VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: January 03, 2022

Afghanistan

Report Shows Massive Gain of Contractors in Afghan War: Tolo News

The outpouring of money from the US government for the Afghan war provided billions of dollars to military contractors, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. Click here to read... [2]

28,500 Children Killed in Past 16 Years in Afghanistan: UNICEF: Tolo News

Over 28,000 children have been killed in conflicts since 2005 in Afghanistan, the United Nations Children’s Fun (UNICEF) said on Friday in a press release. Click here to read... [3]

Taliban deny release of suicide attacker on Kabul Airport: The Khaama Press

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reacted to US claims over releasing the “ISIS-K affiliate” who carried out a suicide attack on Kabul International Airport that killed nearly 200 people including US marines. Click here to read... [4]

People protest in Kabul against US sanctions on Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

Tens of people took to the streets of Kabul on Sunday, January 2, 2022, and asked for the US sanctions on Afghanistan to be lifted. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

2 Swechchhasebak League leaders shot in Bogura- Daily Star

Two local Swechchhasebak League leaders were shot in an attack allegedly carried out by their rivals over previous enmity at Dabtola area under Bogura Sadar upazila in Bogura yesterday night. Click here to read... [6]

Woven garment export makes a strong comeback- Daily Star

The stunning rebound of woven garment export after one and a half years helped lift merchandise shipment from Bangladesh in the just-concluded year, helped by rising demand and inflow of increased orders. Click here to read... [7]

(Opinion) Aiming for a strong economic recovery in 2022- Daily Star

The Covid-19 situation is now shrouded in uncertainty. Just when we were about to relax over the receding pandemic cases, it is once again time to worry. Click here to read... [8]

When Frost Met Mujib- Dhaka Tribune

The historical significance of their meeting cannot be denied. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

All fingers pointing at Ministry of Foreign Affairs for lapses in UNCAC- Kuensel

Both the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the National Assembly Secretariat have responded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) that there were no lapses from their side in the country’s accession to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Click here to read... [10]

His Majesty’s Long and Arduous Journeys- Bhutan Times

As the nation continues to tread through the Covid-19 pandemic, His Majesty the King had been travelling all year round, mostly walking on foot to keep people going amid the global pandemic. Click here to read... [11]

Bhutan experienced one of the heaviest snowfalls in a decade- Daily Bhutan

On December 29, 2021, Bhutan experienced one of the heaviest snowfalls since Gasa’s record of 12cm in 2018. Click here to read... [12]

Maldives

India remains top source market for Maldives tourism as year ends - Raajje

As the year concludes, India remains top source market for Maldives tourism. By Wednesday, the neighboring country, also the top source market of Maldivian tourism through 2020, ranked first, contributing 22.2 percent of the total arrivals figure recorded this year. Click here to read... [13]

Maldives welcomes first tourist of Golden Year of Tourism 2022 - Raajje

It has been 50 years since zealous travelers have been visiting the Maldives which has been drawing in visitors with its picturesque beauty for years. Maldives marks 50 years since the tourism industry’s inception, in 2022, dubbed the golden year of tourism in Maldives and the year’s first visitor was United Kingdom national, Georgina Canning. Click here to read... [14]

Myanmar

Junta Watch: New Submarines; Junta Massacres Civilians in Southeast Myanmar; Regime Uses Christians for Propaganda and More - The Irrawaddy

Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has praised his predecessor former military dictator Than Shwe, describing him as the person who laid the foundations for Myanmar’s first submarine unit. Click here to read... [15]

Genuine political dialogue and peace efforts will not be possible as long as there is no desire to resolve political issues through political means: KNU - Eleven Myanmar

Efforts to build genuine political dialogue and peace will not be possible as long as there is a lack of desire to resolve political issues in the right political way and with the right mindset, KNU Chairman General Saw Mutu Say Poe said in a message to the 2761st Karen National New Year, which will fall on January 2, 2022. Click here to read... [16]

Resumed clashes near Mongko leave at least a dozen junta soldiers dead - Myanmar Now

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) says it killed at least 12 junta soldiers during its latest round of clashes with the Myanmar military. A spokesperson for the ethnic Kokang armed group said that it came under heavy artillery fire for six days beginning last Friday, but suffered no casualties. Click here to read... [17]

Myanmar Junta Orders Judges to Ignore Correspondence From International Courts - The Diplomat

Yesterday, a report emerged that Myanmar’s military junta has ordered its judicial system to refuse any notifications issued by international courts seeking to prosecute senior members of the coup government. Click here to read... [18]

2021: Myanmar’s Post-Coup Bloodshed Eclipsed Other Conflicts, Violence in Southeast Asia - Benar News

Since the coup, the Burmese military has killed at least 1,375 people, according to reports. While fighting the National Unity Government (NUG) and a myriad of armed ethnic groups this year, the Tatmadaw, as Myanmar’s military is known, has attacked civilian populations, especially in Chin State, Kayah State, and the Sagaing region. Click here to read... [19]

Nepal

Substandard fertiliser scam: CIAA books 10- Himalaya

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority filed a corruption case against 10 people, including Managing Director of Krishi Samara Company Limited Netra Bahadur Bhandari. Click here to read... [20]

CPN-MC elects 236 central committee members- Himalaya

The eighth general convention of the CPN-Maoist Centre has unanimously elected 236 members of the central committee proposed by party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Click here to read... [21]

Warning signs of spread of Omicron as tests find S-gene missing- TKP

Public health experts say there is no. Click here to read... [22]

Maoists pledged to uplift marginalised. And they further marginalised them- TKP

Dalits in party are questioning if they are going to get the promised space, as they are left out of committees now. Click here to read... [23]

Deuba accused of nominating only supporters to Congress central committee- TKP

Among 13 nominated, just two, or mere 15 percent, are women. Click here to read... [24]

Pakistan

PDM parties fully prepared for Mehngai march: Fazlur Rehman: Dawn

All component parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) are fully prepared for the proposed Mehngai march on Islamabad, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Sunday.

PM concerned over sharp rise in ‘sex crimes’, corruption: The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday observed that sex crimes and corruption had sharply increased in societies, saying these issues were not confined to one country. Click here to read... [25]

Fawad says revival of IMF programme will put an end to 'immediate worries': The Express Tribune

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday said there was no rift within the government over the mini-budget, saying the passage of the Finance Supplementary Bill 2021 will revive the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. Click here to read... [26]

Sri Lanka

US $ 5.5 million from Russia to WFP for projects in Sri Lanka: Daily Mirror

Russia has transferred US $ 5.5 million for the World Food Programme (WFP) to implement projects related to nutrition at school levels, the Russian Embassy said .
Click here to read... [27]

‘There is no money left’: Covid crisis leaves Sri Lanka on brink of bankruptcy: The Guardian

Sri Lanka is facing a deepening financial and humanitarian crisis with fears it could go bankrupt in 2022 as inflation rises to record levels, food prices rocket and its coffers run dry. Click here to read... [28]