Neighborhood News Digest – 29 December 2023

Afghanistan

Resolution About Afghanistan on UNSC Table: Andisha- Tolo News

Nasir Ahmad Andisha, the permanent representative of Afghanistan to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, said that there is a resolution on the table of the United Nations Security Council about Afghanistan. Nasir Ahmad Andisha said the UN chief António Guterres will convene a second meeting on Afghanistan in February 2024 in which the representatives of the Islamic Emirate and resistance forces will also be invited. Click here to read... [2]

Poverty Increases in Afghanistan: UNICEF- Tolo News

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) recently published a report on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan from August 2021 till March 2023. UNICEF in the report said that the economic crisis has increased the number of people in need of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

4 BNP leaders arrested while distributing anti-polls leaflets- The Daily Star

Four BNP leaders were arrested yesterday while distributing anti-election leaflets in Laxmipur's Ramganj. The arrested are Advocate Tofazzal Hossain Bachchu, member secretary of Laxmipur Municipal BNP, Ashraf Hossain Patwari, joint convener of Laxmipur Municipal BNP, Zahir Raihan Babu, convener of upazila Chatra Dal, and Chatra Dal leader Md Mamun. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh would gauge ‘geopolitical issues’ over Chinese proposal on Teesta River: Official- The Indian Express

Bangladesh on Thursday said it would take into account the “geopolitical issues” over a Chinese proposal to build reservoirs on the Teesta River that enters into the country from India. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

Businesses seek to defer foreclosure of their loans – Kuensel

Facing the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the president of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tandy Wangchuk, called upon financial institutions (FIs) and the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) to postpone the foreclosure of non-performing loans (NPL). The private sector, Tandy Wangchuk, is particularly alarmed by instances of banks pursuing recovery suits and auctioning properties of NPL borrowers. NPLs are loans with payments that are overdue by 90 days or more. Click here to read... [6]

Maldives

Three countries participate in 2023 International Cadet Exchange Program– The Edition

According to a senior official of the Maldives National Cadet Corps (MNCC), cadets from India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal are participating in the International Cadet Exchange program, which runs concurrently with the National Cadet Camp every year. In the exchange program this year, four cadets from each country, accompanied by one senior official from India and Nepal, and two senior officials from Sri Lanka, totaling 16 individuals, would be attending the training camp at Girifushi Training Island. Click here to read... [7]

VP concludes official visit to Montenegro – Raajje

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has concluded his official visit to the Republic of Montenegro. The Vice President visited Montenegro to attend the Third Congress of Democratic Montenegro in Danilovgrad, Montenegro. During his visit, the Vice President addressed the Congress at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Internal Policy, European, and Foreign Affairs and President of Democratic Montenegro, Aleksa Bečić. Click here to read... [8]

Myanmar

Lost Bets: Rethinking India’s Myanmar Strategy - Eurasia Review

In the two and a half years since, India has been tolerant of the junta and hasn’t yet interacted with the pro-democracy National Unity Government (NUG). Further, in taking a “business as usual” approach in the interest of certain geostrategic calculations, India has effectively also offered support to the regime. The economic, political, and strategic benefits that New Delhi hoped to reap from this approach, however, have yet to be forthcoming. In fact, an assessment specifically of India’s trade and infrastructure investments in, and military cooperation with Myanmar recommend an urgent rethinking of its approach. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar and Thailand Military Chiefs Meet Amidst Ongoing Unrest - BNN Breaking

On December 27, 2023, a significant diplomatic encounter took place in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, between Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the military chief of Myanmar, and Thai Lieutenant General Jakkapong Janpengpen, the Director of the Directorate of Joint Operations for the Royal Thai Armed Forces. This meeting is an emblem of enduring military-to-military relations between Thailand and Myanmar, amidst the ongoing turmoil in Myanmar since the military coup of February 2021. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar junta and ethnic army alliance fail to reach agreement to reduce combat - RFA

Myanmar’s military junta and the Three Brotherhood Alliance held talks earlier this week about reducing armed conflict in northern Shan state, but failed to agree to meet each other’s demands, officials from one of the alliance’s ethnic armies said. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office to undergo major restructuring - Asia News Network

The government has decided to downsize the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers by 68 posts. A Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to approve the Organisation and Management (O & M) survey and the proposal to restructure the office. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, who is also the government spokesperson, said now with proposal approved, a total of 68 positions within the prime minister’s office will be cut. Those employed in the positions will be transferred to other government agencies. Click here to read... [12]

Human error behind Nepal’s Yeti Airlines crash that killed 72 people, including 5 Indians: Report - Indian Express

The crash of a Yeti Airlines’ aircraft in January this year that killed all 72 people on board, including five Indians, in Nepal’s resort city of Pokhara was caused by human error, according to an inquiry report submitted to the government on Thursday. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Nawaz ‘cleared’ to contest NA seat in Mansehra- Dawn

The nomination papers of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for Mansehra’s NA-15 constituency were reportedly approved by the respective returning officer on Thursday, whereas separate decisions were reserved on objections to the nomination papers of PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Imran Khan in Lahore. Click here to read... [14]

Govt bans New Year celebrations in solidarity with Palestinians- The Express Tribune

In view of the shocking situation in Palestine, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday said that the government of Pakistan has completely banned all kinds of events regarding the New Year celebrations to express solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

Ferry service connecting all SL ports to India proposed-The Island Online

New Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, has affirmed the Indian government’s unwavering support for the advancement of the maritime and aviation sectors, as well as the development of the northern region of Sri Lanka. He said so during a meeting held on December 28, 2023, with the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva. Click here to read... [16]

Economic crisis takes its toll on education, DCS survey reveals- The Island Online

Education of about 54.9 percent of Sri Lankan students has been affected by the economic crisis since March 2022, the latest Household Survey on Impact of Economic Crisis – 2023 by the Department of Census and Statistics reveals. Click here to read... [17]