PAKISTAN

Nawaz declared proclaimed offender: DAWN

An accountability court on Wednesday declared former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles reference, initiated the process to confiscate his properties and directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to make his arrest through Interpol. Meanwhile, the counsel for the ex-premier, who has been in London on medical grounds for the past one year, submitted his fresh medical report before the Islamabad High Court along with an application seeking extension in his bail. Click here to read...

AFGHANISTAN

US Withdrawing Thousands of Troops from Iraq and Afghanistan: TOLO News

The United States will pull thousands of troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan by November, the top American commander for the Middle East said Wednesday, as President Donald Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise to get America out of “endless wars.” During a visit to Iraq, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command, said the reduction in Iraq — from about 5,200 troops to about 3,000 — reflects the Trump administration’s confidence in the ability of US-trained Iraqi security forces to handle the militant threat from the Daesh group. Click here to read...

BANGLADESH

Missing green financing target to affect banks, NBFI ratings: Dhaka Tribune

Failure of the banks and non-bank financial institutions to meet the green financing targets would affect their capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity, and sensitivity (Camels) ratings. A Bangladesh Bank (BB) circular issued on Wednesday stated that the regulator would consider green financing of the banks and NBFIs when the Camels rating of the entities would be prepared. Click here to read...

NEPAL

Curbs extended with some relaxations, but experts question ad-hoc moves: The Kathmandu Post

Authorities are yet to figure out a way to deal with the coronavirus spread and they are still taking decisions on an ad-hoc basis without holding serious consultations, public health experts said on Wednesday, as restrictions were extended in Kathmandu Valley until September 17. Chief district officers of the Valley–Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur–on Wednesday evening decided to continue prohibitory orders for another one week, with some relaxations and vehicular movements. Click here to read...

SRI LANKA

‘I have no plan to quit office after two years’: PM: Daily Mirror

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that he had no plans whatsoever to retire from office after two years. He told the Daily Mirror that he was elected by the people for a period of five years, and therefore he would not leave office before the completion of his term. “I have no intention to leave office after two years, despite contradictory media reports,” he said. Click here to read...