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VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 04, 2022

Afghanistan
Critical Concerns Not Addressed at Clerics’ Gathering: Citizens: Tolo News

Some Afghan citizens said that the essential problems faced by the people of Afghanistan were not addressed in the resolutions issued by the major gathering of the Islamic clerics. A three-day gathering of Islamic clerics was held from Thursday to Saturday, concluding with a resolution of 11 principles. Click here to read…

Islamic Clerics’ Gathering Issues 11-Point Resolution: Tolo News

The participants of the clerics’ gathering held at the Kabul Loya Jirga Hall released a resolution comprised of 11 principles, in which they called on the world to lift sanctions on Afghanistan and to recognize the Islamic EmirateClick here to read…

Different Narratives of One Event; Taliban Embassy in Pakistan Says the Man Killed at Torkham Was an Afghan National: The Khaama Press

The elderly man who attempted to cross the Torkham border on July 2 but was barred from doing so by Pakistani forces, and afterwards killed himself by running himself under a car, was an Afghan national, according to officials of the Taliban administration’s embassy in Pakistan. Click here to read…

The EU Provides an Additional €40 Million for Child Protection and Polio Vaccination in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

According to a statement made by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Sunday, the European Union provides an additional €25 million for polio vaccines and €15 million for child protection in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
China wants to build Dhaka-Ctg expressway- The Daily Star

China has proposed to build the Dhaka-Chattogram Expressway under a government-to-government-Public Private Partnership (G2G-PPP) framework, bringing the project cancelled last year back into focus. Click here to read…

Present evidence-based arguments: Japanese ambassador to TIB- The Daily Star

Japan ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki urged Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) to publish reports with evidence-based arguments. Click here to read…

Labour rights situation: Bangladesh listed among 10 worst countries- The Daily Star

Bangladesh is one of the world’s 10 worst countries for workers, according to the Global Rights Index 2022 of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). Click here to read…

Bhutan
Inward remittance scheme incentives hiked to 2 percent- Kuensel

The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) extended the incentive scheme for inward remittance for Bhutanese who live, work or study overseas for another six months beginning yesterday. Click here to read…

Members can’t be casual in Parliament: Speaker- Kuensel

Amid serious discussions, it is the viral remarks and statements of ministers and MPs in Parliament that have caught widespread attention. Click here to read…

(Editorial) A national priority- Kuensel

The Royal Bhutan Police is apprehending traffickers or smugglers of the so-called contraband substances or “drugs”. Both the frequency and the quantity is alarming and worrying at the same time. Click here to read…

Highest irregularities observed in PHPA-I: AAR 2020-21- Bhutan Today

Among the six hydropower projects in the country, Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA-I) had the highest irregularities in the annual audit report (AAR) 2020-21 with a reported amount of Nu 1,920.237 million (M). Click here to read…

India’s Israel envoy accredited to Bhutan- The Tribune

Bhutan, which is extremely selective about establishing diplomatic relations, accepted the credentials of Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon. Click here to read…

HH Je Khenpo appoints Kilkhor Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang- BBS

His Holiness the Je Khenpo conferred Tashi Lekdhar to appoint Kilkhor Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang at the Tashichhodzong today. Lopen Dorji Wangdi from Rukubji in Wangdue Phodrang is the new Kilkhor Lopen. Click here to read…

Maldives
MMA launches currency symbol for Maldivian Rufiyaa: The Sun

The symbol, which introduces an additional horizontal stroke to the Dhivehi letter “Raa”, was unveiled by Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Aminath Shauna in a special ceremony at the MMA headquarters on Sunday. Click here to read…

Maldives New ‘Evidence’ Law Undermines Media Freedom: Human Right Watch

In a serious setback for media freedom, the Maldives parliament today enacted legislation allowing courts to force journalists and media outlets to reveal their sources. Click here to read…

Myanmar
China’s top diplomat makes first trip to Myanmar since coup –

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has arrived in Myanmar on his first visit to the country since the military seized power in a coup last year. Click here to read…

Myanmar Regime Sorry for Junta Jet Intrusion into Thai Airspace – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar air force chief General Htun Aung has apologised to his Thai counterpart after a Myanmar military fighter jet intruded into Thai airspace on Thursday, just a day after coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met a Thai army general to discuss stability and anti-terrorism in areas along the Myanmar-Thailand frontierClick here to read…

Junta Watch: Military Bends Rules to Fill Ranks; Loyal Monk Promoted, and More – The Irrawaddy

Over the past year, Myanmar people have developed a deep loathing for the country’s military thanks to its terrible atrocities against civilians. The number of young people opting to join the junta’s institutes has consequently plunged, forcing the army to loosen age limits in order to lure fresh recruits. Click here to read…

Local seriously injured in army-planted landmine explosion – Narinjara

A cowherd was seriously injured on Friday when he stepped on a landmine, planted by the junta forces nearby LIB 375 battalion based in Kyauktaw locality of Rakhine State. The injured individual is identified as U Than Sein Maung (45 years old) hailing from Wet Hmaing village under Kyauktaw township. Click here to read…

Nepal
Dahal proposes a new front of ‘socialists’ but offers little clarity- Kathmandu Post

In what comes as a surprise to many, the Maoist Centre chair holds a meeting of members of the Secretariat of the invalidated NCP—without those from the UML. Click here to read…

Complications galore as there’s more to Rana impeachment than meets the eye- Kathmandu Post

Questions remain what happens if House expires before his retirement. Some experts argue he can return to office. Click here to read…

Covid resurgence and cholera outbreak pose ‘increasing challenge’ to public health- Kathmandu Post

Focus on curative methods instead of preventive methods makes problems perennial, experts say. Click here to read…

Taking a ‘corrupt judiciary’ by its horns- Himalayan Times

Lawyers say structural reforms are needed to address the problem of corruption in the judiciary.
Click here to read…

Over 200,000 foreign tourists visit Nepal in six months- Himalayan Times

As many as 237,813 foreign tourists have visited Nepal in the last six months. Click here to read…

Nepal yet to inform the US of its withdrawal from the State Partnership Program- Online Khabar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the government of Nepal is yet to inform the United States government that it has decided to withdraw from the controversial State Partnership Program (SPP). Click here to read…

Pakistan
PM Shehbaz orders early resolution of energy crisis: Dawn

Taking action over increasing public complaints about loadshedding across the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday ordered an early resumption of power generation from the plants closed due to various administrative and technical issues. Click here to read…

Pakistan seeks Qatar gas on deferred payment: Dawn

Amid severe energy crunch and unprecedentedly expensive fuel imports, Pakistan is seeking more gas imports on deferred payments from Qatar, which is irritated by roadblocks to its infrastructure investment plans, particularly in import terminals. Click here to read…

PML-N rifts deepen over Miftah’s future: The Express Tribune

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has found unequivocal support from party stalwarts at a time when he has been facing criticism from within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) amid speculations of ex-financial czar Ishaq Dar’s return to Pakistan to replace him. Click here to read…

Army chief’s fresh directions: The News

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has issued fresh directions to all his commanders and key officers, including those associated with the ISI, to stay away from politics and avoid interacting with politicians. Click here to read…

Only way out of crisis is holding polls: Imran: The News

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Sunday again said it was his clear message to the imported government and its backers that the only way out of descending into total chaos was to hold free and fair elections immediately. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has less than a day’s worth of fuel left: Times of India

Sri Lanka has less than a day’s worth of fuel left, the energy minister said on Sunday, even as the cash-strapped nation extended school closures for one week because there isn’t enough fuel for teachers and parents to get kids to classrooms. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka keeps schools shut amid fuel crisis: Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka extended school closures for one more week starting July 4 amid unprecedented fuel crisis, the education ministry announced on Sunday. The government and state-approved private schools will remain closed for a week as there’s not enough fuel for teachers and parents to get children to classrooms. Click here to read…

Cardinal appeals to Pope to solicit aid for Sri Lanka: Asia News Network

Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says that the need of the hour is the initiation of a high profile investigation to find out how this country was dragged down to its present plight of being a beggar nation, fix responsibility for these crimes and find ways to recover the money stolen from the people. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, July 04, 2022

Senior CPC official urges actions, progress to set stage for Party’s 20th National Congress: Xinhunaet
July 1, 2022

Huang Kunming, a senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official, has urged concrete actions and progress to set the stage for the Party’s 20th National Congress. Huang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour to northwest China’s Gansu Province from Tuesday to Friday. Click here to read…

Major project of China’s west-to-east power transmission program starts operation: Xinhunaet
July 1, 2022

A major part of China’s west-to-east power transmission program kicked off operation Friday, a further boost to the coordinated development among different regions. With its transmission line stretching about 2,080 km, the Baihetan-Jiangsu 800-kilovolt ultra-high-voltage (UHV) direct current power transmission project transmits clean hydropower from the southwestern province of Sichuan to east China’s economic powerhouse Jiangsu Province. Click here to read…

China to use policy-based, developmental financial instruments to support major projects, expand work-relief programs in key projects: China Daily
July 1, 2022

China will adopt policy-based and developmental financial instruments to support the development of major projects, in an effort to expand effective investment and spur employment and consumption, according to the decision made at the State Council’s Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Senior CPC official underscores implementation of Party’s Xinjiang policies: Xinhunaet
July 2, 2022

A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official has stressed the need to fully and faithfully implement the Party’s Xinjiang policies in the new era to make due contributions to maintaining a stable and healthy economic environment, a peaceful social environment and a sound political environment. Click here to read…

Full text of Xi Jinping’s address at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Xinhunaet
July 2, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Friday made an address at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Click here to read…

China’s two policy banks to raise 300 bln yuan to finance major projects: Xinhunaet
July 2, 2022

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the country’s central bank, will support two policy banks to raise up to 300 billion yuan (44.87 billion U.S. dollars) via financial bond issuance to fund the country’s major projects, a PBOC official said. Infrastructure investment remains an important measure of stabilizing the macro economy, the official added. Click here to read…

Chinese ship making industry eyes on green, intelligent vessels: People’s Daily
July 2, 2022

Clean energy, such as hydrogen fuel, liquefied natural gas and methyl alcohol, is gradually replacing traditional fuels as a primary power source for vessels, offering a new alternative for the navigation industry amid the global green and low-carbon transition. Click here to read…

Three Chinese airlines to purchase nearly 300 Airbus aircraft: Global Times
July 2, 2022

Three state-owned airlines – China Southern, Air China and China Eastern – announced on Friday a deal with France-based Airbus to buy 292 aircraft valued at around $37 billion in total. It is the second time China has signed such a big deal since Chinese leaders visited Europe in March 2019, when Airbus signed a deal worth tens of billions of dollars to sell 300 aircraft to China. Click here to read…

Chinese ship making industry eyes on green, intelligent vessels: People’s Daily
July 2, 2022

Clean energy, such as hydrogen fuel, liquefied natural gas and methyl alcohol, is gradually replacing traditional fuels as a primary power source for vessels, offering a new alternative for the navigation industry amid the global green and low-carbon transition. Click here to read…

Mystery over purpose of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation’s new lab: South China Morning Post
July 2, 2022

A key player in China’s plans to develop spacecraft and missiles has opened a new laboratory in Beijing. The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, which was sanctioned by the United States for engaging in unspecified “missile technology proliferation activities” in January, made the announcement on Friday. The state-owned company did not give details, but said in social media posts that the lab has opened and started trials, and that its chairman Yuan Jie and vice-chairman Liu Zuoping attended the opening ceremony. Click here to read…

