VIF Neighborhood News Digest: December 10, 2019

PAKISTAN

Imran launches app to fight graft: Dawn
December 10, 2019

Urging people not to glorify corrupt elements, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said his dream of Naya Pakistan would turn into reality when the youth of the country exposed those who had looted the national wealth and stashed it abroad. “Although Naya Pakistan is in the making, the dream will come true only when the youth participate in the process and chase the looters,” the prime minister said while addressing the launching ceremony of “Report Corruption” mobile application introduced by the Anti-Corruption Establishment of Punjab. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Ghani Calls for Regional, Int’l Support for Afghan Peace: Tolo
December 10, 2019

President Ashraf Ghani on Monday addressed the eighth ministerial conference of the “Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process” in Turkey and emphasized the need for a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and stressed the need for an international and regional consensus for peace. He said the main goal is to put an end to 40 years of violence by ensuring that not only the conflict ends but to secure guarantees for its non-repetition. “A political solution through an enduring peace process is an imperative but so is agreed-upon mechanisms for dealing with the threats of terrorism and criminality and narcotics,” Ghani said. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

World hunger index 2019: Bangladesh performed better than India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan: Dhaka Tribune
December 10, 2019

Bangladesh has reduced hunger by a significant margin, but the severity of the crisis still remains serious, according to a report published by World Hunger Index (GHI) 2019. Bangladesh has been ranked 88th out of 117 qualifying countries in the index with a score of 25.8, which is higher than that of India and Pakistan. The country secured the 86th position among 119 countries last year with a score of 26.1 points in 2018. The score was 30.3 in 2010. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Rohingya demand justice ahead of Myanmar genocide hearings: Myanmar Times
December 10, 2019

Rohingya Muslims demanded Myanmar be held to account at the United Nations' top court in The Hague, where Myanmar leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is set to defend the country against charges of genocide of the minority community. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar in 2017 after a brutal military-led crackdown the UN has said was executed with "genocidal intent" and included mass killings and rape. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

Swiss Embassy staffer examined by JMO: Daily Mirror
December 10, 2019

The travel ban on the Swiss Embassy local staffer - Garnier Banister Francis, who claimed that she was abducted by unidentified men, was extended till December 12 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday. When the case was taken before Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne, Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara said that the CID would record and complete her statement by Monday (09) evening. Click here to read... [6]

NEPAL

With Manjeev Singh Puri retiring, New Delhi scrambles for a new Nepal envoy: The Kathmandu Post
December 10, 2019

With Indian Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri retiring from the Indian foreign service in December-end, many are wondering who the next ambassador will be, especially since China and the United States both appear to be all the more interested in goings-on in Kathmandu. India is now increasingly under pressure to retain Nepal within its “sphere of influence.” With less than 20 days left before Puri’s departure, New Delhi has yet to decide on a name. Click here to read... [7]

BHUTAN

Acting locally to promote local produce: Kuenselonline
December 10, 2019

Imagine red rice or the famous Ngyapja rice with local pork, chicken, trout and patsha damru instead of dal, at an official dinner. This could be the possibility with a momentum towards promoting local produce, substituting imports and improving markets for local produce gaining support. What is hailed as a good decision, the National Environment Commission (NEC) and two ministries have found a new way of promoting locally produced goods. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Xi: Sound ties between China, EU bring stability: People's Daily
December 10, 2019

Developing a sound relationship between China and the European Union — with both being champions of multilateralism and free trade — not only conforms to their common interests, but will also bring more stability, certainty and positive energy to the world, President Xi Jinping said on Monday. Click here to read... [9]

Xinjiang determined in counter-terrorism, de-radicalization, maintaining development: Xinhuanet
December 10, 2019

The head of the government of Xinjiang on Monday said the region is determined in counter-terrorism, de-radicalization and maintaining development. "Not any force can stop Xinjiang from moving towards stability, development and prosperity," said Shohrat Zakir, chairman of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China. "The unity of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and their endeavors to strive forward cannot be deterred either." Click here to read... [10]