In Nepal, there's an apparent tussle between the executive and the president over the citizenship bill. It appears that the House of Representatives is stuck between the government and the president, which is a constitutional post in the nation with no executive powers.&nbsp;

This comes after President Bidya Devi Bhandari recently returned the bill to amend the Citizenship Act 2006 to the Pratinidhi Sabha (House of Representatives) for review, which was then passed again without reviewing.&nbsp;

The move highlights the differences between the government and the president, which have surfaced recently as Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba reportedly told his party leaders recently that the president is planning to resign.&nbsp;

But amid all this chaos, experts are highlighting how this law will appear as gender discriminatory.

Controversy erupted after lawmakers of the main opposition CPN-UML raised questions on some of its provisions including granting citizenship certificates immediately to foreign women married to Nepali citizens.&nbsp;

It is also the most debated issue as the bill did not bar foreign women from marrying Nepali men from getting citizenship easily.&nbsp;

As per the reports, the main criticism against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2006 is that it is against gender justice.&nbsp;

It is also termed as contradictory to some sections of the law.&nbsp;

As per Article 11(2b), a person born to a father or a mother with Nepalese citizenship can get citizenship by descent. On the other hand, as per Article 11(5) of the constitution, a person who is born to a Nepalese mother (who has lived in the country) and an unidentified father will also get citizenship by descent.&nbsp;

But concerns have been raised as a mother has to declare that her husband is unidentified for the child to be eligible for citizenship. Meanwhile, such declarations are not needed for a Nepalese father.&nbsp;

As quoted by Kathmandu Post, Khim Lal Devkota, an independent lawmaker at the Upper House, said, "It is wrong to grant a foreign woman naturalisation immediately after marriage. There must be a cooling-off period."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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In Nepal, there's an apparent tussle between the executive and the president over the citizenship bill. It appears that the House of Representatives is stuck between the government and the president, which is a constitutional post in the nation with no executive powers.

In Nepal, there's an apparent tussle between the executive and the president over the citizenship bill. It appears that the House of Representatives is stuck between the government and the president, which is a constitutional post in the nation with no executive powers. This comes after President Bidya Devi Bhandari recently returned the bill to amend the Citizenship Act 2006 to the Pratinidhi Sabha (House of Representatives) for review, which was then passed again without reviewing. The move highlights the differences between the government and the president, which have surfaced recently as Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba reportedly told his party leaders recently that the president is planning to resign. But amid all this chaos, experts are highlighting how this law will appear as gender discriminatory. Controversy erupted after lawmakers of the main opposition CPN-UML raised questions on some of its provisions including granting citizenship certificates immediately to foreign women married to Nepali citizens. It is also the most debated issue as the bill did not bar foreign women from marrying Nepali men from getting citizenship easily. As per the reports, the main criticism against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2006 is that it is against gender justice. It is also termed as contradictory to some sections of the law. As per Article 11(2b), a person born to a father or a mother with Nepalese citizenship can get citizenship by descent. On the other hand, as per Article 11(5) of the constitution, a person who is born to a Nepalese mother (who has lived in the country) and an unidentified father will also get citizenship by descent. But concerns have been raised as a mother has to declare that her husband is unidentified for the child to be eligible for citizenship. Meanwhile, such declarations are not needed for a Nepalese father. As quoted by Kathmandu Post, Khim Lal Devkota, an independent lawmaker at the Upper House, said, "It is wrong to grant a foreign woman naturalisation immediately after marriage. There must be a cooling-off period." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nepal's citizenship bill: Is it gender discriminatory?

What’s the latest? After several weeks of uncertainty, Nancy Pelosi made her way into Taiwan on an air force passenger jet on Tuesday. This is seen as the highest-ranking visit by an American politician to the island in 25 years.

What’s the latest? After several weeks of uncertainty, Nancy Pelosi made her way into Taiwan on an air force passenger jet on Tuesday. This is seen as the highest-ranking visit by an American politician to the island in 25 years. Pelosi’s op-ed in the Washington post reiterates US’s commitment to Taiwan. In her piece, she took cognizance of Beijing’s big-brother attitude over Taiwan and how Beijing has drastically amped-up tensions with Taiwan. “In the face of the Chinese Communist Party’s accelerating aggression, our congressional delegation’s visit should be seen as an unequivocal statement that America stands with Taiwan, our democratic partner, as it defends itself and its freedom,” she said. As pointed out by Dr. Sana Hashmi, Postdoctoral Fellow at Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, nobody really imagined that Pelosi’s trip would actually materialise. In fact, Taiwan was also reticent about any developments on Pelosi’s visit. But, the stance has changed since yesterday after Pelosi's touch down to Taiwan. The otherwise, lowkey island nation has also given a fitting response to China’s military tactics and threats by conveying that the Taiwanese army was equipped to handle any pressure. Pelosi’s visit has amplified tension between China and US, with the former now very insecure over Taiwan. The sore point behind the tension is that the Chinese government does not see Taiwan as a separate entity, but a breakaway province that would eventually be forced to join mainland China. The Taiwanese considered their island to be a separate nation whether or not independence was ever publicly declared. What is the disagreement between China and Taiwan? As mentioned above, territorial sovereignty is the main reason behind the disagreement. Additionally, China has not ruled out taking it by force. At the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, the losing Kuomintang government fled to the island of Taiwan and established the Republic of China (ROC) government in exile. The Chinese Communist party (CCP) established the People’s Republic of China on the mainland. Starting from the 1970s, many nations began switching their formal affiliation from the Republic of China to Beijing, and today less than 15 world governments recognise Taiwan as a country. The Chinese Communist Party has never formally ruled over Taiwan and since the end of the civil war Taiwan has enjoyed de facto independence. After the ending of martial law in the 1980s, the island nation anchored itself to become a democracy with free elections. But for Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, the unification of China and Taiwan is pivotal. While, Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing-wen, considers Taiwan as an independent country with no need to formally declare independence, Beijing recognises Taiwan’s democratically elected government as a separatist group.

Taiwan touchdown: China-Taiwan relations amid Nancy Pelosi's visit

Pakistan's meteorological department has issued another alert warning of widespread rain in Sindh and Balochistan. Forecasters have said that heavy rain can cause flooding in Sindh and Balochistan districts.

WION Climate Tracker: South Asia hit by heavy floods | Flash floods in Baltistan kills at least 7

Millions are affected due to the monsoon fury in South Asia, over 200 have died in India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh authorities brace for water-borne diseases. Scientists have blamed climate change for this monsoon fury.

WION Climate Tracker | Millions affected by deadly floods in South Asia

Pakistan’s aviation regulator has made&nbsp;masks&nbsp;mandatory on&nbsp;domestic&nbsp;flights&nbsp;given a gradual&nbsp;rise&nbsp;in the number of&nbsp;COVID-19 cases across the country, it said a statement.

The order comes a day after&nbsp;Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi, reported that its&nbsp;COVID-19 positivity ratio, or the rate of positive cases out of all tests conducted, rose to 21 per cent&nbsp;compared with a national rate of 2.8 per cent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-blasphemy-in-pakistan-protesters-vandalise-samsung-billboards-in-over-insult-to-prophet-493743">Watch: Blasphemy in Pakistan: Protesters vandalise Samsung billboards in over insult to Prophet</a>

"With immediate effect, mask wearing will be mandatory onboard&nbsp;domestic&nbsp;flights”, the&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said in the statement late on Sunday.

Pakistan&nbsp;has had very few&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;cases over recent months and had done away with almost all precautions.

Watch |&nbsp;Imran Khan's PTI stalls Punjab CM elections till after by-polls

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But over the past 24 hours, the national&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;positivity ratio had&nbsp;risen to 2.85 per cent&nbsp;with 382 positive cases and two deaths, according to data released on Monday by the National Institute of Health, Islamabad (NIH).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-fourth-wave-cases-rises-across-india-check-these-latest-guidelines-493564">Covid-19 fourth wave? Cases rise across India, check THESE latest guidelines</a>

A month ago, the positivity ratio was 0.54 per cent&nbsp;with 79 positive cases and no deaths. According to the NIH, 85 per cent&nbsp;of eligible&nbsp;Pakistanis have been fully vaccinated against&nbsp;COVID.

