Neighborhood News Digest – 25 July 2023

Afghanistan

The Taliban Have ‘Infiltrated’ U.N. Deliveries of Aid – Foreign Policy

The United Nations is the custodian of billions of dollars of international assistance meant for the hungry and needy of Afghanistan, where around half the population is said to depend on outside help just to stay alive. Yet the agencies entrusted with delivering that aid have been “effectively infiltrated” by the terrorist-run Taliban, who regard foreign charity as just another revenue stream, according to a report prepared for the U.S. government that has not yet been made public.Click here to read... [2]

Afghanistan: UN’s World Food Programme cuts aids to 8 million people due to funding shortfall – The Print

Amid the alarming malnutrition and hunger situation in Afghanistan, United Nations World Food Programme had to cut its aid to 8 million food-insecure people due to the funding shortfall, Khaama Press reported. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report revealed that Afghanistan’s most remote areas would be at risk from the significant financing gaps endangering crucial humanitarian aid. .Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

First Rupee trade shipment from Petrapole border to Bangladesh - The Print

The first Rupee trade shipment from West Bengal’s Petrapole border to Bangladesh took place on Tuesday, an official said. Petrapole, located in North 24 Parganas, is the major land port for bilateral trade with the neighbouring country. .Click here to read... [4]

Saudi Arabia opens doors to Bangladeshi professionals, investors - Arab News

Saudi Arabia is looking forward to having more Bangladeshis both in its skilled workforce and investment ecosystem, Riyadh’s envoy to Dhaka told Arab News ahead of an upcoming visit of Bangladesh business leaders to the Kingdom. Bangladeshis are the biggest expat worker community in Saudi Arabia. .Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

Improving policing services against rising criminal activities – Kuensel

To improve the effectiveness of policing services through enhanced coordination and curb criminal activities in the country, a police team headed by Colonel Passang Dorji recently visited seven western dzongkhags. The initiative is expected to prevent and reduce the increasing crime rate observed over the years.Click here to read... [6]

Maldives

How Maldives gained independence from the British empire - The National

The Maldives became independent exactly 58 years ago today. It was July 26, 1965. The island nation – known for its 1192 islands, pristine beaches, crystal-clear lagoons and resplendent coral reefs – had spent 77 years as a British protectorate. An agreement was signed by prime minister Ibrahim Nasir on one side and British ambassador Michael Walker on behalf of then Queen Elizabeth on the other – reestablishing the country’s full sovereignty and political independence. .Click here to read... [7]

The Maldives’ Energy Market: A Comprehensive Overview - Energy Portal

The Maldives, an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, is renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. While the Maldives is a popular tourist destination, it is also a country that is grappling with the challenges of energy security and sustainability. This comprehensive overview of the Maldives’ energy market will explore the current state of the sector, the country’s energy sources, and the initiatives being taken to address the challenges faced by the nation. .Click here to read... [8]

Myanmar

‘How did people from Myanmar without proper travel docs enter Manipur?’ - New Indian Express

The Manipur government has sought a detailed report from the Assam Rifles authorities as to why 718 Myanmar nationals, including 301 children and 208 women, were allowed entry into Chandel district of the state without proper travel documents. .Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar military may move Suu Kyi to house arrest - Reuters

Myanmar's military government may move ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest in the capital, Naypyitaw, two media outlets reported on Wednesday. The 78-year-old Nobel laureate has been in detention since her arrest in early 2021 when the military overthrew her elected government in a coup and unleashed a bloody crackdown on opponents that has seen thousands jailed or killed. .Click here to read... [10]

Nepal

China pledges 8 million Yuan assistance to Nepal for agricultural sector – Deccan Herald

China has pledged to provide 8 million Yuan grant assistance to Nepal for the agricultural sector. The decision was taken during a meeting between House of Representatives Speaker Devraj Ghimire and Yuan Jiajun, a politburo member of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), here on Monday. Yuan arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to Nepal, leading a 26-member delegation. .Click here to read... [11]

Gorkha recruitment for Indian Army on pause, but matter not closed: Nepal ambassador – The Print

The recruitment of Gorkhas from Nepal to the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme has been put on “pause”, but the matter has not been closed, Nepal’s Ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma said on Monday. Talking to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia here, Sharma also said presently no “serious discussion” is taking place on the issue between the two governments. .Click here to read... [12]

Pakistan

Amid China Loan Talks, Pak Army Chief's "Throw Out Beggar's Bowl" Remark – NDTV

Pakistan Army Chief Syed Asim Munir underlined the need to make the country self-reliant to end the dependency on foreign loans, which the cash-strapped nation recently secured with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Geo News reported. While addressing the opening ceremony of Khanewal Model Agriculture Farm on Monday, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan said, "Pakistanis are a proud, zealous and talented nation. All Pakistanis must throw out the beggar's bowl." .Click here to read... [13]

Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto, US' Anthony Blinken discuss Pakistan’s economic recovery, Afghanistan – Hindustan Times

The two leaders discussed various issues and agreed to strengthen ties and continue to work together to promote peace and development, foreign office said. Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has discussed America's support for cash-strapped Pakistan's economic recovery and shared regional concerns, including Afghanistan in a phone call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. .Click here to read... [14]

Sri Lanka

Colombo’s turnaround - Financial Express

Nearly one year after being sworn in as the president of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India between July 20-22, 2023. A lot has changed in this one year—the Aragalaya movement has subsided, long lines for fuel and food have almost disappeared, political stability is back in the country, there is newfound energy for economic and political reforms, and the government has managed to implement challenging IMF prescriptions, while also getting ready for the first review, which is due in September. Yet, the change is not only internal. Following the crisis, there has been a significant geopolitical turnaround in Sri Lanka towards India. .Click here to read... [15]

Refugee To Illegal Migrant: The Journey Of Sri Lankan Tamils To India - Outlook India

According to the Chennai-based Rehabilitation Commissionerate, the department responsible for the wellbeing of the Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu, there are 58,357 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in 106 camps in 29 districts across Tamil Nadu as of May 1, 2023; 10,269 are children below the age of 11. According to human rights activists working for the refugees, there are an equal number of people living outside the camps. They estimate that Tamil Nadu is home to more than one lakh Sri Lankan refugees living across the state—registered and unregistered. .Click here to read... [16]