VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: November 26, 2021

Afghanistan

Delegates Leave Kabul for Doha Meeting with US Envoy: Tolo News

A delegation of the Islamic Emirate led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi flew to Qatar’s capital Doha on Thursday afternoon, the foreign ministry said. Click here to read... [2]

UN Calls for Solidarity to End Violence Against Women and Girls: Tolo News

In a statement, UNAMA said gender-based violence continues to be a serious threat to women and girls and a major obstacle in the way of achieving lasting sustainable development and peace. Click here to read... [3]

Conflicts in Afghanistan leaves over half a million internally displaced in 2021: Report: The Khaama Press

According to a newly released report by the UN IOM, over half a million people in Afghanistan have been internally displaced as a result of conflicts and insecurity in 2021. Click here to read... [4]

Italy gives asylum to National Geographic’s famous ‘green-eyed’ Afghan girl: The Khaama Press

Sharbat Gula, the Afghan ‘green-eyed’ girl whose photo went viral after being printed on the cover of the National Geographic magazine in 1984, has now been given asylum by Italy, the Italian government announced on Thursday. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Earthquake felt in Dhaka, CTG originated in Myanmar- Daily Star

A strong earthquake jolted Dhaka, Chattogram and some other cities this morning. The tremor was felt around 5:45am. Click here to read... [6]

‘Misogyny embedded in the legal system has to be addressed’- Daily Star

There is no doubt that it is generally due to the culture of impunity enjoyed by men connected to power that we have failed to bring down the rate of sexual violence against women. Click here to read... [7]

US embassy: Not everyone could attend summit for democracy- Dhaka Tribune

UN’s definition of democracy used by the State Department during the planning of the summit. Click here to read... [8]

US invited weak democracies to its summit: Momen- Asian Age

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said that the US might have invited countries with weak democracies to its Democracy Summit. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

ECB repeats dhamngoi zomdus in three chiwogs- Kuensel

Voters in Changyul-Loongsilgang-Tashijong chiwog in Punakha, Shingchongri chiwog in Pemagatshel, and Sergithang-Nye chiwog in Tsirang will attend the dhamngoi zomdu once again to re-nominate candidates for gup and mangmi. Click here to read... [10]

Fixing the tax leakage- Kuensel

The revenue and customs department is banking on what is called an integrated system and the much-talked about Goods and Services Tax, which will come into force from next June. Click here to read... [11]

The endangered majestic black-necked cranes are highly honoured in Bhutan- Daily Bhutan

The black-necked cranes are a sight to behold. Awe. Memorable. Delightful. These are just three of the many adjectives that tourists to Bhutan have used to describe the magnificent cranes. Click here to read... [12]

Study finds almost 37 per cent rise in domestic violence cases- BBS

COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in domestic violence (DV) cases across the globe. And Bhutan is no exception. Click here to read... [13]

Maldives

Money laundering charges raised against Yameen over V. Aarah case - Raajje

Abdulla Yameen, former president of Maldives has been charged with money laundering, over the leasing of Aarah island in Vaavu atoll to a foreign party for resort development. The Prosecutor General’s Office revealed that Yameen is accused of misusing his official authority to launder USD one million in connection to the lease of Aarah, to Noonu atoll Velidhoo native Yoosuf Naeem for resort development, the latter has also been charged. Click here to read... [14]

Discussions held on ways to further solidify ties between Maldives, Bangladesh - Raajje

Discussions held on ways to further solidify ties between Maldives and Bangladesh. As part of his three-day official visit to Bangladesh, Vice President Faisal Naseem met with the President of Bangladesh, Md. Abdul Hamid at the Presidential Palace, Bangabhaban. Click here to read... [15]

Discussions held on increasing cooperation with Senegal, on human rights, counter-terrorism - Raajje

Discussions have been held on expanding cooperation between Maldives and Senegal, in the areas of human rights and counter-terrorism. The discussions were held following a ceremony held at the President’s Office where the new Ambassador of Senegal Abdoul Wahab Haidara presented his Letters of Credence to Maldivian President, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday morning. Click here to read... [16]

Myanmar

Five-point road map will continue: SAC’s Chair - Eleven Myanmar

The Armed Forces has taken over the responsibilities of the State and is working on five-point road map to be taken. This five-point road map is in line with the situation in our country, so we are determined to succeed, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) in Nay Pyi Taw on November 24. Click here to read... [17]

