Afghanistan
Tourism Continues in Bamiyan, But Has Decreased: Tolo News
Bamiyan is a history-rich province and the target destination of many domestic and foreign visitors. Tourists who visited Bamiyan recount their positive experiences: Click here to read…
Karzai Tells CNN Burqa is Not Afghan Tradition: Tolo News
Former President Hamid Karzai in an interview with CNN said that covering faces is not Hijab and the use of the Burqa is not Afghan tradition but “Burqa has come to Afghanistan probably 200-300 years ago, and countryside women don’t wear” it. Click here to read…
Afghan Politicians Expect Taliban to Collaborate for Future Decision: The Khaama Press
Political figures still in Afghanistan expect the Taliban government to collaborate for any future decision concerning all aspect of the country, according to sources, following the establishment of a commission that engages former politicians. Click here to read…
India shouldn’t retain ties with Afghanistan’s previous rulers, says Taliban leader Shaheen: ThePrint
India should establish ties based on national and mutual interest with the Taliban government in Kabul and sever all links with the former Ashraf Ghani government, according to Suhail Shaheen, head of the Taliban’s political office in Doha and official spokespersonClick here to read…
Bangladesh
New economic grouping: Washington wants Dhaka in- The Daily Star
The US wants Bangladesh to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a new regional trade initiative launched by Joe Biden in Japan yesterday. Click here to read…
Moscow offers to sell crude oil to Dhaka- The Daily Star
Russia has offered to sell crude oil to Bangladesh amid reducing demand from European countries. Click here to read…
Tackling impact of pandemic, war: Act fast, act in unison- The Daily Star
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday put forward five proposals to strengthen regional cooperation against the backdrop of the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Businesses of PwDs struggle to stay afloat- Kuensel
Almost six months after the Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), established four businesses for persons with disabilities (PwDs), only a music school is operational today. Click here to read…
East-West highway widening work to complete by 2023- Kuensel
Contractors who are awarded works to widen the Ura-Serpang stretch along the East-West Highway are rushing to complete their work within the given deadline of June end this year. Click here to read…
MoLHR launches new system for employers, job seekers, and training providers- Bhutan Times
To improve the operational efficiency of the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources (MoLHR) by bringing together all allied information systems, the MoLHR launched a new MoLHR- Management Information System (MoLHR MIS) on 20 May this week. Click here to read…
Border closure diverts regional tourists to other hill destinations- Bhutan Times
Bhutan has been an internationally renowned tourist destination, however, the Covid-19 induced border closure has diverted most Bhutan-bound tourists to other destinations like Sikkim, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling. Click here to read…
Seventh session of the Parliament to commence next month- BBS
The Parliament will once again deliberate the Anti-Corruption Amendment Bill in the upcoming session. It is among the three disputed bills that the parliament will present for re-deliberation. It became a disputed bill during the last session of the parliament as the two houses could not agree on two clauses. Click here to read…
Maldives
Sinking Maldives plans to reclaim land from the ocean: The Guardian
controversial project to reclaim land on an atoll threatened by rising sea levels has been announced in the Maldives, with hopes that it may boost tourism balanced against fears that it could “choke the ecosystem”. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Tatmadaw cannot be blamed if a conflict occurs in Rakhine: SAC’s spokesperson – Eleven Myanmar
Tatmadaw cannot be blamed if a conflict occurs in Rakhine State, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Deputy Minister for Information and leader of the Information Team for the State Administration Council (SAC). Click here to read…
Malaysia ‘violated anti-terrorism agreements’ by meeting with NUG representatives: SAC Spokesperson – Eleven Myanmar
A meeting between the Malaysian Foreign Minister and representatives of National Unity Government (NUG) violated the anti-terrorism agreements, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the State Administration Council (SAC) and Deputy Minister for Information. Click here to read…
State Administration Council and its BGF Militia, Hold 92 Karen Villagers, including Four Children, Hostage – Karen News
The Karen National Union’s Thaton District Information Department reported 92 civilians, including four children, were being held against their will in a camp by the Burma Army and Border Guard Force (BGF)-1014 now stationed in Lay Kay village in Bilin Township, Karen State The KNU Information officer confirmed four children were among the 70 detained people from Hpa-an and another 22 from Bilin Townships. Click here to read…
European Commission announces addl €22m in Bangladesh, Myanmar – New Age BD
The European Commission has announced an extra €22 million in humanitarian aid to ensure life-saving support for hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh, as well as Rohingya and other conflict-affected people in Myanmar. Click here to read…
