VIF Neighbouhood News Digest: 13th July, 2018

PAKISTAN

Nawaz Sharif Live Updates: Former Pakistan PM, Daughter Leave For Lahore: NDTV
July 13, 2018

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam, who were sentenced for long jail terms in a graft case, will return to Pakistan today. Nawaz Sharif and his political heir Maryam will be arrested as soon as they reach Pakistan. Massive arrangements have been made for their arrival, with more than 10,000 police personnel deployed. The authorities will reportedly use shipping containers to block roads in Lahore, after Mr Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers threatened to march to the airport. Nawaz Sharif is returning from London via Abu Dhabi, a week after a court gave him a 10-year-jail term over the purchase of flats in London. His daughter was also handed a seven-year jail term. Pakistan will go for elections on July 25.Click here to read...

AFGHANISTAN

NATO Issues Declaration On Afghanistan: Tolo News
July 12, 2018

NATO allies wrapped up the two-day Heads of State and Government summit in Brussels and issued a declaration pledging to continue support to Afghanistan in its quest for peace. The final meeting of the summit was on Afghanistan. In a joint statement on the declaration, NATO allies also pledged to continue funding Afghan forces through 2024. “We, the Heads of State and Government of the nations contributing to the Resolute Support Mission, and the President of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met today in Brussels to reaffirm our shared commitment to Afghanistan’s long-term security and stability. The people of Afghanistan demand peace and we are encouraged by the momentum building in that direction. We remain united in our commitment to help Afghanistan attain it,” the declaration read.Click here to read...

NEPAL

Nepal's K P Sharma Oli Gifts A Pair Of One-Horned Rhinos To China: NDTV
July 13, 2018

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli yesterday handed over a pair of one-horned rhino to Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong at a programme in the capital. Nepal gifted the rhinos -- Bhadra (male) and Rupasi (female) -- as per government''s decision made some two years ago for giving two rhino couples to China. Another pair will be handed by next month. Speaking at the event, Oli said the presentation of rhinos to China would help further consolidate historic ties between the two neighbouring countries. He expressed the hope that the rhinos would be reared in a good environment. The rhinos are expected to be sent to the northern neighbour via a special cargo plane from Kathmandu. The mammals will be released in Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou of China, according to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.Click here to read...

BANGLADESH
India to ease visa curbs for Bangladesh citizens: The Hindu

July 13, 2018

India will sign a pact with Bangladesh to ease visa restrictions for citizens from the neighbouring country. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “revised travel arrangements” will be signed during Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s three-day visit to Dhaka beginning Friday. Bangladesh has demanded that travel restrictions for senior citizens be eased and further concessions be given to Muktijoddhas — those who participated in the 1971 Liberation War. Last year, India announced five-year multiple entry visa to the 1971 war veterans from Bangladesh. They could walk into the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and eight other consulates in Barisal, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Khulna, Rangpur, Sylhet Mymensingh and Jessore without prior appointment and submit their visa applications. Citizens from over 150 countries can travel to India on e-Tourist visas procured online. This facility is not extended to Bangladesh.
Click here to read...

CHINA

Xi's trip set to bring Asia, Africa closer together: China Daily
July 13, 2018

President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to the United Arab Emirates, Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa from July 19 to 24, and attend the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg from July 25 to 27, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday. On his way home, the president also will visit Mauritius during a stopover there, Lu said. This will be Xi's first overseas trip since he was re-elected president in March.Click here to read...

China firmly supports multilateral trade system: MOFCOM: People's Daily
July 13, 2018

China is a firm supporter of the multilateral trade system, said Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen at the seventh WTO review of China’s trade policies and practices, which commenced in Geneva on July 11, 2018.Trade Policy Reviews are an exercise, mandated in the WTO agreement, in which the trade and related policies of all countries are examined and evaluated at regular intervals.Click here to read...

China's MOC issues statement on U.S. Section 301 investigation: Xinhua
July 13, 2018

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) released a statement Thursday regarding the Statement by the U.S. Trade Representative on Section 301 Action released on July 10.Click here to read...

US-China trade war takes a cultural turn after antiques and artworks are added to Trump’s tariffs list: South China Morning Post
July 13, 2018

The US-China trade war, hitherto largely confined to industrial, technological, and agricultural wares, has opened a new front: culture. Towards the end of the 205-page docket issued on Tuesday by the Trump administration announcing new retaliatory tariffs on Chinese imports, antiques – along with paintings, drawings, and pastels – appear on a list of thousands of other items that will be subject to an additional 10 per cent duty upon entry into the US, should the proposed tariffs go into effect at the end of August.Click here to read...

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