Afghanistan
Taliban Take Over Kunduz Airport, Media Restricted in Takhar: Tolo News
Following the withdrawal of Afghan security forces from the centers of Farah, Badakhshan and Baghlan provinces, the Taliban on Wednesday captured Kunduz airport, which is also the center of the 217 Pamir Army Corps.This is the first time that the Taliban has taken over an army corps. Footage shared on social media shows dozens of security force members in Kunduz surrendering to the Taliban. The Taliban also appropriated a military helicopter in Kunduz, but the helicopter was out of service. Click here to read...
Calls for Sanctions on Pakistan Dominate Afghan Social Media: Tolo News
Over the past four days, Afghan social media users have tweeted thousands of posts on Twitter and on other platforms using the hashtag #sanctiononpakistan, intending to draw the international community's attention to accusations of Pakistani support for the Taliban, which Pakistani officials deny. A social media expert said the hashtag “sanctiononpakistan” was the top Twitter trend in Afghanistan for the past four days and was the second most popular trend in Pakistan. Social media users from European countries and elsewhere also joined the campaign. Click here to read...
I don’t regret withdrawal; Afghan leaders should fight for their country: Biden: The Khaama Press
As the Taliban are now controlling nine provinces and nearly two hundred districts around Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden has said that he does not regret the full pullout of troops from the war-ravaged country. Joe Biden has said that now it is up to the leaders of Afghanistan to fight for their country and countrymen. The United States has completed the troops’ withdrawal up to 95% and the remaining men in service which number roughly 650 are due to leave the county by September. Click here to read...
Don’t be insouciant to humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan: Abdullah to World: The Khaama Press
Head of High Council of National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah during his speech in Doha said that the world should not remain indifferent to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and give the Taliban a clear message in regards to the peace. Abdullah Abdullah was addressing representatives of the US, China, Pakistan, Russia, the UK, Uzbekistan, Qatar, the UN, and the EU in the Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday night August 10. Click here to read...
Pakistan should act against safe havens of terrorists; Afghan government reacts to FM Qureshi’s statements: The Khaama Press
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry reacted to the latest statements of the Pakistani foreign minister and said that Pakistan should act against the secure hideouts of terrorists on its soil and cut land access to the Taliban and other terror groups. Pakistani FM Shah Mahmoud Qureshi has named some unnamed forces to be working against peace in Afghanistan and urged the group to be monitored. Click here to read...
Ghani in Balkh amid Challenging Security Situation in North: Tolo News
President Ghani arrived in Mazar-e-Sharif city, Balkh province, on Wednesday morning amid challenging security situation in the northern provinces. Ghani's adviser on security and political affairs Mohammad Mohaqiq and former mujahideen commander Juma Khan Hamdard are accompanying the President in the trip. On Tuesday night, former vice president Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum also traveled to Mazar-e-Sharif. Click here to read...
Bangladesh
Bangladesh seventh largest importer of textiles globally- Financial Express
“Released by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the last week, the report also showed that Bangladesh’s import of textiles from the other countries stood at US$ 8.81 billion in 2020. The country was the fifth largest importer of textiles in the previous year when the spending of textile imports recorded at $9.91 billion.” Click here to read...
Bangladesh logs 10,420 virus cases, 237 deaths in 24 hours- Financial Express
“Bangladesh has registered 237 new deaths from COVID-19 in a day, taking the total toll to 23,398. The COVID-19 caseload surged to 1,386,742 after 10,420 people tested positive for the disease in the 24 hours to 8:00 am on Wednesday, according to the latest government data.” Click here to read...
Two Rohingyas held with 1.2 lakh Yaba in Ukhia- Daily Observer
“Two Rohingyas were detained along with 1.2 lakh Yaba tablets at Ukhia upazila in Cox’s Bazar district on Tuesday midnight.” Click here to read...
Govt to procure 60m doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccines- The Bangladesh Today
“The government will procure a total of 60 million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines from China under the Direct Procurement Method (DPM) as per the price mentioned in the agreement to bolster the government’s efforts to vaccinate the country’s people.” Click here to read...
‘The fate of Sheikh Mujib’- Daily Star
“The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tajuddin Ahmed made an impassioned appeal to the big powers to save Bangabandhu's life. At an interview he said the entire South-East Asia faces a serious crisis if anything untoward happens to Bangabandhu.” Click here to read...
