Neighborhood News Digest - 20 June 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Reacts to UN Rapporteur's Remarks - Tolo News

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, has described the report by UN Rapporteur Richard Bennett and representatives of some countries in the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting as an attempt to mislead public opinion ahead of the third Doha meeting. Click here to read… [2]

Afghan Deportees Recount Mistreatment by Iranian Border Police -Tolo News

Afghan migrants who have been deported from Iran have complained about mistreatment by the border forces of that country. The deported migrants told TOLO news that if job opportunities were provided within the country, they would never go to Iran illegally. Click here to read… [3]

Over 370 Media Outlet Operational Across Country: Deputy Minister-Tolo News

The Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Hayatullah Mohajer Farahi, states that more than 370 visual, audio, news agencies, and print media are active across the country. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

PM’S India Visit: Defence, Teesta project, port likely to be on agenda - The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to New Delhi on June 21-22 will focus on some key issues in bilateral relations that have regional geopolitical significance. Click here to read… [5]

Current conflict in Myanmar may stall the process – The Daily Star

While the World Refugee Day is being observed today across the globe, Rohingyas living in Cox's Bazar are still passing days amid uncertainty regarding their repatriation to Myanmar. Click here to read… [6]

Bangladesh urges international community to invest for supporting Rohingyas – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh has called upon the international community to invest in improving livelihood opportunities for the Rohingya to support their reintegration in Rakhine. Click here to read… [7]

Bhutan

Thai universities offer Honorary Doctorate to HM-Kuensel

Seven Universities from Thailand presented honorary doctorate degrees to His Majesty The King, in a ceremony held at the Dungkar Dzong yesterday. Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University presented His Majesty The King the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Buddhism. Chiang Mai University presented His Majesty the Honorary Degree of Science in Agriculture. Chiang Mai Rajabhat University presented His Majesty an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in Science for Sustainable Local Development. Khon Kaen University presented His Majesty an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Science in Agricultural Extension. Click here to read… [8]

NA endorses 13th Plan-Kuensel

The National Assembly yesterday endorsed the 13th Plan after deliberations on one general and nine specific recommendations by the Economic and Finance Committee. The House endorsed the Plan with 38 “Yes” votes. One member abstained from voting and three voted “No” out of 42 members present in the House. The House accepted the committee’s recommendation to include the 13th Plan’s resource allocation mechanism with population data that takes into account both registered and average resident populations. Click here to read… [8]

Maldives

Maldives to present crucial statements in UNHRC meeting – PSM News

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the Maldives will be actively participating in the 56th meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The meetings and sessions have already commenced and will continue till July 12. The foreign ministry affirmed that Maldives will submit statements on its efforts in the field of human rights enforcement. As such, the Maldives will be attending the meeting of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to explore and seek technical assistance in the changes and impacts of climate change. Click here to read… [9]

Expenditure on major development projects declines – Sun International

Government spending on major development projects has declined compared to the same period last year. According to the Ministry of Finance, capital expenditure so far this year stands at MVR 3.5 billion, which is 50 percent lower than the same period last year. During the last year of the previous administration, capital expenditure stood at MVR 6.5 billion. MVR 13 billion has been budgeted this year for major development projects. So far, 26 percent of the allocated budget has been expended. Click here to read… [10]

Myanmar

World Refugee Day: Current conflict in Myanmar may stall the process of Rohingya repatriation - Asia News Network

While the World Refugee Day is being observed today across the globe, Rohingyas living in Cox’s Bazar are still passing days amid uncertainty regarding their repatriation to Myanmar. Around 1 million Rohingyas, most of whom had fled to Bangladesh facing persecution by Myanmar junta forces in 2017, have been living as refugees at camps in Cox’s Bazar for the last seven years. The ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar may stall the process of their repatriation, feared Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar. Click here to read… [11]

Myanmar armed groups accuse junta of breaking China-brokered ceasefire - Arab News

An alliance of Myanmar ethnic armed groups have accused the junta of repeatedly violating a China-brokered ceasefire in the north of the country this month and causing civilian casualties. Beijing brokered a truce between the junta and the so-called “Three Brotherhood Alliance” in January after months of fighting that displaced more than half a million people near China’s southern border. Click here to read… [12]

