Neighborhood News Digest- 11 November 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Delegates Travels to Azerbaijan to Attend COP29-Tolo News

A delegation from the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), headed by the agency's general director, has departed for Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The president of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), Matiul Haq Khalis, stated that the purpose of this trip is to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) and to convey to the world the message of Afghanistan’s climate-induced damages and the challenges the country faces. Click here to read… [2]

SIGAR Review of Afghan Interim Government Performance-Tolo News

The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has addressed issues such as governance, the Ministry of Vice and Virtue’s laws, international relations, and security in Afghanistan in its quarterly report. Quoting the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, SIGAR reports that over the past three years, officials of the Afghan interim government have engaged in nearly 1,400 diplomatic meetings with representatives from around 80 countries, with most of these meetings held with Chinese officials. Click here to read… [3]

Vice and Virtue Ministry Calls SIGAR Report ‘Far From the Truth’-Tolo News

The Ministry of Vice and Virtue has described the recent report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) as far from reality. Saif-ul-Islam Khaibar, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that public freedoms and women’s rights in the country have not been violated. He added that the ministry has worked to restore women’s rights that had been taken away by customs and traditions. Click here to read… [4]

US cuts 82% of aid to Afghanistan; SIGAR calls for end to mission-The Khaama Press

The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has called on Congress to end its mission in Afghanistan due to a sharp decline in U.S. aid. SIGAR reported that U.S. contributions to Afghanistan’s reconstruction efforts have dropped by 82% since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

SC stays Khaleda's 10-year jail term in graft case - The Daily Star

The Supreme Court today stayed the High Court verdict that doubled BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's five-year jail term in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The Appellate Division of the apex court also allowed Khaleda to move an appeal before the court challenging the HC verdict. Click here to read… [6]

Govt to take more time to decide on LDC graduation – The Daily Star

Bangladesh will take more time to decide on its graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, scheduled for 2026, Commerce Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said yesterday. Ahmed made the comment in response to journalists' questions, noting that business leaders prefer that the LDC graduation be delayed for the retention of trade benefits for a longer period. Click here to read… [7]

Sarjis, Ashrafa slam selection of new advisers – The Daily Star

Sarjis Alam, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, yesterday strongly criticised the selection of new advisers saying even the lackeys of the fallen government are getting berths in the council of advisers of interim government. Ashrafa Khatun, another coordinator of the movement, wrote on her Facebook page that many of the coordinators were in the dark about the appointment of new advisers and only came to know about the development through Facebook. Click here to read… [8]

Portfolios assigned to 2 new advisers, Cabinet sees reshuffle – Dhaka Tribune

Portfolios have been allocated to two newly appointed advisers of the interim government and duties have been redistributed among the existing advisers. The Cabinet Division issued a notification regarding the assignments following their oath-taking ceremony at Bangabhaban on Sunday evening. The notification signed by Sheikh Abdur Rashid, secretary of the Cabinet Division, says this order will take effect immediately. Click here to read… [9]

Army Chief calls on Chief Adviser – Prothom Alo

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on Sunday. General Waker-uz-Zaman met the Chief Adviser at his office in Tejgaon, the chief adviser's press wing said. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

Bhutan aims to sell Southeast Asia on its 21-year ‘mindfulness city’ project – South China Morning Post

Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom that brought the world the concept of gross national happiness, is set to build a “mindfulness city” and will launch a US$100 million bond issue on Monday to help start the project. The ‘Gelephu Mindfulness City’ (GMC) will lie in a special administrative region with separate rules and laws that will aim to be an economic corridor linking South Asia to Southeast Asia, officials said. The city will promote walking and cycling to reduce emissions, green spaces for meditation and relaxation, mindfulness-based education, public community activities, healthcare and wellness centres, and ecotourism, they said. Click here to read… [11]

