VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: January 04, 2022

Afghanistan

Neighbor Countries Yet to Hand Over Afghan Aircraft: Tolo News

Islamic Emirate officials have been in talks with neighboring countries for the return of Afghan aircraft that were flown by Afghan pilots who escaped Afghanistan for Tajikistan and Uzbekistan following the rapid fall of the Western-backed government in mid-AugustClick here to read... [2]

SIGAR Reacts to Restrictions on Afghan Women: Tolo News

The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) reacted to recent Islamic Emirate policy, citing a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) which said that the Islamic Emirate had restricted women and girls’ sports activities and access to medical services. Click here to read... [3]

Iran conditions Taliban recognition to inclusive government: The Khaama Press

Iran said that it will not recognize the interim government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan until they establish an all-inclusive government. Click here to read... [4]

We didn’t plan to assassinate Ashraf Ghani: Baradar: The Khaama Press

Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said that they (Taliban affiliates) did not plan to assassinate former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani after they took over Kabul. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

New year, old problems: Project revisions at 1st Ecnec meeting of 2022 despite PM’s directive- Daily Star

Old problems greet the Prime Minister-led Executive Committee of the National Economic Council when it convenes today for its first meeting for 2022: applications for project revisions. Click here to read... [6]

E-commerce’s New Year resolution: Regain customer trust- Daily Star

Industry people say acquiring new customers has become difficult, call for policy support for sector’s revival. Click here to read... [7]

Bangladesh seeks German support- Asian Age

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Monday sought German support in enhancing trade capabilities and continuing Generalized System of Preference (GSP) facilities to meet the post-transition challenges from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Click here to read... [8]

Bangladesh to bar unvaccinated from eateries- Asian Age

With a view to reining in the upward trend of Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh, the government is going to take preventive measures which include the mandatory mask-wearing and not allowing unvaccinated people to dine in restaurants. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Dzongrabs unhappy with promotion criteria- Kuensel

Many dzongrabs have served in the position for decades, and concerns over the promotion ceiling of P1 for dzongrabs have been raised once again. Click here to read... [10]

DNT and DPT declare candidates for Khamdang-Ramjar bye-election- Kuensel

Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) have declared their candidates for the upcoming Khamdang-Ramjar constituency bye-election. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Maldives confirms 191 new Covid-19 cases; 68 from atolls - Raajje

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 191 new Covid-19 cases and 108 additional recoveries were reported between 6pm Friday and 6pm Saturday. Click here to read... [12]

First Couple to return from unofficial trip to Sri Lanka, on Sunday night - Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed departed from Velana International Airport on December 30, ahead of the New Year. The President’s Office revealed that the First Couple will be returning to Maldives following the conclusion of their visit, on Sunday night.
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Myanmar

Myanmar’s Most Oppressive Year Against Media - Euraasia Review

Within hours of the military ousting Myanmar’s democratically elected government in February, the junta sought to control access to information, cutting the internet and blocking social media sites. Click here to read... [13]

Foreign secretary’s Myanmar trip shows India won't allow China to use northeast to its advantage - The Week

This is India’s first high-level engagement with Myanmar after the coup in February 2021. On board Shringla’s aircraft were a million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, a Christmas gift for Myanmar and a message that China is not the only friend it has. During the visit, India also announced a grant of 10,000 tonnes of rice and wheat. Click here to read... [14]

People of Myanmar face ‘unprecedented’ crisis in 2022 - United Nations

According to a UN Humanitarian Needs Overview published on Friday by OCHA, the turmoil is projected to have driven almost half the population into poverty heading into 2022, wiping out the impressive gains made since 2005. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal

Dahal elected CPN-MC chairman unanimously for another 5-year term- Himalaya

The first meeting of the central committee of the CPN-Maoist Centre today unanimously elected Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the party's new chair for the next five years. Click here to read... [16]

Authorities planned to jab 500,000 people a day. But they are struggling- TKP

People are not showing up for jabs, and officials wonder how to expand vaccine coverage. Click here to read... [17]

1921 Rendezvous: Mallory, Pumori and Everest- Nepali Times

Mountaineering was enriched by George Mallory, who was awed by Nepal’s himals that he saw over a high pass from Tibet. Click here to read... [18]

UML to hold district convention on January 7- Republica

ML is scheduled to hold a district convention on December 7. After the 10th General Convention, the UML is going to hold all 77 district conventions. Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan

Shaukat Tarin to lay ‘mini-budget’ in Senate today: Dawn

According to the 16-point agenda issued by the Senate Secretariat on Monday for the opening day sitting, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin will “lay before the Senate a copy of the money bill, the Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2021,
Click here to read... [20]

Pak-Afghan border fencing issue to be resolved diplomatically, says Qureshi: Dawn

Qureshi made these remarks during a press conference in Islamabad when he was asked about a video circulating on social media purportedly showing Taliban fighters uprooting a portion of the fence along the Pak-Afghan border, claiming that the fencing had been erected inside Afghan territory. Click here to read... [21]

Op-ed New national security policy: The Express Tribune

Last week the federal cabinet approved, what the government claims, Pakistan’s first-ever national security policy. The policy has yet to be made public but is believed to have covered all internal and external aspects. Click here to read... [22]

Sri Lanka

Queen’s Baton arrives in Sri Lanka: Daily Mirror

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon, reaching the 25th destination out of the 72 Commonwealth nations. Click here to read... [23]

Survey planned to ascertain how many Sri Lankan Tamils want Indian citizenship: The Hindu

A panel constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government, tasked to find durable solutions for short and long-term issues facing the Sri Lankan Tamils living in and out of camps across the State, has decided to undertake a survey to ascertain how many among them want Indian citizenship. Click here to read... [24]