27 missing after floating crane sinks in south China: Xinhunaet
July 3, 2022

Twenty-seven people were missing after a floating crane sank in waters off the coast of south China’s Guangdong Province on Saturday morning, according to the provincial maritime search and rescue center Sunday. Click here to read…

E China’s Anhui Party chief urges some local officials to rectify bureaucratic work style, not engage in vanity projects: Global Times
July 3, 2022

Some local officials have problems with their work style, which is a manifestation of their flawed views and mistakes in decision-making, said Zheng Shanjie, Party chief of East China’s Anhui Province, at a quarterly meeting of 16 cities on Saturday, according to media reports. Click here to read…

Aircraft carrier Shandong wraps up maintenance, prepares for voyage: Global Times
July 3, 2022

As China’s second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, has reportedly left the port where it received its first scheduled maintenance since it was commissioned, analysts said on Sunday the domestically built carrier will be well prepared for far sea operations thanks to the refurbishment. Click here to read…

Chinese property developer Shimao misses repayment on $1 billion bond: Reuters
July 3, 2022

Chinese property developer Shimao Group (0813.HK) has missed the interest and principal payment of a $1 billion offshore bond due on Sunday, in the latest blow to China’s embattled property market. Click here to read…

U.S.-led Pacific naval drill launched amid rising China tensions: Kyodo
July 3, 2022

A major multinational naval exercise led by the U.S. Navy has been launched in the Pacific with 25 other nations participating amid growing U.S.-China tensions. U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region including Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines are participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise, regarded as the world’s biggest naval training starting from Wednesday, according to the U.S. Navy. Click here to read…

Remote no longer, roads link county to country: China Daily
July 4, 2022

Nyima will always remember the hardship he and his fellow villagers endured when his home county was isolated from the outside world because there were no proper roads. Nyima is from a village in Metog, a remote county deep in the Himalayas in the Tibet autonomous region. He is a member of the Monba ethnic group, one of the smallest in China. Click here to read…

New volume of president’s book on governance published: People’s Daily
July 4, 2022

The fourth volume of President Xi Jinping’s book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China has been published by Foreign Languages Press in both Chinese and English. The book is a compilation of 109 speeches and writings of Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, dating from Feb 3, 2020, to May 10,2022. The new volume, which also has 45 photographs taken since January 2020, will be made available both at home and abroad. Click here to read…

China casts giant shadow over emerging nations’ chase for debt relief: Reuters
July 4, 2022

From a $360 million project to expand Zambia’s international airport in Lusaka to a $1.4 billion city port in Sri Lanka’s capital of Colombo, China is the missing piece in the puzzle of a number of debt talks under way in developing markets. Click here to read…

The Taiwanese musician mapping mainland China’s military sites – one airfield at a time: South China Morning Post
July 4, 2022

Taiwanese university student Joseph Wen has just graduated with a degree in music but for the past two years his personal obsession has been mainland China’s military. Since 2020, Wen has been systematically creating an interactive online map for the public detailing more than 1,500 People Liberation Army sites on the mainland and around the world.
The map has attracted nearly a million views and has surprised some military experts with its accuracy. Click here to read…

Top Chinese diplomat visits Myanmar: Taipei Times
July 4, 2022

China’s top diplomat on Saturday arrived on his first visit to Myanmar since the military seized power last year to attend a regional meeting that the Burmese government said was a recognition of its legitimacy and opponents protested as a violation of peace efforts. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 41 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhunaet
July 4, 2022

The Chinese mainland Sunday reported 41 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, 29 of which were in Anhui Province, the National Health Commission said Monday. A total of 339 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified on Sunday in nine provincial-level regions, including 258 in Anhui and 52 in Jiangsu. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 27, 2022)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

Reframing India-Africa Relations in Post-pandemic World

Africa has always been a foreign policy priority for India. However, the new Government under PM Narendra Modi has displayed unprecedented eagerness to deepen its age-old relationship with the African continent. Click here to read…

Why Is There So Much Turmoil in Eastern Congo?

More than 120 militia groups are wreaking terror in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which now accuses neighboring Rwanda of backing one particularly violent group. Click here to read…

NEWS

Kenya elections: Ruto, man of the people, vs Odinga, king-in-waiting

Can five times Presidential candidate Raila Odinga defeat William Ruto, the champion of Kenya’s “hustler nation”, in the country’s 9 August election? Click here to read…

Angola Election 2022: ‘Dirty tricks’ as election nears

Barely two months before the Angolan elections, the opposition has criticized the ruling MPLA party for seeking to weaken it with the help of the secret services. Click here to read…

Mali’s transition govt sets February 2024 for presidential election

The Malian government has adopted an electoral calendar for the transition three days before a summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is due to consider the tough sanctions imposed on the junta in January. Click here to read…

West African states Gabon and Togo join Commonwealth

Gabon and Togo joined the Commonwealth on Saturday, becoming the latest nations with no historic ties to Britain to enter the English-speaking club headed by Queen Elizabeth II. Click here to read…

UN urges Libya’s rivals to agree on elections this week

The U.N. political chief urged Libya’s rival factions on Monday to agree on measures governing the transition to elections, Click here to read…

Drought, Famine-Like Conditions Mar Somalia’s 62nd Birthday

Somalis across the world marked 62 years of independence Friday with little jubilation and much concern about a future blackened by drought, food shortages, and inflation. Click here to read…

Tunisia’s draft constitution – what’s new, and why now?

Tunisia has published a draft constitution that would further expand the president’s powers and limit the role of the parliament, raising fears of the prospect of one-man rule in the country. Click here to read…

Ethiopian Government and TPLF Wrangle Over Peace Talks Mediation

Ethiopia’s ruling party said this week it wants the African Union, partnering with the United States, to mediate any peace talks to end the war with Tigrayan forces. Click here to read…

Sudan security forces skirmish with demonstrators after protest deaths

Sudanese security forces fired tear gas at protesters on Friday near the presidential palace in Khartoum, a day after nine people were reported killed during the largest anti-military rallies for months. Click here to read…

African Union urges calm in Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute

The African Union says it is deeply concerned by “the escalating military tension” between Ethiopia and Sudan after seven Sudanese soldiers and a civilian were killed in a border dispute. Click here to read…

MONUSCO calls on Rwanda, DR Congo to calm tensions fueling security crisis

The head of MONUSCO, the United Nations mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has appealed to both Rwanda and the DR Congo to calm tensions, Click here to read…

UN keeps peacekeepers in Mali as Russia and China abstain

The U.N. Security Council voted Wednesday to maintain the U.N. peacekeeping mission in turmoil-wracked Mali. Click here to read…

China’s pivotal role under scrutiny as Zambia seeks debt relief

Within months of his election last year, Zambia’s president Hakainde Hichilema had succeeded in negotiating a $1.4bn IMF bailout for the debt-stricken southern African country. Click here to read…

Nigerian governor lets residents carry guns for self-defense

A Nigerian governor has ordered the issuing of licenses so citizens can carry guns to defend themselves against armed groups, a first among the measures drawn up to defeat gunmen blamed for the deaths of thousands in the West African country’s troubled northern region. Click here to read…

Maasai plight in Tanzania shows ‘colonial’ roots of conservation

Violence broke out between protesters and security forces in Tanzania in recent weeks as the government moved in to implement a controversial plan for a game reserve. Click here to read…

More than 20 Migrants Die in Effort to Enter Spanish Enclave in Africa

The deaths occurred during an attempted mass crossing by 2,000 people over border fences into Melilla. Several human rights groups have called for an investigation. Click here to read…

Cameroon’s separatists suspected of rural attack killing 30

Suspected separatist rebels in western Cameroon attacked rural villages, killing at least 30 people, say health workers in the Akwaya district. Click here to read…

Polish citizen kidnapped in eastern province of Burkina Faso freed

The Ministry of Defense was able to free a hostage of Polish origin who was kidnapped on the Matiakoali-Kantchari (east) road on April 27, 2022 (…) while on his way to Niger,” Kaboré said at the end of the council of ministersClick here to read…

Egypt makes largest wheat purchase in 10 years as food insecurity increases

According to Bloomberg, the country’s grain buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), bought 815,000 tonnes of wheat yesterday, taking advantage of a recent price slump. Click here to read…

Angolan President Vows Big Infrastructure Projects Ahead of Vote

Angolan President Joao Lourenco has pledged to erect big infrastructure projects, including multi-billion dollar solar parks, if he gets re-elected at the helm of Africa’s second-biggest oil producer. Click here to read…

Ghana to make U-turn and ask IMF for help for its economy

Until now, Ghana had refused to seek IMF support to rescue an economy crippled by the pandemic, rampant inflation and a depreciating currency. Click here to read…

Nigeria gets new chief justice amid ‘all-time’ low judicial trust

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in a new acting chief justice, barely hours after the resignation of the previous one. Click here to read…

Mozambique: Thousands flee violence in Cabo Delgado

Hundreds of families have been displaced as Islamist insurgents step up attacks on villages in northern Mozambique. DW correspondent Adrian Kriesch visited the Cabo Delgado region and spoke to civilians fleeing the ongoing violence. Click here to read…

DRC buries murdered independence hero Lumumba’s remains

The family of Democratic Republic of Congo’s murdered independence hero Patrice Lumumba has buried his only known remains, a tooth, in the capital Kinshasa, 61 years after his death at the hands of Belgian-backed secessionist rebels. Click here to read…

De Beers, Botswana extend diamond sales deal by a year

De Beers Group said on Wednesday that it had agreed with the government of Botswana to extend by one year an agreement for the sale of rough diamonds from their joint venture, Debswana. Click here to read…

Russia’s Wagner group in Mali spurs refugee spike in Mauritania

Malians are fleeing to nearby Mauritania to escape from bandits, fighters, the army and now Russian operatives. Click here to read…

Why Rwanda doesn’t celebrate Independence Day

On July 1, Rwanda marks 60 years of independence from Belgium. Unlike other African countries that celebrate with pomp and festivities, Independence Day in Rwanda is a somewhat muted affair. Click here to read…

Burundi celebrates 60 years of independence in Bujumbura

Burundi celebrated the 60th anniversary of its independence in Bujumbura with a military parade and guests of honor from around the world. Click here to read…

Independent Algeria turns 60, but colonial-era wounds remain

Algeria marks 60 years of independence from France on Tuesday, but rival narratives over atrocities committed during more than a century of colonial rule still trigger bitter diplomatic tensions. Click here to read…

Four goals for Africa at Japan’s TICAD8 in Tunis

“Africa, a shining continent full of dynamic growth, is no longer a recipient of ‘aid’,” former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said in a 2014 speech from Addis Ababa. Click here to read…

Germany hands over two Benin bronzes to Nigeria

Germany has physically handed over two Benin bronzes and put more than 1,000 other items from its museums’ collections into Nigeria’s ownership. Click here to read…

70-yr British colonial rule left Botswana in a humiliating position: Prez

In remembrance of Sir Seretse Khama, the founding President of Botswana, President Mokgweetsi Masisi has urged the southern African nation to cherish the values of unity, freedom and peace that he strived and stood for. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

President of India greets Madagascar on its 62nd Independence Day

On the occasion of Madagascar’s 62nd Independence Day, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind greeted President Andry Nirina Rajoelina on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Ethiopia to Rwanda, Senegal to Mozambique — India deepens its commitment to African continent

