VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: October 12, 2021

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate, US Conclude ‘Candid’ Discussions: Tolo News

The two-day meeting between delegates from the United States and the Islamic Emirate in Doha concluded on Sunday after both sides discussed a range of issues. Click here to read... [2]

Afghanistan’s Only Sports Channel Stops Operating: Tolo News

3Sport, the only sports TV channel in the country, stopped functioning after nearly one decade due to the economic crisis as well as the imposition of restrictions, said the organization's head. Click here to read... [3]

Addressing crisis in Afghanistan, Italy to host G20 summit today: The Khaama Press

The conference which is due to be held online will concentrate on humanitarian aids, security concerns, and guaranteeing safe passage abroad for thousands of western-allied Afghans. Click here to read... [4]

Afghanistan’s interim cabinet makes key decisions: The Khaama Press

Afghanistan’s caretaker cabinet in a ministerial meeting in Presidential Palace on Monday, October 11 made some key decisions in security and economic spheres. Click here to read... [5]

Iran to provide humanitarian aid to victims of Kunduz mosque blast: The Khaama Press

Iran’s embassy based in Kabul in a Twitter post on Monday, October 11 said that they are willing to send humanitarian aids to the victims of the blast that targeted a mosque in Khan Abad port of Kunduz province. Click here to read... [6]

Bangladesh

PM Hasina seeks Russia’s support for building a second nuclear power plant- Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday sought constant support from Russia for building another nuclear power plant in Bangladesh’s southern region. Click here to read... [7]

Covid-19: Bangladesh records 11 deaths, 599 cases in 24 hrs- Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh recorded 11 more deaths from Covid-19 and 599 fresh cases in the 24 hours between 8am Sunday and 8am Monday. Click here to read... [8]

Leather goods export exceeds pre-pandemic level- Daily Star

Exports of leather and leather products from Bangladesh exceeded the pre-pandemic level in the first quarter of the current fiscal year as Western economies reopened following extended coronavirus pandemic-induced closures, pushing up demand. Click here to read... [9]

Food Prices: Not coming down soon- Daily Star

The shroud of pandemic gloom is finally lifting after a solid year and a half. But for ordinary citizens, that is bringing no solace with the prices of everyday essentials spiralling -- beyond their mean. Click here to read... [10]

7 including two Chinese nationals sent to jail- Asian Age

A Dhaka court on Monday ordered to sent jail seven people including two Chinese nationals over an illegal money lending case. Click here to read... [11]

HC suspends order for allocation of 700 acres of land- Observer

High Court has suspended the order for allocation of 700 acres of forest land for construction of a training academy for government officials in Cox's Bazar for the next three months. Click here to read... [12]

HC stays allotment of 700-acre protected forest for civil service academy- Prothom Alo

The High Court on Monday stayed for three months a government order on allotment of 700 acres of land of protected forest in Cox’s Bazar for building a civil service academy. Click here to read... [13]

What did BNP achieve in 45 hours of discussions?- Prothom Alo

Over the past one-month BNP held a series of meetings over a span of 10 days with the party leaders and professionals. Click here to read... [14]

Bhutan

422 receive citizenship kidu- Kuensel

His Majesty The King granted citizenship kidu to 422 individuals. The recipients of the citizenship kidu took part in a ceremony at the Tashichhodzong to offer their Oath of Allegiance to the Tsawa Sum as Bhutanese citizens. Click here to read... [15]

Entertainment businesses open in low-risk areas- Kuensel

Except for drayangs, all entertainment centres in low-risk areas were officially allowed to reopen their businesses, as of last night. Click here to read... [16]
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RIGSS study shows prospects of professionalising domestic help- Kuensel

Despite the adverse impact of the pandemic, the Bhutanese way of life has long been fast-paced, complex, and busy with a growing need for domestic helpers. However, the sector still remains untapped. Click here to read... [17]

Cellular companies to introduce 5G by the end of this year- Kuensel

Tashi InfoComm Limited (TICL, “TashiCell”) is gearing up to launch 5G by the end of this year in Paro, Thimphu, and Phuentsholing. Click here to read... [18]

First Judo Dojo Center in Bhutan Inaugurated- Bhutan Times

As part of the Japan week 2021, the first Judo Dojo Center in Bhutan was inaugurated in the capital on 9 October. Click here to read... [19]

Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995 needs amendment, Agriculture Minister- BBS

The remote village of Jangbi in Langthil Gewog of Trongsa is still reeling from the recent leopard attack on two men inside a house. Click here to read... [20]

Maldives

President Solih ratifies Maldives Energy Act – Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the act on Monday. It received parliament approval on September 21, at the 16th sitting of its third session of the ongoing year. Click here to read... [21]

