VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: November 9, 2021

Afghanistan

New Governors Appointed in 17 Provinces: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate in its latest move has appointed 43 new people to government positions as governors, deputy governors and police chiefs in various provinces. Click here to read... [2]

New US Envoy for Afghanistan Starts Trip to Europe, Asia: Tolo News

The United States new special representative for Afghanistan, Tom West, has started his first trip to Europe and Asia to discuss Afghanistan with international partners.Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan facing worst humanitarian crisis on earth: UN: The Khaama Press

Director of World Food Program David Beasley has said that the looming humanitarian crisis is getting worse in Afghanistan and called it the worst humanitarian crisis on earth. Click here to read... [4]

The pace towards electrification has quickened: The Khaama Press

The success of Tesla has pushed nearly all automakers to go all-electric in 2021, and the COP26 climate conference has provided a booster dose to initiate strategies for the supply of batteries, electric motors, power electronics, and other components for a green future. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Over 150 sued for shooting of Jubo League leader in Pirojpur- Daily Star

Police have already detained nine people including the independent chairman candidate Md Nasir Uddin Matabbar over the incident, said the OC, adding that a pistol and a bullet were recovered at the time. Click here to read... [6]

Activities at Ctg port returning to normal after truck strike postponed- Daily Star

Activities at Chittagong Port and 19 private inland container depots (ICDs) started returning to normalcy yesterday following the postponement of the countrywide strike enforced by the goods-carrying transport owners and workers. Click here to read... [7]

Covid-19 pills are coming, but no substitute for vaccines, disease experts say- Dhaka Tribune

One main reason not to rely on the new pills is that antiviral medications must be given in a narrow window early in the disease. Click here to read... [8]

Forced marriages continue to plague South Asian diaspora- Dhaka Tribune

After the shock idea of marriage was presented to her, her parents piled on the pressure. To overcome her reluctance, they said there would only be an engagement and no marriage immediately. Click here to read... [9]

Dhaka to host IORA Council of Ministers meeting Nov 17- Daily Observer

Bangladesh, as the incoming chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), will host the 21st IORA Council of Ministers' (COM) meeting on November 17. Click here to read... [10]

Fuel Price Hike: BNP announces two-day demo- Asian Age

BNP on Monday announced a two-day demonstration program in protest against the fresh hike in diesel and keros-ene prices. Click here to read... [11]

Bhutan

Experts recommend waiting until the end of winter before deciding to open up- Kuensel

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bhutanese government has been very clear in its priorities: life over livelihood. Click here to read... [12]

Exhibition to boost interest in science- Kuensel

The four students exhibited models that harvest rainwater, and how to generate electricity using rainwater. Click here to read... [13]

Selling and buying of tobacco products are no longer illegal in Bhutan- Daily Bhutan

Bhutan introduced a new law on tobacco. This new act permits the sales, distribution, buying, possession, and transportation of tobacco or tobacco products in the country. It wasn’t allowed before this. Click here to read... [14]

Maldives

‘India, SL, Maldives To Collectively Deal With ISIS-Taliban Drug Network’ - Ommcomnews

India, Sri Lanka and Maldives will collectively deal with drug trade facilitated by the ISIS and Taliban based on actionable intelligence, Indian Navy chief, Admiral Karambir Singh said on Monday. In his speech at the opening ceremony of the Goa Maritime Conclave, he also said that since funding of the ISIS and Taliban had stopped, both extremist groups were generating income through drug trade. Click here to read... [15]

Maldives President and First Lady in Sri Lanka on official visit - MENAFN

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed are in Sri Lanka on an official two-day trip. The President and First Lady's visit to Sri Lanka is to officiate the opening ceremony of“Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy 2021” football tournament.
https://menafn.com/1103120533/Maldives-President-and-First-Lady-in-Sri-Lanka-on-official-visit&source=20" target=“_blank”>Click here to read...

