VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: December 22, 2021

China Against US’s Afghan Sanction Exemption Plan at UN: Tolo News

Amid the economic problems in Afghanistan and while the assets of Afghanistan's central bank remain frozen, the Biden Administration is taking steps to help Afghanistan’s economy by aiding economic "liquidity" and humanitarian assistance, the US State Department said on Monday. Click here to read... [2]

Aid Process Not Transparent, Say Poverty-Stricken Kabul Residents: Tolo News

Several families who are struggling to survive in the capital city of Kabul said Monday that aid agencies must transparently distribute assistance to the vulnerable people in Kabul. Click here to read... [3]

ICRC to pay salaries of 10 thousand health workers in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

International Committee of Red Crescent in Afghanistan announced that they will pay salaries of up to ten thousand health workers and doctors in the war-torn country. Click here to read... [4]

Turkey and Qatar may control five airports in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

Turkish foreign minister Mevult Cavusoglu said that Qatar and Turkey will probably control five airports together in Afghanistan after negotiations between Doha and Kabul. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

How prepared is Bangladesh for Omicron?- Dhaka Tribune

The country is yet to face the brunt of the new variant, but preparations need to be taken immediately, experts say. Click here to read... [6]

Disrupted flight schedule: Plight of passengers continues to pile up at Dhaka airport- Dhaka Tribune

The current scene at the airport can be compared to the country's train and launch terminals during Eid vacation, says a passenger. Click here to read... [7]

Israel to offer 4th vaccine dose after country’s 1st Omicron death- Daily Star

Israel announced yesterday that it will offer a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to people older than 60, amid concern about the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Samples of Karma feeds sent to India for laboratory analysis- Kuensel

The Department of Livestock dispatched 15 samples of poultry feeds that were produced by Karma Feeds towards the end of November to India yesterday. Click here to read... [9]

Poultry farmers in Haa and Paro demand compensation- Kuensel

After Sarpang, it is now poultry farmers in Haa and Paro who are complaining of a drastic reduction in egg production and dying birds. Click here to read... [10]

Measures enhanced at border and airport as Omicron gets closer- The Bhutanese

The security along the southern borders and Paro International Airport are being further enhanced to stop importation of Omicron variant. Various initiatives are being undertaken as preventive measures. Click here to read... [11]

All set for the poll day of the 3rd LG Election- BBS

The Election Commission says all preparations are in place for the poll day of the third local government election, tomorrow. More than 300,000 voters are expected to cast their votes through electronic voting machines (EVM). The polls open at 8 AM and will close at 4 PM. Click here to read... [12]

Maldives

Maldives makes new daily tourist arrivals' record - Raajje

According to the latest daily figures publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals topped 6,955 on December 18. Latest statistics go on to reveal that a total of 92,060 tourists had been welcomed into the Maldives between December 1 – 18. Click here to read... [13]

President declares six sites of environmental significance in Laamu atoll, protected - Raajje

The decision was made by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, following a meeting with his Cabinet Ministers on Tuesday. As such, deliberations were held on a paper proposed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Click here to read... [14]

Myanmar

India’s marriage of convenience with Myanmar - East Asia Forum

The 13 November attack on an Assam Rifles convoy by two Manipur insurgent groups — the People’s Liberation Army and Manipur Naga People’s Front — in Churachandpur district of Manipur has the potential to further destabilise Northeast India. Insurgent groups’ links in the region to Myanmar mandate a rethink of India’s approach to the issue. Click here to read... [15]

Shringla to visit Myanmar, in first outreach to military regime - The Hindu

In the first such outreach to Myanmar’s military-backed regime, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla flew for a two-day visit to Naypyitaw and Yangon on Tuesday evening, to meet the State Administration Council (SAC) chaired by General Min Aung Hlaing, who toppled the elected government in February last. Click here to read... [16]

Scores of Myanmar Junta Troops Die in Failed Attack on MNDAA Base, Kokang Fighters Say - The Irrawaddy

Almost 100 junta soldiers including several army captains were killed or wounded in fierce fighting with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in northern Shan State on Sunday, according to The Kokang, an MNDAA information page. Click here to read... [17]

Nepal

After weeks of silence, Chief Justice Rana starts asserting his role- TKP

Rana has called a meeting of the Judicial Service Commission for Wednesday to select district court judges. Members have yet to decide whether to attend the meeting.

HoR meeting today- Republica

The meeting of the House of Representatives is being held on Wednesday. Click here to read... [18]

NC jamboree fails to give message of inclusion- Himalaya

The 14th general convention of the Nepali Congress gave mandate to Sher Bahadur Deuba to run the party for the second time, but analysts and political leaders argue that the jamboree failed to give a strong message of inclusion, as no Madhesi or Tharu is either vice-president or general secretary. Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan

Mini-budget likely to be tabled in winter session: Dawn

The Ministry of Finance has already reportedly prepared the draft of the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021, but it is not part of the agenda of the National Assembly on the opening day. Click here to read... [20]

PM Imran takes veiled swipe at US for Afghan turmoil: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday made veiled criticism of the United States for creating in Afghanistan a humanitarian crisis that is affecting millions of people and allowing it to worsen. Click here to read... [21]

Fawad concerned over rise of 'extremist parties' like JUI-F and TLP: The Express Tribune

"I am dismayed at Maulana Fazlur Rehman's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam's win in K-P... it was our mistakes that led to their victory," he said, adding, "The country will plunge deeper into turmoil in the absence of PTI and if parties like Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and JUI-F come into power." Click here to read... [22]

Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight train inaugurated: The Express Tribune

The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight train was inaugurated by Swati along with the Foreign Affairs Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Turkish Ambassador Ahsan Mustafa and Adviser to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak DawoodClick here to read... [23]

Sri Lanka

Australian Home Minister holds wide ranging talks with the Foreign Minister Peiris: NewsIk

The Australian Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews met Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on 20 December 2021 at the Foreign Ministry during her official visit to Sri Lanka and discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation on a broad spectrum of areas. Click here to read... [24]

Estonian President Alar Karis receives Credentials of Sri Lanka’s Envoy: Newsik

The Letter of Credence conveyed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointing Ambassador Dharshana M. Perera as Sri Lanka’s Envoy to the Republic of Estonia was presented to President Alar Karis of Estonia at the President’s Palace, ‘Kadriorg’ in Tallinn, Estonia on 14 December 2021. Click here to read... [25]