WASHINGTON, 13 August 2021, (TON): The United States and Britain said that they would send thousands of troops to Afghanistan to protect and help evacuate civilians, as the Taliban stood poised for their two biggest military victories since they began a broad offensive in May.

In response to the Taliban swift and violent advances, the Pentagon said “it would temporarily send about 3,000 extra troops within 48 hours to help secure the drawdown of US Embassy personnel from Kabul.”

Britain said “it would deploy around 600 troops to help its nationals and local translators get out.”

While it is common for the US military to send in large number of troops to evacuate personnel in combat zones, the reinforcements will fly in just weeks before the departure of the last of the US-led international force that has had a core role in maintaining security in the country.

South and west of Kabul, the country's second and third largest cities were on the verge of being seized by the Taliban.

COLOMBO, 13 August 2021, (TON): New Zealand first resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka - Mr Michael Edward Appleton - together with Mr. Andrew Traveller the Deputy High Commissioner called on Hon.Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on (11th August 2021).

The Ambassador conveyed his pleasure to be the New Zealand first resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and expressed his keen interest in growing collaboration between the both nations. As one of the world's largest milk producers.

The Ambassador mentioned that New Zealand is pleased to share dairy industry technology and know-how with Sri Lanka. Referring to his previous discussions with Mr. Namal Rajapaksa, Sports Minister in Sri Lanka , the Ambassador is optimistic on bridging the two nations through sports and games.

Thanking for opportunity the Ambassador said “he is looking forward to working together with the Government to enhance bilateral relations with Sri Lanka.”

Thanking the Ambassador for the visit the Prime Minister stated that he is also looking forward to working together with the Government of New Zealand to enhance the friendship between both nations and wished the Ambassador a very successful tenure in Sri Lanka.

KATHMANDU, 13 August 2021, (TON): Newly-appointed Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Kul Prasad KC, was sworn in this evening at the Office of the Province Governor.

Province Governor Amik Sherchan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister KC as per Article 172 of the Constitution of Nepal. After the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister KC assumed his office on Thursday itself.

KC has the backing of 41 Province Assembly members of the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal and Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal.

Chief Minister KC was elected from Rolpa Constituency No. 1 (A) in the Province Assembly elections.

Likewise, newly-appointed ministers of the Lumbini Province were also sworn in by Governor Sherchan. Six ministers from the ruling alliance were sworn.

In the seven-member cabinet including Chief Minister KC, Nepali Congress’ Dilli Chaudhary has got the responsibility as Minister for Rural and Urban Development and CPN (Maoist Centre)’s Krishna Dhwoj Khadka as Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning. Likewise, Janata Samajbadi Party’-Nepal's Sahasram Yadav has been appointed Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development.

MOSCOW, 13 August 2021, (TON): At least 14 passengers were injured after a blast in a bus in the city of Voronezh in central Russia on Thursday evening, the Interfax news agency reported, citing officials at the emergency medicine centre.

Representatives of Russia's FSB security service have arrived to the scene to investigate the bus, another news agency said.

About 30 people were on the bus when the incident happened at a bus stop, various possible causes were being investigated.

Footage emerging from the scene shows the vehicle torn apart, as local media report multiple people injured.

The incident took place near a shopping mall in the city’s centre late on Thursday.

The powerful blast occurred when the passengers were boarding the vehicle at a bus stop.

Footage circulating online shows the bus was heavily damaged by the explosion, with its body panels and roof torn off.

COLOMBO, 13 August 2021, (TON): Joining for the first time at the Board of Trustees online Meeting, on 05 August 2021, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand and Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne assured Sri Lanka’s commitment to furthering relations with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Ambassador Colonne elaborated on the recent discussions between the President of AIT Dr. Eden Y. Woon and Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka Senior Prof. Sampath Ameratunge, where initiatives were taken for early finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions in the field of post-graduate studies.

Sri Lanka has been represented on the AIT Board of Trustees since 1977 and enjoying long-standing partnerships and collaborations between AIT and Higher Education Institutes in Sri Lanka.

1625 Sri Lankan students have pursued Masters and PhD degree programmes at AIT over the years and there are eminent Sri Lankan academics serving in the AIT Faculties.

Ms. Dulani Chamika Vithanage, one of the developers of Ravana 1; the first satellite of Sri Lanka was also an alumna of the AIT. Currently, there are 42 Sri Lankan students enrolled for postgraduate degrees at the AIT in Thailand.

