VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: September 24, 2021

Afghanistan

UNSC P5 Seek Stable Afghanistan with Inclusive Govt: Tolo News

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday at a press conference said all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) are united in seeking a stable Afghanistan and an inclusive government. Click here to read [2]

Afghan Newspapers Stop Printing, Go Online: Tolo News

Watchdog organizations recently said the Afghan media outlets are running out of funds and face a lack of information under the Taliban. Click here to read [3]

It’s general amnesty, don’t defame IEA: Taliban’s acting defense minister to his fighters: The Khaama Press

The acting defense minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob called on foot soldiers that general amnesty has been announced and no one should defame the IEA with their arbitrary actions. Click here to read [4]

Pakistan asks Intl-Community to be lenient with Taliban, release reserves: The Khaama Press

Pakistani foreign minister Mahmoud Qureshi has asked the US, IMF, and other countries to release billions of dollars frozen by them so that the situation gets better in Afghanistan. Click here to read [5]

Utmost poverty, former Afghan policeman commits suicide: Tolo News

A former Afghan policeman commits suicide in eastern Kunar province after he was left without a job and the previous government did not pay his three months’ salary. Click here to read [6]

Bangladesh

Time for action, not words, rhetoric- Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the global community to turn their "words and rhetoric" over the Rohingya crisis into actions to reach a desired solution to the protracted problem. Click here to read [7]

Maritime Disputes with India: Bangladesh asks UN to settle issues- Daily Star

Bangladesh has made a formal objection to the UN Secretary-General over certain maritime issues with India that are continuing even after their settlement in 2014. Click here to read [8]

PM Hasina to address UNGA general debate on Friday- Dhaka Tribune

The prime minister’s speech will dominate the issues of Rohingya, climate change and post Covid-19 economic recovery. Click here to read [9]

Law minister: Will allow Khaleda to go abroad if that’s what the people want- Dhaka Tribune

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be allowed to go abroad for treatment if that is what the people of Bangladesh want, says Law Minister Anisul Huq. Click here to read [10]

US to give $178m in aid for Rohingya- Asian Age

The United States will provide $178 million in humanitarian aid to Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Click here to read [11]

Grameen Bank sued for Tk 670m VAT 'evasion- Asian Age

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has lodged a case against Grameen Bank for allegedly evading value added tax (VAT) of around Tk 67 crore. Click here to read [12]

PM proposes developing 'global resilient food system'- The Observer

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called for developing a "resilient food system" globally by producing more food for growing population of the world as she placed a five-point recommendation at a summit in New York. Click here to read [13]

Bhutan

Apple growers turn to Bhutan Agro as export options grow slim- Kuensel

Finding it difficult to sell their apples and with lower export prices this year, farmers are selling apples to Bhutan Agro Industries Limited (BAIL) at Nu 20 per kilogramme (kg). Click here to read [14]

BHSL manufactures turbines- Kuensel

Bhutan Hydropower Service Limited (BHSL) in Jigmeling, Sarpang has started manufacturing runners (turbines) for the hydropower plants in the country and also for the hydropower projects in India and Turkey. Click here to read [15]

Solar water heating system benefits public institutions- Kuensel

A 1,000-litre solar water heating system (SWHS) installed in 2018 at Bjishong Central School (BCS) in Gasa gave boarding students the luxury of bathing with hot water. Click here to read [16]

Bhutan to pilot a central bank digital currency (CBDC) project with Ripple- Daily Bhutan

Email In a recent press release by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMA), Bhutan will be collaborating with Ripple Labs, Inc. to pilot a project on central bank digital currency (CBDC). Click here to read [17]

HH appoints Principal and Lam- BBS

His Holiness the Je Khenpo appointed a new Principal for Rinchenling Shedra in Wangdue Phodrang and a new Lam for the Phuentshogling Zangtopelri in Chhukha. Click here to read [18]

Maldives

New advisory committee formed under Education Act- AVAS

An advisory committee to offer counsel to the Education Ministry during emergency situations has been established. Click here to read [19]

Monitoring mechanisms lifted from Dhuvaafaru after 120 days- AVAS

The Health Protection Agency (HPA)'s monitoring mechanisms have been lifted from Raa Dhuvaafaru island after 120 days. Click here to read [20]

'Hope to have King Salman Mosque inaugurated by Crown Prince'- AVAS

Maldives' Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Khaleel has said the government hopes to have the 'King Salman Mosque' officially opened by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Bin Salman. Click here to read [21]

Man arrested for posting threats against Nasheed jailed again- AVAS

The man arrested for posting death threats against the Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has been sentenced to jail for one month for contempt of court. Click here to read [22]

HDC seeking party to install CCTVs at Hiyaa towers-AVAS

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is seeking a party to procure and install CCTV cameras at the Hiyaa social housing towers. Click here to read [23]

Pres Solih meets Portuguese pres on UNGA sidelines- AVAS

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has met with the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Click here to read [24]

Myanmar

Mandalay youth leader killed in Kayah State battle- Myanmar Now

A 20-year-old protest leader dies in Demoso Township after arriving in Kayah State in early September to join the armed resistance against the coup regime. Click here to read [25]

