Bangladesh, US keen to deepen bilateral ties to address challenges of climate change
Dhaka Tribune | 25th October
Bangladesh and the United States have expressed their interest to deepen their bilateral relations in addressing the defining challenges of climate change. This was expressed at a meeting between Special Envoy to Prime Minister of Bangladesh for Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP and the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry held on Tuesday afternoon at the latter’s office at the US
Department of State.
Suppression, Crisis, and quakes deepen Human Rights concerns in Afghanistan: UN Report
The Khaama Press | 25th October
Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan on Tuesday, presented a report on the situation in Afghanistan to the United Nations General Assembly. The report said that Afghanistan is currently confronted with a multitude of pressing challenges which encompass a worsening human rights landscape due to the repressive policies of the Taliban, a pervasive culture of impunity, an ongoing humanitarian..
Over 300 PIA flights cancelled in 10 days
Dawn | 25th October
Pakistan International Airlines is on the verge of a shutdown as it has cancelled over 300 flights in the past 10 days due to the unavailability of fuel and financial crisis, a national carrier’s spokesman has
confirmed. The airline is facing arguably its worst crisis in history as Pakistan State
Oil (PSO) has cut the fuel supply over unpaid dues. The move forced the airline to cancel 322 flights, including 134 on international routes, since Oct 14. On Tuesday, 51 flights, including 27 on domestic routes, were cancelled, as per the spokesman.
PAKISTAN
Military conducts successful
‘training launch of Ghauri Weapon System’
The News | 24th October
Pakistan on Tuesday conducted a successful “training launch
of Ghauri Weapon System” which it had carried out to assess the “operational
and technical readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command” (ASFC), shared the
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.
As per the military’s media wing, the ASFC commander, senior
officers from the strategic forces, scientists and engineers of strategic
organisations oversaw the launch.
COAS calls for early halt of
Israeli aggression
The Nation | 25th October
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir, NI(M),
met with the Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, Ahmad Jawad Rabei, at the
General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
According to the ISPR, the COAS expressed condolences on the
loss of Palestinian lives in the ongoing war in Gaza. He expressed grave concern
over the unabated violence and wilful and indiscriminate killing of innocent
civilians by the Israeli defence forces in the war.
‘Confident’ Pakistan to meet IMF
for review talks on Nov 2
The Express Tribune | 25th October
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to begin
talks from Nov 2 for the release of $710 million second loan tranche, as the
government remains confident that it will successfully complete the programme
review amid some external sector challenges.
A clarity on next general elections date can further
strengthen the hands of the Ministry of Finance during the upcoming review
talks for the July-September period of this fiscal year, although the IMF has
not explicitly attached any such condition.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka to establish an
Anti-Narcotic Command to curb influx of drugs
Colombo Page | 24th October
Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, Senior Adviser on National Security to
the President and Chief of the Presidential Staff, announced the forthcoming
establishment of an ‘Anti-Narcotic Command’ to combat the influx of drugs from
foreign nations into Sri Lanka.
This initiative will empower the country’s armed forces and
the State Intelligence Service to collaborate with international intelligence
agencies in conducting necessary operations.
Presidential election scheduled for
next year – President
Daily Mirror | 21st October
In accordance with the Constitution, the Presidential
election is scheduled for next year, followed by the parliamentary election,
President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured today despite reports that there will be
Constitutional reforms instead.
“Both the Presidential election and the general
elections will be held next year while the Provincial Council election will be
held in early 2025,” the President said while addressing the UNP
Convention in Colombo.
Visa free travel for visitors from
seven countries
The Island | 25th October
The government has approved visa-free entry for visitors
from Malaysia, Thailand, India, China, Japan, and Indonesia until March 31,
2024, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando announced yesterday (24)
AFGHANISTAN
New earthquake hits Herat amid
shortage of funds
Afghanistan Times | 23rd October
Herat province in western Afghanistan has once again been
shaken by an earthquake, compounding the suffering of its residents already
grappling with a series of significant tremors in recent weeks. The latest
event, with a magnitude of 4.4, occurred during the early hours of Monday.
This marks the fifth major earthquake to hit the region
since October 7 when a devastating 6.3-magnitude quake claimed over 1,500 lives
and left more than 2,100 people injured. Subsequent major aftershocks on
October 11, 13, and 15 have caused additional destruction and displaced over
100,000 individuals.
WFP: EU’s $21M Will Aid Afghans in
Need
TOLO News | 25th October
The World Food Program reported more than $21 million in aid
from the European Union to Afghanistan will be distributed to needy people in
Afghanistan.
“The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in
Afghanistan welcomes a humanitarian aid contribution over US$21.6 million from
the European Union. This contribution will help WFP reach a planned 21 million
vulnerable, food-insecure people across the country.” report said.
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh to get €477m from EU as
agreements signed
Prothom Alo | 25th October
Bangladesh is going to get € 477 million as loan and grant
as the country signed several agreements with European Investment Bank (EIB)
and the European Commission (EC) in Brussels.
Under three agreements signed among Bangladesh, EIB and EC,
Bangladesh will get € 407 million as loan and grant to support renewable energy
sector of Bangladesh.
Japan will continue to stand by
Rohingyas: Ambassador
Bangladesh Post | 23rd October
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh IwamaKiminori has said
Japan will continue to stand by the Rohingya refugees and work towards their
voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable returns to Myanmar and also assist
Bangladesh and the host community here.
“As the crisis is turning into its sixth year, it is
essential to keep the attention of the global community, while multiple
emergencies have been taking place in different parts of the world,” he
said. The ambassador attended the inauguration ceremony of “The Project
for improved shelters at Nayapara Refugee Camp” in Cox’s Bazar on Monday.
