Neighborhood News Digest - 23 January 2025

Afghanistan

Muttaqi Meets Representatives of Türkiye, Iran, UN in Kabul-Tolo News

Cenk Ünal, the Turkish ambassador in Kabul, in a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister, pledged his country's continued efforts to enhance diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Afghanistan. Bilateral relations between Kabul and Ankara, strengthening diplomatic ties, and regional issues were among the topics discussed in the meeting between the two sides. Click here to read… [2]

WFP: 15 Million Afghans Face Food Insecurity This Winter-Tolo News

The World Food Programme (WFP) said that this winter nearly 15 million people in Afghanistan are facing emergency levels of food insecurity. The WFP's communications official added that they are striving to provide humanitarian aid to six million people each month. Click here to read… [3]

Islamic Emirate: 'Terrorists' Placed in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s Security & Clearance Commission of the Ministry of Defence has stated that, based on credible information, newly recruited forces are being transferred via Karachi and Islamabad airports to centers in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tribal areas. Their objective is to carry out attacks in regional and global countries, particularly Afghanistan. Click here to read… [4]

Trump’s refugee ban leaves 2,000 Afghan allies in limbo: Refugee Support Organization-The Khaama Press

The head of an organization assisting Afghan refugees, Shawn VanDiver, expressed concerns over President Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions. He noted that at least 2,000 eligible Afghan refugees, already approved by the U.S. government for resettlement, are now left in limbo. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

UN fact-finding report on July-August uprising by mid-February: Volker Türk – The Daily Star

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk yesterday announced that the UN fact-finding mission report on the atrocities during the July-August uprising is in its final stages and will be released by mid-February. The high commissioner made these remarks during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, as reported by the press wing of the Chief Adviser's Office. Click here to read… [6]

BNP, Khelafat Majlis agree on calls for polls within this year – The Daily Star

BNP and Khelafat Majlis have agreed on seven issues, including holding the national election by 2025 and strengthening national unity to prevent the re-emergence of the fallen fascists. "We have agreed on seven points, including the quick withdrawal of all false cases against the leaders and workers of the political parties that were part of the movement. In light of this, we will work especially to achieve unity among the Islamic parties and to form national unity with all," Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Kader said yesterday after a meeting with BNP. Click here to read… [7]

Yunus seeks global support to recover stolen money at WEF - Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh on Wednesday sought support from foreign friends to bring back hundreds of billions of stolen money as Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus spent a busy day at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus urged the global leaders to send top experts, think tanks, journalists, and international organizations to Bangladesh to dig into how the plain and daylight robbery was committed in Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina's corrupt 16-year-long rule. Click here to read… [8]

Bangladesh scraps order against anti-government action – Prothom Alo

A Bangladeshi education ministry order demanding officers report institutions and pupils involved in anti-government “provocative activities” was withdrawn Wednesday after criticism it undermined the spirit of last year’s student-led revolution. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Call for ban on Bhutan-B’desh export; activist cites illegalities – The Shillong Times

Raising alarm over the issue of alleged “blatant violations and malpractices” in connection with the Bhutan-Bangladesh export transportation process, social activist from Tura, Cherian Momin, on Tuesday, urged the authorities to take immediate steps to stop the alleged illegalities. “Based on evidence presented in the form of official documents accompanying the trucks engaged in these activities, it has become abundantly clear that the vehicles are carrying loads exceeding the permissible legal weight limits by a significant margin. Specifically, the trucks have been found to transport over 20 metric tons (MT) more than the allowable limit, reflecting an alarming 30-40% overloading in direct contravention of established regulations,” Momin claimed in a release. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Maldives Requires 450 MW Increase to Fulfil Renewable Energy Targets, Says Minister – PSM News

Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, has announced that the nation will require an additional 450 megawatts of power to support President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's ambitious objective of increasing the country's renewable energy generation rate to 33%. During an interview with PSM News whilst visiting Ungoofaaru, Raa Atoll, with President Dr Muizzu, Minister Ibrahim elaborated on the administration's efforts to enhance renewable energy generation capacity. Minister Ibrahim highlighted Raa Atoll as a case in point, observing that renewable energy projects are progressing on all but three of the atoll's islands. These initiatives include the installation of hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar panels, battery systems, and energy management systems, according to him. In accordance with President Dr Muizzu's pledge, Minister Ibrahim affirmed that efforts are underway to transition all energy production in Vaadhoo to renewable energy sources. Click here to read… [11]

