VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 3, 2020

PAKISTAN

UNSC condemns ‘cowardly’ attack on PSX: DAWN

The UN Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the “heinous and cowardly” terrorist attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi this week that killed at least eight people. Diplomatic sources said that India tried to block the statement through its allies in the 15-member body but failed. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Jamiat Party Votes In New Leader Shadab, Ousts Rabbani: TOLO News

A number of members of the Jamiat-e-Islami Leadership Council on Wednesday, in a move led by Atta Mohammad Noor, voted in a majority to replace the current leader Salahuddin Rabbani with Enayatullah Shadab, who will now lead the council. Based on the council's decision, the Jamiat party will play a significant role in the peace process as well as in the government, but other members of the council's leadership, led by Salahuddin Rabbani, see the decision as an Intra-party conspiracy and added that Rabbani will continue to his job as the chairman of the party leadership council. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

'Future of Work Lab' facilities launched: Dhaka Tribune

The "Future of Work Lab" facilitating South-South Cooperation was launched on Thursday over a video conferencing platform, with the aim of empowering individuals, businesses and the government to navigate the future of work. UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UNDP Kanni Wignaraja inaugurated the lab. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar calls out China for arming terror groups, asks world to help: The Hindustan Times

Myanmar, China’s closest ally in southeast Asia, has pointed fingers at Beijing for arming insurgent groups with sophisticated weapons and sought international cooperation to suppress rebel groups. In a recent interview to Russian state-run TV channel Zvezda, Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said terrorist organisations active in Myanmar are backed by ‘strong forces’ and sought international cooperation to suppress rebel groups. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

A cornered Oli prorogues the House and considers splitting the ruling party: The Kathmandu Post

After finding himself on shaky ground in the wake of growing calls from within his party to step down, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday recommended prorogation of the ongoing session of the federal parliament. The recommendation was swiftly approved by the President. Oli also reached out to the main opposition Nepali Congress and sought support in case his government falls in the minority. One option Oli is mulling, if he runs out of alternatives, is reintroducing the Ordinance to Political Parties Act, which was shelved in April after a huge controversy. Click here to read.... [6]

SRI LANKA

Global community pledges US$252 mn to fight COVID- pandemic: Govt.: Daily Mirror

The global community and organizations have committed to provide USD 252 million (Rs. 45 billion approximately) in cash, goods, medicine and medical equipment to Sri Lanka to fight Covid-19 pandemic, Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday. Minister Gunawardana told the weekly Cabinet news briefing that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa presented a report to the Cabinet on Wednesday to explain the aid that was given to control Covid 19 by friendly countries and organizations. Click here to read.... [7]