Afghanistan
SCO countries highlight the urgent need for inclusive govt in Afghanistan: ANI
Deputy Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries held consultations in Moscow where they highlighted the need for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan as soon as possible. Click here to read…
10 killed, 40 hurt in Afghanistan blasts: Tribune India
A series of explosions across Afghanistan on Thursday killed at least 10 persons and wounded several others, according to police and hospital officials. Click here to read…
China believes that Pakistan, Afghanistan can settle their issues through dialogue: News On Air
China on Thursday cautiously reacted to the Pakistani military’s air attack in Afghanistan on Saturday, killing at least 47 civilians and leaving two dozen wounded in the border region of Khost and KunarClick here to read…
Taliban condemn blasts that killed many in Kabul and other Afghan cities: Business Standard
The Taliban condemned the blasts which occurred in different places in Afghanistan including Kabul, Balkh, and Kunduz on Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, an explosion at a mosque in the Afghan city took place in which dozens of worshippers were killed. Click here to read…
Bangladesh
Gas for industries: Govt backtracks on decision to suspend supply- The Daily Star
The government has stepped back from suspending commercial gas supply for fixed hours after facing tremendous pressure from businesspersons. Click here to read…
Momen questions quality of the US rights report- The Daily Star
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has questioned the quality of the US human rights report on Bangladesh, noting that Bangladeshi officials at the US Embassy in Dhaka prepared the initial draft collecting information from media reports and some NGOs. Click here to read…
Focus now on food industry to boost export: PM- The Daily Star
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government is prioritising the food processing industry to boost export of food items alongside meeting the growing domestic demand. Click here to read…
Those who attacked journalists during New Market clash will face charges: Info Minister-The Daily Star
Those who attacked journalists during clashes between Dhaka College students and traders in New Market will be brought to justice, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud today (April 21, 2022). Click here to read…
Bhutan
Everyone’s responsibility to protect foreign currency reserve: Finance Minister- Kuensel
The government is exercising the “highest prudence” in the management of the convertible currency (CC) reserve as economic activities are expected to resume. Click here to read…
Illegal cordyceps collectors in Lunana- Kuensel
A team of foresters, armed forces personnel and tshogpas left for various sites in Lunana yesterday following a report of illegal Yartsa Goenbub (Cordyceps Sinensis) collection. Click here to read…
(Editorial) Truth versus the social media hypocrisy- Bhutan Times
Our social media discourses today are filled with disgust, venom, an utter lack of empathy and half-baked truth and information. Click here to read…
Local areca nut processing firm faces stiff competition from Indian traders- Bhutan Times
The lone areca nut (doma) processing unit in Chuzergang, Sarpang is not getting enough supplies from local nut growers as most growers opt to sell their produce to Indian buyers. Click here to read…
A closer look at Bhutan’s national flag- Daily Bhutan
Although the latest version of the flag has been around since 1969, it was only on June 8, 1972 that the country introduced the Bhutan flag code of conduct, known as Resolution 28. Click here to read…
Opposition Party on discontinuation of the post of Gaydrung- BBS
The Opposition Party has called upon the government to reconsider its decision to discontinue the post of Gaydrung. Click here to read…
Handicraft shops look for steady recovery as tourism restarts- BBS
After a hiatus of two years amid the pandemic, the handicraft shops in Paro are now gradually opening their shutters. Handicraft and souvenir businesses came to a standstill after the country suspended the entry of tourists following the detection of the first case two years ago. Click here to read…
Maldives
Indian Navy Chief concludes Maldives visit with focus on bolstering maritime ties: News On Air
After assuming the office of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral R Hari Kumar visited the Maldives from 18 to 20 April 22 as a part of his first overseas visit. Click here to read…
Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka urges caution amidst protests: Edition MV
High Commission of Maldives in Sri Lanka urges Maldivians in Sri Lanka to exercise caution in areas where the locals are protesting against the government over the current economic crisis in the nation. Click here to read…
Maldives issues decree to ban anti-India protests: Indian Express
Amid the “India Out” campaign that has been roiling Maldives for months, its President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih Thursday issued a decree banning protests against the country, citing a threat to national security. Click here to read…
Myanmar
How the Coup Shattered the Image of Myanmar’s Military – The Diplomat
People in Myanmar have been deeply critical of the Tatmadaw for decades, but their view of the military has changed in important ways since the early 2021 coup. Taking stock of public opinion toward the ongoing military’s brutalities requires moving beyond words like “critical” or even “hated” to capture the actual sentiment among civilians toward Tatmadaw. Click here to read…
