Neighborhood News Digest – 01 November 2023

Afghanistan

EU provides 15 million Euros to support women-led businesses – The Khaama Press

The Head of the European Union Delegation in Kabul has emphasized the economic empowerment of women in Afghanistan as a pivotal priority. She stated that the European Union is allocating 15 million euros to support local businesses led by women in the country. Click here to read… [2]

Afghan Refugees Coerced to Leave Pakistan With 'Threats, Abuse': HRW - Tolo News

Human Rights Watch said in a report that the Pakistani government is “using threats, abuse, and detention to coerce Afghan asylum seekers without legal status to return to Afghanistan or face deportation by November 1 this year. Many Afghans at risk of being deported, the HRW said, “are awaiting resettlement to the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada. Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

India, Bangladesh PMs to unveil 3 projects to boost connectivity, energy security- Hindustan Times

Three development projects implemented in Bangladesh with Indian assistance to boost connectivity and energy security in the region will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on November 1, 2023. The three projects to be inaugurated during a virtual ceremony on November 1 are the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, the Khulna-Mongla port rail line, and unit II of the Maitree super thermal power plant. Click here to read… [4]

PM Hasina: Will have dialogue with opposition if Biden does same with Trump- Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 31 said she will have dialogue with the opposition if the US President Joe Biden does the same with former president and 2024 US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas expressed hope that all sides going forward will engage in a “dialogue” without preconditions to de-escalate tensions and find a path forward to free, fair and peaceful elections. Click here to read… [5]

Bhutan

Royal Highland Festival in Bhutan boosts Layap incomes with homestays, boosts tourism – Hindustan Times

The Royal Highland Festival is transforming the lives of indigenous people, known as Layaps, by offering homestay opportunities for extra income, The Bhutan Live reported. This annual celebration of Bhutanese culture is not only a source of pride but also an avenue for Layaps to welcome travellers, share their heritage, and improve their financial prospects. Click here to read… [6]

National Assembly members exit office – Kuensel

The National Assembly (NA) members of the third Parliament marked the end of their five-year term yesterday by offering Zhabten and Tashi Moenlam for His Majesty The King. According to Section 24 of Article 10 of the Constitution, Speaker Wangchuk Namgyel read the term-end order and signed it. The Speaker attributed the success of the NA sessions of the third Parliament to the blessings of the triple gem, guardian deities, and the leadership, guidance, and support of His Majesty The King. Click here to read… [7]

King of Bhutan to visit Assam from November 3 to 5 – The Statesman

The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is scheduled to make a personal visit to Assam in November. His visit will take place from November 3 to 5. During his trip, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is scheduled to visit the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on November 3. He will participate in a cultural event organised by the Assam government. Assam’s Governor, Gulab Chand Kataria, will host a dinner in the honor of the king. Click here to read… [8]

Maldives

Why Maldives economy must be Muizzu's priority not 'India out' politics - Firstpost

In the midst of economic challenges and looming debt obligations, Maldives faces a new challenge closer to home: the incoming President Mohamed Muizzu, set to take office on November 17, is adamant about India’s military presence in the country has raised diplomatic concerns. The World Bank issued a warning regarding the Maldives’ mounting debt obligations and ratings agencies such as Fitch Ratings, have raised concerns about the nation’s high debt burden, rising debt and low reserves. Click here to read… [9]

Maldivian launches scheduled flights to Bangalore, India- Avas

Maldives' national airline, Maldivian Airlines, has launched regular flights to Bangalore, India, with the first flights taking off on Monday. In addition to Bangalore, Maldivian operates flights to several other destinations in India, including Trivandrum and Cochin, and flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh. India serves as a significant source of tourists for the Maldives. Click here to read… [10]

Myanmar

US, UK, Canada unveil new sanctions on supporters of Myanmar military- The Daily Star

The United States, Canada and UK took aim today at sources of support to Myanmar's military regime, building on earlier sanctions and targeting its ability to buy weapons. The fresh restrictions come more than two years after a military coup that also launched a violent campaign against democracy activists. It added that the latest sanctions target companies and individuals, including government officials, who perpetuate or facilitate violence in the Southeast Asian country. Click here to read… [11]

China Rushes Minister to Myanmar as Rebels Wrest Control of Key Roads Crucial to BRI- News 18

