Xi calls for blazing new path to developing China’s world-class universities: Xinhuanet

April 26, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived at Renmin University of China (RUC) for inspection on Monday morning in Beijing, ahead of China’s Youth Day, which falls on May 4. Click here to read…

Xi’s Economic Agenda: Going digital, Chinese gov’t on the move: Xinhuanet

April 26, 2022

China is looking to expedite the building of a digital government to achieve greater efficiency in public service delivery and modernize the country’s governance system and capacity. The central authorities have put their foot on the accelerator as the guidelines on building a digital government was adopted at a meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform. Click here to read…

Chinese premier stresses need to further anti-corruption fight, build clean government: Xinhuanet

April 25, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for further efforts to combat corruption and build a clean and honest government. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a State Council meeting on clean governance. Click here to read…

China continues to advance concrete measures to uphold authority of constitution: Xinhuanet

April 25, 2022

China has adopted concrete measures over the past decade to uphold the authority of the country’s constitution, ensuring that all laws and regulations are in strict compliance with it, a Chinese official said Monday. Click here to read…

China to work with international community for implementation of Global Security Initiative, says FM: Xinhuanet

April 25, 2022

China stands ready to work with the international community to make sure the Global Security Initiative takes root and bears fruit to make the world more peaceful, secure and prosperous, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. Click here to read…

China’s Canton Fair attracts record number of overseas buyers: Xinhuanet

April 25, 2022

The number of overseas purchasers registered for the just-concluded 131st session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, hit a record high of 536,000 from 228 countries and regions. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 1,908 new local COVID-19 cases, 1,661 in Shanghai: Xinhuanet

April 26, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 1,908 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 1,661 were in Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission’s report Tuesday. Apart from Shanghai, 17 other provincial-level regions on the mainland saw new local COVID-19 cases, including 91 in Jiangxi, 44 in Jilin, and 32 in Beijing. Click here to read…

China’s toll stations closed due to epidemic have mostly resumed operation: Xinhuanet

April 25, 2022

China has seen a significant decrease in the number of expressway toll stations and service zones shut down due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Ministry of Transport said. The ministry’s data showed that 11 toll stations nationwide were still suspended by Saturday. They accounted for only 0.1 percent of the nation’s total, 667 fewer than the figure on April 10, down 98.38 percent. Click here to read…

Ships catch fire in Macao sea waters, blasts heard: Xinhuanet

April 25, 2022

Ships anchored in sea waters near Macao caught fire Monday evening, with multiple blasts heard, according to the Fire Department of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government. Click here to read…

China to further tap consumption potential: Quishi

April 26, 2022

China on Monday unveiled guidelines to further tap the country’s consumption potential, with detailed measures to tackle short-term bottlenecks and boost longer-term consumption vitality. Click here to read…

China gives green light to new nuclear power projects: Quishi

April 24, 2022

Six reactors approved for launch in three cities to support clean energy transition. With the future power supply growth coming mostly from nonfossil energy in China as the country is going through a green energy transition, nuclear power will be crucial for China to reach its carbon peak goal by 2030, said analysts. Click here to read…

Kazakh president, Chinese defense minister agree to strengthen military cooperation: China Military

April 26, 2022

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe voiced common readiness on Monday to step up bilateral cooperation. Click here to read…

New rules to foster culturally relevant place names: China Daily

April 26, 2022

China will implement a new regulation to guide the naming or renaming of places, such as banning the use of the names of foreign people or places as place names. Premier Li Keqiang signed a State Council decree to unveil the new rule on the management of place names on Thursday. It will take effect from May 1. A State Council executive meeting adopted the revision on Sept 1. Click here to read…

Hong Kong to start application for employment support scheme this week: China Daily

April 26, 2022

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced on Monday that the application for the 2022 Employment Support Scheme will start on Friday. Law Chi-kwong, secretary for labor and welfare of the HKSAR government, announced during a press conference that the application for the 2022 ESS will be open from April 29 till May 12, with a view to granting financial assistance to the first batch of successful applicants in early May. Click here to read…

China launches maritime trial website: Xinhuanet

April 25, 2022

The China Maritime Trial website was officially launched on Monday. It includes both Chinese and English versions and will serve as a dynamic information-sharing platform for maritime adjudication. Click here to read…

New vessels taking part in exercises: China Daily

April 26, 2022

Missile destroyers, assault ship latest additions to growing PLA Navy fleet. The People’s Liberation Army Navy has recently commissioned at least two Type 055-class guided-missile destroyers and a Type 075-class amphibious assault ship. Click here to read…

Shanghai makes initial progress in combating Omicron, facing challenges in treating severe cases: Global Times

April 25, 2022

Although Shanghai has made initial progress in fighting the latest Omicron outbreak with a declining number of infections found in communities, the city is still facing the biggest challenge in treating severe COVID-19 patients as 51 more deaths were recorded on Sunday, lifting the total in this round of the outbreak to 138. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland detects Omicron BA.2.3 for 1st time, ‘not likely to affect epidemic control’: Global Times

April 25, 2022

Cases of COVID-19 infection by an evolved sublineage of Omicron’s BA.2 mutation, Omicron BA.2.3, were reported on Monday in Yantai, East China’s Shandong Province, the first time the strain has been detected in the Chinese mainland. Click here to read…

Beijing launches mass testing for nearly 90% of its population, ‘timely, decisive and necessary’: Global Times

April 25, 2022

Beijing’s health authorities announced at a late night news conference that the Chinese capital will launch mass nucleic acid testing on its nearly 20 million residents, about 90 percent of the population, on Tuesday, after the city reported 70 COVID-19 infections in eight districts in the last four days. Click here to read…

Deputy chief designer of CR929 dies of sudden illness in Shanghai: Global Times

April 25, 2022

Deputy chief designer of wide-body aircraft CR929 with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), passed away on Sunday at the age of 43, according to caixin.com on Tuesday. Meng Qinggong, COMAC’s Composite Material Center, deputy chief designer of wide-body CR929 of COMAC, passed away after having a heart attack at his home in the Xinzhuang Industrial Zone, in Shanghai’s Minhang district, a source confirmed with the Global Times, but the source declined to elaborate further. Click here to read…

Several public venues in Beijing closed amid COVID-19 surge: Global Times

April 26, 2022

Several public venues, including the National Center for the Performance Arts (NCPA) in Beijing closed after the capital saw a COVID-19 flare-up in recent days. The NCPA, located in the citys Xicheng district, said on its WeChat account that it will be closed from Tuesday to Saturday. Several other public places in Chaoyang district, where most of the cases were detected, also announced to close temporarily. Click here to read…

33 years old male COVID-19-related patient died of sudden cardiac arrest in Shanghai: Global Times

April 26, 2022

A 33-year-old male COVID-19 patient on Monday died of sudden cardiac arrest in Shanghai, and he had received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, Shanghai health commission said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

China is neither the only nor the largest creditor of Sri Lanka, says Ambassador: Global Times

April 26, 2022

China is neither the only creditor nor the largest creditor of Sri Lanka. The so-called debt trap theory fabricated by some foreign media outlets is completely untrue, according to Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Apple’s supplier Foxconn suspends production at Kunshan plant, impact ‘limited’: Global Times

April 25, 2022

Apple’s supplier Foxconn confirmed to the Global Times on Monday that its plants in Kunshan, East China’s Jiangsu Province, remain suspended for local epidemic control requirements and production will not resume until further government noticeClick here to read…

Chinese regulators urge more prudent IPO pricing after market debut flops: Reuters

April 25, 2022

Chinese regulators have urged underwriters to price initial public offerings more reasonably after a third of more than 100 new listings so far this year fell on their trading debut. Click here to read…

BMW and Audi suspend shipments by train to China: Reuters

April 26, 2022

German carmakers BMW (BMWG.DE) and Volkswagen’s Audi (VOWG_p.DE) have suspended shipments of cars by rail from Germany to China due to the war in Ukraine, the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club suspends top Asian human rights awards: Reuters

April 25, 2022

Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) has suspended its annual Human Rights Press Awards so as not to “unintentionally” violate any laws, according to a statement from the club president on Monday. Click here to read…

Lockdown fears grow in Beijing’s biggest district of Chaoyang: Kyodo

April 25, 2022

People in Beijing’s biggest district of Chaoyang, where a large number of foreign expats live, tried to stock up on enough food on Monday amid mounting fears about a possible lockdown, as the Chinese capital began carrying out mass COVID-19 tests in the central area. Click here to read…

