VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 14, 2022

Afghanistan

HRW Decries 300 Days of Closed Girls' Schools: Tolo News

Human Rights Watch said that the “Taliban’s ban on secondary education” has already caused girls in Afghanistan to lose 300 days of their studies with devastating “consequences for them, their families, and the country’s future.” Click here to read... [2]

Uzbekistan to Host Conference on Afghanistan: Tolo News

The government of Uzbekistan is to host a conference on Afghanistan on July 25-26 in which delegations from more than 20 countries will participate, a statement of the country’s foreign ministry saidClick here to read... [3]

Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund Receives $2.2 Million Contribution from Switzerland: OCHA: The Khaama Press

UNOCHA tweeted its appreciation to Switzerland on Wednesday, July 13th, for its commitment of $2.2 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) to support the impoverished people of Afghanistan. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Govt takes austerity to field level- The Daily Star

In the face of growing pressure on the country's economy, the government issued strict directives to field-level administration to practise austerity while spending from the budget allocation. Click here to read... [5]

Many digital services exist just in name- The Daily Star

People are not getting the maximum benefit from the 761 services the government have digitalised for slow servers and poor internet speed, according to a government evaluationClick here to read... [6]

Still a lot to do- The Daily Star

Key infrastructures around Karnaphuli tunnel yet to be completed even though deadline approaches; 28-point recommendation placed to avoid traffic congestion. Click here to read... [7]

EU envoy meets Fakhrul- The Daily Star

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday. Click here to read... [8]

Bangladesh will never be like Sri Lanka- The Daily Star

Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif yesterday said the situation of Bangladesh will never be like that of Sri Lanka. Click here to read... [9]

Curbing inflation top priority- The Daily Star

Reining in inflation, stabilising the volatile exchange rate and shoring up the foreign currency reserves are among the major priorities for keeping the economy afloat, newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder said yesterday. Click here to read... [10]

$4.5b loan: IMF team to arrive tomorrow- The Daily Star

A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow on a nine-day trip to discuss the government's request for a $4.5 billion loan in the form of budgetary supportClick here to read... [11]

Bhutan

Trans Bhutan Trail in TIME’s annual list of World’s greatest places- Kuensel

The newly-restored Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT) has been named in TIME’s 50 extraordinary travel destinations around the world for 2022 yesterday. Click here to read... [12]

Most PTA projects nearing completion- Kuensel

Of the 82-project-tied assistance (PTA) projects worth Nu 28 billion (B) in the 12th Plan funded by the government of India (GoI), only 16 have been completed to date. Click here to read... [13]

Human resource shortage in LG hampers public service delivery- Kuensel

Without sufficient human resources, some gewogs in Dagana are facing difficulty to provide basic public services. Click here to read... [14]

Flash flood damages seven acres of fields in Minjigang in Samdrup Jongkhar- BBS

Usually, at this time of the year, farmers of Minjigang chiwog in Phuntshothang Gewog transplant paddy. But this year, some families are yet to start their work. Click here to read... [15]

Maldives

Sri Lankan president flees to Maldives, protesters demand prime minister's ouster - Reuters

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country on Wednesday, hours before he was due to step down, after a people's uprising over a devastating economic crisis ended his family's powerful grip on the island nation. Click here to read... [16]

Protests Near Maldives Prez’s House Urging To Send Gotabaya Rajapaksa Back To Sri Lanka - OmmcomNews

Maldivians and Sri Lankan expatriates are protesting near Maldives President Ibrahim Solih’s house urging the authorities to send ousted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa out from their country’s soil, the Head of the Maldivian TV channel told Daily MirrorClick here to read... [17]

Myanmar

Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visits Russia - RFA

Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for what Russia’s Embassy in Myanmar called a “private” visit, only two days after U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken vowed to ramp up international pressure on the military regimeClick here to read... [18]

ICJ to give verdict on Myanmar objections July 22 - New Age

The International Court of Justice on Monday set July 22 to deliver its judgment on the Myanmar preliminary objections to the case filed over the latter’s genocide against the Rohingyas in Rakhine stateClick here to read... [19]

Bamar People’s Liberation Army receives support of major rebel groups on one-year anniversary - Myanmar Now

A coalition of three major ethnic armed armed groups on Sunday declared its support for the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), which was formed a year ago to fight against the juntaClick here to read... [20]

