Neighbourhood News Digest – 12 December 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate: Khalil Rahman Haqqani Martyred in 'Cowardly' Attack – Tolo News

A deadly explosion occurred on December 11, at the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation. The Islamic Emirate, in a statement, announced that Khalil Rahman Haqqani, the acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, was killed in explosion. According to the Islamic Emirate, the ISIS group is responsible for this attack. The Islamic Emirate stated: "With deep regret, we have learned that the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation of the Islamic Emirate was martyred this afternoon in a cowardly attack by the Khawarij." Khalil Rahman Haqqani was born in 1966 in Paktia province. He and his brother, Jalaluddin Haqqani, were senior members of the Islamic Emirate and played significant roles in the battles against the former Soviet Union and coalition forces over the past decades. Click here to read... [2]

EU Representative Pledges €45 Million for Afghan Farmers’ Alternative Crops – Tolo News

Thomas Nicholson, the European Union’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, emphasized the relationship between the Islamic Emirate and the European Union during a meeting with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Political Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office. In the meeting, Nicholson stated that the EU plans to collaborate with international partner organizations to provide €45 million in aid for alternative crop cultivation for Afghan farmers in the near future. Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews about the meeting, stating: “Mr. Nicholson praised Afghanistan’s progress and highlighted the importance of ensuring security, eliminating corruption, and the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to combat narcotics. He also emphasized the need for international organizations to play a role in promoting alternative crops and treating drug addicts.” Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

IMF offers extra $1b for reforms – The Daily Star

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has offered an additional $1 billion to Bangladesh but the government is pushing for at least $2 billion to implement the interim government's reform agenda, narrow the deficit in the current account and shore up the dollar stockpile. Click here to read... [1]

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed sought a fresh $3 billion from the Washington-based multilateral lender under the existing loan programme on the sidelines of the annual World Bank-IMF meeting in October. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh’s unemployment picture is darker than it appears – The Daily Star

The past government had been relying on international definitions and standards that are over four decades old to measure labour data, painting a rosy picture of low unemployment and an improved labour market. While the numbers produced by the state-run statistics bureau data may have conferred a favourable global ranking, experts warn that it undermines Bangladesh's overall planning and job creation efforts. Ignoring global standards, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is still using the 13th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) of 1982, rather than the latest 19th version from 2013. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

SAARC Development Fund launches three major projects – Kuensel

To uplift the livelihoods of farmers, advance inclusive education for all, and promote renewable energy solutions in the country and the region, Bhutan will initiate three major projects under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Development Fund’s (SDF) social window. Launched on December 9 marking the 40th SAARC Charter Day, these regional projects commit over USD 9.7 million to initiatives targeting aquaculture development, early childhood education, and biogas production. The projects align with SDF’s mission to foster social and economic development across the region. The first project titled “Livelihood Enhancement of Small-scale Fish Farmers and Nutrition Security of Rural Populations in the SAARC Region through Aquaculture Development” seeks to transform aqua-culture practices and bolster nutrition security in the country. Click here to read... [6]

34th Session of NC concludes – Kuensel

The 34th Session of the National Council (NC), which began on November 14, concluded on December 11, with the closing remarks by the Chairperson Sangay Dorji, offering of zhabtoen (life-long prayers) for His Majesty the King. Sangay Dorji expressed gratitude of the house for His Majesty the King for always working tirelessly for the benefit of the country and the people. One of the key highlights of his closing remarks was on the Gyalsung Programme, initiated by His Majesty the King. He noted that the first cohort of Gyalsung, comprising 2,001 youths, had completed their training from four Gyalsung Centres without any obstacles, which he mentioned, is a gift from the throne. He said Gyalsung training brought tremendous benefits for youth in both their mental and physical behaviours, paving the way for a brighter future for the country. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

Ex-pres Solih warns of dark days ahead, urges to rise up to defend Constitution – Avas

Former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has warned of dark days up ahead if immediate steps are not taken to prevent potential abuses of power by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Speaking at a rally held by the opposing Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) at Male’ Carnival Area, Solih expressed concern over what he perceived as the current administration heading toward authoritarianism. While this could lead to widespread injustices, he warned that failure intervene meant falling back into an era of injustice and oppression. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives Revenue Surpasses US$122 Million in November, MIRA Reports – PSM News