Parliamentary Entitlement Bill to be tabled in upcoming winter session – Kuensel

The National Assembly (NA) will begin its second session of the fourth Parliament on November 14, with discussions planned around bills, motions, and policy updates. The session will introduce the Parliamentary Entitlement Bill, which addresses benefits for Members of Parliament (MPs). The Parliamentary Entitlement Bill, which previously drew public criticism for allegedly prioritising MPs’ benefits over public needs, is being reconsidered to address inconsistencies in the Pay Structure Reform Act of 2022, according to deputy Speaker Sangay Khandu. He explained that Bill’s objective is to strengthen the functioning of Parliament, rather than serving the personal interests of MPs. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives

President reflects on first year in office; committed to aligning with people– PSM News

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that, since taking office, he has dedicated the past year to practising good governance by aligning with the people. He made these remarks in his Republic Day address to the nation. In his speech, President Dr. Muizzu emphasised the significance of Republic Day and the values of a republic. He noted that the presidency is neither a great victory nor a form of wealth, but rather a role of responsibility and service. Click here to read… [13]

Environment minister departs to Azerbaijan for COP29– PSM News

Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, has departed for Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend COP29, the largest global environmental conference. Minister Thoriq is accompanied by a delegation of senior ministry officials. Four events have been scheduled to be organised by the Maldives on the sidelines. These include a renewable energy event in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), an initiative on sustainable coral reef management highlighting the importance of reef conservation, the Maldives' role as Chair of the COP’s Atoll Nations Group, and a ministerial role championing climate adaptation for small island nations. Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

Govt seeks early contact with Trump team-The Express Tribune

Pakistan has decided to reach out to Trump's transition team as part of efforts to establish early contact with the incoming administration. Official sources told The Express Tribune on Sunday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is keen to speak to US President-elect Trump to personally congratulate him and open a direct channel of communication with his administration. Click here to read… [15]

26 martyred in Quetta railway station explosion-Dawn

At least 26 people, including 16 security personnel, lost their lives and 61 others were injured in a suicide bombing at a Quetta railway station on Saturday, police and other officials said. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the blast, stating that its Majeed Brigade had carried out the attack. Click here to read… [16]

Interior minister pledges enhanced security in Balochistan after Quetta terror attack-The Express Tribune

In response to escalating terrorist activity in Balochistan, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced an expansion of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the province on Sunday. The statement follows a deadly blast near Quetta Railway Station that claimed 27 lives and injured over 50 people on Saturday. Click here to read… [17]

PM Shehbaz departs for Riyadh to attend Arab-Islamic Summit-Dawn

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Riyadh on Sunday to participate in the Arab-Islamic Summit. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, he is set to address the summit and engage in discussions on critical regional issues. The prime minister is also expected to hold meetings with various global leaders on the sidelines of the event. The summit, convened by the Saudi government, will focus on key issues in the Middle East, including the current situation in Gaza. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

NPP ready for national unity govt. with MPs representing Tamil, Muslim communities – Daily Mirror

The National People's Power (NPP) is confident of winning a majority seats in Thursday's Parliamentary Election but will look at forming a national unity government with Parliamentarians representing the Tamil and Muslim communities, in order to achieve national unity, Minister Vijitha Herath told Daily Mirror last evening. Just days ahead of the November 14th Parliamentary Poll, Herath said the NPP was 'very confident' of winning the most number of seats in the new Parliament but in order to strengthen the political environment, his party would be open to invite parliamentarians representing the Muslims and Tamils as well. Click here to read… [19]

President assures release of political prisoners, northern lands captured by security forces - Daily Mirror

Steps will be taken to return the northern and eastern people's lands taken over by the security forces for various security reasons while steps will also be taken to release political prisoners, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. Speaking at an election rally in Vavuniya, he said political prisoners will be released on the advice of the Attorney General. Click here to read… [20]

October remittances at US$ 588mn provide strong bulwark for economy – Daily News

Worker remittances for October continued to come in stronger against both a month ago as well as a year ago period helping both the foreign currency reserves and the rupee to remain strong. Sri Lankans working abroad sent back US$ 587.7 million in October, just ahead of the year end festive season which usually sees a further bump up in the monies that the country typically receives. Click here to read… [21]