Afghanistan

Khalilzad Steps Down as Top US Envoy to Afghanistan: Tolo News

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US peace envoy to Afghanistan, has stepped down, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday. Click here to read…

Islamic Emirate Hopes Moscow Meeting Leads to Recognition: Tolo News

A senior delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by Abdul Salam Hanafi, second deputy of the prime minister, is set to visit Moscow on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Pakistan allows 1,000 Afghan students to cross Torkham: The Khaama Press

Pakistan’s embassy based in Kabul in a statement said that up to one thousand Afghan students were allowed to cross Torkham crossing into the country. Click here to read…

House-to-house polio vaccination to begin in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

WHO and UNICEF in a statement welcomed the decision by the Taliban as they allowed the vaccination process to all children in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

US does not attend Moscow conference on Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

US department of state on Monday, October 18 said that they will not send a representative to a Russia-hosted conference that is concentrated on Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

When fear is all they feel- Daily Star

They were already cringing in horror over what had happened at different places across the country over the last few days. Click here to read…

AL to hold nationwide ‘harmony rallies’ today- Daily Star

The ruling Awami League yesterday announced that it will hold ‘harmony rallies’ and bring out peace processions across the country today against the recent communal violence. Click here to read…

Editorial: This has to stop- Dhaka Tribune

This is just one of the many incidents of hate and violence directed at our Hindu population over the past few days. Click here to read…

Tour Diary: Struggling Bangladeshi expats in Oman seek authorities’ attention- Dhaka Tribune

Despite being in large numbers, struggles are in abundance among the Bangladeshis in Oman. Click here to read…

AL ministers blame BNP-Jamaat, vow strict action- Dhaka Tribune

BNP-Jamaat is behind all the unrest occurring in the country now, says information minister. Click here to read…

BNP thinks communal attacks part of AL’s ‘evil design’- Dhaka Tribune

Mirza Fakhrul says AL leaders are blaming the BNP without any investigation. Click here to read…

Bangladesh, India to celebrate ‘Maitree Diwas’ in 18 countries Dec 6- Dhaka Tribune

The two countries are hosting a ‘Maitree Diwas’ logo and backdrop design competition. Click here to read…

PM urges people’s vigilance against 1975-like carnage- Dhaka Tribune

Everyone must perform their duties accordingly to give children security, love and a beautiful and meaningful life, she says. Click here to read…

We are working for a harmonious country: PM- Asian Age

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Monday that the government is working to build up a Bangladesh on the basis of communal harmony where people of all religious beliefs will be able to live in peace. Click here to read…

China’s economic growth slows as power woes bite- Asian Age

China’s economy grew 4.9% in the July to September quarter from a year earlier, the slowest pace in a year and worse than analysts had predicted. Click here to read…

Court indicts ex-Rajuk chairman, three others over FR Tower fire- Observer

A Dhaka court on Monday framed charges against four people, including the former Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) chairman Humayun Khadem in a case filed over the FR Tower fire. Click here to read…

300 tourists stranded on St Martin’s Island due to rough weather- The Independent

Some 300 tourists have got stranded on St Martin’s Island in the Bay of Bengal due to inclement weather. The authorities concerned have suspended the movement of passenger vessels between Teknaf and St Martin’s Island from Sunday afternoon. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Roadblock at Namling to remain longer- Kuensel

The Department of Roads (DoR) officials are currently unable to estimate when the roadblock at Namling on the Mongar-Bumthang highway can be cleared and the road opened to traffic, due to continuous soil and rockslides. Click here to read…

Gasa Tshachhu flood caused damage Nu 4M- Kuensel

Property worth Nu 4 million (M) has been confirmed damaged or washed away by the swollen Mochhu on August 26 this year. Click here to read…

Tapping Bhutan’s Vast Solar Energy Reserves- Bhutan Times

Exploring Renewable Energy sources has become the need of the hour as climate issues have now taken the centre-stage in our developmental plans and priorities. Click here to read…

MoLHR connects talents of youth with the job market- Bhutan Times

Through efforts such as sharing successful stories, the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources (MoLHR) is connecting young people’s abilities with the labor market. Click here to read…

NITAG recommends third dose for immunocompromised people- Bhutan Times

The committee also recommended a booster dose of mRNA for people aged 60 and older, active frontline workers, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. Click here to read…

Commemorating the birth anniversary of Third Druk Gyalpo- Bhutan Times

The Embassy of India organized an Art Competition to commemorate the birth anniversary of His Majesty the Third Druk Gyalpo in collaboration with Sherubtse College, Kanglung. Click here to read…

Visitors can look forward to a brand-new experience at Paro International Airport- Daily Bhutan

Thanks to His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Paro Airport now boasts a new look. Visitors flying into Bhutan can look forward to a fresh experience at its national aviation facility. Click here to read…

Fuel price hits all-time high- BBS

The price of petrol and diesel has recorded an all-time high this month. The price of petrol increased by almost Nu 4 on Saturday. Diesel saw an increase of more than Nu 5 per litre. Click here to read…

Bhutan attracts thousands of visitors at World Expo in Dubai- BBS

For the first time, Bhutan is taking part in the World Expo, currently taking place at Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Click here to read…

Schools in need of sports infrastructure – Punakha- BBS

Games and sports in schools are important. Besides keeping children physically fit, it also helps them develop confidence and leadership skills. But at Thinleygang Primary School and Kabesa Central School in Punakha, access to sports is a challenge due to the lack of proper sports infrastructure. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives calls for rapid and immediate action to fight climate change – CNBC
The world’s largest carbon emitters are not listening to what’s happening to countries facing extreme weather changes, said the minister of environment of Maldives, an island nation at risk of disappearing by the end of the century. Click here to read…

