VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 08, 2022
Afghanistan
Recent Floods Inflicted Human, Financial Losses Nationwide: Tolo News

The fatal floods flowed recently across Afghanistan Inflicted human casualties and financial losses with hitting thousands of acreses of agricultural land. Click here to read...

Stanekzai Calls for Inclusion of Women in Govt Departments: Tolo News

The deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, said that the inclusion of women in government departments is necessary.
Speaking at an inauguration ceremony of a trade exhibition of domestic products, Stanekzai said that women make up half the population and that they are "not neglected" and “they should be involved in all areas of life including the economy, politics, and the nation's reconstruction.” Click here to read...

US: It is “Too Early” to Recognize the Taliban’s Government: The Khaama Press

The US says no foreign government is considering recognizing the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, despite the fact that the group will complete a year in power in Kabul next month.Click here to read...

Bangladesh
Lift sanctions against Russia- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the Western countries to lift the sanctions on Russia, saying that millions of people across the world were suffering as the sanctions impacted global supply chains and increased prices food and other commodities. Click here to read...

More steps mulled to cut power demand- The Daily Star

The power outages the people are enduring nationwide could go on until September, and the government may change office and school hours and reintroduce home office to reduce electricity demand. Click here to read...

Don't take their source of livelihood- The Daily Star

Eight environmentalist organisations yesterday collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies, urging them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union of Khulna's Dacope upazila. Click here to read...

Cattle markets near Rohingya camps buzzing- The Daily Star

With Eid getting ever closer, Rohingya camps have been in a festive mood lately, as many were seen buying animals for sacrifice in nearby cattle markets. Click here to read...

Govt to implement nationwide Religious Harmony, Awareness Project- The Daily Star

The government will implement a nationwide "Religious Harmony and Awareness Project" through education and cultural activism involving women, youth, civil society, community, and faith leaders to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Click here to read...

"Globally accepted methodologies of social science research were followed"- The Daily Star

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has appreciated Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki's expectations of evidence-based arguments and said there is no scope of treating any aspect of its research on fossil fuel-based power plants in the country as unfounded. Click here to read...

'Lowering age limit not a solution’- The Daily Star

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights. Click here to read...

Unicef voices concern over attacks on teachers- The Daily Star

Expressing concerns over the recent attacks on teachers in Bangladesh, Unicef has called for ensuring their safety and security. Click here to read...

Bhutan
Government to continue rationalisation measures in this fiscal year- Kuensel

As the country’s domestic revenue is adequate to only meet recurrent expenditure, the government will continue implementing rationalisation measures in this fiscal year. Click here to read...

Second phase of cancer screening underway- Kuensel

Some 70,000 people are on triple therapy medication after testing positive to H.Pylori bacteria during the ongoing nationwide screening campaign. Click here to read...

India issues special trade concessions for Bhutan- Fresh Palza

India has decided to make special trade concessions to Bhutan in view of the close trade and economic ties with the Himalayan Kingdom. Click here to read...

India-Bhutan hydropower cooperation: Assessing the present scenario- ORF India

Despite the strong bilateral ties between Bhutan and India, unfavourable opinions about India’s involvement in the hydropower sector are emerging. Click here to read...

Bangladesh
Lift sanctions against Russia- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the Western countries to lift the sanctions on Russia, saying that millions of people across the world were suffering as the sanctions impacted global supply chains and increased prices food and other commodities. Click here to read...

More steps mulled to cut power demand- The Daily Star

The power outages the people are enduring nationwide could go on until September, and the government may change office and school hours and reintroduce home office to reduce electricity demand. Click here to read...

Don't take their source of livelihood- The Daily Star

Eight environmentalist organisations yesterday collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies, urging them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union of Khulna's Dacope upazila. Click here to read...

Cattle markets near Rohingya camps buzzing- The Daily Star

With Eid getting ever closer, Rohingya camps have been in a festive mood lately, as many were seen buying animals for sacrifice in nearby cattle markets. Click here to read...

