Neighborhood News Digest - 21 May 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate: We Stand with the Govt and People of Iran-Tolo News

The Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate has expressed Afghanistan's solidarity with the people and government of Iran in response to the death of Ebrahim Raisi, the President of Iran and seven others, including Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who lost their lives. Click here to read… [2]

Afghan Organizations: Trust Fund Should Be Used to Pay UN Membership Fee-Tolo News

Some members of active organizations in Afghanistan, through a joint statement, have called for Afghanistan's UN membership fee to be paid from the trust fund. The members of these organizations also requested the United Nations and donor agencies to pay Afghanistan's membership fee by any means possible. These organizations emphasized that Afghanistan should not be deprived of its voting rights as a member of this body and should use its vote in the organization's decision-making. Click here to read… [3]

UN Deputy discuss third Doha meeting with Taliban FM-The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a meeting between the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister. They discussed the upcoming third Doha meeting and its agenda, with Mr. Muttaqi emphasizing meaningful participation. Hafiz Zia, the Deputy Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on his Twitter page on Sunday, May 19, that Rosemary DiCarlo, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, met with Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss strengthening the global community’s relations with the Taliban and the third Doha meeting. Click here to read… [4]

UNICEF: Polio vaccination in Afghanistan challenged by returning refugees-The Khaama Press

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan has made the polio vaccination campaign in the country more challenging. Stevan Lauwerier, head of the polio eradication program, called for increased efforts to eliminate polio among returning refugees from Pakistan during his visit to the Torkham border on Sunday, May 19. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

US sanctions ex-army chief Aziz, family members - The Daily Star

The United States has imposed sanctions on former chief of Bangladesh Army Aziz Ahmed and his immediate family members due to his involvement in significant corruption. Click here to read… [6]

GDP expands at faster pace in FY24 – The Daily Star

Bangladesh's economy has grown at a faster pace, albeit marginally, in the current fiscal year than the previous one although the production of industrial goods and agricultural commodities recorded reduced growth. Click here to read… [7]

Illegal heavy weapons enter Bangladesh from Myanmar – Dhaka Tribune

Illegal heavy weapons are entering Bangladesh through the Myanmar border, falling into the hands of separatist groups based in the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. Click here to read… [8]

PM to meet with 14-party leaders on Thursday – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hold a meeting with the top leaders of the 14-party alliance. The meeting will be held at Ganabhaban at 7pm on Thursday. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan may revise its Sustainable Development Fee if Travel picks up – CNBC

Bhutan may reconsider its controversial $100 daily tourism fees if the country’s tourism industry recovers soon. But the fees are likely to go higher, Bhutan reopened its borders in September 2022 with an increased “Sustainable Development Fee” of $200 per person per day in place. In 2023, the country lowered the fee to entice travelers to stay longer, before halving the fee across the board. The current daily fee — $100 for adults and $50 for children aged six to 12 — is described as a “time-limited incentive” valid until Aug. 31, 2027, according to Bhutan’s Department of Immigration. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Majority of state budget's deficit supplemented by MMA: World Bank – The Edition

A large portion of the state's budget deficit last year was supplemented by central bank Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), while 30 percent of the banking sector is being used for government's needs, said World Bank. Maldives Economist and Resident Coordinator for Maldives at the World Bank Erdem Atas said that the government heavily relies on MMA and other commercial banks to secure financing, and that 60 percent of MMA's assets were invested as government's security as of January 2024. Click here to read… [11]

Govt welcomes ICC arrest warrant application for Netanyahu – Sun International

The Maldives government and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu welcomes the application of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, filed by the Prosecutor of International Criminal Court (ICC). The arrest warrant application was filed before the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC regarding the situation in the State of Palestine. The application was filed by the Chief Prosecutor of ICC Karim A.A. Khan KC, who said both Netanyahu and Gallant should be held accountable for the continued atrocities on Palestinian land against its people. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

Myanmar Dictator Seeks Russian Help to Develop an Aerospace Industry - The Irrawaddy

Min Aung Hlaing wants to develop an aerospace industry in Myanmar. On Sunday, the junta boss met with Roscosmos deputy director general Savelyev Sergey Valentinovich to discuss cooperation in aerospace technology between Russia and Myanmar. Roscosmos is the Russian state corporation responsible for space flights, astronautic programs, and aerospace research. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar now requires biometric ‘smart card’ to exit country by border - RFA

