Neighborhood News Digest- 27 February 2024

Afghanistan

Afghanistan launches Polio Vaccination campaign- The Khama Press

The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with international organizations, has initiated the second sub-national polio vaccination campaign for 2024, aiming to combat the spread of the disease. Click here to read... [2]

Iran’s water share from Helmand River still pending: Iranian official-The Khama Press

The deputy of Iran’s Environmental Organization states that despite negotiations with the Taliban, Iran’s water share has not been allocated yet. Click here to read... [3]

Precious Stones Exported Worth $2 Million: MoIC- Tolo News

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced that more than $2 million in precious stones have been exported to neighboring countries in the past year. The spokesman of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, said that Pakistan, China, Uzbekistan, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Germany have been important buyers of Afghanistan's precious stones. Click here to read... [4]

Bhutan

China is intensifying pressure on Bhutan to cede Doklam and Sakteng regions bordering Bharat - Hindu Post

“China is intensifying pressure on Bhutan to cede Doklam and Sakteng regions bordering Bharat”, Swarajyamag, February 22, 2024: “China has stepped up pressure on Bhutan to give up its claims on chunks of its territories on its eastern and western borders in exchange for China giving up its claims over Jakarlung and Pasamlung in Bhutan’s northern border with Chinese-occupied Tibet (CoT). Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

$7b pledged in foreign funds- The Daily Star

When Bangladesh is facing a reserve squeeze, it has received fresh commitments for $7.2 billion in loans from global lenders in the first seven months of fiscal 2023-24, a fourfold increase from a year earlier. Click here to read... [6]

Cyber Security Act: 5 sections can put journos in trouble – The Daily Star

Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif, a judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, yesterday said five sections of the Cyber Security Act can be used to put journalists in trouble. Click here to read... [7]

Saber: UN pledges funding for climate actions in Bangladesh – Dhaka Tribune

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Monday said the United Nations (UN) will provide substantial funding to Bangladesh through its various agencies to combat climate change. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

Indian ship carrying new helicopter to arrive in Maldives – Adhadhu

An Indian ship carrying a new helicopter will arrive in the Maldives on February 28, to replace the old helicopter in Seenu Gan (Addu city). The ministry also revealed that a group of Indian civilians arrived in the Maldives on February 26 evening to replace the Indian military personnel stationed in the country. However, the government did not disclose the number of Indian civilians that will be operating the helicopters. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu requested India to withdraw 89 military personnel stationed in the Maldives to operate the aircraft. India has agreed to the request and the military personnel will be replaced by May 10. Click here to read... [9]

Kuwait fund withdrew funds due to continued delays in implementation by former government: President – The Edition

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated on February 26, that the former government had failed to commence the establishment of hospitals in seven islands, inclusive of Haa Dhaalu Atoll Hanimaadhoo, as determined under project agreements, as a result of which the Kuwait Fund had withdrawn the funds they had extended for said projects. The agreement to construct hospitals consisting of 30 beds in seven islands with the aid of Kuwait Fund was signed in May last year during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration. Click here to read... [10]

Legislature to postpone parliamentary polls, rejected – Rajjee

The legislature seeking to postpone the upcoming parliamentary elections has been rejected by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The amendment was proposed to the General Elections Act, in a bid to hold to parliamentary polls after the fast-approaching fasting month of Ramadan and was sent to the president for ratification two weeks back. The bill sponsored by former ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) banning national elections during Ramadan, was passed with a majority of votes in favor, on 11 February 2024 and the bill was sent for ratification on 12 February 2024. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Shan state leader denies nuclear trafficking links – RFA

A leader of Myanmar’s ethnic Shan rebel group has denied any connections to the Japanese yakuza leader who was charged in New York with attempting to traffick weapons-grade nuclear materials. Yakuza leader Takeshi Ebisawa was charged with attempting to sell confirmed weapons-grade uranium and plutonium to a man he believed was part of Iran’s nuclear weapons program, but who was in fact an undercover agent working for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Click here to read... [12]

Crypto Heist Alert: Myanmar Company Under Probe For Over $100 Million Theft – Report – Bitcoinist

A joint investigation by Chainalysis, a crypto analytics firm, and International Justice Mission (IJM), an anti-slavery group, has uncovered a disturbing crypto scam operating out of Myanmar. The investigation alleges that a single company in Myanmar raked in a staggering $100 million over two years through a scheme known as “pig butchering,” the Financial Times reported. This revelation has reignited concerns over the use of Tether tokens, a major cryptocurrency platform, in facilitating illicit activities. Click here to read... [13]

Thailand, India have to work together to address Myanmar crisis: Vice minister - Hindustan Times

Thailand and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have to work with India to address the crisis in Myanmar though a solution can only be found by parties within the country, Thai vice minister for foreign affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Monday. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

Green Diplomacy: India-Nepal Joint Effort Boosts Organic Farming in Karnali Region the News Himachal

In a collaborative endeavour to foster sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen diplomatic ties, India and Nepal have initiated a joint effort to enhance organic farming in the Karnali Region. A 30-member delegation from Nepal, comprised of farmers and officials from the agriculture department, has embarked on a 10-day training program at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal faces inflation risk from Red Sea disruption - Kathmandu Post

Experts say that Nepal, an import-driven economy, may see the impacts in two ways. First, rising shipping costs to export goods. Second, as Nepal’s imports are dependent on India, and as the southern neighbour is already experiencing increased expenses for ships, there will be a shared burden of the rising costs. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

Pakistan's new Charge d'Affaires assumes office in India amidst diplomatic standstill-The Express Tribune

Saad Ahmad Warraich officially took charge as the Charge d'Affaires at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Monday, succeeding Aizaz Khan, according to a statement posted by the Pakistan High Commission on X, formerly known as Twitter. Click here to read... [17]

Shattering glass ceiling: Maryam scripts history- The Express Tribune

Maryam Nawaz scripted history on Monday as she was sworn in as Punjab's first woman chief minister, breaking through the glass ceiling in the political territory traditionally dominated by male politicians. Click here to read... [18]

Murad Ali Shah becomes chief minister Sindh for third time- The Express Tribune

PPP's Syed Murad Ali Shah was elected the chief minister of Sindh on Monday after comfortably securing a lead against MQM-P's Ali Khurshidi. Murad, chief executive of the province for the third time now, secured 112 votes compared to Khurshidi's 36. A total of 148 votes were cast during polling. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

China, Russia also interested in taking over Sri Lankan airports: Minister – Daily Mirror

Investors from China and Russia are also interested in taking over Sri Lankan Airports, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday. Click here to read... [20]

Parliamentary Committee recommends 20% cut in Electricity Tariffs – Daily Mirror

Electricity Tariff should be reduced by at least by 20 per cent within this year, a top parliamentary committee had informed Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) officials. Click here to read... [21]