Afghanistan
UNAMA warns Afghanistan remains vulnerable at Kabul Climate Conference-The Khaama Press
Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), stated that the country remains vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. She emphasized that Afghanistan continues to face significant environmental challenges and stressed the need for international support to address these ongoing issues. Click here to read...
Pakistan denies military presence in Wakhan Corridor, reaffirms Afghanistan’s sovereignty-The Khaama Press
The spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again denied the entry of Pakistani military forces into the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan. Shafqat Ali Khan stated, “This region is part of Afghanistan, and we respect its territorial integrity.” Click here to read...
Stanekzai Calls for Water Management and Dam Construction in Afghanistan-Tolo News
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Political Deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, considers water management and the construction of dams crucial for the country. Stanekzai stated that to prevent the country from facing drought, existing water resources must be managed, and the Ministry of Energy and Water should prioritize the construction of dams. Click here to read...
Bangladesh
July uprising: Proclamation to take some more time – The Daily Star
The July uprising proclamation will be made after intensive discussions with all stakeholders and consensus of all political parties. This decision was made at a meeting between 16 political parties and organisations and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday. Click here to read...
Reform proposals: Major parties taking time to react – The Daily Star
Two leftist political parties have voiced strong criticism of the proposed changes to the fundamental principles in the preamble to the constitution. Some of the proposals, however, have been received positively by these parties. Meanwhile, the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Committee, and Ganosamhati Andolan have refrained from commenting on the proposals, saying that they would first deliberate on the recommendations within their respective party forums before making any public statements. Click here to read...
Child killed, homes destroyed as fire ravages Rohingya camp – Dhaka Tribune
A massive fire swept through the Mochni Rohingya camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday night claiming the life of a child and destroying over 100 homes and other structures. Md Kauser Sikder, additional deputy inspector general with the 16th Armed Police Battalion (APBn), confirmed the child's death but could not immediately provide details regarding the victim’s identity or the number of injured individuals. Click here to read...
Govt forms 11 teams to investigate corruption charges against Hasina, 10 conglomerates – Prothom Alo
The interim government has formed 11 inquiry teams to investigate corruption allegations against the family members of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 10 others conglomerates, including S Alam, Beximco, Bashundhara and Summit Groups. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will lead these teams and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) will coordinate the process while legal support will be provided by the Attorney General’s office, sources said. Click here to read...
Bhutan
Nu 109 billion allocated for 2025-26 fiscal year-Kuensel
The finance ministry has estimated a budget outlay of Nu 109.35 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26, the second year of the ambitious 13th Plan. This is according to the ministry’s budget call notification for the fiscal year 2025-26. Click here to read...
6,598 young people are unemployed-Kuensel
The youth unemployment rate in the country increased to 17.7 percent in the fourth quarter of last year (October to December) compared to the previous quarter. In absolute figures, it is equivalent to 6, 598 persons, according to the National Statistics Bureau (NSB). This is according to the Labour Force Survey Quarterly Report 2024. Click here to read...
Maldives
Maldives government supports Ukraine in war with Russia – Adhadhu
It has been revealed that the Maldives government supports Ukraine in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is currently making an official visit to Estonia which supports Ukraine and Israel. In a post on X, the Estonian parliament thanked the Maldives government for supporting Ukraine at the United Nations. "Although Estonia and Maldives are far apart, as small nations, we share common interests," Speaker Lauri Hussar was quoted as saying. Click here to read...
Maldives Carnival 2025 in India Showcases Resorts and Travel Experiences – PSM News
An event was held in India to promote Maldives tourism and showcase its natural beauty. Titled ‘Maldives Carnival 2025 / Maldives Mahautsav’, the event organised by India’s leading online travel company, Pickyourtrail, was conducted from 11 to 12 January at Ambience Mall in Gurgaon, India. The event was endorsed by Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC, Visit Maldives). The carnival’s objective was to promote the Maldives as a desirable destination for family holidays, romantic getaways, and adventure experiences. The event was officially inaugurated by Maldivian High Commissioner to India, Aishath Azeema. The two-day event featured interactive activities as well as immersive experiences showcasing the beauty of Maldives and the experiences available for tourists. Click here to read...
Myanmar
KIA Hunting Down Retreating Myanmar Junta Troops – The Irrawaddy
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allies say they are attacking Myanmar junta troops retreating from Mansi Township, Kachin State, inflicting heavy casualties. After seizing the township on January 8, the KIA, All Burma Students Democratic Front and other groups attacked hundreds of troops retreating from Light Infantry Battalions 319 and 601 and Artillery Battalion 352 in Mansi. KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu: “We continue eliminating them on the ground. We cannot give casualty figures yet.” Sources estimate at least 100 retreating troops have been injured, numerous soldiers have been detained and large amounts of arms and ammunition seized. Click here to read...
Myanmar Junta Pushes Key Chinese Projects in Rakhine Despite Looming AA Threat – The Irrawaddy
The Myanmar military regime continues to work with China to develop the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and a deep-sea port in Rakhine State’s Kyaukphyu despite the fact that the town has been encircled by troops of the ethnic Arakan Army (AA). On January 14, junta Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Kan Zaw addressed a meeting of Myanmar’s Central Working Group for Special Economic Zones, which he chairs, in Naypyitaw. He called for effective collaboration between Kyauk Phyu SEZ Consortium Company Ltd.—formed as a Myanmar Government Designated Entity—and China’s CITIC Consortium, as well as collaboration with relevant ministries to expedite the project and compliance with regulations. Click here to read...
Pakistan
PTI claims gaining direct access to COAS-The Express Tribune
The beleaguered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claims to have finally found the lost key and cracked the door open for an audience with Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) Syed Asim Munir a much-desired breakthrough that the party's founder Imran Khan had been seeking for a long time to resuscitate his sagging political fortunes, at least two confidantes of the jailed former premier confirmed on Thursday, while the government denied any such development. Click here to read...
Wakhan an Afghan territory: FO-The Express Tribune
After days of speculations suggesting that Pakistan might have captured or plan to take over the strategically important Wakhan corridor, Pakistan on Thursday finally broke its silence and rejected all such reports. "Wakhan corridor, what I can say is that I have seen this endless speculation. Wakhan is part of the Afghan territory. Afghanistan is a neighbour of Pakistan. Click here to read...
World Bank flags flaw in Uraan plan-The Express Tribune
The World Bank has detected a flaw in the recently launched Uraan Pakistan plan, pointing out that the national economic vision lacks the basic ingredient required to fix Pakistan's ailing economy: "sectoral plans," it emerged this week. Click here to read...
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka secures highest FDI from China's Sinopec – Daily Mirror
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Energy and Sinopec signed an agreement for $3.7 billion investment to construct an oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels in the Hambantota region. Under this $3.7 billion investment, a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels will be constructed in the Hambantota region, President’s Media Division (PMD) said. Click here to read...
Local political hypocrisy holds no bar for Sino-Lanka ties – Daily Mirror
Despite past criticisms, the government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) has taken steps to elevate Sino-Lanka ties to the next level in terms of economic, investment cooperation in particular as it inked a deal with Sinopec for an investment of US $ 3.7 for a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels in Hambantota. Click here to read...
SJB to begin dialogue with UNP – Daily Mirror
The working committee of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today approved a proposal to begin a dialogue with the United National Party (UNP), SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said. “The decision made by the party’s management committee was approved by the working committee,” Madduma Bandara told the Daily Mirror. Click here to read...
