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New India-Bangldesh waterway operational; enhances transit and connectivity

The first consignment of goods from Bangladesh arrived in Tripura by waterway on Saturday as part of a trial run for shipping of goods from other parts of India to the northeast region via Bangladesh formally making operational of new waterways between the two neighbours

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Pakistan to get $371m WB loans for agriculture, social sectors

Pakistan and the World Bank on Monday signed two loan agreements of $371 million to support projects in the agriculture and social sectors

Indian Navy's 'breathable' PPE kit for health workers

The Indian Navy's indigenously-made PPE kit 'NavRakshak', made for enhancing comforts of the health workers under Indian conditions, is helping fight the war against COVID-19 in a better and effective manner, officials said here on Monday

Saudi Arabia looks at India for food security: Indian envoy

Saudi Arabia is looking at India as a dependable partner for its food security the same way as India depends on the Saudi Kingdom to fulfill its demand for crude oil and LPG, says India's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr Ausaf Saeed. He told IANS in an interview that the Kingdom has identified India as the best destination to source rice, red meat, sugar, spices and infant milk powder

India needs to collaborate with world's best institutions to improve public health

A quick scan of India's public health statistics will likely have these  grim takeaways

Maldives receives over USD 290 million to support COVID-19 efforts

Maldives has received USD 290 million in COVID-19 aid. Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer revealed this at a press conference by the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) on Saturday afternoon, and highlighted this includes foreign aid as well as loans taken by the government

US working with India on COVID-19 vaccine; Indian Americans are great scientists, researchers: Trump

As it races against time to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, the United States is working “very closely” with India on the project, President Donald Trump has said

WFP appeals for $320mn to help most vulnerable in Bangladesh

World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that Covid-19 threatens to reverse development gains made by Bangladesh in the last 50 years and has appealed for $320 million to help the most vulnerable

Parijat flower blooms and locals believe it is end of corona

Holding aloft a flower from the Parijat tree, Babu Lal, 72, exclaims, "Phool aa gaya, bimari chali jayegi (flower is blooming, the disease will go away)."

Ultra-mega solar parks kickstart India's clean energy transition

Renewable energy in India has taken centrestage with significant development of energy infrastructure and attracted foreign capital to achieve the economic goals, as ultra-mega solar parks kick-start the country's clean energy transition

Iran reopens trade borders with Afghanistan, Pakistan

Iran has reopened its trade borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a top official said

WTO head quits amid crisis of global commerce due to COVID-19

Roberto Azevedo has suddenly announced that he was quitting as the head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at a time when global commerce is facing a crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the organisation has come under intense criticism from around the world, with many members accusing it of being manipulated by China

India pitches for Japanese companies as they move out of China

India is making a pitch for attracting Japanese companies in the post Covid-19 scenario after the Japanese government announced incentives for its companies to move out of China

WFP and Australia support School Meals Programme in Sri Lanka

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are providing US$ 400,000 (LKR 74 million) to the Ministry of Education (MoEd) towards the National School Meal Programme

Bangladesh scientists crack genetic riddle of novel coronavirus

The scientists of Child Health Research Foundation or CHRF have sequenced the genome of a strain of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh

Sri Lanka plans accelerated urban development of cities with foreign investment

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has focused on launching an accelerated urban development drive centering on Colombo and other main cities in the country as the country returns to normalcy from COVID-19 pandemic