Neighborhood News Digest - 08 August 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Seeks Transfer of Afghan Prisoners from Iran-Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate has requested Tehran hand over Afghan citizens who are imprisoned in Iran for various crimes to Kabul so that they can be punished according to Afghan laws. Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said regarding the Afghan citizens imprisoned in Iran that so far nearly 4,000 Afghan prisoners have been transferred from Iran to Afghanistan. Click here to read… [2]

US spends $21 billion on Afghanistan after troop withdrawal-The Khaama Press

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) in the United States has announced in its latest report that the total amount of money the U.S. has spent in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of its troops is 21 billion dollars. SIGAR’s report, released on Tuesday, August 6, indicates that the United States has spent a total of 20.71 billion dollars in various sectors in Afghanistan over the past three years, from August 2021 to July 2024. Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

Interim govt: Swearing-in tonight – Daily Star

Members of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus will take oath tonight, three days after the cabinet was dissolved following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. After sharing the information with journalists, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman yesterday said the oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held at 8:00pm in presence of some 400 dignitaries. Click here to read… [4]

BNP calls for unity, polls at the soonest – Daily Star

BNP yesterday called for calm and unity and ensuring the safety of all irrespective of religion, race and identity as well as immediate election. Tens of thousands of leaders, activists and supporters, who began convening at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters in the morning, burst into loud cheers when Khaleda's video message played out, her first speech in six and a half years. Click here to read… [5]

Army chief: Normalcy will be restored soon – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has said that the country’s situation is improving and expressed hope that normalcy will return soon. He also emphasized that firm action will be taken against those involved in vandalism and looting following the resignation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Click here to read… [6]

Joy: Not possible to eliminate Awami League – Dhaka Tribune

Sajib Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, claimed that building the new Bangladesh is not possible without the Awami League. “Our activists are being attacked. Many were killed. In this situation, the Awami League is the oldest Democratic Party in Bangladesh. Awami League is not dead. Awami League made the country independent, it is not possible to end Awami League.” Click here to read… [7]

Tarique urges administration to strictly control law and order - Dhaka Tribune

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged the administration to strictly control the law and order situation as "a plot is on to destabilize the country." Tarique made the call while addressing virtually a mammoth rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan Central office. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Tata Power partners Druk Green for hydropower project in Bhutan-The Economic Times

Tata Power Company Ltd is scouting for more public-private hydropower projects in Bhutan, Praveer Sinha, chief executive officer, and managing director, said. On Tuesday, Tata Power announced that it has partnered with Druk Green Power Corporation Limited to develop the 600 MW Khorlochhu Hydropower Project in Bhutan with 40% equity investment. The estimated project cost is ₹6,900 crore. Click here to read… [9]

Maldives

Maldives joins US military exercise in Sri Lanka – Adhadhu

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the Sri Lankan Air Force, the US Pacific Air Force and the Montana National Guard have launched the "Atlas Angel" military exercise in Sri Lanka. More than 70 US troops and two military aircraft are participating in the exercise until Friday. The exercise is conducted by the Montana National Guard in collaboration with Maldives and Sri Lanka. "Disasters are increasing day by day around the world. With the assistance and experience of the United States, we can work to reduce the damage caused by disasters," US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said. Click here to read… [10]

SAARC Secretary-General meets President Muizzu – Adhadhu

The Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Golam Sarwar has paid a courtesy call on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. During the meeting at the President's Office on Tuesday morning, Sarwar expressed his gratitude for the meeting and briefed the President on the various programs of SAARC being carried out to benefit member countries. Muizzu affirmed the Maldives' government's support and commitment to strengthening SAARC and praised the Secretary-General for his leadership. He also expressed his hope for regional cooperation in trade. Click here to read… [11]

Pakistan

Dar, OIC chief stress urgency of Gaza ceasefire, humanitarian aid-The Express Tribune

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday met with Secretary General of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha on the side-lines of the Open-Ended Extraordinary Meeting of OIC Executive Committee held here. Click here to read… [12]

Imran ‘ready to apologise’ if PTI role in riots proved-Dawn

Former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday offered to apologise for the May 9 riots, provided the involvement of PTI supporters in the violent protests was proved. His remarks came during a media talk at the Adiala Jail following the proceedings of the £190 million corruption reference against him and Bushra Bibi. Click here to read… [13]

Sri Lanka

"I am ready to work with Sajith, Anura and Namal if I win’’ - Ranil Wickremesinghe – Daily Mirror

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed his willingness to work with all parties if he wins the September 21 Presidential election and extended an open invitation to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, National People's Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the newly elected Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa to form a national government. Click here to read… [14]

SF to make a special statement tomorrow – Daily Mirror

Independent Presidential candidate Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is to make a special statement tomorrow (Friday August 9). Fonseka arrived in the island after a tour of India where he had met Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Click here to read… [15]

3,694 Lankans depart for work in South Korea by August: SLBFE – Daily Mirror

As of August this year, a total of 3,694 Sri Lankans have left for work in South Korea, with another 100 individuals set to depart soon, the Sri Lanka Foreign Bureau of Employment (SLBFE) said. Click here to read… [16]