China’s public security minister has held talks with Myanmar’s junta on establishing peace along their shared border, following clashes between ethnic armed groups and the military in Myanmar. Thousands of people have been reportedly displaced, with some crossing into China, after three armed groups fighting for autonomy launched coordinated attacks on the junta seeking to take control of towns. Moreover, State Administration Council Member Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae organized an informal meeting with Member of the State’s Council of the People’s Republic of China and Minister for Public Security Mr Wang Xiaohong in Nay Pyi Taw, on law enforcement and security corporation. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar delegation in Teknaf to discuss Rohingya repatriation- Dhaka Tribune

A delegation team of 32 Myanmar officials on Tuesday arrived in Cox’s Bazar to interview Rohingya refugees in a bid to start the long-stalled plan to return the persecuted minority to their homeland. Among the delegation team, there are 11 Rohingya citizens in their trawler. Earlier, the Myanmar delegation visited Bangladesh in two rounds on March 15 and May 25. At that time, after verifying the information of about 700 Rohingya, the team returned to Myanmar. Click here to read… [13]

Nepal

Nepal awaits Korala border reopening as China readies infrastructure on its sid – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal and China welcomed the successful opening of the Lizi-Nechung port near the Tibet border, as per the joint statement issued during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to China in late September. The port is situated across the border from Nepal’s bordering village Korala in Mustang district. However, it is not sure when the border would reopen for regular bilateral trade and exchanges, according to Nepali officials. Click here to read… [14]

U.N. chief Guterres meets Nepal PM Prachanda, Deputy PM Khadka – The Hindu

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called on Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' after arriving here on first official visit to the Himalayan nation. Mr. Guterres also held separate meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Purna Bahadur Khadka and Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

Nawaz to embark on country tour to revive party’s fortunes – Dawn

As the Islamabad High Court resurrected the appeals of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif with “all legal consequences” and ratified a decision of the Punjab caretaker government to suspend his sentence in the Al-Azizia case, the PML-N supreme leader chaired the formal party meeting at Jati Umra in Lahore for the first time in four years to chart his party’s course to power. Click here to read… [16]

Govt appears confident ahead of SBA talks – Business Recorder

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would begin crucial discussions on first review of US$3 billion Stand-by-Arrangement (SBA) from tomorrow (Thursday) amid government’s claim that all the targets have already been met. An official of Finance Ministry sounded confident about successful completion of the first review (July-September 2023) under $3 billion SBA. Click here to read… [17]

Pakistan: Army officers, judges 'fully liable' under accountability laws, says top court – Firstpost

According to a prominent Pakistani judge, judges in constitutional courts and members of the nation’s potent armed forces are “fully liable” under accountability laws, just like any other public servant. In a dissenting note to the Supreme Court’s September 15 verdict, which overturned changes to the accountability laws and ordered the reinstatement of graft cases against public office holders, Supreme Court judge Mansoor Ali Shah made this observation, according to the Dawn newspaper. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

President chairs major roundtable discussion on economy- News First

As a follow-up to December 2022 discussions, representatives from WB, ADB, IMF, AIIB, IFCA, MIGA, JICA, USAID, EU, UN convened for a second high-level round table discussion with Sri Lankan President, PM & Govt Officials in Colombo on October 31, 2023. The discussions being aimed at the Government's reform programs to pivot from crisis to recovery & sustainable growth, the forum also discussed challenges, opportunities & commitments for Sri Lanka's development. Click here to read… [19]

US, Sri Lanka discuss CARAT navy exercise for 2024– News First

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, in a recent meeting with Secretary of Defence Retired General Kamal Gunaratne, had discussed matters relating to the Cooperation Afloat Readiness & Training Navy exercise in 2024, also known as CARAT 2024. CARAT is an exercise designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance maritime interoperability and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka raises taxes again to unblock IMF bailout- The Times of India

Sri Lanka has announced a rise in goods and services tax after the IMF held back a loan tranche due to the country’s failure to meet revenue targets. The tax increase is necessary to boost state revenue and unblock the loan instalment. Government spokesman Bandula Gunawardana said another tax rise was needed after the IMF held back a $330 million loan tranche because Sri Lanka’s tax revenue was still not meeting outlays. Click here to read… [21]