Afghanistan

China in Afghanistan: A year of achievement and aspiration – CGTN

This August marks the first anniversary of the humiliating American troop’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Washington’s two-decade long military occupation dragged the Afghans into chaos with clouds of uncertainty. Click here to read…

At UNSC, India warns of significant increase in ISIL-K presence in Afghanistan and their capacity to carry out attacks – The Hindu

India has told the U.N. Security Council that there is a significant increase in The Islamic State–Khorasan Province (ISIL-K) presence in Afghanistan, as it warned that linkages between proscribed outfits such as Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed and provocative statements by other terror groups pose a direct threat to the region’s peace and stability. Click here to read…

Pakistan forces operate against TTP in Afghanistan, says Ex-Afghan Intel chief – The Print

Former Afghan intelligence chief Rahmatullah Nabil on Monday claimed that the Pakistani military has started an operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in the territory of Afghanistan without consultations with the Taliban officials. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

India for synchronised grid link for power supply from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal: Doraiswami – TBS News

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Monday (29 August) said that his country is interested in developing a grid link for power supply with Bangladesh, adding that it will allow seamless power from Bhutan and NepalClick here to read…

Human Rights’ Chronicles In Bangladesh And Ramifications Of UNHRC Chief’s Recent Visit – Eurasia Review

Undeniably, no government since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 can be spared from the curse of human rights abuses. The successive trajectory of human rights violative issues has gone bad to worse. On the contrary, inadequate steps for the recognition, promotion and protection of such inalienable and universal rights have sparked national and international criticismClick here to read…

Promoting India-Bangladesh Ties Through PM Sheikh Hasina’s Upcoming Delhi Visit – Eurasia Review

India and Bangladesh to make this visit fruitful; Diplomatic activities on both sides are also on the rise. Meanwhile, the preparation team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh has also reached Delhi. They are currently finalizing the various logistical details of the trip. Click here to read…

Protests against rising fuel prices in Bangladesh continues – Wio News

As the crippling cost of living crisis continues to bite the pockets of Bangladeshi citizens, protest rage unabated across the country. Bangladesh is being caught in a quagmire of economic crisis and sought a bailout from the IMF. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Sixth AFACI general assembly calls for stronger agricultural cooperation – Kuensel Online

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) with support from the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) is focusing on strengthening food security of the country through knowledge sharing and technical support. AFACI is an inter-governmental and multilateral cooperation body which aims to improve food production and promote sustainable agriculture in Asian countries through knowledge and technology transfer and sharing. Click here to read…

In the shadow of Bhutan’s tag as the ‘happiest country’ is the trauma of Nepali-origin refugees – Scroll In

Bhutan’s much-touted happiness rating lies atop a bed of pain. The pain of Bhutanese refugees of Nepali origin. I know, because I am one of them. I come from an average working-class family that lived in Bhutan for generations with no interest or involvement in politics. My community, known in Bhutan as Lhotshampa, has traditionally lived in the south of the country. Click here to read…

Coronavirus: tiny Bhutan set to reopen to tourism, ditch zero-Covid policy – SCMP

Bhutan is set to welcome back international tourists from next month, as the Himalayan kingdom eases its strict zero-Covid policy more than two years after slamming shut its borders to keep the virus out. Click here to read…

Maldives

Cabinet deliberates report on Yoga Day riots at National StadiuM – Raajje

The Cabinet of Ministers, has held deliberations on the findings of a cabinet subcommittee investigation into the riots at the National Stadium on June 21 which saw the disruption of activities to mark the International Day of Yoga. Click here to read…

State minister Khaleel discusses Maldives-Bangladesh engagements with counterpart – Raajje

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel has discussed the engagements between the government of Maldives and Bangladesh, with his counterpart. The Maldivian state minister met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Md. Shahriar Alam as part of his ongoing official visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Click here to read…

Myanmar

ASEAN’s Complete Failure on Myanmar: A Short Overview – Council on Foreign Relations

A year and a half after the 2021 coup that formally reinstalled Myanmar’s military, the junta continues its brutal campaign against resistance groups. The army has targeted both ethnic armed organizations and the People’s Defense Force, groups that launched unsuccessful nonviolent protests in response to the coup. The army continues to commit massive rights abuses in many areas of the country. Click here to read…

Mu Traw District Situation Update: Militarisation, displacement, humanitarian aid, landmines and the impact of COVID-19 in Bu Tho Township, June to August 2021 – Relief Web

This Situation Update describes events that occurred in Bu Tho Township, Mu Traw (Hpapun) District from June 2021 to August 2021. Skirmishes occurred between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the combined forces of the State Administration Council (SAC) and Border Guard Forces (BGF). Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Ethnic Groups Must Unite to Topple the Military Regime – The Irrawaddy

On August 26, BBC Bangla covered the Chin refugees living in India’s Mizoram State. BBC reporter Subhajyoti Ghosh visited several refugee camps and reported that nearly 31,000 Chin, who are ethnically related to the Mizo people of Mizoram, have fled Chin State for neighboring Mizoram since last year’s coup in Myanmar. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Imposes New Restrictions on Political Parties – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s regime has introduced further restrictions on political parties after it barred them from speaking with international organizations or foreigners without permission from the junta’s electoral body. Click here to read…

Over 30 Myanmar Regime Troops Reportedly Killed in Sagaing and Mandalay Regions – The Irrawaddy

More than 30 Myanmar junta soldiers were reportedly killed over the last two days in clashes with People’s Defense Forces (PDF) in Sagaing and Mandalay regions. On early Sunday, local resistance forces jointly attacked a military detachment which departed from Lay Thar Village in Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Region, said Tigyaing Revolution (TR), the media partner of the township’s PDFs. Click here to read…

Over 28,000 Homes Torched by Myanmar Junta Forces Since Coup – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar junta forces have burned down 28,434 houses in 645 locations since last year’s coup, with Sagaing Region suffering the heaviest damage, according to the independent research group Data For Myanmar. Click here to read…

Nepal

Suspended Nepal Chief Justice Rana appears before impeachment recommendation committee – The Print

Nepal’s suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana on Wednesday appeared before an impeachment committee of Parliament to present his clarification on several allegations levelled against him. Click here to read…

Rationalising Nepal-India relationship – Kathmandu Post

By returning the Bill to Amend the Citizenship Act to the federal Parliament for a review, President Bidya Devi Bhandari had put a huge question mark on the cross-border “Roti-Beti” relationship. The parliamentary majority may force her to authenticate the bill, but President Bhandari has succeeded in publicising the prejudices of the dominant HAMNS (Hindu, Aryan, Male and Nepali Speaker) mainstream. Click here to read…

Citizenship bill set to pass NA test – The Himalayan Times

The Legislation Management Committee of the National Assembly today passed the citizenship bill on the basis of majority without any changes. CPN- UML lawmakers registered a note of dissent on the bill. Click here to read…

Cabinet gives nod to MoU with Nepal on biodiversity conservation – Hindustan Times

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Nepal in the field of biodiversity conservation, to promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of forests, wildlife, environment, and climate change. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan govt to consult coalition partners on importing goods from India: Pak FM Miftah Ismail – Indian Express

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Wednesday the government will consider importing goods from India after consulting its coalition partners and key stakeholders, as the cash-strapped nation seeks to stablise soaring food prices triggered by flash floods that have wrought havoc across the country. Click here to read…

Ukraine’s munitions might be coming from unlikely source — Russia’s new friend Pakistan

Ukraine is reportedly getting munition supply from an unlikely source — Pakistan- The Print

Yes, it seems to be the case if one goes by the videos of long range artillery shells, manufactured by Pakistan Ordnance Factory Board, being unpacked in Ukraine. Click here to read…

Political turmoil, division in army ranks deepen the crisis in Pakistan – Times of India

Terrorism charges against ousted premier Imran Khan have fuelled political tensions in Pakistan. An FIR was registered on August 21 alleging that the former Pakistan prime minister was ‘terrorising and threatening’ top police officials and a female additional sessions judge. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Party has denounced the charges as a politically motivated move by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka will need fresh tactics to survive – UCA News

Having fallen on hard times, Sri Lankans are adopting their own survival tactics, which are set to boomerang even in the short term. The bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the austerity measures that follow it will further put the entire nation at the mercy of creditors in the long term. Click here to read…

Will Ranil’s Tokenism Work With The 51st Session Of UNHRC? – Eurasia Review

Last July, soon after the 50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council – UN HRC was over, I wrote the following: “In the opinion of some analysts – Ranil as Prime Minister with a fox’s cunningness; Prof. G. L. Peiris as Foreign Minister and Ms. Aruni Wijayawardena who is currently serving as the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – may be able to avert the impending difficulties in the 51 session……. Let’s wait until September.” Click here to read…

IMF likely to make formal announcement on Sri Lanka’s bailout package on Thursday: Reports – Economic Times

The visiting IMF delegation is expected to conclude talks with the Sri Lankan government and make a formal announcement on Thursday on the much-awaited bailout package and staff-level agreement for the cash-strapped island nation, media reports said on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

UN Aid Chief Pushes for Restart of Afghanistan Development Aid: Tolo News

Countries should restart some development aid for impoverished Afghanistan that was halted a year ago when the Islamic Emirate seized power, the UN aid chief said on Monday, as the US told Russia and China to “put your money where your mouth is.” Click here to read…

Taliban’s Door-to-Door Searches in Northern Afghanistan Extends to Faryab, Takhar, and Jawzjan: The Khaama Press

