Afghanistan
Afghan Delegates Meet EU Envoys in Doha: Tolo News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Tuesday evening that the Islamic Emirate delegates held talks with European Union’s representatives today in Doha and discussed Afghanistan’s requirements as well as the humanitarian, health and education situation. Click here to read…
Islamic Emirate Might ‘Change Policy’ Toward US If Funds Withheld: Tolo News
The Islamic Emirate issued a statement on Monday in reaction to US President Joe Biden’s Executive Order regarding the frozen funds of Afghanistan’s central bank, and they called on him to abandon this course of action. Click here to read…
Pakistan denies ISI chief meeting Afghan Jihadi leaders in Turkey: The Khaama Press
Pakistan’s embassy based in Kabul denied the meeting of the chief of the country’s spying agency with Afghan Jihadi leaders- Atta Muhammad Noor, Abdul Rashid Dustom, and Muhammad Muhaqiq- in Turkey. Click here to read…
Bangladesh
Rainwater could meet up to 60pc water demand at garment factories- Daily Star
Harvested rainwater currently meets 15 per cent to 60 per cent of the demand for non-drinkable water at textile and garment factories, helping the industry further its green movement by reducing dependence on groundwater, according to a study released yesterday. Click here to read…
Covid-19 pandemic: 69% of deceased in 2022 were unvaccinated- Dhaka Tribune
Over 100 million people have received one dose, 71.4 million people two doses, and 2.7 million people three doses of the vaccine. Click here to read…
BNP’s ‘no’ to all means no to democracy: Hasan- Observer
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said the habit of telling ‘no’ by BNP to everything is tantamount to saying no to democracy. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Agencies investigate digital business schemes- Kuensel
While netizens continue to debate whether or not a certain digital business scheme is a pyramid scheme, agencies have launched investigations to ascertain the claims. Click here to read…
Teachers at PS and LSS in red zones will not report to schools today- Kuensel
While primary and lower secondary teachers in green zones will report to schools today, those in the red zones will not. Click here to read…
Heavy snowfall blocks GC road in Zhemgang- BBS
Triggered by the recent heavy snowfall, about a two-kilometre stretch of the Gewog Centre (GC) road at Malaya pass in Zhemgang has been closed to traffic for about three weeks now. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Indonesia looks to steer Asean out of Myanmar coup fallout- The Star
Indonesia will at this week’s Asean retreat propose the creation of an eminent person group to formulate a regional vision beyond 2025, which improves on the bloc’s ability to deal with “current challenges” amid doubts over its handling of crises including the Myanmar coup fallout. Click here to read…
Myanmar Issue Hardens Divisions in ASEAN- Voa News
Efforts by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to bring Myanmar back into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have cemented a split within the trade group between mainland authoritarian governments and democratic maritime powers, analysts said. Click here to read…
Maldives
UNDP-Economic Ministry signs MoU – SUN
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ministry of Economic Development on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide technical assistance to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and enhance investments in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Maldives. Click here to read…
Foreign Ministry advices against travel to Ukraine, urges Maldivians at Ukraine to register themselves – SUN
Subsequent to the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with a war possibly hanging over –Foreign Ministry has instructed Maldivians living in Ukraine to register themselves at the Maldivian Embassy in Germany. Click here to read…
Fenaka signs MoU with Youth Ministry to train youths – SUN
Fenaka Corporation and Youth Ministry have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct Certificate Level III training programs for youths under the National Apprenticeship Program. Click here to read…
Lord Ahmad, Minister Mariya discuss growth of Maldives – UK defence engagement – Raajje
Lord Ahmad highlighted the UK Government’s commitment to boost cooperation with Maldives. Minister Mariya noted that, despite Covid-19, Britain opened up its prestigious military institutions to Maldivian servicemen. Lord Ahmad called on Minister Mariya on Tuesday. Click here to read…
India donates medical equipment to Senahiya – Raajje
Minister Mariya expressed gratitude for India’s assistance to further strengthen the defence force to achieve the common goal of maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. India donated medical equipment to Senahiya Military Hospital on Monday. Click here to read…
Nepal
NC keen to table MCC compact in Parliament- Himalaya
Nepali Congress parliamentary party and central executive committee have decided to vote in favour of the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact in the House of Representatives.Click here to read…
Eight suspected uranium smugglers held- Himalaya
Police arrested eight people from Bouddha area of Kathmandu on the suspicion of smuggling around three kilograms of uranium, a radioactive element. Click here to read…
Vaccine mishandling led to wastage of over 50,000 doses: Report- Kathmandu Post
It points out more pressing issues regarding vaccination and record keeping, and says it found 455,355 more doses than doses on government records. Click here to read…
Um Hong-Gil’s Project Impossible- Times
Famous Korean climber’s next goal after summiting the world’s 16 highest peaks is to build schools across Nepal. Click here to read…
CPN (Maoist Center) parliamentary party meeting today- Republica
CPN (Maoist Center) has called its parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday. The meeting has been called at 10 AM so as to make its presence more effective in the House of Representatives (HoR). Click here to read…
Pakistan
Petroleum prices reach record levels: Dawn
The government on Tuesday increased the prices of all petroleum products by Rs10 to Rs12 per litre for next fortnight ending on Feb 28 to pass on the impact of higher international oil prices and application of additional petroleum levy, as committed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Click here to read…
PM Imran will hold consultation on new army chief when time comes: President Alvi: Dawn
The president expressed these views during an interview with DawnNewsTV’s Adil Shahzeb, scheduled to be aired later today. His comments come a day after Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Bajwa held rare same-day talks with President Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Click here to read…
PM Office seeks Rs200b to offset inflation impact: The Express Tribune
PM Imran Khan wants to bail out the lower- and middle-income groups from the adverse impacts of inflation and his office has asked for the additional budget of around Rs200 billion for the purpose, sources told The Express Tribune. Click here to read…
Withdrawal of Personal Income Tax exemptions: Govt to hold tough negotiations with IMF, says Shaukat Tarin: The News
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenues Shaukat Tarin said on Tuesday that the government would hold tough negotiations with the IMF for withdrawal of Personal Income Tax (PIT) exemptions and bringing changes in its existing slabs as wish list could not be implemented in totality. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
India hands over 40,000 MT fuel consignment to Sri Lanka- The Print
Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka on Tuesday handed over 40,000 MT fuel consignment by Indian Oil Corp Ltd to Sri Lankan Energy Minister, Udaya Gammanpila. Click here to read…
Sri Lankan FM to visit India to formalise economic relief package- The Hindu
The close integration of our economy with India would be very beneficial, one third of our tourist arrivals are from India. Click here to read…
LKI-EU host conference on EU-Indo-Pacific Strategy- Daily Mirror
The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives hosted a half-day conference on the theme, The EU Indo-Pacific Strategy through Sri Lanka’s Lens: Opportunities for Cooperation and Partnership on Thursday, January 27 2022. Click here to read…