Afghanistan
Islamic Emirate Marks 9th Anniversary of Mullah Omar’s Death: Tolo News
The Islamic Emirate at a ceremony on Sunday marked the ninth anniversary of its founder and former leader Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid, where the participants spoke about his life, personality and his fight against "the invasion. Click here to read...
1,500 Afghans Given Humanitarian Assistance Donated by China: The Khaama Press
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriates of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan distributed China-donated humanitarian assistance to 1,500 Afghans in Kabul on Saturday.Speaking to reporters at the scene, the acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriates Khalilurahman Haqqani said the process will continue in the future as well. Click here to read...
IEA Separates Weekdays for Male, Female University Students: The Khaama Press
Ministry of Higher Education of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan separated weekdays of male and female students of universities in Kabul University and Kabul Polytechnic University in a bid to further end co-education. Click here to read...
Bangladesh
Jaishankar likely to visit this week- The Daily Star
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to visit Dhaka this week, most probably on April 28, says a diplomatic source yesterday. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka lesson for S Asia- The Daily Star
Sri Lanka's financial crisis is a classic example of what populist policies, corruption and mismanagement can cause, economists and political analysts from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka told a webinar yesterday. Click here to read...
No scope to repeal sanctions on Rab without concrete actions: US Ambassador- The Daily Star
There is no scope for repealing the sanctions against Rab, without concrete actions and accountability, United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said today. Click here to read...
US won't pick sides in Bangladesh’s election: US envoy- The Daily Star
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said the US will not take any sides in the upcoming elections in Bangladesh and reiterated US commitment across the world to help countries strengthen democracy. Click here to read...
Bhutan
Sluggish credit growth, a concern- Kuensel
A sluggish growth in lending, which has resulted in money lying idle with the financial institutions, has been a concern for the government amid efforts to revive the economy. Click here to read...
(Opinion) For the Class XII graduates- Kuensel
Education is a priority sector in Bhutan and, with the rapid growth of the student population, the issues are getting more complex by the year. Click here to read...
Misinformed and misunderstood- Kuensel
The recent incidents related to the two civil servants has sparked some fire and the smoke is blinding a lot of people who has information and the mandate to share it with the public. Click here to read...
Youth in conflict with the law find solace in Art- BBS
According to Nazhoen Lamtoen, a civil society organisation, which empowers vulnerable children, the artworks depict the best versions of the artists. Click here to read...
Better home insulation, a key to lowering carbon emissions- BBS
One can also opt for natural materials such as wood fibreboard, hemp and straw which have to be processed in factories. Click here to read...
Maldives
ADB considering a loan to Maldives bank to help nation's MSMEs, Ashok Lavasa said: Business Standard
The Asian Development Bank is considering giving a loan to a Maldivian bank, according to ADB Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships Ashok Lavasa. Click here to read...
Russia's flag carrier to resume operations to Maldives from mid-May: ANI
Russia's flag carrier Aeroflot is to resume flights to the Maldives from May 13, the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority announced on Sunday. The civil aviation authority said Aeroflot would operate one daily flight between the Maldives and Russia on an A330-300 aircraft. Click here to read...
Myanmar
Engulfed with Mounting Resistance, Myanmar Junta Boss Calls for Peace Talks - The Irrawaddy
Amid rising armed resistance against his rule in Myanmar, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has invited the leaders of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) for talks “to end armed conflict”. Click here to read...
Military-led Myanmar Seeks to Reassure Foreign Investors - VOACambodia
Myanmar officials sought Thursday to reassure foreign investors over currency controls that foreign governments and businesses say would make doing business in the military-ruled country nearly impossible. Click here to read...
Accused of AA ties, two Maungdaw Twsp men sentenced to 10 years in prison on terrorism charges - BNI Online
The Maungdaw District Court on Thursday sentenced two men accused of having illegal ties to the Arakan Army (AA) to 10 years in prison with hard labour under Section 50 of the Counter-Terrorism Law, according to family members. Click here to read...
Junta Watch: Regime Chief’s Thingyan Party Backfires; Billions Wasted on Honorary Titles for Dictators and More - The Irrawaddy
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s plan to use the Thingyan Water Festival, traditionally the country’s largest and most important annual celebration, to create an impression of normalcy returning to Myanmar backfired spectacularly when photos of the coup leader celebrating the festival in strained fashion went viral on social media. Click here to read...
