VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: October 11, 2021

Afghanistan

Intl Recognition Being Discussed by Islamic Emirate, US: Mujahid: Tolo News

On Friday a high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate left Kabul for Doha to attend a two-day meeting with US officials. Click here to read…

Dollar Smuggling Out of Afghanistan Increases: Money Changers: Tolo News

They said that “millions of Pakistani rupees” are brought in to Kandahar from Pakistan and are exchanged to US dollars and are taken back to the neighboring country. Click here to read…

US, Islamic Emirate Delegations to Meet in Doha: Tolo News

The high-level US delegation will include officials from the State Department, USAID and the US intelligence community. Click here to read…

Taliban transfer to Finance ministry nearly USD$18 million seized from previous government’s officials: The Khaama Press

Officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said that they transferred nearly USD$18 million from the central bank of Afghanistan-De Afghanistan Bank- to the ministry of finance on Sunday, October 10. Click here to read…

Taliban to continue issuance previous government’s e-NIDs: The Khaama Press

The caretaker cabinet of the Taliban has decided to go with the same electronic National IDs that used to be issued by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Country to get another nuclear power plant- Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government might set up another nuclear power plant in the southern region to meet the increasing demand for electricity. Click here to read…

Biggest hike in LPG price to date- Daily Star

The liquefied petroleum gas, which has progressively become the fuel of choice for cooking and running vehicles, has become 22 percent dearer. Click here to read…

Child marriage in pandemic: A scourge returns on tiptoe- Daily Star

The grim picture unfurled when schools across the country reopened on September 12, after around a year and half, and teachers noticed many of their students did not return to their classrooms. Click here to read…

‘It is important for Bangladesh to engage with India at the state as well as central level’- Dhaka Tribune

Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami points out that due to the power given to states under the Indian constitution, it makes sense for Bangladesh to also build relationships at the state as well as the national level. Click here to read…

Narcotics department bringing courier services under scanner- Dhaka Tribune

Government wants drug detection machines at courier offices, greater scrutiny of senders and couriers. Click here to read…

Media in crisis globally- Asian Age

Two journalists have been awarded Nobel Peace Prize 2021 who are Maria Ressa from Philippines and Dmitry Muratov from Russia. Click here to read…

Positivity rate comes down to 2.36%- Asian Age

Bangladesh on Sunday logged 481 coronavirus cases while the pathogen claimed14 lives overnight, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in its routine daily statement. Click here to read…

Bangladesh becomes one of fastest growing economies in world: ICCB- Asian Age

Over the past five decades, Bangladesh has transformed itself from being a ‘Basket Case’ to one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Click here to read…

Rohingyas happy over UN engagement at Bhasan Char- The Observer

The Rohingya community on Sunday brought out a procession to celebrate the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Bangladesh government and the United Nations on humanitarian services to Rohingyas relocated to Bhasan Char, says a press release. Click here to read…

BNP itself has no democracy: Quader- The Observer

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said BNP is now looking for democracy in the country despite having no democracy within the party. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan is tapping into solar energy with its first grid-tied solar power plant- Daily Bhutan

Email Electricity in Bhutan is mostly generated from hydropower, a renewable energy source, unlike fossil-fuel driven power plants that are major contributors to carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. Click here to read…

What are the zhey dances in Bhutan?- Daily Bhutan

“Zhey” literally means “dance”, referring to a traditional folk dance of Bhutan. There is singing and dancing to tunes of rapid rhyme. Throughout the performance, the movements are rigorous and the dancers take firm steps as they gradually increase in pace. Click here to read…

Did Shingkhar hold country’s mega solar project to ransom?- Kuensel

The 30-megawatt solar plant at Shingkhar in Bumthang has been deferred indefinitely raising questions about the government’s seriousness to pursue the country’s ambitious alternate renewable energy aspirations. Click here to read…

Talking about mental health: First important step to cure- Kuensel

UNICEF’s report on the state of the world’s children calls for opportunities to promote good mental health for every child. Click here to read…