Pakistan&nbsp;disbanded the National Command and Operations Center, which was overseeing the&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;response, on March 31 as infections fell to the lowest since the outbreak began in 2020.

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Pakistan’s aviation regulator has made masks mandatory on domestic flights given a gradual rise in the number of COVID-19 cases across the country, it said a statement.

Pakistan’s aviation regulator has made masks mandatory on domestic flights given a gradual rise in the number of COVID-19 cases across the country, it said a statement. The order comes a day after Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi, reported that its COVID-19 positivity ratio, or the rate of positive cases out of all tests conducted, rose to 21 per cent compared with a national rate of 2.8 per cent. Also read | Watch: Blasphemy in Pakistan: Protesters vandalise Samsung billboards in over insult to Prophet "With immediate effect, mask wearing will be mandatory onboard domestic flights”, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said in the statement late on Sunday. Pakistan has had very few COVID cases over recent months and had done away with almost all precautions. Watch | Imran Khan's PTI stalls Punjab CM elections till after by-polls But over the past 24 hours, the national COVID positivity ratio had risen to 2.85 per cent with 382 positive cases and two deaths, according to data released on Monday by the National Institute of Health, Islamabad (NIH). Also read | Covid-19 fourth wave? Cases rise across India, check THESE latest guidelines A month ago, the positivity ratio was 0.54 per cent with 79 positive cases and no deaths. According to the NIH, 85 per cent of eligible Pakistanis have been fully vaccinated against COVID. Pakistan disbanded the National Command and Operations Center, which was overseeing the COVID response, on March 31 as infections fell to the lowest since the outbreak began in 2020. Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan orders masks on domestic flights as COVID-19 numbers rise

China&nbsp;will&nbsp;loosen&nbsp;entry&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;on US&nbsp;citizens, allowing entrance in case of&nbsp;transit&nbsp;via&nbsp;a third&nbsp;country, notices issued late on Friday by the Chinese embassy in Washington said, relaxing rules imposed in Beijing's drive to curb COVID-19.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Covid-19 fourth wave? Cases rise across India, check THESE latest guidelines">Covid-19 fourth wave? Cases rise across India, check THESE latest guidelines</a>

China's "dynamic COVID zero" policy, which aims to minimise the risk of infected travellers arriving from abroad, has resulted in many barriers to international travel, from&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;on the issue and renewal of passports for Chinese&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;to tough quarantine requirements upon arrival.

Watch |&nbsp;Hong Kong's 25th Handover Anniversary: Chinese President swears in HK's new leader John Lee

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According to an updated policy statement, US&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;with valid negative COVID test results looking to enter&nbsp;China&nbsp;may&nbsp;now&nbsp;apply for and receive a green health code for travel in from either the United States or a third&nbsp;country. In the past, the embassy would only grant the codes to U.S.&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;flying directly from the United States.

China&nbsp;has&nbsp;loosened the same&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;recently for&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;of other countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/user-data-not-shared-with-chinese-communist-party-tiktok-tells-us-lawmakers-493714">User data not shared with Chinese Communist Party: TikTok tells US lawmakers</a>

The&nbsp;restrictions, coupled with a limited number of direct flights from the United States to&nbsp;China, caused ticket prices to cost as much as 10,000 dollars.

The changes follow a similar slight relaxation of COVID testing rules for people arriving in&nbsp;China&nbsp;from countries including the United States announced on May 18.

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China will loosen entry restrictions on US citizens, allowing entrance in case of transit via a third country, notices issued late on Friday by the Chinese embassy in Washington said, relaxing rules imposed in Beijing's drive to curb COVID-19.

China will loosen entry restrictions on US citizens, allowing entrance in case of transit via a third country, notices issued late on Friday by the Chinese embassy in Washington said, relaxing rules imposed in Beijing's drive to curb COVID-19. Also read | Covid-19 fourth wave? Cases rise across India, check THESE latest guidelines China's "dynamic COVID zero" policy, which aims to minimise the risk of infected travellers arriving from abroad, has resulted in many barriers to international travel, from restrictions on the issue and renewal of passports for Chinese citizens to tough quarantine requirements upon arrival. Watch | Hong Kong's 25th Handover Anniversary: Chinese President swears in HK's new leader John Lee According to an updated policy statement, US citizens with valid negative COVID test results looking to enter China may now apply for and receive a green health code for travel in from either the United States or a third country. In the past, the embassy would only grant the codes to U.S. citizens flying directly from the United States. China has loosened the same restrictions recently for citizens of other countries. Also read | User data not shared with Chinese Communist Party: TikTok tells US lawmakers The restrictions, coupled with a limited number of direct flights from the United States to China, caused ticket prices to cost as much as 10,000 dollars. The changes follow a similar slight relaxation of COVID testing rules for people arriving in China from countries including the United States announced on May 18. Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China to loosen entry restrictions on US citizens, transit via 3rd country now permitted

The second ship-borne consignment of essential supplies worth more than Rs 650 million&nbsp;sent from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka, was received at the island nation on Friday noon. While the Government of India has been at the forefront of helping Sri Lanka by providing financial aid, fuel, the Tamil Nadu Government had also promised to provide support to Sri Lanka, at a time when the island nation is reeling under its worst economic crisis. While the first ship from Chennai was flagged off by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 18th May, the second ship set sail from the Tuticorin port in Southern Tamil Nadu, on 22nd June.&nbsp;

The first consignment from Tamil Nadu was valued at around Rs 400 million&nbsp;and comprised of&nbsp;9,500 tons rice, 200 tons milk powder, 30 tons medicines. On Wednesday, nearly 14,712 tons rice, 250 tons milk powder and besides Rs. 119 billion&nbsp;worth of life-saving drugs were shipped.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-economy-has-completely-collapsed-says-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe-490845">Sri Lanka’s economy has completely collapsed, says PM Ranil Wickremesinghe</a>

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From the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> to the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a>!!! High Commissioner,Hon'ble Ministers <a href="https://twitter.com/Keheliya_R?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Keheliya_R</a>, Nalin Fernando, MPs, various dignitaries and officials welcomed a large humanitarian consignment worth more than SLR 3 billion from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tuticorn?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tuticorn</a> today. (1/2) <a href="https://t.co/pMOF8kJppx">pic.twitter.com/pMOF8kJppx</a>
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainSL/status/1540221918401294336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In April this year, nearly a month after the economic crisis began adversely impacting Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu state Assembly had passed a resolution urging the Indian government to permit aid from Tamil Nadu to the island nation. The Indian Government had agreed to permit the same, via the Indian High Commission in Colombo and India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Global Headlines: Sri Lanka fuel crisis; Fighting intensifies in Luhansk

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As the Indian state that is nearest to Sri Lanka and also as one that shares deep cultural and linguistic ties with the Tamils in the island nation, leaders in Tamil Nadu have always voiced out for the welfare of Lankan Tamils. In recent times, nearly 90 Lankan Tamils, including women, children and elderly fled their home country and reached Indian shores. They have been doing so by taking risky and illegal overnight boat rides across the Palk Strait, a strip of ocean that connects the Northen region of Sri Lanka with Tamil Nadu, in India. As per standard protocol, the individuals are questioned by the authorities, following which they are taken to the Mandapam refugee camp in the region.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/crisis-hit-sri-lanka-plans-donor-conference-interim-budget-in-august-490696">Crisis-hit Sri Lanka plans donor conference, interim budget in August</a>

Those who have been fleeing to India are members of the Lankan Tamil community, who hail from the northern region of the island nation. As daily wage earners with families to feed, these individuals are worst-hit by the economic crisis as their wages remain stagnant and prices of essentials continue to skyrocket. Under these circumstances, they abandon or sell their modest belongings to make enough cash for an illegal boat ride across the Palk Strait. they undertake the arduous journey in the hope of living as refugees at a camp in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;

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The second ship-borne consignment of essential supplies worth more than Rs 650 million sent from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka, was received at the island nation on Friday noon.

