VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: May 15, 2020

PAKISTAN

FO voices concern at Israeli move to annex parts of West Bank: DAWN

The Foreign Office on Thursday expressed concern over new Israeli unity government’s plan to annex parts of occupied West Bank and underscored similarities between Palestine and Kashmir conflicts. “We have seen reports about the framework agreement by Israel’s coalition government proposing annexation of the West Bank with grave concern,” FO spokesperson Aisha Farooqi said at the weekly media briefing. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Daesh Behind Attacks, Targeting Peace: Khalilzad: TOLO News

The US peace envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, in the early hours of Friday, tweeted that the US has assessed that Daesh is the perpetrator of the recent attacks in Kabul and Nangarhar, and that the group opposes a peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban. He called on Afghans to not fall into Daesh's "trap" by letting the incidents further disrupt peace efforts between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Daesh "has demonstrated a pattern for favoring these types of heinous attacks against civilians," he tweeted. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Markets, shopping malls shut down after reopening in Khulna, Tangail and Narail: Dhaka Tribune

All kinds of markets, shopping malls, business establishments have been declared shut down once again in Khulna, Tangail and Narail after the reopening after two months of lockdown. The district authorities in these respective districts have taken the decision after most of the shoppers, shopowners were seen to defy the health directives provided to curb the coronavirus infection. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Govt extends COVID-19 restrictions, eases some limits: Myanmar Times

The government extended measures to deal with the coronavirus outbreak until the end of May, according to a letter issued by the Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 on May 13. Gatherings of five and more are still prohibited, and preschools will remain closed and international commercial flights will remain suspended until May 31. Some measures have been relaxed though. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

More individuals seek Covid-19 tests but ministry to focus on health workers: The Kathmandu Post

The identification of four new cases of Covid-19 in Kathmandu Valley has sparked terror among its residents, with hundreds flocking to the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku for tests. Over 700 people visited the Sukraraj Hospital on Thursday alone for Covid-19 tests, according to doctors. At times, the crowd was so large that the hospital administration was unable to maintain the physical distance required to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Click here to read.... [6]

BHUTAN

MoEA launches a system to improve ease of doing business: Kuensel

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) yesterday launched Single Window Company Registry System, an upgraded version of electronic online registry system of companies. This is expected to improve ease of doing business in the country. Economic Affairs Minister Loknath Sharma said that even if Bhutan conquered Covid-19, it would be impossible for the people to save themselves if we didn’t focus on the economy. “Our working system is very rigid. There is a need to make service delivery easier by innovating first and regulating later.” Click here to read.... [7]

SRI LANKA

China assures firm support to SL: Daily Mirror

Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested on Wednesday that China and Sri Lanka, while ensuring COVID-19 prevention and control, gradually resume practical cooperation in various fields, advance major cooperation projects in an orderly manner and promote the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road. Xi made the remarks in a telephone conversation in the night with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, adding that such efforts will provide impetus for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. Click here to read.... [8]

CHINA

Xi Focus: Xi chairs leadership meeting on regular epidemic response, industrial and supply chains: Xinhuanet

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Thursday chaired a leadership meeting on the effective implementation of regular epidemic prevention and control measures. The meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee also studied measures to boost the stability and competitiveness of industrial and supply chains. Click here to read.... [9]

New stimulus package to ease COVID-19 woes: China Daily

China is likely to come up with a fiscal stimulus package during the upcoming annual meeting of the country's top legislature, including raising fiscal deficit and expanding government debt, to contain the economic impact of COVID-19 epidemic and accelerate recovery, according to officials and experts. Click here to read.... [10]