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International News

From The Asian Reporter, V34, #8 (August 5, 2024), page 2.

Fierce storm topples tree at Angkor temple complex

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — One person was killed and three others injured at Cambodia’s famed centuries-old Angkor temple complex when a large tree was blown down onto their vehicle during a fierce rainstorm, according to the government. The accident occurred at the southern gate to Angkor Thom, which is near the more famous Angkor Wat temple and part of the same archaeological complex in the northwestern province of Siem Reap, about 200 miles from the capital of Phnom Penh. The site is Cambodia’s most popular tourist attraction and in the first half of this year attracted more than half a million international tourists, according to Cambodia’s Tourism Ministry. The tree fell on a tuk-tuk — a kind of motorized three-wheeled vehicle popular in South and Southeast Asia — killing the driver instantly and injuring its three passengers, one critically, according to a statement issued by the Siem Reap Provincial Administration. Several statues on the balustrade of what is called Tonle Oum Gate were also damaged by the tree, the statement said. The Apsara National Authority, the government agency that oversees the archaeological park, posted photos on its official Facebook page showing the fallen tree in front of the temple entrance. The agency later announced that the tree was removed and the entrance again accessible to visitors. The Angkor site sprawls across some 155 square miles, containing the ruins of capitals of various Cambodian empires from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Scholars consider it to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.

China’s calls for cooperation with Italy, evoking "Silk Road"

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping called for further cooperation with Italy at a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying the two countries were the ends of the historical Silk Road trade route. Meloni pulled Italy out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative — whose name refers to the ancient overland trade route — in December, but last month signed an agreement that provides a new path for the countries to cooperate on trade and other issues. Meloni was on a state visit, her first trip to China as prime minister. The Belt and Road Initiative, one of Xi’s signature policies, aims to build power and transportation infrastructure around the world in order to stimulate global trade while also deepening China’s ties with other nations. "China and Italy are located at opposite ends of the ancient Silk Road," Xi told Meloni, "and the long-standing friendly exchanges between the two countries have made important contributions to the exchange and mutual learning of Eastern and Western civilizations, as well as human development and progress … If countries are inter-connected, they will advance; if they are closed to each other, they will retreat."

Nepal’s new prime minister takes oath of office

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal’s newly appointed prime minister has taken the oath of office at a ceremony in Kathmandu. Khadga Prasad Oli, the leader of Nepal’s largest communist party, was named prime minister following the collapse of a previous coalition government. Oli, 72, will be leading a coalition government made up of his Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) and the Nepali Congress party, the two largest parties. This is his fourth time serving as prime minister of the Himalayan nation. Two deputy prime ministers and 19 ministers appointed by him also took the oath of office. He is expected to further expand the cabinet, including members from coalition partner parties. The last government headed by Pushpa Kamal Dahal collapsed in July after Oli’s party, which had been part of the coalition, withdrew its support to join the new partnership. Oli’s biggest challenge as prime minister will be balancing Nepal’s relationship with its giant neighbors India and China, as both seek to wield influence over the small nation. Landlocked Nepal is surrounded by India on three sides and imports all of its oil and most supplies from India. It also shares a border with China. Oli was born in a village in east Nepal and has been involved in politics since he was young.

Skyrocketing power bills draw protests in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Protests over skyrocketing power bills shut down a major road into Pakistan’s capital as some 3,000 supporters of a major Islamist party held a sit-in despite pouring monsoon rains. In Pakistan’s southwest, meanwhile, thousands protested against police violence, an internet shutdown, and highway closures. Protesters demanding that the government withdraw taxes on electricity to offset price hikes occupied a road in the garrison city of Rawalpindi as police prevented them from heading to the capital of Islamabad. Hoisting the white, blue, and green flags of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, the protesters chanted: "This cruel increase in electricity bills is not acceptable." The government has met with protest leaders, but given no indication that it is considering accepting their demands. The government raised power prices 26% during the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, before tacking on another 20% increase on July 13. Officials say the increases were needed to meet conditions set by the International Monetary Fund for a $7 billion loan deal made in July. The government also added a confusing bevy of taxes on top of the base price, adding up to a bill that has more than doubled for some Pakistanis. "This month I paid 22,000 rupees ($80) for my electricity bill, while in May I only paid 10,000 rupees ($36)," said Asma Humayon, who teaches at a private school in the city of Lahore and says half his salary goes to the energy bill. Pakistani economist Ashfaque Hasan said another factor in costly power is a deal the government made in the 1990s to buy power from private companies at high prices. Hundreds of thou- sands of Pakistanis have started using solar panels in recent years to avoid heavy electricity bills and power outages, but not everyone can afford the systems.