Pres. urges SAARC members to ensure protection of human rights, address climate emergency - Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged member states of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to amp up efforts to ensure the protection of human rights as well as addressing the climate emergency. Click here to read... [22]

UNWTO committed to support Maldives in road to sustainable tourism development - Raajje

UNWTO SG Pololikashvili, who paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday, applauded the government’s positive strides in the progress of the country’s tourism industry, which was on a downward spiral following the closure of borders on 27 March 2020. Click here to read... [23]

Egypt remains committed to enhance cooperation with Maldives - Raajje

The government of Egypt remains committed to enhance cooperation in fields of mutual interests with Maldives, says the Egyptian Ambassador Hussain Al Saharty. Click here to read... [24]

Nasheed returns to Maldives after five months - Avas

Speaker of the Parliament and former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed has returned to the Maldives after five months. Click here to read... [25]

Myanmar

Myanmar’s Ousted Civilian Leader Suu Kyi and President Deny COVID-19 Charges - The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint have pleaded not guilty to breaching COVID-19 rules during the 2020 election campaign. " target="_blank">Click here to read... [26]

Myanmar Junta Media Accuses EAOs of Terrorism - The Irrawaddy

Six ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have been accused of aiding and abetting so-called ‘terrorist’ attacks in Myanmar. Click here to read... [27]

Rohingyas rejoice at Bangladesh-UN Bhasan Char deal - Dhaka Tribune

Over 1,000 Rohingyas join joyous procession to celebrate MoU signing. The Rohingya community on Sunday brought out a procession to celebrate the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Bangladesh government and the United Nations on humanitarian services to Rohingyas relocated to Bhasan Char. Click here to read... [28]

Myanmar Junta Condemns Foreign Recognition of Civilian Government - The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military regime has slammed foreign diplomats and legislators, the United Nations and international organizations for extending support to the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and its parliamentary committee despite its objections. Click here to read... [29]

Myanmar Regime Has no Evidence of Corruption Against Suu Kyi

Myanmar’s military regime has filed 11 charges, including five corruption cases, against detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Click here to read... [30]

Nepal

888 recover as 663 new Covid-19 cases surface; 12 deaths reported- Himayala

Nepal's coronavirus caseload reached 802,861 on Monday with 663 more people testing positive for the infection in the past 24 hours. Click here to read... [31]

Unresolved disputes likely to delay Nepali Congress general convention by at least a month- TKP

While the party hasn’t been able to confirm active members in Bara, Rasuwa and Rautahat, ten districts are planning their conventions after Dashain. Click here to read... [32]

Nepal set to sign deal to buy 6 million doses of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine- TKP

Officials say the vaccine is being purchased under a non-disclosure agreement with World Bank funding. Click here to read... [33]

Four deaths in Rupandehi put spotlight on Nepal’s trigger-happy cops- TKP

Law enforcement agencies tend to show discriminatory behaviour against protests and crowds in the Tarai and by the underprivileged, rights activists say. Click here to read... [34]

Phulpati being observed today- Republica

Nepali people, mainly Hindus, are observing Phulpati, the seventh day of Dashain festival. Click here to read... [35]

The new normal: Why Nepal should embrace and extend digital marketing now- OnlineKhabar

Marketing is restless. It is changing every time as it is a dynamic business activity. Click here to read... [36]

Two Teenagers Rescued From India- Rising Nepal

Pravasi Nepali Mitra Manch Bharat and Manav Kalyan Mitra Manch Nepal have rescued two teenagers who were taking shelter in a children's home in India. Click here to read... [37]

Pakistan

PTI obtains access to financial documents of PML-N, PPP: Dawn

The Elec¬tion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday allowed the ruling Pakistan Tehre¬ek-i-Insaf (PTI) to peruse documents related to foreign funding cases against the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Click here to read... [38]

Iranian armed forces chief due in Islamabad today: Dawn

Gen Bagheri would be leading a high-ranking military delegation. Click here to read... [39]

If abandoned, Taliban may revert to 20 years back: PM: The Express Tribune

In an interview with Middle East Eye, a London-based online news outlet, Prime Minister Imran asked the United States to “pull itself together” or face the collapse of the war-torn country, Click here to read... [40]

PDM puts off huddle scheduled for today till Oct 18: The Express Tribune

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Monday put off it's meeting, scheduled to be held today, till October 18. Click here to read... [41]

Sri Lanka

681 persons test positive for COVID-19 - Daily FT

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections rose to 527,064 with the detection of 681 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday. Click here to read... [42]

Saving GSP+ Requires Genuine Progress on Human Rights - Ground Views

The Sri Lankan government has pledged to scale back its violations of the human rights in order to protect a valuable trade deal with the European Union (EU). Click here to read... [43]