Beijing testing sparks panic buying: Taipei Times

April 26, 2022

Fears of a hard COVID-19 lockdown yesterday sparked panic buying in Beijing, as long lines for compulsory mass testing formed in a large central district of the Chinese capital. China is already trying to contain a wave of infections in its biggest city, Shanghai, which has been almost entirely locked down for weeks and reported 51 new COVID-19 deaths yesterday. Click here to read…

China’s Hainan free-trade port tipped to deepen Asean ties, but island must ‘brave’ uncertainty: South China Morning Post

April 26, 2022

Hainan’s transformation into a free-trade port will open new doors for trade between China and Asean, but its success will require a leap of faith and pioneering spirit, experts said. Beijing plans to turn the 35,000 sq km island into the world’s largest free-trade port by 2035, using lower taxes to attract investors, businesses and individuals, and looser visa requirements to lure foreign tourists and talent. It plans to have an independent customs regime in place by 2025. Click here to read…

‘Innovation is shifting East’ as China amasses patents, says official: South China Morning Post

April 26, 2022

China approved about 700,000 patents for inventions last year, a 30 per cent increase compared to a year earlier, according to the China National Intellectual Property Administration. Administration head Shen Changyu said on Sunday that a total of 696,000 invention patents were authorised in 2021, an average of 7.5 of high-value patents per 10,000, or nearly double the ratio for 2017. Click here to read…

Former court official under probe: Xinhuanet

April 22, 2022

Hu Yifeng, former president of the Higher People’s Court of north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been put under investigation for suspected severe violations of Party disciplines and laws, an official statement said Friday. Click here to read…

Xi unanimously elected delegate to 20th CPC National Congress: Xinhuanet

April 22, 2022

Xi Jinping was elected delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the CPC Guangxi regional congress by a unanimous vote on Friday. Xi was nominated by the CPC Central Committee as a candidate for delegate to the 20th CPC National Congress, scheduled to be held in the second half of 2022. Click here to read…

New Party chiefs of Hebei, Sichuan provinces appointed: Xinhuanet

April 22, 2022

Ni Yuefeng has been appointed secretary of the Hebei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), replacing Wang Dongfeng, according to a decision of the CPC Central Committee. Wang Xiaohui has been appointed secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, replacing Peng Qinghua, according to the decisionClick here to read…

China lays out priorities on improving government transparency: Xinhuanet

April 22, 2022

The General Office of the State Council has released a document laying out the priorities for improving government transparency in 2022. It stresses improving information disclosure related to market entities, cutting taxes and fees, expanding effective investment, and COVID-19 containment. Click here to read…

Sound legislation urged for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecological conservation: Xinhuanet

April 23, 2022

China’s top legislator Li Zhanshu on Friday urged the advancement of sound legislation work to protect the ecological environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, made the remarks while attending a symposium on the matter. Click here to read…

Xi encourages whole Chinese society to read more: Xinhuanet

April 23, 2022

President Xi Jinping has encouraged the whole Chinese society to read more to foster a good reading environment, in a congratulatory letter sent on the occasion of the country’s first national reading campaign that opened on Saturday. Click here to read…

China urges U.S. to clarify its Ukraine bio-military activities: Xinhuanet

April 22, 2022

The United States should give comprehensive and detailed clarification of its bio-military activities, and end its solitary stance of opposing the establishment of a multilateral verification mechanism for biological weapons, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday. Click here to read…

Chinese premier, Sri Lankan PM hold phone call on bilateral ties: Xinhuanet

April 22, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday held a phone conversation with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on bilateral ties at the latter’s request. In the phone call, Li noted that the two countries enjoy profound traditional friendship and are strategic cooperative partners. Click here to read…

China, Vietnam coast guards conduct joint patrol: Xinhuanet

April 23, 2022

Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards carried out a joint patrol from Tuesday to Thursday in Beibu Gulf waters, according to the China Coast Guard (CCG). It was the 23rd joint patrol by the maritime law enforcement forces of the two countries in Beibu Gulf waters since 2006 and the first this year. Click here to read…

China’s shipbuilding sector continues to lead in world market: Xinhuanet

April 23, 2022

China remained the world’s leading shipbuilder in the first quarter of the year, taking up nearly half of the international market share in terms of output and new and holding orders, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed. Click here to read…

Digital book readership in China exceeds 500 mln in 2021: Xinhuanet

April 24, 2022

The number of digital book readers in China reached 506 million in 2021, up 2.43 percent year on year, according to an industry report released Saturday. The overall scale of China’s digital reading market reached 41.57 billion yuan (about 6.4 billion U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year growth of 18.23 percent, according to the China digital readership report 2021. Click here to read…

China mulls building defense system against near-Earth asteroids: Xinhuanet

April 24, 2022

China is set to build monitoring and defense systems protecting the planet from the dangers of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), told China’s CCTV News recently that China will start to build an Earth-based and space-based NEA monitoring and warning system, in order to ensure the safe, stable and orderly operation of spacecraft. Click here to read…

Death toll reaches 87 in Shanghai’s current COVID-19 outbreak: Xinhuanet

April 24, 2022

A total of 87 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported in Shanghai, of which the average age was around 81, the municipal health commission said Sunday. Among the deceased, the oldest was 101-years-old. All of those who passed away had serious underlying health conditions such as malignant tumors, coronary heart disease and hypertension. The direct causes of their deaths are basic diseases, said the commission. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 2,666 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet

April 25, 2022

The Chinese mainland Sunday reported 2,666 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 2,472 were in Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission’s report Monday. Click here to read…

China cracks down on IPR violations regarding Beijing Winter Olympics: Xinhuanet

April 24, 2022

China’s National Copyright Administration and five other authorities have been supervising the investigation of some key cases involving infringements of copyright and other intellectual property rights (IPR) related to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Click here to read…

Invigorating China’s space exploration dream: China Military

April 24, 2022

On April 24, 1970, a young man in a village in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province was thrilled to get the news that China sent its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space. That young man, Xi Jinping, later became Chinese President. Click here to read…

How CPC elects delegates to upcoming Party congress: China Daily

April 23, 2022

The Communist Party of China (CPC), the world’s largest governing party, will convene its 20th national congress in the second half of the year. The quinquennial event will review the work of the past five years, chart the course for the future, and elect new central leadership. Click here to read…

China makes headway in IP industry: China Daily

April 25, 2022

Patents and trademarks increase as nation looks to become ‘powerhouse’. The quality and quantity of Chinese intellectual property continued to rise in 2021, with 696,000 invention patents authorized throughout the year, a senior official said. Click here to read…

Xinjiang’s first plateau airport starts operation: China Daily

April 24, 2022

With the successful landing of China Southern Airlines Flight CZ6681 at the Zhaosu Tianma Airport in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Friday, the region’s first plateau airport was officially put into operation. Click here to read…

Cargo train connects Gansu with Southeast Asia: China Daily

April 22, 2022

A cargo train carrying more than 530 metric tons of asbestos in 20 containers departed Dunhuang, Gansu province, for Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday. The train will leave the country via Mohan port in Yunnan province and is expected to reach Bangkok in 12 days, after passing through Vientiane, Laos. Click here to read…

41 COVID cases seen in Beijing over weekend: China Daily

April 25, 2022

Beijing reported 41 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases between Friday and Sunday in various locations in the city, further complicating prevention and control efforts in the capital, a senior official said on Sunday. Click here to read…

Xinjiang regional govt guarantees all workers’ rights to be protected: Global Times

April 22, 2022

The Xinjiang regional government has made pledges to workers of all ethnic backgrounds that they will enjoy the rights to choose their career freely and that they will all work under equal working conditions, Xinjiang regional government spokesperson Xu Guixiang said at a conference on Friday. The conference was held ahead of the International Workers Day, all known as May Day. The regional government has also vowed stringent measures to crack down on violations of laws about workers, including forced labor. Click here to read…

Shanghai investigates more unauthorized suppliers of household goods during community lockdown: Global Times

April 25, 2022

Shanghai’s market regulators have increased the supervision of household goods provided to residents during the recent COVID-19 outbreak and made public several cases of food safety violations. Click here to read…

Chinese FM elaborates on China-proposed Global Security Initiative, stresses nation will always be the backbone of guarding world peace: Global Times

April 24, 2022

As Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed for the first time a Global Security Initiative at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave a detailed elaboration on the initiative in an article published on People’s Daily on Sunday, answering to the question: “What kind of security concept does the world need and how can countries achieve common security?” Click here to read…

12 chief commanders and designers of China’s missiles make their public debut after retirement: Global Times

April 25, 2022

Twelve chief commanders and designers of China’s missiles who remained undisclosed made their public debut for the first time on Sunday after retiring and ending a period of secrecy. The life stories of the 12 experts are recorded in the book Missile Life, which was first released by the Second Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) at the Space Day on Sunday. Click here to read…

