Neighborhood News Digest- 18 January 2024

Afghanistan

UNICEF Announces 950 Community-Based Education Classes- Tolo News

UNICEF announced the establishment of 950 new community-based education classes in Afghanistan with the cooperation of South Korea. UNICEF has said that these classes are aimed at helping the education process of children in Afghanistan, and by building these classes education will be provided for more than 140,000 children in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [2]

Haqqani, Iodice Discuss Next Month’s Meeting on Afghanistan-Tolo News

The acting Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, in a meeting with Rafaella Iodice, the EU Chargée d’Affaires for Afghanistan, talked about a range of topics including next month’s meeting in Doha on Afghanistan. The discussion between Haqqani and Iodice about the Doha meeting comes as last month a meeting was held in Qatar on women's education in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [3]

US aims to destabilize Afghanistan: Iranian Envoy- The Khama Press

Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, Iran’s special representative in Kabul, believes that despite the U.S.’s clear failure in Afghanistan, they continue to try to destabilize the country and support terrorism, especially ISIS. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

BB makes money costlier to tame inflation - The Daily Star

The Bangladesh Bank yesterday announced an array of measures to bolster its fight against stubbornly high inflation, a major headache for the new government. Click here to read... [5]

What is BNP’s strategy before 12th parliament’s first session? – Dhaka Tribune

In anticipation of the forthcoming first session of the 12th parliament, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is gearing up for a major strategic shift and the organization of a new movement program. The party's top brass have collectively agreed to institute organizational reforms, coupled with a substantial rally set to take place in Dhaka. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

Diverse lineup expected in ministerial appointments – Kuensel

Punakha —The eagerly anticipated outcome of the fourth National Assembly elections, which concluded on January 9, revolves around the appointment of ministers from among the 29 candidates of the People’s Democratic Party. Speculation has arisen on social media, suggesting that the only female candidate of the winning party, Dimple Thapa, should be given a Cabinet portfolio. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan, Kuwait sign air service agreement – Kuensel

Bhutan signed the Air Service Agreement (ASA) with the Government of the State of Kuwait in Kuwait on January 9. Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport secretary Phuntsho Tobgay and Kuwait’s Acting Director General of Civil Aviation Eng. Emad Faleh Al-Jelwi signed the agreement aimed at bolstering bilateral relations and connectivity between the two nations. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

VP Latheef heads to Uganda to attend two summits– Sun International

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, on the eve of January 17, departed on an official visit to Uganda. He is scheduled to attend the 19th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Heads of State and Government and the Third South Summit, organized under the framework of Group 77 and China, to be held in Kampala, Uganda, at both of which he will deliver the Maldives' national statements. Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer is presently in Uganda for NAM Summit. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives exceeds 2023 tourist arrival estimate by 78,000 tourists– Avas

The number of tourists visiting the Maldives in 2023 surpassed the government's estimated figure by 78,537. The government's initial estimate had projected 1.8 million tourist arrivals for the year, and this milestone was achieved on December 20. In 2023, India and Russia emerged as the top tourist source countries in 2023, with 209,100 tourists arriving from each of these countries. China, the UK, and Germany were also significant contributors, with 187,118, 155,730, and 135,090 tourists respectively. Italy followed closely with 118,412 visitors. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar

Mizoram: Visual of Myanmar army entering state territory emerges, 278 soldiers seek refuge - Indiatoday NE

In a recent development, visual evidence has emerged of 278 soldiers from the Myanmar Army entering the territory of Mizoram, a state in Northeast India. This influx of military personnel seeking refuge follows a clash along the Karma River near the border. The soldiers, fully armed and equipped, crossed into Indian territory in the Bandukba area of Lawngtlai District, Mizoram. Click here to read... [11]

Wa Army Denies It Plans to Attack Myanmar Junta’s Triangle Command HQ – Irrawaddy

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) said in a statement on Wednesday that it had no plan to attack Kengtung in eastern Shan State, where the Myanmar military’s Triangle Region Command is based. Rumors have been swirling since last week that Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic army would attempt to seize Kengtung after it assumed control of Hopang and Panlong towns in northern Shan State earlier this month. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

Hindus in Nepal eagerly wait for consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya - The Week

Hindus in Nepal are enthusiastically waiting for the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 as Nepalis, mainly from Madhesh province, plan to celebrate the occasion with huge fanfare. The Janaki temple in Janakpur - believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram’s wife Janaki alias Seeta – is gearing up to join the celebrations with multiple cultural and religious festivities. Click here to read... [13]

Prime Minister Dahal leaves for Uganda - Himalayan Times

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has left for Uganda, leading a Nepali delegation to attend the 19th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). He left here early this morning via Qatar Airlines. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan

Final list of candidates for general elections to be released once court cases are settled: ECP – Dawn

With polls merely three weeks away, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has yet to issue the final list of candidates for the February 8 general elections. On Dec 15, the electoral watchdog issued the poll schedule, detailing the step-by-step procedures leading up to the poll day along with their dates. Click here to read... [15]

What India Said On Iran's Air Strikes In Pakistan. Full Statement – NDTV

India on Wednesday said that Iran's missile attack on Pakistan is an issue that "concerns only those two nations". New Delhi's reaction came after Iran attacked the Jaish al-Adl group's headquarters in Pakistan with "missile and drone", calling it "another decisive step taken by Iran in response to the aggression against the security of our country". Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan military conducts retaliatory strikes against Iran, says report – Indian Express

The Pakistani military on Thursday conducted retaliatory strikes inside Iran, news agency Reuters reported citing Pakistan intelligence officials. The strikes came two days after Iran’s missile and drone strikes in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The Reuters report said that while there has been no official confirmation from Pakistani officials, Iranian media said that 4 children, all non-Iranians, were killed after several missiles hit a village in the Sistan-Baluchistan province that borders Pakistan. Click here to read... [17]

PM says growth ‘will be slow but sustainable’ – Business Recorder

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday expressed confidence that a stable government would be formed after forthcoming general elections, scheduled for February 8, eventually leading to sustainable economic stability in the country. Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka

Ranil among SLPP’s prospective presidential candidates: Namal– Daily Mirror Online

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, SLPP, MP Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is among his party’s prospective presidential candidates., Making his remarks to the reporters after an event, he said the President was anyway installed by the SLPP. “Anyway, the President is already with us. Click here to read... [19]

SriLankan leases A-330-243 Airbus – Daily News

SriLankan Airlines, has acquired and added another brand new A-330-243 Airbus type aircraft to its fleet on a lease basis and brought it to Katunayake Airport. This new aircraft manufactured in France arrived at Katunayake Airport on January 16 and accordingly the number of aircraft owned by Sri Lankan Airlines has increased to 23. Click here to read... [20]

Significant strides in SL economy– Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted significant strides in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and outlined future growth prospects addressing the Business Roundtable organized by BOI Sri Lanka and the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce during his official tour to Switzerland to attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum on Tuesday. Click here to read... [21]