VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: February 02, 2022

Afghanistan

Russia Willing to Host Afghan Talks Between Kabul, ‘Opposition’”: Tolo News

The Russian envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said that his country is ready to receive delegates of both Afghanistan’s authorities and opposition forces, in case they are interested. Click here to read... [2]

Qatar-Taliban agreed upon resuming evacuation from Kabul: The Khaama Press

The Foreign Ministry of Qatar said that they have agreed with the Islamic Emirate of Afghan-istan to evacuate foreign nationals who are in danger in the country. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh's BCA wants greater market access, stronger price stability - Fibre to Fashion

The new committee of the Bangladesh Cotton Association (BCA) led by president Muham-mad Ayub called on foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen recently and urged for greater ac-cess to the international market and stronger price stability. Click here to read... [4]

Bhutan

Ancient Trans Bhutan trail opens after 60 years, welcomes foreign travellers from April - Travel Daily

After extensive restoration, Bhutan will reopen the historic and sacred Trans Bhutan Trail for the first time in 60 years. The trail will be officially inaugurated by the King of Bhutan, whose vision was to restore the ancient route for tourism, adventure and connection. Click here to read... [5]

Maldives

Active Covid-19 cases rise to 17,589 with more than 2,000 new infections - Raajje

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), a total of 2,838 new infections and 2,980 additional recoveries were confirmed between 6pm Satur-day and 6pm Sunday. Click here to read... [6]

Myanmar

Sanctions Won't Hurt Myanmar's Brutal Leaders, Activists Say. Here's What Could - Time

The U.S. imposed new sanctions on senior leaders of Myanmar’s military junta on Monday—the eve of the one-year anniversary of their overthrow of the country’s democratically elect-ed government and imprisonment of its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Click here to read... [7]

Myanmar coup failed to dampen people’s desire for democracy - Arab News

One year ago on Tuesday, the Tatmadaw — the military of Myanmar — took over the reins of power in the country and arrested the leaders of the freshly elected civilian government. This is a pattern that has occurred several times in the post-independence history of Myan-mar and, based on past experience, the leadership of the army had every reason to expect that the junta would transition into the position of legitimate government of the country quite seamlessly. Click here to read... [8]

Bangladesh transfers over 1200 Rohingyas to remote island - Laprensalatina

Bangladesh Monday transferred over 1,200 Rohingya refugees to a remote island in the Bay of Bengal in the latest phase of their relocation from congested Cox’s Bazar camps. The group will join over 20,000 Rohingyas already on the island. Click here to read... [9]

Violence, protests mark anniversary of Myanmar military coup - NBC News

A nationwide strike in Myanmar on Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of the army’s seizure of power, as sporadic protests and violence across the country raised further inter-national concern over the ongoing struggle for power. Click here to read... [10]

AFTER A YEAR OF FIGHTING, MYANMAR’S JUNTA IS SHOWING FRUSTRATION - 9dashline

It has been a year since the military in Myanmar, in a dramatic coup, overthrew the elected government, dissolved the parliament, and detained several senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Click here to read... [11]

On the First Anniversary of Myanmar's Military Coup, Some Sober Reflections - The Wire

The first anniversary of the February 1 military ‘coup’ against the National League for De-mocracy party government in Myanmar is an occasion for sober reflection on the prospects for democracy or continued military rule in the country, the regional and international re-sponses to it, and what it means to Asia and the world, including India. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

Five-party alliance will not break down: Nepal - Annapurna Express

PN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal said that the alliance will be stronger than before. He said so during a programme organised in the party office on Wednesday. Chairman Nepal said that all the parties of the ruling coalition will move ahead as a team till the upcoming elections. “The five-party alliance will not break down. We will make the coali-tion stronger,” he said. Click here to read... [13]

India, Nepal sign MoU on construction of a motorable bridge over Mahakali River- India Blooms

India and Nepal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for construction of a motorable Bridge over the Mahakali River connecting Dharchula (India) with Darchula (Ne-pal), under Indian grant assistance. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan

Justice Umar Ata Bandial sworn in as 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan: Dawn

He was administered the oath of office by President Arif Alvi. Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Supreme Court judges, senior lawyers and various ministers were in at-tendance. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka to buy fuel from Indian Oil to tide over energy crisis: Indian Express

Sri Lanka has decided to purchase petrol and diesel, 40,000 metric tonnes each, from the In-dian Oil Corporation (IOC), according to a Cabinet note on Tuesday, as part of the govern-ment’s bid to tide over the current fuel and energy crisis faced by the island nation. Click here to read... [16]