VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: October 15, 2020

PAKISTAN

Pakistan is not isolated, says UN envoy: DAWN

Pakistan’s re-election to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with an overwhelming majority refutes the claim that the country has been isolated in the international community, Islamabad’s top UN diplomat said on Wednesday. Pakistan was re-elected to the UNHRC on Tuesday, securing 169 votes in the 193-member UN General Assembly, higher than any other contestant. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Doha: General Meeting of Both Sides Held: TOLO News

A general meeting of chiefs and delegates from both the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as well as the Taliban was held on Wednesday evening, said Nader Nadery, a delegate from the republic’s side. In the meeting, the issue of resolving the disputed issues was discussed and it was emphasized that the contact groups from both sides should provide solutions to the disputed issues as soon as possible, said Nadery. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh seeks US support over vaccine, economy, Rohingya: Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh on Wednesday sought the US support over accessing potential Covid-19 vaccine, recovery from economic fallout caused by the ongoing pandemic, and Rohingya repatriation. “They [the US] assured us [Bangladesh] of taking measures so that US vaccines could be made available in Bangladesh after successful production,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told reporters after holding a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart Stephen E Biegun at a city hotel. Click here to read... [4]

NEPAL

Recommendations on virus response have gone unheard almost every time, officials say: The Kathmandu Post

For two months now, the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre has been generating the heat map of the country’s coronavirus daily cases. Based on the data provided by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, the technical staff at the centre update the heat map, identifying red zones and emerging hotspots. The map is then shared with ministry officials and higher authorities for devising a plan of action. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

Curfew to be imposed in other high-risk areas if required: Army Chief: Daily Mirror

Authorities are monitoring the daily updates of Covid-19 cases reported across the country and steps will be taken to impose curfew in areas where a considerable number of positive cases are reported, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said. “We are analyzing the cases reported from 'no-curfew' areas and curfew would be enforced depending on the situation in the respective areas. Click here to read... [6]