epubdos : Afghanistan
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
Prepared for the U.S. Department of State
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
TO:
SCA & Staff
DATE:
Thursday, January 23, 2025 6:30 AM ET

Afghanistan
Trump Administration Cancels Flights for Refugees Already Approved for Travel (New York Times)
New York Times [1/22/2025 4:14 PM, Miriam Jordan and Hamed Aleaziz, 831K, Neutral]
The State Department abruptly canceled travel for thousands of refugees already approved to fly to the United States, days before a deadline that President Trump had set for suspending the resettlement program that provides safe haven for people fleeing persecution.

The cancellation of the flights comes on the heels of an executive order signed by Mr. Trump on Monday that indefinitely paused the refugee resettlement. The order effectively grinds to a halt the process of bringing refugees into the country, which involves multiple federal agencies, as well as nonprofits that receive the newcomers.

More than 10,000 refugees were currently in the pipeline to travel to the United States, according to government data. They include Afghans who faced danger because of their association with the United States before the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Among other refugees who had been approved for travel were people from Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

The sudden halt to the flights was an agonizing blow to refugees who had been following a complicated and lengthy process to enter the country legally, resettlement group workers said.

Angela Plummer, the executive director of Community Refugee & Immigration Services, which resettles refugees in Columbus, Ohio, said that the organization had been expecting dozens of arrivals on flights that had been suspended.

“These are people who followed all the rules and who are now left in danger,” said Ms. Plummer. “It’s heartbreaking.”

The decision to pause the refugee program is in line with Mr. Trump’s promise to crack down broadly on immigration.

Under the decades-old refugee program, people who have fled their home countries as a result of persecution, war or other life-threatening causes can legally immigrate to the United States. Mr. Trump said that continuing to receive them would burden communities that were not equipped to handle them, according to the order that he signed on Monday.

The State Department followed his order with a memo Tuesday that said “all previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being canceled, and no new travel bookings will be made.” Organizations, such as the International Rescue Committee and others that assist refugees, it noted, “should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time.”

On Wednesday, U.S. refugee officers in Homeland Security agencies, such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, were told to stop making decisions on refugee cases, according to an internal memo obtained by The New York Times.

News that the Trump administration had canceled travel even for refugees already cleared to be resettled in communities across the United States shocked the leaders of nonprofit organizations that are contracted by the State Department to assist the newcomers.

“This abrupt halt to refugee admissions is devastating for families who have already endured unimaginable persecution and waited years for the chance to rebuild their lives in safety,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the head of Global Refuge, in a statement.

“Refugees go through one of the most rigorous vetting processes in the world,” she continued, “and it’s heartbreaking to see their dreams of safety derailed just days before, or in some cases, just hours before they were set to begin their new lives here.”

Eskinder Negash, president of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, said that “many people have been waiting for years, and in some instances decades, in refugee camps and have diligently gone through the refugee process to receive travel authorization.”

“Even if the refugee program is reopened in the future, the indefinite suspension of refugee travel and processing will have lasting trauma and impact on refugees and families,” he said.

Ms. Plummer said her group had been fielding calls from distraught clients who have been waiting years for their relatives to arrive, only to realize that the prospect of reunification is now bleak.

Among them is Nur Ahmed, who arrived in Columbus in 2010, after fleeing civil war in Somalia. He sponsored his child, young sister and mother to join him.

Their case was stalled during Mr. Trump’s first term as president.

Mr. Ahmed’s son and sister, both in their 20s, arrived last week, just before he returned to the White House. But his mother, 70, was expected early next month, and her arrival could be postponed indefinitely.

“I am very lucky that my son and sister arrived, but I feel sad that my mom is left behind,” he said.

Often members of the same family are assigned different travel dates, and in this case it could mean many more years of separation.

“Trump delayed us before; now he is back and he is delaying again,” said Mr. Ahmed, who is a cross-country truck driver. “All I feel is pain since Donald Trump arrived again.”

“I haven’t seen my mom since I left, and I don’t know when I will see her again,” he said in an interview, while hauling dry foods on a highway in Texas.

As part of an avalanche of executive orders to slash immigration, Mr. Trump suspended the refugee resettlement program as of Jan. 27. Officials with resettlement agencies had hoped that refugees who had completed a yearslong process and been booked on flights would still be able to travel to the United States.

In his first administration, Mr. Trump dismantled the refugee program by imposing additional layers of vetting of applicants whom he deemed to pose security risks and lowering the goal for the number that the United States was willing to take.

The president makes an annual determination of how many refugees the United States is willing to accept in a given year, and the numbers have varied, with Republican presidents historically setting some of the highest caps.

However, the number of refugees admitted to the country sank to the lowest on record, to about 11,000 in 2020, Mr. Trump’s last year in office, down from 85,000 in 2016 under President Barack Obama. Mr. Trump prioritized religious minorities, mainly white Christians from countries like Moldova and Russia.

President Biden rebuilt the program, and refugee admissions soared, reaching 100,000 last year, the most in three decades.

This time, Mr. Trump has justified suspending refugee admissions on the grounds that they strain resources of cities that need to benefit Americans.

“The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans,” said the order, which was signed by Mr. Trump within hours of his inauguration.
Afghan refugees feel abandoned after Trump executive order halts flights (Washington Post)
Washington Post [1/22/2025 1:38 PM, Rick Noack, Haq Nawaz Khan, and Abigail Hauslohner, 40736K, Negative]
President Donald Trump’s executive order this week suspending the U.S. refugee admissions program has left in limbo tens of thousands of Afghans who were hoping to start new lives in America.

Under President Joe Biden, nearly 200,000 Afghans were resettled in the United States, according to the State Department — most of them evacuated during or soon after the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal in 2021, when the Taliban seized control of the country. Tens of thousands of men and women who had worked for the U.S. military, American diplomats or government-funded organizations were left behind.

Between 40,000 and 60,000 Afghans around the world are actively seeking resettlement in the United States, and thousands had already received U.S. government approval, estimated Shawn VanDiver, the president of AfghanEvac, a volunteer organization formed during the U.S. withdrawal that has helped Afghans flee the country. About 1,700 people were expected to be moved out of Afghanistan over the next four months, he added.

“These are folks who for one reason or another are at risk because of their association with the United States — and they’re hiding because they’re scared,” VanDiver said. They include family members of Afghans serving in the U.S. military, as well as women and minorities who fear persecution under the Taliban.

The U.S. president has broad authority to decide how many refugees are admitted to the country in a given year, and to allocate funding for resettlement. During his first term, Trump dramatically reduced refugee admissions, particularly from Muslim-majority countries. Biden swiftly raised the admissions ceiling when he took office in 2021, but it took years to build up the country’s resettlement capabilities. In the last fiscal year of Biden’s presidency, the United States took in just over 100,000 refugees from around the world.

Trump’s executive order, which suspends the refugee admissions program in its entirety, did not mention specific nationalities, and did not explicitly target Special Immigrant Visas, or SIVs — reserved for Afghans who directly supported the 20-year U.S. war effort, including as military interpreters. VanDiver said he was optimistic that families would continue to arrive under the SIV program, which brought in more than 30,000 Afghans in fiscal 2024.

The State Department declined to comment for this article. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Afghans and their advocates are bracing for the worst. On Wednesday morning, AfghanEvac posted screenshots to X of a State Department letter sent to groups that coordinate refugee resettlement. “All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made,” it read in part.

Danilo Zak, the policy director at Church World Service, an official U.S. resettlement agency, told The Washington Post on Wednesday that “flight cancellations, including for refugee minors … began rolling in this morning.”

VanDiver said his phone hasn’t stopped ringing, as those affected try to make sense of what to do next. Many fled to neighboring Pakistan months or years ago and are running out of money. They say they can’t afford another delay.

“This is so disheartening,” said Spesali Zazai, a 52-year-old Afghan woman. She has been stuck in Peshawar, in northwestern Pakistan, for almost three years, waiting for resettlement in the United States with three of her daughters. Poland, another NATO member, took in her fourth daughter.

“Going back is not an option,” she said. “For women, there’s nothing left to live for in Afghanistan.”

The Taliban has imposed increasing restrictions on women since it returned to power, banning them from secondary and university education and limiting their freedom of movement and expression. While the government initially portrayed its education ban as temporary, hopes among women that classes would resume have faded over the past year as authorities introduced draconian measures governing nearly every aspect of public life.

Many Afghan men who were associated with the United States and its allies may also be at risk from the Taliban, human rights observers say, despite the regime’s general amnesty for those who served in the previous, Western-backed government. The United Nations documented over 200 extrajudicial killings of former officials and members of the armed forces after the Taliban takeover in 2021. The Afghan Foreign Ministry rejects those figures, saying that “no military staff of the previous administration has been arrested, detained or tortured because of his activities in the security institutions.”

A key question now will be how the Pakistani government responds to Trump’s executive order. Pakistan has forced about 800,000 Afghans to return to their country since fall 2023. So far, Afghans awaiting resettlement in the United States and other countries have largely been spared, but authorities in Islamabad have indicated repeatedly that they are running out of patience.

A Pakistani Foreign Ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, said the government is still waiting for clarity from Washington.

The suspension of the refugee admission program takes effect Monday. While it does not have a set end date, it is expected to be reviewed after 90 days.

The order leaves room for “case-by-case” exceptions to the suspension, though it is unclear who would qualify. Refugee advocates are calling for much broader exemptions that would apply to applicants under the P-1 and P-2 programs, which include former Afghan officials and journalists.

Adam Bates, a senior supervisory policy counsel at the International Refugee Assistance Project, said Trump’s suspension of the refugee admissions program is “a direct assault on the promises that the U.S. government made for 20-plus years to Afghans.”

Biden vowed in August 2021 that “we will continue to support the Afghan people,” but was criticized by refugee advocates throughout his term for not doing more to hasten the resettlement of America’s Afghan allies. The criticism intensified in 2022 as the administration worked quickly to resettle Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, even as many Afghans were still waiting for their number to be called.

“We had hopes to be able to start over in the U.S., to build a future for our families,” said Homaira Haidari, 28, who has been in Pakistan since early 2023 waiting for relocation to the United States. She found out about Trump’s executive order on social media. “It feels like our dreams are falling apart,” she said.