Local sources in Taloqan, Sheberghan, and Maimana, the provincial capitals of the northern Afghan provinces of Takhar, Jawzjan, and Faryab respectively, said that Taliban forces have started conducting extensive house-to-house searches. The sources say that since early on Monday, the 29th of August, about a thousand Taliban forces have dispersed across Maimana city, the central district of Faryab province, and have begun searching homes. Click here to read…

Important Documents at Bamyan Education Directorate Destroyed by Floods in Province: The Khaama Press

Local sources in the central Afghan province of Bamyan say that important documents, including results and records from the Bamyan Education Directorate’s 1398–1400 years, were destroyed by floods in the province. A source said yesterday, on Sunday, August 28, the Bamyan Education Directorate’s Results and Certificate division, together with at least seven computer workstations and 30 volumes of record booklets, were all destroyed. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

UN human rights expert on climate change to visit Bangladesh in September: Dhaka Tribune

UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, Ian Fry, will visit Bangladesh from September 4 to 15. This is the first official visit by the UN official, an international environmental law and policy expert, since he took office on May 1 this year. Click here to read…

Padma Bridge: Upto 30 launch services from Sadarghat forced to fold: Dhaka Tribune

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday told the Parliament that Bangladesh’s southern region-bound passengers on almost all waterways declined significantly due to the advent of the Padma Bridge. Click here to read…

Khulna-Mongla rail line: Not opening this year: The Daily Star

When Bangladesh Railway in December 2010 took up the project for constructing Khulna-Mongla new rail line without any feasibility study, its deadline was December 2013. But its physical work began around six years after approval, driving the project cost up to Tk 4,260.88 crore from Tk 1,721.39 crore. The deadline was extended up to December this year after several revisions. Click here to read…

Bhutan

BCCI to launch micro-finance loan scheme for SMEs – Kuensel Online

To help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) self-sustain, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is working on a micro-finance loan scheme to be launched early next year. BCCI’s President, Tandy Wangchuk said that the private sector members had strongly raised their voices on the need for micro-finance loans since the SMEs were badly affected by the pandemic for the past two years. Click here to read…

Bhutan Bans Import Of Most Vehicles As Foreign Exchange Reserves Plummet – Kuensel Online

Bhutan will ban the import of all vehicles except utility vehicles, heavy earthmoving machines and agriculture machinery to save dwindling foreign exchange reserves, the government said in a notice seen by Reuters on Friday. Click here to read…

Export prices rise by 16 percent in first quarter – Kuensel Online

Export prices of goods rose by 16.1 percent in the first quarter (January to March) of the year compared to the figure in the same quarter of last year, according to a report National Statistics Bureau released recently. The export price index was recorded at -0.98 percent in the first quarter of last year. Click here to read…

Maldives

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar meets Maldives Speaker, minister –

Indian Express

President of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid from Maldives Monday stressed the role played by India at the UN and acknowledged the pivotal role the country played during the Covid-19 recovery phase. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, after meeting him, said India’s “Neighbourhood First” and the Maldives’ “India First” policies complement each other. Click here to read…

Discussions held on agreements being negotiated between Maldives, Indonesia – Raajje

Discussions have been held on the agreements being negotiated between the governments of Maldives and Indonesia. This was done during a courtesy call paid by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Republic of Maldives, Dewi Gustina Tobing on Vice President Faisal Naseem on Monday morning. Click here to read…

Maldives confirms 68 new Covid-19 cases, additional death – Raajje

Maldives has confirmed 68 new Covid-19 cases and an additional death from the virus. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in its latest figures publicized on Monday, revealed that 68 new infections were detected between August 21 – 27. Within this period, eight new hospital admissions were also recorded. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Over 28,000 Homes Torched by Myanmar Junta Forces Since Coup – The Irrawaddy Myanmar junta forces have burned down 28,434 houses in 645 locations since last year’s coup, with Sagaing Region suffering the heaviest damage, according to the independent research group Data For Myanmar. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Military Regime Cannot Withstand the Revolution – The Irrawaddy

Our resistance forces were established overnight out of the necessity of the revolution. They are made up of civilians who joined the PDFs after a few months of military training. The chain of command is not systematic and there is still room for improvement. There must be a systematic and swift chain of command from the most basic unit of a squad to platoon, company and battalion level right up to the NUG’s defense ministry. Click here to read…

From The Field: Restoring Myanmar’s Mangroves – UN News

Myanmar is believed to be experiencing one of the highest rates of mangrove loss in the world. When a company bought land containing a mangrove forest in the country’s Tanintharyi region, with plans to convert it into prawn farms, the local community fought back. Click here to read…

Myanmar Military Invited to Weapons Expo in Bangkok – The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar military has been invited to an arms fair, defense and security related seminars and technical presentations officially supported by neighboring Thailand’s Ministry of Defense. Click here to read…

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

India was caught unawares by events in Myanmar within a month of its election for the seventh time as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. India shares with Myanmar a land border of over 1600 km and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. But New Delhi was also grappling to regain a toehold in Kabul, leaving it too preoccupied to take events in Myanmar seriously, until refugees from Myanmar came streaming into North-eastern states. Click here to read…

Nepal

President consults parties as Parliament ignores her concerns on Citizenship bill – Kathmandu Post

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed concern over the lower house’s endorsement of the amendment bill on Citizenship Act without discussions on her suggestions. On Monday, Bhandari invited office bearers of the ruling Nepali Congress and the main opposition CPN-UML separately and expressed her concerns about the bill which she had returned to the House of Representatives for a review. Click here to read…

India to grant Nepal access to two key ports in Gujarat & Odisha under trade, transit treaties – The Print

Despite several challenges plaguing the bilateral relationship of late, India and Nepal are all set to upgrade their bilateral trade and transit ties under which Kathmandu will be given access to some of the key Indian ports along with enhanced reach for its agriculture produce, ThePrint has learnt. Click here to read…

31 member Indian Army team arrives in Nepal on five-day visit – The Print

A 31-member delegation of the Indian Army’s “Defence Course” arrived in Nepal on Sunday. The visiting team includes students participating in the ‘National Defence Course-62’ that was held at the National Defence College in New Delhi, according to a press release issued by Nepali Army. Click here to read…

3 Arrested With Heroin Worth Rs 60 Lakh From Uttar Pradesh Town On India-Nepal Border – Outlook India

Three people were arrested with heroin on Sunday in two separate incidents from Sonauli town on the Indo-Nepal border here, by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Police, a senior officer said. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Govt to form response centre to manage flood crisis: Dawn

The ruling alliance on Monday held threadbare discussions to devise comprehensive plans for the relief and rehabilitation of millions of flood victims, as well as chalking out a strategy to meet natural catastrophes of this magnitude in future as the flooding caused by unprecedented monsoon rains swept nearly a third of the country. Click here to read…

IMF approves much-needed $1.1bn payout: Dawn

The Exe¬cu¬tive Board of the Interna¬tional Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday completed the combined 7th and 8th revi¬ews of a loan facility for Pak¬is¬tan, allowing immediate disbursement of $1.1 billion to the country, said an official IMF announcement. Click here to read…

‘Betrayal of country’: Bilawal slams Imran for trying to ‘sabotage’ IMF deal: The Express Tribune

PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has accused former prime minister Imran Khan of exploiting PTI-led governments in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to “sabotage” the IMF bailout programme amid devastation caused by floods. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Govt. agrees to submit documents in Parliament over Ranjan’s release: Daily Mirror

The government today agreed to submit in Parliament the documents pertaining to the presidential pardon to former MP Ranjan Ramanayake. Responding to a request made by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament that he would submit in Parliament the relevant documents. Click here to read…

Jet fuel shortage worsens SLA’s woes: Daily Mirror

SLA posted a loss of US $ 1.5 million in July, as the airline was forced to make fuel stops outside the country, due to the jet fuel shortage in the country. After 16 years, SLA reported a US $ 10.66 million profit in December 2021 and a profit of US $ 1.7 million in the March 2022 quarter. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka president to present first budget with hopes for IMF loan: The Indian Express

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe will on Tuesday slash defence and other expenditures in a bid to win International Monetary Fund (IMF) support as he presents his first budget since taking over as leader of his crisis-hit country. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

MoD Says US Drones Entering Afghan Airspace From Pakistan: Tolo News

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that American drones are entering Afghanistan’s airspace from Pakistan. At a press conference, acting Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid asked Pakistan to not allow its airspace to be used against Afghanistan. Click here to read…

China Supports Travel Ban Exemptions for Islamic Emirate Leaders: Tolo News

China hopes that the UN Security Council will extend travel ban exemption for the leaders of the Islamic Emirate in a bid for the international community to remain engaged in Afghanistan. Talking to reporters at the Security Council Media Stakeout, the Chinese Ambassador at the UNSC, Zhang Jun, said that the humanitarian situation is critical in AfghanistanClick here to read…

Court ‘Terminates’ Executive Order to Split Afghans Frozen Asset: The Khaama Press

A New York court has denied the request to compensate 9/11 victim families from Afghanistan’s frozen foreign reserves, terminating President Joe Biden’s executive order to split the $7 billion in Afghan asset between poverty-stricken Afghanistan and families of 9/11 victim. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

‘By far, Bangladesh has become one of the countries with most cooperation and fruitful results under the BRI framework’: Dhaka Tribune

Ambassador of China to Bangladesh HE Li Jiming has been gracious enough to grant this extraordinarily open and forthright interview to Probir Kumar Sarker, exclusively for Dhaka Tribune, which we shall be running in five parts this week. This is the second part. In Monday’s section, Ambassador Li discusses the alignment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 and the role China plays in Bangladesh’s developmentClick here to read…

