Neighborhood News Digest- 09 August 2024

Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Population Estimated at 35.7 Million This Year-Tolo News

The National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) said that Afghanistan's population is estimated to be 35.7 million people for the current solar year. Officials of this organization, during a presentation of the NSIA's annual performance, mentioned that out of this total, 18.2 million are men and 17.5 million are women. Click here to read... [2]

Anas Haqqani: Violation of Human Rights of Afghan Migrants is Unacceptable-Tolo News

The release of a video on social media showing the mistreatment of an Afghan teenager by Iranian police has sparked reactions. Anas Haqqani, a prominent member of the Islamic Emirate, said that xenophobia and the violation of the human rights of Afghan migrants are unacceptable. Meanwhile, some social media users have launched a campaign to support Afghan migrants in Iran in response to the mistreatment by Iranian police. Click here to read... [3]

Iran issues ultimatum for illegal migrants to leave by year-end-The Khaama Press

In response to increasing reactions regarding the mistreatment of Afghan migrants in Iran, a senior security official has emphasized that “illegal” migrants must leave the country by the end of the current year. On Wednesday, August 7, IRNA news agency, quoting Ahmad Reza Radan, the Chief Commander of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, reported that “unauthorized” migrants must leave the country and return to their homeland by the end of the year. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Cabinet Division announces portfolios of interim govt – Daily Star

On the morning after the formation of the interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, portfolios have been distributed among the chief adviser and other advisers. A gazette notification was published in this regard today. Click here to read... [5]

Yunus stands in the rain to pay homage to Liberation War heroes – Daily Star

Chief Adviser to the interim government Muhammad Yunus honoured the martyrs of the Liberation War this morning by laying wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar. Despite heavy rain, after placing the wreath at 9:53am, he stood in silence for a while to pay deep respect to the memories of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. Click here to read... [6]

EU seeks to engage with Yunus-led interim government – Daily Star

The European Union (EU), in a statement today, said it was looking forward to working with the new administration in Bangladesh and supporting this important transition. It said the transition should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values and respect for human rights. Click here to read... [7]

PM Extends Best Wishes To Muhammad Yunus, Says "Hopes For Safety Of Hindus" – NDTV

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, who was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's caretaker government today. PM Modi expressed hope for a swift return to normalcy in Bangladesh, and called for the safety and protection of Hindus and other minority communities in the country. Click here to read... [8]

Mamata congratulates Prof Yunus on becoming chief adviser of interim govt – Dhaka Tribune

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has congratulated Prof Mohammad Yunus on being the chief adviser of the newly formed interim government. "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Prof Muhammad Yunus and all those who have taken responsibility in Bangladesh. I hope our relationship with them will improve further,” she wrote on her verified Facebook account on Friday. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Govt. injects Nu 5.3 billion for concessional loans to revitalise economy-Kuensel

The government is injecting Nu 5.3 billion into the banks under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) to provide collateral free and low interest concessional loans and reinvigoration fund. This was announced by the ESP secretariat yesterday during the launch of the first phase of the concessional credit line under the ESP. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

EAM S Jaishankar to launch India-funded projects as Maldives looks to heal relationship – The Economic Times

External affairs minister S Jaishankar will pay a three-day visit to Maldives starting Friday as both countries look to repair the strained relationship since President Mohamed Muizzu came to power last year. This would be Jaishankar's first visit to Male since Muizzu was elected to office. During the visit, India and Maldives will inaugurate completed projects under High Impact Community Development Projects and Line of Credit facility of EXIM Bank of India and witness the exchange of the memorandum of understanding on areas for capacity building, commerce and trade, said Maldives foreign ministry on August 8, announcing the visit. Click here to read... [11]

Gov’t urges caution from Maldivians residing in UK, over escalating riots – Raajje

Maldivians residing in and traveling to the United Kingdom have been urged to practice caution, due to the violent anti-immigration riots in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs late August 7, sent a message to local media outlets, revealing that the High Commission of Maldives in UK is closely monitoring the situation unfolding in the country, where several Maldivian families reside. Since 29 July 2024, citizens have been carrying out riots in several cities of UK, in the wake of the tragic stabbing of three children at a dance and yoga class in Southport. Click here to read... [12]

Pakistan

Baloch Yakjehti Committee calls off protests after talks with govt bear fruit

The leadership of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has called off its sit-in in Gwadar and other areas of Balochistan, following a marathon round of talks with government officials that concluded late on Thursday night. The negotiations were held in Gwadar, with senior minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi leading the government delegation and Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen representing the BYC. Click here to read... [13]

Govt, JI reach agreement to lower electricity prices, task force to review IPPs contracts-The Express Tribune

The final round of negotiations between the government and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) concluded successfully on Thursday, with both sides signing an agreement to reduce electricity prices and form a task force to review Independent Power Producers (IPPs) contracts. Following the agreement, JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced the postponement of the sit-in. Click here to read... [14]

Shariah, Constitution shirkers aren't Pakistanis: COAS-The Express Tribune

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Thursday urged Ulema and Mashaikh (religious scholars) to promote tolerance and unity in society to fight extremism. Addressing the National Ulema Convention, the COAS said the Pakistan Army was working hard to eradicate strife from the nation, in keeping with divine commandments, as such discord is considered a grave sin against Allah. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

Harin, Manusha lose Parliamentary seats – Daily Mirror

The Supreme Court, in two landmark judgments today, determined that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya's (SJB) decision to expel Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the party is legally valid. Click here to read... [16]

Supreme Court quashes recommendations of Gotabaya’s Presidential Commission – Daily Mirror

The Supreme Court today issued an order quashing the findings and recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapakse in respect of nine petitioners including former High Court Judge Padmini N. Ranawaka and President's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya. Click here to read... [17]

Fonseka resigns from SJB Chairmanship – Daily Mirror

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka resigned from the post of SJB Chairmanship today. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said Fonseka has submitted his resignation letter. Click here to read... [18]