Afghanistan
China, Iran, Turkey, and Uzbekistan Lead Mining Investments in Afghanistan-Tolo News
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says that the largest investments in Afghanistan’s mining sector have been made by companies from Uzbekistan, China, Turkey, and Iran. Hayatullah Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the total value of these investments is estimated at eight billion dollars. These companies have invested in Afghanistan’s copper, gold, iron, cement, and oil and gas mines. Click here to read…
7,000 Acres of State Land Allocated for Deported Afghans in Jawzjan- Tolo News
By order of the leader of the Islamic Emirate, 7,000 acres of state-owned land have been allocated in Jawzjan province to settle Afghans deported from Iran and Pakistan. According to officials, efforts to support the deportees from neighboring countries are ongoing in coordination with aid organizations. Click here to read…
Bangladesh
Yunus pays homage to Liberation War martyrs – The Daily Star
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus paid tributes this morning to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar marking the 55th Independence and National Day. The chief adviser placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial around 6:11am. Click here to read…
Free, fair polls between Dec and June 2026 – The Daily Star
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said the next national election would be held between December this year and June 2025, and the government wants it to be the most free, fair, and acceptable election in history. Click here to read…
Press Secretary: Chief adviser’s China visit aims to attract investors – Dhaka Tribune
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Tuesday that the main objective of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s visit to China is to attract Chinese investors to Bangladesh. Shafiqul made the comment at a seminar titled “LDC Graduation: Impact on the Agricultural Sector and Export Diversification,” held at the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) office in Paltan, Dhaka, reports Bangla Tribune. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Bad loans reach Nu 3.55 billion in four key sectors – Kuensel
Bhutan’s economic recovery faces headwinds with bad loans in four key sectors—agriculture and livestock, trade and commerce, transport, and construction—already exceeding the critical 5 percent threshold. The figures from the finance ministry show that these four sectors are among the 15 loan types. As of November 2024, the transport sector had the highest non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 13.11 percent, followed by agriculture and livestock at 11.01 percent, trade and commerce at 7.07 percent, and construction loans at 6.92 percent. In monetary terms, the transport sector recorded Nu 890.5 million in non-performing loans (NPL), agriculture and livestock stood at Nu 541.7 million, trade and commerce reached Nu 1.37 billion, and loans to contractors totalled Nu 748.7 million. Click here to read…
Maldives
Maldives Lambasts Israeli Move to Displace Palestinians from Gaza – PSM News
Maldives government late Tuesday, condemned the announcement by Israel to establish an agency aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, along with plans to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israel has announced plans set to establish a government agency that would oversee the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. In addition to displacing Palestinians from Gaza, Israel’s Security Cabinet has also approved a plan to separate and legalise 13 settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Myanmar Junta Boss Brands Global Reports of Civilian Slaughter ‘Fake News’ – The Irrawaddy
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing, whose regime’s atrocities against Myanmar civilians have been widely reported, has accused local and international media of distorting the truth about post-coup Myanmar. Addressing the “Forum on Myanmar Beyond 2025: Challenges and Opportunities in the Multipolar World” in Naypyitaw on Friday, the regime chief said: “I hope that experts here today will sense the stark differences between Myanmar’s image as portrayed by bogus and biased media and the real Myanmar you are witnessing firsthand.” Click here to read…
Jaishankar meets UNSG special envoy for Myanmar – The Times of India
As the crisis in Myanmar worsens, external affairs minister S Jaishankar met UNSG’s special envoy for the country, Julie Bishop, to discuss the political situation. The minister said on X that he discussed India Myanmar border stability, refugee situation, transnational crime out of Myanmar and “providing economic support”. Even as the military junta faces global ire for alleged civilian slaughter, India’s approach to Myanmar has been driven by its security interests that emanate from a porous border and the likely impact of the crisis on some of its northeastern states. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Govt, IMF reach staff-level agreement on 1st review of loan programme, new $1.3bn climate fund-Dawn
The federal government has reached a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new $1.3 billion arrangement and also agreed on the first review of the ongoing 37-month bailout programme, the Fund said on Tuesday. Pending board approval, the government can unlock the $1.3bn under a new climate resilience loan programme spanning 28 months. Click here to read…
Govt approves Rs1.3tr mega projects-The Express Tribune
The government on Tuesday approved over a dozen mega projects worth Rs1.3 trillion, many of which were already under implementation but have seen significant cost escalations. Among them is the construction of a new federal-funded motorway in Punjab, now costing Rs436 billion. Click here to read…
Sri Lanka
The UK sanctions on military leaders: Govt weighs response – Daily Mirror
Sri Lanka is weighing its response to the UK government’s decision to impose sanctions on three Sri Lankan military leaders and one time LTTE military wing leader in the east Vinayagamurthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman who defected from the terrorist organization and joined hands with the then government, Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read…
SL should work with Adani, other investors to achieve economic growth: Ranil – Daily Mirror
Sri Lanka should work with the Adani group and other investors if is to experience an economic recovery and growth, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today. Wickremesinghe, who was speaking during the launch of the book "Arthikaye Panchaudaya" written by former Minister Bandula Gunawardene, said Sri Lanka should attract and invite Indian investors in particular. Click here to read…
