier 2 Watch List in the Trafficking in Persons Report. This means that the country is not fully compliant but making significant efforts to be compliant to eliminate the severe forms, nature and scope of trafficking. The ranking also risks the country losing loans or aid from multinational financial institutions, according to Home Minister Ugyen Dorji who introduced the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) to the members of the National Council (NC) on November 14. Click here to read…

Maldives

New type of drug smuggled into Maldives – The Edition

Maldives Customs Service seized a new type of drug smuggled into Maldives. Customs found the drug; methorphan while inspecting a box posted through courier from Bahrain. Officials claim that after finding a suspicious substances within the package, they conducted a more thorough investigation. The substance found inside the package were inspected on September 17 and had tested positive for Methorphan, according to Customs. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar releases ex-U.K. ambassador, Australian aide to Suu Kyi from prison

Myanmar’s junta released four foreign prisoners including an Australian aide to Aung San Suu Kyi and a former British ambassador to the Southeast Asian country, according to state media, in what authorities described as an amnesty to mark a national holiday on Thursday. The military government, which took power in a 2021 coup that deposed Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government, will free Australian economist Sean Turnell, Briton Vicky Bowman, Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota and American Kyaw Htay Oo, the state-run MRTV News channel said. The four will reportedly be deported. Click here to read…

Detained Japanese documentary-maker to return from Myanmar, sources say – Japan Times

A Japanese documentary filmmaker detained in July in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, was set to return to Japan Thursday after being released, according to sources familiar with the matter. Toru Kubota was sentenced last month to a total of 10 years in prison for violating the immigration law and for sedition and electronic communications-related violations. Click here to read…

Myanmar Will Not Hold an ‘Election’ in August 2023 – The Irrawaddy

An election is understood to mean “a formal and organized choice by vote of a person for a political office or other position.” Myanmar’s junta has claimed it will organize an ‘election’ for August 2023. Don’t call it what it isn’t. The junta’s event, whatever it is and looks like, will in no way be an election. If analysts, media, and diplomats use the term ‘election’, the onus is on them to justify and prove why and how exactly it wasn’t legitimate when in fact it wasn’t even what happened. Click here to read…

Vice President Harris Heads to Asia, Will Discuss Myanmar, South China Sea Disputes – VOA News

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Thailand this week to promote U.S. economic interests at a regional summit and discuss concerns over an ongoing military crackdown in Myanmar. Harris will deliver remarks at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a gathering that includes 21 members who push for increasing economic integration and prosperity. Click here to read…

B’desh intelligence officer shot dead by Rohingya drug smugglers on Myanmar border – Hindu Post

An Bangladesh Air Force officer, working at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), was killed in a gunfight with drug traffickers along the Myanmar border in Bandarban’s Naikkhyangchhari, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Tuesday. RAB constable Sohail Barua, who was injured in the firing, has been admitted to the Neurosurgery Department of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital DMCH and has already undergone head surgery, he added. Click here to read…

Nepal

Exports may fall slightly after LDC graduation, report says – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal will be stepping into uncharted territory after it is inducted into the company of middle-income developing countries in 2026, and exporters are beginning to worry about the higher tariffs and stricter rules of origin provisions that will follow. Being a least developed country (LDC) meant Nepal got preferential treatment; but after 2026, it will have to hold its own. And the thought disconcerts many. Click here to read…

Nepal closes Uttarakhand border for three days ahead of polls – Times Now

The Nepal-India border will be closed for three days in advance of the federal and provincial assembly elections in the Himalayan nation on November 20. A meeting of Nepalese and Indian security officials in Rupandehi on Saturday decided to beef up border security and seal the border for three days beginning November 18Click here to read…

‘

Shape up, or ship out’—why Nepal’s young politicians are challenging an ageing establishment – The Print

The current crop of top leaders is quite exceptional in that each has allied with their opponent in the past. Chances are that if neither the Nepali Congress-led coalition—led by Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist politician Pushpa Kamal Dahal, or Prachanda—nor the United Marxist Leninist (UML) party of K.P. Oli and Madhesi leader Upendra Yadav’s grouping get a majority, then one or the other weak link in any of the chains may snap and new chains may be created. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Default risk soars amid political turmoil, delay in IMF talks: Dawn

