Neighborhood News Digest - 14 November 2024

Afghanistan

Taliban delegation attends Telecommunication Conference in India-The Khaama Press

The Taliban’s spokesperson announced that Barat Shah Agha Nadim, head of the Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA), led a delegation to India to participate in the 25th Meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-25). The meeting took place in New Delhi from November 11 to 13, 2024, and included representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and other countries. Click here to read... [2]

Ministry of Education Builds 125 Schools and 38 Madrasas in Six Months-Tolo News

The Ministry of Education has built 125 schools and over 30 madrasas across the country in the first six months of this year. Mansoor Ahmad Hamza, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, stated that these schools and madrasas were constructed with financial support from charitable organizations and national businessmen, amounting to over 1.224 billion Afghanis. Click here to read... [3]

Baradar: Reducing Poverty, Job Creation ‘Priority’ for Islamic Emirate-Tolo News

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, stated on Wednesday at the National Conference on Microfinance Opportunities and Challenges in Kabul that reducing poverty and unemployment, as well as creating job opportunities for citizens, are priorities for the Islamic Emirate. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

With Trump’s win, Bangladesh gets more investment queries from China- The Daily Star

Chinese entrepreneurs are increasingly inquiring with Bangladeshi businesses over scope for factory relocations, joint ventures and fresh investments, apprehending that the new Trump administration might further hike tariffs on their exports to the US. Click here to read... [5]

Cabinet expansion a ploy to remain in power for long – The Daily Star

The BNP believes that the cabinet expansion is an attempt of this interim government to prolong its stay in power. Considering this, the party plans to beef up its street programmes to put pressure on the government to call for elections, said party leaders. Click here to read... [6]

Yunus: Elections will follow reforms – Dhaka Tribune

Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of interim government told AFP on Wednesday that reforms are needed before Bangladesh can elect a government following the ouster of autocratic former ruler Sheikh Hasina The speed of reforms "will decide how quick the election will be," the Nobel Peace Prize winner and micro-finance pioneer said in an interview on the sidelines of the COP29 climate talks in Baku. Click here to read... [7]

Mahfuz: Govt to look into matter if any complaints come regarding new advisers – Dhaka Tribune

Mahfuz Alam, adviser to interim government, said that if there are any complaints regarding appointment of new advisers, government will look into the matter. "We are a government appointed by the people, representing the people. We are here to serve the people. I hope the new advisers who have been appointed will be judged by the people of Bangladesh based on their work. If we receive any complaints from the public, we will look into the matter. However, we believe that those who have been appointed will stand by the people and prove their competence through their work." Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Bhutan led G-ZERO coalition launch at COP29 to champion carbon neutrality– Kuensel

As countries around the world struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a group of four carbon-negative and carbon-neutral countries has launched a new forum at COP29, aimed at advancing global climate action. The initiative, called G-ZERO, was launched at the ongoing climate summit in Baku. The founding members of the G-ZERO coalition—Bhutan, Madagascar, Panama, and Suriname—are among the few countries that have achieved status of being carbon neutrality or negative emissions. Each has a proven track record of reducing emissions while promoting sustainable practices, with an emphasis on balancing economic growth and environmental responsibility. The forum’s central goal is to prove that carbon neutrality is not only possible but essential, advocating for intensified climate action and greater international cooperation, particularly between developing and developed countries. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

President Muizzu underscores urgent need for new climate finance goal– Adhadhu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has underscored the urgent need for a new climate finance goal that aligns with the true scale of the climate crisis, asserting that “the need is in trillions, not billions.” Delivering Maldives’ National Statement at the Plenary of 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Muizzu called for increased global financial commitments to address climate adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage, especially for vulnerable nations. Highlighting the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), he stated that Maldives is a nation of extraordinary fortitude. Click here to read... [10]

Economic Minister predicts boom in economic activity next year– PSM News

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has predicted a boom in economic activity next year. He made the remarks during the "Transforming Tomorrow" ceremony, held to launch several major initiatives by Housing Development Corporation (HDC). In his address, Minister Saeed reflected on the difficult economic and financial situation, when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office. Highlighting that despite the lack of funds allocated for projects in this year's state budget, he revealed that steps were taken forward to overcome the challenges, with the wise advice of the president. The minister stated that the greatest portion of the state budget 2025 was allocated for housing. He expressed optimism in seeing the economic growth by 7 percent next year. Click here to read... [11]

Pakistan

Previous financial pledges on climate change remain unmet, PM tells COP29 summit-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised concerns on Wednesday about the unmet financial pledges made at the previous two United Nations climate summits, COP27 and COP28. Addressing the ongoing COP29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, the prime minister stressed that the commitments made by developed countries to support climate action have yet to materialize. Click here to read... [12]

Pakistan to launch first AI policy-The Express Tribune

The government is set to roll out its first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy by early 2025, deploying it to strengthen cyber security with capabilities to detect and respond to cyber threats in real time, effectively averting data breaches. The policy aims to boost the digital economy and transform the country into a "Digital Pakistan." Click here to read... [13]

Japan approves $18.5m grant for flood management project in Pakistan-The Express Tribune

Japan has committed an $18.5 million grant to support Pakistan’s flood management initiatives, aimed at enhancing flood forecasting accuracy and reducing disaster risks. The grant will be executed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the project "Flood Management Enhancement in the Indus Basin." Click here to read... [14]

Mini-budget unlikely as IMF satisfied with tax steps-Dawn

The Inter¬national Monetary Fund (IMF) is reported to have expressed satisfaction over the increase in the tax-to-GDP ratio by nearly 1.5 percentage points, relieving the authorities from any push for additional tax measures through a mini-budget. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

Who are our lawmakers for next five years? People will decide today – Daily Mirror

Sri Lankans will vote for the election of MPs to the country’s tenth Parliament today, the first to be constituted after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office. The last parliamentary election was conducted in August, 2020 when the country was hit by the pandemic. At this election, 196 MPs will be elected through direct votes and the remaining 29 to be nominated on the National List. Click here to read... [16]

First election results to be released by 10 p.m. - Daily Mirror

The first election results of the 2024 parliamentary elections will be released by 10 p.m. today, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said. Voting for the election began at 7 a.m. at 13,314 polling centers around the country and will end at 4 p.m. Click here to read... [17]

Police, military on high alert for today’s General Election – Daily Mirror

As the country prepares for today's general election, law enforcement authorities have mobilized a massive security operation to ensure a peaceful and orderly process. Over 90,000 police, military, and civil security personnel have been deployed across the country, with a comprehensive plan in place to safeguard polling stations and counting centers. Click here to read... [18]