Haidari, a former journalist and midwifery student, has seen her prospects in Afghanistan wither. Female reporters have become a rare sight under the Taliban, and as of last month, women were banned from pursuing careers as nurses or midwives.

The United States has remained a major contributor of financial aid to Afghanistan, sending money through U.N. agencies and other organizations that allow the funds to bypass authorities in Kabul. But Trump suspended all foreign assistance programs on Monday for 90 days, pending review, and has threatened to permanently cut off funding unless the Taliban returns the billions of dollars in military equipment left behind by U.S. troops.

Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, warned that a sustained halt to U.S. assistance would have severe ripple effects in Afghanistan, worsening the country’s economic crisis and probably forcing aid groups to lay off female workers.

“Women and girls in Afghanistan would further suffer, and lives will be lost,” he said.
Afghans who fled Taliban rule urge Trump to lift refugee program suspension (AP)
AP [1/22/2025 12:10 PM, Munir Ahmed, 33392K, Negative]
Afghans who fled after the Taliban seized power appealed Wednesday to U.S. President Donald Trump to exempt them from an order suspending the relocation of refugees to the United States, some saying they risked their lives to support U.S. troops.

An estimated 15,000 Afghans are waiting in Pakistan to be approved for resettlement in the U.S. via an American government program. It was set up to help Afghans at risk under the Taliban because of their work with the U.S. government, media, aid agencies and rights groups, after U.S. troops pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, when the Taliban took power.

But in his first days in office, Trump’s administration announced the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program would be suspended from Jan. 27 for at least three months. During that period, the White House said the secretary of homeland security in consultation with the secretary of state will submit a report to the president on whether the resumption of the program is in the U.S. interest.

Refugees who had been approved to travel to the United States before Jan. 27 have had their travel plans canceled by the Trump administration. Among those affected are the more than 1,600 Afghans cleared to resettle in the U.S. That number includes those who worked alongside American soldiers during the war as well as family members of active-duty U.S. military personnel.

Refugees who had been approved to travel to the United States before Jan. 27 have had their travel plans canceled by the Trump administration. Among those affected are the more than 1,600 Afghans cleared to resettle in the U.S. That number includes those who worked alongside American soldiers during the war as well as family members of active-duty U.S. military personnel.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, where authorities have urged the international community to decide the fate of 1.45 million Afghan refugees, saying they cannot stay indefinitely.

“Many of us risked our lives to support the U.S. mission as interpreters, contractors, human rights defenders, and allies,” an advocacy group called Afghan USRAP Refugees — named after the U.S. refugee program — said in an open letter to Trump, members of Congress and human rights defenders.

“The Taliban regard us as traitors, and returning to Afghanistan would expose us to arrest, torture, or death,” the group said. “In Pakistan, the situation is increasingly untenable. Arbitrary arrests, deportations, and insecurity compound our distress.”

Women fled abroad after the Taliban closed schools

Hadisa Bibi, a former student in Kabul who fled to neighboring Pakistan last month, said she read in newspapers that Trump suspended the refugee program.

“Prior to restrictions on women’s education in Afghanistan, I was a university student,” she said. “Given the risks I face as a women’s rights advocate, I was hoping for a swift resettlement to the United States. This would not only allow me to continue my higher education but also offer a safer and brighter future.”

She said she witnessed several Afghans arrested by Pakistani police, which left her in fear, “confined to my room like a prisoner.”

Mahnoosh Monir said she was a medical student in Afghanistan when her education was “cruelly suspended by the Taliban.” Before fleeing to Pakistan, she worked as a teacher at a language center but it also was shut by the Taliban.

“Afghanistan is no longer a place for any girl or woman to survive,” she said, adding she was disappointed by Trump’s move.

“I didn’t expect this suspension to happen. A long span of waiting makes us think of very disappointing probabilities like being sent back to Afghanistan or waiting for a long time in Pakistan as a refugee at risk, which are like nightmares to all case holders,” she said.

The Taliban have deprived 1.4 million Afghan girls of schooling through bans, according to the United Nations. Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bans female secondary and higher education.

Both Bibi and Monir applied for relocation and are still waiting. Over time, the visa process for Afghans who demonstrate they are at risk of persecution has become protracted.

The US program’s suspension leaves exiles in a limbo

Another Afghan woman, Farzana Umeed, and a man, Sarfraz Ahmed, said in an interview on the outskirts of Islamabad they were traumatized by the suspension of the program.

“I virtually wept last night when we heard this news,” Umeed said. She said it was difficult for her to live in Pakistan, and she could not travel to America either. “Returning to my home country also means taking a huge risk. What should I do? she asked, and urged Trump to reverse his decision.

Those in exile in Pakistan include Afghan journalists who were forced to escape Taliban rule to save their lives, and now face “extreme anxiety under the recurring threat of arbitrary arrest, police harassment and deportation to Afghanistan,” Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday.

The media watchdog urged Pakistan to ensure the protection of these journalists, who say their visa is extended only for a month for a $100 fee.

According to the Afghan USRAP Refugees group, flights to the U.S. for many Afghans had been scheduled for January, February and March after they were interviewed by the International Organization for Migration and U.S. Embassy officials.

“We seek the reversal of the ban on the refugee program on humanitarian grounds,” said Ahmad Shah, a member of the group, who was hoping to leave Pakistan for the United States in March after undergoing all interviews and medical tests.

In addition to Pakistan, more than 3,200 Afghans are staying in Albania. A NATO member, Albania first agreed to house Afghans for one year before they moved for final settlement in the United States, then pledged to keep them longer if their visas were delayed.
Afghan Americans fearful after Trump order halts refugee program (Reuters)
Reuters [1/22/2025 11:47 AM, Jonathan Landay, 48128K, Negative]
An executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend refugee admissions has magnified the fears of one Afghan American soldier who has long been worried about the fate of his sister in Kabul.

The soldier is afraid his sister could be forced to marry a Taliban fighter or targeted by a for-ransom kidnapping before she and her husband could fly out of Afghanistan and resettle as refugees in the United States.

"I’m just thinking about this all day. I can’t even do my job properly because this is mentally impacting me," the soldier with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division told Reuters on Tuesday. He spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Almost 200 Afghan family members of active-duty U.S. military personnel approved for refugee resettlement in the United States are being pulled off flights between now and April under Trump’s order signed on Monday, according to Shawn VanDiver, head of the #AfghanEvac coalition of veterans and advocacy groups, and a U.S. official familiar with the issue.

The State Department on Wednesday implemented the order, announcing that all refugee arrivals were indefinitely suspended, all previously scheduled travel cancelled and new refugee applications, as well those in process, were suspended.

The family members of active-duty U.S. service personnel are among nearly 1,560 Afghan refugees being removed from flight manifests, according to VanDiver and the official.

They said the group includes unaccompanied children and Afghans at risk of Taliban retaliation because they fought for the U.S.-backed government that fled as the last American troops withdrew from the country in August 2021 after two decades of war.

The U.N. mission in Afghanistan has said the Taliban have killed, tortured and arbitrarily detained former officials and troops. It reported in October that between July and September, there were at least 24 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, 10 of torture and ill-treatment and at least five former soldiers had been killed.

The Taliban instituted a general amnesty for officials and troops of the former U.S.-backed government, and deny accusations of any retaliation. A spokesman for the Taliban-backed government did not immediately respond to questions about fears of retribution against those families awaiting relocation.

A U.N. report in May said that while the Taliban have banned forced marriages, a U.N. special rapporteur on human rights remained concerned about allegations that Taliban fighters have continued the practice "without legal consequences."

A crackdown on immigration was a major promise of Trump’s victorious 2024 election campaign, leaving the fate of U.S. refugee programs up in the air.

His executive order, signed hours after he was sworn for a second term, said he was suspending refugee admissions until programs "align with the interests of the United States" because the country cannot absorb large numbers of migrants without compromising "resources available to Americans."

DESTINY UNCLEAR

"It’s not good news. Not for my family, my wife, for all of the Afghans that helped us with the mission. They put their lives in danger. Now they will be left alone, and their destiny is not clear,” said Fazel Roufi, an Afghan American former 82nd Airborne Division soldier.

Roufi, a former Afghan army officer, came to the United States on a student visa, obtained citizenship and joined the U.S. Army. He witnessed the chaotic Kabul airport pullout as an adviser and translator for the commanding U.S. general, and he himself helped to rescue Americans, U.S. embassy staff and others.

His wife, recently flown by the State Department to Doha for refugee visa processing, now sits in limbo in a U.S. military base.

"If my wife goes back, they (the Taliban) will just execute her and her family," said Roufi, who retired from the U.S. Army in 2022.

The active-duty 82nd Airborne soldier said he harbors similar fears, adding that his sister and her husband have been threatened with kidnapping by people who think they are rich because the rest of the family escaped to the United States in the 2021 evacuation.

“She has no other family members (in Afghanistan) besides her husband,” he said.

Trump’s order has ignited fears that he could halt other resettlement programs, including those that award special immigration visas to Afghans and Iraqis who worked for the U.S. government, said Kim Staffieri, executive director of the Association of Wartime Allies, a group that helps Afghans and Iraqis resettle in the United States.

“They’re all terrified. The level of anxiety we are getting from them, in many ways, feels like the lead-up to August 2021,” she said, referring to the panic that prompted thousands of Afghans to storm Kabul airport hoping to board evacuation flights.

Another Afghan American, who caught a flight with the U.S. troops for whom he translated and joined the Texas National Guard after obtaining his green card, said his parents, two sisters, his brother and his brother’s family had been scheduled to fly to the United States within the next month. He had found accommodations for them in Dallas.

“I cannot express in words how I feel,” said the Afghan American, who asked his name be withheld out of fear for his family’s safety. “I don’t feel good since yesterday. I cannot eat. I cannot sleep.”
Trump order suspending refugee resettlement affects US Afghan allies, says advocacy group (VOA)
VOA [1/22/2025 8:48 AM, Staff, 2717K, Neutral]
President Trump’s executive order suspending the U.S. refugee program would affect the resettlement of thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan, an advocacy group said.

AfghanEvac, a California-based coalition of organizations helping U.S. Afghan allies to resettle in the U.S., said Monday that the pause in all refugee resettlements would affect Afghan allies who are awaiting relocation to the U.S.

