Manipur Shutdown Ends, But Fails to Ease Ethnic Divide
Bulletin
March 15, 2025
Kuki-Zo Council lifts Manipur shutdown after protests; tensions persist amid ethnic strife, security concerns, and disruptions.
Kuki-Zo Council lifts Manipur shutdown after protests; tensions persist amid ethnic strife, security concerns, and disruptions.
![Kathmandu rescues 74 children in 11 months, ensuring protection, legal action, and community involvement in child welfare. [Image via The Kathmandu Post]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/thumb5.webp "thumb5")
Kathmandu rescues 74 children in 11 months, ensuring protection, legal action, and community involvement in child welfare.
![A hostage crisis, foreign handlers, and state failures—Jaffar Express tragedy raises tough questions for Pakistan and the urgent need for decisive action. [Image via SAT Creatives]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/SAT-Web-Banners-19-1600x917.webp "SAT Web Banners (19)")
A hostage crisis, foreign handlers, and state failures—Jaffar Express tragedy raises tough questions for Pakistan and the urgent need for decisive action.
![Foreign Office dismisses reports of a possible US travel ban on Pakistan, calling them speculative with no official notice. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/us-pak1741887693-0-e1741950190635.webp "us-pak1741887693-0")
Foreign Office dismisses reports of a possible US travel ban on Pakistan, calling them speculative with no official notice.
![Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Aslat arrives in Male’ for a four-day goodwill visit to strengthen defense and diplomatic ties. [Image via Pakistan High Commission]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/l_2025_03_13_030606_2xs6g9dyfnjuze87v1cq453wlbkiphtaorm_EN_.webp "l_2025_03_13_030606_2xs6g9dyfnjuze87v1cq453wlbkiphtaorm_EN_")
Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Aslat arrives in Male’ for a four-day goodwill visit to strengthen defense and diplomatic ties.
![Indian market declines sharply in Maldives tourism, risking losses up to $2B despite efforts to boost arrivals. [Image via SunOnline International]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/l_2024_10_05_120511_amnkj26orp47wbv9ydtcgx8i1quefhzl5s3_EN_.webp "l_2024_10_05_120511_amnkj26orp47wbv9ydtcgx8i1quefhzl5s3_EN_")
Indian market declines sharply in Maldives tourism, risking losses up to $2B despite efforts to boost arrivals.
![Afghanistan signs a contract for the 71-km Wakhan road construction, aiming to boost trade ties with China despite challenges. [Image via Tolo News]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vlcsnap-2025-03-13-18h23m24s961.webp "vlcsnap-2025-03-13-18h23m24s961")
Afghanistan signs a contract for the 71-km Wakhan road construction, aiming to boost trade ties with China despite challenges.
![Pakistan and Afghanistan remain at odds over the Torkham border closure, impacting trade, security, and regional stability. [Image via Reuters]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/H6FPJ5CQXFPOTMBEYNKEEJU37I.webp "H6FPJ5CQXFPOTMBEYNKEEJU37I")
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain at odds over the Torkham border closure, impacting trade, security, and regional stability.
![Foreign interest in emeralds of Panjshir grows as traders from India, the US, and others eye investment opportunities. [Image via Tolo News]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vlcsnap-2025-03-13-08h32m58s938.webp "vlcsnap-2025-03-13-08h32m58s938")
Foreign interest in emeralds of Panjshir grows as traders from India, the US, and others eye investment opportunities.
![Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg to return 20 stolen Nepali antiquities worth Rs410 million, including a rare 15th-century paubha painting. [Courtesy of Manhattan District Attorney's Office]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/thumb4.webp "thumb4")
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg to return 20 stolen Nepali antiquities worth Rs410 million, including a rare 15th-century paubha painting.