JMB’s Know-how on Explosives: Despite crackdowns, no dearth of experts- Daily Star
“Crackdowns on militant hideouts broke down JMB's networks time and again since its emergence in Bangladesh, but the drives could hardly stop the banned outfit's endeavour to carry through explosive know-how. The terror group was never in dearth of explosives experts, although the pre-empted operations led to the killings and arrests of many top leaders, including bomb experts of JMB and its pro-IS faction "Neo-JMB", since Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh was formed in 1998.” Click here to read...
Frustration grows as chaos continues at Bangladesh’s vaccination centres- The Independent
“Vaccination centres across the country drew huge crowds on the 5th day of the mass vaccination drive, creating a chaotic situation everywhere and raising the risk of the virus transmission. After a reality check at different vaccination centers, UNB correspondents saw long queues of people standing close to each other with little or no regard to social distancing rules. Hundreds of jab-seekers, both male and female, turned up at the small vaccination centres with or without online registrations, overwhelming its medical staff.” Click here to read...
Bhutan
Nepalese Prime Minister thanks Bhutan for 230,000 doses of AstraZeneca- The Bhutanese
“The Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba took to Twitter to thank His Majesty The King and the Prime Minister for the vaccines. He tweeted saying, “Nepal welcomes the friendly gesture from Bhutan in aiding Nepal’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Many thanks to His Majesty The King and the Prime Minister of Bhutan for the cooperative arrangement in the supply of 230,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine, which Nepal will reciprocate at a later date.” Click here to read...
Bhutan joins LDCs calling for more support following IPCC report- Kuensel
“Following the IPCC’s report, the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, comprising 46 countries including Bhutan, called for more “support to developing countries who are disproportionately impacted by climate change.” Click here to read...
Health ministry to construct five additional satellite clinics- BBS
“To increase access to primary health care services, the health ministry will construct five additional satellite clinics in the country. It is a part of the health sector development program. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at one of the sites at Babena in Thimphu today.” Click here to read...
India’s achievements in space technology showcased in Bhutan- Business Bhutan
“As part of India@75 ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence, the Embassy of India organized an interactive session on August 4 on “India’s Space Program- An Incredible Journey!.” Click here to read...
How Preferential Trade Agreement helps Bhutan and Bangladesh fulfil expectations of their people?- Northeast Now
“Bangladesh is going to be a rising South Asian economic superstar. Bangladesh would like to play a significant and vital role to tackle some regional problems. Bhutan and Bangladesh can work together in these sectors. Bhutan can also play in Bangladesh to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic using its well-known strategy.” Click here to read...
ECI hands over Chair FEMBoSA role to Election Commission of Bhutan for 2021-22 –ANI
“Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday handed over the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) role to the Election Commission of Bhutan for 2021-22.” Click here to read...
Maldives
Dream vacation spot has two major problems: Debt and climate crisis - CNN
Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, the Climate Vulnerable Forum's Ambassador for Ambition, discusses the climate report. Nasheed advocates for wealthy nations paying to help vulnerable countries deal with the impact of climate change. Click here to read...
Island nations react to devastating U.N. climate change report: "We are on the edge of extinction” - CBS News
The United Nations released a climate change report on Monday that issued a "code red for humanity," warning that human-caused climate change is set to cause "unprecedented" extreme events if immediate global actions aren't taken. For the dozens of island nations across the world, the report confirmed that they are "on the edge of extinction." Click here to read...
Maldives Joins OECD Pact On Corporate Tax Evasion - Law360
Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda signed a pact Wednesday on addressing tax evasion and avoidance by multinational corporations at the Paris headquarters of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Click here to read...
US Dollar rate falling in the Maldivian black market - The Edition
Due to an increase in the supply of US Dollars within the Maldivian market, its exchange rate has fallen from MVR 18.80 per US Dollar to MVR 17.40 per US Dollar within a week. When the tourism industry was halted last year due to the pandemic, a black market appeared to meet the demand. US Dollars have been exchanged at a steady rate of MVR 18-19 per Dollar since the beginning of the year in the black market. However the exchange rate had fallen to MVR 17.40-17.60 since Saturday. Click here to read...
Myanmar
Myanmar military leaders attempting to legitimize power: UN Special Envoy - UN News
Christine Schraner Burgener said the situation in Myanmar “is still very worrisome”, amid a “severe” third wave of COVID-19 infections. Last week, senior army general Min Aung Hlaing announced he was appointing himself Prime Minister, and pledged to hold elections by 2023. Click here to read...
Myanmar army attacks medics, hampering COVID response, rights groups say - Reuters
Myanmar's army carried out at least 252 attacks and threats against health workers since a Feb. 1 coup, killing at least 25 medics and hampering the response to a resurgent outbreak of COVID-19, a report by rights groups said on Tuesday. More than 190 health workers have been arrested and 86 raids on hospitals carried out since the coup, said the report by Insecurity Insight, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), and Johns Hopkins University Center for Public Health and Human Rights (CPHHR). Click here to read...
