Neighborhood News Digest- 10 September 2024

Afghanistan

Clashes in Zazai Maidan Force Residents to Leave Homes-Tolo News

Islamic Emirate forces and Pakistani border guards clashed on Monday in the Zazai Maidan district of Khost, along the Durand Line, in the afternoon. Residents of Khost have reported that due to fears of clashes, many local people have left their homes and sought refuge in safer areas. Click here to read… [2]

US House Republicans criticise President Biden over chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal-The Indian Express

US House Republicans are set to release a highly anticipated report criticising President Joe Biden's administration for its handling of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. The report, produced after a three-year investigation led by Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accuses the administration of serious failures in the evacuation process, according to Reuters. Click here to read… [3]

Qomi Says Iran Cooperating With Afghanistan Over Border Security-Tolo News

Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the ambassador and special representative of Iran to Afghanistan, said that Tehran's cooperation with the caretaker government of Afghanistan in ensuring border security and combating terrorism and drug trafficking is ongoing. Click here to read… [4]

57th Human Rights Council Session to begin with focus on Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The Acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN Human Rights Council has announced the start of the 57th council session in Geneva, emphasizing that the human rights situation in Afghanistan will be a key topic of discussion. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Power outages on the rise again - The Daily Star

Power cuts are getting more frequent as power generation has failed to keep up with the high demand caused by the rising mercury. For instance, the power generation shortfall hit nearly 2,000 megawatts (MW) yesterday -- the highest in recent weeks, according to data from the Bangladesh Power Development Board. Click here to read… [6]

Eager to work with Prof Yunus-led interim government: US – The Daily Star

The United States has trashed the speculation on US involvement in the recent student-led anti-government protests in Bangladesh. "We continue to be ready and eager to work with interim government that's led by Dr Muhammad Yunus as it charts its democratic future for the people of Bangladesh," Deputy Principal Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters at a regular briefing in Washington yesterday. Click here to read… [7]

Law providing special security to Bangabandhu’s family abolished – Dhaka Tribune

The law providing special security to the family members of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has been repealed. Notably, on August 25, a writ petition was filed in the High Court challenging the legality of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Family Members Security Act as well as the Special Security Force Act, 2021. Click here to read… [8]

Govt to honour martyrs of July uprising Sept 14 – Dhaka Tribune

The government will honour the martyrs of the July uprising on September 14. Disclosing this at a preparatory meeting on Monday, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam said to honour the martyrs, a commemorative meeting in memory of all the martyrs in the students-people uprising will be organized on September 14. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival, Bhutan– Hindustan Times

With 70 speakers from 14 countries, apart from literary sessions, the 13th edition of the Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival had discussions on the mysteries of rebirth, yoga, navigating identity in the digital age, the mind-body connection in Tibetan medicine, balancing creativity and commercial success, a mindful approach to consumerism, sustainable practices to nurture biodiversity, preserving human intelligence in the age of artificial intelligence, the future of water, and the power of diplomacy. The festival was organised by the non-profit Bhutan Echoes under the patronage of the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, in partnership with the Indian Embassy in Thimphu and the India-Bhutan Foundation. Click here to read… [10]

World Bank says use hydro to boost other sectors– The Bhutanese

The country’s economy, deeply intertwined with its expansive hydropower sector, is showing promising signs of resilience and growth according to the latest World Bank report. With an average real GDP growth rate of 7 percent from 1980 to 2020, Bhutan’s economic trajectory has been significantly shaped by the operationalization of major hydropower projects. But while hydropower has been a major boon, it has also brought its own set of challenges. The influx of foreign currency from energy exports has led to worries about the so-called “Dutch Disease,” where the strong Ngultrum might make other sectors less competitive. And while the hydropower sector is thriving, it has not translated into widespread job creation. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

USD 15 million loan from AIIB to strengthen green taxation and climate adaptation– Adhadhu

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has provided a USD 15 million loan to Maldives to strengthen green taxation and climate adaptation. The government requested the loan last November and it was approved on August 28, according to the AIIB website. The loan was provided for the government's fiscal management and sustainable development projects. The government has not yet disclosed any information about the loan. Click here to read… [12]

Finance Minister confident Maldives will meet debt obligations despite challenges– Avas

Finance Minister Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq has stated that while the Maldives is currently facing difficulties in repaying its debts, including a substantial one-time Sukuk payment due in 2026, there is growing confidence that the country will be able to meet these obligations. In an interview with AVAS, Minister Shafeeq said the next upcoming significant payment is a coupon payment of US$25 million, due before October 8. He expressed confidence that the payment will be made on time. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Pakistan among countries with highest exposure to conflict: report-Dawn

Pakistan is among the countries with the highest exposure to conflict and is also among the 15 countries with the highest disaster risk, according to the World Risk Index 2024 report published on Monday. Click here to read… [14]

PTI leaders Barrister Gohar, Sher Afzal Marwat arrested outside Parliament House-The Express Tribune

Islamabad police arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Sher Afzal Marwat outside Parliament House following a National Assembly session on Monday. According to Express News, a heavy police presence had gathered outside the Parliament House in anticipation. As PTI leaders exited the building, police took positions and swiftly moved to detain Marwat. Click here to read… [15]

Remittances soar to $3b in Aug-The Express Tribune

Workers' remittances sent home by overseas Pakistanis remained strong at nearly $3 billion in August 2024, marking a significant 40.5% increase compared to the same month last year. This robust growth is attributed to the prolonged stability of the rupee against the dollar and a surge in overseas employment, particularly in the Middle East, which allowed more expatriates to support their families back home. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

“I am not in any secret deal with Ranil” – AKD – Daily Mirror

National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake scotched speculation that he is having a secret deal with President Ranil Wickremesinghe who is contesting the election as an independent candidate. Making his remarks to Daily Mirror, Dissanayake said if he was in any secret deal with Wickremesinghe as alleged by several politicians, to form a government with him or work alongside him, then the two would not be contesting against each other as Presidential candidates. Click here to read… [17]

Next SL govt. should commit to accountability, justice, reconciliation: UN Human Rights Chief – Daily Mirror

With less than two weeks for the Presidential election, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the newly elected administration must commit to the concrete transformational changes needed to ensure accountability, justice and reconciliation. Click here to read… [18]

JVP printed MR’s final poster in 2005 on credit, Basil yet to settle it: AKD – Daily Mirror

Claiming that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not have money even to print his final poster in 2005 election, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had printed his final poster on credit and questioned how they have amassed massive wealth now. Click here to read… [19]