SL seeks innocent passage via Indian territorial waters to enter Arabian Sea
Daily Mirror | 6th July
Sri Lanka will seek fresh diplomatic engagements with India to secure what is termed ‘an innocent passage’ through its territorial waters for Sri Lankan fishermen to enter the Arabian Sea for multi-day fisheries, a minister said.
Currently, Sri Lankan multi- day fishing vessels taking to the sea from areas like Negambo, Dikovita, Beruwila and Matara voyage around the Maldives to reach the Arabian Sea. However, a passage through India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will save them 400 nautical miles.
Children in Kabul Malnourished Due to Poverty
TOLO News | 7th July
Some families in Kabul said that due to poverty and a lack of food, their children have became malnourished.
The father of a malnourished child, Khan Zada, said that he is the family’s sole breadwinner and that his three-year-old child is malnourished as a result of his inability to provide adequate food for them.
“My last child had malnutrition because of a lack of food for him and his mother,” he said.
“Every day, my husband makes between 50 and 60 Afs. He sometimes arrives empty-handed.
Pakistan, Italy extend debt swap pact timeline
Dawn | 7th July
Pakistan and Italy have reached an agreement to extend the timeline of the Pakistan-Italian Debt Swap Agreement (PIDSA) till December next year.
To this effect, an ‘Exchange of Letters’ was signed by Italian Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese and Economic Affairs Division Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz here on Thursday.
Procedures, modalities, terms, and conditions as defined in the agreement signed in November 2006 between the two countries remained the same, said a press release issued by the Economic Affairs Division.
PAKISTAN
Parliament condemns Islamophobic act
The Express | 6th July
The joint sitting of parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution, urging the relevant international organisations and states to legislate and criminalise desecration of symbols of religions including holy books, personalities, places of worship and followers.
The resolution, which was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi on behalf of all parties in the house, condemned the act of desecration of the Holy Quran outside a mosque in Sweden.
Pakistani parliamentary delegation engages in constructive dialogue at CIIDS in China
The Nation | 7th July
On July 5th, the Pakistani parliamentary delegation embarked on its nine-day visit to China and visited CIIDS for a think tank dialogue as its first stop upon landing on the Chinese soil.
During the dialogue, there was constructive exchange of ideas between the two sides. Founding Chairman of CIIDS and Chairman of its academic committee Zheng Bijian said, “Before us is not the so-called ‘end of history’, but the beginning of a new era—— the community of shared future.”
SRI LANKA
Defense State Minister assures to implement stricter laws to combat human and drug trafficking
Colombo Page | 6th July
Speaking at a press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the Presidential Media Center (PMC) Thursday, State Minister of Defense Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said the security of the Indian Ocean is a concern for both India and Sri Lanka and strict laws will be implemented to curb illegal human and drug trafficking through the Indian Ocean.
The Minister also said that relief measures have been implemented for those who have been affected by the adverse weather and necessary amendments will be brought to prevent misuse of existing circulars in providing disaster relief.
The Island | 6th July
The Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit said yesterday that the number of reported dengue cases for 2023 had passed the 50,000 mark by 05 July.
The highest number of cases was reported in the Gampaha District (11,003), the country’s second-most populous district.
The Epidemiology Unit has identified 43 high-risk areas for dengue and is carrying out mosquito eradication campaigns there.
AFGHANISTAN
Over 60,000 Women in Afghanistan Will Lose Jobs Due to Closure of Beauty Salons
The Khaama Press | 6th July
Over 60,000 women will lose their jobs due to the closing of all women’s beauty parlours and hairdressing salons across Afghanistan.
Sources in the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry have told the BBC that closing all women’s beauty parlours/hairdressing salons will leave around 60,000 women unemployed nationwide.
The source said on the condition of anonymity that there are 3,100 women’s beauty salons in Kabul and over 12,000 women’s hair salons across the country, each having an average of five women employment.
Putin urges SCO to prioritize Afghanistan in counterterrorism efforts
Afghanistan Times | 5th July
Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that Afghanistan should be at the center of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) attention due to its turbulent situation.
Addressing the virtual SCO summit on Tuesday, President Putin expressed regret over the lack of improvement in the country’s condition. He called upon the SCO member states to collaborate and take collective measures to stabilize Afghanistan and prevent it from becoming a safe haven for terrorists.
BHUTAN
Govt. to complete nationwide ePIS rollout by next year
Kuensel | 5th July
The Health Ministry will roll out the second phase of the electronic Patient Information System (ePIS) in Mongar and Gelephu referral hospitals, subsequently completing the nationwide rollout by June next year.
