Afghanistan
Afghan, Uzbek Officials Pledge increased Connectivity: Tolo News
Officials from the Islamic Emirate discussed trade, transit, energy, and regional connectivity with Uzbek officials on Saturday in Uzbekistan. Click here to read...
Islamic Emirate Asks US, EU to End Sanctions: Tolo News
The delegation of the Islamic Emirate in a meeting with US and European envoys urged the world to lift sanctions on the Islamic Emirate and “let banks operate normally.” Click here to read...
Taliban underrate Daesh, do not call it danger in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press
Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Motaqi during his visit to Turkey said that ISIS-K (Daesh) is not a threat in Afghanistan and the group does not have training centers in the country. Click here to read...
Taliban pledge to man security of Shi’ite mosques: The Khaama Press
A day after ISIS-K killed and wounded over a hundred Shi’ite worshipers in Kandahar province, a Taliban official has said that they themselves will man securities of these mosques. Click here to read...
US Working to Make Charter Flights From Kabul Routine: Tolo News
The idea that we're restarting evacuation flights, à la what we had prior to Aug. 31, is not accurate," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a briefing. Click here to read...
Bangladesh
A chronicle of hate unleashed- Daily Star
Locals of Nanua Dighir Par, where it all started, said the attackers were outsiders and mostly teenagers. They came from the city outskirts. Click here to read...
A burden for Bangladesh: PM- Daily Star
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called the displaced Rohingyas and stranded Pakistanis "a burden for Bangladesh", saying they are putting pressure on the country's economy. Click here to read...
ISKCON monks, imams of West Bengal protest Durga Puja violence in Bangladesh- Daily Star
About 500 members and followers of ISKCON in India's Kolkata sang kirtan outside the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Park Circus locality last evening protesting the attack on ISKCON temple in Noakhali last Friday. Click here to read...
ED: No country for minorities- Daily Tribune
Earlier last week, this newspaper had editorialized on the increased security that was to be ensured this year for Durga Puja. The editorial was laudatory and hopeful, that this year, our Hindu population would feel safe over the week of Puja rituals and festivities. Click here to read...
Bangladesh RMG industry greenest in the world?- Dhaka tribune
The move towards green factory buildings helped to regain Bangladesh’s image after the Rana Plaza tragedy. Click here to read...
Panicked Hindus thinking about leaving country- Asian Age
Two Hindus and at least four Muslims have died in ensuing violence in Bangladesh. Religious tensions erupted following a viral, "insulting" social media image. Click here to read...
Rohingyas, stranded Pakistanis burden for Bangladesh: PM- Asian Age
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday called the displaced Rohingyas and stranded Pakistanis a burden for Bangladesh, saying they are putting pressure on the country's economy. Click here to read...
BNP key patron of communal forces: Quader- Observer
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said BNP is the ‘number one’ patron of communal evil forces. Click here to read...
70-80 % people to be vaccinated by March next: Health Minister- The Independent
The government has geared up its nationwide vaccination drive to inoculate 70-80 percent people by March next, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Saturday. Click here to read...
Edible oil prices to see fresh hike- Financial Express
Hardship of common consumers is going to be intensified further, as soybean oil price has been recommended to be raised by Tk 7.0 to Tk 160 per litre. Click here to read...
Bangladesh's flood losses to be $2.2b per year- Financial Express
A noteworthy victim of climate change, Bangladesh is likely to incur losses worth US$ 2.2 billion on average per year, which is equivalent to 1.5 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP), due to floods, according to a keynote presentation. Click here to read...
Bhutan
His Majesty grants Dasain Tika to Hindu community of Gelephu- Kuensel
His Majesty granted Dasain Tika to representatives of the Hindu community of Gelephu at the Shivalaya Mandir in Gelephu, yesterday. Click here to read...
Building leadership capacity of women LG aspirants- Kuensel
Thirty-two women who are aspiring to contest in the upcoming local government (LG) election from Mongar and Lhuentse are attending a leadership training in Mongar. Click here to read...
Thimphu has become overly expensive, say residents- Kuensel
In a matter of months, residents in the capital city say everything has become more expensive, and that many of them were cutting corners to eke out a living. Click here to read...
Increasing awareness on mental health issues- Bhutan Times
The Ministry of Education in partnership with UNICEF Bhutan launched a campaign called ‘OnMyMind’ this week. Click here to read...
Police bust fraud over hired cars- Punakha- BBS
Punakha police arrested four women and a man suspected of Deceptive Practice and Forgery recently. According to the police, the suspects hired 23 light vehicles from different individuals and sold them by forging documents. Police have recovered the cars. Click here to read...