Militancy woes wooing Manipur? - East Mojo

Churachandpur, a district in Manipur, became a central topic of discussion overnight on the 13th November, so much so it was trending on Twitter. The new-found fame, however, was not something the local people could rejoice for; the trend, unfortunately, relates to the highly condemnable killing of seven people, including an Assam Rifles Commanding Officer (CO), along with his wife and son, and four jawans. Click here to read... [18]

Myanmar troops arrest 18 medics for treating members of anti-junta groups - Edition

Myanmar's military has arrested 18 medics for providing treatment to patients who were members of "terrorist organizations," a state-run newspaper said Wednesday, referring to outlawed anti-junta groups. Click here to read... [19]

Karenni resistance forces report four clashes with military in one day - Myanmar Now

At least four clashes broke out between Karenni anti-junta resistance groups and the Myanmar army in Kayah State’s Demoso and Loikaw townships on Tuesday, reportedly causing multiple military casualties. Click here to read... [20]

Thousands Flee as Myanmar Regime Resumes Raiding Resistance Groups - The Irrawaddy

Since November 17, Myanmar military reinforcements have randomly bombarded villages along the Demoso-Loikaw Highway, forcing several thousand residents to flee from around 30 villages between Demoso and Loikaw, the Kayah State capital, according to the Demoso command of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF). Click here to read... [21]

Nepal

Opinion: Party conventions of NC, UML: Competition of old and new leadership- Himalaya

Nepal is going to experience a double political whammy soon in the wake of the twin party conventions being held by the Nepali Congress, the party in power, and the UML, the opposition in the Parliament, over a month's time. Click here to read... [22]

CPN-UML general convention commences in Sauraha today- Himalaya
The main opposition CPN-UML will inaugurate its 10th general convention in Sauraha, Chitwan, at 12:00pm tomorrow. Click here to read... [23]

With lottery system, chief justice loses the master of roster role- TKP

A system of drawing lots for assigning cases will come into effect starting December 1, but the judiciary crisis may not end anytime soon. Click here to read... [24]

Oil Price Hike in Nepal: Some Critical Observations- Republica

In this context, the market for petroleum products is so sensitive that fluctuations in the international market price may not take long to make a profit or loss in crores of rupees. Click here to read... [25]

Pakistan

Trade deficit compelled govt to approach IMF: PM Imran: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that the country’s trade deficit was the basic compulsion for the government to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Click here to read... [26]

Saudi Arabia to lift ban on direct flights from Pakistan, says minister: Dawn

According to reports in the media, Saudi authorities have decided to withdraw a ban on flights from six countries — Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Brazil and Vietnam — and passengers from these countries will no longer be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a third country. Click here to read... [27]

Internal, external challenges demand national response: Gen Qamar: The Express Tribune

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Qamar expressed these remarks in his interactions with participants of the 8th National Workshop Balochistan at the General Headquarters. Click here to read... [28]

SC raises questions on NAB's performance: The Express Tribune

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmad, was hearing the case of occupation of welfare plots in Al-Habib Cooperative Housing Society at the SC Karachi Registry. Click here to read... [29]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka targets US$3.5bn forex reserves by end 2021 - EconomyNext

Sri Lanka is expecting to boost the island’s foreign exchange reserves which had fallen to 2.3 billion US dollars by October to 3.5 billion US dollars by the year-end, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said. Sri Lanka has lost forex reserves steadily from around August 2019 as inflation policy involving liquidity injections began despite having a pegged exchange rate. Click here to read... [30]

IMF ready to discuss loan on request - The Morning

As the debate between government ministers on whether to seek financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deepens, the IMF told The Morning Business that its staff stands ready to discuss options with the Sri Lankan Government, during the upcoming visit of the Fund’s representatives to Sri Lanka. The IMF, Wednesday (24) night, disclosed this in response to a media inquiry regarding an upcoming Article IV mission to Colombo, next month. Click here to read... [31]

Govt. showcases $ 6 b worth real-estate offerings - Daily FT

The Government yesterday unveiled the country’s biggest real-estate push with plans to attract over $ 6 billion in local and foreign investments to promote the post-COVID growth trajectory of Sri Lanka. The key planning and implementation body — the Urban Development Authority (UDA), listed out around 50 projects in nine sub-categories providing equal opportunities to both foreign and local investments. Real Estate and Township, Hospitality and Leisure, Logistics and Business Parks and Residential Apartments are the main clusters that will be implemented hand-in-hand with investors on the basis of 99-year, 55-year and 30-year lease or Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) in the coming years. Click here to read... [32]