Rice production growth slows despite rising demand: The Daily Star

The rice production growth in Bangladesh is slowing as the room for a further expansion of modern high-yielding varieties (HYVs) has squeezed amid reducing cropped area and growing use of agricultural land for non-farm purposes. Click here to read…

Project to buy carriages: After 6 years, it now needs a fresh start: The Daily Star

Another railway project involving a Chinese contractor has plunged into deep uncertainty after a government committee directed the authorities not to take the hard loan arranged by the company. Click here to read…

Bhutan

We must rejuvenate SAARC, says former Bhutan PM Tsering Tobgay Business Standard – Business Standard

Speaking at the fifth “India and the World” lecture, former Prime Minister of Bhutan Tsering Tobgay expressed concerns about the current status of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and, citing the recent political and economic crises in Sri Lanka, called for greater efforts to rejuvenate the regional intergovernmental organisation. Click here to read…

For Bhutan, India remains a major source market – Economic Times

With Bhutan set to open up, ET HospitalityWorld spoke with Arun Kumar – market vice-president – North India, Nepal, Bhutan, Marriott International about his company’s new properties in Thimphu and Paro, which were set to welcome visitors from September 23, 2022. Click here to read…

Rising imports from China draining Bhutan’s forex reserves – Economic Times

According the data provided by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan in July 2022, foreign exchange reserves in the country shrunk to $970 million at the end of December 2021 from $1.46 billion in April 2021, while external debt increased to $3.2 billion. Click here to read…

Maldives

‘MVR 1.9 bln lost to corruption must be recovered’: Finance Minister – Avas

Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has said MVR 1.9 billion owed to the state between 2009 and 2020 has still not been recovered. The minister made the statement on Sunday while speaking at a ceremony held to kick off a workshop conducted by the Anti-Corruption on establishing an asset recovery system. Click here to read…

Bill on increasing GST submitted to the Parliament – Avas

The Attorney General’s Office said three bills were sent to the Parliament Office on Sunday. They are bills seeking to amend the Tourism Act, the Goods and Service Tax Act, and the Judiciary Act. The government had earlier announced that it would propose amendments to the GST Act to increase the percentage charged as GST. Click here to read…

Foreign Minister Shahid travels to India – Avas

Foreign Minister and 76th UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid has arrived in India on an official visit. Shahid’s visit to India coincides with Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed’s unofficial visit to the neighboring country. Click here to read…

Myanmar

In Myanmar, Vietnamese firms learn the political risks of backing the junta – RFA

Vietnamese firms are confronting political risk from overseas investments as the price of doing business with Myanmar’s brutal military regime, a less predictable partner than the authoritarians they are accustomed to. Vietnam’s largest venture in Myanmar is by VietTel, Vietnam’s largest cellular provider. The military-owned company has a major stake in Myanmar’s MyTel, which is also military-owned and has been hemorrhaging customers since the Feb. 1, 2021, coup d’etat that ousted Myanmar’s elected government. Click here to read…

Dhaka to lodge protest against Myanmar shelling into Bangladesh: FS – New AgeBD

Bangladesh will lodge its strong protest with Myanmar so that nothing such happens inside Bangladesh as the country witnessed two mortar shells from Myanmar inside Bangladesh territory on Sunday afternoon. Click here to read…

Myanmar Kyat exchange rate reaches record low – Thai World

On August 27th, the value of the Myanmar Kyat (MMK) to the US Dollar (USD) hit a record low at 3,400 MMK/US$1. Similarly, the price of the Baht strengthened against the MMK to a never before seen rate of 100 MMK/฿1. The price of gold bullion has also spiked, reaching a record high of over 29 Lakhs MMK (around 2,900 Baht) per Kyattha(16.3293g). Click here to read…

Myanmar strongly condemns and rejects statements issued on the anniversary of August 2017 incidents of Rakhine State: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Eleven Myanmar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar issued a statement rejecting the statements issued on the anniversary of August 2017 incidents of Rakhine State on August 25, 2022. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar has learnt the issuance of statements by certain countries and organizations including the spokesperson of the United Nations Secretary General on the anniversary of the incident that took place in Rakhine State on 25 August 2017. Click here to read…

Nepal

31 member Indian Army team arrives in Nepal on five-day visit – AwazHind Times

A 31-member delegation of the Indian Army’s “Defence Course” arrived in Nepal on Sunday. The visiting team includes students participating in the ‘National Defence Course-62’ that was held at the National Defence College in New Delhi, according to a press release issued by Nepali Army. Click here to read…

What does it mean for China that Nepal has now awarded two joint storage projects totaling 1200MW to India? – Inventive

The West-Seti Hydropower Project and Seti River Project (SR6), combined storage projects totalling 1200MW that China had twice abandoned, were officially granted by Nepal on August 18 to India’s National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC). The undertaking will be a year-round energy storage system. India will receive power through its national grid, either for internal consumption or export. Click here to read…

Standoff between Nepal’s President & govt over citizenship to ‘foreign women’ – WioNews

Nepal is in the grip of another political crisis as the country’s rulers are clashing. There is an apparent tussle between the executive and the president over citizenship Bill and it appears that the lawmakers are stuck between the government and president. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Death toll breaches 1,030 mark as floods wreak havoc: The Express Tribune

Floods continued to devastate the country on Sunday, particularly the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan leaving at least 119 people dead and more than 70 injured in the past 24 hours. Click here to read…

Several airlifted, many still stranded in KP: Dawn

With many still marooned in flood-affected regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a significant number of people airlifted to safety on Sunday, the prime minister and the army chief made an attempt to bring a healing touch for a nation in grief. Click here to read…

Crucial IMF meeting for renewal of loan plan today: Dawn

The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meets on Monday (today) to consider a bailout package for Pakistan as Islamabad claims tying up at least $37 billion in loans and investments. If the board approves the deal, the IMF will immediately disburse about $1.2 billion to Pakistan and may provide up to $4 billion over the remainder of the current fiscal year, which began on July 1. Click here to read…

Flood inflicts $10bn loss on Pakistan economy: Miftah Ismail: The News

The flash floods have inflicted a loss of at least $10 billion on different sectors of the country’s struggling economy, says Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sharp exchange between Delhi, Beijing over ship in Sri Lanka: The Indian Express

The docking of the Chinese military vessel in Sri Lanka has touched off a fresh war of words between New Delhi and Beijing — this time over Colombo. A day after the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, in a thinly veiled reference to India, alleged “thorough interference” into Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and invoked what he called the history of aggression by “the northern neighbour”, New Delhi hit back sharply Saturday. Click here to read…

Chinese company refuses to budge: Daily Mirror

A Chinese fertilizer company involved in a dispute with Sri Lanka, has refused to budge and had demanded that Sri Lanka respect the spirit of the agreement reached between both parties. Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group reminded the Sri Lankan authorities of a supplementary agreement reached between both parties in February 2022. Click here to read…

SL envoy woos Chinese investment in solar, wind energy: Daily Mirror

Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Dr. Palitha Kohona said Sri Lanka is an ideal spot for solar energy development and also wind energy development and China can be a big help as we transition to clean energy. “We would be able to address a huge part of our energy crisis by relying on renewable energy,” he said, according to the Chinese media. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Kabul Facilitating Return of Political Opponents: Spokesman: Tolo News

Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that they are using all paths to facilitate the return of “political opponents.” Mujahid made the remarks in reaction to the Indian Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh, who told the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tashkent on Wednesday that member states should encourage Afghanistan’s authorities to achieve national reconciliation through dialogue and negotiation and establish an inclusive political structure. Click here to read…

Afghan Soil Should Not Be Used to Attack Other Country: Indian Defense Minister at SCO: The Khaama Press

Rajnath Singh, the Defense Minister of India, said in Tashkent on Wednesday at the gathering of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s defense ministers that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used to “intimidate or attack” any other country. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

BRT project: Lack of safety measures poses risk of accidents: Dhaka Tribune

Even after several mishaps and recent deaths surrounding the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Dhaka, the Gazipur portion of the project continues to operate with no safety measures in place for the public. Click here to read…

Kushiyara River: Dhaka, Delhi finalize text of MoU to share water: Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh and India on Thursday finalized the text of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on interim water sharing of Kushiyara river.