Central bank projects over USD 40 min exchange under new forex regulations – Avas

The central bank, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has revealed that it expects local tourism establishments to exchange over USD 40 million this month, following the implementation of new foreign exchange laws. With the ratification of the Foreign Exchange Act, tourism businesses are now required to convert a portion of their foreign currency earnings into local currency, the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) through local banks. In October 2024, regulations were amended accordingly. The forex act will come into effect on January 28. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

Myanmar Junta Puts on Show of Expediting China’s Rakhine Projects – The Irrawaddy

Another round of meetings aimed at kickstarting China-backed projects in Rakhine State’s Kyaukphyu took place on Tuesday, following the signing of a China-brokered ceasefire between the military regime and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and China’s reopening of border crossings with MNDAA-controlled areas. On January 21, officials of the regime and China’s state-owned CITIC met in Naypyitaw to discuss the necessary conditions for the implementation of the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and deep-sea port projects in Rakhine’s Kyaukphyu Township. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar Junta’s No.2 Meets Thai Military – The Global New Light of Myanmar

Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win received a delegation led by Advisory Board Chairman of the Office of the Royal Thai Army Chief and Head of Army Operations Centre, Neighbouring Countries Coordination Centre (NCCC) General Direk Bongkarn at Bayintnaung Villa in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon. At the meeting, they discussed good conditions in diplomatic relations and friendly ties between the two countries and the two Tatmadaws, improvement of relations between leaders and senior Tatmadaw officers of both Tatmadaws, promotion of cooperation, successfully holding the yearly meetings between Tatmadaw officers at different levels of both countries, and further more. Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

‘US engagement with Pakistan to remain limited under Trump’-Dawn

Former Pakistani diplomats on Wednesday expressed concern that US engagement with Pakistan would remain limited under President Donald Trump’s second term, citing Washington’s policies toward India and China and strategic divergences that continue to strain relations between the two countries. Click here to read… [15]

Govt wants to give talks a chance after PTI threat to disengage-Dawn

As the PTI decided to walk away from the talks with the government till the formation of judicial commissions, the government urged the opposition to remain part of the dialogue, promising to respond to their demands in the fourth round of talks on Jan 28. Click here to read… [16]

PBC Dubai aims to strengthen Pakistan-UAE economic, cultural ties-The Express Tribune

The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) Dubai on Wednesday outlined its strategic roadmap for strengthening trade, investment, and cultural ties between Pakistan and the UAE. The initiative was discussed during a meeting at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai, a statement from the consulate said. Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

Govt looks to India in Trincomalee, turns to China in Hambantota in oil refinery push – Daily Mirror

Hot on the heels of signing an agreement with China’s Sinopec for an oil refinery in Hambantota, the government is planning to establish a similar facility in Trincomalee with the help of India if willing, a Minister said yesterday. Referring to the proposed multi- product petroleum pipeline between Sri Lanka and India, the Minister said the two sides had agreed to discuss such a project. However, he said the government is planning for an oil refinery in Trincomalee in eastern Sri Lanka, and will do it with India if it is ready for such cooperation. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also expected to play a role in this project, according to the joint statement. Click here to read… [18]

Attracting private sector investments critical for Sri Lanka’s continued growth: World Bank – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka must focus on attracting more private sector investment to maintain its hard-earned macroeconomic stability and continued recovery, according to the World Bank. As Sri Lanka’s growth prospects depend on the mobilisation of additional private sector investment, including foreign direct investments, the island would require more efforts to boost jobs and income levels, said World Bank Vice President for South Asia Martin Raiser. Click here to read… [19]

Sri Lanka repatriates 41 Indian fishermen – Deccan Herald

Forty-one Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lanka Navy have been repatriated by authorities here, the Indian mission here said on Wednesday. The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters. Click here to read… [20]