VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: April 2, 2019

PAKISTAN

Inflation hits 9.4pc, highest in five years: Dawn
April 2, 2019

Consumer prices influenced by faster rupee depreciation and rise in energy prices last month increased to their highest level in five years, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported on Monday. Inflation measured through consumer price index (CPI) surged to 9.4pc in March 2019, the period when global oil prices started rising, undermining earlier gains. Over the past three months, prices of fresh vegetables, fruits and meat have posted persistent increase in major urban centres. The average inflation during the July-March period rose by 6.79pc on a yearly basis. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Women Must Be At The Table In All Negotiations: Khalilzad: Tolo News
April 2, 2019

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, who arrived in Kabul on Sunday evening, held meetings with Afghan officials and members of the civil society on Monday and discussed the ongoing efforts for peace and the urgency of making progress in intra-Afghan talks. His first meeting was with President Ghani’s Special Envoy Umer Daudzai and Ghani's Chief of Staff Abdul Salam Rahimi. “We discussed the urgency of making progress on intra-Afghan dialogue,” he said. Khalilzad also met with Kabul and provincial representatives of the Afghan Women’s Network. “While Afghans alone will decide the composition of their delegation for talks, women must be at the table during all negotiations about peace and Afghanistan’s future,” he said. Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL

Dozens killed and hundreds injured by rainstorm in Southern Nepal: Kathmandu Post

At least 27 people have been killed and more than 400 have been injured in a severe rainstorm that swept through parts of southern Nepal on Sunday. Officials said police and rescue personnel had been dispatched to the villages in Bara and Parsa districts, but reaching the victims was a challenge during the night. “We have been coordinating with the local representatives to make use of readily available resources for rescue work,” said Chief District Officer Rajesh Poudel in Bara. “We have yet to identify those who have been killed.” Provincial officials on Monday launched a disaster relief fund under the chief minister's office and appealed for help in providing immediate relief to victims. Click here to read.... [4]

CHINA

President cites US ties in gathering with ex-leaders: China Daily
April 2, 2019

China would like to walk in the same direction as the United States, handle their disputes and expand cooperation, President Xi Jinping said on Monday. Xi made the remark while meeting with a delegation of global leaders called The Elders at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The independent group was founded in 2007 by Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa. Click here to read.... [5]