PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia officially launched its first wave of military training on Monday under the newly enacted military conscription law.
Speaking at the launch event at a military base in western Kampong Speu province, which was broadcast live on the state-run TVK, Prime Minister Hun Manet hailed the event as a historic milestone. He emphasized that the training would strengthen recruits' bodies and spirits. (Cambodia-Military Conscription)
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COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka on Sunday began construction of a domestically funded 26-km transmission line to connect a 100-megawatt wind power project on the country's southern island of Mannar to the national grid.
The transmission project, estimated to cost 2.5 billion Sri Lankan rupees (about 7.5 million U.S. dollars), includes a 220-kV double-circuit line linking the Mannar 220/33-kV grid substation with the proposed Mullikulam 220-kV metering substation. (Sri Lanka-Grid Project)
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NEW DELHI -- Authorities in India's financial capital, Mumbai, on Monday banned the bursting of rockets and aerial firecrackers in both public and private spaces until Nov. 25 following a surge in fire incidents during Diwali celebrations.
The Mumbai Disaster Management Authority said densely populated localities, high-rise buildings, slum areas, narrow roads and closely packed residential and commercial structures increase the risk of fire accidents caused by such firecrackers, thus posing a serious threat to life and property. (India-Firecrackers)
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TOKYO -- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) issued warnings to former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and three other party lawmakers for walking out before a House of Representatives vote on a consumption tax cut bill, Kyodo News reported Monday.
According to a separate report by the Asahi Shimbun, it is the first time the LDP has disciplined a former prime minister under party rules. (Japan-Ishiba-LDP) ■
