![Catherine West meets Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to discuss poverty, regional development, and digital transformation. [Image via News First]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WEB-2025-01-28T081605-779019.webp "WEB – 2025-01-28T081605-779019")
Catherine West meets Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to discuss poverty, regional development, and digital transformation.
![Yoshitha Rajapaksa granted bail on two surety bonds after arrest over alleged illegal property purchase in Ratmalana. [Image via News First]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WEB-26-778930.webp "WEB (26)-778930")
Yoshitha Rajapaksa granted bail on two surety bonds after arrest over alleged illegal property purchase in Ratmalana.
![Sri Lanka and UAE discuss enhancing trade ties, investment, and business opportunities at Dubai Chamber meeting. [Image via Daily FT]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_2408524d8f.webp "image_2408524d8f")
Sri Lanka and UAE discuss enhancing trade ties, investment, and business opportunities at Dubai Chamber meeting.
![UN and Arab League oppose Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians outside Gaza, citing violations of international law. [Image via The Nation]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/un-opposes-trump-s-proposal-to-relocate-palestinians-outside-gaza-1738035665-4812.webp "un-opposes-trump-s-proposal-to-relocate-palestinians-outside-gaza-1738035665-4812")
UN and Arab League oppose Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians outside Gaza, citing violations of international law.
![Belarus election: Lukashenko declared winner in disputed vote; Western nations reject results, call for sanctions. [Image via Reuters]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/3OMQ3EAMDBKM5PGTCFRMNEPJHE.webp "3OMQ3EAMDBKM5PGTCFRMNEPJHE")
Belarus election: Lukashenko declared winner in disputed vote; Western nations reject results, call for sanctions.
![Iran says no messages exchanged with the US under Trump; nuclear talks with Europe focus on reviving JCPOA framework. [Image via Dawn]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2717160778a7670.jpg "2717160778a7670")
Iran says no messages exchanged with the US under Trump; nuclear talks with Europe focus on reviving JCPOA framework.
![India and China agree to resume direct flights and pilgrimage, signaling a thaw in relations after years of tension. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/281738017639-5.webp "281738017639-5")
India and China agree to resume direct flights and pilgrimage, signaling a thaw in relations after years of tension.
![Afghan women to pursue education in Pakistan with Taliban's conditional approval; scholarships to boost bilateral ties. [Image via AFP]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/afghan-student-pak1737987362-0.webp "afghan-student-pak1737987362-0")
Afghan women to pursue education in Pakistan with Taliban’s conditional approval; scholarships to boost bilateral ties.
![US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledges support for Trump's migrant deportation plan amid controversy over his confirmation. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hegseth1737996820-0.webp "hegseth1737996820-0")
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledges support for Trump’s migrant deportation plan amid controversy over his confirmation.
![Indian PM Modi and US President Trump discuss strengthening ties, trade, and global peace in their first phone call post-inauguration. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/modi6-1498544871.webp "modi6-1498544871")
Indian PM Modi and US President Trump discuss strengthening ties, trade, and global peace in their first phone call post-inauguration.