Neighborhood News Digest – 19 October 2023

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Says Blast at Gaza Hospital a 'Crime Against Humanity’ - Tolo News

A blast at a hospital in Gaza Strip that killed over 500 people has triggered international reactions including that of the Islamic Emirate. The foreign ministry of the Islamic Emirate in a statement condemned the blast at the hospital in Gaza and termed it as act against humanity. Russia, China, UN, and other countries have called the attack as genocide and horrific. Click here to read... [2]

UN calls to stop Afghan refugees expulsion from Pakistan - The Khaama Press

The United Nations officials stated on Wednesday urging the Pakistani government to immediately halt the process of expelling over one million Afghan migrants. United Nations Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, joined by fellow UN officials Felipe González Morales and Reem Al Salem, called on Wednesday for an immediate halt to the expulsion of over one million Afghan migrants by the Pakistani government. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Strengthening Border Security: 8 Land Ports Across Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal To Get Radiation Detection Gear - Swarajya Marg

Radiation Detection Equipment (RDE) is set to be deployed at eight key land crossing points along India's borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal. The primary aim is to prevent the illicit trafficking of radioactive materials for potential use in the creation of nuclear devices. This significant security measure is part of the Indian government's commitment to enhancing border security and safeguarding against potential nuclear threats. Click here to read... [4]

What is Driving China-Bangladesh Bonhomie- The Diplomat

Against the backdrop of several recent geopolitical realignments, including the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and persistent tension between India and China, Bangladesh’s relationship with China has been growing significantly. A pivotal moment in the Bangladesh-China relationship was in 2012, when the World Bank in a publicly issued statement accused Bangladeshi government officials of engaging in corruption in a mega bridge project over the River Padma. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the Bank’s allegation as an attack on her prestige and sought Chinese help to complete the project. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh climate envoy: ‘We want to be climate adaptation leaders, not victims’ - Eco Business

In 2021, Bangladesh unveiled a national climate action framework, the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan. Named after the country’s founding father and former president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it was presented by his daughter, prime minister Sheikh Hasina, at the Glasgow climate summit COP26. This was during her second tenure as president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

NC sends Biological Corridor Nine Bill for NA’s re- deliberation – Kuensel

The National Council adopted the Biological Corridor Nine (BC9) Bill 2023 yesterday with 23 ‘Yes’ votes. The Bill, which has four recommendations from NC, will now go to the National Assembly for re-deliberation. The House recommended removing sections 5, 13, 14 and some sub-sections of 18. This according to the MPs is to ensure uniformity in the rules governing all biological corridors. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

India to continue disaster relief even after Muizzu takes over Male- The Hindustan Times

President-elect Mohammed Muizzu, like his pro-China mentor Yameen, wants Indian troops engaged in relief efforts to leave after he swears in as Maldives President on Nov 17. He made his intentions evident when Indian Ambassador to Maldives Monu Mahawar called on the President-elect on October 4. Muizzu’s priority one after he swears in as President of Maldives on November 17 is asking Indian troops to leave within a week. The close relations between India and Maldives have traversed beyond the constructs of defence and hard security. The ‘India Out’ campaign in Maldives may try to give a negative connotation to the Indian aviation support but in reality, their role is of saving lives and making a difference in the life of the common Maldivian. Click here to read... [8]

Maldivian leader condemns deadly Gaza hospital strike, appeals for aid corridors- Sun Online

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih condemned the attack on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in central Gaza and stated. “Strongly condemn Israel’s attack on Al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza. Targeting hospitals and non-combatants is a gross violation of international law. I call on the world community to push for a ceasefire and establish humanitarian corridors to ease the plight of Gaza’s residents.” The message by the Maldivian leader followed an earlier post by the country’s foreign minister, Abdulla Shahid, also condemning the attack. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

Military attack leaves Myanmar’s displaced civilians with ‘no safe place’ – Aljazeera

On the night of October 9, Seng Mai was awoken by a deafening explosion that tore apart her shelter in Mung Lai Hkyet, a camp for conflict-displaced people in northern Myanmar’s Kachin State. “The sound was so loud that I wondered whether I had even survived,” the 21-year-old told Al Jazeera. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar clashes engulf refugee camp, air base and bridges - Nikkei Asia

The internecine conflict between Myanmar's military and insurgent groups has spilled into a refugee camp with deadly consequences, and the violence also has destroyed bridges serving key transportation arteries. The Karen National Union and two other ethnic militant groups released a statement Oct. 12 declaring they would not participate in the eighth anniversary commemoration of the signing of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). The military government hosted the event Sunday in the capital, Naypyitaw. Click here to read... [11]

