The Afghan insurgent group, the Taliban, has threatened US and NATO troops in Afghanistan with “countermeasures” for extending their presence beyond the 1 May deadline, as agreed in the Doha deal
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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Brawl in Maldivian capital over counting of votes
Ahmad Shareef, the head of the Maldives’ Elections Commission, has criticized the country’s political parties for resorting to “irresponsible” behaviors while the counting for votes of local council elections was going on, reported Raajje Tv
French Embassy in Pakistan asks citizens to leave country
The French embassy in Pakistan asked all its citizens and companies to “temporarily” leave the country, citing “serious threats”, media reports say
Pakistan plans to ban Islamist group responsible for violence
The Pakistan government is considering a proposal to ban the Tehreek-e-Labbaik-Pakistan ( TLP), the radical Islamist group responsible for the recent violent protests across major cities in the country
Indian High Commission in Dhaka suspends visa operations
The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh has suspended its visa operations in view of the week-long strict lockdown enforced by Bangladesh government from Wednesday, Dhaka Tribune reported
India, Sri Lanka to back nine joint science research projects
India and Sri Lanka would support nine joint research projects to be taken up by scientists of the two countries, news website ColomboPage reported
Trans-Afghan Railway Line to transform Central Asian region: Pakistan PM
The Trans-Afghan Railway Line Project, agreed between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, can transform the geoeconomic dynamics of the entire Central Asian region, according to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan
US secretary of state dials Pakistan Army chief, discusses Afghanistan
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken dialed General Qamar Javad Bajwa, Pakistan Army chief, and discussed impending Western troop withdrawal plan from Afghanistan, reported the Express Tribune
US, NATO announce troop withdrawal; Ghani says respect decision
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he respected the US decision to withdraw US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, adding the government will continue to work with the US and the NATO allies for peace efforts, reported TOLOnews
Bhutan launches a million trees project
A million trees would be planted in the next five years in Bhutan’s fallow land under a drive, “Million Trees Project’, that kicked off this week in the Himalayan nation The drive aims to make optimal use of the limited arable land available in the country
India will not increase its climate ambitions at behest of developed countries: Environment Minister
India's Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has said that India will not raise its climate ambitions under the influence or under pressure from developed countries
India’s vaccination coverage exceeds 110 million; still only 10% of population covered
The total number of COVID19 vaccine doses administered in India has crossed 110 million. It is still less than 10% of the country's population of over 1.3 billion
India stepping up of production of anti-viral drug Remdesivir; exports stopped
The Indian government on Wednesday said it has approved stepping up the production of anti-viral drug Remdesivir
IIT Kharagpur model shows SARS-CoV-2 alters lung cell metabolism, could help therapeutics
A research model developed by IIT Kharagpur researchers predicting alteration in metabolic reaction rates of lung cells post SARS-CoV-2 infection is expected to lead to a better understanding of metabolic reprogramming and aid the development of better therapeutics to deal with the viral pandemics, according to the researchers
Bangladesh: Hindu homes, temple attacked in Satkhira
Unknown people attacked several homes and a Hindu temple in Satkhira region of Bangladesh on Tuesday, media reports said
