VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: December 02, 2020

PAKISTAN

PM wants action against opposition leaders over rallies: DAWN

Rebuking the Punjab government for not “properly” handling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) public meetings, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday directed authorities concerned to take stern action against opposition leaders, including the lodging of first information reports (FIRs), if they hold a public meeting in Lahore on Dec 13 and violate coronavirus-related preventive guidelines. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

NATO Chief Reiterates Call for Afghan Ceasefire: TOLO News

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, at the first session of the NATO foreign ministers meeting on Tuesday, said: “We call on Taliban to reduce violence, but of course, that’s only the first step.” “What we need to see is a lasting peace agreement. And part of that has to be a ceasefire. So, the reduction of violence should only be the first step,” Stoltenberg said, adding that “The ambition is intra-Afghan peace solution. And, of course, that has to include a comprehensive ceasefire.” Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Survey: 62% households in Bangladesh have no internet access: Dhaka Tribune

In Bangladesh, 62% of households do not have internet access at home, according to the Multiple-Indicator Cluster Survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in 2019. It also says that there is a large difference in internet access depending on the households’ socio-economic backgrounds, read a press release published by Unicef on Tuesday. According to the statement, only 8.7% of the poorest 20% households in Bangladesh have internet access at home as compared with 75.3% of the richest 20% households. Click here to read... [4]

NEPAL

Despite economy badly suffering, stock market sees a record high: The Kathmandu Post

At a time when the business community is crying for help from the government citing the catastrophic impact of coronavirus on their businesses, the pandemic appears to have little to no impact on the country’s share market. On Tuesday, the Nepse index reached a record high of 2000.04 points as the market went up consistently for the last seven days growing by 219.97 points between November 23 and December 1. On Sunday alone there was a record turnover of Rs9.22 billion. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

SC rejects FR petitions challenging gazette notification Cremation of COVID-19 victims in Muslim and Catholic communities: Daily Mirror

The Supreme Court (SC) today rejected the examining of 12 Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed challenging the gazette notification regarding the cremation of COVID19 victims belonging to Muslim and Catholic communities.The three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, justices Murdu Fernando and Preethi Padman Surasena commenced hearings on November 30. Click here to read... [6]