Both sides welcomed finalization of the design and location of water intake point on the Feni river to meet the drinking water needs of Sabroom town in Tripura as per the October 2019 Bangladesh-India MoU on this subject. Click here to read…

Pakistan declares emergency in the face of calamitous floods: Dawn

Calling the incessant monsoon rains a “climate-inducted humanitarian crisis of epic proportions”, the Pakistan government on Thursday officially declared a ‘national emergency’ in light of the rain-induced floods which have so far killed 937 people, including 343 children, and left at least 30 million without shelter. Click here to read…

Bhutan

ADB-Backed Bhutanese Solar Project Seeks Bidders For Solar PV Plant – SaurEnergy.com

Through its Department of Renewable Energy, Bhutan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a 17.38 MW solar power plant that will be financed by an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan and is open to bidders from all eligible source countries of the bank. Click here to read…

Foreign Secretary Kwatra meets Bhutan counterpart, discusses bilateral issues – Devidiscource

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Tuesday met his counterpart from Bhutan Ambassador Pema Choden and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. “Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra held a meeting today with his counterpart from Bhutan Ambassador Pema Choden. Click here to read…

Maldives

MPS warns public of legal action, if attacks on those suspected of criminal offences, continue – Raajje

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has warned the public of legal action, if they continue to take matters into their own hands in connection with criminal cases. Stressing that the issue of members of the general public taking matters into their own hands and attacking persons suspected of carrying out criminal offences, in the name of “seeking justice”, against the legal mandate is concerning, the police institution revealed that henceforth, legal action will be taken against individuals who obstruct law enforcement and carry out such acts. Click here to read…

Oxford University to support deep-sea expedition to Maldives – Mirage News

Oxford University researchers are playing a key role in the first systematic survey of ocean life in the Maldives, from the surface to 1000 metres deep. This will enable the Maldivian Government to develop conservation and sustainable development policies, so that the oceans continue to protect and provide for the Maldivian people. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Mizoram: 2 held for smuggling exotic animals from Myanmar – Times Now News

The Mizoram Police have detained two persons and rescued nine exotic wildlife animals which are suspected to have been smuggled from Myanmar. The accused were nabbed in the state’s Kolasib district. A vehicle was intercepted at the check gate in the Kolasib district late on Wednesday night and two capybaras and seven grey monkeys were seized. Click here to read…

Myanmar arrests former UK ambassador – Telegraph India

Myanmar has detained the UK’s former ambassador to the country, where a military junta seized power last year, according to reports on Thursday. Sources said that both Vicky Bowman, who currently runs the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB), and her artist husband Htein Lin — a former political prisoner — were both detained. Click here to read…

Myanmar inflation crushing consumers since military takeover – Asia Nikkei

Inflation is rising in military-controlled Myanmar, pushing up prices for rice and other daily necessities by more than two digits as the kyat, the country’s currency, has been devalued due to a shortage of foreign exchange. The country finds itself in a vicious cycle, with people spending less amid runaway inflation and a worsening economy. Click here to read…

‘Comprehensive’ solution needed to end mass displacement of Rohingya – UN News

Some one million refugees remain in the vast camps of Cox’s Bazar, without any immediate prospect of being able to return home, which more than 150,000 mostly-Muslim Rohingya are still “confined in camps” in their native Rakhine state, said a statement issued on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Click here to read…

Myanmar Regime Violently Detains Activist, Photographer Involved in Umbrella Protest – The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar junta violently arrested a young anti-regime protester and a freelance photographer who were involved in a widely emulated umbrella strike in Yangon earlier this month marking the 34th anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal is not ready for Agnipath, delays recruitment for Indian Army – Asia News Network

The recruitment process for the Indian Army under Agnipath was scheduled to start in Nepal on August 25. Two days ago, Nepalese Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava held a meeting to discuss the issues. In the meeting, the Nepalese side informed him to wait on the plan to recruit Nepali youths under the scheme, which provides for a four-year term with no post-retirement benefits. Click here to read…

Nepal sees a dramatic face-off between executive and the President over citizenship bill – Kathmandu Post

A day after President Bidya Devi Bhandari hosted dinner for former Army generals, including the incumbent Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma, Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand on Thursday attempted to make it clear the government has taken every step in line with the constitution, in insinuation of activism by Sheetal Niwas. Click here to read…

Nepal eager to expand trade relations with Pakistan: Ambassador Adhikari – Big News Network

On Monday, Ambassadors of Nepal Tapas Adhikari, Azerbaijan’s Khazar Farhadov, and Turkmenistan’s Atadjan Movlamov paid a visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI). They thoroughly discussed Pakistan’s trade and economic ties with their respective countries. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Army top brass hints at tougher approach against TTP: Dawn

Speaking at the 250th Corps Comm¬anders’ Conference, a monthly feature at General Headquarters, Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa, according to ISPR, “directed formations to maintain operational readiness and efforts to counter terrorism particularly in KP & Balochistan must continue (sic)” Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Japan seeks to organise Sri Lanka creditors’ meeting on debt crisis: Daily Mirror

Japan is seeking to organise a Sri Lanka creditors’ conference, hoping it could help solve the South Asia nation’s debt crisis, but uncertainties cloud the outlook for any talks, three people with knowledge of the planning said. Click here to read…

Rooftop solar sector demands substantial tariff hike: Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s Solar Industries Association (SIA) yesterday urged the government to immediately grant a substantial hike in feed-in tariffs (FIT) for rooftop solar producers in line with the recent increase in input costs in order to revitalise rooftop solar production and to ensure the country’s energy security without burdening electricity consumers further by increasing electricity tariffs. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Afghanistan at Brink of Irreversible Ruin: Amnesty International: The Khaama Press

Islamic Emirate leadership in reaction to a petition by Amnesty International regarding the violation of human rights in Afghanistan said the organization’s report is far from the truth. Earlier, Amnesty International created a petition on what it considers to be human rights violations in Afghanistan and is requesting comments from people all around the world. Click here to read…

USCIRF: ‘Severe’ Deterioration of Freedom of Religion since Taliban’s Takeover in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

In its most recent report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) highlighted a “severe decline” in religious freedom since the Taliban’s takeover, which places religious minorities at risk of “extinction.”The Taliban’s enforcement of their strict conception of Sunni Islam adversely affects all Afghans who do not follow and adhere to that interpretation, according to the USCIRF report released on Tuesday, August 23. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Price hike: LDA’s strike underway: Dhaka Tribune

The 12-hour nationwide strike enforced by the Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), protesting the recent price hike of daily essentials, is being observed in Dhaka. Click here to read…

Five years of the Rohingya crisis: Dhaka Tribune

Five years have passed since the Myanmar military crackdown in Rakhine has sent nearly a million Rohingyas fleeing across the border to Bangladesh. With sharp decline in international funding and little prospect of repatriation anytime soon, Bangladesh continues to struggle to accommodate the million-strong refugees while fending off natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and food shortages. Click here to read…

Bhutan

WMO strengthens climate services delivery in Bhutan – WMO

WMO, with support from the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) Bhutan and the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems in Asia and Africa (RIMES) has successfully completed the implementation of a project aimed at strengthening the capacity to provide climate services and support climate sensitive sectors in the remote, landlocked mountainous country. Click here to read…

Bhutan likely to save Nu 5.3B in a year from vehicle import moratorium – KuenselOnline

Bhutan could save Nu 5.3 billion (B) in a year from the moratorium on the import of vehicles. Bhutan imported 7,882 vehicles worth Nu 5.3B in 2021. The import includes buses, passenger cars, transport vehicles, special purpose vehicles, and motorcycles. In the first six months, the vehicle import figure was 3,248. In monetary terms, it was worth Nu 2.84B. Click here to read…

Maldives

Pres. urges top achievers to pursue fields essential for national development – Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged top achievement winners to pursue knowledge in fields essential for national development. He said this during the ‘Top Achievers’ Award 2020-2021’ ceremony held on Wednesday evening. Click here to read…

Maldives Minister Ali Solih stabbed in broad daylight, attacker seen reciting Quran verses – OpIndia

In a horrific incident, Maldivian Minister Ali Solih was attacked by a sharp weapon while he was riding on a bike in the Hulhumale region of the capital Male. The Maldivian Police immediately arrested the attacker who tried to slit his throat. Click here to read…

Myanmar

SAC Chairman holds Second Peace Talks with ethnic peace delegation in NPT – Eleven Myanmar

Chairman of State Administration Council (SAC), Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing held Second Peace Talks with the peace delegation led by Chairman of Pa-O National Liberation Organization(PNLO) Khun Thurein, Chairman of Lahu Democratic Union(LDU )Kyar Solomon and Vice-Chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party(ALP) Saw Mra Razar Lin at Bayintnaung villa in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning. Click here to read…

Myanmar: No Justice, No Freedom for Rohingya 5 Years On – HRW

Rohingya Muslims are still awaiting justice and protection of their rights five years after the Myanmar military began a sweeping campaign of massacres, rape, and arson in northern Rakhine State on August 25, 2017, Human Rights Watch said today. Click here to read…

AA releases statement addressing rising military tensions in Arakan State – BNI Online

Military tensions are escalating day by day and the theatre of war is expanding in Arakan State, the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) said in a statement on Tuesday. The Myanmar military has been mobilising its troops and bringing in reinforcements and additional weapons in what appears to be preparations for further military operations, according to the AA statement. Click here to read…

Myanmar brings in $800 mln from April-July gas exports – Reuters

Military-ruled Myanmar earned $800 million from natural gas exports mainly to China and Thailand between April and July, the junta said in the state newspaper on Thursday. Click here to read…

Nepal

Action recommended against 1,690 govt officials – The Himalayan Times

The National Vigilance Centre has written to the ministries and offices concerned, directing them to initiate disciplinary action against 1,690 government employees for absenteeism and violation of dress code in the past three months. Click here to read…

Indian army chief arriving in Kathmandu on a four day visit to Nepal on October 5 – My Republic

Chief of Indian Army Manoj Pande is arriving in Kathmandu on October 5. He is set to come to Nepal for a four-day visit at the invitation of the Nepal Army Chief Prabhu Ram Sharma. Click here to read…

Agnipath scheme may impact ties with Nepal – Tribune India

The Nepal Army is mostly trained and equipped by India. The Indian Army helped it in containing Maoist insurgency. The bilateral group on security cooperation was set up in its aftermath. New Delhi must treat Kathmandu with respect and not repeat the old mistake of taking Nepal for granted. The most worrying consequence of the Agnipath scheme could be the weakening of the ‘diplomatic bridge’ between Nepal and India. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Editorial: Mexican stand-off: Dawn

A STRANGE madness appears to be afflicting our political leaders. Knives out, they are chasing after each other in the hopes of landing a killing blow, not realising the damage they are doing to their own future prospects with the harmful precedents they are setting that ‘others’ can easily exploit. Click here to read…

