VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: April 08, 2022

Afghanistan

Afghan Refugees in Iran Complain of Harassment- Tolo News

Afghan refugees in Iran complained over their deteriorated condition, saying they have been facing harassment there. A video being circulated on social media shows Afghan refugees being harassed and tortured in Iran. Click here to read... [2]

UNAMA: Closing of Girls’ Schools ‘Discriminatory’- Tolo News

Speaking to the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), the deputy special envoy of the UN for Afghanistan, Mette Knudsen, called the decision over the ban of girls' schools "discriminatory," saying that its impact will deeply affect the future generation in “terms of literacy and numeracy and will contribute to the cycle of poverty.” Click here to read... [3]

Kabul to Set Deadline for Qatar With Airport Contract- Tolo News

The meeting of the economic commission, chaired by the first deputy prime minister, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, tasked the Foreign Ministry to give a definite time by which a Kabul airport contract would be signed. Click here to read... [4]

3,000 Families in Kabul Given Food Aid: Ministry- Tolo News

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said it has provided food assistance to 3,000 needy families in Kabul with the cooperation of China.
Meanwhile, China says it has delivered 3,800 tons of food aid to Afghanistan in the past eight months. Click here to read... [5]

Clerics Again Call to Reopen Girls' Schools- Tolo News

Religious scholars in a conference under the name of "National Dialogue of Afghan Scholars" in Kabul once again called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen all girls' schools in the country. Click here to read... [6]

MSF voices concern at increasing measles cases- Pajhwok

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has voiced grave concern at the increasing incidence of measles in Afghanistan. Herat, Kunduz and Helmand are the worst-hit provinces, according to the humanitarian medical organisation, also known as Doctors without Borders. Click here to read... [7]

Maryland University to house Afghans on its campus- Pajhwok

The University of Maryland (UMD) will offer provisional housing for refugee and evacuee families from Afghanistan, reports a US newspaper. Under a partnership with the International Rescue Committee, UMD is the first to provide space for Afghan families on its university campus. Click here to read... [8]

Ban on poppy cultivation sends opium price soaring- Pajhwok

The price of opium has hit an all-time high after the Taliban banned poppy cultivation across the country. Earlier, the Taliban’s supreme leader issued a decree banning poppy cultivation and trade in other narcotics substances all over the country. Click here to read... [9]

$32 million cash assistance arrives in Kabul- Pajhwok

Thirty-two million dollars cash assistance from the international community has reached Kabul. Click here to read... [10]

After years, foreign tourists come to Nuristan- Pajhwok

Two foreign tourists have visited Afghanistan’s lush-green and mountainous Nuristan province after several years. Click here to read... [11]

Al-Qaeda chief Zawahiri hits out at enemies of Islam- Pajhwok

Presumed dead, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has re-appeared in a fresh video that seems to have been filmed in Afghanistan, reports a British newspaper. The Daily Mail said the re-appearance of the elusive terror chief, one of the world’s most wanted men, had scotched speculation that he died in 2020. Click here to read... [12]

Bangladesh

Dhaka-Washington: Closer to two defence deals- The Daily Star

Dhaka and Washington move closer to signing two defence deals that foreign policy analysts say is a notable progress in security cooperation in the areas of maritime, peacekeeping, counterterrorism and transnational crimes. Click here to read... [13]

PM calls for enhancing digital security- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the authorities concerned to pay more attention to digital security in every sector of the country. Click here to read... [14]

Laser strikes on aircraft: Caab efforts inadequate- The Daily Star

Pilots of different airlines have warned that major accidents can happen because of people shining laser beams at aircraft during take-off and landing after dark. Click here to read... [15]

Govt lobbying foreigners to save itself- The Daily Star

BNP yesterday alleged that the government is lobbying foreigners to save themselves from their "misdeeds”. Click here to read... [16]

Foreign minister’s comments were personal, does not reflect govt or party: Hasan- The Daily Star

Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud today said the BNP is afraid of elections and the foreign minister said it in front of US media as they (BNP) go to foreigners repeatedly on any issue. Click here to read... [17]

Mexico-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group formed- The Daily Star

With an aim to grow partnership between the two countries, a friendship group named "Mexico-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group" was formed yesterday (April 6) at the Mexican parliament. Click here to read... [18]

Onion farmers to get loan, incentive: agriculture minister - The Daily Star

Farmers will be given loan to make the country self-sufficient in production of onion and its seed, said Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque. Click here to read... [19]

