Afghanistan

US to Pursue ‘Over-the-Horizon’ Mission in Afghanistan: Tolo News

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US will pursue an “over-the-horizon” mission in Afghanistan in response to counterterrorism. Click here to read…

UAE Reopens Its Embassy in Kabul: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, on Saturday evening said the UAE had reopened its diplomatic mission in Kabul. Click here to read…

Over 1M Afghan Children ‘At Risk of Death’: UN: Tolo News

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that more than three million Afghan children are struggling with malnutrition and that if their situation is not considered, over one million of them will be at risk of dying.Click here to read…

United Kingdom must engage with Taliban in Afghanistan: Boris Johnson: The Khaama Press

United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that his country must engage with Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to tackle current humanitarian situation in the country. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Army should be people’s: PM says on Armed Forces Day- Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the members of the Armed Forces to uphold the glory of the country by contributing to its development activities alongside protecting the sovereignty. Click here to read…

It’s time to talk about sustainability and finance in RMG sector- Daily Star

One thing that our industry people appear to be the best at is explaining, often in great detail, the problems and challenges that Bangladesh face. Click here to read…

Fakhrul: Let Khaleda go abroad else face movement for ousting govt- Dhaka Tribune

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday threatened to wage a one-point movement seeking the fall of the government if Khaleda Zia is not allowed to go abroad for treatment. Click here to read…

BNP to hold rallies Monday demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad- Daily Observer

Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme on Saturday afternoon while concluding their hunger-strike programme in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, reports UNB. Click here to read…

7.5 crore people to be fully vaccinated by Jan: Health Minister- Independent

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Saturday said the government will administer 6 crore more Covid-19 vaccine doses by January next across the country. Click here to read…

Bhutan

89 percent of capital budget of 12th FYP to be exhausted this fiscal year- Kuensel

About 89 percent of the 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) capital budget will be exhausted at the end of the fiscal year 2021-22 if all the estimated capital budget of the ongoing fiscal year is spent. Click here to read…

Sibjam: A platform for local farm products- Bhutan Times

With an aim to address food self-sufficiency and security in the future, Sibjam or bees, was launched by Kinley Wangchuk, a businessman in Thimphu last week. Click here to read…

Smart solutions for better lives- Bhutan Times

Bhutan Professional Services (BPS), a private company launched their experience centers showcasing smart building solutions on 4 November this week. Click here to read…

Government procurement perceived as major area of fraud and corruption: Audit Report- BBS

The government procurement is still being perceived as a major area of fraud and corruption, inefficiencies and wastage involving huge public resources. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives inches closer to tourist arrival target for 2021 as figure reaches 1,092,105 – Raajje

Maldives is inching closer to its tourist arrival target of 1.3 million as the country records 1,092,105 arrivals so far. According to the latest figures publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals between January 1 – November 17 were at 1,092,105 which is a 147.6 percent increase from the arrivals recorded in 2020, a sluggish year for Maldives tourism due to border-closure. Click here to read…

Indian HC, VP Naseem discuss challenges facing Maldives health sector – Raajje

The new High Commissioner of India to Maldives, Munu Mahawar has engaged in discussions regarding challenges facing the Maldives’ heath sector, with Vice President Faisal Naseem. The Indian HC paid a courtesy call on the vice president at the President’s Office on Sunday. Click here to read…

Gov’t will prioritize expanding religious teachings across Maldives, says president – Raajje

The government will place high priority to expand religious knowledge and teachings of Islam across the entire nation, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Taking the podium at the graduation ceremony of students enrolled at the National Centre for the Holy Quran, President Solih revealed that it is a pledge of his administration, to do so. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Military Launches Crackdown On Urban Guerrilla Forces – Eurasia review

Myanmar security forces are deploying large numbers of forces to crack down on dissident groups in various townships in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, as anti-coup forces continue to intensify attacks against military assets and affiliates. Click here to read…

Junta uses attack helicopters against resistance fighters in Magway Region – Myanmar Now

The Myanmar military sent two attack helicopters to a battle in Magway’s Saw Township on Friday after resistance fighters killed 20 junta soldiers, the local People’s Defence Force (PDF) said. A column of about 60 junta soldiers left the village of Taw Ma at around 6am and were quickly met by defence forces from Saw, Kyaukhtu, Kanpetlet, and Mindat townships, a battalion commander from the Saw PDF said.Click here to read…

Myanmar devotees climb mountain for full moon festival Devotees – UCA News

In predawn darkness in western Myanmar, thousands of devotees scramble to the top of a mountain said to be home to a spirit guarding 500 mythical ducks to mark the Tazaungdaing festival of lights. Click here to read…

Thailand’s Deputy PM Says he had Constructive Talks With Myanmar Coup Leader – The Irrawaddy

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai finally revealed that he travelled to the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw last Sunday, to deliver humanitarian aid and to hold talks with coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Click here to read…

National Unity Government calls on Interpol to review junta’s invitation to 89th General Assembly – Myanmar Now

A Myanmar junta delegation is participating in the 89th Interpol General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey next week as the country’s official representatives, Myanmar Now has confirmed. Click here to read…

NUG warns of plans to escalate attacks in Yangon and neighbouring regions – Myanmar Now

A wave of explosions and shootings in Yangon on Monday was just part of a wider operation that is set to see an increase in attacks on regime targets in Yangon, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions, Myanmar’s underground government has warned. Click here to read…