Govt to implement nationwide Religious Harmony, Awareness Project- The Daily Star

The government will implement a nationwide "Religious Harmony and Awareness Project" through education and cultural activism involving women, youth, civil society, community, and faith leaders to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Click here to read...

"Globally accepted methodologies of social science research were followed"- The Daily Star

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has appreciated Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki's expectations of evidence-based arguments and said there is no scope of treating any aspect of its research on fossil fuel-based power plants in the country as unfounded. Click here to read...

'Lowering age limit not a solution’- The Daily Star

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights. Click here to read...

Unicef voices concern over attacks on teachers- The Daily Star

Expressing concerns over the recent attacks on teachers in Bangladesh, Unicef has called for ensuring their safety and security. Click here to read...

Bangladesh
Lift sanctions against Russia- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the Western countries to lift the sanctions on Russia, saying that millions of people across the world were suffering as the sanctions impacted global supply chains and increased prices food and other commodities. Click here to read...

More steps mulled to cut power demand- The Daily Star

The power outages the people are enduring nationwide could go on until September, and the government may change office and school hours and reintroduce home office to reduce electricity demand. Click here to read...

Don't take their source of livelihood- The Daily Star

Eight environmentalist organisations yesterday collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies, urging them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union of Khulna's Dacope upazila. Click here to read...

Cattle markets near Rohingya camps buzzing- The Daily Star

With Eid getting ever closer, Rohingya camps have been in a festive mood lately, as many were seen buying animals for sacrifice in nearby cattle markets. Click here to read...

Govt to implement nationwide Religious Harmony, Awareness Project- The Daily Star

The government will implement a nationwide "Religious Harmony and Awareness Project" through education and cultural activism involving women, youth, civil society, community, and faith leaders to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Click here to read...

"Globally accepted methodologies of social science research were followed"- The Daily Star

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has appreciated Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki's expectations of evidence-based arguments and said there is no scope of treating any aspect of its research on fossil fuel-based power plants in the country as unfounded. Click here to read...

'Lowering age limit not a solution’- The Daily Star

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights. Click here to read...

Unicef voices concern over attacks on teachers- The Daily Star

Expressing concerns over the recent attacks on teachers in Bangladesh, Unicef has called for ensuring their safety and security. Click here to read...

Bangladesh
Lift sanctions against Russia- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the Western countries to lift the sanctions on Russia, saying that millions of people across the world were suffering as the sanctions impacted global supply chains and increased prices food and other commodities. Click here to read...

More steps mulled to cut power demand- The Daily Star

The power outages the people are enduring nationwide could go on until September, and the government may change office and school hours and reintroduce home office to reduce electricity demand. Click here to read...

Don't take their source of livelihood- The Daily Star

Eight environmentalist organisations yesterday collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies, urging them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union of Khulna's Dacope upazila. Click here to read...

Cattle markets near Rohingya camps buzzing- The Daily Star

With Eid getting ever closer, Rohingya camps have been in a festive mood lately, as many were seen buying animals for sacrifice in nearby cattle markets. Click here to read...

Govt to implement nationwide Religious Harmony, Awareness Project- The Daily Star

The government will implement a nationwide "Religious Harmony and Awareness Project" through education and cultural activism involving women, youth, civil society, community, and faith leaders to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Click here to read...

"Globally accepted methodologies of social science research were followed"- The Daily Star

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has appreciated Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki's expectations of evidence-based arguments and said there is no scope of treating any aspect of its research on fossil fuel-based power plants in the country as unfounded. Click here to read...

'Lowering age limit not a solution’- The Daily Star

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights. Click here to read...

Unicef voices concern over attacks on teachers- The Daily Star

Expressing concerns over the recent attacks on teachers in Bangladesh, Unicef has called for ensuring their safety and security. Click here to read...

Maldives
India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Mauritius jointly deliberate on national security - United News of India

India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Mauritius concluded a joint meeting to discuss importance of national security in a conclave held on ThursdayClick here to read...

Australia has been a longstanding partner of Maldives: VP Naseem

The High Commissioner of Australia to the Maldives, David Holly, paid his farewell call on Vice President Faisal Naseem.

