Neighborhood News Digest- 05 September 2024

Afghanistan

Georgette Gagnon Appointed Political Deputy of UNAMA-Tolo News

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Canadian Georgette Gagnon as the Deputy Special Representative (Political) for Afghanistan in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan among Top Ten Countries Most Vulnerable to Climate Change-Tolo News

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in its latest report, has named Afghanistan as one of the ten countries most vulnerable to climate change. According to this organization, despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, Afghanistan ranks among the top ten countries most affected by climate change. Click here to read… [3]

11 Afghan citizens executed in Iran last month-The Khaama Press

The Iran Human Rights Organization emphasized that executions of Afghan citizens in Iran have increased since the Taliban took power, with 11 Afghan citizens executed in the past month. The organization published a report on Tuesday, September 3rd, stating that Iran executed 100 individuals in August of this year alone. Click here to read… [4]

Afghanistan Exports Honey Worth $4,500 to Oman, Germany, and Japan-Tolo News

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports that in the first five months of the current solar year, over 400 kilograms of honey were exported from Afghanistan. Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the ministry, stated that this quantity of honey, valued at $4,500, was exported to Oman, Germany, and Japan. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

One month into Hasina’s fall: Students to hold ‘Shaheedi March’ today - The Daily Star

The Anti-Discrimination Students Movement will take out "Shaheedi March" across the country today to mark the one month of the fall of the Hasina regime. In Dhaka, the procession will begin at Raju Memorial Sculpture at 3:00pm and parade through Nilkhet, New Market, Kalabagan, Dhanmondi, Manik Mia Avenue, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Bangla Motor, and Shahbagh before ending at the Central Shaheed Minar. Click here to read… [6]

BB will safeguard depositors’ interests – The Daily Star

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur requested customers to keep calm regarding the crisis plaguing over half a dozen ailing banks, expressing optimism that their situation would turn around soon. Click here to read… [7]

Tarique: BNP wants national government, bicameral parliament – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said with the support of the people, BNP wants to see that the country will be run through a "national government" system while a bicameral parliament system will be incorporated in the constitution in future. Click here to read… [8]

Fall of Sheikh Hasina: Impact on Bangladesh’s relationship with India – Dhaka Tribune

One area now under severe scrutiny is Bangladesh’s foreign policy, particularly its relationship with India. A truly warm, heart-to-heart relationship never fully developed between the two countries, largely due to mutual suspicion. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Turning eastern Bhutan into a model eco-tourism destination-Kuensel

In a move to spread out tourism across the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is implementing a USD 4.854 million project to develop and promote ecotourism in four eastern dzongkhags of Trashiyangtse, Trashigang, Mongar, and Lhuentse, including Zhemgang in central Bhutan. This project, funded by the Global Environment Facility through the United Nations Development Programme, began in 2021 and is slated to run until 2026. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Maldives signs High Seas Treaty– Adhadhu

The Maldives signed the High Seas Treaty as its 92nd signatory, the Foreign Ministry has revealed. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, signed the agreement at a ceremony held in the UN Headquarters in New York. "The agreement is a representation of the promise of multilateral cooperation and a collaborative approach to protect our ocean. The Maldives stands ready to do our part," Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said in a post on X. Click here to read… [11]

'Things are clearly much, much worse...': Traders dump Maldives amid growing default risk. Will India step in? – Business Today

The selloff of Maldives' Islamic bonds has intensified, with the dollar-denominated sukuk due in 2026 dropping below 70 cents this week, a record low. The risk of default looms large. Recent moves by the Bank of Maldives to cap foreign currency spending, coupled with a second Fitch downgrade since June, have triggered a rush to offload holdings. With $500 million in sukuk debt maturing in 2026, all eyes are on the October 8 coupon payment. Despite gross reserves of $395 million in June, usable reserves are just $45 million. The Maldives Monetary Authority is negotiating a $400 million currency swap with India, but Fitch's downgrade to CC underscores rising default concerns. Click here to read… [12]

Pakistan

Political solutions needed for terrorism, not military action: Maulana Fazlur Rehman-The Express Tribune

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has called for addressing terrorism through political measures rather than military force. Speaking in the National Assembly, Rehman emphasised that blaming Afghanistan for Pakistan’s security issues was misguided. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan, UK discuss strategic partnership, regional cooperation-The Express Tribune

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with David Lammy, the UK's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, on Wednesday to discuss a wide range of bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest. According to a Foreign Office press release, Dar highlighted the importance of a strong Pakistan-UK partnership, aiming to advance their comprehensive bilateral agenda while promoting regional peace and stability. Click here to read… [14]

Opposition seeks national debate on Balochistan-Dawn

Pressing ahead with plans to hold a long-awaited public meeting on Sept 8, a grand opposition alliance on Wednesday resolved to convene a multi-party conference (MPC) on the deteriorating situation in Balochistan.A meeting of the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) also demanded that a sitting of parliament be called to discuss the situation in Balochistan, and asked that details of the meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan, recently held in Balochistan, be shared with the opposition. Click here to read… [15]

Azma Bokhari hints at Imran’s military trial-Dawn

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Wednesday the PTI supremo Imran Khan would not be spared, hinting his trial might be held in a military court. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

Anura will overcome Sajith this year and become opposition leader: Ranil – Daily Mirror

The National People’s Power (NPP) Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake will surpass Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa at this year’s Presidential polls and become the main opposition leader later this year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe believes. Click here to read… [17]

Guidelines issued to Police stations for handling election-related social media violations – Daily Mirror

With the Presidential Election set for September 21, social media has become the primary platform for campaign activities and criticisms targeting candidates. In response, the Police Headquarters has directed all police stations to follow new guidelines for acting on election-related complaints on social media, including the removal of problematic posts and handling violations, the Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read… [18]

Governance is second, rebuilding economy first – President – Daily Mirror

In the midst of talks about abolition of the executive presidency, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he will leave it up to the next Parliament since rebuilding the economy precedes governance in his view. Click here to read… [19]