Neighborhood News Digest – 3 August 2023

Afghanistan

For Afghanistan to stand on its own feet, women must be educated: US special envoy – The Print

A US special representative for Afghanistan, Tom West, while highlighting the importance of women’s education in Kabul has said that Taliban policies are making it difficult for organisations to deliver aid. West made these remarks in an interview with a UK-based media organisation. Click here to read... [2]

Afghanistan: Citizens voice concerns about slow passport distribution process – Firstpost

The Afghan citizens have raised their concerns regarding the slow passport distribution process in the country and stated that not having a passport had caused residents to face several issues. Talking to TOLOnews, the Afghan citizens said that they asked the General Directorate of Passports to speed up passport distribution in the nation’s capital and other provinces. However, under the Taliban regime, the people of Afghanistan continue to only face problems. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Amid inflation, pre-elections, and dengue, Bangladesh is in a fix - Asia News Network

The people of Bangladesh are currently facing several crises. On the one hand, the prices of commodities are increasing, with no moves from the authorities to bring them down. Different ministers have different things to say about this – while one says the people of the country are well, another says they don’t have a way to interfere with the syndicates. Yet others are implying that the situation is unavoidable. All this means that the people will not see an end to their financial woes anytime soon. Click here to read... [4]

UN encourages peaceful, credible, inclusive elections in Bangladesh - Dhaka Tribune

The United Nations has encouraged "peaceful, credible, and inclusive" elections in Bangladesh. "Regarding the elections, the United Nations encourages peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh," said Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq in a media briefing at the UN Headquarters on July 31. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

Independent committee to review party pledges – Kuensel

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) will constitute an independent committee to advise and assist the commission to review political parties’ manifestos. According to the Rules on Elections Conduct in the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2022, the commission will have full discretion in determining and approving the parties’ manifestos, with or without modifications. Click here to read... [6]

Maldives

Pres. inaugurates the completion of harbor upgrading projects in two islands of Shaviyani Atoll - Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has inaugurated the completed harbor upgrading projects in Feevah and Feydhoo Islands of Shaviyani Atoll. These projects were inaugurated during President Solih's ongoing visit to Shaviyani Atoll, on Tuesday. The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) was contracted to carry out the harbor upgrading projects. The projects included a range of improvements such as harbor basin deepening, seawall development, installation of revetments, development of quay walls, pavement, and port lighting. Click here to read... [7]

Myanmar

Junta’s Amnesty for Political Prisoners was Hostage Diplomacy: Myanmar Watchdog - The Irrawaddy

More than 120 political prisoners were among the 7,749 inmates freed on Tuesday in a general amnesty, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). However, those granted amnesty were only a tiny fraction of the thousands of pro-democracy supporters detained by the military regime since the February 2021 coup, it added. Click here to read... [8]

Myanmar Junta Escalates War Crimes as Resistance Gains Ground in July - The Irrawaddy

Daily attacks hit regime targets in almost every corner of Myanmar in July as People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)—the armed wings of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG)—and ethnic armed organizations escalated their assaults on junta troops and targets, often in unison. Armed wings of the Karen National Union (KNU), Myanmar’s oldest ethnic political organization, pushed south, taking control of more territory and threatening the junta’s administrative capital, Naypyitaw. Click here to read... [9]

Nepal

BRI shatters Nepal’s hope to graduate from LDC status – Khabarhub

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), previously called One Belt One Road (OBOR), which initially raised lots of hope that it could be instrumental in Nepal’s graduation from LDC is now waning because of its failure to take off as conceived. It is because of confusion and lack of clarity, and commitment on the part of China. Click here to read... [10]

Pakistan

SC rejects plea seeking full court on military trials of civilians – Dawn

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday rejected a plea seeking the formation of a full court to hear petitions challenging the military trials of civilians. The reserved verdict was announced by a six-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha A. Malik. Click here to read... [11]

In recent Pakistan blast, PM Shehbaz Sharif says suicide bombers helped by 'Afghans citizens' – Hindustan Times

PM Sharif's remark came after Sunday's blast, which killed 54 people and wounded dozens more at a gathering of political party workers in Khar. Militants behind a spate of suicide attacks in Pakistan were being helped by "Afghan citizens" across the border, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said, days after a deadly bombing at a political gathering near the countries' shared frontier. Click here to read... [12]

Sri Lanka

'BRI helps various businesses thrive in Sri Lanka' - CGTN

The Hambantota International Port is believed to have generated new opportunities for the agriculture and tourism sectors in the vast Hambantota region. In an exclusive interview with CGTN Radio, the Sri Lankan ambassador to China says the port will help various businesses in the inland areas of the region thrive. Click here to read... [13]

First batch of Chinese fuel arrives in Sri Lanka: Energy Minister Wijesekera - Devi Discourse

The first batch of fuel cargo from the Chinese energy company Sinopec arrived in Sri Lanka, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said on Tuesday, a development that will enhance the energy security of the debt-struck island nation amidst its worst financial crisis. Sri Lanka, facing its worst economic crisis in history due to a shortage of foreign exchange reserves, signed an agreement with Chinese oil giant Sinopec in May that allows the company to operate for the next 20 years to import, store, distribute and sell petroleum products in the island nation. Click here to read... [14]