China’s home-built aircraft carrier Shandong starts 1st maintenance, refurbishment: media reports: Global Times

April 24, 2022

The Shandong, China’s second aircraft carrier and the first developed domestically, reportedly started its first scheduled maintenance and refurbishment that is expected to enhance the flattop’s usability after more than two years of active service. The procedure could involve the painting of new non-skid coating as well as repairs and upgrades for some subsystems, and the carrier would come back stronger than ever in a few months, observers said on Sunday. Click here to read…

PLA Navy celebrates 73rd birthday with half dozen new warships, conspicuous hint on third aircraft carrier: Global Times

April 23, 2022

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy celebrated its 73rd anniversary on Saturday by announcing, over the past days, the commissioning of half a dozen powerful warships and two types of advanced vessel-based helicopters, which have already started training to form combat capabilities. These achievements are a reflection of the Navy’s rapid, tremendous growth over the recent years, which is enabling the naval force to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, top officers on some of the country’s mightiest warships said in exclusive interviews with the Global Times. Click here to read…

China’s benchmark stock market sinks to 22-month low on Monday over COVID fears: Global Times

April 25, 2022

China’s benchmark stock market sank down by more than two percent to near 3,000 points, the lowest point in about 22 months, as the country’s coronavirus situation continued to drag down market confidence despite multiple weeks of control and prevention measures. Click here to read…

Shanghai factories face challenges despite efforts for work resumption: Global Times

April 24, 2022

Factories in Shanghai ranging from car firms to heavy industrial enterprises have begun to resume production over the past week, as the city is mounting a broad work resumption campaign for the manufacturing sector while ensuring epidemic controls, after authorities pressed the pause button on the bustling metropolis in late March. Click here to read…

Former head of China Merchants Bank under disciplinary investigation: Global Times

April 22, 2022

China Merchants Bank’s former Party secretary and president Tian Huiyu has been put under disciplinary investigation by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the State Commission for Supervision on suspicion of serious violations of discipline, the top anti-graft authorities announced on Friday. Click here to read…

AI facilitates implementation of dynamic zero-COVID policy in Shenzhen: People’s Daily

April 22, 2022

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies have been widely applied in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, helping improve the efficiency of Shenzhen’s response to public health emergencies and inter-department collaboration capabilities of the city during its implementation of the dynamic zero-COVID policy. Click here to read…

Beijing’s biggest district begins COVID mass testing: Reuters

April 25, 2022

Beijing kicked off three rounds of COVID-19 testing for all residents of its biggest district Chaoyang on Monday after dozens of cases were reported, prompting people to stock up on food over fears of an eventual strict Shanghai-style lockdown. Click here to read…

Shanghai reports 39 new COVID-related deaths on April 23: Reuters

April 24, 2022

The Chinese financial hub of Shanghai reported 39 new deaths among its COVID-19 patients on April 23, up from 12 the day before, the local government said on Sunday. The city also recorded 19,657 new local asymptomatic coronavirus cases, down from 20,634 a day earlier. The number of confirmed symptomatic infections stood at 1,401, also down from 2,736 the previous day. Click here to read…

Britain seeks law change to ban medical supplies from China’s Xinjiang: Reuters

April 22, 2022

Britain has proposed changes to legislation that would ban its health service from buying medical supplies made in China’s Xinjiang region, after pressure from rights groups over Beijing’s treatment of the Uyghur people. Click here to read…

China ready to offer Sri Lanka ‘urgent help’: Taipei Times

April 24, 2022

China on Friday told Sri Lanka that it is ready to provide “urgently needed help,” an offer that came after the South Asian nation deployed its military to quell anger over its worst economic crisis in decades. Click here to read…

Shanghai adds 51 new deaths from Covid-19, takes total toll to 138 amid rise in symptomatic cases: South China Morning Post

April 25, 2022

Shanghai’s fatalities from Covid-19 have risen to a record 51 deaths amid a 76.4 per cent jump in the number of symptomatic cases. Symptomatic cases amounted to 2,472 in the previous 24 hours, compared with 1,401 a day earlier, according to data released on Monday. New infections amounted to 19,455, 7.6 per cent fewer than the previous day, bringing the city’s total cases to 506,000. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

UN Calls on Islamic Emirate to Honor Promise on Girls’ Education: Tolo News

The members of the UN Security Council have expressed their deep concern regarding the inability of girls beyond grade six in Afghanistan to return to their schools, as they were promised. Click here to read…

EU: Decision on Girls’ Schools Impacts Engagement: Tolo News

The European Union on Monday in a statement said the decision on girls’ education by the Islamic Emirate violates the fundamental right to education, and called for the immediate re-opening of secondary schools for girls in the country. Click here to read…

WB suspends $600M worth of projects in Afghanistan over school ban: The Khaama Press

The World Bank has announced that they have put on hold four projects in Afghanistan worth of $600 million following the ban on girls’ secondary schools in the country. The projects that were funded by Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) concentrated on agriculture, education, health, and livelihood. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

World Bank approves $358m for safer roads in Bangladesh- The Daily Star

World Bank today approved $358 million to help Bangladesh improve road safety, and reduce fatalities and injuries from road accidents in selected high-risk highways and district roads. Click here to read…

Russel wanted to be an army officer: PM- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked Bangladesh Armed Forces personnel to always be ready to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. Click here to read…

Only 3,000 social workers to protect vulnerable children in Bangladesh: Unicef- The Daily Star

Over 100,000 social workers are needed in Bangladesh to adequately respond to the needs of vulnerable children, but currently there are only 3,000 social workers in the country, Unicef has said. Click here to read…

Freedom of expression still heavily curtailed in Bangladesh: Amnesty International- The Daily Star

Freedom of expression continued to be heavily curtailed by draconian laws” in Bangladesh in 2021, Amnesty International has said. Click here to read…

Can firmly say Rab last resort in rescuing abducted victims: DG- The Daily Star

The Rapid Action Battalion’s success in combating crime with upholding humanity is unprecedented in the world, said its Director General Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Click here to read…

Bomb attack on Benapole land port workers: 3 cases filed against 36- The Daily Star

Three cases have been filed against 36 people in connection with yesterday’s crude bomb attack on workers of Benapole Land Port in Jashore’sSharshaupazila, which left 20 people injured. Click here to read…

Onion import to continue: agriculture secretary- The Daily Star

The option to import onion will remain open now in order to keep the price of the cocking ingredient stable ahead of Ramadan, said Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam. Click here to read…

US to provide $152m aid for Rohingyas, host communities: Ambassador- The Daily Star.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas, has announced USD 152 million in new humanitarian assistance for nearly one million Rohingyas and host communities. Click here to read…

Santal farmers killed selves being deprived of irrigation water: Farmers tell probe body blaming operator- The Daily Star

While the probe committee from the Ministry of Agriculture visited Rajshahi’sGodagariupazila today, many farmers elaborately told them that the death of two santal farmers was primarily because the operator deprived them of irrigation water. Click here to read…

BNP incited left parties to call hart all- The Daily Star

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday said BNP instigated left-leaning political parties to enforce hartal, which protested price hike of essentials. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Actions will be taken on free-roaming Covid-19 positive cases- Kuensel

The increasing number of positive cases in the community is attributed to the people not isolating themselves strictly after testing positive. Click here to read…

India releases Nu 737M for 12th Plan projects- Kuensel

The government of India released Nu 737 million (M) yesterday for projects including roads, urban development and school infrastructure. Click here to read…

8Economic affairs ministry proposes options to reduce fuel price- Kuensel

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) has proposed numerous interventions to the Cabinet to reduce fuel prices. Click here to read…

Maldives

The Maldives, UAE sign MoU on experience exchange on gov’t development, modernization: Raajje M

A significant agreement has been signed between the Maldives and United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of Vice President Faisal Naseem’s ongoing visit to the UAE. Click here to read…

Myanmar

The Day Civilians Took Office in Myanmar After 53 Years of Military Rule – The Irrawaddy

On this day in 2016, a civilian government took office for the first time in 53 years in Myanmar following the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s victory in the November 2015 general election. Click here to read…

In Solidarity with Coup Leader, Myanmar Ex-Generals Appear at Armed Forces Day Event – The Irrawaddy

The appearance of ex-generals from the previous Myanmar military regime at the Armed Forces Day commemoration and subsequent ceremony hosted by the current regime on Sunday proves that they are all in solidarity with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who staged a coup that has so far killed 1,700 people. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Helicopter Crashes in Chin State – The Irrawaddy

