Neighborhood News Digest- 13 November 2024

Afghanistan

Afghan Delegation Attends COP 29 Meeting in Baku-Tolo News

The annual United Nations Conference on Climate Issues (COP 29) has begun in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. A delegation from the Afghan interim government is also participating in the conference. Abdulhadi Achakzai, a participant at COP 29, said: "We will meet and discuss with officials from other organizations to share Afghanistan's situation with them so that they consider financial and technical support for Afghanistan."Click here to read… [2]

Mine Clearance Organization warns of IED contamination in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The Mine Clearance Organization recently announced that over 65 square kilometers of land in Afghanistan is contaminated with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The organization has called on the global community to increase political and financial support for clearing these devices from Afghanistan’s lands.Click here to read… [3]

Haqqani Urges Unity, Warns Against Actions Weakening the System-Tolo News

Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, emphasized the need to eliminate divisions and mistrust in the country. He made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for security forces in Maidan Wardak. In his speech, he further advised security forces to avoid actions that lead to mistrust, disobedience, and division and to carry out their duties responsibly.Click here to read… [4]

Shaheen: Trump Seems 'More Pragmatic,' Relations Should Be 'Realistic'-Tolo News

The head of the Islamic Emirate's political office in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, told a Japanese media outlet that Afghanistan’s interim government is hopeful for strengthened ties between Kabul and Washington. Shaheen referred to the Doha Agreement, describing Donald Trump as a pragmatic figure who, he expects, would realistically address current challenges. He told the Japanese media, “It seems Mr. Trump is more pragmatic, and I think we need to be realistic in solution of issues.”Click here to read… [5]

US spends over $14 billion on Afghan evacuation and resettlement: SIGAR-The Khaama Press

The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) announced that the United States has spent over $14 billion in the past three years on relocating and resettling Afghans in the U.S. The Washington Times reported on Sunday, November 10, that this $14 billion was allocated to evacuation flights and resettlement programs for Afghan refugees in the United States.Click here to read… [6]

Bangladesh

Rab wants to shed its dark past- The Daily Star

Since its formation nearly two decades ago to curb organised crime and terrorism, the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has been dogged by serious allegations of human rights violations. Rights activists and critics accused it of morphing into a "government death squad" that operated with impunity.Click here to read… [7]

LDCs should get preferential treatment – The Daily Star

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday advocated for Least Developed Countries to get preferential treatment due to their unique circumstances and development needs. He said most vulnerable countries with limited decarbonisation capacity need adequate financial and technical support to develop green industries, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing.Click here to read… [8]

BNP plans divisional rallies demanding roadmap for early election – Dhaka Tribune

Buoyed by their massive rally in the capital on Friday, the BNP is now planning to stage similar showdowns in 10 divisions across the country to demonstrate its strength in resisting any plot to destabilize the country and mount pressure on the government to present a clear election roadmap.Click here to read… [9]

Indian High Commission holds musical session on Nazrul Shyama Sangeet – Prothom Alo

The Indira Gandhi Cultural Center (IGCC) of the Indian High Commission held a musical session on Shyama Sangeet by Kazi Nazrul Islam on Tuesday afternoon at the Indian Cultural Center in Dhaka. The national poet of Bangladesh, Kazi Nazrul Islam, is equally popular in India and Bangladesh. Nazrul has composed more than hundred devotional songs on Goddess Maa Kali, which is called Shyama Sangeet.Click here to read… [10]

Chief adviser meets top global leaders at COP29 – Prothom Alo

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus passed a busy day today, the opening day of the COP29 global climate summit, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The head of Bangladesh interim government and the 2006 Nobel Peace laureate met at least 20 top leaders of countries across the globe and heads of international agencies, according to a message received here.Click here to read… [11]

Bhutan

China bullies small neighbour, constructs 22 villages in Bhutanese territory – News 18

