Wally Adeyemo, the number-two official at the Treasury Department, is leaving the Biden administration to join Columbia University, where he will focus on economic statecraft and energy policy. Adeyemo, 43, played a key role in developing the US sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He previously worked for both the Obama and Biden administrations, as well as at BlackRock.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/banking-law/treasurys-adeyemo-heads-to-columbia-with-energy-sanctions-focusMembers of the artillery unit of the special rifle battalion of the Zaporizhzhia region police fired a small multiple launch rocket system at Russian troops in the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine on December 25. The incident occurred as part of Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine.
https://www.tbsnews.net/world/release-all-indians-serving-russian-military-says-india-after-one-more-death-1043096Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed support for Ukraine with French President Emmanuel Macron, including the possibility of deploying foreign troops in the country, according to a report from Agence France-Presse quoted by BTA.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941390-zelensky-and-macron-discussed-the-deployment-of-foreign-troops-in-ukraineMinister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun urged relevant government departments to maintain a strong economic partnership with the US based on Korea's solid economic fundamentals under the new administration. During a meeting in Washington, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that the US honors incentives for Korean companies investing in the country, particularly those implemented by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) program. Ahn met with US lawmakers and government officials to discuss measures to bolster the partnership between the two countries in energy, trade, and manufacturing, including a roundtable discussion with the National Association of Manufacturers on January 9.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-01-13/business/economy/Acting-president-warns-of-significant-impact-on-Korean-economy-from-Trumps-policies-/2221285Pakistan's finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, is considering joint ventures and secondary listings for Pakistani companies in Hong Kong. He expressed this interest ahead of a meeting with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday. During the two-day Asian Financial Forum, which he is attending in Hong Kong, Aurangzeb also plans to discuss the possibility of sending a Hong Kong delegation to Pakistan to identify areas for closer collaboration between the two economies.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3294588/pakistan-minister-eyes-joint-ventures-secondary-listings-hong-kong?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionThe government of Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's successor, Yunus, has announced plans to review border agreements with India that were signed between 2009 and 2024. The agreements in question include the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement, the Joint Indo-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities (1975), the Land Boundary Agreement Protocol (2011), and the Coordinated Border Management Plan (2011). According to Jahangir Alam, a Bangladeshi official, these agreements have led to issues such as India's failure to provide Bangladesh with access to the Tin Bigha Corridor, which was promised in exchange for handing over the Berubari area. The review of these agreements is seen as an attempt by the new government to address long-standing grievances and ensure that Bangladesh's interests are protected along its border with India.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/india-bangladesh-now-border-fencing-row-erupts-as-india-protests-yunus-govts-remarks-13852304.htmlJapanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and outgoing US President Joe Biden held a virtual meeting to deepen cooperation under a trilateral arrangement in response to rising tensions in Asia's waters. The leaders agreed to enhance economic, maritime and technology cooperation, with Biden expressing optimism that his successor would continue the partnership. They also discussed China's "dangerous and unlawful behaviour" in the South China Sea and opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force. Marcos was commended for his diplomatic response to China's aggressive activities in the South China Sea, while Japan and the Philippines have separately ratified a military agreement that would ease the entry of soldiers into each other's country for joint military exercises.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/01/13/japan-us-and-philippines-pledge-stronger-trilateral-ties-amid-south-china-sea-tensions/163054The Biden administration, along with Egypt and Qatar, has been attempting to broker a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians for over a year following Hamas' attack on southern Israel in October 2023. However, negotiations have stalled due to disagreements over the details of an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as well as the terms of a potential ceasefire. The militant group Hamas has stated that it will not release its captives without an end to the war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting until achieving "total victory" over Hamas.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-talks-01-13-2025-395e030947f9964f3fbf5763b9564591The Biden administration, along with Egypt and Qatar, has been working to broker an agreement to end the war between Israelis and Palestinians. The deal would involve a phased ceasefire, with the first phase including the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the campaign until "total victory" over Hamas, while Hamas demands a full withdrawal and complete end to the war. The sides have been divided over the details of the planned exchange, with Netanyahu's coalition facing opposition from hardline factions that could lead to instability if concessions are made. US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, are working on finalizing a text for the deal, but it remains unclear whether an agreement can be reached by January 20.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/progress-made-in-talks-over-israel-hamas-ceasefire-hostage-release-officials-say/article69095682.ece