Neighborhood News Digest – 12 December 2023

Afghanistan

US Treasury sanctions former Afghan officials for corruption- The Khama Press

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned two former Afghan officials, Mir Rahman Rahmani and Ajmal Rahmani, along with 44 related entities, under Executive Order 13818 to address serious human rights abuses and corruption worldwide. They are accused of diverting millions from U.S.-funded contracts for Afghan security forces, significantly corrupting and undermining stabilization and security efforts in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [2]

Over 345,000 Afghan Refugees Deported by Iran in Past 3 Months: Ministry- Tolo News

A senior official of the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said that more than 345,000 Afghans have been deported from Iran to Afghanistan over the past three months. This comes after Iranian officials have recently announced that Afghans without legal documents will be deported from Iran. Click here to read… [3]

UNSC Discuss Afghanistan’s Situation Behind Closed Doors- Tolo News

The United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting on Afghanistan. In the meeting hosted by Switzerland, members of the council also discussed the assessment of the situation in Afghanistan conducted by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, special coordinator of the UN for Afghanistan. Some Afghan women were also invited to the meeting. Click here to read… [4]

Elite Afghan troops face return to Taliban after UK 'betrayal'-BBC News

About 200 members of Afghan Special Forces, trained and funded by the UK, face imminent deportation to their Taliban-controlled homeland, the BBC has learned. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

EC plans to deploy armed forces from December 29 - The Daily Star

The Election Commission is planning to deploy the armed forces for 13 days from December 29 to January 10, said sources. The 12th national election is scheduled to be held on January 7. The armed forces will work as striking forces and act as per instruction of the Election Commission. Click here to read… [6]

Hasina doubts if JP will stay in the race – The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed doubt whether the main opposition Jatiya Party would keep its word and stay in the electoral race. The Awami League president also reiterated that "party independents" would be running to make the election more participatory, sources said. After the cabinet meeting yesterday, the premier had an unscheduled discussion with her colleagues on AL leaders running as independents and the main opposition in parliament. Click here to read… [7]

Polls clash: 20 including cops hurt in Faridpur – The Daily star

At least 20 people including five policemen suffered injuries as a clash broke out between supporters of Awami League and independent candidates in Saltha of Faridpur yesterday. Locals said supporters of independent candidate Jamal Hossain Mia and AL candidate Shahdab Akbar Labu Chowdhury locked in an altercation over seeking votes. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Candidates’ public debate begins on December 18 – Kuensel

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) has decided to conduct a presidential debate for Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), two political parties contesting for the general round of elections, on December 12. According to the election schedule, the presidential debate was mentioned only for the primary round of elections. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan calls for immediate global action on climate crisis – Kuensel

Dubai, UAE—As the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) nears conclusion, Energy and Natural Resources secretary and the Head of Delegation (technical negotiations), Karma Tshering, stressed the need for immediate and robust global action to address the escalating climate crisis. The national statement by the delegation head on December 9, makes a strong claim on climate finance that it must be adequate, predictable, easily accessible, and sustainable based on the priorities and needs of the most vulnerable countries. “There is no better time than now to deliver the commitments,” he said. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Pres Dr. Muizzu announces decision to establish the Maldives Embassy in Ankara- Avas

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to establish an Embassy of Maldives in Ankara, Türkiye, to enhance bilateral relations and promote the political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries. He decided this at Sunday's (December 10) Cabinet meeting following discussions on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here to read… [11]

Cuba assures continued support for Maldives in socioeconomic development areas- Sun Online

Maldivian Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef met Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman Waugh on December 11. During the meet, Cuba has assured continued support for the Maldives in key socioeconomic development areas. Cuba currently holds the chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77) and China. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

War-wracked Myanmar is now the world's top opium producer, surpassing Afghanistan, says UN agency - The Public Radio

