Neighborhood News Digest – 16 October 2023

Afghanistan

Magnitude 6.3 earthquake shakes west Afghanistan a week after devastating quakes hit same region – The Hindu

A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck western Afghanistan on October 15, just over a week after strong quakes and aftershocks killed thousands of people and flattened entire villages in the same region. The U.S. Geological Survey said the latest quake's epicentre was about 34 kilometres (21 miles) outside Herat, the provincial capital, and eight kilometers (five miles) below the surface. Click here to read… [2]

EU provides €30 million in healthcare aid to Afghanistan – The Khaama Press

On Saturday, Jutta Urpilainen, the European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, announced on her social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that these aids would be utilized in providing essential healthcare services to the vulnerable citizens of Afghanistan. Click here to read… [3]

Attack on Mosque in Baghlan Sparks Domestic and Foreign Reactions - Tolo News

The suicide attack on the Imam Zaman mosque in Pul-e-Khomri, the center of Baghlan province, has sparked reactions in Afghanistan and abroad. Former president Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, the former chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, called the attack inhumane and un-Islamic and urged that those responsible to be held accountable. Click here to read… [4]

More than 820 Afghan migrant families return home from Pakistan – The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations of Afghanistan has reported that during the past week, 820 Afghan migrant families have returned from Pakistan, both forcibly and voluntarily. On Saturday, through a news release on its social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the Ministry stated that these migrants had entered the country between the 6th and 11th of October. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

India to set up radiation detection equipment at 8 land ports on Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal borders - TBS News

The RDE will be installed at the Integrated Check Posts (ICP) and land ports of Petrapole, Agartala, Dawki, Sutarkandi, Attari, Raxaul, Jogbani and Moreh. The Indian government has taken the initiative to install radiation detection equipment (RDE) at eight land crossing points along the country's borders with Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Nepal to check the trafficking of radioactive materials for its possible use in making nuclear devices. The RDE will be installed at the Integrated Check Posts (ICP) and land ports of Petrapole, Agartala, Dawki, Sutarkandi, Attari, Raxaul, Jogbani and Moreh, reports the Deccan Herald. Click here to read… [6]

BRI projects fuel infrastructure growth in Bangladesh - China Daily

It used to take Rukhsana Parveen Khan 30 to 45 minutes to reach Bonani from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Today, the journey takes a mere five minutes. "This is excellent," she told Xinhua News Agency. "I use this road daily and will benefit greatly from it." Click here to read… [7]

How Bangladesh is Grappling with Rise of Islamist Extremism - news 18

The Rapid Action Battalion, anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh police that has been active since 2004, also played a significant role in cracking down on terrorist outfits that contributed to the silencing of violent terrorist activities since 2017. Bangladesh ranked 43rd among 163 countries in the Global Terrorism Index 2023, in the low range of terrorism scale, signifying the success of government measures to counterterrorism in the country. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

6th Bn SSB seizes timber logs from Reshmiguri near Bhutan border – The Sentinel

In continuing efforts to stop the timber smuggling, the 6th Bn SSB on Saturday seized huge timber logs from Reshmiguri near Bhutan border in Chirang district and Dholpani reserve near Ultapani under Haltugaon Division in Kokrajhar district. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan’s GDP to grow at 4 percent: WB – Kuensel

Asian Development Bank and finance ministry signed a USD 2-million (M) grant agreement to increase the employability of youth with disabilities through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) yesterday. Finance Minister Namgay Tshering and the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Country Director, Shamit Chakravarti signed the grant agreement at ADB’s Bhutan Resident Mission in Thimphu. Click here to read… [10]

Shadow from fallen Sikkim dam falls on India’s hydroelectric projects in Bhutan – The Hindu

The Chungthang dam of Sikkim Urja Limited’s 1,200 MW Teesta-III hydroelectric project on river Teesta gave way on October 4, contributing to the death of at least 94 people in the downstream areas of Sikkim and West Bengal. The devastation has refreshed worries over two of three India-assisted, under-construction mega hydropower projects in Bhutan — the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu Stage-I (Puna-I) and the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu Stage-II (Puna-II). These projects, along with the 660 MW Kholongchu, are estimated to cost ₹21,637.28 crore, funded by India, benefiting States in northern and eastern India. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Maldives muddles: India, China seesaw is normal, not a blow to India’s influence - Times of India

Mohamed Muizzu’s election as the Maldives’ new president has softened his formerly fierce resistance to India’s expanding influence in the archipelago nation. The leaders of the opposition are comfortable using rhetoric; the elected president or prime minister is not. Sceptics, who considered Muizzu’s win a “blow to India’s influence” in the Maldives, first must not forget that India’s neighbourhood first policy blended with SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)- PM Narendra Modi’s vision for the Indian Oceans region- is effectively working, and second, contesting the world’s second-largest economy is not a cakewalk. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives' first mental health conference 'Oevaru' commences - Edition

