Neighborhood News Digest - 06 November 2024

Afghanistan

Mujahid: Fulfilling Doha III Commitments Needs Ongoing Meetings-Tolo News

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, stated that fulfilling the commitments made at the third Doha meeting will require further sessions. Mujahid said that the United Nations must ensure the implementation of these commitments through a clear mechanism. Several political analysts have expressed that resolving Afghanistan’s issues will require continued Doha meetings. They believe that, through dialogue on various matters and implementing multilateral commitments, Afghanistan’s challenges can be addressed. Click here to read... [2]

Afghanistan Signed Mining Deals worth $1.2 Billion This Solar Year-Tolo News

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has said that since the beginning of the current solar year, this ministry has signed three major contracts valued at $1.2 billion. According to the ministry spokesperson, Homayoon Afghan, these contracts cover salt, gas, and cement extraction and were signed with both domestic and foreign companies. Click here to read... [3]

Afghan Girls Voice Desire to Participate in 2025 Kankor Exam-Tolo News

After the announcement of the registration process for the 1404 solar year (2025) entrance exam (Kankor) by the Ministry of Education, some girls have expressed their desire to be allowed to participate in the exam as well. These girls told TOLO news that they want to participate in the upcoming year’s Kankor exam, just like the boys, and continue their education. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

BNP for polls roadmap in 2 to 3 months - The Daily Star

Unless the interim government issues a roadmap to the next election in two to three months, the BNP may take to the streets in March or April next year, say top leaders of the party. Members of the party's standing committee made the decision at a meeting on Monday night participated by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman through a video link. Click here to read... [5]

Enforced disappearances: Inquiry commission finds 8 detention centres – The Daily Star

The inquiry commission on enforced disappearances found eight secret detention centres in Dhaka and its surrounding areas. At a press briefing at its office yesterday, it refused to disclose which agencies ran most of those centres "for the sake of investigation".Click here to read... [6]

Bangladesh, EU begin talks for comprehensive partnership agreement – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh and the European Union on Tuesday kicked off a two-day first introductory meeting in Dhaka in the run-up to negotiations on a "Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement" to take their relations to a new height. Click here to read... [7]

Trade Tensions: Bangladesh Bypasses India, Reroutes Garment Exports Through Maldives – News18

Recent developments involving Bangladesh’s trade practices have stirred controversy, raising concerns over the state of India-Bangladesh relations. Following the recent shift in Bangladesh’s export strategy, experts and officials are debating the implications for both countries. Bangladesh has come under scrutiny after reports surfaced suggesting it is routing textile exports through the Maldives rather than traditional Indian ports. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

China is building new villages on its remote Himalayan border. Some appear to have crossed the line – CNN

China and Bhutan are advancing toward finalizing a border agreement aimed at resolving a longstanding territorial dispute. The two countries, which share a 477-kilometer border, have negotiated under a "Three-Step Roadmap" since 2021 to address contested areas, including the strategically sensitive Doklam region near India's borders. Recent high-level meetings have marked significant progress, with both sides indicating they are close to a consensus. However, the potential settlement raises strategic concerns for India, as China's influence near the vital Siliguri Corridor could increase if Bhutan cedes contested land in the Doklam area. Click here to read... [9]

New India-Bhutan check post at Land Port Darranga to be inaugurated on November 7 – The Economic Times

India and Bhutan are set to inaugurate the Immigration Check Post (ICP) at Land Port Darranga, Assam on November 7, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and regional connectivity. The state-of-the-art ICP, located near the Bhutanese border, will facilitate smoother trade and travel between the two nations. Click here to read... [10]

Beefing up the country’s cybersecurity through investment, legislation, and coordination – Kuensel

In the span of nine years, Bhutan Computer Incident Response Team (BtCIRT) under GovTech has handled over 1,388 cybersecurity threats and attacks, with 204 incidents in 2024 alone. The cases have been increasing yearly with evolving technology. The cybersecurity cases range from abusive content, fraud, and intrusion attempts to system vulnerabilities and malicious code. BtCIRT launched the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2029 on October 25, during the National Cybersecurity Conference 2024. The Strategy aims to protect cyberspace and combat various aspects of cybersecurity risks and threats that could adversely affect people, businesses, and the government. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Chinese team to do feasibility study on Male' and Villimale' road development– Adhadhu

