By Kaamil Ahmed
KABUL
After more than 100 days, Afghanistan’s government has a cabinet. Months of wrangling between the country’s power-sharing duo, President Ashraf Ghani and National Executive Abdullah Abdullah, resulted in a 25-person list of appointments that is awaiting parliament’s approval.
DHAKA
The shooting of a senior opposition politician and the daily images of burning buses appeared to indicate Bangladesh’s prolonged political turmoil is deepening. For almost two weeks, a nationwide transport blockade has been enforced by supporters of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Dozens of buses have been set alight across the country, leaving a number of people dead. The instability is the result of renewed hostilities between the two main political parties over the disputed 2014 general election.
KATHMANDU
A lingering deadlock over the drafting of Nepal’s post-civil war constitution led to a shutdown in the capital Kathmandu. Opposition parties protested the ruling coalition’s suggestion that a draft could be produced without consensus.
PESHAWAR
Pakistani schoolchildren returned to classes amid heightened security and a somber mood after the Taliban attack that killed 134 schoolchildren in the city of Peshawar in December 2014.
COLOMBO
Pope Francis called for unity and reconciliation among Sri Lanka’s ethnic and religious groups as he visited the island only days after President Maithripala Sirisena took office.
Also, Sirisena’s government called for an investigation into an alleged failed attempt by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to stage a last minute coup after the Jan. 8 election results indicated he would lose. Another investigation was requested into alleged corruption by Rajapaksa and his associates.
NEW DELHI
Receding water levels in the Ganges river revealed more than 100 bodies floating in the water. Reports suggested they were of people whose families could not afford cremations, so instead, they placed the bodies in the Ganges, which Hindus consider holy.
UTTAR PRADESH
At least 30 people died in Uttar Pradesh after consuming toxic alcohol during a cricket match celebration.