A military helicopter crashed and injured five people onboard at Hakha, Chin State’s capital, on Tuesday morning, according to Myanmar’s junta. It is the third air force crash since June. Myanmar’s air force is known for frequent deadly crashes, even during training exercises, due to its largely outdated fleet.Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Enacts Law Allowing It to Deploy Police to Front Lines – The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar military regime has enacted a new law making it compulsory for law enforcement officers to fight alongside soldiers on the front lines, while expanding their powers to restrict citizens’ civil liberties. Click here to read…

Karen Ethnic Armed Group Tells Myanmar Govt Employees in Its Area to Quit – The Irrawaddy

District level Karen National Union (KNU) offices recently called on non-striking government employees working for the regime in KNU-controlled areas to resignClick here to read…

Public to Boycott Myanmar Junta’s New Year Water Festival – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar could not celebrate Thingyan in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 and military rule but this year the regime is trying to bring the Burmese new year festival back to life. Click here to read…

Airstrikes Continue After Myanmar Junta Suffers Heavy Losses – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military continues using helicopters to attack villages near the Thai border in Myawaddy Township where its troops are suffering heavy losses. Daily fighting has continued in the Karen State border district for months amid heavy junta reinforcements, artillery and airstrikes. Click here to read…

Youths in Sittwe mark Right to Truth Day with calls for justice, human rights – BNI Online

Commemorated annually on March 24, the UN-recognised day is known in longform as International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. Click here to read…

Nepal

(Editorial)Ties consolidated- Himalaya

Wang’s visit was, thus, a good opportunity for Nepal to clarify Nepal’s position that any development assistance from a country would be utilised solely for development purposes and that it would never accept any project with political and other conditions. Click here to read…

NC to tie up with ruling allies for civic polls- Himalaya

The central working committee of the ruling Nepali Congress today unanimously decided to forge poll alliance with other coalition partners in local elections scheduled for May 13. Click here to read…

Nepal, Republic of South Sudan establish diplomatic relations- Himalaya

Nepal and the Republic of South Sudan have established diplomatic relations. With this, the number of countries with which Nepal has bilateral diplomatic relations has reached 175. Click here to read…

Mahat-led delegation meets PM Deuba- Himalaya

A delegation from Nuwakot led by Nepali Congress Spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat today called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and apprised him of several issues facing the district. Click here to read…

Congress comes up with formal decision on poll alliance- Kathmandu Post

Members of rival Nepal Congress faction fear that alliance with communists could harm the party’s voter base. Click here to read…

Security printing will give sense of independence in printing sector: Communications Minister Karki- Himalaya

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said the purpose of making the country independent in the printing sector is being gradually fulfilled. Click here to read…

Reaction to Wang Yi’s Nepal visit in Chinese media- Nepali Times

Delayed and toned-down reaction to Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to Nepal seems deliberate. Click here to read…

Pakistan

‘Stars not aligned’ for MQM announcement: Dawn

While the combined opposition tried with all its might to prevail upon the party to announce a decision there and then, MQM-P avoided making a definitive statement at such a late hour and announced that it would make its decision public the next day. Click here to read…

PM forbids PTI MNAs from attending NA session on no-trust voting: The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. has barred the ruling PTI lawmakers from attending the National Assembly session on the day of voting on no-trust motion, which is likely to be held in the first week of April. Click here to read…

‘Pakistan can play role for diplomatic solution to war’, PM tells Ukrainian president

Prime Minister Imran Khan has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that non-partisan countries like Pakistan are in a position to play a helpful role in reinforcing efforts for cessation of hostilities and a diplomatic solution in the war-stricken country. Click here to read…

Umpire’s neutrality leaves smaller parties confused: The News

The ‘umpire’s neutrality’ is behind the change of plans by smaller political parties, as they are reluctant to trust the commitments made by the government and the opposition. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Can we eat money?’: Prices high, supplies low, despair in Lanka- Indian Express

Sri Lanka is facing one of its worst economic crises, battered by the Easter Sunday blasts of April 2019, two Covid waves and now the Russia-Ukraine war. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka avoids recession in Dec quarter, GDP grows 3.7% in 2021: Business Standard

Sri Lanka’s economy grew at a slower-than-expected 1.8% in the 4th quarter of the 2021 financial year, taking its full year growth to 3.7 per cent, data from the govt’s statistics department showed. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Karzai hopes Beijing huddle to be fruitful for Afghanistan- Pajhwok

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

Younis Khan and Umar Gul to coach Afghan players- Pajhwok

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

Bangladesh

Bill to curb banking fraud- The Daily Star

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

Bangladesh an important partner in diplomacy’- The Daily Star

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bhutan

Major Covid-19 travel protocol changes from today- Kuensel

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

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

(Editorial) Entering the new phase- Kuensel

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

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

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

Maldives

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

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

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

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

Myanmar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nepal

Nepal to receive 11.4 billion rupees in Chinese aid- Himalaya

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

PM embarks on India visit on Friday- Himalaya

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pakistan

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

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

Pakistan dealt well with Covid: UN- Dawn

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

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

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

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

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

Qureshi to leave for China today- Dawn

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

Sri Lanka

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

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

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

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

Afghanistan

US Hopes for Reversal by Islamic Emirate on Girls’ Education: Tolo News

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan said on Saturday he is hopeful that there will be a reversal of the Islamic Emirate’s u-turn on girls’ education in the coming days.“I am hopeful that we will see a reversal of this decision in the coming days” Thomas West, US special representative for Afghanistan, said at the Doha Forum. Click here to read…

Mullah Baradar Calls for Afghan Self-Sufficiency: Tolo News

First Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said that the aid provided by international donors will alleviate urgent needs for a short period of time, but said that the ministries must work toward self-sufficiencyClick here to read…

Qatar, Indonesia sign letter for providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

Qatar has announced that they have signed a letter of content with Indonesia based on which both the countries will cooperate in providing humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Impoverished Afghan families; private schools, universities lose students: The Khaama Press

Owners of private schools and universities in the Afghan capital Kabul complain that they have lost 60% of their students as the new educational year has just begun across Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

It’s delightful to see achievements of Bangladesh- The Daily Star

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he is willing to work with Bangladesh to push the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to new heights. Click here to read…

Voter list update begins on May 20- The Daily Star

The Election Commission (EC) will start updating the voter list from May 20 and this would be the last registration of prospective voters before the 12th parliamentary election. Click here to read…

Protesting price hike of daily essentials: LDA hartal in progress- The Daily Star

Half-day hartal, announced by Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) in protest of the price hike of daily essentials, has begun across the country. Click here to read…

Bridge lies with no approach roads- The Daily Star

People of several villages under two unions in Dhanbari upazila have been suffering immensely for long as the bridge over the Bangshi river does not have approach roads on either sideClick here to read…

A big leap in tech industry- The Daily Star

Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City likely to get $1.3b investment by 2025Click here to read…

Mass media employees bill to be placed at JS today- The Daily Star

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud will place the Mass Media Employees (services and conditions) Bill-2022 at JS today. Click here to read…

Bangladeshi exporters worry as global brands cancel Russian orders over Ukraine invasion- Benar News

Bangladeshi businesspeople are jittery about the future of bilateral trade with Russia, saying that international sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine are disrupting their exports of key products such as ready-made garments. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Taiwan-donated oxygen concentrators, face masks, arrived in Bhutan- Focus Taiwan

A total of 2,000 Taiwan-donated N95 respirators and 50 oxygen concentrators have arrived in Bhutan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Sunday, amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections in the Himalayan kingdom. Click here to read…

Expansionary fiscal policy pushes debt-to-GDP ratio to 138.8 percent- Kuensel

The country’s outstanding external debt increased to a record high of 138.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the end of the fiscal year 2020-21 from the previous high of 121 percent. Click here to read…

Businesses to seek more relief measures- Kuensel

Most of the businesses would not be able to repay loans or operate if the relief or monetary measures are discontinued after June 2022, according to Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) President Tandy Wangchuk. Click here to read…

Chilies from southern districts to hit market by April end- Bhutan Times

Despite initial delay in plantation due to pest infection and cold waves, chilly growers in the south are hopeful that their chilies will hit the domestic market by April endClick here to read…

Govt. to recruit doctors from Myanmar- Bhutan Times

With critical shortage of health specialists and their services becoming even dearer in the country, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has initiated the process to recruit foreign doctors from Myanmar on a contract basis which will extend for two years. Click here to read…

Nepal

Chinese Minister Wang completes three-day visit, returns home- Himalayan

China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi returned home today after completing his three-day visit to Nepal. Click here to read…

Wang urged to get China border opened- Himalayan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal separately today. Click here to read…