1.5 Lakh Meth Pills Seized From Mizoram-Myanmar Border, Total ₹ 100 Crore Worth In 5 Days – NDTV

Methamphetamine tablets worth ₹ 45 crore were seized in east Mizoram's Champhai district, officials said on Tuesday. With this, the security forces seized methamphetamine tablets worth over ₹ 100 crore in the border district since October 12, they said. A joint team of the Assam Rifles and state police seized 1.5 lakh methamphetamine tablets, weighing 17 kg, from Zokhawthar village in Champhai near the Myanmar border on Monday, they added. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

Government allows export of non-basmati rice to Nepal, 6 other countries - India Shipping News

The government on October 18 permitted the export of Non-Basmati white rice to neighbouring Nepal, Malaysia and five other countries in specified amounts, relaxing the curbs imposed earlier this year to keep a lid on domestic prices. On July 20, the government prohibited the export of non-basmati white rice as food inflation soared. India is the world’s biggest rice exporter and accounted for nearly 40 percent of the global rice trade in 2022, exporting 22 million tonnes of the commodity to 140 countries. Non-basmati white rice constituted about 25 percent of the total shipments. Click here to read... [13]

Two projects built with Indian financial assistance inaugurated in Nepal's Humla - ANI News

As per the release from the Indian Embassy, the two projects include the Shree Saraswati Secondary School in Sarkegad Rural Municipality and the Laboratory & Library Building of the Shree Mahadev Secondary School in Chankheli Rural Municipality. The embassy stated that the project has been completed with a total grant of NPR 55.23 million under the ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ framework. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal’s constitutional bench halts ‘triple taxation’ on community forests – Mongabay

Nepal’s constitutional bench has issued a stay on the implementation of laws making it compulsory for community forest user groups across the country to pay taxes to the local, provincial and federal governments under different names. The order comes as community forest user groups took to the streets demanding an end to the “triple tax” system, which emerged after Nepal became a federal republic with seven provinces following the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2015. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan

Democracy, elections in Pakistan stalled for return of one person: Bilawal – Dawn

In an apparent reference to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday said Pakistan’s Constitution, democracy and elections have been stalled “for the return of one person”. Click here to read... [16]

‘Much higher, much bigger’: In meeting with Pakistani PM, Putin highlights potential for economic cooperation – Arab News

The potential for economic cooperation with Pakistan was “much higher, much bigger” than at present and both nations would discuss steps to enhance ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in Beijing, where the two leaders are attending the Belt and Road Forum. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka

India-Sri Lanka ferry service restarted after 40 yrs: Opportunities, challenges- Indian Express

Launching the service, ‘Cheriyapani’, on October 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said connectivity is not only about bringing two cities closer but “also brings our countries closer, our people closer and our hearts closer.” The initiative is aimed at bolstering bilateral ties, boosting tourism, commerce & trade, and increasing people-to-people relations benefiting local traders on both shores. After the civil war in Sri Lanka resulting in the halting of the Indo-Ceylon Express or Boat Mail ran between Chennai and Colombo, the resumption of ferry services has been on the cards for quite some time, especially after the war ended in 2009. Crucial to the success of the new venture will be how it is operated. While the onset of the northeast monsoon is one of the reasons being cited, sources at Nagapattinam port said the ticket fare, at approximately Rs 7,670, and poor ticketing systems are also a challenge. Click here to read... [18]

Escalating tensions in Gaza under sharp focus in civil war-scarred Sri Lanka- The Hindu

The escalating tensions in Gaza have come under sharp focus in Sri Lanka, an island nation that is struggling to get out of its own devastating civil war, nearly 15 years after it ended. While President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently called for a “four-state” solution involving Israel, Gaza, Palestine, and Lebanon, to resolve the crisis, he also shared his concerns with caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on October 17. Gaza hospital bombing comes days before Sri Lanka’s Tamils commemorate the brutal attack on the Jaffna teaching hospital in 1987. Click here to read... [19]

First female ICC chair arrives in Sri Lanka- News.lk

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) first-ever female chair Maria Fernanda Garza arrives, on October 18, for an official visit to Sri Lanka. The ICC, representing 170 countries with a corporate membership of 45 million companies, is the largest and most influential business organization globally. The ICC is the only organization to be represented in the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and World Intellectual Property Organisation. During her visit, Garza will meet with key officials. Click here to read... [20]