Neighborhood News Digest – 19 December 2023

Afghanistan

Women’s Rights Activist Julia Parsi freed from Taliban prison- The Khama Press

Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, senior member of the spontaneous women’s protest movement and founder of the women’s library, was released from prison on Monday, 18 December. Ms Julia Parsi was released on bail from the Taliban administration after nearly three months of incarceration and has returned home. Click here to read... [2]

Leader of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam to Come to Afghanistan- Tolo News

The leader of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam is scheduled to come to Kabul to talk with the officials of the Islamic Emirate. The Emirate said that the purpose of inviting the leader of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, to Afghanistan is to solve the current challenges between Kabul and Islamabad. Click here to read... [3]

193 Afghan prisoners freed from Iran- The Khama Press

Following the release of Afghan citizens from prisons in Iran and Pakistan, the head of the Nimroz Foreign Relations Office says that 193 Afghan citizens have been freed from Iranian prisons. Further, he stated that the reason for the imprisonment of these individuals was the lack of legal permit documents and residency in the country. Click here to read... [4]

ARA: Khaf-Herat Railway to Carry Goods in Near Future- Tolo News

The spokesperson of Afghanistan Railway Authority, Abdul Sami Durrani, told TOLO news that the Khaf-Herat Railway from Mashhad in Iran to Roznak Ghorian station in Herat is ready for operation and there are no challenges left on this route. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

And so it begins - The Daily Star

Candidates across the country began their electoral campaigns right after being allocated symbols by returning officers yesterday. In Mymensingh-4, AL candidate Muhit Ur Rahman organised a rally at the city's Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Park area yesterday afternoon. Click here to read... [6]

Mumbai Police unravel nuts & bolts of India-Bangladesh hawala racket – Mid-Day

This is what Unit VI of the Mumbai Crime Branch has come to learn about a decade-old complex hawala racket operating between India and Bangladesh, which came to light after officials received a tip-off from an informant about an illegal immigration agent, who was supposed to come to Sewri railway station. Click here to read... [7]

AL election manifesto on Dec 27– The Daily Star

Awami League will announce its election manifesto on December 27. "Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will announce the election manifesto," said the party General Secretary Obaidul Quader at a press briefing at the party president's political office in Dhanmondi yesterday. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Translation of the National Day Address – Kuensel

It is awe-inspiring to see our people arrive from the night before and wait in the cold outdoors, to celebrate National Day at the stadium. There can be no better demonstration of the Bhutanese people’s love and loyalty for the nation. This year’s National Day is truly special – Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother, who is 93, made it a point to be here in person, along with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Their Majesties the Gyalyums. On this auspicious occasion, I want to offer my deepest respects to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan opens gate for Indians with work pass after a gap of around four years – The Telegraph Online

The Bhutan government on Monday reopened an entry point at Phuentsholing, which is the commercial capital of the country and is on the side of Jaigaon, a bordering town in Alipurduar, after a gap of around four years. Popularly known as the Chinese Bhutan Gate, the entry point will be used by Indians who are employed in Bhutan. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan honours WHO Regional Director, confers gold medal at its National Day – The Print

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, has been awarded Bhutan’s prestigious National Order of Merit Gold Medal for her distinguished services to the country. The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk honored Dr Khetrapal Singh, an Indian national, at Bhutan’s 116th National Day celebration here. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Maldivian seeks wide-body aircrafts to expand international aviation- The Edition

During the follow-up press conference after the Cabinet Meeting, President's Office Spokesperson Mohamed Shaheeb, mentioned the national airline's intention to launch direct flight services to prominent tourist market destinations. The national airline's stated that the government has decided on acquiring two new wide-body aircraft to launch international flight operations of Maldivian. The wide-bodies can carry 275 passengers per flight. Shabeeb further added that the top priority for Maldivian's international aviation operations is currently China, owing to its significant traveller market that attracts tourism to the Maldives. Click here to read... [12]

Pres Dr. Muizzu inaugurates Fushidhiggaru Falhu reclamation project – Avas

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially inaugurated 'Ras Malé', marking the commencement of the nation's most extensive land reclamation project ever undertaken. The commencement of the Ras Malé project was held at Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon on the eve of December 18. The city developed as Ras Malé at Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon would result in the reclamation of 1,150 hectares of land and the city is pledged to be completed in 8 months. President eyes to further reclaim an additional 85 hectares from Gulhifalhu, and 50 hectares from Giraavaru Falhu. All these efforts are to counter the on-going housing crisis in the in the greater Male’ area. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar

United Nations warns Myanmar stands on humanitarian 'precipice' - Channel News Asia