"Thousands of Afghan allies who have completed almost all required steps in the refugee process would be immediately impacted by a refugee resettlement pause, and thousands more who are currently undergoing processing would remain in limbo," AfghanEvac said, in a statement on its X account.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that called the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program detrimental to U.S. interests and suspending it beginning on January 27.

"This order suspends the USRAP until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligned with the interest of the United States," stated the executive order.

It called on the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the secretary of state, to report to the president within 90 days if the program "would be in the interests of the United States.".

The order added that every 90 days, a report would be submitted to the president until he "determine[s] that resumption of the USRAP is in the interests of the United States.".

According to Shawn VanDiver, president of AghanEvac, more than 180,000 Afghans were relocated in the U.S. from August 2021, after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, to December 2024.

Thousands of Afghans are still waiting to be relocated to the United States.

AfghanEvac said that the order would not only have an impact on at-risk Afghans living in hiding but also on the family members of the active-duty U.S. troops.

Earlier, Reuters reported that the flights of 1,660 Afghans cleared by the U.S. government to resettle in the U.S. were canceled.

But the president of AfghanEvac, Shawn VanDiver, said in a post on X that no flights were canceled.

"To be clear: flights have not yet been canceled for anyone," VanDiver said.

Omar Samad, a former Afghan diplomat living in the U.S., told VOA that the ban is part of a larger package and it will impact Afghans who are waiting to be relocated to the U.S.

"It is going to be reviewed by the U.S. agencies, and it is possible that they that the U.S. make an exception for Afghans," Samad added.

VanDiver said that the coalition of organizations helping Afghans are working to "secure exemptions for Afghan allies.".
Exemption From Trump Refugee Order Sought for 15K Afghans Fleeing Taliban (Newsweek)
Newsweek [1/22/2025 11:38 AM, Shannon McDonagh, 56005K, Neutral]
Afghans who fled the Taliban’s rise to power are urging President Donald Trump to exempt them from his administration’s recent suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

Why It Matters

When U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 after two decades, the Taliban quickly regained control, prompting tens of thousands of Afghans to flee. Their governance so far has included strict interpretations of Sharia law, including dress codes and bans on education for women, bans on un-Islamic music and certain forms of art, and restrictions on intervention from NGOs.

What to Know

An estimated 15,000 refugees are waiting to be relocated to the United States. Many of these individuals were eligible for resettlement under USRAP, a program designed to assist those at risk due to their ties to the U.S. government, media, and humanitarian organizations. However, an executive order issued by Trump, suspending the program for at least 90 days, has halted relocation efforts.

What Is Trump’s Executive Order?

Trump’s executive order claims the suspension is necessary to evaluate the program’s alignment with U.S. interests and protect resources for American citizens.

Flights for resettlement, scheduled for January through April, are being canceled, leaving approximately 2,000 individuals in immediate limbo—potentially stranded in neighboring countries like Pakistan—and many more uncertain about their future.

Will Afghan Children and Families Be Affected?

According to #AfghanEvac, a coalition advocating for Afghan refugees, the suspension affects unaccompanied minors, families of active-duty U.S. military personnel, and Afghans who supported the U.S. mission during the two-decade war.

Flights for thousands of others, including interpreters, contractors, and rights advocates, have been delayed indefinitely. These delays compound fears of retaliation in Afghanistan and unsafe conditions in Pakistan.

What People Are Saying

Hadisa Bibi, a former university student and women’s rights advocate who fled to Pakistan, said she fears for her safety as arrests and deportations in Pakistan increase: "Prior to restrictions on women’s education in Afghanistan, I was a university student." She added "Given the risks I face as a women’s rights advocate, I was hoping for a swift resettlement to the United States. This would not only allow me to continue my higher education, but also offer a safer and brighter future.".

Ahmad Shah, a member of Afghan USRAP Refugees, called on the U.S. to reconsider. "We seek the reversal of the ban on the refugee program on humanitarian grounds," he said.

The U.S. agency overseeing refugee processing and arrival told staff and stakeholders: "Refugee arrival to the United States have been suspended until further notice.".

What Happens Next

The suspension’s immediate impact is a delay of at least 90 days while the secretaries of Homeland Security and State review the program. An open letter from #AfghanEvac to Congress and the White House has garnered more than 700 signatures, including from veterans who worked alongside Afghan allies.
Afghans In Mexico Anxious But Defiant As U.S. Shuts Down Immigration App (Radio Free Europe)
Radio Free Europe [1/23/2025 12:00 AM, Roya Musawi and Farangis Najibullah, 235K, Neutral]
Yasaman crossed more than half a dozen countries on foot, bus, and boat and paid thousands of dollars to smugglers to reach Mexico.

Yasaman, an Afghan woman whose name has been changed to protect her identity, believed she was within touching distance of realizing her dream: entering the United States.

But her hopes came crashing down on January 20, when new U.S. President Donald Trump declared an emergency on the southern border with Mexico as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration.

As part of the executive order, U.S. authorities shut down the CBP One mobile app -- the only legal way for migrants to make an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, request asylum, and enter the country legally.

"I don’t know what to do now," said Yasaman, who arrived in Mexico in November 2024. "I’m waiting [for] what Trump will decide next about migrants."

Yasaman, speaking by telephone from Mexico, said she received a notification on January 20 that read: "Existing appointments scheduled through CBP One are no longer valid."

The shutdown of the app will affect thousands of migrants, including Afghans, hoping to enter the United States legally.

Around 1 million appointments had been scheduled through CBP One since it was introduced in January 2023.

Not Happy In Brazil

Mexico has been a relatively new route for thousands of Afghan migrants seeking a new, better life in the United States.

RFE/RL contacted the United Nations refugee agency and the Mexican migration authorities to find out how many U.S.-bound Afghan migrants are currently in Mexico. We have not received a response.

An Afghan migrant who spoke to RFE/RL from the southern Mexican city of Tapachula estimated there were up to 1,500 people from Afghanistan in that city alone.

Karimullah, whose name has been changed over privacy concerns, said Afghan migrants live in rented apartments, relying on the "limited amount of money" they have brought from Afghanistan or borrow from their relatives abroad.

"Families go hungry for days while waiting for money from relatives," he said.

A former civil rights activist, Karimullah fled Afghanistan after the hard-line Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

After running out of money to pay for food and rent and as she was still waiting to get an appointment through CBP One, Yasaman got a job as a kitchen helper at a restaurant in the capital, Mexico City.

Like many other Afghan migrants in Mexico, both Karimullah and Yasaman had already been offered asylum in other safe countries -- in their case Brazil, which has issued thousands of humanitarian visas for Afghan nationals since 2021.

Asked by RFE/RL why they didn’t want to stay in Brazil, where they had been given free accommodation and food, both Karimullah and Yasaman said they did not see a "good future" there due to a lack of jobs and other opportunities.

Instead, many Afghans pay money to people-smugglers to take them through Bolivia, Peru, Equador, Colombia, Panama, and other countries to reach the U.S.-Mexico border.

‘Life For Immigrants Not What It Used To Be’

Some cross the border illegally. Ehsan Khan, a 26-year-old former driver from Kabul, entered the United States illegally in November 2024, hoping to get settled in the country before Trump closes the U.S. borders.

After spending two months at an immigration detention facility, Khan was released on January 11 with an electronic ankle bracelet for authorities to monitor his movements.

Speaking from San Diego by phone, Khan told RFE/RL that Afghan migrants should think twice before coming to the United States, because "the life in America for immigrants is not what it used to be."

Khan did not give details of his new life in the United States but said it isn’t worth the traumatic journey he had through Honduras and Guatemala, where he said he "was beaten by thieves who demanded money" and witnessed his best friend drown in the sea.

"I saw my friend screaming for help as he drowned and I looked helplessly. I wanted to jump into the water, but I knew I couldn’t swim. His parents often call me from Kabul and ask about him, and we cry," Khan said.

Back in Mexico City, Yasaman is determined to enter the United States "by any means, legally or illegally."

"I don’t have a life or home in Afghanistan to go back to," Yasaman said. "I see my future only in America."
New photo shows American released from Afghanistan after 2022 imprisonment (Scripps News)
Scripps News [1/22/2025 7:38 PM, Maya Rodriguez, 551K, Neutral]
A new image released Wednesday shows one of one of the Americans released just this week after being held in Afghanistan.

The photo shows American Ryan Corbett reunited with his wife, Anna, after he spent more than 800 days in Taliban captivity.

Corbett had been on a business trip to Afghanistan in 2022 when the Taliban took him into custody.

He and another American – William McKenty – were released in a prisoner exchange negotiated by the Biden administration with the Taliban in the final days of their time in office.

Despite the successful release of Corbett and McKenty, two other Americans, George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, remain in Taliban custody.

In a statement to Scripps News, Corbett’s family acknowledged the other families.

"While we begin the healing process with Ryan by our side, we remain mindful of the many families who are still waiting for their loved ones to return, including the families of George Glezmann and Mahoumoud Habibi," the statement says. "It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them. We recognize the immense privilege of our family’s reunion today, and pledge to keep praying - and fighting - for George and Mahmoud’s swift release.".
Islamic State claims responsibility for Chinese national killed in Afghanistan (Reuters)
Reuters [1/23/2025 3:11 AM, Staff, 5.2M, Negative]
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the killing of a Chinese national in Afghanistan’s northern Takhar province, in a post on its Telegram channel late on Wednesday.

Afghan police in the province had said on Wednesday that a Chinese citizen was murdered and a preliminary investigation had been launched, but it was not clear who was behind the attack.

The Islamic State said it had targeted a vehicle carrying the Chinese citizen, which led to his death and damage to his vehicle.

China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday it was "deeply shocked" by the attack and had demanded that the Afghan side thoroughly investigate the incident and severely punish the perpetrators.

"We urge the Afghan interim government to take resolute and effective measures to ensure the security of Chinese civil institutions and projects in Afghanistan," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.

China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan under the Taliban and has said it wants to boost trade and investment ties.

The Taliban took over in 2021, vowing to restore security to the war-torn nation.

Attacks have continued, including an assault in 2022 on a Kabul hotel popular with Chinese investors. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for many of them.
Islamic State claims killing of Chinese national in Afghanistan (VOA)
VOA [1/22/2025 12:59 PM, Ayaz Gul, 2717K, Neutral]
Taliban authorities in northeastern Afghanistan said Wednesday that a gun attack resulted in the death of a Chinese national, while his local interpreter escaped unharmed.

