Neighborhood News Digest – 11 October 2023

Afghanistan

UN Partners Assessing Needs of Earthquake Victims, Guterres Says- Tolo News

The earthquake in Herat sparked widespread reactions around the world. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed sadness over the loss of life caused due to the earthquake that occurred in Herat province, according to his spokesman. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that it has provided aid to 20,000 people. Click here to read... [2]

Four British men freed by Taliban after being held in Afghanistan- The Guardian

Four British nationals who were held in Taliban custody in Afghanistan have been released and are to return to the UK on Tuesday. The men were all detained over allegedly breaking the country’s laws earlier this year. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

PM Hasina inaugurates Bangladesh’s largest infra project built with Chinese loan - Siasat

Hasina unveiled the Dhaka-Bhanga section of the rail route between Dhaka and Jashore through the Padma Bridge from Mawa Railway Station in Munshiganj. The remaining portion of the project linking Jessore is expected to be launched in June of next year, the Dhaka Tribune reported, quoting project officials. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, who attended the inaugural ceremony, said the Padma Bridge Rail Link is a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and also the largest infrastructure project in Bangladesh using Chinese preferential loans. Click here to read... [4]

India to build 509 composite BOPs on frontiers with Pakistan, Bangladesh - Sentinel Assam

India is all set to build 509 composite border outposts (BOPs) along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders to provide an appropriate show of force to deter trans-border criminals, infiltrators, and hostile elements from indulging in the activities of intrusion, encroachment, and border violations. Of the 509 composite BOPs, 383 are to be constructed along the India-Bangladesh border, while the remaining 126 BPOs will be built along the India-Pakistan border. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh, Australian representatives arrive to attend P20 summit - Daiji World

The Bangladesh Parliament's Speaker and presiding officers of both Houses of Parliament of Australia have arrived in Delhi to participate in the forthcoming 9th Parliament 20 (P20) summit. The summit is scheduled to be held between October 13 and 14 at the newly-constructed Indian International Convention and Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi in the national capital and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 13. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

Bhutan tourism back on track - TTR Weekly

Bhutan welcomed 9,559 visitors in September, representing a 34% increase over its forecasted 6,788 monthly arrivals. Visits from 23 September 2022 to 1 October 2023 totalled 89,326, while visits to Bhutan from January to September 2023 reached 67,673. Click here to read... [7]

Changing scenario of power sector in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal sub-region-Part I - North East Now

In an era of rapid globalization, South Asia has still remained one of the least integrated regions in the world especially in the arena of power and energy. The South Asian countries have been confronting numerous challenges, including power shortages, erratic electricity supply, under investment in renewable energy, and energy access problems. In addition to these, other difficulties such as growing populations, rising electricity demand, frequent and extreme climate events like massive floods and record-breaking heat weaves have only exacerbated the existing problems. Click here to read... [8]

JSW Law: A testament to India-Bhutan friendship - Devi Discourse

In a momentous celebration resonating with unity and shared values, the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law) consecrated its new campus in Pangbisa, Paro, on the auspicious 21st day of the Eighth month. The ceremony, known as Tashi rabney, was attended by The King, the Fourth Gyalpo, The Gyalsey, esteemed members of the Royal Family, donors, partners, and proud alumni, The Bhutan Live reported. The rabney ceremony marked a historic occasion, symbolising the realization of The King's vision - to establish a just society rooted in the rule of law. The campus itself stands as a testament to this vision, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation and offering state-of-the-art facilities with a strong focus on sustainability. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

Dr. Muizzu meets the Australian High Commissioner- Raajje

President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, accompanied by the Vice-President-elect Hussain Mohamed Latheef, met the High Commissioner of Australia to the Maldives, David Jessup, at President-elect's Office. Maldives seeks to further strengthen its relations with Australia and Australian Ambassador assured support and cooperation in various areas of joint efforts to further strengthen their relationship. Click here to read... [10]

PPM-PNC discusses gov't formation with The Democrats- Avas

The Democrats met with the senior leaders of the PPM-PNC coalition; the Chairperson of the Peoples' National Congress (PNC) and the Director-General of Transition, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, on Monday. The meeting mainly focused on justice and forming a government dedicated to serving the people equitably. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

US condemns Myanmar refugee camp strike, calls it ‘military attack’ - The Print

The United States on Tuesday condemned what it called a reported “military attack” in Myanmar on a refugee camp that led to the killing of several civilians. At least 29 people, including women and children, were killed in Myanmar in an artillery strike on a refugee camp near the border with China which sources said was carried out by the ruling military. Click here to read... [12]