Imran due in court today: Dawn

Extra security has been deployed at the Federal Judicial Complex where former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan is likely to appear to get pre-arrest bail on Thursday (today) in a terrorism case registered against him for threatening additional district and sessions judge Zeba Chaudhry and the Islamabad police chief. Click here to read…

IMF sees inflation peaking at 20%: The Express Tribune

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees Pakistan’s economy slowing to around 3.5% due to weakening economic conditions and average inflation rate peaking to nearly 20% by the end of the current fiscal year on the back of currency depreciation and higher commodity prices. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

President urges China to change tune on debt: Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka is urging China to dramatically change its stance on debt relief, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Nikkei Asia in an exclusive interview, conceding that reaching a deal will be no simple task. The appeal to China, the bankrupt Indian Ocean nation’s largest bilateral lender, has emerged as a formidable challenge to Wickremesinghe, who is leading the country’s financial team as it attempts to rebuild an economy starved of foreign reserves and mired in miseryClick here to read…

Gota to return during first week of September: Daily Mirror

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is to return to Sri Lanka during the first week of next month, Daily Mirror learns . An informed source said he is likely to return either on September 2 or 3. Earlier,The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to make arrangements for the former president to return . Click here to read…

Amid soft-peg crisis, Sri Lanka suspends imports of over 300 items from Wed: Business Standard

Amidst soft-peg crisis, Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended the import of over 300 ‘non-essential’ items with effect from Wednesday. Signed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Finance Minister, the gazette was issued under the Import and Export Control Act. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

UN’s Griffiths: Women, Girls Face ‘Alarming Rollback On Their Rights’: Tolo News

Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, while talking to CGTN TV said that the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan is regressing. “Women and girls are facing alarming rollback on their rights,” said Martin Griffiths. Click here to read…

Japan to Grant Refugee Status to 98 Afghan Nationals: The Khaama Press

Japan has reportedly granted refugee status to 98 Afghan nationals, including staff who worked at the Japanese embassy in Kabul and their families, who left Afghanistan last year, according to Japanese media citing government sources. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Dhaka, Delhi eye positive results during PM Hasina’s visit: Dhaka Tribune

Former Indian foreign secretary and G20 Chief Coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday said Bangladesh is a remarkable story in terms of growth and development. He highlighted the achievements and accomplishments made by the two countries over the last decade and shed light on future cooperation between the two countries as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to visit New Delhi September at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Click here to read…

President Hamid alerts against plastic usage to protect environment: Dhaka Tribune

President M Abdul Hamid on Tuesday urged everyone, including political leaders, district administration and civil society to remain alert in using plastic waste and polythene to protect the balance of the environment. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Foreign Secretary Kwatra meets Bhutan counterpart, discusses bilateral issues – The Print

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Tuesday met his counterpart from Bhutan Ambassador Pema Choden and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. Click here to read…

WMO strengthens climate services delivery in Bhutan – Mirage News

WMO, with support from the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) Bhutan and the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems in Asia and Africa (RIMES) has successfully completed the implementation of a project aimed at strengthening the capacity to provide climate services and support climate sensitive sectors in the remote, landlocked mountainous country. Click here to read…

Maldives

Ambassador Shaan presents credentials to President of Germany – Raajje

The Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Federal Republic of Germany, has presented her credentials. Ambassador Aishath Shaan Shakir presented her Letter of Credence to the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier during an official ceremony held on Monday. Click here to read…

Team of Maldivian journalists head to India for training – Raajje

The Maldives Media Council revealed that the skill-building and training programme comes under an opportunity paved by the Indian government’s ITEC Programme. The initiative comes under the council’s efforts to advance the skills and pave progress for media houses of the island nation. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar: No Justice, No Freedom for Rohingya 5 Years On – HRW

Rohingya Muslims are still awaiting justice and protection of their rights five years after the Myanmar military began a sweeping campaign of massacres, rape, and arson in northern Rakhine State on August 25, 2017, Human Rights Watch said today. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled to precarious, flood-prone camps in Bangladesh, while about 600,000 remain under oppressive rule in Myanmar. Click here to read…

UN faces heat over envoy’s trip to Myanmar – RFA

Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and more than 850 civil society groups called on the United Nations to remove its appointed envoy to the country after her visit last week and demonstrate a “serious commitment” to resolving the nation’s worsening humanitarian crisis. Click here to read…

Devalued Kyat currency stops trade at Myanmar-China border – RFA

Myanmar merchants who trade goods across the border with China say their country’s kyat has depreciated so much relative to the Chinese yuan that they are no longer able to stay in business. The traders typically export agricultural and fisheries products to China and import Chinese consumer and industrial goods and food products to Myanmar. Click here to read…

As Myanmar Coup Intensifies Regional Human Trafficking, How Will China Respond – The Diplomat

Since the 2021 Myanmar coup, over 2,200 people have been killed by the military. The military doubled down on political repression by executing well-known political activists and burning villages with members participating in armed resistance. Click here to read…

Myanmar national among two held in major drug bust: Mizoram Police – The Print

The Special Narcotics Cell of the Mizoram Police seized 2.7 kilograms of heroin in the Kolasib district on Monday night and arrested two persons including a Myanmar national, police said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Nepal

Country’s trade deficit narrows by 10.38pc – The Himalayan Times

The government’s decision to give continuity to the ban on import of non-essential items listed under 10 categories limited the country’s trade deficit to Rs 116.476 billion in the first month (mid-July to mid-August) of the current fiscal year 2022-23. Click here to read…

Nepal Government forms High-level Salary and Facilities Commission – Nepal 24 Hours

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on August 22 has constituted the commission under the convenorship of former Chief Secretary Leelamani Paudyal for carrying out necessary study for revising the salary, allowance, remuneration and facilities of government employees and workers, and recommend to the government. The commission has been asked to make the study and recommendation on the basis of the country’s economic condition and its spending capacity. Click here to read…

China’s zero-Covid policy turns Nepal border towns into ‘dead’ zones as trade routes dry up – SCMP

China’s zero-Covid policy is proving a major obstacle to the resumption of two-way trade with Nepal, with border closures causing a sharp decline in Nepalese exports to the world’s No 2 economy and losses for merchants. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan’s political turmoil echoes in US, UN corridors: Dawn

The political turmoil in Pakistan echoed far away in the United States as well, where the UN chief urged Islamabad to keep the legal process impartial while the State Depart¬ment underlined the need to follow “democratic, constitutional and legal” principles. Click here to read…

Pakistan seeks world aid to cope with flood emergency: Dawn

As massive floods across Pakistan have so far claimed at least 830 lives since July, the government on Tuesday decided to launch an international appeal seeking funds for relief and rehabilitation of flood-hit people and restoration of damaged infrastructure. Click here to read…

Pakistan explores debt rescheduling option: The Express Tribune

The government has explored an option to seek rescheduling of its external debt, as Pakistan faces a mammoth challenge to service over two-third or $66 billion of the total external public and publicly-guaranteed repayments in five years. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Rajapaksa may return home by early September:Sources: Economic Times

Sri Lanka’s former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa may return home in about two weeks after fleeing a popular uprising in July, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, depending in part on arrangements to secure his safety.
Click here to read…

PTA, a must to tackle terrorism: Cabinet Spokesman: Daily Mirror

The government today said that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) sleuths are questioning several suspects including the convener of the IUSF Wasantha Mudalige detained under the provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to determine whether there was a conspiracy to topple the government.Click here to read…

Govt. slaps import ban on wide range of goods: Daily Mirror

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Minister, yesterday issued new regulations via an extraordinary gazette suspending the import of a plethora of items, with effect from August 23, 2022, until further notice. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Reuters Sources: US to Discuss Frozen Funds With Kabul: Tolo News

(Reuters) US President Joe Biden’s administration will press ahead with talks on releasing billions of dollars in Afghanistan’s foreign-held assets despite the late al Qaeda leader’s presence in Kabul and foot-dragging by the Islamic Emirate and Afghan central bank, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation. Click here to read…

Revocation or Extension: Taliban Official’s Travel Ban Waiver to Be Reviewed by UNSC Today: The Khaama Press

The UN Security Council (UNSC) will vote today on whether to extend the 13 Taliban officials’ travel exemptions or to rescind their waivers in light of the disagreements among UNSC member statesClick here to read…

US to Push Forward Afghan Asset Talks with Taliban: The Khaama Press

Despite tensions between the US and the Taliban over the presence and assassination of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, US President Joe Biden’s administration will move forward with negotiations to release billions of dollars of Afghan frozen foreign assets, Reuters reported citing sources. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

BPC plans to import diesel, jet fuel from Russia: The Daily Star

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is considering buying discounted diesel and jet fuel from Russia as it seeks relief from the elevated prices in the global market. Click here to read…

Envoy: UK ready to send independent observers to Bangladesh national polls: Dhaka Tribune

British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson on Monday said the United Kingdom is ready to send independent observers to the national election of Bangladesh if the country’s Election Commission allows for it. Click here to read…

UN special envoy for Myanmar in Dhaka: Dhaka Tribune

UN special envoy for Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer arrived in Dhaka Monday on a four-day visit.She is expected to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman, and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan forex reserves plummet : Another economic crisis waiting to happen in India’s neighbourhood – Times Now News

As Bhutan’s foreign exchange reserves plummet, the nation said it would ban the import of all vehicles except utility vehicles, heavy earthmoving machines and agriculture machinery, according to a Reuters report. Click here to read…

