VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: November 29, 2021

Afghanistan

Doha: Islamic Emirate, EU Talk Aid, Safety for Departing Afghans: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate and EU delegates held a two-day meeting in Doha to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and particularly the way forward, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said. Click here to read... [2]

Afghan Exports to Iran Increase by 50%: ACCI: Tolo News

Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said on Saturday that this year Afghanistan’s exports to Iran has reached $17 million, which is a 50% increase in the country’s exports compared to last year. Click here to read... [3]

Media freedom at risk as Taliban censors news reports in northern Afghanistan: Report: The Khaama Press

The local authorities in northern Badakshan province have asked media outlets to publish their reports after a review and censorship, the Afghanistan journalists safety committee reported. Click here to read... [4]

An underground network of intelligence operatives helped Taliban seize Kabul: The Khaama Press

The Taliban have had an underground network of intelligence operatives that helped them seize power from inside, parallel to their military victory.

Bangladesh

Slap travel ban, limit gatherings- Daily Star

The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 recommended limiting mass gatherings and travel bans on countries where the Omicron variant had spread. Click here to read... [5]

The future of higher education in Bangladesh- Daily Star

Universities in Bangladesh have begun to reopen their campuses since October 2021 but in different capacities. In particular, many public universities are opting to revert to pre-pandemic learning modes, considering what's best for their student body. Click here to read... [6]

Covid-19: Bangladesh yet to take impactful measures against Omicron- Dhaka Tribune

The Bangladesh government has yet to formulate a plan specific to the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus despite almost a week having passed since the new variant was first reported in South Africa. Click here to read... [7]

Anguish over family missing since Channel tragedy- Asian Age

She called him from northern France to say she was about to board a boat with her mother, sister and brother. Hadia was excited at the prospect of finally making it to the UK. Click here to read... [8]

Khaleda Zia suffers from liver cirrhosis: Medical Board- Daily Observer

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, said the medical board formed for her treatment on Sunday. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Talking rice self-sufficiency again- Kuensel

The steady decline in production and sufficiency status over the years call for our attention, especially when our projections are bases on wrong data for whatever reasons. Click here to read... [10]

Semjong Celebrates- Kuensel

Approximately 600 people from 72 families in Tsirang celebrated a major transformation of their lives yesterday with the launch of the country’s first and largest integrated water supply pilot project. Click here to read... [11]

Political mudslinging will lead us nowhere- Bhutan Times

The political psychology and political behaviors reflect the overall image of the country. It is the pre-requisite of every democratic system. Click here to read... [12]

Their Majesties grace opening of third parliament’s winter session- Bhutan News

His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, graced the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the third parliament on 24 November at Gyelyong Tshokhang in Thimphu. Click here to read... [13]

Maldives

India remains top source market for Maldives tourism as year draws to a close - Raajje

As the year draws to an end and at a time the Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom had revealed that arrivals from India are expected to grow to top the markets by the end of the year, Maldives recorded a total of 252,551 arrivals from India between January 1 – November 24. Click here to read... [14]

New Covid-19 variant triggers fear, Maldives shuts doors for seven countries - Raajje

Maldives has imposed a ban on travel from seven countries in Africa, triggered by the threats of a newly surfaced, more transmissible variant of Covid-19. According to an announcement issued by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) after sundown on Saturday, the measure was taken as a precautionary measure under the Public Health Protection Act (No. 7/2021), to come into effect at 12am, Sunday. Click here to read... [15]

Myanmar

Myanmar’s military rulers fail to quash resistance - The Times

The ambush came just after the tourism minister had declared at a luxury beachfront hotel owned by the son of the junta chief that Myanmar was open and safe for foreign travellers. Click here to read... [16]

Chin State Town Blames Myanmar Junta for Arson Attacks - The Irrawaddy

Thantlang, a mountain-top town in Chin State, has suffered from eight fires and lost around 254 houses in two months, according to residents, who blame Myanmar’s military. Click here to read... [17]