United Nations adopts resolution on Rohingyas by consensus – Dhaka Tribune

The United Nations has adopted a resolution on Rohingyas by consensus for the first time. The resolution, titled “The Situation of Human Rights of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar”, maintained its strong focus on the ongoing justice and accountability processes, ,according to a media statement by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York. Click here to read…

Japanese envoy Sasakawa says he told AA to hold its fire in wake of brief clash last week – BNI Online

The chairman of Nippon Foundation and Japan’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar, Yohei Sasakawa, said he told the Arakan Army to maintain a situation of no armed conflict in Arakan State during an online meeting with the ethnic armed group. Click here to read…

Nepal

Rawal to challenge Oli for CPN-UML chairmanship- Himalaya

CPN-UML Vice-chair Bhim Rawal organised a press conference and announced his candidature for party presidency. Click here to read…

Protest against CJ Rana continues- Himalaya

The Nepal Bar Association and dissident justices of the Supreme Court continued to protest against Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana today. Click here to read…

Nepal Bibeksheel Party registered in Election commission- Himalaya

A meeting of the Election Commisson held on November 16, 2021 has decided to register the Nepal Bibeksheel Party. Click here to read…

After poor response from priority group, government opens Pfizer jabs for all children above 12- TKP

Some 7,000 people with comorbidities took the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in one week. Around 1,500 children were given the shots on Sunday. Click here to read…

Parties’ opaque finances are cause for concern as they fuel corruption- TKP

Poll body plans to implement ‘accounting format’ to ensure transparency, but experts are not hopeful. A strong law is a must to make parties accountable, observers sayClick here to read…

(Opinion) Restructuring Nepali Army- TKP

We must make security forces more inclusive and effective to make them more attractive for peacekeeping. Click here to read…

Farmers likely to face shortage of chemical fertilizers in upcoming plantation season- Republica

Farmers are likely to face a shortage of chemical fertilizers this year too as the importers turn reluctant to purchase adequate quantities of the agricultural input citing soaring prices in the international market. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan, IMF reach staff-level agreement on steps for revival of package: Dawn

The agreement is subject to approval by the Fund’s Executive Board, following the implementation of prior actions, notably on fiscal and institutional reforms, the IMF said. Click here to read…

Saad Rizvi urges people to vote for TLP in next polls: Dawn

He was addressing an event termed the Shuhada-i-Namoos-i-Risalat Conference on Sunday. Hundreds of people who had come to attend the concluding ceremony of the three-day Urs of Khadim Hussain Rizvi were in attendance. Click here to read…

Digital data reveals land worth Rs5.59tr encroached: The Express Tribune

The premier shared the survey on Twitter, according to which the value of encroached land in three major cities – Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore — stood at Rs2.63 trillion. Click here to read…

TTP wants ‘political office’ in third country: The Express Tribune

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) wants to open a political office in a third country is part of one of the three demands the terrorist groups made to Pakistani authorities during their initial talks. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka moves to relax fertilizer ban for some crops as food prices soar – EconomyNext

Sri Lanka is progressively relaxing a sudden ban on chemical fertilizer and allowing urea and ‘plant nutrients’ for several crops, a top official has said, while the minister of agriculture has denied any relaxation for paddy or vegetables. Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Udith K Jayasinghe has told media that it was not possible to meet all fertilizer needs from domestically produced fertilizer. “The nitrogen content of organic fertilizer is about 3 to 4 percent,” Jayasinghe explained. “For paddy 80,000 metric tonnes of nitrogen is needed for this season.” Click here to read…

SL needs to increase GDP growth: Hans Timmer – The Island

World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia Hans Timmer says it is imperative for Sri Lanka to maximize debt service, with least resources possible. Timmer said so at a webinar organised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently under the theme, ‘Impact of the Pandemic on South Asian Economies and How Digitisation And Services Led Growth Can Help Sri Lanka to Rebound’. Click here to read…

Xi calls for openness, cooperation in science & technology: Xinhuanet

September 24, 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on all countries to strengthen openness and cooperation in science and technology. Xi made the remarks while delivering a speech via video at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum), which is scheduled from Sept. 24 to 28 in Beijing.
Click here to read

China issues white paper on Xinjiang’s demographic development: Xinhuanet

September 26, 2021

China’s State Council Information Office Sunday issued a white paper detailing the demographic development in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The white paper, titled “Xinjiang Population Dynamics and Data,” said over the past 70 years, Xinjiang has seen rapid and steady population growth, improving population quality, higher life expectancy, and faster urbanization and modernization.
Click here to read

China says no to cartoons with unhealthy content: Xinhuanet

September 25, 2021

China’s broadcasting authorities have voiced absolute rejection of cartoons that contain plots or footage of violence, blood, vulgarity or pornography. Service providers of audio-visual web programs are encouraged to create, import and broadcast cartoons that feature positive values and promote virtues of the true, the good and the beautiful, said the National Radio and Television Administration on its website.
Click here to read

J-16D and WZ-7 to debut at Airshow China 2021: China Military

September 26, 2021

The 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China 2021) will be held in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province, as scheduled from September 28 to October 3. An array of main combat equipment including the J-20 stealth fighter, Y-20 heavy transport aircraft, KJ-500 early warning aircraft, H-6K bomber, and HQ-9B air-defense missile system will appear together in the exhibition. China’s J-16D electronic warfare aircraft and WZ-7 high-altitude reconnaissance drone are to debut at the upcoming air show. The systematical display of multi-type main combat equipment of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) demonstrates the new achievements of its strategic transformation.
Click here to read

