VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: December 10, 2021

Afghanistan

ICG Warns of Mass Starvation in Afghanistan: Tolo News

The International Crisis Group (ICG) in a newly published report said that if the international community does not scale up economic support, more Afghans may die of hunger and starvation in the current crisis than from the fighting in the past 20 years.Click here to read... [2]

Afghanistan on Agenda of EU-Pakistan Meeting in Brussels: Tolo News

Afghanistan was part of the discussion at the sixth summit of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels.Click here to read... [3]

Uzbekistan asks International community to release Afghanistan’s assets: The Khaama Press

Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov in his contribution at the Italy-Central Asia Second Ministerial Meeting in Tashkent on December 8 urged the world community to lift sanctions and unfreeze the assets of Afghanistan.Click here to read... [4]

Taliban don’t deserve to be recognized: Boulton: The Khaama Press

US former National Security Advisor John Boulton said that the Taliban have breached all their pledges thus he said that their interim government must not be recognized.Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

PM Hasina to women: Move forward breaking barriers- Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged women to move forward breaking all social barriers – big or small – taking the path shown by Begum Rokeya, a pioneer of women’s rights.Click here to read... [6]

Dr Murad Hassan finally leaves for Canada- Dhaka Tribune

Former state minister Dr Murad Hassan, infamous for his indecent and vulgar remarks about women, has left the country for Canada.Click here to read... [7]

‘Boycott the corrupt’: President prescribes- Daily Star

"The society should boycott the corrupt" -- that's President Abdul Hamid's curt prescription to end corruption in Bangladesh.Click here to read... [8]

Sports Ministry Promotions: Political govt, thus political consideration- Daily Star

Nazrul Islam joined the Department of Youth Development under the youth and sports ministry in an entry-level post in 1990.Click here to read... [9]

Trade deficit nearly triples within four months- Asian Age

Bangladesh Bank's updated report shows that goods of 2 thousand 390 crore US dollars (13.90 billion USD) were imported to Bangladesh from overseas during the first four months (July to October) of 2021-2022 fiscal year.Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan

Paper ballot facilitation booths to open from December 11- Kuensel

Paper ballot facilitation booths (PBFB) in all 20 dzongkhags will open from December 11 to 15.Click here to read... [11]

NHDCL to build 1,000 affordable rental housing units- Kuensel

The National Housing Development Corporation Limited (NHDCL) will build 1,000 rental housing units in Nganglam, Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Thimphu, and Trashiyangtse.Click here to read... [12]

Poland opens consulate office in Thimphu- Bhutan Times

In what is yet another feather in Bhutan’s diplomatic cap, the Republic of Poland inaugurated its consulate office in Bhutan.Click here to read... [13]

Thangtong Gyalpo is more than just a legendary iron bridge builder of Bhutan- Daily Bhutan

Thangtong Gyalpo was born in Tibet in 1385. Some sources claim he instantly became 60 years old as soon as he was born. Yet other sources note that he achieved the secret of longevity through prayer and lived till the ripe old age of 125Click here to read... [14]

NC recommends Fiscal incentives for ECCDs and all schools- BBS

Adopting the Fiscal Incentives Bill of Bhutan 2021 today, the National Council included ECCDs and all schools in the private sector to receive the tax concession.Click here to read... [15]

Maldives

Pakistan, Maldives agree to enhance cooperation in education sector - RadioPK

Pakistan and Maldives have agreed to revitalize and enhance cooperation in education sector with special focus on teachers and faculty exchanges.Click here to read... [16]

Yameen led India’s RAW hatred campaign heightens in Maldives - Telegraph Nepal

After the release from the prison, Yameen is up in the streets each day educating his countrymen of the high infiltration of the RAW agency and its agents residing in Male. Click here to read... [17]

Myanmar

Eleven villagers shot and burned alive by Myanmar soldiers, reports say

Myanmar soldiers rounded up and killed 11 people in a village, shooting and then setting them on fire, according to people in the area and local media reports.Click here to read... [18]