The second ship-borne consignment of essential supplies worth more than Rs 650 million sent from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka, was received at the island nation on Friday noon. While the Government of India has been at the forefront of helping Sri Lanka by providing financial aid, fuel, the Tamil Nadu Government had also promised to provide support to Sri Lanka, at a time when the island nation is reeling under its worst economic crisis. While the first ship from Chennai was flagged off by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 18th May, the second ship set sail from the Tuticorin port in Southern Tamil Nadu, on 22nd June. The first consignment from Tamil Nadu was valued at around Rs 400 million and comprised of 9,500 tons rice, 200 tons milk powder, 30 tons medicines. On Wednesday, nearly 14,712 tons rice, 250 tons milk powder and besides Rs. 119 billion worth of life-saving drugs were shipped. Also read | Sri Lanka’s economy has completely collapsed, says PM Ranil Wickremesinghe From the people of #India to the people of #SriLanka!!! High Commissioner,Hon'ble Ministers @Keheliya_R, Nalin Fernando, MPs, various dignitaries and officials welcomed a large humanitarian consignment worth more than SLR 3 billion from #Tuticorn today. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/pMOF8kJppx — India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) June 24, 2022 × In April this year, nearly a month after the economic crisis began adversely impacting Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu state Assembly had passed a resolution urging the Indian government to permit aid from Tamil Nadu to the island nation. The Indian Government had agreed to permit the same, via the Indian High Commission in Colombo and India's Ministry of External Affairs. Watch | Gravitas Global Headlines: Sri Lanka fuel crisis; Fighting intensifies in Luhansk As the Indian state that is nearest to Sri Lanka and also as one that shares deep cultural and linguistic ties with the Tamils in the island nation, leaders in Tamil Nadu have always voiced out for the welfare of Lankan Tamils. In recent times, nearly 90 Lankan Tamils, including women, children and elderly fled their home country and reached Indian shores. They have been doing so by taking risky and illegal overnight boat rides across the Palk Strait, a strip of ocean that connects the Northen region of Sri Lanka with Tamil Nadu, in India. As per standard protocol, the individuals are questioned by the authorities, following which they are taken to the Mandapam refugee camp in the region. Also read | Crisis-hit Sri Lanka plans donor conference, interim budget in August Those who have been fleeing to India are members of the Lankan Tamil community, who hail from the northern region of the island nation. As daily wage earners with families to feed, these individuals are worst-hit by the economic crisis as their wages remain stagnant and prices of essentials continue to skyrocket. Under these circumstances, they abandon or sell their modest belongings to make enough cash for an illegal boat ride across the Palk Strait. they undertake the arduous journey in the hope of living as refugees at a camp in Tamil Nadu. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Second consignment of essential supplies from Tamil Nadu reaches crisis-hit Sri Lanka

South Asia has been witnessing climate extremes and hitting weather records especially this year. People faced extreme temperatures of almost 50 degrees Celsius during the heat wave and now erratic and early rains triggering unprecedented floods in Bangladesh and Northeastern India.

Millions affected by deadly floods in South Asia

During the 50th session of the Human Rights Council, the participants analysed in detail the violations of child rights in conflict zones and drew particular attention to the negative consequences of madrasas in the indoctrination of children - a violation of their right to education in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The meeting witnessed the presence of civil society organizations, journalists, experts, human rights activists, researchers, diplomats and panelists.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-kept-on-sexually-molesting-me-pakistan-cricket-board-suspends-coach-after-shocking-allegations-489437">'He kept on sexually molesting me': Pakistan cricket Board suspends coach after shocking allegations</a>

The debate was held at the Hotel Montrbrillant-Cornavin, Geneva, on June 14, 2022, on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child in Conflict Zones: Situation of Child Soldiers.

Among other issues that were discussed in the meeting were the root causes of recruitment and forced conscription of children in conflicts in Africa and in Asia principally in the Sahel region, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Mali, Somalia, in Afghanistan, in Syria, in Iraq, in Yemen, and in Ukraine.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan: PPP will form next government, says former president Zardari

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The council discussed the grave violations of child rights regarding murder, recruitment, mutilation, or denial of humanitarian access.

The meeting highlighted the importance of the promotion of good practices regarding the protection and reintegration of child soldiers.

The participants called for the adoption of a preventive strategy through monitoring, education, as well as the protection of schools during armed conflict.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-grants-e-visas-to-sikhs-hindus-in-afghanistan-in-wake-of-kabul-gurudwara-attack-report-489522">India grants e-visas to Sikhs, Hindus in Afghanistan in wake of Kabul gurudwara attack: Report</a>

They equally called for the popularization, through an awareness-raising campaign, of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the effective implementation of the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and the sale of children, child prostitution and pornography involving children, as per the media portal.

They requested the strengthening of monitoring mechanisms and encouraged the development of networks of civil society organizations in the area of advocacy for the cause of children.

A decision to submit a written communication at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, in view of sensitizing the Member States of the Council to integrate the issue of the protection of children in the Council`s debates.&nbsp;

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During the 50th session of the Human Rights Council, the participants analysed in detail the violations of child rights in conflict zones and drew particular attention to the negative consequences of madrasas in the indoctrination of children - a violation of their right to education in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

During the 50th session of the Human Rights Council, the participants analysed in detail the violations of child rights in conflict zones and drew particular attention to the negative consequences of madrasas in the indoctrination of children - a violation of their right to education in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The meeting witnessed the presence of civil society organizations, journalists, experts, human rights activists, researchers, diplomats and panelists. Also read | 'He kept on sexually molesting me': Pakistan cricket Board suspends coach after shocking allegations The debate was held at the Hotel Montrbrillant-Cornavin, Geneva, on June 14, 2022, on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child in Conflict Zones: Situation of Child Soldiers. Among other issues that were discussed in the meeting were the root causes of recruitment and forced conscription of children in conflicts in Africa and in Asia principally in the Sahel region, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Mali, Somalia, in Afghanistan, in Syria, in Iraq, in Yemen, and in Ukraine. Watch | Pakistan: PPP will form next government, says former president Zardari The council discussed the grave violations of child rights regarding murder, recruitment, mutilation, or denial of humanitarian access. The meeting highlighted the importance of the promotion of good practices regarding the protection and reintegration of child soldiers. The participants called for the adoption of a preventive strategy through monitoring, education, as well as the protection of schools during armed conflict. Also read | India grants e-visas to Sikhs, Hindus in Afghanistan in wake of Kabul gurudwara attack: Report They equally called for the popularization, through an awareness-raising campaign, of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the effective implementation of the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and the sale of children, child prostitution and pornography involving children, as per the media portal. They requested the strengthening of monitoring mechanisms and encouraged the development of networks of civil society organizations in the area of advocacy for the cause of children. A decision to submit a written communication at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, in view of sensitizing the Member States of the Council to integrate the issue of the protection of children in the Council`s debates. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Human Rights Council expresses concern over indoctrination of children in Pakistan, Afghanistan madrasas

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Sunday expressed confidence in India-Bangladesh ties and said that the countries look forward to cooperating in new domains including cyber security and upgradation of the railway system.

"We now look forward to working with Bangladesh to take our ties to new domains...including cyber security, upgradation of the railway system," Jaishankar said during the 7th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting in New Delhi today.

Speaking on trade with Bangladesh, Jaishankar said, "Today Bangladesh is our largest development &amp; trade partner in the region." Jaishankar also mentioned how both countries came together to fight the pandemic. The EAM said, "We jointly overcame pandemic in terms of vaccine, medicine supply."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/appreciated-indian-govts-position-foreign-minister-jaishankar-breaks-silence-on-prophet-remark-fiasco-489509">‘Appreciated Indian govt’s position’: Foreign Minister Jaishankar breaks silence on Prophet remark fiasco</a>

At the India-Bangladesh JCC meeting, AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bangladesh, said that the relationship between both countries is based on mutual trust. FM Momen called India the "most important neighbour".

"India is the most important neighbour of Bangladesh. Initiatives taken by both nations have helped us achieve stability &amp; development across the region. Bangladesh-India relations are based on mutual trust &amp; respect," the Bangladeshi FM said.

Upon meeting with the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Jaishankar while taking to Twitter wrote, "A warm welcome to FM Dr AK Abdul Momen for the 7th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting. Our regular meetings reflect our unique friendship."