The PDFs marching to their own tune - Frontier Myanmar

The Anti-Dictatorship People’s Revolutionary Army was formed with 100 members in April of last year, after the military’s brutal crackdowns on peaceful protesters left hundreds dead. Since then, it has swelled to nearly 1,000 fighters, most of which operate in the war-torn Sagaing Region, while some stage urban guerrilla attacks in Yangon and Mandalay. Click here to read... [21]

Children, Not Soldiers - UN Children and Armed Conflict

Launched in 2014, the campaign Children, Not Soldiers, an initiative of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and UNICEF, aimed to bring about a global consensus that child soldiers should not be used in conflictClick here to read... [22]

Nepal

Ruling alliance backs Pushpa Bhusal for deputy speaker- Himalayan Times

The ruling alliance has decided to field Nepali Congress whip Pushpa Bhusal for the post of deputy speaker. Click here to read... [23]

Heavy rainfall forecast in four provinces, public urged to remain alert- Himalayan Times

According to Meteorological Forecasting Division, the weather will be generally cloudy throughout the country today while light to moderate rain with thunder. Click here to read... [24]

HoR passes two bills- Himalayan Times

A meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today endorsed two bills that were tabled in the National Assembly. Click here to read... [25]

Nepal, China crucial talks today, with aim to revive mechanisms to settle boundary row- Kathmandu Post

Two countries have failed to conduct joint inspection of the border since 2011. Recent reports suggest disputes in some places, including Humla.

Candidacy being registered for the election of the Deputy Speaker today- Republica

The candidacy for the post of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives is being registered for the election of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. The election will be held on Friday. Click here to read... [26]

No closure after Nepal’s insurgency- Nepali Times

Sixteen years after the conflict ended, families still struggle for transitional justice. Click here to read... [27]

Pakistan

Flight From Pakistan Takes 181 Afghans to the Netherlands: The Khaama Press

The Dutch government announced Wednesday that a group of 181 Afghans had flown to safety following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan last year. They landed in the Netherlands on a chartered flight from Pakistan, according to Dutch media. Click here to read... [28]

Editorial: Lankan meltdown lessons: Dawn

THE spectre of the Sri Lankan situation has come to haunt many a developing nation facing serious economic challenges. After an economic meltdown, the South Asian country is now witnessing the unravelling of its political system. A mass uprising triggered by rising commodity prices has forced the government out. But the crisis is far from over. Click here to read... [29]

Ambassador Masood Khan meets key US Senate committee's chief: The Express Tribune

Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan held a meeting with Senator Jack Reed, chairman of the powerful US Senate Armed Services Committee, during which he expressed Pakistan’s interest in building on the existing relationship with respect to security between the two countries. Click here to read... [30]

Imran vows to win July 17 by-polls despite rivals ‘enjoying support of umpires': The Express Tribune

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday vowed to win the much-hyped July 17 Punjab by-poll despite the opponents enjoying the support of the "umpires".
Click here to read... [31]

Global Gender Gap report released: Pakistan is second-worst country in terms of gender parity: The News

Pakistan, with a population of 107 million women, is the second-worst country in terms of gender parity. This key finding was shared by the World Economic Forum in its Global Gender Gap Report, released on Wednesday. The report ranks Pakistan 145 out of 146 countries. Click here to read... [32]

Pakistan reaches staff-level agreement with IMF: The News

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a staff-level agreement to complete the combined 7th and 8th reviews of Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with an increased size of $7 billion. Click here to read... [33]

Sri Lanka

Prospects of SL securing IMF bailout remain bright despite political unrest-The Daily Mirror

Despite the current leadership vacuum in the country, a reputed economist remains optimistic of the prospects of Sri Lanka securing a rescue package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by September-October and following a staff-level agreement expected in about three weeks. Click here to read... [34]

Ukrainian President blames Russia for causing the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka-The Daily Mirror

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Russia for causing the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka as he pointed out that blocking of food products during the invasion of Ukraine has resulted in unrest all around the world. Click here to read... [35]

75 admitted to NHC following clashes today-The Daily Mirror

At least 75 persons including members of the security forces were injured during clashes which erupted today, hospital sources said. Click here to read... [36]

GR does not depart Maldives, awaits private jet-The Daily Mirror

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has not departed for Singapore on the scheduled Singapore Airlines flight from Male to Singapore but instead will now await to travel on a private aircraft, the Daily Mirror exclusively learns. Click here to read... [37]

Security forces want a political solution- The Island

Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva yesterday said that he along with the heads of the tri-forces had requested the Speaker to convene a party leaders’ meeting to resolve the current political turmoil. Click here to read... [38]