VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 25, 2019

PAKISTAN

Up to 200% increase in gas prices for domestic consumers sought: Dawn
June 25, 2019

The Petroleum Division has sought an increase of up to 200 per cent in the prices of gas for domestic consumers with effect from July 1, 2019. The summary prepared by the division based on the decision of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has been sent to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which is expected to take it up on Wednesday. According to the summary documents obtained by DawnNewsTV, the increase in rate for the first slab of domestic sector consuming less than 50 cubic metres per month has been worked out at Rs184 per MMBTU (million British thermal unit), from the existing Rs121. The monthly bill of this category will increase to Rs422 from Rs285. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Govt Vows To Protect Afghan Media Amid Taliban’s Warning: Tolo News
June 25, 2019

Reacting to a Taliban warning against the Afghan media, the Presidential Palace in a statement said that threatening media and freedom of the speech is in contravention of the Islamic and human values. Taliban in a statement on Monday, June 24, threatened all Afghan TV channels, radio stations and other media outlets to avoid airing and publishing advertisements which the resurgent group believes are a “propaganda against their fighters”. The group warned to target all those people associated with those media outlets who continue to broadcast anti-Taliban commercials. This is the second time the group is threatening Afghan media. The first time, they threatened few media outlets over their reports on the fall of the city of Kunduz in northern Kunduz province back in 2016. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

China offers a record number of training programmes and scholarships to Nepali civil servants: Kathmandu Post
June 25, 2019

The number of scholarships and training programmes for Nepali civil servants provided by China has increased exponentially in the last 15 years, amounting to more than 850 for the 2019-20 academic year alone. In 2004, according to the Chinese Embassy website, Beijing had offered just 20 scholarships under the Chinese Government Scholarship Programme, with six seats for undergraduates and 14 for postgraduates. For the upcoming academic year, China has approved 850 training programmes and scholarships for Nepali civil servants, the Post has learned. These 850 training slots have been allocated to the Ministry of Finance under China’s MOFCOM Scholarships, announced last week. . Click here to read... [4]

CHINA

Discussions underway for next trade talks: China Daily
June 25, 2019

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He held a telephone conversation with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday at the request of the US side. The two sides exchanged opinions on economic and trade issues in line with the instructions made by the two heads of state. The two sides agreed to continue to maintain contact. . Click here to read... [5]

China to uphold multilateralism, oppose protectionism at G20 Osaka summit: Xinhuanet
June 25, 2019

China is ready to work with relevant sides to firmly uphold multilateralism, and oppose unilateralism and protectionism at the upcoming Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Osaka, Japan, said senior officials in Beijing Monday. . Click here to read... [6]