India’s diplomatic outreach to Africa continues with the ongoing visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Rwanda for the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Click here to read…

India plans to build HAL Tejas fighter jet manufacturing line in Egypt

Besides offering Tejas Mk1A to Egypt, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has also introduced its range of indigenous helicopters such as the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Combat Helicopters (LCH). Click here to read…

India and Egypt work towards building strategic relationship with focus on defence & security

From holding joint military exercises to exporting wheat as Russia and Ukraine stop supplies, New Delhi and Cairo are redrawing their relationship as geopolitical tensions rise. Click here to read…

India Lesotho Business Council launched

India Lesotho Business Council has been launched by the Indian Economic Trade Organization and the High Commission of Lesotho to accelerate the trade relationships between both countries. Click here to read…

Mauritius regulator clarifies cap gains booked by PEs in India won’t be taxed

MRA clarified that any income which is distributed by a foreign “fiscally transparent entity” will retain its initial character in Mauritius. Thus, capital gains booked by a PE Fund in India, where a Mauritius vehicle has invested, will remain capital gains when funds are distributed by the PE to the Mauritius entity. Click here to read…

Renowned Entrepreneur & Producer Krishna Pimple To Boost Indian & Tanzania’s Relationship With Music

Known for producing films like Abhi Abhi, Choukat, Gharat, Krishna Pimple entered the film industry with ISIS: Enemies of Humanity. He is now gearing up for the release of as many as 11 upcoming short films and movies which include names like ‘Kashmir: The Final Resolution’. Click here to read…

VIF News Digest: National Security – Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-30 June 2022

DEFENCE

  • Joint Military Exercise “Ex SAMPRITI-X” concludes.
  • Extension of entry age: Agnipath Scheme.
  • Agnipath – Raksha Mantri approves 10% reservation of jobs for Agniveers in Indian Coast Guard, Defence Civilian posts & 16 DPSUs.
  • Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest -2022” culminates.
  • India and Australia discuss ways to enhance defence cooperation during bilateral talks.
  • Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile successfully flight-tested.
  • IAF to participate in tactical leadership programme with Egyptian Air Force.
  • Indian Air Force conducted the Capstone Seminar at Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi, marking the culmination of the first Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP).
  • India and Malaysia decide to enhance defence cooperation.
  • INS Satpura to participate in RIMPAC-22.
  • Indigenously-developed Laser-Guided ATGM successfully tested.
  • High speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was successfully flight-tested.
  • India and & Saudi Arabia discuss ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation.
  • India delivers 6 tons of medical assistance to Afghanistan.
  • Fourth India-Japan Cyber Dialogue.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa
Somalia
  • Security forces killed at least 67 al-Shabaab terrorists in a foiled attack in Galgaduud region.
Nigeria
  • Security forces killed 47 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued a Chibok girl in Borno.
Afghanistan
  • IS-KP claimed responsibility for Karte Parwan Gurudwara attack in Kabul.
Pakistan
  • Pakistan remained on FATF’s ‘grey list’.
  • China blocked India-US’ joint move to designate deputy chief of LeT as terrorist under the UNSC sanctions.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir
  • NIA officials searched multiple locations in the UT of J&K in ‘J&K Terror Conspiracy’ case.
  • Security forces killed three terrorists in two separate CT operations in Pulwama and Baramulla.
  • NIA officials searched multiple locations in the UT of J&K and arrested a terrorist in ‘TRF Conspiracy’ case.
  • “Security forces have eliminated 118 terrorists, mostly of LeT, since January 2022”: claimed J&K Police.
  • NIA officials searched multiple locations in the UT of J&K and arrested four OGWs from Pulwama.
  • Security forces killed four HM terrorists in two CT operations in Anantnag and Kulgam.
Left-Wing Extremism
  • NIA officials arrested a Maoist in connection with ‘Edakkara Maoist’ case.
  • Three CRPF personnel attained Veergati in Maoist attack in Odisha.
  • NIA officials raided multiple locations in Telangana and arrested three Maoists in ‘Peddabayalu CPI (Maoist) recruitment’ case
Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)
  • Two Islamic extremists beheaded a tailor in Rajasthan over his support to Nupur Sharma’s statement on Prophet Mohammad.
Khalistan-inspired Extremism
  • Ahead of political roadshow, Khalistan slogan found at Sangrur temple gate.
Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs)
  • NIA officials searched two locations in West Bengal in case of ‘Seizure of FICN at Kolkata’.
  • NIA filed chargesheet against four FICN traffickers in case of ‘Seizure of FICN and Gold at IGI Airport New Delhi’.
Human-Trafficking
  • NIA officials searched a location in Uttar Pradesh and arrested a human-trafficker.

DEFENCE

Joint Military Exercise “Ex SAMPRITI-X” concludes.

The aim of the exercise was to strengthen the military relations between the two countries. The exercise also provided an opportunity to the contingents from both the Armies to understand each other’s tactical drills and operational techniques as well as to share their experience on Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism, Peace Keeping and Disaster Relief Operation under the United Nations mandate. Senior officers of both the Armies conveyed their appreciation to the participating contingents for achieving the objectives of the Exercise.
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Agnipath Scheme.

Consequent to the commencement of the AGNIPATH scheme, the entry age for all new recruits in the Armed Forces has been fixed as 17 ½ – 21 years of age.Cognizant of the fact that it has not been possible to undertake the recruitment during the last two years, the Government has decided that a one-time waiver shall be granted for the proposed recruitment cycle for 2022. Accordingly, the upper age limit for the recruitment process for Agnipath scheme for 2022 is increased to 23 years.
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Raksha Mantri approves 10% reservation of jobs for Agniveers in Indian Coast Guard, Defence Civilian posts & 16 DPSUs.

Raksha Mantri has approved a proposal to reserve 10% of the job vacancies in Ministry of Defence for Agniveers meeting requisite eligibility criteria. The 10% reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard, defence civilian posts and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), Mishra Dhatu Nigam (Midhani) Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Ltd. (AW&EIL), Munitions India Limited (MIL), Yantra India Limited (YIL), Gliders India Limited (GIL), India Optel Limited (IOL) and Troop Comforts Limited (TCL). This reservation would be in addition to existing reservations for ex-servicemen.Necessary amendments to relevant recruitment rules will be undertaken to implement these provisions. The DPSUs will be advised to make similar amendments to their respective recruitment rules. Necessary age relaxation provision will also be made to enable recruitment of Agniveers to the above posts.
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Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest -2022” culminates.

The Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest -2022” culminated at the Peace Support Operations Training Centre in Ulaanbaatar at Mongolia.The exercise conducted from 06 June to 20 June 2022 provided a platform for mutual learning and sharing best practices amongst the armies from 16 Nations. The Indian contingent consisting of personnel from the LADAKH SCOUTS participated in the field training as well as the Command Post exercise. A number of training activities were organised during the course of the exercise, which included mock tactical operations as per United Nations (UN) mandate, combat discussions, training of staff & command appointments; as part of a combined UN brigade, in order to enhance multinational interoperability.
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India and Australia discuss ways to enhance defence cooperation during bilateral talks.

Raksha Mantri and Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on June 22, 2022. The two Ministers reviewed the existing defence cooperation activities which have been increasing despite challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and discussed ways to enhance further cooperation. The Ministers reviewed the defence and security pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
They welcomed the growing diversity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges between the two countries and undertook to build upon operational engagements through the India-Australia Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.
Both Ministers committed to give fillip to the India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Research and Materiel Cooperation, which will meet in Australia later this year. This JWG is a crucial mechanism for boosting ties between defence industries.
Both Ministers welcomed the plan to commence the landmark General Rawat Young Officer Exchange Programme in the latter half of 2022, which was announced during the virtual summit meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries on March 21, 2022.
The Ministers reviewed strategic challenges and the regional security situation and reaffirmed their shared objective of an open, free, inclusive, prosperous and rules-based Indo Pacific region. They looked forward to India’s participation in Australia’s Indo Pacific Endeavour exercise in October 2022.
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Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile successfully flight-tested.

Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy off the coast of Odisha on June 24, 2022. The VL-SRSAM, a ship borne weapon system, is meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.The launch of the system was conducted against a high speed aerial target mimicking aircraft, which was successfully engaged.
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IAF to participate in tactical leadership programme with Egyptian Air Force.

Indian Air Force would be participating in Tactical Leadership Programme at Egyptian Air Force Weapon School from 24 Jun – 24 Jul 22 in Egypt (Cairo west Airbase) with three Su-30MKI aircraft, two C-17 aircraft and 57 IAF personnel (including C-17 contingent). It is a unique exercise with Air assets in a Large Force Engagement environment, simulating various conflict scenarios.
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Indian Air Force conducted the Capstone Seminar at Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi, marking the culmination of the first Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP).

The Indian Air Force conducted the first Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP) culminating with a Capstone Seminar at Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi on 24 Jun 2022. This Capstone Seminar showcased the learning objectives of WASP and helps the IAF leadership to validate the desired outcomes from the program. The participants presented papers on contemporary topics concerning application of air power in recent conflicts and the changing doctrinal precepts that establish the dominant role of air power in national security.

The WASP was conceptualised by the IAF with the purpose of creating a pool of mid-career air power practitioners with strategic acumen and a deep understanding of warfare history and theory. It aims to enhance the doctrinal vision of the participants and cultivate their aptitude for effective arguments on strategy.
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India and Malaysia decide to enhance defence cooperation.

Raksha Mantri (RM) held a Video Conference with Senior Defence Minister of Malaysia, YB Dato ‘Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on June 27, 2022. A wide range of issues concerning bilateral, regional and defence industrial cooperation were discussed during the meeting.

Both Ministers expressed the intent to further boost the already strong India-Malaysia Defence cooperation. The two Ministers discussed the existing defence cooperation activities and framework, and ways to further enhance them under the existing Malaysia India Defence Cooperation Meeting (MIDCOM) framework. The next MIDCOM is scheduled to be held in July 2022, and it was decided to use this platform for a deeper engagement in defence.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the areas in which Indian Defence industries could assist Malaysia. He suggested a visit of senior officers from Malaysia to India to get a first-hand experience of the facilities and products of Indian Defence industry.

The Malaysian Senior Defence Minister expressed the need for inducting women personnel in peace keeping missions. Both sides agreed to engage each other on this issue. It was also agreed to upgrade capability for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Raksha Mantri also invited Senior Defence Minister of Malaysia to visit India at an early convenient date to discuss closer and strategic defence ties.
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INS Satpura to participate in RIMPAC-22.

INS Satpura entered Pearl Harbour in Hawaii Islands on 27 Jun 22 to participate in RIMPAC-22. INS Satpura and one P8I maritime patrol aircraft from the Indian Navy are participating in one of the largest multilateral Naval Exercises, the US Navy led biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2022. The exercise spanning over six weeks of intense operations and training is aimed at enhancing interoperability and to build trust among Navies of friendly foreign countries. 27 countries are participating in the current edition of the multi-dimensional exercise.
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Indigenously-developed Laser-Guided ATGM successfully tested.

Indigenously-developed Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) was successfully test-fired from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army on June 28, 2022.

The all-indigenous ATGM employs a tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected armoured vehicles. The ATGM has been developed with multi-platform launch capability and is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from 120 mm rifled gun of MBT Arjun.
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High speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was successfully flight-tested.

