Neighborhood News Digest- 30 October 2024

Afghanistan

Third Round of Qosh Tepa Canal Negotiations to be Held in Tashkent-Tolo News

Ismatullah Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, announced that Tashkent and Kabul have jointly formed a commission to address matters related to the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal in Afghanistan. According to Irgashev, a third joint meeting between the Afghan and Uzbekistan delegations is planned to take place in Tashkent in the coming days. The meeting will build upon prior discussions, with both countries working to ensure mutual interests are respected as the project progresses.Click here to read… [2]

Uzbekistan calls for Amu Darya water quotas amid concerns over Afghanistan’s Qosh Tepa Canal-The Khaama Press

Ismatullah Irgashev, the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan Affairs, stated that using and managing the water of the Amu Darya without coordinating with the countries that have the right to use it is not feasible. In his recent interview with Gazeta.uz, Irgashev expressed the Uzbek authorities’ concerns about the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal, indicating that such canal-building efforts could pose challenges for managing the Amu Darya’s waters in the future.Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

‘No place’ for Hasina’s ‘fascist’ party in Bangladesh's politics, Yunus tells FT - The Daily Star

Dr Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim leader, has accused the political party of ousted authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina of exhibiting "all the characteristics of fascism". It has "no place" for now in the country's politics, Yunus said.Click here to read… [4]

Issue of president: We will urge govt to form all-party council for advice – The Daily Star

The student movement against discrimination and Jatiya Nagorik Committee yesterday said it would urge the government to form an all-party council, which would advise the interim government about who should be the president. "The parties will decide who will be the president and in what procedure after reaching a consensus," said Nasiruddin Patwari, convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee.Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh ex-PM Sheikh Hasina's palace to become revolution museum – Hindustan Times

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the leader of the caretaker government in Bangladesh, announced on Monday that the former palace of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be converted into a museum to commemorate the revolution that ousted her.Click here to read… [6]

Sheikh Hasina trying to provoke armed rebellion, says BNP – The Hindu

Several audio recordings of purported conversations between deposed Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and members of her party, the Awami League, have stirred controversy in Bangladesh, with her opponents accusing her of trying to incite violence as the interim government plans the next election cycle. In the latest audio clip that went viral on Sunday, ex-PM Hasina can be heard saying that those who targeted her party members would face consequences.Click here to read… [7]

Bhutan

Bhutan targets doubling GDP by 2029 through entrepreneurship - Kuensel

In a move to double the nation’s gross domestic product from USD 2.5 billion to USD 5 billion by 2029, the government is emphasising the vital role of entrepreneurship and business as key drivers of this “ambitious” goal. However, concerns linger regarding whether entrepreneurs are receiving sufficient support from the government to enhance their business environment.Click here to read… [8]

Maldives

Parliament approves Ahmed Sareer as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia-PSM News

The Parliament has approved the appointment of Ahmed Sareer as the Maldives' Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, with 86 members voting in favor.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu nominated Sareer for the position and submitted his name to Parliament on October 15. The nomination was referred to the Foreign Relations. Committee, where it received unanimous approval. Currently, Sareer serves as the Ambassador at Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Click here to read… [9]

President Dr. Muizzu conveys Republic Day greetings to Türkiye-PSM News

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has conveyed heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on the 101st anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. In his message, President Dr. Muizzu emphasised the 45-year-long diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Türkiye, and underscored the strong and friendly partnership built on mutual trust.Click here to read… [10]

Pakistan

‘26th Amendment dismantles constitutional checks & balances’: Former PM Abbasi-Dawn

Former prime minister and Awaam Pakistan (AP) party convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said that the 26th Amendment had dismantled the structure of checks and balances established by the Constitution, making the judiciary subordinate to the executive.Click here to read… [11]

Ishaq Dar announces arrests in attacks on Chinese-Dawn

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday announced breakthrough arrests tied to recent attacks on Chinese nationals, pledging unwavering protection for the citizens of the country’s closest ally. Mr Dar’s statement came at a conference by the Pakistan-China Institute, titled “China at 75: A Journey of Progress, Transformation and Global Leadership”, where he underscored Pakistan’s commitment to security amid rising incidents targeting Chinese citizens within its borders.Click here to read… [12]

Sri Lanka

Probe launched into Sri Lankan HC in UK, his expenses: Minister – Daily Mirror

An investigation has been launched into the allegations of Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama and the expenses born by him, Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said today. Clarifying reports on a car used by the High Commissioner, the Minister said the car had been purchased with the funds of the High Commissioner adding that no funds of the government had been spent on that.Click here to read… [13]

Exports decline in September despite apparel, services growth - Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s export earnings for September 2024 fell by 3.49 percent to US$ 937.95 million compared to a year earlier, with weaker demand for tea, rubber products, electronics, and seafood weighing on performance, according to data released by Sri Lanka Customs. Click here to read… [14]