Neighborhood News Digest – 19 April 2023

Afghanistan

‘Regular assistance’ for Afghanistan ‘on hold’, says ADB – The Hindu

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) continues to “monitor” the situation in Afghanistan as it “maintains a hold” on the finances for infrastructure projects in the Taliban-ruled country, a spokesperson for the Manila-headquartered bank has said. In remarks to The Hindu, the bank reiterated its commitment to Afghanistan’s humanitarian necessities. The Taliban, however, said the ADB should reassess its position on funding power projects as infrastructure projects are for the “ordinary Afghans”. Click here to read... [2]

UN may withdraw from Afghanistan if talks fail with Taliban on this issue – Hindustan Times

The United Nations (UN) said that it is ready to withdraw from Afghanistan if it cannot convince the Taliban to permit local women to work for the organization, head of the UN Development Program said as per news agency Associated Press. The decision may be taken as soon as next month as the UN is negotiating with the Taliban on the decree prohibiting local women from working. UNDP Administrator Achin Steiner said, "It is fair to say that where we are right now is the entire United Nations system having to take a step back and re-evaluate its ability to operate there. But it is not about negotiating fundamental principles, human rights." Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan's economy on brink of collapse with 85 percent of population living in poverty: Report – Middle East Eye

According to the report, in 2020 the number of Afghans in poverty was 19 million compared to 34 million now, a 15 million increase. Much of the blame had to do with the Taliban taking over the following year, the report noted. In 2021, many aid programmes were cut back when countries refused to deal with the Taliban, resulting in an economic crisis. Click here to read... [4]

Qatar sends 60 tonnes of educational materials and humanitarian aid to Afghanistan – The Peninsula

A Qatari plane carrying humanitarian aid has arrived in Afghanistan. The aid includes about 60 tons of educational materials intended for the education sector, as well as humanitarian and food aid. This assistance comes within the framework of the endeavors of the State of Qatar and its firm commitment to provide support and stand by the Afghan people, and to provide them with the urgent necessary needs. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh to Pay Russia $300 Million in Yuan for Power Plant - Bloomberg

Bangladesh has agreed to pay Russia about $300 million in yuan currency to settle payment for building a nuclear power plant near the capital city Dhaka, according to two officials familiar with the matter. The payment mechanism was finalized at a meeting last week, the officials said, declining to be identified citing rules. Russia initially refused to accept the payment in yuan on concerns of potential currency conversion losses and insisted on payments in ruble, the people said. Click here to read... [6]

ADB provides $230 mn for flood rehabilitation in Bangladesh – News Room Odisha

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Bangladeshi government have signed agreements on provision of $230 million in loans to help reconstruct the country’s northeastern region ravaged by the devastating floods last year. An additional $1 million technical assistance grant from the ADB’s Technical Assistance Special Fund will support implementing agencies in building their capacities in climate adaptation and disaster risk management, improving project implementation and monitoring, and strengthening flood risk management and early warning system. Click here to read... [7]

Envoy: India always beside Bangladesh's development – Dhaka Tribune

Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranay Kumar Verma on Tuesday said the Indian government always remained beside Bangladesh's development. More efforts for communication development are going on for boosting further-more relations between Bangladesh and India as the communication system plays an important role towards the economic growth. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Covid-19: fifth dose to be administered soon – Kuensel

Ministry of Health will administer the fifth dose of Covid-19 vaccine for people aged 65 and above and those with comorbidities. The eligible cohorts are urged to register through Bhutan Vaccine System. Registration must be completed no later than April 20, according to the ministry. The move is aimed at reducing the severity of the Omicron variant of the virus. Click here to read... [9]

Officials prepare for poll day – Kuensel

As Bhutan prepares to head to the polls to elect the 20 National Council (NC) representatives on April 20, preparations are happening at dizzying speed, but with utmost care. Polling officials are being trained and deployed to their stations. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Tourist arrivals for April 2023 – Raajje

The tourist arrival figure for April is six percent higher than the same period last year. This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism in its latest daily statistics, publicized on Tuesday. As such, a total of 92,156 visitors were welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA) between April 1 – 17. Click here to read... [11]

Businesses required to charge MVR two per plastic bag, effective Tuesday – Raajje

Business have started charging MVR two per plastic bag sold or given to a customer at the point of sale, effective from Tuesday. This change comes with the Waste Management Act, which was ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on 18 December 2022. The act requires businesses to charge MVR two per plastic bag sold or given to a customer at the point of sale, effective from18 April 2023. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar

Mizoram: Hundreds from Myanmar reach Champhai seeking refuge – Northeast Now

In the past few days, over 800 refugees from Myanmar have reportedly arrived in the Champhai district of Mizoram, fleeing from intense civil war and aerial bombing of villages by the military junta in their country. Leaders of the Village-Level Committees on Myanmar Refugees (VLCMR) in the area confirmed the news on Tuesday. Click here to read... [13]

Foreign secy meets Myanmar, Chinese reps to start Rohingya repatriation before monsoon – The Daily Star

