KATHMANDU, 11 August 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has directed the government agencies to carry out rescue operations and relief distributions for the communities hit hard by the floods and landslides.

Addressing the seventh meeting of the National Council of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management on Tuesday, the PM directed the officials to immediately repair bailey bridges in Sindhupalchowk and Manang districts that suffered heavy losses in the recent monsoon flooding.

Chief Executive Officer of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and Member Secretary of the Council Anil Pokharel said “in case of time consumption for the operation of such bridges, the PM instructed to construct modular mechanic bridges from Nepali Army.”

Likewise, the PM directed to ensure coordination among all three layers of governments and security bodies in rescue and relief operation and foodstuff distribution tasks.

Pokharel said that measures to risk mitigation in Melamchi area were also discussed during the meeting.

Furthermore, the PM stressed for institutional strengthening of the Authority.

WASHINGTON, 11 August 2021, (TON): During an official visit to Thailand, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced that the United States is providing more than $50 million in critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma, including those forced to flee violence and persecution.

This aid will enable our international and non-governmental organization partners to provide emergency food assistance, lifesaving protection, shelter, essential health care, water, sanitation, and hygiene services to the people of Burma, including those who have fled from Burma or been displaced from their homes across Burma.

In the wake of the February 1 coup, people from Burma continue to flee their homes due to ongoing violence.  This assistance from the American people will enable humanitarian partners to help the most vulnerable affected populations in Burma and Thailand, benefiting more than 700,000 of Burma’s people and contributing to the provision of lifesaving humanitarian assistance.

RIYADH, 11 August 2021, (TON): Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of 207 employees across about a dozen government ministries in the latest sweep by an anti-corruption body empowered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Those detained were not named and it was unclear when the arrests were made. The Kingdom’s National Anti-Corruption Commission, known as “Nazaha”, announced the arrests late on Monday.

The crown prince’s anti-corruption purge began in late 2017. It has helped him consolidate power and netted the Kingdom $106 billion in assets. Saudi nationals have long complained of rampant corruption in government and of public funds being squandered or misused by those in power.

The commission said “more than 460 people were investigated in this latest round, and that as a result, 207 Saudi citizens and residents were detained on allegations of corruption, abuse of authority and fraud.”

The commission said that “those accused will be referred to prosecution. They hail from the national guard and a range of ministries, including defence, interior, health and justice, among others.”

In April, the commission said “176 people from across the public sector had similarly been detained for alleged corruption.”

The Kingdom’s anti-corruption purge went into high gear in late 2017 when Prince Mohammed targeted more than 300 princes, public figures and businessmen who together symbolised the elite structure encircling the ruling Al Saud family and its vast patronage networks.

 NAYPYITAW, 11 August 2021, (TON): Several explosions, including one targeting the office of the Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA), were reported in downtown Yangon on Tuesday afternoon.

On social media, the YMBA said that someone threw a handmade grenade at its office in Pazundaung Township at around 1:45pm.

A local resident who spoke to media confirmed that there had been a loud explosion near the office at around that time. No further details were available at the time of reporting.

About 15 minutes later, local residents said they heard two more explosions near the intersection of Bogyoke Aung San Road and 51st Street, a short distance away from the first blast.

A group calling itself the Urban Guerrilla Revolution Force (UGRF) claimed responsibility for the second attack, along with two others on the same day. 

MALE, 11 August 2021, (TON): President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has appointed the former Secretary-General of Maldivian Democratic Party Anas Abdul Sattar as the new Minister of State for Finance.

Anas was presented his letter of appointment by the President during a special ceremony held at the President’s Office this afternoon.

Anas holds a Bachelor of Laws L.L.B. (Hons.) Shari’ah & Law from the International Islamic University, in Islamabad, Pakistan.

He has been the Managing Partner at Vakaalaath Chambers LLP since 2010 till present. Anas also served as the Secretary-General of MDP from 2015 to 2020.

