Neighborhood News Digest- 22 October 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Targets ISIS-K Members Accused of Backing Recent Attacks-Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate reported conducting operations against the hideouts of those responsible for recent attacks in the provinces of Ghor, Bamyan, and Kabul. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said that in two separate operations in Ghor and Kunar provinces, four members of this group were killed. Click here to read… [2]

Taliban blocks Vistara Flight from entering Afghanistan’s Airspace over security threat-The Khaama Press

Indian media has reported that the Taliban denied passage through Afghanistan’s airspace to a Vistara Airlines flight due to a potential bomb threat. Sources told PTI on Sunday, October 20, that the aircraft, carrying 240 passengers, was flying from New Delhi to Frankfurt, Germany. Click here to read… [3]

Amu Darya Basin Oil Extraction Rises with 25 New Well-Tolo News

The Economic Deputy Office of the Prime Minister said that with the activation of 25 new oil wells in the Amu Darya oil field, the daily oil extraction in this area will reach 3,000 tons. Hamdullah Fitrat, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, added that currently there are 24 active wells in this field, from which 1,300 tons of oil are extracted daily. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

Will apologise if ’71 crimes are proven beyond doubt: Shafiqur - The Daily Star

Jamaat-e-Islami will own up to crimes committed during the Liberation War if they are proven beyond doubt. During an exclusive interview on October 10, Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman told The Daily Star, "If any kind of errors or crimes from [1971] is proven beyond doubt, then I will personally beg for forgiveness from the nation with full responsibility. I have absolutely no reservations about it. Click here to read… [5]

Unrest erodes Bangladesh’s RMG edge over rivals – The Daily Star

Garment exports by Bangladesh's market rivals like India, Vietnam, China, and Cambodia have increased to major Western markets due mainly to the latest spell of labour unrest and political changeover earlier in August in the country. Click here to read… [6]

Hasina’s resignation: Advisers criticize president for contradictory statements - Dhaka Tribune

Several advisers to the interim government, including Prof Dr Asif Nazrul, student leaders and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday sharply criticized President Shahabuddin for contradictory statements regarding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister. Senior BNP leader Hafizuddin Ahmed called the ongoing discussions about Hasina’s resignation a new conspiracy, claiming her departure in the face of public anger serves as proof of her resignation. Click here to read… [7]

Yunus govt to ‘bar’ Hasina’s Awami League, like-minded parties from contesting Bangladesh polls – The Print

The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh is set to bar ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed’s Awami League from political participation. The Awami League and other like-minded parties will have barriers—legal and administrative—levied on their involvement in political activities, Mahfuj Alam, student activist and special assistant to chief adviser Yunus, told journalists in Dhaka Sunday, The Daily Star has reported. Click here to read… [8]

Bangladesh receives $1.53b in remittance in 19 days – Prothom Alo

Expatriate Bangladeshis sent around $1.53 billion in remittances during the first 19 days of October in the fiscal 2024-25. Of this, remittances through state-owned and specialised banks accounted for $478.98 million. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

PM Modi meets Bhutanese PM Tobgay, calls Bhutan India's 'special friend'-Business Standard

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay on Monday and called Bhutan India's "special friend." He emphasized that the cooperation between the two nations will continue to get better in the times to come. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Glad to have met you in Delhi this morning, PM Tshering Tobgay. Bhutan is a very special friend of India's and our cooperation will continue to get even better in the times to come." Click here to read… [10]

"Global South Looks To India's Leadership": Bhutan PM at NDTV World Summit-NDTV

The Global South trusts India's leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can sort out issues between Russia and Ukraine, Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay said at NDTV World Summit today. "The world needs India and I am very happy that you have identified this century as India's century," he said, referring to the theme of the NDTV summit. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Maldives government takes out USD 74.7 million loan under a refinancing agreement to pay off debt to China– Adhadhu

