Neighborhood News Digest- 31 May 2024

Afghanistan

Business Tax in Afghanistan Reduced to 0.3%-Tolo News

Some senior officials of the Islamic Emirate announced today (Thursday) in the "exemption and reduction of the fixed tax" meeting that the leader of the Islamic Emirate has reduced the business tax from 0.5% to 0.3%.According to the officials, this action was carried out based on the decree of theleader of the Islamic Emirate, and businesses with annual sales up to 2 million afghani will not be taxed. Click here to read... [2]

Ministry Sells 20,000 Tons of Bamyan Zinc for Nearly $8 Million-Tolo News

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum sold 20,000 tons of zinc extracted from the Yakawlang mines in Bamyan, worth nearly 8 million dollars, to a domestic company.Sheikh Ahmad, the head of the winning company, said: "We are currently transferring it to Iran, where it will be semi-processed, then sent to Turkey, and from there to European countries." Click here to read... [3]

Probe into alleged British war crimes in Afghanistan delayed post-UK elections-The Khaama Press

British media have reported that the investigation into potential war crimes by UK forces in Afghanistan, including the examination of evidence presented by the former British Defense Secretary, has been delayed until after the country’s general elections.The UK’s Standard newspaper published a report on Wednesday, May 28, citing a spokesperson for this investigative case as writing that Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, the head of the investigation, has concluded that his decision should be postponed until the pre-election period. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Upazila Polls: Third phase sees 36.24pc turnout - The Daily Star

The overall turnout in Wednesday's third phase of the upazila polls was 36.24 percent, which is lower than the previous phase. Click here to read... [5]

India, Bangladesh discuss extradition cases, visa issues – Hindustan Times

India and Bangladesh on Wednesday held wide-ranging talks focusing on issues relating to visas, mutual legal assistance and extradition cases. Click here to read... [6]

DB Chief: Bangladesh police seek help to India to bring back Shaheen from US – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh police have sought help from India to bring back Aktaruzzaman Shaheen, the alleged mastermind behind the gruesome murder of former Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar, from the United States (US) through Interpol. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Nu 2 billion from ESP for tourism sector-Kuensel

The tourism industry is set for a major shot in the arm as the government plans to allocate Nu 2 billion from its Nu 15 billion economic stimulus programme (ESP) to the industry.This was announced by officials from the department of tourism during the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators’ annual general meeting on May 28. The investment aims to revitalise the tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

India rejects Maldivian minister’s claim that New Delhi has proposed FTA – Hindustan Times

Maldivian minister Mohamed Saeed, said on May 25 that New Delhi wanted to ink a free trade agreement with Maldives in addition to SAFTA. While, India on May 30 dismissed such claims and stated that it would be open to considering such a trade deal. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in the weekly media briefing that, “No specific proposal for a bilateral FTA with the Maldives has been made by the Government of India.” Click here to read... [9]

Govt has no response on why MVR 4.2 million fine imposed on Indian vessel was waived – Adhadhu

The Maldivian government refused to respond, when questioned why a fine of MVR 4.2 million imposed on an Indian vessel for illegally fishing in Maldivian waters was waived by the President's Office.Antony Jayabalan, who operated the Indian fishing vessel "Holy Spirit", was fined MVR 4,200,000 million by the Ministry of Fisheries. The fine was waived by the President’s Office on March 10 and the boat departed from Maldives seven days later.Lawyers say the President's Office does not have the legal authority to waive the fine. Some legal experts believe that the Fisheries Ministry has the authority to waive fines on fishing vessels. Click here to read... [10]

USD 135 million program launched to help small developing states – Adhadhu

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have launched the new USD 135 million Blue and Green Islands Integrated Program (BGI-IP).According to UNDP, the program aims to promote natural solutions to combat environmental destruction in the three sectors of infrastructure development, food production and tourism. It targets 15 small developing countries.The effort, overseen by UNDP and funded by GEF and partners, is part of a “new wave” of support for small countries in the 2024 to 2034, "Decade of Action." Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

UK calls for increased aid to Myanmar amid rising food insecurity - The Print

The crisis in Myanmar is worsening and children are bearing the brunt, with more than half out of school and many facing malnutrition amid rising food insecurity, the UK government said Wednesday. More than 18 million people in Myanmar now need humanitarian assistance, up from 17.6 million a year ago, UK Ambassador James Kariuki told at a UN summit, calling on the international community to ramp up aid to the country. Click here to read... [12]

No one from Myanmar to be allowed to enter Bangladesh under any circumstances: Home minister - TBS News

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said no one from Myanmar will be allowed to enter Bangladesh under any circumstances. "There is an ongoing conflict within Myanmar, with government forces clashing with the Arakan Army and several smaller groups. In this situation, no citizen or anyone else from that country will be allowed to enter," he said after a meeting on law and order situation at the Rohingya camps, held at the Cox's Bazar Hilltop Circuit House last night (30 May). Click here to read... [13]

