Neighbourhood News Digest - 5 December 2024

Afghanistan

Over 90 percent of Afghanistan’s districts face limited access to humanitarian aid: UN Report – UN Report

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released a new report highlighting the restricted access of aid to those in need in Afghanistan. According to the report, more than 90 percent of districts in the country have “limited” access to humanitarian assistance. The OCHA report, published on Wednesday, December 4, shows that only 2.4 percent of districts in Afghanistan have “greater access” to aid, while the rest of the country faces either “very limited” or “relatively limited” access to humanitarian support. The report indicates that in 50.6 percent of Afghanistan’s districts, humanitarian organizations face “severely limited” access, while in 46.8 percent of districts, access is “relatively limited.” This highlights the challenges faced by aid organizations in reaching vulnerable populations across the country. Click here to read... [2]

Temporary Port Established on Afghanistan-Turkmenistan Border – Tolo News

The Ministry of Finance has announced the construction of a temporary port at the border area between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. According to a statement from the ministry, a delegation led by the Deputy Minister for Revenues and Customs visited the port and discussed its construction with Turkmenistan officials. The port is considered essential for the transfer of personnel and equipment for the TAPI project. Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, the First Deputy of the Chamber of Industries and Mines, said: “The new port between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan will be effective in economic and political terms and in providing more facilities for the TAPI project and expanding relations. Click here to read... [3]

Administrative stability puts luxury housing in demand across Afghanistan’s capital – The Hindu

In a town that has been through it all and is clawing its way back, a man named Omidullah is looking to hit paydirt. The Kabul real estate agent is selling a nine-bedroom, nine-bath, white-and-gold villa in the Afghan capital. On the roof's gable, glittering Arabic script tempts buyers and brokers with the word “mashallah” — "God has willed it.” The villa is listed at $450,000, a startling number in a country where more than half of the population relies on humanitarian aid to survive, most Afghans don’t have bank accounts, and mortgages are rare. Yet the offers are coming in. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Buoyancy in exports continues – The Daily Star

Bangladesh's exports rose for a fourth straight month in November as goods that had been stuck for the past three months were finally shipped. A general increase in the flow of orders due to an improvement in the global economy and the Christmas shopping season, which is now in full swing, also played a role. Data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) December 5 showed that exports surged nearly 16 percent year-on-year in November to $4.11 billion, welcome news for an economy that has faced various challenges, including a US dollar crunch, in recent times. Garments, which bring in more than 80 percent of the South Asian country's annual export receipts, recorded 16 percent year-on-year growth in shipment value in November. Click here to read... [5]

Muhammad Yunus involved in genocide; places of worship are under attack in Bangladesh, says Sheikh Hasina – The Hindu

In her first public address after fleeing Bangladesh four months back, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has mounted a stinging attack on the country's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of perpetrating "genocide" and failing to protect minorities including Hindus. In the remarks delivered virtually to her supporters at an event in New York, Ms. Hasina, presently living in India, also claimed that there were plans to kill her and her sister Sheikh Rehana just like their father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in 1975. Describing Mr. Yunus as "power-hungry", Ms. Hasina alleged that the places of worship in Bangladesh are under attack and the current dispensation has totally failed to deal with the situation. Click here to read... [6]

Prosecution to seek ban on broadcast of Hasina's statements with ICT petition – Dhaka Tribune

The prosecution is set to file a petition in the International Crimes Tribunal seeking a ban on the dissemination of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s “inflammatory remarks” through media and social platforms. The petition would be submitted on Thursday to the tribunal, headed by Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, Prosecutor Abdullah Al Noman confirmed on behalf of the prosecution. Earlier, the tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Sheikh Hasina, president of the Awami League, on October 17, the first day of proceedings concerning allegations of mass killings during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and August. Protests in Bangladesh, which began in July as a student-led movement against public sector job quotas, escalated into some of the deadliest in the country's history. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