A Chinese team has arrived in the Maldives to conduct a feasibility study on the project to develop all the roads in Male' and Villimale'. In a post on X, the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure said a team of experts sent by the Chinese government had arrived in the Maldives on November 3. The Construction Ministry held a meeting with the team on Monday. The meeting was also attended by the technical team of the ministry and was led by State Minister Mohamed Tho'am Ahmed. The Chinese team will conduct the feasibility study from today until November 21, the ministry said. The government has not announced a date to start the project or revealed the company that will undertake this work. Click here to read... [12]

HRCM aims to conduct nationwide trainings to empower human rights activists – PSM News

Member of Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) Ismail Habeeb has revealed that the commission aims to conduct nationwide training programmes to empower human rights activists Speaking at the ceremony held to inaugurate the Human Rights Defenders Programme, HRCM Member Habeeb emphasised the efforts exerted by HRCM, to protect, maintain and empower human rights. He noted that the new programme launched will play a significant role in promoting human right activists and enhance their capabilities. Habeeb also disclosed the commission's overarching goal of conducting this programme at a national level, increasing awareness on human rights, and building individuals who can hold the government accountable and protect human rights. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Justice Aminuddin Khan to head new constitutional bench in SC-Dawn

In its maiden session on Tuesday, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) — reconstituted under the 26th Amendment — appointed Justice Aminuddin Khan as head of the seven-judge constitutional bench by a majority vote of seven to five, with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi among the dissenting members. Click here to read... [14]

Terrorists expanding their operational outreach across the country, says report-Dawn

The data on recent terrorist activities in the country highlights a troubling expansion of insurgents’ outreach and influence, particularly in Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa and Balochistan. Click here to read... [15]

Gen Asim Munir to remain COAS till 2027: Khawaja Asif-The Express Tribune

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Army Chief General Asim Munir will serve until 2027 following the recent approval of amendments to the Army Act. Asif highlighted that this legislative change would benefit democratic governments by setting fixed terms and eliminating the need for parliamentary approval for extensions. Speaking with a private television channel, Asif confirmed that General Munir’s role as the country’s army chief will continue uninterrupted until 2027. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

SL rated ’medium risk’ for money laundering, terrorist financing – Daily Mirror

With Sri Lanka being identified as a country with medium risk for money laundering and terrorist financing even with the involvement of NGOs, the National NGO Secretariat signed a MoU with the Finance Intelligence Unit of Central Bank yesterday to step up national efforts in curbing such unlawful activities, an official said yesterday. Click here to read... [17]

Rural development, government’s primary objective this term: President - Daily Mirror

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that rural development and upgrading the rural people's social and economic well-being is one of the primary objectives of the government during this term. The President expressed these views during a discussion held today at the Presidential Secretariat with members of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLAS), the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka kicks back decision on Indian wind project to next year – Tamil Guardian

Sri Lanka’s ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has said any decision on the proposed construction of a wind farm in Mannar by India’s Adani group, will now only be taken in January 2025, despite previous pledges to cancel the deal. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, an NPP member, said that the government had yet to reach a decision on the project which has been challenged in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court. Prior to his victory in the September 21 presidential election, Anura Kumara Dissanayake had vowed to revoke the project, which the NPP alliance saw as a potential threat to Sri Lanka's energy sector “sovereignty”. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka's New Government Reverses Key Economic Reform For IMF Bailout Package – ETV Bharat

The new National People's Power (NPP) government in Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced its first reversal of a key element in the ongoing IMF bailout programme concerning the loss-making state-owned enterprises. The government reversed the Electricity Act, approved in June this year under then-president Ranil Wickremesinghe's government, introducing major reforms to the state power entity Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Click here to read... [20]