UN rejects Taliban’s bid for Afghanistan seat for third time
The Khaama Press | 19thDecember
For the third time, the UN Credentials Committee has postponed the decision on assigning the Afghanistan seat to the Taliban.
With the United Nations refraining from assigning Afghanistan’s seat to the Taliban, Nasir Ahmad Faiq, the representative of the former government at the UN, remains in his position.
The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution without a vote to not transfer the Afghanistan seat to a Taliban representative.
Over 128 million Pakistanis to exercise right to vote in Feb 8 polls
The News | 19th December
As the electoral process moves ahead for the February 8, 2024 elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued the data of the registered voters who will exercise their right to vote.
As per the ECP data, over 128.5 million Pakistanis will be deciding the fate of 175 political parties contesting in the upcoming general elections.
As per the data, there are 128,585,760 including 69,263,704 males and 59,322,056 females, while 175 political parties will participate in the upcoming elections.
Sri Lanka declares pause on foreign research vessels for one year
Daily Mirror | 19th December
Amid geopolitical strain, Sri Lanka has decided to have a one year moratorium in allowing foreign vessels in conducting research in the country’s territorial waters, a minister said.
The government has taken such a decision and communicated it to the relevant countries. The decision has been taken in the wake of China seeking permission to berth yet another research vessel in Sri Lanka’s waters in January, next year.
Chinese Survey and Research Vessel Shi Yan 6 docked at Sri Lanka’s Colombo port in October despite India’s ..
PAKISTAN
Pakistan, ADB ink $1.2b loan deals
The Express Tribune | 20th December
Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed six loan agreements worth $1.2 billion, with one-third of it to be disbursed as budget financing, reopening choked financing pipelines after reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The loan agreements were signed by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and the local office of the ADB on Friday. A spokesperson of the EAD confirmed to The Express Tribune that $1.2 billion in loan agreements with the ADB have been inked.
Of the $1.2 billion, ADB will provide $400 million in budget support under two different deals, said the officials.
Over 438,000 illegal Afghans returned to their homeland
The Nation | 20th December
Repatriation of illegal foreign nationals including Afghans to their homeland is continuing in a dignified and safe manner.
As per details, 1586 illegal Afghan nationals returned to their country on Monday taking the total number of returned immigrants to 438,376.
The apex committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) in a meeting on October 3, chaired by Caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar gave a deadline to all foreign nationals living illegally in the country until October 31 to leave voluntarily or face deportation.
SRI LANKA
Cabinet gives green light to import 18 million eggs from India
The Island | 19th December
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security to permit Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation to import 18 million eggs before 31.12.2023 from Indian farms that have been recommended by the Department of Animal Production and Health, as there is a possibility of an escalation of retail price of eggs.
Over 200,000 Russian tourists likely to visit Sri Lanka next year
Daily Mirror | 20th December
Sri Lanka is one of the most preferred and favourite destinations for Russian tourists, said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Dzhagaryan.
Dzhagaryan indicated an estimated 200,000 Russian tourists are likely to visit Sri Lanka in 2024 and air connectivity too would be further strengthened.
He said this to Chamber of Tourism and Industries (CTISL) President A.U.M. Jaufar when he paid a courtesy call on Dzhagaryan. The CTISL representative for the Middle East and Europe, Dr. M. Inamullah and National Organiser Donald Rajapsksha also participated in the discussion.
AFGHANISTAN
Uzbekistan to supply electricity to Afghanistan until 2024
Afghanistan Times | 18th December
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have reached an agreement to prolong electricity supplies, ensuring continued support until the year 2024. Discussions between representatives of National Electric Networks and Afghanistan’s energy company DABS covered various aspects of energy cooperation, as reported by the press service of DABS.
Expressing gratitude for the ongoing collaboration, the President of DABS acknowledged Uzbekistan’s role in supporting Afghanistan’s energy needs. The discussions encompassed key topics such as the possibility of increasing electricity supplies, reducing tariffs, addressing visa-related issues, and the construction of the Surkhan-Puli-Khumri power transmission line.
Afghanistan Traded Almost $1 Billion Last Month: NSIA
TOLO News | 18th December
The National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) reported that Afghanistan has traded with neighboring countries and the region up to nearly one billion dollars in the past month.
The spokesperson of NSIA said that $227 million dollars is made up of exports, mostly to the countries of India, Pakistan, China, Iran and the United Arab Emirates in various sectors, where the most important export items were fresh fruit, dried fruit, vegetables, precious and semi-precious stones and carpets.
BANGLADESH
Work together for peace in Gaza: PM Hasina to OIC states
Prothom Alo | 19th December
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday called for united efforts of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) states to establish peace in Gaza of Palestine.
“The OIC member countries will have to work in unison to establish peace in Gaza,” she said when Qatar Ambassador to Bangladesh Seraya Ali Mahdi Saeed Al-Qahtani paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the newsmen after the meeting.
The Bangladesh prime minister and the Qatar envoy discussed the Gaza issue in the meeting, Karim said.
Indian, Russian war veterans call on Air Chief
Bangladesh Post | 17th December
A 40-member delegation of Indian and Russian armed forces on Sunday called on Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan.
It is mentionable that, among delegation, a total of 30 Indian and two Russian war veterans had participated in the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
According to the ISPR, during call on, the visiting team exchanged greetings and shared their views.
Chief of Air Staff commemorated the contribution of Indian and Russian armed forces during the liberation with gratitude.
Dhaka air second worst in world on Wednesday morning
Dhaka Tribune | 20th December
Dhaka has ranked second on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality, with an AQI score of 297 at 8:50am on Wednesday.
