VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: May 5, 2020

PAKISTAN

Most mosques violating coronavirus precautions during Taraweeh: report: DAWN

Following implementation of 20-point guidelines regarding safety measures against the spread of Covid-19, a report on 250 sensitive mosques and imambargahs in the Rawalpindi division has found flaws in majority of the worship places, including security deficiencies. The government had allowed congregational prayers in mosques during Ramazan under the guidelines which had to be followed in the mosques as a part of precautionary measures against the coronavirus. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Palace Spokesman Reports Progress in Political Negotiations: Reuters

The Presidential Palace on Monday reported progress in ending the dispute between President Ghani and his political opponent Abdullah Abdullah – who also reported development in the process earlier this week and vowed a soon-to-come political agreement. Further details were not provided on this matter by presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi who addressed a press conference on Monday, saying “there is progress, the talks are underway and there has been progress.” Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Coronavirus pandemic likely to peak in Bangladesh by mid-May, warn experts: Dhaka Tribune

The coronavirus pandemic in Bangladesh is likely to peak in mid-May, taking the infection rate to a much higher level at the end of the month, according to projections made by a panel of eight health experts under the health ministry. The experts predict that the coronavirus cases may start declining at the end of June next, but it is unlikely to be eliminated anytime soon, reports UNB. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Over 5000 migrant workers return from China: Myanmar Times

Over 5000 workers have returned from China through border gates in Kachin State since April 16, a senior state official said. U Zaw Zaw, director of the Kachin government, said that more than 4000 returnees were natives of the state and about 1500 others lived elsewhere in the country. “The government has set no cut-off date for the returnees, so they are still being processed from 7am to 2pm every day,” he said. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Government considers bringing back Nepali migrant workers from Covid-19-affected countries: The Kathmandu Post

The government has said it is considering repatriating workers stranded in Covid-19 affected countries, weeks after tens of thousands of Nepalis abroad urged authorities to allow them to return home. Who gets to return home in the first phase, however, will be decided by a host of factors such as an individual’s living condition, job and visa status, the situation of their family back home, and how the outbreak pans out in Nepal in the days to come, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali. Click here to read.... [6]

BHUTAN

Start-ups start feeling the Covid-19 heat: Kuensel

With uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and many Bhutanese working overseas returning home, one of the priorities of the government is looking into creating job opportunity for the returnees. At a press briefing on Friday, foreign minister Dr Tandi Dorji said that recognising that it could take few more months to a year for the workers to return, the government is already planning and according importance to job creation. Click here to read.... [7]

SRI LANKA

COVID-19 over 1,800 navy officers tested in Welisara camp: Daily Mirror

Over 1,800 navy officers have been tested for COVID-19 at the Welisara camp as at yesterday, out of which 293 sailors tested positive -- further PCR testing will continue in coming days, military officials told Daily Mirror. On Sunday evening, a sailor who fully recovered from coronavirus was discharged from the National Infectious Disease Hospital. Doctors said yesterday three more sailors had recovered. Military officials said out of all those infected, no navy officer was in intensive care and that all were recovering well while contact tracing was ongoing. Click here to read.... [8]

CHINA

How will COVID-19 crisis change world economy? : People’s Daily

The world has rarely seen, if ever, four market circuit breakers and negative oil prices during the same period, while numerous planes are grounded in some of the world's busiest airports and production has stopped in plants across the world. Click here to read.... [9]

Africa has a question for Beijing: will you forgive us our debt?: South China Morning Post

African states expect a devastating impact on their economies this year from the Covid-19 pandemic and are appealing for relief from repayments on billions of dollars in outstanding debt to cope. Most of those appeals involve China, the biggest lender to the continent, but it is unclear how Beijing will respond. Click here to read.... [10]