An Afghanistan-based Islamic State affiliate, IS-Khorasan, claimed responsibility for the deadly overnight shooting in Takhar province, which sits on the country’s border with Tajikistan. The terrorist outfit said on its Amaq media outlet that its "soldiers" used a machine gun to target the Chinese man.

Taliban officials said the slain foreigner was working for a mining company in the country.

Mohammad Akbar, the provincial police chief, said the Chinese citizen was being driven with his interpreter to the Dasht-e-Qala district late Tuesday when their vehicle was ambushed.

Akbar said that foreign travelers must notify local police before embarking on a road trip, but he said the deceased Chinese citizen failed to do so. The police officer added that an investigation into the attack was underway.

"I believe our embassy in Afghanistan will track the information over what’s happened and do its utmost to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and their safety," said Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during a press conference in Beijing when asked about the shooting incident.

Tuesday’s fatal assault on a Chinese national in Afghanistan marked the first such incident since December 2022, when IS-Khorasan militants stormed a Kabul hotel popular with Chinese investors. That attack resulted in the deaths of three Afghans and injuries to 18 people, including five Chinese nationals.

The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, when the United States and its Western allies withdrew their troops from the country after a nearly two-decade-long presence.

While de facto Afghan rulers assert they have restored peace and order to the conflict-torn country since seizing power, IS-Khorasan has conducted repeated high-profile attacks targeting Taliban leaders, key religious figures and members of the Afghan minority Shiite community.

No country has officially recognized the fundamentalist Taliban as legitimate rulers in Kabul, mainly over their sweeping curbs on Afghan women’s rights and freedoms and other human rights concerns.

China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan and recognized a Taliban ambassador in Beijing since the group took control. It also has enhanced bilateral trade and investment ties with the de facto Kabul government to help stabilize the Afghan economy and deal with a dire humanitarian crisis.

Chinese investors have signed significant agreements with Kabul in the Afghan mining and oil sectors since the Taliban takeover.

Analysts suggest that China’s security concerns are motivating its growing diplomatic and economic engagement with the Taliban to prevent the country from descending into chaos again, which could lead to militants using Afghan territory as a base for launching terrorist attacks against Chinese interests.
Pakistan
Pakistan Seeks Extradition of Imran Khan-Linked Property Tycoon (Bloomberg)
Bloomberg [1/23/2025 4:06 AM, Kamran Haider, 5.2M, Neutral]
Pakistan is seeking extradition of a real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain from the United Arab Emirates, after a court declared him an absconder in a graft case in which former prime minister Imran Khan was convicted last week for misusing his power.

The government is reaching out to the Middle East nation, where Hussain is living in self-exile, for his return through legal channels, the South Asian country’s National Accountability Bureau, known as NAB, said in a statement. The agency also warned people to refrain from investing in the tycoon’s recently launched luxury apartments project in Dubai.

The agency is investigating Hussain “for fraud, deceptive practices and cheating the public” in selling land to people in his housing societies under Bahria Town Ltd. in Pakistan, according to the statement. He is an absconder and is “wanted by the court,” it said.

Despite a warning by the NAB, Bahria Town is launching real estate projects in Dubai, information minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday. These are merely allegations against him unless they are proved in a court, Qaiser Qadeer, Bahria Town’s legal adviser, said by phone on Thursday.

Hussain is known in Pakistan for owning and developing housing societies nationwide worth billions of rupees and for wielding unprecedented influence over the country’s political leaders and the military establishment for decades. In 2008, the real estate developer played a key role in bridging differences between President Asif Ali Zardari and former three-time premier Nawaz Sharif and helped them cobble together a coalition government, local media has reported.

The property developer moved closer to Khan after the former cricket star was elected the prime minister in 2018. Last week, an anti-graft judge convicted Khan for legalizing Hussain’s equivalent to $239 million funds that were retrieved from the UK’s National Crime Agency in 2019.
Pakistani government proposes sweeping controls on social media (AP)
AP [1/23/2025 4:31 AM, Staff, 5.2M, Neutral]
Pakistan’s opposition said Thursday the government is seeking to further suppress freedom of speech a day after it proposed sweeping controls on social media that could include blocking platforms and sending users to prison for spreading disinformation.

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, introduced in the National Assembly by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday, would create an agency with the power to order “unlawful and offensive content” blocked from social media, and to ban individuals and organizations from social media

Social media platforms would be required to register with the new Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, and those failing to comply with the law could face temporary or permanent bans.

The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offense, punishable by three years in prison and a fine of 2 million rupees ($7,150).

The move comes nearly a year after Pakistan blocked the X platform ahead of an election that the opposition party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan says was rigged. X is still blocked in the country, although many people use virtual private networks to access it, like in other countries with tight internet controls.

Khan has a huge following on social media, especially X, where supporters frequently circulate demands for his release. Khan has been behind bars since 2023, when he was arrested for graft. Khan’s party also uses social media to organize demonstrations.

The leader of the opposition denounced the proposed legislation, saying it was aimed at further suppressing freedom of speech. Omar Ayub Khan, who is not related to the imprisoned former premier, said the bill could “lay a foundation for the suppression of voices advocating for constitutional rights”.

The new agency would be able to order the immediate blocking of unlawful content targeting judges, the armed forces, parliament or provincial assemblies. The law also forbids uploading remarks from parliament that have been struck from the record.

Pakistani media has faced growing censorship in recent years. Journalists have said they face state pressure to avoid using Imran Khan’s name, and most TV stations have begun referring to him only as the “founder of the PTI” party.

Human rights defenders and journalists’ unions have vowed to oppose the law, but with the government holding a majority, its passage is all but assured.

Afzal Butt, president of the Federal Union of Journalists, said the law was an attempt to suppress the media, social media and journalists.

The government says the law is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation.
Pakistan’s Human Trafficking Problem (The Diplomat)
The Diplomat [1/22/2025 10:25 AM, Marcus Andreopoulos, 857K, Negative]
The recent dismissal of 35 officers from Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for their complicity in a human trafficking case has shone a light on a serious problem facing not only the country and South Asia, but the Mediterranean and Europe as well. A statement issued on New Years Day by the FIA announced that these officers had been sacked for their role in a migrant boat tragedy off the coast of the Greek island of Gavdos in mid-December. At least five migrants drowned after the wooden boat they had used to sail from Libya capsized in the Mediterranean, while 39 others were recovered by nearby cargo vessels.

The majority of those rescued were Pakistani citizens, leading to an internal investigation into the potential involvement of FIA personnel working at major exit points in the country, including airports in Faisalabad, Sialkot, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta. The result of this inquiry has raised serious questions about the role Pakistani authorities and institutions are playing in global cases of human trafficking, with the issue coming to the direct attention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Gavdos, an island just south of Greece’s largest island of Crete, has become a crucial gateway for migrants hoping to enter Europe. In one case in 2023, 262 Pakistanis died while attempting to reach the island in a tragedy similar to the one in December last year. This latest crossing was one of three attempted in the same week, all of which the Hellenic Coast Guard believes set sail from Libya.

If true, it points to a sophisticated trafficking network with a route originating in Pakistan, travelling through North Africa, and arriving in Europe by sea. It also raises the prospect of complicity by officials in both Pakistan and Libya. Initial arrests have also revealed how lucrative these operations can prove to be, with two suspects extorting over $25,000 from just three of the victims of the tragedy.

This news came shortly after the United Nations published a new report into global human trafficking, which revealed a 25 percent increase in the number of victims worldwide in 2022, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The report highlighted South Asia as a hub for trafficking, with victims from the region found in 36 countries throughout the world. The majority were women or children trafficked either for sexual exploitation or forced labor, a problem that has plagued Pakistan for decades. As for the perpetrators, 42 percent of convicted traffickers in North Africa and the Middle East held South or East Asian citizenship, outnumbering local offenders.

These statistics paint a bleak picture of the problems facing South Asia. In Pakistan in particular there have been notorious cases of bride trafficking involving over 600 women and girls who were lured across the border into China in the promise of a better life, only to be subjected to abuse, forced pregnancies, and forced prostitution. When such cases first emerged in 2019, the government worryingly dismissed them, fearing that an investigation would harm relations with China, spelling an end to dubious investment projects. Once more Pakistan is under scrutiny for human trafficking, this time confronting a more systemic issue, with the full extent of FIA complicity in these operations yet to be uncovered.

In the past, there have been connections between nefarious actors involved in human trafficking and other Pakistani state agencies. Notably, this included the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI), which has also been tied to cross-border insurgencies in Afghanistan and Kashmir, as well as to drug trafficking cases in India’s Punjab. The latest revelation about the FIA therefore raises yet another problem for Pakistan.

In July last year, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, together with various other international organizations, hosted an event in Pakistan aimed at strengthening safeguards for children in the fight against human trafficking. At the time, there was little indication that the organizers’ domestic partner, the FIA, would uncover cases of human trafficking within its own ranks just six months later.

The FIA now faces a critical moment of introspection, as it continues its efforts to arrest human traffickers, while dealing with corruption within its own ranks. Recent investigations have uncovered widespread fraud, with purported human traffickers taking large sums of money from individuals hoping to migrate to Europe or the Middle East, before disappearing with the money.

In response to these developments, Sharif has called for a comprehensive nationwide awareness campaign, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The campaign aims to educate Pakistanis about the legal avenues for migration and employment abroad, ensuring they are informed of safer, lawful alternatives to prevent them from falling prey to traffickers. However, more tangible actions will be required to dismantle the human trafficking infrastructure, especially if it is being propped up by state elements.

As for the perpetrators, Sharif has called for significant crackdowns and punishments for anyone found guilty of human trafficking, especially state officials. Under the 2010 Anti-Money Laundering Act, the FIA has already begun the process of seizing the properties of those involved in such operations. Of the 35 officers dismissed for their involvement in human trafficking, criminal cases have been opened against 13 so far, with the government eager to make an example out of state employees aiding and abetting the traffickers.

While this move reflects the government’s need to be seen tackling corruption and complicity in such crimes, it remains to be determined just how deep the problem goes and whether effective reform can be implemented to prevent recurring offenses. There is the added concern that the politicization of the FIA through several civilian governments and military regimes has significantly weakened the agency’s ability to function effectively.