Nepal to receive 11.4 billion rupees in Chinese aid- Himalayan

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

Tiktok: A tool to win elections- Kathmandu Post

TikTok has been misused by propagandists to spread the political narrative in Southeast Asia. Click here to read…

Main opposition harbours hope to defend pole position, through poll

alliances- Kathmandu Post

UML leaders put on bold faces but are looking deep for opportunities to fight upcoming local elections in collaboration with friends and foes. Click here to read…

(Opinion) Fixing the broken parts in Nepal-China ties: kanak Mani Dixit- Nepal Times

Foreign Minister Wang Yi must use his Kathmandu visit to clear the growing distrust between Beijing and Kathmandu, and seek to better understand Nepal, including its age-old links to Tibet. Click here to read…

Nepal Army Day marked in Kathmandu- Republica

Nepal Army organized a special ceremony to observe the Nepal Army Day and Maha Shivaratri festival at Tundikhel, Kathmandu on Tuesday. Click here to read…

China opposes attempt to engage Nepal in geopolitical games: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi- Nepal Live Today

“China believes that all countries are equal regardless of size, and respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries.” Click here to read…

Maldives

India-Maldives launch initiatives to expand security ties to protect S Indian Ocean: Economic Times

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a two-day trip to the Maldives, said on Sunday that “India and Maldives share a deep and abiding friendship. Click here to read…

Explained: What’s behind the new anti-India campaign in the Maldives?: Indian Express

The theme of the rally was “India Out”, a slogan coined two years ago by protesters who claimed that the MDP government led by President Ibrahim Solih had “sold out” the Maldives to India. Click here to read…

Myanmar

China And Pakistan Stepping Up Engagement with Myanmar, And That’s Bad News for India – Swarajyamarg

With global attention focused on the crisis in eastern Europe, China has surreptitiously stepped up its engagement with Myanmar’s junta and has also got Pakistan involved as its proxy to supply arms and munitions to the southeast Asian nation. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s crimes against the Rohingya warrant UN intervention – The Guardian

Now that the US has finally accepted that Myanmar’s ethnic cleansing and mass murder of Rohingya Muslims amounts to genocide (Rohingya refugees welcome US decision to call Myanmar atrocities a genocide, 22 March), the UN should enact its responsibility to prevent and respond to this most serious violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. Click here to read…

Myanmar army denies Rohingya genocide, says some individuals may have committed crimes – US News

Myanmar’s military did not commit genocide against minority Rohingya Muslims during 2017 operations in Rakhine state, but crimes may have been committed by personnel on an individual level, an army spokesman said on Thursday. Click here to read…

Myanmar military deliberately killed civilians after coup: Report – Aljazeera

Myanmar’s military and police deliberately killed civilians opposed to its rule in the six months following the coup in February 2021, in a policy that amounts to crimes against humanity, according to new research published on Thursday. Click here to read…

Armed Forces Day Spotlights Atrocities – Human Rights Watch

Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day on March 27, 2022, is an opportunity for foreign governments to take stronger action against the military’s widespread abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. Click here to read…

Massive Military Regime Convoy Arrives in Western Myanmar – The Irrawaddy

A Myanmar military convoy consisting of 80 vehicles including artillery and armored vehicles has arrived in Mindat in southern Chin State, according to the Chinland Defense Force (CDF), a local resistance group fighting the regime. Click here to read…

Drug use on rise in Rakhine under the current government – Narinjara

Rakhine State has been witnessing the increase of illegal drug uses, including WY stimulants, under the current administration of military backed government, allege locals. Ko Aung Chae, a resident of Buthidaung locality, claimed that the use of drugs among teenagers was on rise in their township, which is located in northern Rakhine. Click here to read…

Japan’s ‘Special Relationship’ With Myanmar Has Abetted Decades of Military Rule – The Irrawaddy

That “special relationship”—when it comes to aid, investment and involvement in the so-called peace process—has so far resulted in little more than making sure that the Myanmar military remains firmly entrenched in power. Click here to read…

Pakistan

PM Imran says ‘foreign-funded conspiracy’ out to topple his govt, claims to have evidence in writing: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday claimed that the opposition’s no-trust move is part of an alleged “foreign-funded conspiracy” hatched against his government over his refusal to have Pakistan’s foreign policy be influenced from abroad. Click here to read…

NA to deliberate on no-trust move today: The Express Tribune

The much-anticipated session of the National Assembly to deliberate on the no-confidence motion filed against Prime Minister Imran Khan by the opposition parties will be held today (Monday). Click here to read…

Gas crisis to hit country in summer too: The News

After the Singapore based LNG trading company GUNVOR backed out of delivery of four LNG cargoes that were to be delivered in the remaining four months, in April, May and two in June of its five-year contract ending in July 2022, and the decision of Pakistan LNG Limited not to procure spot LNG cargo for April at the price of $34.677 per MMBTU offered by Vitol Bahrain in the bids opened on Friday, it seems the country would now experience a gas crisis even in the summer season. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

India asks Sri Lanka to release fishermen, fishing boats from custody: Economic Times

India expressed its readiness to work together with Sri Lanka for joint research to enhance the productivity of the Palk Bay fisheries. Click here to read…

S Jaishankar Lands in Sri Lanka For Bilateral Talks, BIMSTEC Summit: NDTV

This is his first visit to the island nation since India extended an economic relief package to bail Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis. Click here to read…

5,800 cases of Party conduct violation investigated in Feb: Xinhuanet

March 27, 2022

More than 5,800 cases involving violations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) code on improving Party conduct were investigated in February, China’s top anti-graft agency said Sunday. Click here to read…

Chinese FM calls for long-term vision, win-win cooperation in ties with India: Xinhuanet

March 26, 2022

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Friday that China and India should stick to their own development paths and join hands to safeguard peace and stability in the region and the world at large. Click here to read…

China provides 2,000 tons of rice as emergency food aid to Sri Lanka: Xinhuanet

March 26, 2022

China decides to provide 2,000 tons of rice as emergency food aid to Sri Lanka, said the Chinese embassy here in a press release on Friday. The donation, which was valued at about 2.5 million U.S. dollars (including freight cost), was made at the request of the Sri Lankan government upon its current difficulty of food shortage in the island country, according to the embassy. Click here to read…

China ready to help Afghanistan achieve true independence, self-development: Xinhuanet

March 25, 2022

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Thursday that China is ready to help Afghanistan achieve true independence and self-development. During a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Afghan Taliban’s caretaker government, Wang said China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respects the independent choice made by the Afghan people, and respects Afghanistan’s religious beliefs and national customs. Click here to read…

China Development Bank ups financial support for rural revitalization in 2021: Xinhuanet

March 27, 2022

The China Development Bank has boosted its loan support in 2021 to advance rural revitalization on all fronts. Last year, the bank has offered 594.8 billion yuan (93.5 billion U.S. dollars) in loans, promoting key areas including advancing the modernization of the agricultural sector and providing follow-up support for those who have relocated from inhospitable areas, it saidClick here to read…

China’s Hualong One reactor demonstration project fully operational: Xinhuanet

March 25, 2022

China’s Hualong One demonstration project, a domestically designed third-generation nuclear reactor, has been completed and put into commercial operation, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said on Friday. Click here to read…

New Bohai Sea gas field project starts construction: Xinhuanet

March 27, 2022

Construction started Saturday for the first phase of a new gas field project in the Bohai Sea, according to its constructor. The gas field, known as the Bozhong 19-6, was discovered in 2019 in the central Bohai Sea. It has proven reserves of over 150 million cubic meters of oil and nearly 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Click here to read…

Nation cuts market access negative list down to 117: Quishi

March 28, 2022

China unveiled a new, shortened negative list for market access on Friday, opening more industries to Chinese and foreign investment, according to the country’s top economic regulator. Experts said the move is a continuation of the country’s ongoing efforts to expand market access and introduce greater opening-up. Click here to read…

Former rail minister accused of disciplinary violations: China Daily

March 26, 2022

Former railway minister Sheng Guangzu has been accused of serious disciplinary violations and is cooperating with a probe by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission, the disciplinary watchdogs said on Friday. Click here to read…

China denounces sending military aid to Russia as ‘pure fabrication’: China Daily

March 25, 2022

A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday said the claim that China sent military aid to Russia is nothing but pure fabrication. Both Chinese and Russian sides have clarified the issue. The rumor repeatedly spread by the United States against China exposed its sinister intention, said Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense. Click here to read…

Official in Shandong removed from post over improper behavior: Global Times

March 25, 2022

A grassroots official in Pingdu, East China’s Shandong Province, has been removed from her post for improper behavior in resolving a petitioning case, authorities announced Wednesday. Click here to read…

Shanghai carries out staggered lockdown, vows to ensure sufficient daily commodities in closed-loop management: Global Times

March 28, 2022

Shanghai carried out a staggered lockdown starting on Monday in Pudong and Puxi (divided by the Huangpu River) in turn and mass nucleic acid tests will be conducted in the city covering over 6,340 square kilometers and with a population of over 24 million to cut out hidden transmission routes in communities to curb the rapid spread of Omicron.

