VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: May 7, 2020

PAKISTAN

18th amend can be revisited with no compromise on autonomy: Saad: DAWN

Former railways minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq said on Wednesday the 18th amendment, being a man-made law, could be revisited before the house. He said the 18th amendment had been introduced after a lengthy process of deliberations and consultations among all political parties from all the provinces. He said any party having reservations over any component of the amendment should bring the matter to the assembly for an open discussion. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Atmar: Tense Meeting with Iran over Border Deaths: TOLO News

The Afghan parliament on Wednesday summoned high-ranking government officials to brief them on the recent reports of the death and torture of a group of Afghan nationals in border areas with Iran. According to the reports, at least 20 Afghan nationals have been “drowned” by Iranian border forces – a claim that Iran denies. Among those summoned was Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who told lawmakers that their discussion with Iranian officials on Tuesday evening ended with tension and that, so far, 16 of the Afghan nationals have been rescued, 18 to 20 are missing, and 16 bodies have been found. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Coronavirus: Infected garment workers return to work in Gazipur: Dhaka Tribune

Four workers of a readymade garment (RMG) factory in Gazipur had been going to work for the past few days before learning that they were diagnosed with the coronavirus (Covid-19). Sushanto Sarker, additional superintendent of Gazipur industrial police confirmed the matter and said that the infected workers weren’t allowed to go to work on Wednesday. Two among the infected patients are father and daughter, while the other two are sisters, according to family sources. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar manufacturing, construction sectors take beating: Myanmar Times

The manufacturing sector recorded an accelerated downturn in April as a result of COVID-19, according to a survey from IHS Markit. The headline IHS Markit Myanmar Manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) plummeted to 29.0 in April from 45.3 in March, signaling a severe decline in manufacturing business conditions in Myanmar. The PMI is a composite single-figure indicator of manufacturing performance. It is derived from indicators for new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of purchases. Any figure greater than 50.0 indicates overall improvement of the sector. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Three recovered patients test positive for Covid-19 once again, raising alarm: The Kathmandu Post

Three patients who were discharged after they tested negative for Covid-19 on polymerase chain reaction tests on April 23 and 26 have tested positive during follow-up tests, raising concerns among members of the public as well as public health experts. The patients—a 58-year-old man from the Pepsicola-based Sun City Apartments, a 19-year-old man from Rautahat, and a 42-year-old Indian national—had been cleared of the coronavirus after they initially tested negative. Click here to read.... [6]

BHUTAN

Covid-19 shows expatriates take most jobs in P/ling: Kuensel

Former drayang employees, Dawa Dema and Chandra Kala said they cried after the first day of their new job. Having to work with city’s sewerage system was such a challenge. Now, after many days, they look at the job differently. They do not cry anymore. In fact, they are proud of themselves. Entertainment centres like drayangs and clubs are now closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to read.... [7]

SRI LANKA

Practice Buddhist teachings and COVID-19 preventive measures: President: Daily Mirror

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his Vesak Day message said we should be determined to save the people and the country by practising the teachings of the Buddha and adhering to the COVID-19 prevention measures at this time of calamity. Click here to read.... [8]

CHINA

China to redouble efforts in resuming work, production to maintain stability in employment, livelihood: Xinhuanet

China will introduce and further improve policies to keep employment stable and ensure people's livelihood, the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Wednesday. Those at the meeting heard a progress report on the delivery of polices previously introduced to drive production resumption and business development. Click here to read.... [9]

China's agricultural product wholesale prices drop: People’s Daily

The wholesale prices of China's agricultural products dropped on Wednesday, according to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. By 2 p.m. Wednesday, the China agricultural product wholesale price index stood at 117.96, down 2.41 points from the last working day before the five-day Labor Day holiday. Click here to read.... [10]