Although accounts of China making incursions into Bhutanese territory in the form of villages and settlements had been doing the rounds for some time, a recent report reveals shocking details of how the Chinese have been bullying its small neighbour displaying uncalled-for aggression. Based on satellite imagery, the report exposes that since 2016, China has constructed as many as 22 villages and settlements in the territory that is internationally and historically considered to be Bhutanese. Taken together, it constitutes 825 square kilometres of land, which makes up over 2 per cent of the total Bhutanese territory.Click here to read… [12]

Bhutan Now Owns $1 Billion in Bitcoin – Crypto Times

Bhutan, a Himalayan Kingdom, otherwise known for its picturesque villages and “happiness index” of its people, now has a staggering $1 Billion in Bitcoin holdings, as per latest data. Bhutan government’s extensive investment into Bitcoin mining has paid off as the nation keeps marching forward in crypto holdings and revenue. Compared to Bhutan, its neighbour India has had a rather conservative approach towards cryptocurrencies that keeps oscillating between a blanket ban or complete disdain and high taxes.Click here to read… [13]

Maldives

Maldives troops participate in US training to prepare for war against China– Adhadhu

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has participated in a major military exercise to prepare in the event that the United States has to fight a war against China. The exercise, which involved a total of 10 countries, including the US, began on October 7 in Hawaii, Alaska and Palau. The countries that participated in the training were the US, Maldives, the United Kingdom, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. The US has not officially stated that the exercise was aimed at preparing for war with China. However, the New York Times cited US officials and confirmed its objective.Click here to read… [14]

Agreement with Türkiye to connect local businesses with European markets– PSM News

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has stated that the trade agreement signed with Türkiye, will facilitate to connect Maldivian businesses with European markets. He made the statement while speaking at the ceremony to mark the expansion of Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) services nationwide. During the ceremony held at the President's Office, Minister Saeed shed light on the government's efforts to digitalise the economy. Highlighting the efforts exerted by the government to establish a system which will facilitate the export of local products to international markets, the minister stressed that several firms have been requesting to connect with global markets. Under these efforts, the minister stated that Maldives and Türkiye entered an agreement, which play a pivotal role in bridging local businesses with European markets.Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

PM Shehbaz calls for $6.8 trillion in climate funding for developing nations at COP29-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at a climate finance roundtable hosted by Pakistan during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, called for $6.8 trillion in climate funding for developing countries by 2030. He emphasised that these nations face substantial climate challenges but are often left without adequate resources.Click here to read… [16]

Nawaz Sharif advises India to send cricket team to Pakistan in bid to improve relations-The Express Tribune

Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has urged India to send its cricket team to Pakistan, suggesting that such initiative could help improve bilateral relations if tensions persist, Express News reported on Tuesday. Nawaz was speaking to the media in London alongside his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.Click here to read… [17]

Beijing pushing Islamabad on joint security plan to protect its citizens-Dawn

Beijing is pushing Pakistan to allow its own security staff to provide protection to thousands of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan, following a recent attack that was seen as a major security breach.Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

New Parliament to convene on November 21 – Daily Mirror

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has formally summoned the newly elected Parliament to convene for its inaugural session on November 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The announcement, detailed in an official Gazette notification, confirms that the first session will take place at the Chamber of Parliament in Sri Jayawardenepura.Click here to read… [19]

Election Commission announces vote counting schedule - Daily Mirror

The Election Commission today announced the vote counting schedule for the general elections to be held on 14th of November. Addressing the media today at the Department of Government Information, Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said the counting of postal votes is set to commence at 4:15 p.m., with the general counting of ballots beginning around 7:15 p.m. after the ballot boxes arrive from the polling stations.Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lankans to vote for change in parliament poll, discarding decades of dynastic politics – Reuters

Sri Lanka votes to elect a new parliament this week in a snap general election called by its Marxist-leaning president who wants a fresh mandate in the legislature to drive economic reforms in the debt-ridden island nation. Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected president of the South Asian country in September but his National People's Power (NPP) coalition had just three of 225 seats in parliament, prompting him to dissolve the legislature and seek a fresh mandate there for his policies.Click here to read… [21]