Afghanistan
Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey Discuss TAP-500 Implementation-Tolo News
The first trilateral meeting, attended by representatives from Turkmenistan and a Turkish company, was held in Kabul to initiate the practical implementation of the TAP-500 electricity project. The TAP-500 project aims to transfer high-voltage electricity from Turkmenistan to Pakistan through the Afghan provinces of Herat, Farah, Helmand, and Kandahar. Click here to read…
Humanitarian Aid Decline Possibly Due to Women Policies: Muttaqi- Tolo News
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said that the Islamic Emirate seeks "respectful" relations with the new US administration. When asked whether US aid has been reduced due to the Islamic Emirate's policies towards women and girls, he acknowledged, "There are many factors involved, and this could be one of them." Click here to read…
Islamic Emirate Expects Ambassador to Be Accepted in Tehran-Tolo News
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting minister of foreign affairs, shared details of his meeting with Iran's foreign minister and expressed optimism that Tehran would recognize the Islamic Emirate's ambassador. Muttaqi said that he discussed various issues with his Iranian counterpart in Kabul. According to the acting minister, regional and global countries have come to the conclusion that they need to increase their engagement with the Islamic Emirate. Click here to read…
Kabul clerics call for inclusive Government, criticize Kandahar-Centric Taliban Rule-The Khaama Press
The Council for the Protection of Jihadi Values held a meeting in Kabul where they strongly criticized the Taliban for monopolizing power, particularly by the Kandahari faction, and called for an inclusive government. A council member stated that in addition to Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, 12 Taliban cabinet ministers are from Kandahar province, highlighting a concentration of power. Click here to read…
Bangladesh
‘Economy was more dire than people thought’ – The Daily Star
The interim government has an uphill task of fixing the economy it inherited from the Awami League government of 15 years, said Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed. "When the interim government assumed power, it inherited a problem-driven economy -- the situation was more dire than people thought," he told The Daily Star in an interview on Monday. Click here to read…
Rizvi smells support from Jamaat shoring up govt - Dhaka Tribune
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday alleged that a particular party, namely Jamaat, has gained control over several ministries and public institutions, raising the question of whether the interim government should be considered as supported by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He said: "In many places and ministries, the influence of a particular political party has spread. Why is this happening? We heard that the Moyeenuddin-Fakhruddin government was army-backed, so should we say this (interim administration) is Jamaat-supported?". Click here to read…
ACC seeks to bring Hasina back for trial – Dhaka Tribune
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has announced its intention to repatriate former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to face corruption charges. During a press briefing at the commission's headquarters in Dhaka on Tuesday, ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain confirmed the development. Click here to read…
Top UAE companies plan to invest in Chittagong Port, solar power – Prothom Alo
Two major companies in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Ports Group and Masdar, have rolled out plans to invest in port development, management and logistics, and the renewable energy sectors in Bangladesh. Ahmad Ibrahim Al Mutawa, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADPG), and Fatima Almadhloum Alsuwaidi, Head of Development & Investment, Asia-Pacific Region, Masdar, came up with the investment proposals when they called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Mindfulness City in Gelephu: A game-changer for Assam-Bhutan connectivity and regional growth – Hub News
Gelephu, a vital Bhutanese town near the Assam border, has long been a strategic gateway for trade and cultural exchanges between India and Bhutan. The proposed Mindfulness City promises to be a transformative project that will redefine the economic and environmental landscape of the region. Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today emphasized how this development aligns with Bodoland’s vision for sustainable growth and harmony. Sarma addressed a public gathering on January 28 at the Green Field in Kokrajhar on the fifth anniversary of the historic Bodo Peace Accord. Click here to read…
Maldives
Foreign Minister Embarks on Visit to Saudi Arabia to Bolster Ties, Boost Trade Cooperation – PSM News
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel has departed on an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 29 to 31 January, at the invitation of Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia. The visit aims to strengthen longstanding ties between Maldives and Saudi Arabia while exploring opportunities for collaboration in trade. During the visit, Foreign Minister Dr Khaleel will hold official discussions with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and review the longstanding and close brotherly ties of friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia and also explore new areas of future collaborations between the two countries. In addition, Minister Dr Khaleel will meet with the Minister of Commerce of Saudi Arabia, and explore opportunities to enhance collaboration in trade and investments between the two countries. Click here to read…
