Afghanistan
Haqqani: Clerics' Gathering Will Solve School Issue: Tolo News
A senior member of the Islamic Emirate, Anas Haqqani, told a gathering in the southeastern province of Khost on Wednesday that an assembly of clerics will be held soon, and problems related to girls' schools will be solvedClick here to read...
Rina Amiri: Muslim Nations Must Champion Rights of Afghan Girls: Tolo News
The US special envoy for Afghanistan’s women, girls and human rights, Rina Amiri, said that at an Iftar dinner ambassadors from Muslim-majority countries “agreed that the Muslim world must champion the rights of Afghan women and girls.” Click here to read...
The Resurgence of the Durand Line Dispute Could Alter Afghanistan’s and Pakistan’s Relationships: The Khaama Press
A resurgence of the Durand line dispute could result in a shift in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. Pakistan and its western neighbor Afghanistan are disintegrating much before the Taliban-led regime in Kabul has completed one year in power. Click here to read...
Bangladesh
Bangladesh WHO’s top Covid-19 vaccine recipient: Health Minister- The Daily Star
Health Minister Zahid Maleque today said Bangladesh ranks at the top among the countries that received free Covid-19 vaccines from the World Health Organization (WHO). Click here to read...
PM, Sheikh Rehana offer prayers at graves of martyred family members- The Daily Star
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana today (May 4, 2022) offered prayers at the graves of the martyred family members of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Banani Graveyard. Click here to read...
Threats to freedom of journalists growing by the day: Guterres- The Daily Star
On World Press Freedom Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said they honour the essential work of the media in speaking truth to power, exposing lies, and building strong, resilient institutions and societies. Click here to read...
Bangladesh 162nd out of 180 countries in Press Freedom Index, scores lowest in South Asia- The Daily Star
Bangladesh has slipped ten notches in this year's World Press Freedom Index, by Reporters Without Borders, also known as Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Click here to read...
Remain vigilant against those who misuse religion: Joy- The Daily Star
Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has urged all to remain vigilant against the conspiracies by the extremists and peddlers of religion geared towards destroying the cultural ethos of the country. Click here to read...
Bhutan
7th RBFE begins in Gyalpoizhing and Mongar- Kuensel
Her Majesty Gyalyum Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck inaugurated the 7th Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition, which is being held in Mongar and Gyalpoizhing. Click here to read...
(Editorial) Freedom of the press- Kuensel
It is becoming even more difficult. Yesterday was the World Press Freedom Day. Bhutan jumped to 33rd place in the press freedom Index ranking published by Reporters Without Borders – up from 65 last year. Click here to read...
Police investigating security lapse at the Supreme Court- BBS
The recent incident at the Supreme Court left many people questioning the security in the court. An ACC official was left injured after the former Trongsa Dzongda, Lhab Dorji, stabbed him with a knife outside the courtroom. Click here to read...
Maldives
In the Maldives, India deftly watches China's moves: Deccan Herald
t was a tweet by Mohammed Nasheed, Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament or Majlis as they call it, that informed the world that he had met India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during his visit to New Delhi to participate in the Raisina Dialogue last week. Click here to read...
Maldives; the most preferred international holiday destination: Edition Mv
A recent statistical review based on the data collected from Cred; an Indian fintech company, revealed Maldives as the most preferred international holiday destination during the first quarter of 2022. Click here to read...
Myanmar
Finding a pathway out of genocide for the Rohingya- East Asia Forum
On 21 March 2022, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States has determined that the acts committed against the Rohingya minority in 2017 constitute genocide and crimes against humanity. This determination draws attention to the systematic and large-scale atrocities committed under the Myanmar military (the Tatmadaw) and strengthens international pressure on the military regime that staged a coup in February 2021. Click here to read...
Russia’s War in Ukraine Poses Problems for Myanmar Military - The Irrawaddy
Russia’s war against Ukraine is bound to create a crisis for Myanmar’s military and its arms procurement programs. Both Russia and Ukraine have been among the main suppliers of military hardware to Myanmar, but that is bound to change. Click here to read...
Myanmar Supreme Court Rejects Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal on Corruption Charges - VOA News
An appeal of a five-year jail sentence against ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was rejected Wednesday by the country's supreme court. The decision reportedly came as soon as the claim for an appeal was lodged, and the court didn't entertain arguments from either side in the case. Click here to read...
