Neighborhood News Digest – 12 January 2024

Afghanistan

Blasts Hit Kabul, Balkh Leaving Several Killed- Tolo News

At least two civilians were killed and 12 others were injured in a grenade blast in PD 18 of Kabul today, a spokesman for the Kabul security department, Khalid Zadran said. Click here to read... [2]

Islamic Emirate Reacts to UNAMA’s Statement on Arrest of Women-Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid reacted to the UN Assistant Mission in Afghanistan’s (UNAMA) statement regarding the arrest of women in Kabul and Daikundi and said that, The Afghan women are observing the hijab themselves. There is no need for forceful actions. The [Ministry of Vice and Virtue] has also not used force against anyone. The propaganda in this regard is not true.” Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Hasina’s 5th term: A new team up against stiff challenges - The Daily Star

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina took oath as the prime minister for the fourth consecutive term and formed government with 37 ministers yesterday. This is her fifth stint as the PM. Click here to read... [4]

Which division dominates the new cabinet? – Dhaka Tribune

Dhaka division has the largest number of members in the new cabinet of 37 members – it has 15 ministers or state ministers, including the prime minister. Chittagong Division has the second most cabinet members, with nine, after Dhaka Division. Click here to read... [5]

Repression, abuses discredit election: HRW- The Daily Star

Human Rights Watch in a statement yesterday said the Bangladesh authorities suppressed dissent including by arresting people for criticising the government in social media posts, and undermined pledges of a free and fair vote with widespread repression and violence against opposition members before the national polls. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

Sexual violence cases up 22 percent in 2023 – Kuensel

Bhutan has experienced an increase in sexual violence cases for the year 2023 compared to the previous year. In 2022, the police recorded 112 cases, while in 2023, the number increased to 137, reflecting a rise of 25 cases or 22.32 percent. Two categories of sexual violence cases, namely child molestation and gang rape involving a child below 12 years old, witnessed an increase in 2023. Click here to read... [7]

India, Bhutan have common security concerns, closely following Thimphu’s talks with China — Army chief – Print

“With Bhutan, we have a unique bilateral relationship based on utmost trust and understanding and this translates to a military relationship… Bhutan and us share mutual security concerns,” General Pande said, addressing his annual press conference ahead of Army Day. Click here to read... [8]

Indo-Bhutan ties looking ahead – Kuensel

2023 has been a landmark year for the India-Bhutan partnership, marked by an intense pace of high-level engagements, interactions between the business communities, and extensive people to people exchanges. It was an honour for us to welcome His Majesty to India on official visits in April and November last year. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

Maldives, China sign 20 agreements amid diplomatic row with India- Business Standard

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held talks with his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Muizzu following which the two countries signed 20 key agreements, including one on tourism cooperation, and elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives: Maldivians debate India's 'boycott' of their nation-BBC

Following the "derogatory" comments made by three Maldivian junior ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the tourism paradise is in danger of facing a boycott by Indian tourists - who are one of the largest contributors to the country's income. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Myanmar Documentary Filmmaker Sentenced to Life in Prison - VOA News

An award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker was sentenced to life in prison in Myanmar on Wednesday, according to media reports, marking yet another assault on press freedom by the country’s military since the 2021 coup. Click here to read... [12]

The Fall of Laukkaing: Understanding Myanmar Rebels’ Takeover of Kokang Region - The Wire

Last week, a pro-democracy ethnic armed organisation (EAO) of Myanmar pulled off a notable victory – pushing out the Junta forces from the entire Kokang region in the Shan State bordering China’s Yunnan Province. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar conflict: China unlikely to ‘pull the carpet’ on junta and accept resistance group’s olive branch - SCMP

The move by Myanmar’s shadow government to escalate its bid to oust the junta by seeking support from China is aimed at capitalising on the military’s inability to protect Chinese interests in the Southeast Asian nation, analysts say. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

India Is Now A Major Global Economic Power Says Prakash Sharan Mahat, Finance Minister Of Nepal - India Education Diary

Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi Vibrant Gujarat’s entrepreneurial spirit translated into Vibrant India. India is now a major Global Economic Power says Prakash Sharan Mahat, Finance Minister Of Nepal. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal earns Rs 613.25 billion in remittance in first five months of fiscal year 2080/81 BS - Khabar Hub

Nepal has recorded a substantial increase in remittance earnings, amounting to Rs 613.250 billion in the first five months of the current fiscal year, as revealed by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). This figure marks a notable surge of 27 percent compared to the corresponding period in the fiscal year 2080/81 BS. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

Secret proceedings of cipher trial scrapped, again – Dawn

The Islam­abad High Court (IHC) on Thursday again scrapped the cipher trial proceedings by setting aside the special court’s Dec 14 order sanctioning in-camera hearings. IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb also declared the testimonies of nine witnesses recorded before the special court illegal. Click here to read... [17]

IMF board approves $700 mn disbursement for Pakistan – Firstpost

The funds were made available after the International Monetary Fund's board authorised the first review of a nine-month, $3 billion loan arrangement struck in July 2023 to assist Pakistan in dealing with a balance-of-payments problem and servicing severe foreign debt. Click here to read... [18]

Imran Khan's Party Leader Shot Dead In Pakistan Ahead Of Feb 8 Elections – NDTV

A local leader of the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party was shot dead on Thursday in Pakistan's restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, a day after an independent candidate contesting for the February 8 elections was killed in a similar incident. Click here to read... [19]

SC in disarray as senior judge quits? – Business Recorder

In an astounding turn of events, another top judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, on Thursday, tendered his resignation, stating “he no longer wishes to continue as a SC judge.” Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi had stepped down as a judge of the apex court, a day ago (January 10), as proceedings are going on against him in Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for amassing illegitimate assets and misconduct. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka

President justifies Sri Lanka’s participation in red sea security operations– Daily Mirror Online

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his meeting with the ambassadors of the West Asian countries, is reported to have justified the decision to join Us-led operations to protect merchant vessels from attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Click here to read... [21]

MPs party on dredging vessel at taxpayers expense– Daily Mirror Online

A joy ride for the ruling party parliamentarians had been provided by Sri Lanka Ports Authority in two dredging vessels on Tuesday January 9 at the expense of the taxpayers. This has costed Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) nearly Rs. 5 million according to Chief Secretary All Ceylon General Port Employees Union Niroshan Gorakanage. Click here to read... [22]

Sri Lanka-China: Green Growth Blooms – Daily News

China is to extend a multi-faceted package for social empowerment in Sri Lanka covering a broad range of areas from modernization of agriculture, introduction of hybrid rice and other crops to support the dual objectives of food security and poverty alleviation. Click here to read... [23]