VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: November 11, 2021

Afghanistan

India Dialogue Participants Call for Anti-Terrorism Cooperation: Tolo News

The third regional security dialogue on Afghanistan was held today in New Delhi in which the participants discussed security and the political situation in Afghanistan, called for collective cooperation against terrorism, and for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [2]

Regional countries ask for inclusivity in Afghanistan, not a safe haven for terrorism: Delhi Declaration: The Khaama Press

Participants of the third Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan ended and all the participants unanimously agreed that Afghanistan should not be safe haven for terrorism and that an all-inclusive government should be established in the country. Click here to read... [3]

600 ISIS-K affiliates arrested since mid-August: Mujahid: The Khaama Press

Spokesperson of General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) Khalil Hamraz in a press conference said that they have arrested 600 ISIS-K affiliates and have killed 33 more in the past three months. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

PM taking Bangabandhu's legacy forward on global stage- Daily Star

To cap Bangladesh's golden decade of development marking an amazing turnaround story, the government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has introduced a global award with UNESCO to recognize contributions to "Creative Economy".Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh urges France to take Rohingya issue to UN Security Council- Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh has requested France to take the Rohingya issue to the UN Security Council as the country is a permanent member of the council, says Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen. Click here to read... [6]

Voting to 835 unions in 2nd phase underway- Daily Observer

The second phase of election to 835 union parishads began at 8am on Thursday. Votes are casting through electronic voting machines (EVMs) in 20 unions, while the rest are using traditional paper ballots. Click here to read... [7]

Finance Minister Kamal defends fuel price hike- The Asian Age

Defending the fuel price hike, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said that the fuel price hike in international market is the main reason for recent hike in domestic market. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

NC’s legislative committee to present its civil liability report in the winter session- Kuensel

The winter session of the National Council (NC) will deliberate a wide range of legislative and policy issues, including the Civil Liability or Torts Bill. Click here to read... [9]

Border breach should shake Phuentsholing out of its complacency- Kuensel

Almost three months after the longest lockdown in Phuentsholing was lifted, a Covid-19 protocol breach occurred in Phuentsholing on November 8.

Maldives

Wading to school in Maldives - UNICEF

“When there are floods, we take our shoes and socks off and put them in our school bags,” says Fathimath. “We have to wade through the water to our classrooms.” Fathimath’s school is on a small island about a 45-minute boat ride from Male, the capital of Maldives – and just 30 metres from the ocean. The only thing protecting the school from rising sea levels are a handful of coconut palms, some of which have already collapsed into the sea, and a line of sandbags packed under the school’s main gate. Click here to read... [10]

President appoints President, Vice President of HRCM - Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has appointed a new President and Vice President of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM). Mariyam Muna was appointed HRCM President, whereas Dr. Ahmed Adham Abdulla was appointed HRCM Vice President on Wednesday. Click here to read... [11]

Second amendment to Environment Protection and Preservation Act, ratified -Raajje

With the amendment, a Clause 8.1, titled as a subheading as “Prohibition of import, manufacturing and marketing of Single-use plastics” is added to Chapter 8 of the Act. This clause mandates the importing, manufacturing and marketing of all goods classified on the list of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) declared by the president to be prohibited. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar

How Myanmar Junta Chief Uses Richardson’s Visit to Boost His Image - The Irrawaddy

After his visit to military-ruled Myanmar last week, ex-US diplomat Bill Richardson boasted that his trip had achieved its aims: the release from prison of a local ex-employee of his; increased access to humanitarian aid and vaccines for Myanmar; and resumption of Red Cross visits to the country’s prisons. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar Junta to Stage Gem Fair in December - The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military regime is preparing to hold a gem fair in December in the capital Naypyitaw, according to gem traders. It will be the second time a gem emporium has been held since the junta’s February coup, following a previous sale in April. Click here to read... [14]

Thailand Struggles With Myanmar Migrant Entry Dilemma - The Irrawaddy

In response to a rising number of illegal migrant workers attempting to sneak into Thailand and COVID-19 clusters linked to them, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed his government’s Labor Ministry to speed up efforts to resolve these issues and worker shortages. Click here to read... [15]

China-Backed Myanmar Infrastructure Project Leaves Farmers Landless - The Irrawaddy

In January 2020, during the visit of China’s President Xi Jinping to Myanmar, China and Myanmar signed concession and shareholders agreements for the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (KPSEZ) and deep sea port project. Located in Rakhine State in western Myanmar, the KPSEZ and deep sea port project forms part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plans in Myanmar under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). Click here to read... [16]

