VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 09, 2022

Afghanistan
Ukraine Conflict Affecting Food Prices in S. Asia: World Bank: Tolo News

The World Bank in a recent report of 176 pages said that the economic and social situations in Afghanistan remain dire, despite increasing international humanitarian support following the abrupt cessation of aid inflows in August 2021. Click here to read…

Anas Haqqani Outlines Ways to Overcome Nation’s Poverty: Tolo News

A senior member of the Islamic Emirate, Anas Haqqani, at a gathering in Kabul on Tuesday listed measures to overcome poverty and illiteracy in the country. Speaking at a conference addressing the country’s poverty and education needs, Anas Haqqani called weak former governments, war, illiteracy, unemployment, climate change and population growth the main causes of povertyClick here to read…

Iran Hands Over the Military Equipment of the Previous Government to the Taliban: The Khaama Press

According to the Taliban-controlled media, the Iranian government has handed over to local Taliban forces all the military equipment transferred to Iran during the fall of the previous Afghan government. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
They’re not permitted to publish video- The Daily Star

In their declaration, the newspapers were not given permission to hold talk-shows and show videos on their websites, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said yesterday. Click here to read…

We can now achieve even bigger feats- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the success in constructing the Padma Bridge has instilled self-confidence in the people that the country can implement even larger projects in future. Click here to read…

Using padma bridge: Bus fares rise on 13 routes in southwest- The Daily Star

The authorities have increased the bus fares on 13 routes of south-western districts, which will come into force on June 26, a day after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge. Click here to read…

Budget for children in last 2yrs: It rose in numbers, fell compared to GDP- The Daily Star

Although the child-centric budget allocation increased in terms of size over the last two fiscal years, it dropped from 2.78 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 2.63 percent. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Economy to grow at 4.5 percent this year- Kuensel

The Bhutanese economy was projected to rebound and grow at 3.7 percent in 2021 and 4.5 percent in 2022 with signs of an improved economy, the finance minister said, presenting the budget report for the fiscal year 2022-23 in the National Assembly on June 6. Click here to read…
Finance minister proposes fiscal incentives Act amendment- Kuensel
Finance Minister Namgay Tshering tabled the Fiscal Incentives (amendment) Bill 2022 in the National Assembly yesterday. Click here to read…

More hospitals to offer off-hour consultation services- Kuensel

After the success of the off-hour consultation at Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), the service will be implemented in the regional and some dzongkhag hospitals. Click here to read…

Crown Prince of Bhutan, 6, Undertakes His First Solo Engagement- Town & Country

The six-year-old Crown Prince of Bhutan, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, the youngest crown prince in the world, is already taking on public duties as a royal. Click here to read…

Maldives
President: No plans of taking more loans to finance projects- The Sun

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said Wednesday his administration had no plans of taking more loans to finance projects. Click here to read…

President: Enough in reserves to import essential products- The Sun

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Wednesday that there were enough funds in the state’s reserves to import essential products such as fuel, staples and medical supplies, without any difficulties. Click here to read…

President Solih announces plans to run for re-election- The Sun

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced he intends to run for re-election in the upcoming 2023 presidential elections. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Myanmar military on collision course with international community – ArabNews

Myanmar’s military leadership last week confirmed that it will execute two pro-democracy activists after their appeals against their sentences were rejectedClick here to read…

Myanmar Military Junta Says Criticisms of Executions ‘Irresponsible and Reckless’ – The Diplomat

Myanmar’s military junta has condemned the United Nations and various Western governments for their criticisms of its chilling plan to execute four political prisoners for campaigning against last year’s coup. Click here to read…

Junta kills second student in a month at checkpoint – Mizzima

Ko Nyan Win, a third-year student from Hpa-an University, in Karen State, was shot dead by the military council on 5 June 5th, according to the Hpa-an University’s Students Union. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta charges former journalist with incitement for Facebook post – Myanmar Now

