Neighborhood News Digest- 23 February 2024

Afghanistan

Stanikzai: Foreign-Based Women Do Not Represent Afghan Women-Tolo News

The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate said that female participants of international meetings on Afghanistan cannot represent Afghan women. This is the second high-ranking official of the Islamic Emirate in two days to criticize international meetings on Afghanistan. Click here to read... [2]

Islamic Emirate Reacts to Miller’s Statements about Durand Line- Tolo News

In reaction to statements made by US Department of State spokesperson Mathew Miller, the Islamic Emirate said that Washington does not have authority over the Durand Line issue. Click here to read... [3]

Weaving occupation: A beacon of hope amid poverty in Afghanistan- The Khama Press

Weaving by hand takes a lot of time; at least 3 to 4 hours, but Zinat’s hands are familiar with this difficulty. She now weaves quickly and then takes her hand-woven mats/washcloths to the market for sale. Each mat, woven with such effort and skill, sells for only five Afghanis. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

‘US keen to deepen partnership with Bangladesh’- The Daily Star

US Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary at Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Scott Urbom said Bangladesh has been an important partner of his country for over 50 years and that the US has been investing billions of dollars in Bangladesh's health, education, and other sectors. Click here to read... [5]

Govt taking steps to keep prices under control: Quader – The Daily Star

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said the government would take all steps to keep the prices of essentials at a tolerable level in Ramadan. Click here to read... [6]

Rise of Rafiqul Islam Jamal: BNP's replacement for Shahjahan Omar in Jhalakathi – Dhaka Tribune

Jhalakathi district BNP member Rafiqul Islam Jamal has been appointed as Religious Affairs Secretary of the party's National Standing Committee, filling a position that had been vacant since the passing of Religious Affairs Secretary Badruzzaman Khan Khosru in 2018. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Govt allows onion exports to Bangladesh, Mauritius, Bahrain, Bhutan – Financial Express

The government on Thursday permitted traders to export 54,760 tonnes of onion to Bangladesh, Mauritius, Bahrain and Bhutan till March 31.” Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

Trilateral exercise 'Dosti-16' kicks off in Maldives with Chinese research vessel nearby – The Times of India

During the India-Maldives-Sri Lanka trilateral exercise "Dosti," ICGS Abhinav and ICG Dornier arrived in Male, while a Chinese research vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 03, anchored near Male port. The Maldives permitted the vessel for replenishment, India expressed concern over its activities, and the trilateral joint exercise, involving coast guards, commenced with observers from Bangladesh. Click here to read... [9]

Chinese research vessel moored close to Male' – The Edition

The Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03, which gave rise to much controversy in the region, is currently moored close to Male' City. As per the Marine Traffic website, the ship has been moored close to Male' City during this morning. Around noon, the ship was shown to be near Thilafushi. In a statement released in late January, Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that permission for docking had been granted to the ship after receiving a diplomatic request from the government of China for permission to make a port call for the purposes of replenishment and rotation of personnel. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar

US: Japanese Yakuza leader charged for trafficking nuclear materials from Myanmar – Economic Times

A leader of the Japanese organized crime syndicate Yakuza, identified as Takeshi Ebisawa, has been charged by US prosecutors with conspiring to traffic nuclear materials including uranium and weapons-grade Plutonium from Myanmar to other countries, according to a superseding indictment announced Wednesday, The Hill reported. Click here to read... [11]

Mizoram CM also opposes Centre's move to fence India-Myanmar border Nation – Deccan Chronicle

A day after Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma’s appeal to civil societies and the public to remain calm on the issue of scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and fencing along Indo-Myanmar border, the NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) on Wednesday held a massive protest demonstration in Aizawl asking Centre to reconsider its decision. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

Contrary to government claim, Parliament turning ineffective even in new session – The Kathmandu Post

Contrary to the claim of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government and the ruling parties that the ongoing session of Parliament would be effective, the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday was adjourned without entering the agenda for the lack of quorum. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Punjab MPAs to take oath in first session today-Dawn

The newly elected representatives of the Punjab and Sindh assemblies are set to take the oath of office in their maiden sessions, to be held today (Friday) and tomorrow, respectively. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan eyes $20b in trade with Saudi Arabia-The Express Tribune

Observing that the current trade volume falls short of expectations, Caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce and Industry, Gohar Ejaz said that Pakistan aims to lift bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia upto $20 billion. Click here to read... [15]

Imran wants IMF to link loan with election audit- Dawn

PTI founding chairman Imran Khan will write to the IMF urging it to call for an independent audit of the Feb 8 general elections before it continues talks with Islamabad, PTI leader Senator Ali Zafar disclosed on Thursday. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

Stir against Sri Lanka: TN pilgrims to skip Katchatheevu festival this year – The New Indian Express

Given the ongoing fishermen's protest against the recent imprisonment of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka, the parish priest of Ramanathapuram's Verkottu church, who organises Tamil Nadu's pilgrimage to the Katchatheevu festival, has announced that no pilgrims from the state will travel to the islet this year. Click here to read... [17]

CBSL says IMF reforms crucial for country’s economic stability– Daily News

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) states that the inability to continue the comprehensive credit facility programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and if the expected structural economic reforms are not carried out properly, the country’s economy may be adversely affected. Click here to read... [18]

JAAF hails ECTA with India – Daily News

Secretary General, Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAF) Yohan Lawrence hailed the proposed signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with India. Click here to read... [19]