Afghanistan
US Has ‘Leverage to Wield’ With Islamic Emirate: State Dept: Tolo News
In reaction to the Islamic Emirate’s recent restrictions on women’s rights, a spokesman for the US Department of State said “when we’re acting with partners around the world, we have sources of leverage to wield with the Taliban.” Click here to read…
Tax Exemption Extended for Another 4 Months by Ministry of Finance: The Khaama Press
The Taliban Ministry of Finance has published a statement stating that the tax exemption period has been extended for another four months due to small enterprises’ inability to pay taxes. Click here to read…
Bangladesh
‘I can assure you of best policy framework’-The Daily Star
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday invited US businesspersons with the assurance of the best possible policy framework for an investment-friendly atmosphere in Bangladesh. Click here to read…
Proposed rules may discourage investment-The Daily Star
US Ambassador Peter Haas yesterday said the proposed regulation on data protection and governing online contents could force digital businesses to reconsider investment plans in Bangladesh. Click here to read…
Preserving Old Dhaka’s heritage-The Daily Star
The Bangladesh chapter of European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) has announced a new initiative to study and preserve the architectural heritage of Old Dhaka. Click here to read…
Company run trains: It’s costing BR dearly-The Daily Star
For every kilometre an individual travelled by train operated by private firms, the Bangladesh Railway spent Tk 2.43 and earned Tk 0.62, incurring a loss of Tk 1.81, according to the last three years’ data presented before the parliamentary body on railways ministry. Click here to read…
Bhutan
His Majesty returns from tour to southern dzongkhags- Kuensel
His Majesty The King granted an audience to the de-suups of the 49th batch De-Suung Accelerated Training Programme at Tencholing today. Click here to read…
(Editorial) An all-electric taxi country?- Kuensel
Can Bhutan become the first country to replace all its fleet of fossil fuel driven taxis with electric vehicles? Sounds ambitious, but it is not impossible either. Click here to read…
Bhutan steps up efforts to remain carbon neutral in transport sectors- Bhutan Times
Bhutan received 52 additional electric vehicles ( EV) taxis as part of ongoing support to the Royal Government of Bhutan on 7 May. Click here to read…
Maldives
Ex-president Yameen: Decree banning ‘India Out’ shouldn’t be enforced: The Sun
Leader of the opposition PPM-PNC coalition, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said on Tuesday that the presidential decree issued to stop the ‘India Out’ movement shouldn’t be enforced. Click here to read…
President urges society to preserve the dignity of children: Raajje MV
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged the society to make every effort to protect and preserve the dignity of every child. President Solih called on the society to make this effort in his statement on the occasion of Children’s Day. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Over a Year Later, Myanmar’s Military Coup Threatens India’s National Security – USIP
The conflict in Myanmar triggered by the February 1, 2021, military coup that toppled the democratically elected government has not only become a disaster for Myanmar, but also for countries across the region. The impact on Myanmar’s western neighbors, however, has largely gone unexamined — with the exception of analysis of the consequences for Rohingya refugees, who are indefinitely stranded in Bangladesh with no chance of safely returning to Myanmar under this military regime. Click here to read…
Regime’s Offer of Peace Talks is a Ruse to buy Time for Myanmar Military – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s long history of civil war can be categorized as periods of alternating clashes and peace talks. It is often said that politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed. Often, the warring sides will call for honesty for the sake of peace, before they question each other’s honesty. Click here to read…
What to Expect From the US-ASEAN Summit – The Irrawaddy
The White House will host this week the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for a US-ASEAN Special Summit. With the Russia-Ukraine war dominating international attention, the Biden administration has said the summit demonstrates its “enduring commitment” to ASEAN and that the Indo-Pacific region is a US national security priority. Click here to read…
Junta Bars UN Special Envoy on Myanmar From ASEAN Meeting – The Irrawaddy
The UN Special Envoy for Myanmar was blocked by the country’s junta from attending a meeting on humanitarian assistance for the Southeast Asian nation, which has been devastated by last year’s military coup. Click here to read…
Sale of Myanmar Coup Leader’s Mansion Raises US$2 Million in Three Days – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s parallel National Unity Government (NUG) sale of the Yangon mansion of junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been embraced by the Myanmar people, who bought shares worth US$2 million in the first three days of the residence going on sale. Click here to read…
Pakistan
‘N’ bigwigs in London to seek Nawaz’s counsel: Dawn
As tensions run high on the political front, the prime minister and senior leadership of the main government party, PML-N, have decamped to London where they are due to meet with party supremo Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday (today). Click here to read…
IMF asks for Rs7.25tr tax collection target: The Express Tribune
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded that Pakistan fix next fiscal year’s tax collection target at Rs7.25 trillion, which will require imposition of additional taxes of around Rs300 billion, including withdrawal of agriculture tax exemptions and increase in burden on the salaried class. Click here to read…
PTI and army keeping Pakistan together: Imran Khan: The News
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday his party and the country’s armed forces were the two things “keeping Pakistan together”, as he lashed out at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
Meeting to be held to bring back Indian fishing boats from Sri Lanka, says MoS: Mathrubhumi’
Minister of State (MoS) for Fisheries Dr. L Murugan on Tuesday said that after the situation improves in Sri Lanka, a meeting of the Joint Committee comprising representatives of MEA and the Department of Fisheries of both the countries will be held to bring back Indian fishing boats. Click here to read…
Silent on Rajapaksas, India supports ‘people of Lanka’, their ‘best interests’: CNN
Protesters in Sri Lanka have burned down homes belonging to 38 politicians as the situation in the crisis-hit country plunged further into chaos, with police being ordered to “shoot on sight”.Click here to read…
India fully supportive of Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability and economic recovery: MEA: India Today
A day after Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa quit following massive anti-government protests, India on Tuesday said it will always be guided by the “best interests” of the people of the island nation. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka on boil, Mahinda takes shelter at naval base: Hindustan Times
Sri Lanka’s former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa took refuge at a naval base on the northeast coast of the island nation as the fire of deadly protests spread across the country, with thousands of demonstrators defying a nationwide curfew to express anger over the nation’s worst ever economic crisis. Click here to read…