Civil society

The number killed in violence last year was the highest since the military coup in 2021. Over 1,800 civilians were killed in 2024, many in indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery shelling, with attacks on schools, places of worship and healthcare facilities having become routine.

Given the complex history of water disputes between the two nations, continued diplomatic engagement and technical collaboration will be essential in ensuring a fair and sustainable solution for both sides, officials say.

During a fiery exchange in the Oval Office, Trump accused Zelensky of “overplaying his hand” and dismissed Ukraine’s appeals for defined security guarantees.

Khan used the article to highlight what he described as an ongoing erosion of democracy in Pakistan. He labelled the current period as one of the most challenging in the country’s history and stressed that his imprisonment was part of a broader attempt to suppress democratic principles.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party held an extended meeting to strategise its electoral approach and reinforce party discipline.

These measures, which followed executive orders aimed at “reevaluating” US foreign assistance and terminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, risk undermining the freedoms that are vital to democratic societies.

In more positive developments and despite a global rise in executions, a growing number of countries are abolishing the practice – spurred by the Global South.

According to the United Nations in Sri Lanka, over 35 per cent of all gender-based harmful speech recorded in November was targeted at women candidates campaigning for the parliamentary elections.