Neighborhood News Digest – 26 June 2023

Afghanistan: Clerics call upon Taliban to reopen schools for girls above sixth grade – The Print

Some religious leaders in Parwan province of Afghanistan have called upon the Taliban regime to reopen schools for girls above the sixth grade, reported TOLOnews. During the inaugural ceremony of a religious school, these religious leaders emphasised the importance of both the religious and modern science education.Click here to read... [2]

Taliban Chief Says 'Reforms' End Afghan Poppy Cultivation – VOA

The supreme leader of Afghanistan’s Taliban declared Sunday that their campaign against illicit drug production in the country had eradicated the cultivation of opium poppies, which are used to make morphine or heroin. Hibatullah Akhundzada's declaration follows recent media reports and satellite images backed by the United Nations and the United States, concluding that annual poppy cultivation has "significantly" decreased in the world’s biggest opium producer.Click here to read... [3]

Kyrgyzstan Delivers Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan – The Khaama Press

On Jun3 24, a special flight carried medical supplies to Afghanistan as part of a humanitarian aid mission, per an order from Kamchybek Tashiev, the chairman of the state national security committee. The National Security Committee press office reported that the Afghan side expressed gratitude to the Kyrgyz people for their cooperation and solidarity. Click here to read... [4]

Taliban leader claims women provided with comfortable, prosperous life – Business Standard

The supreme leader of the Taliban released a message on Sunday claiming that his government has taken the necessary steps for the betterment of women's lives in Afghanistan, where women are banned from public life and work and girls' education is severely curtailed. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

India, Bangladesh need to accelerate economic and digital connectivity to optimize bilateral ties - Economic Times

As India and Bangladesh head into general elections, there is a lot to celebrate in this bilateral relationship. The last mile implementation of numerous projects remains a work in progress that needs to be speeded up for this relationship to fully realize its potential, according to the second India-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue that was held in New Delhi recently. Click here to read... [6]

Bangladesh’s largest port eyes operations upgrade with Saudi investment - Arab News

Bangladesh is banking on Saudi expertise to run a newly built terminal in the country’s largest port, authorities told Arab News, as negotiations are underway for Riyadh’s latest investment in the South Asian nation. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

NA supports Pay Bill 2023 – Kuensel

With the majority of National Assembly members supporting the Pay Revision Bill 2023 yesterday, the revision is expected to come as proposed by the government. From July 1 this year, it is likely that the public servants will draw 55 to 74 percent salary hike on their minimum pay scale. It also includes the leave encashment and leave travel concession to be prorated monthly. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan to buy two new helicopters next year – Kuensel

Drukair Corporation has placed orders for two H130 Airbus helicopters and one of them is expected to land in Paro in March next year. Drukair signed the purchase order last month. The second helicopter is expected to arrive in September next year. Click here to read... [9]

The Nexus between Energy Access, Poverty Reduction, and Economic Growth in Bhutan – Energy Portal

The nexus between energy access, poverty reduction, and economic growth is a critical aspect of sustainable development in any country. In Bhutan, a small landlocked nation nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, this nexus is particularly important due to the country’s unique geographical and socio-economic characteristics. With a population of just over 800,000 people, Bhutan has made significant strides in recent years to improve the quality of life for its citizens and promote sustainable economic growth. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

NCGG successfully trains 24th batch of civil servants from Maldives - Devi Discourse

The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) Director General Bharat Lal presided over the valedictory session of the 24th Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for civil servants of Maldives organised in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The two-week capacity-building programme concluded on June 23. Click here to read... [11]

Official and usable reserves decline in May - Avas

According to data released by the central bank, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), official reserves and usable reserves at the end of May showed a decrease compared to the same period last year and April of this year. While official reserves stood at US$748.15 million in May this year, the amount was US$807.95 million during the same period last year. In April this year, the figure stood at US$756.81 million. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar

Escalating violence in Myanmar displaces 1.5 million: Urgent action needed - Malaysia Sun

A United Nations expert has emphasized the need for a fundamental reconsideration of the global approach to the crisis in Myanmar. Thomas Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, conveyed to journalists in Jakarta that there has been no progress in implementing the five-point peace plan agreed upon by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Myanmar's coup leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, shortly after he seized power in February 2021. Click here to read... [13]

Humanitarian support to Myanmar and Bangladesh 25 June - National Tribune

The Australian Government will provide an additional $12.5 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Bangladesh and Myanmar following Tropical Cyclone Mocha. Tropical Cyclone Mocha caused widespread damage across Myanmar and Bangladesh when it struck on 14 May, affecting an estimated 2.4 million people and compounding an already serious humanitarian situation. Click here to read... [14]

