Neighborhood News Digest- 18 September 2024

Afghanistan

Operations Resume at Afghan Embassy in Oman Now Under Islamic Emirate-Tolo News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that diplomats representing the Islamic Emirate began their work at the Afghan Embassy in Oman this past Sunday. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the reopening of the Islamic Emirate's embassy in Oman is expected to play a significant role in strengthening political, economic, social, and religious ties between Kabul and Muscat. Click here to read… [2]

UN Report: Current Fiscal Year Sees Growth in Afghanistan's Revenue-Tolo News

The United Nations Secretary-General, in his quarterly report on the situation in Afghanistan, said that the country's revenue reached one billion dollars in the first four months of the current fiscal year, reflecting an 11% increase compared to the previous year. Click here to read… [3]

Ministry of Finance Repays Debts from Previous Government-Tolo News

The Ministry of Finance says that in the past three years, it has paid nearly 2.7 billion afghani in debts owed to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. According to Ahmad Wali Haqmal, spokesperson for the Ministry, around 1.9 billion afghani were paid to the Asian Development Bank, and 910 million afghani to the World Bank. Click here to read… [4]

45,000 Afghans applied for Asylum in Europe in 2024: EUAA-The Khaama Press

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reported on Monday that 45,000 Afghans sought asylum in European countries during the first half of 2024. The report, published on Monday, September 16, stated that by the end of July, a total of 513,000 people had applied for asylum in European countries. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Army given magistracy power - The Daily Star

The government last night gave magistracy power to commissioned army officers with immediate effect for 60 days in order to improve law and order. The officers will act as executive magistrates across the country, said a circular of the public administration ministry. Click here to read… [6]

Bangladesh to clear all overdue LCs within six months – The Daily Star

Bangladesh will clear all overdue payments relating to letters of credit (LCs) within the next five to six months, Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Ahsan H Mansur assured correspondent banks yesterday. Click here to read… [7]

Bangladesh does not have a minority 'problem' -- we have a minority problem – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh has a “minority problem” and it is not something new, or linked with a particular regime, or even adhering to a particular faith or ethnicity. Unpopular as it may sound in the current political milieu, minority communities in Bangladesh have always been an easy target for extremists, predatory elites, and economic looters, who are in turn shielded and encouraged by completely politicized law enforcement agencies, who in turn are extensions of the same kleptocrats in power. Click here to read… [8]

India interested to take forward relations with Bangladesh: Jaishankar – Prothom Alo

Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar has termed the recent development in Bangladesh as the 'internal matter' of the country and it won’t be appropriate to make any comment on it. But India is keen to maintain stable relations with Bangladesh as a neighbour, he said adding India wants to take forward relations further. Click here to read… [9]

Jailbreak: Security concerns loom as over 900 prisoners at large - Prothom Alo

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Inspector General (IG) Prison Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain said, “We have already filed cases against the prisoners who escaped amidst unrest. Law enforcement agencies have already brought many of them to book. At the same time, many of them have surrendered.” Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

Bhutanese in Australia thrilled about His Majesty’s Royal visit– Kuensel

Bhutanese communities across Australia are brimming with excitement as they prepare for His Majesty’s state visit from October 10 to 18. The visit, which includes stops in Sydney, Canberra, and Perth, has sparked a wave of joy and anticipation among Bhutanese living in Australia. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, His Majesty will meet with Australian government and business leaders, as well as Bhutanese living in Australia. His Majesty will visit Sydney on October 12, Canberra on October 13, and Perth on October 16, to meet with the Bhutanese diaspora. Details of the time and venue for the Royal audiences are yet to be announced by the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Canberra. Click here to read… [11]

PM says lot of interest to invest in Bhutan – Banking Frontiers

The Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay has been making a number of foreign visits in the last few months to multiple countries with the latest being Thailand. The Prime Minister said that there are three purposes for the visit. He said the first is to reconnect and nurture Bhutan’s friendly relations with friendly countries and also with international agencies. The PM said he went to India twice, to Thailand, visited the USA and will be visiting Singapore soon. The PM said he also met with agencies like the UN, FAO, WFP and other developmental partners. He said the second aim is to seek financing for developmental programs and here India has been especially important with what they have given for the 13th Plan (85 bn), ESP (15 bn) and in hydropower. Click here to read… [12]

