VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 13, 2022

Afghanistan
UN Official in Kabul to Address Afghan Refugee Issues: Tolo News

UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements, during her visit to Kabul, said she will meet with Islamic Emirate officials to discuss resolving Afghan refugee issues and establishing grounds for their return to Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Two Factories Start Operating in Herat Industrial Park: Tolo News

Amid the country’s economic crisis, the private sector established two plants at Herat Industrial Park costing almost $4 million, creating tens of thousands of jobs. These factories operate in the textile and oxygen production sectors. Click here to read…

Three Explosions Occur Simultaneously in Afghanistan’s Three Provinces: The Khaama Press

Three simultaneous explosions have been reported in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan, Kunduz, and Kunar provinces, according to sources. On Sunday morning, June the 12th, an explosion took place on a vehicle carrying Taliban forces in the Kari area of Faizabad, Badakhshan province. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
Reshuffle in ACC to hurt high-profile probes- The Daily Star

The recent reshuffle in the Anti-Corruption Commission would hamper investigation of many high-profile corruption cases, said officials who have been transferred. Click here to read…

Graft in Bangladeshi labour recruitment to Malaysia?- The Daily Star

After a meeting with Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmed on June 1, Malaysian Human Resources Minister M Saravanan said the migration cost for the Bangladeshis going to Malaysia under the new deal would be zero. Click here to read…

Jet fuel price goes up- The Daily Star

Local airlines are about to face a blow both at home and abroad as the price of jet fuel increased again in the domestic market. Click here to read…

Need to unite for int’l recognition- The Daily Star

The country will need to be united once again for international recognition of the genocide carried out by the Pakistani army during the 1971 Liberation War, said speakers at a meeting yesterday. Click here to read…

Ensure inclusive national election- The Daily Star

If the next general election is not joined by all political parties, it would not be accepted nationally and internationally, a number of former chief election commissioners, election commissioners and election officials said yesterday. Click here to read…

Move to return workers to Bahrain underway- The Daily Star

Bahrain has agreed to allow 161 stranded Bangladeshi workers back to Bahrain under a special arrangement after six months of Bangladesh’s request. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Nu 4B bond offers for public subscription- Kuensel

The government has offered a 12-year bond worth Nu 4 billion (B) for public subscriptions to be allocated using a yield-based auction, the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) notified on June 10. Click here to read…

His Holiness the Je Khenpo appoints Tshog-ki Lopon- Kuensel

His Holiness the Je Khenpo appoints the Tshog-ki Lopon of Zhung Dratshang. Click here to read…

Govt. is exploring more hydropower projects- Bhutan Times

The annual budget report for Financial Year (FY) 2022-23, which was tabled by Finance Minister Namgay Tshering in the National Assembly on 6 June, states the government is exploring and developing more hydropower projects for which various studies have been initiated. Click here to read…

Yoga reaches RENEW-Gawaling Happy Home- Bhutan Times

Indian Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj and officials of the Embassy of India in Bhutan visited RENEW Gawaling Happy Home in Wangsisina to commemorate the celebrations of the 8th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 9 June this week. Click here to read…

Reopening of border gates to depend on COVID-19 risk: Foreign Minister

The Member of Parliament from Khamaed Lunana during the question hour session asked the foreign minister about the country’s border reopening plans. Click here to read…

Maldives
The Maldives launches pro-India campaign on social media: Indian Express

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has initiated a social media campaign in favour of India in a bid to counter the ‘India Out’ campaign in the country. Click here to read…

Prolonged internet shut down in Paletwa puts locals in difficulties – Narinjara

In Paletwa township of Chin State, the internet has been blocked by the military council for a long time and hence the local people find it difficult to communicate accordingly. The internet service came to a halt in Paletwa locality for the first time in more than two years from June 2019 to February 2021. It was the time when the Arakan Army (AA) members clashed with the Burmese army personnel. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta to Move Forward With Trial of Australian Economist – The Diplomat

Myanmar’s military junta said yesterday that it will push ahead with the prosecution of the Australian economics professor Sean Turnell, after a military tribunal formally charged him with breaching the country’s Official Secrets Act. Click here to read…

Resistance Force Raids Army Checkpoint, Kills 13 Myanmar Junta Soldiers – The Irrawaddy

Three PDFs from Yesagyo and Myaing townships in Magwe and Salingyi Township in Sagaing Region raided a checkpoint at Sin Phyu Shin Bridge in the north of the township, said Yesagyo PDF. Click here to read…

