Neighborhood News Digest – 30 June 2023

Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Amnesty urges Taliban to release educationist Matiullah Wesa – The Print

Amnesty International has called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to release unconditionally Matiullah Wesa, an Afghan educationalist and the founder of ‘Pen Path’, a supporter of girl’s education, reported Khaama Press. On Tuesday, Amnesty International tweeted on its official account that the Taliban authorities arbitrarily arrested education rights activist Matiiullah Wesa three months ago. Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan’s Taliban denounces burning Quran outside Stockholm mosque – AlArabiya News

Afghanistan’s Taliban government reacted angrily Thursday to Swedish authorities allowing a man to burn a copy of the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm, calling it “utter contempt toward this noble religion.” Taliban authorities enforce a strict interpretation of the Quran and Islamic law, and blasphemous acts are punishable by death. Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

How far the Membership to BRICS will be fruitful for Bangladesh? – The Geopolitics

Putting an end to all speculations and discussions, Bangladesh officially expressed its interest in getting membership in the BRICS on June 14, 2023. The request to join the group of the world’s fastest-rising economies came following a meeting in Geneva between Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladeshi labour leader beaten to death while trying to resolve dispute – The Guardian

Police in Bangladesh are investigating the murder of a prominent trade union leader who was fatally beaten while trying to settle a dispute between a garment factory owner and workers over unpaid wages. Shahidul Islam, 45, a top labour organiser for the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF), was attacked on Sunday evening in Gazipur, a major garment industry hub on the outskirts of Dhaka, after intervening on behalf of workers who had gathered to demand back pay. Click here to read… [5]

Bhutan

ZSI to collaborate with Bhutan for red panda conservation – The Print

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Bhutan government on July 1 for collaborative research on red panda. ZSI director Dhriti Banerjee said on Thursday that the organisation will be signing the MoU with representatives of the Bhutan government for trans-border conservation and genetic profiling of the animal. Click here to read… [6]

Maldives

Terrorists still likely to carry out attacks in the Maldives: UK, U.S. – Raajje

With the conclusion that the imminent threats of terrorism are still present in the Maldives, the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States have updated the travel advisory level to the island nation. The government of UK’s foreign travel advice to the Maldives was updated on June 22, to level three. Click here to read… [7]

Myanmar

India went to Myanmar to hunt down Manipur soldier killers. Now, it’s letting them slip away – The Print

The General was borne to his grave by a wall of pallbearers, their combat fatigues punctuated by bright floral offerings, fruit, and a giant paper star with six corners, representing the presence of God with the Naga nation. The troops he had commanded fired salutes; perhaps unaware of the solemnity of the moment, some local urchins scrambled to collect the empty cartridges as souvenirs. Click here to read… [8]

From Myanmar and Bangladesh to Ukraine, Australia Announces New Assistance Packages – The Diplomat

In the past week Australia has made two direct investments in global stability. The first was a sum of $8.3 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Bangladesh and Myanmar following Tropical Cyclone Mocha. The second was a new $73.5 million assistance package for Ukraine in aid in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Click here to read… [9]

Nepal

Supreme Court of Nepal orders registration of marriages for same-sex couples – The Hindu

The Supreme Court of Nepal on Monday issued an interim order directing the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers of Nepal and other relevant ministries to establish a “transitional mechanism” to ensure the registration of marriages for “same-sex couples”. The order was passed by Justice Til Prasad Shrestha, presiding over a single Bench, that issued the interim order on June 28, 2023. Click here to read… [10]

ADB approves USD 50 million loan to Nepal for policy reforms – Telengana Today

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday said it has approved a USD 50 million loan to the Nepal government to support the implementation of policy reforms and help improve the Himalayan nation’s domestic and international trade with its key economic partners like India and Bangladesh. Click here to read… [11]

Nepal Citizenship Act Implemented Following Supreme Court Ruling – The Statesman

The implementation of the Nepal Citizenship (First Amendment) Act, 2079, which has been a subject of controversy for an extended period, has been given the green light. Although the law has been passed twice by Parliament, it was previously suspended by former President Bidya Bhandari. However, the current President, Ramchandra Paudel, has confirmed the act. Despite the absence of any provision in the law regarding citizenship through marriage, concerns and opposition have emerged without a thorough understanding of the law. Click here to read… [12]

Pakistan

Will be left with no option but to go for counter measures, says Pakistan on US-India defence ties – The Economic Times

Pakistan has expressed concerns to the US over its growing defense cooperation with India, viewing it as a direct threat to its security interests. Pakistan informed the US that the transfer of advanced military hardware to India without considering its concerns would undermine strategic stability in the region. Islamabad warned that such cooperation between India and the US would leave Pakistan with no choice but to take counter measures. Click here to read… [13]

How Army Chief Asim Munir damaged Imran Khan’s popularity and became Pakistan’s final arbiter – Firstpost

Munir has taken full advantage of the 9 May events to consolidate his position in the Army, flush out officers who may not be fully committed to him, damage Imran Khan’s popularity, and become the final arbiter of the country’s affairs. Click here to read… [14]

Sri Lanka

Factbox-Sri Lanka unveils domestic debt restructuring plan, asks foreign investors for a 30% haircut – The Economic Times

The island nation is asking foreign investors in its international sovereign bonds to take a 30% haircut and is seeking similar concessions from holders of its other dollar-denominated bonds as it seeks to restructure its massive debt, its central bank governor said on Thursday. Click here to read… [15]

World Bank approves $700 million for crisis-hit Sri Lanka – The Hindu

The World Bank has approved $700 million in financing to help Sri Lanka to recover from the current economic crisis and provide relief to the poor and vulnerable people, the biggest funding tranche since the IMF deal in March. Cash-strapped Sri Lanka is currently struggling with the worst economic crisis in history. Click here to read… [16]