Sri Lanka maintains growth momentum in export earnings; jumps 2.5 percent in Feb
Mar 25, 2021, at 01:09 am
Sri Lanka continues to record growth in export earnings, registering 2.5 percent in February in comparison to the same period last year, reported Colombopage. This is the fifth straight month the country registered growth in export earnings which reached $993 million.
US asks Sri Lanka to take ‘meaningful & credible’ steps towards reconciliation
Mar 25, 2021, at 01:00 am
Sri Lanka has to take “meaningful and credible steps” to address the painful past towards reconciliation” to ensure rights of all people in the country, the US Department of State said after the UNHRC adopted a resolution on Sri Lanka.
Education institutes in Pakistan to remain closed till April 11 in COVID hotspots
Mar 24, 2021, at 11:54 pm
Islamabad/UNI: Pakistan announced on Wednesday that all educational institutes located in areas which are reporting high incidence of COVID-19 cases, including the national capital Islamabad, will remain closed till April 11.
Bangladesh registers 25 COVID-19 deaths
Mar 24, 2021, at 11:21 pm
Dhaka: Bangladesh recorded 25 COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, media reports said.
Mar 24, 2021, at 10:58 pm
Caught between political compulsions and diplomatic obligations, India abstained from voting on a UNHRC resolution critical of the Sri Lankan government and calls for the promotion of reconciliation, accountability, and human rights, along with some strong punitive measures.
Caring PIA crew member awarded by UN
Mar 24, 2021, at 10:34 pm
A photo of Touheed Daudpota, a PIA crew member, went viral on social media where he was seen helping to soothe a crying baby on a flight from Karachi to Islamabad. The UN Women Pakistan recognized his act and declared him ‘He for She” champion.
Nepal embassy in US expresses ‘concern’ on attacks on Asian people
Mar 24, 2021, at 10:22 pm
Kathmandu: Nepal’s embassy in the United States issued a statement expressing ‘concern’ against rising attacks on people of Asian origin in the US, The Himalayan Times reported.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang to embark on Middle East tour
Mar 24, 2021, at 10:10 pm
Beijing/Sputnik: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will start on Wednesday his Middle East tour, which includes official visits to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, as well as a working visit to Oman.
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.