Afghanistan

Taliban Attacks in Herat and Badghis Pushed Back: Officials: Tolo News

Taliban attacks on the capital city of Herat province and Qal-e-Naw, the capital of Badghis, were pushed back by security forces on Wednesday night, local officials said on Thursday. On Wednesday night the Taliban attacked Herat city from four directions but faced a “huge response” from security and public uprising forces, said Abdul Saboor Qani, the provincial governor. Click here to read...

US Sending 3,000 Troops to Afghanistan to Begin Evacuations: Tolo News

As the security situation worsens in the country, the United States plans to send an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan to assist with evacuation as the Taliban advances on Kabul. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said three battalions, one US Army and two Marine, will go to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul where military transport planes would be waiting. The Department of Defense is preparing to possibly evacuate the US embassy and US citizens in the capital of Kabul as the Biden administration considers the possibility that capital could fall within 30 days, administration and military officials have said, according to The New York Times. Click here to read...

Abdullah presents scheme for ending conflicts in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

Head of High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Abdullah Abdullah presented to members of Troika plus the scheme of Afghan government for winding up the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Abdullah Abdullah said that Afghan government is committed to ending the ongoing conflicts through negotiations. Head of HCNR was addressing representatives of US, China, Pakistan and Russia in Troika plus meeting held in Doha Wednesday evening August 11. Click here to read...

Turkey intent to run Hamid Karzai airport despite Taliban’s gains: The Khaama Press

Despite the territorial advances of the Taliban and their strong opposition over handing security of Kabul airport to Turkey, the country has reiterated its stance and said they are willing to run and guard the airport. Turkey believes that for the Hamid Karzai airport based in the Afghan capital, it is of utmost importance to remain open. As the US and NATO forces are fully withdrawing from Afghanistan by September, the previous has asked Turkey, as member state of NATO, to assist them in protecting and securing the Kabul airport. Click here to read...

Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Wrap Up Drills Near Afghanistan: Tolo News

Troops from Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan wrapped up their drills intended to simulate a joint response to potential security threats coming from Afghanistan, AP reported on Wednesday. The drills began last week involved 2,500 Russian, Tajik and Uzbek troops and about 500 military vehicles. According to AP report, the drills that were held at Harb-Maidon firing range about 20 kilometers north of the Tajik border with Afghanistan, saw the troops practice action against invading militants. Click here to read...

Bangladesh

Dhaka may strike a $1.12b funding deal with China soon for elevated expressway- Financial Express

“Negotiations with China to finance full cost of Dhaka-Ashulia elevated expressway are likely to be capped with a US$1.12-billion agreement anytime soon, officials said. Leaving aside the vehicle-purchase portion of the project cots, they added, the Chinese side finally has agreed to finance around 83 per cent of the outlay with a loan from EXIM Bank at 2.0 percent interest.” Click here to read...

‘Repatriation is our main agenda’- Daily Star

“A parliamentary body yesterday strongly opposed the World Bank's reform proposals, including the inclusion of Rohingya refugees in the host country. The parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs ministry has asked the ministry concerned to be vigilant in this regard, citing the proposal as an intention to allow Myanmar's displaced Rohingyas to settle permanently in Bangladesh.” Click here to read...

SC upholds status of 196 freedom fighters- Daily Star

“The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the High Court orders that stayed the government decision for cancelling freedom fighter status of 196 retired members of army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), and also directed the government to give them benefits as freedom fighters.” Click here to read...

Envoys of Russia, Germany present credentials to President- The Independent

“Envoys of Russia and Germany to Bangladesh separately presented their credentials to President M Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here today. The resident envoys in Dhaka are: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Alexander Vikentyevich MANTYTSKIY and Ambassador (designate) Achim Tröster of the Federal Republic of Germany.” Click here to read...

Dengue spike in Bangladesh: 242 more hospitalized in 24 hrs- The Independent

“A total of 242 new dengue patients have been admitted to different hospitals in 24 hours till Thursday morning amid a spike in the mosquito-borne disease that spreads mainly during monsoon. Twenty two suspected dengue deaths were reported to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) but it is yet to confirm any death from dengue yet, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).” Click here to read...

