VIF Neighborhood News Digest: September 20, 2019

PAKISTAN

Trump, Imran to meet on 23rd, talks to focus on Kashmir: Dawn
September 20, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to meet US President Donald Trump in New York on Sept 23, hours after he arrives in the city for the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, diplomatic sources told Dawn. The sources said that this could be first of the two meetings the prime minister is expected to have with the US leader during the UN session. This would also be President Trump’s second meeting with a South Asian leader in less than 24 hours. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

US State Dept.: Funds Withheld Because of Corruption: Tolo
September 20, 2019

The opening line reads: “Afghan government institutions and leaders must be transparent and accountable to the Afghan people. We stand against those who exploit their positions of power and influence to deprive the Afghan people of the benefits of foreign assistance.” Then Pompeo goes on to say that the US will be withdrawing $100 million from a planned infrastructure program, withholding $60 million in planned assistance funds, and by the end of the calendar year the US will no longer pay for Afghanistan’s Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Ex-joint secy found dead in Dhaka: Dhaka Tribune
September 20, 2019

Police have recovered the body of a former joint secretary from a private hospital in Dhaka, after he reportedly committed suicide. The body was recovered from Monowara Hospital at Moghbazar around 5pm on Thursday, confirmed Ramna police station OC Kazi Mainul. He identified the deceased as Moshiur Rahman, 73, a freedom fighter. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Activist monks vow to support fight for new constitution: Myanmar Times
September 20, 2019

If attempts to amend the Constitution in the parliament fail, the people will call for a new constitution, said one of the monks who led the so-called “Saffron Revolution” in 2007. Mogok Yay Pu Sayadaw said the monks who joined the revolution will support anyone who tries to amend or abolish the 2008 Constitution, which he described as a cause of disunity in the country. “If any group – either the government or military – tries to amend or scrap the 2008 Constitution, we will support them,” he told a ceremony commemorating the 12th anniversary of the revolution at Thadu monastery in Kyeemyindaing Township, Yangon Region, on Wednesday. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

SL Ambassador to China clarifies on Lotus Tower Project: Daily Mirror
September 20, 2019

Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku today issued a clarification regarding the Lotus Tower project allegations. “Since the Lotus Tower was declared open on Monday, the 16th of September 2019, various news versions have been shared regarding the companies that were involved in its construction. I am releasing this interim statement to clarify the extent of the interventions in this matter by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing, as my name has also been mentioned in some of the reports. Click here to read... [6]

BHUTAN

Poor reporting of dengue hampered interventions: Kuensel
September 20, 2019

Lack of accountability in reporting notifiable diseases or syndromes and outbreaks to the national early warning alert and response surveillance (NEWARS) system challenged preventing, controlling and containing the recent dengue outbreak. According to the district-wise NEWARS reporting status for 2019, about 10 percent of the cases were not reported to the system by the dzongkhags while 20 percent of the reports were delayed. Among the health facilities in Chukha, Getena and Rinchentse Basic Health Units topped the list of not reporting cases while Phuentsholing hospital delayed in reporting cases. Click here to read... [7]

NEPAL

As country celebrates the constitution, marginalized groups await amendments: The Kathmandu Post
September 20, 2019

2007 was a watershed year for Nepal. The long-suffering Madhesi community finally seemed to decide that it had had enough and the Tarai exploded into a spontaneous uprising that spread across the length of the southern plains. For the first time in the country’s recent history, Madhesis openly challenged the established political forces, demanding an end to the injustice they were continually subjected to, calling for an overhaul of politics and a restructuring of the state. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Xi stresses ecological protection and high-quality development of Yellow River: People's Daily
September 20, 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for concerted efforts to promote ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while chairing a symposium Wednesday during his inspection tour to Henan Province. Click here to read... [9]

Closer Sino-Russian ties to bring stability: China Daily
September 20, 2019

Broader and deeper cooperation between China and Russia will bring prosperity and stability to the region and the world, analysts said as Premier Li Keqiang returned to Beijing on Thursday after an official visit to Russia. That is especially so given the challenges of the current international economic and political situation, they said. Click here to read... [10]