He is also noted for providing legal counsel for multiple state institutions such as Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Male’ City Council, Maldives Broadcasting Commission, and Addu International Airport.

Additionally, he also served as an Executive Committee Member of the Maldives Bar Council from July 2019 to June 2021.

BRUSSELS, 11 August 2021, (TON): Taliban insurgents tightened their grip on captured Afghan territory as civilians hid in their homes, and a European Union official said the militants now control 65 per cent of the country after a string of gains as foreign forces pull out.

President Ashraf Ghani called on regional strongmen to support his government, while a UN official said advances made in human rights in the 20 years since the hardline Islamists were ousted from power were in danger of being erased.

In the capital Kabul, Ghani's aides said he was seeking help from regional militias he has squabbled with over the years to rally to the defence of his government. He had also appealed to civilians to defend Afghanistan's democratic fabric.

Residents said “in the town of Aibak, capital of Samangan province on the main road between the northern town of Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul, Taliban fighters were consolidating their control, moving into government buildings.”

Most government security forces appeared to have withdrawn.

Sher Mohamed Abbas, a provincial tax officer said “the only way is self-imposed house arrest or to find a way to leave for Kabul.”

KABUL, 11 August 2021, (TON): The United States said “it was up to Afghan security forces to defend the country after Taliban captured a sixth provincial capital on Monday, along with border towns and trade routes.

President Joe Biden has said “the US military mission in Afghanistan will end on August 31, arguing that the Afghan people must decide their own future and that he would not consign another generation of Americans to the 20-year war.”

The State Department said “US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has left for Qatar where he will press the Taliban to stop their military offensive and to negotiate a political settlement.”

In talks over three days, representatives from governments and multilateral organizations will press for a reduction of violence and ceasefire and a commitment not to recognize a government imposed by force.

NEW DELHI, 11 August 2021, (TON): India today asked all citizens living in and around Afghanistan's third largest city Mazar-e-Sharif to return home by a special flight this evening, amidst reports that the Taliban are preparing to launch an attack to capture the city.

The Indian Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif tweeted "a special flight is leaving from Mazar-e-Sharif to New Delhi. Any Indian nationals in and around Mazar-e-Sharif are requested to leave for India in the special flight scheduled to depart late today evening."

In a separate post, it said, "Indian citizens desiring to leave by special flight should immediately convey their full name, passport number and date of expiry by whatsapp."

WASHINGTON, 11 August 2021, (TON): The Pentagon has said that the alleged presence of “terrorist safe havens” along the Pak-Afghan border was causing instability inside Afghanistan and the United States was in talks with Pakistani leadership for closing down such sanctuaries.

Addressing reporters in Washington during a press briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said "we all have a shared sense of importance of closing down those safe havens and not allowing them to be used by the Taliban or other terrorist networks to sow discord."

He remarked "we're also mindful that Pakistan and the Pakistani people also fall victim to terrorist activities that emanate from that same region.”

He underlined that the US was helping Afghan forces in a myriad of other ways. He stressed “the Afghans have capacity; they have capability, they have a capable Air Force.”

The spokesperson was asked to provide substantiation of his statement on Afghan forces being equipped as six provincial capitals in Afghanistan had already been lost to the Taliban.

Kirby said “I have the proof that they have a force of over 300,000 soldiers and police. They have a modern Air Force. They have modern weaponry; they have an organisational structure. They have a lot of advantages that the Taliban don't have. Taliban doesn't have an Air Force, Taliban doesn't own airspace.”

NAYPYITAW, 11 August 2021, (TON): Myanmar's junta had "nothing to do" with an alleged plot to attack the country's ambassador to the UN Kyaw Moe Tun, who has defied the military and backed the pro-democracy movement, state-backed Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said yesterday.

Last week United States prosecutors said they had charged two Myanmar citizens over an alleged plot to hire hitmen who would force him to resign or, if he refused, kill him. Suspects Phyo Hein Htut, 28, and Ye Hein Zaw, 20, are being charged in a federal court on counts for which they could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.