Afghanistan
Trump: Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan should have been retained for strategic reasons-The Khaama press
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated during a cabinet meeting that the U.S. should have kept Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan. He emphasized that retaining the base was crucial for strategic purposes, not just for Afghanistan. Trump reiterated his earlier claims about the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, specifically highlighting his desire to keep Bagram Airbase. He noted that the base was just one hour away from China’s missile production area and was strategically vital. Click here to read…
China continues economic support to Taliban, will plan refugee settlement: Chinese Envoy-The Khaama Press
Chinese Ambassador to Kabul, Zhao Xing, during a meeting with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Taliban Minister for Refugees and Returnees, stated that Beijing would continue its economic cooperation with Afghanistan. The Ministry of Refugees and Returnees of the Taliban announced on Wednesday, February 26, that China has plans to build a settlement for refugees and returnees. Click here to read…
Bangladesh
From movement to mainstream politics – The Daily Star
Nearly seven months after ousting Sheikh Hasina, the activists of the July uprising are all set to launch a party of their own today, aiming to emerge as a formidable political force against all forms of discriminations. Styled the Jatiya Nagorik Party in Bangla, it will be unveiled at a rally on the capital's Manik Mia Avenue. The event, slated to begin at 3:00pm, is being organised by the Students Against Discrimination and its platform for citizens, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee. Click here to read…
Teesta project: China to get the job if BNP voted to power – The Daily Star
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan yesterday told a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that if his party is elected to power in the next election, it will sign an agreement with China to implement the Teesta River water management project. Click here to read…
CA invited to launch of Jatiya Nagorik Party – Dhaka Tribune
Chief Adviser of the interim government, Prof Muhammad Yunus, has been invited to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new political party, "Jatiya Nagorik Party" (NCP), which is being launched under the leadership of young leaders from the July-August movement. On Thursday afternoon, a delegation led by Abdul Hannan Masud, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, delivered the invitation letter to the Chief Adviser’s office. Abdul Hannan Masud shared this information in a Facebook post. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Bhutan minister visits Assam, eyes stronger bilateral relations-North East News
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday hosted Bhutan’s Agriculture and Livestock Minister Younten Phuntsho to discuss avenues for enhanced collaboration between Assam and Bhutan across various sectors. Phuntsho visited Guwahati to participate in the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit, which concluded on Wednesday. Click here to read…
The paradox of Bhutan’s water crisis-Asia News Network
Bhutan, a country with one of the world’s richest freshwater resources, is paradoxically grappling with severe water shortages in many regions. Despite an estimated 80 billion cubic meters of available water, some communities face chronic scarcity. The problem is not one of supply but of infrastructure, planning, and distribution. By global standards, Bhutan’s water availability is staggering. Click here to read…
Maldives
Islamic Minister Envisions Merging All Ministry Funds into a Single Unified Fund-PSM News
The Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has expressed his vision to consolidate all funds under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs into a single, unified fund. The Minister made the statement while speaking at a ceremony held to launch the opportunity to make charitable contributions through the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). Click here to read…
Cultural Ministry's Nationwide Heritage Initiative Extends to Outer Atolls-PSM News
The Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has extended its ambitious nationwide initiative to the outer atolls, aiming to deepen the understanding of the essential elements of nationality, alongside the national identity and cultural heritage of the Maldives. Click here to read…
Myanmar
China deploys advanced radar near Myanmar border, poses security threat to India – India Today
China has established a sophisticated radar system in its southwestern Yunnan province, near the Myanmar border, a move that could have significant implications for India's missile program and national security. The newly installed Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) reportedly boasts a surveillance range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, allowing Beijing to monitor extensive areas of the Indian Ocean and deep into Indian territory. Click here to read…
Food Running Out for 100,000 Myanmar Refugees After US Aid Freeze – The Irrawaddy
A humanitarian organization that has been feeding more than 100,000 refugees from Myanmar in western Thailand says it only has enough funds left to provide food for one month as the U.S. government’s international aid freeze bites. In January, the Trump administration ordered a 90-day freeze on almost all the global aid it has provided for several decades. This affects millions of people worldwide, especially in conflict areas in developing countries where the U.S. is the largest single donor. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Pakistan, UAE sign 5 accords of cooperation on Abu Dhabi crown prince’s first official visit-Dawn
The government and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday signed five accords to boost bilateral cooperation in different fields on the occasion of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official visit to Pakistan. Pakistan and the UAE share close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. The UAE is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and a major source of remittances, with a large Pakistani expatriate population living and working there. Click here to read…
US ruling party official and Trump confidante writes to top US diplomat to ‘free Imran Khan’-Dawn
US Congressmen Joe Wilson and August Pfluger have written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging him to engage with Pakistan to secure the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Wilson has made several posts on his X account in the past weeks, calling for Imran’s release. The PTI founder has been incarcerated since August 2023 in a series of legal cases, which he claims were “politically motivated”. Click here to read…
SBP foreign reserves rise by $21m to $11.22b-The Express Tribune
Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rose by $21 million, reaching $11.22 billion as of February 21, according to data released on Thursday. Total liquid foreign reserves in the country amounted to $15.92 billion, with net reserves held by commercial banks standing at $4.70 billion. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
USAID allegedly funded controversial NGOs in Sri Lanka, claims BBS General Secretary – Daily Mirror
Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara alleged the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had funded controversial seven NGOs. Addressing the media, he said he is in possession of documentary evidence to substantiate his allegation. Click here to read…
Is AKD’s leadership living up to expectations? – Daily Mirror
It has been exactly 160 days since the National People’s Power (NPP) rose to govern the nation and it seems that the public mood is already divided, even among their supporters. The rise of the NPP brought a sense of renewed hope to many voters seeking a lasting solution to the nation’s economic turmoil and political instability. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), known for his outspoken stance on corruption, economic equity and social justice, now faces the challenge of transforming his promises into tangible outcomes before his supporters lose faith. Click here to read…