China to promote vocational training of migrant workers: People’s Daily

September 26, 2021

China will promote vocational training of migrant workers as part of the efforts to consolidate its poverty alleviation outcomes, an official said Saturday.By the end of August, China has 30.85 million migrant workers who had shaken off poverty, Liu Xiaoshan, an official with the National Administration for Rural Vitalization said at a news conference.
Click here to read

Liaison office of central gov’t says anti-China group in Hong Kong cannot escape justice: China Daily

September 26, 2021

After a notorious anti-China group announced its dissolution on Saturday, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said it is the inevitable fate of anti-China groups in Hong Kong. The HKSAR government has started the procedure of banning the organization according to the law, a spokesperson of the liaison office said.
Click here to read

Power shortage in NE China’s provinces affects local livelihood: Global Times

September 26, 2021

Three provinces in Northeast China, including Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, reported experiencing electricity shortages in some areas caused by the high price of coal used for power generation. Multiple local residents said this has affected their daily livelihood.A resident of Jilin city, in Jilin Province, told the Global Times on Sunday that the power supply of his house has been intermittent recently, noting that “the unstable power supply started on Saturday but did not receive any notice in advance.”
Click here to read

Chinese Big Tech vows to support SMEs at premier internet summit: Global Times

September 26, 2021

At the water town of Wuzhen in East China’s Zhejiang Province, a high-level annual internet forum puts China’s best and brightest tech talent on show surrounded by voices of confidence and resilience from tech luminaries from both home and abroad. The country’s platform economy is seen as gaining luster, rather than the other way around as hyped by some Western media, and the new mood has been borne amid a responsible governmental push for greater fairness and effective innovation.
Click here to read

China tries to rally national pride as it paints MengWanzhou’s release as proof the US targeted an innocent woman for political reasons: South China Morning Post

September 26, 2021

The return of MengWanzhou to China without legal penalty is being used to shore up nationalist sentiment by feeding up the narrative that Huawei and China were innocent victims of the United States. Repeating Beijing’s line on the case, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying on Saturday commented in a statement that this was “an incident of political persecution against a Chinese citizen” and there were “materials that are sufficient to prove MsMeng‘s innocence”.
Click here to read

The everyday liquid that could fuel China’s race to green car targets: South China Morning Post

September 24, 2021

Scientists in China and Australia have developed a catalyst which uses urea-loaded waste water to efficiently generate clean energy, paving the way for low-cost portable fuel cells that work like batteries. Fuel cells, which have been used to power electric vehicles, are a clean source of electricity. They produce power through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen with oxygen, generating heat and water as by-products.
Click here to read

Two Chinese naval vessels reportedly spotted off Taiwan’s east coast: Focus Taiwan

September 24, 2021

Two military vessels from China were seen off the east of Taiwan, in the Pacific Ocean, over the past two days, a military source said Friday. One of them, a Chinese missile frigate, was spotted 40 nautical miles, or roughly 74 kilometers, off the coast of Hualien County at around 3 a.m. Thursday, presumably heading south into the Bashi Channel, the source said.
Click here to read

China Evergrande’s electric car unit’s shares tumble 26% after warning: Reuters

September 27, 2021

Shares of China Evergrande’s electric car unit plunged as much as 26% on Monday after it warned it faced an uncertain future unless it got a swift injection of cash and after it said it will not proceed with plans to issue RMB shares.The warning by China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group after the market closed on Friday was the clearest sign yet that the embattled property developer’s liquidity crisis is worsening in other parts of its business.
Click here to read

Afghanistan

MoJ to Enforce Zahir Shah-Era Constitution: Tolo News

For an interim period, the constitution from the time of the Afghan king will be enforced, except for some articles against Sharia Law and Emirate principles. Click here to read

Afghan Businessmen Face Export Problems in Trade with Pakistan: Tolo News

Officials from Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said that once again Afghan exports face problems in crossing points with Pakistan as the neighboring country allows only 20 Afghan trucks a day while hundreds of trucks are stuck near crossing points between the two countries. Click here to read

Former Afghan officials announce government in exile: The Khaama Press

A number of former Afghan officials who have fled the country along with President Ashraf Ghani announced the continuation of the Afghan government in exile. Click here to read

Taliban to implement a constitution from nearly 60 years ago: The Khaama Press

Taliban’s acting minister of Justice Abdul Hakim Sharaee said that they will implement the constitution from the era of Muhammad Zahir Shah which was ratified 57 years ago. Click here to read

Will not engage in Afghanistan until establishment of inclusive government: Erdogan: The Khaama Pres

President of Turkey Recep Tayyib Erdogan has said that they will not engage in Afghanistan until and unless the Taliban forge an all-inclusive government in the country. Click here to read

Bangladesh

Turkey-Bangladesh ties get stronger as misconceptions clarified- Daily Sabah

Relations between Turkey and Bangladesh scaled up after disinformation about Bangladesh spoiling Muslim unity was proven wrong, Bangladeshi officials said. Click here to read

Crystal meth creeps up on city- Daily Star

There is a growing market for highly addictive drug crystal meth in the capital, operated mostly through encrypted messaging apps, officials have found out. Click here to read

Over 66 lakh shots given: Special Covid vaccination drive marks Hasina’s 75th birthday- Daily Star

