Neighborhood News Digest- 02 January 2024

Afghanistan

Afghanistan ranked among the most dangerous countries for journalists- The Khama Press

Reporters Without Borders, in its latest report, has assessed Vietnam, Russia, and Afghanistan as the most dangerous countries for journalists. The report was published on Sunday, stating that free media in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban have faced severe suppression, and the Taliban are arresting journalists on charges of espionage. Click here to read… [2]

Nearly 15,000 Counter-Narcotics Operations in 2023: MoI- Tolo News

The Ministry of Interior said that nearly 15,000 counter-narcotics operations were conducted in 2023, during which the security forces seized around 8,200 tons of narcotics. Click here to read… [3]

Afghanistan Exports Nearly $2 Billion Last Year: MOCI- Tolo News

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said that the amount of Afghanistan's exports in 2023 was close to two billion dollars, with the largest exports going to Pakistan, India, China, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesman of MoCI, emphasized that although the export of coal decreased and there were problems in the trade sector with neighboring countries, the amount of exports has increased. Click here to read… [4]

Pakistan

India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear installations, prisoners- Hindustan Times

India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of nuclear installations that cannot be attacked in the event of hostilities, maintaining a tradition dating back to 1992 despite relations between the two neighbours being at an all-time low. Click here to read… [5]

PTI to participate in polls even without ‘bat’ symbol: Gohar- The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan on Monday stated that his party would still participate in the February 8 general elections even without getting the “bat” as electoral symbol. Click here to read… [6]

Bangladesh

BNP, Amnesty condemn sentencing of Prof Yunus - The Daily Star

Condemning the sentencing of Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus in a labour law violation case, the BNP yesterday said the entire nation was "ashamed of this judgment dictated by the Gono Bhaban". Click here to read… [7]

Give BNP-Jamaat befitting response through ballots – The Daily Star

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the people to give a befitting reply to arson and violence by BNP-Jamaat by casting votes during the January 7 polls. The prime minister urged the voters to go to polling stations and cast votes in the morning of January 7 so no one can snatch their voting rights. Click here to read… [8]

BGB Chief: Stay alert to maintain law and order during election – Dhaka Tribune

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General (DG) Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan on Monday said that they will work with professionalism to maintain law and order during the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election scheduled for January 7. Click here to read… [9]

What does India say about BNP’s allegation of meddling in Bangladesh polls? – Dhaka Tribune

Delhi considers Bangladesh’s opposition party BNP's recent allegations—that the Narendra Modi government is interfering in the neighbouring country’s January 7 elections—baseless and politically motivated. They say the people of Bangladesh have been electing their government democratically. Dragging India into the exercise is nothing but very cheap politics. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Amid souring ties with India, Maldives President likely to visit China– The Times of India

China and the Maldives are in talks for a bilateral visit to Beijing by President Mohamed Muizzu that could take place in a matter of a couple of weeks. If it happens, Muizzu will become the first democratically elected Maldivian president to visit China before travelling to India. In a break from tradition, previous Maldivian presidents had chosen India as their first stop. Muizzu's visit to Turkey was seen as a signal for the Maldives' independence from India as a signal for the Maldives' independence from India and China. China wasted no time in inviting Muizzu after his pro-India predecessor, Ibrahim Solih, left office. It is unclear if Muizzu has received a similar invite from India. Click here to read… [11]

"Number of Indian military personnel not being verified, is not a threat to national security" – Raajje

The incumbent administration has claimed that the number of Indian military personnel present in the Maldives remaining unverified, does “not” pose a threat to national security. This was revealed by Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Mohamed Shahyb during a press conference held at the President’s Office. Shahyb revealed that although the exact figure of Indian military personnel present in the archipelago nation was expected to be clarified throughout the press conference, they had not received it even after the presser commenced. At the press conference which went on for more than an hour, a journalist questioned Shahyb on why they had not received details, even after an hour had passed. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

Myanmar, China agree to kickstart stalled vital port project - The Week

Already on the backfoot while battling ethnic armed organisations (EAOs), pro-democracy organisations and militias that have mushroomed after the coup of February 1, 2021, Myanmar and China have decided to kick-start the construction of the strategic Kyaukphyu deep sea port project. Reports say that last week, a deal was agreed to expedite the project by officials from Myanmar’s ruling junta and of the China state-owned CITIC Group (Myanmar) at the Myanmarese capital Naypyitaw. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar’s National Unity Government Receives Donation Amid Political Unrest - BNN Breaking

In a notable act of solidarity, the Anti-Coup Committee Korea has donated an amount equivalent to 100,000 USD to the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar. This donation, solicited through the One Day Challenge Movement on December 28, 2023, comes at a time when Myanmar is steeped in political uncertainty and unrest. Click here to read… [14]

More Rohingya refugees arrive in Indonesia despite rejection from locals - AP News

Nearly 150 Rohingya refugees, mostly hungry and weak women and children, have reached a beach in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province after weeks at sea, officials said Sunday. The group of 53 men, 39 women and 55 children arrived on Karang Gadih beach in Langkat district late Saturday, said the village head, Muhammad Amiruddin. A rickety, leaky wooden boat that brought them from Bangladesh was moored on a lighthouse island not far from the village, he said. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal

Jaishankar to begin two-day visit to Nepal on January 4, power pacts on agenda - The Hindu

An agreement on the modalities of purchasing 10,000 MW of hydropower from Nepal and discussions on air connectivity issues, digital payments, and the inauguration of development projects funded by India are all on the agenda as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar heads to Kathmandu for a two-day visit on January 4 and 5. Click here to read… [16]

Further protests possible nationwide through mid-January following fatal clashes during demonstration in Lalitpur - Crisis 24

Further protests are possible across Nepal through mid-January following fatal clashes between police and protesters in the Balkumari area of Lalitpur City Dec. 29. Students protesting the Employment Permit System (EPS) set fire to a vehicle owned by a minister, prompting security personnel to deploy tear gas and other crowd control measures along Ring Road, killing two students. On Dec. 31, a related demonstration occurred in Birendranagar, Surkhet District, causing localized traffic disruptions. Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

UNP to form grand political alliance to back Ranil at Presidential Polls – Daily Mirror Online

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has embarked on forming a grand alliance to back him at the Presidential Elections in the New Year, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said yesterday. “President Wickremesinghe will surely be contesting the Presidential Elections,” he added. Click here to read… [18]

NPP gears up for national movement ahead of polls – Daily Mirror Online

The National People’s Power (NPP) - the political front led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), said it will intensify organizational work to mobile different social organizations, an official said. The NPP conducted its women’s rally recently. Click here to read… [19]

Sri Lanka poised for significant economic growth in 2024 – President – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored that decisive actions would lead Sri Lanka to rapid economic growth this year. Despite facing criticism for these challenging decisions, he emphasized that they were undertaken in the best interests of the country. Click here to read… [20]