Neighborhood News Digest- 27 January 2025

Afghanistan

Foreign Ministry: ICC's Request ‘Unfair and Political’-Tolo News

In a strong reaction, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate called the request for the arrest of Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Islamic Emirate, and head of the Supreme Court Abdul Hakim Haqqani, a case of double standards, and a political move. The ministry has rejected the accusations made by the International Criminal Court (ICC), adding that such actions undermine the credibility and standing of the court at the global level. Click here to read... [2]

US Considering Bounties on Islamic Emirate Leaders-Tolo News

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that reports have been received indicating the Islamic Emirate has detained more American citizens than previously reported. Rubio stressed that if this information is confirmed, the United States might announce a reward larger than the one set for Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden for the arrest of senior leaders of Afghanistan's interim government. Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan’s Currency Falls: Taliban to auction $25 million-The Khaama Press

Following the rise of the U.S. dollar against the Afghanistan’s currency, the central bank, under Taliban administration, announced plans to auction $25 million into the market. The central bank stated on Sunday, January 26, that this amount of money will be introduced into the market on Monday to stabilize the exchange rate of the dollar against the Afghani. Click here to read... [4]

Flights for over 40,000 Afghan citizens to US put on hold: Reuters-The Khaama Press

A U.S. official confirmed to Reuters that Donald Trump’s order to halt foreign aid has suspended flights for over 40,000 Afghan nationals eligible for relocation to the United States. Trump mandated a 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign aid, impacting humanitarian efforts and delaying the evacuation of Afghan nationals who worked with the U.S. government during the 20-year war. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Power subsidies may rise 83% this fiscal year – The Daily Star

Subsidies for the power sector are likely to balloon 83 percent this fiscal year as the interim government is planning to clear all arrears owed to private power producers. An additional Tk 25,000- Tk 30,000 crore may be kept in the revised budget to pay off arrears, which will be added to the allocation for subsidies, according to the finance ministry's initial plans. Click here to read... [6]

Holding local govt elections first will delay nat’l polls – The Daily Star

If local government elections are held before the national polls, it would not be possible to meet the deadline set by the chief adviser for the parliamentary elections, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said yesterday. "At least one year will be needed to hold phase-wise local government polls," he said while addressing an event organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy at the EC office. Click here to read... [7]

Rifat Rashid: New political party for students to be formed in February - Dhaka Tribune

Rifat Rashid, a member of the central executive committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has said a new political party for students will be launched in February. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon during a meeting of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Mohammad Ali-Yakub Ali School ground in Tetuljhora Union, Savar. Click here to read... [8]

We give importance to longstanding relations with Bangladesh: Pranay Verma – Prothom Alo

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Sunday said his country values the longstanding relations with Bangladesh. “We see our longstanding relationship with Bangladesh with great importance,” he said while addressing a reception programme marking India’s 76th Republic Day. Click here to read... [9]

Dhaka-Beijing agree to renew MoU on sustainable water management after modifications: Touhid – Prothom Alo

Dhaka and Beijing signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sustainable water management during the Chinese president’s visit to Bangladesh in 2016. Both the countries have agreed to renew the MoU after some modifications, said foreign adviser Touhid Hossain. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan

At 9.9 percent, industry growth falls short of plan’s target - Kuensel

The industry sector’s growth rate is estimated at 9.9 percent in the 13th Plan, which is lower by 0.3 percent than the growth of 10.2 percent required to achieve a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) size of USD 5 billion by 2029, according to the finance ministry. The sector’s growth was projected to grow to 6.2 percent in 2024 and to increase to 20.1 percent this year with the anticipated commissioning of the Puna-II hydropower plant. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Prime Minister Modi Reaffirms India’s Commitment to Strengthening Ties with the Maldives – PSM News

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the Maldives of India’s full support in enhancing and strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The Indian Prime Minister gave the assurance in response to a social media post by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who extended Republic Day greetings to India as the country marked its 75th Republic Day. In his post on X, Prime Minister Modi thanked President Muizzu for his wishes, and said he fully shared the sentiment expressed by President Muizzu regarding the longstanding partnership between both countries. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening these bonds of friendship and cooperation. Click here to read... [12]

