Afghanistan
Economy Ministry: 355 Development Projects Initiated This Year- Tolo News
At least 355 development projects have been initiated this solar year (1403) across various sectors in the country, with some already completed and operational, according to the Ministry of Economy. Abdul Rahman Habib, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, told TOLO news that all these projects have been funded by the country's internal revenue, with 54% focused on infrastructure. According to Habib, 19 other projects are currently in the procurement phase. Click here to read...
Concerns Raised Over Economic Consequences of Women’s Work Ban- Tolo News
Some women’s rights activists, in response to the suspension of women’s work in non-governmental organizations, told TOLO news that banning women from work exacerbates economic challenges. These activists have urged the Islamic Emirate to lift restrictions on women’s education and employment. Click here to read...
Saffron Production Rises in Afghanistan-Tolo News
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock stated that saffron production has increased this year compared to the previous year. Misbahuddin Mustaeen, spokesperson for the ministry, attributed this increase to favorable rainfall, the use of new cultivation and harvesting methods, and the distribution of improved saffron bulbs to farmers. Click here to read...
Bangladesh
March for Unity today – The Daily Star
Students Against Discrimination has announced that it will hold a March for Unity programme at the Central Shaheed Minar today in support of the interim government's initiative to prepare a declaration of the July uprising based on national consensus. Click here to read...
Cops complicit in crimes must be brought to justice: Yunus - The Daily Star
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said that police personnel found guilty of crimes must be held accountable while the innocents have nothing to fear and should be allowed to perform their duties. Click here to read...
BNP holds out hope for polls in 2025 – Dhaka Tribune
Although there is no specific roadmap yet for the upcoming general election, the BNP is hoping for a free, fair and impartial election in 2025 under the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus. The party says that for the past 15 years, the people of Bangladesh have been deprived of their right to vote, with senior leaders emphasizing that one of their primary goals is to restore voting rights and establish democracy in the country. Click here to read...
We’ve communication with both Myanmar Army, Arakan Army: Home adviser – Prothom Alo
Home adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said Bangladesh has been maintaining communication with both the Myanmar government and Arakan Army over the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. The home adviser said this to the media while visiting the bordering Domdomia area of Naf River in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar today. Click here to read...
Bhutan
Investing in families-Kuensel Online
Bhutan is at a demographic crossroads. The country’s fertility rate, which was at a robust 6.6 births per woman in 1971, has fallen to a critical low of 1.866, far below the replacement level of 2.1. This alarming decline signals a future fraught with challenges for our nation—an aging population, a shrinking workforce, and increased social and economic strain on younger generations. The government’s cash incentive scheme to encourage larger families, targeting third and subsequent children, is a welcome step, but it must be part of a broader, more holistic approach to address this pressing issue. Click here to read...
Maldives
President Muizzu sends condolences following the death of former US President Carter – Adhadhu
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has expressed condolences following the passing of former US President Jimmy Carter. In a post on X, Muizzu extended condolences on behalf of the government and the people of Maldives. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday at the age of 100, roughly 22 months after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia. Click here to read...
Maldives’ 2024 Spend on Development Projects Reaches USD649 Million – PSM News
The government has spent over USD649 million on Public Sector Investment Programs (PSIP) so far this year, Ministry of Finance and Planning figures have shown. According to the Ministry's weekly fiscal report, the country’s total expenditure was nearly USD3 billion as of 19 December, out of which, USD649 million was spent on PSIP projects. The government had originally budgeted USD577.2 million for PSIP projects for the year. However, with the budget supplement for the year saw the figure rise to USD706.9 million. Despite the current economic difficulties, the government is planning to take development projects into overdrive next year, with USD804.2 budgeted for PSIP projects. Click here to read...
Myanmar
Bangladesh Says in Touch with Myanmar Govt, Rebel Army Over Border Tensions – News 18
Bangladesh’s interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday said it was in touch with both the Myanmar government and the rebel Arakan Army (AA), which has gained control over the 271-kilometer border shared by the two countries. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that Bangladeshi security forces were performing their duties at the frontier with caution and had not faced any problems yet. Click here to read...
Arakan Army signals openness to dialogue as it takes 14th Rakhine State town– Myanmar Now
The powerful ethnic armed group Arakan Army (AA) released statements on Sunday expressing interest in a ‘political’ resolution to its conflict with the Myanmar military and announcing its capture of the town of Gwa, Rakhine State. Gwa is the administrative seat of Rakhine State’s southernmost township, and the 14th of the state’s 17 township-level urban centres to fall under the group’s control. The AA—also sometimes called ‘Arakha Army’ after a rebrand in April reflecting its purported mission to represent all ethnic groups in Rakhine State—has also taken full control of Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh. Click here to read...
Pakistan
2024 was ‘deadliest year’ for Pakistan’s security forces- Dawn
With at least 685 members of security forces losing their lives amid a total of 444 terror attacks, 2024 turned out to be the deadliest year for civil and military security forces of Pakistan in a decade. Equally alarming were the cumulative losses of civilians and security personnel: 1,612 fatalities, accounting for over 63pc of the total recorded this year and marking 73pc more losses compared to 934 outlaws eliminated. Click here to read...
NA speaker to convene in-camera meeting with PTI on Jan 2-The Express Tribune
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has called for a crucial in-camera meeting between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on January 2, 2025. The meeting will take place at Parliament House at 11 AM and is expected to build on the discussions that began on December 23. The PTI, following internal consultations, is set to present two key demands in writing during the upcoming session. Click here to read...
Transit of goods from China to UAE via Pakistan begins-Dawn
The transportation of goods, originating from China onwards to Dubai via Pakistan, star-ted on Saturday, according to officials. The transportation of goods, originating from China onwards to Dubai via Pakistan, star¬ted on Saturday, according to officials. Click here to read...
1st int'l flight from Gwadar on Jan 10- The Express Tribune
The first international flight from the New Gwadar International Airport will take off for Muscat on January 10, while negotiations were under way with Pakistani, Chinese, Omani, and UAE airlines to start domestic and international flights to and from the port city, officials said on Sunday. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka
Angry mob lays siege to two NPP MPs, hurls abuses – Daily Mirror
Two ruling party MPs- Wijesiri Basnayake of Kurunegala and Ajith Gihan of Puttalam- came under mob violence when they came out in their separate vehicles after a meeting with the management of an apparel factory in the Bingiriya area. Click here to read...
Acting IGP cracks whip against hampers from junior cops to senior cops - Daily Mirror
A circular has been issued by Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya to all senior police officers regarding the tradition of presenting hampers to senior officers of the Sri Lanka Police as part of celebrations on special occasions like New Year’s Eve and Sinhala and Hindu New Year. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery must be coupled with India’s growth, says former president Wickremesinghe – The Print
Combining Sri Lanka’s economic recovery with India’s “sustained and swift economic growth and technological advancement” will “establish” larger markets for the island country and give it a path away from debt-fuelled growth of the last two decades, according to former president Ranil Wickremesinghe. Click here to read...