ABHYAS – High speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was successfully flight-tested from on June 29, 2022. The performance of the aircraft at low altitude including sustained level and high manoeuvrability was demonstrated during the test flight. The air vehicle was launched using twin under-slung boosters which provide the initial acceleration to the vehicle. It is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at high subsonic speed. The target aircraft is equipped with Micro-Electromechanical Systems-based Inertial Navigation System for navigation along with the Flight Control Computer for guidance and control along with Indigenous Radio Altimeter for very low altitude flight and Data Link for encrypted communication between the Ground Control Station and Target Aircraft. The vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight.
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India and & Saudi Arabia discuss ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Defence for Strategic Affairs Mr. Ahmed A Aseeri called on Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar in New Delhi on June 30, 2022. They discussed ways to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. The Deputy Minister briefed the Defence Secretary about the 5th meeting of India – Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) that was held on June 29, 2022.

During JCDC the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress made in military-to-military engagements, including joint exercises, expert exchanges and industry cooperation. It was decided to identify new avenues and examine areas of mutual interest for Joint Venture in order to enhance defence industry cooperation. Enhancing the scope and complexities of the existing joint naval exercises and expanding bilateral exercises in other domains were also discussed.

It was agreed to hold the next meeting of JCDC in Saudi Arabia on mutually convenient dates in 2023. The JCDC is the apex body between the Defence Ministries of India and Saudi Arabia to comprehensively review & guide all aspects of bilateral defence cooperation.
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India delivers 6 tons of medical assistance to Afghanistan.

India supplied the seventh batch of medical assistance on 30June 2022, consisting of 6 tons of essential medicines to Afghanistan, as part of India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance. The same was handed over to the Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kabul. In the wake of recent tragic earthquake, India, as the first responder, supplied almost 28 tons of earthquake relief assistance in two relief flights. These relief consignments were handed over to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), UN World Food Program (WFP) and the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS). Furthermore, India is in the process to ship more medical and wheat assistance to Afghanistan in coordination with the UN agencies on ground.
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Fourth India-Japan Cyber Dialogue.

The Fourth India-Japan Cyber Dialogue was hosted by India virtually on 30 June 2022. The Indian Delegation was led by Smt. Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary, Cyber Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while the Japanese delegation was led by Mr Yutaka Arima, Ambassador in-charge of Cyber Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Both sides discussed important areas of bilateral cyber cooperation and reviewed the progress achieved in the areas of cybersecurity and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) including 5G Technology. Both sides exchanged views on latest developments in cyber domain and mutual cooperation during cyber consultations at the United Nations and other multilateral and regional fora.
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INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa
Somalia
Security forces killed at least 67 al-Shabaab terrorists in a foiled attack in Galgaduud region.

On 17 June 2022, Somalia’s Galmudug State forces killed 67 al-Shabaab terrorists and wounded several others in a foiled attack in Bahdo area in Galgaduud region. According to the Information Minister of Galmudug— Ahmed Shire, “local residents and regional forces repulsed the attack by al-Shabaab terrorists in the region. The security forces personnel arrested a suicide bomber who was about to detonate a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) on security forces and villagers.”
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Nigeria
Security forces killed 47 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued a Chibok girl in Borno.

On 12 June 2022, security forces had gun-battle with terrorists while clearing their enclave in Gazuwa in Bama Local Government Area of Borno and eliminated at least 47 Boko Haram terrorists. The security forces also rescued Mary Dauda, one of the Chibok girls abducted in 2014. “The rescued mother and child are currently in military custody, receiving medical and rehabilitation attention. Also, on 06 June 2022, troops rescued five abducted victims who were kidnapped by terrorists,” said Defence Headquarters’ spokesman— Maj Gen Bernard Onyeuko.

However, Boko Haram terrorists and their families continued to surrender before Nigerian troops in the North-East part. “Cumulatively, a total of 57,004 of Boko Haram terrorists and their families have surrendered comprising of 12,547 males, 17,027 females, and 27,430 children,” added Maj Gen Onyeuko.
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Afghanistan
IS-KP claimed responsibility for Karte Parwan Gurudwara attack in Kabul.

On 18 June 2022, the Islamic State-Khurasan Province (IS-KP) terrorists carried out an attack on Gurudwara in Kabul in which two people, including a Sikh community member, were killed. In a statement released on its Amaq website, the IS-KP claimed the responsibility of the attack and called it a targeted attack on Hindus and Sikhs and the ‘apostates’ who protected them in ‘an act of support for the Messenger of Allah’.
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Pakistan
Pakistan remained on FATF’s ‘grey list’.

On 17 June 2022, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s President— Marcus Pleyer had announced that Pakistan would remain on ‘grey list’ of nations that do not take full measures to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. The announcement gave a blow to Pakistan’s newly elected government, which said it has mostly complied with the FATF’s tasks set for Pakistan. “An onsite inspection by FATF team in Pakistan would be done before October 2022. However, FATF is praising Pakistan for implementing the organisation’s action plans— a clear indication that Pakistan is moving closer to getting off the ‘grey list’”, said FATF President Pleyer.
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China blocked India-US’ joint move to designate deputy chief of LeT as terrorist under the UNSC sanctions.

At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), China blocked a joint move by India and the United States (US) to enlist Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)’s deputy chief— Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist, by placing a ‘technical hold’ on the proposal.

China’s move was in the similar fashion which it had adopted to repeatedly block the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief— Masood Azhar, under the UNSC’s al-Qa’ida and ISIL Sanctions Committee, before finally relenting in May 2019 in the face of international pressure.
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DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir
NIA officials searched multiple locations in the UT of J&K in ‘J&K Terror Conspiracy’ case.

On 24 June 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials searched 14 locations in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in districts of Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam, and Kathua, in connection with the ‘J&K Terror Conspiracy’ case.
The case— RC-05/2022/NIA/JMU relates to terror conspiracy hatched by Pakistan-based commanders of terrorist organisations for furthering terror activities, including targeted killings of minorities, security forces personnel, and attacking religious pilgrimages, including Holy Sri Amarnathji Yatra, Shri Maa Vaishno Devi Yatra.
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Security forces killed three terrorists in two separate CT operations in Pulwama and Baramulla.

On 21 June 2022, security forces eliminated three terrorists in two separate counter-terrorism (CT) operations in Pulwama and Baramulla districts of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). In first operation, security forces carried out a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Tulibal village in Sopore area of Baramulla district and killed an unidentified terrorist.

In other CT operation on the same day, security forces killed two terrorists in Tujjan area in Pulwama district. According to police reports, one of the slain terrorists was identified as Majid Nasir of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
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NIA officials searched multiple locations in the UT of J&K and arrested a terrorist in ‘TRF Conspiracy’ case.

On 22 June 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials searched 11 locations in the Union of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)’s Srinagar, Kulgam, Pulwama and Ganderbal districts and arrested a terrorist— Mudasir Ahmed Dar, from Kulgam.

The case— RC-32/2021/NIA/DLI relates to the activities of The Resistance Front (TRF), which is an off-shoot terror group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), for radicalising, motivating, and recruiting youth from
J&K to undertake terror activities in the Valley and other parts of India. Mudasir was involved in providing logistic support and transportation of arms and ammunition.
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“Security forces have eliminated 118 terrorists, mostly of LeT, since January 2022”: claimed J&K Police.

Compared to the previous year, security forces have eliminated 63 more terrorists in 2022. “Since January 2022, security forces killed 118 terrorists, including 32 foreign terrorists. Out of 118, 77 terrorists were belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and 26 were of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM),” said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) (Kashmir)— Vijay Kumar. Since 15 June 2022, 17 terrorists have been killed in the Valley.
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NIA officials searched multiple locations in the UT of J&K and arrested four OGWs from Pulwama.

On 20 June 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials searched seven locations in Pulwama district of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and arrested four Over-Ground Workers (OGWs)—i) Sahil Ahmed Khan, ii) Jahangir Ahmed Dar, iii) Shahid Ahmed Shergojri, and iv) Inayat Gulzar Bhat, for harbouring Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in the Valley and arranged transportation and logistic support for them.

The case— RC-02/2022/NIA/JMU relates to the activities of JeM, in which two terrorists were eliminated by security forces at Chewa Kalan in Pulwama on 11 March 2022.
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Security forces killed four HM terrorists in two CT operations in Anantnag and Kulgam.

On 14 June 2022, acting on an intelligence input, a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police, Indian Army’s 1 Rashtriya Rifles, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Mishipora-Kujjar village of Yaripora area in Kulgam district and killed two Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists.

In another counter-terrorism (CT) operation on the same day, security forces killed two HM terrorists in Hangalgund, Kokernag area of Anantnag district. “One of the slain terrorists was involved in the killing of Rajni Bala— a teacher from Samba who was assassinated at Gopal Pora Kulgam on 31 May 2022,” said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range— Vijay Kumar.
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Left-Wing Extremism
NIA officials arrested a Maoist in connection with ‘Edakkara Maoist’ case.

On 24 June 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrested Iyyappan G aka Hari, from Tamil Nadu, in connection with ‘Edakkara Maoist’ case.

The case— RC-02/2021/NIA/KOC pertains to membership and conduct of training camp for cadres of CPI (Maoist), including arms training, flag hoisting, and celebrations of CPI (Maoist)’s formation day during the last week of September 2016 in Nilambur forest of Malappuram district in Kerala.
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Three CRPF personnel attained Veergati in Maoist attack in Odisha.

On 21 June 2022, three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel attained Veergati (fell in the battle) in a Maoist attack in Patadhara Reserve Forest in Bheden block in Nuapada district in Odisha. “It was suspected that Maoists had prior information regarding the movement of the forces; all of a sudden, they (Maoists) opened fire on the forces,” said a police officer on anonymity basis.
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NIA officials raided multiple locations in Telangana and arrested three Maoists in ‘Peddabayalu CPI (Maoist) recruitment’ case.

On 23 June 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials carried out search operations in three locations in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy, Medak and Secunderabad districts, and arrested three Maoists— i) Dongari Devendra, ii) Dubasi Swapna, and iii) Chukka Shilpa.

The case— RC-02/2022/NIA/HYD relates to the conspiracy and recruitment of one college student by the operatives of Chaitanya MahilaSangham (CMS)— a frontal organisation of CPI (Maoist).
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Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)
Two Islamic extremists beheaded a tailor in Rajasthan over his support to Nupur Sharma’s statement on Prophet Mohammad.

On 29 June 2022, two Islamic extremists— Mohammad RiyazAkhtari and Gaus/Ghouse Mohammad posed as a customer while entering a tailor shop and beheaded the tailor— Kanhaiya Lal over his social media post supporting former BJP spokesperson— Nupur Sharma’s remarks on Prophet Mohammad.

The duo extremists shot a video of killing of Kanhaiya Lal, and also threatened Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in another video, which went viral on social media platforms. Soon, police traced and arrested both extremists from Rajsamand district, 61 km from Udaipur in Rajasthan. Prohibited orders were imposed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) across Rajasthan for a month and mobile internet services had been suspended for 24 hours followed by the incident.
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Khalistan-inspired Extremism
Ahead of political roadshow, Khalistan slogan found at Sangrur temple gate.

On 19 June 2022, ahead of the political road show of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to be taken out by Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, the ‘Khalistan slogan’ and ‘26 January 2023 referendum’ was found painted at the gate of a Kali Devi temple in Sangrur.

