VIF Neighborhood News Digest: September 30, 2019

PAKISTAN

Imran to visit Azad Kashmir’s earthquake-hit areas today: Dawn
September 30, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit the southern Mirpur district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday (today) to express solidarity with the victims of the earthquake that hit the lakeside city and its adjoining areas on Tuesday, officials said on Sunday. The prime minister would be given a briefing on losses as well as rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures taken by the AJK officials at the helipad following which he would drive to the divisional headquarters hospital to inquire after the health of some of the survivors being treated there, said Chaudhry Mohammad Tayyab, divisional commissioner of Mirpur. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan Forces Repulse Taliban Attack In Taluqan, Takhar: Tolo
September 30, 2019

Local officials from Takhar province said Monday that security forces prevented a Taliban attack on Sunday night in the city of Taluqan, capital of the province. Mohammad Jawad Hijri, spokesman for the Takhar governor, said that over the past few days the Taliban attacked areas close to Taluqan, including Baharak district, in order to disrupt the election process and to take control of areas close to the capital. Hijri said that security forces now have control of police headquarters and last night airstrikes killed 36 Taliban, and ANDSF reinforcements have arrived to push back the Taliban. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

UNHRC vote on Rohingya: Bangladesh’s diplomatic failure exposed yet again: Dhaka Tribune
September 30, 2019

Dhaka fails to persuade China, India, and Japan to vote for the resolution introduced by Pakistan. The September 26 vote on a resolution titled “Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar” at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has once again exposed Bangladesh’s failure in diplomacy. Although the resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority, Bangladesh failed to convince any of its neighbors to support it. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

UN hails Myanmar’s ratification of treaty on children in conflict: Myanmar Times
September 30, 2019

A top United Nations official hailed Myanmar’s ratification of the optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which deals with the involvement of children in armed conflict. Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin deposited the accession instrument during a ceremony that took place on the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York last week. “The international engagement taken today by the government of Myanmar to better protect its children is a welcome step,” said Virginia Gamba, UN special representative of the secretary-general for Children and Armed Conflict. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

NPM Presidential candidate Mahesh Senanayake: Daily Mirror
September 30, 2019

Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake was yesterday named as the Presidential Candidate of the National People’s Movement and People’s Forum Organization. General Mahesh Senanayake was announced as the Presidential Candidate at a convention held yesterday at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. He is to enter the presidential contest under the theme “Rata Rekumata - Rata Negumata”. He is the 22nd Army Commander of Sri Lanka. Click here to read... [6]

BHUTAN

Demand for public transport outstrips government effort: Kuensel
September 30, 2019

The growing population and the expansion of Thimphu Thromde, coupled with increasing the cost of transportation, have made expansion and upgradation of the city’s public transport system urgent. The capital city’s public transport system has improved in terms of number of city buses. However, insufficient capacity to meet ridership demand during peak hours and inadequate routes show that government’s efforts have failed to catch up with the growing demand for public transport services. Click here to read... [7]

NEPAL

Attack on government critic signals drive to crush dissent: The Kathmandu Post
September 30, 2019

The Nepal Communist Party has never been open to criticism, whether from inside or outside the party. While Prime Minister and NCP Co-chair KP Sharma Oli have asked party members to refrain from criticizing the government and support its works, Co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called on party members to defend the government and counterattack against “regressive forces”. All of this incitement seemed to come to a head on Saturday, when Gyanendra Shahi, a self-styled social campaigner, was brutally attacked by an unidentified group in Chitwan. Shahi is the same person who, a few weeks ago, made headlines after he verbally berated Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai for delaying a Kathmandu-bound flight at the Nepalgunj airport. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Xi confers top honors on heroes, role models: China Daily
September 30, 2019

President Xi Jinping called on the Party and whole nation to remain as committed and hardworking as the heroes and role models who received national awards on Sunday. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark in a speech during the presentation ceremony for national medals and honorary titles. Click here to read... [9]

Ministry eyes high-quality growth in foreign trade: China Daily
September 30, 2019

China will enhance its protection of foreign enterprises in China, step up efforts in facilitating foreign investment and try to open up more in certain areas in order to improve its business environment, the Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday. The ministry also said it will continue its efforts in stabilizing foreign trade and will achieve this year's trade growth goals, contributing to the healthy and stable development of the national economy. Click here to read... [10]