Myanmar military accused of blocking aid to displaced civilians - Aljazeera

In a new report on Wednesday, Fortify Rights said the Myanmar military has arrested at least 14 aid workers in Karenni state, also known as Kayah, since it seized power in a coup on February 1. Click here to read... [17]

Locals report new clash between Arakan Army, military in Maungdaw - Myanmar Now

Locals told Myanmar Now that gunfire and heavy weaponry heard in northern Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State on Tuesday was likely a confrontation between the military and the Arakan Army (AA). Click here to read... [18]

Pakistan

A day after National Assembly setback, govt puts off joint session: Dawn

The announcement about the postponement of joint session came from Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry through a tweet hours after Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over a meeting of parliamentarians belonging to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and allied parties, which was attended by over 150 members. The PM asked the lawmakers to participate in the legislation business considering it a jihad. Click here to read... [19]

At least one dose given to half the population: minister: Dawn

Moreover, the country made another record by administering 1.7 million doses in a single day. Click here to read... [20]

Troika Plus to press Taliban on meeting commitments: The Express Tribune

“This will be the first time special envoys of the four countries meet Amir Khan Muttaqi together and remind him of the promises made by the Taliban government to meet the expectations of the international community,” official sources told The Express Tribune. Click here to read... [21]

Interim Afghan FM arrives in Islamabad on first official visit: The Express Tribune

Besides Muttaqi, Islamabad is also hosting special envoys from the United States, Russia and China as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at preparing the ground for the international community’s recognition of the Taliban government. Click here to read... [22]

Nepal

Gautam urges US to roll back MCC pact- Himalaya

National Assembly member and Coordinator of Nepali Unity National Campaign Bamdev Gautam today issued a press release calling on the United States of America to withdraw the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement that Nepal has signed with the USA. Click here to read... [23]

MoFA urges Korea to provide more jobs to Nepalis- Himalaya

The fifth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between Nepal and the Republic of Korea was held in Kathmandu yesterday. Click here to read... [24]

Political parties brought the change people pushed for but who will sustain it?- TKP

The restoration of democracy in 1990 was a major milestone in Nepal’s political history. The monarch, the ultimate ruler of the country, was brought under the constitution. Multiparty democracy made a comeback after it was hijacked by King Mahendra in 1960. Click here to read... [25]

Landslide-hit Miklajung village faces food shortage- TKP

Unseasonal monsoon rains triggered massive landslides in Panchthar district killing 31 people—22 from Miklajung alone. Click here to read... [26]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Church opposes government takeover of wetlands - Vatican News

In an official Gazette notification on October 07 by the government of Sri, the Western Province’s Urban Development Authority (UDA) has decided to take over a part of the land of the Muthurajawela wetlands, situated some 30 km north of the capital Colombo, near the western coastal city of Negombo.

On Saturday, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, filed a petition with the Sri Lankan Supreme Court against the appropriation, saying the project would affect the livelihoods of the people and various religious sites in the area. Click here to read... [27]

Shedding some light on the Yugadanavi deal - The Morning

Sri Lanka is going through one of its most challenging times in recent memory. The ongoing pandemic has worsened the economic hardships that the country was dealing with before the pandemic. While the people are clearly sacrificing their comfort to face this difficult time, the Government is also seeking new ways to save and make money. Click here to read... [28]

New Fortress deal conflicts with policy on renewables - The Island

A report in The Washington Post of 03 Nov. states: “More than 100 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge, which requires a 30 percent cut in methane emissions by 2030, one of the Biden administration’s priorities for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland. The pledge’s signatories now represent nearly half of human-caused methane emissions …. the Biden administration also unveiled a sweeping set of domestic policies to cut emissions of methane from oil and gas operations across the United States”. Furthermore, the announcement that the US and EU are global partners in this venture signifies the seriousness of the situation, as well as the pledge. Click here to read... [29]

Female medical officer included in mission, under UN command - The Island

Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) has included a female officer for the first time in its next overseas deployment in the Central African Republic, under UN command. SLAF says it is the seventh UN helicopter deployment contingent. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, took the salute of the parade, commanded by Wing Commander Sampath Liyanarachchi, the Contingent Commander. This Heli-deployment comprises 20 Officers and 90 Airmen and is scheduled to leave Colombo by the end of the month. Click here to read... [30]