Neighborhood News Digest- 24 September 2024

Afghanistan

Foreign Ministry Criticizes Exclusion of Islamic Emirate from UN Seat-Tolo News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the exclusion of the interim government's representative from the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, calling the decision an injustice to the Afghan people. The ministry also highlighted the need to hand over Afghanistan's seat at the UN to the interim government of Afghanistan. Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan's GDP Grows by 2.7% in Past Year-Tolo News

The Ministry of Economy reported that Afghanistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased by 2.7% over the past year. Abdul Rahman Habib, the spokesperson of the ministry, said this increase is due to the expansion of exports, support for the private sector, and other factors. Click here to read… [3]

Afghan students in Shiraz protest against school enrollment ban in Iran-The Khaama Press

As the new academic year began in Iran, Afghan refugees, especially students, protested in front of the UNHCR office in Shiraz on Sunday. Afghan refugees stated that Iranian schools are not enrolling Afghan students this year. Afghan students and their families protested against the refusal of their admission to Iranian schools, calling on the UN to intervene. Click here to read… [4]

Iranian Minister of Education: We Will Also Enroll Foreign Students-Tolo News

Alireza Kazemi, the Iranian Minister of Education, has informed reporters that the necessary preparations have been made to enroll Afghan students in Iran. He mentioned that currently, the number of Afghan students in Iran is close to 600,000, and after the enrollment process for Iranian students, Afghan students will also be enrolled. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Army chief pledges support for Yunus' interim government 'come what may' - The Daily Star

Bangladesh's army chief vowed to back the country's interim government "come what may" to help it complete key reforms after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, so that elections could be held within the next 18 months. Click here to read… [6]

Touhid, Jaishankar meet at UNGA, discuss mutual interests – The Daily Star

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain yesterday met with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed a range of issues related to mutual interests between Bangladesh and India. Click here to read… [7]

New Chapter in Dhaka-Washington ties: Biden and Yunus to hold talks in NY on Tuesday – Dhaka Tribune

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to hold a meeting with US President Joseph R Biden on Tuesday in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which reflects growing relations between the two countries. Click here to read… [8]

Bangladesh strongly protests Amit Shah’s remarks - Prothom Alo

The foreign ministry on Monday strongly protested the highly derogatory remarks of Indian home minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah regarding the Bangladeshi citizens during a recent political meeting in Jharkhand. Click here to read… [9]

‘US stands in support of indigenous communities and all Bangladeshis’: Embassy Charge d'Affaires - Prothom Alo

The United States has said an inclusive and just society defends the voices and rights of its most vulnerable populations. “We stand in support of the indigenous communities and all Bangladeshis, recognizing their rich cultural heritage and invaluable contributions to the nation’s identity,” US embassy Charge d'Affaires Helen LaFave said on Monday after her meeting with the CHT adviser Supradip Chakma. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay Envisions Population Growth through New Economic Hub-Daily Bhutan

As one of the few carbon-negative countries in the world, Bhutan aims to utilize its "Gelephu Mindfulness City" masterplan to promote long-term growth and provide economic opportunities for its youth. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

President underscores critical role of digital technologies in achieving SDGs– PSM News

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has underscored the critical role of digital technologies and innovations in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He made the statement during his opening remarks at the third interactive dialogue of the Summit of the Future. In his remarks, the President pointed out the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence and the stark reality that over one-third of the global population remains offline, particularly in developing nations. Noting that this digital divide exacerbates vulnerabilities for small island developing states (SIDS), least developed countries (LDCs), and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), President Muizzu proposed three key actions for inclusive innovation and cooperation. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives, China discuss importance of collaboration to address shared concerns– PSM News

Maldives and China have held significant talks, which emphasised on the importance of collaboration to address mutual concerns. The discussions were held between President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Lt Gen Asim Malik named new DG ISI-The Express Tribune

Lt General Asim Malik has been appointed as new Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the government announced through state-run Pakistan Television here on Monday. The new spy chief will take charge of his new role on September 30. Click here to read… [14]

‘One-man show’: Justice Mansoor Ali Shah voices strong objections to Practice, Procedure ordinance-The Express Tribune

Supreme Court senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has voiced strong objections to the recent amendments to the Supreme Court's Practice and Procedure Ordinance, outlining his reservations in a detailed three-page letter. The letter, addressed to the reconstituted committee on Monday, criticises both the substance of the amendments and the process by which they were implemented. Click here to read… [15]

At least 10 killed in fresh Kurram tribal clashes-The Express Tribune

At least ten people have been killed and dozens wounded as clashes between Shia and Sunni tribes reared their ugly head once again in Upper Kurram after a period of calm, the local administration told The Express Tribune’s Peshawar office over the phone on Monday. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

Parliament to be dissolved tonight - Daily Mirror

Parliament will be dissolved tonight and a Parliamentary Election will be held by December, the Daily Mirror exclusively learns. Following the resignation of Dinesh Gunawardena as the Prime Minister yesterday, a senior source from the National People’s Power (NPP) said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will today appoint an interim cabinet of four ministers, including himself, where 15 portfolios will be divided within them. Click here to read… [17]

New President assures fresh probe into Easter Sunday attacks – Daily Mirror

New President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured that he will do his utmost to uncover the truth on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks through a fresh probe. Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told journalists that the new President gave this assurance when he called on him on Monday after swearing in as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka. Click here to read… [18]

IMF to work with Sri Lanka’s new President on $3 Billion loan – Daily Mirror

The International Monetary Fund said it's looking forward to working with Sri Lanka's newly elected president Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the latest review of the country's $3 billion bailout package. Click here to read… [19]

Fresh initiatives mulled for SJB-UNP unity – Daily Mirror

In the wake of electoral defeat at the presidential election, fresh initiatives are now underway to patch up Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) under a new alliance in view of the General Election to be conducted within the next couple of months, a party official said. Click here to read… [20]