Neighborhood News Digest- 13 May 2024

Afghanistan

Death Toll from Baghlan Floods Rises to 154, Hundreds Injured-Tolo News

The number of fatalities from the recent floods in Baghlan has risen to 154. Local authorities in the region have reported that the catastrophic floods have also resulted in over 250 injuries. Additionally, the floods have devastated approximately 20,000 acres of agricultural land and destroyed hundreds of residential homes. Officials further noted that the disaster has led to the loss of over a thousand livestock. Click here to read… [2]

Uzbekistan Supports Afghanistan as Regional Hub: Envoy-Tolo News

The Special Representative of the Uzbekistan President, Ismatullah Irgashev, and the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Makhkamov, along with their delegation, arrived in Kabul and during a meeting with the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, Ilkhom Makhkamov stated that Uzbekistan supports the Islamic Emirate's request to transform Afghanistan into a regional connectivity hub. Click here to read… [3]

Kabul Hosts Major Intl Exhibition of Domestic Products-Tolo News

An international exhibition showcasing domestic products opened to mark Industry Week in the country. Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Deputy PM for Administrative Affairs, emphasized the industrialization of the country at the opening ceremony and assured that the Islamic Emirate is committed to supporting domestic productions. Click here to read… [4]

Japan to offer scholarships to Afghan students in collaboration with Aga Khan Foundation-The Khaama Press

The Japanese Embassy in Kabul announced the provision of scholarships for Afghan students. It stated that the selection process for these scholarships in 2025 will be conducted in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation. In a statement published on the social network X on Saturday, May 11, the embassy mentioned that Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology will offer scholarships for master’s and doctoral programs to Afghan students in 2025. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

‘A green, clean Dhaka by 2050’ - The Daily Star

Aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70.6 percent, Dhaka north and south city corporations have initiated first-ever Climate Action Plans towards 2050. Click here to read… [6]

India on alert as China-Bangladesh military cooperation raises strategic concerns – India Today

In the past three months (since Doval’s visit), things have changed fast between the two countries. Bangladesh was born with India’s support but gradually leaned towards expansionist China. Click here to read… [7]

FM: Myanmar's internal conflict cannot be an excuse to delay Rohingya repatriation – Dhaka Tribune

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Myanmar's internal conflict, which was always there, cannot be an excuse for delaying the Rohingya repatriation. Click here to read… [8]

China's Interest in Bangladesh Teesta River Project: What's at Stake for India? – Quint

"Bangladesh is India's leading development partner and its largest trade partner in the region," India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said after Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra concluded a two-day visit to the country on Thursday, 9 May. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Tourism boom fails to benefit service providers – Kuensel

Despite the increase in tourist arrivals in the spring 2024 by almost twofold, the service industry, including tour operators, is struggling to reap the benefits from the increased numbers. The Department of Tourism recently revealed that 41,394 tourists visited Bhutan in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 26,465 in the same quarter last year, bringing in a revenue of USD 13 million. However, those in tourism and allied sectors like the hotel industry claim that the increased arrivals have not translated to improved business. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan’s press freedom: a concerning decline – Bhutan Times

Bhutan is facing a distressing trend in its press freedom ranking. The recent Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index revealed a stark decline, with Bhutan plummeting 57 places to the disconcerting position of 147th. This significant regression from once being positioned at 33rd in 2022 demands introspection and concerted efforts to rectify the erosions in journalistic liberties. The RSF report, a comprehensive assessment based on political, economic, legislative, social, and security indicators, underscores an alarming deterioration in Bhutan’s political indicator. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Maldives military pilots not capable of flying Dornier and helicopters donated by India: Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon – Deccan Herald

The Maldives military still does not have pilots capable of operating three aircraft donated by India, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon has acknowledged, days after 76 Indian defence personnel left the island nation at the instance of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. Click here to read… [12]

India gives green signal for USD150 million debt deferral – PSM News

India has given the Maldives the green signal to extend the repayment deadline for USD150 million of a USD200 million debt. The loan was secured by the previous government upon assuming office in 2019. Speaking at a press conference held in the President's Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer disclosed that USD50 million of the USD200 million owed to India was repaid in January this year. He emphasised that the Indian government has not made any demands in exchange for extending the repayment period of the remaining USD150 million. He also said that India has signalled its approval for this extension. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar

Manipur: Security forces on high alert after clashes between rebels in Myanmar - North East Now

Security forces along the border between Manipur and Myo Thit, Myanmar, are on high alert following intense clashes between insurgent groups. Reports reaching the state capital indicate heightened vigilance among Indian forces, including the Assam Rifles, stationed near Namlee village in Manipur’s Kamjong district, which borders Myo Thit. Click here to read… [14]

16 killed in military junta airstrikes in Myanmar - Dhaka Tribune

At least 16 people lost their lives in a devastating airstrike conducted by the military junta in Myanmar, targeting a Buddhist monastery located in the Magwe region. The attack resulted in approximately 50 others sustaining injuries, as reported by an eyewitness involved in the subsequent rescue efforts, as reported by DPA. The airstrike occurred on Thursday shortly after a meeting concluded within the monastery premises in the Saw community. Click here to read… [15]

