VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: December 27, 2021

Afghanistan

US Should Not Interfere in Afghan Affairs: Stanikzai: Tolo News

The deputy minister of foreign affairs for political affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, at a gathering on Sunday said the United States should not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs as it is an independent country and it is making decisions independently. Click here to read... [2]

Putin: Those That 'Destroyed' Afghan Economy Should Provide Aid: Tolo News

Russian President Vladimir Putin linked the recognition of the current Afghan government with ground realities, saying that “forces that are now at the helm in Afghanistan should be prepared for all ethnic groups to be represented in the country’s leadership." Click here to read... [3]

Co-education is reason behind closure of universities: Haqqani: The Khaama Press

Acting minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Abdul Baqi Haqqani said that co-education in Afghanistan’s universities along with economic woes is a major reason behind the closure of universities. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Opinion: Our best and brightest?- Dhaka Tribune

The top political leadership of the country must foster rational and civil discourse within these organizations -- not the plethora of hate and spite which currently infects student and youth politics. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh needs higher inflow of FDI- Dhaka Tribune

FDI remains an extremely important instrument for development in Bangladesh as it can help build up significant physical capital. Click here to read... [6]

4th Phase UP Polls: 3 killed in violence- The Daily Star

At least three people were killed in polls violence during yesterday's fourth-phase Union Parishad election. Click here to read... [7]

PM Hasina returning from Maldives today- Asian Age

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to Dhaka today after ending her maiden six-day bilateral visit to the Maldives. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Prime Minister pledges accountability- Kuensel

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said in his self-styled report of the State of the Nation to the Joint Sitting of Parliament yesterday which made strong reference to His Majesty The King’s 114th National Day Address to the nation. Click here to read... [9]

Addressing corruption and accountability- Kuensel

Following the Royal address on the 114th National Day, an unprecedented importance has been given to the issues of corruption and accountability in the country. Click here to read... [10]

“One child, seven skills” already making a difference – Lhuentse- BBS

Schools in Lhuentse started the “One child, seven skills” policy this year and it is unique to the district. It is an initiative to give some skills to children that can prove valuable later in life. The policy is being piloted in 18 schools and ECCDs. And it is already making a difference. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Maldives expects to surpass tourist arrivals target before year ends - Raajje

Latest weekly figures publicized by the Ministry of Tourism reveal that a total of 1,271,020 tourists were welcomed at the Velana International Airport between January 1 and December 22. Click here to read... [12]

Maldives, Bangladesh review possibility of establishing direct shipping line - Raajje

Official discussions were held between President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina who is in the Maldives on a State Visit upon the invitation of the Maldivian president.

Govt to take steps to solve problems of expatriates in Maldives: PM - Rising BD

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government would take measures to solve the problems which the Bangladeshi expatriates are currently facing in the Maldives. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar

Military Helicopters rescued Tatmadaw troops trapped during the Battle of Pela - Mizzima

An official from the Pale Township People's Defense Force said that a military helicopter rescued the soldiers trapped during clashes in Pale township, Sagaing region on December 23

Tatmadaw must uphold three main national causes, whatever the political system or government present: Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing - Eleven Myanmar

Whatever the nation led by any political system or any government, as our national policy, Tatmadaw has to maintain the three main national causes concerning all nationalities, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Click here to read... [14]

India's Myanmar quandary - Sentinel Assam

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla's two-day visit to Myanmar has put the spotlight on the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway project that are crucial for connecting the Northeast region to a vibrant ASEAN economy. Click here to read... [15]

Myanmar statement on Shringla visit differs from Indian line on restoring democracy - The Hindu

A day after Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla met Myanmar’s military leader General Min Aung Hlaing, differences emerged in the way both sides portrayed the visit, with Myanmar official media referring to India’s line on the restoration of democracy. Click here to read... [16]

China assisting Myanmar army to build internet firewall, has potential access into junta's sensitive information: Report - Devi Discourse

Myanmar's military has sought Beijing's assistance and probably received also to build an internet firewall to curb the spread of information against the junta. But Tatmadaw is currently unaware that Chinese agencies by helping them have potential access to the junta's sensitive information, a media report said. Click here to read... [17]

Calls for urgent action after Christmas Eve massacre in Myanmar - Christian Today

A Christian charity is calling on the international community to take urgent action after reports of at least 35 civilians being burnt alive in Myanmar on Christmas Eve. Click here to read... [18]

Nepal

Juvenile justice in shoddy state- Himalaya

A study conducted by Public Defender Society of Nepal reveals that a high percentage of juvenile delinquents being kept at the eight correction homes across the country were mainly from two ethnic groups, indigenous nationalities, and the Dalits. Click here to read... [19]

Liquidity crunch likely to continue for a few months- TKP

The government will raise over Rs80 billion in income tax in mid-January, draining liquidity from the banking system. Click here to read... [20]

Opinion: Global inflation and Nepal- Kathmandu Post

Greater electricity use can not only cut the fuel bill, but also clip a potential source of imported inflation. Click here to read... [21]

On nature and human nature- Nepali Times

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche teaches us the art of understanding ourselves through wisdom, compassion and balance. Click here to read... [22]

Maoist Center Eighth General Convention: Closed session to begin at 11 AM today- Republica

The closed session of the eighth National General Convention of the CPN (Maoist Center) will start at 11 AM today in Kathmandu. The inaugural ceremony of the general convention was held at Nepal Academy in Kamaladi on Sunday. Click here to read... [23]

Illegal goods worth Rs 15 million seized- Republica

The District Police Office, Parsa has confiscated unlawfully-imported goods worth Rs 15 million in over a month and handed over to the Customs Office and Revenue Investigation Office, Pathalaiya. Click here to read... [24]

Pakistan

Flight of dollar continues despite FIA action: Dawn

FIA Director General Sanaullah Abbasi told Dawn that during December alone the agency had arrested 158 people and seized local and foreign currencies worth Rs300 million across the country in an effort to stabilise the rupee against the greenback. Click here to read... [25]

NSC to review country’s first-ever national security policy today: The Express Tribune

The government spokesperson tweeted that the national security policy draft would be presented before the NSC for approval. If approved, the country will have the first-ever national security policy in a documented form since its inception as it hasn’t been codified in the last 70 years. Click here to read... [26]

2021 ending at double-digit inflation: The Express Tribune

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows a continuous uptrend starting from 5% in January 2021 to touching a 20-month high of 11.5% in November 2021. Click here to read... [27]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka to sign Trincomalee oil tank farm deal with India in a month, says Minister: The Hindu

After a year of visible strain in its ties with Colombo, New Delhi may finally have some reason for cheer. In a month’s time, Sri Lanka will ink the long-dragging deal with India to jointly develop the Trincomalee oil tank farms — a coveted project that has remained controversial for decades. Click here to read... [28]

P. B. tenders resignation, Prez yet to accept: Daily Mirror

Secretary to the President, Dr. P. B. Jayasundara has tendered his resignation letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, following objections raised by the cabinet of ministers who have urged him to step down, but the resignation is yet to be accepted by the President, the Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read... [29]