Pakistan, Australia agree to expand military-to-military cooperation
The Express Tribune | 28th July
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza is on an official visit to Australia from July 24 for Defence and Security Talks and 1.5 Track Security Dialogue, the military said.
During the visit, the CJCSC met high-ranking civilian and military leadership including General Angus J. Campbell, Chief of Defence Forces Australia, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
In the meetings, both militaries agreed to further expand military-to-military cooperation.
Concern over rise in suicide deaths among Afghan women
Afghanistan Times | 1st August
Activists have raised concerns about a significant increase in suicides among Afghan women since the Taliban regained power in August 2021. While the exact numbers are challenging to ascertain, rights groups believe that suicide cases are vastly underreported, possibly reaching hundreds each month.
Factors contributing to the rise in suicides among Afghan women include deteriorating living standards, especially due to the ban on education and employment for women and girls.
Japan seeks Lanka’s backing for its Indo-Pacific strategy
The Island | 1st August
Japan has sought Sri Lanka’s backing for its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy. Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa has taken up this issue with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry, PC, when they met on 29th July.
According to a statement issued by the Japanese Embassy, in Colombo, Minister Yoshimasa has also briefed Minister Sabry regarding Russia terminating an international agreement that allowed grain exports from Ukraine through the Black Sea to various parts of the world.
PAKISTAN
Govt hikes petrol, diesel prices by nearly Rs20
Dawn | 1st August
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday announced a massive hike of Rs19 in petrol and diesel prices, taking them to Rs272.95 and 273.40 per litre, respectively.
In televised remarks, the finance minister said that the price of high speed diesel (HSD) and petrol in the international market had increased over the last 15 days.
He said that the government had checked the “working” of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) until the late hours of the night.
President Xi vows to turn CPEC into ‘exemplary project of BRI’
The News | 1st August
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that Beijing will work with Islamabad to build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
In a congratulatory message to mark the 10th anniversary of CPEC, the Chinese president highlighted that CPEC is an “important pioneering project of the Belt and Road cooperation”.
In emergency session, OIC expresses grave concern over rising Islamophobia
The Nation | 1st August
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed grave concern over the despicable acts of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark.
The 18th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the OIC adopted a comprehensive resolution expressing grave concern over increasing incidents of intolerance, discrimination, and rising Islamophobia, a statement from the Foreign Office said.
SRI LANKA
President discusses resuming stalled development projects with Japanese delegation
Colombo Page | 31st July
Attention is being paid to speedily resuming the development projects that have been implemented in Sri Lanka with the support of the Japanese government and halted midway.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe discussed resuming the stalled development projects when a Japanese delegation including Minister of State in the Cabinet Office of Japan Satoshi Fujimaru and former Minister of State for Regional Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Kozo Yamamoto called on the President at the Presidential Secretariat today (31).
China’s top option for next naval base is Sri Lanka, report says
Daily Mirror | 28th July
Sri Lanka tops the list of nations that may host a Chinese naval base in the coming years as Beijing seeks to expand its maritime capabilities, according to a new report.
The South Asian nation’s Hambantota port is the most likely spot for a base given the $2.19 billion China has already invested there, according to an assessment by the AidData research project at William & Mary university in Virginia.
China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently only has one overseas military base in Djibouti, on the coast of the Horn of Africa.
AFGHANISTAN
Washington-Kabul talks focus on economy, human rights, anti-drug trafficking
The Khaama Press | 1st August
Following two days of extensive negotiations in Qatar, the U.S. State Department reported on Monday that American representatives informed the Taliban in Afghanistan that Washington was willing to engage in technical talks about maintaining economic stability and combating drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, the Taliban representatives raised the issue of lifting the travel and other restrictions on their leaders and the return of Central Bank assets of the country held abroad, according to a statement released by the foreign ministry of Afghanistan.
89 Development Projects Completed in Past Year: NDC
TOLO News | 1st August
The National Development Corporation (NDC) said that over the previous year it completed 89 development projects around the nation.
In a press briefing for the Government Accountability Program for the Nation, NDC officials said that work is currently underway on 21 projects, including the Qosh Tepa Canal and Kamal Khan Dam.
The NDC’s most significant accomplishments in the previous year were reportedly the start of the exploration of the Balkhab coal mine in Sar-e Pol province, the beginning of the construction of a significant market for the processing and sale of coal in Maidan Wardak, and the regaining of 267 acres of land and 160 shops from the usurpers.
BANGLADESH
Political situation may turn volatile over national polls in Bangladesh
Prothom Alo | 28th July
The United States has cautioned that the political and security situation in Bangladesh may turn volatile as the country nears general elections in late 2023, or early 2024.
In its latest investment climate statement, the US said Bangladesh is historically a moderate, secular, peaceful and stable nation. But the situation may become volatile centering the upcoming national polls.
AL, Sheikh Hasina never flee: PM
Bangladesh Post | 1st August
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday reiterated that Awami League (AL) is always beside people, saying “AL, Sheikh Hasina never flee” rather her party’s only motto is to improve the lives and livelihoods of the countrymen.
“Sheikh Hasina or AL never run away, didn’t flee,” she said responding to BNP’s remark that “AL will not get escape route”.
