Neighborhood News Digest- 04 November 2024

Afghanistan

Russian FM: Washington and allies seek to interfere in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the United States and its allies are attempting to interfere in the fragile situation in Afghanistan. According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Lavrov made these remarks on Thursday, October 31, at the second international “Minsk” conference on Eurasian security. Click here to read… [2]

Afghan Education Delegation Visits Malaysia to Strengthen Bilateral Ties-Tolo News

A delegation from the Ministry of Education, led by Shahabuddin Saqib, the head of the Office of the Ministry of Education, has embarked on a one-week visit to Malaysia. Mansoor Ahmad Hamza, the ministry’s spokesperson, stated that the delegation will engage in discussions with officials from Malaysia's Ministry of Education and educators in that country on a range of topics, including bilateral cooperation. Click here to read… [3]

Pakistan Imposes New 2% Tax on Afghan Transit Goods; ACCI-Tolo News

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment reports that Pakistan has imposed a 2% tax on transit goods destined for Afghanistan. A representative from the chamber told TOLO news that transit from the Karachi port to Afghanistan has dropped by nearly 75% due to Pakistan’s restrictions. Click here to read… [4]

Afghan Delegation to Participate in Meteorology Conference in Uzbekistan-Tolo News

The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has announced a delegation's visit to Uzbekistan, including the heads of the airport authority and meteorology department of the Islamic Emirate. Imamuddin Ahmadi, the ministry's spokesperson, stated that the purpose of this visit is to participate in Uzbekistan’s meteorology conference. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Outstanding bills: Adani halves power supply to Bangladesh - The Daily Star

India's Adani Power Jharkhand Limited has halved its power supply to Bangladesh, saying it has yet to receive outstanding bills. Bangladesh reported a shortfall of more than 1,600MW on Thursday night after the 1,496 megawatt Adani plant reduced supply. Click here to read… [6]

Home ministry: Interim govt okays merger of 2 divisions – The Daily Star

The Chief Adviser's (CA) Office has given in-principle approval for merging the Public Security Division and the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, a move expected to improve coordination and reduce costs. Click here to read… [7]

Official: Bangladesh-EU relations evolving into strategic partnership – Dhaka Tribune

Paola Pampaloni, deputy managing director for Asia and Pacific at the European External Action Service, said on Sunday that Bangladesh-European Union relations have been transforming from development-centric to a wide-ranging strategic partnership. Click here to read… [8]

Create congenial atmosphere for elections very soon: Mirza Fakhrul – Prothom Alo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged the interim government to create an atmosphere conducive to hold the elections very soon. He also strongly protested the remarks of an adviser about politicians being restive in taking power. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan says digital transformation need not compromise citizen trust – Govinsider

GovTech Bhutan’s Secretary, Jigme Tenzing, shares how the agency took the path less travelled by rolling out the world’s first decentralised, self-sovereign national digital ID, as part of its effort to digitalise government services keeping in mind citizen trust and inclusion. Click here to read… [10]

DoEE warns against overseas job placements through unregistered agents-Kuensel

The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship (DoEE) has facilitated overseas employment for around 34 individuals in the Middle East during the financial year 2023-24 to till now including 26 women and eight men. Click here to read… [11]

FemTech Association Asia comes to Bhutan-Kuensel

FemTech Association Asia, the region’s first and largest specialist advisory and industry network focused on improving women’s health through technology solutions, has announced its expansion into Bhutan. According to the association, the milestone launch, expected on November 11 this year, on the birthday of His Majesty the Fourth King, marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation. This is aligned with the association’s vision to build a robust network across Asia, promoting innovation, education, and advocacy in women’s health. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives

Government takes action after Ambassador's unauthorized meeting with Afghan envoy– Adhadhu

A recent meeting between the Maldives Ambassador to Pakistan and Afghanistan's Ambassador to Pakistan "was not sanctioned" by the Maldives government, the Foreign Ministry has said. The office of Afghanistan’s Acting Ambassador to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb said a meeting was held with the Maldives Ambassador to Pakistan Mohamed Thoha to discuss strengthening relations between the two countries. The Foreign Ministry said the Maldives government follows the practice from the United Nations General Assembly when questions arise about the representative character of a government. According to the office of Afghanistan’s Acting Ambassador to Pakistan, discussions were held on strengthening trade relations between the two countries and ways to facilitate trade for the Maldives with other Central Asian countries through Afghanistan during Friday's meeting. Click here to read… [13]

President and First Lady observe military display activities – PSM News

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, D. Mohamed Muizzu, along with First Lady Madam Sajida Mohamed have attended the military display activities conducted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) at Republic Square in honour of Victory Day. Upon their arrival, the President and First Lady were received by Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy. The ceremony commenced with a military salute to President Dr. Muizzu, followed by a video presentation illustrating the military’s history and current capabilities. The main military display then began, featuring demonstrations by the MNDF Special Boat Squadron, an underwater demolition video, Special Forces operations, rappelling manoeuvres, and field counter-attack exercises. The display highlighted the capabilities of the Air Force, Maritime, and Land Forces. Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

Govt's side under scrutiny-The Express Tribune

As Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi convenes the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting on Tuesday, the federal government faces limited representation during the crucial first session. The JCP meeting will be attended by 12 members, including four senior Supreme Court judges, the Pakistan Bar Council representative, five government representatives, and two opposition members. The real challenge lies in whether the four judicial members will present a unified opinion or if the government has successfully divided them before the JCP meeting. Click here to read… [15]

PM urges more investment from UK-The Express Tribune

Terming the promotion of foreign investment in the country his top priority, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the government is providing best facilities to investors through a one-window operation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Click here to read… [16]

Iran's top diplomat to visit Islamabad-The Express Tribune

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Islamabad this week as part of Tehran's diplomatic outreach to consult regional countries before responding to the recent Israeli strikes amid simmering tensions between the two arch-rivals in the Middle East. Click here to read… [17]

NA set to pass bills related to SC, detention of suspects-Dawn

The Nati¬¬o¬nal Assembly, which meets again today (Monday), is expected to pass three important bills in its current session, including two laws related to the Supreme Court and another regarding preventive detention of terror suspects for up to three months. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

Japanese assistance sought to complete Central Expressway: President – Daily Mirror

The government has taken steps to complete the construction of the Central Expressway where discussions were held with the Japanese Ambassador to seek their assistance to complete its constructions, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. Click here to read… [19]

MPS will not be able to appoint family members to their personal staff soon: PM - Daily Mirror

MPs will not be able to appoint their family members as their personal staff under the new government, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said over the weekend. Speaking during a rally organized by the National Peoples Power (NPP) Women’s wing in Gampaha, Ms. Amarasuriya said facilities given to MPs will be limited under the new government. Click here to read… [20]

No plans to withdraw security from religious sites: Police – Daily Mirror

Sri Lankan Police said that no decision has been made to withdraw personnel deployed for security at various religious sites. This clarification comes in response to several reports that the security personnel will be removed due to special needs. Click here to read… [21]