Source: Reuters/Twitter
COUNTRY REPORTS
Afghanistan
ISIS strikes again in Kabul
Thirty people were killed and over seventy injured in Kabul on 21 November after an ISIS suicide bomb attack. A spokesperson for the local police said that the bomber detonated his vest inside a mosque in Kabul. The attack was directed against Shia Muslims who are a minority in the country, marking the third major attack on the minority since July. President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack calling it a “great crime and the work of enemies of the people of Afghanistan.”
For more information, see: Afghanistan mosque attack: 30 dead, ISIS claims responsibility
Taliban open to peace talks?
Reports state that the Afghan Taliban are involved in intense discussions over the resumption of peace negotiations with the Kabul government. The Express Tribune quoting a Taliban negotiator said that, “We are now exploring the options for talks with foreign stakeholders, as well as with the Afghan side. It will be a national level decision. The consultation process was strong. The Taliban military commanders, who had not been on-board earlier, have also been taken into confidence. I would say the consultation process was initiated at the grassroots level this time.”
For more information, see: Afghan Taliban ‘discuss’ resumption of peace talks
India promises greater help
Ahead of the December 2016 ‘Heart of Asia’ conference in Amritsar, India, New Delhi has stepped up its rebuilding activity in Afghanistan. Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Manpreet Vohra has finalised projects such as: restarting a tile factory in Mazar-e-Sharif, building a runway at the Balkh airport and assisting Kabul in harnessing the economic potential of the Indian built Salma Dam.
For more information, see: India speeds up rebuilding activity in Afghanistan
Bangladesh
BNP for consensus Election Commission
The Opposition, Bangladesh National Party (BNP) chief Begum Khaleda Zia this week presented a thirteen point proposal for the formation of the next Election Commission (EC). In her proposal she strongly argued that the next EC be formed on the basis of consensus. She also suggested that Army be involved in the election. Her proposal has mixed responses. Some observers of the country’s politics feel that government should consider the proposal; while the ruling Awami league has declined to accept the proposal. The tenure of the present EC will end in February 2016 and formation of a new commission will be crucial for the next parliamentary election.
For more information, see: Consensus of all parties a must to form next EC; Analysts: ‘Khaleda’s proposals deserve consideration; Polls-Time Deployment: BNP defends proposal for magistracy to armed forces; EC reconstitution: BNP sends formal letter to President
MDG success
The country has attained remarkable success in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) as out of thirty three targets it fully implemented thirteen, including the one of halving the population living under poverty line, said a final evaluation report. “With sustained GDP growth rate of over six percent, Bangladesh has been able to bring poverty rate down to 24.8 percent by 2012 against the MDG target of halving the population living under the poverty line from 56.7 percent to 29 percent by 2015,” Dr. Shamsul Alam, member of the Planning Commission, informed while presenting the report in Dhaka this week.
For more information, see: Bangladesh gains remarkable MDG achievement
Student backers for terror
A study has revealed that every 10 university students support terrorism. According to the study around 51.7 percent of the students who support terrorism come from prosperous back ground. More half of the students with such radical thought are mostly of the age group between 18 to 25 years. The study was conducted by the East West University amidst a nationwide campaign against terrorism and militancy after the 1 July terror attack on a cafe in Gulshan where 22 persons, mostly foreigners, were killed.
For more information, see: Study finds 10 percent students in Bangladesh universities support terrorism
Concern over Rohingyas
Government this week expressed deep concern to Myanmar over Rohingya influx on the border. Government also urged Myanmar government to take measures to prevent Rohingya infiltration into the country. Hundreds of Rohingyas from the neighbouring Myanmar are enter Bangladesh after ethnic conflict broke up in there.
For more information, see: BD expresses concern to Myanmar; Rohingyas desperate as atrocities continue; BD government firm on keeping Rohingyas at bay; Myanmar’s envoy summoned; OIC worried; 107 Rohingyas pushed back by BGB; Traffickers thrive on Rohingya genocide; BGB, coast guards on alert to check infiltration; Fresh worries over fleeing Rohingyas; UNHCR urges Bangladesh to allow safe passage of Myanmar civilians fleeing violence
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