VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: November 10, 2021

Afghanistan

Delegation Led by Acting Minister Muttaqi to Visit Pakistan: Tolo News

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will lead a delegation heading to Pakistan on Wednesday, the foreign ministry said today. Click here to read... [2]

US Worried by Increase of Daesh Attacks in Afghanistan: Tolo News

The United States is worried about an uptick in attacks by Islamic State's affiliate in Afghanistan and remains deeply concerned about al Qaeda's ongoing presence there, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Tom West said on Monday. Click here to read... [3]

Taliban to investigate former MP’s torture: The Khaama Press

The ministerial meeting of the interim cabinet of the Taliban directed investigation of the torture of the former Member of Parliament Allah Gul Mujahid. Click here to read... [4]

US busy consulting on recognizing Taliban: Thomas West: The Khaama Press

US special representative to Afghanistan Thomas West told reporters on Monday that the United States held a consultation on a road map based on which they will recognize the Taliban’s government formed after the US troops withdrew and the previous government collapsed. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Hasina, Macron discuss Indo-Pacific security- Daily Star

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron has discussed geopolitical and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region, where France's clout has been compromised after losing out on an Australia submarine contract. Click here to read... [6]

PM in Paris- Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was given a rousing reception at the Élysée Palace on the first day of her visit to France. Click here to read... [7]

Bangladesh to get 4.8m AstraZeneca vaccines from KSA, Poland- Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh will get 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine from Saudi Arabia and 3.3 million of from Poland as donations soon. Click here to read... [8]

Bangladesh is role model in addressing climate risks: Hasan- The Observer

Information and Broadcasting Minister and environmental researcher Dr Hasan Mahmud has said Bangladesh is now a role model in reducing the risks induced by climate change. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Chengmari residents against ferrosilicon plant establishment- Kuensel

A private firm, BMML, in Samtse has made a proposal to the dzongkhag administration to set up a ferrosilicon plant at Norbugang (Chengmari). Click here to read... [10]

Tax cut on fuel in India will not reduce fuel prices in Bhutan- Kuensel

The tax cut on the fuel prices in India will not have any effect on the prices in Bhutan. Click here to read... [11]

“Digital Jobs in Bhutan: Demand Creation and Future Skilling”- BBS

To address youth unemployment, the country must take advantage of its globally recognized brand and tourism industry to promote the ICT sector as an attractive Foreign Direct Investment destination. Click here to read... [12]

High Court sentences Khandu Wangmo to 21 years in prison for sedition- BBS

The High Court sentenced Khandu Wangmo from Thimphu to 21 years in prison, today. The court gave her a consecutive prison term for three counts of sedition. Click here to read... [13]

Maldives

Maldives and Sri Lanka discuss strengthening cooperation - Colombo Gazette

President Solih and President Rajapaksa held an extensive discussion on a wide array of subjects of mutual interest and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthen Maldives-Sri Lanka cooperation in the coming years. Click here to read... [14]

Maldives: Politics takes a backseat as economy, tourism improve - ORF Online

With the nation receiving the 1,000,000th tourist of the year—and the 100,000th in October—in the midst of the receding global pandemic, international rating agency, Fitch, has upgraded Maldives’ long-term currency defaulter ranking to ‘B-’ from ‘ccc’. Click here to read... [15]

Maldives confronts a crisis bigger than Covid-19 - Asia Media Centre

The impressive rebuilding of the Maldives’ tourism industry over the past year is overshadowed by a much greater existential threat: the climate crisis. Click here to read... [16]

Myanmar

Local Resistance Forces use landmines against Tatmadaw infantry battalion - Mizzima

The attack was carried out by Pale Jokers PDF battalion (1) Led by Captain Mae Lone and battalion (2) led by Captain Nay Yaung with eight Padethar mines and four mortars. Click here to read... [17]

Myanmar army raids Mandalay village where junta-appointed administrator was killed - Myanmar Now

Around 50 Myanmar army soldiers raided the village of Hintharma in Mandalay’s Singu Township on Monday morning following the assassination of the community’s junta-appointed administrator one day earlier, according to local sources. Click here to read... [18]

Myanmar Junta to Give Court Verdict Against Suu Kyi - The Irrawaddy

Verdicts against Myanmar’s detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for alleged violations of COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020 election campaign and sedition will be passed next month. Click here to read... [19]

