Neighborhood News Digest - 27 November 2024

Afghanistan

UNAMA Reports Challenges Facing Media Freedom in Afghanistan-Tolo News

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released a report detailing the state of the media in the country over the past three years. The report, which covers four main sections: access to information, media closures, restrictions, and the status of women in media, highlights that the lack of clear procedures and the use of arbitrary arrests and detentions have had a negative impact on freedom of expression. Click here to read... [2]

Islamic Emirate Not Invited to ECO Foreign Ministers Meeting-Tolo News

The meeting of foreign ministers from member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is scheduled to take place on December 3-4 in Mashhad, Iran. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that, based on a decision by the ECO Secretariat, the Islamic Emirate has not been invited to participate in the meeting. Click here to read... [3]

Red Cross warns of adverse effects of climate change in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The Khaama Press podcast talks about climate change in Afghanistan and its effects. Najibullah Sadid, an expert in water management, discusses the problems caused by climate change in the country. In its latest report, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned about the “adverse” impacts of climate change in Afghanistan. According to international experts quoted in the report, the average temperature in Afghanistan is expected to rise by 2 degrees Celsius by 2050. Click here to read... [4]

Tajikistan extends Electricity supply contract to Afghanistan for 2025-The Khaama Press

The Afghanistan Electric Company (DABS) has announced the extension of its electricity import contract with Tajikistan for another year. In a statement issued on Monday, November 25, the company stated that the agreement was signed between Abdulbari Omar, the CEO of DABS, and Mohammad Omar Asiyazada, the head of the State-owned Electric Company of Tajikistan. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Khaleda Zia cleared in 5 defamation cases - The Daily Star

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been acquitted from five defamation cases filed against her during the last Awami League tenure over derogatory remarks about the Liberation War, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Click here to read... [6]

India's statement 'contrary to spirit of friendship' – The Daily Star

India's statement following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former ISKCON leader based in Chattogram, not only misrepresent facts but also stands contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries, said Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in a statement tonight. Click here to read... [7]

Fakhrul-led BNP delegation to meet Yunus on Wednesday – Dhaka Tribune

A BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will meet Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday evening. The team will go to the chief adviser's official residence, State Guest House Jamuna, at 6pm, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Click here to read... [8]

‘Zero tolerance’ against Awami League – Prothom Alo

Bangladesh Awami League is trying to make a comeback in different ways through conspiracy, Students Against Discrimination has stated. The student body further said an anti-fascism unity is required now. As part of that, they held an urgent meeting with leaders of 19 student organisations on Monday night. Click here to read... [9]

BNP urges all to stay alert, Jamaat calls for patience – Prothom Alo

The top leadership of BNP has called on everyone to remain "alert and vigilant" in the wake of various incidents, including clashes and conflicts in Dhaka, Chattogram and several parts of the country. Jamaat-e-Islami has made a similar call. Leaders of both parties believe that a "dictatorship" and its allies, both inside and outside the country, are conspiring behind the scenes to instigate these incidents. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan

Came here to learn about India's cooperative movement experience: Bhutan PM Tobgay– ANI

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Monday expressed his heartfelt gratitude to India for inviting him to participate in the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and stated that he came here to learn about India's cooperative movement experience. Lauding the 'cooperative movement' in India, the Bhutan PM said that cooperatives have achieved remarkable successes by empowering millions, uplifting marginalised and fostering sustainable economic growth. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Maldives criticises COP29 climate finance as insufficient, calls for increased aid– PSM News

Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, has voiced the Maldives’ concerns regarding the USD 300 billion allocated for climate finance at the COP29 summit, stating it falls short of what is needed to address the climate crisis. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Environment Minister Thoriq shared the Maldives’ perspective on the decision made at the summit. While the Maldives does not consider the approved amount adequate, the minister noted that the country accepted the decision in the spirit of fostering multilateral cooperation. Highlighting the Maldives’ climate initiatives, Minister Thoriq stated that the government aims to transition 33 percent of the nation’s energy consumption to renewable energy. He emphasised that achieving this goal, a key policy of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, requires significant financial support. Click here to read... [12]

Muizzu has no willingness to ban Israel passport: Yameen – Adhadhu

Parliament can ban Israeli passports if the government wants in the same manner that matters rushed by the government are being stamped, former President Abdulla Yameen has said. Speaking at a People's National Front (PNF) rally, Yameen said the government-controlled Parliament was making excuses because President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu does not want to ban Israeli passport holders from entering Maldives. "Parliament is the rubber stamp of the government. If the government wants to do it, they can amend the entire Constitution in three or four hours. So don't try to convince us that Parliament is very hard working. They do rubber stamping. There is not a single person there who has the courage to press a button for the sake of the people," he said. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Following govt crackdown, PTI calls off Islamabad protest ‘for the time being’-Dawn

The PTI, in the early hours of Wednesday, announced that it was calling off its high-stakes Islamabad protest sit-in “for the time being”, following a day of clashes between security forces and protesters in the city’s Red Zone ended in the party leadership’s hasty retreat. Click here to read... [14]

Grand jirga hopes to broker Kurram peace-The Express Tribune

A grand peace jirga was convened at the Kohat Commissioner House bringing together influential tribal elders, alongside key government officials. to deliberate over the prevailing situation in Kurram district and devise a roadmap for enduring peace. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, K-P Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur, Kohat Division Commissioner Syed Motasim Billah Shah, and community leaders were among those who attended. Click here to read... [15]

Balochistan stands firm on water rights-The Express Tribune

Senior Balochistan Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani has raised deep concerns over the federal government's proposed amendments to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Act. He cautioned that such changes could weaken the IRSA Act, disrupt provincial harmony, and deepen misunderstandings among the provinces. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan, Belarus to set up JVs in auto, agri sectors-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized advancing political dialogue and strengthening inter-parliamentary relations, according to a joint statement issued after their talks on Tuesday. The statement highlighted a focus on expanding trade and economic cooperation, promoting regional economic integration and connectivity, and enhancing the legal framework to facilitate bilateral collaboration. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka

CBSL further eases monetary policy stance – Daily Mirror

The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 26 November 2024, decided to further ease the monetary policy stance and set the newly introduced Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 8.00 per cent. With this change, the effective reduction in the policy interest rate would be around 50 basis points from the current level of the Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR), which continues to serve as the operating target of the Flexible inflation Targeting (FIT) framework. Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka President to visit China after proposed official trip to India: Officials – Deccan Herald

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake plans to visit China following his proposed official trip to India, Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayathissa said on Tuesday. Jayathissa said an official invitation has been handed to Dissanayake by the Chinese Ambassador in Colombo. Click here to read... [19]

Adani's Sri Lanka port project under US scrutiny amid bribery allegations – India Today

A US agency said on Sunday that it is reviewing the impact of Department of Justice bribery allegations against the founder of India's Adani Group on the agency's prior agreement to lend more than USD 550 million to a Sri Lankan port development backed by the group. Click here to read... [20]