Coup creates public healthcare emergency - Frontier Myanmar
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Michelle Bachelet, told a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 21 that Myanmar was increasingly at risk of state collapse, with shattered economic, education, health and social protection systems. Click here to read...
Nepal
Hearing on writ petition against promotion of AIG Singh begins- Himalayan Times
Hearing on the writ petition filed in the Supreme Court against the government appointment of Additional Inspector of General of Police Dhiraj Pratap Singh as the chief of Nepal Police has begun. Click here to read...
NHRC member accuses IGP of rights violation- Himalayan Times
National Human Rights Commission member Mihir Thakur has accused the newly appointed Inspector General of Police Dhiraj Pratap Singh of serious human rights violation, urging the government to revoke its decision to appoint him as IGP. Click here to read...
Bomb hoax spreads panic at TIA terminal- Himalayan Times
The domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport witnessed chaos and panic this morning after a hoax bomb threat triggered mass evacuation, flight disruptions, and the cordoning off of the airport for about an hour. Click here to read...
Excessive focus on Bharatpur mayoral race may cost Nepali Congress dearly- Kathmandu Post
Deuba is bending over backwards to save the alliance, irking party members no end. Click here to read...
Global inflation straining Nepal’s forex reserves- Kathmandu Post
Nepal’s external economic situation isn’t worsening to the level of Sri Lanka but warning signs are visible, experts say. Click here to read...
WB providing USD 150 million to Nepal to strengthen financial sector stability- Republica
The government on Wednesday signed an agreement with the World Bank (WB) to get a loan of USD 150 million to strengthen financial sector stability, diversify financial solutions, and increase access to financial services in Nepal. Click here to read...
NC and ruling alliance candidates must be madevictorious: PM Deuba- Republica
Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that it is necessary to make the NC and ruling alliance candidates victorious in the upcoming local level election to safeguard democracy and constitution. Click here to read...
Pakistan
Material being prepared for my character assassination: Imran Khan: Dawn
PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday claimed that his opponents have hired companies which are "preparing material" for his character assassination. Click here to read...
Pakistan urges Saudi Arabia not to withdraw deposits given to SBP: The Express Tribune
Addressing a press conference in Karachi on Wednesday, he lamented former prime minister Imran Khan's government for making promises to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which were "against the interests of the nation". "Those promises are no less than landmines," he added. Click here to read...
Punjab Governor urges Gen Bajwa to play 'role' in restoring people’s confidence in provincial, federal govts: The News
Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema on Wednesday appealed to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa to play his due role in the implementation of the constitutional framework in the province. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's useable foreign reserves decline below $50 million: Business Standard
Sri Lanka finance minister Ali Sabry on Wednesday waved a metaphorical red flag in parliament as the troubled nation's usable foreign exchange reserves dropped below $50 million, increasing worry over its ability to provide food, fuel and other essential goods for citizens, and repay massive foreign debts. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka parliament meets after Opposition submits no-trust motion: Business Standard
Sri Lanka's Parliament on Wednesday convened for a crucial session after the main Oppn party submitted no-confidence motions against Rajapaksa for mishandling the country's worst economic crisis. Click here to read...
UNDP hosts symposium on strengthening good practices and promoting policy initiatives in the Knuckles landscape in Sri Lanka: Colombo Page
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka recently hosted the GEF-SGP Knuckles Landscape Policy Forum 2022 on strengthening good practices and promoting policy initiatives in the Knuckles landscape in central hills of Sri Lanka. Click here to read...
India delivers 40,000 MT petrol to Sri Lanka: ANI
India on Wednesday supplied nearly 40,000 MT of petrol to Sri Lanka to help ease the fuel shortage in the country, which is reeling under a severe economic and energy crisis. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka posts the lowest tea exports in 23 years: Taipei Times
Sri Lanka’s tea exports have dropped to their lowest level in 23 years, official figures showed yesterday, hit by a fertilizer ban and Russia’s war against Ukraine. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka seeks fertilizers from India, deferral of $2.5 billion payment: Hindustan Times
Sri Lanka has sought fertilizers from India & deferral of a $2.5BN payment to the Asian Clearing Union. $200MN from the $1-billion line of credit provided by India in March been set aside to fund fuel purchases. Click here to read...