Watch |&nbsp;Indian EAM S Jaishankar participates in BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting

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The first physical JCC Meeting between India and Bangladesh is being held in New Delhi today and EAM S Jaishankar is the co-chair of the meeting along with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen.

The JCC is to review the bilateral ties including cooperation in the wake of COVID-19, border management and security, trade and investment, connectivity, energy, water resources, development partnership and regional and multilateral issues, the MEA said earlier in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jaishankar-to-brief-mea-consultative-committee-on-sri-lanka-crisis-487565">Jaishankar to brief MEA Consultative Committee on Sri Lanka crisis</a>

This is the first physical meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The previous meeting was held in 2020 virtually. Both countries actively engage in cooperation projects to boost bilateral relations.

As part of the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh defence cooperation, the armies of India and Bangladesh recently conducted the 10th edition of the joint military exercise, SAMPRITI X,&nbsp;from June 5 to June 16 in Bangladesh.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Sunday expressed confidence in India-Bangladesh ties and said that the countries look forward to cooperating in new domains including cyber security and upgradation of the railway system.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Sunday expressed confidence in India-Bangladesh ties and said that the countries look forward to cooperating in new domains including cyber security and upgradation of the railway system. "We now look forward to working with Bangladesh to take our ties to new domains...including cyber security, upgradation of the railway system," Jaishankar said during the 7th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting in New Delhi today. Speaking on trade with Bangladesh, Jaishankar said, "Today Bangladesh is our largest development & trade partner in the region." Jaishankar also mentioned how both countries came together to fight the pandemic. The EAM said, "We jointly overcame pandemic in terms of vaccine, medicine supply." Also read | ‘Appreciated Indian govt’s position’: Foreign Minister Jaishankar breaks silence on Prophet remark fiasco At the India-Bangladesh JCC meeting, AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bangladesh, said that the relationship between both countries is based on mutual trust. FM Momen called India the "most important neighbour". "India is the most important neighbour of Bangladesh. Initiatives taken by both nations have helped us achieve stability & development across the region. Bangladesh-India relations are based on mutual trust & respect," the Bangladeshi FM said. Upon meeting with the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Jaishankar while taking to Twitter wrote, "A warm welcome to FM Dr AK Abdul Momen for the 7th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting. Our regular meetings reflect our unique friendship." Watch | Indian EAM S Jaishankar participates in BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting The first physical JCC Meeting between India and Bangladesh is being held in New Delhi today and EAM S Jaishankar is the co-chair of the meeting along with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen. The JCC is to review the bilateral ties including cooperation in the wake of COVID-19, border management and security, trade and investment, connectivity, energy, water resources, development partnership and regional and multilateral issues, the MEA said earlier in a statement. Also read | Jaishankar to brief MEA Consultative Committee on Sri Lanka crisis This is the first physical meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The previous meeting was held in 2020 virtually. Both countries actively engage in cooperation projects to boost bilateral relations. As part of the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh defence cooperation, the armies of India and Bangladesh recently conducted the 10th edition of the joint military exercise, SAMPRITI X, from June 5 to June 16 in Bangladesh. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India, Bangladesh keen to boost bilateral ties: Jaishankar

The Taliban have put up posters in Kandahar that say that Muslim women who don't wear Hijab are 'trying to look like animals'. The posters have been put up by Taliban's religious police.

Taliban, who seized power from West-backed government in August last year have increasingly shown signs of them reverting back to their hardline Islamic rule.

Women's rights in Afghanistan saw marginal improvement in two decades after 9/11. But these marginal gains are increasingly being rolled back under Taliban regime.

Watch | Taliban put up posters across Kandahar: 'Women without hijabs look like animals'

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In May, the country's supreme leader and Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada approved a decree saying women should generally stay at home.

They were ordered to cover themselves completely, including their faces, should they need to go out in public.

This week, the Taliban's feared Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces the group's strict interpretation of Islam, put up posters across Kandahar city showing images of burqas, a type of garment that covers a woman's body from head to toe.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/he-was-a-news-anchor-now-he-sells-food-on-street-to-survive-in-talibans-afghanistan-488827">He was a news anchor. Now he sells food on street to survive in Taliban's Afghanistan</a>

"Muslim women who do not wear the hijab are trying to look like animals", say the posters, which have been slapped on many cafes and shops as well as on advertising hoardings across Kandahar -- the de facto power centre of the Taliban.

Wearing short, tight and transparent clothes was also against Akhundzada's decree, the posters say.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Taliban have put up posters in Kandahar that say that Muslim women who don't wear Hijab are 'trying to look like animals'. The posters have been put up by Taliban's religious police.

The Taliban have put up posters in Kandahar that say that Muslim women who don't wear Hijab are 'trying to look like animals'. The posters have been put up by Taliban's religious police. Taliban, who seized power from West-backed government in August last year have increasingly shown signs of them reverting back to their hardline Islamic rule. Women's rights in Afghanistan saw marginal improvement in two decades after 9/11. But these marginal gains are increasingly being rolled back under Taliban regime. Watch | Taliban put up posters across Kandahar: 'Women without hijabs look like animals' × In May, the country's supreme leader and Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada approved a decree saying women should generally stay at home. They were ordered to cover themselves completely, including their faces, should they need to go out in public. This week, the Taliban's feared Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces the group's strict interpretation of Islam, put up posters across Kandahar city showing images of burqas, a type of garment that covers a woman's body from head to toe. Also Read | He was a news anchor. Now he sells food on street to survive in Taliban's Afghanistan "Muslim women who do not wear the hijab are trying to look like animals", say the posters, which have been slapped on many cafes and shops as well as on advertising hoardings across Kandahar -- the de facto power centre of the Taliban. Wearing short, tight and transparent clothes was also against Akhundzada's decree, the posters say. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Women without hijab 'trying to look like animals', read Taliban posters

Sri Lanka's cash-strapped government has approved several measures, including imposing a 2.5 per cent social contribution tax on companies based on their turnover and declaring Fridays as holidays for most public sector employees, to facilitate the economic recovery and mitigate energy and food crisis.

Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nearly-10-per-cent-of-sri-lankas-population-faced-food-shortages-before-covid-19-pandemic-report-487811">Nearly 10 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population faced food shortages before COVID-19 pandemic: Report</a>

The economic crisis has prompted an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper, and even matches, with Sri Lankans being forced to wait in lines lasting hours outside stores to buy fuel and cooking gas.

The Cabinet at a meeting held on Monday approved a bill to impose a 2.5 per cent tax on companies with an annual turnover of Rs&nbsp;120 million.

The new tax named the social contribution levy will be applicable to businesses in imports, manufacturing, service providers, wholesalers and retailers, according to an official statement.

Watch |&nbsp;Fuel crisis worsens in Sri Lanka as Lankan government plans fuel-rationing scheme

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In another measure aimed at mitigating the ongoing energy crisis, the Cabinet has approved to declare Fridays as holidays for the public sector employees.

This, however, would not be applicable to the employees in the health, power and energy, education and defence sectors.

The Cabinet also approved a move to grant government officials one leave per week for the next three months to engage in agriculture to mitigate the approaching food crisis.

Minister of Home affairs and Public Administration Dinesh Gunawardena said that fuel consumption will be reduced because of this move.

We have decided to make Fridays a holiday for all public servants because of the transportation issues that have popped up as a result of the fuel scarcity.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-risks-full-blown-humanitarian-emergency-un-agency-says-487716">Sri Lanka risks full-blown humanitarian emergency, UN agency says</a>

"Public servants can stay at home and focus on growing food crops on Fridays",&nbsp;he said.

Gunawardena said that Monday&nbsp;was made a holiday for all public servants so that they will not have to spend their resources and come to Colombo and go back again to their villages for the Poson Holiday on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka is experiencing long queues for refueling at pumping stations as the government finds it difficult to finance fuel imports to retain a reserve adequate for a minimum of three months.

A move to ration fuel is to be implemented from next month as the forex crisis gets worsened.

The nearly bankrupt country, with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in foreign debt default, announced in April that it is suspending nearly USD 7 billion foreign debt repayment due for this year out of about USD 25 billion due through 2026.