Gas crisis likely to ease as Bibiyana field resumes full production- The Daily Star

After four days of disruption, the Chevron-operated Bibiyana gas field resumed full production from this morning – which is likely to end the gas crisis in parts of Bangladesh. Click here to read... [20]

Must not lose focus on macroeconomic stability- The Daily Star

Macroeconomic stability, fiscal and debt management, and domestic resource mobilisation are the major areas Bangladesh need to keep its focus on, Asian Development Bank officials said yesterday referring to what the country can learn from the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Click here to read... [21]

Padma bridge now to open by year-end- The Daily Star

The wait for the completion of the Padma Bridge is set to prolong as the prime minister said yesterday that the bridge would be open to public by the end of the year. Click here to read... [22]

‘No need for volunteers from Bangladesh to join Ukraine operation’- The Financial Express

In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, the embassy said it has been receiving “numerous letters from the Bangladeshi citizens who express their willingness to contribute on an unpaid basis to the liberation movement in Ukraine and Donbas”. The embassy, however, sees “no need for volunteers from Bangladesh to join the operation” as it is “going according to the plan, with the Russian Armed Forces successfully achieving set goals and objectives”. Click here to read... [23]

Bangladesh abstains from voting on suspending Russia's membership of UN Human Rights Council- The Daily Star

Bangladesh has abstained from voting on a resolution to suspend Russia's membership of the UN Human Rights Council in the wake of human rights violations by Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Click here to read... [24]

Bhutan

RCSC leadership assessment raises eyebrows- Bhutan Times

Even as the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) implements a paradigm shift in leadership in the civil service, there continues to be debate as to how efficient these measures will be in gauging their performance. Click here to read... [25]

Safety of our tourists must reign supreme- Bhutan Times

The country saw the first tranche of tourists arrive at the Paro international airport after a wearisome lull of almost two years. The arrival of tourists not only means the resumption of business but is an important facet of our fight against the pandemic. Click here to read... [26]

Overcoming COVID-19 the Bhutanese Way- The Diplomat

Compassionate leadership – and the resulting public trust and goodwill – provided the key to Bhutan’s remarkable pandemic success story. Click here to read... [27]

Almost complete bypass to expand commercial farming in Nubi Gewog- BBS

Few works such as laying of Granular Sub-base on the road surface and the construction of sideway drains along the marshy and rocky areas are ongoing. But they are also nearing completion. Click here to read... [28]

Canine Parvovirus outbreak in Paro- BBS

About ten cases of Canine Parvovirus have been reported every day at the Paro Veterinary Hospital since its outbreak about two weeks ago. And ten dogs have succumbed to the virus. Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes severe illness in young and unvaccinated dogsClick here to read... [29]

Maldives

Maldives shelters sanctioned Russian billionaires' yachts: CTV News

A day after coal and fertilizer billionaire Andrey Melnichenko was placed on the European Union's sanctions list on March 9, his superyacht Motor Yacht A stopped broadcasting its location while in Maldives' waters, maritime data shows. Click here to read... [30]

India announces seven new High-Impact Community Development Projects in the Maldives: Rajje MV

Seven new projects have been announced under the Indian High-Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) grant assistance scheme. The announcement was made during India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s recent visit to the Maldives.

Myanmar

Japan Appeals for Exemption from Myanmar Junta’s Foreign Exchange Rules - The Irrawaddy

The Japanese Embassy in Myanmar has asked the junta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to exempt Japanese companies and governmental organizations from the new directive that foreign exchange earnings must be converted into kyats at the official rate within one working day. Click here to read... [31]

Australia, Myanmar junta meeting 'unacceptable': HRW - Bangkok Post

Human Rights Watch on Thursday slammed a meeting between Australia's ambassador to Myanmar and the military junta chief, saying it was "lending credibility" to a regime accused of war crimes. Click here to read... [32]

Countries that sanctioned Myanmar’s junta still patronise regime's timber: report - Eco Business

Myanmar’s military-led regime exported more than $190 million worth of timber in 2021, including to countries with active sanctions on the country’s state-controlled timber monopoly, according to a recent report from Forest Trends. Click here to read... [33]

Myanmar's National Unity govt warns China against engagement with junta - Times Now

Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) has warned China's government that its engagement with the country's military junta could seriously damage Beijing's international reputation. This comes after China's foreign minister Wang Yi pledged Beijing's support for the military. Click here to read... [34]

Manipur town bordering Myanmar emerges smuggling hotspot - The Hindu

Police commandos led by SP Shrey Vats on Thursday arrested a van driver and seized 18 bars of gold, believed to have been smuggled in from Myanmar. The arrest took place at the Pallel police station in Kakching district. The gold bars weighed 166 gm each. Click here to read... [35]

Myanmar Central Bank Vice-Governor Shot at Her Home - The Irrawaddy

The vice-governor of the junta-controlled Central Bank of Myanmar, Daw Than Than Swe, was shot at her house in Yangon’s Bahan Township on Thursday, becoming the highest-ranking regime official so far to be attacked. Conflicting reports have emerged over whether she survived the attack. Click here to read... [36]

Nepal

President Bhandari administers oath of office, secrecy to newly appointed law minister- Himalaya

President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Govinda Sharma Koirala, today. Click here to read... [37]

PM Deuba inaugurates vaccination campaign against typhoid- Himalaya

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba initiated the typhoid vaccination campaign amidst a function organised at the Durbar High School, Ranipokhari here today. Click here to read... [38]

Can Bandi bring the transitional justice process on track?- Kathmandu Post

Victims and rights activists say it is possible if he doesn’t compromise on the stand that he has so far been taking. Click here to read... [39]

Ambassadors recommended for 20 countries including China- Kathmandu Post

Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, a rights activist and conflict victim, has been picked for Beijing under Maoist quota. Click here to read... [40]

No data as malnutrition turns into major killer in Bajura villages- Kathmandu Post

Lack of detailed study in Muktikot, other villages worsens situation when the actual toll of deprivation is unknown. Click here to read... [41]

UML objects to 6 points of the local election code of conduct- Online Khabar
The main opposition CPN-UML has objected to six points of the local elections code of conduct issued by the Election Commission. Click here to read... [42]

Pakistan

Supreme Court restores National Assembly, orders no-confidence vote to be held on Saturday- Dawn

The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside deputy speaker's ruling to dismiss the no-trust resolution against Prime Minister Imran and the subsequent dissolution of the NA by the president on the PM's advice, with all five judges unanimously voting 5-0 against it. Click here to read... [43]

US sought to punish 'disobedient' Imran Khan, says Russia- Dawn

Russia has lambasted "another attempt of shameless interference" by the United States in the internal affairs of Pakistan, adding that it sought to punish a "disobedient" Imran Khan. Click here to read... [44]

PTI may be unable to delay Punjab CM election- Dawn

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) coalition government in Punjab may now find it difficult to further delay the election of the chief minister after the Supreme Court nullified the National Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan. Click here to read... [45]

Hawkish anti-US sentiments among workers trouble PTI- Dawn

It appears to have dawned upon the senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leadership in Sindh that the strong anti-US sentiments rapidly growing in the party rank and files over the alleged interference in internal political affairs of the country and the alleged “conspiracy hatched to oust Imran Khan government” is not going to be very helpful for the political future of the party. Click here to read... [46]

Health emergency extended again to deal with Covid-19 threat- Dawn

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has extended health emergency for another three months to be able to deal with any immediate threat of Covid-19. Click here to read... [47]

Opposition asks nation to observe thanksgiving day- Dawn

Applauding the Supreme Court’s verdict, the opposition parties on Thursday gave a call to the nation and their workers to observe thanksgiving day on Friday (today) and hold celebrations throughout the country over the ‘victory of democracy and the Constitution’ of the country. Click here to read... [48]

Sri Lanka

Firms struggle amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis: BBC

It is a daily struggle for Ranjith Koralage, the boss of a Sri Lankan clothing manufacturer, to find enough diesel to run his company's machines and steam rollers. Click here to read... [49]

Sri Lanka calls for $1 bln debt restructure as crisis rages: Reuters

Sri Lanka must urgently seek funds from multilateral lenders and aim to restructure a debt payment due in July, its outgoing finance minister said on Thursday, pleading for political stability amid the country's worst economic crisis in decades. Click here to read... [50]

Infographic: Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and political turmoil: Aljazeera

Sri Lanka is facing its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years. Food prices on the island nation rose by a record 30 percent in March alone. Here’s how much basic necessities now cost in the country of 22 million people. Click here to read... [51]