There are also significant counterterrorism implications that must be considered. In 2024, Pakistan faced its deadliest year for terrorist attacks and fatalities in a decade, with no sign of the violence abating in the near future. For groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), lax security checks at Pakistan’s exit points raise the prospect of extending operations internationally. Such an opportunity would also not likely be ignored by Islamic State Khorasan Province.

Without root and branch reform to tackle corruption in Pakistan, terrorists will seek to exploit human trafficking networks connecting Pakistan to North Africa and onto Europe. Such a scenario could allow for the Islamic State, al-Qaida, and both of their affiliates to restart their campaigns of terror in Europe. This adds a dangerous new dimension to the trafficking crisis facing Pakistan, with the potential for it to accelerate the global export of terrorism from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s human trafficking crisis has thus reached a critical juncture. Not only have recent tragedies exposed endemic corruption within the state’s institutions once more, but they have also highlighted the broader regional and global implications of these operations. The dismissal of 35 FIA officers, and the subsequent arrest of 13, for their complicity in human trafficking operations suggests a systemic problem facing Pakistani law enforcement, which must be addressed urgently. Pakistan will struggle to contain the problem of human trafficking so long as its own officials continue to assist those engaging in it. The stakes are raised even higher with the potential for terrorist groups to exploit these vulnerabilities within the state.
India
India and US trying to arrange Modi meeting with Trump next month, sources say (Reuters)
Reuters [1/22/2025 8:38 AM, Shivam Patel, 48128K, Positive]
Indian and U.S. diplomats are trying to arrange a February meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, two Indian sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

India, a strategic partner of the United States in its efforts to counter China, is keen to enhance trade relations with the U.S. and make it easier for its citizens to get skilled worker visas, two topics that will be on the agenda if the leaders meet, the sources said.

However, it’s not certain the leaders will meet in February. Sources said a bilateral meeting was possible later in the year, including when leaders of the Quad grouping of India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S. meet at an annual summit hosted by India.

Trump’s return to the White House has raised worries about the imposition of tariffs on India, a country he said has high tariffs on U.S. products and indicated that he favoured reciprocating them.

But the sources said New Delhi was willing to offer some concessions to Washington and was open to offering incentives to attract more U.S. investment.

Trump visited India in February 2020 during his previous term in office. Then, he was cheered by more than 100,000 Indians at a cricket stadium in Modi’s political homeland in Ahmedabad, where he promised India "an incredible trade deal".

In 2019, Trump held a "Howdy Modi" rally with Modi in Houston, drawing 50,000 people, mainly Indian Americans.

The United States is India’s largest trading partner and two-way trade between the two countries surpassed $118 billion in 2023/24, with India posting a trade surplus of $32 billion.

Other topics of discussion between the two leaders would be enhancing partnerships in technology and defence, the sources said.

Migration would be another area of discussion, as Trump has pledged a crackdown on illegal immigration but has said he is open to legal migration of skilled workers.

India, known for its massive pool of IT professionals, many of whom work across the world, accounts for the bulk of the skilled worker H-1B visas issued by the United States.

Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who attended Trump’s inauguration on Monday, met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and they discussed concerns related to "irregular migration" on Tuesday, the U.S. State Department said.
India to Overcome Impact From Trump Policies, Modi Official Says (Bloomberg)
Bloomberg [1/23/2025 1:44 AM, Swati Gupta, 5.5M, Neutral]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relationship with the world’s biggest economies will help India overcome any “negative impacts” from shifts in global trade under US President Donald Trump, a top official said on Wednesday.

“It has been very clear that the entire world looks at India as a trusted country,” said Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s electronics and technology minister in an interview with Bloomberg’s Menaka Doshi in Davos. “I will say that trust will outweigh any of the negative impacts.”

His comments come at a time when the Indian government is evaluating options ranging from a trade deal to tariff cuts in an effort to appease the Trump administration and avoid the brunt of his policies.

“All discussions on commerce - what we sell and what we buy- they are already happening,” the minister said. While Vaishnaw did not give details of which products the government would be open to reducing duties on, he said “all discussions will happen taking into account the holistic needs of both the countries.”

In his first few days in office, Trump said he would slap a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada and hike duties on China by 10%. He also threatened countries in the European Union and BRICS group of developing nations with increased tariffs.

When asked if India’s growing electronics sector will be threatened by Trump’s disruption of global supply chains, the minister said “if such changes happen, we will have to calibrate our entire policy, our entire structure.”

India’s Growth

On India’s weak economic expansion, Vaishnaw said that the country is targeting a growth rate between 6% to 8% over the next two years, adding that there will be “cyclical variations” over some quarters.

The nation is expected to log its weakest growth since the pandemic in the fiscal year ending in March, as urban buyers cut back on spending after wages declined and inflation spiked.

Vaishnaw said the government’s capital spending of 11 trillion rupees ($127 billion) is “reasonably high.” That along with a revival of private investment will boost growth, he added.
At least 12 rail passengers killed in western India after jumping onto tracks over train fire alert (AP)
AP [1/22/2025 3:10 PM, Staff, 33392K, Negative]
At least 12 train passengers were killed on Wednesday after being hit by another service on an adjacent track in western India after they jumped from their coaches in panic to escape a rumored fire incident, the Press Trust of India reported.

At least six other people were injured and taken to nearby hospitals, the news agency cited police officer Dattatraya Karale as saying.

The accident occurred in Maharashtra State, near the Pardhade railroad station, 410 kilometers (255 miles) southwest of Mumbai, India’s financial capital.

PTI said the victims jumped off the Pushpak Express train, which had stopped after some passengers pulled an emergency chain. Those who disembarked were hit by another express train on the adjacent railroad track, PTI quoted railway spokesman Swapnil Nila as saying.

"Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either ‘hot axle’ or ‘brake-binding’ (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track," a senior railway official told PTI.

Despite government efforts to improve rail safety, hundred of accidents occur every year on India’s railways, which is the largest train network under one management in the world.

In 2023, two passenger trains collided after derailing in eastern India, killing more than 280 people and injuring hundreds in one of the country’s deadliest rail crashes in decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focussing on the modernization of the British colonial-era railroad network in India, which has become the world’s most populous country with 1.42 billion.
At least 11 killed in rail accident in west India, local media says (Reuters)
Reuters [1/22/2025 9:08 AM, Staff, 48128K, Negative]
At least 11 people died in a rail accident in India’s western Maharashtra state on Wednesday when they disembarked from their train, fearing a fire, only to be hit by another train passing on the adjacent track, local media reported.

Railway officials told local media that someone had pulled the train’s alarm chain, causing it to come to a halt, after which several passengers deboarded onto the adjacent tracks and were mowed down by another passing train.

"As per the information, 11 people have died in the accident and 5 others are injured," Praveen Gedam, a senior railways official in Nashik region, told ANI news agency, in which Reuters has a minority stake.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said ambulances had been dispatched to the spot - located about 400 kilometres (250 miles)away from India’s financial capital Mumbai - and arrangements were being made to treat the injured.

"Emergency equipment like glass cutters, floodlights etc. have also been kept ready," he said on messaging platform X.

Indian railways is the fourth largest train network in the world and is undergoing a $30 billion upgrade, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to boost connectivity.

Rail accidents in the last two years, including a collision in 2023 that killed at least 288 people, have tarnished its image, however.

India plans to bump up spending on the modernisation of its railways in the federal budget, to be presented next month, Reuters reported earlier this week.
Thirteen passengers killed by another train after fleeing fire rumour (BBC)
BBC [1/22/2025 11:10 AM, Robert Greenall, 57114K, Negative]
At least 13 people have been killed and five injured after they fled rumours of a fire on board their train in India, only to be hit by another train.

Railway officials said the passengers got down from the Mumbai-bound train in western Maharashtra state after someone pulled the emergency cord, causing it to stop.

They were hit by a train on an adjacent track. It was not immediately clear whether there had actually been a fire.

India has launched a $30bn (£24bn) programme to modernise its railways in recent years but this has been marred by a series of accidents, including a major three-train crash in 2023 in the state of Odisha which left nearly 300 people dead.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a post on X that he was "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives" during the incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district, about 400km from Mumbai, India’s financial capital.

He said eight ambulances had been dispatched and hospitals were on standby.

The crash will be seen as a setback for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has called for modernisation of the railways to boost the economy and connectivity.

There are plans to boost spending on the programme in next month’s budget, Reuters news agency reports.
India expands Russian insurers’ pool after US sanctions (Reuters)
Reuters [1/22/2025 11:58 AM, Nidhi Verma, 48128K, Neutral]
India has allowed Russian insurer Soglasie Insurance Company to provide marine cover to tankers entering Indian ports, according to Indian ship regulator’s website, as New Delhi wants steady supply of cheaper Russian oil despite latest U.S. sanctions.

India has also extended the approval granted to Russian companies Sogaz Insurance, Alfastrakhovanie, and VSK Insurance by 5 years to February 2030, showed the notice posted on the Directorate General of Shipping.

Soglasie has been allowed to provide insurance covers for ships calling on Indian ports until Feb. 20 2026, the notice showed.

Soglasie press office did not immediately respond to Reuters requests from comment.

India also recognises Russia’s Ingosstrakh Insurance Company, with its authorisation valid until Feb. 20, 2029.

Washington earlier this month sanctioned Alfastrakhovanie and Ingosstrakh, along with Russian oil producers and tankers, aiming to curtail Russia’s oil revenues.

Insurance is essential for maritime transport, particularly oil cargoes that require the highest safety standards due to the risk of spills.

Western sanctions against Moscow over its Ukraine invasion, along with tighter scrutiny of Russian oil trade, has almost cut Russia off from the global network of service providers such as insurers and brokers.

The Russian insurers considered eligible by India for providing protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance coverage are not part of the Europe-based International Group, which is made up of 12 so-called P&I clubs.
EU aims high ahead of mission to India in late February (Politico)
Politico [1/22/2025 7:28 PM, Camille Gus, 4.2M, Neutral]
Ursula von der Leyen will lead her entire European Commission team on a visit to India in late February, on a mission to forge a new strategic partnership and advance talks on a free-trade deal, her trade chief Maroš Šefčovic told POLITICO Wednesday.

Šefčovič, speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, said he had just spent “two very intense days” with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in Brussels to assess progress in the trade talks, which have stuttered on and off since 2007.

