VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 10th August, 2018

PAKISTAN

President calls new National Assembly session on 13th: Dawn

August 10, 2018

President Mamnoon Hussain has summoned the new session of the National Assembly on Aug 13, approving a summary sent to him by caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk for the purpose. The prime minister forwarded the summary on Thursday after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) called upon the interim government to summon the session of the lower house so that the process of formation of the new government could take place. The PTI also asked President Hussain to drop his plan to proceed to Ireland on a three-day official visit on Aug 16 as uncertainty prevails whether prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan can take the oath of his office on Aug 14 or not.Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

US launches airstrikes as Taliban attack Afghan city: Dawn

August 10, 2018

United States (US) forces launched airstrikes on Friday to counter a major Taliban assault on an Afghan provincial capital, where terrified residents cowered in their homes amid explosions and gunfire as security forces fought to beat the insurgents back. Officials said Afghan special forces were also being deployed to the southeastern city of Ghazni after the latest attempt by the Taliban to capture an urban centre, with the assault coming as pressure builds on the insurgents to enter peace talks. Ghazni ─ less than two hours by road from Kabul ─ has been under threat from massing Taliban fighters for months. A spokesman for US Forces in Afghanistan said the fighting had “ceased” Friday morning, hours after the insurgents began the assault late Thursday from several positions around the city.Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL

New chief faces daunting task rebuilding Nepal Army’s image: Kathmandu Post

August 10, 2018

Lt Gen Purna Chandra Thapa’s former colleagues call him the perfect man to transform the Army, someone who can inspire soldiers as a leader, while continuing to instill values in an institution that has been marred by scandals and controversies.

When he formally takes charge as the new chief of army staff next month, Thapa will need all of the skills, coupled with a bit of luck and discipline, as the responsibility to command the 92,000-strong national defence force comes at the time when the Army leadership faces allegations of deviating the force from its core job while indulging in commercial activities. Thapa will lead the Army as its acting chief for a month—he was appointed as the interim chief on Thursday—before President Bidya Devi Bhandari appoints him as the Chief of Army Staff on September 9. Following the handover, incumbent CoAS Rajendra Chhetri goes on a month-long leave.Click here to read.... [4]

CHINA

Domestic consumption facilitates CPI growth: China Daily

August 10, 2018

China's year-on-year July consumer inflation registered higher-than-expected growth compared with the previous month's, while factory gate price inflation cooled slightly amid moderate downward pressure and trade friction with the United States.Click here to read.... [5]

China improves legal support for reform, opening-up in Hainan: People's Daily

August 10, 2018

The Supreme People's Court (SPC) has issued a circular on enhancing legal support for comprehensive reform and opening-up in the island province of Hainan, said a statement from SPC on Thursday. To advance the establishment of the pilot free trade zone and a free trade port with Chinese characteristics on the island, the SPC stressed the importance to improve the implementation of trials to ensure a legal, international and convenient business climate and a fair, open and unified market in Hainan.Click here to read.... [6]