Bhutan: The First Carbon Negative Country In The World – Earth.Org

Bhutan is both the happiest and also the greenest country in the world. In the past 50 years, the Bhutanese government chose to measure progress beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP), by focussing instead on the Gross National Happiness (GNH) and placing emphasis on environmental protection. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives Environment Minister Ali Solih stabbed near Male – Indian Narrative

According to The Times of Addu, Solih was attacked while he was riding his motorcycle on a road in Hulhumale. Maldivian media reported that the perpetrator recited some verses of the Quran before launching the attack on Solih’s neck from behind. The knife missed the neck but slit part of his left arm. Click here to read…

Maldives tourist arrivals exceed 1.02 mil by mid-August – Edition

According to the government body’s latest statistical update, tourist arrivals so far in 2022 observe an annual increment of 47.9 percent in comparison with the same period last year. In 2021, tourist arrivals by the same review period reached 695,406. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar junta naval fleet attacked by PDFs in Katha, Sagaing – Mizzima

A video released on 19 August purports to show a Myanmar army fleet sailing upstream from Katha, Sagaing Region to Bhamo in Kachin state being attacked by missiles, according to Katha PDF. The fleet contained supply ships and six warships was attacked by free-flight missiles and electric-shocked grenades launchers on 18 August at 11:00 am along the Ayeyarwaddy River near Nakuu Village, six miles north of Katha town. Click here to read…

Can Bangladesh-Myanmar military ties stabilise the region – The Daily Star

Myanmar always gets priority in Bangladesh’s economic and security strategy. Although democratic Bangladesh has a moral dilemma in supporting the military government, it has yet to formally condemn the military coup or demand Aung San Su Kyi’s release. It underscores Dhaka’s careful support for the junta’s “one-Myanmar government policy.” Click here to read…

It’s Time to Help Myanmar’s Resistance Prevail – USIP

The international community can be divided into three camps in dealing with Myanmar’s brutal coup regime. One consists of a shameless group that includes Russia, China and India that supports the junta and, in the case of Russia and China, supplies weapons to further their own narrow national interests. A second is a divided ASEAN that cobbled together and continues to promote the so-called “five-point consensus,” an incoherent initiative that was dead on arrival more than a year ago. The third is the West, which has imposed sanctions, offered humanitarian aid and taken a strong rhetorical position opposing the coup, yet criticizes armed resistance and avoids bold action, favoring instead the cautious, ineffectual path of supporting ASEAN’s failed plan. Click here to read…

Even as the West tries to wean itself off Russian oil, Moscow has found itself yet another buyer: Myanmar – Business Insider

Despite sanctions and boycotts over its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has managed to acquire new customers for its energy products. This time, Myanmar is joining the line to buy Russian gas and fuel oil, according to Reuters and Bloomberg. Click here to read…

Nepal

Explained | The controversy around Nepal’s new citizenship law – The Hindu

On August 16, Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari sent back the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2006 to the Pratinidhi Sabha (House of Representatives), the lower house of the Nepal Parliament, urging the members to reconsider the ActClick here to read…

China shuts down borders with Nepal citing Covid, containers worth billions of rupees remain stranded – Op India

China has, once again, shut the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi border points between Nepal and China, citing an increase in the number of Covid cases in the cities near the transfer points. Nepali customs officials say that the Tatopani border is closed since Wednesday whereas the Rasuwagadhi point is shut since last weekend. This decision comes as a big setback for Nepalese traders who will be incurring losses worth millions of Nepalese rupees ahead of the famous Nepalese Dashain festival. Click here to read…

Nepal gives India two power projects quit by China – Economic Times

India has expanded power sector partnership with Nepal with Kathmandu awarding the much-delayed West Seti Hydropower Project and Seti River Hydropower Project in the western part of the Himalayan nation to a leading Indian firm nearly four years after China withdrew from these projects. Click here to read…

China’s Belt and Road Initiative faces protests in Nepal amid fears of Beijing’s expansionist designs – Zee News

The Youth Department of Nepal`s Rashtriya Ekta Abhiyan held a protest rally demanding the revocation of the agreement on China`s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the cancellation of the Muslim Commission, local media reported.The rally from Maitighar Mandal in Kathmandu to Naya Baneshwar witnessed the participation of hundreds of people. Click here to read…

Pakistan

No-province-safe-from-rain-related-devastation: Dawn

As heavy monsoon rains and flooding continued to cause widespread damage to areas across the country, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Monday declared a state of emergency in four districts, relief goods were airdropped in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts of Punjab, dozens of families were shifted to tents in Gilgit-Baltistan after their villages were destroyed and efforts still under way to restore the National Highway link between Punjab and Balochistan. Click here to read…

IHC grants Imran protective bail till August 25 in terrorism case: The Express Tribune

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan protective bail till August 25 a day after he was booked under terrorism charges. Click here to read…

Pakistan to get $2bn from Qatar: SBP: The News

Pakistan will receive $2 billion from Qatar in bilateral support to help ease the South Asian nation’s funding crunch and the consequent risk of a default, the central bank said on Monday.The country will also get $1 billion in oil financing from Saudi Arabia and a similar amount in investments from the UAE. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

SL ranks 5th among 10 countries with highest food price inflation: World Bank: The Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka ranked 5th among the 10 countries with the highest food price inflation in the latest World Bank assessment.According, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Turkey ranked first four countries in the assessment while Iran, Argentina, Suriname, Ethiopia and Moldova ranked behind Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

‘Bad bank’ mooted to deal with tourism industry debt: The Daily Mirror

The Sri Lanka tourism authorities, led by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, are actively contemplating on setting up what is called a ‘bad bank’ to restructure the debt of the crisis-hit tourism sector, Mirror Business learnsClick here to read…

India hands over 21,000 tonnes of fertilizer to Sri Lanka: The Economic Times

India on Monday handed over 21,000 tonnes of fertilizer to the crisis-ridden neighbour Sri Lanka. “Adding to the fragrance of friendship and cooperation. High Commissioner formally handed over 21,000 tonnes of fertilizer supplied under India’s special support to the people of Sri Lanka,” tweeted the High Commission of India in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

UNDP to Provide $50M to Implement Afghan Economic Programs- Tolo News

A senior official of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) announced a $50 million grant to help implement economic programs for citizens in the north of Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Laghman Governor: ‘No Armed Opposition Groups in Laghman’- Tolo News

Zain al-Abuddin Abed, the governor of Laghman province, said there are no armed opposition groups in the province. Click here to read…

Ban on Intl Media Programs Sparks Local and Global Reactions- Tolo News

The recent decision to prohibit Afghan local media from airing foreign TV channels’ news programs provoked reactions globally. Click here to read…

UN Calls on Islamic Emirate to Honor Promise on Girls’ Education- Tolo News
The members of the UN Security Council have expressed their deep concern regarding the inability of girls beyond grade six in Afghanistan to return to their schools, as they were promised. Click here to read…

Karzai hopes Beijing huddle to be fruitful for Afghanistan- Pajhwok

Former President Hamid Karzai has said that China is Afghanistan’s good neighbor and friend and expressed hope pf future cooperation. Click here to read…

Younis Khan and Umar Gul to coach Afghan players- Pajhwok

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) says that former Pakistan captain Younis Khan and national player Umar Gul has agreed to work as interim coaches with Afghan National Cricket team at UAE training camp. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bill to curb banking fraud- The Daily Star

The Payment and Settlement Systems Bill 2022 was placed in parliament yesterday with a provision to punish top bank officials for fraudulence committed digitallyClick here to read…

Bangladesh an important partner in diplomacy’- The Daily Star

The European Union considers Bangladesh a very important partner in the regional and global diplomatic landscape, as the country has been able to demonstrate its economic and diplomatic strengths in recent years, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley said yesterday. Click here to read…

Momen in Colombo to attend 18th ministerial meeting of BIMSTEC- The Daily Star

The eighteenth ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) opens in the Sri Lankan capital tomorrow (March 29) as the members explore ways to strengthen the forum on all fronts. Click here to read…

US sanctions on Rab an abominable move: PM- The Daily Star

Prime Minister sheikh Hasina today came down heavily on the USA for imposing sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion and some of its officials, terming it an “abominable move”.Click here to read…

Police use teargas, water cannon during clash with hartal supporters at Paltan- The Daily Star

Police used water cannon and fired tear-shell during a clash with hartal supporters at Paltan intersection in Dhaka today. Click here to read…
South Asia Diary: Ukraine war triggers food crisis in Bangladesh- WION

The war in Ukraine has triggered a food crisis in Bangladesh. Traders are hoarding essential commodities to drive up prices. The Bangladesh government has responded by announcing a nationwide ration scheme. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Major Covid-19 travel protocol changes from today- Kuensel

With the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announcing phase-wise relaxation on the travel restriction in the country on March 26, the system of switching drivers ferrying goods at various points of routes has been lifted from today. Click here to read…

Transportation becomes cheaper with no driver-switching system- Kuensel
With the driver switching modality cancelled from today, businesses expect the price of commodities to drop as transportation becomes cheaper. Click here to read…

(Editorial) Entering the new phase- Kuensel

From today we begin a new phase of relaxation. In Thimphu, movement across mega-zones is allowed and the use of private cars, taxis and city busses resumesClick here to read…

The inspirational story of Bhutan’s first Oscar nod: ‘Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom’- Knkx

The film Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, nominated for an Oscar in the Best International Feature category, traces the year-long transformative journey of a young Bhutanese teacher, Ugyen Dorji (played by actor Sherab Dorji). Click here to read…

Maldives

An Ex-President, ‘India Out’ & China: Why is Jaishankar’s Maldives Trip Vital?: The Quint