“Both of us are very much interested in accelerating our free-trade negotiations,” the Slovak commissioner said in an interview.

“The visit of the whole College [of Commissioners] to India, first and foremost, is a very strong political signal ... We are going to really fulfill this strategic partnership with new areas of sectoral cooperation.”

On top of the Commission’s visit to India, penciled in for around Feb. 27 and 28., the two sides will hold a meeting of their Trade and Technology Council, a bilateral forum that addresses a range of policy issues.

Von der Leyen announced Tuesday that her team’s first major trip since it was confirmed in December would be to the world’s most populous nation, showcasing it as part of a push to broaden the European Union’s relationships as protectionist Donald Trump returns to the White House and relations between Brussels and Beijing cool.

Von der Leyen and Šefčovič, one of her most trusted aides, have chalked up a series of recent trade wins — including a long-awaited agreement with the Mercosur group of South American nations, and upgrades to deals with Switzerland and Mexico. In the Asia-Pacific, the EU has also just resumed talks with Malaysia after a hiatus of more than a decade.
A tech-savvy Maha Kumbh: India aims for a safer religious festival (Reuters)
Reuters [1/23/2025 1:07 AM, Saurabh Sharma and Tanvi Mehta, 5.2M, Neutral]
Inspired by stories of families separated among the millions celebrating the weeks-long Maha Kumbh Mela, old Bollywood films often featured plots in which siblings got lost at the Hindu festival and were only reunited decades later.

But as Sarita Singh discovered at this year’s Maha Kumbh, or ‘Great Pitcher Festival’, things have changed.

When she was separated from her son and mother-in-law, authorities turned to state of the art facial recognition technology to trace them.

Police ran her son’s photograph through their software and one of the 2,760 CCTV cameras covering the festival area in the holy city of Prayagraj in northern India found him standing near a tea shop with his grandmother and reunited the family in a couple of hours.

The 2025 festival has been branded the ‘Digital Maha Kumbh’ by the Indian government, and Sarita’s story is one of many that highlight how technology is helping the authorities better manage what is the world’s largest gathering of humanity.

The six-week event began last week and more than 400 million visitors are expected to join the festivities and take a dip in the confluence of holy rivers at Prayagraj. Devout Hindus believe this confers them salvation from the cycle of birth and death, as well as absolution from their sins.

Managing the crowds is a challenge because the festival site is spread across 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres), equivalent to 7,500 football fields. Nearly 93 million people visited the Kumbh in its first nine days until Tuesday, according to organisers.

Police officers responsible for crowd management said they were using AI-based software to count the number of people and prevent stampedes that have marred previous festivals, including the last event in 2013.

"The crowd is calculated using different methods, aided by AI, which plays a crucial role like telling us when the crowd surges," said Amit Kumar, a senior police officer.

The computer software running the cameras also alerts authorities when it detects a surge in any one section of the festival city, a fire, or if people cross barricades they are not supposed to. The alerts are relayed to personnel on the ground to take corrective action.

"With these markers we are monitoring the crowd round the clock with the help of over 500 people at the control centre," said local police chief Rajesh Dwivedi.

As for finding lost visitors, the technology works only if the missing person has been captured on the crowd monitoring cameras, Kumar added.

Elsewhere, underwater drones operating at a depth of up to 100 metres (328.08 ft) send real-time alerts if there is an accident or a visitor slips and goes under while taking a dip. Multilingual chatbots on the Kumbh app also provide guidance to visitors from across India who may not be familiar with the local language.

"The era in which Maha Kumbh 2025 is being organised is far ahead in terms of technology," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during a visit to Prayagraj last month.
"I hope more and more people are united through this union of data and technology."
Toxic waste from world’s deadliest gas leak fuels protests in India (BBC)
BBC [1/22/2025 7:30 PM, Vishnukant Tiwari, 57114K, Negative]
Vegetable vendor Shivnarayan Dasana had never seen so many policemen descend on his village in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

The 60-year-old lives in Tarapur in the industrial town of Pithampur, known for its automobile and pharmaceutical factories. The town has been tense since containers holding 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the site of one of the world’s worst industrial disasters arrived for disposal three weeks ago.

The waste, transported from the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in the city of Bhopal - site of the 1984 gas tragedy that killed thousands - has sparked fears among locals.

They worry that disposing of it near their homes could be harmful and even cause an environmental disaster.

Protests erupted on 3 January, a day after the waste arrived in the town, escalating into stone-throwing and attempted self-immolations.

Since then, heavy police patrols near the disposal facility have turned Tarapur and surrounding areas into a virtual garrison.

The police have registered seven cases against 100 people since the protests began, but the townspeople continue to raise concerns about industrial pollution at smaller community meetings.

The toxic waste cleared from the Bhopal factory included five types of hazardous materials - including pesticide residue and "forever chemicals" left from its manufacturing process. These chemicals are so-named because they retain their toxic properties indefinitely.

Over the decades, these chemicals have seeped into the surrounding environment, creating a health hazard for people living around the factory in Bhopal.

But officials dismiss fears of the waste disposal causing environmental issues in Pithampur.

Senior official Swatantra Kumar Singh outlined the staggered process in an attempt to reassure the public.

"Hazardous waste will be incinerated at 1,200C (2,192F), with 90kg (194.4lb) test batches followed by 270kg batches over three months if toxicity levels are safe," he said.

Mr Singh explained that a "four-layer filtering will purify smoke", which will prevent toxins from entering the air and the residue from incineration will be "sealed in a two layer membrane" and "buried in a specialised landfill" to prevent soil and groundwater contamination.

"We’ve trained 100 ‘master trainers’ and are hosting sessions to explain the disposal process and build public trust," said administrator Priyank Mishra.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has also defended the waste disposal, calling it both safe and necessary. He urged residents to voice their concerns legally, noting that the disposal was carried out only after orders from the high court.

Environmental experts, however, have differing views on the process.

Some like Subhash C Pandey believe the disposal poses no risk if done properly. Others, like Shyamala Mani, are calling for alternatives to incineration. She argues that incineration increases residual slag and releases harmful toxins like mercury and dioxins.

Ms Mani suggests that bioremediation, a process using micro-organisms to break down harmful substances in waste, could be a more effective and eco-friendly solution.

But residents remain sceptical.

"It’s not just waste. It’s poison," said Gayatri Tiwari, a mother of five in Tarapur village. "What’s the point of life if we can’t breathe clean air or drink clean water?".

Pollution is an undeniable reality for the residents of Pithampur. Residents cite past groundwater contamination and ongoing health issues as reasons for scepticism.

The town’s rapid industrial growth in the 1980s led to hazardous waste build-up, contaminated water and soil with mercury, arsenic and sulphates. By 2017, the federal agency Central Pollution Control Bureau flagged severe pollution in the area.

Locals allege that many companies don’t follow the rules to dispose of non-hazardous waste, choosing to dump it in the soil or water. Tests in 2024 showed elevated harmful substances in water. Activists link this to alleged environmental violations at the disposal facility but officials have denied this.

"Water filters in our homes don’t last two months. Skin diseases and kidney stones are common now. Pollution has made life unbearable," said Pankaj Patel, 32, from Chirakhan village, pointing to his water purifier which needs frequently replacing.

Srinivas Dwivedi, regional officer of the State Pollution Control Board, dismissed concerns, saying it’s "unrealistic" to expect pre-industrial conditions in Pithampur.

Meanwhile, in Bhopal, nearly 230km (143 miles) away from Pithampur, activists argue that the disposal process is a distraction from much larger issues.

Since the disaster, the toxic material lay in the mothballed factory for decades, polluting groundwater in the surrounding areas.

More than 1.1 million tonnes of contaminated soil remain at the Union Carbide factory site, according to a 2010 report by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and the National Geophysical Research Institute.

"The government is making a show of disposing of 337 metric tonnes while ignoring the much bigger problem in Bhopal," said Nityanand Jayaraman, a leading environmentalist.

"The contamination has worsened over the years, yet the government has done little to address it," added Rachna Dhingra, another activist.

Government estimates say 3,500 people died shortly after the gas leak, with over 15,000 dying later. Activists claim the toll is much higher, with victims still suffering from the side effects of the poisoning.

"Given Pithampur’s history of pollution, residents’ fears are valid," said Mr Jayaraman.

Officials said they are only "dealing with the waste as specified by the court’s directive".

But the reality of Bhopal has deepened the mistrust among the people of Pithampur, who are now prepared to take to the streets again to oppose the waste disposal.

Vegetable vendor Shivnarayan Dasana said the issue goes beyond the waste itself.

"It’s about survival - ours and our children’s," he said.
NSB
Bangladesh Student Revolutionaries’ Dreams Dented By Joblessness (Agence France-Presse)
Agence France-Presse [1/22/2025 9:45 PM, Sheikh Sabiha Alam and Eyamin Sajid, 660K, Neutral]
Bangladeshi students braved bullets to overthrow an autocratic government, but six months after the revolution, many say finding a job is proving a harder task than manning the barricades.

Dhaka University student Mohammad Rizwan Chowdhury’s dreams of ample opportunities for youth have been badly dented, saying he had seen little action from the caretaker government of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.

Unemployment was a key driver of protests last year. Since the revolution, it has only grown worse.

At the end of September 2024, the number of people seeking employment in the country of 170 million hit 2.66 million, a six-percent increase from 2.49 million the year before, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The International Monetary Fund warned in September that economic activity had "slowed markedly, while inflation remains at double-digit levels", with tax revenues down while spending pressures had increased.

For many, the euphoria of Hasina’s ouster is fading.

Chowdhury said that while Yunus handed cabinet posts to student leaders, he felt demands were being ignored.

"Although our representatives are part of the administration, I’m not sure whether our voices are being heard," the political science graduate said.

Literature graduate Shukkur Ali, 31, scrapes by on odd jobs to support his elderly and sick parents.

"I do anything and everything just to cover the bare minimum," he told AFP, adding that newspaper job advertisements have dried up.

"I used to apply only for white-collar jobs in educational institutions or banks -- but failed," he said.

"Now, anything is good for me. I just want a job.".

Bangladesh’s economy grew dramatically after its independence in 1971.

That was largely due to its textile industry producing global brands in a multi-billion dollar business as the world’s second-largest garment exporter.