Will The Biden Administration Recognize The Atrocities Against The Rohingyas For What They Are? - Forbes
On August 10, 2021, 95 international human rights organizations have sent an open letter to the Biden Administration calling for an official recognition of the atrocities against the Rohingyas as genocide and crimes against humanity. As the Trump Administration failed to do so, the Biden Administration has the opportunity to set the record straight, call the atrocities for what they are, and respond accordingly. Click here to read...
Govt says Rohingyas indulging in illegal activities - Hindustan Times
The government on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that Rohingya Muslim migrants are indulging in illegal activities for which the respective governments have been asked to take action. Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai said that instructions are issued to state governments and administrations in Union Territories for taking steps to promptly identify illegal migrants and restrict them to specified locations as per provisions of law. Click here to read...
Myanmar COVID vaccination rollout leaves Rohingya waiting - Reuters
Authorities in Myanmar currently have no plan to include minority Rohingya Muslims living in densely-packed camps as they begin vaccinating priority groups against COVID-19 in western Rakhine State, the junta-appointed local administrator said. Click here to read...
Nepal
Parliamentary approval of MCC Nepal compact 'not mandatory'- The Himalayan
“National Assembly member Ram Narayan Bidari, who is also a senior advocate, said the Parliament was not required to approve the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact signed between Nepal and the Unites States of America.” Click here to read...
What new global climate report that paints a bleak picture means for Nepal- Kathmandu Post
“Rising temperatures, which could lead to more devastation for people around the world, will also ring similar warning bells for countries like Nepal, considered one of the most vulnerable in the world to climate change impacts.” Click here to read...
Another setback for Oli as Pokhrel resigns as chief minister of Lumbini Province- Kathmandu Post
“The resignation on Wednesday by Shankar Pokhrel as the chief minister of Lumbini Province comes as another setback for CPN-UML Chairman and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli. There was a time when Oli led a government with close to a two-thirds majority and his party, Nepal Communist Party (NCP), led six out of seven provincial governments—barring Province 2.” Click here to read...
MCC not a priority for government- Republica
“The common minimum program introduced by the coalition government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba has ignored the projects under the much-talked about Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The previous coalition government of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and Congress had signed the MCC Compact on September 14, 2017. The controversial MCC project has not been named in the common minimum program of the ruling coalition.” Click here to read...
Foreign infiltration in all ruling parties in Nepal: NWPP Chair Bijukchhe- Republica
“hairman of Nepal Workers' and Peasants Party (NWPP) Narayan Man Bijukchhe has alleged that all ruling political parties in Nepal are heavily influenced by foreign powers. Talking to a group of journalists on contemporary issues in Bhaktapur on Wednesday, Chairman Bijukchhe said that ruling party leaders were heavily influenced by foreign powers and that their influence had further increased in Nepal in recent years.” Click here to read...
ADB Gives Rs. 19.5 Billion Loan to Buy Vaccines- Rising Nepal
“Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini and Nepal Country Director of ADB Arnaud Cauchois signed on the agreement at a programme organised at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday. The money will be utilised in procuring 15.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines which will benefit about 6.8 million people.” Click here to read...
Pakistan
US finds Pakistan useful only to clear mess in Afghanistan: PM Imran: Dawn
Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the United States of seeing Pakistan as useful only in the context of the “mess” it is leaving behind in Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting. Washington has been pressing Islamabad to use its influence over the Taliban to broker an elusive peace deal as negotiations between the insurgents and Afghan government have stalled, and violence in Afghanistan has escalated sharply. Click here to read...
Bajwa urges stakeholders to work positively for Afghan peace: Dawn
Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa on Wednesday called on ‘stakeholders’ in the Afghan peace process to contribute positively to it rather than blaming Pakistan for the failures there. In a statement issued at the end of the corps commanders conference, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted Gen Bajwa as having said: “Being a collective responsibility, all stakeholders have to play their part positively for enduring peace in Afghanistan which is pivotal for stability in the region. Misperceptions and scapegoating must be avoided to counter designs of spoilers.” Click here to read...
PDM rejects electoral reforms, AJK results: The Express Tribune
The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of opposition parties, on Wednesday announced a countrywide protest against inflation and rejected the PTI government’s electoral reforms as well as the results of the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) polls. After a gap of nearly three months, a 4.5-hour long session of the alliance was held at the PML-N secretariat, chaired by its president, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Click here to read...