Tsirang to soon become LED Dzongkhag- BBS
It might be just a matter of time before Tsirang Dzongkhag becomes the first energy-efficient and energy-conscious district in the country. Click here to read...
MoU with Bhutan to speed up border talks, says China- Tribune
China has said its MoU with Bhutan will make a “meaningful contribution” to speed up the border talks and establishment of diplomatic ties with Thimphu. Click here to read...
After signing MoU, China speaks of establishing diplomatic ties with Bhutan- The Week
A few days after the announcement that both China and Bhutan had firmed up a "three-step roadmap" for expediting negotiations to resolve the long-pending boundary dispute between the two countries, China spoke of establishing diplomatic ties with Thimphu. Click here to read...
India Takes Note of Pact on Border Talks Between Bhutan and China- Swarajya
India has ‘noted’ the agreement signed between Bhutan and China regarding a ‘three step roadmap’ to fast-track negotiations to resolve their boundary dispute. Click here to read...
Maldives
Indian hodophiles help Maldives recover from pandemic blues - The Hindu
Call it the triumph of soft power or Stimulus Maitri, one South Asian country is silently thankful to Indians’ indefatigable wanderlust which has lifted its recovery prospects from the pandemic’s disastrous aftermath, even as the Chinese have gone virtually missing in action. Click here to read...
Maldives being lashed by wind and rain, yellow alert extended again - Avas
Maldives Meteorological Services has further extended the duration of the yellow alert issued earlier on Tuesday. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka and Maldives to enhance cooperation in shipbuilding and boatbuilding industries - Colombopage
A virtual meeting between the National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) and the Representatives of the Sri Lanka Boat and Ship Building Industry was hosted by the Foreign Ministry in collaboration with the Export Development Board (EDB) of Sri Lanka. Click here to read...
Inauguration of the Reproductive Health Centre at Hulhumale’ Hospital - Relief Web
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency has partnered with the Hulhumale’ Hospital to establish a one stop centre to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services especially for adolescents, young people, women and girls. Click here to read...
Myanmar
Indian Arms Exporter Ships Air-Defense Weapons to Myanmar’s Junta - The Irrawaddy
Indian arms manufacturer Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) exported a remote-controlled, air-defense station to Myanmar in July, said Justice for Myanmar (JFM), an activist group that monitors the military’s businesses. Click here to read...
Why Myanmar's current democracy movement lacks global support - The National News
We are facing crimes against humanity. We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Yet the world has ignored us. Click here to read...
Myanmar opposition welcomes ASEAN's junta snub, wants summit invite - Reuters
Myanmar's shadow government, formed by opponents of ruling military, welcomed on Monday the exclusion of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing from an upcoming regional summit, but said it should be the legitimate representative. Click here to read...
US delegates set to engage Asean, discuss Myanmar - Bangkok Post
The United States will send a delegation led by the US State Department Counsellor Derek Chollet to Thailand to affirm its commitment to the region and address the crisis in Myanmar. Click here to read...
‘Dire’ Myanmar situation a threat to regional stability -The Mandarin
Foreign minister Marise Payne has endorsed a five-point consensus document for the now military-controlled Myanmar, calling for an urgent return to democracy in the beleaguered nation, as special envoy of the ASEAN chair on Myanmar Dato Erywan is due to arrive in the southeast asian nation. Click here to read...
ASEAN alienates Myanmar junta chief - The Jakarta Post
Myanmar’s junta chief will be excluded from an upcoming ASEAN summit, the regional group said on Saturday, a rare rebuke as concerns rise over the military government’s commitment to defusing the country’s bloody crisis. Click here to read...
Myanmar junta silences chief lawyer of ousted Aung San Suu Kyi government - Jurist
The lead lawyer representing Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her government in the several criminal cases initiated against them by the junta said on Friday that a gag order has been issued preventing him from speaking about Suu Kyi’s cases to the media, foreign diplomats or international organizations. Click here to read...
Refugee influx into Mizoram up as houses torched in Myanmar - Times of India
Myanmar junta troops advancing from Sagaing Region to Chin have torched houses and a church along the Falam-Hakha road, forcing hundreds to flee from their homes, said Myanmar Now. Click here to read...
British American Tobacco pulls out of army-ruled Myanmar - Reuters
British American Tobacco (BATS.L) will cease all operations in military-ruled Myanmar and withdraw by the end of this year, the company said on Tuesday, the latest Western firm to pull out of the country in turmoil since a February coup. Click here to read...
