Neighborhood News Digest- 19 November 2024

Afghanistan

Envoy: China Will Continue Supporting Afghan Peace, Reconstruction-Tolo News

Yue Xiaoyong, China's special representative for Afghanistan, stated in an interview with a Chinese media outlet that neighboring and regional countries have agreed to cooperate in achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan. Comparing the policies of the US and China towards Afghanistan, Yue added that China does not interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs. He also highlighted the importance of addressing women's issues in Afghanistan, while pointing out that women's rights are not the sole or primary problem in the country. Click here to read... [2]

Kabul revitalizes landmark honouring Persian Philosopher and Scholar-The Khaama Press

The Hakim Nasir Khusraw Balkhi Square, a prominent city intersection, has been restored and reopened, reclaiming its status as a cultural and intellectual landmark. Originally revamped and renamed in 2011 to honor the revered Persian philosopher and Ismaili scholar Nasir Khusraw Balkhi, the square recently underwent a comprehensive six-month restoration project. Funded by private businesses, the restoration cost exceeded 3 million Afghanis. Click here to read... [3]

Fitrat: Diplomatic Visits Increase between Tajikistan, Islamic Emirate-Tolo News

Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said that the Islamic Emirate seeks to establish good relations with Tajikistan and that there have been recent exchanges between the two sides in recent days. Click here to read... [4]

Afghanistan’s ambassador and Consul in Germany resign amid diplomatic pressure-The Khaama Press

Yama Yari, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Germany, announced that he has stepped down from his position at the host country’s request. Mr. Yari stated that he is ending his tenure to prevent further complications for Afghan citizens and migrants, which could potentially lead to the closure of the Afghanistan embassy. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

100 days of govt: Major steps taken towards a ‘new Bangladesh’- The Daily Star

Despite numerous challenges, the interim government over the last 100 days has taken many timely and significant steps that align with the vision of building a "new Bangladesh", observed Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday. It said the government move to try killers and human rights violators from the previous regime; efforts to provide compensation and medical care to those injured in the movement; and the repeal of the Cyber Security Act were noteworthy. Click here to read... [6]

HC hearing on Adani power deal today – The Daily Star

The High Court will hear a writ petition today challenging the legality of the government's power purchase agreement with Adani Power (Jharkhand) Limited, signed on November 5, 2017. The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury fixed the date after petitioner Barrister Md Abdul Qaium sought an urgent hearing. Click here to read... [7]

Rizvi concerned over proposal of 4-year interim govt – Dhaka Tribune

Expressing concern over the chief adviser's remarks that the tenure of the interim administration could be less than four years, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday questioned whether the government might have a "master plan" to prolong its power. He said that politicians had led state reforms and constitutional changes for ages, and they would continue to carry out the necessary reforms. Click here to read... [8]

Holding elections not the only task of incumbent govt: Nahid Islam – Prothom Alo

It is not the only task of the incumbent government to hold elections since this interim government is not a caretaker government, post, telecommunication and information technology adviser Nahid Islam said Monday. He further said various commissions have already been formed for institutional reforms. The elections will be held after the reforms. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan’s Bitcoin asset value crosses USD 1B– Kuensel

Capitalising on the recent Bitcoin (BTC) price surges, Bhutan cashed out 367 BTC worth about USD 33.5 million through major cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, on November 14. Bitcoin price rose to more than USD 90,000 for 1 BTC. As of yesterday, 1 BTC was equivalent to USD 90, 799. This latest sale marks the second significant Bitcoin sale for Bhutan in recent weeks for USD 66 million upon Bitcoins reaching USD 70,000 per BTC. In recent weeks, Bhutan sold BTC worth almost USD 100 million. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Gov’t expenditure soars to MVR 41.59bn, operational costs surge, development expenses decline– Raajje

The current administration had exhausted MVR 41.59 billion from the 2024 state budget, by 7 November 2024. Excluding loan repayments, the finance report notes that the government expenditure has reached MVR 39.5 billion. Of this amount, the largest chunk was spent on recurrent expenditure amounting to 71 percent of the total expenditure or MVR 28.1 billion. From the recurrent expenditure, MVR 11.2 billion was spent on salaries, allowances, and pensions, while MVR 16.8 billion was spent on administrative and operational costs. Compared to the same period last year, the finance statistics show that the administration has increased spending on salaries and allowances. Click here to read... [11]

President Muizzu's dangerous rhetoric: "will do whatever it takes to reach my objective" – Adhadhu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday night made a dangerous statement that contradicts his repeated claims of being on the side of the people. At the rally held in Male' to mark his government's first anniversary Muizzu said he would do whatever necessary to achieve his objectives. "The only thing that matters to me is the outcome. We will hopefully comply with the law and regulations, bring necessary changes to laws and regulations and do whatever it takes, what matters to me is that I always reach my objective," he said. He did not link this statement to any ongoing matters. His statement comes amid attempts by the ruling party, which controls the Parliament supermajority, to bring legal changes to allow the President to influence the Elections Commission (EC) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Click here to read... [12]

Solih slams Yameen’s USD one billion reserve claim as outright lie– Raajje

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has asserted that the claim made by former President Abdulla Yameen about having USD one billion in state reserves when the government transitioned in 2018 is an outright lie. In a recent interview on RaajjeTV’s ‘Fashaairu’ morning talk show, Yameen claimed that when the government transitioned in 2018, there was USD 950 million in net reserves available for Solih to use, USD 150 million in the Sovereign Development Fund (SDF), and nearly USD 700-800 million in usable reserves in the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) treasury. When questioned about the matter on Sunday’s ‘Fashaairu’ episode, Solih brushed off these claims and stressed that it was not appropriate for a former president of Maldives to make such false statements. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Shehbaz pushes for Saudi loan closure-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday sought an early closure of a $1.2 billion Saudi loan deal and directed the tax machinery to present a plan this week to bridge a yawning gap in the revenue collection, in order to keep the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme on track. Click here to read... [14]

Why Donald Trump's Cabinet Choices Are Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights-NDTV

Pakistan is keeping a very close watch on how Donald Trump's cabinet is shaping up as Islamabad is getting increasingly jittery over the decisions being made so far. Islamabad finds itself on a sticky-wicket as Trump's picks for Secretary of State, Secretary of Defence, National Security Adviser, and spy agency CIA chief all having very critical views of Pakistan while being much more considerate to New Delhi. Click here to read... [15]

Bushra Bibi calls November 24 protest fight for country not for Imran Khan’s release-The Express Tribune

Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters to view the upcoming November 24 protest as a battle for the country’s future, rather than a fight for Imran Khan's release, according to Express News.
An audio recording of Bushra Bibi, wife of Imran Khan, has emerged in which she is seen guiding party workers on how to organise protests and spread their message effectively. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

President to visit India in mid-December: Foreign Minister – Daily Mirror

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to visit India in mid-December for his maiden state visit. He told the media after the swearing-in ceremony that the President is scheduled to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. Click here to read... [17]

President urges IMF to maintain balanced approach in economic recovery programme – Daily Mirror

While highlighting his government’s commitment to addressing the pressing needs of the people, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urged the IMF to maintain a balanced approach that considers the hardships faced by citizens. He said this during a meeting with Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer and the IMF delegation at the Presidential Secretariat today (18), to discuss the next steps in the IMF programme. Click here to read... [18]

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath assumes duties - Daily Mirror

Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today at a simple ceremony. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion. As a Member of Parliament, Minister Herath has represented the Gampaha District since 2000. At the recently concluded General election, he was re-elected, obtaining the highest ever number of preferential votes in Parliamentary election history, in Sri Lanka. Click here to read... [19]