Neighborhood News Digest- 18 October 2024

Afghanistan

Kabir: 2 Permanent Members of Security Council ‘Cooperating With Us’-Tolo News

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the deputy prime minister for political affairs, said in a program on Thursday that in the past, resolutions were passed against the Islamic Emirate in the Security Council. However, now two permanent members of the Security Council are cooperating with the Islamic Emirate during its meetings. Click here to read... [2]

170,000 Tourists Visit Bamyan's Historical and Natural Sites in Six Months-Tolo News

Around 170,000 tourists visited the historical sites, natural attractions, and ancient areas of Bamyan in the first six months of the current solar year. The Bamyan Department of Information and Culture stated that nearly 1,000 of these visitors were foreign tourists. Click here to read... [3]

Iranian soldiers plant landmines and fire on Afghan migrants as if at war with Israel: Report-The Khaama Press

Reports indicate that the Iranian government has laid landmines along the route commonly used by Afghan migrants in the Kulgan area of Saravan. According to an insider, Iranian officials not only fired upon the migrants with extreme brutality but also caused fatalities as landmine explosions killed several during their attempt to cross the border. Click here to read... [4]

More than 156,000 Afghan refugees returned home from Pakistan in first half of 2024-The Khaama Press

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on Thursday that more than 156,000 Afghan refugees returned to their country in the first half of 2024. The organization reported that conditions for Afghans in neighboring countries have become increasingly difficult due to economic instability, rising living costs, and growing xenophobia. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Hasina’s misrule should not affect our judgement of Bangabandhu - The Daily Star

Two recent announcements have taken us by surprise: first, the reconfiguration of national days, and second, the statement by Information Adviser Nahid Islam that the interim government does not consider Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation. Click here to read... [6]

Strained relations with US improved a lot: foreign adviser – The Daily Star

Bangladesh's strained relations with the United States have been improved under the present interim government, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said yesterday. He focused on Bangladesh's relationship with the US and emphasised on maintaining good relations with all countries. Click here to read... [7]

BNP worried about undisciplined activists threatening public trust - Dhaka Tribune

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is grappling with significant internal strife following the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5. Since this political shift, the BNP leadership has expressed deep concerns over the undisciplined behavior of many of its leaders and activists, which includes incidents of extortion, violence, and other criminal activities. Click here to read... [8]

Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant for Sheikh Hasina, sets Nov deadline – Business Standard

Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday reportedly issued arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others, including senior Awami League leaders, in connection with alleged crimes against humanity during the recent mass student movement. Click here to read... [9]

Sheikh Hasina is in India, will continue to be: Indian foreign ministry – Prothom Alo

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently in India. Randhir Jaiswal, Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson, disclosed this in response to a question on Thursday. Some media outlets in Bangladesh have reported that she has gone to the United Arab Emirates, while others claim that the Indian government has issued her "travel documents." Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan

Gov Tech to review ICM Act to bolster cyber security - Kuensel

In the past four years, Bhutan recorded 650 cases of cyber security threats and attacks, with 204 incidents occurring in 2024 alone. These cases range from abusive content and fraud to system vulnerabilities and intrusion attempts. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2024-2029 launched– PSM News

Maldives and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2024-2029. The strategic plan was launched by Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Nazim and WHO's Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region Saima Wazed. According to the health ministry, the strategic plan was developed in partnership with WHO. The ministry stated that WHO will provide assistance to improve the provision of public healthcare services in the Maldives for the next five years. It highlighted that the plan seeks to provide inclusive healthcare services, ensuring that it is accessible for all. Click here to read... [12]

Pakistan

Nawaz sees chances of Indian, Pakistani PMs meeting soon-Dawn

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has said there are chances of a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in the near future, and that talks may resume between both countries. The elder Sharif stated this during an interaction on Thursday with Indian journalists, who were in the country to cover the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was also present on the occasion. Click here to read... [13]

Fazl forces govt into dropping FCC idea-The Express Tribune

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N)-led ruling coalition has finally dropped its plan to establish a federal constitutional court (FCC) alongside the Supreme Court after failing to win Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl's support for the 26th constitutional amendment being tabled in parliament today. Click here to read... [14]

Nawaz Sharif calls for renewed Pak-India relations, cricket ties in meeting with Indian journalists-The Express Tribune

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif met with a delegation of Indian journalists covering the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference, where he shared his thoughts on the restoration of Pakistan-India relations and cricketing ties. The meeting took place in Lahore, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also in attendance. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

New NPP govt. mirrors RW regime’s borrowing strategy: Economists – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s new NPP government is following a similar borrowing strategy to the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime, raising significant funds from domestic markets to manage its debt, according to leading economists. Click here to read... [16]

Disagree that 74 years of rule ruined country: Sirisena - Daily Mirror

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said that he does not like to hear that those who ruled the country over the past 74 years had ruined it. He further said that no matter how many good provisions exist in the Constitution or laws, and no matter how many rules and regulations are passed in Parliament to stop corruption and fraud, those appointed to higher positions may ignore these laws and still commit corruption and fraud. Click here to read... [17]

Bishop expresses optimism as Sri Lanka reopens probe into 2019 Easter attacks – Vatican News

Bishop Peter Antony Wyman Croos of Ratnapura has expressed optimism over the Sri Lankan government’s renewed commitment to thoroughly investigate the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The attacks, which targeted three churches and three hotels on April 21, 2019, claimed the lives of 279 people and injured hundreds. Click here to read... [18]