VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 24th July, 2018

PAKISTAN
Nawaz declines to be shifted to hospital

July 24, 2018

Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif said he would not move to a hospital and insisted that medical treatment be provided to him in prison, said an official of Adiala jail on condition of anonymity on Monday. The official said the jail authorities would carry out whatever directives were issued by the government in this regard. A medial board of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Monday visited Adiala jail for medical examination of Mr Sharif. “We were directed to do medical a check-up in the barracks of Mr Sharif. Blood urea was almost 50 per cent high and he was severely suffering from dehydration,” a member of the medical board told Dawn. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN
Abu Dhabi Hosts Quadrilateral Meeting

July 24, 2018

Abu Dhabi is hosting a quadrilateral meeting this week between Afghanistan, United States, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to finalize an action plan on counter-terrorism, peace and regional cooperation. Hanif Atmar, Afghanistan's National Security Advisor, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday, leading a high-ranking delegation. He will meet with his US, Saudi and UAE counterparts. The last such meeting was in March in Washington between the national security advisors of the four countries. At the time, the National Security Council said Atmar held a four-day quadrilateral meeting and discussed the fight against terrorism, the Afghan peace process and the country’s economic development. Participants at the meeting expressed their support for the peace process in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for joint efforts and practical steps in order to achieve success. Click here to read... [3]

MALDIVES
Pakistan Naval chief, Maldives president reiterate to enhance defence collaboration: The Nation

July 2, 2018

While on an official visit to the Maldives, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi called on President of the Republic of Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Garoom at President's office at Male. During the meeting, matters of mutual interests were dilated upon. Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi highlighted Pakistan's commitment and performance in the fight against terrorism including Pakistan Navy's contributions towards regional maritime security, in pursuance of Govt of Pakistan policies, to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. While stressing upon the constructive engagements between Pakistan Navy and Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard to deal with the contemporary challenges, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi announced gifting of a Landing Craft Mechanized to the Maldives which will assist Maldivian Coast Guard in its efforts to contribute towards regional peace/ security. Click here to read... [4]

CHINA
CPC releases results of its latest round of discipline inspections: China Daily

July 24, 2018

The Communist Party of China released findings of the latest round of its disciplinary inspections on Sunday, the first such effort undertaken by the 19th CPC Central Committee. The findings concern 14 provincial-level regions and 10 cities at the sub-provincial level, according to the website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The inspection targeted Party organizations in the regions; eight central government agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce; and eight State-owned companies, such as China National Nuclear Corp. Ten cities below provincial level were also included, the CCDI said. Click here to read... [5]

China, Rwanda vow to write new chapter in bilateral ties: People’s Daily

July 24, 2018

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, agreed here Monday to further promote bilateral cooperation in a bid to bring more benefits to the Chinese, Rwandan and African people. In their talks, the two leaders also spoke highly of the growth of bilateral ties over the past 47 years since their countries established diplomatic relations. Xi recalled his meeting with Kagame in Beijing in March 2017, during which they reached extensive consensus on promoting bilateral relations and friendly cooperation and brought China-Rwanda ties to a fast track of development. Click here to read... [6]

China’s ‘war on pollution’ moves to countryside with new plan to clean up rural land and water: South China Morning Post

July 24, 2018

China’s environment ministry has approved a new plan to tackle growing pollution threats in its vast countryside, and will strive to clean up contaminated rural land and drinking water and improve waste management, it said on Tuesday. Click here to read... [7]