VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: December 17, 2021

Afghanistan

Ghani Fled to Save His Life: Mohib: Tolo News

The former national security adviser, Hamdullah Mohib, made the remarks in an interview with Radio Liberty. According to Mohib, the fall of the republic started after the US and the Islamic Emirate signed an agreement on February 29, 2020. Click here to read... [2]

Amnesty Intl Says ICC Must Probe All Sides in Afghan Conflict: Tolo News

Amnesty International in report released on Wednesday said that "repeated war crimes and relentless bloodshed" have marked the collapse of the former Afghan government, adding that all the warring parties--the Taliban, US soldiers, and the former government security forces--are responsible for the war crimes that occurred in Afghanistan.Click here to read... [3]

Collapse of Afghan government started after Doha agreement: Former Afghan NSA: The Khaama Press

Afghanistan’s former National Security Advisor Hamdullah Muhib finally appeared on media and disclosed the causes of the collapse of the former Afghan government and the reasons behind their escape from the country.Click here to read... [4]

Engaging with the Taliban is the Ultimate Solution to Move Forward: Pakistan: The Khaama Press

In his remarks, Mansoo Ahmad Khan reiterated Pakistan’s active engagement and economic initiatives for Afghanistan in the coming years. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Standing together: Viva Bangladesh!- Dhaka Tribune

From my perspective, living in India’s smallest state, even in this season of big anniversaries -- 75 years since 1947, and 60 years after the end of Portuguese rule in Goa -- the occasion of 50 years of independence for Bangladesh stands out as a uniquely well-deserved celebration.Click here to read... [6]

US report: Bangladesh saw a decline in terrorist activity in 2020- Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh government continued to articulate a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, says the report.Click here to read... [7]

Goal of independence not materealised yet: Fakhrul- Observer

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the goal of the country’s independence has not been materealised yet.Click here to read... [8]

Victory Day celebrated- Asian Age

The 51st Victory Day was celebrated on Thursday across the country in a befitting manner as the day had a special significance for two giant celebration.Click here to read... [9]

Bangladesh makes a name in suit export- Daily Star

A decade ago, the number of export-oriented suit-making factories in Bangladesh was one or two, and China and Vietnam were the main sourcing destinations for brands and retailers globally.Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan

Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen returns from Royal tour- Kuensel

Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen and Their Royal Highnesses Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel and Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck arrived in Thimphu yesterday, after visiting Trongsa and Bumthang on December 9.Click here to read... [11]

3 Bhutanese women trafficked 21 female victims to Iraq- Daily Bhutan

Of the 30 registered cases with the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), in connection to Human Trafficking, a total of 4 cases have been charge sheeted to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).Click here to read... [12]

Youths call for mountain preservation- Bhutan Times

A youth declaration drafted by the youth for the protection of Bhutan’s natural resources.Click here to read... [13]

Labour Ministry launches E-Learning Management System for TVET institutes- BBS

From acute labour shortage to soaring material costs, the country’s construction sector faced growing challenges amid the pandemic. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

Gagan Thapa, Bishwaprakash Sharma are the newly elected NC general-secretaries- Himalaya

Nepali Congress leaders Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have been elected the general-secretaries of the party.Click here to read... [15]

Bhatta appointed NRB spokesperson- Himalaya

Gunakar Bhatta has been appointed the spokesperson for Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).Click here to read... [16]

Global community steps up with $93 billion support package to boost resilient recovery- Himalaya

The World Bank on Wednesday announced a $93 billion replenishment package of the International Development Association (IDA) to help low-income countries respond to the COVID-19 crisis and build a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future.Click here to read... [17]

Covid jabs to be given from over 16,000 immunisation centres across the country- TKP

Public health experts say authorities should launch a door-to-door campaign to immunise the unvaccinated population against the coronavirus.Click here to read... [18]

NWPP Chair Bijukchhe directs party leaders to carry out activities with a sense of service to people- Republica

Chairman of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) Narayan Man Bijukchhe (Rohit) has directed the party leaders and cadres to carry out the activities of the party actively with more sense of service among people.Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan

US notes Islamabad’s efforts to meet FATF demands: Dawn

Pakistan continued to experience terrorist attacks last year, said the report. Pakistani military and security forces undertook counterterrorism operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan, such as the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the militant Islamic State (IS) group and Balochistan Liberation Army.Click here to read... [20]

OIC meeting to help bridge gap between Taliban, world: minister: Dawn

The foreign minister, flanked by Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain in interaction with journalists and anchorpersons, said by hosting the event, Pakistan was playing a positive role by bridging the communication gap between the world and the Taliban.Click here to read... [21]

Govt to slap 17% GST on 140 goods: The Express Tribune

The plan was shared with Adviser to the PM on Finance Shaukat Tarin on Thursday which, once approved by parliament, would make everything expensive.Click here to read... [22]

Gwadar residents call off sit-in after ‘successful negotiations’ with govt: The Express Tribune

A government negotiating committee comprising federal ministers Asad Umar and Zubaida Jalal met the protesters and assured them of addressing their grievances.Click here to read... [23]

Sri Lanka

UN Experts Urge Reform of Sri Lanka’s Counterterrorism Law: Human Rights Watch

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa carries little credibility when he tells foreign diplomats he will reform the country’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). After all, earlier this year, he acted to make the law, which permits long-term detention without trial, more repressive, not less.Click here to read... [24]

Beijing bares it in Jaffna, warms up to Tamils in Sri Lanka: The Indian Express

Days after announcing on Twitter that a Chinese solar company had found a new client in the Maldives because security concerns” of a “third party” had led to the suspension of its project on three islands off Jaffna peninsula, Ambassador Qi is touring Sri Lanka’s Tamil-dominated Northern Province, wooing an ethnic minority that has traditionally been close to India.Click here to read... [25]