Shanghai reported a record number of 50 local transmitted COVID-19 cases and 3,450 local asymptomatic infections amid this round of outbreak on Monday. Among the 3,450 local asymptomatic carriers, 2,833 were found under the closed-loop mechanism. Click here to read…

China, India stress managing border dispute, urge Ukraine peace and dialogue during Wang Yi’s visit: Global Times

Mar 25, 2022

China and India, two major developing countries and emerging economies, should stick to their own development paths and join hands to safeguard peace and stability in the region and the world, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday during a visit in New Delhi, stressing the two sides should place the border issue in a proper position in bilateral relations and manage conflicts to facilitate the development of relations. Click here to read…

PLA Marine Corps holds amphibious landing drills with the world’s largest hovercraft: Global Times

March 27, 2022

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Marine Corps recently conducted a series of round-the-clock joint amphibious landing drills with Navy surface vessels and the world’s largest hovercraft, enhancing and displaying the PLA Navy’s amphibious landing capabilities, analysts said on Sunday. Click here to read…

Number of private firms in China quadruples in 10 years: People’s Daily

March 25, 2022

The number of private enterprises operating in China has more than quadrupled during the period from 2012 to 2021, according to official data. The country’s private firms increased from 10.857 million in 2012 to 44.575 million in 2021, data released by the State Administration for Market Regulation showed. Click here to read…

China’s Sinopec plans its biggest capital expenditure in history :Reuters

March 28, 2022

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (600028.SS), better known as Sinopec, is planning its highest capital investment in history for 2022 after recording its best profit in a decade, echoing Beijing’s call for energy companies to raise production. Click here to read…

Tesla suspends Shanghai factory output for four days on COVID curbs: Reuters

March 28, 2022

U.S. automaker Tesla (TSLA.O) is suspending production at its Shanghai factory for four days after the financial hub said on Sunday it would lock down in two stages to carry out mass testing for COVID 19, two people familiar with the matter said. The company has notified its workers and suppliers of the move, the people said. Click here to read…

China’s Shanghai launches two-phase lockdown as COVID surges: Reuters

March 28, 2022

China’s financial hub of Shanghai launched a two-stage lockdown of its 26 million residents on Monday, closing bridges and tunnels, and restricting highway traffic in a scramble to contain surging COVID-19 cases. The snap lockdown, announced by Shanghai’s city government on Sunday, will split the city in two roughly along the Huangpu River for nine days to allow for “staggered” testing. It is the biggest COVID-related disruption to hit the city. Click here to read…

China’s financial hub Shanghai starts 9-day COVID lockdown: Kyodo

March 28, 2022

China’s financial hub of Shanghai came under lockdown for nine days starting Monday, with each half of the city to be shut down in turns to conduct mass COVID-19 testing, sparking fears about the outlook for the world’s second-largest economy. Click here to read…

Students force Chinese university to lift Covid-19 lockdown after protest over restrictions that ‘gave dogs more freedom than undergraduates’: South China Morning Post

March 26, 2022

Students in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu have forced the university authorities to lift an extended lockdown on campus after protesting over strict restrictions that one undergraduate said meant even dogs had more freedom of movement.
China’s stringent dynamic zero-Covid policies mean that the authorities rely on swift, local lockdowns to stop the spread of the disease as clusters of cases appear across the country, fuelled by the highly infectious Omicron variant. Click here to read…

Why the secrecy with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to South Asia?: South China Morning Post

March 26, 2022

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made an unexpected whirlwind tour of South Asia this week, with unannounced stops in India, Afghanistan and Nepal. The secrecy surrounding the visits comes as Beijing scrambles to drum up support against intense scrutiny by the United States and its Western allies, particularly over China’s ambiguity on the Ukraine war. Observers said the unannounced nature of the trip was highly unusual and motivated in part by Beijing’s fears of diplomatic isolation. Click here to read…

Xi Jinping on upholding Party leadership: Xinhuanet

February 19, 2022

In summarizing the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the latest resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on the history of the Party, adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC on November 11, 2021, specifies 10 key points, with “the leadership of the Party” listed on the top. Click here to read…

Xi Jinping on developing socialism with Chinese characteristics: Xinhuanet

February 20, 2022

Upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics represents a key point of the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era. “The overarching task of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is to realize socialist modernization and national rejuvenation,” says the latest resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on the Party’s history. Click here to read…

China opposes U.S. releasing irresponsible IPR report, says commerce ministry: Xinhuanet

February 19, 2022

The United States labeling some Chinese enterprises and markets as so-called “notorious markets” in its recent report is neither responsible nor objective, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Friday. Click here to read…

China’s revised Patent Law introduces open licensing system to promote use of idle patents: Quishi

February 18, 2022

Thanks to a new amendment to China’s Patent Law that entered into force on June 1, 2021, patents in the country that have lain idle can be put into actual use easier. Wu Zhenyu, a professor with the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, is one of the patent owners who have benefited from the new amendment, which introduces an open licensing system to facilitate the utilization of patents. Click here to read…

3,000 ‘little giants’ to make industrial sector more resilient, innovative: Quishi

February 21, 2022

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China’s top industry regulator, said it aims to cultivate 3,000 “little giant “companies this year, which will help enhance the resilience of industrial chains and boost the innovation and vitality of the industrial economy. Click here to read…

NDRC to promote common prosperity: Quishi

February 21, 2022

China will take solid steps to promote common prosperity as part of the country’s larger drive to improve well-being and deal with imbalances in development, the country’s top economic regulator said on Thursday. Click here to read…

China issues plan to bolster services, support for veterans: People’s Daily

February 19, 2022

China has issued a plan to further bolster the high-quality development of services and support for retired servicemen during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). The main objectives are to raise the capability of better providing assistance, working opportunities, pensions and preferential treatment for veterans, while better protecting their rights, interests and dignity, said the plan jointly issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission. Click here to read…

96 sci-tech journals from China rank among top quartile globally: People’s Daily

February 19, 2022

A growing number of sci-tech journals from China have improved their international rankings since the country launched a plan to boost the quality of its home-grown journals, with 96 of them ranking among the top quartile globally by subject, Science and Technology Daily reported Friday. Click here to read…

Former general manager of Chinese telecom giant under investigation: China Daily

February 18, 2022

Li Guohua, former general manager of the Chinese telecom giant China Unicom, is being investigated for suspected severe violations of Party discipline and laws, China’s top anti-graft authority said in a statement on Friday. Click here to read…

HKSAR postpones Chief Executive Election to May, prepares for mass nucleic tests: Global Times

February 18, 2022

By citing the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Executive Council agreed to postpone the Chief Executive Election, which was originally scheduled for March 27, to May 8 as the Chinese city fights the COVID-19 outbreak, Carrie Lam, chief executive of the HKSAR government, announced on Friday. Click here to read…

Xi sends congratulatory letter to CPC-Sri Lankan parties conference on bilateral ties: Global Times

February 18, 2022

At the conference held by the Communist Party of China and major government and opposition political parties in Sri Lanka to celebrate the 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact, both sides reviewed the history of China-Sri Lanka relations and expressed their positive future expectations for bilateral relations. Representatives of the Sri Lankan political parties said that China’s selfless assistance to Sri Lanka in difficult times and efforts to safeguard Sri Lanka’s interests on the global stage have strengthened China-Sri Lanka relations. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s acquisition of Chinese J-10C fighter jets significant for both sides: Global Times

February 20, 2022

After alleged images of the J-10C fighter jet with the marking of the Pakistan Air Force recently emerged on social media and were widely circulated by media outlets, Chinese analysts on Sunday lauded the latest defense cooperation between China and Pakistan, saying that the move yields great significance to both countries, in terms of boosting combat capabilities of the Pakistan military, promoting China’s aviation equipment, and responding to both countries’ security interests in the region.Click here to read…

CNOOC begins construction of 6 largest LNG storage tanks in the world: Global Times

February 21, 2022

China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) has started to construct the world’s largest liquefied natural gas or LNG storage tanks in Yancheng Binhai Port Industrial Park in East China’s Jiangsu province. Click here to read…

China moves to boost digital sector growth in less developed provinces: Global Times

February 20, 2022

Chinese tech giants like Tencent and Alibaba are planning to build more data centers in western regions in the country, after the central government launched a project nicknamed “eastern data western calculation” to store and process more digital data in China’s western provinces. Click here to read…

