VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 22, 2022

Afghanistan

MoRR Calls on UNHCR to Address Problems of Refugees: Tolo News

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) called on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to address the problems of Afghan refugees abroad. Talking to the gathering held to mark World Refugee Day, the acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Khalil Rahman Haqqani, expressed concerns over the mistreatment of Afghan refugees abroad. Click here to read... [2]

Kabul, Tashkent to Conduct Survey of Trans-Afghan Railway Project: Tolo News

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan are set to conduct a survey of the trans-Afghan railway project, the Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA) said. The head of the ARA, Bakht Rahman Sharafat, said that the Islamic Emirate is committed to ensuring the security of the trans-Afghan projectClick here to read... [3]

Afghanistan and Iran Strike an Agreement Over Helmand River Water-Sharing: The Khaama Press

According to an official from the Ministry of Energy and Water, Afghanistan and Iran have resolved their water-sharing disagreement and struck an agreement on the Helmand water pact. The Ministry of Energy and Water said that the water of the Helmand River will be shared with Iran this year, in accordance with the Helmand Water Treaty signed between the two countries in 1973. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Govt responded immediately to tackle flood: PM tells EU ambassador- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday (June 21, 2022) said the government took immediate measures to cope with the flood situation. Click here to read... [5]

Rain stopped, sufferings did not- The Daily Star

Even though the torrential rain took a break in the port city, the sufferings of residents did not. Many low-lying areas in the city are still under knee-deep water. Click here to read... [6]

Hasina likely to visit India in early Sept- The Daily Star

Bangladesh and India are in discussion to finalise a date in early September for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi, says Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen. Click here to read... [7]

“Country ready for take-off, policymakers must ensure a secure launching pad”- The Daily Star

As Bangladesh enters the new phase of its development, it must deal with the twin challenges of sustaining economic growth and managing the changes that comes with it, said CRI Trustee and Bangabandhu's grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq. Click here to read... [8]

France, Germany express concern over scrapping of NGO Odhikar’s registration- The Daily Star

France and Germany have expressed deep concern over the scrapping of non-government organisation (NGO) Odhikar's registration by the Government of Bangladesh. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

His Majesty returns from tour of southern dzongkhags- Kuensel

His Majesty The King arrived in Thimphu yesterday, following a Royal tour of the Southern dzongkhags. During the tour, His Majesty visited Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Tsirang, Sarpang, Phuentsholing and Samtse. Click here to read... [10]

Tourism Levy Bill proposes USD 200 a day in SDF- Kuensel

Tourists visiting Bhutan shall be liable to pay a sustainable development fund (SDF) of USD 200 per night. Click here to read... [11]

Bhutan and Nepal to sign bilateral trade agreement- Kuensel

The governments of Bhutan and Nepal are expected to sign a formal bilateral trade agreement in three months to promote and strengthen trade and commerce. Click here to read... [12]

Loan repayment period for education loan could be extended: Finance Minister- BBS

The Finance Minister said there is a possibility of extending the loan repayment period for students who took education loans from the financial institutions. The minister said this in the National Council. Presently, the students have to repay the loans within ten years. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar

Sellouts and false prophets: Cinema in the Myanmar revolution - Frontier Myanmar

Prior to February 1, 2021, decades of military rule had already ravaged Myanmar’s film industry; since the coup, the wounds have only accrued. When the National League for Democracy government ordered cinemas across the country to close in March 2020 due to the pandemic – a decision that plunged the entire film industry into stasis – they had been promoting the gun-wielding gangster flick Original Gangster 3 as their next feature. Click here to read... [14]

Cambodian Defence Minister, Myanmar Defence Minister holds bilateral talks - Khmertimeskh

The meeting was held on the night of June 21 at Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh after the Minister of Defence of Myanmar led a delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Union of Myanmar to Cambodia to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting. Click here to read... [15]

A daily walk to school, from Myanmar to India - Hindustan Times

That bridge, that sign, the gate, and the river are significant milestones. Because they are the international border between India and Myanmar, that Manguii and her mother cross it every day — to go to school. Click here to read... [16]

Parallel government in Myanmar creates own digital currency - Laprensalatina

The self-proclaimed legitimate government of Myanmar, made up of politicians and pro-democracy activists after the military coup of 2021, announced Tuesday the creation of its own digital currency, available through its own mobile payment system. Click here to read... [17]

Arakan Army making retaliatory detentions of junta soldiers: AA spokesman - BNI Online

The AA spokesman, however, refused to provide details about how many and where the AA members were detained. Following the AA’s detention of a junta soldier in Ponnagyun Township on June 16, the Myanmar military detained at least five residents in the town on suspicion of having ties to the ethnic armed group. Click here to read... [18]

Myanmar junta peace talks seek to keep ethnic armed groups at bay - BNI Online

The Myanmar junta calls them “peace talks” but the aim appears to be to keep potential enemies at bay. When the State Administration Council (SAC) recently announced peace talks, offering an olive branch to the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAO), junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the talks are for the benefit of Myanmar’s people “to enjoy the essence of peace and development”. Click here to read... [19]

Nepal

Flight disruption averted, talks on- Himalayan Times

A late night meeting between the domestic airline operators and the aviation sector regulator held today ended inconclusively, but the earlier announced flight disruption from tomorrow has been withdrawn. Click here to read... [20]

NC seeks voting rights for migrant Nepalis- Himalayan Times

Nepali Congress general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma today met Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya and urged him to ensure voting rights for Nepalis staying abroad. Click here to read... [21]

Journalist Rabi Lamichhane announces new political party- Himalayan Times

Former TV anchor Rabi Lamichhane has announced a new political party: the National Independent Party, ending his career as journalist, and begun his new journey as politician from today. Click here to read... [22]

Ad-hoc decisions put Nepal’s aviation—and tourism—in disarray- Kathmandu Post

The civil aviation body is not the only one wreaking havoc on the industry, the tourism minister has done his share of the damage too, insiders say. Click here to read... [23]

Congress leaders call for letting Nepalis away vote. Poll body says not feasible- Kathmandu Post

Despite Supreme Court order in 2018, no initiatives taken for out-of-country voting. Debate on the issue when polls near seems to be more for public consumption. Click here to read... [24]

Sublimation of the subaltern- Kathmandu Post

Chasing the chimaera of emancipation through political ideologies is exhausting and meaningless. Click here to read... [25]

'Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train' arriving in Janakpur on Thursday- Republica

The 'Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train' carrying Indian tourists on board is arriving in Janakpurdham on June 23.
https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/bharat-gaurav-tourist-train-arriving-in-janakpur-on-thursday/" target="_blank">Click here to read...

Pakistan

‘Lifeline’ IMF deal secured: Dawn

In a breakthrough, Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday night reached an understanding on the federal budget for 2022-23, leading to revival of the extended fund facility (EFF) after authorities committed to generate Rs436 billion more taxes and increase petroleum levy gradually up to Rs50 per litre. Click here to read... [26]

EU mission in Islamabad to decide on GSP+ status: The Express Tribune

The European Union’s Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP +) monitoring mission has reached Pakistan to review the country’s compliance with its requirements in order to ensure extension of the GSP+ status. Click here to read... [27]

Rupee continues free fall as USD hits Rs212: The Express Tribune

The rupee has crossed the threshold of 212 for the first time despite Finance Minister Miftah Ismail’s assurance on Monday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme would resume "in a day or two".Click here to read... [28]

Important progress made over budget 2022-23: IMF: The News

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday confirmed that a breakthrough has been achieved in talks with Pakistan for the revival of the $6 billion loan facility stalled since months due to policy breaches by the previous government. Click here to read... [29]