VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 23, 2022

Afghanistan

Hundreds Reported Killed in Southeast Afghanistan From 6.1 Earthquake: Tolo News

Hundreds of people were killed and wounded in an earthquake that occurred early Wednesday morning in southeastern Afghanistan, according to a statement of the Ministry of State for Disaster Management. Mawlawi Sharafuddin Muslim, deputy Minister of State for Disaster Management, told a news conference that "920 people were killed and 610 were injured" in the earthquake that hit several provinces of AfghanistanClick here to read... [2]

Iran Shares Afghanistan’s Grief Over the Deadly Earthquake and is Prepared to Aid the Victims: The Khaama Press

The Iranian media also reported that Mohammad Hassan Nami, the head of Iran’s Crisis Management Organization, stated that the Iranian agency was completely prepared to aid earthquake victims in Afghanistan. Khatibzada conveyed his sincere condolences to his Afghan people and hoped for the victims’ departed souls to find eternal peace while also wishing for the well-being of those who had been wounded. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

ADB okays $41.4 m grant for Rohingyas- The Daily Star

The Asian Development Bank yesterday approved a $41.4 million grant to help improve infrastructure and manage the basic needs of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. Click here to read... [4]

Fear of flood looms over Dhaka’s low-lying areas- The Daily Star

"For the last one week, the water has been rising here. It's increased by, like, two feet. We're fearing that we may get flooded, at a time when the water in Sylhet is receding.” Click here to read... [5]

Matarbari plant: Govt won’t implement phase-2- The Daily Star

The government has decided not to implement the second phase of the Matarbari coal-fired power plant, a cabinet member confirmed yesterday hours after Japan announced the cancellation of funding for the project. Click here to read... [6]

Bangladesh seeking wheat from Russia, officials say- The Daily Star

Bangladesh is trying to secure wheat supplies from Russia in a government-to-government deal after its biggest supplier India restricted exports of the grain last month to contain local prices, government and trade officials told Reuters on Wednesday. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Bourgeoning fiscal deficits a concern - Kuensel

Bhutan’s fiscal deficit has increased to more than Nu 22.88 billion or 11.25 percent of the GDP in the fiscal year 2022-23. Click here to read... [8]

Govt. building foundations for the economic road map- Kuensel

The government is building foundations for the 21st century economic road map which is still a draft. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan has enough foreign currency reserve: PM - Kuensel

The government maintains that there is foreign currency reserve to last for more than one and a half years. Click here to read... [10]

Editorial: Let’s give reform a chance- Kuensel

With details emerging from the Tourism Levy Bill, 2022, there are concerns, recommendations, and even pleas to stop, rethink, and postpone revising the sustainable development fee (SDF) of USD 200 per tourist per day. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

The Maldives are building a floating city to address rising sea levels and population: CBC

The Maldives is in the early stages of building an elaborately designed floating city in an effort to ensure future livable spaces, as sea levels continue to rise, and provide new affordable spaces for the densely populated island nationClick here to read... [12]

Police make four additional arrests in Yoga Day violence, including Sheikh Nishan: The Sun

Maldives Police Service on Wednesday made four additional arrests in connection to the mob attack on the Yoga Day event at the national football stadium, including Al-Sheikh Adam Nishan bin Ali Adam. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar

Myanmar Junta Searches Homes After Arakan Army Seizures - The Irrawaddy

Myanmar junta troops have been searching houses and detaining residents in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, after the Arakan Army (AA) seized three police officers on Monday, according to residents. Click here to read... [14]

Why Myanmar Military Should Repatriate Rohingyas From Bangladesh As Soon As Possible – Eurasia Review

Rohingyas organized demonstrations under the slogan “Let’s go home” just a day before World Refugee Day, with 19 demands, including their prompt and dignified repatriation to Myanmar and the involvement of international organizations in the repatriation. Click here to read... [15]

Myanmar minister joins Southeast Asian defense meeting - AP News

Myanmar’s defense minister, under sanctions from the United States, Britain and other countries for abuses committed by his country’s military, was welcomed Wednesday to an annual meeting with his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Click here to read... [16]

Myanmar’s Armed Resistance Groups Ready to go on Offensive: NUG - The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s parallel National Unity Government (NUG) says its armed wing the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) have matured and are getting closer to the level of a professional army, over a year after they were first formed. Click here to read... [17]

Pakistan

No choice other than IMF-dictated budget, NA told: Dawn

Accusing the previous Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) regime of bringing the country on the verge of bankruptcy, Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said the present coalition government had no choice but to present the budget on the dictation and terms of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Click here to read... [18]

Experts oppose expansion of gas, LNG infrastructure in Pakistan: The Express Tribune

International and local experts raised alarm on expansion of gas and LNG infrastructure in Pakistan in a webinar on Wednesday, saying it would pose threat to Paris Agreement goals and lead to a climate change crisis in the country. Click here to read... [19]

$2.3b loan deal inked with China: The News

China has signed a $2.3 billion commercial loan deal with Pakistan to boost its sliding foreign exchange reserves, as the government waits for the rollover of three more maturing loans totalling $2 billion. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka

Lanka’s economy has collapsed, IMF only hope: Tribune India

Sri Lanka’s economy has “completely collapsed” and it is facing a far more serious situation beyond the mere shortages of fuel, gas, electricity and food, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned on Wednesday, underscoring the urgency of arriving at an early agreement with the IMF to obtain an additional credit facility. Click here to read... [21]

Sri Lanka’s prime minister says economy has ‘completely collapsed’: The Guardian

Sri Lanka’s debt-laden economy has “collapsed” after months of shortages of food, fuel and electricity, the prime minister told lawmakers in comments that underscored the country’s dire situation as it seeks help from international lenders. Click here to read... [22]

FM Sitharaman assures 'fullest support' to Sri Lanka, hopes for its economic recovery: ZEE News

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured Sri Lanka of her "fullest support" and cooperation for its recovery from the ongoing economic crisis. Sitharaman conveyed the assurance to Sri Lankan High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda when the envoy met her on Monday. Click here to read... [23]