VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: January 25, 2022

Afghanistan
Islamic Emirate Meets With Envoys of 7 Nations, EU in Oslo: Tolo News

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and his delegation met with the envoys of the European Union and seven countries on Monday in Oslo, according to the Foreign Ministry. Click here to read…

3.5 million Doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover: The Khaama Press

Ministry of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced that they have administered 3.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since the Taliban regained power. Click here to read…

Govt flayed in Senate for appeasing terrorists, letting Taliban speak on its behalf: Dawn

Speaking on an adjournment motion on the rising tide of terrorism, opposition senators also voiced concern over talks with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which were being held through a government that was not recognised by any country of the world. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
BNP-Jamaat nexus plots to brand Bangladesh as ‘another Afghanistan’ – Weekly Blit

While lobbyists appointed by BNP-Jamaat nexus and several influential individuals are making frantic bids in getting Bangladesh banned from the United Nations Peace Keeping Force (UNPKF), the same nexus has been sending dossiers to selected members of Pentagon, Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and few advisors in the Biden administration with the nefarious goal of portraying Bangladesh as the “next jihadist breeding ground” and a “threat to the regional and international security”. Click here to read…

India is a Close Friend in the Process of Building Digital Bangladesh – ICT State Minister – DD News

India is a close friend in the process of building digital Bangladesh, said the ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak in Dhaka on Monday. Speaking on the occasion of the award of the tender to set up 6 Bangladesh Bharat digital service employment and training centers in 6 districts of Bangladesh, the Minister outlined several areas of cooperation between the two countries. Click here to read…

Bangladesh Finance and Nagad sign deal facilitation pact – Bolly Inside

The agreement was signed at a function held at the head office of Bangladesh Finance Limited in Dilkusha on Monday (24 January) afternoon. Under the agreement, Bangladesh Finance Limited will be able to provide various digital transaction-related services including opening of savings account and deposit collection, SME loan disbursement and repayable loan instalment collection, factoring loan disbursement through Nagad from now on, reads a press release. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Tata Motors launches its updated range of passenger vehicles in Bhutan – The Bharat Expressc

Samden Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., which is the authorized distributor of Tata Motors in Bhutan, will retail the vehicles, which include – the facelifted Tiago and Tigor, the Altroz, the facelifted Nexon, the Harrier and the company’s new flagship SUV, the Safari .
Click here to read…

Maldives
Maldives confirms 2,349 new Covid-19 cases; 1,325 from capital – Raajje

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 2,349 new Covid-19 cases and 849 additional recoveries were confirmed between 6pm Friday and 6pm Saturday. Click here to read…

Majlis to reconvene for first session of the year in February – Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be delivering is presidential address at the sitting at 9am, February 3. The sitting will be inaugurated by Speaker of Parliament and Former President Mohamed Nasheed after which the presidential address will be delivered. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Burmese Junta Continues To Apprehend Scribes, PEC Condemns Military Atrocities – North East Today

As the military rulers of Myanmar (also known as Burma and Brahmadesh) continue to arrest scribes in the south-east Asian country, the global media safety & rights body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the Burmese junta (also known as Tatmadaw) and demands the unconditional release of all 45 journalists still behind the bars since 1 February 2021 coup
Click here to read…

As Myanmar Military Escalates Crackdown, Mizoram Sees Influx of Refugees – The Wire

With the escalation of the Myanmar military’s attacks on several civilian areas in Chin state, there have been reports of a rise in the number of refugees fleeing into the Indian border state of Mizoram, aside from news about transportation of “war-like stores” from across the border to the northeastern state. Click here to read…

Myanmar army laid landmines along oil, gas pipelines in northern Shan State, rights group says – Myanmar Now

The junta recently placed landmines around oil and gas pipelines running through Hsipaw Township in northern Shan State to China, according to the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF). Click here to read…

Myanmar sentences lawmaker from Aung San Suu Kyi’s party to death – Aljazeera

A closed military court in Myanmar has sentenced a lawmaker from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party and a prominent democracy activist to death. Click here to read…

Focused COVID-19 Media Monitoring, Nepal (January 25, 2022) – Relief Web

Nepal reported 8 054 new COVID-19 infections, 4 deaths on 24 January; large number of youths infected with COVID-19; infection rate has reached 60% in Lumbini Province, many households have members showing COVID-19-like symptoms; risk of virus spreading high in Baitadi as people refuse to follow preventive regulations put in place. Click here to read…

Chinese investors pledge more capital inflow to Nepal – Global China Daily

Nepali government data suggest Chinese investors committed more direct investment in Nepal during the first half of the local fiscal year to July 15 than the entire previous fiscal year (July 16,2020 to July 15, 2021). Click here to read…

Nepal struggles to balance nature and industry – Nepali Times

Nepal’s economic planners are proud of the fact that Nepal is now self-sufficient in cement. Indeed, domestic production has expanded greatly to meet demand that has sky-rocketed since the 2015 earthquake. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Pakistan calls for enhancing multisectoral relations with Sri Lanka: The Express Tribune

In a meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Trade Dr Bandula Gunawardhana and State Minister for Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, who called on him with a delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qureshi highlighted the importance of strengthening existing fraternal relations between the two countries through high-level exchanges.
Click here to read…

Pakistan launches $1 billion Sukuk Bond after four years: The News

Pakistan entered the Islamic-denominated Sukuk Bond market on Monday after a pause of four years for raising $1 billion at an offered yield of 7.95 percent against the initial price targeting range of 8.25 to 8.37 percent. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
Pandora Papers probe awaits statement from Ranjan: Daily Mirror

The final report over the investigation launched by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) into the Pandora Papers will be finalised after a statement which is due by imprisoned former MP Ranjan Ramanayake is given, the Bribery Commission said. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka hopeful of obtaining further Indian aid of USD 1.5 billion: Foreign Minister: The Economic Times

The Sri Lankan government has said that there is a possibility of it obtaining a further USD 1.5 billion in aid from India, weeks after New Delhi announced a billion-dollar assistance package and a balance of payment support to the island nation which is facing a severe foreign exchange crisis. Click here to read…