VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 19th December, 2018

PAKISTAN

Pakistan among worst performers on gender equality: WEF: Dawn
December 19, 2018

Pakistan is the second worst country in the world in terms of gender parity, ranking 148 out of 149 countries in the ‘Global Gender Gap Index 2018’ report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday. According to the report, four Muslim countries — Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Pak­istan — are the four worst-performers in the world where the number of women holding managerial positions is the lowest. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan Peace Talks Reach Second Day In Abu Dhabi
December 19, 2018

Sources close to Taliban officials confirmed that a comprehensive delegation from Taliban’s leadership team held discussions for the second day on Tuesday, with representatives from US, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi. The discussions kicked off on Sunday in which the attendees discussed Afghanistan war and peace. Analysts said one of the differences of this meeting to others, is that in addition to Taliban’s representatives from Qatar’s political office, members of the leadership team of the group are also in attendance. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

Is Oli losing his grip on the unified party?
December 19, 2018

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who until last year had a powerful grip on the Unified Marxist Leninist Communist Party, is gradually losing his hold following its unification with the Maoist Centre last May. Some of the party’s most senior leaders, including Bamdev Gautam who helped Oli climb to the top position in the former UML, are now among his most vocal critics. Oli’s relationship with Madhav Kumar Nepal, who has long remained an arch-rival, has seen ups and downs in recent times while Jhala Nath Khanal has been left dejected ever since Oli put him after Nepal in the party hierarchy. Click here to read... [4]

CHINA

China embracing world: China Daily
December 19, 2018

President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to opening-up even more to the world at a grand gathering on Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of the country’s reform and opening-up. “The practice of reform and opening-up over the past 40 years has shown that openness brings progress, while seclusion leads to backwardness,” Xi said. Click here to read... [5]