The country’s default risk as measured by five-year credit-default swaps (CDS) — insurance contracts that protect an investor against a default — rose sharply overnight amid political turmoil and uncertainty about talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Click here to read…

Pakistan floods ‘10th costliest disaster’ in a decade: Dawn

THE calamitous Pakistan floods of 2022 were the tenth most expensive climate disaster to have buffeted a nation over the last decade, according to risk modelling firm RMS. The floods inflicted an estimated loss of $3 billion on the country, caused over 1,700 deaths and displaced eight million people. Click here to read…

PTI ‘steps back’ from next COAS appointment issue: The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Wednesday indicated that his party has now taken a ‘hands-off’ approach to the imminent appointment of a new army chief, saying that it has “taken a step back” on the matter. Click here to read…

Govt lambastes Imran for selling Toshakhana gifts: The Express Tribune

As PTI chief Imran Khan faces fresh allegations of unlawfully selling state gifts, volley after volley of statements from the ruling coalition called out the former prime minister for the abuse of Toshakhana, hinting that criminal proceedings would be initiated as per the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka abstains from UN vote seeking Russian reparations to Ukraine – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka abstained in the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable for violations of international law by its invasion of Ukraine and requiring Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv for damages, loss and injury resulting from the war. The draft resolution, ‘Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine’, introduced by Ukraine was adopted Monday in the 193-member UN General Assembly by a recorded vote of 94 in favour, 14 against and 73 abstentions, including by India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Those voting against the resolution were Belarus, China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Russia and SyriaClick here to read…

President directs immediate implementation of FTA with Singapore – Daily FT

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday instructed the relevant officials to implement the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) immediately. He issued these instructions during the discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on the implementation of the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. The existing problems in this regard were discussed at length and the President highlighted the need to provide quick solutions to all the existing problems. Click here to read…

Special Envoy of South Korean Foreign Minister pays courtesy call on Speaker – Daily News

Special Envoy of South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Han Dongman and his delegation paid a courtesy call on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on Tuesday. Dongman whilst thanking the Speaker for being a host during the visit of South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-Seug, extended an invitation to him to visit South Korea in 2023. During the cordial discussion between them focusing on several matters of mutual interests, the Speaker expressed the intentions of the Government to encourage electric cars and renewable energy sources as a policy. Dongman acknowledging that the world is heading towards renewable energy and environmentally friendly methods stated that the two nations could look into future prospects on the matter in future. Further discussions also looked at future investment opportunities and increasing the quota for Sri Lankans who wish to be employed in South Korea. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Kabul: Unidentified Man Killed Pakistani Soldier at Spin Boldak Crossing: Tolo News

The US State Department said that Washington’s “commitment to the people of Afghanistan is enduring,” in a recently released statement. “We will continue to press for an orderly transition of power to an inclusive government with broad support, especially women and minorities,” the US State Department said. “We will use every diplomatic, economic, political, and assistance tool at our disposal to uphold the basic rights of all Afghans; support continued humanitarian access to the country; and ensure the Taliban honors its commitments.” Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh abstains from UN vote against Russia – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh has abstained at the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable for violations of international law through its invasion of Ukraine and requiring Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv for damages, loss and injury resulting from the war. Click here to read…

COP27: Bangladesh wants climate finance doubled by 2025 – The Daily Star

Bangladesh has demanded that developed countries double their collective provision of adaptation finance by 2025, as was agreed at COP26 in Glasgow last year, and provide support to vulnerable countries to implement the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Click here to read…

G7 ‘global shield’: Bangladesh among first to receive climate funding – The Daily Star

Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Ghana will be among the first recipients of funding from a G7 initiative to help countries affected by climate change, according to a programme announced Monday at the COP27 summit in Egypt. The “Global Shield” initiative, coordinated by G7 president Germany, aims to provide rapid access to insurance and disaster relief funding for climate-vulnerable countries following floods and droughts. Click here to read…

First-ever hajj conference from Nov 17 – The Daily Star

The first-ever national level conference and fair on hajj and umrah management will be held in the capital from November 17. The three-day conference will be held at the capital’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference virtually at 10:00am on Thursday. Click here to read…

