VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: February 18, 2022

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Delegation Returns to Kabul from Doha: Tolo News

The delegation of the Islamic Emirate led by the acting minister of Foriegn Affairs arrived in Kabul on Thursday after a five-day visit to the Gulf state of Qatar, the Foreign Ministry saidClick here to read... [2]

Tensions over UN seat, former Afghan FM’s letter rejected: The Khaama Press

The incumbent charge d’affaires of Afghanistan at the United Nations Naseer Faiq on Wednesday, February 16 said that the letter sent by the former Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hanif Atmar was rejected by the UN. Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan’s assets should be returned quickly: Chinese envoy to UN: The Khaama Press

China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun said that Afghanistan’s overseas assets should be returned quickly and in full to the Afghan people. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

(Opinion) The walls are closing in on the lower-income people- Daily Star

Inflation in Bangladesh, like the nation itself, is on the rise. The per capita income saw an 11 percent rise to USD 2,591, from an estimated USD 2,554 for 2020-21 fiscal year. Click here to read... [5]

Secondary schools, colleges to reopen on February 22- Daily Star

Both vaccine doses required to attend class; primary schools may follow suit 2 weeks later. Click here to read... [6]

Subway to ease Dhaka traffic further by 2030- Dhaka Tribune

The bridge authority plans to bring the whole of Dhaka city under a complete subway network with 11 routes by 2070. Click here to read... [7]

Prepare universal pension scheme for all: PM- Asian Age

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to work out a universal pension scheme for the people aged above 60 and those who worked in the informal sector in line with the election manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

External debt rises to Nu 222.72B- Kuensel

The country’s external debt rose by 1.3 percent (to Nu 222.72 billion) as of the end of December 2021 compared with the end of September the same year. Click here to read... [9]

Covid-19 cases in the southern dzongkhags caused cement shortage in Thimphu- Kuensel

Cement agents in Thimphu have run out of cement. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan reports new single-day spike of 386 COVID cases- BBS

The country reported yet another one-day highest new COVID cases since the pandemic hit the country in 2020. 386 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours. Wangdue Phodrang and Phuentshogling continue to report most community cases despite being placed under lockdown. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

President Solih meets tourism consultant George Corbin – SUN

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday met with the tourism and restaurant industry consultant George Corbin, one of the most significant contributors to the introduction of tourism to the Maldives. Click here to read... [12]

MP Rozaina: ‘India Out’ a desperate attempt to create hate against government – SUN

Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam has described the ‘India Out’ as a campaign launched by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in a desperate attempt to create hate between the Maldivian people and the Maldivian government. Click here to read... [13]

Islamic University signs MoU with AMU – SUN

The Islamic University Maldives (IUM) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The MoU was signed during a virtual ceremony by Vice-Chancellor, IUM, Dr Ibrahim Zakriyya Moosa, and Vice-Chancellor, AMU Prof Tariq Mansoor, while the High Commissioner of India to Maldives, Shir Manu Mahawar. Click here to read... [14]

Maldives ranked at bottom of Global Economic freedom index – SUN

Maldives is ranked 161st most accessible in the Global Economic freedom index 2022, one of the lowest rankings on the list. While 177 countries were included, Maldives was ranked from the bottom of the list with an economic score of 47.3 out of 100 points. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal

Active caseload drops to 16616 as 364 new Covid-19 cases surface on Thursday- Himalaya

The national active Covid-19 caseload of Nepal dropped to 16,616 on Thursday as 364 people tested positive for the infection in past 24 hours. Click here to read... [16]

Deuba meets Oli after coalition meeting fails to arrive at conclusion on MCC- Kathmandu Post

The prime minister is exploring multiple options to table the US compact in Parliament, Congress leaders say. Click here to read... [17]

Coalition meeting held to find consensus fails to reach any conclusion- Kathmandu Post

Top leaders of the ruling alliance to meet again on Friday morning. Click here to read... [18]

Maoists backpedal on MCC letter- Nepali Times

Pushpa Kamal Dahal on defensive over accusations of political duplicity over American project in Nepal. Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan

Opposition tastes defeat as Senate passes Ogra bills: Dawn

Before the two controversial Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) bills, cleared by the concerned Senate standing committee, could be taken up for consideration, the opposition raised technical objections and sought deferment of the bills to allow members to introduce amendments. Click here to read... [20]

Gas pipeline projects among PM’s Russia visit agenda: The Express Tribune

Sources told The Express Tribune that the civilian and military leaderships were on the same page on signing the Pakistan Gas Stream Project and the gas pipeline from Kazakhstan project with Russia. Click here to read... [21]

HRCP alarmed over enforced disappearance reports: The News

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is alarmed by reports of a fresh wave of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and the rest of the country, including most recently, Hafeez Baloch, a postgraduate student of Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad. Click here to read... [22]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan economy was only second to China’s, Minister Sanath Nishantha said: News First

State minister Sanath Nishantha says that the Sri Lankan economy was only second to China during the period when Minister Basil Rajapaksa was the Minister responsible for Economic Development in Sri Lanka. Click here to read... [23]

Covid-19: Sri Lanka reports 1,235 new cases: News Track: Adaderana

The Health Ministry says that another 1,235 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (17). Click here to read... [24]