Neighborhood News Digest – 29 August 2023

Afghanistan

Iran FM in Phone Call with Muttaqi Discussed Helmand Water Rights – Tolo News

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's foreign minister, in a conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister, discussed Iran's water rights from the Helmand River and said the recent visit of a Iranian technical delegation from Afghanistan, which occurred in accordance with the 1351 agreement, will bring more transparency to the issue, the Iranian foreign ministry said. Click here to read... [2]

China’s ‘Great Game’ In Afghanistan: Beijing Expands Influence With Taliban To Check Uyghurs, Exploit Resources - EurAsian

China betrays an unease in its ties with the Taliban over Uyghur freedom activists finding haven there, even as it sets its eyes on exploiting the natural resources in Afghanistan through business arrangements. China is yet to formally recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan two years after its bloody takeover of Kabul following the unceremonious American withdrawal from the war-ravaged nation. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh CAA revives derelict aircraft auction plan - Ch Aviation

Applications to resume flight operations by the owners or management teams of three defunct Bangladesh-based airlines are frustrating attempts by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) to sell aircraft left parked at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Bangladesh's Financial Express reports that the CAAB wants to sell 12 aircraft which have sat at the airport for between one and 12 years, with the owners/operators largely ignoring requests to pay the overdue and ever-escalating parking fees. The report flags eight aircraft belonging to United Airways, two belonging to Regent Airways, and one belonging to GMG Airlines. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh confronts growing threat of warming-driven floods - Eco Business

As Bangladesh faces fiercer floods stoked by heavy rains and melting glaciers, driven by climate change, efforts are being launched to reduce the risk. In August, monsoon rains triggered deadly flash floods in the hilly coastal region of Chattogram - and while the government and aid agencies mobilised to help those affected, the flooding killed more than 50 people and displaced more than 200,000 after their homes were badly damaged. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh stares at political, economic uncertainty - Tribune India

As the General Election is approaching in Bangladesh, concerns about its political and economic future are mounting. Despite having achieved a measure of political and economic stability in recent times, the country now seems to be facing renewed uncertainty. The challenges confronting Bangladesh are largely rooted in external factors. Although the Bangladeshi Government’s efforts and the assistance from neighbouring India have delayed the onset of the crisis, the global economic turmoil is making it difficult for the country, given its small-scale economy, to effectively tackle these issues. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

NCDs rise in Trashigang – Kuensel

Trashigang—In 2002, when Pema Deki embarked on her career journey as a pharmacy technician at Trashigang’s dzongkhag hospital, the healthcare landscape looked remarkably different. Then, a solitary individual had been diagnosed with diabetes within the hospital’s walls. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

Pres Solih challenges Muizzu's intentions for Maldives' progress - Avas

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the PPM-PNC presidential candidate, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has no intention of working towards the Maldives' development if he is elected to office. Addressing a campaign rally at Thaa Hirilandhoo on Sunday, President Solih, seeking re-election, indirectly referred to Dr. Muizzu as a former Housing Minister who failed to bring development to some islands. Click here to read... [8]

US looking forward to deepen economic relations with the Maldives - Raajje

United States Senator, Chris Van Hollen has noted that the country looks forward to deepen economic relations with the Maldives. Senator Van Hollen made these remarks while speaking with Maldivian journalists, during a roundtable meeting with the press, held at the Hotel Jen, on Monday. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

Myanmar’s striking civil servants: Displaced, forgotten, but holding on - Aljazeera

From the patio of a concrete house overlooking the verdant mountains stretching from the Indian state of Mizoram to her native Chin State in neighbouring Myanmar, Grace wistfully recalls her days working for her country’s education department. “Even though the salary was low, I really valued that work,” she said. “I stayed in the office more than my own home, and I felt closer to it.” Click here to read... [10]

Nearly 90 health care workers killed in post-coup military violence - RFA

Almost 90 health care workers have lost their lives in military and police raids and other junta-associated violence since the February 2021 coup d’etat, a network of medical workers associated with the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement told Radio Free Asia on Monday. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Nepalis hit by rising prices every which way – The Kathmandu Post

While a series of measures by India to tighten food exports has pushed up local prices, the government is making life harder for Nepalis by increasing taxes on food, say analysts. After India ordered a ban on exports of non-basmati rice on July 20, the price of rice shot up by Rs200 to Rs400 per 20-kg bag. Coming just ahead of the autumn festival season, it is a big blow to Nepali consumers. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal truck transporters demand ban on entry of Indian cargo vehicles to mitigate unhealthy competition – Deccan Herald

Nepal's truck transporters on Monday demanded a ban on Indian cargo vehicles' entry into the Himalayan nation, citing concerns about the growing adverse impact of unhealthy competition on domestic cargo businesses. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Energy ministry finalises proposals to tackle inflated power bills – Dawn

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Monday said that the energy ministry has chalked out recommendations to tackle the issue of inflated power bills — which have resulted in countrywide protests — and would present them in the federal cabinet meeting tomorrow. Click here to read... [14]

Reports of Pakistan sending arms to Ukraine taken seriously: Russian envoy – India Today

Reacting to the media reports of Pakistan allegedly supplying weaponry to Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia, the Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, said Russia is closely monitoring these developments and taking them seriously. Click here to read... [15]

Toshakhana case: Pak court reserves verdict on Imran Khan’s plea; to announce judgement on Aug. 29 – The Hindu

The Islamabad High Court on August 28 reserved its verdict on former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s plea seeking the suspension of his three-year jail term in the Toshakhana corruption case. A division bench comprising Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri reserved the verdict after hearing both parties’ counsels. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

Rajnath Singh to visit Sri Lanka this weekend, say defence sources - The Hindu

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka over the coming weekend, defence sources confirmed. The visit comes at a time when the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry is considering a fresh request from China to allow the visit of a research ship. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka: Chinese man arrested for syphoning money through illegal pyramid scam - Devidiscourse

More than 4,000 Chinese people may have been involved in this scam, according to the authorities. Additionally, it has come to light that the Undial system was used to transfer the illegally obtained funds to China. Click here to read... [18]