The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors today approved a loan of USD 150 million to the Indian state of Punjab to help the state better manage its financial resources and improve access to public services. The USD 150 million loans have a maturity of 15 years including a grace period of 6 months, the statement added. The project will pilot two initiatives: It will introduce a performance-based grants system to incentivize municipal corporations to improve service delivery. Second, it will demonstrate the delivery of 24x7 water supply in select areas in the cities of Amritsar and Ludhiana

Hurricane Fiona is roaring over the Dominican Republic, a day after knocking out power to all of Puerto Rico and causing damage the governor described as ``catastrophic.'' Many people were also left without water service. The blow from Fiona was made more devastating because Puerto Rico has yet to recover from Hurricane Maria, which killed nearly 3,000 people and destroyed the power grid in 2017. Five years later, more than 3,000 homes on the island still have blue tarps for a roof. The wind and water from Fiona stripped the pavement from roads, tore off roofs and sent torrents pouring into h

King Charles the Third has made his first public address since his mother's death. Speaking at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Charles says he feels profound sorrow and called Queen Elizabeth ``an inspiration.'' As he takes the throne in an era of uncertainty for both his country and the monarchy itself, the King vowed to carry on his mother's lifelong service to a nation now in mourning. Britain began a 10 day mourning period with people around the globe gathering at British embassies to pay homage to the queen, who died yesterday in Scotland at the age of 96.

Condolences poured in from around the world after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, whose rule saw Britain through decades of change. She had been on the throne since 1952 when the nation was still rebuilding from the destruction of World War II. Elizabeth became a global icon of calmness and fortitude through years of political upheaval and social changes, both at home and abroad. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called her ``a stalwart of our times.'' President Joe Biden and his wife Jill called Elizabeth ``a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy.'' She died Thursday at age 96 at

Prince Charles has been preparing to be king his entire life. Now his moment has arrived. Following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles is now the oldest person to take the British throne. No date has been set for the coronation of King Charles III. But Charles faces the enormous challenge of building the same sort of affection that characterized the relationship between his mother and the British public. Will Charles be loved by his subjects, like his mother was? It's a question that has overshadowed his entire life.

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch of the UK, died on Thursday, aged 96. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon" the Royal Family said in a statement. Earlier today, the palace said that the Queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral after the doctors expressed their concern over her health. "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision," the official statement from Palace said. The Queen was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, L

Amid the deteriorating health of Queen Elizabeth II, the British Royal family is rushing to her side as she is under medical supervision in an estate in the Scottish Highlands. Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving monarch of the UK, who is 96 years old, remains at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after the doctors expressed their concern over her health. The new British Prime Minister Liz Truss said that the whole country will be "deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime." On Tuesday, Q

Truss was elected the head of the UK's Conservative Party on Monday after defeating former chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak. Truss became the first prime minister to be appointed by the Queen in Scotland, and not at Buckingham Palace, as tradition requires. After meeting the Queen, the new prime minister will return to London and speak outside the Downing Street office. Forty-seven-year-old Liz Truss became the third female prime minister of the UK. Truss defeated Rishi Sunak through a postal ballot of all Conservative members. She secured 81,326 votes while Sunak got 60,399 votes.

An apparent assassination attempt against Argentina's powerful Vice President Cristina Fernandez has shaken the country and threatened to further roil its tumultuous political scene. On Thursday night, Fernandez stepped from her car outside her apartment building and began shaking hands with a throng of a well-wishers. A man came forward with a gun, put it just inches from her face and pulled the trigger with a distinct click, but the weapon apparently jammed. Authorities shed no light on the possible motive. Tens of thousands of people packed the streets surrounding Government House in downt