Neighborhood News Digest- 26 September 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Denies Women's Rights Violations amidst Intl Concerns-Tolo News

Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, has denied the violation of women's rights in the country and stated that women's rights are more protected now compared to the past. Reacting to statements by the United Nations Secretary-General and the US representative to the UN regarding the violation of women's and girls' rights in Afghanistan, the Deputy Spokesperson further stated that the rights of all individuals, including women and girls, are now protected in the country. Click here to read… [2]

Fitrat: Islamic Emirate Interested in Participating in BRICS Summit-Tolo News

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said that a delegation from the caretaker government wishes to participate in the BRICS summit, which is scheduled to take place in less than a month in Kazan, Russia. Click here to read… [3]

UN Chief and Pakistan’s Prime Minister discuss Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly to discuss regional issues, particularly the situation in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [4]

EU provides €146 million aid to Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The European Union is adding €146 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund to meet the basic and livelihood needs of the Afghan people. On Wednesday, September 25, the European Union announced that this financial package would be allocated to essential services, including healthcare, education, and food security, and would focus on supporting the rights of women and girls. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Inflation to hit double digits by end of FY25: ADB - The Daily Star

Inflation is projected to hit double digits at the end of the current fiscal year owing to supply-side disruptions and higher import costs as a result of currency depreciation, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Click here to read… [6]

World Bank pledges $3.5b to support interim govt’s reform initiatives – The Daily Star

World Bank President Ajay Banga said the bank would provide $3.5 billion to Bangladesh to support the interim government's reform initiatives. The World Bank president announced the support during a meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sideline of the UN General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York yesterday (NY Time). Click here to read… [7]

Prof Yunus seeks Pakistan’s support to revive Saarc – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday called for the revival of the Saarc as a top platform for regional cooperation in South Asia. The chief adviser made the call when he met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting at the UN headquarters in New York. Click here to read… [8]

Dr. Yunus seeks world leaders’ steps to end Rohingya crisis - Prothom Alo

Urging the international community to come forward to resolve the long-pending Rohingya crisis, chief adviser professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has said if this crisis is not resolved, not only Bangladesh but the entire region will also fall into trouble. Click here to read… [9]

Yunus seeks US help to ‘rebuild’ country in 1st Bangladesh-US meeting on UNGA sidelines in 34 yrs - The Print

The head of Bangladesh’s interim government Muhammad Yunus Tuesday sought US support in “rebuilding” the country in a rare one-on-one meeting with President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

Bhutan Innovation Forum to launch world’s first mindfulness city-Kuensel

The highly anticipated Bhutan Innovation Forum (BIF), set to take place from October 1 to 3 at Dungkar Dzong in Pangbisa, Paro, will bring together some of the brightest minds from around the globe to explore the intersections of mindfulness, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability as Bhutan embarks on the ambitious project of creating the world’s first mindfulness city in Gelephu. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

President Muizzu meets USAID Administrator Samantha– Adhadhu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has met with Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The President's Office said President Muizzu and Samantha reaffirmed their commitment to working together in areas of mutual interest and ensured continued collaboration beneficial to both nations. "The Administrator of USAID commended the Maldives' ambitious plans and affirmed USAID's readiness to collaborate on various initiatives," the President's Office stated. The President's Office added that she also discussed potential support for enabling PayPal services in the Maldives and facilitating the country's membership in the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Click here to read… [12]

President calls for abolition of Veto power– PSM News

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has advocated for the abolition of the veto power within the UN Security Council (UNSC), describing it as an outdated and unjust mechanism that hinders global peace and security. This is the first time a Maldivian President has delivered a statement at the UNSC. In a bold and decisive call during his address at the United Nations General Assembly's 79th session, Dr. Muizzu argued the veto power, held by a select few nations, has repeatedly blocked critical decisions, particularly in situations where immediate action is required to prevent human suffering, as seen in the ongoing Gaza crisis. He stated the veto system undermines the principles of equality and justice that the United Nations stands for, allowing powerful countries to prioritise their interests over global welfare. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

After PM Office’s announcement, IMF board confirms $7bn loan agreement-Dawn

The board of the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday agreed to loan Pakistan $7 billion to bolster its faltering economy, approving a relief package that the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government has pledged would be the last from the Washington-based lender. Click here to read… [14]

Fazl ‘ready to back’ constitutional court-Dawn

In a surprise move, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman hinted at supporting the proposed formation of a constitutional court. He also did not reject the government’s proposal to fix the tenure of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) at three years, or increasing the age of a judge of the apex court, but said it should not be person-specific. Click here to read… [15]

Imran fears govt still trying to extend CJP’s tenure-Dawn

Amidst speculation surrounding Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s term, which is set to expire late next month, former prime minister Imran Khan voiced concerns that the government is still trying to extend the tenure of the incumbent chief justice of Pakistan. Click here to read… [16]

PML-N broadsides judges for violating Constitution-Dawn

The ruling PML-N on Wednesday came out all guns blazing against the superior judiciary, accusing judges of transgressing their jurisdiction and violating the Constitution of Pakistan through their judgement in the reserved seats case. Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

General election on November 14 - Daily Mirror

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a Gazette Extraordinary dissolving Parliament tonight. Accordingly, the general election will be held on November 14, 2024, and the nominations for the upcoming election will be accepted from October 4 to 11. Click here to read… [18]

Confident ties with B’desh, Sri Lanka will endure: Jaishankar – Daily Mirror

India does not seek to control every political move of neighbours, and does not expect that the political dynamics within neighbouring countries will adhere to what India may think is desirable, but Delhi is confident that fundamental realities of interdependence will ensure that relationships with neighbours remains constructive and positive, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said. Click here to read… [19]

New govt. seeks Saudi investments in Port City, Hambantota Port – Daily Mirror

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said, in his first public function on Tuesday, requested Saudi Arabia to be a strong partner in the development process of Sri Lanka by investing especially in the tourism sector and Dedicated Pharmaceutical Zone in Hambantota, IT Parks, Fabric Park in Batticaloa, Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port. Click here to read… [20]

UNP, SJB Talks ongoing despite obstacles – Daily Mirror

Despite SJB leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday saying that his party will not enter into an alliance with the UNP to contest the General Election, Daily Mirror learns that the talks are still ongoing to make a final decision. A decision to form a grand alliance for the general election with a new face as the Prime Ministerial candidate was announced earlier yesterday after former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision that he will not contest any election in the future. Click here to read… [21]