Eight Myanmar army soldiers defect to Chinland Defence Force- Myanmar Now

The Chinland Defence Force (CDF) claims that there are now eight soldiers who have deserted the Myanmar army and joined their resistance group over the last two months. Click here to read [26]

Court hearings around Official Secrets Act charge commence for Aung San Suu Kyi and Sean Turnell- Myanmar Now

Suu Kyi, Turnell and three former cabinet members face up to 14 years in prison if convicted by the junta of violating the colonial-era law. Click here to read [27]

Junta forces in Kalay arrest and kill man accused of making guns for resistance fighters- Myanmar Now

A family friend said Kyaw Min Oo, who owned a welding and lathing workshop, had never made weapons or been involved in armed resistance to the coup regime. Click here to read [28]

Brother of Slain Myanmar Pastor Says Regime Fails to Take Accountability for Atrocities- Irrawaddy

When junta forces launched heavy artillery strikes on his hometown in western Myanmar’s Chin State on Saturday afternoon, setting fire to many houses, Christian Pastor Cung Biak Hum couldn’t stand still—he felt compelled to try to save his town. Click here to read [29]

More Volunteers and Civilians Detained in Myanmar’s Anti-Regime Stronghold- Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military regime has detained two volunteers who are aiding displaced people in Kayah State, as well as two residents of Loikaw Township in Kayah. Click here to read [30]

Australian adviser to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi appears in military court- Eleven

An Australian adviser to Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in a military court to face immigration and official secrets charges, a lawyer involved in the case said on Thursday (Sept 23). Click here to read [31]

Urgent action needed to end catastrophe in Myanmar: UN report- The Observer

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday said urgent action is needed to prevent the situation in Myanmar from spiraling into a full-blown conflict. Click here to read [32]

Nepal

National Assembly passes Appropriation Bill-2021- Himalaya

National Assembly has passed the Appropriation Bill-2021 BS, on 23 September. Click here to read [33]

KMC allows schools to open conditionally- Himalaya

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has decided to allow all the schools inside the metropolis to conduct in-person classes conditionally, with effect from September 26. Click here to read [34]

Unmanaged border crossings may expose Nepal’s Achilles heel in stemming Covid-19- Kathmandu Post

Tens of thousands of people enter the country daily through checkpoints set up at various land crossings with India.

The ideology debates in CPN-UML and CPN (Unified Socialist) - Kathmandu Post

The newly formed party wonders if it could abandon People’s Multiparty Democracy, as its relevance is being questioned in the mother party. Click here to read [35]

'Death sentence': low-lying nations implore faster action on climate at U.N.- Republica

The failure by developed economies to effectively curb their greenhouse gas emissions contributes to rising sea levels and especially imperils island and low-lying nations at the mercy of water. Click here to read [36]

NC to hold district convention in mountainous districts before Dashain. - Republica

The Nepali Congress has decided to conduct the district conventions of the party in the mountainous region before Dashain festival. Click here to read [37]

Climate change in agriculture: Nepal food security at stake due to apathetic govt, unaware farmers- OnlineKhabar

Today, no one except those producing and selling vegetables on a large scale cultivates onions in the village. Click here to read [38]

Pakistan

Qureshi meets Blinken, urges engagement with Taliban: Dawn

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York on Thursday on the sidelines of the 76th United Nations General Assembly sessioClick here to read [39]

Pakistan, China agree not to alter tariff on power deals: Dawn

Pakistan and China on Thursday agreed to keep unchanged the tariff and tax policies relating to power sector contracts and arrest and prosecute the attackers of July 14 Dasu bus tragedy at the earliest. Click here to read [40]

Pakistan urges OIC to take concrete steps for resolution of Kashmir issue: Dawn

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called upon members states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take concrete steps to resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute, saying “Kashmiri people counted on the OIC and the Muslim Ummah more than ever”. Click here to read [41]

EVMs a plot to rig next general elections, says Maryam: The Express Tribune

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz termed on Thursday the government's proposal to use the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) a plot for rigging the next general elections. Click here to read [42]

If population grows at current pace, Pakistan may face issues of hunger, poverty: PM: The News

Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said if food crops production did not increase and the population explosion continued, the country might face famine and poverty in the years to come. Click here to read [43]

Pak, Saudi leadership capable of leading world: President Alvi: The News

President Dr Arif Alvi Thursday, while lauding their approach on international issues, said the leadership of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was capable to lead the world through their vision. Click here to read [44]

Sri Lanka

Questionable deal with US energy firm: Professionals’ National Front asks whether govt. received AG’s consent - The Island

Professionals’ National Front (PNP) Spokesperson Kapila Renuka Perera yesterday warned of dire consequences of going ahead with the government’s controversial agreement with the US energy firm New Fortress Energy. Click here to read [45]

PM to head CoL meeting today - Daily FT

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will lead the Cost-of-Living (CoL) Committee meeting today which will decide on the essential goods price hike and resolve certain issues related to import containers stuck at Colombo Port. Click here to read [46]

1,368 persons test positive for COVID-19 - Daily FT

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections rose to 510,040 with 1,368 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday. Click here to read [47]

National Peace Council Welcomes President’s speech at UN; says joint effort key for reconciliation - Daily FT

The National Peace Council in a statement yesterday welcomed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s speech at the UN General Assembly but emphasised a joint effort is required for reconciliation to become a reality. Click here to read [48]