Neighborhood News Digest- 04 October 2024

Afghanistan

Moscow Format meeting to focus on Afghanistan’s national reconciliation, cooperation with Kabul-The Khaama Press

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the main focus of the sixth Moscow Format meeting is to support national reconciliation in Afghanistan and strengthen cooperation between regional countries and Kabul in political, economic, counter-terrorism, and anti-drug efforts. Click here to read... [2]

Bamyan Attempting to Rebuild Roads in Historical Areas-Tolo News

Safiullah Raed, the head of Bamyan’s Department of Information and Culture, told TOLO news that the Islamic Emirate is working to rebuild roads in historical areas that have so far remained inaccessible to tourists in the province. Click here to read... [3]

Kabir urges India to resolve Visa issues for Afghan traders-The Khaama Press

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Political Deputy of the Taliban’s Prime Minister, in a meeting with dry fruit traders, emphasized that he would discuss with Indian authorities the issuance of visas for Afghan traders. The Taliban’s Prime Minister’s Office of the Taliban announced on Thursday, October 3rd, in a press release, the meeting between Mawlawi Abdul Kabir and several dry fruit traders in Kabul. According to the press release, the dry fruit traders requested the lifting of banking restrictions and the facilitation of Indian visas. Click here to read... [4]

Belgium revokes asylum of Afghan YouTuber Jamil Qaderi over Taliban support-The Khaama Press

The Belgian government has revoked the asylum of Afghan YouTuber Jamil Qadari due to his support for the Taliban. On Wednesday, October 2, Belgian media reported that Jamil Qadari’s asylum status had been canceled. The Belgian government began reviewing Jamil Qadari’s asylum status last year after he publicly declared his support for the Taliban. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Hasnat demands removal of president – The Daily Star

Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that spearheaded the mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government, has called for the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Click here to read... [6]

Fakhrul seeks a new constitution, accuses Awami League of damaging it – Dhaka Tribune

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir thinks that the current constitution of the country should be rewritten, as the Awami League government has damaged it through various amendments, including the incorporation of certain unchangeable articles. Click here to read... [7]

Bangladesh to sign extradition treaties with Maldives, Qatar – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh will soon sign extradition treaties with Maldives and Qatar aimed at bringing back Bangladeshi nationals convicted in the two countries. The decision was taken at the Council of Advisers meeting held at Chief Adviser’s Office on Thursday. Click here to read... [8]

No objection if AL joins polls but criminals must face trial: Fakhrul – Prothom Alo

BNP has been demanding that the interim government hold an election in the quickest possible time. However, the party wants to give the government ‘reasonable’ time for carrying out reforms. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan’s path to innovation economy -Kuensel

Paro-Bhutan’s economy, traditionally anchored in the hydropower, tourism, and service sectors, is at a crossroads, and to achieve sustainable growth, the country must pivot toward innovation and entrepreneurship. Click here to read... [10]

Reliance Group and DHI partner to harness renewable energy in Bhutan – Kuensel

Paro-Bhutan has taken a major step toward expanding its renewable energy portfolio with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Bhutan Innovation Forum between Druk Holding and Investments Ltd. (DHI) and the Reliance Group. The agreement sets the stage for the development of 500 megawatts (MW) of solar power and 770 MW of hydropower projects (1.2 gigawatts), with an investments of up to USD 1 billion. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

MoU to be signed to facilitate fish exports to Saudi Arabia – Adhadhu

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed to facilitate fish exports to Saudi Arabia. In a post on X, Shiyam said the MoU will allow the Maldives to explore opportunities to export fish and develop the fishing industry. He added that the MoU includes attracting investments in the marine sector and promoting the seafood market. Shiyam thanked Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz for agreeing to sign the MoU with the Maldives. Click here to read... [12]

Gov't to issue USD 156 million in treasury bills – PSM News

The Ministry of Finance has announced the sale of Treasury bills (T-bills) worth USD 156 million to support government expenditures. This will involve the issuance of four T-bills totalling the same amount. The T-bills will be offered for sale on October 6. The details of the T-bills include: a T-bill valued at USD 18.8 million, payable in 28 days; a T-bill worth USD 18 million, due in 98 days; a T-bill of USD 56.8 million, maturing in 82 days; and a T-bill valued at USD 64.8 million, which will be payable in 364 days. The Ministry has indicated that the interest rates on these T-bills will range from 3.50 percent to 4.60 percent. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Dr Mahrang Baloch named one of Time’s most influential people of 2024-Dawn

Dr Mahrang Baloch, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader, has been featured in Time magazine’s ‘2024 Time100 Next’ list for “advocating peacefully for Baloch rights”, the magazine said on Wednesday. Click here to read... [14]

President Zardari awards Nishan-e-Pakistan to Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim-The Express Tribune

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award, on Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The award was given in recognition of his unwavering support for Islamic causes and his strong friendship with Pakistan. Click here to read... [15]

Teachers shortage threatens girls’ education in Shangla-Dawn

Over a dozen government schools for girls in Shangla district have been closed, while a majority of primary schools for girls have been functioning with a single teacher since January 2023, with educators fearing a decline in girls’ education. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

President AKD to visit New Delhi as his first overseas visit – Daily Mirror

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will likely undertake his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he accepts an invitation which will be extended today by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Daily Mirror learns. Jaishankar is the first high ranking foreign dignitary to visit Dissanayake after he won the Presidential Election on September 21. Click here to read... [17]

16 new MPs appointed in 9th Parliament - Daily Mirror

The Ninth Parliament of Sri Lanka, which convened on August 20, 2020, and was dissolved at midnight on September 24, 2024, saw 19 parliamentary vacancies filled during its term. Click here to read... [18]

IMF delegation meets President Dissanayake – Daily Mirror

A high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today. Click here to read... [19]