Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe

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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Amid depleting forex, Pakistan seeks extension of Saudi Arabia’s assistance

The new government, which came to power only last month, has squarely blamed former prime minister, Imran Khan, for the mismanagement of the economy. Ismail said Khan had left the fastest growing inflation in the history of Pakistan, and took record loans during his tenure, reported The Express Tribune.

Restriction on free speech undermines Pakistan's image, its ability to progress, says US

"Pakistan fell 12 points on [the] Press Freedom Index during [the] last year of Imran Khan's government and 18 points during his tenure. It not only earned him [the] shameful title of 'press freedom predator' but also placed our democracy in [a] bad light," PM Sharif said in a tweet.  

Indian PM Modi to visit Nepal amid renewed warmth in bilateral ties: Is Kathmandu distancing from Beijing?

Trade disruption along the border with China during the pandemic, alleged border incursions in a northwestern district, and Kathmandu's aversion to costly Chinese loans for megaprojects among other factors have influenced Kathamandu’s desire to reduce its dependence on Bejing and mend ties with India and the US.

Barred from schools, Afghan girls face psychological problems as career dreams crash

Tragically, the trend of early and forced marriages is growing across Afghanistan, aided by the ongoing ban on girls' education and escalating humanitarian crisis. There are several reports indicating the selling of children, particularly girls, by desperate parents.

World Press Freedom Ranking: India slides further along with other South Asian nations except Nepal

The Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) said the Indian authorities should respect the right to freedom of expression and release any journalists detained on trumped-up or politically motivated charges for their critical reporting and stop targeting them and muzzling independent media. "The authorities' targeting of journalists coupled with a broader crackdown on dissent has emboldened Hindu nationalists to threaten, harass and abuse journalists critical of the Indian government, both online and offline, with impunity," it said.

No confidence motion submitted against Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa brothers; ruling siblings refuse to resign

Despite growing protests and cracks within the ruling coalition, the government has been resisting the demand for the resignation of the president and the prime minister. However, they have agreed, in principle, to form a unity government

Indian PM Modi calls for cessation of hostilities; Denmark hopes for New Delhi’s influence to end Ukraine war

Germany on Monday committed to provide additional support worth euro 10 billion to India by 2030 to support green growth initiatives. India and Germany also agreed to work together on joint projects in third countries in an apparent signal to counter China’s debt-driven infra financing model, Business Standard said

Tourist inflow crosses half a million in the Maldives, records 46 percent growth in four months

Revenues from tourism contribute almost 70 percent of the country’s total GDP. In a recently released growth prospect, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) projected the Maldives to grow by 11 percent, mainly because of the rebound in the tourism industry

Taliban needs to implement its commitments to gain legitimacy, says US special envoy for Afghanistan; women must work and girls must return to school

Rina Amiri, US special envoy for Afghanistan’s women, girls, and human rights, said the Muslim-majority countries needed to champion the cause of Afghan women and girls. “Taliban policies denying girls and women education and jobs aren’t seen in any other Muslim-majority country,” she said.

Tamil Nadu state to supplement Indian government's humanitarian aid to crisis-hit Sri Lanka

Jaishankar in a letter addressed to Stalin said that the mission in Colombo was consulted over Tamil Nadu's request. it said that the "MEA offers that Tamil Nadu Government's assistance can supplement what is being provided by the Government of India. The Government of Sri Lanka's preference is for inclusive distribution."

Pakistan government considering suspension of former PM Nawaz Sharif’s conviction

The 72-year-old Nawaz Sharif, elder brother of Pakistan’s current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is currently residing in Landon. In 2017, senior Sharif was removed from the position of the prime minister by the country’s Supreme Court after his name surfaced in the Panama Papers, leaked documents that exposed the alleged illegal assets in offshore havens of the rich and influential across the world.

Nepal seeks $400 million in loan from India for 400 kV transmission line; sees potential in sub-regional energy trade

The World Bank has estimated Nepal’s hydropower potential around 20,000 MW. So aligning its energy policy closely with the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) sub-regional vision will provide it with the much-needed potential for the export of this surplus energy to larger power consumers like India and Bangladesh

Failure to cover PM visit cost jobs to 17 employees of Pakistan’s state broadcaster

Usually, the visits of the prime minister are covered by a specialized crew equipped with high-end gadgets and computers. However, during the Lahore visit, the local team was asked to cover it. The headquarters failed to provide them with the necessary equipment in time.

Women short-changed in Nepal local body elections

Nepal, among the newest countries adopting parliamentary democracy, has laws requiring political parties to ensure a certain share of women among their candidates for local elections. However, most political parties have exploited a loophole in the country’s Local Level Election Act 2017 to undermine their representation

Political deadlock continues in Sri Lanka as Rajapaksas and opponents stick to their positions

For protesters, whose agitation in front of the Presidential Secretariat has now completed almost three weeks, the resignation of the two brothers remains non-negotiable, a demand also backed by the SJB, the country’s main opposition party.