The country more than doubled its previous record of single-day vaccinations as the government inoculated more than 66 lakh people against Covid-19 yesterday. Click here to read

No more brokers- Daily Star

The Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) has taken a plan to introduce licenced “agents” to help people get passports and renew them. Click here to read

AL focusing on polls, BNP on election-time government- Dhaka Tribune

The ruling Awami League has already begun preparations for the next general election, to be held at the end of 2023. Click here to read

Covid-19: Bangladesh records 31 more deaths, 1,310 new cases- Dhaka Tribune

As many as 29,186 samples tested in 24 hours, yielding an infection rate of 4.49%.Click here to read

High Court extends Khaleda Zia’s bail by a year in 5 cases- Dhaka Tribune

File photo of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia Collected the BNP chief is out of prison since March last year as the govt has suspended her sentence. Click here to read

Windows of democracy and Sheikh Hasina’s birthday – Asian Age

Sheikh Hasina regards the people of Bangladesh as her closest and dearest ones. Click here to read

Bangamata Parishad observes PM’s birthday- Asian Age

Bangamata Parishad observed the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday. The organization also held a discussion program in the capital’s National Museum on the same day. Click here to read

No alternative to Sheikh Hasina to reach desired destination: Hasan- The Observer

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said that there is no alternative to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to reach the country in its desired destination. Click here to read

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina likely to visit India next year- Times of India

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit New Delhi early next year. The dates for the visit expected to be in January or February 2022, will be finalised only after a formal invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi is extended to her. Click here to read

Consultancy contract signed between India & Bangladesh for a new railway line from Bogura to Sirajganj- All India Radio

A new direct rail line from Bogura to Sirajganj in Bangladesh will be developed under a government of India Line of Credit (LoC). Click here to read

Fifty years ago, remote Dimapur airstrip gave wings to fledgling Bangladesh Air Force- Economic time

By November 5, we could proudly say Bangladeshi and Indian Air forces had freed the skies over Bangladesh. The victory over land forces took 11 more days. Click here to read

Bhutan

No local Covid-19 cases for 45 straight days- Kuensel

Bhutan has not reported any positive Covid-19 cases from the community for 45 straight days. The last positive case from the community was reported on August 14: an individual from Gomtu, Samtse. Click here to read

RUB colleges establish happiness and wellbeing centres- Kuensel

Colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) are establishing happiness and wellbeing centres to address mental health problems. Click here to read

Pandemic impacts nettle fabric business- Kuensel

Like many businesses, the pandemic impacted women who make a living weaving fabric from nettle yarn in Trongsa. Click here to read

Bhutan is home to one of the most expensive mushrooms in the world- Daily Bhutan

Email There is even a festival for it, known as the Matsutake Mushroom Festival. There, you’ll get to sample various dishes prepared with this mushroom. Click here to read

PM hosts reception to mark 50th anniversary Bhutan’s membership to the UN- Bhutan Times

A limited edition collectible commemorative stamp developed in partnership with Bhutan Post to mark the 50th anniversary of Bhutan’s membership to the UN was also launched by Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering and UN Resident Representative Gerald Daly on 21 September. Click here to read

Construction of new bridge along Damchhu-Haa bypass to begin from November- BBS

A new bridge over Wangchhu along the Damchhu-Haa bypass will be constructed from November. The project DANTAK will construct the bridge. The previous bridge which was almost complete collapsed in February this year killing nine Indian workers. Click here to read

Flagship programmes make slow progress amid the pandemic- BBS

With the 12th Five Year Plan already midway, the government was able to utilise only more than Nu 2bn on the flagship programmes so far. A total budget of Nu 10bn was identified for these programmes. Click here to read

How digital cash can lift gross national happiness in Bhutan- Mint

Cash is a relatively new construct in Bhutan. Click here to read

COVID-19 and rabies: Bhutan highlights the importance of cross-border dog vaccination- WHO

Despite the sad loss of its young citizen recently, Bhutan is on the right track to achieve this goal. Click here to read

India inks pact for joint development of small satellite for Bhutan- New Indian Express

India on Friday signed the implementing arrangement on the joint development of a small satellite for Bhutan. Click here to read

Maldives

‘Against Freedom of Expression’: Maldives Journalist Bodies Oppose Provisions in New Bill – The Wire

Journalist organisations and NGOs in Maldives have, in a joint statement issued on Tuesday, September 28, called for the country’s authorities to drop certain provisions from the Evidence Bill which is currently being debated in the country’s parliament. Click here to read

Over 100,000 arrivals recorded for the fourth month this ongoing year! – Raajje

The Ministry of Tourism, through its latest daily statistics revealed that Maldives observed a total of 102,745 arrivals between September 1 – 26. Click here to read

Maldives committed to One-China Policy, bilateral cooperation in int’l arena: FM – ECNS

Maldives’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the One-China Policy and willingness to work with China in areas of mutual interest. Click here to read

India’s 228 million social housing project in Maldives and its significance- Inventiva

Maldives’ state-owned Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation signed a loan agreement with India’s state-owned National Buildings Construction Company which is also known as NBCC, along with JMC Projects India Ltd. on Thursday. Click here to read

Myanmar

Afghanistan, Myanmar left in UN meet – Manila Times

The United Nations General Assembly drew to a close on Monday without speeches by Afghanistan or Myanmar after world powers intervened in disputes over who would represent the two countries. Click here to read

Junta mouthpiece criticises NLD-led decision to disband Union Democratic Party last year – Myanmar Now