Dhaka seeks preferential trade facilities from Canada till 2030- The Independent

“Bangladesh has demanded preferential trade facilities from Canada till 2030 to help the country tide over the post-pandemic challenges. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen held a virtual meeting with Canadian Minister of International Development Karina Gould on Wednesday and made the request.” Click here to read...

Mass Covid vaccination drive in Bangladesh ends amid chaos- New Age

“Thousands of people returned without getting vaccinated from most of the inoculation centres across the country on the last day of the six-day-long mass Covid inoculation drive on Thursday amid chaos due to shortage of vaccines and mismanagement, according to vaccine seekers and government officials.” Click here to read...

Climate migrants escape rising seas only to die in factory fire- The Asian Age

“Migration to escape rising sea waters in Bangladesh's coastal regions is set to accelerate in coming years, and according to the American Geophysical Union, an international scientific group, could affect 1.3 million Bangladeshis by 2050.” Click here to read...

Momen urges Canada to send vaccine bilaterally, under COVAX- The Good Morning

“Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged Canada to provide more vaccine doses to Bangladesh both bilaterally and under the COVAX framework. He made the urge while holding a virtual meeting with Canadian Minister for International Development Karina Gould, who is a co-chair in the COVAX Humanitarian Buffer, a foreign ministry press release said here yesterday.” Click here to read...

Bhutan

Mangdechhu Hydropower Authority’s (MHPA) to resume by next week- Kuensel

“More than nine months after Mangdechhu Hydropower Authority’s (MHPA) turbine unit three broke down, restoration work is expected to complete next week.” Click here to read...

4 reasons that make Bhutanese school life unique- Daily Bhutan

“Children in Bhutan start going to school (pre-primary) at the age of 6. From 2022, as part of the Gyalsung (National Service), a new royal initiative by His Majesty, the entry age will be reduced to 5 years old. Bhutanese are 7 years old when they enter primary school and 11 years old when they graduate from it. Subsequently, they move on to middle secondary school at 12 or 13 years old, and by the time they are in their sophomore year, they will be 15 years old. As they turn 18 years old after graduation, they will be ready to begin the Gyalsung training.” Click here to read...

What are the popular agricultural produce in Bhutan?- Daily Bhutan

“Bhutan’s efforts towards agricultural modernisation began with its first five-year plan in 1961. Due to commercialisation and technological interventions in the last decade, the country has seen an increasing trend in food production. Popular Bhutanese produce includes apples, Bhutanese red rice, chillies, cardamom, potatoes, oranges, matsutake mushrooms, and honey.” Click here to read...

An online system system launched to collected data on youth and youth related programs launched- BBS

“Coinciding with the International Youth Day, Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS), an online system to collect data on youth and youth related programmes and activities in the country, was launched in Thimphu today. Her Majesty the Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck launched the system.” Click here to read...

Better safe than sorry – a call for healthier norms in public transport- BBS

“Suppose a person infected with COVID-19 travels in a city bus or a taxi, especially in Thimphu, there is no doubt the virus would spread like wildfire within no time. Looking at how public transport operates today, this is something anyone can predict. During the BBS’s investigation, we found out that not many wear a face mask, neither use hand sanitiser nor maintain physical distance.” Click here to read...

ECB hosts the 11th Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA)- BBS

“To promote contact among the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of the SAARC countries, share experiences and best practices with a view to learning from each other and to cooperate with one another in enhancing the capabilities of the EMBs towards conducting free, fair and democratic elections, the 11thForum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) was hosted by Bhutan on Wednesday.” Click here to read...

Keeping the trade alive- Business Bhutan

“For almost four decades he has been mastering the craft he had learned when he was just 13 years old, forging scrap metals into remarkable tools, which besides ensuring him a decent livelihood also made him a household name in Trashigang. Taw Tshering, 50, from Pakaling in Radhi gewog is one of the few remaining blacksmiths in the dzongkhag, who has passionately continued with this age-old trade that is fast disappearing today.” Click here to read...

