VIF Neighborhood News Digest: December 16, 2019

PAKISTAN

PM steps in to save power firm from default: Dawn
December 16, 2019

On the intervention by the Prime Minister Office, the power division has resolved a dispute over the signing of a formal power purchase agreement (PPA) to save Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Company (NJHPC) from default. The Rs510 billion power project attained 969MW generation capacity in August last year and has since been providing electricity to the national grid without any payment. The non-signing of the PPA between the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) and NJHPC had resulted in a circular debt build-up of about Rs75bn. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Ex-Politician Nuristani Pleads Guilty of SSI Fraud in US Court: Tolo
December 16, 2019

A former Afghan politician, Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani, pled guilty in a US federal court on December 11 to “theft of public money,” admitting that he received over $100,000 in government benefits by concealing foreign travel and residency between July 2015 and December 2018, according to a statement by the US Department of Justice. According to the statement, Nuristani admitted that he applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration in July 2015. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

PM pays tribute to Bangabandhu on Victory Day: Dhaka Tribune
December 16, 2019

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the 49th Victory Day. The prime minister paid homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi on Monday, reports UNB. She stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

NLD says Myanmar deals with China as a partner, not a vassal: Myanmar Times
December 16, 2019

The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) deals with China on an equal footing, not as an inferior, a party spokesman has said. Monywa Aung Shin said the good relations between the government and China have surprised many local and foreign experts, because they thought the NLD would build closer ties with western countries. “Whether we like or not, we need to build with good relationships with neighbouring countries,” he said. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

Will uncover truth behind “white van” drama – Defence Secretary: Daily Mirror
December 16, 2019

The actual truth behind the incident of “white van” drama, as acted out by two men of the former Health Minister during a news briefing will be revealed in near future, Defence Secretary, Major General Kamal Gunaratne said. Addressing a gathering in Pannipitiya yesterday, the Defence Secretary said they had launched a probe into the said incident soon after it was brought to the spotlight. “We will reveal who was actually behind this drama and who hired and paid money for the duo. We can’t let incidents of this nature happen in the country, which hoodwinks and mislead the general public," Gunaratne said. Click here to read... [6]

NEPAL

Bureaucratic change at Indian Ministry of External Affairs likely to further delay Kalapani talks: The Kathmandu Post
December 16, 2019

As Nepal awaits foreign secretary-level talks with India to resolve the Kalapani boundary dispute, a possible change in India’s Ministry of External Affairs is likely to further delay the expected meeting. Officials in New Delhi told the Post that Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale retires at the end of January and whoever comes in next will have a host of pressing issues to deal with. The Narendra Modi government is currently embroiled in a number of controversies, both internal and external. Among them, the recent citizenship amendment bill has sparked riots and protests across India. Click here to read... [7]

BHUTAN

BEO proprietors charged for 2,887 counts of forgery: Kuenselonline
December 16, 2019

The proprietors of the Bhutan Employment Overseas (BEO), Tenzin Rigden and Jurmey Tshewang were charged for 2,887 counts of forgery in connection to the Learn and Earn programme in Japan. The case was forwarded to the Thimphu dzongkhag court yesterday after about a month of investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). OAG charged the two for 697 counts of forgery for forging bank balance of the youth who applied to go to Japan through the BEO using Bank of Bhutan’s seal. The BEO used the bank balance statement as evidence to help the youth get Japanese visa. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Xi's article on regional economic development to be published: Xinhuanet
December 16, 2019

An article by President Xi Jinping on promoting regional economic planning featuring complementary advantages and high-quality development will be published Monday in the 24th issue of the Qiushi Journal this year. In the article, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that the planning of regional development should give play to each region's respective strength in pursuing optimal development. Click here to read... [9]

Levies on certain US imports suspended: China Daily
December 16, 2019

China suspended extra tariffs on certain products from the United States that had been scheduled on Sunday — a part of the two countries' broader move to scale back tariffs after agreeing on the text of a phase one trade deal. Click here to read... [10]

Trade war: US, China reach ‘historic and enforceable’ phase-one deal: South China Morning Post
December16, 2019

China and the United States have made a breakthrough in trade negotiations, with a consensus agreement reached for a phase-one deal that will halt further tariff increases and lower some already in place, vice-minister of commerce Wang Shouwen announced on Friday. Click here to read... [11]