Domestic Politics
Norwegian mobile operator Telenor Group stated that the Myanmar's Ministry of Transport and Communications ordered mobile internet traffic to be stopped in five townships in the Rakhine and Chin states for three months. [The Indian Express]
During Sri Lanka's 72nd Independence Day celebrations, the new government skipped singing the national anthem in Tamil, the second national language of Sri Lanka. The previous government sang the anthem in two primary languages in order to promote ethnic harmony in the aftermath of civil war. [The New Indian Express]
International Relations
Bangladesh's partnership with the United Nations will expand educational programs for Rohingya children living in refugee camps. The new program will start in April and will provide formal education using a Myanmar curriculum for grades 6 to 9. [The Diplomat]
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that Pakistan will buy more palm oil from Malaysia in an attempt to help offset lost sales after India curbed Malaysian imports amid a diplomatic row. According to sources, India imposed restrictions on imports due to Malaysia’s criticism of India’s policy on Kashmir and the recent Citizenship Amendment Act. [Reuters]
The Seattle City Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Seattle City Council is one of the most powerful city councils in the US. The resolution urges the Indian parliament to repeal the CAA and stop the NRC. [The New Indian Express]
After the ICJ ruling against Myanmar on Rohingyas, the International Criminal Court (ICC) officially launched an investigation into the allegations of atrocities committed by Myanmar against the Rohingyas. They will be investigating the crimes of deportation, which also includes crimes against humanity. [The Daily Star]
Society
The Supreme Court of Nepal ordered the government to investigate cases of Nepalese workers who died abroad. Despite being declared fit and healthy before leaving the country, about 1,000 workers lose their lives every year. Around 97% of these cases take place in the Gulf nations and Malaysia. [South China Morning Post]
Health
As per the Ministry of Public Health, 20,000 Afghanis suffer from cancer every year, and of those, 15,000 lose their lives. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Afghanistan. The WHO has warned that due to lack of investment in prevention and care, cancer cases will increasse by 81% by 2040 in low and middle-income countries. [Aljazeera]
Image Source: South China Morning Post