Afghanistan
Al-Qaida and Islamic Emirate Relationship 'Remains Close’: UN: Tolo News
"The relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaida remains close, with the latter celebrating the former’s success and renewing its pledge of allegiance to [Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada]," a UN report said. Click here to read...
Thomas West Describes the Meeting with Uzbek Officials as “Productive”: The Khaama Press
Uzbekistan is playing a significant role in aiding the Afghan people, according to the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, who wrote on a Twitter thread, Saturday evening, May 28. He maintains that Termez is a crucial “humanitarian hub”, and that Tashkent will continue to supply electricity to Afghanistan. Click here to read...
Protester Women: The Taliban Intervenes Private Affairs of the People Instead of Addressing Economic Issues: The Khaama Press
On Sunday, 29th May, protesting women marched against the Taliban’s actions in the face of rising poverty and unemployment, as well as the Taliban’s actions against women, accusing the group of intruding in people’s private matters. Click here to read...
Bangladesh
River links with Bangladesh, Nepal key to India's growth, Nirmala Sitharaman said: Times Of India
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said India needs to tap the potential of historic riverine systems with Nepal and Bangladesh to accelerate logistic movement to expedite its growth story.Click here to read...
India-Bangladesh train services resume after two years: Free Press Journal
After two years of ‘distress’ due to pandemic, on Sunday there came ‘good news’ for two countries after Maitree Express and Bandhan Express once again resumed between India and Bangladesh. Click here to read...
Bhutan
Sugar import restriction could hit Bhutanese industries- Kuensel
Without any clear indication whether India’s restriction on export of sugar is applicable to Bhutan or not, industries that require sugar as a key raw material in the country are in dilemma. Click here to read...
(opinion) Life may be forgotten, but not negligence and accountability- Kuensel
Under the wise and farsighted leadership of our Monarchs, Bhutanese are extremely fortunate to enjoy complete free medical services including medicines and referrals. Click here to read...
The three most popular flowers in Bhutan- Daily Bhutan
Bhutan has pristine forest cover; more than 51% of the country is protected land. So you bet they have some gorgeous flowers to boot. Click here to read...
Bhutan faces food shortage; spike in domestic prices- Bhutan Today
Bhutan, which depends on imports to meet food demand, imported cereals amounting $30.35 million, mainly rice and wheat from India, in 2021. Click here to read...
Red Dot Bhutan calls for men to take lead roles in breaking stigma about menstruation- BBS
As Bhutan joined the global community to mark the Menstrual Hygiene Day today, the Red Dot Bhutan called for men and boys to take lead in breaking social taboos and myths concerning menstruation. Click here to read...
Maldives
Maldives rolls out the powerful pro-India 'Baakeenuvey' campaign to take on China-backed parties: Daiji World
ndia has become a major election issue in the tiny Maldives that goes to elections in 2023. The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has launched the 'Baakeenuvey' campaign to show its solidarity with India while the opposition has been running an intense non-stop India Out campaign for long.
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Tourist arrivals recorded so far in Golden Jubilee Year of tourism exceed 680,000-mark: Raajje
Tourist arrivals recorded so far in the Golden Jubilee Year of Maldives tourism have exceeded 680,000. This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism in the latest weekly statistics, publicized on Thursday. Click here to read...
Myanmar
Bangladesh says Rohingyas could turn to extremism, seeks help for repatriation - Hindustan Times
Delivering a special address at the inaugural session of the two-day Asian Confluence River Conclave, Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence 3 (NADI-3), in Guwahati, the minister said that Bangladesh is at present hosting 1.1 million Myanmar nationals in Cox’s Bazar region. Click here to read...
China, Russia reportedly block UN statement on Myanmar crisis - DW
China and Russia blocked the UN Security Council from issuing a statement on the crisis in Myanmar on Friday, according to diplomats familiar with the talks. The statement, expressing concern at the violence and humanitarian situation in the country, was aimed at pushing Myanmar's military leaders to take steps to resolve the crisis. Click here to read...