Sri Lanka's total foreign debt stands at USD 51 billion.

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Sri Lanka's cash-strapped government has approved several measures, including imposing a 2.5 per cent social contribution tax on companies based on their turnover and declaring Fridays as holidays for most public sector employees, to facilitate the economic recovery and mitigate energy and food crisis.

Sri Lanka's cash-strapped government has approved several measures, including imposing a 2.5 per cent social contribution tax on companies based on their turnover and declaring Fridays as holidays for most public sector employees, to facilitate the economic recovery and mitigate energy and food crisis. Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. Also read | Nearly 10 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population faced food shortages before COVID-19 pandemic: Report The economic crisis has prompted an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper, and even matches, with Sri Lankans being forced to wait in lines lasting hours outside stores to buy fuel and cooking gas. The Cabinet at a meeting held on Monday approved a bill to impose a 2.5 per cent tax on companies with an annual turnover of Rs 120 million. The new tax named the social contribution levy will be applicable to businesses in imports, manufacturing, service providers, wholesalers and retailers, according to an official statement. Watch | Fuel crisis worsens in Sri Lanka as Lankan government plans fuel-rationing scheme In another measure aimed at mitigating the ongoing energy crisis, the Cabinet has approved to declare Fridays as holidays for the public sector employees. This, however, would not be applicable to the employees in the health, power and energy, education and defence sectors. The Cabinet also approved a move to grant government officials one leave per week for the next three months to engage in agriculture to mitigate the approaching food crisis. Minister of Home affairs and Public Administration Dinesh Gunawardena said that fuel consumption will be reduced because of this move. We have decided to make Fridays a holiday for all public servants because of the transportation issues that have popped up as a result of the fuel scarcity. Also read | Sri Lanka risks full-blown humanitarian emergency, UN agency says "Public servants can stay at home and focus on growing food crops on Fridays", he said. Gunawardena said that Monday was made a holiday for all public servants so that they will not have to spend their resources and come to Colombo and go back again to their villages for the Poson Holiday on Tuesday. Sri Lanka is experiencing long queues for refueling at pumping stations as the government finds it difficult to finance fuel imports to retain a reserve adequate for a minimum of three months. A move to ration fuel is to be implemented from next month as the forex crisis gets worsened. The nearly bankrupt country, with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in foreign debt default, announced in April that it is suspending nearly USD 7 billion foreign debt repayment due for this year out of about USD 25 billion due through 2026. Sri Lanka's total foreign debt stands at USD 51 billion. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lankan cabinet approves several measures to facilitate economic recovery

In no other part of the world is pollution's devastating impact more obvious than in South Asia, which bears more than half of the world's pollution burden. If the current high levels of pollution continue, residents are predicted to lose around 5 years on average, and more in the most contaminated areas. India has accounted for almost 44 per cent&nbsp;of the global rise in pollution since 2013.

Globally, India is the second- most polluted country in the world after Bangladesh, where life expectancy was reduced by 6.9 years in 2020 due to polluted air. India's neighbours, Nepal and Pakistan, are also reeling from air pollution, reducing life expectancies by 4.1 years and 3.8 years, respectively.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/men-are-bigger-contributors-to-air-pollution-than-women-says-study-487456">Men are bigger contributors to air pollution than women, says study</a>

Bangladesh is now the most polluted country on the planet. The typical Bangladeshi's life expectancy is cut by 6.7 years compared to what it would be if the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines were followed. Bangladesh has substantially worse air pollution than the rest of the country, with the most polluted district reducing life expectancy by 8.1 years.

Particulate pollution kills more people than communicable diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, as well as behavioural killers like cigarette smoking and even war. Some parts of the globe are hit harder than others.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Bangladesh: Dhaka tops chart for excessive noise pollution, 3 times higher than accepted level

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For example, in the United States, where pollution is lower, life expectancy is reduced by only 0.1 years compared to the WHO standard.&nbsp;

Bringing particle concentrations down to the WHO limit would enhance average life expectancy by 2.6 and 5.9 years in China and India, respectively, where pollution levels are substantially higher.

What are the health consequences of particulate air pollution?

Particulate matter (PM) refers to solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, such as soot, smoke, and dust. PM particles enter the respiratory system along with the oxygen that the body requires when the air is polluted with them.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reducing-harmful-air-pollution-can-lead-to-a-greater-number-of-hurricanes-study-finds-478408">Reducing harmful air pollution can lead to a greater number of hurricanes, study finds</a>

When PM is inhaled by the nose or mouth, the fate of each particle is determined by its size: the finer the particles, the deeper they penetrate into the body. PM10 particles, which have a diameter of less than 10 micrometres (m) and are included in estimates of "total suspended matter" (TSP), are small enough to pass through the nasal hairs.

They proceed through the respiratory tract and into the lungs, where the metal elements on the particles' surfaces oxidise lung cells, causing DNA damage and raising cancer risk.

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In no other part of the world is pollution's devastating impact more obvious than in South Asia, which bears more than half of the world's pollution burden. If the current high levels of pollution continue, residents are predicted to lose around 5 years on average, and more in the most contaminated areas.

In no other part of the world is pollution's devastating impact more obvious than in South Asia, which bears more than half of the world's pollution burden. If the current high levels of pollution continue, residents are predicted to lose around 5 years on average, and more in the most contaminated areas. India has accounted for almost 44 per cent of the global rise in pollution since 2013. Globally, India is the second- most polluted country in the world after Bangladesh, where life expectancy was reduced by 6.9 years in 2020 due to polluted air. India's neighbours, Nepal and Pakistan, are also reeling from air pollution, reducing life expectancies by 4.1 years and 3.8 years, respectively. Also read | Men are bigger contributors to air pollution than women, says study Bangladesh is now the most polluted country on the planet. The typical Bangladeshi's life expectancy is cut by 6.7 years compared to what it would be if the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines were followed. Bangladesh has substantially worse air pollution than the rest of the country, with the most polluted district reducing life expectancy by 8.1 years. Particulate pollution kills more people than communicable diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, as well as behavioural killers like cigarette smoking and even war. Some parts of the globe are hit harder than others. Watch | Bangladesh: Dhaka tops chart for excessive noise pollution, 3 times higher than accepted level For example, in the United States, where pollution is lower, life expectancy is reduced by only 0.1 years compared to the WHO standard. Bringing particle concentrations down to the WHO limit would enhance average life expectancy by 2.6 and 5.9 years in China and India, respectively, where pollution levels are substantially higher. What are the health consequences of particulate air pollution? Particulate matter (PM) refers to solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, such as soot, smoke, and dust. PM particles enter the respiratory system along with the oxygen that the body requires when the air is polluted with them. Also read | Reducing harmful air pollution can lead to a greater number of hurricanes, study finds When PM is inhaled by the nose or mouth, the fate of each particle is determined by its size: the finer the particles, the deeper they penetrate into the body. PM10 particles, which have a diameter of less than 10 micrometres (m) and are included in estimates of "total suspended matter" (TSP), are small enough to pass through the nasal hairs. They proceed through the respiratory tract and into the lungs, where the metal elements on the particles' surfaces oxidise lung cells, causing DNA damage and raising cancer risk. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

South Asia remains the world's most polluted region, with India ranking second

The West Bengal government on Monday extended the summer vacation in state-run and state-aided schools for another 10 days till June 26 in view of "extreme heat wave conditions".

Principal Secretary (Education) Manish Jain said in a notification that the decision was taken keeping in mind the safety of students.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heatwave-causes-record-temperatures-in-southwestern-us-487697">Heatwave causes record temperatures in southwestern US</a>

"With regard to declaring summer vacation in the schools due to extreme heat wave conditions, as reports of a few death cases due to heat and humidity have been received, the competent authority has decided to extend the summer vacation", the government release said.

The notice was issued to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and the West Bengal Board of Primary Education.

Watch |&nbsp;Delhi: 6 spells of a heat wave this summer with temperatures hitting 49° celsius in May

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The summer vacation in schools had already been extended from mid-April, owing to the hot and humid conditions.

The notice comes a day after the death of three elderly pilgrims during a religious function at Panihati due to heat.&nbsp;

However, the summer vacation has not been extended for schools in hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, the government stated.

