Neighborhood News Digest- 26 December 2024

Afghanistan

Pakistan air strikes in Afghanistan spark Taliban warning of retaliation-Al Jazeera

The Pakistani military conducted air raids in neighbouring Afghanistan late on Tuesday night, targeting hideouts of the Pakistan Taliban, known by the acronym TTP, armed group in Paktika province, according to security officials. Click here to read... [2]

Pakistani Airstrike in Paktika Sparks Domestic Reactions-Tolo News

The Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Emirate has called Pakistan's airstrike on parts of Barmal district in Paktika an outright aggression and stated that these attacks will not go unanswered. Enayatullah Khwarazmi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, stated that Pakistan must realize such arbitrary actions do not solve any problems. According to Khwarazmi, children and civilians were targeted in these attacks. Click here to read... [3]

Uzbekistan Sends Medical Team to Treat Patients in Balkh-Tolo News

A team of Uzbek doctors, along with a shipment of humanitarian aid, has arrived in Balkh province. The governor of Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region, who traveled to Hairatan port to deliver this aid, stated that in addition to the supplies, the President of Uzbekistan has dispatched a team of doctors to Balkh province to provide medical services to underprivileged patients. The shipment includes medicines, flour, oil, meat, and macaroni, all sent to Balkh province. Click here to read... [4]

Taliban Ministry of Defense vows to respond to Pakistan’s airstrike-The Khaama Press

The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense strongly reacted to the overnight Pakistani airstrike on Barmal, Paktika, stating that the attack would not go unanswered, emphasizing that defending their land and sovereignty was their legitimate right. The Ministry added that the “Waziristani refugees” were targeted in the bombing. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

"Protect Rights Of All Faiths": America's Tough Talk To Bangladesh Amid Attacks On Hindus - NDTV

Amid growing violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh, the United Nations has asked Dhaka to ensure the protection of the human rights of all Bangladeshi citizens, irrespective of religion. During a phone conversation with US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan, Bangladesh's interim government chief Muhammad Yunus expressed commitment to protect human rights in the troubled South Asian nation. Click here to read... [6]

Economic stabilisation should be first priority – The Daily Star

Bangladesh needs both economic and political reforms to address three major challenges, namely macroeconomic instability, rising inequality and poor governance, which are restricting the country's development potential, according to experts. Click here to read... [7]

Mirza Fakhrul: Border killings are never acceptable – Dhaka Tribune

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that border killings should never be acceptable under any circumstances. Fakhrul made the remark after arriving in Sylhet on a personal visit on Wednesday. Speaking to the media at Sylhet Osmani International Airport, he said: "India should stop border killings. BNP has always demanded this, and we stand firm that border killings should never be accepted." Click here to read... [8]

Admin cadres demand removal of reform commission chief by 48 hrs – Prothom Alo

Administration cadre officials have demanded the removal or resignation of Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, chief of the public administration reform commission within 48 hours. They also warned of stricter actions in case of any ‘unwarranted’ recommendation from the commission. Click here to read... [9]

Holding election commission accountable under consideration – Prothom Alo

The Election System Reform Commission is considering how to hold the election commission (EC) accountable if it becomes involved in electoral crimes. The commission is contemplating proposing legal provisions that would allow action to be taken against the EC after an investigation in such cases. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan

National debt swells to Nu 290 billion, reaching 95% of GDP– Kuensel

The country’s national debt increased to Nu 290.3 billion as of September 2023, equating to 95.2 percent of the estimated gross domestic product (GDP) for the fiscal year 2023-24. This is an increase of Nu 5.1 billion, or 1.8 percent, from June this year, according to the Finance Ministry’s latest quarterly public debt report. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Maldives inflation rises in 2024 third quarter: MMA- Sun Online

The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has reported that the inflation rate, which was at 0.3 percent during the second quarter, rose to 1.3 percent in the third quarter of this year. The central bank released its Economic Quarterly Bulletin, in which it highlighted this inflation rise can be mainly attributed to the price changes in the energy sector. Click here to read... [12]

Maldives raises record MVR 98 million in zakat-Sun Online

The Maldives Zakat House has received MVR 98 million in zakat proceeds so far this year, says Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. In a brief press statement on Wednesday, Saeed said that the MVR 98 million marks the highest zakat collection in Maldives’ history. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Govt, JUI-F reportedly resolve Madrassa Registration Bill dispute-The Express Tribune

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza announced on Wednesday that the differences between the government and his party regarding the Madrassa Registration Bill have been resolved. Speaking to a local news channel, he confirmed that a gazette notification for the bill, which aligns with the 26th Constitutional Amendment, is expected to be issued within the next two days. The bill, which was previously passed by both houses of Parliament, had become a point of contention between JUI-F and the government. Click here to read... [14]

Trump aide raises PTI hopes with pro-Imran remarks-Dawn

Another statement in support of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan by a member of US President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming team has again raised the spirits of the opposition leader’s party, which has been campaigning for his release. In an interview with the US digital platform Newsmax on Wednesday, Richard Grenell, who has been named as Trump’s ‘envoy for special missions’, sharply criticised the Biden administration’s policies toward Pakistan, particularly its handling of the country’s missile programme and the imprisonment of Imran Khan. Click here to read... [15]

Husain Haqqani debunks myths about US influence on Pakistani policies-The Express Tribune

Former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, has stated that American policies are not formulated on social media, and it is a misconception that a phone call from US officials will resolve everything. He added that the US does not shape its policies based on social media trends while expressing his personal desire for PTI founder Imran Khan to be released. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan's rice exports to grow-The Express Tribune

Pakistani rice, an important commodity that ensures food security and earns foreign exchange for the country, is likely to continue its rising streak in export markets next year as well, as the commodity has been widely admired in the ongoing year due to good quality and aroma, commodities' sector experts said. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka

SLPP decides on legal action over reducing MR’s security– Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna had decided to go to court over reducing the strength of security provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. National Executive Member of the SLPP Attorney at Law Ravindra Jayasinghe told the media yesterday that if the strength of police officers was reduced as a requirement of service, it could have been justified, but reducing the security force personnel as a matter of economy was not acceptable. Click here to read... [18]

India to fund development projects worth ₹2,371 million in Sri Lanka's eastern province – The Hindu

India is to provide ₹2,371 million to Sri Lanka for 33 development projects in education, health and agriculture sectors in the eastern province, it was announced on Tuesday (December 24, 2024). The Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign an MoU to boost socio-economic development and bilateral ties between the two countries, cabinet spokesman and the Health Minister Nalinda Jayathissa told reporters here. Click here to read... [19]