Neighborhood News Digest – 3 July 2023

Afghanistan

Afghanistan least peaceful country in the world, says IEP; Taliban calls report "unjust" – The Economic Times

The Taliban has criticized the Institute for Economics and Peace's 'Global Peace Index 2022' findings, which ranked Afghanistan as the least peaceful country in the world. The report stated that Afghanistan saw a significant reduction in deaths from armed conflict in 2022, but the security situation remains uncertain. The Taliban spokesperson claimed that terrorist incidents have reduced by more than 99% compared to what is stated in the report. Click here to read... [2]

US State Department review of Afghanistan evacuation critical of Joe Biden, Donald Trump – The Tribune

A US State Department report on Friday criticised the handling of the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan, saying decisions by President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump to withdraw troops had “serious consequences for the viability” and security of the former US-backed government. Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan: School buildings used as military outposts by Taliban, say Panjshir residents – The Print

Residents of Afghanistan’s Panjshir province have said the buildings of many schools have been used as military outposts by the Taliban, TOLO News reported. Panjshir residents have called on the Taliban to shift the security forces to military bases. “This is a reality, and it should not be ignored that they are settled in the schools. We are witnessing that the military has settled in the schools, and it affects the morale of the students and people,” said Samiullah Sadeqqi, a resident of Panjshir. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh's Development Progress and Challenges Discussed at Brussels Press Club Conference - News Wire

Today, a conference was held at the Brussels Press Club, focusing on Bangladesh, a country that has made remarkable strides in various areas. The conference was skillfully moderated by Andy Vermaut, ensuring productive discussions and an exchange of ideas. Distinguished speakers graced the event, sharing their insights and perspectives on Bangladesh's journey of development. The conference commenced with a captivating video presentation illustrating Bangladesh's transformation and the challenges it has overcome. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh’s remarkable success in countering terrorism - Weekly Blitz

Before Awami League came to power in 2009 under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh was known to the international community as a hotbed of notorious actions of jihadists and terrorists, while global media was projecting the country as “cocoon of terror” or “next Afghanistan”. Immediately after her swearing-in ceremony, Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm determination in fighting militancy and terrorism and free the country from the evil clutches of such notorious forces, which were posing serious threats to regional and global security. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

Bhutan: Japanese technology implemented in Thimpu to treat wastewater – India Blooms

Thimphu is witnessing the implementation of Japanese technology- Johkasou wastewater treatment- to treat wastewater in the Bhutanese city. The new technology can address wastewater issues with its ability to treat wastewater at the household level. The project implemented by the Bhutan Toilet Organisation in collaboration with the Thimphu Thromde aims to tackle wastewater issues in the country, reports The Bhutan Live. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan reduces US$200-a-day compulsory fees for tourists who stay longer – The Star

Bhutan will lower the nightly fees it charges tourists who stay more than four days, in an attempt to boost visitor numbers that are still a fraction of the level before the Covid-19 pandemic. When the scenic Himalayan kingdom reopened its borders for tourists in September last year after more than two years of pandemic closure, it raised its “Sustainable Development Fee” to US$200 (RM935) per visitor per night from the US$65 (RM304) it had charged for about three decades. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

‘India Out’ rally resurfaces in Maldives, govt condemns Opposition for using PM Modi face masks - Telegraph India

The Maldivian government on Friday hit the damage control button after the banned “India Out” campaign resurfaced in recent weeks and on Thursday had protesters donning Narendra Modi masks.In a statement, the Maldives government condemned the Opposition for using face masks depicting Prime Minister Modi during their demonstrations on Thursday and the continuing use of the “India Out” slogan. The Solih government also iterated its commitment to Male’s India First policy, which the Opposition has been protesting against for months, alleging that the Maldivian Democratic Party dispensation was jeopardising the archipelago’s autonomy by siding up with New Delhi. Click here to read... [9]

Earthquake strikes South Indian Ocean, no threat to Maldives - Raajje

The earthquake in the south Indian Ocean poses no threat to the Maldives, says the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS). The 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the south Indian Ocean near Malaysia, the epicenter measured 1,748 kilometers from Malé City. Maldives Meteorological Service revealed that the 6.0 magnitude quake struck at around 12:29pm on Saturday, Maldives time. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar

UN report says Myanmar violated human rights laws - MNN Online

Even when aid workers can gain access, the military strictly limits the workers’ ability to help people. The report states: Aiming in part at cutting off support for its opponents, the military has employed its four-cuts strategy to kill and injure thousands of civilians while destroying goods and infrastructure necessary for survival, including food, shelter, and medical centers. One of the biggest tropical storms on record, Cyclone Mocha, wiped out entire villages in May. “The need is desperate. There were thousands of homes damaged, millions of people affected,” AMG International’s Brian Dennett says. Click here to read... [11]

Thailand follows up on initiatives to tackle transboundary haze with Laos and Myanmar - Mail

Officials have been following up on initiatives carried out earlier this year under an agreement between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar to tackle transboundary haze. Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri noted major developments on transboundary haze collaboration resulting from the tripartite meeting of leaders from Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Click here to read... [12]

India-Thailand highway: Manipur to Myanmar by bus, Kolkata-Bangkok travel time cut; Gadkari gives big update - DNA India

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, while speaking to the media, said that the majority of the construction of the India-Thailad-Myanmar trilateral highway is now complete, but did not announce any date as to which it will be open for tourists. Click here to read... [13]

Nepal

Confusion grips Nepal’s diplomatic circles after China unilaterally places projects under Belt and Road Initiative: Report – The Print

China’s statement that the Pokhara International Airport is its flagship project in Nepal under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) came as a surprise. Since then, confusion has gripped Nepal’s diplomatic circles after China is unilaterally listing one project after another in Nepal under the Belt and Road Initiative, Nepal-based The Kathmandu Post reported. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal Oil not to cut prices despite profits – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal Oil Corporation says business has been terrific and profits have swollen after a year, but they can't share the happiness with the Nepali people by giving them a price break. Manoj Kumar Thakur, deputy director of the state-owned oil monopoly, says they are making a fortnightly profit of about Rs1.60 billion. But they also have debts this high that need to be taken care of first. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal SC's order to register same-sex couples is thanks to its own judgment, passed 15 years ago – Hindustan Times

Sunil Babu Pant, South Asia's first openly gay lawmaker, recounts the path to equal rights and explains why marriage registration for LGBTI couples is a big win. On June 28, the Nepal Supreme Court passed an interim order directing the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) and other concerned ministries to establish a transitional mechanism to ensure the registration of marriages for non-heterosexual couples, thereby reiterating the right to marry granted to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community granted by the top court of the country in 2007. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

Pakistan: 389 people died in terror, suicide attacks this year – The Economic Times

Last year, in the same period, Pakistan witnessed 151 attacks, causing 293 deaths and 487 injuries. The figures depict a staggering 79 per cent increase in attacks during the first half of 2023 compared to the corresponding period last year. The second half of 2022 recorded 228 attacks, resulting in 246 fatalities and 349 injuries. Click here to read... [17]

Pak Taliban Kill 4 Cops In Sunday Shootout In Balochistan – NDTV

Four security officers were killed in a shootout in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Sunday, officials said, in an attack claimed by the Pakistan Taliban. About a dozen gunmen attacked policemen and paramilitary Frontier Constabulary officers at a highway checkpoint in Zhob district, prompting a two-hour gunbattle. Click here to read... [18]

India asks Pakistan to release Indian prisoners in its custody – The Hindu

India on July 1 called on Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 254 Indian fishermen and four civilian prisoners who have completed their jail term. Islamabad has also been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 fishermen and 14 civilian prisoners who have been in Pakistan's custody and are believed to be Indian, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Click here to read... [19]

Crisis-hit Pakistan strikes $3bn IMF bailout deal – BBC

Crisis-hit Pakistan has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over $3bn (£2.4bn) of funding. The deal, which still needs to be approved by the global lender's board, comes after an eight-month delay. The South Asian nation is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1947. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka to amend key acts for debt restructuring - Investing.com

Sri Lanka will amend the Inland Revenue Act and the Appropriation Act in line with domestic debt restructuring strategy, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.The state Minister made the remarks on Sunday when talking to journalists about the next steps to be taken by the government after the parliament approved the domestic debt restructuring plan on Saturday evening. Click here to read... [21]

Despite human rights concerns, Sri Lanka continues engagement with UN peacekeeping force - tamil gaurdian

The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has called for the suspension of all Sri Lankan peacekeepers following the release of the UN human rights commissioners report. The report highlighted that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, which is responsible for the vetting of Sri Lankan troops, has been "politicised and its independence undermined by the appointment of a former Government minister as its chairperson" the ITJP stated in a press release. Click here to read... [22]