VIF Neighborhood News Digest: September 10, 2019

PAKISTAN

COAS, Centcom commander discuss Kashmir, Afghan issues: Dawn
September 10, 2019

US Central Command (Centcom) Commander Gen Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr on Monday called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed with him geo-strategic environment and regional security, including the situation in Afghanistan and Kashmir. Gen McKenzie — who has been in Pakistan since Sept 7 — met Gen Bajwa with his delegation, the military’s media affairs wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Peace Talks With Taliban Are Dead: Trump: Tolo
September 10, 2019

The US President Donald Trump said on Monday that as far as he is concerned, Afghanistan peace talks with the Taliban are dead, AP reported. “They’re dead. They’re dead. As far as I’m concerned, they’re dead,” Mr. Trump said when he was asked about the talks with the Taliban. Mr. Trump said his administration is “looking at” whether to proceed with troop reductions that had been one element of the preliminary deal with the Taliban struck by the US peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad. “We’d like to get out, but we’ll get out at the right time,” he said. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

PM calls for urgent action to advance climate adaptation solutions: Dhaka Tribune
September 10, 2019

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has joined the leaders from Global Commission on Adaptation urging the governments and businesses to take urgent action to innovate and advance climate adaptation solutions in light of new research findings. In a message issued on Tuesday on the occasion of the launching of the flagship report of the Global Commission on Adaptation, the prime minister said: “Bangladesh is home to some of the initiatives taking place all over the world that collectively offer us a roadmap for resilience in the struggle to adapt to climate change." Click here to read... [4]

Myanmar

Central Bank will consider further rate liberalisation: The Myanmar Times
September 10, 2019

The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) will consider further liberalising interest rates and allow private banks more freedom to set their own rates to be more competitive, U Soe Min, deputy governor of the CBM told Parliament on Monday. The CBM will seek assistance and advice from the International Monetary Fund in doing so and observe what other countries are doing on this front. Currently, private banks must set their interest rates within the 8 percent deposit rate and 13pc borrowing rate stated by the CBM. The Central Bank rate is 10pc. Click here to read... [5]

Sri Lanka

UNP unity is need of the hour: PM: Daily Mirror
September 10, 2019

During a discussion with a group of MPs in his party, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has underscored the need to maintain the unity of the party in this crucial moment. The meeting attended by a half dozen MPs was held last Sunday. It had been organised by Kalutara District MP Lakshman Wijemanna. The premier made such a remark at a time when a faction of the party is agitating for presidential candidacy to Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

Dengue cases should be in single digits next year: PM: Kuensel
September 10, 2019

A strategy to tackle disease outbreak like the recent dengue outbreak in Phuentsholing will be drawn up and implemented from next year. Meeting the management of Phuentsholing general hospital yesterday, Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering said that if implemented well ahead of tome in phase wise, the number of people affected will be cut down to single digits. Lyonchhen commended the work of the hospital staff and met with the patients. He asked the hospital management to submit a report. “Draw a plan and let us know. We will see how we can go together,” he said. Click here to read... [7]

Nepal

From BRI projects to investments, Nepal presents a wishlist to China: The Kathmandu Post
September 10, 2019

Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi began his official engagements on Monday by holding a series of meetings with President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali. All three leaders, according to officials familiar with the meetings, presented separate wishlists to Wang and requested that Beijing expedite projects to be funded by China. One Foreign Ministry official who participated in the meetings said that Oli and Gyawali both told Wang that they were looking forward to hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the earliest, as the visit would mark a “significant” milestone in Nepal-China relations. Click here to read... [8]

China

Greater support for private firms needed, Xi says: China Daily
September 10, 2019

The importance of supporting the development of private businesses was highlighted at a key Party meeting presided over by President Xi Jinping on Monday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the 10th meeting of the Central Committee for Deepening Overall Reform and delivered an important speech. Click here to read... [9]

Hong Kong protests: officials attempt for sixth time to debunk rumours of deaths during police operation in MTR station but ‘mourners’ remain unconvinced: South China Morning Post
September 10, 2019

Officials have for the sixth time in nine days attempted to debunk rumours that three people died during a police operation inside a Hong Kong metro station last month. But protesters who have “mourned” outside Prince Edward MTR station since August 31 remained unconvinced and continued to press for the release of security camera footage. Click here to read... [10]