Myanmar is planning to reopen to tourism in early 2022. But who will go? - Edition

As multiple Southeast Asia countries begin to ease travel restrictions, Myanmar, which boasts some of the region's most spectacular destinations, has announced that it hopes to begin welcoming international tourists in early 2022. Click here to read... [20]

Nepal

Dissident justices stay away from SC benches- Himalaya

Fifteen Supreme Court justices boycotted their benches today after Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana listed cases other than habeas corpus writ petitions in the cause list. Click here to read... [21]

Govt urged to ratify Violence and Harassment Convention (190)- Himalaya

Stakeholders have urged the government to ratify Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No 190). Click here to read... [22]

Three provinces have new governors- Himalaya

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, on the recommendation of the government, today appointed Parshuram Khapung, Tilak Pariyar, and Devraj Joshi as governors of Province 1, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim, respectively. Click here to read... [23]

Opinion: Disillusionment of Madhesi mainstreamers (by CK Lal)- TKP

Despite the plethora of digital media, its impact on the political economy of the country continues to be peripheral. There are several reasons behind its marginality. Click here to read... [24]

When the air is clear in Kathmandu- Nepali Times

A change in wind direction on Tuesday blew away thick smoke from farm fires and industrial pollution from north India to reveal a view of Bhaktapur. To the north are the peaks of Dorje Lakpa, Phurbi Ghyachu and far off on her western horizon, Himalchuli and Manaslu. Click here to read... [25]

Maoist national conclave in Kathmandu from December 26 to 28- Republica

The Standing Committee meeting of the CPN (Maoist Center) has decided to advance the American aid project, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), with amendments on the basis of national consensus. Click here to read... [26]

Pakistan

PM allowed force use, but military opposed it: Dawn

After having taken the political leadership on board during the proceedings of the parliamentary committee on national security on Monday, the government has in principle decided to make public the agreement it signed with the TLP but kept secret till its implementation was well under way. Click here to read... [27]

Beijing’s help sought for insurance cover of six CPEC projects: Dawn

Sinosure — the Chinese state insurer — has to underwrite all foreign investments and debts but has been holding back insurance cover of about $5bn to six major power projects of over 3,500MW under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Click here to read... [28]

Cabinet seeks world support to avert Afghan crisis: The Express Tribune

In the media briefing after the post-cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government spokesperson said formal approval to set up a special fund for support of the Afghan people in turbulent times was also given in the meeting. Click here to read... [29]

Pakistan urges India to reopen Kartarpur Corridor for Guru Nanak anniversary: The Express Tribune

In an official statement on Tuesday, Islamabad said it expects New Delhi in the spirit of cooperation would allow pilgrims to travel through the corridor to make it to the temple. Click here to read... [30]

Opposition gets 117 votes against 104 on PML-N bill: Day of defeat for govt in NA: The News

Only a day after the opposition's decision to adopt a joint strategy in the Parliament, the government twice suffered defeat in the National Assembly on introduction of two private members bills on Tuesday. Click here to read... [31]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan NOC President meets with France and Kosovo to strengthen diplomatic relations - Inside the Games

Suresh Subramaniam, the President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, met with his French and Kosovan counterparts to strengthen cooperation between the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) on visits to both countries. The Olympic Committee of Kosovo's (KOK) President Ismet Krasniqi and secretary general Besim Aliti hosted Subramaniam at the KOK's headquarters in Pristina. Click here to read... [32]

India, Sri Lanka discuss modalities for enhancing maritime cooperation - Times of India

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh held bilateral discussions with Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne on Tuesday. They discussed modalities for further enhancing mutual support and interoperability and maritime cooperation on information sharing. Click here to read... [33]

Sri Lanka Mulls Making Covid Vax Cards Mandatory - India.com

Sri Lankan Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that legal advice had been sought if Covid-19 vaccine cards could be made mandatory for people to visit public places across the island nation. According to the Ministry, over 60 per cent of Sri Lanka's total population had so far been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a mass vaccination program, which began in January, is still underway. Click here to read... [34]

Indians top list of tourists to Sri Lanka in October, shows data - Business Standard

Indians topped the list of holidaymakers in Sri Lanka in the month of October, officials here said on Tuesday, as the island nation is showing a gradual revitalisation of leisure tourism after being impacted by the pandemic. Click here to read... [35]