Suu Kyi’s son urges Myanmar army to free her - News Today Net

Kim Aris, the youngest son of Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has urged the army to release his mother, who is currently in jail after she was handed a 33-year sentence in a series of trials following the coup that toppled her democratically-elected government in February 2021. Kim Aris, the youngest son of Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has urged the army to release his mother who is currently in jail after she was handed a 33-year sentence in a series of trials following the coup that toppled her democratically-elected government in February 2021. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal

Nepal: Anti-corruption body takes over Pashupatinath Temple; devotees not allowed inside – India TV

Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal was closed for devotees on Sunday (June 25) afternoon after the country’s anti-corruption body took control of the premises to probe a report that 10 kg of gold was missing from an ornament weighing 100 kg. Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. Click here to read... [16]

Nepal PM 'Prachanda' planning to visit China in September: Foreign Minister Saud – Deccan Herald

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” is planning an official visit to Beijing in September, Foreign Minister N P Saud said on Saturday, a bid by the senior Maoist leader to strike a balance in relations with both China and India. This will be Prachanda's second foreign trip after assuming the office in December last year. Earlier, the 68-year-old Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader visited India as his first foreign trip after assuming office for the third time. Click here to read... [17]

As Nepal court lifts ban on Adipurush, Kathmandu mayor calls it ‘slave of India’; vows to defy order – Hindustan Times

A Nepal court on Thursday lifted the ban on Hindi films, including Prabhas-starrer Adipurush, asking authorities not to halt the screening of any movie passed by the country's censor board. A dialogue of Adipurush, in which Sita is mentioned as "India's daughter", had led to the ban on all Hindi films, which was announced by Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. Shah on Thursday said he is ready to face any punishment but will not allow the film's screening as the matter pertains to "Nepal’s sovereignty and independence".Click here to read... [18]

Chinese-built Nepal airport gets first foreign flight 6 months after launch – The Indian Express

Six months after its inauguration, the Pokhara International Airport saw its first international flight land on Wednesday. The A-319 Sichuan Airlines aircraft, with 130 passengers on board, arrived in the morning from Tianfu International Airport in China’s Sichuan province. It marked the beginning of regular operations, raising hopes that the international airport, the second in Nepal after the one in Kathmandu, will be economically viable.Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan

Pakistan court acquits former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 37-year-old ‘bribe’ case – The Hindu

A Pakistani accountability court has acquitted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a 37-year-old case alleging that he transferred a “precious state land” here in the capital of Punjab province to one of the country’s leading media barons as a “bribe”. Click here to read... [20]

Cash-strapped Pakistan Parliament approves Rs 14.48 trn budget for 2023-24 – Business Standard

Pakistan's Parliament on Sunday approved the Rs 14.48 trillion budget for 2023-24 after new taxes were added to it as dictated by the IMF as a condition to release the remaining portion of an already agreed bailout package for the cash-strapped country. The budget aiming to achieve 3.5 per cent GDP growth was unveiled on June 9.Click here to read... [21]

Pakistan's parliament approves revised budget to clinch IMF deal – Deccan Herald

Pakistan's parliament on Sunday approved the government's 2023-24 budget which was revised to meet International Monetary Fund conditions in a last ditch effort to secure the release of more bailout funds. The IMF in mid-June expressed dissatisfaction with the country's initial budget, saying it was a missed opportunity to broaden the tax base in a more progressive way. Click here to read... [22]

China helping Pakistan Army build defence infrastructure along LoC: Officials – The Telegraph

China has been helping the Pakistan Army build its defence infrastructure besides providing Unmanned Aerial and Combat Aerial Vehicles, setting up communication towers and laying underground cables along the Line of Control, officials said. Click here to read... [23]

Indo-U.S. joint statement reduces Pakistan to promoter of cross-border terrorism: Imran Khan – The Hindu

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan on June 23 said that the joint statement issued by India and the U. S. during the ongoing state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to America has reduced the country to a "promoter of cross-border terrorism in India and nothing more".Click here to read... [24]

Sri Lanka

After the meltdown: Sri Lanka’s strategic options - Lowly Institute

About a year ago, Sri Lanka experienced an unprecedented political and economic crisis involving the virtual cessation of economic activity and a popular revolt against the government. By April 2022, Sri Lanka had almost entirely depleted its foreign exchange reserves. The government defaulted on its debts, and with no way to import fuel or other essentials, the economy essentially ground to a halt. Click here to read... [25]

SL Minister holds talks with his Chinese counterpart over economic crisis - Siasat

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry on Sunday held talks with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang here on the future trajectory of the bilateral ties and his country’s serious economic crisis leading to its foreign debt default. Sabry is visiting China for the first time after Sri Lanka’s debt crisis led to massive political and economic turmoil in the island nation last year. Click here to read... [26]