VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 16th October, 2018

PAKISTAN

China endorses Pakistan’s aid request to IMF: Dawn

October 16, 2018

China on Monday endorsed Pakis­tan’s request to Interna­tional Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial assistance for addressing its economic challenges, but cautioned that the facility should not affect economic cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing. “As a member of the IMF, China supports the organisation in making an objective evaluation of Pakistan based on professionalism and earnestly helping it properly address the current difficulty,” Chinese foreign ministry spokes­person Lu Kang said at his press briefing in Beijing. His remarks were shared with the Pakistani media by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Samangan’s Police Security Chief Killed In Clash With Taliban: Tolo News

October 16, 2018

Samangan’s police security chief, General Khawani Tahari along with six other security forces were killed in Monday night in a clash with Taliban in Darah Sof Payan district of the province, Samangan police said Tuesday. According to the police three other soldiers were wounded in the clash. Mohammad Monir Rahimi Samangan’s police spokesman said that the clash started Monday night in Zerki village of Darah Sof Payan district of the province. According to Rahimi during the clash 14 Taliban insurgents were killed and 16 others were wounded. However, local sources told TOLOnews that Taliban have taken a number of security forces hostage, but the spokesman did not confirm this. Taliban claimed responsibility. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

Poudel, Koirala close ranks against Deuba: Kathmandu Post

October 16, 2018

Rift in the opposition Nepali Congress is widening on multiple fronts as three power centres of the party close ranks against NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Rooted in the party’s poor performance during the federal and provincial elections held last year, disputes and disagreements festered after Deuba started taking decisions with the backing of a majority in the Central Working Committee (CWC). The fresh bone of contention is Deuba’s unilateral push to impose 32 years as the cut off age for student leaders to contest the Nepal Student Union elections. A CWC meeting took the decision last week amid opposition from senior party leaders Ram Chandra Poudel, Prakash Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Arjun Narsingh KC registered their notes of dissent. Click here to read... [4]

MALDIVES

Toppled Maldives Leader Blames Election Defeat On "Disappearing Ink": NDTV

October 15, 2018

Outgoing Maldives President Abdulla Yameen says disappearing ink and specially treated ballot papers were to blame for his heavy election defeat last month. The strongman leader of the honeymoon island nation had been expected to romp home in the September 23 poll, with opposition leaders jailed or exiled, and warnings that he would try to fix the vote. But in a surprise turn of events, a little-known united opposition candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, was declared the winner, sparking celebrations across the tropical holiday destination. Yameen initially said he accepted defeat, and was ready to step down when his term ends on November 17. But last week he launched a Supreme Court challenge, seeking to annul the result. Click here to read... [5]

CHINA

Xi urges deeper military-civilian integration: People's Daily

October 16, 2018

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for a stronger sense of mission for deeper military-civilian integration. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over the second session of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development, which he also heads. Click here to read... [6]