Neighborhood News Digest- 13 January 2025

Afghanistan

Progress on TAPI Pipeline Construction in Afghanistan-Tolo News

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Homayoun Afghan, has announced the completion of nearly three kilometres of the TAPI pipeline in Afghanistan. Speaking to TOLO news, he stated that an additional 3.5 kilometres of the pipeline route has been prepared for installation. Click here to read... [2]

Taliban denial of Habibi’s detention stalls American Prisoner Talks-The Khaama Press

President Joe Biden recently spoke with the families of three American citizens detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan. These individuals—Ryan Corbett, George Golzman, and Mahmood Habibi—remain in uncertain circumstances. The U.S. government is negotiating with the Taliban to secure their release. However, the discussions are complicated, with the Taliban demanding the release of Mohammed Rahim, a former aide to Osama bin Laden held at Guantanamo Bay, in exchange for the Americans. Click here to read... [3]

Islamabad Summit concludes with Support for Girls’ education in Islamic Countries-The Khaama Press

The International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Societies concluded without the participation of the Taliban, emphasizing the importance of education for girls in Islamic countries. Participants declared that Islamic countries do not agree with depriving girls of education, describing it as a “religious right” and urging the Taliban not to justify such bans through extreme interpretations of Islam. Click here to read... [4]

Rising Dollar Value Strains Afghan Economy-Tolo News

In the past week, the value of one US dollar has increased by three afghani in the country. The Money Exchangers' Union of Kabul's Sarai Shahzada emphasized that the central bank must continuously inject dollars into the country's currency markets to stabilize the value of the afghani. According to the union's statistics, one dollar is currently traded at 72 afghani and 30 pul in Kabul's markets. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

India’s fencing along border ‘unauthorised’ – The Daily Star

Dhaka has told New Delhi that the construction of barbed wire fences by the Indian Border Security Force along the Bangladesh-India border "without proper authorisation" undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two nations. Click here to read... [6]

Polls by this year vital – The Daily Star

Holding national elections within this year is imperative since a country cannot run itself under an undemocratic governance for long, said BNP yesterday. The party conveyed this message to European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller when he visited the BNP chairperson's office in Dhaka's Gulshan around 3:30pm. Click here to read... [7]

Govt planning to make next general election ‘the best ever and historic’: Dr Yunus – Prothom Alo

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus said the government was planning to make the next general election in Bangladesh "the best ever and historic." "We want to make it an example, a historical example," the CA told Norwegian ambassador in Dhaka Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen when the envoy called on him at his office in Tejgaon. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Khorlochhu hydropower project moves forward-Kuensel

The board of the 600 MW Khorlochhu Hydro Power Limited (KHPL) signed contracts worth Nu 16.8 billion for the construction of dam and powerhouse, with Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) and Construction Development Corporation Limited (CDCL) during its first extraordinary general meeting in Trashiyangtse yesterday. The project, a joint venture between Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and Tata Power Company Limited (TPC), also finalised key appointments, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Finance Officer. Click here to read... [9]

Trade deficit to narrow to 16.1 percent of GDP-Kuensel

Bhutan’s trade deficit is projected to improve slightly, narrowing to 16.1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the fiscal year 2024-25. This marks a modest improvement from the previous fiscal year’s trade deficit of 17.7 percent of GDP, according to the Royal Monetary Authority’s recent annual report. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Chinese FM Wang Yi makes surprise visit to Maldives, holds talks with President Muizzu – The Hindu

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a surprise visit to the Maldives on January 10, during which he held talks with President Mohamed Muizzu and discussed the state of bilateral relations, amid Male's recent warming up to India. This was the first major visit by a Chinese official to Maldives after Mr. Muizzu visited China in January last year, months after his election. In his meeting with Mr. Wang, Mr. Muizzu stressed the importance of fast-tracking key infrastructure projects outlined in the agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the two countries. Further, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that the Maldives is willing to always be China's closest partner. Click here to read... [11]

President Departs on Official Visit to Estonia – PSM News

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu departed on an official visit to the Republic of Estonia on January 12. The visit comes at the invitation of Dr Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia. This marks the first official visit to Estonia by a President of the Maldives. During the visit, President Dr Muizzu, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will participate in meetings and other high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Maldives and Estonia. The discussions will focus on key areas such as digital innovation, cybersecurity and e-governance, climate and environmental issues, as well as advancements in science and education. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar

Myanmar military air strike kills dozens in Rakhine village, UN says – DD News

Dozens of people were killed in an air strike by Myanmar’s military government in the western state of Rakhine this week, the United Nations said, as the Southeast Asia nation’s civil war nears its fourth year. The civilian shadow government and the Arakan Army, an ethnic militia based in Rakhine fighting for the autonomy of the region, also reported the attack had killed dozens. The junta hit Kyauk Ni Maw village of Yanbye township on Wednesday afternoon, destroying around 500 homes and killing more than 40 people, according to the National Unity Government and a U.N. statement released late on January 10. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar, Belarus discuss enhancing trade in agricultural and food products – The Global New Light of Myanmar

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Tin Htut along with responsible officials met Mr Ivan Smilhin, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus and his delegation on 9 January at the meeting hall of the Union Minister’s Office. During the meeting, both sides discussed ongoing cooperation in agricultural, economic and research activities, as well as plans for further collaboration. They also explored exchanging experiences, information and modern technologies in agricultural and food safety sectors. They focused on cooperation in services related to the control of livestock and plant pests and diseases, increasing investments in the agricultural sector and boosting trade in agricultural and food products. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan

Gilani asks Muslim world, global community to empower girls through education-Dawn

Addressing the concluding session of the International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities, the Senate chairman said education was not a privilege but a fundamental right, underscoring the teachings of Islam and the vision of Pakistan’s founder Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who strongly advocated for gender equality and the importance of education for all. Click here to read... [15]

PTI sets deadline for judicial commission to probe May 9, November 26 events-The Express Tribune

Member of PTI's Negotiation Committee, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, has warned that if an impartial judicial commission is not established by January 31 to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26, the peace talks will not proceed. Click here to read... [16]

Kurram begins dismantling bunkers after tribal peace deal-The Express Tribune

The removal of bunkers in the conflict-affected Kurram district is set to begin today (Sunday), following the directives of Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan. Deputy Commissioner Kurram, Ashfaq Khan, stated that, as per the Kohat peace agreement, all bunkers in the district will be demolished, and weapons will be surrendered by February 1. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka

Catholic Church demands a fresh probe on All saints Church ’’bomb drama’’ – Daily Mirror

The Catholic Church of Sri Lanka today urged the government to carryout a fresh probe on the "bomb drama" at All Saints Church Borella which took place exactly three years ago and bring the perpetrators to book. A protest was held yesterday morning to mark the third anniversary of the incident where a hand grenade was found inside the church on January 11, 2022.The caretaker of the church was arrested then in connection of this and later he was released. The Church then said that he was harassed and his human rights were violated by these acts. Click here to read... [18]

Eight Indian fishermen from Rameswaram arrested by Sri Lankan Navy – The Hindu

In a fresh incident, eight fishermen from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel on charges of poaching near Neduntheevu islet in the wee hours on Sunday (January 12, 2025). Click here to read... [19]