Afghanistan
A Future Afghan Govt 'Not Complete' Without Women: Koofi: Tolo News
Fawzia Koofi, a former member of the Afghan Parliament, said on Monday that a future government will not be complete without the presence of women. She also criticized meetings held Kabul without the presence of women. The Taliban said women are allowed to work and be educated according to the framework of Islam.
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CIA chief meets de-facto Taliban leader in Kabul as evacuation continues: The Khaama Press
The head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns held a secret meeting with the Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday 24 August 2021. US media has cited US officials about the visit of Burns to Kabul, but the CIA has not yet commented on the face-to-face meeting.
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Taliban appoints head of central bank, minister of education: The Khaama Press
In the latest move, the Taliban appointed Mullah Abdulqahar known as Haji Muhammad Edris as acting head of central bank-De Afghanistan Bank- and Hemat Akhundzada as acting minister of education on Monday, August 23.
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WFP Urges World Nations to Donate $200M in Food Aid for Afghans: Tolo News
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday called for the international community to donate $200 million in food aid for Afghanistan so essential supplies can be delivered to remote regions before winter, Reuters reported.
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Nearly 11,000 people evacuated from Kabul in past 12 hours by US: The Khaama Press
The US has recently expedited the evacuation process and has started vacating people in civil planes along with the already deployed military ones. According to White House on Monday, August 23 a number of 10,900 people have been flown out of Afghanistan bringing the total number of evacuees to 53,000 people since July this year.
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Bangladesh
Funding on decline, challenges up- The Daily Star
Bangladesh is facing the decline in funding for the Rohingyas. In 2016, the funding from international donors had gone up by 75 percent and at present, it has come down to 34 percent. Bangladesh will need $ 1 billion and so far, it has received $366.
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Bangladesh tops SAARC countries in National Cyber Security Index- The Independent
Bangladesh has secured the top spot among SAARC nations in the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI). Bangladesh achieved the top position by moving 27 positions up in the National Cyber Security Index of Estonia-based e-Governance Academy Foundation this year.
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No new decision on Covid vaccination for Rohingya yet- Dhaka Tribune
The government of Bangladesh has inoculated close to 40,000 Rohingyas so far including those living in Cox Bazar. However, the vaccine drive is affected by the availability of vaccines.
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Bangladesh reports 114 Covid-19 deaths, 5,249 new cases- Daily Sun
On Tuesday Bangladesh registered 114 deaths from coronavirus or Covid-19 in the last 24 hours. Besides, some 5,249 people were diagnosed with Covid-19 during this period.
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Bhutan
Financial sector performance improving- Kuensel
The five banks and non-banking lenders recorded a net profit (after tax) of Nu 1.63 billion (B) at the end of the first quarter 2021, according to the financial sector performance report of the central bank.
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Bhutan’s export affected as taxes revised in India- Business Bhutan
Agriculture Minister of Bhutan has hinted those revised taxes in India have impacted Bhutan’s export. The market is reported to be facing challenges in exporting agricultural produce to India.
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Maldives
Tourist arrivals surpass 100,000 for the third month this year - Raajje
As per the tourism ministry's latest statistics, a total of 101,374 visitors were recorded from 1-21 August. While this is a 2.5 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2019, it is a 1,826.5 increase compared to last year when 5,262 arrivals were recorded; Maldives had reopened its borders after a nearly four-month closure due to Covid-19, on 15th July 2020.
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Budget forecast: Revenue of 23.6 bln, expenditure at 33.8 bln - Avas
The Finance Ministry in its Fiscal Strategy Report for the upcoming year said MVR 23.6 billion is expected as revenue including grant assistance. While the state expects to collect MVR 14. 7billion as taxes, an MVR 2.5 billion revenue is expected to be generated as GST. A revenue of MVR 4.4 billion is expected as TGST.
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Myanmar
Chinese embassy donates oxygen concentrators to help Myanmar fight COVID-19 - Xinhuanet
The Chinese Embassy to Myanmar on Tuesday donated 140 oxygen concentrators to Myanmar's Ministry of Health to help the country fight COVID-19, according to a release from the ministry. Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai believed that the donation could contribute to prevention, control and treatment measures of COVID-19 in Myanmar in its fight against the pandemic.
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Myanmar’s Junta Continues to Persecute Journalists - OCCRP
New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Myanmar’s military junta to release Sithu Aung Myint, a columnist for the independent Frontier Myanmar magazine and a commentator for the Voice of America, and a columnist and BBC presenter and producer Htet Htet Khine.
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Myanmar Junta Cuts Internet Access in Hpakant - The Irrawaddy
Mobile internet services were blocked on Friday, followed by a shutdown of wifi internet hours later, said residents. Telecom operators said that they did not know why internet services were blocked or when they would resume, according to locals.
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Can a UN Arms Embargo on Myanmar Work? - The Irrawaddy
The crisis in Myanmar has slipped from the headlines. In a predictably peripatetic news-cycle world, the continued post-coup crackdown, Covid-19 surge and humanitarian catastrophe evinces little international attention. The corroded global conscience has been gripped by the debacle of Afghanistan, the Delta variant and pandemic social disorder in multiple countries.
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Thirty Youths Arrested in Yangon Raids After Myanmar Shadow Govt Warns of ‘D-Day’ Operation - RFA
Security forces have detained more than 30 youths in Myanmar’s largest city Yangon as authorities conducted a series of raids in response to the country’s shadow government warning of a “D-Day” operation to oust the junta nearly seven months after it seized power through a coup.