Urban agriculture initiative struggling to keep beneficiaries- Kuensel

Under the urban agriculture initiative, the Department of Agriculture plans to hand over underutilised land to new beneficiaries. Click here to read…

Bhutan announces reopening of entertainment centres in low-risk areas- Northeast Now

The Bhutan government on Sunday announced reopening of entertainment centres with immediate effect. Click here to read…

Maldives

India resumes 2018 visa exemption agreement with Maldives – Hindustan Times

India has agreed to resume the 2018 visa exemption agreement with Maldives from October 15. Click here to read…

With tourist arrivals figure crossing 900,000-mark, Maldives inches closer to tourist arrivals target – Raajje

By Saturday, Maldives had welcomed a total of 905,817 arrivals, which is a 122.5 percent increase from the arrivals recorded in 2020, a sluggish year for Maldives tourism due to border-closure. Click here to read…

Cryptocurrency is not a legal tender: MMA – Edition

Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) said that the Maldivian law does not allow for cryptocurrencies to be used for valid business transactions in the nation. Click here to read…

UNGA President Shahid concludes official visit to Maldives – Raajje

President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has concluded his first visit to the Maldives in his capacity as PGA. Click here to read…

SAARC Secretary General arrives in the Maldives – Avas

The Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), His Excellency Esala Ruwan Weerakoon arrived on Saturday on an introductory visit to the Maldives. Click here to read…

IMF cautions Maldives on money printing to stop rufiyaa fall as Sri Lanka wobbles – Economy Next

Maldives should not print money if they wanted to maintain their rufiyaa peg at 15.4 to the US dollar and try to raise funds from bonds and curtail capital spending, the International Monetary Fund has said as Sri Lanka struggles. Click here to read…

Myanmar

UN Fears Imminent Attacks by Myanmar Military in Volatile Areas – VoA News

The U.N. human rights office warns the deployment of troops and heavy weapons by the Myanmar military into Chin state, Central Sagaing and Magway regions over the past few weeks may portend an imminent attack in these areas. Click here to read…

South East Asia’s Media Outlets Can Play Significant Role In Solving Rohingya Refugee Crisis – OpEd – Eurasia Review

We know that media outlets have a strong role in solving any crisis in the world. The print media, social media and electronic media can do much. South East Asia’s media outlets can also play a strong role in solving a serious crisis in South East Asia and South Asia. Click here to read…

Dozens of junta-appointed administrators resign after threats from resistance fighters – Myanmar Now

Scores of local administrators across the country have left their posts in recent weeks after the underground National Unity Government (NUG) demanded they quit and resistance fighters threatened more assassinations of those who continue to serve the coup regime. Click here to read…

Bangladesh signs U.N. deal to help Rohingya refugees on island – Reuters

U.N. officials signed a deal with Bangladesh on Saturday to help provide basic services to thousands of Rohingya Muslim refugees who have been moved to camps on a remote island in the Bay of Bengal. Click here to read…

Myanmar army plans worry UN human rights office – Telegraph India

The UN human rights office said on Friday it is concerned the military in Myanmar could be preparing an imminent attack aimed at its opponents amid a build-up of heavy weapons and troops in areas of the country where theInternet has also been shut down. Click here to read…

Nepal

There is consensus over Kalapani: Nepal ex-Minister- The Hindu

We are confident territorial dispute can be solved through dialogue, says former Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. Click here to read…

China’s BRI in Nepal burdened with hollow promises as Rasuwagadhi border remains closed- Khabarhub

In what can be termed as a blatant violation of its own commitment, China has tightened its grip at the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point, which was brought into operation declaring it as a major international border under its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Click here to read…

Pilgrimage stop in first stretch of revamped rail link to Nepal- Indian Express

Popular since the early 20th century, the rail link between Nepal and India is ready to resume on the neighbouring country’s first-ever broad gauge passenger service. Click here to read…

Industry minister Hamal puts in papers- Himalaya

Newly appointed Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Gajendra Bahadur Hamal resigned after media outlets and civil society members continued to accuse. Click here to read…

