Neighborhood News Digest - 15 January 2025

Afghanistan

Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UNHCR to Hold Talks on Afghan Refugees- Tolo News

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations has announced plans to hold a trilateral meeting with Pakistan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to address the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The ministry also reported that over the past two weeks, more than 200 Afghan families have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan.Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan to Build Two Dams in Herat-Tolo News

The Ministry of Energy and Water of Afghanistan states that it has signed a contract with a private construction company for the construction of two water dams in Herat province. According to officials of this ministry, the first phase of the contract includes the survey and design of these dams, and construction operations will begin after the completion of this phase.Click here to read… [3]

Pakistani Expert: Tensions with Pakistan draw Kabul closer to India?-The Khaama Press

Pakistani journalist Tahir Khan highlighted the evolving dynamics of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations and how India is reasserting its presence in Afghanistan. The withdrawal of Indian diplomats in 2021 marked a low point in India-Afghan ties, but recent developments indicate a strategic recalibration.Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

Khaleda Zia acquitted from Zia Orphanage Trust graft case – The Daily Star

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today acquitted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and all other accused from the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, in which they were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. The apex court scrapped the High Court and trial court verdicts in the case.Click here to read… [5]

BFIU crackdown after Aug 5: Tk 15,000cr of 366 people, entities frozen – The Daily Star

The bank accounts of 366 individuals and entities with a Tk 15,000 crore combined balance were frozen between August and December last year over money laundering allegations. The accounts were frozen against 112 cases, The Daily Star has learned from officials of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) directly involved with the process.Click here to read… [6]

Shafiqul Alam: CA to receive 4 reform commissions' reports on Wednesday – Dhaka Tribune

Four reform commissions, out of six formed in the first phase, will submit their respective reports to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday, said Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Members of the four commissions will go to the chief adviser’s office in Tejgaon to hand over their reports, Shafiqul Alam said while briefing the media at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday evening.Click here to read… [7]

All-party meeting on July proclamation on Thursday – Prothom Alo

An all-party meeting will be held in Dhaka on Thursday aiming to finalise the proclamation of the July Revolution. Chief adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is expected to join the meeting. Adviser Mahfuj Alam made the announcement at a press briefing at the foreign service academy in the capital this evening.Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Bhutan is the most peaceful country in South Asia-Kuensel

Bhutan has once again been recognised as the most peaceful country in South Asia, ranking 21st globally out of 163 nations in the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2024. Bhutan is the only country from South Asia to be among the top 21 most peaceful countries in the world. However, Bhutan’s rank dropped four places from 17 in 2023.Click here to read… [9]

Agriculture’s GDP share increases, employment declines-Kuensel

The contribution of agriculture to gross domestic product (GDP) has increased while the employment to the sector has declined over the past five years, according to the Royal Monetary Authority’s annual report 2024. In absolute figures, the sector’s contribution to GDP rose to 14.7 percent in 2023 from 13.6 percent in 2018.Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

President Dr Muizzu Lauds Estonia's Warm Reception During Official Visit – PSM News

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation by the Estonian government during his official visit to Estonia. President Dr Muizzu arrived in Estonia on January 13, following an invitation from Dr Alar Karis, President of Estonia. In a social media post, President Dr Muizzu conveyed his appreciation to President Karis and the Estonian government for their kind invitation and the warm reception.Click here to read… [11]

MNDF begins military exercise with the US – Adhadhu

A military training exercise between the Maldives and the United States began in the Maldives on January 12. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said Exercise Flash Metal 2025-7006 will continue for one month. The exercise will be conducted using the Special Boat Squadron of the MNDF Coast Guard, Special Forces and Marines. The US military will lead the training. The exercise is being conducted at the MNDF Training Center in Girifushi, some islands in Laamu atoll and the surrounding sea areas. The MNDF said this is part of the series of exercises being conducted with the US to enhance the capabilities of the MNDF.Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

Worried China brainstorms Myanmar situation – The Economic Times

China has held a closed-door meeting of top Communist party functionaries, bureaucrats, scholars and foreign policy experts amid its growing concerns over the Myanmar situation impacting Beijing's economic interests and its outreach. The participants were largely of the view that the current situation in Myanmar was extremely critical with the Junta being unprecedentedly vulnerable, and thus not in a position to protect Chinese interests in the countries or deliver on Sino-Myanmar relations, ET has learnt. However, most of the participants of the meeting held in Kunming in December also agreed that there was very little chance of Myanmar going the 'Syria way'.Click here to read… [13]

At Least 15 Killed as Myanmar Junta Jet Bombs Gold Mine in Kachin – The Irrawaddy

At least 15 civilians were killed and 10 injured when a junta warplane bombed the Tsan Lun gold mine west of Tanai town in Kachin State on Saturday, according to Colonel Naw Bu, the spokesman of the ethnic Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which is fighting the regime in northern Myanmar’s Kachin State. “We were officially informed that 15 were killed and 10 others were wounded. There were also reports that 18 were dead. I don’t know if some of the injured victims have died. The victims were gold miners and vendors, not our staff. We don’t have staff there.” There was no active fighting in the area when the regime carried out the bombing raid.Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

US remains top export destination for Pakistan, while exports to China dip-The Express Tribune

The United States remained the top export destination for Pakistani products during the first five months of the current fiscal year, followed by China and the United Kingdom. According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan’s exports to the US totalled $2,512.809 million, marking an increase of 9.29% compared to $2,299.165 million in the same period last year.Click here to read… [15]

Workforce exports drive economy-The Express Tribune

Pakistan's export of manpower to various regions across the globe has become an important aspect of its economic landscape. With millions of Pakistanis working abroad, their contributions via remittances have emerged as a lifeline for the country's economy, especially in times of economic turbulence. However, the accompanying brain drain raises complex questions about the nation's future development.Click here to read… [16]

May 9 riots: Planners, masterminds to face trial in military court, defence ministry lawyer informs SC-The Express Tribune

The defence ministry’s lawyer, Khawaja Haris, on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench that the alleged masterminds and conspirators of the May 9 “conspiracy” would be tried in military courts.Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

President Disanayake to meet Chinese President tomorrow – Daily Mirror

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, currently on a four-day state visit to China, is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow (15th) afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said. It is also expected that several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed following bilateral discussions between President Dissanayake and the President of China.Click here to read… [18]

Setback for NPP in co-operative elections in some areas – Daily Mirror

The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has suffered a setback in the recent cooperative society elections which were recently held in a few areas, raising questions. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) backed group was elected to administer the Kelaniya Cooperative Society with 99 of their members being elected to the management board, while the group backed by the ruling NPP managed to get only 32.Click here to read… [19]