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Pakistan Secures Deal with IMF to Restore Stalled $6 Billion Aid

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Islamabad: Short on money According to a report in the media on Wednesday, Pakistan has reached an agreement with the Foreign Monetary Fund (IMF) to resume the stalled USD 6 billion assistance package and open doors for funding from other international sources.

The make-or-break agreement was reached on Tuesday night after the authorities agreed to raise an additional Rs 43,600 crore in taxes and gradually raise the petroleum levy up to Rs 50 per litre, according to the Dawn newspaper. The Pakistani team, led by finance minister Miftah Ismail, and the IMF staff mission reached an understanding on the 2022–23 budget.

In July 2019, it was decided to extend the financing facility package by 6 billion USD for 39 months. Only a portion of the promised sum has been paid thus far.

US Senate passes breakthrough bill on gun safety

Posted on by SAT News Desk

US: Late on Thursday, US senators advanced a bipartisan bill to combat the scourge of gun violence roiling the nation, passing a limited set of new gun control measures along with significant spending for mental health and school safety.

The amendments, which are probably set to be approved by the House of Representatives on Friday, have been hailed as a life-saving breakthrough after nearly 30 years of inaction by Congress. However, they fall short of the requests of gun safety campaigners and President Joe Biden.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes improved background checks for purchasers under the age of 21, $11 billion in financing for mental health, and $2 billion for school safety initiatives. It was supported by all 50 Democratic senators and 15 Republicans.

Late on Thursday, US senators advanced a bipartisan bill to combat the scourge of gun violence roiling the nation, passing a limited set of new gun control measures along with significant spending for mental health and school safety.

Aung Suu Kyi moved to solitary confinement

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Yangon: A junta spokesperson announced on Thursday that former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi had been transferred from house arrest to solitary confinement in a prison compound in the city’s military-built capital, Naypyidaw.

Since Wednesday, “Aung San Suu Kyi has been confined in solitary confinement in prison” in compliance with criminal legislation, according to a statement from Zaw Min Tun.

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Suu Kyi has been living under house arrest in Naypyidaw since being ousted in a coup last year. She was joined by numerous household helpers and her dog.

The 77-year-old Nobel laureate only left those grounds to attend hearings related to her trial in a junta court where she faces a potential sentence of more than 150 years in prison.

Sri Lankan PM says says economy has collapsed, will hold talks with IMF for additional credit

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s economy has “completely collapsed” and an agreement with the International Monetary Fund is the only path to revival, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the parliament on Wednesday.

“We are now facing a far more serious situation beyond mere shortages of fuel, gas, electricity and food,” Wickremesinghe said, adding that the South Asian nation is unable to purchase imported fuel, even for cash, due to heavy debts owed by its petroleum corporation. “We are now seeing signs of a possible fall to rock bottom.”

The gloomy analysis comes as authorities hold talks with the Washington-based lender for an agreement for fresh funds to the bankrupt nation. Sri Lanka needs $6 billion in coming months to prop up its reserves, pay for ballooning import bills and stabilize its currency. Read more at Hindustan Times

Nepal’s capital Kathmandu reports four cholera cases

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu: At least four cases of cholera have been detected in various places of Kathmandu district.

All the infected ones were currently receiving treatment at the Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital at Teku.

According to the District Public Health Office chief Basanta Adhikari, four cases of cholera have been confirmed at Bagbazar, Bhotebahal, and Dillibazar as of now.

Stating that Kathmandu was at risk of cholera, Adhikari viewed that the cases might have occurred due to ingesting contaminated food and water.

He shared that they were looking for more cholera patients and places where the infection was likely. The 18-year-old and 32-year-old women at Bagbazar were infected with acute diarrhoeal infection while one infected youth at Bhotebahal and another at Dillibazar were found recently, said Adhikari.