The premier was addressing while inaugurating blood donation campaign, discussion, and doa mahfil organised by Bangladesh Krishak League in the city’s Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium on the first day of the “month of mourning”.
Dengue outbreak: Faridpur in frightening state amid deaths, soaring cases
Dhaka Tribune | 1st August
A dengue ward has been opened in a small room towards a corner of the two-storey medicine ward. Since no bed is vacant, new dengue patients are scattered on the floors in the general wards without nets, putting others at risk. Patients complain that they are not getting proper services.
This worrisome situation now prevails at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital (BSMMCH) in Faridpur. There, the authorities are struggling to cope with the pressure of dengue patients. Other local hospitals, too, are facing the same fate.
BHUTAN
Switzerland and Bhutan: A unique friendship and a new future
Kuensel | 1st August
Today, the first of August, is Switzerland’s National Day.
Switzerland is celebrating the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the modern Swiss Federal State in 1848. It is the birthday of Switzerland and its institutions as we know them today.
We at the Swiss Embassy made a decision to celebrate this milestone of Switzerland’s history right here in Thimphu. I have therefore arrived here with a Swiss business delegation to further strengthen our trade and investment partnership with Bhutan.
9,876 Bhutanese deployed abroad as overseas workers
Business Bhutan | 31st July
Most cite financial problem, exploration, lack of job opportunities and low wages for reasons to work abroad
A total of 9,876 Bhutanese has been deployed abroad as of 2022 as overseas workers since the launch of the program in 2013 and placements beginning from 2014. Youth have been engaged in diverse sectors such as retail, education, tourism and hospitality, agriculture, wellness, information technology (IT), finance and accounts, geo-fitness, and skills development.
MALDIVES
PPM submits Yameen’s candidacy rejection to Supreme Court
The Edition | 2nd August
Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is seeking a Supreme Court remedy to challenge the Elections Commission’s decision to reject the presidential candidacy of former President Abdulla Yameen.
On Wednesday at around 05:30 a.m., Dr. Mohamed Jameel, lawyer and running mate of former President Abdulla Yameen, informed local media that the issue has been filed with the Supreme Court “a while back.”
“We are seeking justice for all the rights that have been infringed with the government’s influence. God willing, we will succeed,” said the leading advocate of Yameen’s legal team.
Maldives welcomes over 111,000 tourists as July nears ending
Raajje | 27th July
Maldives has welcomed more than than 111,000 tourists as July nears ending.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism through its latest daily tourist arrival statistics publicized on Tuesday.
Maldives had welcomed a total of 111,998 visitors between July 1 – 24.
As such, the ministry’s statistics indicate that the arrival figure for the ongoing month is a 6.9 percent surge compared to the 104,740 arrivals recorded in the same period last year and much higher than the 76,447 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2021. The highest daily arrivals so far, this ongoing month, was recorded on July 23, with more than 5,600 arrivals.
MYANMAR
Myanmar military announces clemency for Suu Kyi and President Win Myint
Myanmar Now | 1st August
The Myanmar military announced a clemency for imprisoned civilian leaders State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint on Tuesday.
Both democratically elected leaders have been incarcerated since the February 2021 coup, with Suu Kyi having been convicted of 19 offences carrying a total prison sentence of 33 years, and Win Myint handed a 12-year prison term after conviction on eight charges.
The clemency will not pardon Suu Kyi and Win Myint for all of the alleged offences, but merely reduce their sentences. Suu Kyi has been pardoned of a total of five charges filed in 2021, including incitement, two breaches of Covid-19 restrictions—one during a 2020 election campaign rally and the other during a visit to party supporters—and two charges relating to the possession of unlicensed communications equipment.
Myanmar Junta Extends State of Emergency for 6 More Months
The Irrawaddy | 31st July
The military regime unconstitutionally extended the state of emergency on Monday, prolonging harsh military rule for another six months in a country already devastated amid two and a half years of junta rule.
The extension was issued at the regime’s National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) meeting on Monday, according to the junta’s Myawady TV channel. It added that the meeting was joined by all NDSC members, including Vice President Henry Van Thio, who has served continuously as second vice-president under the National League for Democracy government and now the junta.
NEPAL
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal returns after 6-day Italy visit
Onlinekhabar | 28th July
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has returned home after completing a six-day visit to Italy.
Dahal returned home on Friday morning after participating in the Food System Summit +2 organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome in Italy.
Dahal left for Italy on July 22. During the summit, he emphasised the importance of boosting investments in agriculture in least-developed countries. He highlighted that this step is crucial to address the challenges posed by climate change, and other disasters, and to enhance their adaptive capabilities.
Dengue surge: 10 districts alone have 87 percent infection
The Himalayan Times | 1st August
More than 5,000 people have been infected with dengue in the country. Sunsari district alone has more than half of them, according to Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.
Division Director Rudra Prasad Marasini informed that country recorded the dengue infection among a total of 5,688 persons since last January. Among them, Sunsari district alone recorded 3,486 dengue cases.
The Kathmandu Post | 1st August
Kathmandu University (KU) and Australia’s Crown Institute of Higher Education have entered into an agreement to begin dual degrees Bachelor Degree programmes in various disciplines beginning with the 2023-24 academic year.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the two institutions also agreed on conducting joint research, exchange of faculty, students, and staff, and exchange of materials, publication, and information, among other academic activities.