Bangabandhu Railway Bridge: Crossing the Jamuna in 5 minutes: Dhaka Tribune

Rail travel over the Jamuna River is set to become significantly faster with the expected completion of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge in 2024. Due to the risky condition of the existing Jamuna Bridge, trains currently need half an hour to trundle across the river. Furthermore, broad-gauge trains are not allowed to operate on the bridge in order to ensure safety. On the other hand, the Bangabandhu Railway Bridge will allow trains to travel across the river at over 100kmph, cutting down the river-crossing time to around five minutes. The bridge will also allow broad-gauge trains to cross. Click here to read…

Bhutan

SoEs should let private sector grow: NA’s Economic and Finance Committee – Kuensel online

The National Assembly’s Economic and Finance Committee (EFC) recommended that state-owned enterprises (SoE) refrain from venturing into businesses that offer better prospects and opportunities to the private sector. The chairperson of the committee and MP for Gangzur-Minjey, Kinga Penjor, said that most of the SoEs operate in commercial sectors such as manufacturing, energy, natural resources, financial, communication, aviation, trading, and real estate sectors. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives arrests 14 for alleged Islamic State-tied bomb plot – The Hindu

Police in Maldives have arrested 14 people allegedly working with foreign Islamic extremists to carry out a bombing in the tiny archipelago state, police said. The suspects had been working with the Islamic State group and apparently planning an attack with the intent of killing many people, Uswath Ahmed, the nation’s counterterrorism head, told reporters Monday night. He did not elaborate. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Ground Report: Myanmar Refugees in Mizoram Camps Are a Picture of Resilience – The Wire

On September 19, military helicopters attacked a school and village in Myanmar, killing at least 13 people, including seven children. Six days earlier, India’s National Investigation Agency announced it had seized explosives and cash in Mizoram that were meant for the Chin National Front (CNF), a constituent group of the democratic resistance to Myanmar’s military coup in February 2021. Click here to read…

Myanmar, climate and economy on agenda for U.S. VP Harris in Asia – Kalki Media

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will discuss Myanmar, regional security, economic ties and the climate crisis during a trip to Asia that starts this week, according to a senior administration official. Harris is expected to meet with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Saturday in Bangkok and on Monday she will sit down with Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the U.S. official said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

India Should Exercise Caution Over Myanmar Timber Imports – The Irrawaddy

The confusion over Myanmar timber exports to India was laid to rest last month when the central government in New Delhi informed the Indian border state of Mizoram that timber was not on the restricted list of commodities from Myanmar. New Delhi’s directive was in response to a letter written by Mizoram governor Hari Babu Khambhampati seeking clarification on the issue of timber imports, following a petition by an association of wood-based industries in the state pushing for the removal of timber from the restricted list of commodities. Click here to read…

Malaysia Says No to Myanmar Junta’s Poll Plan – The Irrawaddy

Malaysia announced on Monday it will not support the Myanmar junta’s planned election next year, becoming the first among the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reject the polls. Myanmar’s military staged a coup in February last year after the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government won a second term with a landslide election victory. The military accused the NLD of serious election fraud – a claim that was debunked by international observers. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal, China seal a deal for utilisation of Rs15 billion in Chinese grant – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal and China on Tuesday signed an agreement for the utilisation of Rs15 billion (800 million RMB) in Chinese grants for various projects selected by the Nepali side. Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Nepali ambassador to China, and Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), signed the agreement on the behalf of their respective governments, in Beijing. CIDCA is China’s external aid and development agency that has already made a foray in Nepal with different developmental activities. Click here to read…

Elections fail to perk up the economy – The Kathmandu Post

Polling day is less than a week away, and the high-pitch campaigning has reached a crescendo; but the same fervour is not being seen in the economy as the expected election bonanza has failed to materialise. Domestic airlines are flying half-empty planes, retailers are reporting low demand for meat, restaurant owners say only a few diners are walking in through the doors, and beverage dealers say alcohol consumption has dropped to an all-time low. Click here to read…

In Kathmandu, leaders compete to be ‘different’, make & break ties, as Nepal voters ‘seek change’ – The Print

Communist leader and former Prime Minister K. P. Oli, 70, released a rap song at the Lord of the Drinks (LOD) nightclub in the heart of Kathmandu’s tourist paradise Thamel in the past weekend, in a bid to connect with the youth. Outgoing Prime Minister, and Nepali Congress leader, Sher Bahadur Deuba’s wife Arzu Rana Deuba, disarmingly told a podcaster Monday — who asked her if she wanted to be PM — that she had taught assertiveness training to young women and yes, someday (she would), but that Nepal’s patriarchal society was likely not ready for a woman PM. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Govt seeks IMF waivers amid flood-driven slippages: Dawn