Maldives

'Not wise to establish a coalition between MDP and PPM'- Pres Solih - Avas

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said a coalition between the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the opposing Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) is not ideal. Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office on Tuesday, President Solih said while MDP and PPM are the largest parties of the country, a partnership between the two parties would disrupt the country's multi-party system. Click here to read...

'Majority of parliament members stand with me': Pres Solih - Avas

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the majority of the parliament members continue to stand with him. Speaking at a press conference held by the President's Office on Wednesday, President Solih said although there are differences on a number of issues between himself and the Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, the president would continue to ensure that he has the support of the majority of the parliament. Click here to read...

Unlikely for Thila-Male' Bridge to reach completion by 2023 - Avas

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said it is unlikely that the construction of the Thila-Male Bridge will reach completion by 2023. India is providing a loan assistance of US$ 400 million to build the Maldives' second over-water bridge that will link Male', Villimale', Gulhifalhu and Thilfushi. While the loan agreement has been signed, US$ 100 million has been given as grant assistance by India and will be utilized for the project. The project was expected to reach completion within two years, in mid-2023. Click here to read...

Myanmar

Myanmar: Failed State or failed nation? - Frontier Myanmar

The recent talk of Myanmar being a “failed state” overlooks a potentially bigger issue: that the people of Myanmar do not share a sense of a united Myanmar identity despite decades of effort by military and civilian governments alike to cultivate one. Click here to read...

Burmese Military Blocks Supply Routes to 50,000 Chin Refugee - International Christian Concern - persecution.org

Since the fighting resumed on July 21st, the military has cut all supplies to the town of Mindat in Myanmar’s Chin state. This move has left the 50,000 refugees who fled there to escape the infighting with just two weeks’ food supply. According to Radio Free Asia, junta forces blocked all entrances and exits to the town and shut down supply routes elsewhere in Chin state. Click here to read...

Myanmar: Roads To A Federal Army Are Twisted – Eurasia Review

The idea of a Federal Army for Myanmar is as old as the country’s struggle for democracy. The vision is a part of the larger picture of decentralization and democratization of the multiethnic nation of 54 million and was first seriously floated in 1988 as a counterweight to Tatmadaw and to rally the support of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) during 8888 Uprising. Click here to read...

Beijing to transfer $8.2m to Myanmar junta to fund development projects - Strait Times

China will transfer more than US$6 million (S$8.2 million) to Myanmar's government to fund 21 development projects, Myanmar's Foreign Ministry said, in a sign of cooperation resuming under the junta that overthrew an elected government on Feb 1. Unlike Western countries that have condemned the junta for cutting short democracy and the killing and imprisonment of its opponents, China has taken a softer line and said its priorities are stability and not interfering in its neighbour's affairs. Click here to read...

Scores of Rights, Media Groups Urge Telenor to Halt Sale of Myanmar Business - The Irrawaddy

A group of 45 global and Myanmar human rights, media and other organizations on Thursday called on Norway’s Telenor Group to halt the controversial sale of its Myanmar operation to M1 Group, a Lebanese company with ties to Myanmar’s junta. Click here to read...

Nepal

Nepal reports 2473 fresh covid cases, 32 deaths in 24 hours- The Himalayan

“Nepal's coronavirus caseload reached 725,769 on Thursday with 2,473 more people testing positive for the infection in the past 24 hours.” Click here to read...

KC appointed chief minister of Lumbini- Kathmandu Post

“Kul Prasad KC, the parliamentary party leader of CPN (Maoist Centre), has been appointed as the chief minister of Lumbini Province. Amik Sherchan, the provincial chief of Lumbini, appointed KC as the new chief minister on the basis of Article 168 (2) of the Constitution. KC was elected provincial assembly member from Rolpa Constituency No 1 (A).” Click here to read...

After losing party chair, Mahantha Thakur is in dilemma- Kathmandu Post

“With the Election Commission earlier this week relegating him to the status of an ordinary member of the Janata Samajbadi Party, stripping him of party chair, Thakur has hard choices to make. He can either remain within the party, which is now led by his rival Upendra Yadav as executive chair and Baburam Bhattarai as federal council chair, or form a new party.” Click here to read...