Nepal
Nepal drops two notches in rule of law- The Himalaya
Nepal's overall rule of law score decreased 1.1 per cent in the World Justice Project Index-2021, which evaluates rule of law in 139 countries and jurisdictions. Click here to read...
Home minister Khand revisits pact with Chand-led CPN-The Himalaya
Home Minister Balkrishna Khand today sat for discussions with authorities concerned about implementation of the agreement reached with the Communist Party of Nepal led by Netra Bikram Chand. Click here to read...
Govt to reveal facts on death in detention centre- The Himalaya
The government has committed to disclosing the facts related to the death of Mohammad Hakim Saha from Bhokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality of Sunsari in the detention centre of Sunsari District Police Office. Click here to read...
Second Chinese vaccine may get trial approval in Nepal- TKP
Nepal Health Research Council is preparing to give its nod for the third phase trials to a Covid-19 vaccine developed by China’s WestVac Biopharma Co, Ltd after the company submitted almost all the documents demanded by the council. Click here to read...
Nepal Electricity Authority is hit with a double whammy- TKP
The 400kV Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur Transmission Line between Nepal and India hasn’t been put to optimum use, but the Nepal Electricity Authority has been paying around Rs1 billion annually for the past 25 years to the companies that developed it. Click here to read...
Experts blame centralised governance for instability in the provinces- TKP
When CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli became prime minister on February 15, 2018, there was a sense of stability in the country because the left alliance of the UML and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) had a comfortable majority. Click here to read...
Oil prices climb to highest in years as COVID recovery, power generators stoke demand- Republica
Oil prices hit their highest in years on Monday as demand continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosted by more custom from power generators turning away from expensive gas and coal to fuel oil and diesel. Click here to read...
NRB auctioning off treasury bills- Republica
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is auctioning off treasury bills worth Rs 11.20 billion. Click here to read...
‘CJ’s pick’ Gajendra Hamal resigns from cabinet after controversy- Online Khabar
Gajendra Hamal has announced he would resign as the minister for industry, commerce and supplies, just two days after his appointment. Click here to read...
A Mother and Daughter’s Battle To Get Citizenship- Rising Nepal
Thre are the questions Puja Chand of Kathmandu Metropolitan City–3 raises to the authorities who denied her daughter Tanisi the right to obtain a citizenship certificate in her mother’s name. Click here to read...
Pakistan
Govt will complete its term, Rashid tells opposition: Dawn
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has asserted that Prime Minister Imran Khan will not only complete his five-year term in office but also form the next government and criticised the opposition for discussing the military in public. Click here to read...
No time frame set for conclusion of IMF talks: govt: Dawn
According to a statement, the Secretary of Finance Division is leading the talks with the IMF in Washington DC. Click here to read...
PDM announces new phase of anti-govt protests across country: The Express Tribune
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced the decision in a joint news conference, flanked by PML-N Senior Vice-President Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Pashtun leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai in Islamabad on Sunday. Click here to read...
Swedish envoy praises PTI govt’s initiatives to tackle climate change: The Express Tribune
The world will face environmental challenges by reviewing all plans and policies, including business and industry, for an environment-friendly and sustainable life. Click here to read...
IMF may decline to club sixth and seventh reviews: The News
The IMF may decline to club the sixth and seventh reviews under the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) as requested by Islamabad as currently, both sides are making efforts for accomplishing only the sixth review. Click here to read...
Institutions are not your Tiger Force: Bilawal: The News
He was addressing a PPP public gathering here at Bagh-e-Jinnah to commemorate the anniversary of the PPP activists who were killed on Oct 18, 2007 in Karsaz terrorist attack. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka
Prez not to prioritise construction of new diesel, coal power plants: Amaraweera - Daily Mirror
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided not to give priority to the construction of new diesel and coal power plants in our country again. Click here to read...
Easter Sunday attacks probe: Cardinal accuses Govt of deceiving people - Ceylon Today
Highlighting his desire to find out the truth behind the Easter Sunday bombings, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church, accused the Government of deceiving the people by promising justice for the victims of the bombings because they believe someone far more powerful is behind the attacks. Click here to read...
India likely to extend $ 500 m credit line for fuel - The Morning
The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is holding discussions with Indian officials to secure a $ 500 million credit line from India, to be used for the purchase of fuel and crude oil-related products, and is optimistic that these will prove fruitful within the next two weeks, The Morning learnt. Click here to read...
SL raises strong objections with India over fishermen row - Daily Mirror
Sri Lanka has raised its strongest objections with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other Indian leaders, over the increase in trespassing of Indian fishermen in local waters in recent weeks and the use of bottom trawling which is destroying the sea bed in Sri Lankan waters. Click here to read...