Pakistan ups efforts on GSP plus: The Express Tribune
Pakistan has intensified lobbying in European countries against anti-Pakistan elements to neutralise influence of India regarding the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), rice brand and GSP scheme. “Our ambassadors in EU countries and Brussels have enhanced their engagements with the host governments,” Pakistan Ambassador to Italy Jauhar Saleem told The Express Tribune while responding to a question regarding the EU parliament’s resolution against Pakistan. Click here to read...
Keeping Pakistan on red list: Dr Faisal exposes UK claims about science, data: The News
The Pakistan government has responded to the UK government’s reasons for keeping the former on its travel red list in a detailed letter written by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan. The letter was shared Wednesday by Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on Twitter, saying that the table in Dr Sultan’s letter "exposes" claims of the UK government that its decision was based on science and data. Click here to read...
Govt to borrow Rs103.8b from banks: The Express Tribune
The Privatisation Board on Wednesday allowed raising Rs103.8 billion debt from local banks through competitive bidding to replace the government’s financing before privatisation of much-trumpeted two LNG-fired power plants. The board recommended that Expression of Interest (EOI) may be invited from scheduled banks and Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) through advertisement to raise Rs103.8 billion debt. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka
Record COVID-19 deaths in Sri Lanka for sixth consecutive day; infections surge - Economy Next
Sri Lanka’s confirmed daily COVID-19 death toll reached a record high for the sixth day running on Wednesday with the government information department reporting 124 deaths as confirmed by the Director General of Health Services. Total confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Sri Lanka now stand at 5,464. The government also confirmed 2,890 new infections on Wednesday, bringing active cases in the country to 36,112. Total cases since last March are 342,079. Click here to read...
Imports Surge to a 3yr High Inflating Trade Deficit - Ceylon Today
Sri Lanka’s Imports for the 1st five months of this year have skyrocketed from previous year by 61.7% to USD 1,607 Mn, with purchases of fuel rising 425.5% to USD 331 Mn, textiles and products of rising 94.7%to USD 236 Mn, and machinery and equipment accounting fora rise of 15.9% to USD 183 Mn. According to the Research arm of the First Capital Group Sri Lanka’s trade balance widened to USD 716 Mn in May 2021, up from USD 407 Mn in previous year of the same month.
“The country's trade deficit grew to USD 3,663 Mn from Jan - May 2021, up from USD 3,101 Mn the previous year, predominately due to the disruptions caused by the ongoing pandemic outbreak since last year and the massive spend infrastructure development where bulk of the raw materials of the building material segment is imported” they told Ceylon FT. Click here to read...
EDB Chief raises concerns over shortage of containers for export shipments - Daily FT
The Export Development Board (EDB) raised concerns about the shortage of containers as a result of multiple global supply chain bottlenecks.
“Exporters are still grappling with the shortfall of containers out of the Colombo Port. The situation still remains and it is a serious concern for the exporters,” EDB Chairman Suresh de Mel told a virtual forum on ‘Strategic interventions on COVID-hit exports in Sri Lanka: How to overcome barriers?’ organised by the Centre of Banking Studies this week. He said the Government policies on import controls have reduced entry of containers leading to a shortage of sea cargo space for export shipments. Click here to read...
NZ’s first resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka calls on PM Rajapaksa - Adaderana
New Zealand’s first resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mr Michael Edward Appleton together with Mr Andrew Traveller the Deputy High Commissioner called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this morning (11).
The Ambassador conveyed his pleasure to be the New Zealand first resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and expressed his keen interest in growing collaboration between both nations.
As one of the world’s largest milk producers, The Ambassador mentioned that New Zealand is pleased to share dairy industry technology and know-how with Sri Lanka. Click here to read...
COP26 Regional Ambassador for Asia-Pacific and South Asia Ken O’Flaherty commends Sri Lanka for its commitments on renewable energy and climate action - Adaderana
The COP26 Regional Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific and South Asia Ken O’Flaherty congratulated Sri Lanka for timely submission of its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with ambitious commitments on renewable energy and net zero carbon, as well as a pledge for “no more coal.” He reiterated that the commitment at the highest level of policy making is the strength behind such ambitious commitments and it would no doubt bring wide accolades to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador O’Flaherty also stated that there are a wide range of opportunities for countries when they submit NDCs with clear ambitious targets, not only for climate financing grants, but also for attracting foreign investors who are increasingly focusing on countries with clear de-carbonizing mechanisms in their policies. He reiterated that overall Net Zero Carbon by 2050 is an important target accepted by an increasing number of countries. Click here to read...