The Australian High Commissioner paid his farewell call to the VP on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the President’s Office. Click here to read...

"I look forward to strengthening the friendly relations between Maldives and Solomon Islands”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid has expressed his wish to strengthen the friendly relations between the Maldives and Solomon Islands.

Foreign Minister Shahid expressed this in his message of felicitations to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Solomon Islands. Click here to read...

Maldives and Comoros will continue to collaborate closely: FM Shahid

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid has stated that the Maldives and Comoros will continue to collaborate closely.

Minister Shahid stated this in his message of felicitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Comoros, Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, on the occasion of the country's Independence Day. Click here to read...

You’re Not Imagining It, This Maldives Floating City Concept Does Look Like a Brain

This is the Maldives Floating City concept, a fascinating collection of houses, hotels and restaurants floating among some islands.

As a picturesque island nation, the Maldives is extremely vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. Click here to read...

Maldives advances its disaster and climate resilience agenda

As a small island developing state, the Maldives is among the most at-risk countries to the impacts of climate change. With 80% of its population living less than one metre above sea level, the climate emergency is an existential threat for the Maldives, driving increasingly severe hazards such as floods, strong winds, swells, and storm surgesClick here to read...

Myanmar
Insecurity Growing in Rohingya Refugee Camps - International Policy Digest

5 years have passed since the Rohingya refugee influx in 2017. More than a million Rohingya refugees are living in squalid conditions in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh making it the largest refugee settlement in the world. The increasing rate of trans-border crime in those camps is not only making the Rohingya vulnerable but also threatening the security of the region. Click here to read...

Myanmar army soldiers defect to KNU to side with anti-coup protesters - Myanmar Now

Twelve soldiers serving in the Myanmar military have deserted and turned themselves over to the Karen National Union (KNU) in a show of solidarity with anti-coup protesters, the ethnic armed group has reported. Click here to read...

Manipur : Security Tightened In Moreh; After Mob Torches ‘Myanmar Army Sentry Post’ Over Killing Of 2 Tamils - NorthEast Today

Security has been tightened in Moreh, after mob from Manipur entered neighbouring Myanmar and torched a small army sentry post, marking protest against the killing of two Tamil men in the nation. Click here to read...

Vox Pop: Reactions from Arakan State to deadly junta air raid on AA camp near Thai-Myanmar border - BNI Online

Six members of the Arakan Army were killed when the Myanmar military carried out airstrikes on an AA outpost in territory of the Karen National Liberation Army’s Brigade 5, near the Myanmar-Thai border in Kayin (Karen) State. Some members were also injured, and a handful of buildings in the area were damaged or destroyed. The AA has vowed retaliation for the attack. Click here to read...

Nepal
Finance Minister Sharma resigns- Himalayan Times

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, who has been accused of changing tax rates to benefit business houses and deleting CCTV footage of May 28 night from his office, resigned from his post today. Click here to read...

Deuba’s US visit, initially proposed for mid-July, appears uncertain- Kathmandu Post

Foreign Ministry officials say the prime minister’s visit is ‘still on the plan’ but they are yet to hear from Washington. Click here to read...

Import explosion and trade deficit pushing Nepal into economic crisis- Kathmandu Post

Feverish consumption has been a bonanza for the trading sector, but the phenomenon brought disaster to manufacturing and agriculture sectors, experts say. Click here to read...

SC paves the way for Adhikari to continue office as NAC Executive Chair- Republica

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order, asking the government to give continuity to Yubaraj Adhikari as Nepal Airlines Corporation’s (NAC) Executive Chairperson. Click here to read...

Sajha starts e-bus service in Kathmandu- Nepali Times

Nepal needs to shift to electric transport to reduce trade gap and reach net-zero target. Click here to read...

Pakistan
ECC okays up to 335pc gas price increase: Dawn

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved up to 335 per cent increase in consumer-end gas prices on Thursday with effect from July 1 to generate about Rs666 billion in revenue for two gas utilities during the current fiscal year. Click here to read...