A former journalist from Mandalay who was arrested nearly two months ago has been charged with incitement for a Facebook post, according to lawyers familiar with his caseClick here to read…

Nepal
Switzerland agrees to assist Nepal for ReMi project- Himalayan Times

Nepal and Switzerland have signed an agreement for the implementation of the project “Reintegration of Returnee Migrant Workers (ReMi)” utilizing the Swiss Franc 6.8 million (equivalent to Rs. 861.3 million). Click here to read…

Embossed plates must only for new vehicles: DoTM- Himalayan Times

Following widespread criticism, the Department of Transport Management today clarified that the mandatory provision of affixing embossed number plates in Bagmati and Gandaki provinces by mid-July was based on the notice published on Nepal Gazette in October and is only applicable to newer vehicles. Click here to read…

Nabil Bank to open its toilets for public use for free- Himalayan Times

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and Nabil Bank have reached an agreement to allow public to use bank’s washrooms for free. Click here to read…

New bird species found in Chitwan- Himalayan Times

A new species of bird has been found in Chitwan. According to Nepal Bird Experts Association Bagmati Chapter Chairperson Basu Bidari, the new species bird was detected at a paddy field in Khairahani municiplaity-11, Pidhani area. Click here to read…

Janata Samajbadi on the brink as conflict escalates between Yadav and Bhattarai- Kathmandu Post

Two leaders came together in May 2019, but differences have surfaced now which could even alter national politics. Click here to read…

Top US Army official is arriving today- Kathmandu Post

Nepal Army could ask for delivery of sky trucks but no agreement likely on rifle supply. Click here to read…

Madhesh Province endorses govt’s policies and programs- Republica

The Madhesh Province Assembly has unanimously endorsed the provincial government’s policies and programs for fiscal year 2022/23. Click here to read…

Deliberation on Appropriation Bill to continue at HoR today as well- Khabarhub

Deliberation on different heading of various ministries under the Appropriation Bill will continue in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR). Click here to read…

Pakistan
Planners set 5pc GDP growth target for next year: Dawn

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Wednesday set next year’s economic growth rate target at five per cent with a Rs2.184 trillion worth of consolidated public sector investment — almost unchanged from Rs2.135tr development allocation in the current year. Click here to read…

Editorial: Charter of the economy: Dawn

WITH the economy in turmoil and no easy fixes on hand, it would be ideal if lawmakers from across the political divide were to pledge to work together to improve it. Given the reality, however, the prime minister’s desire for a ‘charter of the economy’ is likely to remain a pipe dream. Click here to read…

IMF drives hard bargain in ‘prior action’ talks: The News

With the proposed outlay of the federal budget of Rs9,500 billion, Pakistan and the IMF are engaged in the tough talks whereby the fund indicated placement of four to five major prior actions for the revival of the stalled $6 billion programme. Click here to read…

ISPR warns of legal action over ‘malicious allegations’ against army, its leadership: The Express Tribune

The military on Wednesday dismissed allegations hurled against its top leadership by senior journalist Shaheen Sehbai, terming them a ‘baseless propaganda’. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
Only India is giving us money for fuel, says Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe – The Times of India

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Wednesday that no country except India is providing oney to the crisis- hit nation for fuel except India. Click here to read…

Cancellation of Japanese projects to be probed- The Island

Chairperson of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Anura Priyadarshana Yapa yesterday (08) said that he would initiate an inquiry into the cancellation of several foreign-funded projects, following the last presidential election, in Nov 2019. Click here to read…

Country’s foreign reserves rose in May for first time in five months- The Island

Information released by the Central Bank (CBSL) on Wednesday (08) shows the country’s gross foreign reserves increased to 1,920 million US dollars in May 2022 from USD 1,812 million in April. Click here to read…

Indian pharmaceuticals expected here in two weeks- The Island

Sri Lanka will start receiving pharmaceuticals, under the Indian credit line in the coming two weeks, Secretary to the State Ministry of Drug Production, Supply and Regulation, Dr. Saman Rathnayake, said. Click here to read…