The District Health Office has formed a five-member team to find out the cause behind the infection. Samples of water from infected people’s areas have been collected and taken to National Public Health Lab for examination, shared Adhikari. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population has urged people having symptoms of cholera such as leg cramps, profuse watery diarrhea, fatigue, severe thirst, and vomiting among others to contact the nearest public health facilities at the earliest. RSS

At least 250 killed as earthquake jolts Afghanistan

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu: A powerful earthquake has killed at least 250 people and left scores injured in Afghanistan.

BBC, quoting a local government official, said the death toll of more than 250 was likely to rise, and that more than 150 others had been injured.

The quake struck about 44km (27 miles) from the south-eastern city of Khost.

Tremors were felt across more than 500km of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, quoted by Reuters.

The center said that witnesses had reported feeling the quake in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, as well as Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Hundreds of thousands evacuated in China after heaviest rains in decades

Posted on by SAT News Desk

China: In southern China, the greatest rainfall in decades has caused floods and landslides, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee, according to state media.

At a time when supply chains are already under pressure due to China’s rigorous Covid-19 regulations, the downpours have recently severely swollen waterways in the low-lying Pearl River valley, endangering manufacturing, shipping, and logistics activities.

According to China’s National Meteorological Center, the average rainfall in the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, and Guangxi between early May and the middle of June totaled 621 millimeters (24 inches), the greatest amount since 1961.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina expected to visit India in early September

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Dhaka: According to the foreign minister, Dr. AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to travel to India at the request of her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in early September.

After arriving from New Delhi and attending the seventh session of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission, the Prime Minister told reporters at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, “The possible dates of the Prime Minister’s New Delhi visit could be within the first 10 days of September” (JCC).

Although the timing was brought up during discussions with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, the foreign minister said that the date will be finalized by the premier’s office.

2 killed in a car explosion in Kabul

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kabul: An explosion in a car carrying explosives in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Saturday left at least two people dead and seven injured, according to officials. However, there was no instant admission of guilt.

According to a Taliban spokesman, assailants loaded a car with explosives, but it exploded before it could reach its objective. He stated that the area was being secured by Taliban officials. According to Gornam Singh, a gurdwara official, “there were about 30 individuals inside the temple.” “We have no idea how many of them are still living or have passed away.”

Bhutanese civil society leader Dr Rai passes away

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Damak: Bhutanese civil society leader and rights activist, Dr Bhampa Rai, passed away on Saturday. He was 72.

Dr Rai, who had been living in Damak-5, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Biratnagar-based Nobel Teaching Hospital. Rai had been suffering from abdominal issues for a long time.

“Rai was taken to the hospital after he experienced health-related problems,” Indra Kunwar, Dr Rai’s relative, said.

Rai was the coordinator of the Committee for Repatriation of Bhutanese Refugees to Bhutan. Dr Rai also worked as the Consultant Surgeon to the Bhutanese monarch.

Rai voluntarily came to Nepal after the Nepali-speaking community was expelled by the Bhutanese rulers in 1991. Rai, along with his parents and spouse, had come to Nepal. Rai’s wife Urmila died two years ago.

Dr Rai had been living alone in a rented flat following the death of his wife. The Damak Municipality had provided him accommodation for free in his honor since last May. Dr Rai had been providing free health check-up services to the Bhutanese refugees living in camps in eastern Nepal since 1990 when he, along with his fellow refugees, entered Nepal. 

Talking to Nepal Live Today from The Hague, a Bhutanese human rights leader Ram Karki, said: “Dr Rai stayed in Dooars, West Bengal, India for some time, then came to Eastern Nepal.”

“Talking to me on the phone last week, Dr Rai requested to continue the ‘return to Bhutan Movement’ as he had fallen ill. With his death, the entire Bhutanese Nepali community has lost a guardian.”

Sri Lanka troops open fire amid riots over petrol, diesel supply

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Sri Lanka: According to reports, Sri Lanka’s military opened fire to quell unrest at a gas station on Sunday as enormous lines for gasoline and diesel appeared all throughout the impoverished nation.

