Pakistan’s commerce ministry operationalised the Gwadar Port for Afghan transit trade on Friday, marking a first in sea trade between the two countries
Sri Lanka needs well-designed political and economic policy changes for long-term recovery
The government has taken steps to address shortages of fuel and gas to some extent when compared to the earlier situation which had long queues that stretched for kilometres outside fuel and gas stations. But a well-planned recovery plan still cannot be seen that can address the long-term food security issues.
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Sri Lankan president underscores need for unconditional budget support from international lenders
Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appealed to bilateral and multilateral lenders to assist developing and middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka unconditionally focusing on human development to emerge from the COVID_19 fallout
Sri Lankan brewery resumes exports after 2 months
Sri Lanka's Lion Brewery has resumed exports after the island nation eased a two-month lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was reported on Friday
Sri Lanka blames Kuwait for violating international health regulations
Sri Lanka Health Ministry on Friday blamed Kuwait for acting in violation of the World Health Organisation’s – International Health Regulations (IHR), by returning foreign nationals infected with COVID-19 back to their home countries
Indian companies ready to invest in Sri Lanka
High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay said noted Indian companies are ready to invest in the priority sectors identified by the Government of Sri Lanka
170 stranded Indian nationals leave Sri Lanka in a special Air India flight
A total of 170 Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka were flown out of the country in a special Air India flight and were subject to medical screening and emigration formalities
170 new cases take Nepal’s COVID-19 tally to 1,212
Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population on Friday confirmed that 170 people have tested positive for Covid-19, taking the nationwide tally to 1,212
Nepal govt targets 7% growth next fiscal year
The Nepal government has targeted the economic growth of 7 percent in the next fiscal year 2020-21 despite the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy
Delay in intra-Afghan talks threatens peace process
An inordinate delay in the intra-Afghan talks has threatened the Afghanistan peace process that was set in motion after a landmark agreement between the US and Taliban signed three months ago
14 Border Forces killed in ‘Taliban attack’ despite ceasefire
Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense in a statement on Friday said that at least 14 members of the Afghan Border Force were killed in an attack by the Taliban in Dand-e-Patan district in the eastern province of Paktia on Thursday evening, despite a ceasefire that continues between the two sides
Virus restrictions rolled back in islands
Restrictive measures on islands across the Maldives, apart from capital Male, due to COVID-19 have been relaxed. The easements were provided under strict instructions by the authorities to maintain social distancing measures
Police begin issuing new shopping permits in capital
Police have begun issuing new shopping permits for Male’ City residents
May sees a spike in COVID-19 cases in Bhutan
After recording the biggest jump of five new cases within 24 hours on May 14 and three cases each on May 22, 24 and yesterday, Bhutan today has 31 COVID-19 positive cases, one of the lowest in the world
Bangladesh reports 2,523 new virus cases, a daily record; deaths hit 582
Bangladesh has reported a record 2,523 new coronavirus cases in a day, bringing the tally of infections to 42,844
India records highest single-day spike, surpasses China toll
India on Friday not only recorded its largest jump in new cases as it added 7,466 new Covid patients in 24 hours, emerging as the ninth worst-hit country in the world by pandemic, but it also surpassed China's toll of 4,638 so far as it recorded 4,706 deaths
