Neighborhood News Digest- 07 August 2024

Afghanistan

Ministry Disputes IOM Migration Figures, Highlights High Return Rates- Tolo News

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has rejected the latest report by the International Organization of Migration (IOM), saying that since the Islamic Emirate regained control, 3.7 million people have returned to the country. According to a statement by the ministry, after the return to power, the rate of return of refugees to Afghanistan has been higher than the rate of citizens migrating to other countries. Click here to read… [2]

Children displacement soars in Afghanistan due to climate change-The Khaama Press

The Save the Children organization has announced that during the first six months of the current calendar year, at least 38,000 people, predominantly children, have been displaced in Afghanistan due to climate change. The organization reported an increase in internal displacement in Afghanistan compared to 2023, highlighting the plight of internally displaced persons. Click here to read… [3]

Islamic Emirate and China Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties-Tolo News

The ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in China met with the country’s Special Representative for Afghanistan on Monday describing the relations between Kabul and Beijing as positive and emphasizing the need to further strengthen these ties. In a statement, the Afghan Embassy in China reported that during the meeting, both parties discussed expanding political relations, fostering good relations with neighboring countries, enhancing regional economic connectivity, and addressing consular and commercial issues. Click here to read… [4]

Third Cabinet Meeting Addresses Amu River Bank Erosion-Tolo News

In the third cabinet meeting of the Islamic Emirate, the primary focus was on addressing the erosion of the Amu River banks. According to a statement from the Arg, this meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate, tasked the Ministry of Energy and Water with taking decisive steps to reinforce the banks of the Amu River. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Yunus to helm interim govt – Daily Star

Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus is set to become the head of interim government. President Mohammed Shahabuddin agreed to appoint Yunus as head of an interim government that is yet to materialise as the country continues to stagger in a power vacuum for the second day. Click here to read… [6]

India concerned over status of minorities following Hasina’s resignation – Daily Star

India remains deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored in Bangladesh and it is monitoring the status of minorities following the resignation and fleeing of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, India's Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar said today. Click here to read… [7]

Stocks see highest rise in 3.5 years – Daily Star

Stocks in Bangladesh witnessed a massive jump yesterday amid hopes of a revival of the market following the exit of Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh after her resignation from the post of prime minister on Monday. Click here to read… [8]

Khaleda Zia calls for nation building – Dhaka Tribune

BNP leaders say Khaleda Zia is concerned about the nationwide violence, vandalism and looting of state resources amid the student uprising surrounding a round of anti-discrimination student movement programs. Click here to read… [9]

Temples in Dhaka being guarded by students and locals – Dhaka Tribune

Minorities in several parts of Bangladesh were attacked on Monday after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. However, students and local people came for the protection of temples in some places. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

National debt down by Nu 7.9 billion-Kuensel Online

The country’s national debt saw a decrease by 2.7 percent or Nu 7.9 billion as of June compared to March this year. According to the finance ministry, the debt reached Nu 285.18 billion, equivalent to 106.9 percent of the estimated GDP for the fiscal year 2023-24, which is considered manageable. This was mainly due to a decrease in domestic debt by 32.8 percent, or Nu 10.49 billion, reaching Nu 21.48 billion as of June. Click here to read… [11]

Climate change blamed for decline in rice production in 2023-Kuensel Online

Punakha-Inconsistent rainfall patterns and drying water sources are impacting paddy yields in Punakha, a dzongkhag renowned for producing varieties of rice in the country. Data indicate impacts of climate change as a primary factor for the decrease in the overall yield. Punakha, known for rice production, harvested 7,761 MT of irrigated paddy in 2023. It is, however, a decrease of 299 MT from the previous year. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives

Maldives and China to commence FTA in September – Deccan Herald

Maldives on August 6, 2024 said it has begun efforts to establish a Chinese bank in the country and announced that the implementation of the FTA between the archipelago nation and China is set to commence in September. Maldives’ Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed was speaking here at the inauguration of the ‘Maldives-Sichuan Trade and Investment Cooperation Conference’ when he highlighted the potential business opportunities in the Maldives. Click here to read… [13]

Ambassador Fazeel meets Vice President of China National Petroleum Corporation – Adhadhu

Maldives Ambassador to China Dr. Fazeel Najeeb has met with the Vice President of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The Maldives Embassy in China said in a post on X that the pair discussed possibilities for collaboration in trade and financial matters. CNPC is an 82 percent government-owned oil and gas company. This is one of the largest companies in the world. CNPC ranked fourth on the Fortune Global 500 list of highest paid companies in 2022. Click here to read… [14]

Maldivians in UK urged to register with the High Commission – Adhadhu

The High Commission of the Maldives in the UK has requested all Maldivians residing in the UK to register with the High Commission. The Foreign Ministry earlier said the High Commission was closely monitoring the ongoing anti-Muslim protests and activities following the tragic stabbing of three children at a dance and yoga class in Southport. The ministry urged Maldivians living in the UK and travelling to the UK, especially those living in Southport and surrounding areas, to exercise extra caution. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

Pak-China trade, travel suspended as GB traders’ protest intensifies-Dawn

The ongoing protest by Gilgit-Baltistan traders against the Federal Board of Revenue and Pakistan Customs has intensified, with protesters blocking the Kara¬koram Highway (KKH), also a key CPEC route, suspending travel and trade between Pakistan and China through Khunjerab Pass. Click here to read… [16]

PTI’s Raoof Hasan released from Adiala Jail after bail in terror case-Dawn

PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan was released from Adiala Jail on Tuesday night after an anti-terrorism court granted him bail in connection with a case pertaining to alleged recovery of explosives. PTI lawyer and spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha announced the development on social media platform. Click here to read… [17]

China, KSA, UAE roll over $12b Pak debt for one year-The Express Tribune

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday that three bilateral creditors had agreed to roll over the $12 billion debt for one year, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is likely to approve Pakistan's $7 billion bailout package on the 28th of this month. Click here to read… [18]

Imran Khan cites ‘oppression’ as key factor behind Bangladesh unrest-The Express Tribune

Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has called for an end to the ongoing crackdown on his party during a conversation with lawyers at Adiala Jail, citing oppression as a key factor behind the events in Bangladesh. Click here to read… [19]

Sri Lanka

Namal Rajapaksa enters presidential race after Dhammika Perera pulls out – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer, Namal Rajapaksa will be named as the party’s Presidential candidate today morning following the convening of the SLPP politburo meeting, a senior source from the SLPP told Daily Mirror last evening. SLPP Founder Basil Rajapaksa confirmedto Daily Mirror that Namal will be named as the SLPP’S Presidential candidate today morning at 9 a.m. and his campaign will start immediately. Click here to read… [20]

SL commits to achieving SDGs, Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040 – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka affirmed its commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040, for which President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined some measures the island nation will roll out in this regard. Click here to read… [21]

Sri Lanka plans to wrap up PTA with Indonesia by year-end – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka plans to wrap up negotiations on the proposed Indonesia-Sri Lanka Preferential Trade Agreement (ISLPTA) by December with hopes to seal the same by March 2025. The two countries have so far conducted two rounds of negotiations. Click here to read… [22]

ADB -Sri Lanka ink US$ 100 mn loan agreement for power sector reforms - Daily Mirror

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Sri Lanka inked this week the loan agreement for power sector reforms in the country. The loan agreement is for US$ 100 million for sub programme 1 of a policy-based loan (PBL) to support and facilitate reforms aimed at enhancing the financial sustainability of the country’s power sector. Click here to read… [23]