The National Centre for Mental Health under Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) launched the Maldives' first-ever mental health conference, named 'Oevaru' on Saturday, October 14. The 'Oevaru' conference is set to be an annual event and is the first of its kind in the Maldives. Its primary aim is to raise awareness about mental health concerns and foster collaboration among policymakers and civil society organizations, allowing them to interact under one roof and share their visions. Click here to read… [13]

Resolution to ban Israeli arrivals to Maldives - Edition

A resolution has been submitted to the parliament seeking to ban arrivals from Israel to the Maldives. The resolution was submitted as a formal recognition of Maldives government's condemnation of the attacks on Gaza and the Palestinian people by the Israeli government. Click here to read… [14]

Myanmar

Myanmar's military seeks to keep ethnic minority allies on its side with anniversary of cease-fire - Devi Discourse

The demands include the militarys withdrawal from politics, implementation of federal democracy and acceptance of international involvement in solving the countrys crisis.Padoh Saw Taw Nee, a spokesperson for Karen National Union one of the most established and influential of the ethnic minority organizations said in a video message posted on the organizations Facebook page on Sunday that the ruling military council is trying to hold peace talks and anniversary events to ease the financial and diplomatic stress they are under and to find a way out from losing a lot of territory. Click here to read… [15]

Mizoram: Assam Rifles seize methamphetamine worth Rs 45 crore, one Myanmar national apprehended- India Today

The Assam Rifles on October 15 successfully intercepted a staggering 1,50,000 Methamphetamine tablets, with an estimated street value of Rs 45 crores. This operation, conducted in the general area of Zokawthar, Champhai district, also led to the apprehension of one Myanmar national. The apprehended individual and the contraband have been handed over to the Champhai police station to initiate legal proceedings. Click here to read… [16]

Myanmar’s ongoing quest for internal peace receives assistance from India - The Global New Light of Myanmar

Indian Deputy National Security Adviser arriving in Myanmar to join NCA anniversary celebration calls on Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in his talks with the Indian guest, unveiled that the government and the Tatmadaw are striving to restore internal peace while India is assisting in the peace process of Myanmar on one hand. At the parlour of the SAC Chairman’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received a delegation led by Deputy National Security Adviser to India Mr Vikram Misri, currently in Myanmar to attend the 8th Anniversary of Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. Click here to read… [17]

Nepal

One Nepali student taken hostage by Hamas: Foreign Minister Saud - Millennium Post

A Nepali student who went missing after a farm in Israel was attacked by Hamas has been taken hostage by the Palestine militant group and efforts are on to find him with the help of international organisations, the Nepal government said on Sunday. Hamas carried out a barrage of air strikes in Southern Israel on Saturday last which killed 10 Nepali students. Click here to read… [18]

Nepal Airlines Will Purchase 10 Aircrafts: Minister Kiranti - Eturbo News

Sudan Kiranti, the Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, announced plans to purchase up to 10 aircrafts for Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) within the current fiscal year. Minister Sudan Kiranti, receiving a memorandum from Nepal Students’ Union, addressed concerns about black market air ticket prices during festivals. Click here to read… [19]

Rice smuggling along Indo-Nepal border increases after export ban: Report - News Bytes App

Rice smuggling has significantly surged along the India-Nepal border since India's ban on the export of non-basmati white rice in July, PTI reported. Local villagers in Uttar Pradesh, including men and women, have reportedly become carriers for smugglers, earning up to Rs. 300 per quintal of rice delivered to warehouses of Nepali traders. Reportedly, rice prices have skyrocketed in Nepal following the ban, with rice that sells for Rs. 15-20/kg in India fetching as much as Rs. 70/kg there. Click here to read… [20]

Nepal: Civil Aviation Authority suspends Manag Air's AOC after another incident - Times of India

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) suspended Manang Airline's Air Operator Certificate (AOC) on Saturday. The decision came after Manang airlines reported two aviation accidents within three months, reported The Himalayan Times. Click here to read… [21]

Pakistan

EU carbon emission rules set to rattle Pakistan’s export sector – Dawn

If you think the current affordability crisis in the country’s energy sector is bad, look out for the sustainability crisis that’s about to rattle our already struggling export sector. Analysts say the long-term future of every business that exports goods to the European Union (EU) depends in large part on the kind of electricity it uses to manufacture its products. Click here to read… [22]

PML-N given permission to hold rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on Nawaz’s return - Business Recorder

As Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) prepares to welcome its supremo Nawaz Sharif on his return on October 21 from a 4-year self-exile, the party has acquired permission from the district administration of Lahore to hold rally at Minar-e-Pakistan. Click here to read… [23]

AIIB and World Bank approve $600m for Rise-II – Dawn

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank will co-finance Pakistan’s second Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy (Rise-II) programme with a $600 million loan, aiming to enhance the policy and institutional framework to improve fiscal management and regulatory conditions that support growth and competitiveness. Click here to read… [24]

Sri Lanka

Prez leaves for China – The Island

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for China last night to attend the 3rd Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation. The President will engage in a four-day official visit to China from October 16 to 20. Click here to read… [25]

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh mull over joining RCEP bloc – The Hindu

Four years after India walked out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, neighbours Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are now considering their chances of membership in the 15-nation trading bloc. Click here to read… [26]