New restrictions requiring Myanmar nationals to obtain a special “smart card” before they can cross into a neighboring country have led to long lines at checkpoints and a thriving black market for the cards in border towns, applicants said Monday. The junta recently announced that, as of May 1, citizens entering China, Thailand and India will have to carry a 10-digit Unique Identification, or UID, card, as national ID cards will no longer be valid at border crossings. Click here to read… [14]

‘Nowhere to go’: Rohingya face arson attacks in Myanmar’s Rakhine State - Aljazeera

Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) has escalated in the western state of Rakhine in recent days, putting thousands of mostly Muslim Rohingya who live in the area at increased risk. Based on interviews with Rohingya activists who have spoken to witnesses in Buthidaung, there have been huge fires across the town in the last few days. They accuse the Arakan Army of being behind the arson campaign, but the AA has rejected the allegations saying the fires were started by the Myanmar military in air attacks. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal

PM Prachanda Wins Parliamentary Vote Of Confidence - Strat News Global

Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda has won a parliamentary vote of confidence amid protests by the opposition. The opposition is demanding a parliamentary probe into allegations that his home minister illegally took money from several companies before he entered politics. Click here to read… [16]

Reimagining India-Nepal ties: The decade that was and the road ahead - Annapurna Express

Oscillating between periods of cooperation and setbacks, the India-Nepal bilateral relationship is considered ‘special’ and ‘unique’ by all who observe their dynamics. Thus, the failure of the two sides to maximize their potential and fully capitalize on the factors that make this partnership different is often criticized. In the past decade, under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the focus of the Indian leadership has been on working on the convergences, while preventing the issues of contention from casting a shadow on progress. This approach has found a receptive audience in Nepal as well, with the two sides increasing cooperation. Click here to read… [17]

Nepal ditching India for China? EAM Jaishankar gives a ‘reality check’ with examples to students - Economic Times

Addressing a school student gathering in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar elaborated India-Nepal bilateral ties, on the question of rising relations of Nepal with China, EAM Jaishankar gives a reality check to the students on the topic. Click here to read… [18]

British PM Rishi Sunak praises Nepali community and British Gurkhas - My Republica

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed the Nepali community during a special ceremony on Monday at the British Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, marking the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Nepal and Britain. Prime Minister Sunak praised the contributions of the British Gurkhas in strengthening bilateral relations. Click here to read… [19]

Pakistan

Imran acquitted in May 9, Azaadi March cases-The Express Tribune

A district and sessions court in Islamabad acquitted PTI founder Imran Khan on Monday in two cases pertaining to the May 9 riots and vandalism during the party's Azaadi March in 2022. A case against the former premier over the May 9 violence was registered at the Khanna Police Station. The verdict stated that no evidence against the PTI founder came to the record and ruled that "evidence available was not sufficient to prove the allegations". Click here to read… [20]

PM Shehbaz declares day of mourning following President Raisi's death-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed shock and extended his condolences on Monday over the sudden death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. PM Shehbaz added that the country will mourn the great loss by hoisting the flag at half-mast and observing a day of mourning. Click here to read… [21]

Amid protests, Punjab Assembly passes defamation law-Dawn

The Punjab Assembly on Monday passed the Defamation Bill, 2024, rejecting all amendments proposed by the opposition amid protests by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council and journalists covering parliamentary proceedings. The SIC members tore apart copies of the bill after the house passed it through a voice vote. Click here to read… [22]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka launches probe into alleged ISIS links – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka's State Intelligence has launched an immediate probe to obtain further information on the four Sri Lankan individuals alleged to be ISIS suspects who had travelled to India in recent days and were arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad upon arrival at Ahmedabad Airport, the Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read… [23]

France optimistic about conclusion of Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring very fast – Daily Mirror

French Ambassador Jean-François Pactet expressed optimism yesterday that Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process could be concluded ‘very fast’ but declined to elaborate on more details. Click here to read… [24]

Thai delegation in SL to explore opportunities in renewable energy – Daily Mirror

A delegation comprising officials representing Thai agencies and private sector is in Sri Lanka to explore feasibility and understand the potentials in future cooperation and investment in renewable energy, particularly in the electricity generation in Sri Lanka. Click here to read… [25]