 Luxembourg, the 7th smallest country in Europe, has been made public transport free to reduce traffic pressure on the road. It becomes the 1st country in the world to make public transport free. It abolished fares for trains, trams and buses. The main reason is to have a better quality of mobility, and then the side reason is clearly also environmental issues. All standard-class journeys on public transport in the tiny and wealthy European country are now free of charge, compared to an annual pass worth 440 euros ($485) before. Travellers can still pay for first-class, at a cost of 660 euros a year. Luxembourg has just over 600,000 inhabitants, but 214,000 more travel in for work every day from neighbouring Germany, Belgium and France, causing heavy traffic jams as the majority of workers commute by car. More than half of Luxembourg’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transport. It is expected that more than 65% of people in Luxembourg use their car to go to work in 2025, down from 73% in 2017. |
 The World Bank announced 12 billion USD to assist countries that are grappling with economic impacts of coronavirus. The virus has reached 60 countries so far. The World Bank is to provide financial aid for the countries to act upon the needs and develop a fast response towards the spread of the virus. The bank released a statement announcing an emergency fast track package that includes low-cost loans, grants, and technical assistance. This includes emergency financing, policy advice, and technical assistance, building on the World Bank Group’s existing instruments and expertise to help countries respond to the crisis. |
 Indian-American health policy consultant Seema Verma has been appointed as one of the key members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force constituted by US President Donald Trump. This task force is constituted to combat the deadly disease that has claimed six lives in the country and infected over 90 others. The task force led by Secretary, Health and Human Services Alex Azar. US Vice President Mike Pence announced the appointment of Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). |
 The presidency of United Nations Security Council for March 2020 has been taken over by China. China has take over the presidency with a pledge of strengthening solidarity and cooperation with all the parties. It also aimed to ensure that the council fulfills its responsibility and plays a constructive role in maintaining international peace and security. The United Nations Security Council was established by the UN Charter. The council was established with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. The United Nations Security Council constitutes of 15 members out of which five are permanent while 10 are non-permanent members which are elected for two-year terms. The presidency of the council rotates every month among its 15 members. |
 South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar has been sworn in as first vice president. He is formally rejoining the government in the latest effort to bring peace to a nation ravaged by war. The rebel leader returns as first vice president in a transition government which will serve for 36 months. President Salva Kiir hailed the official ending of the war. |
 Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced his resignation over political issues. He will act as an interim PM. It is not clear who will be the next prime minister. He has submitted his resignation to the king. He has also resigned from Bersatu, the political party of which he was chairman. Bersatu had been part of the governing Pakatan Harapan alliance, which he joined in 2018 together with Mr Anwar, and which won the 2018 vote, ending more than six decades of rule by the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. Mahathir was Malaysia’s prime minister from 1981 to 2003. He became premier again after winning the 2018 general elections against the coalition he once led, Barisan Nasional. |
 Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar has resigned. Mr. Varadkar staying on as interim leader while the country’s three main parties battle out deadlocked coalition talks after an inconclusive election. Mr. Varadkar has conveyed to the president his resignation from the office. “In accordance with the constitution, the (Prime Minister) and the government will continue to carry on their duties until successors have been appointed. |
 China has joined India and United States in putting Pakistan on Grey list of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force). Both China and Saudi Arabia have joined US, India and other European countries sending stern messages to Pakistan against its actions of terror funding money laundering |
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 Ashraf Ghani has won the Presidential elections of Afghanistan and will become the President of Afghanistan for the 2nd time. The independent Election Commission announced the results of the Presidential elections of Afghanistan. Ashraf Ghani has won the Presidential elections by winning 9,23,592 votes or 50.64% of the total votes. He defeated his closest opponent Abdullah Abdullah who recieved 7,20,841 votes or 39.52% of votes. The Election Commission stated that only 1.8 million Afghan citizens voted in the election out of total 9.6 million eligible voters in the country. |
 Bangladesh and Nepal have agreed to sign a Free Trade Agreement to enhance trade between the two countries. Bangladesh has also agreed to allow Nepal to use it Saidpur airport located in its northernmost district of Nilphamari close to Nepal. Bangladesh exports commodities worth $38 million to Nepal and imports goods worth around 18 million dollars. Nepal will be able to provide 500 MW of hydroelectric power to Bangladesh once the Indian Company GMR completes its project in Nepal. |
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