With an aim to start Rohingya repatriation before the monsoon, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen held a tripartite meeting in Kunming with representatives from China and Myanmar yesterday. A diplomatic source told this to The Daily Star, but declined elaboration. Click here to read... [14]

China's Yunnan Tin says Myanmar mining halt could hit global supply – Market Screener

A suspension of mining in Myanmar could lead to further tightening of global supplies of tin, China's Yunnan Tin, the world's top refined tin producer, said on Tuesday. On Monday, Myanmar's ethnic minority Wa militia said that from August the Wa region - a key tin producer - would suspend all mining activities to protect the remaining resources after more than a decade of "disruptive and wasteful mining".Click here to read... [15]

As Myanmar plans elections, ICJ upholds validity of Rohingya genocide case – News 9

Earlier this month, the International Court of Justice once again rejected arguments made by Myanmar against the case registered against it in regard to allegations of Rohingya genocide levelled against it by the country of Gambia. Ever since the case was first registered against Myanmar in 2019, its leadership has made multiple attempts to shut down the ICJ case, initially insisting that an internal inquiry into the matter made such proceedings unnecessary. Click here to read... [16]

Nepal

Migrant workers face hassles to enrol in social security scheme – Kathmandu Post

Nepali migrant workers have complained that they can't access websites in many countries which prevents them from being enrolled in the social security scheme started by the Nepal government. Last month, the government formally expanded the contribution-based social security fund to include the migrant workers and self-employed persons living abroad. Click here to read... [17]

The Himalayas and Mount Everest in Nepal – NASA

Clouds gather over Nepal near Mount Everest (center) in this April 13, 2023, photograph from the International Space Station. This image was taken as the station orbited 263 miles above the Indian subcontinent. In addition to photography, instruments on the space station like the Compact Ocean Wind Vector Radiometer and the Temporal Experiment for Storms and Tropical Systems allow us to monitor weather and collect important data. Click here to read... [18]

Pakistan

Pakistan: What To Expect With Stage Set For Nawaz Sharif's Return – The Wire

As Pakistan’s former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif ended his self-imposed, nearly five-year-long exile in London, landing in Saudi Arabia for a 10-day religious pilgrimage, the political overtones to this ‘Umra’ have set the clock ticking for the self-proclaimed messiah, Imran Khan, who has rewritten the political narrative with impunity, pitting his people power against the once all-powerful Pakistan Army. Click here to read... [19]

China picks holes in Gwadar port security revealing rift with Pakistan on CPEC – India Narrative

In a revealing statement by the usually reticent Chinese, the chairman of the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) Yu Bo has said that the biggest difficulties in making the Gwadar Port functional and profitable, are the security precariousness. Click here to read... [20]

Pakistan forces shut Chinese businesses amid escalating terror threats: Report – Deccan Herald

Pakistani authorities, unable to guarantee the safety of Chinese nationals on their land, are now shutting down businesses run and frequented by them, Nikkei Asia reported. China, which recently reportedly released a rollover of $2 billion in deposits towards Pakistan's central bank to help the financially embattled country secure a larger IMF bailout tranche, is an extremely important player as far as the country's sup... Click here to read... [21]

Pakistan National Assembly refuses funds for Punjab polls, again – The Print

Pakistan National Assembly has once again refused to grant PKR 21 billion to the Election Commission Pakistan to hold general elections in Punjab, The News.com reported. The National Assembly on Monday by a majority vote rejected the supplementary demand to provide PKR 21 billion to the federal government to meet the expenditure during the current fiscal year in respect of the ECP to hold general elections in Punjab. Click here to read... [22]

Sri Lanka

Easter attacks: Former AG Dappula to appear in TID today – Daily News

Former Attorney General Dappula de Livera has been informed to appear before the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) today (19). A high-ranking police officer said that Dappula de Livera has been informed to appear before the Terrorism Investigation Division to obtain a statement regarding the investigations regarding the 2019 Easter bombings. The officer further said that some comments made by former Attorney General indicated that there was a conspiracy behind the attacks. He said considering this and taking into account allegations that no statement has been obtained from him so far regarding this he has been informed to appear before the TID to obtain a statement. Click here to read... [23]

Extremist political parties taking advantage of youth discomfort - Minister

Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha said extremist political parties are trying to fulfill their narrow political needs by taking undue advantage of the youth discomfort due to the delay in the evaluation of Advanced Level Examination answer scripts. He said that last week, it was revealed by intelligence reports that due to the delay in the evaluation of Advanced Level Examination answer scripts, young people in the age group of 18-20 years are getting very uncomfortable and anxious. Click here to read... [24]

Sri Lankan pseudo-left FSP promotes “people’s councils” and class collaboration - WSWS

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), a pseudo-left organisation in Sri Lanka, is advocating the formation of “people’s councils” and “a people’s government” as a false solution to the burning political issues and social crisis confronting workers, youth and the rural masses. The FSP has advocated “people’s councils” since last July when a popular uprising of workers, youths and rural poor ousted the then government of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Now it has highlighted these proposals in a booklet titled “New Path,” issued as its program for the local government elections. Click here to read... [25]