Neighborhood News Digest- 11 January 2024

Afghanistan

Source Says Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman Met With Islamic Emirate Leader- Tolo News

A source told TOLO news that Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, met with Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Islamic Emirate, on Wednesday in Kandahar. Click here to read... [2]

Iran Deports Nearly 900 Afghan Minors in 2 Months: Nimroz Official- TOLO News

Nearly 900 Afghan minors have been deported from Iran to Nimroz province in Afghanistan in the last two months, a local official in Nimroz said. The local officials further said that they are trying to find ways to return these minors to their homes. Click here to read... [3]

Turkish Charity constructs ’25-house settlement’ for Herat Quake victims-The Khama Press

The Taliban office in Herat has announced the construction of a 25-house settlement in the Zindajan district of Herat province. According to the Taliban office, this settlement has been built by a Turkish charity organization called “Adif” in the village of “Azghalac” and has been distributed to the residents, as reported by Afghanistan International. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Hasina springs cabinet surprises - The Daily Star

In a surprise move, Sheikh Hasina has dropped 30 of her old colleagues, including some heavyweights, to form her new council of ministers that is set to take oath of office this evening. Click here to read... [5]

Xi congratulates Hasina on re-election as PM– The Daily Star

Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her re-election as prime minister of Bangladesh. Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Bangladesh are neighbours with long-established friendship, according to a message sent to Shaikh Hasina today. Click here to read... [6]

UN: Bangladesh’s inflation comes down to 6.8% – Dhaka Tribune

Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) in Bangladesh is expected to decrease from 9.6% to 6.8%, according to the latest report by the United Nations (UN). Despite this, the UN notes that real GDP growth is expected to decelerate in 2024. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Bhutan-India Relations to Soar as Gelephu SAZ Takes Flight – The Bhutan Live

In a move set to bolster the historic ties between Bhutan and India, the Gelephu Special Administrative Zone is poised to undergo a transformative expansion, with its airport evolving into an international hub. Scheduled to commence in March of this year, the ambitious project will not only enhance regional connectivity but also contribute to the economic and infrastructural development of the region. Click here to read... [8]

“We’ll be a strong opposition” – Kuensel

Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) won 17 constituencies, 16 from east and one from central, which the party will stand as opposition for the fourth government. BTP won from Nubi-Tangsibji constituency from Trongsa, five constituencies from Trashigang, three each constituency from Pemagatshel and Mongar, both constituencies from Trashiyangtse and Dewathang-Gomdar constituency in Samdrupjongkhar. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

Why New Delhi cold shouldered Maldives plan for Prez Muizzu’s India visit– The Hindustan Times

Ties between India and the Maldives took a further hit last week after several leaders close to the government in Male made derogatory remarks about India. The Maldives government proposed a visit to India by President Mohamed Muizzu after he assumed office last year but the trip couldn’t go ahead for a variety of factors, including strained bilateral relations, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. Ties between India and the Maldives, earlier one of the main beneficiaries of New Delhi’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, took a further hit last week after several leaders close to the government in Male made derogatory remarks about India and its leadership last week. Muizzu’s government suspended three deputy ministers over the comments. Click here to read... [10]

FM Zameer receives a phone call from the US Secretary of State Blinken– Raajje

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has received a phone call from the United States of America, Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Foreign Minister Zameer received a phone call from the US Secretary of State on Thursday. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Zameer and Secretary Blinken talked about ways to further deepen the current bilateral cooperation and considered the renewed vigor of the bilateral relations between the United States and the Maldives during their phone conversation. A wide variety of topics, including defense cooperation, economic development, climate change adaptation, democratic governance, and the rule of law, were discussed between Minister Zameer and Secretary Blinken. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Myanmar junta leader meets with ASEAN special envoy - The Jakarta Post

Myanmar's leader met with the special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), state media said Thursday, with the regional bloc seeking to find a diplomatic solution to the country's conflict. Click here to read... [12]

Japan urged to proactively engage with Myanmar as China steps in - Japan Times

China's recent mediation of talks between Myanmar's ruling junta and three ethnic rebel groups in the country has highlighted a perceived absence of Japan's leadership in addressing the prolonged crisis there, which observers believe has reached a turning point since the 2021 coup. Click here to read... [13]

Nepal

Nepal, Ireland discuss cooperation in education sector - My Republica

The discussions were held between members of parliament and a visiting Irish delegation led by Chairperson of the Upper House of Ireland, Jerry Buttimer, who is on a five-day visit to Nepal. At a program organized by the Federal Parliament Secretariat, matters relating to the exchange of experiences on quality education, standardized examination, innovation, research, youth mobilization etc were discussed. Click here to read... [14]

Patrolling, vigilance intensified on India-Nepal border ahead of Ayodhya event - Hindustan Times

The Uttar Pradesh police sounded an alert in seven districts of U.P. on India-Nepal border and intensified vigilance in view of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, said senior police officials here on Wednesday. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan

Pakistan court asks election body to re-allocate cricket 'bat' symbol to Imran Khan's party – The Telegraph Online

In a major relief for Imran Khan's party ahead of general elections, a high court on Wednesday declared as unconstitutional the election commission's decision revoking the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party's cricket ‘bat’ electoral symbol and rejecting its intra-party polls. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan's Supreme Court Upholds Musharraf's Death Penalty A Year After His Death – NDTV World

A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Athar Minallah conducted the hearing. On December 17, 2019, a special court handed out the death penalty to the former ruler of Pakistan after a case of high treason was filed against him during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party's tenure for his "unconstitutional" decision to impose an emergency in November 2007. Click here to read... [17]

Pakistan’s remittances clock in at $2.4bn in December, up 5.4% from November – Business Recorder

Inflow of overseas workers’ remittances clocked in at $2.4 billion in December 2023, 5.4% higher on a month-on-month basis when compared to $2.25 billion in November 2023, showed data released on Wednesday by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka

Anti-Terrorism Bill unveiled: Government faces criticism despite revisions – Daily Mirror Online

After much wrangling with the sections of the international community and civil society activists, the government yesterday presented the Anti-Terrorism Bill to be enacted in repeal of the current draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act(PTA). Click here to read... [19]

US expresses concerns over Human Rights violations during Sri Lanka’s ’Yukthiya’ operation– Daily Mirror Online

The United States has echoed the concerns raised by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) regarding alleged human rights abuses during the recent 'Yukthiya' Operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Police and the Ministry of Public Security. Click here to read... [20]