A military-run newspaper has published an op-ed criticising the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) government for overseeing the decision to dissolve the Union Democratic Party (UDP) shortly before last year’s general election. Click here to read

Growing numbers of young people seek to flee Myanmar – BNI Online

Young people disheartened by life in Myanmar following the coup are trying in growing numbers to leave the country and find work to help support their families, RFA reported. Click here to read
Myanmar Junta Troops Ambushed in Shan State – The Irrawaddy

At least 20 Myanmar military soldiers were reportedly killed or wounded on Monday, after Karenni resistance fighters ambushed a convoy of junta reinforcements in Pinlaung, Shan State in southeastern Myanmar. Click here to read

Int’l Rights Experts Urge UN to Declare Myanmar Junta ‘Terrorist’ Organization – The Irrawaddy

An independent group of prominent former UN human rights experts has urged the United Nations Security Council to declare the Myanmar military junta a “terrorist organization” for its atrocities against its own civilians including public torture, executions and taking hostages, including children as young as 2. Click here to read

Nepal

Minister Sharma stresses fully proportional election- Himalaya

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma said the fully proportional electoral system is necessary to eliminate unhealthy competition and malpractices in the election. Click here to read

Government to support tourism sector, says PM Deuba- Himalaya

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the government is committed to support country’s tourism sector which has been hit hard by the COVID -19 pandemic. Click here to read

Poorly handled Covid-19 garbage could give rise to hazardous waste crisis- TKP

Amount of coronavirus-related refuse is increasing. There are protocols to manage such items, but implementation has been weak, leaving public health in peril. Click here to read

Panel on Nepal-China border issues calls for bilateral intervention- TKP

Government committee suggests joint inspection team of experts from both sides to deal with the dispute, if any. Click here to read

MCC ball in Nepal’s court- Nepali Times

‘Take it or leave it’ is the message to Kathmandu after visit by US officials. Click here to read

Maoist leader Barshaman Pun leaves for Thailand for treatment- Republica

CPN (Maoist Center) standing committee member Barshaman Pun left for Thailand today. Click here to read

Writ filed seeking annulment of oath taken by Foreign Minister Khadka- Republica

A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking an order to annul the oath taken by Foreign Minister Dr Narayan Khadka. Click here to read

Diplomats gather in Pokhara to revive Covid-19-hit Nepal tourism- Online Khabar

Just as the clouds were covering the Annapurna range, Park Chong-Suk, South Korean ambassador to Nepal, quickly took a selfie with his wife. This was at Naudanda, a few kilometres away from Pokhara, the tourism capital of Nepal. Click here to read

Border Roads Bring India and Nepal Closer- The Diplomat

The 35-km-long Uttarey-Chiwanbhangjyang road will link western Sikkim in India not just to areas on the Nepali side of the border but to western Nepal. Click here to read

Nepali Youth Protest in Capital Kathmandu Against Chinese Land Encroachment- NDTV

A youth association affiliated with Nepal’s Democratic Socialist Party led by Mahantha Thakur staged a protest against China on Tuesday for allegedly encroaching Nepal’s land. Click here to read

India MEA official reaches Nepal, to hold series of discussions- Wion

India MEA official reaches Nepal, to hold series of discussions Read more At: Click here to read

Pakistan

Qureshi again urges world to engage with ‘new reality’ in Afghanistan: Dawn

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has once again urged the international community to engage with the “new reality” in Afghanistan and unfreeze the country’s assets so that things do not fall apart. Click here to read

Mazari rebukes US for introducing bill targeting Pakistan for Afghan failure: The Express Tribune

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari has warned that Pakistan will be made to “pay heavy price” for being an ally of the United States in its ‘war on terror’Click here to read

Shehbaz can be sent to prison for 25 years over corruption: Fawad: The Express Tribune

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif would be sentenced to at least 25 years in prison “if hearing of his corruption case is conducted on merit” Click here to read

US senators want Pak role probed in Taliban win: The News

A bill was Monday introduced in the US Senate requiring assessments and imposition of sanctions on the Taliban and persons assisting them in Afghanistan. Click here to read

NCOC for vaccination of children aged 12-years, above: The News

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to vaccinate children aged 12 years and above. “In today’s meeting of NCOC, it has been decided to vaccinate all above 12 years and above,” Click here to read

Sri Lanka

932 persons test positive for COVID-19 – Daily FT

Daily COVID-19 detections remained below 1,000 for the second consecutive day with 932 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday. Click here to read

Ensure workers’ rights before extending GSP+: EPZ workers write to EU Ambassador – The Morning

The Stand Up Movement Lanka organisation has written to the European Union (EU), requesting that it intervene to ensure that the rights of workers in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) are addressed prior to deciding on whether or not to extend the grant of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade concessions to Sri Lanka. Click here to read

Sri Lanka Govt. suspends order placed to procure Oxygen from India – Daily Mirror

The Government has decided to suspend the order placed to purchase 1,080 tonnes of liquid oxygen from India, required for the next three weeks. Click here to read

National Issues Haunt GoSL at UNGA 2021 – Ceylon Today

Sri Lanka’s long-standing problem of seeking justice for the Tamils, and Catholics after the Easter Sunday attacks, has reached the United Nations Headquarters. Click here to read

Afghanistan

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

A child was killed and two people, including a Taliban forces member, were injured in an explosion on Sunday evening in Nangarhar province.
Click here to read…

