Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe

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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Dispute over power hinders fragile Afghan peace

The disagreement over the formation of an inclusive government between the two leaders, President Ashraf Ghani and former Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, still remain as both sides have been failed to reach a final result for power-sharing even after the exchange of six master plans between them

US Indian group sets up COVID-19 plasma therapy programme

A US India group, that calls itself a "Hindu faith-based humanitarian service organisation"  but says it works "irrespective of religion, caste, creed, anything that may divides us",  has set up a unique programme for COVID-19 survivors to donate their blood plasma for a therapy to save severely ill patients with respiratory failure

Taliban initiated 2,804 attacks post-peace deal: Official

The Taliban has conducted an average of 55 attacks per day since the signing of the peace deal with the United States in Doha on February 29, according to figures provided by the Office of the National Security Council (ONSC) on Saturday

Washington calls on Afghan leaders to prioritize ‘national interest’

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Peace, calls on the leaders of Afghanistan to give priority to their nation and homeland, arguing that the peace deal with Taliban provided a historical opportunity for Afghanistan

COVID-19 cases surge to 1,463

Giving a new update of coronavirus, the Afghan health officials announced 133 new cases registered within past 24 hours in 18 provinces of the country, bringing the total number to 1,463

Death rate higher than that of recovery

Bangladesh appears to be the only country in the world where the COVID-19 death rate is higher than the recovery rate

Six more die after showing COVID-19 symptoms

Six people, including a 16-month-old baby girl, died after showing COVID-19-like symptoms in five districts yesterday

Nepal lockdown to be extended

A Nepal government meeting of ministers is expected to endorse a committee report to extend the month-long lockdown that was supposed to expire on Monday

Sri Lanka’s total rises to 460

The number of total confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus cases in Sri Lanka has risen to 460 according to the Health Promotion Bureau report released at 11 pm Saturday

Another 163 Sri Lankan students repatriated from India

Sri Lanka’s national carrier, SriLankan Airlines operated another special to bring back Sri Lankans stranded in Mumbai, India following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Sri Lanka requests Kuwait to extend amnesty for overstaying expatriates until 30 May

The government of Sri Lanka has requested the government of Kuwait extend the time allowed for overstaying Sri Lankans to return until 30 May

Nepalis stranded at India border return

After being stuck for three weeks, on no-man’s land between India and Nepal some Nepalis are finally being allowed to go back to their home villages

Mosques are infection hotspots: Pakistani doctors

The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has warned that mosques were becoming a major source of transmission for the novel coronavirus after the government ordered their reopening under pressure from clerics for Ramzan

Pakistan extends suspension of international flight operations till May 15

The Pakistan government has extended the suspension of international flight till May 15, according to the country's aviation division

Over 460 stranded Pakistanis return from Afghanistan

A total of 462 Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan have returned via the Torkham border crossing, taking the total number of returnees to 1,632 so far, the media reported on Sunday