India’s Dilemma Over Ties With Myanmar Military - The Irrawaddy

It remains to be seen what India intends do to in order to tackle its many challenges on the eastern border. Click here to read... [19]

Myanmar Set to Shut Down With 'Silent Strike' to Defy Junta - The Irrawaddy

People across Myanmar are vowing to take part in a “silent strike” on Friday, with many businesses and shops announcing they will be closed for the day and people planning to stay home with the aim of shutting down entire towns and cities, in a sign of their rejection of military rule.Click here to read... [20]

Uzbek Plane Supplies Myanmar Junta with Banknote Paper - The Irrawaddy

An Uzbekistan Airways plane landed at Yangon International Airport on Tuesday night, carrying paper used for printing banknotesClick here to read... [21]

UK Group Hands ICC Evidence of Crimes Against Humanity by Myanmar Regime - The Irrawaddy

A UK-based nongovernmental organization has submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) it says proves that Myanmar junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is guilty of crimes against humanity.Click here to read... [22]

Nepal

'Nepal must deliver on promise of social justice'- Himalaya

Nepal has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, but many of its promises still are to be fulfilled, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, said.Click here to read... [23]

NC general convention begins today- Himalaya

The ruling Nepali Congress has completed preparation for inaugurating its 14th National Convention in the capital tomorrow.Click here to read... [24]

Chaos in Congress as convention kicks off- TKP

Factions busy in last-minute haggling. While Deuba camp has its own challenges, the Poudel camp struggles to find a common candidate for the top post.Click here to read... [25]

Over-60s jabbed with Vero Cell and those immunocompromised to get third dose- TKP

Officials say the third dose is part of a series of primary doses for the elderly and people with suppressed immunity.Click here to read... [26]

Made in Nepal peanut butter in Japan

A Japanese social entrepreneur brings skills and income to Khotang’s peanut farmers by finding export market.Click here to read... [27]

NRB allows Korea-bound workers to carry an additional US $ 1,500- Republica

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has permitted the South Korea-bound migrant workers to carry additional up to US $ 1,500 citing the expenses that the workers have to incur while staying in the quarantine posts there.Click here to read... [28]

Nepal's PM Deuba saddened by General Bipin Rawat's demise; Army Chief calls him 'true friend of Nepal Army

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed anguish over the tragic demise of General Bipin Rawat, the first Chief of the Defence Staff, who died in a helicopter crash, and extended his heartfelt condolences to the Indian government and the bereaved families.Click here to read... [29]

Pakistan

TTP declare end to ceasefire: The Express Tribune

Last month's ceasefire, which was always set to run until Thursday with the possibility of extending if both parties agreed, was the latest in a series of attempts to broker a settlement to end a conflict that has killed thousands.Click here to read... [30]

Pakistan declines US democracy summit invitation: The Express Tribune

Pakistan has decided to skip the summit on democracy being convened by US President Joe Biden on December 9 and 10.Click here to read... [31]

Talks with BJP-led India not possible, says PM Imran: Dawn

Speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad’s (ISSI) ‘Islamabad Conclave-2021’, PM Khan recalled that South Asia had been held back by political differences and conflicts and listed the Kashmir dispute as the “biggest problem” holding the region back.Click here to read... [32]

Record has gone missing in Asif Zardari case, NAB tells IHC: Dawn

A division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aamer Farooq was hearing the NAB’s appeal against the acquittal of Mr Zardari in the Ursus tractor reference. An accountability court had acquitted Mr Zardari in the reference in 2014.Click here to read... [33]

Sri Lanka

Govt. MP strikes discordant note, slams Parliament over National List farce: The Island

SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga says a section of the ruling coalition is pursuing political strategies contrary to the mandate received by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna at the 2019 presidential and 2020 parliamentary elections.Click here to read... [34]

Govt. to hold import of vehicles and new staff appointments for 2022: Daily Mirror

The government has decided not to import any vehicles into the country and not to admit any new staff appointments for next year, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.Click here to read... [35]