Neighborhood News Digest- 14 August 2024

Afghanistan

Qani says: Border clash in Torkham destroys two Pakistani posts-The Khaama Press

Abdul Mateen Qani, the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry of the interim government, announced that during a clash with Pakistani border guards in Torkham, Afghanistan border forces destroyed two Pakistani border posts. On Monday night, August 12, Qani posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a woman and two children were killed when a mortar shell fired by Pakistani border guards hit a house. Click here to read… [2]

India grants citizenship to first group of Afghan Sikhs amid ongoing review of 400 applications-The Khaama Press

The Indian government has announced that it has granted citizenship to the first group of Sikh migrants from Afghanistan. According to a report published by The Hindu on Monday, August 12, these Afghan Sikh citizens applied for Indian citizenship online approximately 100 days ago. Click here to read… [3]

Public Works Ministry Completed 85 Projects, Plans 2nd Salang Highway-Tolo News

Officials from the Ministry of Public Works said on Monday during a program outlining their one-year achievements that out of 109 projects for the maintenance and preservation of roads and highways, they have completed 85 projects over the past year. These officials also mentioned that they have a plan to construct the second Salang Highway and have held discussions with some foreign investors regarding this project. Abdul Karim Fateh, deputy minister of Public Works, said during the program that the ministry has created direct employment opportunities for more than 15,000 people and indirect employment for 90,000 people during this period. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

‘Gave shelter to AL leaders whose lives in danger’ – Daily Star

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman yesterday said they gave shelter to some influential people from the ousted Awami League government as their lives were in danger. He also said they gave shelter to people irrespective of their party affiliation, opinion and religion. Click here to read… [5]

Hasina urges all to observe August 15 – Daily Star

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in India after the fall of her government following a mass uprising, yesterday demanded an investigation into the killings, vandalism, and arson carried out in the name of agitation. Click here to read… [6]

‘We’re one family, no room for division’ – Daily Star

Interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said all are equal in the eyes of law and there is no scope to create divisions. "Establishing people's democratic rights and human rights is the main goal of this government," he said while visiting Dhakeshwari National Temple in the capital in the afternoon. Click here to read… [7]

Resistance Week: Students to hold sit-in protest at Shahbagh – Dhaka Tribune

As part of the week-long “Resistance Week” under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, a sit-in protest at Shahbagh will be held on Wednesday afternoon. The protesters will also march from Shahbagh to Rapa Plaza, along with a candlelight vigil and prayer ceremony in memory of the martyrs at 4:30pm. Click here to read… [8]

Bangladesh's debt not a concern, says World Bank – Dhaka Tribune

The World Bank is not concerned about Bangladesh's debt payments. Instead, the organization wants to invest more to increase employment opportunities in the country. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan launches youth-led World Food Forum Chapter - Kuensel

Bhutan World Food Forum Chapter (BWFFC) was launched on International Youth Day yesterday, marking the country’s entry as the 14th global chapter. Click here to read… [10]

REVIVE prepares to ensure smooth reintegration of Bhutanese returnees – Kuensel

A total of 335 Bhutanese nationals have registered for the National Reintegration Programme (NRP) under the REVIVE initiative as of August 9, 2024, according to the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

President Muizzu sends a letter to King of Bahrain – Adhadhu

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has presented a letter from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain. The letter was handed over by Zameer during his audience with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister of Bahrain at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace on August 12, 2024. Zameer thanked the leadership and the government of Bahrain for the closeness accorded to the Maldives throughout the past few decades. Click here to read… [12]

Pakistan

Low-cost electricity must to give citizens relief: PM-Dawn

Prime Minis¬ter Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed concern over Rs500 billion lost each year to electricity theft and stressed the need to reduce power prices to provide relief to both domestic consumers and industries. He said the government and all its departments are working to provide low-cost electricity to citizens and bring in reforms to achieve economic stability. Click here to read… [13]

With no headway in talks, Torkham stays shut-Dawn

The Tor¬kham border crossing bet¬ween Pakistan and Afgha¬nistan remained closed for a second day, as border sec¬urity officials could not reach an agreement on Tu¬¬e¬¬¬sday over the construct¬ion of a controversial check post on the Afghan side. Sources at Torkham said that Afghan auth¬o¬ri¬ties did not attend the scheduled meeting on Tu¬e-sday afternoon while an¬other meeting later in the evening was postpo¬ned till Wednesday. Click here to read… [14]

PPP thwarted PML-N's push to ban PTI: Mandokhel-The Express Tribune

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Qadir Mandokhel revealed that it was PPP's pushback that forced the PML-N-led government to rethink its stance on banning PTI, asserting that his party can send the ruling party packing whenever it chooses. He claimed that PPP, a party capable of pulling the rug out from under the government's feet whenever it wishes, would not stand idly by while PML-N tried to overstep on matters of democratic principles. Click here to read… [15]

Sri Lanka

36 presidential candidates now in the running – Daily Mirror

Four more candidates including Namal Rajapaksha from the Samabima Party placed cash deposits for the upcoming Presidential election today (13) pushing the total number of candidates to 36. Click here to read… [16]

New alliances, crossovers, strategic realignments on the cards – Daily Mirror

New alliances, crossovers and strategic realignments appear to be taking centre stage ahead of the nomination period of the Presidential Election. Click here to read… [17]

Rajitha aligns with Ranil – Daily Mirror

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Rajitha Senaratne pledged his support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe by entering into an agreement with the President at the Gangaramaya Temple Seema Malaka today. Click here to read… [18]

Patali to support Sajith at Presidential election – Daily Mirror

United Republican Front (URF) leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka will join the Samagi Jana Sandanaya in support of Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa. Click here to read… [19]