VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 26th December, 2018

PAKISTAN

Zardari, accomplices ‘grabbed’ state entities: JIT report: Dawn

December 26, 2018

The joint investigation team (JIT) report on fake bank accounts has revealed that former president Asif Ali Zardari and his accomplices “grabbed” state-run entities in Sindh through corruption tactics. According to the report submitted to the Supreme Court, the Omni Group (allegedly owned by Mr Zardari and his close aides) acquired four state-run entities — Thatta Cement Factory, Thatta Sugar Mills, Naudero Sugar Mills and Dadu Sugar Mills — in Sindh at throwaway prices. Click here to read.. [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan Forces To Focus On Insecure Regions In Winter: Tolo News

December 26, 2018

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) on Tuesday said the Afghan forces are expected to focus on a number of certain provinces during their counter-insurgency mission in winter. According to the ministry, Baghlan, Jawzjan, Faryab, Helmand, Farah and Kunduz provinces are among the areas where Taliban has a high presence and Afghan forces have been engaged in deadly battles with the militant group in parts of the provinces. “Afghan security forces have killed three popular Taliban’s designated governors for Helmand, Ghor and Paktika. The ANDSF have also killed 20 Taliban commanders together with 11 others commanders who were belonged to the red unit of the Taliban,” the MoI spokesman Najib Danish said.https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-forces-focus-insecure-regions-winter-operations" target="_blank">Click here to read..

NEPAL

Quake survivors live on the edge despite tall claims: Kathmandu Post

December 26, 2018

The National Reconstruction Authority has failed on its commitment to building houses for some 18,505 vulnerable beneficiaries as it marks its third anniversary this week while survivors brave the fourth winter in makeshift shelters. In February, the NRA had come up with a new working guideline for vulnerable beneficiaries—people above 70 years and single women above 65 years, people with disabilities and minors. According to the NRA data released on Tuesday, only 2,000 vulnerable beneficiaries have received Rs50,000—the second tranche of the grant—while 16,000 survivors wait for additional funds. Click here to read.. [3]

BANGLADESH

10,500 Arrests Ahead Of Bangladesh Poll: Opposition

December 26, 2018

Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday. The figures were released after the United States urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term. Opposition parties said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a "climate of fear". The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term, said 7,021 of its activists had been detained. Click here to read.. [4]

CHINA

Negative list helps boost opening-up: China Daily

December 26, 2018

China rolled out a shortened Market Access Negative List on Tuesday as a further move to standardize regulations in a transparent way and help level the playing field for foreign enterprises and private firms. Click here to read.. [5]