Category: South Asia

Rescuers extracted a 26-year-old man alive from a collapsed hotel in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw early Wednesday. He survived five days trapped under rubble following the powerful earthquake that has killed over 2,700 people. A joint Myanmar-Turkish rescue team freed him around 12:30am local time, according to fire service and junta officials.READ FULL

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning politician without political lineage, has been elected as Sri Lanka’s new president. He defeated candidates from established political families, including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Dissanayake’s victory is attributed to his leftist anti-poverty policies and strong anti-corruption stance. His Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna party holds only three parliamentary seats, but he won by a significant margin of 1.27 million votes over his nearest rival, Sajith Premadasa.READ FULL

Manipur’s government has extended its mobile internet ban in five districts for another five days, until September 20, citing ongoing security concerns. The decision follows recent protests over the handling of violence that began in May 2023. Broadband services have been partially restored with restrictions. Curfews were briefly relaxed on Sunday for essential shopping. Meanwhile, a bomb exploded at the transport minister’s residence in Ukhrul, causing minor damage but no injuries. The conflict continues to exacerbate ethnic and political tensions in the region.READ FULL

Pakistani officials report the discovery of massive oil and gas reserves in the country’s territorial waters. A three-year survey, conducted with international cooperation, identified the deposits. The find is claimed to be potentially the fourth largest in the world, with the potential to transform Pakistan’s economy. However, experts caution that exploration and extraction could take years and require significant investment. The government is studying proposals for bidding and exploration, with hopes to tap into the “blue water economy” for additional resources beyond oil and gas.READ FULL

India is installing early warning systems at 190 high-risk Himalayan glacial lakes to mitigate the threat of flash floods exacerbated by climate change. The three-year project, led by the National Disaster Management Authority, aims to prevent disasters like the October 2023 flood in Sikkim that killed 77 people. The mission covers various Himalayan regions and involves experts from multiple agencies to address the growing risks posed by melting glaciers.READ FULL

Malaysia has charged former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin with sedition for allegedly insulting the country’s former king in a political speech. Muhyiddin pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stems from remarks questioning why he wasn’t appointed prime minister after the 2022 election. The offense carries a potential three-year prison sentence. Muhyiddin, who leads the opposition, also faces separate corruption charges. The government denies targeting political rivals, stating the charges are part of anti-corruption efforts. Reuters

A landslide near an illegal gold mine in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island has killed at least 11 people, with 19 others missing. The disaster struck a remote village in Gorontalo province after heavy rains. Rescue efforts are hampered by collapsed bridges and difficult terrain. This incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed mining in Indonesia, where such accidents are common. The country is prone to landslides, especially during the rainy season. Source AFP