First cohort of Gyalsups completes training – Kuensel

The first cohort of the first batch of Gyalsung Cadets completed their training yesterday with Passing Out Parades (POP) held simultaneously across the four Gyalsung Academies in Khotokha, Pemathang, Jamtsholing, and Gyalpozhing. His Majesty the King graced the ceremony in Khotokha, and addressed Gyalsups across all four academies. Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen and Their Royal Highnesses Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck and Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck accompanied His Majesty. The Prime Minister, officers of the armed forces, senior government officials, lopens of the Zhung Dratshang, and foreign dignitaries, also attended the ceremony. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan King Wangchuck to begin two-day India visit on December 5 – Hindustan Times

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will visit India on December 5-6 for meetings with the Indian leadership to review bilateral relations. Wangchuck, who will be accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, external affairs minister S Jaishankar and senior Indian officials during the official visit, the external affairs ministry said on December 4. People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that India’s developmental assistance, budgetary support, Bhutan’s plans to develop an economic hub at Gelephu and the Bhutan-China border dispute are among the issues that are expected to figure in the discussions. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

Moody's maintains Maldives credit rating with a negative outlook – Adhadhu

Moody's ratings agency on Tuesday maintained Maldives' credit rating at Caa2 with a negative outlook. According to Moody's, the rating was maintained at Caa2 because the government has had some success in obtaining external financing. "The materialization of a sizeable currency swap arrangement with India reflects continued access to bilateral financing, while introduction of new foreign currency regulations and tax reforms improves the prospects for an accumulation in foreign exchange (FX) reserves, with additional reserves in the Sovereign Development Fund (SDF) available to support external debt repayments," the agency said. But the negative outlook reflects still heightened external liquidity risks. Click here to read... [10]

China gifts 100 solar street lights to Guraidhoo – PSM News

The Chinese government has gifted 100 street lights to Guraidhoo Island Council. The donation was presented by the Chinese government, under the leadership of China's Ambassador Wang Lixin. The ambassador presented the donations, which were received by the Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar. During the ceremony held to present the donations, Ambassador Wang emphasised on the long-standing bilateral ties between the Maldives and China, underscoring China's commitment to work for the betterment of Maldivians. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Cities, Local Government and Public Works Moosa Fathuhee Adam reaffirmed the government's dedication to address the challenges faced by councils. He acknowledged the assistance provided by China to support the government and its initiatives. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Myanmar military, Chinese government to establish joint security company – Myanmar Now

Myanmar’s military junta this week announced plans to create a private security firm, which will employ and manage armed personnel within Myanmar, in partnership with the Chinese government. The announcement, which appeared in a military-controlled newspaper on December 3, said the military council had formed a working committee to prepare for the formation of the joint company. The initiative for a private security company was first proposed by Chinese officials to protect the Chinese government and citizens’ investments in Myanmar, according to the announcement. Maj-Gen Toe Yi, a deputy minister of Myanmar’s military-controlling home affairs ministry, will serve as chair of the 14-member committee. Click here to read... [12]

Second major Myanmar rebel group calls for talks with junta – The Hindu

A second major Myanmar ethnic rebel group has said it is ready for Beijing-mediated talks with the junta to end more than a year of renewed fighting that has ravaged areas along the Chinese border. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), with about 8,000 available fighters, has fought the Myanmar military for more than a decade for autonomy for the Kokang ethnic minority in northern Shan state. Last year, it and two other allied rebel groups launched an offensive against the military and seized swathes of Shan state, including ruby mines and a lucrative trade highway to China. Click here to read... [13]

China's push for peace in Myanmar draws scepticism – Voice of America

Offers from two armed resistance groups in Myanmar to participate in Chinese-brokered peace talks with the ruling junta are seen by analysts as the result of mounting pressure from Beijing and unlikely to end the wider insurgency. The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) credited China's mediation efforts when it announced its readiness for peace talks on November 25, shortly after junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visited Beijing. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) made a similar announcement on December 3. Both groups are members of the Brotherhood Alliance, which has been involved in a broad offensive against the junta since October 2023. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

Nepal Joins China's Belt and Road Initiative, Raises Concerns for New Delhi – NDTV World

