VIF Neighborhood News Digest: January 20, 2020

PAKISTAN

What made PML-Q give one-week ultimatum to govt: Dawn
January 20, 2020

The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), an important ally of the ruling PTI especially in Punjab, still has no problem with Chief Minister Usman Buzdar but wants ‘complete administrative share’ in the districts where it has strong political base which it cannot afford to concede to its rivals, it emerged on Sunday. The party of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat — Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi — is flexing its muscles to secure that share from Punjab’s ‘top bureaucracy’ that is apparently not under the control of Mr Buzdar who is struggling in governance matters. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Plan on Reduction in Violence 'Deceptive': Danish: Tolo
January 20, 2020

Second Vice President Sarwar Danish on Sunday reiterated the Afghan government’s stance on peace, saying that the Taliban’s plan to reduce violence is a way of evading a real peace, and it is deceiving the people and the international community. Reports indicate that the Taliban has agreed on a 7-10 day reduction in violence. The Afghan government is insisting that the Taliban agree to a ceasefire. Speaking at a ceremony in Kabul, Danish said the United States may sign a peace agreement with the Taliban, but it will not solve any problems in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

All Bangladesh entry points alerted on China’s unknown virus: Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2020

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued an alert to all the entry points across the country on Wednesday. The alert was issued due to Chinese 2019-nCoV (a new strain of corona) virus. The virus already caused the death of two people, and made at least 40 people ill till Saturday, according to the New York Times. Prof Dr Sanya Tahmina, additional director general of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued the alert. Sanya has also warned regarding passengers arriving from China after the outbreak of the corona virus there. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar, China sign agreements on Kyaukphyu, no mention of Myitsone Dam project, peace talks: Myanmar Times
January 20, 2020

Myanmar and China inked 33 agreements spanning infrastructure, power and trade during a bilateral meeting between State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Nay Pyi Taw over the weekend. However, no progress was made on the development of the Myitsone dam and six other hydropower projects totaling US$25 billion in Kachin State. Suspended in 2011 and 2012 after backlash from the public, the projects are expected to generate more than 21,000 megawatts of additional power, some of which will be exported to China. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

Unemployed graduates will be recruited to strengthen economy: President: Daily Mirror
January 20, 2020

All unemployed graduates will immediately be recruited in order to involve them in strengthening the national economy, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said. The President has made these remarks addressing a gathering of representatives of unemployed graduates held at the Presidential Secretariat today. The President's Office said information on existing vacancies at government, semi-government institutes and departments had already been collected. "Graduates will be immediately recruited to these positions. They will be provided with formal training and awareness on leadership skills and the public sector," it said. Click here to read... [6]

NEPAL

Conflict victims and human rights activists cry foul over Agni Sapkota for Speaker: The Kathmandu Post
January 20, 2020

A Secretariat meeting of the Nepal Communist Party on Sunday decided to propose Agni Sapkota, a Standing Committee member, for the post of Speaker. “Today’s Secretariat meeting unanimously decided to field two-time minister and lawmaker from Sindhupalchok Sapkota for the post of Speaker,” Bishnu Poudel, general secretary of the party, told the Post after the Secretariat meeting on Sunday evening. The decision to propose Sapkota as Speaker comes a day after the ruling and opposition parties reached a deal on appointing candidates of their choice to the two transitional justice commissions that are entrusted with investigating conflict-era cases. Click here to read... [7]

BHUTAN

Seven percent GST across all board will eliminate 11 BST slabs: Kuenselonline
January 20, 2020

Should the Parliament pass the GST law, tax regime in the country would be digitized and integrated through an on-line platform. During a consultative meeting with the members of the private sector at the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) office yesterday, Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering said that GST is the way forward to institute a 21st-century tax regime. However, he said initially the government is only proposing for a broad-based tax rate of seven percent so that people and businesses will not feel the pinch. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Provincial "two sessions" signal China's high-quality development: People's Daily
20 January 2020

As China entered the local "two sessions" season earlier this month, the provincial-level regions across the country have sent signals of sustained growth and high-quality development. The local "two sessions," the annual meetings of provincial-level lawmakers and political advisors, discuss local economic and social development in the past year and make plans for the year to come. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar visit highlights friendship, BRI synergy: China Daily
20 January 2020

President Xi Jinping's just-concluded state visit to Myanmar has cemented the ties between the two neighboring countries, and officials and experts have hailed the visit as "historic" and "a landmark" in their ties. Click here to read... [10]