VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: March 02, 2022

Afghanistan

Ex-Soviet Soldier in Afghanistan Speaks on War in Ukraine- Tolo News

Former Soviet soldier, Khakimov, who is living in Herat province, said that Russia’s attack on Ukraine is a mistake and President Putin will face failure in the war. Click here to read... [2]

Afghanistan, Myanmar to vote against Russia at UN- France 24

The resolution is being led by European countries in coordination with Ukraine.
Afghanistan and Myanmar are co-sponsors, according to a preliminary list of speakers seen by AFP, showing the two countries intend to support the resolution rather than vote against or abstain. Click here to read... [3]

Afghans with Legal Documents Can Travel: Mujahid- Tolo News

Facing domestic and international reactions to the recent travel restrictions announced by the Islamic Emirate on Sunday, on Tuesday Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghans who have legal documents and invitations can travel abroad and return to the country without any problem. Click here to read... [4]

Islamic Emirate Celebrates Doha Agreement Anniversary- Tolo News

In tweets regarding the agreement, Shaheen said the sanctions on Afghanistan, and the lack of recognition of the current government of Afghanistan, contradicts the spirit of the Doha Agreement. Click here to read... [5]

West: No US Decision Yet on Recognition- Tolo News

US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West, in a special interview with TOLOnews, said that no decision has been made regarding the recognition of the Islamic Emirate by the United States. Click here to read... [6]

Kabul House-Searching Sparks Local, Global Reactions- Tolo News

The house-to-house searching by Islamic Emirate forces has provoked domestic and global reactions, the Chargé d'Affaires of the UK Mission to Afghanistan, Hugo Shorter said, adding that he is deeply concerned about the clearing operations across Kabul and beyond. Click here to read... [7]

Kabul wants ties with world based on mutual respect- Pajhwok

The Afghan caretaker government has said that the international community should stop hostility with Afghans and should open the way for better relations. Click here to read... [8]

Guterres concerned about humanitarian situation in Afghanistan- Pajhwok

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his concern about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and asked Afghan government officials to respect human rights. Click here to read... [9]

Bangladesh

Local textile sales double in five years- Daily Star

Rising consumption, falling imports fuel growth. Click here to read... [10]

War fear grips Bangladeshis in Ukraine- Daily Star

Crowds and traffic have been relatively thin on the streets of Kyiv as people fear a war may break out between Ukraine and Russia anytime. Click here to read... [11]

(From History) Bangladesh hoists its first flag- Dhaka Tribune
A total of 22 people took part in the secret mission to prepare the flag. Click here to read... [12]

PM wants digitalization of insurance sector- Asian Age

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said automation and digitization of the insurance sector were necessary in order to provide hassle-free services and encourage people about insurance. Click here to read... [13]

Bhutan

Bhutan has one of the highest standards of Covid-19 measures: PM- Kuensel

Bhutan has the strictest and highest standards of Covid-19 measures in place. Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering said this during a virtual meeting recently. Click here to read... [14]

NCWC facilitates adoption and alternative care for 180 children- Kuensel

As the nodal agency for the protection of women and children, the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) has facilitated adoption and alternative care for 180 children in the country since its establishment. Click here to read... [15]

Pandemic impacts the conduct of orientation for elected LG leaders- Bhutan Times

The orientation program is happening in green districts, whereas the program in red districts is yet to be carried out. Click here to read... [16]

Phuentshogling begins third phase of unlocking- BBS

Phuentshogling entered into the third phase of unlocking today. People welcomed the move. The Southern COVID-19 Task Force allowed the Inter-Mega Zone movement but people are not allowed to drive. This relaxation will go on for a week. Click here to read... [17]

India

Indian student killed in Kharkiv shelling- The Hindu

The MEA summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Igor Polikha for urgent consultation. The MEA said the Foreign Secretary called in Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate India’s demand for urgent safe passage to Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and other cities in conflict zonesClick here to read... [18]

India will provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine- The Hindu

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in the second meeting on the Ukraine crisis, said that India will extend help in evacuating those from India’s neighbourhood and from developing countries that find themselves stranded in the war-torn UkraineClick here to read... [19]

Phone call between PM Modi and President of Poland- Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

On 1st March 2022, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone with H.E. Andrzej Duda, President of Poland. PM Modi expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by Poland in the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine. Click here to read... [20]

Phone call between PM Modi and H.E. Charles Michel, President of European Union- Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

On 1st March 2022, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke with H.E. Charles Michel, President of the European Council. PM Modi reiterated India’s appeal for cessation of hostilities and a warm return to dialogue. Click here to read... [21]

Phone call between PM Modi and H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic- Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

On 1st March 2022, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke with H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic on the Ukraine situation. The two leaders shared concerns over continuing hostilities and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in UkraineClick here to read... [22]

India sends Ministers to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries for smooth evacuation- The Economic Times

On 28th February 2022, in a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi it was decided that Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia, Hardeep Puri, Kiren Rijiju and VK Singh will travel to Ukraine's neighbouring countries to coordinate the evacuation mission. Scindia will handle operations in Romania and Moldova, Rijiju in Slovakia, Puri in Hungary and Singh in Poland. Click here to read... [23]

Maldives

Student evacuated to Hungary return to Maldives- Avas

Fifteen Maldivian students in Ukraine's Ivano-Frankivsk have safely returned to the Maldives. Due to Russia declaring war on Ukraine, the Maldives government evacuated some Maldivian students in Ukraine to Hungary. After staying in the country's capital, Budapest, for two days, the students were repatriated to the Maldives on MondayClick here to read... [24]

