Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Over 400 DeSuups took part in a half-day cleaning, maintenance, and garden development along Norzin Lam in Thimphu yesterday. The activity was a part of the Thimphu Greening and Beautification programme which not only cleans and beautifies the capital but also aims to spread awareness of the need for people’s collective effort and responsibility in keeping the county clean. More than 400 DeSuups divided into 28 groups carried out the greening and beautification works along Norzin Lam. Works included reorganising flower gardens, repairing and repainting railings, footpath beautification, drain cleaning, and repairing missing slabs. According to the Chief…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: US President Joe Biden has said his country made a commitment to finding long-term solutions to the Rohingya refugee crisis and holding perpetrators of the atrocities accountable. “You set an example for the world of empathy and generosity in practice,” the US President wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The US Embassy in Dhaka shared the letter on Sunday which was originally sent on March 21. The US president said Bangladesh has opened its arms and welcomed nearly one million Rohingya refugees. In a message to PM Hasina, Biden on behalf of the United States,…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A week after securing the confidence of the House for the second time, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is still struggling to expand his Cabinet. And it may take a few more days for the prime minister to appoint the ministers if the statements of key leaders of the coalition partners are to be believed, Kathmandu Post reported. As Dahal has been overseeing 16 ministries on his own, it shows the complexity of power-sharing among the coalition partners. “First we will finalise the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition. And then we will discuss ministerial allocations,” CPN…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Outrage in Serbia after a Chinese construction company building a highway destroyed a war memorial monument honouring Serbian soldiers of world war I and II, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty reported. Only pieces of statues of fallen World I and II fighters remain now. A Chinese construction company working on a highway project tore down the towering statues of fighters near the village of Negrisori. A plaque with the names of almost 150 fallen soldiers was also destroyed. The demolition of a monument in Serbia honouring the fallen soldiers of World Wars I and II has caused anger…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The federal ministers came down hard on former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan for “creating chaos and anarchy in the country” and demanded that he should also tell his rally participants at Minar-e-Pakistan how many gifts he took away from Toshakhana and that Tyrian White was his daughter. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan called Imran Khan a traitor and accused him of spreading lies at the important venue of Minar-e-Pakistan. He said the PTI chief should not be allowed to hold a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan due to his anti-state activities, adding his stance was not focused…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: After a protracted battle by India, the United States and Japan to get China to agree to restructure its massive loan of USD 7 bn to Sri Lanka, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a USD 2.286 billion bailout for Sri Lanka on March 20. The Sri Lankan government under President Ranil Wickremesinghe endorsed on Saturday that Sri Lanka is no longer deemed bankrupt by the world, Trueceylon reported. Former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was deposed after one and a half years in power under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party, was replaced by Wickremesinghe, who holds only…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: North Korea recently claimed to have tested an underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that could create a “radioactive tsunami,” however, analysts urged scepticism noting a lack of proof, CNN reported. A report from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the drone, called the “Unmanned Underwater Nuclear Attack Craft ‘Haeil,’” was tested from March 21 to 23, cruising in waters off the country’s east coast for more than 59 hours before its test warhead was detonated on Thursday afternoon. “The mission of the underwater nuclear strategic weapon is to stealthily infiltrate into operational waters…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken has said Bangladesh is “quickly becoming a regional leader” with a rapidly growing economy, an increasingly well-educated workforce, and a dynamic youth demographic. Blinken said he looks forward to “deepening their partnership” with Bangladesh in the years ahead. “Americans and Bangladeshis are stronger together because of our cooperation on the defining issues of this era,” he said in a press statement on behalf of the United States of America, conveying his best wishes to the people of Bangladesh on its Independence Day. Blinken said the United States is proud of its…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: As PTI Chairman Imran Khan reached a Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday to secure interim bail in three terrorism cases, he told reporters that a “reaction” to the “atrocities done to the PTI” would come from the public today at the party’s Minar-i-Pakistan rally and urged supporters not to back off “under any circumstance”. Talking to the media outside the court while sitting in his vehicle, Imran said a public “reaction would come today to whatever method they (the government) will use”. “We will not back off under any circumstance,” the former premier vowed. He further asserted,…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: The nation is set to celebrate the 53rd Independence and National Day tomorrow vowing afresh to take the country towards prosperity with the Liberation War spirit. On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by the Pakistani occupation forces. After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million martyrs and the honour of two lakh women, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The president of the Tibetan government-in-exile has warned China not to interfere in selecting the successor to the Dalai Lama, the current spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. “No government should have any role in this spiritual matter and I think it is much wiser for China (not to interfere),” Penpa Tsering said in a recent interview with Kyodo News, adding that the succession will ultimately be decided by the 14th Dalai Lama. Since the Tibetan government-in-exile has “nothing to do” with the selection process, then “how can China have a hand in that?” Tsering said. He added, though,…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Ele­c­tion Commission of Pak­istan (ECP) in its detailed judgement released on Fri­day explained reasons for rejecting the Pakistan Tehre­ek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) application for cross-examination of witnesses, inclu­ding bank officials concerned, declaring that the process for confiscation of prohibited funds received by the party has started. The ECP in its order stated that entertaining the application for cross-examination at this stage would mean reopening the entire matter that had been decided in August last year. Current proceedings to execute the last year findings were about confiscation of the prohibited contributions or donations received by the party, it elaborated. “The…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The current outstanding payment on account of circular debt for Chinese Independent Power Producers (IPPs) has risen up to Rs350 billion with growing demands to clear the backlog. “The outstanding backlog of Chinese IPPs stands at Rs350 billion, which is being accounted at the rate of 14% while the remaining 86% is being paid regularly. The CPPAG stated that it will be further improved,” it was announced during a CPEC review meeting held here on Friday. