Neighborhood News Digest- 02 September 2024

Afghanistan

Muttaqi Engages in Talks with Representatives of Several Countries- Tolo News

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister, met with representatives of several countries, including Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine, on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting. According to the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions focused on topics such as strengthening bilateral relations, cooperation in various sectors, and creating opportunities. Click here to read... [2]

Austria and Germany to collaborate on joint deportation of Afghan criminals-The Khaama Press

Austria has announced its cooperation with Germany to begin deporting Afghan nationals convicted of crimes back to Afghanistan. Germany deported 28 convicted criminals to Afghanistan on Friday, marking the first such deportations since August 2021, according to Reuters. Vienna stated its intention to collaborate closely with Berlin on joint deportation efforts. Click here to read... [3]

150 foreigners currently held in prisons in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The Prison Administration Authority of Taliban released its annual report, stating that the country currently holds approximately 23,000 inmates, including 1,000 women and 150 foreigners. Foreign detainees are incarcerated for various criminal offenses, according to prison officials. Click here to read... [4]

Iran deploys AI and Surveillance to secure border with Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

Iranian security officials responsible for implementing the plan to block the country’s eastern borders state that they are utilizing surveillance technologies and artificial intelligence in this initiative. Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari, commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces, recently stated that they have implemented “intelligent blockades” using artificial intelligence in the border blocking plan with Afghanistan. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Workers unrest: Production shuts at 10 RMG, 20 pharma units - The Daily Star

Amid workers' demonstrations for better pay, regularisation, and two-day weekend, production at some 10 garment and 20 pharmaceutical factories stopped on the outskirts of the capital on Saturday and yesterday. Click here to read... [6]

IMF positive about lending additional $3b – The Daily Star

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is positive about lending an additional $3 billion to Bangladesh but the multilateral lender wants to know what reforms the interim government is planning to take. Click here to read... [7]

Joint operation begins on Wednesday to recover arms – Dhaka Tribune

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a joint operation starting Wednesday, involving both the armed forces and internal security personnel. The operation aims to recover all types of looted and stolen arms, as well as licensed weapons issued to civilians in the past 15 years. Click here to read... [8]

Yunus to sit with secretaries Sept 4 – Daily Star

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will meet all government secretaries at his office on Wednesday, inside sources told this newspaper. A letter was sent to all 55 ministries and divisions yesterday regarding the meeting. It will be the first meeting of the chief adviser with all secretaries since the formation of the interim government on August 8. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Bhutanese students return to Bangladesh as situation improves - Kuensel

With the political situation in Bangladesh improving after a month of unrest, Bhutanese students are beginning to return for their studies. The violence that gripped the neighbouring country from early July to mid-August has subsided and the situation is returning to normalcy. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MoFAET), about 237 Bhutanese are studying in Bangladesh, of which 230 had returned to the country during the political turmoil. Click here to read... [10]

Home ministry begins cracking down on unauthorised social media donations -Kuensel

The Ministry of Home Affairs recently reported nine cases of unauthorised donations, leading to the issuance of a notification warning against such activities. On August 21, 2024, the ministry issued a notification prohibiting the unauthorised solicitation of donations through social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and others without prior approval. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

MPs concerned over source of funds "on behalf of President"– Adhadhu

Some MPs of the People's National Congress (PNC) have raised questions over the source of the monthly cash handout "on behalf of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu" to ruling party MPs. President Muizzu has provided MVR 50,000 to PNC MPs every month since the 20th Session of the People's Majlis commenced in May, some MPs said. Adhadhu has earlier reported the cash handouts. There are 75 PNC MPs in the Parliament. It costs MVR 3.75 million per month to pay MVR 50,000 for each of them. Some senior PNC officials further told Adhadhu that the President provides funds for the party's political and administrative work as well. Click here to read... [12]

China continues to top tourist source markets– Raajje

China remains the top source for tourist arrivals, as the ninth month of the year begins. This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism through its latest daily tourist arrival statistics publicized on August 1, 2024. The tourism ministry revealed that China sits at the top of the list of tourist source markets, contributing 14.6 percent of the market share with 197,326 arrivals by August 30. The year began with Italy topping the tourist arrival markets of the island nation, however it was replaced by Russia for a few weeks. Although the United Kingdom ranked second place for a while, it was replaced by Russia once more. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Audit reveals serious financial irregularities in defence sector-Dawn

The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has highlighted serious financial irregularities, non-transparent pro¬cu¬rements and unauthorised expenditures within various formations of the defence services, calling on the relevant authorities to improve internal controls and initiate inquiries to fix responsibility. Click here to read... [14]

Imran’s chancellorship bid criticised in UK paper-Dawn

Amidst the largely glowing press reports PTI founder Imran Khan has received in the British press for his application to the chancellorship position at Oxford University, a column published in the Observer this weekend criticised the incarcerated former prime minister in a detailed article. Click here to read... [15]

Rs476b trade liberalisation plan made-The Express Tribune

Pakistan has finalised a trade liberalisation plan aimed at drastically reducing import taxes to stimulate exports and boost economic growth. The plan, estimated to cost the government Rs476 billion over the medium term, promises to enhance competitiveness and open up the economy. Click here to read... [16]

JUI-F to hold own protests, avoid PTI-The Express Tribune

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza said on Sunday that his party plans to stage its own protests on issues of its choosing but will refrain from participating in demonstrations organised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka

India’s move to secure ties as presidential race heats up – Daily Mirror

Ahead of the presidential poll, in an apparent move to ensure that Indo-Lanka bilateral cooperation on national security is not compromised under a future government, visiting Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with four main presidential candidates - President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Namal Rajapaksa yesterday. Click here to read... [18]

July trade deficit up over higher imports, but exports remain robust – Daily Mirror

Merchandise trade deficit, what Sri Lanka spent for its imports over its exports, expanded in July and so was for the cumulative seven months as imports gained pace with the economy normalising. Sri Lanka exported goods worth US$ 1,130 million in July, up by a robust 10.8 percent from the same month last year with the contribution coming from all major categories of exports such as industrial led by textiles and garments and agriculture from spices, tea and coconut related products. Click here to read... [19]

IndiGo commences daily Chennai-Jaffna flights – Daily Mirror

IndiGo, a key Indian airline, commenced their flight operations between Chennai and Jaffna from today, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited said. They said the inaugural flight from Chennai to Jaffna arrived today at 3.05 p.m with 52 passengers and departed with 75 passengers. The aircraft was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) and the passengers were warmly welcomed with traditional dance performances and special gift packs sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Department of Industries, Northern Province. Click here to read... [20]

Range Bandara removed from UNP General Secretary Post – Daily Mirror

The United National Party (UNP) is set to replace its General Secretary, Palitha Range Bandara, a top source said. The source confirmed that Mr. Bandara will indeed be replaced. Click here to read... [21]