Ambassador Colonne expressed sincere appreciation to the President and the Management of the AIT for providing excellent health care and protection for students and staff and quarantine facilities for the incoming students.

MALE, 13 August 2021, (TON): Former Fisheries Minister Zaha Waheed has been appointed a Minister at President’s Office.

She was presented with her letter of appointment in a ceremony at the President’s Office on Thursday afternoon.

Zaha, who was appointed Fisheries Minister on a slot to government coalition partner Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), resigned last May, after the President made the decision to dismiss her in face of mounting criticism from MDP parliamentarians.

Zaha was replaced as Fisheries Minister by former Environment Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed.

DHAKA, 13 August 2021, (TON): A parliamentary body strongly opposed the World Bank's reform proposals, including the inclusion of Rohingya refugees in the host country.

The parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs ministry has asked the ministry concerned to be vigilant in this regard, citing the proposal as an intention to allow Myanmar's displaced Rohingyas to settle permanently in Bangladesh.

The meeting was held in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Muhammad Faruk Khan, chief of the parliamentary body, said "we have told the ministry that the World Bank wants to make permanent arrangements for the Rohingyas by making such proposals. All these proposals for the settlement of Rohingyas cannot be accepted. We have clearly opposed it. We have said very strongly that we should not fall into the trap of the World Bank."

He said "we have also told the foreign ministry that statement in this regard will be clear that we have given them temporary shelter. You [World Bank] should make arrangements for their return to Myanmar. We will not accept such proposals to construct buildings for them and giving them opportunities for work and to buy land."

He added “they have told the foreign ministry that their first agenda while discussion with the World Bank will be how to send Rohingyas back to Myanmar.”

NAYPYITAW, 13 August 2021, (TON): Locals told media that the junta has forced residents of at least three wards in Bago to do labour as “guards” of locations specified by the military or face fines.

Locals in the town’s Alin Yaung, Pon Nar Su and Nan Daw Yar wards said each household had been ordered by the military authorities to send a person to perform “guard duty” monthly for up to 12 hours with no pay.

A 24-year-old man in Alin Yaung said that ward residents are assigned to guard posts in a garage at a school occupied by soldiers, or at a Buddhist monastery.

The shifts are from 7am until 7pm or from 8pm until 5am in Alin Yaung ward.

He said “no one knows why we have been sent on guard duty.”

The practice has been in place since mid-May, supervised by the 100-household administrator under the military coup council, the resident said. He noted that the previous administrator resigned shortly after the compulsory guard duties were put into effect.

The Alin Yaung resident explained “if a household did not want to carry out the enforced duties, they had to pay 5,000 kyat (US$3). Then the 100-household administrator had to find a substitute guard.”

Locals have said that both income and even basic cash have been severely limited in the months since the coup, making the payment a hardship for many households.

RIYADH, 12 August 2021, (TON): Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday stressed his country’s solidarity with Greece following blazes that destroyed homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate.

Hundreds of firefighters from across Europe and the Middle East are working alongside Greek colleague to contain flare-ups of the huge wildfires that have ravaged Greece’s forests for a week.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan said “the Kingdom was ready to provide the necessary support, during a phone call to his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.”

COLOMBO, 12 August 2021, (TON): State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, speaking at the 28th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held virtually on 6 August 2021, emphasised Sri Lanka’s commitment for enhanced cooperation with the ARF.

The State Minister Balasuriya appreciated the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) for the initiatives to empower youth, sustainable use of ocean resources and promoting successful ocean based trading system, as well as combating and preventing cybercrime in the context of developing a digital economy through a collective mechanism.

Sri Lanka further expressed its commitment to work in tandem with ARF and contribute, with a focused effort, to promote ideas and best practices. State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya represented Sri Lanka at the meeting which was chaired by the Foreign Minister of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan Yusof.

Sri Lanka was appointed to be a co-chair of the Inter – Sessional Meeting on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament 2022, together with Viet Nam and the United States.

In this initiative, Sri Lanka will play a lead role in the area of use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. At this year’s ARF, Sri Lanka co-sponsored the Joint Statement to Promote the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda together with Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Australia, US, New Zealand and Canada, expressing Sri Lanka’s commitment to invest in youth for future prosperity.