Three killed in Rupandehi police firing- Himalaya

Three persons were killed in police firing after squatters at Rupandehi’s Motipur Industrial Area clashed with police today. Click here to read…

Number of people leaving Kathmandu valley for Dashain up- Himalaya

The number of people leaving Kathmandu valley has started increasing as the greatest festival of Nepali Hindus, Bada Dashain, is approaching. Click here to read…

Congress lays claim to Bagmati chief minister seat- TKP

Coalition partners warn breach of agreement with CPN (Unified Socialist) could affect political alignment at the centre itself. Click here to read…

Global coal supply shortage may hit Nepal too, manufacturers say- KTP

They have warned prices of building materials could skyrocket during the peak construction season. Click here to read…

The start of the Anglo-Gorkha war- Nepali Times

Nepali Times reporter Alisha Sijapati spent a month retracing the Gorkha expansion beyond the Mahakali River more than 200 years ago to Garhwal, Kumaon and beyond. Click here to read…

Minister Ale directs NAC to implement e-ticketing- Republica

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has directed the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to immediately implement the e-ticketing system. Click here to read…

Import of silver soared multifolds in first two months of current FY- Republica

Nepal’s import expense on silver surged multifolds in the first two months of the current fiscal year. Click here to read…

Dakshina counts every Dashain: 7 fun facts about the culture of getting/giving bucks with blessings- Online Khabar

Dashain, the most awaited festival of most Nepalis, is already here. Dashain is famous, and, at the same time, infamous for so many reasons Click here to read…

Why Nepal should prioritise improving girls’ access to education in the wake of Covid-19- Online Khabar

Today, the entire world, including Nepal, is celebrating International Day of the Girl Child 2021 with the theme ‘Digital generation. Our generation’. Click here to read…

Nine-Day Navadurga Dance Of Bhaktapur Begins- Rising Nepal

The nine-day special Navadurga dance of Bhaktapur will begin on Monday by performing specific rituals of various localities of Bhaktapur district and nearby areas. Click here to read…

HoR holding meeting today- KhbaraHub

A meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) is taking place today. Click here to read…

Should Nepal Ratify the MCC Nepal Compact?- Diplomat

A U.S. grant of $500 million would give the fund-starved Nepali economy a shot in the arm. Click here to read…

Pakistan

PM Imran announces formation of Rehmatul-lil-Aalameen Authority: Dawn

The prime minister was addressing the Ashra-e-Rehmat-ul-Lil-Aalamin (PBUH) conference in Islamabad to kick off the ten-day celebration period till the 13th of Rabiul Awwal. Click here to read…

Afghan dispute overshadows desire for broad-based US-Pakistan ties: Dawn

After the latest round of talks in Islamabad on Friday, both the United States and Pakistan expressed their desire for reviving a broad-based relationship. Click here to read…

Linking snap elections with army reshuffle ‘unrealistic’: The Express Tribune

The ruling party denounced on Saturday Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) demand for early elections as “ridiculous”, Click here to read…

By-election in AJK: PTI, PPP retain seats in Mirpur, Kotli: The News

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) retained their seats in the by-elections held for two constituencies of Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Sunday. Click here to read…

Pak-IMF talks in Washington this week: The News

Pakistan and the IMF are scheduled to kick-start face-to-face policy level talks this week in Washington, DC, from October 13 to 15. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

US assistance for Lankan lifesavers – The Island

The US Embassy in Colombo has taken an initiative to assist to enhance the first responders’ knowledge and skills among Lankan lifesavers. Click here to read…

President assures constitution will be amended and new electoral system introduced – Adaderana

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today urged all Sri Lankans to extend their support to move the country forward accurately, under the notion of one country and one law without corruption. Click here to read…

Private sector borrowing hits record spike in August – Daily FT

Private sector borrowing has spiked to a record Rs. 134 billion in August, propelling the first eight months’ figure to Rs. 625 billion. Click here to read…

Oman, Sri Lanka mark 40th anniversary of relations – Times of Oman

Sri Lanka and Oman ODI cricket match began ahead of T20 World Cup with the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read…