VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: October 29, 2021

Afghanistan

Possible Presence of US, NATO Forces in Region Sparks Reactions - Tolo News

Deputy spokesman of Islamic Emirate Ahmadulla Wasiq said that powerful countries must not use force to secure military bases in the region.

“The US, NATO or any country which uses force and seeks a military presence in the region does not aid Afghanistan and regional countries,” said Ahmadullah Wasiq Click here to read... [2]

Islamic Emirate Welcomes Tehran Meeting’s Outcome - Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate welcomed the summit attended by foreign ministers of regional countries held in Iran to discuss the Afghan situation. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Prices of essential commodities on the rise- Daily Star

Prices of all essential commodities are on the rise. The increasing prices are adding to the struggle of people trying to overcome the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic. Click here to read... [4]

Pledged Chinese Loan; Coming but at crawling pace- Daily Star

Chinese loans now amount to 7 percent of Bangladesh's total outstanding foreign loans. China is the third-highest bilateral lender for Bangladesh after Japan and Russia. Click here to read... [5]

Why did Hindus – and some Muslims – flee in 1971?- Dhaka Tribune

The West Pakistani rulers launched an offensive in East Pakistan to subdue the Awami League as the latter was set to form a government, its supporters as well as Hindus. Click here to read... [6]

TIB: Bangladesh could become one of Asia’s biggest polluters- Dhaka Tribune

If the country’s 19 coal-based power plants go into operation, Bangladesh will be emitting 63% more carbon than it does today, holding the possibility of becoming one of the biggest polluters in Asia, says Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). Click here to read... [7]

Be careful about Coronavirus during winter, says PM, thanks BAB- Daily Observer

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged all to maintain health protocols like wearing masks to check the recharge of Coronavirus in the upcoming winter as the virus hits many countries of the world at this time. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

NA finalises winter session agenda-- Kuensel

The pre-session plenary of the National Assembly (NA) held yesterday finalised the agenda for the winter session, with the Forest and Nature Conservation Bill 2021 as a new legislative Bill. Click here to read... [9]

Matrimonial cases dominate court cases in Mongar- Kuensel

Out of 240 cases registered in Mongar dzongkhag court this year, 117 cases have been related to matrimony. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

U.S gov't promises USD two million in support of Maldives Covid-19 response efforts - Raajje

The government of the United States of America has decided to grant an additional USD two million to Maldives in emergency assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The aid carries the purpose of supporting the Maldives Covid-19 response efforts and was announced during a meeting held between the Minister of State for health, Dr. Shah Abdulla Mahir and USAID on Wednesday. Click here to read... [11]

The Maldives is threatened by rising seas – but coastal development is causing even more pressing environmental issues - The Conversation

As UN climate conference COP26 approaches, vulnerable nations are rightly highlighting how they are threatened by climate change. One such nation is the Maldives, for whose inhabitants sea level rise could cause permanent devastation. Click here to read... [12]

ITB China’s spotlight shines on the Maldives - TTRWeekly

Maldives has been named the official island travel partner for the upcoming ITB China, set to take place from 24 to 26 November as a physical event in Shanghai. A virtual extension from early November until the end of December will also be available for those who cannot travel to the trade show. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar

Military unity under unprecedented pressure in Myanmar - East Asia Forum

Myanmar’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, is often considered the strongest institution in the country. This is true in terms of force. But the armed institution is now more vulnerable than ever to threats from within and without. The Myanmar Spring revolution has rebelled against the Tatmadaw’s despotism for over eight months in reaction to the February coup. In addition to armed self-defence, the revolution undermines the Tatmadaw’s internal unity, which is founded on three linkages between command and rank and file. Click here to read... [14]

Military Crackdown Reported in Myanmar’s Chin State - VOA News

Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw, is cracking down on militia groups in the country’s western Chin state, bordering India and Bangladesh, especially Christians, according to ethnic armed groups, religious and community leaders and local residents. Click here to read... [15]

Brunei says Myanmar still 'integral' to ASEAN despite rebuke - Mainichi

The sultan of Brunei said Thursday that Myanmar remains an integral part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the bloc hopes its military government will work with an ASEAN envoy to defuse the political crisis triggered by its seizure of power in February. Click here to read... [16]

New Reports of Torture in Myanmar - Human Rights Watch

Reports of torture by Myanmar’s long-abusive security forces are being increasingly well-documented. An expose by the Associated Press on October 28 includes credible and consistent accounts of torture of 28 detainees released in recent months, with information from victims, medical forensic analysts, and military defectors who witnessed abuse. Click here to read... [17]