President pledges population based enhancement of health facilities – The Edition
President Dr. Mohamed today pledged to enhance health facilities of all islands in the country, based on the population and its need. Speaking in HA. Muraidhoo during his visit to the northern most islands of the country, President Dr. Muizzu said that the government's plan is to establish health facilities in all islands based on population and economic activities. The President said he would work to increase the number of staff and resources alongside improving health services. He said the health needs of each island should be prioritised under the policy that everyone is an equal citizen no matter how small the population. Click here to read…
Myanmar
China Seeks Thailand’s Help Crushing 36 Major Scam Gangs – The Irrawaddy
There are 36 major Chinese call-scam gangs employing more than 100,000 callers to defraud their victims of money, according to a Chinese assistant minister of public security now in Thailand seeking support in suppressing their activities. Liu Zhongyi shared the information with Thai Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwpan, commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), during their meeting at the CCIB in Nonthaburi province on January 27. Liu heads a Chinese delegation that arrived to seek cooperation from Thai police in tackling the problem of Chinese scam gangs based in Myanmar’s Myawaddy area, which borders Thailand’s Tak province. Click here to read…
KIA, Allies Seize Airport, Armored Unit From Myanmar Junta in Bhamo – The Irrawaddy
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied resistance forces seized the airport and the base of a junta armoured battalion in Bhamo over the weekend, while also surrounding the headquarters of an artillery battalion, amid escalating clashes in the township, KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy. “Along with seven armored vehicles, we seized the junta’s Armored Battalion 7006 base at around 3:45 p.m. on January 25. Also, on January 26 KIA and allied forces seized Bhamo Airport,” he said on January 27. Naw Bu and residents of Bhamo who have fled into nearby rural areas said the already heavy clashes continue to escalate in Bhamo, with the junta conducting near round-the-clock air and artillery strikes on the township. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Fourth round of talks postponed after PTI skips meeting-The Express Tribune
A scheduled meeting of the government’s talks committee was postponed on Tuesday after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives failed to attend. Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq announced that the committee would remain intact despite the lack of participation, Express News reported. Speaking before the meeting, Sadiq stated that all members were invited, and it was hoped that the opposition would attend. Click here to read…
Imran Khan accepts Gandapur’s resignation as PTI K-P President-The Express Tribune
Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has formally accepted the resignation of Ali Amin Gandapur as the president of PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Gandapur’s resignation, which was submitted as per the directives of PTI’s founder, was approved by Imran Khan. Click here to read…
Govt decides to give fuming PTI a little more leeway-Dawn
The government has decided to give one more chance to the PTI to rejoin the dialogue after the opposition party did not turn up for the fourth round of talks on Tuesday, in which the government had promised to share its response to its charter of demands. Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government negotiation team, said they would wait for the PTI until the end of the month. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
Headline inflation projected to remain negative in near term – Daily Mirror
Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), remained in the negative territory for the fourth consecutive month in December 2024, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). Click here to read…
Cabinet approval granted to sign MoU with Italy to boost bilateral ties – Daily Mirror
Cabinet approval has been granted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka and Italy on the establishment of a political consultancy mechanism, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday. The Minister said the MoU was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employments and Tourism of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation of the Republic of Italy. Click here to read…
Talks on with Adani Group to lower wind power purchase cost, says Sri Lanka – Deccan Herald
The Sri Lankan government has started talks with India's Adani Group to lower the cost of power from two wind power projects the group will build in the island nation's northern province, the cabinet spokesman said on Tuesday. Click here to read…
5 Indian fishermen injured in Sri Lankan Navy firing; MEA summons envoy, lodges strong protest – Hindustan Times
India condemned the Sri Lankan Navy's use of force against Indian fishermen, stressing the need for humane treatment and adherence to existing agreements. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) summoned the acting high commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest with the top diplomat on Tuesday, after five Indian fishermen sustained injuries, including two seriously, in an incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy in the proximity of Delft Island, news agency PTI reported. Click here to read…