With government unsure of its own strength, House deprived of business- Kathmandu Post

“Since its reinstatement by the Supreme Court on July 12, the House of Representatives has met seven times. Except for Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba winning a confidence vote on July 18, there is little the lower house has done in terms of its work. Speaker Agni Sapkota has limited the House business to zero hour and special hour sessions and endorsement of condolence motions.” Click here to read...

PM Deuba says Maoist Centre didn’t let him commit to MCC endorsement- Online Khabar

“Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba says the ruling coalition partner CPN-Maoist Centre did not let him commit to endorsing the controversial Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement signed with the United States government from the parliament.” Click here to read...

Nepal’s Endless Democratic Transition- Rising Nepal

“This process continues and people are still being fooled under democratic garb? The seven constitutions that were promulgated over the years are the classic example as how unstable political mind have we become. None of the elected Prime Ministers has completed their full-term in office.” Click here to read...

The Council of Ministers is incomplete for months (महिना दिनसम्म मन्त्रिपरिषद् अपूरै)- Kantipur Daily

“It has been one month since the formation of the government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba on Friday. But so far the cabinet has not been completed. Though UML's Madhav Nepal group is waiting, the party leaders say that it is the Congress, UCPN (M) and Jaspa leadership that are delaying.” Click here to read...

Monetary policy today- Kantipur Daily

“The National Bank of Nepal (NBN) on Friday unveiled the monetary policy that could not be issued despite being in a state of readiness due to the change of government. NRB is about to make public the monetary policy for the current fiscal year with special facilities for the debtors affected by the second and third wave of Covid. "The board of directors is scheduled to meet on Friday morning," the source said.” Click here to read...

Congress Central Committee meeting today, discussion on the General Convention- Nepal Ghatna

“Nepali Congress Central Committee meeting is being held on Friday. The meeting to be held at the residence of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at Budhanilkantha at 11 am will focus on the 14th General Convention.Nepali Congress Central Committee meeting is being held on Friday. The meeting to be held at the residence of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at Budhanilkantha at 11 am will focus on the 14th General Convention.” Click here to read...

Afghanistan War: Government Urges Nepali Workers to Return- BBC Nepali

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it is studying the situation of Nepali nationals in Afghanistan through employer agencies and personal contacts. "We are closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan. Appropriate decisions will have to be made in the event of a crisis for Nepalis there," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Seva Lamsal told the BBC.” Click here to read...

PAKSITAN

Unconditional $2.8bn from IMF due on 23rd: Tarin: Dawn

Confirming that Pakistan will receive $2.77 billion ‘unconditional’ funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Aug 23, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin on Thursday said the government would address the global lender’s concerns over its proposed Rs1.6 trillion worth of Kamyab Pakistan Programme (KPP) and take forward the $6bn Extended Fund Facility currently “in recess”. Click here to read...

Pakistan to help Taliban-Turkey talks over Kabul airport: PM Imran: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday Pakistan would influence the Taliban for holding direct talks with Turkey to secure Kabul International Airport after US troops completely exit the conflict-hit Afghanistan by August 31.Regarding the impression that US President Joe Biden is not giving due importance to him, Prime Minister Khan said he was not waiting for the president’s telephone call. “We will be trying the best thing for Turkey and Taliban to have a face-to-face dialogue, so that both could talk about the reasons to secure the Kabul airport,” he said while talking to foreign media persons at PM House (partly reported in Thursday’s issue). Click here to read...

Will not allow any foreign bases in Pakistan, reiterates PM Imran: The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated that his government will not allow any foreign military bases on Pakistani soil as the country can not again get 'embroiled' in another Afghan civil war. The premier further said that as far as he knows, "the Americans are going to stop all sorts of air attacks on Afghanistan" after August 31. "We have made it very clear that our soil will not be used...so that we again get embroiled in Afghanistan's civil war. Click here to read...