During the 50th meet-the-press on June 30, Health Minister Dechen Wangmo stated that the system usage is increasing, and the project team is focusing on fully implementing other modules such as IPD and Emergency. The aim is to transition from the manual paper-based process to a fully online system.
Nu 1.6 billion NPL in Trade and Commerce sector
Business Bhutan | 5th July
Sectors exhibiting high NPL ratios include the service sector, transport loans, and loans to contractors, according to the RMA report.
According to a recent report released by the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA), the trade and commerce sector holds loans totaling Nu 16,002.964 mn (Nu 16 billion), accounting for 8.0% of the overall loan portfolio.
MALDIVES
Maldives’ usable reserve drops to USD148 million
The Edition | 6th July
Maldives’ usable reserve has dropped to USD 148 million, central bank figures showed Wednesday.
According to data published by Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), Maldives’ reserve had decreased by USD 105 million by May, compared to the beginning of the year. The usable reserve was at USD 254 million in January.
In comparison to May last year, this is a decrease by 40 percent. The usable reserve stood at USD 370 million then.
Maldives and Azerbaijan agree to boost cooperation
Sun| 8th July
The Maldives and Azerbaijan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on increasing cooperation between the foreign affairs ministries of both countries.
The MoU was signed on Friday, at a ceremony held on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), that is presently ongoing in Baku, Azerbaijan.
According to the Maldivian foreign ministry, the MoU aims to enhance and expand bilateral relations and cooperation between the Maldives and Azerbaijan, and also facilitate the holding of regular consultations between the two countries at all levels on issues of mutual interest.
Over 14,000 visitors recorded in the first few days of July
Raajje | 4th July
More than 14,000 tourist arrivals have been recorded in the first few days of July.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism through its latest daily tourist arrival statistics publicized on Tuesday.
Statistics revealed that between July 1 – 3, a total of 14,273 visitors were recorded at Velana International Airport (VIA).
The arrival figure for the ongoing month is a 13.1 percent surge compared to the 12,619 arrivals recorded in the same period last year and much higher than the 7,788 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2021.
MYANMAR
Six French Financial Institutions Still Investing in Myanmar Junta-Linked Firms: Report
The Irrawaddy | 7th July
Five major French banks and a pension fund from the country have been accused of fueling the Myanmar junta’s widespread and systematic human rights violations through their business links to the regime.
On Thursday, rights groups Justice for Myanmar (JFM), Info Birmanie and BankTrack revealed in a joint report that five commercial banks—Crédit Agricole, La Banque Postale, Groupe BPCE, BNP Paribas and Société Générale—and a publicly owned, state-funded pension fund, Fonds de réserve pour les retraites (FRR), continue to invest in 22 companies linked to the military regime.
Germany moves to enhance sanctions on Myanmar junta and its suppliers
Myanmar Now | 7th July
The German government is leading the development of a seventh round of European sanctions targeting Myanmar’s military regime, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Bundestag.
The Bundestag—Germany’s federal parliament in Berlin—issued the statement after its Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid discussed the humanitarian situation in Myanmar with a representative of the Foreign Office, the federal government’s foreign affairs ministry.
NEPAL
Nepal, India officials meeting in 10 days to get Pancheshwar detailed project report ready
The Kathmandu Post | 8th July
Nepal and India have agreed to hold a meeting of experts to finalise the detailed project report (DPR) of the 6,480 megawatt Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, a bi-national power plant to be developed on the bordering Mahakali river.
The understanding was reached during a meeting of the governing council of the Pancheshwar Development Authority held in Pokhara on Thursday and Friday.
This is the first move towards concluding the DPR after the prime ministers of both countries last month agreed to conclude the DPR within three months during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s India visit from May 31 to June 3.
Air quality in Nepal deteriorating way beyond WHO standard
The Himalayan Times | 8th July
Despite the fundamental right to clean environment in the constitution, major cities of Nepal, including Kathmandu, have continuously witnessed deteriorating air quality.
Article 30 (1) of the constitution ensures each person shall have the right to live in a healthy and clean environment.
Likewise, 30 (2) stipulates, “The victim of environmental pollution and degradation shall have the right to be compensated by polluting agencies as provided for by law.” However, 222 deaths per 100,000 people in Nepal is due to air pollution.
6 companies including Google, Facebook and Microsoft registered in Nepal’s tax system
Onlinekhabar | 5th July
International companies working in the field of information technology and rendering digital services such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft have been registered in Nepal’s tax system.
The government of Nepal put in place the provision related to the digital service tax under the Financial Act to bring foreign companies dealing in electronic services under the ambit of the country’s taxation system. Accordingly, the six international companies were registered in Nepal, said Sadhuram Pudasaini, Tax Officer at the Large Taxpayers’ Office.