Afghanistan
ICC issues arrest warrants for Taliban supreme leader and Chief Justice-The Khaama Press
The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that arrest warrants have been issued for Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the Taliban’s chief justice. As of now, the Taliban has not issued an official statement regarding the ICC’s request for arrest warrants against its leaders, Hibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani. Click here to read…
Source: Iranian FM to Visit Kabul on Official Invitation-Tolo News
The Iranian embassy in Kabul has announced that Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, will visit Kabul in the near future. Although details about the visit have not been provided, sources told TOLO news that Iran's foreign minister will come to Kabul at the official invitation of the acting foreign minister. Click here to read…
Afghan Journalists in Pakistan face arrest and forced deportation: Reporters without Borders-The Khaama Press
Reporters Without Borders states that Afghan journalists in Pakistan are facing severe challenges due to “police harassment,” exorbitant visa fees, and threats of deportation, creating a dire situation for them. The organization has expressed concern over the reduction in visa durations and the increased house-to-house police inspections targeting Afghan refugees, which have escalated tensions. Click here to read…
Qatari Chargé d'Affaires Meets Senior Islamic Emirate Officials in Kabul-Tolo News
Mirdef Alqashouti, the new chargé d'affaires of Qatar's embassy for Afghanistan, met with Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, acting minister of defense, and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister for economic affairs. During the meeting, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid emphasized the importance of expanding relations between Kabul and Doha. Click here to read…
Bangladesh
Economy slowing, negative revenue growth shows the sign – The Daily Star
For Bangladesh, it is no longer the question of whether the economy is destined for a hard landing or a glide to a flat state; rather the question now is how deep the descent will be. The collection turned negative in the first half of the current fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, which is a first since at least the pandemic era -- when markets shuttered, manufacturing units came to a grinding halt, supply chains collapsed, and life and livelihood endured unprecedented shockwaves. Click here to read…
Amnesty Int’l chief meets Yunus in Davos – The Daily Star
Secretary-General of rights group Amnesty International Agnès Callamard called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus during the World Economic Forum Summit at Davos today. Robert Maersk Uggla, chair of Danish shipping and logistics company AP Moller-Maersk, also met the chief adviser during the summit, CA's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir told BSS. Click here to read…
World Bank reiterates support for Bangladesh interim govt - Dhaka Tribune
World Bank Managing Director Anna Bjerde on Thursday reiterated the global lender's support for the interim government in rebuilding Bangladesh. Bjerde made the comment when she called on Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss city of Davos, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told BSS. Click here to read…
Govt failing to remain neutral on some issues: Fakhrul – Prothom Alo
The secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has alleged that the interim government is failing to play a neutral role in certain cases. He made the allegation at a discussion at the National Press Club on Thursday, marking the 56th death anniversary of Shaheed Asad, a hero of the 1969 mass uprising. Click here to read…
Touhid for narrowing trade gap, fostering regional connectivity with China – Prothom Alo
Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain, who is now in China on an official visit, today laid emphasis on narrowing trade gap and fostering regional connectivity with China to promote equitable growth. He made the remark while delivering a keynote address at a seminar titled “Our Shared Vision for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity" in the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) in Shanghai, a foreign ministry’s press release said here today. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Money multiplier to hit a record high of 5.01 - Kuensel
The money multiplier in the country is expected to reach a new high of 5.01 at the end of June this year, indicating that the ngultrum is generating more money than before. This means that every ngultrum introduced into the banking system will generate about Nu 5.01 worth of money supply in the economy. For example, with a money multiplier of 5.01, an injection of Nu 1,000 by the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) could potentially result in Nu 5,100 in total money supply. Click here to read…
Pakistan
HRCP report shines light on selective curbs on media-Dawn
The Human Rights Com¬mission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday released its report on the state of freedom of expression in the country during the past two years, identifying “new battlegrounds and unholy alliances”, with the tightening of restrictions on selected media outlets. Researched and authored by journalist Mahim Maher, the report provides a detailed account of the deteriorating state of freedom of expression since the vote of no confidence against former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022. Click here to read…
PM hails $20bn World Bank partnership to boost growth-Dawn
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday hailed the $20 billion Country Partnership Frame¬work (CPF) as a landmark initiative, even as a World Bank official acknowledged they were ‘taking a risk’ by offering Pakistan the unusual decade-long partnership. Click here to read…
Govt creating problems for itself by making unilateral decisions: Bilawal- The Express Tribune
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly criticised the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PMNL-N)-led federal government for making 'unilateral decisions without consulting its political allies', warning that such actions are causing unnecessary challenges for the administration. Click here to read…
Inflation likely to drop below 3% in January-The Express Tribune
Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation is expected to continue its downward trend, potentially dropping below 3% in January 2025, according to market analysts. JS Global, in a report on Wednesday, projected inflation at 2.8% for January, marking the lowest rate since November 2015. "The ongoing sharp disinflation trend is expected to persist despite a 0.6% month-on-month uptick, due to the high base effect," the report stated. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
Govt. struggles with shortages in stock and data – Daily Mirror
Amidst several contradictory statements coming from the NPP government ministers over the ongoing rice shortage in the country, it has come to light that the government finds itself in a quandary since it has no accurate data on last year’s paddy production. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka 75% ready for digital lead: Dr. Wijesuriya – Daily Mirror
Sri Lanka possesses a strong foundation for a digital economy, with 75 percent of the necessary skills already in place, according to Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijesuriya. However, to fully capitalise on this potential, the country must bridge the remaining gap and enhance its digital competitiveness. Click here to read…