Maldives sets minimum wage for the first time - The Edition

In a ceremony held at Hotel Jen, Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail signed the resolution setting minimum wages. Minimum wage has been set for four categories; small businesses, medium businesses, big businesses, and civil service. The minimum wage set for these categories are MVR 4,500, MVR 7,000, MVR 8,000, and MVR 7,000 respectively. Click here to read... [16]

Maldives inaugurates Chinese-built apron at Velena Int’l Airport - News In Asia

A new expanded west apron at the Velena International Airport (VIA) in the Maldives has been officially inaugurated, general contractor Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) said. Click here to read... [17]

Myanmar

Assam Rifles recovers huge acache of explosives along Indo-Myanmar border - East Mojo

Moreh Battalion of Assam Rifles aegis of IGAR (South) recovered a huge quantity of explosives and warlike stores while carrying out domination of the Indo-Myanmar border on 07 November.Click here to read... [18]

Myanmar Does NOT Need New Elections - The Irrawaddy

This day last year was an auspicious and promising one for Myanmar and its people. Many millions of voters across the country went to the polling stations on Nov. 8, 2020 to exercise their democratic right. Nearly three months later, they were abruptly robbed of the election result, their lives brutalized, with the military leaders who unashamedly seized power from an elected civilian government on Feb. 1, 2021 talking about a new election. Click here to read... [19]

China’s Risky Strategic Game in Myanmar - Inter Press Service

Before the February 1 coup, China was among the top international partners of the now-in-opposition National League for Democracy (NLD). From 2015 to early 2020, when China closed its borders due to COVID-19, NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi made five trips to China and met the Chinese President Xi Jinping five times. Click here to read... [20]

US Stands By People Of Myanmar As Nation Fights To Restore Democracy, Says Antony Blinken - Republic World

The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday, 8 November has said that the Americans stand with the people of Myanmar and honour them. The people of the US also honours over 1300 people who have lost their lives as they made efforts to restore democracy and human rights in the country. Click here to read... [21]

Nepal

Justices continue protest against CJ- Himalaya

Supreme Court justices, who have been protesting against Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana for violating the code of conduct, continued their protest today by hearing only habeas corpus writ petitions. Click here to read... [22]

Ruling alliance forms panel to implement common agenda- Himalaya

The five-party ruling alliance today formed an 11-member coordination committee to oversee the execution of the common minimum programme of the coalition government. Click here to read... [23]

Conflicting claims by ruling leaders complicate MCC ratification- Kathmandu Post

Nepal’s major political parties have long been divided over the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a United States government programme under which Nepal is to receive $500 million. Click here to read... [24]

Clarification sought from NTB CEO Regmi- Republica

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has summoned Nepal Tourism Board's CEO Dr Dhananjay Regmi and sought clarification on the incident that occurred at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on November 6. Click here to read... [25]

Chaudhary Group’s investment in tax haven countries: Legal or illegal?- Republica

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has released an investigation report called the ‘Pandora Papers’, which consists of 2.9 terabyte of information has as many as 11.9 million files. Click here to read... [26]

Pakistan

ECP releases another damning report on Daska by-poll: Dawn

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday formally released two inquiry reports about mysterious disappearance of 20 presiding officers during the February by-election in Daska. Click here to read... [27]

Complete ceasefire agreed between govt and TTP: Fawad Chaudhry: Dawn

The state broadcaster quoted the minister as saying that talks between the government and the TTP were underway in line with the Constitution and that the ceasefire would be extended keeping in view the progress of the talks. Click here to read... [28]

PM ‘drops’ plan to seek IMF chief’s help on $6b deal: The Express Tribune

The proposal had been floated amid the government’s decision to re-introduce some fundamental changes in the already approved draft of the State Bank of Pakistan amendment Bill 2021, sources told The Express Tribune. Click here to read... [29]

Pakistan, TTP negotiating seventh peace pact: The News

After failed peace agreements in the past, Pakistan has once again resumed peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). If the two sides reach a peace agreement, it will be at least the seventh agreement, not the first one with the Pakistani Taliban. Click here to read... [30]

PM terms Madina state example of greatest civilisations: The News

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday that the beloved Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Peace be upon him) first raised the moral standards of the state of Madina through his own supreme example of Sadiq and Ameen before they became one of the greatest civilisations. Click here to read... [31]