VIF Neighborhood News Digest: November 13, 2019

PAKISTAN

Nawaz rejects govt terms for his travel abroad: Dawn
November 13, 2019

Ailing former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday refused to travel abroad for his medical treatment under the conditions proposed by the government after marathon meetings of the federal cabinet and its sub-committee, which ended in a deadlock. The Pakistan Mus­lim League-Nawaz supremo rejected the government’s offer made on medical gro­unds and to pay Rs7 billion as surety bonds — equivalent to the fines imposed on him by an accountability court in two corruption cases Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfield properties — in which he was convicted. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Seven People Killed in Kabul Car Blast: Tolo
November 13, 2019

At least seven people were killed and seven others were wounded in a car bomb explosion in the PD15 area of Kabul on Wednesday morning, said an Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi. The blast occurred around 7:25 am local time in the Qasaba area in PD15 of Kabul city, Rahimi said, adding that “The target area has not yet been cleared.” The blast also damaged several vehicles in the area, an eyewitness said, and “the victims have been taken away by ambulances.” Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

State recognition demanded for Coastal Day on Nov 12: Dhaka Tribune
November 13, 2019

Leaders and activists of the non-political social organization made the statement during a human-chain program organized in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka last morning. Leaders of Bangladesh Nagorik Samaj demanded state recognition for November 12 as the “Upukul Dibas” (Coastal Day), emphasizing the security issues connected to people’s lives and belongings in the coastal regions of the country. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Grenade explosion kills four in Kayin: Myanmar Times
November 13, 2019

Four people, including three police officers, were killed by a grenade explosion at the height of the Tazaungdaing Festival in Kayin State on Sunday, a member of a local charity group said. Ten other people were injured when a man on motorcycle threw the grenade at patrolling policemen during the celebration in Kyone Doe town, Kawkareik district, late Sunday, according to U San Shwe, a member of the town funeral service assistance association. “We sent the victims to Hpa-an for treatment,” he said. “All of them died while being treated at the hospital.” Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

I exchanged 42 letters with Prabhakaran: CBK: Daily Mirror
November 13, 2019

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said today that after being elected president, she had exchanged 42 letters on various matters of peace with the LTTE leader Prabhakaran and that she would make them public in the future. She said this at an election rally of Sajith Premadasa at the Veerasingam hall in Jaffna. After few months of becoming the president we continued peace talks while terminating the war, of how to resolve this problem but, after eight months again the war started. During the wars and during the peace talks I wrote letters to him. We exchanged 42 letters. I still possess them and we will make them public, she said. Click here to read... [6]

NEPAL

After aborting passport tender, government to sign security printing deal with French firm: The Kathmandu Post
November 13, 2019

After abruptly cancelling a global tender for the printing and supply of 5 million e-passports, the government is now in the final stages of signing an agreement to set up a dedicated security printing press under a government-to-government arrangement with France. This will probably be the biggest government-to-government deal signed since KP Sharma Oli was elected to office in February 2018. Click here to read... [7]

BHUTAN

Macroeconomic indicators reveal signs of slowdown: Kuenselonline
November 13, 2019

While the government’s achievements of one year in office are centered on building the foundation for the coming years, macroeconomic indicators show signs of a slowdown. Since November last year when the government took office, until last month, about 12 treasury bills (T-bills) were auctioned amounting to more than Nu 45B. In 2018 alone, the government floated about 13 T-bills amounting to around Nu 30B. In 2017, more than 20 T-bills were issued. However, the amount was less than Nu 20B. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Xi: BRI helping Chinese, Greek people: China Daily
November 13, 2019

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative is not an empty slogan but a successful practice and a brilliant reality, President Xi Jinping said during a visit to the Port of Piraeus in Greece on Monday. Click here to read... [9]

Lam blasts 'selfish' rioters as HK violence continues: China Daily
November 13, 2019

As the city braced for another day of violence, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday that rioters trying to "paralyze" the city are extremely selfish and that she hoped all universities and schools would urge students not to participate in violence. Click here to read... [10]