VIF Neighborhood News Digest: November 25, 2019

PAKISTAN

PTI shows no trust in chief election commissioner: Dawn
November 25, 2019

Top leaders of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have raised questions about the impartiality of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza, who is likely to issue a verdict in the PTI’s foreign funding case before his retirement on Dec 6. The PTI’s core committee, which met on Sunday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, reiterated its demand that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) club the foreign funding cases of all three major political players in the country — the PTI, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) — and refrain from singling out the ruling party. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

US-Taliban Unofficial Talks Underway in Doha: Sources: Tolo
November 25, 2019

Discussion between the US and Taliban has begun again in Qatar, but in an unofficial capacity, two sources familiar with the matter told TOLOnews. The sources said the two sides are discussing a reduction in violence and the resumption of official talks between American and Taliban negotiators. “The talks right now are underway secretly and I think that they are in favor of Afghanistan,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, a former Taliban commander now based in Kabul. “Based on my information, official negotiations are not underway like they were in the past.” Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Army chief: Barbed-wire fencing of Rohingya camps is in the process: Dhaka Tribune
November 25, 2019

The army chief mentioned the developments after presenting regimental colors to six units at a ceremony in Ramu Cantonment on Monday. Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army, General Aziz Ahmed has confirmed that the process of fencing the Rohingya Camps with barbed-wire has begun. Furthermore, he mentioned that the process of fencing will be implemented in two of the camps primarily -- Ukhiya, Kutupalong and Nayapara, Teknaf. The army chief mentioned the developments after presenting regimental colors to six units at a ceremony in Ramu Cantonment on Monday. General Aziz presented regimental colors to 6, 9 and 27 Field Regiment Artillery under the Ramu Cantonment, 6 Engineer Battalion, and 13 and 14 Infantry Regiment. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Tatmadaw vows to support State Counsellor at ICJ: Myanmar Times
November 25, 2019

Tatmadaw (military) leaders are ready to accompany the delegation led by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) to face accusations of genocide in northern Rakhine State, a senior military official said. Major General Thaung Naing, deputy judge advocate general, said the Tatmadaw is ready to assist the government in facing the genocide lawsuit filed by the Gambia on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in the ICJ on November 11. “If the government asks us to accompany (the team), we are ready to go,” he told a press conference at the Defence Museum in Nay Pyi Taw on Sunday. Click here to read.... [5]

SRI LANKA

CID’s IP Nishantha Silva leaves the country?: Daily Mirror
November 25, 2019

IP Nishantha Silva, the OIC of the Organised Crimes Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had left for Singapore with his family today, sources said. IP Silva was handling investigations into many major incidents including the murder of Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge and the abduction and the assault of journalist Keith Noyahr. Last year he was transferred to the Negombo Division on service requirements. However, the transfer was later canceled after several civil organizations and Amnesty International had expressed concern over the transfer. Click here to read.... [6]

NEPAL

With ruling party dynamics satisfied, the hunt begins for a new House Speaker: The Kathmandu Post
November 25, 2019

Now that Prime KP Sharma Oli and the ruling Nepal Communist Party have resolved most outstanding issues—like work division for the party co-chairs and the Cabinet reshuffle—one major issue remains—finding a new Speaker for the House of Representatives. The Speaker’s post has remained vacant since early October when Krishna Bahadur Mahara stepped down in the wake of rape allegations. According to party leaders, Oli is in favor of former Speaker and chairman of both Constituent Assemblies Subas Nembang to lead the House while Co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal wants the top post for his faction. Click here to read.... [7]

BHUTAN

ACC clears former PM, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, over wall issue: Kuenselonline
November 25, 2019

Without any evidence, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) following its investigation has cleared the former Prime Minister (PM) Dasho Tshering Tobgay of misusing government funds amounting to Nu 3 million in installing security infrastructure at his private residence in Taba. The case is now closed, based on the facts and evidence collected during the investigation, according to the ACC. ACC found that the former PM had not initiated or instructed the construction of the compound wall at his private residence in Taba. Click here to read.... [8]

CHINA

Hong Kong elections: tsunami of disaffection washes over city as pro-Beijing camp left reeling by record turnout and overwhelming defeat: South China Morning Post
November 25, 2019

The anti-establishment reverberations from almost six months of street protests swept through polling stations across Hong Kong on Sunday, as voters in record numbers roundly rejected pro-Beijing candidates in favor of pan-democrats. Click here to read.... [9]

China and Japan should usher in a new era of local-level exchanges in the 21st century, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday: Xinhuanet
November 25, 2019

Wang, who attended the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Nagoya, made the remarks during a meeting with Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Heita Kawakatsu. Click here to read.... [10]