Abdulla Yameen, a former president currently leading an anti-India campaign, was recently freed from house arrest. Click here to read…

S Jaishankar, Who is in the Maldives to Discuss Bilateral Ties, Has Praised the Maldives for Its Efforts to Combat Climate Change.: Industry Global News24

S Jaishankar, who is in the Maldives to discuss bilateral ties, praised the Maldives’ climate change initiatives and stated that India is collaborating on one of the country’s largest climate adaptation projects and is eager to give its expertise in this field. Click here to read…

Myanmar

US issues sanctions on alleged arms dealers for Myanmar military – The Financial Express

The United States imposed new sanctions on Friday targeting alleged arms dealers and companies it said were involved in procuring weapons for Myanmar’s junta, the US Treasury Department said. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta chief vows no talks with opposition “terrorists” – KFGO

Myanmar’s junta chief on Sunday said the military would not negotiate with “terrorist” opposition forces, vowing to annihilate them during a speech on Armed Forces Day, as opponents of last year’s coup vowed they would fight on. Click here to read…

UN expert slams govt silence on death threats against activist – Free Malaysia Today

A United Nations human rights official has questioned the government’s seriousness in handling the harassment and death threats faced by a Rohingya activist in MalaysiaClick here to read…

UN agencies to raise $800m for Rohingyas in Bangladesh camps – NewAgeBD

International communities are set to join a conference on Tuesday for making new commitments on providing funds to maintain the expenses in Rohingya camps and adjacent areas in Bangladesh in 2022. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal to receive 11.4 billion rupees in Chinese aid- Himalaya

The government of the people’s republic of China will provide more than Rs 11.40 billion in grant assistance to the Government of Nepal under financial and technical assistance. Click here to read…

PM embarks on India visit on Friday- Himalaya

28Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is leaving for an official visit to India on April 1 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Click here to read…

Deals on energy, connectivity on the cards during Deuba’s India visit- Kathmandu Post

Deuba is visiting Delhi on April 1-3 in his first official foreign outing since assuming office. Click here to read…

Loans on commercial terms could greatly increase Nepal’s debt burden- Kathmandu Post

Focus should be on grants, and if credit is a must, interest should be nominal, experts say. Click here to read…

EC allows fringe parties to contest polls with respective election symbols- Republica

The Election Commission (EC) of Nepal has decided to provide separate election symbols to all the political parties registered for the purpose of contesting local level pollsClick here to read…

Pakistan

JUI-F supporters vow to stay in Islamabad till PM’s removal- Dawn

While a number of political developments were observed at the national level on Monday, workers of the opposition parties believed that the stage had been set and their leaders needed to give a last push to topple the government.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1682369/jui-f-supporters-vow-to-stay-in-islamabad-till-pms-removal” target=”_blank”>Click here to read…

Pakistan dealt well with Covid: UN- Dawn

A UN report released on Monday places Pakistan among the countries that have done fairly well in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1682326/pakistan-dealt-well-with-covid-un

Capital police facing shortage of over 1,700 personnel, NA told- Dawn

The capital police are short of manpower compared to its sanctioned strength, the National Assembly has been informed. Click here to read…

SC irked by Imran’s remarks about Nawaz wooing judiciary- Dawn

Taking exception to the statements made by Prime Minister Imran Khan about the judiciary at a public meeting a couple of days ago, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel on Monday wondered if the premier could restrain himself from “irresponsible” utterancesClick here to read…

Qureshi to leave for China today- Dawn

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will leave for China on Tuesday (today) where he is expected to meet foreign ministers of other countries, including Russia, Iran and Central Asian states. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

To help Sri Lanka tackle an economic crisis, India pledges to continue cooperation, aid: Hindustan Times

Jaishankar also held talks with Sri Lanka’s finance minister Basil Rajapaksa, who has been coordinating with the Indian side on measures to cope with the economic crisis. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa thanks India for ‘invaluable assistance’: The Hindu

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday thanked visiting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for India’s “invaluable assistance” to Sri Lanka, which is grappling with one of its worst economic crises. Click here to read…

White paper lists China’s achievements in responding to climate change: Xinhuanet
October 27, 2021

Significant changes have taken place in China as the country responds to climate change, according to a white paper released Wednesday by the State Council Information Office.

China has coordinated economic development with pollution and emission reduction, pushed forward revolutions in energy production and consumption, driven low-carbon industrial transition, increased carbon sink capacity of ecosystems, and promoted green and low carbon lifestyles, said the white paper titled “Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Actions.” Click here to read…

Chinese FM elaborates on China’s policy towards Afghanistan: Xinhuanet
October 27, 2021

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday briefed the media on his contact with the delegation of the Afghan Taliban’s interim government before he left the Qatari capital of Doha. Wang noted that during his visit to Qatar, he had contact with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi of the Afghan Taliban’s interim government, during which the Afghan side elaborated on the domestic and foreign policies pursued by the Afghan interim government. Click here to read…

China to defer tax payment for manufacturing SMEs: Xinhuanet
October 27, 2021

China will defer tax payment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector to ease the impact of rising costs, a State Council executive meeting decided on Wednesday. The decision would in effect defer around 200 billion yuan (31.32 billion U.S. dollars) of tax payment for manufacturing SMEs, the meeting said. Click here to read…

China to keep record of off-campus training institutions: Xinhuanet
October 27, 2021

China will soon have a comprehensive record of all off-campus training institutions in the country, the educational authority announced Wednesday. In a circular, the Ministry of Education has tasked all educational authorities in provincial-level regions with confirming the exact number of off-campus training institutions in their respective areas, and ensuring all of them are registered with the ministry’s online platform for after-school training management. Click here to read…

Hong Kong passes bill to vet movies over national security: Xinhuanet
October 27, 2021

The Legislative Council (LegCo) of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday approved a bill allowing authorities to revoke certificates of films that would be contrary to the interests of national security. The Film Censorship (Amendment) Bill 2021 was adopted in its third reading at the LegCo, giving the Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government power to direct authority to revoke the certificate of a film whose exhibition is believed to damage the interests of national security. Click here to read…

China to extend tax incentives for overseas investors: People’s Daily
October 28, 2021

China will extend the preferential tax policy for overseas investors investing in the mainland bond market, as part of its efforts to promote opening-up and attract foreign investment, the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Experts seek ways for countries to enhance mutual trust, consensus: China Daily
October 28, 2021

Experts said the international community should enhance mutual trust and consensus to find new ways to jointly address global security challenges and safeguard world peace and stability. Over 50 scholars from more than 20 countries and international organizations participated in the 2021 Beijing Xiangshan Forum Webinar that concluded on Tuesday. The webinar was organized by the Beijing Xiangshan Forum Secretariat, which is sponsored by the China Association for Military Science and the China Institute for International Strategic Studies. Click here to read…

China’s employment situation better than expected in Q3, but challenges remain: Global Times
October 28, 2021

China’s employment situation in the third quarter was generally stable and better than expected, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) said on Wednesday, while more still needs to be done given the rising uncertainties of the international environment and the uneven recovery of the domestic economy. Click here to read…

PLA attack, transport helicopters spotted near Taiwan for 1st time, ‘provide more tactical options’: Global Times
October 27, 2021

Joining fighter jets and special mission aircraft, attack and transport helicopters of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were spotted near the island of Taiwan in a drill for the first time on Tuesday, with military experts saying on Wednesday that choppers can provide more tactical options in landing operations, and this displayed the increased combat readiness of the PLA in the region. Click here to read…

2,918 Chinese entrepreneurs have net worth of over 2 billion yuan, says Hurun: Global Times
October 27, 2021

A total of 2,918 Chinese entrepreneurs who have a net worth exceeding 2 billion yuan are listed in the Hurun China Rich List 2021, and 520 of them belong to newcomers. Zhong Shanshan, 67, founder of beverage company Nongfu Spring, topped the list with a net worth of 390 billion yuan. The new-energy sector came under the spotlight in 2021 amid the country’s multiple efforts targeting peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality, with eight of 10 fastest risers related to the sector. Zeng Yuqun, 53, chairman of CATL, an electric car battery provider, tripled his wealth to move to No.3 with 320 billion yuan. Click here to read…

U.S., Japan square off with China on maritime security amid tensions: Kyodo
October 28, 2021

The United States, China and Japan squared off over maritime security at a regional summit on Wednesday, with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida taking part in the online meeting for the first time since they took office. The virtual gathering of the East Asia Summit took place as tensions between the United States and China have been intensifying recently over several issues in the Asia-Pacific region, such as the South and East China seas and the Taiwan Strait. Click here to read…

US has troops stationed on Taiwan, island’s leader Tsai Ing-wen confirms for first time: South China Morning Post
October 28, 2021

Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen said she believes that the United States would help to defend the island in the event of an attack by China, amid confusion about the US administration’s position on military intervention. Speaking to CNN in an interview aired on Wednesday, Tsai also confirmed for the first time that US troops were stationed on the self-governing island, explaining that Taiwan had a “wide range of cooperation with the US aiming at increasing our defence capability”. Click here to read…

Vegetables pricier than pork worry Chinese consumers as costs swell: Reuters
October 27, 2021

Vegetable prices are surging in China after heavy rain swamped crops this month, fuelling concern over food prices at a time when consumers must brace for a hike in energy costs in the run-up to winter. Unusually heavy rains drenched northern swathes of China in September and early this month, flooding the top vegetable-growing province of Shandong. “All the vegetables are dead in the ground,” said Zhou Rui, a farmer who cultivates about 7 hectares (17 acres) in the Juancheng county of the province. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Efforts to Continue Former Govt Are Useless: Samangani: Tolo News