According to army spokesman Nilantha Premaratne, troops opened fire in Visuvamadu, 365 kilometers (228 miles) north of Colombo, on Saturday night as their guard position was being stoned.

Premaratne told AFP that “a group of 20 to 30 individuals threw stones and damaged an army truck.”

The army opened fire for the first time to quell unrest brought on by the escalating economic crisis, according to the police, injuring four civilians and three troops.

Motorists started to protest when the gas pump ran out of fuel, and the situation deteriorated into a fight with the military, according to the police. (AFP)

At least 25 people killed by monsoon rains in Bangladesh

Posted on by Bhagirath Yogi

Bangladesh: According to officials, monsoon rains in Bangladesh have killed at least 25 people and caused at least four million other people to get stuck due to severe floods.

Millions of people in low-lying Bangladesh are regularly threatened by floods, but researchers claim that climate change is increasing their frequency, ferocity, and unpredictability. The northeast of the country has been flooded with troops stationed there to evacuate homes due to the week’s nonstop downpours. To accommodate entire villages that were quickly flooded by overflowing rivers, schools have been converted into relief shelters.

Multiple power plants were submerged by floodwater, prompting authorities to shut down the facilities and disrupting internet and cell phone services as a result. The third-largest international airport in Bangladesh, located in Sylhet, had to close on Friday due to flooding.

Canada confirms 168 cases of monkeypox

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Canada: As of Friday, 168 instances of monkeypox had been reported in Canada, according to Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam.

The senior physician revealed at a health briefing that these verified instances had been reported across the country, including 141 cases in Quebec and 141 cases in Ontario, as well as two cases each from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

Tam stated that they are “continuing to monitor and respond to the evolving monkeypox situation, including assisting provinces and territories in their efforts to roll out targeted vaccination campaigns.” Tam also mentioned that they are working to increase public awareness of the virus’ transmission method.

She claims that all instances are male and range in age from to, among those cases for which information is available and have been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada,

Sri Lanka announces shut-down of government offices and schools

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Colombo: Due to severe gasoline shortages, the government of Sri Lanka has announced the closure of all public sector workplaces starting on Monday of next week. The island nation is still suffering from its worst economic crisis.

Due to protracted power outages, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Education has also instructed teachers in all public and government-approved private schools within the Colombo city limits to conduct classes online beginning the following week, according to the Daily Mirror newspaper.

Sri Lanka is under extreme pressure to obtain foreign currency to pay for its imports as its current fuel supplies are quickly running out. This has caused numerous sectors of the country’s economy to come to a grinding halt.

1.4K flights canceled, one of the worst days yet for US travel

Posted on by SAT News Desk

US: Airlines canceled more than 1,500 flights in the US on Thursday, one of the worst days yet for travel as the peak summer vacation season heats up.

At LaGuardia Airport in New York, more than one-third of all flights were scrubbed, and more than one-fourth of flights were dropped at nearby Newark Liberty airport in New Jersey, according to tracking service FlightAware.

The cancellations came less than three weeks after airlines kicked off the summer travel season by canceling about 2,800 flights in a five-day stretch around the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

And they happened as airline CEOs held a virtual meeting with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg — a sign of the Biden administration’s concern about the prospect of snarled airports and unhappy travelers this summer. (AP)

US to give $6 million in emergency aid to Sri Lanka

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Sri Lanka: In order to meet the needs of the vulnerable and marginalized people affected by Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the United States said on Thursday that it will send $6 million in emergency aid to the island nation.

In accordance with an anticipated International Monetary Fund (IMF) package, this new money will also give technical help to the Sri Lankan government as it implements economic and financial reform measures to stabilize the economy, according to a statement from the US embassy in Colombo.

“The US is committed to helping the people of Sri Lanka overcome their current political and economic difficulties. We will continue to support initiatives that advance sustainable economic growth and good governance as a long-standing development partner, said Julie Chung, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka.