UN teams assisting tens of thousands of refugees, after massive fire rips through camp in Bangladesh

Mar 24, 2021, at 05:13 pm

New York: United Nations humanitarian personnel are on the ground evacuating tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees, after a devastating fire tore through the Kutupalong camp, in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the world’s largest refugee camp.

Pakistan COVID-19: Cabinet approves highly expensive prices for vaccines

Mar 24, 2021, at 05:09 pm

Pakistan's Cabinet has approved highly expensive prices recommended by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) for COVID-19 vaccines which are imported by private companies, media reports said.

Afghanistan still expects to see change in Taliban’s attitude: Security Adviser

Mar 24, 2021, at 02:26 pm

Moscow/Sputnik: Afghanistan still expects to see a change in Taliban's attitude, Hamdullah Mohib, Afghanistan's national security adviser, said on Tuesday following last week's peace talks with Taliban in Doha and a meeting in Moscow.

Sri Lanka lobbying with Islamic nations for support in UNHRC

Mar 24, 2021, at 01:37 am

The Sri Lankan government has stepped up its diplomatic efforts and is reportedly reaching out to Muslim nations to ward off a critical resolution that would put to vote on Tuesday in the ongoing 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Afghan envoy meets Sri Lanka foreign minister, seeks support for UN presidency

Mar 24, 2021, at 01:23 am

Mohammad Ashraf Haideri, the Afghan Ambassador to Sri Lanka met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo, and discussed the Afghan peace process and bilateral cooperation among other things.  

Key accused in Denial Pearl murder case shifted to Lahore

Mar 24, 2021, at 01:16 am

Kabul: Authorities in Pakistan have decided to shift the location of Ahmad Omar Sheikh, the key accused in the murder case of an American journalist Denial Pearl, citing security reasons, reported The Express Tribune. 

Fourteen get death penalty for assassination attempt on Bangladesh PM

Mar 24, 2021, at 12:57 am

A Bangladesh court on Tuesday awarded the death sentence to 14 people who were convicted in a case involving an assassination attempt on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2000, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Nepal, Bangladesh sign four MoUs to enhance cooperation, connectivity

Mar 24, 2021, at 12:54 am

Nepal and Bangladesh have signed four memorandums of understanding aiming to boost cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, sanitation, and connectivity, reported the Daily Star.

Sri Lanka signs $1.5 billion currency swap deal with China

Mar 24, 2021, at 12:47 am

In what seems a temporary respite for Sri Lanka’s dwindling forex reserve, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has signed a $1.5 billion currency swap agreement with China, reported Colombopage.

Pakistan to tighten restrictions amid rising Covid cases

Mar 24, 2021, at 12:40 am

Pakistan has further tightened restrictions in major cities with high positivity rates in a bid to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus as the country reported more than 3000 infections on the fifth straight day.

Eliminate racial discrimination: World Uyghur Congress calls for action on UN Day

Mar 24, 2021, at 12:30 am

New York: On the occasion of the United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) reminded the world the need for urgent action to address the Uyghur genocide.

Pakistan: Tribesmen protest delay in construction of Jabba dam

Mar 23, 2021, at 10:56 pm

Islamabad: Several Katiyakhel tribesmen demonstrated against prolonged delay in construction of Jabba dam in Pakistan's Jamrud region recently, media reports said on Tuesday.

Nepali migrant workers to benefit from Saudi skill tests on entry

Mar 23, 2021, at 01:14 am

Nepali migrant workers going to Saudi Arabia will benefit from the recent move by  Saudi authorities where they would be checked for their skills upon their arrival in the kingdom, experts said.  According to a 2020 report on labor migration by the Nepal government, around 400,000 Nepalis are in Saudi Arabia.

Transborder management of water key to sustainable development: Pakistan to UN

Mar 23, 2021, at 01:06 am

Pakistan has told the United Nations that the transborder management of water is the key to sustainable development goals. The comment came in a UN session on the water on Sunday.  

Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka to get priority vaccination

Mar 23, 2021, at 12:40 am

Authorities in Sri Lanka will administer the Chinese-made Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines first to Chinese nationals living in the country. The decision was taken after the Sri Lankan government received a request for the priority vaccination to Chinese nationals from China.

Gender-based violence spikes in Bhutan

Mar 23, 2021, at 12:25 am

Bhutan saw a 53.5 percent spike in gender-based violence, with at least three people experiencing abuse and violence last year during the COVID-related lockdowns.

Hindu journalist killing sparks protests in Pakistan

Mar 23, 2021, at 12:15 am

The journalist fraternity in Pakistan have protested the brutal killing of their colleague, Ajay Lalvani, who worked as a reporter in a private channel and an Urdu language newspaper, by unidentified assailants in the Sindh province last week.

First commercial trans-led tailor shop opens in Pakistan’s Karachi

Mar 23, 2021, at 12:10 am

In a move that could change perceptions and mindsets in society, the first commercial trans-led tailor shop opened up in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city.  The Trans Pride Society announced the setting-up of the first commercial tailor shop in Karachi that will be run exclusively by trans people.

EU to sanction 11 individuals over Myanmar situation

Mar 22, 2021, at 11:51 pm

Brussels/UNI: The European Union will slap sanctions on 11 individuals in connection with the situation in Myanmar, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced on Monday.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka sign six MOUs

Mar 22, 2021, at 11:25 pm

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have signed six memorandums of understanding during the recently concluded state visit of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to Bangladesh. Both nations also hope for the early conclusion of a free trade agreement.  

International Monetary Fund report validates Canada's economic response to COVID-19

Mar 22, 2021, at 09:55 pm

Ottawa: The Department of Finance Canada welcomed the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s Staff Report for the 2021 Article IV Consultation to conclude its annual Article IV mission to Canada.

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari visits Dhaka

Mar 22, 2021, at 08:43 pm

Dhaka: Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday arrived in Bangladesh.

China now accused of forcibly removing Uyghur children, putting them in 'orphanages'

Mar 22, 2021, at 05:42 pm

US students claim they were wrongfully detained by Chinese police

Mar 22, 2021, at 05:26 pm

Beijing: Nine students, including six Americans, who attend New York University in Shanghai, have been detained by the Chinese police recently, media reports said.

Pakistan: 70-year-old arrested in Karachi for allegedly raping minor

Mar 22, 2021, at 03:48 pm

Karachi: A 70-year-old man has been arrested in Pakistan's Karachi city for allegedly raping a minor girl, media reports said.

Pakistan: Workers unions demand safety of coal miners

Mar 22, 2021, at 04:57 am

Lahore: A section of Pakistan workers union members took out a large procession on Friday in Lahore city to express their condolences over the tragic killings of seven coal miners in a coal mine blast in Balochistan on March 16.

Tractor Protest: Pakistani farmers demonstrate against price rise

Mar 22, 2021, at 04:47 am

Multan: A section of farmers in Pakistan on Friday demonstrated against the hike in prices of electricity, fertilisers, agricultural products, and diesel, media reports said.

Pakistan: Authorities suspend Balakot girls school staff over music function

Mar 22, 2021, at 12:26 am

Islamabad: Deputy commissioner of Mansehra district Dr Qasim Ali Khan has suspended all staff members of the Government Primary School for Girls in Pakistan's Balakot region for a nighttime music function hosted in the campus, media reports said.

Pakistan: Journalist gunned down in Sukkur

Mar 21, 2021, at 11:28 pm

Islamabad: A Pakistani journalist, who is associated with a private news TV channel, has been gunned down in the country's Sukkur city, media reports said on Sunday.

COVID Spike: Bangladesh reports 2,172 fresh cases, 22 die

Mar 21, 2021, at 10:50 pm

Dhaka/UNI: With the death of 22 more people in the last 24 hours on Sunday, the country's COVID-19 death count now stands at 8,690.