Dhaka’s air was classified as very unhealthy, according to the AQI.
Bosnia Herzegovina’s Sarajevo and India’s Kolkata and Delhi occupied the first, third and fourth spots on the list, respectively, with AQI scores of 327, 203 and 197.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, between 150 and 200 is unhealthy, between 201 and 300 is said to be very unhealthy, while a reading of 301+ is considered hazardous, posing serious health risks to residents.
BHUTAN
Bhutan joins Balipara Foundation towards forest restoration
Kuensel | 20th December
Uniting over 60 participants from 15 countries with the goal of restoring 1 million hectares of forests and farmlands by 2030, the Balipara Foundation launched the 11th edition of the annual Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum.
This year’s theme, ‘Great People’s Forest 2030’, aligns with the UN Decade of Restoration agenda. The theme originates from the ambitious Great People’s Forest initiative, a collaboration between the Balipara Foundation and Conservation International, introduced earlier this year at the G20, aiming to restore 1 million hectares of forests and farmlands by 2030.
9237 tourists received in November
Business Bhutan | 20th December
Bhutan, a hot and trending destination-International Agents
A total of 9237 tourists arrived in the country in the month of November this year, accounting for those guests who came in only on a tourist visa excluding all other categories.
“This represents a 10.58% increase over forecasted figures,” the Director General (DG) of Department of Tourism (DoT), Dorji Dhradhul said. According to the department, the maximum guests were received from India accounting to 5851 guests, followed by 780 guests from the USA, and 280 guests from the UK in the month of November, 2023.
MALDIVES
Maldives to reach tourist arrival target of 1.8 million today
The Edition | 20th December
The total number of tourists arriving in the Maldives will reach 1.8 million today, meeting last year’s budgeted target.
A special ceremony will be held this afternoon to commemorate the occasion. According to Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the Maldives is expected to reach its 1.8 million tourist arrival target with the flight scheduled to arrive in the Maldives at 2:55 p.m. A flight from Qatar and Emirates has also been scheduled for Velana International Airport at that time.
Maldivian leader denounces UNSC’s failure to end suffering in Gaza
Sun | 21st December
Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu denounced the failure of the United Nations Security Council in taking decisive measures to put an end to the suffering in Gaza, stating that the veto not only failed to demand a ceasefire, but is enabling potential war crimes.
He made the remark in his message, which was delivered at the 45th Plenary Meeting of the 10th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly held in New York on Wednesday.
The statement was delivered by the Chargé d’affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the UN, Dr. Ibrahim Zuhuree.
Gov’t announces plans to enforce death penalty
Raajje | 21st December
The government has announced its decision to begin implementing the death penalty in the Maldives.
This was announced by Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan during a press conference held on Wednesday.
Responding to a question posed by a journalist regarding the government’s stand on implementing the death penalty, Minister Ihusan revealed that efforts are underway to look into the necessary preparations and arrangements that require attention, before enforcing the death penalty.
MYANMAR
Number of Civilians Fleeing War in Myanmar Doubled to 660,000 in One Month: UN
The Irrawaddy | 18th December
More than 660,000 people have been displaced across Myanmar since the launch of Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, citing numbers as of Dec. 15.
In its previous report, on Nov. 22, the agency put the number at about 335,000.
The latest data shows a twofold increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in seven states and five regions as an offensive against Myanmar’s military regime by three ethnic armies enters its eighth week.
Captured Pilot Admits Myanmar Military is Targeting Schools, Hospitals and Camps
The Irrawaddy | 20th December
Captured Myanmar junta pilot Major Khaing Thant Moe has admitted the military has conducted airstrikes on civilian targets such as hospitals, schools and IDP camps.
In a video issued by the Interim Executive Council of Karenni State, Thant Moe said his air force colleagues had carried out airstrikes on hospitals and schools in Hpruso and Demoso townships in Karenni (Kayah) State.
“They attacked IDP camps in Hpruso Township,” he said, naming the pilots concerned as Myo Thu and Major Naing Lin Aung.
NEPAL
The Himalayan Times | 20th December
In a demonstration of solidarity, the Government of the Republic of Korea has pledged a generous contribution of $300,000 to support earthquake relief efforts in Nepal. The funds will be channeled through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the leading global agency championing sexual and reproductive health, according to the statement issued by the UNFPA. The announcement comes, following the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal on November 3, 2023, claiming 157 lives, and affecting 300,000 people in the western Karnali Province, including the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West, the Republic of Korea stands unwaveringly with the affected communities.
Nepal, Sri Lanka to hold joint commission meeting this week
The Kathmandu Post | 19th December
Nepal and Sri Lanka are holding the joint commission meeting at foreign ministers’ level from Wednesday to Friday in Kathmandu. Established in March 3, 2009, the joint commission is the highest level mechanism between the two countries that is mandated to review, update and open new vistas of bilateral ties.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry will be in Kathmandu on December 20-22 for the inaugural session of the Sri Lanka-Nepal Joint Commission, Sri Lankan foreign ministry announced on Monday. Sabry will lead the Sri Lankan delegation and co-chair the inaugural session with his counterpart Narayan Prakash Saud, foreign minister of Nepal, reads the statement.
Nepal imports onion from China after India’s ban
Onlinekhabar | 17th December
Traders have started importing onions from China after India banned the export of onions. India, the main market of onion import in Nepal, banned onion export from December 7.
The Nepal Agricultural Produce and Potato, Onion Import Export and Wholesalers Association has started the process of importing onions from China after the ban on onion exports from India.
The general secretary of the association, Prakash Gajurel, said that the import for Nepal has started from Kerung, China, and the first batch of 100 tons of onions is on its way.