U.S. and others concerned about Myanmar army operations in northwest - Reuters

The United States on Friday issued a joint statement along with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea and Britain expressing concern over a military offensive in Myanmar that they say is disproportionately harming civilians. Click here to read... [18]

Myanmar junta accused of forcing people to brink of starvation - The Guardian

Myanmar’s military junta has been accused of forcing people to the brink of starvation with repeated offensives since it seized power in a coup earlier this year. The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar said the junta had destroyed food supplies and killed livestock while cutting off roads used to bring in food and medicine. Click here to read... [19]

Nepal

As Omicron looms, Nepal grapples with indecision, bureaucratic inertia- Himalaya

The Government of Nepal does not appear to be fully prepared to deal with the challenge, least of all vaccinate all of its citizens quickly. Click here to read... [20]

Ghimire coordinator of NC poll panel- Himalaya

Senior Advocate Gopal Krishna Ghimire has been nominated as coordinator of the Nepali Congress Central Election Committee. Click here to read... [21]

Two weeks after launching e-passport, government goes on issuing machine-readable ones- TKP

With districts ‘temporarily’ halting applications, people crowd the Passport Department. Click here to read... [22]

Nepal’s graduation to developing country hinges on political stability- TKP

Experts stress taking measures at reducing the cost of doing business by improving the country’s infrastructure connectivity and human resources. Click here to read... [23]

Nepal’s rudderless political leadership- Nepali Times

The country's three major parties are duelling on the deck, while the ship of state drifts away. Click here to read... [24]

Democratic Recession in Nepal- Republica

There are mainly two types of democratic systems: direct democracy and representative democracy. Click here to read... [25]

Pakistan

President Alvi calls for steps to integrate ECO region: Dawn

President Dr Arif Alvi has said the Economic Cooperation Organisation’s (ECO) member states, despite having all elements for economic growth, are among the least integrated in terms of trade and investment, stressing the need for unlocking their potential for growth and development. Click here to read... [26]

PTI issues notice to Riaz Fatyana for ‘vilifying’ two cabinet members: Dawn

The notice was issued to the MNA from Toba Tek Singh by the PTI’s Standing Committee on Accountability and Discipline (SCAD) on the complaint of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam. Click here to read... [27]

Pakistan, India at odds over wheat transit modalities: The Express Tribune

Last week, Pakistan decided to allow India to transport 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat and other humanitarian goods to Afghanistan through the Wagah border in a move Islamabad said was made on "exceptional basis" keeping in view the humanitarian crises in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [28]

Peace in Afghanistan key to regional connectivity: Alvi: The Express Tribune

The president made these remarks while addressing the 15th Summit of the heads of states of the ECO in Turkmenistan. Click here to read... [29]

Sri Lanka

India, Maldives, Sri Lanka conduct maritime drills - The Hindu

India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka on Sunday, November 28, 2021, concluded a two-day maritime operation in the Indian Ocean region to keep it safe and secure including for international trade, officials said. Ships and aircraft of the navies of the three countries participated in the maiden 'Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Focused Operation', the Indian Navy said. Click here to read... [30]

Chemical fertiliser price to be regulated but not fixed - The Morning

The Ministry of Agriculture does not expect to introduce a fixed price for chemical fertilisers and other agrochemicals, including pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides/weedicides, which would be imported by the private sector, but will soon formulate a mechanism to regulate their prices, The Morning learnt. When contacted by The Morning, Agriculture Ministry Secretary Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe-Mudalige said that this mechanism would be formulated with the involvement of all relevant institutions. Click here to read... [31]

Chargé d’affaires of the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka Ibrahim Ali Ibrahim Al Gergawi calls on Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G.L. Peiris - Sri Lanka MFA

In his opening remarks, the Chargé d'affaires extended greetings from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Al Nahyan and expressed the UAE government's willingness to enhance bilateral trade and economic relations with the government of Sri Lanka. Further, he also recalled the recent bilateral meeting held between Foreign Minister G.L Peiris with the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr Sultan Al Jaber, at the sidelines of the 76 Session of the UNGA, New York. Click here to read... [32]