VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: February 22, 2022

Afghanistan

Groups Seek to Destabilize Bamiyan, Says Commander: Tolo News

A senior army official in the central province of Bamiyan spoke of efforts by some groups to destabilize the province. Mulla Mohammad Shireen, the commander of the 5th Brigade of the 203rd Mansouri Corps, did not provide names of these groups, but stressed that the security forces would not allow anyone to disrupt security. Click 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]

Bangladesh

Nagad-linked investors desperate for multipurpose NBFI licence- Daily Star

A group of investors linked with mobile financial service operator Nagad Ltd have turned desperate to obtain a multipurpose licence that does not exist in Bangladesh. Click here to read... [4]

Indigenous languages on the verge of extinction- Dhaka Tribune

Textbooks in five major indigenous languages are now available in the country, but there are few who can teach them. Click here to read... [5]

Dhaka, Delhi eye more engagement ahead of PM Hasina’s Delhi visit- Dhaka Tribune

Indian premier has invited Sheikh Hasina to commemorate the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read... [6]

Glowing tributes to language martyrs- Asian Age

With paying glowing tributes, people across the country remembered the great heroes who laid down their lives during the Language Movement in 1952 to protect their beloved mother tongue. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Thank you, His Majesty- Kuensel

Wangdue Phodrang was experiencing a massive wave of Covid-19 cases the country has not seen to date. An 84-year-old woman from Pangsho in Gasetshogom gewog is among the positive cases. But her spirits have never been higher. … His Majesty steers Bhutan out of danger as world reels in Covid-19 . Click here to read... [8]

All covid deaths with underlying health conditions- Kuensel

The novel coronavirus, (SARS-CoV-2), is said to be fatal for those with underlying health conditions or comorbidities. Going by records, all the six people who succumbed to the virus in the country had underlying conditions, some severe. Click here to read... [9]

Lyonchhen shares advice he received from His Majesty- Daily Bhutan

“While serving and traveling with His Majesty I have heard some advice which I would like to share with the people today,” said Lyonchhen Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering.
Click here to read... [10]

Country records lowest new daily COVID cases at 34- BBS

The country reported 34 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours; the lowest new daily cases in over a month. This is because the number of tests conducted in the last 24 hours is very less compared to the last few days. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

HPA: Can fully overcome Omicron wave within two months - SUN

Speaking regarding the decreased numbers of COVID-19 testing in the Maldives, an official from HPA said that the Omicron wave in Male’ area has now been fully overcome. The official said that the impact of the Omicron wave is mainly being experienced across islands in atolls at present. Click here to read... [12]

UNGA President Shahid discusses vaccine equity with WHO Director-General - SUN

President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has held discussions with the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus regarding vaccine equity. Click here to read... [13]

Reliance Jio signs submarine cable agreement with Maldives - Avas

The 'Maldives-IAX subsea cable' agreement was signed between Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC)'s subsidiary company Ocean Connect Maldives and Reliance Jio in a ceremony held on Monday. The agreement was signed on behalf of Ocean Connect Maldives by its Chairperson Riyaz Mansoor and Reliance Jio's President and Board member Mathew Oommen. Click here to read... [14]

Myanmar

3,303 new Covid-19 cases, four deaths reported in Myanmar: Eleven Myanmar

According to the information given by the Ministry of Health on February 20 a total of 3m303 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported after testing of 37,436 COVID-19 lab samples on February 20. Click here to read... [15]

Myanmar attacks Rohingya genocide case: The News International

Myanmar hit out on Monday at a genocide case brought against it by The Gambia for alleged persecution of Rohingya Muslims, urging the UN’s highest court to drop the claim on legal groundsClick here to read... [16]

Nepal

MCC compact tabled in House amid protests- Himalaya

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki today tabled the Millennium Challenge Corporation's Nepal Compact in the House of Representatives amidst main opposition CPN-UML's continued obstruction of House proceedings. Click here to read... [17]

(Opinion) Anatomy of MCC complexities: A lesson for political parties- Himalaya

In recent weeks, "Yes to MCC" and "No to MCC" have echoed in Nepali politics, media and among intellectual groups, leading to violent opposition to it in the streets. Click here to read... [18]

Nepal’s external debt down due to dollar slide- Kathmandu Post

Fluctuations in exchange rates resulted in an exchange gain of Rs16.47 billion in the second quarter of the fiscal year. Click here to read... [19]

With US compact in House, Deuba weighing up options to get it ratified- Kathmandu Post

While the prime minister wants his two alliance partners, opposers of the compact, to come on board, he is in talks with the CPN-UML as well. Click here to read... [20]

Taking Nepali literature to the world- Nepali Times

English translations of Nepali books open international avenues, but there are miles to go still. Click here to read... [21]

(Opinion) Local Election, National Importance- Republica

Democracy seems to delight people only as long as they feel they are getting fast, fair and free services from the local bodiesClick here to read... [22]

Pakistan

PM Imran looking to reinvigorate ties during Russia trip: Dawn

The Foreign Office on Monday announced the prime minister’s trip, saying Mr Khan will visit Russia on Feb 23-24 on the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of the cabinet, on the “official visit”, the FO said. Click here to read... [23]

Corruption, money-laundering among Pakistan’s ‘most important’ issues: The Express Tribune

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Monday described corruption and money-laundering as one of the “most important” issues countries like Pakistan are facing today.

70pc PTI members in Italy paid fee thru stolen credit cards: The News

More than 70 percent PTI members in Italy have allegedly paid the party’s annual membership fee through stolen credit cards. Click here to read... [24]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka running low on fuel as forex reserves dry up: The Times Of India

Sri Lanka is trying to arrange a payment of $35 million for a shipment of 40,000 tonnes of diesel with just a few days of stocks left, the energy minister said on Monday. Click here to read... [25]

Huawei launches new technologies to accelerate Sri Lanka’s Digitalization: Colombo Page

Huawei recently introduced the latest technologies to cater to Sri Lanka including Luna2000 from Huawei Digital Power, Digital Solutions for Enterprise Business. Click here to read... [26]

Sri Lanka surpasses 16,000 COVID-19 deaths: Colombo Page

Sri Lanka’s coronavirus death toll topped 16,000 as the Director-General of Health Services confirmed another 30 Covid-19 related deaths for February 20. Click here to read... [27]