230 Sri Lankans who were stranded in India due to COVID-19 returned to the island on Monday (June 22)
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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Nearly 20,000 known active COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health on Monday reported 310 new positive cases of the coronavirus from 889 samples tested over the last 24 hours
291 Afghan soldiers dead in Taliban attacks
At least 291 Afghan soldiers were killed and 550 injured in various Taliban attacks last week, marking the highest number of casualties suffered by the security forces in a week since the country's 2001 US invasion, the government said on Monday
Maldives Opposition protests against police services bill
The opposing Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) protested against the Police Services Bill that has been proposed to the Parliament
Education ministry instructs to use plain masks in schools
The Maldives education ministry has announced that schools’ employees and students should use plain cloth masks without any designs during school hours
Police investigate Viber-based prostitution ring
Maldives Police Service, on Monday, confirmed an investigation was launched into a group offering illegal prostitution services in Maldives through Viber
10 airlines request slots at VIA for border reopening
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) revealed that a total of 10 airlines were seeking slots at Velana International Airport (VIA) in time for Maldives' reopening of borders, slated to take place in July
42 Afghan civilians killed by Taliban in past week
At least 42 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 105 others were wounded in the violence Taliban committed across 18 provinces in the past one week, said the National Security Council on Sunday
Pakistan gears up to fight locust attack
The federal and provincial governments of Pakistan have allocated 26 billion rupees (about US $155 million) to control the spread and attack of locusts, local media reported
Positive cases, deaths ‘decline’ in Pakistan Punjab
The number of new reported coronavirus-positive cases and related deaths has started dropping in Punjab, as 1,523 new cases were reported in the province on Sunday as compared to 2,538 on Saturday, while COVID-19 claimed 60 lives as compared to 82 on Saturday
Pakistan summons Indian diplomat to condemn truce violations
Pakistan on Sunday summoned Indian top diplomat and registered a strong protest over ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC), leaving one civilian martyred and two others critically injured
Biman Bangladesh resumes international flights
National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines resumed its international flights yesterday after around three months
Bangladesh flags 27 more areas as red zones, locks them down
The Bangladesh government has announced a so-called general holiday in 27 more red zones, flagged as risky areas on the basis of mortality and infection rates of the coronavirus, to contain the spread of the disease
Bangladesh to get priority if China develops COVID-19 vaccine
China has said Bangladesh will get priority in terms of cooperation and support if they can successfully develop vaccine for coronavirus
Private schools in Nepal urge guardians to pay fee during lockdown
Private school operators across Nepal have asked guardians to clear student fee for the last academic year and also pay the fee for the last few months despite the fact that schools have remained closed since March 24, due to the nationwide lockdown
