VIENTIANE -- The fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, linking Bolikhamxay province in Laos to Thailand's northeastern province of Bueng Kan, is set to open in December 2025, enhancing regional and international connectivity while fostering trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
A concrete-pouring ceremony of the fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge was held on Friday in Bolikhamxay province, attended by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit, and officials from both countries. (Laos-Thailand-Bridge)
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COLOMBO -- "China is one of the friendliest countries to Sri Lanka, and we hope that this friendship will last a long time," Prasanna Gunasena, deputy minister of transport and highways, told Xinhua on Friday during an inspection of the Port Access Elevated Highway project in Colombo.
Gunasena, accompanied by Director General of the Road Development Authority K.W. Kandambi, representatives of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and senior officials from the Ministry of Transport and Highways, visited the site to review progress on what is set to become the longest bridge in Sri Lanka. (Sri Lanka-China-Bridge)
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KABUL -- The Afghan interim government's Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund on Saturday called on the opposition to return to their homeland Afghanistan and resume normal life with dignity.
"No matter whether the opposition is women or men, inside or abroad, return to your country and live with dignity. No one would harass you. This is our promise," Akhund said in his speech after offering Eid al-Adha prayers. (Afghanistan-PM-Opposition)
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ISLAMABAD -- Six family members were killed and two others seriously injured after a gas cylinder explosion in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Saturday, according to a rescue official.
Bilal Ahmad Faizi, spokesperson for Rescue 1122 KP, told Xinhua that the incident occurred late on Friday in Irum Colony, a residential area in Mardan district. (Pakistan-Cylinder Blast) Enditem