But jobs outside the crowded clothing factories for university graduates are far fewer.

Educated Bangladeshis make up 87 percent of those without work, according to BBS figures.

The government says it is making every effort to address the issue.

Shafiqul Alam, Yunus’ press secretary, said robust tax generation would allow the government to invest in the public sector and create a "huge" number of jobs.

"Ensuring better revenue collection is a priority, as the previous government left behind a broken economy," Alam said.

But Yunus, an 84-year-old microfinance pioneer, is also swept up in what he calls the "extremely tough" challenge of restoring democratic institutions ahead of elections slated for this year or early 2026.

Those reforms include an overhaul of the constitution and the public administration to prevent a return to autocracy.

"The interim government is preoccupied with managing the mess they inherited," said Hussain, adding there were only "sporadic attempts" to support the youth, such as hiring students to assist traffic police.

"The administration isn’t functioning at full speed," he said. "I’d rate them 50 out of 100.".

Challenges are daunting.

"The public sector can recruit no more than 20,000 to 25,000 graduates, while around 700,000 graduates leave colleges each year," said AKM Fahim Mashroor, chief of popular online job site Bdjobs.

The private sector provides around 85 percent of jobs, but there is little optimism there either.

"Both the public and private sectors have been slow in recruiting since August 5," he added.

And the unrest has spooked investors.

Bangladesh’s central bank says foreign investment between July and November 2024 was $177 million -- less than a third of the $614 million secured under Hasina’s iron-fisted rule during the same period the previous year.

Taskeen Ahmed, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the government should roll out programmes to support young job-seekers including "loan schemes for youth to start businesses".

Some like Subir Roy, a 31-year-old finance graduate who was nominated to a government job only for it to be rescinded without reason, said it was already too late for him.

"My father sold a small piece of land to send me to university... now I’m returning home empty-handed," Roy said.

"I’ll join my father in the paddy field.".
Central Asia
Water level is rising in Kazakhstan’s portion of Aral Sea (EurasiaNet)
EurasiaNet [1/22/2025 4:14 PM, Staff, 57.6K, Neutral]
There has been plenty of negative news of late about the damage done by global warming in Kazakhstan, but the Ministry of Water Resources recently had a positive tidbit to announce: the Northern Aral Sea is making a comeback.

The Water Resources Ministry announced earlier in January that a conservation plan has resulted in a 42 percent increase in water volume in the northern section of the sea, which is surrounded by Kazakh territory. The KazTAG news agency report added that the northern sea now contained an estimated 27 billion cubic meters of water, and the sea’s salinity had experienced a drastic reduction.

The Northern Aral now yields an annual fisheries catch of about 8,000 tons, which is still just a fraction of the totals recorded during the Soviet era.

Once the world’s fourth-largest lake, the Aral Sea began evaporating in the 1960s. Its disappearance is widely considered one of the worst man-made environmental disasters on record. The sea is presently divided into two parts and its present surface area comprises less than 5 percent of its size six decades ago.

The Uzbek portion of the sea, or the Southern Aral, is continuing to evaporate, creating a host of knock-on public health issues.

The Kazakh government revival plan centers on achieving efficiencies in water management and accumulation, enabling the revival of the fisheries industry and fostering ecotourism.

The Northern Aral’s comeback is a bright spot for Kazakhstan’s environmental fortunes. River water levels in the country are falling, and the country’s other large lake, Balkhash, has also been experiencing declining water levels due in part to China’s diversion of river water that feeds the lake for agricultural purposes. The Caspian Sea is likewise shrinking and the country is battling desertification.
Indo-Pacific
India and Maldives Reticent Over Alleged RAW-Backed Coup Plot (The Diplomat)
The Diplomat [1/22/2025 4:24 AM, Ahmed Naish, 857K, Neutral]
A recent Washington Post report alleged an India-backed plot to impeach Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. However, the Muizzu government’s response to the bombshell exposé has been rather reticent.

According to the Post report, which was published on December 30, in early 2024, Indian intelligence agents plotted with leaders of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to impeach newly-elected President Muizzu. The report cited internal documents, surveillance records, and interviews with key Indian and Maldivian sources.

After secret talks with agents working for India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), MDP politicians sought $6 million from India to bribe 40 parliamentarians as well as 10 senior army and police officers and three powerful criminal gangs, according to a RAW document titled "Democratic Renewal Initiative.".

The Indian government ultimately "did not pursue or finance an attempt to oust [Muizzu]." But the aborted plot offered "a rare view into the much broader, often shadowy struggle between India and China for influence over a strategic swath of Asia and its surrounding waters," the Post observed.

The first response from a Maldivian politician came from former President Mohamed Nasheed. "India would never back such a move, as they always support Maldives’ democracy. India has never dictated terms to us, either," he tweeted.

Nasheed said he was "unaware of any serious plot against the President." But "some people always live in conspiracy," he added.

Government responses came later with peremptory dismissals from both the Indian and Maldivian foreign ministries. Neither side addressed specific instances of alleged Indian interference in Maldivian politics with material support for the MDP.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry questioned the credibility of the American paper and its former award-winning New Delhi bureau chief.

"Both the [Washington Post] and the reporter in question appear to nurse a compulsive hostility towards India. You can see a pattern in their activities," spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal suggested at a media briefing on January 3, referring to reporting by the same journalist on an alleged assassination program carried out by Indian intelligence in Pakistan.

Underlying the rather tepid response of the Maldivian and Indian governments to the exposé is their ongoing effort to move past their recent adversarial relations to build a more cooperative relationship.

Days after the Post report was published, the Maldives foreign minister and defense minister traveled to India.

During his maiden official visit, Abdulla Khaleel, the new Maldives foreign minister, echoed Jaiswal’s sentiment, casting the Post story as part of efforts to undermine India-Maldives ties.

In an interview with WION on January 4, Khaleel described the claims as "totally something that is untrue, unfounded. There is no truth in that.".

Khaleel’s trip was closely followed by Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon’s first official visit to India. Talks with his counterpart Rajnath Singh "focused on exploring avenues to further strengthen defense cooperation between both nations," the Defense Ministry said.

Back in the Maldives, the allegations raised by the Post were widely covered in local media. The MDP leadership remained tightlipped and refused to comment on their alleged Indian patronage. But opposition-aligned outlets highlighted $200,000 bribes allegedly paid to 13 MDP MPs who defected to Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) in late December 2023.

Government supporters and politicians touted the Post story as vindication of their protests against the alleged outsized Indian influence over the previous MDP government.

But in his WION interview, Foreign Minister Khaleel made the strongest disavowal yet of the "India Out" movement that drove Muizzu’s nationalist presidential campaign in 2023. He reiterated commitment to "moving forward with a stronger relationship with India" and sought to assure that there was "no space for these kinds of disturbance.".

Khaleel laid the blame squarely on former President Abdulla Yameen, "who was heading the movement, he is totally out of the administration and in the opposition working against us.".

Hitting back at Khaleel the following day, Yameen slammed the government’s attempt to distance itself from the jettisoned anti-India stance.

"President Mohamed Muizzu believes sending the foreign minister to convey a different message will erase the past. India has likely seen photos of PNC leaders wearing the movement’s T-shirts," he was quoted as saying.

The former pro-China strongman, who instigated the "India Out" campaign after losing his re-election bid in 2018, insisted that his concerns were limited to the stationing of Indian soldiers and the alleged interference in domestic affairs during his successor President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration.

According to the Post, "a dozen Indians had flown in and booked a floor of the Mookai Hotel in Male to support Solih’s campaign with polling analysis" ahead of the September 2023 presidential elections.

Yameen was not the only one who took umbrage at Foreign Minister Khaleel’s remarks, which exposed divisions within the Muizzu administration.

PNC lawmaker Ahmed Azaan, a former journalist who played a prominent role in drawing attention to Indian soldiers based in the Maldives during Solih’s MDP-led government, defended the "India Out" campaign as "a grassroots response to growing Indian influence and military presence in the Maldives.".

Muizzu has delivered on his promise to safeguard Maldivian independence by allowing a hydrography agreement with India to lapse and negotiating the replacement of Indian soldiers with civilian personnel, Azaan contended.

"Yes, India is our closest neighbor—that’s a fact we cannot and do not deny. But our relationship must be built on mutual respect, fairness, and the recognition that we are sovereign equals," he stressed.

"We now have a government that places Maldives first. That’s what we’ve been fighting for. Unlike the previous administration, which was willing to compromise our national interests to hold on to power, we are reclaiming our sovereignty. And we will always stand up for it.”.
Twitter
Afghanistan
Freshta Razbaan
@RazbaanFreshta
[1/22/2025 7:46 AM, 5.3K followers, 32 retweets, 86 likes]
During two decades of partnership, the Afghan allies stood side by side with the U.S. in one of the most critical missions of our time—combating terrorism and safeguarding global stability. They embraced American values, supported your policies, and helped secure a safer future for both nations. These brave individuals and their families sacrificed everything, proving their unwavering loyalty and commitment to the principles America holds dear. As the administration reflects on the future of these P-1 and P-2 cases, we humbly and respectfully urge President Trump and his team to ensure that these courageous allies are not left behind. Their contributions have been invaluable, and their future depends on GREAT AMERICA’s continued leadership and compassion.

Jahanzeb Wesa
@Jahanzeb_Wesa
[1/23/2025 1:45 AM, 5.4K followers, 4 retweets, 11 likes]
Afghan women rights activists protested. The arrest of journalists and civil activists is a blatant violation of human rights and a crackdown on freedom of expression. The people of Afghanistan must break their silence and rise against the oppressive Taliban regime.

Jahanzeb Wesa
@Jahanzeb_Wesa
[1/22/2025 3:30 PM, 5.4K followers, 7 retweets, 11 likes]
Yesterday Trump cancelled flights for 1,600 Afghans who worked alongside U.S. troops and earned the right to seek refuge from Taliban retribution. These are women rights activists, journalists, interpreters and they need safety and protection for their lives.

Jahanzeb Wesa
@Jahanzeb_Wesa
[1/22/2025 11:33 AM, 5.4K followers, 8 retweets, 26 likes]
Listen to the voice of Afghan women! Silence is a betrayal of the dreams of half the society. The international community must take decisive action against the Taliban to ensure the freedom and education of Afghan women and girls. Silence and inaction only embolden oppression.