The proscribed organisation— Sikh for Justice (SFJ)’s legal advisor— Gurpatwant Singh Pannun uploaded a video on social media and informed that “the AAP formed government in Punjab with the support, including financial, of pro-Khalistan Sikhs. The Khalistan Referendum votes will be polled on 26 January 2023 and if AAP government tried to take any step against it, they will be reminded about the assassination of former Punjab CM Beant Singh. The only solution of Punjab is Khalistan.”
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Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs)
NIA officials searched two locations in West Bengal in case of ‘Seizure of FICN at Kolkata’.

On 26 June 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials carried out search operation at two locations in Golabgunj and Sultangunj in Kaliachak Police Station area in Malda district of West Bengal.

The search operation was related to the case— RC-08/2020/NIA/DLI, in which high quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) of worth ₹ 3,46,000 were recovered from possession of two FICN traffickers— i) Senaul SK, and ii) Akramul, near Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club, Maidan Tent, Kolkata. During the search operations, NIA officials seized digital devices, including mobile phone, SIMs, and other incriminating materials.
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NIA filed chargesheet against four FICN traffickers in case of ‘Seizure of FICN and Gold at IGI Airport New Delhi’.

On 24 June 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet before the NIA Special Court (New Delhi) against four Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) traffickers— i) Mohammad Shahjan (Uttar Pradesh), ii) Amir ul-Haq (Delhi), iii) Abdul Wahid (Delhi), and iv) Amandeep Singh (Punjab), in a case related to the seizure of the FICN and Gold at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi.

In case— RC-05/2022/NIA/DLI, the custom officials seized FICNs worth ₹ 10 lakhs and 175 gms of Gold from Mohammad Shahjan who had arrived from Ras al-Khaimah airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the investigation, Shahjan conspired with other FICN traffickers, including Amir ul-Haq and Amandeep Singh. Abdul Wahid used to provide logistic support and arrange funds for visa and air tickets of the ‘human couriers’ involved in smuggling of FICN and gold to India.
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Human-Trafficking
NIA officials searched a location in Uttar Pradesh and arrested a human-trafficker.

On 22 June 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials searched a location in Deoband in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh and arrested a human-trafficker— Mazid Ullah (resident of Myanmar) in the conspiracy of illegal trafficking of Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslims into India.
The search operation was related to the case— RC-05/2021/NIA/GUW, in which NIA officials seized digital devices, including mobile phones, SIM cards and memory sticks, and other incriminating materials.
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VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 01, 2022

Afghanistan
Meeting in Kabul of Clerics from Across Afghanistan Begins: Tolo News

The anticipated gathering of clerics from across Afghanistan was held in Kabul on Thursday to discuss the current Afghan situation. It was attended by Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund and other top members of the Islamic Emirate as well as thousands of clerics from across the country. Click here to read…

India Delivers a Consignment of 6 Tons Medical Assistance to Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

As part of its continuous humanitarian support, India delivered the seventh consignment of medical aid to Afghanistan today, containing 6 tons of essential medicines, according to an official statement of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, released on 30th JuneClick here to read…

The Taliban’s Religious Gathering Emphasizes on Beheading Critics: The Khaama Press

Mawlawi Mujib Rahman Ansari, a vigilante, bearded clergyman, a preacher in a mosque in northwestern Afghanistan’s Herat province, who is also an attendee of the Taliban’s religious grand assembly has stated in the gathering that anyone who rebels against the Islamic regime should be beheaded. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
Energy Treaty – Bangladesh should not sign it: CAB- The Daily Star

Bangladesh should not sign the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), as the international agreement only serves the purposes of international businesses in the energy sector, not the country’s national interest, said Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at a dialogue with journalists yesterday. Click here to read…

Yunus Centre tries to hide the truth: Hasan- The Daily Star

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today denounced the Yunus Centre’s statement that denied Dr Muhammad Yunus’s alleged role to scrap World Bank’s financing in Padma Bridge construction as evil attempts to hide the truth. Click here to read…

Birth certificates for street children: High Court issues rule- The Daily Star

The High Court today (June 30, 2022) directed the government to submit a report on the steps taken to issue birth certificates to all street children across the country in three months before this court. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Bhutan set to raise SDF to 200 USD- The Daily Bhutan

On the 24th of June 2022, the National assembly passed the Tourism Levy Bill of 2022. With this new act the sustainable development fee (SDF) of 65 USD per night has now been increased to 200 USD per night. Along with the increase in the SDF the minimum daily package rate (MDPR) has been removed as well. Click here to read…

Government outs Sung-jeon App from 12th FYP- Bhutan Today

With overwhelming priorities in the 12th Five-Year-Plan, the government is not in a position to implement one of its election pledges, the Sung-jeon App. Click here to read…

DHI projects to earn foreign currency- Bhutan Today

Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) is working on two to three major projects according to Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering. He said that the earnings from those projects are expected to generate foreign currency. Click here to read…

Water shortage hampers service delivery in Tsirangtoed- The Kuensel

Due to its strategic location, Tsirangtoed gewog serves as a centre for residents of neighbouring gewogs to avail health and education services. Click here to read…

Maldives
Imports to Maldives increase to 52 percent in May 2022: Edition Mv

According to the latest update from Maldives Customs Service, the total imports inclusive of fuel rose to 52 percent in May 2022. The total imports to the country in the review month was recorded at MVR4.4 billionClick here to read…

In the future as well, Maldives will mainly depend on India: The Sun

Speaking in the fifth episode of ‘Ask Speaker’ show on Thursday night, Nasheed said that India is the country that has been most helpful to Maldives in the past and in present. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Myanmar fighter jet crosses into Thailand’s air space in Tak: Bangkok Post

A Myanmar fighter jet crossed into Thailand’s air space over Phop Phra district late on Thursday morning, panicking local residents and forcing two local schools to suspend classes. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Using Massive Airstrikes to Defend Strategic Outpost: The Irrawady

Myanmar’s military regime is employing massive airstrikes against resistance forces attempting to seize a strategic junta outpost in Karen State near the border with Thailand. Click here to read…

Nepal
90 settlements in Salyan at risk of landslides, forest department says- The Kathmandu Post

Risk aggravated by haphazard road construction, claims Disaster Management Committee chiefClick here to read…

Despite six-decade history, parliamentary practice remains weak in Nepal- The Kathmandu Post

Experts say that in countries where political parties aren’t democratic, the parliamentary practice cannot be effective. Click here to read…

Power utility calls off bid to sell 200MW to India under long-term contract- The Kathmandu Post

Citing complications in bidding, Nepal Electricity Authority now aims to trade power in the day-ahead market of Indian Energy Exchange Limited. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Chasing simple majority in PA session without PTI, ‘Q’: Dawn

The Punjab Assembly’s marathon 40th session, that saw the controversial election for the chief minister on April 16, would resume its proceedings on Friday afternoon (today) for a do-over of the election of the chief executive, sending both treasury and opposition parties into late night huddles to devise their strategies for the ‘big day’. Click here to read…

Govt jacks up petrol price by Rs14.85 per litre: Dawn

The federal government on Thursday announced another hike in the prices of all petroleum products – especially petrol by Rs14.85 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs13.23 per litre, with the change set to take effect from midnight. Click here to read…

Pakistan dumping ground for global hazardous waste, Senate body told: Dawn

Pakistan is importing massive amounts of hazardous waste from several countries, including the United Kingdom, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, a parliamentary committee was informed on Thursday. Click here to read…

CPEC’s Karot Hydropower Plant put into ‘full commercial operation’: The Express Tribune

Karot Hydropower Plant, the first hydropower investment project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), was put into full commercial operations on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Rupee falls 30pc against dollar in FY22: The News

The rupee posted slight gains against the dollar in last trading session of the 2021/22 fiscal year, pushed by routine import payments and greenback sales by exporters, dealers said. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
IMF end-of-mission report highlights ‘corruption vulnerabilities’ in Sri Lanka: The Island

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) personnel that remained in Sri Lanka for ten days from 20-30 June to study the exact reasons for the current economic crisis in the country and design a comprehensive economic programme have stressed the need to reduce ‘corruption vulnerabilities’ in Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Indian fishermen back again and ‘crushing’ our livelihoods, say Sri Lankan counterparts: The Hindu

Just after Tamil Nadu’s annual fishing ban ended mid-June, Indian fishing trawlers are back near Sri Lanka’s northern coast, “crushing” fishermen’s livelihoods that are already under enormous strain during the island’s economic crisis, according to northern Sri Lankan fisher leaders. Click here to read…

India made a recommendation for Adani Green: Sri Lankan power board: Business-Standard

The Ceylon Electricity Board, in a clarification to a Sri Lankan business daily, has said that the Indian government recommended Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) for constructing wind power projects in the Mannar and Pooneryn regions of the country. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, July 01, 2022

Cai Qi elected Party chief of Beijing: Xinhuanet
June 30, 2022

Cai Qi has been elected secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Beijing Municipal Committee. Cai was elected to the post at the first plenary session of the 13th CPC Beijing Municipal Committee on Thursday. Click here to read…

China urges U.S. to stop suppression of Chinese firms: Xinhuanet
June 30, 2022

The United States should immediately correct its mistakes and stop sanctioning and suppressing Chinese enterprises, China’s commerce ministry said Thursday. Shu Jueting, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, made the comments in response to recent U.S. moves to impose sanctions on relevant Chinese companies on excuses related to Russia, Iran, and military links at a press briefing. Click here to read…

China urges U.S. to immediately cease malicious cyber activities: Xinhuanet
June 30, 2022

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday the United States is worthy of the name of the “empire of wiretapping” and “empire of secret stealing,” urging the country to stop its malicious cyber activities immediately. Click here to read…

Desert highway in southern Xinjiang opens: China Daily
June 30, 2022

A desert highway in the south of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region opened on Thursday, slashing travel time, benefiting local residents and boosting regional socioeconomic development, according to the line’s constructor. The 334-kilometer highway, linking Yuli and Qiemo counties in Bayingolin Mongol autonomous prefecture, is located at Tarim Basin between the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains and the north side of the Altun Mountains.Click here to read…

644,000 punished since 2012 for violating Party rules on frugality: China Daily
June 30, 2022

About 4.71 million people were placed under investigation for suspected violation of Party disciplines and laws from the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012 to the end of April, an official said on Thursday. Click here to read…

Naval base project not aimed at any nation, ministry says: China Daily
June 30, 2022

The Ream Naval Base’s upgrade project in Cambodia, which is aided by China, is legitimate and doesn’t target any third party, said a spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday. Click here to read…

China punishes 4.7 million people in decade-long anti-graft campaign: Global Times
June 30, 2022

China has won an overwhelming victory in the fight against corruption in the past decade with the anti-graft watchdog investigating 4.39 million cases and punishing 4.7 million people as of April. Chinese observers believe upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is the fundamental guarantee for China’s achievements in countering graft, which also reflects China’s institutional strengths compared with the US and a few Western countries where corruption has been institutionalized. Click here to read…

China issues $180.4 billion in local government bonds in May: Global Times
June 30, 2022

Bonds issued by China’s local governments totaled 1.21 trillion yuan ($180.4 billion) in May, accounting for about 40 percent of this type of bonds issued from January to May this year, according to statistics from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on Thursday. Click here to read…

