Neighborhood News Digest- 12 August 2024

Afghanistan

New Kabul: Progress on Afghanistan’s Largest Urban Project-Tolo News

The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has announced that work on the second section of the first phase of the New Kabul project in Deh Sabz is currently underway, with 25% completion so far. According to Afghan, investors from Turkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran have expressed interest in the construction of this major project. Click here to read… [2]

Iran Proposes Joint Mineral Economic Zone with Afghanistan-Tolo News

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced that a delegation from Iran, during a meeting with the acting minister, proposed an investment in establishing a special joint mineral economic zone between the two countries. According to Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the delegation also discussed the establishment of iron processing factories, the development of railways, and road construction in the country, during their meeting with Nooruddin Azizi. Click here to read… [3]

Acting Interior Minister Reaffirms Commitment to General Amnesty Decree-Tolo News

Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, stated during visits to the provinces of Paktia and Paktika that the general amnesty decree in the country has not been violated and that there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. Haqqani also emphasized that since the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate, many hostilities between ethnic groups in the country have turned into friendships. Click here to read… [4]

Nearly 2 million migrants returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan-The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has reported that nearly two million Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from Iran, Pakistan, and other countries over the past year. Officials from the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation released these statistics during a press conference held at the Government Media Information Center. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Global response to Bangladesh’s transition – Daily Star

The international response to transition has been overwhelmingly positive, with key global players pledging their support for Bangladesh's journey toward democracy. Click here to read… [6]

Unrest in banking sector raises concerns – Daily Star

Unrest has gripped the banking sector at a time when several banks are burdened with huge default loans and are suffering from low asset quality. Click here to read… [7]

US lawmakers urge sanctions on Bangladeshi officials for crackdown on student protesters – Dhaka Tribune

US Congressman Lloyd Doggett and Senator Chris Van Hollen are leading a group of their colleagues in urging Washington to impose targeted sanctions on former senior Bangladeshi officials responsible for violence against peaceful student protesters, specifically naming Obaidul Quader and Asaduzzaman Khan. Click here to read… [8]

BBC Verify uncovers misinformation about Hindu persecution in Bangladesh – Dhaka Tribune

Chaos erupted in Bangladesh after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister on August 5. Amid this, numerous fake posts circulated on social media in India, claiming widespread atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Click here to read… [9]

Tarique Rahman eyes return to Bangladesh, but no immediate plans set – Dhaka Tribune

Even though an interim government has started functioning in Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, there is speculation that there is no immediate possibility of BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman returning to the country. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

Positive economic outlook for fiscal year 2023-24 - Kuensel

The country’s current account deficit (CAD) is estimated to improve by 37.14 percent or Nu 30.16 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24 compared to the previous fiscal year, according to the finance ministry’s third quarter macro-economic performance and outlook report. Click here to read… [11]

'Assault' protest at India-Bhutan border by residents of Jalpaiguri tea garden – Telegraph

A group of residents of a tea garden in Jalpaiguri on the India-Bhutan border closed a gate to Samtse district to protest the alleged assault of two students by Bhutan police. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives

India-Maldives relations very important: EAM Jaishankar – Hindu

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday (August 10, 2024) said the Maldives is ‘no ordinary neighbour’ of India and emphasised that New Delhi will continue to nurture it and find practical ways of expressing friendship with the archipelagic nation. Mr. Jaishankar also explained how India values its diaspora and the impact that the Indian-origin members have across the globe while interacting with the Indian diaspora here during his three-day official visit. He also virtually inaugurated and handed over to the Maldives a massive water and sanitation project worth $110 million funding from India at 28 islands covering 7 percent of its population. Click here to read… [13]

India Out campaign: President Muizzu says there is no space for instability – Adhahdu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that he would not allow anything that goes against the foreign policy of the Maldives government. He said this in response to whether the government would allow the 'India Out' campaign launched by the Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition when they were in the opposition. In an exclusive interview with Adhadhu on Sunday after a meeting with the Male' city council, President Muizzu said the people voted for him because they accepted his foreign policy and that the country will continue under that foreign policy. The President then said that this country needs peace, development and security. Click here to read… [14]

Maldives reiterates commitment to strengthen security and stability with India – Avas

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has emphasized the Maldives' commitment to collaborating with India for national and regional stability and security. In a joint statement released following a meeting with India's External Affairs Minister Dr. Subramanyam Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to the Maldives, Minister Zameer highlighted India's significance as a key partner in the country's development. The minister reaffirmed the current government's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with India and working together to ensure national and regional stability and security, particularly in combating terrorism, extremism, and drug-related issues. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

Triumphant Arshad Nadeem lands in Lahore to rousing welcome-Dawn

After striking gold at the Paris Olympics, ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem landed at the Lahore airport in the small hours of Sunday morning to a rousing welcome by an ecstatic crowd that had gathered there to welcome the champion, who had ended Pakistan’s decades-long drought at the Games. Click here to read… [16]

We can influence Taliban's TTP policy: Akram-The Express Tribune

On August 15, the Afghan Taliban will mark three years in power. When the insurgent group regained control of Kabul, there were celebrations in some quarters of Pakistan, as many believed that the change of government in Afghanistan would benefit the country. Click here to read… [17]

President Zardari, PM Sharif extend messages of support, solidarity on Minorities’ Day-Dawn

To mark National Minorities Day, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed support and solidarity with Pakistan’s religious minorities on Sunday, vowing to protect their rights and ensure their well-being in the country. The government declared August 11 as National Minorities Day in 2009. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

Visa approval crisis threatens tourism sector – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which only recently celebrated the suspension of the VFS Global-led visa issuing system, is now grappling with a significant crisis. The sector is under severe strain as tourists and travel agents face mounting difficulties in securing the necessary approvals to enter the country. Click here to read… [19]

Sri Lanka sees US$ 566.8mn in July remittances – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s remittances from overseas workers continued to rise in July, providing a boost to the country’s external sector. The country received US$ 566.8 million in foreign currency from migrant workers last month, bringing the total for the first seven months of 2024 to US$ 3.71 billion. This marks a 10.3 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier. Click here to read… [20]

The President told us not to worry’’ - Harin – Daily Mirror

Moments after the Supreme Court judgement determined that the decision to expel Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the SJB was legally valid, President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Harin and Manusha last morning and thanked the two for their support and requested them 'not to worry'. Click here to read… [21]