Guterres Calls for UN Engagement with Taliban: Tolo News

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in an interview with the Associated Press says the international community wants to see an inclusive government in Afghanistan and to achieve that the United Nations must engage with the Taliban.
Click here to read…

Taliban have not met their commitments: former Afghan president: The Khaama Press

The former Afghan president Hamid Karzai in his recent interview said that the Taliban have pledged education of girls, women’s rights, the national flag, and other national values but no implementation of the promises has been seen yet.
Click here to read…

Women protest in Kabul against Taliban’s policies for them: The Khaama Press

A number of women gathered at the gate of the ministry of women affairs-now replaced- and protested against the policies of the Taliban vis-à-vis them asked for the rights of education and work on Sunday, September 19.
Click here to read…

Fuel Prices in Kabul Rise in Past Week: Tolo News

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

Bangladesh

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

Bangladesh’s exports to Bhutan could rise on the back of the bilateral trade pact signed last year.
Click here to read…

Khaleda’s Jail Term: Suspended for another 6 months- Daily Star

The government has extended for six months the suspension of the jail term of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Click here to read…

Govt mulls new citizens’ database- Daily Star

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are the wetlands safe? – Kuensel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burmese Army Attacks a Baptist Church in Chin State – Persecution

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quarterly GDP growth data from next fiscal year- Daily Star

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parties renewing membership without consent?- Kuensel

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

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

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

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

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

Nepal, Maldives envoys visit UAP – New Age

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SCO leaders caution against abandoning Afghanistan: Dawn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Port City’s International Financial Centre postponed – The Morning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will jab 50pc by year-end- Daily Star

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Embracing solar power to promote clean energy- Kuensel

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

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

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

Authorities detain foreign vessels trespassing on Maldivian waters – Avas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UN Raises Concerns Over Civilian Casualties In Panjshir: Tolo News

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Monday at the UN meeting on Afghanistan in Geneva said she is worried about reports over civilian casualties and human rights violations in Panjshir.
Click here to read…

Taliban Welcomes Intl Aid, Pledges to Distribute Transparently: Tolo News

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

Thousands of men and women took to the streets of Kandahar city and protested against the Taliban’s decision based on which the families of late Afghan security forces should evacuate their residence.
Click here to read…

Taliban denies human rights’ violation, war crimes in Panjshir province: The Khaama Press

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

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

Bangladesh

PM reiterates call to follow health safety guidelines- Daily Star

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call to the countrymen, particularly the lawmakers, to follow the health guidelines properly.
Click here to read…

Farming accounts for 35pc of it- Daily Star

Animal farming accounts for twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as plants grown for consumption.
Click here to read…

Universities to reopen after September 27- The Asian Age

The Bangladesh authorities are allowing universities to reopen for in-person classes and exams after Sept 27 following the long coronavirus-induced shutdown.
Click here to read…

HC: Shut down unregistered online news portals- The Asian Age

The High Court on Tuesday directed authorities concerned to shut down all the unregistered online news portals in the country.
Click here to read…

‘BNP’s unabated falsehood reflects its fascist mentality’- The Asian Age

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

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

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

The number of dengue cases is on the rise as the city authorities have failed to control the mosquito menace.
Click here to read…

Bhutan

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

The schools are operating with strict Covid-19 protocols prepared by the Southern Covid-19 Task Force (SC19TF).
Click here to read…

Creating pathways for sustainable food systems- Kuensel

Various representatives from stakeholders relevant to the agricultural sector yesterday took stock of Bhutan’s future in agriculture.
Click here to read…

Subsidised rural timber allotment begins- Kuensel

According to records, out of 15 applicants, nine applied for renovation and six for new construction.
Click here to read…

Cabinet asks home ministry to submit action plan for combating human trafficking- Bhutan Times

In a stark revelation, Bhutan failed to meet minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and remains in Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year in 2021 U.S. report.
Click here to read…

Bhutanese Ambassador presents his letter of credence to His Majesty King Philppe, King of the Belgians- Bhutan Times

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

This is as per the provisional trade statistics for the first quarter of this year.
Click here to read…

Maldives

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

According to latest statistics publicized by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, between September 2 – 9 expenditures related to health social sectors saw a 0.04 percent increase from the week before.
Click here to read…

Maldives tourist arrivals figure exceeds 800,000 by Monday – Raajje

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

Myanmar

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

Myanmar’s detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended a hearing at a special court in Naypyitaw’s Zabuthiri Township on Tuesday, as she was feeling better.
Click here to read…

What to make of the US-China deal on Myanmar’s UN seat? – Barbedwires

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

Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) said it could no longer rely on the international community to support the country’s democracy movement or to protect the people of Myanmar from the brutality of the military junta.
Click here to read…

China’s Infrastructure Projects in Myanmar, Nepal and Tibet Threaten to Encircle India – The Irrawaddy

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

The decision by Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) to declare a “defensive people’s war” against the military junta that usurped power in Naypyitaw on Feb. 1 has not been met with much sympathy from the international community.
Click here to read…

Myanmar’s UN Ambassador to Stay On: UN Sources – The Irrawaddy

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

Nepal

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

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

CPN-UML lawmakers continued to stall the proceedings of both the houses of representatives today accusing Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota of being complicit in the ‘conspiracy’ to split their party. Sapkota postponed the HoR meeting till September 20.
Click here to read…

Child marriage cases up by 31.25pc

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

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

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

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

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

Pakistan

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

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

Sixteen opposition members in the Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday submitted a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani to the assembly secretary, demanding that a session be called for a debate on the motion within seven days.
Click here to read…