Chinese tech giants vow to stop NFT secondary trading: Reuters
June 30, 2022

Chinese tech giants including Tencent Holdings (0700.HK) and Ant Group have signed a pact to stop the secondary trading of digital collectibles and “self-regulate” their activities in the market, Chinese state media reported on Thursday. Click here to read…

China’s Communist Party nears 97 million, with more younger and educated members: South China Morning Post
June 30, 2022

China’s ruling Communist Party has grown bigger and more educated, expanding to a record 96.71 million members by the end of last year, according to official statistics.
The total amounted to a 3.7 per cent increase over the year, the organisation department of the Communist Party Central Committee said on Thursday, the eve of the party’s anniversary. Click here to read…

3 Chinese navy ships circumnavigate Japan as Tokyo remains on alert: Kyodo
July 1, 2022

Three Chinese navy ships have circumnavigated the Japanese archipelago over the past weeks, as Tokyo stays on alert for increasing military activity by Beijing and Moscow in nearby waters, Japan’s Defense Ministry said Thursday. Click here to read…

Human rights fears affecting views of China: Taipei Times
July 1, 2022

Concerns about China’s policies on human rights have led to negative views toward the world’s most populous nation, a Pew public opinion survey has found. Negative views of China remain at or near historic highs in many of the 19 countries polled in this year’s survey, which spoke to people in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. The findings are largely consistent with Pew’s previous study in 2020, but with some countries now reporting even more unfavorable views of China. Click here to read…

Xi Jinping says Hong Kong’s unique status and advantages must be upheld as he hails ‘one country, two systems’: South China Morning Post
July 1, 2022

President Xi Jinping on Friday officiated the swearing-in ceremony of the new administration led by John Lee Ka-chiu on day two of his visit to Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s turn to Chinese rule. Having spent the night in Shenzhen, Xi crossed the border again by high-speed rail in the morning to deliver a keynote speech, giving a vigorous endorsement of “one country, two systems”, and saying it should not be altered. On Thursday, in a brief arrival speech, the president described Hong Kong as having “risen from the ashes” after overcoming various severe challenges since his last visit in 2017, which proved that “one country, two systems is a good system”. Click here to read…

China to step up financing support for major projects: Xinhuanet
July 1, 2022

China will increase financing support for its major projects through policy-based and developmental financial instruments, a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Plan eyes energy efficiency at big firms: Quishi
July 1, 2022

China aims to cut large industrial enterprises’ energy consumption per unit of added value by 13.5 percent from the 2020 level, according to a plan jointly released by six government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Click here to read…

China’s biological economy gets on higher stage: Quishi
July 1, 2022

China is one of the countries in the world that boast the greatest abundance of biological resources and see the broadest consumption market of life and health products. With complete categories and systems of the biological industry, the country is in an advantageous position to accelerate the development of biological economy. Click here to read…

China’s cabinet to raise $45b to replenish capital for major projects, boost employment: Global Times
July 01, 2022

The State Council, China’s cabinet, decided on Thursday to expand effective investment to boost employment and consumption. It will raise 300 billion yuan ($44.6 billion) through financial bond issuance to replenish capital for major projects and special debt projects. Click here to read…

China to inspect enforcement of Foreign Investment Law: People’s Daily
July 1, 2022

The National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee announced Thursday that it will launch an inspection of the enforcement of the Foreign Investment Law. An inspection team is set to carry out related work in eight provincial-level regions from July to mid-August, according to the first plenary session of the team. Click here to read…

China makes ecological protection more efficient with digital technology: People’s Daily
July 1, 2022

The prospering digital economy is gradually becoming a solid foundation supporting economic and social development, as internet, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and other new technologies are seeping into industries. Click here to read…

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 30, 2022

Afghanistan
Afghans Hope Gathering of Clerics Will Solve Nation’s Problems: Tolo News

Residents of the provinces of Ghazni, Maidan Wardak, Kunduz, and Baghlan speaking to TOLOnews expressed hopes that the “Gathering of Islamic Clerics” will find a basic solution for the country’s current economic crises and job shortages. Click here to read…

US and Taliban to Meet in Qatar to Talk About Unfreezing Afghanistan Funds: The Khaama Press

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Taliban, led a delegation that left for Qatar on 29th June to continue discussions with US officials over releasing $9 billion in withheld Afghan assets as the country struggles with a famine and poverty crisis. Click here to read…

Moscow Trying to ‘Build Relations’ With Kabul: Putin: Tolo News

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is attempting to build relations with the Islamic Emirate and that Russia wants to see all the ethnic groups in Afghanistan take part in running the country. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
Navy detains 135 Indian fishermen on Bay- The Daily Star

Bangladesh Navy detained 135 Indian fishermen, including eight trawlers, from the Bay of Bengal on Monday night. Click here to read…

‘We have won’- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that construction of Padma Bridge had been delayed for two years due to conspiracy. Click here to read…

Bangladesh-US relations to flourish further- The Daily Star

Bangladesh heartily believes that its relationship with the US will flourish in the coming days as the bond between the two nations is strong not only at the government level but also at the people’s level, Law Minister Anisul Huq said yesterday. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Confusions over Money and Financial Bills- Kuensel

Even though it is the third Parliament, there are confusion and lack of clarity on what construes a Money Bill and a Financial Bill. Click here to read…

Bhutan’s borders to reopen in September- Kuensel

Bhutan will reopen its borders to tourists on September 23, 2022, the Tourism Council of Bhutan announced yesterday. Click here to read…

29 percent of irregularities from AAR 2010-2020 pertains Hydropower Projects- Kuensel

Of the total irregularities amounting to Nu 4,979.098 million (M) from Annual Audit Report (AAR) 2010-2020, Nu 649.714M was resolved as of March 31 this year. Click here to read…

PAC recommends govt to mainstream unresolved irregularities in the APA- BBS

Audit observations have been increasing over the years. And this according to the Public Accounts Committee could be resolved if the government incorporate non-compliance to laws, rules and regulations, and financial lapses in the Annual Performance Agreement or APA. Click here to read…

Nepal
Top court quashes all decisions related to Nijgadh airport- Kathmandu Post

In a 3-2 ruling, the Supreme Court, however, keeps options open for building an international airport, with strict conditions of minimal environmental damage. Click here to read…

Bhattarai faction frets as Yadav goes solo with Cabinet reshuffle proposal- Kathmandu Post

Deuba calls for consensus proposal. Observers say JSP dispute could impact the coalition. Click here to read…

Official raises some hackles by saying local units are unfit to handle school education- Kathmandu Post

During grilling by a parliamentary panel over delay in federal education bill, the education secretary said local units don’t have capability and expertise to ensure quality of education. Click here to read…

Incessant rainfall triggers floods across Tarai region- Himalayan Times

Inundation and floods triggered by incessant rainfall have killed one person and displaced hundreds of families across the Tarai. Click here to read…

On high monsoon alert in Nepal- Nepali Times

The flood in Sindhupalchok a year ago on 15 June swept away Asha Gurung’s dreams. The mother of three was swift enough to save her children but lost her house, cattle, eatery and all other valuables to the disaster. Click here to read…

Inflation hits a 6-year high in Nepal. What next?- Online Khabar

“Some time ago, the price of an egg increased from Rs 15 to Rs 17 and now the eggs per crate costs around Rs 500. A few days ago, jar water became more expensive. Click here to read…

Maldives
No plans to lockdown Maldives again: Minister Naseem: Edition Mv

Health Minister Ahmed Naseem said on Wednesday that there were no plans to put Maldives under lockdown again despite increased Covid cases in the country. Click here to read…

Health Ministry requests to submit ventilator case for arbitration to recover payment: The Sun

Health Ministry has requested with Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to file an arbitration case to recover the monies paid by the government to Dubai-based Executors General Trading to procure ventilators for COVID-19 patients in 2020. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Three more bodies found near Letpadaung copper mine- Myanmar Now

The tortured bodies were discovered just days after junta forces murdered and dismembered two other local men in the area. Click here to read…

Members of Myanmar army-backed militia shot dead at Mon State checkpoint- Myanmar Now

A local resistance force claims responsibility for an ambush that reportedly killed five Pyu Saw Htee guards. Click here to read…

Heavy fighting reported as KNU continues assault on junta outpost near Thai border- Myanmar Now

Regime forces deploy airstrikes and heavy artillery in a bid to prevent another base from falling into KNU hands. Click here to read…

Myanmar maritime trade surges by $1.3 mln as of 17 June- GNLM

The value of Myanmar’s maritime trade between 1 April and 17 June in the current financial year 2022-2023 soared to US$5.38 billion, reflecting a sharp rise of $1.3 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Click here to read…

All possible means should be applied to control illegal trade along the trade routes in states and regions: Vice-Senior General- GNLM

State Administration Council Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win addressed the coordination meeting 3/2022 of the Anti-Illegal Trade Steering Committee in the meeting room of the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw at 2 pm yesterday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa calls Vladimir Putin, to visit UAE to seek fuel imports: WION News

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been exploring options of buying oil from Russia and he is already in conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a minister said according to PTI. Click here to read…

Quick Passports for Foreign Employment: News First

Sri Lanka’s new Minister of Investment Promotion Dhammika Perera has taken a series of measures to address the longstanding issues at the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Click here to read…

Doctors, bankers protest ‘impossible situation’ as Sri Lanka runs out of fuel: Times Of India

Doctors and bankers were among hundreds of Sri Lankans who marched on Wednesday to demand the government resolve a severe fuel shortage at the heart of the Indian Ocean island’s worst economic crisis in decades or step down. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Finance ministry sees more tough times ahead: Dawn

Hinting at a further increase in the policy rate by the State Bank of Pakistan, the Ministry of Finance anticipates ‘blurred growth prospects’ for the economy, which could be marred by the prevailing inauspicious global environment and higher domestic inflation, going beyond 15 per cent, in the upcoming fiscal year set to begin on Friday. Click here to read…

TTP refuses to budge from demand for Fata merger reversal: Dawn

The proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has categorically stated that the insurgent group would not back down from its demand for the reversal of the merger of erstwhile Fata with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, June 30, 2022

Chinese video gaming billionaire plans relocation with family abroad after draconian Shanghai lockdown: South China Morning Post
June 28, 2022

Huang Yimeng, the billionaire co-founder of one of China’s largest video gaming companies, XD, said he is relocating with his family abroad next year, joining a growing number of rich and educated Chinese people considering emigration amid the country’s rigid Covid-19 measures. Huang, 40, said in an internal memo seen by XD employees that the move will take place “after the next summer break”, without disclosing his destination. He will be travelling for several weeks from Wednesday onwards to make preliminary preparations for the relocation. Click here to read…

Chinese people directly elect 2.6 mln lawmakers at township, county levels: Xinhuanet
June 29, 2022

More than 2.6 million deputies to people’s congresses at the township and county levels have been directly elected across China, a Chinese spokesperson said Wednesday. Over 1 billion voters cast their ballots on a one-person-one-vote basis in the just-concluded elections for lawmakers at the two primary levels, said Song Rui, a senior official with the General Office of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, at a press conference. Click here to read…

Xi inspects Wuhan, stresses China’s self-reliance in science, technology: Xinhuanet
June 29, 2022

President Xi Jinping has stressed keeping the lifeline of science and technology firmly in China’s own hands and making the country’s development more independent, self-reliant and secure. Click here to read…

China urges G7 to cease all attacks, smears against country: Xinhuanet
June 29, 2022

China on Wednesday urged the Group of Seven (G7) to stop attacking and smearing it, and to cease all forms of meddling in China’s internal affairs, following a recent statement issued at a G7 summit making wanton accusations on China-related issues. Click here to read…

China to subsidize refiners if global oil prices surpass 130 USD: Xinhuanet
June 29, 2022

China will subsidize its oil refiners and suspend the raising of domestic fuel prices if global oil prices surpass 130 U.S. dollars a barrel, according to an official notice made public on Wednesday. Click here to read…

China releases action plan to boost industrial energy efficiency: Xinhuanet
June 29, 2022

Chinese regulators have released an action plan on boosting industrial energy efficiency, detailing major targets and tasks to optimize the energy structure as the country takes steady steps to spur green transformation. Click here to read…

China sees flourishing commercialization of sci-tech achievements: Xinhuanet
June 29, 2022

An annual report on the commercialization of China’s scientific and technological achievements was published on Wednesday, showing that it continues to flourish across the country. The report, published in an edition of colleges and research institutes, noted that 466,882 sci-tech commercialization contracts were signed at 3,554 colleges and universities nationwide in 2020, with a total value of 125.61 billion yuan (about 18.7 billion U.S. dollars). Click here to read…

CPC membership exceeds 96.7 million: Xinhuanet
June 29, 2022

The number of the Communist Party of China (CPC) members surpassed 96.71 million at the end of 2021, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee announced on Wednesday. The membership was 3.7 percent up from the 2020 figure, and 15.9 percent more than the figure when the 18th CPC National Congress was held in late 2012, the department said in a report ahead of the 101st founding anniversary of the CPC on July 1.

