Neighborhood News Digest- 12 September 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate, Turkmenistan Strengthen Ties with Launch of TAPI Project-Tolo News

Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate, said on September 11, in Herat that the commencement of the practical work on the TAPI project would strengthen the relations between the two countries [Afghanistan and Turkmenistan]. The Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate also mentioned that with this initiative, Turkmenistan would enhance the relations and friendship between the two countries. Click here to read… [2]

Construction of Girls' School Begins in Remote Faryab Village-Tolo News

The construction of a girls' school has started in the most remote village of Qaisar district in Faryab province. The Faryab Department of Education said that the land for this school was donated by residents and that the school, costing $70,000, will be completed within the next six months by the international organization Save the Children. Click here to read… [3]

UN appeals for $603 million in winter aid for Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for $603 million to support critical winter preparations in Afghanistan. The funds are needed to address urgent needs as winter approaches. Click here to read… [4]

US State Dept Reaffirms Decision to Withdraw from Afghanistan-Tolo News

The US Department of State, in response to a report by the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the withdrawal from Afghanistan, stated that although ending America's longest war was not easy, it was a necessary action. Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, defended President Biden's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan during a press briefing. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Yunus charts a path to reforms - The Daily Star

The interim government has decided to form six commissions to reform the judiciary, election system, administration, police, Anti-Corruption Commission, and the constitution, said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in his address to the nation yesterday. Click here to read… [6]

Economy still in contraction mode – The Daily Star

Economic activities picked up in August compared to the month prior but could not recover from the trend of contraction that took hold in July, when the overall business environment deteriorated in the face of deadly protests, according to the latest Bangladesh Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI). Click here to read… [7]

Yunus: Relationship with neighbors should be based on fairness, equality – Dhaka Tribune

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday reiterated that they want good relations with India and other neighboring countries. But, he said, that relationship should be based on fairness and equality. Click here to read… [8]

Govt preparing list of Draconian laws - Dhaka Tribune

A list of repressive laws, including the Cyber Security Act, has been prepared in Bangladesh, and these laws will soon be repealed or amended where applicable. Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus made the announcement during his address to the nation on Wednesday. Click here to read… [9]

Chhatra Dal accused of attacking event of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement – Dhaka Tribune

An event organized by the anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which included a meeting with the families of victims and a discussion on terrorism, extortion, and corruption, has reportedly been attacked by activists of Chhatra Dal in Natore. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

YELP on the way: Nu 216 million to support jobs for youth– Kuensel

The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship has proposed a budget of Nu 216 million for the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Programme (YELP) as part of the Economic Stimulus Plan. This budget will be spread over two financial years, from FY 2024-25 to FY 2025-26, with Nu 108 million allocated for each year. The programme aims to support school-to-work transitions by providing jobseekers with opportunities to improve their skills, gain work experience, and connect with potential employers. YELP aims to engage approximately 1,000 youths each year, with an annual budget of Nu 108 million. Click here to read… [11]

Bhutan to host CEOs and scholars on topic of the ‘Mindfulness City’– CMW

The world’s only carbon negative country, Bhutan, will be hosting the Bhutan Innovation Forum to discuss mindfulness and entrepreneurship at the Dungkar Dzong in Paro from 1-3 October 2024. Top thinkers and entrepreneurs will attend, including Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, economist Nicholas Stern, molecular biologist Richard Roberts, former President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos and Buddhist scholar and filmmaker Khyentse Norbu. The event falls under Bhutan’s strategy to create the world’s first ‘Mindfulness City’ – a bid to blend green technology and mindful innovation into a single community. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives

Moody's downgrades Maldives credit rating– Adhadhu

Credit rating agency Moody's has downgraded Maldives' credit rating to Caa1 days after Fitch downgraded the rating to ‘CC’. Moody's downgraded Maldives to Caa1 because of high credit risk. This means Moody's rating is now at ‘non-investment’ grade. ‘The decision to downgrade is driven by our assessment that default risks have risen materially,’ Moody's said and placed the Maldives ‘on review' for a follow-up downgrade. Moody's added that the country's ‘fragile external liquidity position will likely worsen further without near term financing’ and that it has ‘significant external debt obligations coming due within the next 12-18 months.’ Click here to read… [13]

Qatar's new Ambassador visits Ooredoo Maldives headquarters– Adhadhu

Qatar's new Ambassador Jassim bin Jaber J.B. Al-Sorour has visited the Ooredoo Maldives headquarters. Highlighting the strong ties between Maldives and Qatar, the Ambassador said Ooredoo Maldives is Qatar's largest foreign investment. Ooredoo Maldives CEO Khalid Al Hamadi and senior officials extended a warm welcome to the Ambassador. During the meeting, discussions were held on Ooredoo Maldives' efforts in promoting Maldives' digital landscape, its role in promoting innovation and its community-oriented initiatives. Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

Turkmenistan to access Gwadar Port under CPEC-The Express Tribune

Turkmenistan is set to become the first Central Asian country to access the Gwadar Port under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as both countries are about to ink an agreement in this regard. Pakistan and Turkmenistan are already venturing various joint projects, including TAPI pipeline, railway track and fibre connectivity to connect two regions - South and Central Asia. Click here to read… [15]

IHC to hear Imran Khan’s plea against possible military custody tomorrow-The Express Tribune

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has scheduled a hearing on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, seeking to prevent his transfer to military custody. The court’s Registrar’s Office set the petition for hearing despite objections, with Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb presiding over the case on Thursday. Click here to read… [16]

Balochistan, Sindh unite against Irsa Act tweaks-Dawn

In a joint stance, the irrigation ministers of Balochistan and Sindh on Wednesday rejected the federal government’s proposed amendments to the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Act, asserting that any such move would violate 18th constitutional amendment. Click here to read… [17]

‘Two laws, two systems, and two Pakistans cannot coexist’, says Gandapur-The Express Tribune

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has criticised the existence of a dual justice system in Pakistan, stating that "two laws, two systems, and two Pakistans cannot coexist." He stressed the need for a single legal framework for all citizens. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

Plans underway to keep security beefed up post Presidential election – Daily Mirror

Plans are underway to keep security beefed up islandwide following the post-election period in order to maintain law and order and uphold democracy, the Daily Mirror learns. A senior defense source said that while police officers will be deployed in several areas of the country, Tri Force personnel will also remain on standby in case if security needs to be heightened further following election day on September 21. Click here to read… [19]

UK declines to speculate on potential sanctions against some individuals in SL over war crimes – Daily Mirror

Britain has declined to speculate about future sanctions against individuals in Sri Lanka accused of war crimes claiming it could reduce their impact. It would not be appropriate to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact,” said Catherine West, Under Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, in response to a written query about the potential imposition of Magnitsky-style sanctions against individuals in Sri Lanka accused of war crimes. Click here to read… [20]

Ethnicity, religion won't shape Presidential election – Daily Mirror

President Ranil Wickremesinghe who participated in an election rally in Sainda-Marudu today said that ethnicity and religion has nothing to do with the Presidential election. Click here to read… [21]