To support births, Chinese capital Beijing adds fertility services to insurance coverage: Reuters

February 21, 2022

Beijing will include more than a dozen fertility services in a government-backed medical insurance scheme for the Chinese capital, state media reported on Monday, supporting those seeking to have babies with China’s birth rate at a record low. Click here to read…

China watchdog to emphasise prevention, resolution of bond default risks: Reuters

February 19, 2022

China’s securities regulator will put more emphasis on preventing and resolving bond default risks, and will deepen bond issuance reforms and strengthen regulation, a summary of a meeting posted on its website said on Saturday. Click here to read…

Australian leader slates China navy over laser incident: Taipei Times

February 21, 2022

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison accused Beijing of an “act of intimidation” after a Chinese navy vessel directed a laser at an Australian military surveillance aircraft last week. A P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was illuminated on Thursday while flying over Australia’s northern approaches by a laser from a People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessel, endangering lives, the defence department said. Click here to read…

China charges former journalist Luo Changping over ‘insults’ about Korean war movie soldiers: South China Morning Post

February 19, 2022

Chinese authorities have charged a former investigative journalist over comments about a military-themed blockbuster movie, accusing him of defaming Chinese soldiers from the Korean war. Click here to read…

China signals more government support to stabilise economy, with a wary eye on debt ratio: South China Morning Post

February 18, 2022

China will expand government spending to offset economic pressures, but the deficit ratio needs to be set at an “appropriate” level, finance minister Liu Kun said on Friday. Beijing must “shoulder the responsibility” for stabilising the economy, Liu wrote in an article for the Party-run People’s Daily. Click here to read…

Chinese, Sri Lankan FMs exchange congratulations on 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties: Xinhuanet

February 7, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic relations. Click here to read…

China’s nuclear reactor wins approval for use in Britain: Xinhuanet

February 7, 2022

China’s Hualong One, a domestically designed third-generation nuclear reactor, has been confirmed adequate for use in Britain, said the designer, China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), on Monday. Click here to read…

Olympics demonstrate hydrogen applications: Quishi

February 8, 2022

The use of fleets of hydrogen-fueled vehicles during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is further demonstrating the wider application of the green energy source, and will help in the acceleration of its development, according to industry experts. Click here to read…

China’s top economic planner to launch pork stockpile campaign amid national price drop: Global Times

February 8, 2022

China’s top economic planner announced to launch a pork stockpile campaign in a bid to bolster declining national pork prices, the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said via its official WeChat account on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Hong Kong residents raid supermarket shelves as COVID surge disrupts supplies: Reuters

February 7, 2022

Hong Kong residents crowded supermarkets and neighbourhood fresh food markets on Monday to stock up on vegetables, noodles and other necessities after a record number of COVID-19 infections in the city and transport disruptions at the border with mainland China. Click here to read…

U.S. adds Chinese entities to red-flag export list, WuXi Bio shares plunge: Reuters

February 8, 2022

The U.S. Commerce Department said on Monday it had added 33 Chinese entities to its so-called ‘unverified list’, which requires U.S. exporters to go through more procedures before shipping goods to the entities. The department said it was taking the step as it was unable to verify the legitimacy and reliability of those entities in relation to their use of U.S. exports. The entities included listed companies, universities as well as aerospace and electronics suppliers.Click here to read…

Chinese free speech advocate takes aim at Tencent over WeChat account shutdown: South China Morning Post

February 7, 2022

A prominent academic has hit out at Chinese tech giant Tencent, accusing it of “trampling on civil rights” after his sixth WeChat account was deleted last week. Peking University law professor He Weifang, a long-standing advocate for legal reform and speech rights in China, made the protest in a handwritten letter dated February 3 and circulated online. Click here to read…

Taiwan views US approval of US$100 million Patriot missile service deal as show of support in face of Beijing: South China Morning Post

February 8, 2022

The Biden Government’s approval of a possible US$100 million deal to Taiwan to support the Patriot missile defence system reflected the United States’ stand in helping Taipei arm itself against growing military threats from Beijing, Taiwan said on Tuesday. Taiwan also hailed the approval as part of US commitments to boost the self-ruled island’s defence and security as tension in the Taiwan Strait mounted. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Minister Orders Police to Stop Unauthorized Operations: Tolo News

Acting Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani ordered Kabul police districts to avoid launching unauthorized operations and to not detain suspects or search people’s houses without consulting the ministry. Click here to read…

Earthquake in western Afghanistan kills 28, destroyed 800 homes: The Khaama Press

Deputy Minister of Information and Culture and spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Zabiullah Mujahid said that two earthquakes in the western Badghis province on Monday, January 17 killed 28 people, wounded four, and destroyed 800 homes. Click here to read…

IEA asks Norway to take lead in recognition: The Khaama Press

Deputy of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in economic affairs Maulaee Kabir meets with the Norwegian ambassador to Kabul Andreas Linedman and expressed hope that Norway would take lead in recognizing the interim government in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

President Hamid to DCs: Don’t abuse power while discharging duties- Dhaka Tribune

The president reminded the DCs that getting services is the right of people, not an act of kindness or benevolence. Click here to read…

India’s Modi urges collective global effort to deal with cryptocurrencies- Dhaka Tribune

India has been mulling virtual currency-related regulations which were widely expected to be introduced in the winter session of the parliament in December before being shelved. Click here to read…

Govt turns down DCs’ plan to oversee development projects- Dhaka Tribune

Proposal to move Sub-Registrar’s Office under Land Ministry. Click here to read…

Exporters enjoying US sales bonanza- Daily Star

US consumers expected to purchase 30pc more garment, footwear in 2022: study. Click here to read…

(Opinion) Free our universities of suppression and violence- Daily Star

It is a matter of common sense that a university is supposed to create space and opportunities to generate knowledge, open up scopes for creative ideas and thinking, invite questions against the existing knowledge and system, and raise voices against injustice, discrimination and oppression. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Gelephu reports 15 new community cases- Kuensel

Gelephu reported 15 new Covid-19 cases from the community yesterday, taking the total count of the active community cases to 20 in the past two days. Click here to read…

Primary contacts of the positive case in Mongar quarantined- Kuensel

All 16 primary contacts of the 38-year-old non-Bhutanese man, who had come from Wangdue and tested positive for Covid-19 at Gyalpoizhing, Mongar, were traced and quarantined yesterday. Click here to read…

Imports and exports in Samdrupjongkhar resume- Kuensel

Imports and exports in Samdrupjongkhar, which were suspended after one of the frontline workers at the border checkpost (BCP) tested Covid-19 positive yesterday morning, resumed at 3pm after sanitising the area. Click here to read…

MoEA minister discusses P I barrage, Sunkosh status, Vegetable exports, power export to Bangladesh, Third internet gateway in Delhi visit- Daily Bhutan

In the first ever in person meeting with Indian ministers in more than two years, the Minister of Economic Affairs Loknath Sharma went to Delhi on January 10 with a host of issues from difficulty in exporting vegetables to hydropower to the third internet gateway. Click here to read…

Opposition raise concerns over youth unemployment crisis- Bhutan Times

While the government has pledged to create more employment opportunities for youths, the Opposition Party in its meet-the-press on Friday raised a scathing criticism stating that the government failed to give priority to job creation. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives still one of the favourite destinations to travel for Indians – Deccan Herald

Post-Covid, tourism in 2021 saw a deluge of Indian travelers flocking to Maldives, and this upward trend has remained consistent with the start of this year as well. According to Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Maldives’ Minister of Tourism, India has now replaced Russia as the top source market for Maldives, with the sheer number of Indian travelers surpassing that from all other countries. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Leaked memo shows Myanmar’s junta feels legally vulnerable – Arab News

An internal Myanmar army memo surfaced last week, instructing all members of the military to not answer or even accept any letter, summons or warrant from abroad, especially where it is clear they are from the International Criminal Court, the Argentinian federal court or any of the plaintiffs in either of these casesClick here to read…

Army denies operation inside Myanmar territory -The Hindu

In response to news story ‘Three killed in exchange of fire near International border’ published in The Hindu dated January 14, 2022, the Army on Monday denied that any such operation has taken place inside Myanmar territory. Click here to read…

Karen State: 2,190 Burma Army Soldiers Killed – KNU Claims Junta Now Resorting to Airstrikes as its Ground Troops Reluctant to Fight – BNI Online

A Karen National Union military tactical commander, in an interview with Karen News, said Burma Army soldiers were showing signs of not wanting to fight. Colonel Saw Htoo K’Shaw, Tactical Commander of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 5 said the Burma Army had suffered heavy casualties in its clashes with Karen troops and this had caused its rank and file soldiers to withdraw from battle. Click here to read…