More than 4.38 million people joined the CPC last year when the Party marked its centenary, figures from the report showed. Click here to read…

ASEAN cooperates on poverty reduction: China Daily
June 29, 2022

China will establish a China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations poverty reduction expert base in the hope that these countries’ governments, research institutions and international organizations can bring together more new concepts and ideas.said Liu Huanxin, head of the National Rural Revitalization Administration. Click here to read…

New plans unveiled to legally import unapproved lifesaving drugs: China Daily
June 29, 2022

China has formulated a plan to facilitate the import of Clobazam, an unapproved epilepsy drug, to address acute medical demand, the National Health Commission said on Wednesday. Along with the National Medical Products Administration, the commission has also released a guideline that applies to all medications approved abroad, but which are currently unavailable in China, and which are in need in small quantities. Click here to read…

Duofu Group acquires Italian helicopter firm in plan for aviation industry: Global Times
June 29, 2022

Chinese firm Duofu Group’s aviation unit has acquired Italian helicopter firm Fama on Tuesday, while revealing a 5 billion yuan-investment plan to build a complete aviation industrial chain covering research and development to production to sales and operation. Click here to read…

People’s Daily Online releases annual report on China’s mobile Internet development: People’s Daily
June 29, 2022

People’s Daily Online formally released its Annual Report on China’s Mobile Internet Development (2022) in Beijing on June 29, 2022. Tang Weihong, head of the Research Institute of the People’s Daily Online introduced the main content of the report during the launching ceremony. Click here to read…

Some media blocked from covering Xi’s handover anniversary visit to Hong Kong: Reuters
June 29, 2022

Journalists from more than seven organisations, including Reuters, have been blocked from covering official ceremonies to mark the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule that President Xi Jinping is due to attend. Click here to read…

JD.com to issue shares worth $220 mln to Tencent for WeChat access: Reuters
June 29, 2022

China’s JD.Com Inc (9618.HK) said on Wednesday it would issue shares worth $220 million to investor Tencent Holdings Inc (0700.HK) over a three-year period to access certain services on the latter’s WeChat platform. Click here to read…

China’s Xi says COVID strategy is ‘correct and effective’: Reuters
June 29, 2022

Chinese president Xi Jinping said the ruling Communist Party’s strategy to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic was “correct and effective” and should be firmly adhered to, the official news agency, Xinhua, said on Wednesday. Click here to read…

NATO labels China a challenge for 1st time in alliance guidelines: Kyodo
June 30, 2022

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Wednesday defined China as a challenge for the first time in its updated guidelines, while also singling out the increasing threat from Russia as the post-Cold War peace in Europe has been shattered by the war against Ukraine. Click here to read…

China quietly cements lockdown rules: Taipei Times
June 30, 2022

A new protocol detailing risk levels and local policy responses would be ‘more scientific and accurate,’ a health agency spokesman said. China’s revised COVID-19 guidelines, which cut a quarantine requirement in half for inbound travelers, also create a standardized policy for mass testing and lockdowns when cases of the disease flare, showing that the country still has a zero-tolerance approach to the virus. Click here to read…

US protectionism hits China hardest, and Chinese are more averse to trade because of it, study finds: South China Morning Post
June 30, 2022

Among all countries, China has been most affected by the United States’ shift toward protectionism in recent years, and this in turn has resulted in Chinese citizens being less supportive of open trade, according to a new study by the Peterson Institute of International Economics (PIIE). The findings are said to suggest that Beijing’s policy response in its tit-for-tat trade war with Washington has been influenced by public attitudes, at least to some extent. Click here to read…

China’s top legislature enacts 69 new laws in ten years: Xinhuanet
June 30, 2022

China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and its Standing Committee have enacted 69 new laws and revised 237 laws over the past decade, said the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. As of now, 292 laws are in force, said the department at a press conference Wednesday. Click here to read…

Pakistani PM meets senior Chinese diplomat on bilateral ties, pragmatic cooperation: Xinhuanet
June 30, 2022

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met with visiting senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi here on Wednesday, with the two sides pledging to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation. Click here to read…

Belt and Road Journalists Forum focuses on media’s social responsibilities: Xinhuanet
June 30, 2022

Nearly 100 leaders of journalist organizations and representatives of media outlets from more than 60 countries and regions attended a virtual forum on Wednesday to discuss the social responsibilities of the media. The 2022 Belt and Road Journalists Forum, the fifth of its kind, was hosted by the All-China Journalist Association (ACJA). Click here to read…

Xi Jinping on Hong Kong’s development, advantages and opportunities: Quishi
June 30, 2022

Hong Kong will mark the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland on Friday. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has made important remarks on Hong Kong’s development, advantages and opportunities on many occasions. Click here to read…

Policies aid growth and stability: Quishi
June 30, 2022

Pro-growth policies to speed up infrastructure construction, spur consumption and stabilize growth overall are expected to lend solidity to China’s economy, and the country’s GDP is likely to see positive growth in the second quarter, officials and experts said on Tuesday. The National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s top economic regulator, said China will roll out more policy tools in a timely manner to cope with economic challenges. The country has the confidence and capacity to ensure stable, healthy and sustainable economic development, it added. Click here to read…

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 29, 2022

Afghanistan
China to Issue Visas for Afghan Businesspeople: Tolo News

In a meeting with the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi, the ambassador of China, Wang Yu, expressed China’s readiness to facilitate visas for Afghan businesspeople in Afghanistan, MoFA announced Click here to read…

Voices Call for Inclusion of Women, All Ethnic Groups in National Gathering: Tolo News

Anticipating the “Gathering of Islamic Clerics,” expected to be held on Wednesday, a number of politicians and residents asked that the Islamic Emirate invite women as well as representatives from all Afghan ethnic groups. Click here to read…

US Pledges $55 Million in Aid for the Victims of the Deadly Earthquake in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

According to the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s announcement on Tuesday, the United States would provide Afghanistan immediate assistance amounting $55 million in response to the devastating earthquake that struck last week in a remote part of the country’s southeast. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
Fuel prices may go up by at least Tk 10- The Daily Star

The government is bent on raising fuel prices by Tk 10-30 each litre, despite vehement opposition from consumer rights groups and experts. Click here to read…

Mask mandate back again- The Daily Star

As Covid-19 cases are rising steeply in the country, the Cabinet Division yesterday instructed all officials concerned to enforce the “no mask, no service” policy everywhere and ensure that everyone follows health safety rules. Click here to read…

Press freedom enjoyed like never before- The Daily Star

Newspapers and electronic media are now enjoying unrestrained freedom under the current government, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud told parliament yesterday. Click here to read…

Dhaka Tokyo ink loan and grant deeds- The Daily Star

Bangladesh and Japan have signed a loan and grant agreement worth $1.23 billion for projects including the northern route of Mass Rapid Transit Line 5. Click here to read…

“Impose sanctions on Dr Yunus, Hilary Clinton and Cherie Blair”- The Daily Star

Independent lawmaker and a presidium member of Jubo League, Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, today demanded in the parliament to impose sanctions on Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, Hilary Clinton, and Cherie Blair so that they could not hatch any further conspiracy against Bangladesh. Click here to read…

Momen seeks apology, compensation from “institution” that claimed Padma Bridge corruption- The Daily Star

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has sought apology and compensation from those who humiliated Bangladesh through accusing some top officials of a conspiracy of corruption in the Padma Bridge project. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Bhutan can become energy secure in next 3 years: Lyonpo Loknath Sharma- Kuensel

Bhutan at present is not energy secure, said Lyonpo Loknath Sharma. Adding 200MW of wind energy in the next 2 to 3 years, he said, could help the country achieve energy security. Click here to read…

Tourists who confirmed tours before June 20 can visit at old pricing- Kuensel

All tours confirmed before June 20, 2022 can avail of rates applicable under the Tourism Levy Act of Bhutan 2020, the minimum daily package rate (MDPR), which includes the royalty of USD 65. Click here to read…

Falling boulders kill two men and injure three in Samdrupjongkhar- Kuensel

Falling boulders killed two men and injured three men at Phochu in Lauri gewog, Samdrupjongkhar, on June 27. Click here to read…

NA passes Tourism Levy Bill 2022- BBS

The National Assembly passed the Tourism Levy Bill 2022 today, accepting all the Council’s recommendations. The Bill will now be submitted to His Majesty The King for Royal Assent. As per the Bill, every tourist visiting Bhutan will be levied a Sustainable Development Fee of 200 US dollars per night. Click here to read…

Maldives
Maldives to build one of the world’s first floating cities as response to climate change: The National News

The Maldives will soon be home to one of the world’s first floating cities. Set in a warm-water lagoon close to the capital, Male, the new district will feature thousands of waterfront residences built across a flexible, functional grid. Click here to read…

Cabinet ministers briefed on latest updates of Yoga Day violence: The Sun

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Tuesday, has briefed his cabinet on the finding of the cabinet subcommittee investigating the mob attack on event held on June 21 at the National Stadium to mark the International Day of YogaClick here to read…

Myanmar
Myanmar: Response overview, June 2022 – Relief Web

Humanitarian needs in Myanmar continue to rise sharply since February 2021 as a result of political and economic upheaval and increased conflict. Click here to read…

Junta restricts food sales in Tanintharyi’s Palaw Township – Mizzima

The junta has ordered the closure of rice warehouses and restricted sales of food in Palaw Township in Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region, since 26 June, according to locals. Click here to read…

Thai authorities rescue two Burmese nationals from sinking boat – Mizzima

The Thai Border Guard Special Force carried out an emergency rescue of two Myanmar nationals when their fishing boat sank in Thai territorial waters on 26 June at around 12 p.m. Click here to read…