The Maldives government has taken out another USD 74.7 million loan under a refinancing agreement to pay off its debt to China. In a letter signed by Finance Minister Moosa Zameer sent to Parliament, in which the minister said a USD 74,767,699 (MVR 1.1 billion) refinancing agreement was signed on September 23. According to information shared with the Parliament, the new loan will be repaid within six years. It has a grace period of three years. The refinance loan will be used to repay a loan taken by the government in December 2015. That is a USD 373.8 million (MVR 5.7 billion) loan for the development of the Velana International Airport (VIA). Click here to read… [12]

Maldives, ICAO signs agreement to enhance aviation security training and compliance – PSM News

Maldives and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has signed an agreement to enhance aviation security training and compliance. The agreement, related to the provision of Computer-Based Training (CBT) and data management software, was signed by the Directorate of Aviation Security Administration (DASA) under the Ministry of Defence and ICAO's Corporate Aviation Security Programme-Asia Pacific. The defence ministry revealed that ICAO will provide training for airport security officers who are responsible for screening, with a Computer-based X-ray Operator Training System. It also stated that arrangements have been made such that the officers are trained and certified to meet the standards set by the National Civil Aviation Security Training Policy. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

President approves 26th Constitutional Amendment-The Express Tribune

President Asif Ali Zardari, has officially approved the 26th constitutional amendment, with the gazette notification issued shortly after. The notification, released by the National Assembly, confirms that the 26th Amendment is now an Act of Parliament and has officially become law. The amendment, passed by both the Senate and the National Assembly with a two-thirds majority, is now in effect nationwide. Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan, Indonesia ink $10.7 million trade agreements-The Express Tribune

Pakistan and Indonesia have made significant strides in strengthening their trade relations, facilitated by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The two countries signed multiple business-to-business trade agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth $10.7 million during the recent Trade Expo Indonesia. Click here to read… [15]

FDI jumps 48pc with lion’s share from China-Dawn

Foreign direct investment (FDI) surged by over 48 per cent in the first quarter of FY25, reflecting improvement in investor confidence However, the inflows were dominated by China as it accounted for 52pc of the total FDI the country received in the July-September quarter. Click here to read… [16]

Process to appoint new CJ set in motion-The Express Tribune

The process to appoint the next chief justice of Pakistan set in motion on Monday immediately after the approval of the 26th Constitutional Amendment by parliament and signed by President Asif Zardari, signalling a rebalancing of authority between the judiciary and the legislature. Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

NPP Govt. unresponsive over Easter Sunday allegations – Daily Mirror

Despite the seriousness of allegations made against a senior official handpicked by it, the government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), remained unresponsive yesterday. However, the media, eager to know the government’s response to the call for the removal of Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne over alleged negligence of duty during the time of the Easter Sunday attack, is likely to expect a response from Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath at today’s Cabinet meeting. Click here to read… [18]

President and Ministers will not attend CHOGM in Samoa - Daily Mirror

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and other ministers will not attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which is scheduled to be held in Samoa from October 25 to 26, 2024. Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said at a cabinet briefing that a Sri Lankan delegation, consisting of officials from the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK and the Foreign Ministry, will represent Sri Lanka at the meeting. Click here to read… [19]

SL set to be removed from IMF’s surcharge list of countries from November – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka is set to be removed from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) surcharge list of countries, once the multilateral lender’s latest lending reforms come into effect from November 1 of this year. The IMF membership recently reached a consensus on a comprehensive package that substantially reduces the cost of borrowing, while safeguarding the IMF’s financial capacity to support the countries in need. The IMF announced that its Executive Board concluded the Review of Charges and Surcharge Policy. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka election date unconstitutional claims petition filed in SC – The Week

A petition was filed in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Monday pleading that the decision to hold the parliamentary election on November 14 be declared unconstitutional. The attorney general, the secretary to the president and members of the independent election commission have been named respondents in the petition filed by a civil society activist. Click here to read… [21]