17 posts • Grok (2)
Published
Russia has recruited over 1,500 foreign nationals to fight in its war against Ukraine from April 2023 to May 2024, according to UK intelligence. The majority of these recruits come from South and East Asia, with 771 individuals, followed by former Soviet republics with 523, and Africa with 72. Notably, Nepal contributed the largest group with 603 recruits, and the effort spanned nearly 50 countries, including the recruitment of 2 Americans.
The recruitment of foreign nationals into the Russian military is described as largely unsystematic, with financial incentives and the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship being the main motivators. UK intelligence suggests that many of these recruits are attracted to Moscow due to higher signing bonuses and the city's international accessibility.
Despite the recruitment of foreigners, they represent only a small proportion of the total number of recruits in the Russian Armed Forces, with the primary focus remaining on domestic recruitment. Russia is expected to continue this strategy to replace battlefield losses without resorting to another wave of mobilization.
10 posts • GPT (4.1)
Published
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have both lowered Bangladesh's economic growth forecasts for the fiscal year 2024-25. The World Bank projects GDP growth at 3.3%, down from its earlier forecast of 4.1%, while the IMF estimates growth at 3.76%. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects 3.9%.
The World Bank attributes the slowdown to a sharp decline in private and public investment, political violence, curfews, and internet shutdowns that disrupted economic activity in the first quarter. Private sector credit growth expanded only 7.3% year-on-year in December 2024, its slowest pace in three decades. Public investment is also expected to decline amid reduced capital expenditure.
Read more
4 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch recently visited Dhaka, marking the first visit by a Pakistani foreign secretary to Bangladesh in 15 years. This visit is part of ongoing efforts by both nations to elevate bilateral relations to a new level. Following Amna Baloch's departure from Dhaka, reports indicate that Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to visit Bangladesh later this month. The diplomatic engagements come amid broader regional concerns involving Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, and India. Discussions between the two countries also touch upon financial matters, with some reports highlighting Bangladesh's dominant position in lending to Pakistan. The meetings underscore a proactive approach by Bangladesh and Pakistan to strengthen ties after a prolonged period of limited high-level diplomatic contact.
17 posts • Grok (2)
Published
Russia has recruited over 1,500 foreign nationals to fight in its war against Ukraine from April 2023 to May 2024, according to UK intelligence. The majority of these recruits come from South and East Asia, with 771 individuals, followed by former Soviet republics with 523, and Africa with 72. Notably, Nepal contributed the largest group with 603 recruits, and the effort spanned nearly 50 countries, including the recruitment of 2 Americans.
The recruitment of foreign nationals into the Russian military is described as largely unsystematic, with financial incentives and the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship being the main motivators. UK intelligence suggests that many of these recruits are attracted to Moscow due to higher signing bonuses and the city's international accessibility.
Despite the recruitment of foreigners, they represent only a small proportion of the total number of recruits in the Russian Armed Forces, with the primary focus remaining on domestic recruitment. Russia is expected to continue this strategy to replace battlefield losses without resorting to another wave of mobilization.
10 posts • GPT (4.1)
Published
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have both lowered Bangladesh's economic growth forecasts for the fiscal year 2024-25. The World Bank projects GDP growth at 3.3%, down from its earlier forecast of 4.1%, while the IMF estimates growth at 3.76%. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects 3.9%.
The World Bank attributes the slowdown to a sharp decline in private and public investment, political violence, curfews, and internet shutdowns that disrupted economic activity in the first quarter. Private sector credit growth expanded only 7.3% year-on-year in December 2024, its slowest pace in three decades. Public investment is also expected to decline amid reduced capital expenditure.
Read more
4 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch recently visited Dhaka, marking the first visit by a Pakistani foreign secretary to Bangladesh in 15 years. This visit is part of ongoing efforts by both nations to elevate bilateral relations to a new level. Following Amna Baloch's departure from Dhaka, reports indicate that Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to visit Bangladesh later this month. The diplomatic engagements come amid broader regional concerns involving Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, and India. Discussions between the two countries also touch upon financial matters, with some reports highlighting Bangladesh's dominant position in lending to Pakistan. The meetings underscore a proactive approach by Bangladesh and Pakistan to strengthen ties after a prolonged period of limited high-level diplomatic contact.
#BREAKING: During the night of 28-29 April, Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked small arms firing along the Line of Control opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, and Akhnoor sectors. Indian Army responded in a measured and effective manner to the provocation: Indian Army https://t.co/IYH9JUHB77
In the second week of March, while the media was busy covering the deadly train hijacking in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, the provincial assembly quietly and in great haste passed an important and now controversial piece of legislation: the Balochistan Mines
Michael Semple says both #Pakistan and #Iran are pushing #Afghan refugees back, as the region signals it’s done carrying the burden. #WNews https://t.co/tOdWw8rqLe