Pakistan’s formal talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the 9th quarterly review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) have been delayed further amid authorities’ request for a series of waivers on performance criteria owing to flood losses and the Fund’s push for sticking to committed tax-to-GDP ratio of at least 11pc.Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Budget allocated Rs.852 bn for social welfare – State Minister – Daily News

Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told Parliament yesterday that social welfare has not been forgotten in this year’s Budget and the government has allocated Rs. 852 billion out of the total state expenditure through this Budget. Click here to read…

China’s top global ambassador says Sri Lanka is ready to take off – Daily News

President Xi Jinping’s top-most international roaming ambassador said Sri Lanka’s infrastructure facilities, human resources and other required facilities are in place and the country is all set to take off. President of the Chinese Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Ambassador Lin Songtiyan said now what is needed to attract foreign investments is to enact necessary legal reforms. Click here to read…

UNP to take action against its LG member for holding protest in front of Chinese Embassy – Daily Mirror

UNP is to take action against its local government member Sashi Hettiarachchi who held a protest in front of Chinese Embassy asking China to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt to that country, Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said yesterday. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Foreign Airlines’ Use of Afghan Airspace is Increasing, Say Aviation Author: Tolo News

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) said that the number of flights passing through Afghanistan’s airspace has increased compared to the past six months. Click here to read…

Taliban Orders Full Implementation of Sharia Law in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

The Islamic Emirate leader Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada ordered judges to fully implement Shaira law on criminals, according to sources, months after the group leadership announced the need for preserving Islamic values. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

A watershed moment for Bangladesh-US relations?: Dhaka Tribune

The military junta of West Pakistan organized among the most brutal genocides in history on March 25, 1971 with a plan to crush the Bengali nation. On a single day, around 50,000 people were massacred across the country. Click here to read…

Health minister: Population growth rate decreases significantly in Bangladesh: Dhaka Tribune

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Monday said Bangladesh has been successful for controlling population growth rate as the current population increasing is now 1.22%. “Population growth rate has decreased significantly as the government of Bangladesh has been implementing various effective family planning programme since 2009,” he told a meeting titled “Population and Development” in Pattaya of Thailand, an official release said. Click here to read…

Bhutan

RCSC will provide Nu 10,000 for childbirth for civil servants – Kuensel Online

The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) will pay Nu 10,000 to every civil servant on the birth of a child under the Civil Servant’s Welfare Scheme (CSWS). This was decided during its 160th Commission meeting held on November 9. It was an effort to explore avenues to introduce additional welfare benefits to cater to the emerging needs of the civil servants under the CSWS. Click here to read…

Canada govt. to offer biometrics service in Thimphu this month – Kuensel Online

The Embassy of Canada in New Delhi on November 24 and 25 will offer biometrics collection services for visa applicants at the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Thimphu. According to a press release from the embassy, the biometrics collection service is offered to those living in or who can legally enter Thimphu and have applied for a visitor visa, study or work permits, or permanent residence. Click here to read…

Maldives

President Solih sends greetings on 55th anniversary of Maldives-Japan ties – Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has extended greetings on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Maldives and Japan. The president sent his greetings to the Emperor of Japan, H.M. Naruhito, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida on the occasion on Monday. President Solih told H.M. Naruhito that over the course of the past decades, Japan has proven to be one of the most “steadfast” and “reliable” development partners to the Maldives. Click here to read…

Discussions held on opening an Australian High Commission in the Maldives – Raajje

The new High Commissioner of Australia to the Republic of Maldives, Paul Wesley Stephens and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has held discussions on opening an Australian High Commission in the Maldives. High Commissioner Paul presented his credentials to the President during a ceremony held at the President’s Office, on Monday. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar’s Most Powerful Ethnic Group Rejects Junta’s 2023 Poll Plan – The Irrawaddy

The Karen National Union (KNU) political wing of Myanmar’s oldest ethnic armed group has rejected the junta’s plan for a national election next year, calling it an attempt to legitimize military rule. The rejection came on Friday at a public meeting of the KNU-led National Unity Committee of Karen Ethnic Armed Groups held in Takaw village, Hlaingbwe township, Karen State. The meeting was attended by leaders of Karen armed groups, religious groups, Karen political parties, and over 1,500 people. Click here to read…