The West Bengal school education department had earlier issued a letter to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education&nbsp;and the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, advising them to declare early summer vacation from May 2 to June 15 due to the extreme heatwave conditions in the state.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india/heatwave-reduced-indias-wheat-crop-yield-by-10-to-30-this-year-report-481613">Heatwave reduced India's wheat crop yield by 10 to 30% this year: Report</a>

Private schools&nbsp;that had been continuing with offline classes after the heatwave became less intense also&nbsp;declared an early summer vacation from May 9 after being urged by the school education department to suspend classes.

However, teachers and parents are worried that the long summer break will affect the daily school-going habit of students, after a long break due to the pandemic.

Monsoon has arrived in north Bengal but is yet to reach Calcutta and other parts of south Bengal.&nbsp;The maximum temperature has been hovering around 35°C on most days.

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The West Bengal government on Monday extended the summer vacation in state-run and state-aided schools for another 10 days till June 26 in view of "extreme heat wave conditions".

The West Bengal government on Monday extended the summer vacation in state-run and state-aided schools for another 10 days till June 26 in view of "extreme heat wave conditions". Principal Secretary (Education) Manish Jain said in a notification that the decision was taken keeping in mind the safety of students. Also read | Heatwave causes record temperatures in southwestern US "With regard to declaring summer vacation in the schools due to extreme heat wave conditions, as reports of a few death cases due to heat and humidity have been received, the competent authority has decided to extend the summer vacation", the government release said. The notice was issued to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and the West Bengal Board of Primary Education. Watch | Delhi: 6 spells of a heat wave this summer with temperatures hitting 49° celsius in May The summer vacation in schools had already been extended from mid-April, owing to the hot and humid conditions. The notice comes a day after the death of three elderly pilgrims during a religious function at Panihati due to heat. However, the summer vacation has not been extended for schools in hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, the government stated. The West Bengal school education department had earlier issued a letter to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, advising them to declare early summer vacation from May 2 to June 15 due to the extreme heatwave conditions in the state. Also read | Heatwave reduced India's wheat crop yield by 10 to 30% this year: Report Private schools that had been continuing with offline classes after the heatwave became less intense also declared an early summer vacation from May 9 after being urged by the school education department to suspend classes. However, teachers and parents are worried that the long summer break will affect the daily school-going habit of students, after a long break due to the pandemic. Monsoon has arrived in north Bengal but is yet to reach Calcutta and other parts of south Bengal. The maximum temperature has been hovering around 35°C on most days. Watch WION LIVE HERE:

Summer vacation in Bengal govt schools extended due to 'extreme heat'

Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;is at risk of tipping into a&nbsp;full-blown&nbsp;humanitarian&nbsp;crisis as the country's economy suffers its biggest shock in decades, the UN&nbsp;humanitarian&nbsp;office (OCHA) said on Friday.

Sri&nbsp;Lanka's 22 million people are suffering the country's most serious financial turmoil in seven decades, with severe shortages of fuel, medicines and other essentials amid record inflation and a devaluation of its currency.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-there-is-a-man-made-economic-crisis-in-sri-lanka-says-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe-487590">Exclusive | There is a man-made economic crisis in Sri Lanka, says PM Ranil Wickremesinghe</a>

"Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;is facing its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. We are concerned that this could develop into a&nbsp;full-blown&nbsp;humanitarian&nbsp;emergency", OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told a regular UN news conference in Geneva.

"Sri&nbsp;Lanka's worst economic crisis since independence in 1948 was already taking a heavy toll", he said, pointing out that agriculture and livelihoods had been severely affected.

Many people are now "going without adequate food", Laerke said, also warning that "families' access to health services, protection and children's education is at stake."

In response to a request from the government, the&nbsp;United Nations on Thursday said it had launched a plan to provide 47.2 million dollars of assistance between June and September to 1.7 million people worst hit by the crisis.

Watch |&nbsp;Global Leadership Series: Sri Lanka's economic crisis: A humanitarian emergency?

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Christian Skoog, a representative in&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;for&nbsp;UNICEF, the&nbsp;United Nations&nbsp;children's&nbsp;agency, said 70 per cent of&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lankan households had already reduced food consumption and as many as one in two children required some form of&nbsp;emergency&nbsp;assistance.

As per an AFP report, the government has already defaulted on its 51 billion dollars in foreign debt, and a critical shortage of foreign currency has left traders unable to import adequate supplies of food, fuel and other essential goods.&nbsp;

UNICEF's representative in&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;Christian Skoog also warned that the situation was dire, with 17 per cent of children under five in the country already malnourished and stunted before the crisis.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-eu-to-provide-humanitarian-funding-bangladesh-provides-medical-supplies-477132">Sri Lanka crisis: EU to provide humanitarian funding; Bangladesh provides medical supplies</a>

He said the UN children's agency, especially sought to help 56,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

"Potentially they could all be at risk of dying", he told reporters via video link.

Laerke highlighted that "the&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lankan economy is on the brink of collapse".

"We call for international solidarity with the people of&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka", he added.

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Sri Lanka is at risk of tipping into a full-blown humanitarian crisis as the country's economy suffers its biggest shock in decades, the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) said on Friday.

Sri Lanka is at risk of tipping into a full-blown humanitarian crisis as the country's economy suffers its biggest shock in decades, the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) said on Friday. Sri Lanka's 22 million people are suffering the country's most serious financial turmoil in seven decades, with severe shortages of fuel, medicines and other essentials amid record inflation and a devaluation of its currency. Also read | Exclusive | There is a man-made economic crisis in Sri Lanka, says PM Ranil Wickremesinghe "Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. We are concerned that this could develop into a full-blown humanitarian emergency", OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told a regular UN news conference in Geneva. "Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since independence in 1948 was already taking a heavy toll", he said, pointing out that agriculture and livelihoods had been severely affected. Many people are now "going without adequate food", Laerke said, also warning that "families' access to health services, protection and children's education is at stake." In response to a request from the government, the United Nations on Thursday said it had launched a plan to provide 47.2 million dollars of assistance between June and September to 1.7 million people worst hit by the crisis. Watch | Global Leadership Series: Sri Lanka's economic crisis: A humanitarian emergency? Christian Skoog, a representative in Sri Lanka for UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, said 70 per cent of Sri Lankan households had already reduced food consumption and as many as one in two children required some form of emergency assistance. As per an AFP report, the government has already defaulted on its 51 billion dollars in foreign debt, and a critical shortage of foreign currency has left traders unable to import adequate supplies of food, fuel and other essential goods. UNICEF's representative in Sri Lanka Christian Skoog also warned that the situation was dire, with 17 per cent of children under five in the country already malnourished and stunted before the crisis. Also read | Sri Lanka crisis: EU to provide humanitarian funding; Bangladesh provides medical supplies He said the UN children's agency, especially sought to help 56,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. "Potentially they could all be at risk of dying", he told reporters via video link. Laerke highlighted that "the Sri Lankan economy is on the brink of collapse". "We call for international solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka", he added. Watch WION LIVE HERE:

Sri Lanka risks full-blown humanitarian emergency, UN agency says

The Pakistani rupee and stock markets have taken a hit as the government's budget for the next fiscal year 2022-23 failed to gain investors'&nbsp;confidence, on Monday.

The local currency surpassed the critical threshold of 204 against the US dollar in the interbank market during intra-day trade, while the benchmark KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange&nbsp;is pushed by nearly 800 points, falling below the 41,000 barrier.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explainer-what-financial-action-task-force-and-why-is-pakistan-in-its-terror-grey-list-487671">Explainer: What is Financial Action Task Force and why is Pakistan in its 'grey list'?</a>

Former planning minister and senior PTI leader Asad Umar also commented on the budget in a sarcastic way, calling the&nbsp;budget for 2022-23&nbsp;“wonderful”.

He further added that "who else is happy with the budget other than the companies that produce candies".

Watch |&nbsp;IMF calls Pakistan's budget 'problematic', urges to raise more direct taxes

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While, capital market expert Saad Ali said that, "the sentiment is negative across all capital markets today".

