VIF Neighborhood News Digest: December 26, 2019

PAKISTAN

PPP ready for showdown over Liaquat Bagh rally permission: Dawn
December 26, 2019

The Pakistan People’s Party insisted on Wednesday it would hold a rally at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Friday (tomorrow) to observe the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. But the district administration has refused to give permission for security reasons, signaling a possible showdown between the party and the government over the issue. The opposition party had announced a public meeting in Liaquat Bagh — the place where the former prime minister was assassinated on Dec 27, 2007 — but the district administration refused to give permission and the PPP challenged the decision before the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Taliban's Top Leaders Meet in Quetta: Sources: Tolo
December 26, 2019

Members of the Taliban’s leadership are meeting the group’s top leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada in the Pakistani city of Quetta and they are discussing a potential ceasefire with the US, sources familiar with the talks said on Wednesday. A delegation from the Taliban’s office in Doha is also participating at the meeting so that it can brief the US side in Doha after taking a final decision about the ceasefire, said the source. It's almost a week that a delegation from the Taliban’s office in Qatar led by Mawlavi Shahabuddin Delawar held backdoor meetings with the group’s top leadership in Pakistan to coordinate the views between their leadership about a ceasefire. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Dhaka again ranks worst in Air Quality Index: Dhaka Tribune
December 26, 2019

Bangladesh’s capital city Dhaka has been again ranked the worst in Air Quality Index (AQI). Dhaka had a score of 348 at 8am, which means the air quality was “hazardous”, on Thursday morning; reports UNB. Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar, Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Delhi occupied the next three slots with scores of 258, 220 and 210 respectively. When the AQI value is more than 300, every city dweller may begin to experience more serious health effects. Everyone is advised to avoid all outdoor activities in this situation. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Protesters demand end to internet blackout in Rakhine: Myanmar Times
December 26, 2019

Around 50 activists, mostly ethnic Rakhine, protested in Yangon’s Mahabandoola Park on December 24 against the government’s ongoing internet shutdown in northern Rakhine State. U Oo Hla Saw, an ANP member of the Lower House for Mrauk-U who spoke at the protest, told The Myanmar Times that “from any point of view” the blackout was “a great loss” economically and socially for his constituents. He said cutting off the internet violates basic human rights. Click here to read.... [5]

SRI LANKA

Arrested ministers should be sent to SLTB restrooms, not to Welikada: Amaraweera: Daily Mirror
December 26, 2019

Parliamentarians who are arrested should be sent to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) restrooms and not to the Welikada prison, Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, commenting on the conditions of SLTB crew restrooms. He was on an inspection tour at the SLTB’s crew restrooms. “The driver and conductor restrooms look like hell on earth,” he quipped. "The toilets at the driver and conductor restrooms are flooded and stink. The restrooms are full of dust and cobwebs. Due to the high temperature in the area, the rooms are like ovens. “No fans or bulbs are found. The restrooms look like caves," the Minister said. Click here to read.... [6]

NEPAL

Janata Party likely to get Deputy Speaker as part of a broader package deal: The Kathmandu Post
December 26, 2019

With the Samajbadi Party quitting the KP Sharma Oli-led government, new political dynamics are emerging, as the ruling Nepal Communist Party and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal are in negotiations for a broader package deal. The Janata Party, which has 16 seats in the federal parliament, leads a coalition government with the Samajbadi Party in Province 2, where the ruling party is looking to expand its reach. Click here to read.... [7]

BHUTAN

Only two of 31 petitions from DT make to NA: Kuenselonline
December 26, 2019

The pre-session plenary of the National Assembly which concluded yesterday saw intense discussions on 31 petitions from Dzongkhag Tshogdus (DT), and dropped all except two to be deliberated in the upcoming winter session. The submissions were not accommodated in the National Assembly agenda on the grounds that they did not merit deliberation in the Parliament. They will be referred to relevant ministries for action. The eight DTs of Thimphu, Gasa, Mongar, Pemagatshel, Dagana, Tsirang, Haa, and Zhemgang had submitted petitions. Click here to read.... [8]

CHINA

China releases article on money politics in U.S.: Xinhuanet
December 26, 2019

The China Society for Human Rights Studies on Thursday issued an article titled "Money Politics Exposes the Hypocrisy of 'U.S.-Style Democracy.'" The article pointed out that money politics is the main reason for the severe divisions in U.S. politics and society. Click here to read.... [9]

Beijing, Tokyo eye broader cooperation: China Daily
December 26, 2019

Beijing and Tokyo have agreed to expand cooperation in coping with aging societies and other issues as they seek to foster new areas of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Click here to read.... [10]