Cambodia’s Hun Sen asks Myanmar to call off political executions – Asia Nikkei

Cambodia’s prime minister urged military-ruled Myanmar to reconsider the death sentences against four political opponents, suggesting that executing them will draw strong international condemnation and complicate efforts to restore peace to the strife-torn nation. Click here to read…

SHE TALKS PEACE: Myanmar community army – MindaNews

On “She Talks Peace,” I had an enlightening and encouraging conversation with Emma Leslie, the founder director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, supporting peace processes and conflict transformation in Asia. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta can’t beat rebels, should restore democracy, U.S. diplomat says – Reuters

Myanmar’s junta likely cannot to defeat the rebels fighting its rule and should restore democracy after seizing power last year, a senior U.S. diplomat said. Click here to read…

Nepal
Deuba’s July US visit kicks up a row- Himalayan Times

CPN-UML’s Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has demanded that Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba immediately inform the House of Representatives about his impending visit to the United States of America. Speaking from the rostrum of the HoR today, he said the PM must clarify about his visit to the US. Click here to read…

Forest minister seeks collective support in conservation efforts- Himalayan Times

Minister of Forest and Environment Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has urged the province and local governments to incorporate climate change and environment conservation-related programmes in their policies and programmes and implement them. Click here to read…

Budget sought for climate change adaptation- Himalayan Times

Lawmakers of Karnali Province have demanded that the government to bring a budget that can address the issues of climate change adaptation and social inclusion. Click here to read…

MPs from ruling parties asked not to play ‘minister’- Himalayan Times

In a meeting of the House of Representatives today, main opposition party lawmaker Bhanubhakta Dhakal has urged lawmakers representing the ruling parties not to be defensive in relation to issues raised by the opposition in the House. Click here to read…

People mulling independent runs for federal seats begin consultations- Kathmandu Post

Members of a network named ‘Swatantra Ummedwar Abhiyan’ are holding national consultations in Kathmandu on July 1 and 2. Click here to read…

Ruins of Maurya-era wall unearthed in Tilaurakot, Kapilvastu- Kathmandu Post

The recent finding is crucial to help enlist Tilaurakot in UNESCO’s world heritage list. Click here to read…

EPG was formed to remove irritants. Its report risks being a source of irritation- Kathmandu Post

Plan to unilaterally make public the report, prepared jointly be Nepali and Indian experts, is shelved for now. Click here to read…

Ministers to respond to MPs’ questions on Appropriation Bill from today- My Republica

Deliberations on Appropriation Bill, 2079 BS by the lawmakers concluded on Sunday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka may have to buy more Russian oil: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe: CNN

Sri Lanka may be compelled to buy more oil from Russia as the nation faces shortages amid an unprecedented economic crisis, its prime minister has said. Click here to read…

Lanka official says PM wanted Adani to get project; retracts, Gotabaya denies: Indian Express

A senior Sri Lanka official claimed before a Lankan parliamentary panel that Prime Minister Narendra Modi allegedly pressured President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to award a power project to the Adani Group. Click here to read…

There is a man-made economic crisis in Sri Lanka, says PM Ranil Wickremesinghe: WION Newes

Sri Lanka is currently going through the worst economic crisis since gaining their independence in 1948 and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe believes that it is the fault of the previous governments and the politicians. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Uncertainty, Ukraine war major risks to Pakistan’s economic outlook: Dawn

In an integrity statement to parliament required under the Public Finance Act as part of the federal budget, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and Secretary Finance Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh have also highlighted a possible increase in expenditures because of higher subsidies and interest payments and an anticipated setback to revenue collection owing to import and demand contraction, posing substantial risks to the economic growth and sustainability of fiscal and monetary projections. Click here to read…

Pakistan, China vow to step up defence cooperation despite challenges: The Express Tribune

A high-powered Pakistani delegation comprising senior military officials from all three services – army, navy and air force – visited China from June 9 to 12 as part of the meeting of Pakistan China Joint Military Cooperation Committee (PCJMCC), which has an apex committee. Pakistan’s army chief and vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission are part of the committee. Click here to read…

Govt to review salary tax relief after IMF objection: The News

The proposed tax relief in Personal Income Tax (PIT) to the tune of Rs47 billion is totally unacceptable to the IMF and the government is left with no option but to consider bringing changes in it. Click here to read…

PTI case about prohibited funding, ECP tells IHC: The Express Tribune

The IHC, while dealing with the PTI’s plea to stop the commission from giving an immediate verdict, noted in its judgment that an ECP representative had told the court that the electoral body was carrying out proceedings against the party under sub-rule 6 of the Rules of Political Parties 2002. Click here to read…