Imran to Putin: Pak-Russia close coordination on Afghanistan crucial: The Express Tribune

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

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

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

Sri Lanka

GoSL opposes ‘polarising’ UNHRC initiative – The Morning

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

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

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

The United Nations Core Group on Sri Lanka has expressed its deep concerns over the current human rights developments in Sri Lanka and the country’s counter-terrorism legistation.
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Afghanistan

US Sec. Blinken: Relations ‘Will Depend’ on Taliban Actions: Tolo News

US State Secretary Antony Blinken in an exclusive interview with Lotfullah Najafizada of TOLOnews said the United States has achieved what it went to Afghanistan to accomplish and the main aim was to suppress Al-Qaeda, which has been vastly “degraded.”Click here to read…

Political Party Leaders Protest Cabinet Choices: Tolo News

Several of Afghanistan’s major political parties on Wednesday reacted to the Taliban’s new caretaker government which was announced late Tuesday, saying that the cabinet is not inclusive and that political parties have been excluded. Click here to read…

Women protest against newly announced cabinet of Taliban: The Khaama Press

Tens of women in Kabul took to the streets to protest against the all-men cabinet announced as caretaker government by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on Tuesday, September 7. Click here to read…

Taliban monopolize power in Afghanistan, will not last longer: Salahudin Rabbani: The Khaama Press

Head of Afghanistan’s second-largest political part-Jamiat Islami- Salahudin Rabbani reacted to the caretaker government of the Taliban and said that a government which composed of a single ethnic group will not last long. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Dhaka seeks unity against vaccine inequity to accelerate economic recovery efforts- Dhaka Tribune

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said a successful pandemic recovery must involve universal vaccination ending vaccine inequality. Click here to read…

High Court orders to include Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech in textbooks- Dhaka Tribune

The court has also directed authorities to expedite the work of building Bangabandhu’s sculpture at Suhrawardy Udyan. Click here to read…

Faridul: Pre-registered, registered people can perform hajj if Covid situation improves- Dhaka Tribune

Pre-registered and registered will be able to go to hajj on priority basis in Saudi Arabia if the coronavirus situation improves in 2022 and Bangladesh gets permission to send pilgrims for hajj. Click here to read…

Air Astra, newest Bangladeshi airline, set to take the skies in Jan 2022- The Daily Star

Apart from the national flag carrier – Biman Bangladesh Airlines – two other private airlines, namely US-Bangla and Novoair, are currently operating flights. Click here to read…

‘Govt strives to reach land services at people’s hand’- Asian Age

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said her government has been trying to bring land related services to the hands of people to reduce their sufferings and harassments through digitization of the land management system. Click here to read…

‘BD to get vaccines from India soon’- Asian Age

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has said that Bangladesh will get vaccines from India soon. Click here to read…

Fresh flood feared in Bangladesh as India opens Gajoldoba again- New Age

This is the sixth time since June that the Gajoldoba barrage floodgates were opened causing inundation in low-lying areas in downstream Bangladesh. Click here to read…

Bhutan

New academic assessment in schools is timely: experts- Kuensel

Despite criticism on the implementation of the new assessment criteria in schools, experts say that its introduction is timely and critical to the success of the National School Curriculum (NSC) implemented beginning this academic session. Click here to read…

Bhutan shares its Covid-19 success story- Kuensel

Bhutan’s Covid-19 journey so far has been one of the most successful compared to most countries in the region and across the world. Click here to read…

Mobile network issue in Bumthang to be solved by this winter- BBS

Although reports show that Bumthang has a hundred percent mobile network accessibility, not every area in the district enjoys full network coverage. Both B-mobile and Tashi-Cell users in Bumthang are upset with the network issues. Click here to read…

Businesses trying to stay afloat in Phuentshogling- BBS

Phuentshogling town, considered the commercial hub of the country, is idle today. Due to several lockdowns and other challenges caused by the frequent COVID outbreaks, business in the region has been severely affected. Click here to read…

PDP calls on govt. to implement new school assessment rule- Business Bhutan

A student now has to score at least 40% in both written exam and continuous assessments, as per the new assessment criteria The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) calls on the government to implement the new school assessment rule from the new academic session. Click here to read…

Maldives

Police: Cocaine smuggling to Maldives on the rise -Edition

Police said on Tuesday that the smuggling of cocaine to Maldives have increased recently. The Parliamentary Petition Committee held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the petition submitted by “Hands Together”, calling to change the management of National Drug Agency (NDA). They were an NGO advocating and promoting the rights and care for addicts in Maldives. Click here to read…

Illegal sand mining in the East for a Maldives island – Srilanka Mirror

Sand is being illegally mined from various places in the Eastern Province to build an island in the Maldives, said Tamil National Alliance Batticaloa District MP Chanakya Rasamanikkam in parliament yesterday (7). He alleged that those behind this illegal activity are a Minister from Sri Lanka Freedom Party, MPs from the SLPP and are supported by the Governor as well. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Pakistan Defense Delegation Made Unannounced Visit to Myanmar Capital – The Irrawaddy

According to well-informed sources in Naypyitaw, the delegation arrived there on Sept. 1 and left on Sept. 5. It is believed that during their stay, the Pakistani delegation and Myanmar military leaders held talks on advanced ordnance technology, aircraft repair and maintenance, and naval munitions. Click here to read…