Govt finds Gwadar plan lacking: The Express Tribune

The Cabinet Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CCoCPEC) on Thursday termed Gwadar port marketing plan prepared by Chinese operators unsatisfactory, as the government also remains unable to provide required support to make its free zone fully operational. Due to a delay in starting work on Gwadar power plant of 300 megawatts coupled with lack of transmission network, the cabinet committee also decided to import another 100MW of electricity from Iran to meet the port’s energy requirements. Click here to read...

'Indian-Afghan nexus' behind Dasu bus attack: Qureshi: Dawn

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said the Dasu bus attack that last month killed 13 people, including Chinese nationals, was a suicide bombing, adding that investigation showed it had "links to Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies”. On July 14, nine Chinese nationals, two personnel of the Frontier Constabulary and as many locals, were killed and 28 others sustained injuries when a coach carrying them to an under-construction tunnel site of the 4,300-megawatt Dasu hydropower project fell into a ravine in the Upper Kohistan area after an explosion. Click here to read...

Corona claims 102 lives, a record in three months: The News

The national tally of deaths from COVID-19 has risen to a record 102 in the last three months with 4,934 more people testing positive and 3,376 recovering from the disease during the 24 hours. The number of total active cases stood at 86,217, which is the highest during the fourth wave of pandemic. Of 102 patients who died during the 24 hours, 98 were under treatment in hospitals and two in their respective quarantines or homes, according to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). Click here to read...

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka still at the start of Delta variant spread - The Island

Sri Lanka was still at the early stages of the COVID wave created by the Delta variant and it had not spread to most parts of the country, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit, Department of Immunology Molecular and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura said yesterday. He urged the government to take immediate action before the variant spread to other parts of the country. Click here to read...

For travellers from overseas: RAT Results No Longer Accepted - Ceylon Today

Introducing further guidelines for travellers from overseas, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena said it was mandatory for travellers aged two years or above arriving in Sri Lanka to carry a negative PCR test report in English done 72 hours prior to embarkation.

He noted that a predeparture COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) report would not be accepted. Dr. Gunawardena, cancelling circular DGHS/COVID19/347/2021 dated 15 July 2021, said that fully vaccinated Sri Lankans, dual citizens and their foreign national spouses and children with a travel history (including transit) in the past 14 days to India, are not required to get prior approval from the Foreign Ministry or Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to disembark in Sri Lanka.

They will be subjected to a PCR test upon arrival and will be quarantined at a Government managed quarantine hotel or centre until COVID-19 negative PCR report is available. If they have a residence or home in Sri Lanka, they would be released to further quarantine there. Click here to read...

SL opens up for biggest tourist source market India - Daily FT

The Government has decided to facilitate tourists from India after three months, subject to strict health guidelines and prior approvals. In May, Indian tourists were restricted due to the surge in COVID-19 cases with the highly infectious Delta variant. India is the biggest tourist source market for Sri Lanka.

According to the latest Health Ministry quarantine guidelines effective from 12 August, fully-vaccinated foreign nationals arriving from India, including transits, are required to obtain prior approval from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Indian tourists will also be subject to mandatory PCR tests. Click here to read...

President takes initiative to contribute to UN Climate Change and Global Warming Prevention activities - The Island

On the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the government had prepared a detailed document pertaining to the UN Climate Change and Global Warming Prevention activities, Secretary to the Environment Ministry Dr. Anil Jasinghe said yesterday.

Dr. Jasinghe told the media that action would be taken to increase the country’s forest cover to 30 percent by 2025 and introduce a gree manufacturing economy.

Therefore, he said the Sri Lankan government on the President’s initiative, had prepared a comprehensive programme in response to the Environmental Red Alert issued by the United Nations Secretary-General recently. Click here to read...

SLFP emphasizes need for a mixed electoral system and the executive presidency - Adaderana

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has emphasizes the need for a mixed electoral system at the Select Committee of Parliament to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments. Sri Lanka Freedom Party, United People’s Freedom Alliance and People’s United Front handed over their proposals in writing yesterday (11) to the Select Committee of Parliament, chaired by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, State Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekara and Lasantha Alagiyawanna handed over the proposals to the Chairman of the Committee, Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on behalf of their parties. Click here to read...