Neighborhood News Digest- 18 June 2024

Afghanistan

Afghans Celebrate Eid Without Security Incidents-Tolo News

Residents of the capital and other provinces of the country celebrated the first day of Eid al-Adha by performing the Eid prayer, slaughtering animals, and going to parks. Some of these residents stated that they started the first day of Eid in an atmosphere of peace and security. They called on the Islamic Emirate to provide lasting peace and job opportunities for the country's citizens. Click here to read… [2]

Hanafi: No More Corruption or Coercion in Afghanistan-Tolo News

Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that corruption in the country has ended and no one can apply coercion. Hanafi, during the completion ceremony for the reconstruction of Pashtunistan Square and Nader Pashtun Road, added that the Islamic Emirate is striving to rebuild all cities and advance the country. Click here to read… [3]

Germany Seeks to Deport Afghan Refugees via Uzbekistan-Tolo News

German media reported that the government is in talks with Uzbekistan to deport Afghan refugees to Afghanistan through this country. According to these reports, the German government is working on this plan with Uzbekistan without direct consultation with the Islamic Emirate. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

Stand by the underprivileged: president - The Daily Star

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has called upon the affluent section of society to stand by the poverty-stricken and underprivileged people of the country and the Palestinians. Click here to read… [5]

PM honours freedom fighters and martyrs' families with Eid gifts- The Daily Star

On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has extended heartfelt greetings to all freedom fighters of the country, recognising their sacrifices for the nation. Click here to read… [6]

Abbas: Economic woes kill people's Eid celebration this year – Dhaka Tribune

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said there is no joy in Eid among Bangladesh’s people as they are celebrating it amid the financial crisis. Click here to read… [7]

Bhutan

Gautam Adani Meets Bhutan PM, King; Signs Deal To Build 570 MW Hydro Plant-NDTV

Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani met the Prime Minister of Bhutan on Sunday and announced the signing of an agreement for a 570 MW green hydro plant in the country. Mr Adani also met Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck along with the prime minister in Thimphu. Click here to read… [8]

Maldives

Economic growth to increase foreign reserves: MMA – PSM News

Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has stated that foreign exchange reserves of the nation will increase compared to 2023. This was revealed in the Quarterly Economic Bulletin released every three months. The report publicised by MMA, indicated that by the year-end of 2023, the foreign exchange reserves had USD590.5 million. It also predicted that this amount is to increase significantly, such that there is USD 605.7 million by the end of this year. Click here to read… [9]

Foreign laborers now need an extra permit for each island: Gov't – PSM News

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has announced that foreign labourers in the Maldives will now be required to obtain an additional permit for each island they work in. The policy change is part of the government's strategy to address the issue of illegal foreign workers. The government has set a three-year timeline to tackle the issue of illegal foreigners. As such, Minister Ihusaan initiated Operation Kurangi in May, a special initiative aimed at collecting information on all foreigners residing in the Maldives. Click here to read… [10]

Myanmar

Illegal Immigrants From Myanmar Found Building Houses In Manipur's Border Area, Alleges Tribal Group – NDTV

Illegal immigrants from war-torn Myanmar have been found building houses in Manipur's Tengnoupal district without informing the state authorities, officials have said. Click here to read… [11]

NSCN (I-M) captain killed by KNA (B) militants in Myanmar – Imphal Free Press

Self-styled captain of NSCN (I-M) RS Winson along with seven Tangkhul individuals were reportedly slained by KNA (B) militants in a fierce gunbattle around 5.45 pm near the Indo-Myanmar border in Ango Ching across Tengnoupal district, Manipur on Sunday. Click here to read… [12]

Nepal

President Paudel and his German counterpart discuss Nepal-Germany relations – Nepal News

President Ramchandra Paudel and German President Dr Frank Walter Steinmeier held a meeting at the Office of the President in Berlin, Germany. During the meeting held on June 17, President Paudel said that Nepal has always given high importance to its relations with Germany and expressed the belief that it would become further closer in the changing global context, according to President Paudel's Secretariat. Click here to read… [13]

Let us give emphasis on quality education: PM Dahal – The Himalayan Times

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has stressed on the need of uplifting the quality of education and management to create an environment wherein people will see their future within the country. Addressing to the Fourth Convocation Ceremony of the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) here today, PM Dahal insisted on raising the quality of education and sending out a message to the youth that there is future within the country itself. Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

PM extends Eid ul Adha greetings to the president, political leaders-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended Eid ul Adha greetings and expressed good wishes to political leaders via telephone. According to a press release from the Prime Minister's Office on Monday, PM Shehbaz made a telephonic call to President Asif Ali Zardari. Both leaders exchanged Eid ul Adha greetings and best wishes. They also discussed the overall political and national situation. Click here to read… [15]

COAS celebrates Eidul Azha with troops stationed at LoC-Dawn

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir on Monday visited the Haji Pir sector of the Line of Control (LOC) to celebrate Eidul Azha with the troops stationed there, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations read. According to the military’s media wing, the COAS offered Eid prayers with officers and soldiers at the front line, praying for Pakistan’s peace and prosperity. He also paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan. Click here to read… [16]

PM Shehbaz, Turkish president pledge to bolster bilateral ties- The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including trade, investment, defense, and tourism. Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

EC warns politicians ‘Don’t make announcements, it is our business’ – Daily Mirror

Against the backdrop of some politicians announcing polling day of the presidential election, the Election Commission’s Chairman R.L.A.M. Rathnayake said that it is the sole discretion of his office in terms of the Constitution and therefore others should refrain from making remarks. Click here to read… [18]

Forthcoming election provides a historic opportunity to resolve ethnic conflict – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka is witnessing a positive transformation of electoral politics in relation to its long-standing ethnic conflict that commenced with the economic collapse of 2022. The notion that the country required a “system change” was promoted by the student-led protest movement that publicly eschewed racism and upheld the rights of equal citizenship in their slogans. Click here to read… [19]

Election Commission to address defects in ballot boxes – Daily Mirror

The Election Commission has announced that any defects in ballot boxes will be rectified once polling station details are obtained. Election Commission chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said many damaged ballot boxes used in previous elections have been identified and will be sent to the Government Gactory for repairs. Click here to read… [20]