The Ministry of the Information and Culture on Wednesday reacted to a statement by a number of officials of the former government–who claim to be continuing the work of the former government–saying their efforts are meaningless.Click here to read…

ICC Prosecutor Will Not Focus on US Forces in New Probe: Tolo News

The International Criminal Court prosecutor on Monday said he is seeking approval to resume a war crimes investigation of Afghanistan, focusing on the actions of the Taliban and Daesh militia. Click here to read…

China’s humanitarian aid arrives in Kabul: The Khaama Press

The first consignment of humanitarian aids arrived from China to Kabul on Wednesday, September 29, and was submitted to the acting minister of the refugees and repatriates Khalil-ur Rahaman Haqqani. Click here to read…

India, Turkey, Uzbekistan to resume flights to Kabul: The Khaama Press

International Radar has reported one flight from New Delhi, Istanbul, and Tashkent each to land in Kabul International Airport on Thursday, September 30. Click here to read…

20-war in Afghanistan was a strategic failure, 2,500 troops should have been kept: Milley: The Khaama Press

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US General Mark Milley said that their 20-year presence was their strategic failure and his personal opinion was to have 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Rohingya leader Mohibullah shot dead- Daily Star

Unidentified criminals shot Rohingya rights activist and leader Mohibullah dead at his office in Kutupalong camp under Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhia upazila last night. Click here to read…

Mohibullah’s death undermines Rohingyas’ chances of safe return to Myanmar: HRW- Daily Star

Following the shooting to death of Rohingya rights activist and leader Mohibullah last night, Human Rights Watch issued a statement lamenting the loss of a defender of a people. Click here to read…

China lets US siblings return home- Daily Star

An American brother and sister barred from exiting China since 2018 in an apparent bid to pressure their father to return and face criminal allegations have finally left the country, Beijing and Washington confirmed yesterday. Click here to read…

Will Kallyanpur Pond solve Dhaka’s waterlogging problem?- Dhaka Tribune

The project is expected to be sustainable both financially and in terms of maintenanceClick here to read…

Govt mulling mechanization to boost jute production- Dhaka Tribune

The prospect of mechanization is giving new hope to the country’s jute industry, experts have said. Click here to read…

‘GDP growth rate will be restored by end of FY22’- Dhaka Tribune

State Minister Dr Shamsul Alam said that the ‘GDP growth rate will be restored by end of FY22’. Click here to read…

Finance Minister for merging BASIC & Padma Bank- Asian Age

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has opined that BASIC Bank and Padma Bank should be merged with each other. Click here to read…

Take lessons from PM’s honesty, ideology- Asian Age

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has urges all to take lessons from the honesty and ideology of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, worthy daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Click here to read…

17 new deaths 1,178 cases- Asian Age

Bangladesh reported 17 new fatalities and 1,178 cases in 24 hours till 8am on Wednesday. Click here to read…

PM Hasina opens “Bangladesh House” in USA’s Maryland- The Observer

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in Washington DC, inaugurated the newly constructed “Bangladesh House” at Maryland in the USA. Click here to read…

People won’t respond to BNP’s call of movement, says Quader- The Observer

Sheikh Russel Jatiya Shishu-Kishore Parishad arranged the discussion and educational equipment distribution ceremony, marking the 75th birthday of AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Click here to read…

Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition begins at BSA- The Observer

The Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition was opened for public viewing at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Saturday. Click here to read…

Biman’s Medina, Kuwait, Kathmandu flights resume in October- Independent

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will resume its direct flights from Dhaka to three popular destinations from October. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Police investigating sexual harassment case at the Royal Tutorial Project- Kuensel

Sources said the police investigation has involved message retrieval from phones. “The case might be forwarded to court soon,” a source said. Click here to read…

PM underscores the importance of investing in health- Kuensel

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly virtually from Thimphu on September 25, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said the pandemic underlined the importance of investing in public health. Click here to read…

Bhutan begins efforts to become a model ecotourism destination- Kuensel

The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) launched “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation into the Tourism Sector in Bhutan”, a new project with the beginning of a three-day inception workshop in Trashigang on September 27. Click here to read…

Streamlining donation drives and crowdfunding- DLO-BBS

To ensure that donation drives and crowdfunding are genuine, the department of law and order has now put in place certain requirements. Click here to read…

Bhutan receives three fire-fighting and two utility vehicles from Japan-
To ensure that donation drives and crowdfunding are genuine, the department of law and order has now put in place certain requirements. Click here to read…

Maldives

Italy gives green light to travel to the Maldives – Avas

Italy has removed the Maldives from its list of countries to which travel is restricted. Italians will now be allowed to travel to the Maldives without the need for quarantine either on arrival or return. In addition to Maldives, Italians can travel to Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt, Dominican Republic and Aruba from outside EU. Click here to read…

Bilehfahi Harbour project progressing well: MTCC – Avas

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has said the construction of Sh. Bilehfahi Harbour is ongoing at a fast pace. Click here to read…

President arrives in the Maldives after concluding visit to New York – Avas

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived in the Maldives Tuesday morning after concluding the trip to New York City, United States, to attend the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Click here to read…

The climate change dilemma facing Maldives, Mauritius and other tourism-dependent small island nations: their livelihoods or their lives? – South China Monitoring post

Come visit the Maldives, its president entreated the world at this year’s United Nations General Assembly, moments before switching to an impassioned plea for help combating climate change. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar Junta Accused of Targeting Civilians with Landmines – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s junta is laying landmines in residential areas while it conducts raids on civilian resistance forces in Kayah State. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Crony Plays Key Role in Arms Purchases From Ukraine – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s crony league welcomed new members when current coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing succeeded former dictator Senior General Than Shwe as the military chief in 2011, with relatives and business associates of newly promoted generals joining the elite. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Currency Hits Record Low as Coup Wreaks Havoc on Economy – The Irrawaddy

Almost eight months after the military coup, Myanmar’s currency depreciated to a record low this week, prompting fears of worsening social and economic instability in the country, which has been devastated by the takeover. Click here to read…

Myanmar on a military-made road to disaster – Asia Times

What began as carnival-like protests against Myanmar’s military takeover on February 1 has since morphed into a vicious nationwide insurgency that has hit areas of the nation that had seen no armed confrontations between rebels and state forces for decades. Click here to read…

Nepal

How Madhesh-based parties are using constitution amendment as a political weapon- Nepal Live Today

Six years after the promulgation, Madhesh-based political parties have continued to oppose the constitution while joining the governments whenever they like. Click here to read…

PM Calls All-Party Meet Today for Smooth House Proceedings- The Rising Nepal

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has called an all-party meeting on Thursday to remove obstructions in the parliamentary session. Click here to read…

Speaker Sapkota likely to read out letter of repeal of the ‘party-split’ ordinance in today’s House session- Republica

Speaker Agni Sapkota is likely to read out a letter of repeal of the ordinance related to the political party. Click here to read…

Beginning of the end of the Gorkha Empire (Part I)- Nepali Times

The Gorkha Empire was on a warpath, and the British East India Company saw it as a threat to its own expansionist ambitions. Click here to read…

No law on oath raises questions over rulers’ adherence to rule of law- TKP

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is working to give full shape to his Cabinet within a few days after a major obstruction to his bid to expand the Council of Ministers ended with the repealment of the ordinance on political parties on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Active caseload drops to 18193 as death toll shifts to 11123- Himalaya

Nepal’s coronavirus caseload reached 794,163 on Wednesday with 892 more people testing positive for the infection in the past 24 hours. Click here to read…

First casualty of the season on Manaslu as Canadian climber dies above 7,000m- Himalaya

Mt Manaslu recorded the season’s first casualty as a Canadian climber died while ascending the mountain, sources said. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Most loans under CPEC at commercial rates: report: Dawn

Shedding light on Beijing’s global development programme, the report said Chinese loans under CPEC constitute 95.2 per cent and 73pc of total commitments in energy and transport sectors, respectively. Click here to read…

Alarm over anti-Pakistan bill moved in US Senate: Dawn

The bill moved in the US Senate seeking to assess Pakistan’s alleged role in Afghanistan before and after the fall of Kabul to Afghan Taliban set alarm bells ringing in the upper house of parliament on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Pakistan denies providing military support to Taliban: The Express Tribune

Reacting to a bill seeking imposition of sanctions on the Afghan Taliban that could also potentially extend to Pakistan in US Senate, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday said that the country did not provide any military support to the Taliban. Click here to read…

A dollar is now fetching Rs172: The News

The rupee hit an all-time low against the dollar on Wednesday as investors evaluated political and economic risk from upcoming IMF reviews on the bailout package. Click here to read…

FIA to probe road projects of PMLN era: PM Imran Khan: The News

Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday said that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been given the responsibility to investigate the money spent on roads construction during the PMLN era. Click here to read…

Pakistan, Russia to strengthen military ties: Dawn

The agreement was reached during the third round of Russia-Pakistan Joint Military Consultative Committee (JMCC) meetings held here. Click here to read…

Keywords
Afghanistan, Afghan Government in Exile, International Criminal Court, China Aid, Kallyanpul Pond, Bhutan, Bhutan Jute Production, Bangladesh, Bangladesh GDP, COVID-19, Sheikh Hasina, BNP, Royal Tutorial Project, Ecotourism, Fire-Fighting Vehicles, Japan-Bangladesh, Maldives, Maldives in UN, Climate Change, Myanmar, Military Junta, Nepal, Nepal Constitution, Constitution Amendment, Gorkha Empire, CPEC, BRI, Pakistan, Pakistan-Russia