Aung San Suu Kyi Hit With 5 New Corruption Charges – The Diplomat

According to the Associated Press, these five additional charges are connected to the granting of permits involving “the hire, purchase, and maintenance of a helicopter.” Click here to read…

Nepal

Constitutional and legal contradictions surface amid local election talks- Kathmandu Post

Some parties in the ruling coalition appear to be in bid to exploit the loopholes to delay local level polls, which have been proposed by the poll body for April-May. Click here to read…

(COLUMNS) Redrawing the map: CK Lal- Kathmandu Post

Territorial issues between countries are as challenging to resolve as claims over land ownership between squabbling siblings. Click here to read…

Ruling Parties Agree On Local Elections In April- Rising Nepal
A meeting of the ruling political parties’ joint mechanism, the High Level Political Coordination Committee on Tuesday discussed holding local election. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Bilawal sees probability of opposition parties working together: Dawn

“If they (PDM) are ready to withdraw their stance on the issue of en mass resignations and consider my proposal of bringing a no-confidence motion, then certainly there is a possibility that we can work together,” said the PPP chairman while talking to reporters outside the Parliament House on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Editorial: Vicious cycle of politics: Dawn

While the PTI government is riven by internal discord, the opposition parties are too much in a state of disarray to present any serious threat to the current dispensation. But nothing is certain given the ever-shifting sands of Pakistani politics. If conspiracy theories are to be believed the game is on. Click here to read…

Pakistan to pay Dasu attack Chinese victims: The Express Tribune

A total of 10 Chinese national lost their lives and another 26 were hurt in a suicide attack on a bus that was carrying them to the work site of the Dasu Hydropower Project in July last year. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Tamil MPs seek PM Modi intervention on political solution: The Hindu

Prominent Tamil legislators from Sri Lanka’s north and east have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking India’s help in ensuring that Colombo addresses the island’s long-pending Tamil question with a lasting political solution. Click here to read…

India extends $500 million line of credit to help Sri Lanka purchase fuel: Money Control

India on Tuesday announced a $500 million credit line to help Sri Lanka purchase petroleum products as the island nation struggles with a massive fuel and energy crisis. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Pakistani NSA to Visit Kabul Tuesday: Tolo News

A high-level delegation of Pakistan, led by the country’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, is due to visit Afghanistan on Tuesday, Pakistani media reported. Click here to read…

IEA assures transparent distribution of humanitarian aids: The Khaama Press

Officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have reacted and denied that claims over humanitarian assistance are being squandered and not delivered to the people in need. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Discard after use: Why Washington parted ways with RAB- Dhaka Tribune

Should the fact that sanctions against RAB came only months after de-prioritization of counterterrorism by the Biden administration be taken as a mere coincidence? Click here to read…

EC dialogues close with Awami League- Dhaka Tribune

President praised the ruling party for taking initiative on EC law. Click here to read…

Grading eateries loses appetite- Daily Star

Plans to bring the country’s restaurants and bakeries under a grading system according to their standards have seen little progress in three years. Click here to read…

AL places proposals, including enacting law, to President- Asian Age

Bangladesh Awami League, during the talks with President M Abdul Hamid on Monday placed some proposals, including enacting new law, strengthening the Election Commission (EC) and using EVM like technologies in the polls.Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bajo, Lobesa, Khuru towns cordoned off- Kuesel

To rule out any residual Covid-19 cases in the community, Bajo and Lobesa towns in Wangdue and Khuruthang town in Punakha and the areas surrounding them would be cordoned off and movement restricted. Click here to read…

Schools gear up to implement coding curriculum- Kuensel

‘Alien Attacks,’ a game developed by eight-grader Chencho Namgyel Ghalley, won the mini-coding contest held in Thimphu yesterday. Click here to read…

Opposition says govt’s. chili and egg import lift not sustainable- Bhutan Times

The opposition party is concerned with the government’s interim measure in allowing the import of chilies and eggs to overcome the shortage in the country as it will affect the food self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and sustainable growth rate of the country. Click here to read…

Booster dose for all eligible population to begin this month- BBS

The health ministry will roll out the COVID-19 booster dose for the eligible population on 24 of this month. The Health Minister said the country received 150,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine yesterday. The doses will be enough for approximately 300,000 people. The ministry will announce the booster rollout plan in the coming days. Click here to read…

Maldives

Over 500 new Covid-19 cases confirmed across Maldives capital in 24 hours – Raajje

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), a total of 954 new Covid-19 cases and 1,958 additional recoveries were confirmed across the archipelago nation between 6pm Friday and 6pm Saturday. Click here to read…

With #IndiaOut, Maldives opposition expanding links to China – Sunday Guardian Live

Just about a year ago, on 28 August 2020, the Opposition coalition of Progressive Party of Maldives and People’s National Congress held a number of rallies across the nation to protest the so-called “selling off of Maldives” to India. Click here to read…

Myanmar

ASEAN to invite Myanmar’s non-political representative to meetings until ‘meaningful progress’ is made on five-point consensus: PM Lee – The Bharat Express News

Until there is “meaningful progress” in implementing the five-point consensus, ASEAN should stick to its decision made at the 38th and 39th ASEAN summits to invite an apolitical representative from Myanmar at ASEAN meetings, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on January 15. Click here to read…

More could be done to restore peace as invitation already extended for peace talks resumption: Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing – Eleven Myanmar

Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has expressed his belief that more could be done to restore internal peace as the invitation has been extended to peace talks for the resumption of new paces of peace.Click here to read…

Fight between military and rebels intensifies as hundreds of monks flee Myanmar: Report – WioNews

Intense fighting between the military junta and rebel groups have forced hundreds of monks to flee temples in eastern Myanmar as crackdown intensifies, according to media reports. The United Nations (UN) estimates that almost 90,000 people have fled, with local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) placing that figure far higher at 170,000. Click here to read…

Pay your power bill or pay with your life, Myanmar soldiers warn citizens – First Post

The schoolteacher had just gotten out of bed when four Myanmar army soldiers pounded on her door. Her electricity payment was overdue, they said, and ordered her to pay it immediately at the government power company office. Click here to read…

Philippines says ‘indispensable’ Suu Kyi must be involved in Myanmar peace process – Reuters

Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is “indispensable” in restoring democracy to the military-ruled country and must be included in any peace talks, regardless of her conviction, the Philippines’ foreign minister said on Sunday. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal’s active Covid-19 caseload advances to 30,877 as 5747 more test positive- Himalaya

The national active Covid-19 caseload of Nepal climbed to 30,877 on Monday as 5,747 people tested positive for the infection in past 24 hours. Click here to read…

Province 2 named Madhes Pradesh, Janakpur capital- Himalaya

The long-standing debates on naming Province 2 and designating its capital have been eventually settled as the province has been named Madhesh, while Janakpur was chosen as its permanent capital. Click here to read…

Oxygen may not be an issue like last year, but experts stress preparedness- Kathmandu Post

Shortages of the life-saving gas during the second wave prompted hospitals to step up capacity. Doctors say there is a need to keep a close eye on the virus situation. Click here to read…

Kathmandu’s temple restoration after 1934 quake- Nepali Times

Monuments were rebuilt using Moghul style, and structural elements were interchanged. Click here to read…

Major U.S. airlines warn 5G could ground some planes, wreak havoc- Republica

The chief executives of major U.S. passenger and cargo carriers on Monday warned of an impending “catastrophic” aviation crisis in less than 36 hours, when AT&T (T.N) and Verizon (VZ.N) are set to deploy new 5G service. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan keen to work on gas project, PM Imran assures Putin: Dawn

PM Khan and President Putin spoke by phone about the progress in relations between the two countries, regional situation, Islamophobia and justification of blasphemy by some of the western countries as freedom of expression. Click here to read…

Editorial: The establishment pivot: Dawn

INFORMATION Minister Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that four senior members of the PML-N have met some important people and offered themselves as replacement for the Sharif family. The PML-N has rubbished this claim contemptuously. Click here to read…

Pakistan ‘successfully completes’ trial of Chinese herbal medicine to fight Covid:The Express Tribune

The Chinese medicine, Jinhua Qinggan Granules (JHQG) manufactured by Juxiechang (Beijing) pharmaceutical Co Ltd, is already being used in treatment of Covid-19 patients in China. Lanka invites Indian investments in infra, energy & manufacturing as Jaishankar & Basil Rajapaksa review status of loan request: Economic Times

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a virtual meeting with Finance Minister of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa on Saturday. This interaction follows Rajapaksa’s visit to India last month. Click here to read…