Habib Khan
@HabibKhanT
[1/22/2025 7:55 PM, 247.3K followers, 84 retweets, 217 likes]
An Afghan woman athlete, banned by the Taliban from sports, calls on the men’s cricket team to be the voice of the girls. Despite their massive followings, Afghan cricket stars have remained silent on the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports.
Pakistan
Imran Khan
@ImranKhanPTI
[1/22/2025 12:28 PM, 21.1M followers, 13K retweets, 26K likes]
“I am deeply grateful to Saudi Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman for responding to my appeal and releasing nearly 7200 poor and deserving Pakistani citizens from Saudi prisons. I have always strived to use my position and influence to improve the lives of ordinary Pakistanis. This is precisely the reason for me entering in politics, and I will continue to advocate for it as long as I live.” - Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan

Michael Kugelman
@MichaelKugelman
[1/22/2025 9:17 AM, 217.3K followers, 28 retweets, 215 likes]
Pakistan finance minister Aurangzeb gave a keynote speech at Davos. The main takeaway from his comments was, “the private sector must lead.”

Madiha Afzal
@MadihaAfzal
[1/22/2025 10:01 AM, 43K followers, 6 likes]
While military-to-military engagement between Pakistan & the US will continue in the Trump administration, it’s unclear whether the various initiatives that began under the Biden State Department will continue. Expectations should be low. Here’s why: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-new--and-low--normal-in-u.s.-pakistan-relations
India
Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
[1/23/2025 1:51 AM, 104.8M followers, 1.7K retweets, 6.9K likes]
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s ideals and unwavering dedication to India’s freedom continue to inspire us. Sharing my remarks on Parakram Diwas.

Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
[1/22/2025 10:00 PM, 104.8M followers, 7.1K retweets, 27K likes]
Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His contribution to India’s freedom movement is unparalleled. He epitomised courage and grit. His vision continues to motivate us as we work towards building the India he envisioned.

Dr. S. Jaishankar
@DrSJaishankar
[1/22/2025 8:26 PM, 3.3M followers, 385 retweets, 2.4K likes]
On #ParakramDivas, pay homage to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. His struggle against all odds inspired the nation in its fight for independence. His life and achievements will always guide us towards building a strong and confident India.

Dr. S. Jaishankar
@DrSJaishankar
[1/22/2025 7:23 PM, 3.3M followers, 424 retweets, 4.3K likes]
Glad to meet Senator @MarkWarner, co-chair of the U.S. Senate India Caucus. Discussed ways to further strengthen the IN-US bilateral partnership.

Dr. S. Jaishankar
@DrSJaishankar
[1/22/2025 11:45 AM, 3.3M followers, 908 retweets, 4.8K likes]
Speaking to the press in Washington DC. https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1OdJrXXqRPYKX

Zalmay Khalilzad
@realZalmayMK
[1/21/2025 6:49 PM, 252.2K followers, 8.1K retweets, 19K likes]
Minister Jaishanker of #India attended President Trump’s inauguration. If @ImranKhanPTI was not in jail, I believe he would have been a guest of honor at this hugely important event. A big loss for #Pakistan. Free Imran Khan and preven Pakistan’s meltdown. #USA @POTUS https://youtu.be/_Vg-HxewnGI?si=jz5S4k2gjBooxyC1

Rajnath Singh
@rajnathsingh
[1/22/2025 8:57 AM, 24.4M followers, 95 retweets, 501 likes]
The rail accident in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district is extremely unfortunate and painful. Precious lives have been lost in this tragic accident. In this hour of sadness, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest.

Richard Rossow
@RichardRossow
[1/22/2025 11:09 AM, 29.7K followers, 1 retweet, 5 likes]
The short & sweet joint statement from the Quad foreign ministers meeting in DC this week. Key because: 1) it happened (ahead of other foreign policy gatherings, no less), and 2). Affirm leaders summit in India.

Jon Danilowicz
@JonFDanilowicz
[1/22/2025 12:37 PM, 12.4K followers, 27 retweets, 129 likes]
My views on India’s ongoing March of Folly in Bangladesh and the corrosive impact of the global right wing Hindu online army of bots and trolls. Thanks to @BenarNews for providing me the space to share these thoughts.

Ashok Swain
@ashoswai
[1/22/2025 9:47 PM, 621.1K followers, 193 retweets, 920 likes]
Trump met Ambani and his wife, but not the self-declared emissary of Modi, Jaishankar. He has been in Washington DC this week, has managed to meet ‘Little Mark’ Rubio only. These Hindutva morons have ruined India’s name and stature.
NSB
Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh
@ChiefAdviserGoB
[1/22/2025 1:03 PM, 76.8K followers, 18 retweets, 221 likes]
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus speaks at a Plenary session titled The State of Climate and Nature during World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. #Bangladesh #ChiefAdviser #WEF2025

Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh
@ChiefAdviserGoB
[1/22/2025 12:36 PM, 76.8K followers, 20 retweets, 290 likes]
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus holds a meeting with European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde on the sidelines of World Economic Forum summit in Swiss city of Davos on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. #Bangladesh #ChiefAdviser #WEF2025

Sabria Chowdhury Balland
@sabriaballand
[1/22/2025 9:45 AM, 7.7K followers, 1 retweet, 2 likes]
#Bangladesh Chief Advisor Dr Yunus seeks global support at the World Economic Forum at #Davos to bring back the hundreds of billions of dollars stolen by Sheikh Hasina’s family & administration.

Derek J. Grossman
@DerekJGrossman
[1/23/2025 1:49 AM, 95.8K followers, 26 retweets, 130 likes]
This was just a matter of time, especially with Bangladesh-India ties going down the drain. Pakistani ISI chief visits Dhaka to discuss intelligence sharing. First time in decades. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistans-isi-chief-visits-dhaka-aims-to-create-intel-sharing-network-with-bangladesh/articleshow/117465352.cms?from=mdr

The President’s Office, Maldives
@presidencymv
[1/23/2025 2:48 AM, 111.8K followers, 20 retweets, 21 likes]
President Dr @MMuizzu meets with the residents of Kinolhas, North Maalhosmadulu Atoll, reinforcing the Government’s steadfast commitment to addressing their concerns. During the meeting, the President emphasised his commitment to practical solutions for community development.

The President’s Office, Maldives
@presidencymv
[1/23/2025 1:57 AM, 111.8K followers, 53 retweets, 53 likes]
President Dr @Mmuizzu attends the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Secretariat building of the Kinolhas Council. This development marks a key milestone in improving administrative efficiency and assistance delivery for the island community.

The President’s Office, Maldives
@presidencymv
[1/23/2025 1:01 AM, 111.8K followers, 56 retweets, 53 likes]
President Dr @MMuizzu attends the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Secretariat building of the Innamaadhoo Council.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake
@anuradisanayake
[1/22/2025 6:04 AM, 144.7K followers, 10 retweets, 158 likes]
Today (22), I participated in discussions at the Presidential Secretariat on the 74th Upasampada Vinaya Karma of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya. I emphasized that traditions, rooted in the teachings of the Buddha, are vital for shaping Sri Lankan society and must be preserved for future generations. The grand ceremony, with over 250 novice monks participating, will be held from June 30 to July 5, 2025, at the Punyavardhanarama Vihara under state patronage. I’ve instructed officials to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place to honor this sacred event.

Derek J. Grossman
@DerekJGrossman
[1/22/2025 2:22 PM, 95.8K followers, 1 retweet, 3 likes]
Sri Lankan FM on China refinery project slated for Hambantota: "This is one of the largest foreign investment projects Sri Lanka has received and we feel it will be important for us."

Nalinda Jayatissa
@NalindaJay
[1/22/2025 8:52 AM, 6.4K followers, 4 retweets, 37 likes]
Met U.S. Ambassador @USAmbSL on her courtesy visit to discuss collaborations in healthcare and media development.
Central Asia
MFA Kazakhstan
@MFA_KZ
[1/22/2025 11:02 AM, 59.1K followers, 1 retweet, 4 likes]
Preparations for the UNESCO Global Youth Forum Discussed in Almaty https://gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/922948?lang=kk

Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s Press-service
@president_uz
[1/22/2025 1:21 PM, 210.8K followers, 1 retweet, 11 likes]
President Shavkat #Mirziyoyev reviewed priorities for higher education and science, outlining key objectives. These include enhancing educational programs, securing international accreditation, expanding dual education and introducing a unified digital system. Allocation of doctoral quotas will prioritize strategic industries, and the process for awarding academic degrees will be revised.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s Press-service
@president_uz
[1/22/2025 6:58 AM, 210.8K followers, 12 retweets, 34 likes]
President Shavkat #Mirziyoyev met with #Russia’s Defense Minister Andrey #Belousov to discuss strengthening UZ-RU comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance. The importance of enhancing collaboration between the defense agencies of the two countries was outlined.

Navbahor Imamova
@Navbahor
[1/22/2025 4:23 AM, 24K followers, 1 like]
Tashkent-Washington Connections: Uzbekistan’s media are increasingly focused on developments in Washington, particularly regarding policy toward Central Asia.

Joanna Lillis
@joannalillis
[1/23/2025 2:05 AM, 28.8K followers, 2 likes]
Mayor approves "National Tashkent" programme that will include encouraging officials to wear national dress #Uzbekistan - which is very beautiful, of course, but there are echoes of the didacticism of #Turkmenistan’s dress code

Joanna Lillis
@joannalillis
[1/23/2025 1:46 AM, 28.8K followers, 3 retweets, 5 likes]
Wife of Karakalpak @muratbaiman, imprisoned in #Kazakhstan on a warrant from #Uzbekistan, submits complaint about sexual harrassment during a visit to him

Joanna Lillis
@joannalillis
[1/23/2025 1:37 AM, 28.8K followers, 1 retweet, 4 likes]
Discussions (and sometimes arguments) over changing the colonial names of towns, villages, streets in #Kazakhstan continue - this time over the village of Shchapovo in the northwest, which some locals want to rename Koszhayyk - v @Ordakazakhstan_

Joanna Lillis
@joannalillis
[1/23/2025 1:27 AM, 28.8K followers, 3 retweets, 3 likes]
Journalists in #Kazakhstan lose appeal in case against media ministry over draconian new accreditation rules - v @Ordakazakhstan_

{End of Report}
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