Myanmar Junta’s Threat of Fighting Dismissed as ‘Naked Joke’ by Arakan Army – The Irrawaddy
The Arakan Army’s (AA) spokesperson has said that the junta’s threat of possible future fighting in Rakhine State is a ‘naked joke’, after the regime’s spokesperson responded to the AA’s earlier warning against the Myanmar military’s commander in Rakhine. Click here to read…
Myanmar Junta Risks War in Rakhine State with Civilian Arrests – The Irrawaddy
With military tensions running high in Rakhine State, Myanmar’s regime is again arresting civilians over their alleged ties to the Arakan Army (AA), according to residents. Click here to read…
UNHCR shocked at Rohingya deaths in boat tragedy off Myanmar coast -UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is shocked and saddened by reports that more than a dozen Rohingya – including children – have perished at sea off the coast of Myanmar over the weekend. While details remain unclear, initial reports suggest the boat left Sittwe in Rakhine State, Myanmar on 19 May. It encountered bad weather in waters off Ayeyarwady Region, causing it to capsize near the coast of Pathein township on Saturday, 21 May. Click here to read…
US Under Secretary of State Zeya calls on PM Deuba- Himalayan Times
A delegation led by US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadu Deuba today. Click here to read…
Court sends Manoj Pandey, who has been accused of rape, to police custody for investigation- Kathmandu Post
Police to investigate the charges by an aspiring model against Pandey under human trafficking law. Click here to read…
After poll loss, UML chief has some answering to do within his party- Kathmandu Post
Insiders say the chair needs to take responsibility for the poor show in local elections. Click here to read…
National Assembly members demand removal of statute of limitations in rape cases- Republica
National Assembly (NA) members have drawn the attention of the House and the government to the country’s contemporary issues. Click here to read…
Fares of domestic flights to go up by up to Rs 445 per travel from Wednesday- Republica
Airline companies have hiked their airfares by up to Rs 445 per travel, to be effective from Wednesday, citing the recent hike in fuel prices. Click here to read…
Pakistan
PTI expects to ‘create history’ with march: Dawn
Despite the mercury expected to further rise in the next few days, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) hopes it will be able to gather a historic crowd in the capital that will shatter the government’s expectations. Click here to read…
SITUATIONER: Wheat shortages threaten to turn into full-blown crisis: Dawn
According to a briefing given to the prime minister earlier this month, Pakistan is expected to reap only 26.9 million tonnes of wheat this season against a target of 28.9m tonnes. An unexpected, early heatwave in mid-March shriveled wheat grains, while poor application of fertilizer (both DAP and urea), either due to unavailability or higher costs, as well as a severe shortage of water also depleted crops. Click here to read…
Govt rejects PTI’s demand for snap polls, decides to complete tenure: The Express Tribune
As the PTI is all set to march on Islamabad on Wednesday (May 25), the PML-N government and its allies have decided that the current setup will complete its tenure till August 2023 and the general elections would be held at the stipulated time next year. Click here to read…
Rupee falls for 12th consecutive day: The Express Tribune
Pakistani currency maintained its free-fall on the 12th consecutive working day, as it hit a new all-time low of Rs200.93 against the US dollar on Monday amid growing political and economic instability in the country. Click here to read…
Documents debunk Imran Khan’s claim about Russia’s cheap fuel offer: The News
There is no documentary evidence in the petroleum division of Russian offer of cheap LNG, crude oil and POL products as repeatedly claimed by former premier Imran Khan. Click here to read…
Pakistan’s ISI planning to blow up railway tracks in India: Intelligence alert: India Today
Intelligence agencies have issued an alert warning that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence has hatched a big conspiracy to target railway tracks in Punjab and its surrounding states. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s 21st Constitutional Amendment Aims To Curtail Unlimited Power To President: Republic World
The Sri Lankan constitution drafting committee on Monday presented the 21st amendment of the country’s Constitution to the cabinet as the people continue to reel under a crippling economic meltdown. The revision seeks to reverse the 19th Amendment, which gave an upper hand to the Sri Lankan President over the Parliament. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka hikes fuel prices, encourages people to work from home: Times of India
Sri Lanka hiked petrol prices by 20%-24% on Tuesday and also increased diesel prices by 35%-38%, power and energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. Click here to read…
Indian consignment of 40,000 MT of petrol reaches Sri Lanka: Daiji World
A consignment of around 40,000 metric tonnes of petrol from India reached Sri Lanka, which is reeling under its worst-ever economic crisis, on Monday, the Indian mission in the island nation announced. Click here to read…
1,500 arrested in Sri Lanka for anti-govt clashes that killed 10: Tribune India
The Sri Lankan police have arrested 1,500 persons so far in connection with the violent clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters in the country earlier this month that killed at least 10 persons. Click here to read…