VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: December 02, 2021

Afghanistan

Kabul-Tehran Committees Formed on Trade, Infrastructure: Tolo News

The Ministry of Finance said Thursday that Afghanistan and Iran have created several committees to expand cooperation in various areas between the two countries.Click here to read... [2]

Islamic Emirate, Iranian Forces Clash in Border Areas: Tolo News

Islamic Emirate forces and Iranian border forces clashed in border areas on Wednesday, officials said. Click here to read... [3]

Russia’s second consignment of humanitarian aid arrives in Kabul-The Khaama Press

Taliban’s Ministry of Natural Disasters Management on Wednesday, December 01 said that Russia’s second consignment of humanitarian aids arrived in the Afghan capital Kabul. Click here to read... [4]

Taliban, US conclude their two-day negotiations in Doha: The Khaama Press

The US and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have concluded their two-day talks in the Qatari capital Doha as the US has still its sanctions on the Taliban in place and Afghanistan is going through probably the biggest humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Degrees not enough, achieve standards: President tells DU students- The Daily Star

President Abdul Hamid yesterday asked students to achieve international standards along with academic degrees. Click here to read... [6]

No bomb found in Malaysian Airlines flight: Dhaka Airport authorities- The Daily Star

A regular flight of Malaysian Airlines made an emergency landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) last night, reportedly carrying explosives or bomb-like objects, prompting authorities to call out army commandos for a thorough search, officials said today. Click here to read... [7]

Agitating students issue 96-hour ultimatum for nationwide half pass on buses- Dhaka Tribune

Police sue 300 for torching eight buses at Rampura during protest against SSC examinee’s death. Click here to read... [8]

Bangladesh expatriates urged not to arrive in country- Observer

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque has requested the expatriate Bangladesh nationals not to arrive in the country to halt spread of new coronavirus variant Omicron. Click here to read... [9]

Dhaka-Delhi ties 'crucial for greater regional stability'- Asian Age

Bilateral issues with India need to be resolved amicably with fairness and justice as the Bangladesh-India relations are crucial for greater regional stability and development, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan

Bhutan records 22 new HIV cases in past five months- Kuensel

The country’s ambitious target to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV is once again under threat as the country detected another MTCT case in the past five months. Click here to read... [11]

Funding developmental activities from GRF not against law: FM- Kuensel

Members of the Parliament questioned Finance Minister Namgay Tshering yesterday on the legality of allocating 19 million (M) from the General Reserve Fund (GRF) to carry out the developmental activities in Paro. Click here to read... [12]

Dorjilung hydropower DPR to be ready in seven months- Kuensel

A second detailed project report (DPR) for the 1,125-megawatt Dorjilung hydropower project in Mongar will be ready within seven months. Click here to read... [13]

12th plan domestic revenue projection drops from Nu 217 bn to 179 bn- Bhutan Times

As per the Nu 310 billion (bn) 12th Five Year Plan (FYP) the domestic revenue was initially projected at Nu 217.728 bn. Click here to read... [14]

New Deal: Digital Banking Dominates Financial Transactions- Bhutan Times

Domestic paymentsrecorded a total of 44.83-million (m)comprising of intra and interbank domestic transactions worth Nu 206.37-billion (b)during the 3rd quarter this yearClick here to read... [15]

Low enrolment of children with disabilities- National Conference on Disability- BBS

If the current enrollment of the children living with disabilities in schools is any indication, then parents and the education ministry have a long way to go until everyone goes to school. Click here to read... [16]

Maldives

Maldives And Bangladesh Can Benefit From Growing Trade Ties – Eurasia Review

Maldives and Bangladesh both are South Asian countries. Maldives and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations on 22 September 1978Click here to read... [17]

Active Covid-19 cases across Maldives drop to 1,613 - Raajje

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Maldives confirmed 107 new Covid-19 cases and 227 additional recoveries on Tuesday. Click here to read... [18]

Myanmar

U.N. Seats Denied, for Now, to Afghanistan’s Taliban and Myanmar’s Junta - NY Times

A powerful United Nations committee deferred a decision on applications by the ruling authorities of both countries, widely regarded as pariahs, to replace envoys of the governments they had toppled. Click here to read... [19]

The New Pattern of Conflict in Myanmar - PRIO

A new conflict pattern has appeared in Myanmar. Amidst a spiraling economic, social and health crisis, armed fighting is no longer confined to ethnic minority areas but has cropped up in cities and regions where the ethnic Bamar are in majorityClick here to read... [20]

Myanmar army helicopter attacks ‘force thousands to flee’ - Al Jazeera

Thousands of civilians have fled their homes due to attacks by helicopter gunships in Myanmar’s Sagaing region, a hotbed of resistance to the country’s military rule, according to local media. Click here to read... [21]

Climate danger grows in ‘vulnerable’ Myanmar after military coup - Aljazeera

There is increasing concern that Myanmar is at risk of a serious environmental crisis, as the generals who seized power in a coup on February 1 focus on cementing their control and shoring up their position by stepping up lucrative but devastating policies of exploiting the country’s vast natural wealth. Click here to read... [22]

Nepal

Lottery-based cause list launched- Himalayav

The Supreme Court today launched the lottery-based cause list for the first time, but lawyers, did not take part in the hearing process after the Nepal Bar Association. Click here to read... [23]

Govt warns against unnecessary foreign travel- Himalaya

The Ministry of Health and Population has urged people not to travel abroad unless necessary. Click here to read... [24]
Political parties’ lack of concern about Covid may prove costly for the country, experts warn- TKP

Doctors say political parties should be role models for people and work for public safety and well being. Click here to read... [25]
Democratic Recession in Nepal- Republica

There are mainly two types of democratic systems: direct democracy and representative democracy. Click here to read... [26]

Pakistan

Smugglers, money-launderers to be punished: PM Imran: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday ordered stern action against smugglers of sugar, wheat, urea and petrol and those involved in money laundering. Click here to read... [27]

Trade deficit hits all-time high in November: Dawn

The reversing trend in trade deficit was witnessed for the fifth consecutive month as merchandise trade deficit reached $5.107 billion in November against $1.946bn over the corresponding month last year. Click here to read... [28]

Punjab considers using EVMs in upcoming LG polls: The Express Tribune

Deliberations were made on the proposal during a meeting held under the chair of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday. Click here to read... [29]

PM lauds FBR on 35pc increase in Nov revenues: The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday appreciated the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for achieving an increase of 35 per cent in revenues of November 2021. Click here to read... [30]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Finance Minister in economic co-oporation talks with India amid forex crisis - EconomyNext

Sri Lanka Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Wednesday met his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi discussed steps to deepen economic cooperation with India amid expectations of support for the country’s foreign exchange crisis. Click here to read... [31]

Government Fails to Tame Inflation- Ceylon Today

The main pivot to uplift a country’s real growth that spawns employment and doesn’t overburden its debt profile is investor confidence. If that confidence is lacking, a low interest rate regime in place by chance or by design is not going to uplift real growth. Click here to read... [32]

CB lures ‘white’ inflows with 10-for-1 offer- Daily FT

To boost inflow of workers› remittances via official channels, the Central Bank yesterday announced a time-bound incentive scheme offering Rs. 10 per each US dollar remitted and converted. Click here to read... [33]