He mentioned&nbsp;that everyone was looking forward to this budget and it was seen as a "major milestone", however, once again the government has failed to make IMF happy with its budget and is unable to revive the country's economy.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/debt-ridden-pakistan-imposes-luxury-tax-on-big-cars-for-hard-times-487101/amp">Also read |&nbsp;Debt-ridden Pakistan imposes ‘luxury tax’ on big cars for 'hard times'</a>

"In line with the statement of Finance Minister Miftah Ismail over the weekend, the market players expect that the government might have to revisit its proposed allocations and targets set in the federal budget in order to convince the IMF", he added.

Ali also suggested that more clarity would be needed to develop a good budget and gain the confidence of investors.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Pakistani rupee and stock markets have taken a hit as the government's budget for the next fiscal year 2022-23 failed to gain investors' confidence, on Monday.

The Pakistani rupee and stock markets have taken a hit as the government's budget for the next fiscal year 2022-23 failed to gain investors' confidence, on Monday. The local currency surpassed the critical threshold of 204 against the US dollar in the interbank market during intra-day trade, while the benchmark KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange is pushed by nearly 800 points, falling below the 41,000 barrier. Also read | Explainer: What is Financial Action Task Force and why is Pakistan in its 'grey list'? Former planning minister and senior PTI leader Asad Umar also commented on the budget in a sarcastic way, calling the budget for 2022-23 “wonderful”. He further added that "who else is happy with the budget other than the companies that produce candies". Watch | IMF calls Pakistan's budget 'problematic', urges to raise more direct taxes While, capital market expert Saad Ali said that, "the sentiment is negative across all capital markets today". He mentioned that everyone was looking forward to this budget and it was seen as a "major milestone", however, once again the government has failed to make IMF happy with its budget and is unable to revive the country's economy. Also read | Debt-ridden Pakistan imposes ‘luxury tax’ on big cars for 'hard times' "In line with the statement of Finance Minister Miftah Ismail over the weekend, the market players expect that the government might have to revisit its proposed allocations and targets set in the federal budget in order to convince the IMF", he added. Ali also suggested that more clarity would be needed to develop a good budget and gain the confidence of investors. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan currency, stock markets take a hit as budget fails to restore investors confidence

An area of 14,430 acres was damaged after more than 200 wildfires continue to rage in various districts of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during the past two weeks, according to a report.

The area includes forests and pastures, Dawn reported on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-withdraws-pensionary-benefits-of-five-former-servicemen-report-487436">Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan withdraws pensionary benefits of five former-servicemen: Report</a>

Of the 210 wildfire incidents, around 55 blazes have been started intentionally by local people and 12 ascribed to dry weather conditions while the cause of another 143 blazes is unknown, according to a report compiled by the provincial forestry, environment and wildlife department.

These figures are based on daily situation reports generated by the department between May 23 and June 9.

Watch |&nbsp;Wildfire ravages southern Spain: Warm weather &amp; adverse winds causing the blaze

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Latifur Rehman, a spokesperson for the department said that rumours had been circulating in the affected areas that the government would pay compensation for any damage to forests due to wildfires.

Pakistan had a harsh and lengthy heatwave, the longest one in the country's history.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-pak-prez-pervez-musharraf-critical-recovery-not-possible-organs-are-malfunctioning-486946">Also read |&nbsp;Pervez Musharraf stable and out of a ventilator; family says 'recovery not possible, organs malfunctioning'</a>

Besides this, Pakistan continues to struggle with the electricity and gas outages, the protestors at multiple places in the country demonstrated against the federal government demanding an immediate supply of electricity and natural gas.

The country is also witnessing nationwide protests on the water shortage, as the water crisis has broken a 22-year record in Pakistan as the provinces face a 50 per cent shortage of water and there is 97 per cent water scarcity in reservoirs, as per the details released by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA).&nbsp;

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An area of 14,430 acres was damaged after more than 200 wildfires continue to rage in various districts of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during the past two weeks, according to a report.

An area of 14,430 acres was damaged after more than 200 wildfires continue to rage in various districts of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during the past two weeks, according to a report. The area includes forests and pastures, Dawn reported on Sunday. Also read | Pakistan withdraws pensionary benefits of five former-servicemen: Report Of the 210 wildfire incidents, around 55 blazes have been started intentionally by local people and 12 ascribed to dry weather conditions while the cause of another 143 blazes is unknown, according to a report compiled by the provincial forestry, environment and wildlife department. These figures are based on daily situation reports generated by the department between May 23 and June 9. Watch | Wildfire ravages southern Spain: Warm weather & adverse winds causing the blaze Latifur Rehman, a spokesperson for the department said that rumours had been circulating in the affected areas that the government would pay compensation for any damage to forests due to wildfires. Pakistan had a harsh and lengthy heatwave, the longest one in the country's history. Also read | Pervez Musharraf stable and out of a ventilator; family says 'recovery not possible, organs malfunctioning' Besides this, Pakistan continues to struggle with the electricity and gas outages, the protestors at multiple places in the country demonstrated against the federal government demanding an immediate supply of electricity and natural gas. The country is also witnessing nationwide protests on the water shortage, as the water crisis has broken a 22-year record in Pakistan as the provinces face a 50 per cent shortage of water and there is 97 per cent water scarcity in reservoirs, as per the details released by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA). WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Over 14,430 acres damaged due to wildfires in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in fortnight: Report

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Saturday that Pakistan will seek a deferred payment plan for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bought under long-term deals with Qatar as the nation's economy continues to stay in the doldrums while it awaits IMF funds amid falling foreign currency reserves.

"We've talked about a deferred payment plan or at least I've requested this and petroleum minister is doing negotiations and is going to do the talks",&nbsp;he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imf-presses-hard-for-reforms-as-pakistan-shares-upcoming-2022-23-budget-features-486892">IMF presses hard for reforms as Pakistan shares upcoming 2022-23 budget features</a>

Pakistan awaits IMF funds, as the country is faced with falling foreign exchange reserves which is only enough for less than 45 days of imports, and a huge current account deficit.

Moreover, there is a huge current account deficit with energy purchases dominating the record import bill.

Miftah unveiled the 2022-23 budget on Friday aimed at fiscal consolidation as Pakistan tries to convince the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restart much-needed financial support.

Watch |&nbsp;Fossil fuel impact on the climate: LNG industry worsens climate emissions

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But the lender has expressed concerns over the numbers, including its current account deficit.

Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, who was in Doha this week for talks with Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Qatar Energy chief executive Saad al-Kaabi, confirmed talks but said the government was exploring different "innovative" pricing and supply strategies in broad-based talks.

"Deferred payment obviously would be enormously beneficial for Pakistan in the way of cash flows, but that is not the only discussion that we are having", Malik said in an audio message, describing the discussions as "preliminary", however, Qatar's government did not immediately respond to the request.

Pakistan already has two long-term supply deals with Qatar,&nbsp;the first signed in 2016 for five cargoes a month, and the second in 2021, under which Pakistan currently gets three monthly shipments but the nation is currently under a massive grip of widespread power outrages as procurement of the chilled fuel remains unreliable and expensive due to its increased reliance on LNG for electricity generation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/debt-ridden-pakistan-imposes-luxury-tax-on-big-cars-for-hard-times-487101">Debt-ridden Pakistan imposes ‘luxury tax’ on big cars for 'hard times'</a>

Ismail said the government was also speaking to Qatar about a new five or 10-year LNG supply deal for three monthly cargoes, as well as an additional cargo under an existing deal.

The fast depletion of the foreign exchange reserves was the result of Pakistan's inflation of twin deficits, and a lack of foreign currency inflows.

Inflation in Pakistan entered the double-digit mark in July, the biggest surge in nearly six years.

In April, imports increased by 72 per cent, leaving no room for the government to improve its external balances while the foreign exchange reserves of the central bank have touched 10.3 billion dollars, the lowest since June 2020.&nbsp;

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Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Saturday that Pakistan will seek a deferred payment plan for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bought under long-term deals with Qatar as the nation's economy continues to stay in the doldrums while it awaits IMF funds amid falling foreign currency reserves.

