Neighborhood News Digest - 23 October 2024

Afghanistan

Afghan Delegation Visits China to Boost Energy Investment-Tolo News

The Ministry of Energy and Water has announced that a delegation led by acting Minister Abdul Latif Mansoor has traveled to China to explore opportunities for energy investment. According to the ministry's spokesperson, Matiullah Abid, Abdul Latif Mansoor is expected to participate in several meetings focusing on energy and investment during his visit. Click here to read… [2]

Pakistani Media: Islamabad uninterested in appointing Special Envoy for Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

Nearly two months have passed since Pakistan dismissed its special envoy to Afghanistan, and Islamabad has yet to appoint a replacement. Pakistani media have reported that diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Kabul have “worsened,” with no indication that Pakistan is interested in appointing a special representative for Afghanistan. Click here to read… [3]

Uzbek Language Day Celebrated in Jawzjan- Tolo News

Uzbek Language Day was celebrated in Jawzjan by an educational organization with an exhibition. The organizers of this event called on officials to make greater efforts to promote the Uzbek language. Click here to read… [4]

Afghanistan produces 4.83 million tons of wheat amid ongoing humanitarian crisis-The Khaama Press

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan states that from the beginning of the year until now, around 4.83 million metric tons of wheat have been produced nationwide, which indicates a 10% increase compared to the previous year. As per reports, this comes amid a dire humanitarian crisis in the country, with over 23 million people facing poverty and hunger. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Pressure piles on president to step down - The Daily Star

The walls seemed to be closing in on President Mohammed Shahabuddin as calls for his resignation grew louder yesterday. As more and more people joined demonstrations for his resignation, the government yesterday called him out on his "lies" about Sheikh Hasina's resignation as prime minister. Click here to read… [6]

IMF slashes growth forecast to 4.5 percent – The Daily Star

After the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund has now brought down Bangladesh's growth forecast for this year as political uncertainty, industrial unrest and floods weigh heavily on economic activities. Click here to read… [7]

Police obstruct as protesters attempt to barge into Bangabhaban – Prothom Alo

More than two hundred people have been staging demonstrations in front of the Bangabhaban demanding resignation of president Md Shahbuddin. At one point, the protesters attempted to enter Bangabhaban. But, the police stopped them. Click here to read… [8]

Govt decides to limit tourists in St. Martin's Island for four months – Prothom Alo

The government has decided to limit tourists in Saint Martin's Island in Cox's Bazar during the peak season aiming to protect the country's lone coral island from environmental pollution caused by growing tourists. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

The less pollution there is in India, the less we have to endure: Bhutanese PM-DeccanHerald

'I am in a hurry to see India becoming an advanced nation, for many reasons. When you (India) become advanced, automatically the air pollution will drop and we will enjoy even cleaner air...,' the Bhutan PM said. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan to transition to aging society by 2027-Kuensel

Bhutan will transition into an aging society by 2027, with the elderly population projected to reach 7.4 percent of the total population, according to the Population Projections for Bhutan (2017-2047). By around 2050, this proportion is expected to rise to approximately 14 percent, marking Bhutan’s shift into an aged society. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

President congratulates the new President of Vietnam – PSM News

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has extended his congratulations to Luong Cuong on assuming office as the State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In his message, President Dr. Muizzu conveyed warm wishes on behalf of the Government and people of the Maldives, expressing confidence in President Cuong's leadership to advance Vietnam's development and progress during his tenure. The President emphasized his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, underscoring the importance of collaboration on global issues. He expressed optimism about working together with Vietnam on shared interests in the coming years. Click here to read… [12]

Minister Faisal announces 2025 as a landmark year for tourism promotion – PSM News

Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has announced that next year will be a pivotal promotional year for tourism in the Maldives, with a special focus on increasing the number of visitors during the low season. The minister made these remarks at the Tourism Symposium 2024, organized by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). Minister Faisal emphasized that priority will be given to promoting Maldivian tourism in global markets. To enhance advertising efforts, he outlined plans to establish MMPRC offices in select countries, if needed. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Justice Yahya Afridi to take oath as CJP on Oct 26 after president approves appointment: state media-Dawn

Justice Yahya Afridi, who was nominated by a Special Parliamentary Committee (SPC) last night, is set to take oath as the next chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) on Saturday, PTV News said on Wednesday. President Asif Ali Zardari made the appointment on the recommendation of the SPC, PTV News said in a post on X. Click here to read… [14]

Next Chief Justice of Pakistan: Who is Yahya Afridi?-The Express Tribune

Justice Afridi's legal journey reflects a distinguished career, with significant contributions to the judiciary at both the provincial and federal levels. His appointment comes at a crucial time, and he is expected to steer the Supreme Court through complex and politically sensitive cases, further defining his legacy as a key figure in Pakistan’s judiciary. Click here to read… [15]

CM Bugti hails passage of 26th amendment-Dawn

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti hailed the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amend¬ment as major win for democracy. In a statement issued on Monday, he congratulated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and all coalition parties, describing the amendment as a significant step towards fair representation for all four provinces. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

UNRC meets Prime Minister – Daily Mirror

The UN Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka Marc-Andre Franche paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya at her office yesterday (22). Franche extended his best wishes to the Prime Minister and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to assist Sri Lanka in its development Initiatives. Click here to read… [17]

India-Sri Lanka ferry service operates smoothly - Daily Mirror

The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna in Sri Lanka's Northern Province is currently operating smoothly, IndSri Ferry Service Pvt. Ltd Managing Director, S. Niranjan Nandagopan said. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka Economic Summit to be held in January 2025 – Daily Mirror

The Sri Lanka Economic Summit, the flagship event of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), is rescheduled to be held on 28 and 29 January 2025. The Summit was initially to be held on November 2024, but has been postponed in light of the forthcoming General Election. Click here to read… [19]

Indian High Commissioner holds talks on implementation of India-assisted projects in Sri Lanka – Deccan Herald

The president's office in a statement said Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and President's Secretary Nandika Sanath Kumanayake reviewed the ongoing India-granted projects in the island nation, “with both sides addressing existing challenges and discussing ways to overcome these hurdles”. Click here to read… [20]