Neighborhood News Digest- 22 August 2024

Afghanistan

Mujahid announces ban on UN Rights Rapporteur’s entry into Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

A Taliban spokesperson has stated that Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on gross human rights violations in Afghanistan, is no longer permitted to travel to Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid accused the UN Special Rapporteur of spreading “propaganda” against the Taliban. Click here to read... [2]

Preliminary Work on Wakhan Road to China Completed-Tolo News

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development said that the preliminary work on the Wakhan Road, including road construction, excavation, and graveling of 50 kilometers, has been completed. The construction of this road, which connects Badakhshan to the Yarkand region of China, began last year from the Bazai Gonbad area of Pamir with a length of over fifty kilometers, and it has now reached the zero point between China and Afghanistan. Click here to read... [3]

Ministry of Martyrs: 15 Billion Afs Paid Out Last Year-Tolo News

In the annual activity report presentation, officials of the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled said today (Wednesday) that more than 15 billion AFN was paid last year to over 600,000 disabled persons, orphans, and widows. Officials in this program added that more than 28,000 orphans, widows, and disabled persons who were not eligible have been identified and removed from the ministry's system. Click here to read... [4]

Iranian Media: Tehran and Kabul Reach Agreement on Anti-Drug Measures-Tolo News

An Iranian delegation, after concluding their visit to Afghanistan, has announced an agreement between Tehran and Kabul for the exchange of information to combat drug trafficking. Iranian media, citing Mohammad Zarei, Deputy Head of Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters, reported that the latest agreements between Kabul and Tehran include the sharing of experiences, provision of educational services, and the formation of joint committees in the field of drug control. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Interest payment for foreign loan jumped 162% in Jul-Mar of FY24 – Daily Star

Interest payments against foreign loans shot up 162 percent year-on-year in the first nine months of the last fiscal year as debt servicing of loans taken for some mega projects has started. Click here to read... [6]

Help us get back laundered money – Daily Star

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday sought UK support as Bangladesh wants to bring back the money laundered abroad over the years. He sought the cooperation when British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke called on him at his office in State Guesthouse Jamuna, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. Click here to read... [7]

Bangladesh caught off-guard by India’s reservoir sluice gate opening – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh’s south-eastern Comilla district borders the Tripura state of India to the east. Both regions have been drenched by heavy monsoon rains, with Tripura experiencing significantly more rainfall than Comilla over the past 72 hours. Click here to read... [8]

Revolution 2024: UN team to arrive in Dhaka Thursday to probe killings – Dhaka Tribune

The United Nations is dispatching a fact-finding team to Dhaka on Thursday as part of its investigation into the killings that occurred during the student revolution in July and early August. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan celebrates 50 years of tourism, poised to double visitor arrival this year - ET

In 2023, Bhutan welcomed 103,000 visitors, and the country is poised to double that number in 2024, aiming for at least 200,000 arrivals. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan Telecom Upgrades Network Capabilities with Ciena Routing Solutions – TT

Bhutan Telecom is upgrading its network infrastructure with Ciena's routing solutions to meet increasing traffic demands and support new technologies. The deployment includes Ciena's 5164, 8110, and 8114 coherent routers, which are designed to handle the demands of edge cloud applications and improve connectivity. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Maldives reaffirms support for China’s 'One China' policy – Avas

Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla has reaffirmed the Maldives' full support for China’s "One China" policy during his ongoing visit to China. Abdul Raheem is in China to attend the 2024 International Seminar on the Achievement of the SDGs for Parliaments of Developing Countries. Speaking at the seminar, Abdul Raheem emphasized the strong and longstanding relationship between the Maldives and China, which dates back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Click here to read... [12]

Qasim warns country will go bankrupt without immediate austerity measures– Adhadhu

The government must cut spending and take all necessary measures to get out of the financial crisis or else the country cannot be saved from bankruptcy, Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim has warned. During the debate on the Urban Development Bill in Parliament yesterday, Qasim said the state's debt has neared MVR 130 billion and all necessary measures must be taken to get rid of the debt. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

PM to address UNGA on Sept 26-The Express Tribune

PM Shehbaz Sharif is set to address the United Nations General Assembly's annual General Debate on September 26, according to a provisional list of speakers released by the UN on Tuesday. The high-level debate of the 193-member's Assembly's 79th session will take place from September 24 to 30. Click here to read... [14]

'IMF approval expected in September'-The Express Tribune

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb claimed on Wednesday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is 'expected' to approve Pakistan's $7 billion programme in September, though he refrained from specifying a new date. Click here to read... [15]

PTI remains ‘headless’ despite top court relief-Dawn

More than a month after the Supreme Court handed a major legal victory to the PTI by declaring it eligible for reserved seats in National and provincial assemblies, the party remains without a head and an election symbol in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s books. On Wednesday, the ECP released a revised list of political parties, leaving the position of party head for PTI vacant. Click here to read... [16]

PTI to go ahead with capital march sans NOC-The Express Tribune

The lack of a no-objection certificate seems to be no problem for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as it vows to continue its Thursday's march towards the Tarnol Chowk of the federal capital. On Wednesday, Islamabad district administration decided not to grant permission to the PTI to hold its rally in Islamabad. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka

I could not take it anymore; SJB is heading on a wrong path: Thalatha Athukorala resigns as MP – Daily Mirror

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Thalatha Athukorala who shockingly resigned from her parliamentary seat just weeks ahead of the Presidential election said she made this decision as she saw no clear road ahead with the SJB and said she could not bear to see the party heading in such an ad hoc direction. Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka to allow visa free access to 35 countries: Harin – Daily Mirror

The Cabinet has decided to allow 35 countries visa free access into Sri Lanka from October 1, 2024, Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism Harin Fernando said. The countries include Germany, Netherlands, Australia, India, China and Japan. Click here to read... [19]