Junta forces ‘making locals’ lives miserable’ as violence engulfs central Myanmar - Myanmar Now
Fighting between the Myanmar army and resistance forces has escalated throughout Magway Region, with guerrilla groups reportedly inflicting significant military casualties after a junta scorched earth campaign destroyed all or part of nearly 20 villages. Click here to read...
Myanmar anti-coup rebels threaten Chinese mines - NewAgeBD
Myanmar anti-coup rebels on Saturday threatened to attack Chinese-backed mines in the country’s northwest if the projects are not shut down, saying the profits were lining the pockets of the junta. Click here to read...
Nepal
Supreme Court set to decide today on petition on women’s representation in local governments- Kathmandu Post
Deadline given to political parties to file nominations for the May 13 local level elections ends today. Click here to read...
(Opinion) Invictus Games: Nepal's missed opportunity- Himalaya
Over the past weekend, the Invictus Games have started, and once again Nepal is missing this great opportunity to showcase the remarkable athletic skills of its veterans. Click here to read...
Melamchi water supply resumes in valley- Himalaya
The supply of drinking water from the Melamchi River in Sindhupalchowk to Kathmandu valley restarted today after around 10 months of complete closure of the water tunnel. Click here to read...
Albatross of an election alliance. Coalition yet to decide candidates for most places- Kathmandu Pots
Election offices brace for a hectic schedule today with just around 10,000 candidacies filed on Sunday. Click here to read...
The history of heritage- Nepali Times
Seven years later, monuments are coming out of their scaffolds, while others still have cracks that run the length of their walls. Click here to read...
DRI files cases against three companies for evading over Rs 180 million worth of revenue- Republica
The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) has filed cases against operators of three companies for evading revenue amounting to over Rs 180 million by creating fake bills. Click here to read...
JSPN election manifesto focuses on identity and good governance- Online Khabar
The Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal (JSPN) has also made its manifesto for the local elections public. Click here to read...
Pakistan
IMF agrees to add $2bn to ongoing programme: Dawn
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to increase the size of its $6 billion loan programme by $2bn and extend it for another year to prop up Pakistan’s balance of payments position and foreign exchange reserves. Click here to read...
Want to boost ties with Russia, Shehbaz responds to Putin: The News
According to sources, the premier has written a counter letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the reply letter, PM Shehbaz thanked President Putin for the congratulatory message, sources said. Click here to read...
PM orders immediate end to prolonged outages: Dawn
Amid prolonged outages in various parts of the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed the relevant authorities to reduce power glitches immediately and held the previous government responsible for the energy crisis. Click here to read...
Taliban shifting terrorists away from Pak-Afghan border after Islamabad warning: The Express Tribune
Officials familiar with the development told The Express Tribune on Sunday that Pakistan after recent spate of cross-border terrorist attacks conveyed to the Afghan Taliban in clear terms to take action against terrorist groups or face the consequences. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka
Why India’s claim of replacing Chinese influence in crisis-hit Sri Lanka is going to be a serious challenge: Economic Times
Anyone looking at the financial crisis and rising protests in Sri Lanka is bound to ask what happens if the government run by the two Rajapaksa brothers, known to be pro-China, crumbles in the coming days. Click here to read...
Tag Sri Lanka as 'low-income', FM Sitharaman urges IMF: Economic Times
Sri Lanka was classified as a middle-income country at the start of the pandemic. Sitharaman argued that given the nature of Sri Lanka's economy - dependence on income from the tourism sector, and the resultant dip in national revenues due to the pandemic - the country might be categorised as a lower-income country and helped accordingly. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka crisis: Situation tense near Prime Minster Rajapaksa’s residence amid protests: The Print
As the anti-government protest continues in Sri Lanka over the worsening economic crisis, the tense situation has been reported near the residence of the country’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, according to local media. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka sends SOS for lifesaving and emergency medicine supplies: Live Mint
Sri Lanka is seeking emergency aid to secure lifesaving drugs amid its worst economic crisis. The island nation, which imports 85% of its medicine requirements, has run out of dollars to pay for imports, putting its healthcare system on the brink of collapse. Click here to read...
Sri Lankans to face severe power cuts due to lack of sufficient fuel, water: ANI
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the largest electricity company in Sri Lanka, on Sunday announced that there will be a 4 hour and 30-minute power cut for three days due to the lack of sufficient fuel and water to generate electricity. Click here to read...