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired the meeting and discussed progress on Special Economic Zones, ML-1, KCR and various new development initiatives to…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: New Zealand’s foreign minister said she raised concerns about China’s human rights abuses and growing tensions with Taiwan in a meeting with her Chinese counterpart. Nanaia Mahuta told the Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, of her government’s “deep concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong”, according to a statement issued on Saturday. In her talks with Qin she also raised concerns “over developments in the South China Sea”, the statement said. Mahuta this week made the first visit to China by a New Zealand foreign minister since…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The First Trade and Investment Working Group (TIWG) meeting under India’s G20 Presidency will be held from March 28 to March 30 in Mumbai, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said while addressing a press conference here on Friday. Commerce Secretary said that during this three-day Meeting, over 100 delegates from G20 member countries, invitee countries, regional groupings and international organisations will engage in deliberations to accelerate global trade and investments. Barthwal said that “on the first day, a seminar on ‘Trade Finance’ will be held at the Ballroom, Taj Lands’ End, Mumbai. The role of banks, financial institutions, development…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India is considering sending tigers to Cambodia to help it reintroduce the big cat to its forests, officials said on Friday. New Delhi signed a pact with Phnom Penh for the world’s first transnational tiger reintroduction programme last year, they said. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), conservationists in Cambodia declared tigers “functionally extinct” in 2016. Cambodia’s last tiger was seen on a camera trap in the eastern province of Mondulkiri in 2007. In September 2017, the Cambodian government announced plans to reintroduce tigers in the country with the help of the WWF. “Recently, India signed an…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: China’s post-pandemic recovery is sending a clear and urgent message to the nation’s fallen property tycoons: shape up, reorganise and get on with working out their debt. The rush is on. China Evergrande’s Hui Ka-yan and his beleaguered industry peers have set March as a key target. By the end of the month, they want to have a done deal with their creditors, or at least have something to show. If not, they could miss Beijing’s lifeboat for the sector and lose any remaining goodwill among creditors over the crisis that has simmered for two years. Hui, the…

INETRNATIONAL DESK: The International Human Rights Foundation has penned an open letter to the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States highlighting the “sharp deterioration of the political situation in Pakistan”. “The International Human Rights Foundation urges the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom to use their influence with the Pakistani security establishment and politicians, especially the army generals and politicians who live in the US and UK and own vast amounts of property there, to ensure that democracy and the rule of law are upheld in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan,” the letter…

INTERNATIONL DESK: A growing number of local government-owned enterprises in China have begun pulling back from funding regional projects, aiming to transform themselves into market-driven entities as Beijing doubles down on efforts to reduce the country’s implicit debt risks. China’s new leadership team is scrambling to get on top of financial risk, especially among local governments that had their finances stretched by Covid control measures, while at the same time witnessing a plunge in revenue from land sales and taxes. Implicit government debt refers to liabilities the government may eventually take some repayment responsibility for, despite being generated by state-owned…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Two Kashmiri women from Kashmir, who are taking part in the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, have praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for rapid development in the Kashmir valley after the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 (A) from Jammu and Kashmir. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Tasleema Akhtar said, “I am thankful and grateful to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who in the past 2-3 years, have brought about development in Kashmir after the abrogation of article 370. Earlier, there were no…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Taking a strong view of pro-Khalistan supporters pulling down the Indian tricolour at the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said India would not accept differential standards of security. He also accused the UK of not meeting the obligation of providing security to the diplomats of the Mission, which is expected of a country where a high commission or a consulate is located. “On the flag and the security of the high commission, in this particular case in the UK – whenever any country sends an embassy anywhere abroad, it…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Lahore High Court, on Friday, extended Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s protective bail till Monday in five cases registered against him in Islamabad, including two for “vandalism,” ARY News reported. The former premier had been granted protective bail in the five cases on March 17 when he secured protective bail in a total of nine. In the court today, the former premier arrived at the LHC in tight security. A two-member bench comprising Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Anwaar Hussain heard Imran’s plea and extended the bail till March 27. During…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has presided over the plenary session of the UN 2023 Water Conference. He chaired the third plenary session of the Conference on Thursday, according a message received here today. The Foreign Minister also delivered the closing remarks at the high-level event entitled “Water for Peace: From Source to Sea” at the UN Headquarters organized jointly by Bangladesh, Global Center on Adaptation and Deltares. In his remarks, focusing on the ‘Source to Sea’ approach on water cooperation, Momen stressed the need for sustainable water management for promoting global peace and stability. The Permanent…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: President Md Abdul Hamid today emphasized on collective efforts to turn the country into ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu as part of paying everlasting tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 genocide. “We can pay our eternal respect to every soul, who gave his or her life in 1971 genocide, by turning the country into ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu,” he said in a message on the eve of the Genocide Day. The President said, “Today is the dreadful 25th March, the Genocide Day. On this day in 1971, Pakistani occupation forces carried out the most…