VIF Neighborhood News Digest: January 06, 2020

PAKISTAN

Pakistan rules out use of its soil in Middle East conflict: Dawn
January 6, 2020

Pakistan on Sunday reaffirmed its resolve not to become a part of any conflict in the region and renewed its offer for mediating in the Middle East crisis. The offer was formally conveyed by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a telephonic conversation with his counterparts from Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. This was the first contact of Foreign Minister Qureshi with the Iranian leadership after the assassination of Iran’s Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Iraq on Friday. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Ghani Speaks to Rouhani over Soleimani’s Death: Tolo
January 6, 2020

President Ashraf Ghani, in a phone conversation with President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, assured his Iranian counterpart that based on the Afghan-US security pact, Afghan soil will never be used against any other country, the Presidential Palace said. In this conversation, President Ghani extended his condolences and sympathy with the people and the president of Iran over Soleimani’s death. Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, leader of the foreign wing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in an airstrike by the US in Iraq on Friday, Jan. 3. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Government: 3,658 bodies of migrant workers returned home in 2019: Dhaka Tribune
January 6, 2020

3,658 Bangladeshi migrant workers’ dead bodies were brought back home from various countries in 2019, says the government. They died of natural causes, ailments, and accidents, according to data revealed on Sunday at a press meet organized by Reporters for Bangladeshi Migrants, at the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry. The ministry’s Secretary Md. Salim Reza said: “Tk12.80 crore has already been given to the families of the deceased as compensation.” Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar urges caution for citizens in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman: Myanmar Times
January 6, 2020

Myanmar called on its citizens in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman to take the necessary precautions and security due to restiveness in neighboring Iraq. The Myanmar Embassy in Riyadh called on Myanmar migrant workers not to get involved in matters that are not related to their work and to follow the laws of their host countries. It predicted that authorities in the above countries would impose stricter security measures to prevent violence from spilling over into their own territories. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

Ranjan released on bail: Daily Mirror
January 6, 2020

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested yesterday, has been granted bail by the Nugegoda Magistrate Court this evening. The MP, who was arrested at his Madiwela residence over the possession of a pistol without a license, was released on two surety bail of Rs. 500,000 each and imposed a travel ban. Meanwhile, government Spokesman Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that MP Ramanayake was arrested not over his gun issue but over the phone recordings found from his phone which shows he pressurized, judiciary, CID officers while he was in power. Click here to read... [6]

NEPAL

Plight of sugarcane farmers shows the priority government accords to them: The Kathmandu Post
January 6, 2020

After a nearly two-week protest in freezing Kathmandu, the government, on Friday, finally signed a five-point agreement with sugarcane farmers, promising to clear all dues by next month. Around a hundred farmers from Siraha had marched to Kathmandu after years of unpaid dues by sugar mill owners. Though this failure to pay farmers has been continuing for years, this protest was unprecedented. The public, and a section of politicians, were moved by the plight of farmers, dressed poorly for the cold weather, protesting for their rightful dues. Click here to read... [7]

BHUTAN

Did we live up to the Vision 2020?: Kuenselonline
January 6, 2020

Bhutan realized the importance of having a longer-term vision for the future. A visionary document called Bhutan 2020, A Vision for Peace, Prosperity and Happiness, released in June 1999, during the silver jubilee celebrations of His Majesty The Fourth King’s coronation by the then Planning Commission. The 1,010-page document divided into two parts gives an outline of all sectors on the developmental stages that Bhutan will go through over the next 20 years. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Spotlight: What world expects from China in New Year: Xinhuanet
January 6, 2020

The arrival of the New Year is a time to celebrate the present, reflect on the past and list expectations for the future. In 2020, China is set to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, which marks a realization of the first of its two centenary goals. Click here to read... [9]

China's heaviest satellite positioned in geosynchronous orbit: People's Daily
January 6, 2020

China's heaviest and most advanced satellite, Shijian-20, reached its fixed position in geosynchronous orbit Sunday, marking the first successful flight of DFH-5 satellite platform, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Click here to read... [10]