Indo-Myanmar Border: Government builds 100 km smart fencing to curb illegal influx, boost surveillance - Organiser.org

An advanced smart fencing system of 100 kilometres is in the pipeline to strengthen the existing surveillance system, the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs published last week said. The unfenced border and the unregulated migration from Myanmar have been attributed as some of the factors responsible for the ethnic violence in Manipur that has acclaimed the lives of at least 175 people since May 2023. Click here to read... [13]

Two Allies Of Myanmar Junta Chief Jailed For High Treason – Barrons

Two allies of Myanmar's junta chief have been jailed for 20 years for "high treason" including corruption and abuse of power, the military said on Tuesday. Moe Myint Tun and Yan Naung Soe were "sentenced to twenty years imprisonment, equal to a life sentence" by a military court, according to a statement from the junta's information team. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

Nepal Courts Refuse to Register Same-Sex Marriages – HRW

Two lower courts in Nepal have denied a couple recognition of their marriage, in defiance of the Supreme Court’s recent interim order to register same-sex marriages while legislative change is pending. The couple – Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey – are considering seeking redress at the Supreme Court. Click here to read... [15]

Tibet border reopening provides relief to Nepal villagers- Kathmandu Post

The locals of Dolakha’s Lapchi village in ward 1 of Bigu Rural Municipality near the Nepal-China border have heaved a sigh of relief after the Chinese authorities eased cross-border movement for the residents of the border village. The locals were allowed to cross over to Tibet to trade their goods in the markets across the border after the Chinese authorities opened the border for Lapchi residents on September 30. Click here to read... [16]

Nepal locals protest against Chinese crusher plant - Devi Discourse

The locals of Nepal's Tinau Rural Municipality have been protesting against a Chinese crusher plant set up around a month ago near the Tinau River in Ward 3. The locals allege the plant has been operating by flouting the safety standards set by the government, The Kathmandu Post reported. According to the chairman of the Tinau Rural Municipality Prem Shrestha, the crusher plant was set up by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the contractor of the Siddhababa Tunnel Project. Click here to read... [17]

Pakistan

IHC puts former army chief, his spymaster on notice- The Dawn

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Monday issued notices to former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, ex-spymaster Faiz Hamid and two journalists, in response to a petition, by Atif Ali, seeking legal proceedings for allegedly flouting the Official Secrets Act. The petition sought the registration of a case against the journalists and the former generals over the interview of ex-Gen Bajwa, petitioner contended that the interview was conducted in a “reckless” manner and the revelations made in the interview(s) were a violation of the Official Secrets Act and tantamount to inciting mutiny and disharmony. Click here to read... [18]

COAS Munir, PM Kakar briefed on security matters in Quetta- The Dawn

Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar visited Quetta on Tuesday, where they were briefed on a range of matters encompassing law enforcement operations, anti-smuggling efforts, and security for foreign nationals in Balochistan, according to state-run Radio Pakistan. Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan not to review decision on illegal immigrants- The Express Tribune

Pakistan would not revisit its decision to deport all foreigners, mostly Afghans, living in the country illegally after the concerns raised by human rights organisations over the forced eviction of nearly 1.7 million Afghans, officials said on Tuesday. PM says Afghans coming here have to follow certain protocols. Pakistan has given all the illegal immigrants until October 31 to leave voluntarily or face crackdown starting from November 1. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, EXIM Bank of China reach pact on debt disposal- Channel News Asia (CNA)

The Export-Import Bank of China reached a preliminary agreement with Sri Lanka last month on the disposal of China-related debts, China's Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday. Sri Lanka sought to secure debt restructuring assurances from China, its largest creditor, to help unlock further support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Sri Lanka owed China's EXIM $4.1 billion, or 11 per cent of the country's foreign currency debt, at the end of 2022, according to government data. Click here to read... [21]

Will National elections be postponed? – Daily Mirror

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has submitted a Cabinet resolution seeking approval to introduce a new system to elect members to Parliament under a mixed system. According to the resolution, the electorates will return 160 members to the House whereas another 65 seats will be reserved under proportional representation. This move, to change the parliamentary electoral system, has triggered fears in political circles whether it is yet another attempt to postpone the national elections including the Presidential Election pending next year. Click here to read... [22]

Malaysia to support Sri Lanka’s entry into RCEP- News.lk

Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir held discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo and assured that Malaysia will support Sri Lanka’s application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Click here to read... [23]