Neighbourhood News Digest – 16 December 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Denounces Extension of UN Sanctions Monitoring Mission – Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate has condemned the extension of the UN Sanctions Committee’s monitoring mission, saying that sanctions on its officials are unjust and that continuing such sanctions will yield no results. Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, emphasized that repeating failed policies is illogical and that the interim government seeks normalized relations with the international community. “We consider the decision to extend the sanctions unjust and denounce it. These sanctions violate the rights of the people, and they have proven ineffective in the past. Continuing such measures benefits no one. Relying on failed experiences is not logical,” said the Deputy Spokesperson. Previously, the United Nations Security Council, through a unanimous resolution, extended the mission of its sanctions monitoring committee for 14 more months. Click here to read... [2]

US Reacts to Attack on Acting Refugees Minister Khalil Rahman Haqqani – Tolo News

The US National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby, referring to the attack on the acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation in Kabul, that the US had previously identified ISIS threats in Afghanistan. Kirby said that the United States has maintained and improved its remote counterterrorism capabilities even after withdrawing from Afghanistan. John Kirby said: “Since our withdrawal from Afghanistan, the ability to conduct over-the-horizon counterterrorism operations anywhere in the world and we've proven our ability to do that including in places like Afghanistan since we left.” The previous day, during the funeral ceremony of Khalil Rahman Haqqani, the acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, in Paktia province, acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said that, based on findings from security agencies, six recent attacks in Afghanistan were planned outside the country. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina accused of involvement in enforced disappearances: Report – The Indian Express

An inquiry commission set up by Bangladesh’s interim government has provisionally implicated former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in incidents of enforced disappearances. According to a report presented to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on December 14, over 3,500 people are estimated to have been victims of such disappearances. The Commission for Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance claims to have evidence linking Hasina as the “instructor” behind these incidents. A statement from Yunus’s office said, “The commission has found evidence of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s involvement as the instructor in the incidents of enforced disappearance.” Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh, East Timor agree to take relations to new height– Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh and East Timor have agreed to take bilateral relations to a new height, the foreign ministry said. President of East Timor José Ramos-Horta is on an official visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. A 15-member delegation comprising the foreign minister, principal adviser, chief of state protocol and high officials of East Timor is accompanying the visiting president. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed President José Ramos-Horta at the airport. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

UNICEF celebrates 50 years of partnership with Bhutan – Kuensel

Till date more than 98 percent of Bhutanese children have been immunised against preventable childhood disease and nearly 40 percent of pre-school children attend Early Childhood Care and Development centres. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of UNICEF in Bhutan yesterday, officials highlighted key achievements, including the success in becoming open defecation free and establishing nationwide coverage of women and child protection desks. The Representative of UNICEF Bhutan, Andrea James, said that united by a vision to realise the rights of all children, the government of Bhutan and UNICEF came together to change the stories of children in Bhutan. “Together, we invested in health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation, and child protection to give every child in Bhutan the best start in life.” Click here to read... [6]

NCHM study on river systems to strengthen climate adaptation and water security – Kuensel

The National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) is conducting a study to identify the dominant sources contributing to surface runoff in the major river system of Thimchhu. This is the fourth study of this kind, following similar analyses of the Chamkharchhu and Pachhu rivers. Data collected for the Mochhu river is currently being processed, with results expected by June. For this study, water samples are collected from all contributing sources of the river, such as groundwater, tributaries, snow, and glaciers, across all seasons. So far, the NHCM team has collected samples from two seasons. Two more samples from the next two seasons will be collected before they are sent to India for analysis. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

Income and Aid Recorded at USD 2.07 Billion from January to November 2024 – PSM News

The State received approximately USD 2.07 billion as income and foreign aid during the first 11 months of this year, according to the Ministry of Finance. This revelation was made in the latest 'Weekly Fiscal Development' report published by the Ministry. As of 5 December, the State's total income and foreign aid stood at approximately USD 2.07 billion, reflecting a slight increase from the USD 2.02 billion received during the same period last year. According to the Ministry's statistics, the bulk of this income was generated from taxes. The State collected approximately USD 1.58 billion in taxes during the first 11 months of the year, compared to USD 1.45 billion recorded during the same period in 2023. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives, China Join Forces to Battle Coconut Tree Pest – PSM News

An expert team from the Environment and Plant Protection Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) has met with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare to discuss the implementation of the "Maldives Coconut Tree Pest Control Assistance Project." This collaboration, announced by the Agriculture Ministry, marks a significant step towards controlling the Coconut Hispine Leaf Beetle (CHLB) in the Maldives. The project aims to protect the country's coconut palms, which are under threat from this invasive pest. In their recent visit, the CATAS expert team initiated an assessment to establish a Natural Enemy Laboratory in the Maldives, dedicated to combating the Coconut Hispid Beetle, according to the Agriculture Ministry. The chosen site for this laboratory is the Hanimaadhoo Agriculture Center, where the team gathered necessary information to expedite the project's progress. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

Jihadi groups carrying out atrocities against Buddhists, Hindus on Myanmar-Bangladesh border: Arakan Army – The New Indian Express