Foreign Ministry: Nine Maldivians remaining in Ukraine- SUN

Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday stated that currently there were only nine Maldivians remaining in Ukraine. Due to the ongoing conflicts between Russia-Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry has been working to evacuate Maldivians in Ukraine. However, there have been obstructions after Russia initiated attacks against Ukraine. Click here to read... [25]

Universities in Russia, Belarus refuse to hold online classes for medical students- SUN

Universities in Russia and Belarus with Maldivian medical students continue to hold in-person classes, stating that the situation does not warrant a switch to online classes for medical courses. The universities told the embassy that the Belarus government had no plans of having universities hold online classes in the foreseeable future. Click here to read... [26]

Contractor sought to upgrade Olympus Cinema- SUN

The Heritage Ministry has issued an invitation to bid for the second phase of the India-funded project to upgrade Olympus Cinema. The Heritage Ministry announced on Tuesday that it was seeking a contractor to upgrade and modernize the technical resources at the cinemaClick here to read... [27]

STO partners with Geo-Chem to open fuel testing lab in Maldives- SUN

State Trading Organization (STO) has opened a fuel testing laboratory – the first such lab developed in the Maldives. The lab will be operated by Geo-Chem Middle East – a top inspection and testing company headquartered in Dubai.

Criminal Court dismisses Minister Mahloof’s bribery case due to lack of evidence- SUN

The Criminal Court on Tuesday ruled to dismiss the bribery case against Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof. The case was ‘thrown out' of court because the state had not submitted substantial evidence to prove the charges. Click here to read... [28]

Myanmar

Over 24,200 Myanmar nationals taking refuge in Mizoram: NorthEast News

Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga has said that over 24,200 Myanmar nationals took refuge in the state following a military coup in the neighbouring country. Click here to read... [29]

Numbers still high as Myanmar reports 1,693 new Covid-19 infections, 3 more deaths: The Star

Myanmar reported 1,693 new coronavirus cases on Monday night (, bringing the tally in the country to 587,891, according to a release from the Ministry of Health. Click here to read... [30]

Afghanistan, Myanmar to vote against Russia at UN: France 24

Afghanistan and Myanmar are vote for a United Nations General Assembly resolution denouncing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to diplomats. Click here to read... [3]

Nepal

244 Nepalis affected by Russia-Ukraine conflict reach safety: NRNA- Himalaya

As many as 244 Nepalis affected by the Russia-Ukraine Conflict have reached safe destinations in the neighbouring countries, according to Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA). Click here to read... [31]

Oli accuses Nepal, Dahal of double standard- Himalaya

CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli said the process of ratifying the Millennium Challenge Corporation was wrong, but as the House of Representatives had already ratified the deal, there was no question of not implementing it. Click here to read... [32]

Nepali Army Day marked in Tundikhel- Himalayan

Nepali Army Day was observed on Tuesday on the occasion of Mahashivaratri The Nepali Army has been observing Mahashivaratri as Army Day since 1991. Click here to read... [33]

US Embassy issues statement on parliament's ratification of MCC compact- Himalaya

The US Embassy in Kathmandu said the decision whether to ratify the $500 million-dollar MCC Nepal Compact has always rested with the government of Nepal as a sovereign nation. Click here to read... [34]

(Opinion) Time for Pax Sinica?- Kathmandu Post

The Chinese have shown that even Americans need their indirect consent to have their way. Click here to read... [35]

Blinken discusses Ukraine crisis with Deuba ahead of UN vote- Kathmandu Post

The US Secretary of State notes Nepal’s decision to move forward with the MCC. Click here to read... [36]

Nepal comes top in South Asia in closing gender gaps- Kathmandu Post

Nepal outpaces all countries in the region in World Bank’s Women, Business and Law index, but experts say Nepali women continue to face hurdles. Click here to read... [37]

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Nepal and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste- Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Nepal and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste established diplomatic relations today (13 February, 2022). With this, the number of countries with which Nepal has bilateral diplomatic relations reached 173. Click here to read... [38]

Pakistan

Ukraine envoy asks Pakistan to condemn Russian invasion: The News International

Ukrainian Ambassador Markian Chuchuk on Tuesday pushed Pakistani leadership for denouncing the Russian invasion of his southeast European country and helping resolve the fast-moving crisis. Click here to read... [39]

Pakistan stays on sidelines as UN debates Ukraine: Dawn

Pakistan allowed its turn to pass as the UNGA on Tuesday continued to debate a resolution demanding immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Click here to read... [40]

Indian delegation arrives in Pakistan to discuss Water Treaty: The Northline

A 10-member Indian delegation has reached Pakistan for the annual meeting of the Permanent Commission on Indus Waters (PCIW). Click here to read... [41]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka entry requirements: Travel restrictions ease as Covid testing scrapped for fully vaccinated arrivals: iNews

To be considered fully vaccinated, travellers must have received both doses of their vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival. Click here to read... [42]

Sri Lanka imposes longest power cuts in 26 years: The Economic Times

The Public Utilities Commission said it was a "black day" for the island nation as it approved the electricity rationing starting Wednesday with power stations running out of fuel. Click here to read... [43]

$ 500 m Lankan trade with Russia, Ukraine at stake as shipping lines pull out: Daily FT

Sri Lanka’s trade with two warring nations Russia and Ukraine, especially tea exports, are at stake with major shipping lines yesterday announcing cancellation of services. Click here to read... [44]

Ukraine crisis pushes back UNHRC debate on Sri Lanka: Daily News

A dramatic escalation of East-West tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to geopolitical uncertainties and huge economic risks for the entire world. Click here to read... [45]