VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: April 11, 2019

PAKISTAN

Foreign journalists given access to madressah near site of Balakot strike: Dawn
April 11, 2019

A group of international journalists, mostly based in India, as well as the ambassadors and defence attachés of various countries on Wednesday visited the impact site of the Feb 26 Indian airspace violation near Jabba, Balakot, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, announced late evening. Director General (DG) ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor briefed the delegation on the events of the day of the attack, "negating repeated false Indian claims with ground realities".Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Qatar Meeting Postponed To April 19: Tolo
April 11, 2019

The meeting between Afghan politicians and the Taliban which was initially scheduled for April 14 was postponed to April 19 as per the decision of the newly-established Reconciliation Leadership Council – which is chaired by President Ashraf Ghani, the Presidential Palace confirmed in a statement on Wednesday. The council with an initial 37 members, including Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, former President Hamid Karzai, former Jihadi leader Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf and other prominent Afghan politicians, held its first meeting on Saturday, April 6. Their second meeting was held on Wednesday to follow-up the decisions made in their first meeting. According to the Presidents Palace’s statement, the Qatar meeting with be held on April 19 to 21. Preparations for Doha meeting, completion of the members of the council and the formation of the negotiating team were discussed in this meeting, the statement added. Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL

Settlement becomes colourful after reconstruction of houses: Kathmandu Post
April 11, 2019

In a stark contrast to the simple houses that used to line the streets of Chhedling in Myagan Rural Municipality, Nuwakot before the 2015 earthquake, the settlement has now come alive with an array of newly constructed colourful houses. The settlement that was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake has turned into a colourful galvanized zinc sheet settlement after the survivors reconstructed their houses with colourful zinc plated roofs. Lembar Tamang, a resident of Chhedling, said they used to have thatched houses in the past. “Now, the settlement has come alive with colours with the use of galvanised zinc sheets on the roofs,” said Lembar. Most residents of the settlement are now constructing houses using bricks and mortar. “Our ancestors had used wooden planks to cover the roofs of our houses. Click here to read.... [4]

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh second fastest growing economy: IMF: The Daily Star
April 11, 2019

Bangladesh is among the three fastest growing economies in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) -- in yet another thumping endorsement of the country's extraordinary growth momentum. The economy will grow at 7.3 percent this year, which will be second highest in the world, as per the IMF report 'World Economic Outlook, April 2019: Growth Slowdown, Precarious Recovery' revealed on Tuesday. Neighbouring India will also grow at the same pace as Bangladesh but Rwanda will grow the fastest at 7.8 percent. The three countries would be the only ones in the world to log in more than 7 percent growth this year. Click here to read.... [5]

CHINA

Xi meets with Myanmar's commander-in-chief of defense services: People's Daily
April 11, 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday. Noting the long-standing "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship between China and Myanmar, Xi spoke of the sound development of bilateral relations at present, the expanding exchanges and cooperation in various fields and at various levels, and new progress in the Belt and Road cooperation. Click here to read.... [6]

Sino-EU talks help pave way for agreement on investment: China Daily
April 11, 2019

China and the European Union have committed to achieving major progress this year in negotiations for a high-level bilateral investment agreement with a view to concluding the ambitious accord next year, according to a joint statement. Click here to read.... [7]