The Eastern Window: The significance of China’s rail link with Myanmar – Money Control

China has finally connected with the Indian Ocean by establishing a rail-road linkage through Myanmar. This is an important milestone in Beijing’s efforts to create an economic corridor along the lines of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Click here to read…

Hostile Territory: Behind the Indian Government’s Response to the New Refugee Stream from Myanmar – Parichay Blog

The key premise that the Modi government cited while closing India’s borders to the fleeing Myanmar refugees or sending those who had already entered back to Myanmar is that India is not a state party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Optional Protocol. In itself, this isn’t wrong.Click here to read…

Myanmar shadow government calls for revolt against military rule – Reuters

Myanmar’s shadow government, formed by opponents of military rule, called for a nationwide uprising against the junta on Tuesday, amid reports of new protests and a flare-up in fighting between the army and ethnic military groups. Click here to read…

Nepal

UML stalls House proceedings- Himalaya

CPN-UML lawmakers stalled proceedings in both Houses of the Parliament today accusing Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota of being complicit in the ‘conspiracy’ to split their party. Click here to read…

MCC responds to Nepal’s concerns ahead of its top officials’ arrival- Kathmandu Post

A day before the visit of its officials to Nepal, the US-based Millennium Challenge Corporation on Wednesday responded to Nepal’s Finance Ministry, trying to assuage concerns raised in Nepal regarding the MCC Nepal Compact, under which the country would receive $500 million in grants. Click here to read…

Shakya’s minority government in Bagmati appoints new ministers – Kathmandu Post

The 56-member single largest party CPN-UML is now reduced to 43 members in the province, and Shakya needs 12 members to achieve a majority. Click here to read…

Nepal faces shortfall of investment worth Rs 558 billion annually to meet targets of the SDGs- Republica

Nepal has faced a shortfall of investment worth Rs 558 billion annually to achieve its targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Click here to read…

National Census, 2021 to start on November 11- Republica

The National Census, 2021 that was affected due to ongoing COVID-19 has been rescheduled for November 11-25. Click here to read…

KP Sharma Oli wrongly refers to little people of Africa as ‘Lilliput’- Online Khabar

In his almost hour-long speech, Oli attacked the parties in the ruling alliance, particularly the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led splinter group and the Maoists. Click here to read…

Govt Says: Only Health Institutions Can Operate Ambulances- Rising Nepal

The government has issued ‘National Ambulance Directive- 2021’ to regulate ambulance services and make them systematic, transport sick and injured person to hospital safely. Click here to read…

More Local Representatives Join CPN (Unified Socialist) – Rising Nepal

More local level representatives of the CPN-UML have joined the newly formed CPN (Unified Socialist) in many districts across the country. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan hopes new Taliban govt will work for peace and security in Afghanistan: FO: Dawn

In its first official comment on the government announced by the Taliban, Pakistan on Wednesday expressed the hope that the new political dispensation will work for peace and security in Afghanistan and address its people’s humanitarian needs. Click here to read…

National Command Authority expresses concern over ‘destabilising’ arms build-up in the region: Dawn

The National Command Authority (NCA) on Wednesday noted with concern the “destabilising massive arms build-up” in the region, affirming that Pakistan would take all measures to ensure strategic stability in its neighbourhood without entering into an arms race. Click here to read…

PM Imran launches cadastral map of Islamabad to ‘defeat qabza groups’: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched the cadastral map of Islamabad to curb land record tampering, ensure monitoring of construction through imagery and provide information about land ownership. Click here to read…

Pakistan values its relations with EU countries: COAS: The Express Tribune

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday said Pakistan valued its relations with European Union (EU) countries and was earnestly looking forward to enhancing mutually beneficial multi-domain relations based on common interests. Click here to read…

PIA brings 5.9m Covid doses from China: The Express Tribune

Special cargo flights – PK-6852 and PK-6853 took off from Beijing for Islamabad on Monday and Tuesday and transported 5.9 million doses, Qadir Bux Sangi, PIA Country Manager for China said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Journalists, lawyers, HR activists announce joint struggle against PMDA: The News

Announcing a joint struggle for the freedom of judiciary and media in Pakistan, lawyers, journalists and civil society activists have made it clear that the government’s efforts to enslave the judiciary and media in the name of the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) will be fought vigorously. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka added to US CDC high risk country list – ECONOMYNEXT

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added Sri Lanka, Jamacia and Brunei to its highest-risk list countries that had reported over 500 COVID-cases per 100,000 people over a 28 day period.Click here to read…

2,917 more persons test positive for COVID-19 – Daily FT

Daily COVID-19 detections dropped below 3,000 yesterday, with 2,964 persons testing positive for COVID-19.Click here to read…

Scale-up routine immunisation along with COVID-19 vaccination: WHO – The Island

The World Health Organization has urged countries in South Asia Region to enhance routine immunization along with the ongoing efforts to rapidly increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Click here to read…

Foreign Ministry sets record straight on PM’s visit to Italy – Daily FT

The Foreign Ministry yesterday set the record straight on the upcoming visit to Italy by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa saying it does not include a call on the Vatican.Click here to read…

Sri Lanka fails to sell 51-pct of Treasuries auction amid price controls – ECONOMYNEXT

Sri Lanka has failed to sell 51 percent of a 64 billion rupee Treasuries auction, despite a ceiling rate being raised 08 basis points to 6.05 percent, data from the debt office showed. Click here to read…