Key CPEC projects back on track as confidence restored: Dawn

Pakistan and China’s ties are back on track after Pakistani security forces successfully smashed the terrorist cell and nabbed the mastermind involved in an attack that killed three Chinese teachers at Karachi University, a source told Dawn on Thursday. Click here to read...

Fawad seeks an end to ‘threatening calls’: The Express Tribune

PTI leader and Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday sought an end to “threatening calls” from “unknown numbers” saying chief of the army staff (COAS) and the DG ISI had assured that their institutions would not get involved in any political activity. Click here to read...

PLL’s $1bn LNG tender flop to worsen energy crisis: The News

The country’s energy agonies will further soar in August as it will only have 700mmcfd imported gas —six cargoes from Qatar and one from ENI- amid a shortfall of 500mmcfd in the system as it did not receive a single offer in a $1 billion LNG purchase tender, The News learnt on Thursday. Click here to read...

SBP’s forex reserves fall to $9.8 billion: The News

The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves again fell below $10 billion in the week that ended June 30 on foreign debt and import payments, it said on Thursday. Click here to read...

Sri Lanka
Church of Ceylon calls on Prez, PM to resign immediately- The Daily Mirror

The Church of Ceylon has called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to immediately resign and form a truly representative interim administration which can regain the confidence of the Sri Lankan people and the international community. Click here to read...

SLTB TUs threaten to withdraw from service if authorities don’t respond- The Daily Mirror

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) trade unions have decided to withdraw from all their operations from 10:00 am today if the authorities do not provide adequate fuel for their employees to report to workClick here to read...

Court rejects AG’s request to prevent protesters entering close proximity to President’s House- The Daily Mirror

A request made by Fort Police through the Attorney General to issue an order preventing the protesters from entering in close proximity to the President's house premises on Friday (8) and Saturday (9) was yesterday rejected by Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court. Click here to read...

It is inaccurate that some countries await change of Govt to offer aid or assistance- The Daily Mirror

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung said yesterday it is inaccurate that some countries are waiting for the change of government to offer aid or assistance to Sri Lanka. Click here to read...

Probe the huge profit margins CPC makes on imports, sales of fuel: PUCSL Head- The Daily Mirror

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman, Janaka Rathnayake, today urged the government to investigate the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for making huge profit margins on fuel imports and sales. Click here to read...

Korea to issue E-7 visas to Lankan workers- The Daily Mirror

Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Santhush Woonjin Jeong promised to draw attention of the Korean government over providing 'E7 visa facility' for Sri Lankan workers have worked in Korea for more than ten years and returned. Click here to read...

Two representatives of Russian Oil Company arrive in SL- The Daily Mirror

Two representatives of a Russian Oil Company arrived in Sri Lanka to discuss the fuel supply to Sri Lanka. National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa and several others were present at the Airport to welcome them. Click here to read...

SL looks to Indian visitors to restore battered tourism sector- The Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka will hold road shows in five key Indian cities to attract more visitors from its populous northern neighbor in a bid to bring more foreign currency into the crisis-hit island, the Tourism Minister said yesterday. Click here to read...

Interruption to water supply in many parts of Colombo- The Daily Mirror

Water supply to Colombo 12, 13, 14 and 15 was interrupted due to a water supply pipeline rupture, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said. Click here to read...

6.26 mn people in Sri Lanka are food insecure: WFP- The Daily Mirror

The World Food Programme (WFP) in its latest report said that 6.26 million people in Sri Lanka are food insecure and it targets 3 million people to receive emergency food, nutrition and school meals until December. Click here to read...

US ambassador speaks glowingly of JVP- The Island

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung yesterday said the JVP’s popularity was growing because the party resonated with the public. Click here to read...

Monetary Board increases interest rates drastically to tackle runaway inflation; highest levels in 21 years- The Island

The Monetary Board on Wednesday (06) increased the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 100 basis points to 14.50 per cent and 15.50 per cent, respectively. Click here to read...

No MCC arrangement again - Ambassador Chung- Daily News

US Ambassador Julie Chung said the US was not considering to have an arrangement from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) at this time for Sri Lanka. Click here to read...

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