VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: May 29, 2019

PAKISTAN

Rs1.4tr rise in revenue target set for next year: Dawn

May 29, 2019

The cabinet on Tuesday decided to present the budget for the upcoming financial year on June 11 and approved an additional revenue target of Rs1,400 billion. The cabinet meeting, which was presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan, also approved a proposal for award of capital punishment to those involved in child molestation in the wake of rising incidents of child abuse. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Taliban Wants Peace: Mullah Baradar: Tolo News

May 28, 2019

A group of Afghan politicians led by former President Hamid Karzai and members of the Taliban led by the deputy leader of the group Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar on Tuesday attended a ceremony in Moscow on 100 years of Afghanistan-Russia diplomatic relations. Addressing the ceremony, Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said “the Islamic Emirate wants peace”, but “the hurdles on the way of peace should be removed”. “The key barrier to peace is the presence of foreign forces,” Baradar reiterated, referring to the Taliban’s longtime stance on the presence of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan who toppled the regime in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

Nepal has made progress in child health, but experts say the country has a lot more to do: Kathmandu Post

May 29, 2019

Nepal has made substantial progress in various child health indicators over two decades, but experts say the country still needs to do a lot more. According to ‘The Global Childhood Report-2019’, published by Save the Children on Tuesday, Nepal has progressed by 142 points in the past two decades and ranks 133rd out of 176 countries based on indicators such as infant mortality rate, access to education, malnutrition, child marriage and child labour. Click here to read... [4]

CHINA

Belt, Road high on China-Niger agenda: People's Daily

May 29, 2019

China and Niger should enhance Belt and Road cooperation and implement major projects in areas such as infrastructure, energy and agriculture, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday. Xi made the remark while meeting with Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Issoufou is paying a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday. Click here to read... [5]

Huawei asks US courts for summary judgment on its move to get federal ban on its gear overturned: South China Morning Post

May 29, 2019

Huawei Technologies, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment supplier, said on Wednesday it has filed a motion asking the United States courts for a summary judgment on its move to get a US ban on Huawei equipment for federal agencies and contractors overturned. Click here to read... [6]