One-third of the population of Myanmar, or more than 18 million people, now require humanitarian aid, the United Nations warned on Monday (Dec 18) seeking a billion dollars in donations next year to combat the need. The humanitarian situation in the country has worsened since the coup there nearly three years ago, the global body said. Click here to read... [14]

Myanmar SC rejects ousted leader Suu Kyi’s special appeal in bribery conviction - Nagaland Post

Myanmar’s Supreme Court rejected Monday a special appeal by the country’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi against her conviction in a case in which she was charged with corruption for allegedly receiving gold and thousands of dollars as a bribe from a former political colleague, a legal official said. Suu Kyi, 78, was arrested on February 1, 2021, when the military seized power from her elected government. She is serving prison sentences totaling 27 years after being convicted of a string of criminal charges that her supporters and independent analysts say were concocted to discredit her and legitimise the military’s seizure of power. Click here to read... [15]

Myanmar rebel alliance makes huge gains amid Beijing anger with junta- NST

Generals from Myanmar's junta held peace talks in June near the border with China with representatives of three powerful ethnic armies. They sat across a wide table covered with blue cloth and decorated with elaborate bouquets. But the rebels were playing a double-game. Secretly, the ethnic armies — collectively called the Three Brotherhood Alliance — had laid the groundwork for Operation 1027, a major offensive launched in October. Click here to read... [16]

Nepal

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister’s Visit to Nepal for Joint Commission Meeting Confirmed - VOM News

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister is set to visit Nepal on December 20 to participate in the Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting, as confirmed by sources from the foreign ministry reported by ANI. The Nepali officials revealed that Sabry, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, will remain in the Nepali capital until Friday, December 25, specifically for the joint commission meeting. Click here to read... [17]

ADB greenlights 166 million package for urban infrastructure in nepal - Construction World

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given the nod to a substantial $166 million package dedicated to advancing urban infrastructure projects in Nepal. This financial commitment signifies a major boost to Nepal's efforts in enhancing its urban landscape, addressing critical infrastructure needs, and promoting sustainable development. Click here to read... [18]

Pakistan

Turbat protesters to resume long march to capital today – Dawn

Protesting against alleged extrajudicial killings, mar­chers who began their journey from Turbat under the banner of the Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) and staged a sit-in in Dera Ghazi Khan after several students and protesters were detained for violating a local ban on gatherings, will resume their march towards Islamabad today (Tuesday). Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan’s Imran Khan delivers AI-generated speech to campaign from prison – AlJazeera

Jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has delivered a speech using an audio clip generated through artificial intelligence (AI) to address a virtual rally – the first event of its kind in the South Asian country. Khan delivered a four-minute address on Sunday night, using the clip, which was laid over a video containing his AI-generated image as well as photos from previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) rallies and earlier speeches by him. Click here to read... [20]

Gen Asim Munir’s US trip has limited benefits—Pakistan knows what it must do for money, ties – The Print

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir finally managed to visit Washington after being in office for a year. During his trip that began on 11 December, General Munir has met defense secretary Lloyd Austin, deputy secretary of state Stephen Biegun, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and visited CENTCOM headquarters in Florida. Unlike visits by earlier army chiefs, details about General Munir’s trip have remained hush-hush, which includes his meeting with scholars and lobbyists associated with think tanks. Click here to read... [21]

Long-term contracts: China would talk to elected govt, only – Business Recorder

China is reportedly unwilling to talk to the caretaker government for long-term contracts in any sector and is waiting for the elected government for further cementing business relations. Background interviews with some of the businessmen who accompanied the caretaker Minister for Commerce and Gohar Ijaz during his recent visit to China, told this scribe that the Chinese are waiting for the elected government for new endeavours to strengthen business relations. Click here to read... [22]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka declares pause on foreign research vessels for one year – Daily Mirror Online

Amid geopolitical strain, Sri Lanka has decided to have a one year moratorium in allowing foreign vessels in conducting research in the country’s territorial waters, a minister said. The government has taken such a decision and communicated it to the relevant countries. The decision has been taken in the wake of China seeking permission to berth yet another research vessel in Sri Lanka’s waters in January, next year. Click here to read... [23]

“Sri Lanka continues to be an important partner in India’s growth story”: Speaker Om Birla – The Print

Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, who is currently leading a Parliamentary delegation to India, called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday, following which Birla emphasised that Sri Lanka continues to be an important partner in India’s growth story. Click here to read... [24]

SL to unveil digital economy policy that does not change when governments change - Daily Mirror Online

Technology State Minister Kanaka Herath yesterday said that they are working on the introduction of a digital economy policy for Sri Lanka, which does not change when the governments change. He emphasised that the groundwork for this initiative would begin in the upcoming year, with the allocated provisions outlined in the 2024 budget. Click here to read... [25]