Neighborhood News Digest- 08 February 2024

Afghanistan

NGOs Warn of Adverse Effects of Lack of Rainfall in Afghanistan-Tolo News

Save the Children and four other NGOs in a joint statement warned about the lack of rainfall and worsening weather conditions in Afghanistan. According to the statement, Afghanistan is currently enduring its worst drought in the past 30 years. Click here to read… [2]

International Organizations Sustain Calls for Women's Rights in Afghanistan-Tolo News

Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a report once again expressed concern over the imposition of restrictions on women in Afghanistan, saying that the “Taliban have systematically violated the rights of women and girls” in the last two and a half years. Click here to read… [3]

Hamkar Demands EU Cooperation in Treatment of Addicts, Alternative Crops-Tolo News

The deputy Minister of Counter-Narcotics of the Interior Ministry, Abdul Haq Akhund Hamkar, in a meeting with the EU special envoy Tomas Niklasson asked for cooperation in the support and treatment of addicts, and alternative crops for farmers. Click here to read… [4]

Illegitimate Detention of US Citizens in Afghanistan 'Unacceptable': McCaul- Tolo News

Michael McCaul, the chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, at a committee session said that they will continue their efforts to free the American citizens held hostage by the Islamic Emirate. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

PM: 1,241 jailed over BNP-Jammat’s subversive activities – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that 1,241 people were sentenced to different terms as a trial of 1,967 cases was completed so far in connection with the BNP-Jamaat’s subversive activities between 2012 and 2015. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/parliament/338884/pm-1-241-jailed-over-bnp-jammat%E2%80%99s-subversive [6] "target="_blank"> Click here to read…

Inflation will fall by end of current fiscal year: finance minister– The Daily Star

Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali today expressed hope that the inflation will come down to a bearable level by the end of the current financial year. Click here to read… [7]

Dhaka pushes for Teesta, uninterrupted supply of goods as Bangladesh, India eye higher quality relation- Dhaka Tribune

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has sought to resolve all the pending issues with India including Teesta water sharing and uninterrupted supply of commodities during Ramadan as Dhaka, Delhi look forward for a deeper and higher quality relations.https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/338889/dhaka-pushes-for-teesta-uninterrupted-supply-of [6] "target="_blank"> Click here to read…

Bhutan

Against populist decisions-Kuensel Online

The decision to revise the lease rate of state land is a bold decision, if not timely or even late. Not many are aware, but the lease rate private businesses pay the government is peanuts compared with the income they make from businesses established on state land. Click here to read… [8]

Maldives

Indian troops cannot be removed with short tempers, says President – Adhadhu

President Muizzu's remarks in Thaa Veymandoo about the ineffectiveness of showing anger to achieve favourable outcomes were at odds with his harshly-worded rebuke of India upon returning from a state visit to China last month. "These are things that can be achieved by talking nicely and properly explaining in a manner that everyone could believe that our country is an independent and democratic country" the President stated while speaking in Veymandoo. Muizzu further stated "You can't achieve things by being short-tempered." Click here to read… [9]

IMF warns Maldives of high ‘debt distress' risk amid growing reliance on China, calls for ‘urgent policy adjustment’ – Mint

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on February 7, warned the Maldives of being at a high risk of ‘debt distress’ amid increasing proximity with China. The strategically important nation is currently governed by a pro-China government. Since the rise of Mohamed Muizzu as Maldives President in November last year, Beijing has pledged more funding for the island nation. During his visit to China last month, Muizzu thanked the nation for its “selfless assistance" for development funds. Click here to read… [10]

Myanmar

Centre suspends free movement between India and Myanmar with immediate effect -The Week

The Centre has suspended with immediate effect the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the external affairs ministry has also started the process to scrap FMR. Click here to read… [11]

Bangladesh-Myanmar cross-border trade halts as conflict escalates in Rakhine - TBS

Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, general manager of United Land Port Teknaf Limited that operates Teknaf land port, told The Business Standard that cross-border trade activities have been dwindling since December last year after the latest round of conflict began on 13 November. But all trade activities have now come to a complete halt amid intense fighting. Click here to read… [12]

Nepal

Nepal: Opposition reiterates demand for repatriation of Nepalis recruited in Russian Army - The Print

Nepal’s major opposition party Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) hit out at the Nepali government over its failure to repatriate Nepali nationals recruited in the Russian Army amid the conflict in Ukraine. Click here to read… [13]

Nepal becomes top troops contributor to UN peacekeeping missions - Kathmandu Post

Nepal has added another feather to its cap! It has become the largest troops contributing nation by overtaking another South Asian country, Bangladesh, according to the latest data provided by the website of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

Top twelve races to keep an eye on-Dawn

With around 5,000 candidates contesting for 265 National Assembly seats today in Pakistan, things are expected to get quite chaotic when results start trickling in later today evening. Click here to read… [15]

Imran, Elahi cast votes via postal ballot-The Express Tribune

The postal ballot polling on Wednesday concluded at Central Jail Adiala, with the imprisoned founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, exercising his voting right through a postal ballot. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

SJB vies for Indian favor ahead of Presidential Elections following NPP move - Daily Mirror Online

Hot on the heels of the National People’s Power (NPP) undertaking a familiarization tour of India with interactions with the top Indian officials, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has sought a similar opportunity from India, Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read… [17]

State revenue up by 25 percent in January after VAT increase: Siyambalapitiya – Daily Mirror Online

State revenue has increased by 25 percent in January after the VAT increase, where Rs. 274 billion was recorded in January 2024, whereas the estimated state revenue was Rs. 219 billion, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today. Click here to read… [18]

Ranil has brainwashed NPP: Nimal Siripala – Daily Mirror Online

President Ranil Wickremesinghe had brainwashed National People’s Power (NPP) and that is why its leader went before Indian leaders, Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said in Parliament today. Click here to read… [19]