PAKISTAN
Jubilant Imran promises ruthless accountability: Dawn
July 25, 2019
On the first anniversary of 2018 general elections, Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to carry out ruthless accountability of those found involved in loot and plunder. “We have to transform all institutions which had been destroyed by thieves who only want to loot Pakistan,” he said while speaking to charged party workers who thronged Islamabad International Airport in the wee hours of Thursday morning to welcome him. Click here to read....
AFGHANISTAN
Taliban Can Attend Elections After Talks With Govt: Official: Tolo
July 25, 2019
An official from Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah’s Office on Wednesday said the Taliban can take part in the upcoming presidential elections after the group begins negotiations with the Afghan government. The Taliban has consistently refused to talk to the Afghan government amid ongoing peace efforts by Kabul and Washington. “The door is opened for the Taliban whenever they are willing to come and sit with the Afghan government and take part in democratic and national stages,” said Fraidoon Khwazoon, a spokesman for Abdullah Abdullah. Click here to read....
MYANMAR
Satellite images reveal scale of Myanmar's Rohingya crisis: The Guardian
July 24, 2019
Analysis of satellite imagery has cast further doubt on promises that arrangements are being made by Myanmar for the safe and humane return of Rohingya Muslims, and revealed that the destruction of their villages has continued. Despite repeated assurances by the Myanmar government that it would repatriate the 700,000 Rohingya who fled over the border from Rakhine state after a military-led violent crackdown in August 2017 – violence described by the UN as having “genocidal intent” – the preparations for their return have been “minimal”, a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has found. Click here to read....
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka: Visa-on-arrival scheme approved for India: India Today
July 25, 2019
Sri Lanka has granted approval to issue on-arrival visa to tourists from countries, including India and China, aiming to revive its flagging tourism sector after the deadly Easter bombings. On July 10, the Sri Lankan government planned to revive the visa on arrival and free visa programme for 39 countries with effect from August 1. But the programme then, however, excluded Sri Lanka's top source markets, namely India and China, according to Colombo page. Click here to read....
CHINA
Xi presides over 9th meeting of central committee for deepening overall reform: Xinhuanet
July 25, 2019
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), presided over the ninth meeting of the central committee for deepening overall reform Wednesday. Xi, also Chinese president, chairman of the Central Military Commission, and head of the central committee for deepening overall reform, said that deepening overall reform is an important manifestation of the CPC's commitment to remaining true to its original aspiration and shouldering its founding mission. Click here to read....
As US-China trade talks resume, how much demand does Beijing have for American farm goods?: South China Morning Post
July 25, 2019
With negotiators from China and the United States set to have their first face-to-face talks since May next week, the likelihood of a large Chinese purchase of American agricultural goods appears to be growing. Click here to read....