The state collected US$122.57 million in November 2024, a 13.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has reported. This significant boost in revenue is attributed to several key factors, according to MIRA. The receipt of Land Acquisition and Conversion Fees, as well as Lease Period Extension Fees, played a major role in this increase, it said. Additionally, increments in Airport Taxes and Fees and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) were observed for the month. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives Explores Investment Opportunities with Oman – PSM News

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel has met with Sultan bin Salim bin Said Al Habsi, the Minister of Finance of Oman, to discuss investment opportunities in the Maldives. The meeting was held as part of Minister Khaleel's ongoing visit to the Sultanate of Oman, which commenced on 10 December. Their discussions revolved around potential investment opportunities, development policies, and strategies to enhance cooperation between the two countries, according to the Foreign Ministry. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar

Following defeat, junta-backed warlord returns from China to Myanmar capital – Myanmar Now

Military-allied border militia commander Zahkung Ting Ying has reportedly come back to Myanmar this month after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) captured the territory under his control in November, forcing him to flee to China. Earlier this month Zahkung Ting Ying left Tengchong—the city in China’s Yunnan Province where he was taking refuge—before flying on a Chinese airline to the junta’s administrative capital of Naypyitaw, according to a source in Laiza, Kachin State, the site of the KIA’s headquarters. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar ethnic armed group claims control of border region – Hindu

A Myanmar ethnic armed group has claimed complete control of a key region along the Bangladesh border, piling further pressure on the junta battling opponents elsewhere across the country. Fighting has rocked western Rakhine state since the Arakan Army (AA) attacked security forces in November last year, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since the junta's 2021 coup. AA fighters have seized swathes of territory in the state that is home to China and India-backed port projects and all but cut off state capital Sittwe. A statement released by the AA on December 10 said the group had "completely controlled the whole region of Maungdaw" -- a district home to more than 110,000 people according to the last census -- since December 8. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

India, Nepal Army Chiefs discuss cooperation, regional security concerns – The Tribune

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel held an in-depth discussion on December 12, on various aspects of bilateral defence cooperation and regional security concerns. General Sigdel is on a four-day visit to India from December 11 to 14. During the meeting, General Dwivedi announced the transfer of a target practice drone and medical equipment for military field hospitals to Nepal. General Sigdel was also briefed on India’s security perspective and other matters of mutual interest. The Army Design Bureau made a presentation during the discussions. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that these sessions provided valuable insights into India’s current and future security strategies, highlighting potential areas for collaboration. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

UKPNP calls on Pakistan to uphold Human rights and free all political prisoners – ANI

Kashif Ahmed Abbasi, Press Media Coordinator for the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) UK Chapter, addressed a protest organised by Pakistan Oppressed Nations at 10 Downing Street in London, expressing strong solidarity with those fighting against the ongoing oppression and human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied areas. Abbasi underscored the crucial need for unity among oppressed nations. Abbasi demanded that UK must work with Pakistan to help release political prisoners there. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistanis stranded in Syria return home tonight, PM informed –Geo News

Officials have informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the stranded Pakistani nationals who had reached Beirut from Syria would be flown back to Pakistan on a chartered flight on the night between December 12 and 13. The prime minister was briefed on the status of Pakistani nationals in Syria when he chaired an important meeting on their evacuation, a statement from the PM's Office said on December 11. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

US re-emphasizes importance of IMF programme, encourages continuous engagement – Daily Mirror

In the wake of the visit of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu as the first highest level engagement with the new government in Sri Lanka, the United States said it views the IMF (International Monetary Fund) programme as essential to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and resilience and encourages continued engagement to drive sustainable growth and improve livelihoods. This was the response of the U.S. embassy to a query made by Daily Mirror on the importance of the IMF programme. Asked what the US stressed upon the new government during the visit, the spokesperson said Mr. Lu emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership in advancing key priorities, including economic recovery, democratic governance, and regional security. Click here to read... [16]

After SEC charges, Adani shuns U.S. capital; to fund Sri Lanka port project on its own – The Hindu

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) has withdrawn the $553 million loan request from the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and instead has decided to fund the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) in Sri Lanka from internal sources. Once operational, it will be Sri Lanka’s largest container terminal and this is part of the company’s strategy to be a global player. This comes after bribery charges were levelled by U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) again the Group’s founder Gautam Adani, his relative and some officials of Adani Green Energy and the U.S. Department of Justice issuing summons. Click here to read... [17]