UN Security Council holds meeting on Myanmar crisis - Vietnam Plus

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened an arria-formula meeting on the situation in Myanmar in New York on May 29, with representatives from all 15 UNSC member states and 10 ASEAN countries taking part. At the event, most countries expressed concern over the escalating conflict in Myanmar, emphasising the urgency of ending violence and ensuring humanitarian assistance to citizens. Click here to read... [14]

Illegal Entry Arrests Surge in Thailand Amid Forced Military Conscription in Myanmar - The Irrawaddy

Thai authorities have arrested over 900 Myanmar people for illegal entry in areas along the Thai-Myanmar border since February, more than half of them youths fleeing the junta’s newly enforced conscription law, according to a rights group assisting Myanmar migrants. The junta’s shock activation of the People’s Military Service Law in February immediately rendered almost all men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 eligible for conscription and triggered a mass exodus of young people to Thailand. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal

The Process of Political Polarization in Nepal - My Republica

Nepal’s internal politics is all about triangular fights transforming into bi-polar fights leading to a win-lose situation. When there are more than two parties involved in a dispute situation, it becomes more complicated to have a decisive win-lose situation. The outcome often involves an impasse or a prolonged transition period. However, the polarization process reduces a multi-party conflict into a bipartite one, making a possibility for a quick resolution. Click here to read... [16]

Nepal improves budget transparency with a score of 50 in Open Budget Survey - My Republica

Nepal's budget transparency has seen an improvement, securing a score of 50 in the Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2023, surpassing the global average of 45 out of 100. The survey also highlights Nepal's score of 31 in public participation, exceeding the global average of 15, while legislature oversight stands at 36, slightly below the global average. However, the Supreme Audit Institute (SAI) oversight scored 67, surpassing the global average. Click here to read... [17]

Deuba making concerted efforts to regain reins of power - English khabar Hub

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba, popular as a ‘shrewd player’ in Nepali politics, is making concerted efforts to regain the reins of power he lost on March 5. The effort to create an alternative coalition was halted due to the split of the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP-N) Nepal. However, Deuba is now working to rebuild his influence and return to power. Click here to read... [18]

Nepalis in Japan urged to invest in Nepal - Kathmandu Post

On May 28, the Nepali embassy in Japan hosted a special ceremony focusing on investment opportunities in Nepal on the occasion of Republic Day. Ambassador Durga Bahadur Subedi said that Nepal was committed to ensuring the safety and security of foreign investments, urging the Japanese to invest in Nepal and help the country in its journey to development and prosperity. Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan

ECP delists PTI intra-party election case- Dawn

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has delisted the PTI intra-party election case due to non-availability of the bench.“It is circulated for the information of general public and the litigants that the following cases fixed for hearing before the honourable Election Commission of Pakistan on 30.05.24 have been delisted due to non-availability of the bench and the next date of hearing will be announced later,” the ECP said in a notice placed on its website. Click here to read... [20]

EU launches two flagship projects in Gilgit-Dawn

The European Union has launched two flagship programmes for skills development and clean energy in Gilgit-Baltistan to boost economic development and tackle challenges posed by climate change in the region.Speaking at the launching ceremony on Wednesday, the speakers said the two programmes are part of a broader Team Europe Initiative which brings together the combined strength of the EU, France, Germany and Italy to tackle the most pressing global challenges from fighting climate change to improving health systems and boosting up the competitiveness and security of global supply chains. Click here to read... [21]

Imran’s first interaction with CJ Isa-The Express Tribune

In his first interaction with Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa through video link, former prime minister Imran Khan requested the fixation of two petitions related to violation of human rights as well as alleged massive rigging during the Feb 8 elections. Click here to read... [22]

Govt clears $2b CPEC road project-The Express Tribune

The government on Thursday approved the construction of another road project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at a cost of $2 billion, paving the way for the signing of its framework agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing next week. Click here to read... [23]

Sri Lanka

SL refutes reports of move to sell surplus ammunition to Ukraine via Poland – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence has refuted recent media reports, stating that Poland is utilizing intermediaries to procure surplus ammunitions from Sri Lanka to transfer to Ukraine. Click here to read... [24]

International spotlight on presidential election – Daily Mirror

The International spotlight is already cast on the conduct of the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka with the European Union already deploying its experts for a pre-election assessment of the ground situation, an official said yesterday. Click here to read... [25]

Indian High Commissioner Jha meets Sri Lanka's Marxist JVP party members – Times of India

India's High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, held talks with the Marxist JVP party in Colombo to discuss bilateral initiatives and developments in India. Click here to read... [26]