The separatist Arakan Army has gained control over nearly all of Rakhine state in Myanmar, pushing back against junta-led forces. However, it has alleged that jihadi groups are carrying out atrocities along the border with Bangladesh. It also claims that there is a nexus between the junta and some of these groups. "There are nearly 11 militant groups operating out of Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh which include the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA). Hundreds of people have died due to their atrocities: killings, rapes, kidnappings and other kinds of torture," said a source from Arakan. Click here to read... [10]

Thailand to Host Informal Talks on Strife-Torn Myanmar This Week – Bloomberg

Thailand will host an informal meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week to discuss the latest situation in strife-torn Myanmar and the way forward. The gathering of foreign ministers of interested member countries of the bloc known as Asean will also look at the implementation of the so-called Five-Point Consensus meant to help end the civil war that’s marked the military regime’s rule since a coup in 2021. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa will attend the meeting, Nikorndej Balankura, a spokesman for the ministry, said in a statement December 16. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

European ban on Nepali airlines stays as aviation safety question unaddressed – The Kathmandu Post

The European Commission has decided to continue its ban on Nepali airlines through an updated “EU Air Safety List,” the list of non-European airlines that do not meet international safety standards and are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union. A total of 129 airlines are banned from EU skies due to inadequate safety oversight by the aviation authorities from the respective countries. The commission lifted the third-country operator suspensions imposed on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which was suspended in 2020. The EC said that the PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority have substantially improved safety performance and oversight capabilities. PIA is now allowed to resume operations in the EU. The latest decision means that Nepal has been in the EC’s bad books for 12 years in a row. According to the commission, if an airline considers that it should be removed from the list as it complies with the relevant safety standards, it can address a request to the European Commission, either directly or through its civil aviation authority. Click here to read... [12]

Constitution will be amended on consensus of all: Home Minister – The Himalayan

Minister for Home Affairs, Ramesh Lekhak, has said that consensus from all political parties will be ensured to amend the Constitution. Speaking at a press meet organised by the Nepal Press Union, Chitwan chapter here today, he stressed the need of the constitution amendment for strengthening the federal democratic republic and the inclusion. The preliminary dialogue on this issue has commenced. But the constitution amendment will not be determined by two political parties. He went on to say that the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML), the largest parties in the parliament, had decided to form the incumbent coalition government to promote political stability, prevent corruption, strengthen good governance and economic activities and accelerate the pace of development. The Minister announced that the existing political alliance between the NC and UML has no issues and it will continue until the next general election to take place in 2084 BS. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Islamabad orders FIA action after 5 Pakistan nationals die in Greece boat capsize – The Times of India

After Pakistani nationals lost their lives attempting to illegally enter Europe by boat, Pakistan interior minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch a nationwide crackdown on human smuggling networks, The News International reported on December 15. Naqvi stressed the urgent need to dismantle the criminal mafias, which have devastated families. Acting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's orders, a committee led by the additional secretary of the ministry of interior has been established to investigate the tragedy. The committee has been tasked with completing its inquiry and submitting a report within five days. Click here to read... [14]

Why World Bank cancelled $500 million loan to Pakistan – Times of India

The World Bank has withdrawn a budget support loan of more than $500 million to Pakistan as a result of the country failing to fulfil critical conditions within the time limit. The required conditions included revising the purchase power agreement in relation to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, according to The Express Tribune. The Washington-based international lender also declared that it would not be sanctioning any new budget supporting loans to the country during the current fiscal year which has sent a shock to the Pakistani economy as the country has almost exhausted its loan quota. "No budget support is planned for the current fiscal year, which ends in June 2025," the World Bank spokesperson stated. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan has made progress against terror financing: US assessment – The Dawn

Pakis­tan has made substantial progress in countering terrorist financing and addre­ssing regional extremist networks, a US State Dep­ar­tment report states while also highlighting significant security challenges including a sharp rise in terrorist attacks in 2023. The report released this week commends Pakistan for completing its updated National Risk Assessment (NRA) on money laundering and terrorist financing in 2023. This assessment evaluated 87 terrorist orga­nisations, conducted sectoral vulnerability anal­yses, and identified donations and extortion as key funding sources for terrorism. According to the assessment, 41 groups remain active in Pakistan, leveraging cash couriers and illegal money transfer services. Porous borders with Afghanistan are flagged as critical vulnerabilities facilitating illicit financial flows. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka President lands in India, to meet PM Modi – Times of India

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in India December 15 for his first visit abroad since assuming office in Sept. NSA Ajit Doval and EAM S Jaishankar called on Dissanayake ahead of his bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi on December 16. The foreign ministry said his visit is an opportunity to deepen ties and add momentum to the "people-centric" partnership. Dissanayake said on X that he had fruitful discussions with Jaishankar and Doval on matters of mutual interest. India has conveyed to Sri Lanka its commitment to advance bilateral cooperation based on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and SAGAR outlook. Click here to read... [17]

USAID, CBL group to boost SL’s coconut industry – Daily Mirror Online

CBL Global Foods Limited (CBL GFL), a subsidiary of the CBL Group, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) this week released a practical handbook to improve coconut farming practices in Sri Lanka. The handbook, supported by USAID’s CATALYZE Private Sector Development (PSD) Activity, is aimed at helping farmers meet the country’s demand of 4,500 million coconuts annually. Currently, Sri Lanka produces only 3,000 million coconuts each year, falling short in catering both its domestic consumption and export potential as coconut farmers face critical challenges in cultivation such as low yields, water stress and pest issues. Click here to read... [18]