Asif to virtually attend SCO Delhi meet
The Nation | 26th April
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif will attend the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers virtually, said Foreign Office in a statement on Wednesday. Khawaja Asif will participate in the two-day SCO moot via video link. The two-day gathering will begin tomorrow (April 27) in New Delhi. India had invited the Pakistani defence minister as well as other SCO members for the meeting.
President urges all parties to support the IMF agreement as Sri Lanka is re-emerging from the crisis
Colombo Page | 26th April
In a special statement delivered to Parliament on April 26, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that Sri Lanka is on the path of renaissance and is re-emerging as a success story, with the expectation of support from the entire nation to carry it forward. The President highlighted the progress made in the Sri Lankan economy, which had previously collapsed due to riots, arson, and state bankruptcy.
WHO: Afghanistan witnesses spike in Malaria diseases
Afghanistan Times | 25th April
Today coincides with the World Malaria Day; the World Health Organization says that the incidence of this disease has doubled in Afghanistan. According to the figures published by this organization on its Twitter page today, Afghanistan has recorded 125,788 cases of malaria. This organization added that the cases of malaria in Afghanistan in 2022 have increased by 45% compared to 2021.
SRI LANKA
China Merchants Group Chairman visits Hambantota International Port
Colombo Page | 26th April
The highest ranking official from the China Merchants Group (CMG) visited the Hambantota International Port on an inspection tour of the facility last week.
Chairman Miao Jianmin was welcomed by Johnson Liu, CEO of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and staff of the port.
CMG is the parent company of CMPort which has a public private partnership with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) for Hambantota International Port.
13 Lankans evacuated, 12 more in Port Sudan: Foreign Ministry
Daily Mirror | 26th April
The Foreign Affairs Ministry today confirmed that thirteen (13) Sri Lankans who were evacuated with the assistance of the Saudi Government have been received in Jeddah by Sri Lanka’s Acting Consul General.
They said ensuring the safety and security of Sri Lankans stranded in Sudan is the primary concern of the Sri Lankan government.
PAKISTAN
Islamabad assured of Beijing’s continued support
The News | 25th April
As uncertainty regarding the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was assured Tuesday of the Chinese government’s continued support by Charge d’Affaires Pang Chunxue.
In a meeting, Chunxue offered greetings to the minister on Eid Ul Fitr and praised the friendly relations between the two countries.
Pak PAC lobbies US lawmakers to ‘protect democracy in Pakistan’
Dawn | 27th April
More than 90 US lawmakers have signed a letter urging US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to use all diplomatic channels to promote democracy in Pakistan.
The Pakistani-American Political Action Committee, better known as Pak PAC USA, says that it’s reaching out to more than 100 lawmakers to sign the letter.
In the US, the term PAC refers to an organisation that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.
China vows joint efforts for regional stability
The Express Tribune | 27th April
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is willing to work with the Pakistani military to deepen and expand cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, a senior official said on Wednesday.
According to China’s defence ministry, Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia spoke as he met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir during a visit to the PLA headquarters in Beijing.
AFGHANISTAN
Japan Donates $18 Million for Life-Saving Vaccines in Afghanistan
The Khaama Press | 27th April
On Wednesday, the Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan announced that Japan had contributed $18 million to supply essential vaccines for children and mothers.
According to a tweet from the embassy on Wednesday, April 26th, the donations were made through UNICEF in February of this year. This generous donation aims to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable women and children in Afghanistan.
Islamic Emirate Reacts to Vienna Meeting
TOLO News | 26th April
The Islamic Emirate reacted to the Vienna meeting, saying that the officials of the former government should not promote war in Afghanistan.
A three-day meeting among some Afghan politicians and former government’s officials was held in Vienna.
“It will not plunge into war and chaos again and fragment. Those who are gathered in Vienna, those are the people who have been tested once in Afghanistan and their actions are also clear for the people,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, the slamic Emirate’s spokesman.
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh-Japan relations turn into strategic partnership: PM Hasina
Prothom Alo | 26th April
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh and Japan have successfully elevated the bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership” from the existing “Comprehensive Partnership”.
“Prime minister Kishida and I have discussed today the entire gamut of our bilateral relations. We are happy that Bangladesh and Japan have successfully elevated the bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership” from the existing “Comprehensive Partnership”, she said.
Bangladesh Army chief embarks on 3-day visit to India
Dhaka Tribune | 26th April
Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed departed Dhaka on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to India, accepting an invitation from Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande.