Gunfighting erupts between Burmese Army and AA in Paletwa - Narinjara
The gunfighting between the Burmese Army personnel and Arakan Army (AA) members erupted on Thusday at around 10 am near Abaung Thar village, which is about a mile away from Paletwa in south Chin State. Click here to read...
Independent media understand the severity of the Myanmar crisis - Mizzima
The Economist magazine raised a few hackles in the Myanmar independent media community this month with a claim that journalists must be “drinking the Kool-Aid” in their coverage of the bitter conflict since the February 2021 military coup. Click here to read...
Myanmar Foreign Minister may not get ASEAN meet call - The Hindu
According to several official and diplomatic sources, India has decided follow the consensus of ASEAN countries instead, to invite only a “non-political”, “non-military” representative to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and US-ASEAN meetings. Click here to read...
Period pain: Women in Myanmar struggle with menstrual hygiene - AlJazeera
A year after Myanmar erupted into civil war prompted by a February 2021 military coup, more than half a million people have been internally displaced and millions are unable to access basic food and medical needs. Click here to read...
Myanmar junta says Russia to step up as major energy supplier after more international oil, gas firms quit - SCMP
Russia is shaping up to be a major energy supplier for Myanmar amid an exodus by international players from the country’s oil and gas sector, one of the junta’s biggest sources of foreign revenue. Click here to read...
Nepal
Tara Air plane crashed at Sanosware, Thasang-2 in Mustang- Himalayan Times
Search efforts for the Tara Air plane that has been missing for over 20 hours resumed Monday morning. Click here to read...
Rightist Rastriya Prajatantra Party cashes in on people’s frustration with major parties- Kathmandu Post
As the party improves its vote shares, it hopes to fare better in upcoming polls. Click here to read...
Next year to be marked 'Agriculture Production National Campaign Year'- The Rising Nepal
The government has presented the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2022/23 focusing to make the country self-reliant in agriculture by increasing productivity and production of agricultural goods so as to substitute imports. Click here to read...
Pakistan
Notices be issued to Musharraf, successive rulers: IHC: Dawn
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the federal government to serve notices on former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf and all successive chief executives, including Imran Khan and incumbent premier Shehbaz Sharif, for following an “undeclared tacit approval of the policy regarding enforced disappearances”. Click here to read...
Balochistan votes in LG polls amid sporadic violence: Dawn
By late night on Sunday, independent candidates had won more than 1,000 seats in municipal corporations, municipal committees and union councils, followed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) winning around 100 seats and the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) securing 71 seats. Click here to read...
‘Back channel talks going on’ to break deadlock with India: The Express Tribune
Pakistan and India have been engaged in “back channel” talks in order to break the stalemate in the relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, according to official sources familiar with the development. Click here to read...
IMF programme: Raise in base power tariff by Rs7-7.5/unit on the cards: The News
To ensure restoration of the IMF program, a massive increase in electricity base tariff by up to Rs7-7.50 per unit is on the cards within the next 2-3 weeks, which is to be enforced from July 1, 2022, top official sources told The News. “The current average base tariff stands at Rs16.64 per unit, which will go up to Rs24.14 per unit with the expected raise of Rs7-7.50 per unit.” Click here to read...
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka police tear gas student protesters in fresh clashes: The Hindu
Anti-riot squads used water cannon followed by tear gas, as protesters pulled down barricades across a road leading to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residenceClick here to read...
Sri Lanka PM invites protesting youth to join governance: ABC News
Sri Lanka’s prime minister says protesting youth groups will be invited to be part of governance under political reforms he is proposing to solve the country’s political crisis triggered by an economic collapseClick here to read...
Sri Lankan crisis benefiting Indian Airports: Report: News First
ndia’s Thiruvananthapuram airport has earned 10 million rupees after refueling two SriLankan Airlines flights. The flights, which were heading to Germany and Australia had a stopover at the airport on Friday and Saturday, which led to this amount being earned. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka is counting on more help from India till the cheque from the IMF arrives: Economic Times
The Indian High Commission said the humanitarian supplies are in continuation of the government's ongoing support to the people of Sri Lanka in multiple forms such as financial assistance, forex support, material supply etc. Click here to read...