A significant agreement was signed in Beijing today paving the way for China to make major inroads in Nepal. Seven years after an initial understanding for Kathmandu to be part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative or BRI, today's agreement lays the framework of how projects will be executed. Breaking tradition of making New Delhi a Nepalese prime minister's first port of call after election results, KP Sharma Oli chose to visit Beijing instead. He has been in China since Monday to work closely with Xi Jinping and finalise the deal. Click here to read... [1]

Nepal’s Prime Minister begins China visit, breaking usual practice of visiting India first – Global Times

Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli has arrived in Beijing on a four-day official visit on Monday, the Kathmandu Post reported. The "tradition-breaking" visit has drawn much attention from Indian media outlets, as the Nepali leader would usually visit India first after taking office. Prime Minister Oli has visited China twice as Nepal's Prime Minister and made important contributions to advancing the growth of China-Nepal relations. During his visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji will have talks and meet with him respectively, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Click here to read... [15]

Rs300 million granulated organic fertiliser plant opens in western Nepal – The Kathmandu Post

During Covid, many farmers in western Nepal suffered a severe fertiliser shortage, and crossing to India over porous border points to bring them was fully restricted. A couple in Rupandehi made up their minds—to open an organic fertiliser plant. Months after the plan, Siddhartha Agrawal and Poonam Kumari opened a Grow More Fertiliser and Chemical plant in Kothawa of Rohini rural municipality-4. The company has invested Rs300 million in the plant spread over five bighas. The company aims to supply fertiliser to farmers' doorsteps. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

PM Shehbaz winds up ‘fruitful’ tour of Saudi Arabia – Dawn

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returned home on December 4, after completing the two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia which Information Minister Attaullah Tarar termed successful, saying it would lead to the progress of the country. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister returned to the country after attending One Water Summit in Riyadh where he had proposed a six-point agenda to overcome water-related challenges. The prime minister also highlighted the climate change-induced challenges being faced by developing countries. Giving details of the PM’s visit at a press conference, the information minister said a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this year for billions of dollars in investment have been actualised during the visit and these would boost up the national economy and create job opportunities for the people in the country. Click here to read... [17]

Pakistan in talks with Qatar to postpone 10 LNG cargoes – The Dawn

Pakistan is in talks with Qatar to postpone the delivery of 10 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes next year, as electricity consumption has declined due to sluggish economic activity and unaffordable energy costs. This was stated by Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik while talking to journalists here on Wednesday. He said that five LNG cargoes scheduled for 2025 under long-term agreements with Qatar had already been cancelled, and negotiations are ongoing to defer an additional five cargoes to manage the surplus LNG in the country. Click here to read... [18]

Carbon trade for clean air – The Dawn

The article highlights the potential of carbon trading as a strategy to improve air quality and combat climate change. It discusses Pakistan's efforts to establish carbon markets under international frameworks, emphasizing collaboration with the private sector. Key challenges include the need for effective regulation, transparency, and capacity building. The piece also underscores the importance of leveraging carbon credits for economic and environmental benefits, particularly in developing nations. Effective policies, investment in green technologies, and adherence to global standards are recommended to maximize the impact of carbon trading. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

World Bank Pledges Support for Sri Lanka’s "Clean Sri Lanka" Programme – News.lk

The World Bank has pledged support for Sri Lanka's "Clean Sri Lanka" programme, as announced during a meeting between World Bank Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The initiative focuses on rural poverty alleviation, economic digitalization, and resolving housing issues in the North and East. Key sectors targeted for development include agriculture, fisheries, tourism, education, and health. The World Bank plans to establish an advisory group to assist in implementing these priorities. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka to present interim budget on Dec 5 – PTI

The interim budget since the formation of the new government will be presented to Parliament on December 5. The purpose of this is to approve new provisions for services for the financial year 2025. The debate on the interim budget will take place in Parliament on December 5 & 6. “There would be a submission of an interim budget to the Parliament for the continuation of government functions and debt servicing from January to April 2025,” government spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayathissa told reporters. The interim budget would be presented on December 5 and would seek parliament's approval on December 6, he said referring to a cabinet decision. Click here to read... [21]