According to an ISPR press release, the army chief will participate in a parade salute as the chief guest at the passing-out ceremony of commissioned officers at the Commissioned Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
BHUTAN
Fourth NC elections see contestants reducing by 29.92%
Business Bhutan | 24th April
However, registered voters, postal ballot users and the voter turnout increased as compared to Third Parliamentary Election in 2018
The Fourth Parliamentary National Council (NC) elections conducted in 20 dzongkhags on 20th of April 2023 saw fewer participants with 89 candidates, including 5 females.
Japanese expertise to help reduce slope disasters on Bhutanese roads
Kuensel | 27th April
A project aimed at reducing slope disasters on Bhutanese roads has been successful, thanks to a five-year collaboration between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Rain gauges and slope tilt sensors have been installed at three major slope failure sites in the country, namely Reutala, Razhau, and Dzokhalom, allowing the authorities to monitor slope movement and make informed traffic management and risk assessments at the sites.
MALDIVES
Maldives exports increase by 51 percent
The Edition | 26th April
The total exported goods from the Maldives increased by 51 percent in March 2023, according to Maldives Customs Service.
In their most recent statistical update, Customs revealed that the Maldives exported MVR 344 million worth of goods during the review month.
Imports to the Maldives, including fuel, recorded a 10 percent increase worth MVR 4.3 billion, while imports excluding fuel rose by 14 percent, equivalent to MVR 3.6 billion.
State revenue exceeds MVR 10 billion
Raajje | 26th April
Ministry of Finance has revealed that the state revenue has exceeded MVR 10 billion so far in 2023.
Statistics released by the Finance Ministry show that the state revenue was at MVR 10.2 billion by 20 April 2023. The state revenue at 20 April, 2022 was MVR 8.4 billion.
The Ministry’s statistics show that income generated from tax currently sits at MVR 7.6 billion. During the same period last year, the state earned MVR six billion as tax revenue.
MMC: Maldives will drop in press freedom ranking due to Evidence Act
Sun | 27th April
Maldives Media Council (MMC) has remarked that Maldives will perform poorly on the World Press Freedom Index due to the Evidence Act.
Article 136 of the Evidence Act directly contradicts the freedom of press guaranteed by the Article 28 of the Maldivian constitution as it allows journalists to be compelled to reveal their sources.
When the issue first came to light – MMC requested the Parliament’s Judiciary Committee to omit the provision in its entirety from the Evidence Bill.
MYANMAR
Myanmar Shadow Govt Condemns Ban Ki-moon’s ‘Unethical’ Meeting With Junta Chief
The Irrawaddy | 26th April
The acting president of Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) has condemned former UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s meeting with the Myanmar regime leader as “unethical” and an attempt to “promote a bloody thug on the world stage.”
Ban met with junta boss Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Monday at the latter’s invitation, in what the ex-UN secretary-general said was an attempt to find a path to end the violence in Myanmar.
Myanmar military continues rampage across Sagaing Region
Myanmar Now | 26th April
Three junta columns have been terrorising several villages across Sagaing Region in the past week, setting fire to nearly 600 homes and killing at least five civilians, according to local sources.
The atrocities described by residents and eyewitnesses took place in Sagaing, Salingyi and Wetlet townships and involved advancing groups of 70 to 150 Myanmar army soldiers.
NEPAL
Nepal-UK BCM meeting held in London
The Himalayan Times | 27th April
The 6th meeting of the Nepal-United Kingdom Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) was held at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London on 26 April 2023. In the meeting, the two sides reviewed the overall state of the Nepal-UK relationship and deliberated on enhancing the engagements in various areas of mutual interest.
Negativity and pessimism an increasing problem: Prime Minister Dahal
The Kathmandu Post | 26th April
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed his concerns over the rising negativity and pessimism in the society in recent times.
Speaking at the ‘Kantipur Economic Summit 2023’ organised by the Kantipur Media Group on Wednesday, Dahal said that people had been increasingly having a negative outlook on everything.
Nepal to give priority to relations with India, China
The Himalayan Times | 26th April
Nepal’s new government, led by a communist prime minister, will be giving priority to enhancing relationship with both its giant neighbors India and China, but won’t use them against each other for its own benefit, the newly appointed foreign minister said Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud told The Associated Press in an interview that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is set to make his first official trip abroad to India since taking over power earlier this year.
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