Neighborhood News Digest- 02 August 2024

Afghanistan

Ministry of Economy: Work On Over 1,300 Projects Ongoing-Tolo News

Officials from the Ministry of Economy said during a program on Thursday that outlined the achievements of the past year that work is ongoing on over 1,300 projects worth $1.8 billion dollars this solar year in the country. According to the ministry officials, these projects are being implemented by non-governmental organizations across various provinces of the country. Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan to host South Africa for three ODIs in September-The Khaama Press

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced that the Afghanistan national cricket team will host South Africa for three One Day Internationals (ODIs) in September this year. According to the board’s statement released on Wednesday, July 31, these matches will take place from September 18 to 22 and on September 23 and will be held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The board has highlighted that this will be the first bilateral series between Afghanistan and South Africa. Click here to read… [3]

Taliban calls Ismail Haniyeh’s death a “Great Loss”-The Khaama Press

The Taliban has condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, calling it a “great loss for the Islamic Ummah and the jihadist movement.” In a statement, the group emphasized that supporting Palestine and Hamas is both an Islamic and humanitarian duty. Click here to read… [4]

UN reports increase in grain production in Afghanistan amid dire humanitarian crisis-The Khaama Press

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that grain production in Afghanistan has increased this year. OCHA stated on Thursday, August 1st, that the rise in rainfall has led to a boost in grain harvests across the country. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

EU halts Dhaka talks. Is it a bad omen? – Daily Star

The European Union's (EU) postponement of the first round of negotiations with Bangladesh on a new agreement will impact trade, investment and development cooperation with the country's largest trading partner. Click here to read… [6]

UN free to probe any incident of violence: PM – Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the United Nations and any country can send their experts to Bangladesh for proper investigations into the recent incidents of violence. The premier was speaking at a programme, organised by Bangladesh Krishak League at the capital's Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh, marking the National Mourning Day. Click here to read… [7]

Quota movement: Protesters announce prayers, processions for Friday – Dhaka Tribune

The Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement has announced a nationwide prayer and mass procession for Friday to press home their 9-point demand. The program was announced in a press release sent by Abdul Kader, a coordinator of the movement. Click here to read… [8]

Will Jamaat be tried as a terrorist group now? – Dhaka Tribune

Despite investigations into the Jamaat-e-Islami's alleged crimes against humanity during the Liberation War being completed a decade ago, no charges have been framed against the organization. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

The battle against low fertility-Kuensel

The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) believe that reversing the country’s low fertility would require more than just government interventions. Currently, Bhutan faces a potential demographic challenge as its fertility rate has significantly dropped. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Gov’t finally issues short statement condemning Hamas leader’s assassination after landing in hot water– Raajje

The incumbent administration has finally issued a short statement, condemning the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, who played a pivotal role in negotiations regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and was the political leader of Hamas. Haniyeh was slain mere hours after he attended the inauguration of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran. In a short statement issued on August 1, 2024 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the government condemns the assassination of Chief of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh. Click here to read… [11]

India adds two more ports for export of essential commodities to Maldives – Business Standard

India has announced two additional ports for the export of essential commodities from India to the Maldives for the financial year of 2024-25. The two new ports announced are namely: Kandla Sea (INIXY1) and Vishakhapatnam Sea (INYTZ1). "Government of India has announced the inclusion of two additional ports for export of essential commodities from India to the Maldives for FY 2024-2025," the Indian High Commission in Maldives said in a post on X. Kandla and Vishakhapatnam Customs Sea ports have been added to the list of ports allowed for Export of Essential Commodities. This is in addition to four ports which were already in use. Click here to read… [12]

Pakistan

Pakistan declares August 2 national day of mourning over Ismail Haniyeh assassination-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday strongly denounced the killing of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, calling it a "barbaric act" that flagrantly violated international laws. Sharif stated that the extraterritorial assassination had sparked widespread condemnation from Pakistan and other nations, including Turkey, Russia, Iran, China, and Malaysia. These countries have expressed strong disapproval of the attack. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan paid over $3.5b in interest to IMF-The Express Tribune

In the last forty years, Pakistan has paid over $3.5 billion in interest on loans to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This revelation was made during a meeting of the Senate's Standing Committee on Economic Affair, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, on Thursday at the Parliament House. The Ministry of Finance presented details of the loans and repayments made to the IMF so far. Click here to read… [14]

PTI information secretary Raoof Hassan, eight others granted bail by Islamabad court-Dawn

A court in Islamabad on Thursday granted post-arrest bail to PTI Secretary Information Raoof Hassan and eight others in a case registered against them under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). Click here to read… [15]

Sri Lanka

Narendra Modi’s visit put off due to Presidential Election – Daily Mirror

The planned visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka is unlikely to take place anytime soon because of the declaration of the Presidential Election, the Daily Mirror learns. When Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar undertook his official trip to Sri Lanka on June 20, 2024, there was an indication about the Indian Prime Minister’s visit. Also, such a visit was reportedly discussed when President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the swearing in ceremony of the Indian leader before that. Click here to read… [16]

Majority of parliamentarians to pledge support for President in Election: Education Minister – Daily Mirror

The majority of the parliamentarians, including various political groups and parties, will pledge their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the next few days for the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election. Addressing the media after signing an agreement to resume the 'Suraksha' student insurance scheme with the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation at the Ministry, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announced that over 115 parliamentarians from various political groups will support the President in the upcoming Presidential Election. Click here to read… [17]

Why did Sajith meet Namal? – Daily Mirror

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa had reportedly met SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa a few days ago. Presidential Advisor on Parliamentary Affairs Ashu Marasinghe today questioned as to why this meeting has taken place. Click here to read… [18]