Neighborhood News Digest - 09 January 2025

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate: We Have Not Received Any Financial Aid from US-Tolo News

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, has rejected claims of billions of dollars in US aid to Afghanistan, stating that the interim government has not received any funds from the United States to date. Fitrat added that the Islamic Emirate has not requested assistance from the United States. Click here to read… [2]

Trump calls sending billions to the Taliban ‘Unacceptable’-The Khaama Press

At a press conference on Tuesday, the U.S. President-elect called the billions of dollars sent to the Taliban “unacceptable,” stating that such aid “should not be happening.” Speaking in Florida, Trump addressed the issue of U.S. humanitarian aid to Afghanistan over the past three years, a matter that has drawn significant criticism from Republican lawmakers. Click here to read… [3]

US Veterans urge Trump to continue Afghan Resettlement Program-The Khaama Press

Hundreds of veterans and former and current U.S. officials have written a letter to Donald Trump, urging the incoming president to continue the resettlement and relocation program for Afghan partners who worked with Washington. Click here to read… [4]

Blinken assures continued resettlement of Afghan allies in the US-The Khaama Press

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the United States’ commitment to resettling Afghan citizens who supported American forces over the past two decades. He emphasized this obligation to the country’s allies and partners in a message shared on Tuesday, January 7, via X/Twitter. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

University student unions: Student bodies split over polls timing – The Daily Star

With Dhaka and Jahangirnagar universities gearing up for student union elections, the student bodies are now sharply divided over when the polls should be held. The Students Against Discrimination and Shibir are in favour of elections without much delay as they are confident of winning. The Chhatra Dal, on the other hand, is keen on delaying the elections until the national polls because its leaders are yet to be "fully active" on campuses, said insiders. Click here to read… [6]

Listed firms’ profit drops 24% amid economic slowdown, political turmoil – The Daily Star

In its report titled "Bangladesh Finds its Lighthouse Amid Reform Hopes," Shanta Securities said the paper and printing, and ceramic sectors were the worst victims, with their earnings declining by over 149 percent in the first three quarters of 2024. Click here to read… [7]

Local Government Reform Commission to propose crucial changes -Dhaka Tribune

The Local Government Reform Commission is poised to recommend significant changes to expand the participation of competent individuals and improve services in local government bodies. The proposed reforms would allow full-time employees of government services, councils, or other local authorities to serve as public representatives, except in top positions like chairman or mayor. Click here to read… [8]

Interim govt preparing simultaneously for local govt, parliamentary elections: Dr Yunus – Prothom Alo

Nicola Beer, the vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), has assured Bangladesh’s interim government of its support in carrying out vital reforms it had undertaken. She made the comments when she met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna Tuesday. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Joint technical assessment underway for PHPA-I dam stabilisation-Kuensel

A joint technical assessment is underway for the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydropower Project (PHPA-I) dam, with technical teams from Bhutan and India evaluating stabilisation measures for the right bank slide. Both countries have agreed to proceed with the construction of the dam, integrating necessary stabilisation measures to address the issue. Click here to read… [10]

Ngultrum hits record low against USD-Kuensel

Bhutan’s Ngultrum hit an all-time low against the US dollar, reaching Nu 84.85 in December 2024, which is a two percent depreciation over the past year. This drop in the value of Ngultrum raises concerns about the rising costs of imports and the increased burden of servicing Bhutan’s convertible currency (CC) debt. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

India donates USD 4 million worth equipment to MNDF – Adhadhu

India has donated USD 4 million (MVR 62 million) worth of equipment to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) upon a request from the Maldives government. In a statement, the Indian government said it had donated defense equipment to Maldives at the request of the Maldivian government. Indian media reported that the assistance includes vehicles and navigation equipment. The donation was announced during Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon's first official visit to India. On January 8, he met Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and held bilateral talks. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives, India Deepen Bilateral Defence Ties During Minister Ghassan's Visit – PSM News

The Maldives and India have engaged in high-level discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, underscoring a mutual commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations. These deliberations formed a crucial part of the official visit to India by Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon. Conducted from 7 to 8 January, the visit encompassed significant meetings with senior Indian government officials, including Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The primary focus of these talks was to explore and expand avenues for bolstering defence collaboration, according to the Maldives defence ministry. This visit marks Minister Maumoon’s first official trip to India since assuming office in November 2023. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar

Russia Completes Delivery of Warplanes to Embattled Myanmar Junta – The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar military regime has taken delivery of all six Su-30 fighter jets ordered from Russia, the Army Recognition Group (ARG) defense publication reported on January 6. The final two warplanes in the Russian shipment were commissioned at Mandalay’s Meiktila Air Base during a Dec. 15 ceremony to mark the Air Force’s 77th anniversary, led by junta boss Min Aung Hlaing. The six Su-30SME multirole fighter aircraft were transferred to the Myanmar Air Force under a 2018 contract worth $400 million, financed by a Russian loan. Click here to read… [14]

India’s options as Myanmar junta collapses in Rakhine

At the end of 2024, a significant power shift took place in Myanmar's Rakhine state, Rakhine State, where the military junta has lost control to the Arakan Army (AA). Potentially having far-reaching consequences for the region's geography and security. Rakhine, in western Myanmar, shares a border with Bangladesh. The AA's recent offensives have led to the capture of key towns and military bases, diminishing the junta's presence in Rakhine. This shift has resulted in increased refugee flows into neighboring countries, including India, and has raised concerns about cross-border insurgent activities. For India, these developments present both challenges and opportunities. The instability could disrupt bilateral projects and trade routes, particularly those passing through Rakhine. However, engaging with the AA could offer India a chance to strengthen its influence in the region and counterbalance China's presence. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

Pakistan to honour IMF commitments, but excessive taxes unsustainable: PM-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that Pakistan will honour its commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but emphasised that excessive taxation cannot sustain the country's economy. Speaking at the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Wednesday, the prime minister reiterated plans for self-reliance. Click here to read… [16]

PTI to engage in third session of talks with govt: Barrister Gohar-The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has said that the party will participate in the third session of talks with the government. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, he stated that PTI's founding chairman, Imran Khan, had instructed the party to submit their demands in writing to the government. Click here to read… [17]

KKH restored for traffic as Hunza sit-in ends after govt accepts demands-Dawn

A protest sit-in against the power crisis in Hunza district’s Aliabad area came to an end on Wednesday with the Karakoram Highway (KKH) restored for traffic as the government accepted the locals’ demands. Protests had erupted in several parts of Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday as residents decried over up to 22 hours of daily power outages amid harsh winter conditions and snowfall. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka aims for ‘transformative acceleration’ in post-crisis growth - Indian envoy – Daily Mirror

As Sri Lanka has managed to brave through what was the worst economic crisis faced in history and moving towards normalcy, the island nation’s financial sector regulator yesterday said that its focus this year would be on achieving a “transformative acceleration” in the growth trajectory. Click here to read… [19]

Controversy swirls over unauthorized Israeli religious, culture centres – Daily Mirror

Controversy swirls around the unauthorized construction of Israeli religious centres at different locations in the country with an opposition MP raising concerns that the presence of Israeli intelligence service called ‘Mossad’ will pose a threat to national security. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka President Dissanayake to visit China from January 14 – The Hindu

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will visit China from January 14 to 17, the Cabinet Spokesman announced on Tuesday (January 7, 2025), confirming the Sri Lankan leader’s second state visit abroad, a month after he visited India. President Dissanayake will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa told media. Debt treatment and bilateral development cooperation are among key issues expected to be discussed in Beijing. Click here to read… [21]