VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 27th August, 2018

PAKISTAN

Aitzaz, Fazl emerge as opposition's nominees for president after consensus eludes alliance: Dawn

August 27, 2018

With the grand opposition alliance failing to reach consensus on a single nominee, the PPP's Aitzaz Ahsan and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday emerged as the two candidates challenging Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate Dr Arif Alvi's bid for the head of state's office in the September 4 election. The failure of the opposition parties to field a joint candidate is expected to provide a virtual walkover to Dr Alvi, an MNA from Karachi. Ahsan, Alvi and Fazl filed their papers for the election before the 12-noon deadline on Monday. Fazl, who had suffered humiliating defeat on both seats he contested in the July 25 elections, was thrown another lifeline as the 'single nominee' of the opposition parties (except the PPP). Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Abdullah Praises Atmar, ‘Sorry About’ His Resignation: Tolo News

August 27, 2018
National Unity Government (NUG) CEO Abdullah Abdullah praised former National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammad Haneef Atmar for his hard work and expressed his regret over his sudden resignation. Atmar stepped down on Saturday after having served in the position since the establishment of the National Unity Government in 2014. Speaking on Monday at the Council of Ministers Meeting, Abdullah said Atmar had been a strong and capable manager. “Atmar was a capable and strong manager, and he did his duties with ability and dignity, and he represents Afghanistan very well,” Abdullah said. “I am sorry that he has resigned; wish him all the best,” Abdullah added. Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan Islamic State leader 'killed in air strike': BBC

August 26, 2018

The leader of the Islamic State (IS) group in Afghanistan was killed in an air strike on Saturday, Afghan officials say. Abu Saad Erhabi and 10 other members are said to have died in an operation in the eastern province of Nangarhar, near the border with Pakistan. He is the fourth Afghan leader of the group to be killed in recent years. The IS affiliate has been active there since 2014, claiming a number of deadly recent attacks. It is sometimes known as Islamic State Khorasan after a historic name for Afghanistan and surrounding areas. Click here to read... [4]

SRI LANKA
China eyes major role in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector: Daily Mirror

August 27, 2018
Chinese firms are in negotiation with Sri Lanka’s Plantation Industries Ministry to set up joint ventures with local firms to infuse substantial capital into rubber, tea and coconut plantations and production value chains to boost production and to produce higher-value added products. Plantation Industries Ministry officials told Mirror Business that Chinese firms have particularly expressed a strong interest in investing in Sri Lanka’s rubber production value chains as China has identified that natural rubber would become the most strategic material in the world during the next 7-10 years. Launching Finite Element Analysis Simulation Centre (FEASC), the first project under the Rubber Master Plan, last week, Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake said his ministry recently signed an agreement with provincial government of Hainan province of China for technical assistance. Click here to read... [5]

CHINA

Summit to bolster ties with Africa: China Daily

August 27, 2018

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, acting as a model for South-South cooperation since its establishment in 2000, will continue to be an important platform for jointly building a community of shared future for mankind, diplomats and researchers said. The third FOCAC Summit, to be held in Beijing from Sept 3 to 4, will have leaders from China and Africa gather to renew friendships and discuss partnerships under the theme of "China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future Through Win-win Cooperation".Click here to read... [6]

China-made large amphibious aircraft AG600 starts tests on water: People's Daily

August 27, 2018

China's independently-developed large amphibious aircraft, the AG600, has completed trial ground flights and entered a new test phase on the water-surface.The AG600, codenamed "Kunlong," successfully finished a trial flight from an airport in the city of Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, to an airport in Jingmen, a city in central China's Hubei Province, on Sunday, according to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. Ltd. Click here to read... [7]

New carrier sets out on second sea trial: People's Daily

August 27, 2018

China's first domestically designed aircraft carrier embarked on its second sea trial on Monday from its shipyard in Dalian, Liaoning province. Videos and images published by Chinese media and weapons enthusiasts showed that the giant ship, which has yet to be officially named but is widely believed to bear the name CNS Shandong, left the port of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry, its builder, assisted by several tugboats. Click here to read... [8]