VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: April 26, 2019

PAKISTAN

PM Khan calls for tackling climate change, poverty as Pakistan, China enter next CPEC phase: Dawn
April 26, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Friday called for greater attention towards tackling climate change and poverty as Pakistan and China enter the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The prime minister appreciated the significance of the China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as it "marks a new and distinct phase in the onward march of nations in the world along the path of globalisation".Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Ghani Inaugurates Afghanistan’s Parliament: Tolo News
April 26, 2019

President Ashraf Ghani inaugurated the 17th legislative term of the Afghan parliament – the Wolesi Jirga – on Friday at a time that the final results of five provinces, including Kabul, have not been announced so far. Based on the law, the parliament should have been inaugurated last year in March, but it was delayed due to “controversies” around the October parliamentary elections. Addressing the ceremony, Ghani said that the majority of the new members of the parliament are from the young generation who will protect women's rights, human rights and other rights of Afghans. He added that the government did not have any role in the delay in parliament inauguration. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

Post-quake recovery works hit as 4,000 workers resign en masse: Tolo News
April 26, 2019

Around 4,000 technicians working for the National Reconstruction Authority in 32 earthquake-affected districts have resigned en masse, saying that they have not received any allowance and facilities for months. “We waited for long believing that the authority and the government would address our demands, but they showed no response to our demands. So, we have decided to resign,” said Abinash Amar, chairman of the National Reconstruction Authority Technicians Welfare Protection Struggle Committee. The technicians had been protesting from their respective districts for the past two months. More recently, they had halted their works to put pressure on the government. Click here to read... [4]

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka attacks: Death toll revised down by 'about 100': BBC
April 26, 2019

Sri Lanka has revised down the death toll from last Sunday's wave of bombings by more than 100, to "about 253", the health ministry says. It blamed a calculation error and the difficulty of identifying victims. Scores were killed and hundreds injured when suicide bombers struck hotels and churches in Colombo, Negombo and the eastern city of Batticaloa. Most of those killed were Sri Lankan but dozens of foreigners were also among the casualties. Nine people are suspected of carrying out the attacks. Police have continued carrying out raids and have issued photographs of seven people wanted in connection with the attacks. Click here to read... [5]