It’s Time to Take the Gloves Off on Myanmar – The Diplomat

When G-20 leaders meet on the resort island of Bali this week, Russia’s war in Ukraine will undoubtedly dominate the conversation. But U.S. President Joe Biden should also use the G-20 to address another conflict unfolding much closer to Bali, as the people of Myanmar valiantly resist an illegitimate junta that is unleashing a campaign of violent repression, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. To date, the United States has taken an equivocal approach to the crisis raging in Myanmar. This visit presents a perfect opportunity to make clear that the U.S. and its international allies support the Myanmar peoples’ struggle for democracy by announcing new financial measures aimed at pressuring the corrupt, criminal junta responsible for these atrocities. Click here to read…

Biden, Xi start summit with vow to avoid conflict – Mizzima

Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping opened their high-stakes summit in Bali with a handshake on Monday, and with both men stressing the need to manage differences and avoid conflict. Biden says he looks forward to having “continuing and ongoing open and honest dialogue” while Xi urges “finding the correct direction” in developing mutual relationship. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal reduces power export to India as production dips – Kathmandu Post

On Monday, the NEA exported 230MW to the southern neighbour, although Nepal is authorised to sell over 400MW of electricity in the Indian market. Recently, the NEA started exporting the power generated also by the Chilime (22.1MW) and Solukhola (23.5MW) hydropower projects. The total installed capacity of hydropower projects in Nepal is over 2,200MW, according to the NEA. But, the state-owned power utility said that available output at the moment is around 1,550MW as projects’ output fluctuates depending on water levels of rivers and production dips to the lowest especially during winter. Domestic peak demands of the electricity on Monday stood at 1,418MW. Click here to read…

China company to build Nepal road linking India border – Economic Times

The Nepal Army has awarded the contract for the sixth package of the Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Expressway to China First Highway Engineering, sidestepping an Indian firm, less than 10 days before the general elections in the country. On November 11, the Nepal Army, which is in charge of the project, issued a letter of intent to China First Highway Engineering that was earlier disqualified in the tender but later made a backdoor entry despite lacking technical expertise, according to people in the know. The companies whose proposals have been rejected are preparing to approach court against the decision, ET has learnt. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Lawmakers want Imran to pay for ‘US plot’ allegations: Dawn

Treasury members, including two federal ministers, lambasted Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the National Assembly on Monday for “taking a U-turn on the cipher issue”, declaring that the ex-premier would have to pay a “political price” for his “lies and false narrative” regarding the US-backed regime change conspiracy. Click here to read…

Pakistan out of UK’s ‘high-risk countries’ list: Dawn

The United Kingdom has removed Pakistan from its ‘high-risk third countries’ list through a statutory instrument, effectively meaning the UK foreign office recognises the progress Pakistan has made to be removed from FATF’s grey list. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

IGP, Public Security Ministry Secy summoned by SLHRC: Daily Mirror

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Public Security Ministry Secretary were summoned by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (SLHRC) to inquire into possible violations of human rights following the arbitrary actions by policemen these days. Click here to read…

Budget 2023 sticks to reform path with IMF nod pending: Daily Mirror

With an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal yet to be sealed, Budget 2023 presented to Parliament yesterday stuck with the reform path Sri Lanka had embarked upon after the economy crashed in April, as a result of bad economic policies followed for decades. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

OIC Opens Mission in Kabul: Tolo News

The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) opened a mission in Kabul with a ceremony attended by senior officials of the Islamic Emirate and OIC representatives. Speaking at the ceremony, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said the office would play an important role in the improvement of relations between Afghanistan and Islamic countries. Click here to read…

Islamic Emirate Denies Terrorist Groups’ Presence in Afghanistan: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate once again denied the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, saying that there is no evidence to show that there is any threat to the world from Afghan soil. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Istanbul explosion: No Bangladeshis injured: Dhaka Tribune

No Bangladeshis were injured in the blast on Istiklal street in the tourist centre of Istanbul, Turkey. Six people were killed and 53 others were wounded on Sunday when an explosion rocked a busy pedestrian street in central Istanbul in an incident President Tayyip Erdogan called a bomb attack that “smells like terrorism”, reports Reuters. Click here to read…