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Landslide kills 11, injures 3 in Myanmar's central region - Nation News
A total of 11 people have been killed in a landslide in Myanmar's Mandalay region as seven more bodies were recovered on Tuesday evening, an official of a local rescue organization stated.
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Tens of Thousands Flee Myanmar Regime Forces’ Raids in Sagaing, Magwe - The Irrawaddy
Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes in Sagaing and Magwe regions due to recent junta raids, according to local sources. Junta forces have been raiding one village after another in Tabayin, Minkin, Myaung, Yinmarbin and Kani townships in Sagaing and Yesagyo and other townships in Magwe, attacking the bases of local resistance fighters, detaining civilians and looting.
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Six months on, pressure builds on NUG to turn talk into action - Frontier Myanmar
Although the military is overwhelmingly unpopular, time might not be on the NUG’s side. If history is a guide, the parallel government faces a growing risk of sliding into irrelevance as time passes. With its iconic leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in detention, a lack of support from neighbouring countries and historic tensions with ethnic minority groups, the NUG will likely need to regain its early momentum if it is to make any major progress.
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Effects of the TRIPS transition period extension on Myanmar - ManagingIP
On June 29 2021, World Trade Organisation (WTO) members approved another 13-year extension of the least developed country (LDC) transition period for applying the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The extension came as a result of a last-minute consensus during the TRIPS Council meeting, and just two days short of the original expiry date of July 1 2021. As a result of the agreed extension, the new deadline for LDCs to comply with the TRIPS IP protections is July 1 2034.
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Nepal
Nepal records 2020 new Covid-19 cases, 35 more deaths; active cases drop to 38,250- Himalayan Times
Nepal's coronavirus caseload reached 751,001 on Tuesday with 2,020 more people testing positive for the infection in the past 24 hours.
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Indian BJP wants to improve its ties with all parties in Nepal- Online Khabar
The chief of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Vijay Chauthaiwale is on a visit to Nepal. He has held meetings with Prime Minister Deuba, Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, opposition leader KP Oli, Maoist Party Chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
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Soaring shipping costs make Nepali products less competitive in US- Kathmandu Post
Nepal’s export industry is witnessing the rising shipping costs to the United States. It is affecting the producers and hampering market.
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(Opinion) Climate code red: Nepal at the frontline: Nicola Pollitt
The article discusses Climate Change in Nepal in the context of recently released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change special report on the impacts of global warming.
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CPN-UML decides to hold 10th General Convention from November 26 to 28- Republica
The Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist will hold its 10th General Convention in the last week of November. Convention will be an important event for the party as KP Oli has been trying to keep leaders together.
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112 More Nepalis Arrive from Afghanistan- Rising Nepal
In an ongoing repatriation mission to bring Afghan nationals back to Nepal from Afghanistan, 112 more Nepalis have been brough back to Nepal. The total number of returnees stands at 770 so far.
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Pakistan
Pakistan among states ready to mediate in Afghanistan: Lavrov: Dawn
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that Russia, China, the United States and Pakistan are interested in serving as mediators in resolving the crisis in Afghanistan, In Islamabad, Pakistan’s foreign minister said on Tuesday that an inclusive political settlement is the best way forward for peace and stability in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover
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FM Qureshi embarks on visit to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran: The Express Tribune
According to Foreign Office (FO), FM Qureshi would have high-level interactions to exchange views on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and on enhancing bilateral relations. He would also share Pakistan's perspective on the latest developments in Afghanistan.
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Qureshi discusses current Afghan situation with Australian counterpart: The Express
Tribune
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi during a telephonic conversation held with his Australian counterpart, Marise Payne stressed that it was essential for the world community to support the people of Afghanistan and address the humanitarian situation and facilitate economic sustenance.
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FBR gets 6th head in three years as PM’s aide on finance quits: Dawn
In a major reshuffle in its economic team, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government on Tuesday removed the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Asim Ahmad after a major cyberattack on taxpayers’ data, which was archived and managed by the FBR for automation
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Terrorists attacking Chinese nationals not to be spared: NSA: The News
National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr. Moeed Yusuf had a video call with the State Councilor, Minister of the Public Security of the People’s Republic of China Zhao Kezhi. He said the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on Chinese nationals working in Pakistan would be brought to justice.
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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka green light for Covaxin: Opens quarantine free for fully jabbed Indian tourists - TOI
Sri Lanka has reopened for fully vaccinated tourists from India, including those who have got Covaxin— SriLankan Airlines’ head of worldwide sales and distribution, Dimuthu Tennakoon, told TOI on Tuesday. Also, there is no requirement for quarantine for travellers who test Covid negative on arrival in the Emerald Island.
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Newly appointed FM meets diplomatic community - Ceylon Today
Several diplomats called on the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris on Friday (20) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo. Foreign Minister Peiris met with Ambassadors of Russia, China, the United States and the European Union.
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Afghanistan crisis: Lanka receives an assurance from Pakistan - The Island
Pakistan has assured Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris of Taliban’s pledge to ensure safety and security of foreign nationals in Afghanistan. This was conveyed by Pakistan High Commissioner in Colombo Major General (retd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak recently when he called on Prof. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry.
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Sri Lanka acquires one million more doses of Sinopharm - Economynext
Sri Lanka received another one million doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday (24), the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) said. Another two million doses of the Chinese vaccine is scheduled to arrive on Saturday (28), the SPC said. Sinopharm is the most widely used COVID-19 vaccine in Sri Lanka. So far, 9,609,702 have received at least one dose, out of whom 4,466,999 are fully vaccinated, official data showed.
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