VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 04, 2020

PAKISTAN

Crashed plane’s pilot didn’t follow ATC instructions: CAA: DAWN

While the French air safety organisation announced on Wednes­day that the data of the ill-fated PK-8303 black box was successfully downloaded and being analysed, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in a letter to the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) that the pilot of the crashed aircraft did not follow the instructions of the air-traffic controller (ATC). Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Taliban Will Pursue Both Peace Talks and Jihad: Deputy Chief: TOLO News

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the deputy leader of the Taliban, said that despite the group's belief in the peace negotiation talks as one of the core components of the solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, the Taliban will still continue the path of jihad (holy war) and strengthen its military power. In a message to mark the completion of training of a group of Taliban suicide bombers at an unknown location, Haqqani said that the peace process does not mean the Taliban will abandon the path of jihad. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Forex reserve hits new record of $34bn: Dhaka Tribune

The country’s foreign exchange reserve has hit a new height setting a record of over $34 billion amid coronavirus pandemic. The aid of developing partners and remittance added to raise the foreign exchange reserve to $34.23 billion on June 3, a high-level official of Bangladesh Bank said on Thursday. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar hopes to harness skills of returning workers: Myanmar Times

The government is conducting a survey of the skills of thousands of migrant workers who have returned after losing their jobs due to COVID-19 in a bid to harness their talents for economic development, a senior finance official said. U Aung Naing Oo, permanent secretary of the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), said the survey would help the government plan to create jobs that match their skills. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Public health experts point at government failure amid projections of spike in cases: The Kathmandu Post

The number of Covid-19 cases in Nepal has been steadily rising, at a rate of a few hundreds every day. On Wednesday, 201 new cases were detected, following a pattern where the country has reported more than 200 cases every day for the last three days. Just five days ago, the number of Covid-19 cases was around a thousand and 25 days ago, it was less than a hundred. Currently, the total is 2,300, with nine deaths, and there are no signs of a plateau. Click here to read.... [6]

SRI LANKA

SL must focus on Asian market as alternative to shrinking West: Daily Mirror

While highlighting Sri Lanka’s existing export markets in the West and in Europe are shrinking as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said Sri Lanka should focus on Asian markets. Click here to read.... [7]