President Dr Muizzu Praises Australia for Development Aid, Cooperation – PSM News

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu extended his warm congratulations to Australia’s Governor General, Samantha Joy Mostyn AC, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in celebration of Australia Day. In separate letters to Australia's leaders, President Dr Muizzu extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes from the Maldivian government and its people to the Australian leadership and populace on this notable day. President Dr Muizzu extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Governor General and Prime Minister for Australia's ongoing support and collaboration in advancing the development of the Maldives, with a focus on maritime security and climate change. This message was reiterated in a statement from the President's Office. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar

Myanmar attends 9th Ministerial Cooperation Meeting with Laos – The Global New Light of Myanmar

A Myanmar delegation led by State Administration Council Member Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae attended the ninth Ministerial Level Bilateral Cooperation Meeting between the Ministry of Public Security of Laos and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Myanmar held in Vientiane from 21 to 23 January. On 22 January, the Senior Officials Meeting between the two ministries was held, followed by the Ministerial Level Meeting. The meeting was attended by a delegation led by Union Minister Lt-Gen Yar Pyae while the Laos side was led by General Vilay Lakhampong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security. Click here to read... [14]

Russia Reaffirms Interest in Troubled Port Project in Southern Myanmar – The Irrawaddy

Russia has joined China and India in promoting its interests in war-ravaged Myanmar, in particular the possibility of investing in the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tanintharyi Region in southern Myanmar. On January 21, Russian Ambassador to Myanmar Iskander Azizov flew to Dawei, the capital of Tanintharyi Region, to discuss the implementation of the Dawei SEZ with junta-appointed Tanintharyi Region Chief Minister Myat Ko and the junta-appointed Dawei SEZ Management Committee chairman. In March last year, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing told Russia’s ITAR-TASS media agency that his regime was seeking Moscow’s help to kickstart the port project in Dawei, which would have capacity for vessels exceeding 200,000 tons. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan

Pakistan ‘all set’ for 9th Aman multinational exercise: Navy-Dawn

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), which also issued a statement, said that 120 delegations from around the world would attend the first-ever Aman dialogue: a forum running concurrently with the exercise where military leaders will discuss maritime security threats. According to the Navy, 60 countries will participate in the exercise, bringing ships, aircraft and personnel including Special Forces, marines and explosive ordnance disposal specialists. Click here to read... [16]

PTI attracted highest female voter support in 2024 elections, FAFEN reveal-The Express Tribune

A new report released by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Sunday highlights a significant gender-based divergence in voting patterns across communities in the 2024 general elections. The study found that in 18% of communities, women voters chose different candidates than their male counterparts in National Assembly constituencies, despite voting in male and female-designated polling stations within the same jurisdictions. Click here to read... [17]

Media bodies seek Senate panel hearing on changes to Peca law-Dawn

The Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing all major media stakeholders, has asked the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior for a hearing before the committee debates recently introduced amendments to the Prev¬ention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka

Adani denies cancellation of Sri Lankan Wind Power projects – Daily Mirror

The Adani Group has refuted reports claiming the cancellation of its 484 MW wind power projects in Mannar and Pooneryn, labeling them as “false and misleading.” In a statement, an Adani Group spokesperson clarified that the Sri Lankan Cabinet’s decision on January 2, 2025, to reevaluate the tariff approved in May 2024 is part of a routine review process. Click here to read... [19]

Ministries to be monitored – Daily Mirror

The National People's Power (NPP) is in the process of appointing committees to play advisory and supervisory roles for each ministry, a party official said. The NPP pledged, in its election manifesto, to establish such a mechanism. Click here to read... [20]

No one needs to worry about those arrested getting bail soon: President – Daily Mirror

Claiming that no one should be worried about persons who are arrested being released on bail soon, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the objective of the government is not to keep suspects in remand prison but to file cases before the High Court. Click here to read... [21]