VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 24, 2022

Afghanistan
Earthquake Death Toll in Paktika, Khost Rises to 1,100: Tolo News

Islamic Emirate officials said that the death toll from Wednesday’s devastating earthquake in Paktika and Khost provinces has risen to about 1,100 and the number of injured has risen to 1,600.The Ministry of State for Disaster Management said that more than 1,000 of the injured are in critical condition. The number of victims and injured is increasing day by day, as some people are still trapped in the wreckage. Click here to read…

MoRR Calls on UNHCR to Address Problems of Refugees: Tolo News

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) called on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to address the problems of Afghan refugees abroad. Talking to the gathering held to mark World Refugee Day, the acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Khalil Rahman Haqqani, expressed concerns over the mistreatment of Afghan refugees abroad. Click here to read…

The EU Allocates €1 Million for the Victims of Earthquake in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

The European Commission is allocating €1 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the devastating earthquake that struck southern Afghanistan early on June 22. This funding will be used to meet the most urgent needs of those impactedClick here to read…

Bangladesh
A leap for Asian connectivity- The Daily Star

This is a dream bridge which will not only establish the long-awaited direct road and rail communications between the capital city and south-western parts of Bangladesh but also contribute to greater connectivity and trade among Asian countries. Click here to read…

Hasina proposes joint river dredging with India to tackle floods- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday (June 23, 2022) proposed conducting dredging of rivers jointly with India which are shared by the two neighbouring countries for their mutual interest. Click here to read…

AL web team receives overwhelming greetings from grassroots on founding anniversary- The Daily Star

A huge number of people extended greetings to the Bangladesh Awami League on its 73rd founding anniversary by sending short messages and audio-visuals responding to call of the party. Click here to read…

‘Invest more in research’- The Daily Star

Scholars from different universities have stressed the need for increasing funds and research activities on digital technologies for preparing for the fourth industrial revolutionClick here to read…

Bhutan
Bhutan to adopt Torts Law- Bhutan Today

Civil Liability law will provide monetary compensation or damages for harm or injury as a result of commission or omission (negligence by either organization- government or private or by an individual, also, it will provide relief to the injured parties for harms caused by others and deter others from committing harmful acts. Click here to read…

Immigration officials come under ACC’s radar for misusing funds- Bhutan Today

Upon investigation of all the suspected immigration staff, the investigation led to further interrogation of these three officials and they were detained. Click here to read…

Bhutan fights back against water crisis- DW

Bhutan is increasingly struggling with the consequences of climate change as droughts and floods destroy local cropsClick here to read…

Maldives
Price of petrol rises to MVR 16.55 per liter: The SUN

State Trading Organization (STO) has raised the price of fuel sold in Maldives following the hike in global fuel prices. Click here to read…

Acts that harm foreign interests to be criminalized: Avas MV

The Attorney General’s Office has sent a bill to the President’s Office seeking to criminalize acts that are harmful to the country’s foreign interests. Click here to read…

Myanmar
ADB okays $41.4m grant for Rohingyas – The Daily Star

The Asian Development Bank yesterday approved a $41.4 million grant to help improve infrastructure and manage the basic needs of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. Click here to read…

Burma Army Extends Deadline For SSPP In Southern Shan State – BNI Online

The regime has extended the deadline for the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) to withdraw from three camps in southern Shan State, but a representative of the ethnic armed group told SHAN they aren’t going anywhere. Click here to read…

Myanmar military junta confirms Suu Kyi’s imprisonment – LaPrensLatina

Myanmar’s military junta confirmed Thursday the entry into prison of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest since the February 2021 coup. Click here to read…

AA urges Arakanese people to be wary of potential for sectarian strife – BNI Online

The Arakan Army (AA) has called on the people of Arakan State to be wary of the military junta, which it accused of stoking racial and religious tensions in the region following the disappearance and apparent kidnapping of two educators in Maungdaw Township. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi moved to prison from undisclosed location – Reuters

Myanmar’s ruling military authorities have transferred deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to prison from the undisclosed location she has been held at since last year’s army coup, news outlets including the BBC reported on Thursday. Click here to read…

End of Mission Statement: Thomas Andrews, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (23 June 2022) – Relief Web

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, today expressed his appreciation for Malaysia’s increasing leadership on the crisis in Myanmar, and urged States in the region to adopt a similar approach to the human rights catastrophe unfolding under military ruleClick here to read…

Nepal
Crusher industry rules amendment stayed- Himalayan Times

The Supreme Court has stayed amendment made to the Standard on Extraction, Sale, and Management of Stones, Pebbles, and Sand- 2020 by the government on May 22. Click here to read…

Former govt official held for amassing illegal assets- Himalayan Times

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority today filed a charge-sheet at the Special Court against a former Nayab Subba (non-gazetted first class officer) for allegedly accumulating disproportionate assets worth around Rs 24.5 million during his service term at various offices of the Government of Nepal. Click here to read…

Shrestha appointed Nepal’s ambassador to China- Himalayan Times

President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Thursday appointed Bishnu Pukar Shrestha as Nepal’s residential ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Click here to read…

Madhav Nepal’s tale of woe continues with ministers defying party decision- Kathmandu Post

Unified Socialist chair wants Cabinet reshuffle but Deuba is reluctant, stoking blame gameClick here to read…

Government is in a fix. It has decided to shun SPP but is not clear how to do that- Kathmandu Post

Foreign Ministry officials say they’ve got Cabinet decision ‘not to move ahead’, which they find too vague to pursue. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Editorial: Parliament’s imprimatur: Dawn

IT may be a given that the country’s security establishment would take the lead in talks with the banned TTP, but it was important that this hugely consequential issue be part of a more inclusive process. And that is the direction in which matters at last seem to be moving. Click here to read…

43pc foreign-funded projects found to be ‘problematic’: Dawn

The Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Thursday that 43 per cent of about $35 billion worth of foreign-funded projects were problematic — either not progressing well or unable to deliver the desired outcomes. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
India team in Lanka: Ready to aid recovery via investments: Indian Express

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Kwatra, accompanied by Seth and Nageswaran, held “productive discussions” with President Rajapaksa “on the current situation in Sri Lanka and India’s ongoing support”.Click here to read…

India to extend full support to Sri Lanka, says Foreign Secy: Tribune India

In a surprise visit to Sri Lanka, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has assured that India will extend its full support to the economically beleaguered country in overcoming its difficult situation as a close friend. Click here to read…