‘Bangladesh on track to achieve Vision 2041’: Dhaka Tribune

Charles Whiteley, ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, recently sat for an exclusive interview with physician, author, and youth leader Dr Rakib Al Hasan to discuss Bangladesh’s development over the past 50 years, what it must do to continue its progress, and the country’s relationship with the EU. Click here to read…

Bhutan

US offers opportunities for Bhutanese students

Apart from popular destinations like Australia and Canada, Bhutanese students also apply to study, learn, and experience exchange programmes in the United States (US). Such opportunity, according to officials from the Embassy of the United States of America in New Delhi, is facilitated through the prioritisation of student visa appointments. This assurance comes after many Bhutanese complaints that it has become extremely difficult to get visa appointments in Delhi which many say has been filled until 2024. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives arrests 13 in crackdown on terror groups

A joint counter-terror operation is underway in the Maldives where the Maldives police and the defence forces have arrested 13 people. The operation was launched on Saturday. The Maldivian media has reported that nine people have been arrested from Addu City, two from capital Male and two from Guradhoo island. All the arrested people are Maldivian men. Click here to read…

Maldives inflation rose to 3.1 percent in September 2022

The rate of inflation, as measured by the annual percentage change in the national Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 3.1 percent in September 2022. Inflation rate rose from 2.6 percent in August 2022, reports Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). Meanwhile, the monthly percentage change in the national CPI decelerated to 0.16 percent in September 2022, from 0.22 percent in the preceding month. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar’s junta slams opponents with prison sentences of up to 225 years

Myanmar’s military junta has imposed prison sentences of up to 225 years on nearly 20 of its political opponents since taking power in a coup early last year, sending a clear warning to anyone who might dare challenge its rule. Click here to read…

UN chief tells Myanmar junta to get democracy ‘back on track’

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged the Myanmar junta to immediately return to democracy, saying it was the only way to stop the “unending nightmare” engulfing the country. Myanmar has spiralled into bloody conflict since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi´s civilian government in February last year, with thousands killed. Click here to read…

Myanmar objects ASEAN’s review on 5PC and its engagement with the country’s ‘unlawful’ organisations

Myanmar categorically rejects and dissociates itself from the said-review on the Five Point Consensus (5PC) and the decision made by the nine ASEAN leaders at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Friday. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Facing Major New Armed Threat in Far West

Renewed fighting in Myanmar’s far west between the military and a powerful rebel group is opening another deadly front in the country’s post-coup chaos, piling pressure on a junta still struggling to consolidate power. The military’s February 2021 coup and subsequent crackdown on peaceful protests set off a wave or armed resistance across Myanmar that has been stretching the junta’s forces thin. By some estimates they now hold effective control over less than half the country. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal and India agree to repair Koshi embankment at 35 locations

November 14, 2022
Nepal and India have agreed to conduct repair and maintenance works at three dozen locations of the Koshi embankment that got damaged in monsoon floods this year. After conducting a joint inspection of the embankment from Chatara down to the Nepal-India border, officials of the two countries concluded that the embankment should be repaired to prevent future disasters from floods. Click here to read…

China’s vice minister for culture Li Qun visits Nepal

China’s Vice Minister for Culture and Tourism Li Qun, who has arrived in Nepal on a five-day trip, visited Durbar Square in Kathmandu where he inspected the heritage site jointly reconstructed by the two countries. The site was damaged during the 2015 earthquakes. Li, who is leading a delegation of Chinese officials, on Saturday visited Durbar Square in Kathmandu where he inspected the heritage site jointly reconstructed by Nepal and China. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Govt. in balancing act between social welfare and fiscal stability with Budget 2023: Daily Mirror

Ahead of today’s budget presentation, the government yesterday disclosed plans to prop up State expenditure by 29.2 percent to provide relief to the economically-battered population while moving towards fiscal stability and expecting a gradual economic recovery.
State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday said that all preparations are made to present the 2023 budget with an expenditure of Rs.7.88 trillion. Click here to read…

SLT September profits down on higher costs; revenue at Mobitel declines: Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) saw its profits declining in the three months ended September 30, 2022 (3Q22) due to sharply rising costs stemming from a bevy of factors including the sharp fall in the value of the rupee against the dollar and the soaring inflation amid the decline in revenues at its mobile services subsidiary, Mobitel Private Limited. Click here to read…