Neighborhood News Digest- 16 August 2024

Afghanistan

3rd Anniversary of Islamic Emirate's Return to Power Celebrated-Tolo News

The 14th of August, the 24th of Asad, marked the third anniversary of the Islamic Emirate's return to power in Afghanistan, which was commemorated with separate ceremonies in Bagram and Kabul. High-ranking officials of the Islamic Emirate participated in a ceremony held in Bagram, which featured military parades and displays of military equipment. Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan at risk of becoming a ‘Forgotten Crisis,’ warn aid agencies-The Khaama Press

Heavily dependent on humanitarian aid, Afghans are trapped in cycles of poverty, displacement, and despair. Without international support, Afghanistan risks becoming a forgotten crisis, according to a statement from 10 aid organizations. The aid organizations emphasized the urgent need for long-term development assistance to address the root causes of poverty in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [3]

Muttaqi: US Nationals May Return, But 'Without Uniforms'-Tolo News

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with BBC Persian that US citizens can come to Afghanistan for business and diplomatic relations, but not in military uniforms. In this interview, Muttaqi also said that the interim government seeks good relations with all countries, including the United States. Click here to read… [4]

23.7 million Afghans dependent on humanitarian aid, OCHA reports-The Khaama Press

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported this week that 23.7 million people in Afghanistan are reliant on humanitarian aid. OCHA stated in a post on X on Tuesday that 48 percent of Afghanistan’s population lives below the poverty line, and 12.4 percent are experiencing food insecurity. The UN office highlighted that economic poverty has significantly worsened in recent years. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

More advisers to be sworn in today – The Daily Star

The interim government's advisory council is set to expand as more advisers will be sworn in today. The oath-taking will take place at the Darbar Hall of the Bangabhaban at 4:00 pm, according to a press release from the Bangabhaban yesterday. Click here to read… [6]

Hasina, eight others sued for crimes against humanity, genocide – The Daily Star

A case was filed with the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal today against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and eight others on charge of committing crimes against humanity and genocide between July 15 and August 5 this year. Click here to read… [7]

We need good ideas right now, not Jamaat – Dhaka Tribune

The Awami League government made a lot of mistakes. De-listing Jamaat-e-Islami is not one. In fact, the AL government didn’t even make the decision to de-list Jamaat as a political party. Click here to read… [8]

Report: India pressured US to ease its stance on Hasina before ouster – Dhaka Tribune

India had urged the United States to ease pressure on former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to India in the face of a mass uprising on August 5. Indian officials began to lobby their US counterparts to this end a year ago, reports the Washington Post citing US and Indian officials. Click here to read… [9]

Bangladesh ambassadors to six countries including US asked to return – Prothom Alo

Contractual appointments of Bangladesh ambassadors to the United States, Russia, Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have been cancelled. The high commissioner to the Maldives, who was on deputation, has also been asked to return home. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

Industries lobby for import charges relief for charcoal and bamboo chips- Kuensel

The Association of Bhutanese Industries (ABI) has appealed to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) to exempt the import and export fees and service charges for charcoal and non-wood forest produce (bamboo chips). Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Discussions with US Ambassador on starting helicopter services – Adhadhu

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has held discussions with the US Ambassador on the introduction of helicopter services in Maldives before the end of this year. In a post on social media after his meeting with US Ambassador Hugo Yon on July 7, Ameen said he briefed the ambassador about the "advancements in our aviation industry." "...including the potential introduction of helicopter operations. We also covered the Male' Fahi Program for traffic decongestion. These initiatives are poised to enhance connectivity, boost tourism, and drive economic growth," he wrote. Click here to read… [12]

MoU signed with Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration – Adhadhu

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Maldives government and the Water and Sewerage Administration of Istanbul. The Environment Ministry said the MoU was signed between the Government of Maldives and the Government of Turkey. The MoU was signed by Environment Minister Dr. Thoriq Ibrahim and the Deputy Director General of Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration. The signing ceremony was held online. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Three more officers held in Gen Faiz Hameed’s court martial case-The Express Tribune

In connection with the ongoing court martial proceedings of former spymaster Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, three more retired officers were taken into custody for their actions “prejudicial to military discipline,” the military’s media wing disclosed on Thursday. “Further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement added, hinting at more arrests. Click here to read… [14]

‘Pakistan lags behind in fight against malnutrition’, says Pakistan Nutrition Cluster-Dawn

Pakistan continues to lack progress in child malnutrition, a multi-sectoral problem that presents across a continuum of poor nutrition, from under-nutrition due to deficiencies in energy, protein, and micronutrients to problems of overweight and obesity. “The situation is quite dire in Pakistan, with stunting and wasting heavily prevalent in the country”, according to the latest report published on Thursday by Pakistan Nutrition Cluster and the ministry of national health. Click here to read… [15]

Labourers resume sit-in at Pak-Afghan border-Dawn

Daily wage labourers resumed their sit-in at Chaman on Thursday in protest against the government’s decision to make possession of passport mandatory for crossing the Pakistan-Afghan border. The labourers had called off the months-long sit-in earlier this week after their representatives reached an agreement with the government allowing them to cross the border upon showing national identity cards. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

Deadline for Presidential Election cash deposits ends; 40 candidates – Daily Mirror

The window for placing cash deposits for the upcoming presidential election closed today at 12 noon. As of this morning, 40 candidates had made their deposits. Click here to read… [17]

SL urged to reassess debt plan and strengthen governance - Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s political and bureaucratic leaders should reassess the current debt sustainability plan with a fresh Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) to establish a realistic path out of the debt crisis, a top economist said, whilst also urging governance reforms to tackle corruption vulnerabilities. Click here to read… [18]

Political crossovers galore! – Daily Mirror

With the 2024 Presidential Election on the horizon, Sri Lankan political landscape is once again seeing a wave of crossovers as politicians jump ship in a desperate bid to stay afloat. Click here to read… [19]