Neighborhood News Digest- 29 July 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Calls US Congress Hearing on Afghan Women a 'Show'-Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate described the US Congress hearing on the situation of Afghan women as a show. Suhail Shaheen, head of the Islamic Emirate's political office in Qatar, told TOLO news that individuals participating in the US Congress hearing are present under the guise of defending human rights for their personal goals. Click here to read… [2]

Turkmenistan Accepts Islamic Emirate's Chargé d'Affaires- Tolo News

Fazal Mohammad Saber has been accepted as the Chargé d'Affaires of the Islamic Emirate's Embassy in Ashgabat by the Council of Ministers and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate stated that Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov emphasized the necessity of enhancing diplomatic relations between Kabul and Ashgabat and added that Turkmenistan and Afghanistan are planning to implement major projects. Click here to read… [3]

India resumes visa issuance for Afghan nationals- The Khaama Press

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has recently announced that the country will begin issuing visas to Afghan nationals. Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the Ministry, made this announcement during a press conference, adding that visas will be provided to Afghan citizens. The spokesperson also mentioned that movement between the two countries is currently taking place. Click here to read… [4]

Chinese Firm to construct three Hydroelectric Dams in Kunar, Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Water and Energy of Afghanistan has announced that a Chinese company is ready to invest in large-scale hydroelectric dams (Shal, Sagi, and Sartaq) in Kunar province. On Sunday, July 28th, the Ministry released a statement about the meeting between Abdul Latif Mansoor, the acting Minister of Water and Energy, and representatives of a Chinese company in Kabul. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Shutdown cost the economy $10 billion: FICCI – Daily Star

The recent shutdown has significantly impacted Bangladesh's economy with over $10 billion and climbing in estimated losses, according to the Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FICCI). Click here to read… [6]

NBR misses revenue target for 12th year – Daily Star

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has fallen short of its revenue collection target for the 12th consecutive year, with experts opining that the existing framework for tax collection is inadequate. Click here to read… [7]

Quota reform movement coordinators announce end of demonstrations – Dhaka Tribune

With the government now agreeing to their primary demands, coordinators of demonstrators demanding quota reforms have announced the withdrawal of their protests in light of the overall situation in the country. Click here to read… [8]

No instance of firing from helicopters, govt tells int'l community – Dhaka Tribune

The foreign ministry has told the international community that there was no case of firing from helicopters during violent protests centred on the movement against quotas in civil service jobs. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan’s hydropower dreams: Where will the money come from?-Kuensel Online

Bhutan requires a whopping USD 26 billion to achieve 20,000 MW (20 GW) of hydropower generation capacity by 2040. While that goal is a long way off, the government has some immediate plans to increase hydropower generation capacity by 3,119 MW, taking the total installed capacity to 5,000 MW in the 13th Plan. For this, the government has allocated Nu 527 billion outside the 13th Plan. The question is – how will the government finance these hydropower projects? Click here to read… [10]

Burden with dependency on import-Kuensel Online

The country’s import bill is ballooning. It shot up by 12 percent to Nu 56.34 billion in the first six months (January to June) of this year compared to the same period last year. As an import-dependent country, the widening trade deficit should be a concern. The repercussions are many. If it is increasing the dependency, it is leading to lethargy and draining out the hard-earned foreign currency including the scarce Indian Rupee, without which a lot of activities are grounded. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Implementation of FTA with China to begin in September – Adhadhu

The implementation of a free trade agreement (FTA) signed between the Maldives and China will begin in September, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said on July 26, 2024, expressing hope of signing such an agreement with India as well. President Muizzu said at the official function held to mark the 59th anniversary of independence that in addition to China, efforts are also underway to enter into FTAs with Turkiye and Britain. The government hopes to sign an FTA with India as well, he said. In May this year, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said that India had proposed an FTA. But India denied it at the time. Click here to read… [12]

Muizzu thanks India as medical evacuations resume with Dornier – Adhadhu

The use of India's Dornier aircraft in the Maldives for medical evacuations has resumed after a hiatus, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said on July 27. Instead of completely fulfilling his pledge to expel the Indian military from the Maldives, President Muizzu decided earlier this year to replace uniformed Indian soldiers based in the country to operate the Dornier aircraft and helicopters with employees of Hindustan Aeronautics, a company under the control of the Indian military. Despite the replacement of military uniformed personnel who operated the aircraft and helicopters by May, the use of the aircraft for surveillance and airlifting patients did not resume until July 26. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Several detained as Gwadar protest met with teargas-Dawn

At least three people are dead and several injured after participants of a Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC) protest clashed with security personnel in different areas of the province, on Sunday. But despite roadblocks put in place by the authorities, a large number of people managed to make their way from across the province to Gwadar’s Marine Drive for the Baloch Rajee Muchi (Baloch National Gathering). Click here to read… [14]

IMF asks for long-term $12b debt rollover-The Express Tribune

Pakistan was in talks with China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for rescheduling of $12 billion debt for up to five years aimed at meeting the last condition for approval of the $7 billion International Monetary Fund programme, said Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday. In his first press conference after returning from Beijing where he had gone for energy debt rollover talks, the finance minister, however, did not announce any breakthrough. Click here to read… [15]

K-P moves to form May 9 commission-The Express Tribune

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has formally requested a judicial inquiry into the May 9 incidents by penning a letter to Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. According to K-P Law Minister Aftab Alam, the PHC has been requested to set up a commission to investigate the May 9 incidents, determine the losses and identify the perpetrators of the violent acts. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka faces challenges in seeking extradition of criminals located through Interpol – Daily Mirror

Despite dozens of Sri Lankan wanted persons out of 164 on the Interpol red notice list being located, local authorities are facing legal and logistical challenges in extraditing suspects to Sri Lanka, the Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read… [17]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially announces candidacy – Daily Mirror

President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially announced his candidacy at the upcoming Presidential election during a rally in Galle today. Mr. Wickremesinghe said he had already placed his deposit as well. Click here to read… [18]

Four candidates submit deposits for Presidential Election today – Daily Mirror

Four candidates have officially submitted their cash deposits for the 2024 Presidential Election today (26). The Election Commission confirmed this in a statement. Click here to read… [19]

Susil, Sagala call on MR, seek support for President at election – Daily Mirror

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, along with President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake , met Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at his residence and sought his party’s support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential election. Click here to read… [20]