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment of Australia, in the Maldives – Raajje

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment of Australia Dan Tehan has arrived in the Maldives. Click here to read…

Sustainable Future Forum Asia: Responsibility & Regulation – CNBC

The Sustainable Future Forum Asia session on Monday focused on responsibility and regulation. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Justice for Myanmar – Twitter

Myanmar military terrorists are using Australian radios. #Myanmar army has been attempting to procure parts for tactical radios from Oz defence firm Barrett Communications. Click here to read…

Myanmar FDI drops to 8-year low, reflecting post-takeover unrest – Asia Nikkei

IMF expects economy to shrink next year as foreign currency revenue disappears. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta frees thousands of detainees in amnesty – RFA

Myanmar’s military freed thousands of people arrested for protesting its February coup under strict conditions on Monday, prompting observers to dismiss the move as a bid to appease the international community at a time when the junta is facing both global and domestic pressure to step down. Click here to read…

Nepal

UML to continue obstructing House proceedings- Himalaya

The CPN-UML, which has been stalling House proceedings since September 8 when the new session of Parliament began, will continue to do so unless Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota confirms the expulsion of 14 UML lawmakers, including Madhav Kumar Nepal who now heads the CPN (Unified Socialist). Click here to read…

Police slammed for using excessive force on protesters- Himalaya

Human Rights Watch has accused Nepal Police of using excessive force and demanded that Nepali authorities independently investigate the eviction drive of people living in squatter settlements. Click here to read…

Valley life unlikely to normalise for a few days- Himalaya

The official holidays for Nepal’s greatest festival of Dashain ended today. However, life inside Kathmandu valley is unlikely to normalise for the next few days. Click here to read…

Despite laws in place, justice still out of reach for Dalits in Nepal- TKP

In May 2020, Nabaraj BK, of Jajarkot, a midwestern hill district in Nepal, had gone to the neighbouring district of Rukum (West) with a group of friends. Click here to read…

Two years since Xi’s visit, Nepal-China ‘strategic partnership’ remains an enigma- TKP

It has been a little over two years since Nepal and China elevated bilateral ties to “strategic partnership”. Click here to read…

https://bit.ly/3jdIKqA

Oil exports may suffer after India slashes import duty- TKP

Nepal’s edible oil exports to India may take a hit as reduced import duty by the southern neighbour may boost overseas buying by Indian traders themselves, insiders said. Click here to read…

The start of the Anglo-Gorkha war- Nepali Times

Nepali Times reporter Alisha Sijapati spent a month retracing the Gorkha expansion beyond the Mahakali River more than 200 years ago to Garhwal, Kumaon and beyond. Click here to read…

ADB to give priority for accessible energy to marginalized people for sustainable growth- Republica

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sought to promote cleaner cooking and heating solutions to the people from developing member countries (DMCs), who are living without access to modern energy systems. Click here to read…

Nepal records 591 new cases, 937 recoveries and nine deaths on Monday- Republica

Nepal has recorded 591 new cases of COVID-19 along with 937 recoveries and nine deaths on Monday. Click here to read…

Generations of Nepalis from Sudurpaschim went to India to work. It’s likely to continue for years- Online Khabar

What is even worse is, the government does not even have data regarding how many workers leave Nepal each year. Due to the open border, Nepali officials hardly keep data of the people. Click here to read…

Pakistan

PDM announces nationwide agitation from Oct 20: Dawn

The central committee of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Monday finally gave its consent to the longstanding demand of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to launch a countrywide agitation against the government. Click here to read…

Bajwa stresses Pakistan’s desire for ‘enduring ties’ with US: Dawn

Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa reiterated Pakistan’s desire for “enduring ties” with the United States. Click here to read…

PM Office receives summary for DG ISI appointment: The Express Tribune

Yes, a summary has been moved [regarding the appointment of new ISI chief],” confirmed a relevant official while requesting anonymity. Click here to read…

Talks with IMF have not failed, Tarin rejects media reports: The Express Tribune

Tarin made these remarks in conversation with reporters after addressing the Pakistani community at the New York consulate general on Sunday evening. Click here to read…

Dollar rises to new record: The News

The value of the US dollar reached an all-time high against the Pak rupee on Monday, selling for Rs172.78 in the interbank market. Click here to read…

Pakistan ranks 130 out of 139 countries in adherence to rule of law: The News

The World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2021 report shows that Pakistan is among the lowest ranked countries in its adherence to the rule of law, ranking 130th out of 139 nations. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

UNP Deputy Leader questions grey matter of ruling politicians – The Island

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene says that there is a serious doubt whether some ruling party politicians had actually attended school or what type of education some of them had during their schooling when considering the statements, the latter make with regard to ongoing trade union action by teachers and principals. Click here to read…

Financial crisis so acute teachers’ demands cannot be met – SLPP Chairman – The Island

SLPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (18) emphasised that the worsening financial crisis experienced by the country was so acute the government wasn’t in a position to grant the salary increase sought by school principals and teachers. Click here to read…

Afghan situation could impact SL, other coastal nations – ambassador – Ceylon Today

Afghan ambassador in Colombo M. Ashraf Haidari has warned that maritime security in the Indian Ocean region would most be affected by the unfolding situation in his country with implications for coastal nations, including Sri Lanka. Click here to read…