Thai authorities cut off online communication to Myanmar's Shwe Kukko amid fraud concerns - Eleven Myanmar

VOA reported that the Thai National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission announced the termination of online communication services to Shwe Kukko in Myawady District. During a press conference on May 9, an NBTC official conveyed the decision in Thai, as per the news outlet. "We have provided 69 internet cable lines to the Myanmar side via Melama Township, Phop Phra District, Tak Province. Authorities responsible for this connection must deactivate all illegal lines within 15 days," declared the official, as reported by VOA. Click here to read… [16]

Nepal

Green hydrogen in Nepal’s energy transition - Annapurna Express

Nepal’s abundant hydroelectric resources position it as an ideal candidate for green hydrogen production. With over 40,000 megawatts (MW) of hydroelectric potential, the country can leverage this clean energy to generate hydrogen. Till now, Nepal has produced 2,800 MW of electricity from hydropower and is expected to produce 15,000 MW by 2030 and 30,000 MW by 2035. This opens the door to various applications, including the production of green hydrogen, which contributes to reducing Nepal’s carbon footprint while supporting its energy needs and economy. Click here to read… [17]

Nepal’s Business News in a Snap - Khabar Hub

Over the past nine months, Nepal’s economy has displayed favorable trends across key indicators. The Nepal Rastra Bank’s recent report indicates stable Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation, a surplus in the balance of payments, and an increase in foreign exchange reserves. Notably, CPI-based inflation dropped to 4.61 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) compared to 7.76 percent in the same period last year. Within the food and beverage category, there were notable increases in price indices for spices, vegetables, pulses, and cereals, although ghee and oil saw a decrease. Click here to read… [18]

7 years on, Nepal and China still at odds over BRI execution - Kathmandu Post

Sunday marked the seventh year of the signing of the Belt and Road Initiative between Nepal and China yet the two sides are still struggling to finalise the implementation plan of the BRI that China proposed in early 2020. Nepal and China signed a memorandum of understanding on the One Belt One Road, later known as BRI, a flagship initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on May 12, 2017, subject to renewal every three years. Still, there is a divergence of views on whether Nepal needs a dedicated BRI implementation plan to execute the projects under the Chinese initiative, senior government leaders and officials told the Post. Hence there is no clarity over when and how the implementation plan will be signed. Click here to read… [19]

Pakistan

AJK situation expected to settle down soon: PM-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging all parties to adopt a peaceful course of action to resolve the demands. A day earlier, clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement personnel during a protest against the increase in electricity tariffs in Mirpur. Click here to read… [20]

JI shies away from joining opposition alliance-The Express Tribune

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan has categorically stated that it will not become a part of any political alliance but it can cooperate with anyone for a certain purpose. Addressing a media conference, Jamat-e-Islami emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said the media workers are facing a host of issues such as economic crisis and press freedom. He alleged that the coalition government of PML-N, PPP and MQM, a product of Form-47, had been forcibly imposed on people, adding that tampered figures were being presented to claim improvement in the economy. Click here to read… [21]

After months of speculation, Miftah Ismail confirms he’s forming new political party-Dawn

Former PML-N leader Miftah Ismail confirmed on Sunday that he was forming a new political party, putting months of speculation to rest. He announced the new party, which has yet to be named, in an op-ed published in The News as well as a post on X. In his op-ed, Miftah said that the new party would be of “a different kind” and its leadership will be comprised of “women and young people” and will also constitutionally mandate term limits for party leaders. Click here to read… [22]

Pakistan delegation visit to Kandahar ‘cancelled’ by Taliban-The Express Tribune

Afghan Taliban officials claimed that a planned trip by a Pakistani military delegation to Kandahar on Sunday was cancelled in apparent protest over reported cross-border strikes by Pakistan targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan. There was no word from the Pakistani side either on the reported airstrikes or the visit of its delegation to Kandahar. Click here to read… [23]

Sri Lanka

Govt. confident of attracting over US$ 3 bn investments this year – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka is all set to triple the investment target set for 2024, State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama said, as the necessary activities to realize the goal for 1Q24, set by the Finance Ministry has been successfully rolled out. Click here to read… [24]

Tourism earnings strengthen further despite March low levels – Daily Mirror

Earnings from tourism displayed continued strengthening despite some softening from March. Arrivals eased last month but the momentum persists, projecting robust earnings from the trade which once saw a prolonged decline due to repeated crises from 2019 onwards through 2022. Click here to read… [25]

India Reaffirms Commitment To Sri Lankan Tamils, Pledges Development And Economic Cooperation – NDTV

India has reaffirmed its continued commitment towards the North and East-based Tamil minority community by extending development and economic cooperation with Sri Lanka. Click here to read… [26]