VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 8, 2020

PAKISTAN

IHC disposes of pleas against Hindu temple construction: DAWN

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday disposed of three identical petitions filed against the construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad’s Sector H-9/2, observing that the construction of a worship place requires mandatory approval of the regulator i.e. the Capital Development Authority (CDA). IHC Justice Aamer Farooq, however, dismissed objections over the allotment of the temple’s plot. The government allotted the plot measuring 3.89 kanals for the temple in January 2017. The plot was handed over to the Islamabad Hindu Panchayat (IHP) in 2018. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

US Gen. Doubtful Russian Bounties Led to US Deaths: TOLO News

The US Central Command head Gen. Frank McKenzie on Tuesday said he believes there were no US troop deaths as a result of reported Russian efforts to pay Taliban militants to kill US troops in Afghanistan, The Hill reported. “I found it very worrisome. I didn’t find that there was a causative link there,” McKenzie told reporters in telephone interview, according to The Associated Press. McKenzie, the top US general for the Middle East, said the Defense Department did not increase its defenses in Afghanistan after the reported information emerged, but said he asked his intelligence staff to look into the matter. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

COAST: Bay fishing ban made 70% of fishermen jobless: Dhaka Tribune

About 70% of the fishermen in the coastal belt have lost their jobs because of the ongoing 65-days ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal, said a new study. Catching all types of saltwater fish has been prohibited from May 20 to July 23, reports UNB. Besides, half of the fishermen can’t afford three square meals due to the lack of income and failing to include their names in the list of government aid receivers. A recent study by non-governmental organization COAST Trust revealed this information on Tuesday, according to a press release. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar air raids 'that killed children amount to war crimes': Al Jazeera

Myanmar's military has killed civilians, including children, in indiscriminate air attacks amid worsening conflict in the country's western Rakhine and Chin states, a prominent rights group has said, urging the United Nations Security Council to launch a war crimes investigation. In a new report on Wednesday, Amnesty International said it collected new evidence showing Myanmar's military - also known as the Tatmadaw - bombed several villages in Chin state in March and April, killing more than a dozen people. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

More anxiety for Nepali students in the US with decision to send home those enrolled only in online classes: The Kathmandu Post

When Mohamed’s university in the US state of Texas abruptly moved all classes online in the middle of February because of the Covid-19 pandemic, he felt that it was a good initiative. Mohamed, who is in his final year of his bachelor’s degree, believed that going digital would help protect students and staff from getting infected with the coronavirus. “Right now, I am taking 3 credit courses online from the safe space of my apartment, due to which I felt less anxious about the whole situation,” said 23-year-old Mohamed, who asked that he only be identified by his last name as he doesn’t want to jeopardise his visa status. Click here to read.... [6]

SRI LANKA

We will grant public servants benefits denied them: Ranil: Daily Mirror

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday pledged to grant public servants all benefits slashed by the government since the outbreak of COVID-19. He also pledged to grant salary increments to public servants as per the Ranukge commission recommendations. Speaking during an election meeting in Homagama, Mr Wickremesinghe said all salary increments and promotions recommended by the Ranukge commission will be given to public servants." We were to implement the recommendations made by the Ranukge commission from January this year but we could not as we were voted out of power. Click here to read.... [7]