Neighborhood News Digest- 04 January 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Estimates Daesh Numbers in Afghanistan around 80- Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that the Daesh has been suppressed in Afghanistan and that between 70 to 80 Daesh members are estimated to be based in Afghanistan, and they are being hunted. He said that the sanctuaries of the Daesh group have been eliminated in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [2]

Taliban delegation led by Kandahar Governor arrives in Islamabad for talks- The Khama Press

A delegation from the Afghanistan headed by Kandahar Governor Mullah Shirin Akhund, has reached Islamabad to engage in discussions with Pakistani authorities. The visiting delegation, comprising 9 to 10 members, includes officials from the Afghan Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Information, and intelligence agencies. Click here to read… [3]

Afghan girls turn to Online Universities amid education ban- The Khama Press

Two online universities in the UK and the US say the ban on women’s education has led tens of thousands of Afghan girls to turn to their online educational programs. According to them, business and English language courses are among the popular programs for these students. Click here to read… [4]

ARCS Head: Need For Humanitarian Aid Increasing- Tolo News

The President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), Matiul Haq Khalis, said that the forced deportation of immigrants from neighboring countries and the earthquake in Herat have increased the level of people's need for humanitarian aid. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Indian EC observers to monitor Bangladesh polls - The Daily Star

The Election Commission of India is set to send a two-member team of observers for the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh slated for January 7. The team leaves for Dhaka tomorrow (today) and will submit a report to the Indian EC on its return, reports our New Delhi correspondent quoting sources in the poll body. Click here to read… [6]

PM to address the nation at 7 pm today – The Daily Star

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will address the nation at 7:00 pm today ahead of the 12th parliamentary election on January 7. The address will be aired simultaneously by Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, private TV channels and radio stations. Click here to read… [7]

How many polling stations are risky? – Dhaka Tribune

The Election Commission and other government agencies concerned have completed the last-minute preparations to conduct the 12th parliamentary election on January 7, where 27 registered political parties and independents are participating. On the other hand, over a dozen parties, including the BNP, have called for a boycott and have been carrying out non-cooperation movements since December 20. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Economic struggles driving people to illicit trade? – Kuensel

Despite stringent measures implemented by the police and relevant agencies to combat drug smuggling, incidents of smuggling have continued to increase, raising questions about the methods through which these drugs infiltrate the country. According to police records, the number of arrests related to drugs has consistently risen each year. Click here to read… [9]

Maldives

India not withdrawing forces will imperil democracy in Maldives, defence ties will continue: President Muizzu– The Times of India

In an exclusive interview to TOI, his first to any Indian media outlet, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said India not withdrawing its forces from the Indian Ocean archipelago will amount to disregarding the democratic will of the Maldivian people, and will imperil the future of democracy in the country. However, as he rejected any permanent military presence, the president backed defence cooperation in India, including in the form of efforts to build the operational readiness of the Maldives National Defence Force, saying it’s based on mutual respect and trust. Click here to read… [10]

Breaking News: Maldives Greenlights Chinese Research Vessel? – Sri Lanka Guardian

Maldivian authorities have granted permission for the Chinese scientific research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 to dock in the Maldives at the end of this month, according to reliable sources. This decision comes despite sustained pressure from the Indian government and concerns raised by various quarters labelling the vessel as a “Spy Vessel.” Sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Maldives revealed that there is no objection to mooring Chinese ships in Maldives waters. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who assumed office recently, reportedly decided to grant permission for the Chinese research vessel, dismissing allegations that it could be involved in espionage activities. Click here to read… [11]

Myanmar

Myanmar’s Shadow Government Issues 10-Point China Policy - The Diplomat

Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) has issued its first formal policy statement on China, vowing to safeguard Chinese economic investments and enterprises as resistance forces continue to make gains in regions close to the Chinese border. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar Ethnic Armed Groups Draw Allegations of Forced Recruitment - The Diplomat

Operation 1027 has also prompted fresh allegations against Three Brotherhood Alliance members of conducting forced recruitment and portering. Since the offensive, a number of accusations have been made against the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the ethnic Kokang EAO spearheading attacks in northern Shan State. The group has been documented of dragging away men from refugee camps and fleeing convoys, and demanding manpower quotas from various local communities. Click here to read… [13]

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Intervenes for Nationals Detained in Myanmar - BNN Breaking

The 56 Sri Lankans detained in Myawaddy, Myanmar, have become the focal point of diplomatic negotiations between Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, is directly engaged in discussions with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister, U Than Swe, to secure the immediate release of the detainees, victims of human trafficking for cybercrimes. Click here to read… [14]

Nepal

EAM Jaishankar arrives in Nepal on two-day visit, to meet top leadership - The Hindu

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Kathmandu on January 4 on a two-day visit to co-chair with his Nepalese counterpart the seventh Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting here on Thursday and Friday during which they will review the overall state of bilateral ties. It is Mr. Jaishankar's first foreign trip in 2024. He will co-chair a meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission along with his Nepalese counterpart N. P. Saud. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal’s tourism potential - Asia News Network

In an uplifting news for Nepal’s tourism, the country saw the arrival of a million tourists in 2023. As per the Nepal Tourism Board, this was the third time the arrivals crossed the million mark, with the two other occasions being the pre-pandemic years of 2017 and 2019. The actual number could be much higher than a million, as the Indian tourists who enter Nepal via road are not accounted for in the current data. But the omission of data on the arrival of Indian tourists through over two dozen border checkpoints is not the only instance of their invisibilisation. Click here to read… [16]

Pakistan

ISIS trying to establish foothold in Pakistan: Interior Ministry tells Senate – The Hindu

The Ministry’s statement came as the Senate was briefed about the escalating influence and activities of the TTP following the inaction of the interim Afghan government led by the Taliban against the banned group. Click here to read… [17]

Pakistan Army’s problems are far from over. Imran Khan is both a force and a headache – The Print

Pakistan’s military establishment is actively working to eliminate the populist leader it once created and supported until he fell out of favour. All kinds of tactics have been used to ensure that former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party Tehreek-e-Insaaf score a zero in the general elections scheduled for 8 February. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

Minister assures 75% reduction in cost of living burden by end of 1st quarter – Daily Mirror Online

Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando today pledged a significant reduction of 75% in the cost of living burden on the people by the end of the first quarter this year. Click here to read… [19]

Avoid populist choices that compromise the future – President – Daily News

The President expressed his commitment to avoiding populist choices that could compromise the nation’s future. Speaking at the inauguration of “Shilpa Abhimani 2023” Presidential Handicraft Awards ceremony at the BMICH Exhibition Centre in Colombo yesterday he emphasized the need to avoid a return to a period of fuel and fertilizer shortages and economic collapse. Click here to read… [20]

Bring back money stashed abroad to increase revenue – Sajith – Daily News

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said the government should not have increased the Value Added Tax to augment the government revenue but it should have developed a mechanism to bring back the money stolen from the country. Click here to read… [21]