Neighborhood News Digest- 28 February 2024

Afghanistan

Canada Rejects Kabul’s Request to Control Afghan Embassy in Ottawa- Tolo News

The foreign ministry of Canada has rejected the Islamic Emirate’s request to control Afghanistan’s embassy in Ottawa and other consulates. Jason Kung, spokesman for the ministry, said that Canada does not recognize the Islamic Emirate, so the embassy will not be handed over to them. Click here to read... [2]

Afghanistan poses major threat to Central Asia: Russian Defense Minister- The Khama Press

The Russian Defense Minister stated on Tuesday, February 27th, in a meeting with senior military officials of the country that Afghanistan is considered the biggest threat to Central Asia. Click here to read... [3]

UN Reacts to Executions in Afghanistan-Tolo News

Following the execution of a murderer in Jawzjan province, and four others recently in various parts of the country, a United Nations spokesperson at a press briefing publically condemned the practice. Click here to read... [4]

Taliban releases Austrian far-right activist held in Afghanistan- Al Jazeera

The Taliban has released Herbert Fritz, an 84-year-old Austrian far-right nationalist, who was arrested in Afghanistan last May. The Austrian government said in a statement on Sunday that Fritz arrived in Doha, Qatar earlier in the day after mediation by the Qatari government helped to secure his release. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Has the BNP achieved anything from the US delegation? - Dhaka Tribune

The BNP sees at least three things as achievements from the meeting with three representatives of the United States held on Saturday. Click here to read... [6]

LDC Graduation: Implications for Bangladesh beyond 2026 – The Daily Star

It is now more or less recognized that Bangladesh is one of the world's fastest-growing and relatively more resilient economies. The country's macroeconomic performance during the pandemic-induced economic slowdown and the ongoing global supply chain disruptions caused by the Russo-Ukrainian war bear testimony to such an inference. Click here to read... [7]

Dhaka calls back high commissioner to Canada– the Daily Star

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Dr Khalilur Rahman has been called back to Dhaka immediately. In a letter signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General DM Salah Uddin dated February 25, the ministry said, "You have been transferred to foreign ministry, Dhaka." Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Bhutan Faces Surge in Drug, Sexual Offense Cases: OAG Report Reveals 48.6% Increase - BNN Breaking

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in Bhutan has released a report detailing a significant uptick in criminal cases, with drugs and sexual offenses at the forefront. In the past year, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) referred 926 cases involving 1,531 defendants to the OAG, indicating a 48.6 percent rise from 2022. Notably, drug-related offenses have seen a staggering 214 percent increase, largely due to intensified enforcement efforts. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutanese Youths Spearhead Sustainable Development Initiatives at Asia-Pacific Forum in Bangkok - BNN Breaking

Eight Bhutanese youths recently made headlines by participating in the Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development in Bangkok, Thailand, highlighting their dedication to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Representing Y-PEER Bhutan and the Y-PEER Asia Pacific Center, these young leaders joined forces with over 450 attendees from 36 countries to champion initiatives against poverty and crises through sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as gender equality, climate action, and more. Their involvement underscores a growing movement towards inclusive, youth-led solutions in the region. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Lawyers slammed by govt over ITLOS defense represent Maldives at ICJ – Adhadhu

The two international lawyers representing Maldives in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the genocide in Palestine also represented Maldives in the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The Maldives was represented on February 26th ICJ hearing by international lawyers of Essex Court Chambers and members of the Bar of England and Wales Amy Sander and Dr Naomi Hart. The AG office issued a statement stating, ‘because of the defenses taken by the former government and the manner in which the case was handled, there are challenges in appealing the ITLOS decision’. Click here to read... [11]

"Muddying Ties With India Impossible": New Maldives Opposition Leader – NDTV

Veteran Maldivian diplomat Abdulla Shahid, the new leader of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has defended Male's close ties with New Delhi, emphasising that "muddying ties with India is impossible" regardless of the foreign policy changes made by the new government here. In an interview Shahid stated, ‘India is tied to us historically, culturally, and in several other ways.’ The Maldives cannot distance itself from the geographical and historical significance of India as an ally, he was quoted as saying during the interview held last week. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar

‘They have lists of everyone’s names’: Myanmar conscription law unleashes wave of fear - The Gaurdian

Passport offices and embassies in Myanmar have been flooded with applications, with a queue of more than a thousand people on a single day trying to secure a visa for neighbouring Thailand. Helplines offering advice on ways to leave the country – how to manage checkpoints, what documents are needed – have been inundated. Click here to read... [13]

India’s Kaladan Project in western Myanmar may not be viable anymore - Hindustan Times

Last week, the Arakan Army (AA) – an ethnic armed organisation based in western Myanmar – captured a police station just outside Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, as part of its ongoing war against the ruling military regime. Reports suggest the AA is close to seizing the entire city from junta forces. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

Nepal introduces digital trekking permits ending decades-long paper system - Travel Trade Journal

In a groundbreaking move, Nepal has bid adieu to its traditional paper-based trekking permit system, ushering in a new era with the introduction of digital permits. This significant transition comes after more than seventy years since the inception of Nepal’s issuance of trekking permits to foreign adventurers. The Department of Immigration took the leap into the digital realm on February 23, aligning with recent efforts to modernise the country’s tourism infrastructure. Click here to read... [15]

'Efforts on to repatriate Nepali nationals recruited in Russian military' - The Himalayan Times - The Himalayan Times

Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud said efforts were underway to repatriate the Nepali nationals recruited in the Russian military.The Minister shared this at a meeting held at the ministry on Tuesday with the relatives of Nepalis who joined the Russian military."Better if they had joined legally. They adopted illegal measure for joining. Whatever the ways adopted, the state has the responsibility towards them", Minister said, adding, "The government is ever responsible to its citizens. No efforts will be left to return them. I have been honestly putting my efforts for the same". Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

Imran hails Alvi's decision to not summon NA session- The Express Tribune

PTI founder Imran Khan hailed on Tuesday President Arif Alvi's decision to not summon the National Assembly session and said that despite winning the elections, the PTI is being denied its due share of reserved seats. Click here to read... [17]

Coalition to hammer out govt formation issues today-Dawn

PML-N Presi¬d¬ent Shehbaz Sharif has convened a meeting of his party’s allies in the Centre to put the final touches to the formation of a new coalition government, on Wednesday. Click here to read... [18]

PTI announces countrywide street protests against ‘rigging’-Dawn

The PTI has decided to take to the streets, again, to protest against the alleged theft of its mandate, urging all democratic forces to join hands with the former ruling party to “strengthen democracy” in the country. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

Locals outraged as Israeli and Ukrainian tourists operate businesses in South – Daily Mirror

Following the Daily Mirror’s expose on Russian tourists engaging in illegal businesses in several areas in the south, it has now come to light that many Israeli and Ukrainian tourists are also engaged in running similar businesses in the south, hampering local businesses and causing much concern among industry stakeholders. Click here to read... [20]

New Delhi pushes Indian rupee investments in Sri Lanka – Mint

The government is working on operationalizing Rupee investments in Sri Lanka in a move to boost Indian investments in its southern neighbour, two people aware of the matter told Mint. Click here to read... [21]

Adani Green Energy (Sri Lanka) gets energy permit – Daily News

Adding a historic landmark to the local energy sector, Adani Green Energy (Sri Lanka) Limited has received the much awaited and long overdue Energy Permit from Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) to operate its ground monumental USD 355 million, 234MW Pooneryn Wind Energy Power Project, in Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Click here to read... [22]