Neighborhood News Digest- 27 February 2025

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate’s Trade Attaché to Begin Work in UAE Soon-Tolo News

Abdul Rahman Feda, the consul general of the Islamic Emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced that Afghanistan’s trade attaché in the UAE will soon commence activities. He stated that this decision aims to strengthen trade relations with Afghan and foreign businessmen residing in the UAE. According to Feda, the prime minister of the Islamic Emirate has approved the appointment of the trade attaché in the UAE. Click here to read... [2]

US continues weekly payments to Afghanistan, says Sopko-The Khaama Press

John Sopko, the former Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), stated at the Herat Security Conference in Madrid on Tuesday that the United States has spent over $21 billion on Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power. He highlighted that, despite a reduction in foreign aid, the U.S. continues to send money to Afghanistan on a weekly basis. Click here to read... [3]

US Judge blocks Trump’s Executive Order on Refugee Resettlement Suspension-The Khaama Press

Jamal Whitehead, a federal judge in the Seattle district of Washington, ruled that Donald Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions to the United States must be halted. Media outlets reported on February 25, that the order was issued following a lawsuit filed by three organizations and nine individuals who work in the field of refugee resettlement and relocation to the U.S. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

New political party: Ex-Shibir leaders in Nagorik Committee to stay away – The Daily Star

With just a day remaining before the launch of the new political party by the July uprising activists, former Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders in the Jatiya Nagorik Committee have withdrawn from the initiative to form the party amid discord over leadership positions. Click here to read... [5]

Polls candidates, strategy: BNP meet today to seek info from grassroots – The Daily Star

The BNP is holding an extended meeting today to gather opinions of its grassroots about possible election candidates and its polls strategy. The party's future direction will be prepared by grassroots leaders, sources said. Click here to read... [6]

Govt to mark Genocide Day with nationwide one-minute blackout – Dhaka Tribune

A one-minute symbolic blackout will be observed across the country on March 25, Genocide Day, to honor the lives lost during the horrific events of 1971. The decision to observe the blackout was made during an inter-ministerial meeting held in Dhaka on Wednesday. This year, the blackout will take place from 10:30pm to 10:31pm, as a tribute to the first hour of darkness when the Pakistani military began its brutal "Operation Searchlight." Click here to read... [7]

Mob beatings claim 121 lives in 6 months, what does the law say – Prothom Alo

Two incidents of mob beating occurred Tuesday night, one in Dhaka’s Uttara and the other one in Tongi of Gazipur, adjacent to the capital city. In both the cases, three people suspected to be muggers were subsequently beaten by local residents acting collectively. In Uttara, after two people were beaten on suspicion of mugging, they were tied by their feet and hung upside down from an over bridge in front of the BNS Centre in the House Building area. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Assam's plan to connect Kokrajhar with Bhutan's Gelephu to develop Bodoland region: Pramod Boro-The Economic Times

Bodoland Territorial Council chief Pramod Boro on Tuesday said Assam's plan to connect Kokrajhar with Bhutan's Gelephu will develop the region extensively. Talking to PTI at the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 here, he said the thrust on Kokrajhar to bring permanent peace is "inspired by the neighbouring country's lasting peace". Click here to read... [9]

Looming water crisis for millions in Bhutan?-ANN News

Bhutan’s glaciers and water sources are under threat from climate change, endangering 240 million people in the Himalayas and 1.6 billion downstream, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay warned at the second Paro Forum 2025. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Empowering the Periphery: President Dr Muizzu's Decentralisation Achievements and Aspirations-PSM News

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to strengthening the nation's decentralised governance system. This declaration was made on Decentralisation Day, a nationwide celebration observed on 26 February, commemorating the implementation of the country's decentralised governance structure across its administrative regions. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives Calls for Greater Gender Equality in Global Diplomacy-PSM News

The Maldives co-hosted a High-Level side event alongside Slovenia, Morocco, Spain, Thailand, UN Women and the Universal Rights Group entitled “Implementing Foreign Policy Goals with a Human Rights Lens: Advancing Equality through Multilateralism” on the margins of the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel on Monday emphasised the need to strengthen institutional frameworks to eliminate gender bias in recruitment and leadership. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar

Work paused on Asian Highway due to Myanmar situation: S Jaishankar – The Sangai Express

A game changer in India's neighbourhood policy in engaging with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be the completion of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMTT) Highway, the progress of which is currently challenged by the internal strife in Myanmar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said. India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy has made significant progress whether it is in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal or Myanmar, he said, and gave the example of how during the COVID-19 pandemic India shipped vaccines to neighbouring Nations. Click here to read... [13]

Mass crackdowns see thousands of scam center workers waiting in Myanmar for repatriation – Mint

A new crackdown on online scam centers has led to over 7,000 people from around the world being held in a Myanmar border town awaiting repatriation, and those helping them say the unprecedented number is straining the resources of Thailand just across the border and leading to delays. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan

PM plans to replicate Azerbaijan's 'Asan Khidmat' model in Islamabad-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a two-day visit to Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan this week, with a focus on strengthening bilateral relations, exploring innovative governance models, and fostering economic collaboration. During his visit to Azerbaijan, PM Shehbaz visited the Asan Khidmat (ASAN XIDMAT) centre in Baku, a one-stop facility offering over 400 services to residents. The PM expressed interest in replicating this model in Islamabad, stating, “We would love to benefit from Azerbaijan's experience,” and announced plans to initiate a pilot project based on the Asan Khidmat model. Click here to read... [15]

Peaceful Afghanistan vital for regional connectivity: PM Shehbaz-Dawn

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged the Afghan regime to prevent militant groups from using its territory to launch attacks on any country, including Pakistan, stressing that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is essential for regional connectivity and security. “Afghanistan’s soil must not be allowed to be used by militant groups to attack any other country, including Pakistan,” he said at a joint press conference with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev after their meeting in in Tashkent. Click here to read... [16]

Guiding climate investments-Dawn

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has just released the draft Pakistan Green Taxonomy 2025, soliciting stakeholder comments. It is an important building block for shaping the nation’s financial architecture to address the climate crisis. It will facilitate transformative investments while recognising the complexities faced by our investment-hungry economy. By balancing environmental standards and domestic development priorities, the Taxonomy is expected to offer practical guidance for directing capital towards climate-resilient growth. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka

UN Human Rights Office following double standards: RW – Daily Mirror

Whilst highlighting that UN Human Rights Office is following double standards by treating Ukraine and Sri Lanka differently, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said both the current government and the rest of the political parties should take this matter seriously. Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka’s 2025 Budget: Balancing IMF Commitments and Domestic Priorities - Diplomat

In a speech on February 17, Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the 2025 budget – the first budget of his government, which took office in September 2024. As Sri Lanka continues under an IMF-supported Extended Fund Facility (EFF) – initiated in response to the country’s macroeconomic crisis in 2022 – it is crucial to examine how the proposed budget aligns with the IMF program’s requirements and what potential challenges may arise in achieving its goals. Click here to read... [19]

RM Parks’ Shell fuel station symbolizes Sri Lanka’s openness to foreign investments: US envoy – Daily Mirror

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, delivering remarks at the opening of the first California based RM Parks’ Shell fuel station in Sri Lanka, said that in alignment with President Donald Trump’s vision of making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, today’s event reinforces the United States as a global energy leader. Click here to read... [20]