Bhutan Becomes 4th-Largest Bitcoin Holder with $780M Stash – The Crypto Times

Bhutan, a small Buddhist kingdom nestled in the Himalayas, has emerged as a major player in the cryptocurrency world. According to Arkham Intelligence, Bhutan holds 13,011 Bitcoin (BTC), worth around $780 million. This places the country as the fourth-largest global government holder of Bitcoin. What sets Bhutan apart is that its Bitcoin was not acquired through seizures or legal cases, as seen in countries like the U.S. and China. Instead, Bhutan has invested heavily in Bitcoin mining, with operations run by its investment arm, Druk Holdings. These mining activities have multiplied since early 2023 and are powered by the country’s rich hydropower resources, making it one of the most environmentally friendly crypto-mining operations. Click here to read… [13]

Maldives

World Bank warns climate change threatens Maldives fisheries, tourism– Sun International

The World Bank warns Maldives face severe risks due to climate change, especially to the country’s fisheries and tourism sectors. The Maldives Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) publicized on September 17, finds significant threats to the country’s natural capital, especially to its marine ecosystems and warns of the impacts on coral reefs and fisheries. While these effects are already visible, World Bank in its report, said they will worsen by mid-century under both high and moderate emission scenarios. “This degradation could have devastating effects on the Maldives’ economy and environment,” the report read. Click here to read… [14]

Japan and Maldives sign agreement on disaster resilience project – Avas

The governments of Japan and the Maldives have signed an Exchange of Notes on the Disaster Resilience Enhancement in Male’ Island project. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer on behalf of the Maldives, and Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives Mrs. Takeuchi Midori at a ceremony held at the Froeign Ministry on September 17. The Japanese government will provide 20 million Japanese yen (US$140,000) in grant assistance under its Economic and Social Development Program to support the project. Click here to read… [15]

Japan to provide MVR 2 million to repair Male' seawall– Adhadhu

The Japanese government has agreed to provide MVR 2 million for the repair of the seawall in Male'. Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Japanese Ambassador Takeuchi Midori signed the Exchange of Notes during a ceremony on September 17. Under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme, assistance, assistance amounting to 20 million Japanese Yen (USD 140,000) will be provided to support the design phase of the seawall renovation. During the ceremony, Zameer highlighted the significance of this initiative in safeguarding the Maldives from the increasing threat of rising sea levels. Click here to read… [16]

Pakistan

Imran sees ‘plot’ behind constitutional court plan-Dawn

Former prime minister Imran Khan said on Monday that the government wants to set up a constitutional court to bypass the Supreme Court. Talking to the reporters after attending the new Toshakhana case proceedings in the Adiala Jail, Mr Khan claimed that the government is setting up the court since it is “unhappy with the Supreme Court”. Click here to read… [17]

Afghan diplomats spark controversy by disrespecting Pakistan's national anthem-The Express Tribune

Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir, caused outrage on Tuesday during the Rehmat-ul-Alameen Conference in Peshawar by remaining seated during Pakistan’s national anthem, flouting diplomatic protocols and showing what experts have called “utter disregard” for the host nation. Click here to read… [18]

Two Chinese companies to establish textile plants in Pakistan under SIFC agreement-The Express Tribune

Two major Chinese companies have announced plans to establish plants in Pakistan to produce raw materials for the textile industry, facilitated by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Click here to read… [19]

Govt unsuccessful in winning over Fazl- Dawn

The ruling coalition failed to convince Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) to support its attempts to bring constitutional amendments about the superior judiciary, with the secrecy surrounding the proposed legislation being the bone of contention. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka

Presidential Election: Eleven rallies today - Daily Mirror

Around 11 election rallies are to be held before the campaign deadline for the Presidential Election which ends midnight today. Independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe will address three rallies in Matara, Galle, Kalutara, Homagama and Maradana. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will participate in rallies in Galle, Beruwala and Colombo Central. National People's Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake will address rallies in Kalutara, Gampaha and Nugegoda. SLPP candidate Namal Rajapaksa will address rallies in Tissamaharama and Mathugama. Click here to read… [21]

“If we deviate from the current economic reforms, the economy will be worse than 2022” - Ranil – Daily Mirror

Independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday stressed that Sri Lanka’s economy will be worse than 2022 if the country deviates from current economic reforms. He said Sri Lanka should only focus on economic stability alone now while the constitutional reforms should be put to the back seat. Click here to read… [22]

Presidential Election campaign ends midnight today – Daily Mirror

As the campaign period for the upcoming Presidential Election will end tonight (18) at midnight, those engaging in illegal campaigning after the given deadline could face arrest and legal action, the Election Commission warned. Click here to read… [23]

Won’t hesitate to take action even if Ranil is found guilty for abetting to corruption: Sajith – Daily Mirror

Opposition leader and the Presidential candidate of the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya, Sajith Premadasa vowed that he would take legal action against anyone responsible for major scams in the recent past and would not hesitate to take action against the incumbent President if he too is found to be responsible for aiding and abetting to crimes. Click here to read… [24]