NLD slams junta transfer of Suu Kyi to prison in Myanmar capital – RFA

Myanmar’s deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) on Tuesday condemned the junta’s decision to move party leader Aung San Suu Kyi from detention to a prison in the nation’s capital, citing poor conditions and lack of access to health care at the facility. Click here to read…

Number of Rakhine youths gone missing after military’s arrest – Narinjara

A number of Rakhine youths have gone missing after they were arrested by the military councils during this month from the capital city of Arakan State. They were abducted by the junta soldiers from Sittwe after the Arakan Army members arrested a military captain and a soldier from the city on 23 June. Click here to read…

ASEAN Special Envoy on Second Visit to Myanmar; No Meeting With Suu Kyi – The Irrawaddy

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Special Envoy on Myanmar will start his second tour to the country on Wednesday, following up on the bloc’s peace plan and humanitarian assistance for the country that has been in social, political and economic turmoil since last year’s coup. Click here to read…

80 illegal immigrants from Myanmar held in Manipur – The Week

Eighty illegal immigrants from Myanmar were apprehended from Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Tuesday, police said. These illegal immigrants, who did not have any valid documents, were living in rented accommodations in Ngathal village and Vaal Veng of the district, they said. Click here to read…

Nepal
Government unclear on how to adjust taxes days after it slashed fuel prices- Kathmandu Post

Finance Ministry says Supply Ministry decided on price cuts; the former has made no move to revise the taxes yet. Click here to read…

Five traffic cops under probe after the incident of doctor beating- Kathmandu Post

A medical officer from Pulchowk-based health facility was beaten black and blue by a traffic official who asked him why he was ‘walking at night.’ Click here to read…

Nepal to build Budhi Gandaki hydroelectricity project through a separate company- Kathmandu Post

The storage-type 1,200 megawatt project has suffered quite some politicking over the years, with various governments allowing a Chinese firm to build it and then revoking the plan. Click here to read…

Incessant rainfall triggers floods across Tarai region- Himalayan Times

Inundation and floods triggered by incessant rainfall have killed one person and displaced hundreds of families across the Tarai. Click here to read…

UML demands resignation of Gandaki CM- Republica

The CPN-UML has demanded the resignation of CM Pokharel, saying that the ruling coalition has made the provincial assembly a prisoner of indecision by halting the discussion on the budget. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka’s economy shrinks 1.6% in the March quarter: Business Standard

Sri Lanka’s economy fell back into contraction last quarter as the country battled its worst economic problems since independence, with emergency aid to stabilise the island nation proving elusive. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka to end fuel duopoly to ease scarcity: Telegraph India

Sri Lanka will allow companies from oil-producing countries to import and sell fuel, the power and energy minister said on Tuesday, ending a duopoly as it tries to overcome a shortage of petrol and diesel that is exacerbating an economic crisis. Click here to read…

1,000 MT of Chinese Rice reach Sri Lanka: News First

44 containers of 1,000 MT rice donated by the Chinese people to Sri Lankan students arrived today. The shipment was handed over to the Ministry of Education on Tuesday (28). Click here to read…

Sri Lanka IOC restricts petrol sale amid fuel shortage: ANI

Amid the economic crisis and severe fuel shortage in Sri Lanka, Indian Oil’s subsidiary in Sri Lanka, Lanka IOC (Indian Oil Corporation) announced to restrict the sale of petrol to a maximum of Rs 7000 for four-wheelers, with immediate effect. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Pakistan needs to ‘do more’ for double IMF payout: Dawn

Pakistan will have to take at least two more “prior actions” to secure two combined tranches of about $1.85 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the end of July or early August. Click here to read…

GST on raw material aggravates shortage of 40 drugs: The News

In the wake of 17pc GST on the import of raw material, production of medicines has considerably dropped and aggravated the shortage of, at least, 40 essential and lifesaving drugs in markets across the country. Click here to read…

Imran warns Punjab police, bureaucrats not to follow ‘illegal’ govt orders: Dawn

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday asked the Punjab police and bureaucracy not to follow “illegal orders” of the provincial government during the upcoming local government elections, claiming the PTI has been maintaining the departments’ record. Click here to read…

Power outages pose risk of ‘connectivity blackouts’: Dawn

The telecom industry has warned the government of connectivity failures if prolonged power outages continue amid high fuel costs and stringent conditions on battery imports. Click here to read…

Cabinet rolls out first policy to tackle hazardous waste: The Express Tribune

The federal cabinet approved on Tuesday country’s first-ever National Hazardous Waste Management Policy, 2022, hoping that the Centre and provinces would finalise a National Action Plan (NAP) implementation framework of the policy within three months so that the country does not become a dumping ground of hazardous disposals. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, June 29, 2022

Xi encourages grain farmers to contribute to national food security: Xinhuanet
June 28, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored the exemplary role of large-scale grain growers in encouraging more farmers to contribute to the country’s food security. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks Monday in a letter replying to Xu Congxiang, a veteran grain farmer in Taihe County, east China’s Anhui Province. Click here to read…

China’s top legislator holds talks with lower house speaker of Kazakhstan’s parliament: Xinhuanet
June 28, 2022

China’s top legislator Li Zhanshu on Tuesday held video talks with Erlan Koshanov, the speaker of the Mazhilis, or lower house, of Kazakhstan’s parliament. Li, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that under the strategic guidance and direct push of the two heads of state, China-Kazakhstan relations have continuously achieved leap-forward development and a new height in the two countries’ permanent comprehensive strategic partnership has been reached. Click here to read…

Profits of Chinese SOEs down in first five months amid pandemic: Xinhuanet
June 28, 2022

China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) reported increased revenue but decreased profits in the first five months of this year, due to a high comparison base last year and the impacts of the pandemic, official data showed Tuesday. Click here to read…

China’s private enterprises quadruple in last 10 years: Xinhuanet
June 28, 2022

The number of Chinese private enterprises quadrupled in the past decade amid efforts to optimize the business environment, the country’s top economic planner said Tuesday. China’s private enterprises increased from 10.85 million in 2012 to 44.57 million last year, Su Wei, deputy secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press conference. Click here to read…

China unveils major sci-tech issues of 2022: Xinhuanet
June 28, 2022

The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) has released the major issues in science, engineering and technology, as well as industrial technology, for 2022.A total of 30 issues, including the early diagnosis of asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, the formation and evolution of black holes in the universe, the application of remote sensing to effectively assess the Earth’s health and the industrialization of memory-computation integrated chips, were highlighted during the closing ceremony of the CAST’s annual conference on Monday in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province. Click here to read…

Robot takes over for humans on power lines: China Daily
June 28, 2022

A robot completed its first work with electricity on overhead power lines in the Qingshan district of Wuhan, Hubei province, on Friday. It is the first time a domestically developed robot has been used to complete electrical work on a 10 kilovolt overhead line in the province. Click here to read…

Academic institutes should be bridges rather than platforms for anti-China lies: Global Times
June 28, 2022

When asked for comments on a China Center newly established within the Hudson Institute, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday that academic institutes should serve as bridges between different countries creating understanding and cooperation rather than distributing lies. Click here to read…

WeChat mini program offers general public virtual tours of Great Wall completely online: People’s Daily
June 28, 2022

A WeChat mini program that offers a window online for the general public to visit the Great Wall virtually was recently launched in China. The mini program was developed after a recent Great Wall protection and maintenance project was completed. During the project, several sections of the Great Wall were restored with the support of a total funding outlay of nearly 50 million yuan ($7.48 million). A documentary and a cartoon book popularizing knowledge about the Great Wall were also launched after the conclusion of the restoration project. Click here to read…

Digital yuan helps stimulate consumption, supports recovery of SMEs across China: People’s Daily
June 28, 2022

Multiple Chinese cities have recently issued “red packets” of digital yuan, or e-CNY, to stimulate consumption, with more e-CNY applications to be introduced in the future. On May 30, Shenzhen city in south China’s Guangdong Province started distributing e-CNY red packets worth 30 million yuan (about $4.50 million) on Meituan, a Chinese e-commerce platform, to revive consumption and aid businesses. Click here to read…

Chinese breakthrough lets human brains beam radio waves: South China Morning Post
June 28, 2022

Chinese researchers say they have made it possible for humans to beam radio waves with their brains in a breakthrough that could have uses ranging from health monitoring to mind-controlled military radar. In an air force laboratory experiment, researchers showed that brainwaves could control and interact with electromagnetic waves remotely. Click here to read…

Xi Jinping points to public opinion campaign as example of ‘whole-process democracy’: South China Morning Post
June 28, 2022

An online public opinion campaign for the Communist Party’s upcoming national congress has set the stage for the conclave, according to Chinese President Xi Jinping. State news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying the campaign was “not just an effective means for party members and the public to put forward their opinions about the country’s development and national rejuvenation but also a vivid demonstration of our whole-process democracy”.
Xinhua said the month-long campaign, which ended in mid-May, gathered 8.54 million opinions from the public for the congress, which is expected to usher in a younger party leadership and a third term for Xi as the organisation’s general secretary. Click here to read…

G-7 renews push to sanction Russia, to tackle China’s market abuse: Kyodo
June 29, 2022

Leaders from the Group of Seven nations made a renewed push Tuesday to continue punishing Russia over its war against Ukraine by agreeing to explore a price cap on Russian oil amid surging energy costs, while pledging $4.5 billion to combat a growing food crisis. Click here to read…

PetroChina may sell Australian, Canadian assets to stem losses: Reuters
June 29, 2022

PetroChina may sell out from natural gas projects in Australia and oil sands in Canada to stem losses and divert funds to more lucrative sites in the Middle East, Africa and central Asia, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Click here to read…

U.S. accuses five firms in China of supporting Russia’s military: Reuters
June 29, 2022

U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration added five companies in China to a trade blacklist on Tuesday for allegedly supporting Russia’s military and defense industrial base, flexing its muscle to enforce sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Click here to read…

China’s State Council appoints, removes officials: People’s Daily
June 29, 2022

The State Council announced the appointment and removal of officials Tuesday. Sun Guangyu was appointed as vice minister of emergency management. Zhen Zhanmin will no longer serve as vice president of the National Academy of Governance (NAG) and was appointed vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Yu Bin was appointed as deputy director of the Development Research Center of the State Council. Click here to read…

New phase of innovation begins between China and Singapore: China Daily
June 29, 2022

The China-Singapore Smart Park was officially opened on Sunday in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province, a new move between the two countries to promote innovative cooperation. As an important part of the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, a landmark Sino-Singaporean government project, the CSSP will focus on the fields of digital economy, green development, biomedicine and smart city construction. Click here to read…

Chinese grows in influence over decade: China Daily
June 29, 2022

Learning of nation’s language a major contributor to international exchanges. China has promoted the high-quality development of global Chinese language learning in the past decade, assisting foreigners in learning standard Chinese and enhancing international communication, officials and experts said. Click here to read…

Account verifications to limit spread of misinformation online: China Daily
June 29, 2022

Internet service providers as well as social media and sharing platforms are to be required to verify accounts that claim to be involved in certain specialist fields, such as the economy, education, health and justice, in order to protect the public from scams and the propagation of misleading information. Click here to read…

Efforts urged to stabilize employment: China Daily
June 29, 2022

Ensuring people’s well-being key to sustained economic development. Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to stabilize employment amid the new downward pressure facing the nation’s economy, saying that policies and measures to stabilize economic growth should focus on ensuring the vitality of market players to enable them to stabilize employment. Click here to read…