BHUTAN
Bhutan, China hold 25th round
boundary talks
Kuensel | 26th October
The 25th round of boundary talks between Bhutan and China
was held in Beijing on October 23 and 24.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Dr Tandi
Dorji led the Bhutanese delegation and Vice Foreign Minister of China Sun
Weidong led the Chinese delegation.
According to a press release from the foreign ministry, the
two sides held in-depth discussions on the boundary negotiations and noted the
progress made through a series of Expert Group Meetings since the 24th round of
boundary talks in 2016. The two leaders of the delegations commended the Expert
Group for the work done and agreed to build on the positive momentum.
Bhutan’s Sustainable Journey: From
Policy Changes to Quality Certification
Daily Bhutan | 24th October
The event took place in the prestigious Raffles Hotel and
saw an attendance of around 50 individuals hailing from the travel trade and
media industry in Singapore. Some of the established local tour operators that
were present include SoulTrips, EU Holidays, and Nam Ho.
Notably, a group of proud Bhutanese entrepreneurs also joined the gathering to
present their locally crafted products.
During the event, Director General Dorji Dhradhul addressed
the audience, shedding light on Bhutan’s latest tourism policies. He
highlighted a significant development, which involved reducing the Sustainable
Development Fees from USD 200 per person per night to USD 100
per person per night.
Bhutan Biological Corridor Bill
2023 adopted
Business Bhutan | 21st October
The Biological Corridor (BC) Nine Bill of Bhutan, 2023 was
adopted by the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday after all the 41 members
voted in favour of the Bill that was recommended for endorsement by the
National Council (NC).
This comes after the Energy and Natural Resources minister,
Loknath Sharma introduced the BC Nine Bill of Bhutan in the NC on October 5.
While introducing the Bill, the minister said that the concern for the proposed
biological corridor is that it will come as restriction to the people.
MALDIVES
New bill requires foreign investors to attain license
The Edition | 23rd October
Work on the new foreign investment bill, which requires foreign
investors to attain a special license for the purpose, commences.
Preliminary reading of the bill was addressed at the
parliament sitting on Monday, October 23.
The bill seeks to create policies on issuing permits for
foreign investors, ensuring legal protection and preservation of these
investors, underline the circumstances under which foreign investments can be
acquired by the state, methods of providing compensation for such investments,
and issuance of specific licenses for foreign contractors working in the
Maldives.
Maldives to donate two million cans of tuna to Palestine
Sun | 24th October
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to donate two
million cans of tuna to Palestine, as the humanitarian crisis in the country
continues to escalate.
The decision was announced by Foreign Minister Abdulla
Shahid in a post on X on Tuesday.
“President @ibusolih has decided to send 2 million cans of
tuna to our brothers and sisters in Palestine, in response to the grave need
for humanitarian support at this time of crisis,” he said.
Shahid described the donation as a symbol of Maldives’
deepest solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Russia continues to top Maldives tourist arrival markets
Raajje | 22nd October
Russia continues to top the Maldives tourist arrival
markets, as the tenth month of the year inches closer to its end.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism in its latest
daily statistics, publicized on Sunday.
As such, although India topped the tourist markets for
Maldives halfway through the year, it was replaced by Russia recently.
MYANMAR
Myanmar Regime Discusses Deeper
Chinese Investment
The Irrawaddy | 24th October
China’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Chen Hai, has met the junta’s
foreign minister, Than Swe, to discuss Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.
Regime leader Min Aung Hlaing was not invited to the BRI’s
10th anniversary event last week in Beijing, despite heavy junta lobbying.
Chen proposed cooperation on “eight major steps” announced
by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRI forum to enable both countries to
prosper, according to the embassy’s Facebook page.
Students in universities under
border affairs ministry to undergo mandatory military training
Myanmar Now | 23rd October
The junta will require a one-month mandatory military
training course for hundreds of students from higher education institutions
operating under the Ministry of Border Affairs amid major losses of Myanmar
army soldiers in battles against the anti-coup resistance nationwide.
The affected universities and colleges are the University
for the Development of the National Races located in Sagaing, and two degree
colleges of Nationalities Youth Resource Development, located in Yangon’s Dagon
Seikkan and in Ohn Taw in Sagaing.
NEPAL
EU allocates relief of over Rs 9.8
million to earthquake victims in Nepal
The Himalayan Times | 20th October
The European Union has allocated €70 000 (over Rs 9.8
million) in response to the earthquake that hit the western part of Nepal
earlier this month.
This EU funding will help reconstitute the stocks that the
Nepalese Red Cross Society used during its emergency response which targeted
7,500 people in the worst-hit localities in Sudurpaschim Province, the
epicentre of the quake.
Namely, the funding will help to supply new shelter and
household items, including tarpaulins, blankets and mattresses as preventive
measures of other disasters.
Now Chief Justice, Nepal Army head
visiting China
The Kathmandu Post | 21st October
China has in recent months stepped up its engagement across
several fronts in Nepal. It is sending several high-profile leaders and
officials to Nepal in order to engage with different state entities while it is
also inviting Nepali leaders, top officials and civil society members, among
others, to China. One of its goals is to build support for various programmes
launched by President Xi Jinping.
UN Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres visiting Nepal on October 29
Onlinekhabar | 20th October
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres is visiting Nepal from October 29 to November 1.
A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday approved
the formal visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said Minister for
Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma.
Likewise, the cabinet meeting also approved the US visit
of Foreign Affairs Minister NP Saud from
October 25 to November 2.
