Neighborhood News Digest – 05 January 2024

Afghanistan

Supreme Leader Attempting to Find Way for Girls' Education: Mujahid – Tolo News

Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate said that the entire leadership is concerned about the issue and that the supreme leader, Hebatullah Akhundzada himself is striving to find a solution for this. Speaking at X space on TOLO news, Zabiullah Mujahid said that the issue of girls’ education will be resolved in way the Islamic Sharia law, Afghan tradition and different thoughts of the Afghan society are considered. Click here to read... [2]

Pakistan and Afghanistan discuss issues of ‘Mutual Concerns’ – Khaama Press

A senior Taliban aide, Mullah Shirin Akhund, held discussions with Pakistani authorities in Islamabad on Wednesday to address escalating tensions related to cross-border terrorism. Click here to read... [3]

Resolution Shows UNSC Support for Reintegration of Afghanistan: Miller– Tolo News

In response to a question regarding the United Nations resolution about Afghanistan, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the resolution shows that the UNSC supports a “process by which Afghanistan is integrated into the international community only by meeting its international obligations.” Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Vote on Jan 7 to prove democracy exists in country - The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the countrymen to cast their votes in the January 7 parliamentary election to prove that democracy has been prevailing in the country. Click here to read... [5]

Pro-BNP, Jamaat lawyers observe nationwide court boycott for 4th day– The Daily Star

Pro-BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami lawyers observed court boycott programme across the country yesterday, for fourth day, demanding "restoration of democracy and rule of law and stopping injustice in the name of trials". Click here to read... [6]

China says January 7 election a milestone in Bangladesh’s democracy – Dhaka Tribune

Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen on Thursday said the January 7 elections would be a milestone in the democratic process of Bangladesh. “We hope that it will be held successfully,” he said, adding that: “It will be a milestone for the democratic process of Bangladesh.” Click here to read... [7]

Bangladesh election an internal matter, India says – Dhaka Tribune

India has continued to describe Bangladesh’s January 7 election as a domestic affair."We have been very consistently saying that the election in Bangladesh is the domestic affair of Bangladesh," Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

BTP to streamline service delivery in rural areas – Kuensel

The Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) has pledged to streamline service delivery at the grassroots level for more efficient operations. During the party president’s campaign at Pangbang, Nganglam and Dechenling gewogs yesterday, Pema Chewang pledged to establish a people-centric and integrated public service delivery centre called “Mimang Zhabtog Teywa” in each gewog. These centres will have a dedicated officer providing commonly availed services, aiming to enable timely access without the need for people to travel to dzongkhags. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

36 candidates receive MDP ticket for parliament elections uncontested– The Edition

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced the list of candidates who will receive party tickets without a primary for the upcoming parliamentary elections. According to an announcement made by the opposition party, a candidate will be contesting from each of the 36 constituencies in the 20th parliamentary elections. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives President asks India to respect democratic will, withdraw military: Report– Mint

President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizz has asked the Indian government to withdraw the military from the island nation to protect its democracy. According to a report, Muizzu said that if India did not withdraw its forces, it would amount to disregarding the "democratic will" of the Maldivian people and jeopardizing the future of the democracy. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Major Myanmar Military Command Surrenders to Rebels, Laukkai, Shan State - The Atlas News

On January 1st, 2024, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army began a major military advance on the city center of Laukkai in the Shan State. Laukkai is the capital of Kokang Self-Administered Zone in the northern part of Shan State, Myanmar. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar pardons over 9,000 prisoners to mark 76th Independence Day - English News

Myanmar's State Administration Council on Thursday pardoned over 9,000 prisoners to mark the country's 76th anniversary of Independence Day, according to the council's orders. The prisoners, 9,652 from Myanmar and 114 from other countries, were remitted sentences for the peace of the people and on humanitarian ground, the orders said. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar artillery shells land in China, wounding 5 people and angering Beijing - Edition

China has protested to Myanmar after five people were injured by artillery shells lobbed during battles between its ruling junta and rebel groups that strayed into a small town near their border, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Click here to read... [14]

Mizoram CM Lalduhoma discusses Myanmar refugee issue with PM Modi - ETV Bharat

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma discussed the Myanmar refugee issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Lalduhoma, during his maiden Delhi visit after taking over as CM, apprised the Prime Minister of the ground realities in the northeastern state. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal

Indian External Affairs Minister , Nepal Foreign Minister Inaugurates Tribhuvan University Central Library & Other Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Projects In Kathmandu - Orissa Dairy

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud inaugurates Tribhuvan University Central Library & other post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Kathmandu. Nepal, India FMs jointly inaugurated 58 post earthquake reconstruction projects. In the past few years, reconstruction has been an area where we have received substantial level of financial support from India said Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud. Click here to read... [16]

Nepal Stops Labor Permits For Russia And Ukraine - India West

In a significant move, Nepal has temporarily halted the issuance of labor permits for citizens seeking employment in Russia and Ukraine. The Department of Foreign Employment announced the suspension through an official notice released on January 4. Click here to read... [17]

Pakistan

Pakistan Peoples Party Nominates Bilawal Bhutto Zardari As Its PM Candidate – NDTV

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated its chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as its official prime ministerial candidate ahead of the general elections on February 8, a media report said today. Click here to read... [18]

Pakistan to go in for J-31 Chinese stealth fighters. What this could mean for balance of air power – The Print

Pakistan is in the process of acquiring Chinese-made J-31 stealth fighters, which are a copy of American F-35 and F-22 aircraft, in a move that could possibly alter the balance of air power in the region. Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan election subject to 'pre-poll rigging': rights watchdog – The Hindu

Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's party is being targeted by "systematic dismemberment" and "pre-poll rigging", a rights watchdog said on January 2, casting doubt on the fairness of upcoming elections. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka

SL Navy conducts feasibility study for Red Sea deployment amidst Houthi concerns – Daily Mirror Online

The Sri Lanka Navy is currently conducting a feasibility study regarding the deployment of a ship in the Red Sea area, contributing to the security of the region against Houthi activities, the Sri Lanka Navy said. Click here to read... [21]

Online Safety Bill to be presented to Parliament on January 23: Minister – Daily Mirror Online

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that steps will be taken to present the Online Safety Bill to Parliament on January 23. The Minister said that international organizations, embassies and various groups are expressing opinions against the bill. Click here to read... [22]

Indian envoy, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister discuss ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation – The Times of India

India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha on Thursday held a meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry and discussed ways and means to further enhance bilateral cooperation. Click here to read... [23]