Myanmar, already wracked by a brutal civil war, has regained the unenviable title of world’s biggest opium producer. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said in a report released Tuesday that Myanmar’s output has topped that of Afghanistan, where the ruling Taliban imposed a ban on its production. The new UNODC report says opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar is expanding and becoming more productive. A UNODC representative said economic, security and governance disruptions that followed the Myanmar military's February 2021 takeover has driven farmers in remote areas toward opium to make a living. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar military meets rebel groups with China's help - junta spokesperson - Wion News

Representatives from Myanmar's ruling military have held talks, facilitated by China, with three armed rebel groups leading an anti-junta offensive, state media reported a junta spokesperson as saying on Monday. Click here to read… [14]

Myanmar economy to stagnate as fighting escalates at border - Asia Nikkei

Myanmar's crisis-torn economy is projected to grow just 1% over the year to March 2024, the World Bank said in a report published on Tuesday, as the rising resistance against Myanmar's military regime has disrupted its vast border trade. According to the World Bank's semiannual Myanmar Economic Monitor, gross domestic product growth is expected to remain stagnant at about 2% next fiscal year. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal

Prime Minister Meets Foreign Ministers Of Nepal, Rwanda - MENAFN

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met separately on Monday with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal HE Narayan Prakash Saud and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda HE Dr. Vincent Biruta, on the sidelines of the Doha Forum 2023. Click here to read… [16]

Nepali Soldiers Employed In Both Russian And Ukraine Armies: PM Prachanda - Outlook India

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Monday said that Nepali citizens are not only serving in the Russian Army but reportedly also serving in the Ukrainian Army. The Nepal government recently confirmed that six Nepalese nationals who fought for the Russian Army died in the war between Russia and Ukraine. There are reports about over 200 Nepalese serving in the Russian Army, the Prime Minister said while interacting with pro-Maoist journalists here. Click here to read… [17]

Pakistan

Pakistan rejects Indian Supreme Court decision to uphold revocation of Kashmir’s special status – Arab News

Authorities in Pakistan rejected a unanimous ruling by the Indian Supreme Court on Monday to uphold the 2019 decision by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke the special status of Indian-controlled Kashmir, describing the judges’ decision as a “travesty of justice.” In response to more than a dozen petitions challenging the government’s actions, five judges sitting on the court’s constitutional bench said the region’s special status had been a “temporary provision” and removing it was constitutionally valid. Click here to read… [18]

ECNEC approves 9 projects worth Rs371bn – Business Recorder

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Monday approved nine projects of different sectors worth over Rs 371 billion. Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Shamshad Akhtar chaired the meeting of the ECNEC here on Monday. Click here to read… [19]

US extends support to Pakistan amid TTP threat – The Express Tribune

The United States has thrown its weight behind Pakistan in the wake of renewed threat posed by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as the key aide of President Biden has said his country stands with Pakistan. The support from the US came at a time when Pakistan is grappling with increased terrorist attacks being perpetrated by the TTP from across the border in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka greenlights nuclear power amidst global interest – Daily Mirror Online

In the wake of the organisations from countries such as Russia, China, Denmark and the United States proposing to invest in nuclear energy, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority (SLAEA) has given the green light for nuke power, an official said. Russia which has already invested in nuclear power generation in Bangladesh and India in the region has shown a keener interest in putting up a plant in Sri Lanka. A high-level delegation from Russia which was in Sri Lanka recently discussed the proposed cooperation in the nuclear energy sector among others with the Sri Lankan authorities. Click here to read… [21]

Govt. to lift ban on Palm Oil cultivation imposed by Gota – Daily Mirror Online

Following the involvement of former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, the government is likely to lift the ban on the cultivation of palm oil imposed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa when he was in power in 2021. Mr. Rajapaksa ordered the ban on the importation of Palm Oil into Sri Lanka and the cultivation of them locally in 2021. Click here to read… [22]

Ensure Indian Fishermen Arrested In Sri Lanka Return: M K Stalin Urges Centre – NDTV

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday urged the Centre to ensure the early repatriation of the Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka recently. He pointed out that the attacks on the fishermen have been on the rise of late and have had serious repercussions on the lives and safety of the Indian fishermen. Click here to read… [23]