VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: November 23, 2020

PAKISTAN

Imran warns of total lockdown if rallies continue: DAWN

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said the government would be compelled to enforce complete lockdown if the opposition did not desist from holding public gatherings at a time when the country was reeling under the impact of Covid-19. During the last 24 hours, the highest number of positive cases was reported with 2,665 people getting infected and 59 losing their lives. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Sources Report Breakthrough in Doha Talks: TOLO News

A breakthrough is reported from Doha as the two negotiating teams have agreed to include the US-Taliban deal, UN endorsements for Afghan peace process, commitments of the negotiating teams and will of the Afghan people as the base for upcoming negotiations. Sources said Afghan chief negotiator Mohammad Massoom Stanikzai and presidential peace advisor Salam Rahimi are on a secret trip to Kabul in the past three days, seeking President Ghani’s approval for the agreed formulation. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Saudi Arabia wants to invest in Bangladesh: Dhaka Tribune

Saudi Ambassador in Dhaka Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan expressed the interest during a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the state guest house Padma on Sunday. He conveyed the interests of the Saudi public and private investors to invest in different sectors in Bangladesh – particularly mentioning ARAMCO, Acwa Power, Alfanar Group, Engineering Dimension (ED), Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), Daelim KSA, Aljumairah Group, etc. Click here to read... [4]

NEPAL

Cornered, Oli woos the opposition. But his opponents say it’s just a ploy: The Kathmandu Post

As if one-upmanship in the ruling Nepal Communist Party was not enough, the game seems to be getting murkier having gone to another level now with the opposition Nepali Congress coming into play. Amid rising conflict between Nepal Communist Party (NCP) chairs KP Sharma Oli, also the prime minister, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, which has raised the spectre of a party split, some new political developments have emerged. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

Isolation imposed on several areas in Western Province to be lifted: Daily Mirror

Isolation, imposed on several areas in the Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts will be lifted with effect from 5.00 am tomorrow, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said. Accordingly, isolation on the Borella, Wellampitiya, Colombo Fort, and Slave Island police areas in the Colombo District will be lifted from tomorrow morning. However, the Wekanda Grama Niladari Division in the Slave Island Police Area and Wanathamulla Grama Niladari Division in the Borella Police Area will further be isolated. Click here to read... [6]