Neighborhood News Digest- 09 October 2024

Afghanistan

Kabul Launches 22.75 MW Solar Energy Project in Surobi- Tolo News

The construction of a 22.75 MW solar energy project began on Tuesday in the Naghlu area of Surobi district, Kabul. Abdul Bari Omar, the head of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), said that this $18.2 million project, funded by Afghan and Turkish companies, is expected to be completed within a year.Click here to read… [2]

Helmand River Supplies 300 Million Cubic Meters of Water to Iran-Tolo News

Firouz Ghasemzadeh, spokesperson for Iran's Water Industry at the Ministry of Energy, announced that more than 300 million cubic meters of Iran's water rights from Afghanistan have been secured. He stated that the Afghan interim government has released water from the Helmand River to Iran between October 2023 and September 2024.Click here to read… [3]

Afghans paid to participate in PTI protests: Pakistani Media-The Khaama Press

Radio Pakistan has reported that several Afghans participated in protests organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in exchange for promises of financial rewards. The state radio claimed that the arrested Afghans damaged public property during the demonstrations. During these protests, Pakistani police arrested 412 individuals, including 60 Afghans. So far, the PTI party has not made any official comments on the matter.Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

Interim govt struggling on many fronts - The Daily Star

The government on around a dozen occasions has backtracked on its decisions during its two months in office, casting doubts about its resolve. Political analysts interpret this as signs of inconsistency, a lack of experience and determination, and the uncertainty troubling the government as it struggles to strike a balance between diverse demands.Click here to read… [5]

Why the cost of Matarbari deep-sea port project is going up – The Daily Star

Four years after its approval, the cost of the Matarbari deep-sea port project in Cox's Bazar has escalated, while the deadline has been pushed back too. Although the real physical progress on the project is still zero, authorities say five major factors have contributed to the project registering a 37 percent cost increase.Click here to read… [6]

‘Electoral reform commission to finalise roadmap by next month’ - Dhaka Tribune

The Electoral Reform Commission is currently defining its scope of work and will present a complete plan next week, according to its head, Badiul Alam Majumder. Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), told Dhaka Tribune: "Our commission will work to implement the necessary reforms. Right now, we are focusing on planning and scoping out those areas. However, the full commission will finalize the specific changes to be made."Click here to read… [7]

Bangladesh Seeks Clarity on Sheikh Hasina's Whereabouts Amid Speculation of Departure to Third Country – The Wire

Two months after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh, her whereabouts are again in the news, with Dhaka asking India and the UAE about her status and claiming to have received no answers. “We have not been able to verify her current location. We inquired with Delhi and the (United Arab) Emirates too, but no one has been able to provide official confirmation,” Hossain told reporters during a briefing at the Bangladesh foreign ministry on Tuesday, October 8.Click here to read… [8]

India-Bangladesh ties must be very close, no alternative: Muhammad Yunus – India Today

Bangladesh interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that Dhaka-Delhi relations should be "very close" despite the recent regime change in the country, asserting that it is in the interest of both countries. Yunus, the 84-year-old economist, became Chief Adviser on August 8 following the resignation of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country on August 5 amidst student-led mass protests.Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan: The Himlayan Kingdom Minting Virtual Gold Through Bitcoins - Outlook

Located in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan, a country better known for prioritising Gross National Happiness, has quietly risen to become an important player in the crypto world with a remarkable troupe of Bitcoins, the gold among virtual assets. Recently, blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence revealed that Bhutan ranks fourth globally in terms of government Bitcoin reserves, possessing an impressive 13,000 BTC, valued at approximately $750 million.Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Maldives government agrees to bring in Indian "defence platforms"– Adhadhu

The Maldives government has agreed to bring in Indian "defence platforms" contrary to its pledge to stop operating Indian military aircraft and remove Indian troops. A joint press release publicised by the President's Office after official talks between President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that "defence platforms and assets" will be provided to the Maldives. "To support Maldives with provisioning of defence platforms and assets to augment capabilities of MNDF [Maldives National Defence Force] as well as that of the Government of Maldives in advancing its maritime and security requirements in line with its national priorities," the press release read.Click here to read… [11]

Maldives and India will increase cooperation in hydrography– Adhadhu

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Maldives and India will work together for the safety and security of the Indian Ocean and will increase cooperation in hydrography. He made the remarks in a joint statement with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on October 7. The joint statement was delivered after official talks were held between the two leaders in New Delhi. Despite Modi's remarks, the government of President Muizzu earlier decided to cancel a hydrography agreement signed with India by the previous administration of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).Click here to read… [12]

Foreign Minister describes President's visit to India as a success - PSM News

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's ongoing state visit to India is a success, noting that it will benefit the Maldives' socio-economic development. In an interview with PSM News, Minister Dr. Khaleel stated that this marks the first time a Maldivian president was showered with such warm welcomes from India. The minister added that this was the result of President Dr. Muizzu's efforts in the international platform, with a priority of strengthening bilateral relations with various countries. He further stated that the trip will result in multiple benefits for the Maldives.Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Pakistan Bar Council proposes amendments for parliamentary scrutiny of FCC rulings-Dawn

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the highest regulatory body for lawyers in the country, has proposed an amendment to Article 68 of the Constitution that would permit parliamentary discussion of judgements made by the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), envisaged under the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill.Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan to sign agreements worth $2 billion with Saudi Arabia, says PM Shehbaz-Dawn

Pakistan is scheduled to sign agreements worth around $2 billion with a visiting Saudi delegation later this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday. A delegation from Saudi Arabia is expected in the country before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting that the country is hosting from Oct 15-16, he said.Click here to read… [15]

KP govt bars officials, warns public against associating with PTM’s Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga-Dawn

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday prohibited its officials and employees from engaging with the three-day Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga organised by the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and issued a public warning against any association, a notification said.Click here to read… [16]

Chinese engineers killed in Karachi attack were key to energy debt talks: Aurangzeb-The Express tribune

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb disclosed on Tuesday that Chinese engineers killed in a recent suicide attack in Karachi were part of ongoing energy debt restructuring negotiations with the Pakistani government.Click here to read… [17]

Gandapur warns next protest will target removal of Islamabad IG-The Express Tribune

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, during a fiery speech in the provincial assembly on Tuesday, issued a stern warning, saying, “If the Islamabad IG is not removed, our next protest will be aimed at removing him.”Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

Major political parties will face elimination – Daily Mirror

Almost every major political party will face elimination and pass into history if they do not field ideal candidates in their lists to contest the upcoming General Election, as the public is determined to vote against the corrupt political culture, the Civil Collective said.Click here to read… [19]

Best option for SL is to stick with IMF plan: IPS Chief – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka should stay committed to the fiscal framework set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) until the country achieves the macroeconomic stability required for a sustained recovery, a top economist asserted.Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka’s new government pledges review of Adani wind project – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s new government said it will review a wind power deal with the Adani Group, throwing a fresh hurdle for the Indian conglomerate as it seeks to expand abroad.Click here to read… [21]

WB inks additional US$200 Mn to support economic reforms in SL – Daily Mirror

The World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka today signed the Second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO) for $200 million.Click here to read… [22]