More than 500 Rohingya flee Malaysian detention, 6 die on highway – LaTimes
More than 500 Rohingya refugees escaped from detention in Malaysia on Wednesday following a protest but most were rearrested, immigration officials said. Click here to read…
Military-led Myanmar seeks to reassure foreign investors – Star Tribune
Myanmar officials sought Thursday to counter worries over sanctions, energy shortages and currency controls that are adding to the military-led government’s challenges in managing the economy. Click here to read…
Civilians Fear Fighting In Northern Rakhine State – BNI Online
The Burma Army (BA) is stepping up its presence in northern Rakhine State amid escalating tensions with the Arakan Army (AA) after several skirmishes this year that threaten to destabilise an informal ceasefire observed since just before the coup over a year ago. In March 2021, the regime removed the political wing of AA, the United League of Arakan (ULA), from the list of terrorist organisations in the Southeast Asian nation. Click here to read…
Nepal
Gautam Buddha International Airport begins operation with domestic flights- Himalaya
The second international airport of Nepal – Gautam Buddha International Airport – considered a national pride project built in Lumbini, formally came into operation today with domestic flights taking off from the new airport. Click here to read…
Two killed in blast at oxygen plant in Lalitpur- Himalaya
At least two people were killed and six suffered injuries in a blast that occurred at an oxygen plant in Patan Industrial Area, Lalitpur, at around 10:00am today. Click here to read…
WHO chief meets Foreign Minister Khadka- Himalaya
Director-General of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus along with Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh met Dr Narayan Khadka, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and WHO Representative to Nepal Dr Rajesh Pandav, on Thursday. Click here to read…
China asserts, with envoy addressing issues—help for Nepal to world order- Kathmandu Post
Hou Yanqi says Beijing stands for its southern neighbour as she sheds light on the difficulties investors face in Nepal and challenges in cross-border railway from north. Click here to read…
UML feels the heat as nomination filing dates draw closer- Kathmandu Post
The opposition party, which was putting on a brave face, is now seeking support from several fringe parties. Click here to read…
Ruling parties to hold joint election rallies in all provinces- Republica
The five-party ruling coalition is going to hold joint election meetings in all the provinces in the lead up to the local level election to be held on May 13. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Pakistan gets six ‘pricey’ bids for LNG: The Dawn
Energy-starved Pakistan has decided in principle to accept a total of six LNG cargoes at bid prices between $24.15 and $32.6 per million British Thermal Units (mmBtu) for delivery from May 1 to June 22 period to meet peak winter electricity demand. Click here to read…
Imran Khan applauds India yet again, calls for fresh polls in Pak at power show: Hindustan Times
Imran Khan on Thursday yet again called for fresh polls in Pakistan – weeks after his ouster as the country’s prime minister – while he addressed yet another power show, this time in Lahore. He also praised India yet again for its foreign policy, stressing that the country “thinks for its own people before the benefit of other countries”.Click here to read…
Ilhan Omar on ‘unofficial, personal’ Pakistan visit, does not represent US government policy, says Biden official: ANI
US lawmaker Ilhan Omar’s meeting with recently ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and her “unofficial, personal” visit to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) did not represent the United States government in any way, an official said on Thursday. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka completes payment for Russian coal, easing power crisis: Khaleej Times
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka has paid for two Russian cargoes to SUEK AG’s Singapore unit through a telegraphic transfer, two senior government officials told Reuters, in a move that is likely to help ease the island nation’s crippling power shortage. Click here to read…
Politically motivated infrastructure projects part of the reason for Sri Lanka’s economic crisis: CNBC
The Sri Lanka government embarked on a series of infrastructure projects, including the Hambantota Harbour and Colombo Port City. With the promise of strong revenues and a stronger foothold in the project commercial landscape. Click here to read…
As Sri Lanka pins hopes on IMF, China pledges more aid: The Hindu
China has pledged “an urgent emergency humanitarian aid” of RMB 200 million [roughly $ 31 million] to Sri Lanka, even as Colombo pursues upto $4 billion support from the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC this week. Click here to read…
China’s bid for influence in Asia does not stop with the Solomon Islands. This is how Beijing gained a foothold in Sri Lanka: ABC News
For weeks, Sri Lankans have been protesting and occupying their country’s picturesque commercial capital Colombo, angry about a debilitating economic crisis that has stopped basic services. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka needs deep economic reforms to dig its way out of the crisis: Times Of India
A series of developments this week augured well for Sri Lanka. On the political front, 17 new ministerial appointments were initiated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, suggesting an end to the political logjam. Click here to read…