U.S. speaks in support of Myanmar at U.N. - Mizzima

Ambassador Michèle Taylor from the United States of America delegation to the United Nations (U.N.) 56th Session of the Human Rights Council made a statement about Myanmar. The statement was made on 18 June during the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi turns 79 under detention - Bangkok Post

Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi turned 79 on Wednesday while serving a prison term, with supporters in and outside the Southeast Asian country expressing concern about her health as the ruling military faces resistance from opposition forces. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate spent her fourth consecutive birthday in detention, having been jailed right after the military toppled her democratically elected civilian government in a coup on Feb 1, 2021. Click here to read… [14]

Nepal

Indian pharma firm says reports of Nepal banning its injection 'misleading, erroneous' - Wion News

Indian pharma company Zydus Healthcare Ltd on Wednesday (June 19) responded to reports that Nepal has suspended sale and distribution of one of its injections 'over serious health risks'. The Kathmandu Post had reported on Tuesday that Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Nepal's national medicines regulatory authority, suspended the sales and distribution of Biotax 1gm. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal's Commerce Minister Congratulates India’s Piyush Goyal, Hopes for Enhanced Economic Cooperation - Devi discourse

Nepal's Commerce Minister Damodar Bhandari congratulated Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal on his appointment, expressing hopes for strengthened economic cooperation. He emphasized the deep cultural ties between the nations and envisioned enhanced collaboration in commerce, industry, and investment, hoping for mutual growth in multi-faceted areas. Click here to read… [16]

Nepal-China boundary talks conclude in Beijing - Kathmandu Post

Nepal and China held a meeting of the Joint Expert Group in Beijing on Wednesday. Prakash Joshi, the director general of the Department of Survey, led the Nepali delegation. Although the meeting concluded on Wednesday, both sides have yet to share the details. A Nepali participant from Beijing said although the meeting concluded on Wednesday, some formalities will be completed on Thursday. “We will only be able to share more details on Thursday,” he said. Click here to read… [17]

Pakistan

PSX hits historic high, surpasses 78,000 milestone-The Express Tribune

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged to an all-time high on Thursday as the KSE-100 Index gained over 1.93 percent, reaching 78,213 points at 11:30 am. This rise marked a significant increase from the previous 76,706.77 points last week. The market opened on a positive note following the Eid ul Adha holidays, with the KSE-100 Index crossing the 77,000 mark, up by 730 points by 09:44 am. Click here to read… [18]

Bilawal to air budget grievances with PM-The Express Tribune

As the upper and lower houses of parliament commence debates on the federal budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 today (Thursday), tensions are running high within the ruling coalition. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally, remains at odds with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over grievances regarding the money bill both at the federal level and in Punjab. Click here to read… [19]

Climate-smart finance bill-Dawn

The finance bill or proposed budget for the next fiscal year has refused to commit any resources or even set the national direction for climate resilience. It has failed to acknowledge that Pakistan is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, and perhaps the least prepared. It has missed, once again, the opportunity to determine the course of action for Pakistan’s sustainable economic development. Worse, the proposed budget has not outlined a vision for climate-resilient investments. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka

EAM Jaishankar to visit Sri Lanka on Jun 20, discuss wide-ranging issues – Business Standard

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Sri Lanka on Thursday in his first bilateral visit abroad in his second consecutive term in office. Click here to read… [21]

Sri Lanka plans development bank to boost industries – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka is currently exploring the establishment of a development bank, a move that would facilitate the required funding to help improve the competitive capabilities of industries, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Click here to read… [22]

Int’l university at Port City Colombo set to elevate regional education – Daily Mirror

Port City Colombo is set to become the engine of Sri Lanka’s future economic development by opening up opportunities for local and international university level students to pursue academics in diversified fields of study. Click here to read… [23]

Sri Lanka needs to connect with India to benefit from its industrial success: President Wickremesinghe – The Hindu

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday said Sri Lanka needs to connect with neighbouring India to reap the benefits of its massive industrial development.. Click here to read… [24]