Last Sunday evening, eve of World Habitat Day, a ceremony was held at Temple Trees in the presence of Sri Lankan President Dissanayake to mark the start of a programme to provide a home to at least 4,000 families in need. Land and a symbolic cheque were also handed over. The government pledged to offer a safe, comfortable, and dignified living environment for all its citizens.
The Canadian government has listed the powerful India-based criminal network as a terrorist group. The decision follows a long trail of shootings and extortions against members of the Sikh diaspora, and comes as Ottawa attempts to restore cooperation with New Delhi following tensions over the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian authorities accuse the gang of acting as a tool of intimidation, with connections to Indian intelligence, a charge New Delhi vehemently denies.
More than fifty people are showing symptoms consistent with the disease, which is transmitted from livestock to humans. For the first time, cases have also been reported in the Rangpur region. The government has launched mass vaccinations and awareness campaigns, but experts warn that surveillance structures remain fragile and the risk of new infections is high.
The CCIDE and NCJP Pakistan are behind the initiative that brought together students, activists, as well as Muslim, Christian, Hindus, Sikh, and Parsi leaders. The nation's founder and the values of tolerance and freedom of worship were stressed. True change lies in translating the values of understanding, love, respect, and peace into concrete action.
In Pakistan's northeastern province, the local government stopped funding stipends for female public school students three years ago. Although meager (200 rupees or $US 0.70) every six months, the money was crucial for female attendance in rural areas. Across the country, spending on education is declining, and 38 per cent of children, especially girls, remain out of school, while early marriage and forced labour are on the rise.
New Delhi is weighing the consequences of the end of US exemptions on the Iranian port of Chabahar, in which it has invested hundreds of millions of dollars as a strategic hub to Central Asia and a counterweight to China's presence in Gwadar. New sanctions risk stalling the project and further complicating relations with Washington, already beset by tariffs and new visa restrictions. In the long run, analysts warn, China could be the real beneficiary of the crisis.