New Asean chair to keep pressure on Myanmar junta - Bangkok Post

Cambodia, the incoming chair of Asean, will push Myanmar's military rulers to open dialogue with its opponents, its foreign minister said on Thursday. Click here to read... [18]

Adani Ports to exit Myanmar investment by June next year - Business Standard

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) on Wednesday said it has decided to exit its investment in Myanmar by June next year. APSEZ, the largest port developer in India, is part of the globally diversified Adani Group. Click here to read... [19]

Nepal

Envoys for India, UK, US recommended- Himalaya

According to Minister of Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, a meeting of the Cabinet held today, decided to nominate Shankar Sharma, Gyan Chandra Acharya, and Shridhar Khatri as Nepal's ambassadors to India, the UK, and the USA, respectively. Click here to read... [20]

Defending Nepal's poor aviation record a tough task- Himalaya

As Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba sets off to the United Kingdom to participate in the COP26 event, it is quite likely that his entourage will meet the European Commission's office bearers on the sidelines. Click here to read... [21]

Active caseload drops to 10236 as 527 new cases surface on Thursday- Himalaya

Nepal recorded 527 new coronavirus infections in last 24 hours, pushing the nationwide tally to 811,407, while the death toll climbed to 11,382 with two fatalities today. Click here to read... [22]

UK Ambassador Pollitt meet with Foreign Minister Khadka- Himalaya

Nikola Pollitt, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Nepal paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Khadka at the Foreign Ministry, today. Click here to read... [23]

Nepal wants people to use more electricity to prevent wastage- TKP

Nepal wants its people to use more electricity and switch to electrical appliances to the extent possible. The country has surplus energy, and authorities are worried about wastage. Click here to read... [24]

Nepal to get vaccine doses from Maldives, Switzerland- TKP

The Maldives is sending 201,600 doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal.Officials at the Ministry of Health and Population said that the vaccine is scheduled to arrive by Saturday. Click here to read... [25]

Intervention in judicial crisis unlikely as political parties are divided- TKP

As the crisis deepens in the Supreme Court, political fraternity is sharply divided on whether the political parties should intervene. Click here to read... [26]

Rajendra Pandey appointed chief minister of Bagmati- TKP

Pandey, who replaced Asta Laxmi Shakya of the UML, has appointed four ministers in his Cabinet. Click here to read... [27]

COVID-19 vaccines for children below 12 years to be brought from India and China: Minister Khatiwada- Republica

Minister for Health and Population, Birodh Khatiwada has said that preparations are underway to bring in vaccines against COVID-19 for children under 12 years of age. Click here to read... [28]

Digitalisation Of Financial Sector- The Rising Nepal

With the shift of the demographics from offline to online methods and with the increased use of technologies, there has been a significant push for digitalisation of everyday life such as ordering groceries, shopping, education, etc. Click here to read... [29]

Pakistan

Go back or things will be out of my hands, Sheikh Rashid tells TLP protesters - Dawn

The minister made the comments while speaking on Geo News' programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath' during which he spoke about the recent protests by the group. Click here to read... [30]

Pakistan, Germany sign treaty for 26.2m euro debt service suspension - Dawn

The German development bank known as KfW and the Economic Affairs Division signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments. The signing of the agreement coincides with the forthcoming celebrations for 60-year development cooperation between Pakistan and Germany. Click here to read... [31]

Pakistan needs long-term reform for reviving exports: World Bank - Dawn

The ‘Pakistan Development Update: Reviving Exports’ report released by the World Bank on Thursday says that due to strengthened domestic demand, imports have grown much higher than exports in recent months, leading to a large trade deficit. To sustain strong economic growth, Pakistan needs to increase private investment and export more, suggests the report. Click here to read... [32]

Sri Lanka

Permission sought to import pesticides, fungicides - The Morning

The Agriculture Ministry has requested permission from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to import agrochemicals, such as pesticides and fungicides required for selected crops, in limited quantities. Click here to read... [33]

US keen to strengthen defence ties with SL despite alleged accountability issues - The Island

The US is keen to further strengthen defence relations with Sri Lanka while calling for a probe into alleged accountability issues. Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, who is also the Chief of Defence Staff, has been blacklisted as an unwelcome visitor to the US. Click here to read... [34]

165,260 persons vaccinated against COVID-19 on Wednesday - Daily FT

COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 165,260 persons on Wednesday and 70.46% of the country’s population has received the first dose of a vaccine to date. Click here to read... [35]