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Saturday that Pakistan will seek a deferred payment plan for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bought under long-term deals with Qatar as the nation's economy continues to stay in the doldrums while it awaits IMF funds amid falling foreign currency reserves. "We've talked about a deferred payment plan or at least I've requested this and petroleum minister is doing negotiations and is going to do the talks", he said. Also read | IMF presses hard for reforms as Pakistan shares upcoming 2022-23 budget features Pakistan awaits IMF funds, as the country is faced with falling foreign exchange reserves which is only enough for less than 45 days of imports, and a huge current account deficit. Moreover, there is a huge current account deficit with energy purchases dominating the record import bill. Miftah unveiled the 2022-23 budget on Friday aimed at fiscal consolidation as Pakistan tries to convince the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restart much-needed financial support. Watch | Fossil fuel impact on the climate: LNG industry worsens climate emissions But the lender has expressed concerns over the numbers, including its current account deficit. Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, who was in Doha this week for talks with Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Qatar Energy chief executive Saad al-Kaabi, confirmed talks but said the government was exploring different "innovative" pricing and supply strategies in broad-based talks. "Deferred payment obviously would be enormously beneficial for Pakistan in the way of cash flows, but that is not the only discussion that we are having", Malik said in an audio message, describing the discussions as "preliminary", however, Qatar's government did not immediately respond to the request. Pakistan already has two long-term supply deals with Qatar, the first signed in 2016 for five cargoes a month, and the second in 2021, under which Pakistan currently gets three monthly shipments but the nation is currently under a massive grip of widespread power outrages as procurement of the chilled fuel remains unreliable and expensive due to its increased reliance on LNG for electricity generation. Also read | Debt-ridden Pakistan imposes ‘luxury tax’ on big cars for 'hard times' Ismail said the government was also speaking to Qatar about a new five or 10-year LNG supply deal for three monthly cargoes, as well as an additional cargo under an existing deal. The fast depletion of the foreign exchange reserves was the result of Pakistan's inflation of twin deficits, and a lack of foreign currency inflows. Inflation in Pakistan entered the double-digit mark in July, the biggest surge in nearly six years. In April, imports increased by 72 per cent, leaving no room for the government to improve its external balances while the foreign exchange reserves of the central bank have touched 10.3 billion dollars, the lowest since June 2020. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan leans on Qatar for LNG amid falling foreign currency reserves

Beijing's&nbsp;most populous&nbsp;district&nbsp;Chaoyang&nbsp;announced&nbsp;three rounds of&nbsp;mass&nbsp;testing&nbsp;to quell a "ferocious"&nbsp;COVID 19&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;that emerged at a bar in a nightlife and shopping area last week, shortly after the city relaxed curbs imposed during an&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;in April.

City health officials said that so far there have been 166 confirmed cases linked to the&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;that began at the Heaven Supermarket bar in the Sanlitun area on Thursday, 145 of them bar patrons.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-restrictions-return-to-shanghai-xi-jinping-says-persistence-is-victory-486990">Covid restrictions return to Shanghai, Xi Jinping says ‘persistence is victory’</a>

Mass&nbsp;testing&nbsp;would take place between Monday and Wednesday in&nbsp;Chaoyang&nbsp;district, where the bar is located, officials told a press briefing.

The overall numbers of cases and deaths from the pandemic remain extremely low in China compared with many countries around the world.

But even as much of the world has relaxed curbs, Chinese authorities maintain their zero-COVID&nbsp;policy, trying to stamp out&nbsp;outbreaks early with measures including heavy restrictions on movement and&nbsp;mass&nbsp;testing.

Xu Hejian, Beijing city government spokesman, told Sunday's briefing that the current&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;in the capital is "ferocious".

"At present, the risk of a further spread still exists. The most urgent task at the moment is to trace the source of the cluster and also manage and control the risks", he said, adding Beijing must prevent the emergence of "epidemic amplifiers".

Two buildings housing hundreds of residents in one&nbsp;Chaoyang&nbsp;compound were put under strict lockdown on Sunday after a single positive case.

Watch |&nbsp;Mainland China sees surge in COVID cases

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Large metal barricades were installed around the compound. Staff in hazmat suits carrying disinfectant entered the building and extra security and police were brought in at the exits.

Several businesses nearby including the "Paradise&nbsp;Massage &amp; Spa" were also put under temporary lockdown with police tape and security personnel brought in to block the exits.

A handful of customers and staff at the parlour would be locked in for at least two days whilst checks were carried out, a government worker told.

Some Beijing residents reported that on Sunday they received multiple texts telling them to report to their neighbourhood organisations if they had visited Sanlitun's bars recently.

It is only a week since state media reported that Beijing would further relax&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;curbs by allowing indoor dining.

MORE&nbsp;TESTING&nbsp;IN SHANGHAI

In Shanghai, subject to two months of lockdown up until the start of June, authorities&nbsp;announced&nbsp;on Saturday a round of&nbsp;testing&nbsp;for most of its 25 million residents.

Shanghai officials told reporters said they found one symptomatic and four asymptomatic cases as of Sunday afternoon, after finding 10 new local symptomatic cases and 19 local asymptomatic cases a day earlier.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-delays-school-reopenings-after-new-covid-outbreak-487229">Beijing delays school reopenings after new Covid outbreak</a>

Dine-in services will be allowed to resume in a number of restaurants and eateries in three suburban&nbsp;districts, Shanghai officials said.

China reported 275 new coronavirus cases for June 11, of which 134 were symptomatic and 141 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Sunday.

There were no new deaths, leaving the total tally in the pandemic at 5,226.

As of Saturday, mainland China had confirmed 224,781 cases with symptoms.

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Beijing's most populous district Chaoyang announced three rounds of mass testing to quell a "ferocious" COVID 19 outbreak that emerged at a bar in a nightlife and shopping area last week, shortly after the city relaxed curbs imposed during an outbreak in April.

Beijing's most populous district Chaoyang announced three rounds of mass testing to quell a "ferocious" COVID 19 outbreak that emerged at a bar in a nightlife and shopping area last week, shortly after the city relaxed curbs imposed during an outbreak in April. City health officials said that so far there have been 166 confirmed cases linked to the outbreak that began at the Heaven Supermarket bar in the Sanlitun area on Thursday, 145 of them bar patrons. Also read | Covid restrictions return to Shanghai, Xi Jinping says ‘persistence is victory’ Mass testing would take place between Monday and Wednesday in Chaoyang district, where the bar is located, officials told a press briefing. The overall numbers of cases and deaths from the pandemic remain extremely low in China compared with many countries around the world. But even as much of the world has relaxed curbs, Chinese authorities maintain their zero-COVID policy, trying to stamp out outbreaks early with measures including heavy restrictions on movement and mass testing. Xu Hejian, Beijing city government spokesman, told Sunday's briefing that the current outbreak in the capital is "ferocious". "At present, the risk of a further spread still exists. The most urgent task at the moment is to trace the source of the cluster and also manage and control the risks", he said, adding Beijing must prevent the emergence of "epidemic amplifiers". Two buildings housing hundreds of residents in one Chaoyang compound were put under strict lockdown on Sunday after a single positive case. Watch | Mainland China sees surge in COVID cases Large metal barricades were installed around the compound. Staff in hazmat suits carrying disinfectant entered the building and extra security and police were brought in at the exits. Several businesses nearby including the "Paradise Massage & Spa" were also put under temporary lockdown with police tape and security personnel brought in to block the exits. A handful of customers and staff at the parlour would be locked in for at least two days whilst checks were carried out, a government worker told. Some Beijing residents reported that on Sunday they received multiple texts telling them to report to their neighbourhood organisations if they had visited Sanlitun's bars recently. It is only a week since state media reported that Beijing would further relax COVID curbs by allowing indoor dining. MORE TESTING IN SHANGHAI In Shanghai, subject to two months of lockdown up until the start of June, authorities announced on Saturday a round of testing for most of its 25 million residents. Shanghai officials told reporters said they found one symptomatic and four asymptomatic cases as of Sunday afternoon, after finding 10 new local symptomatic cases and 19 local asymptomatic cases a day earlier. Also read | Beijing delays school reopenings after new Covid outbreak Dine-in services will be allowed to resume in a number of restaurants and eateries in three suburban districts, Shanghai officials said. China reported 275 new coronavirus cases for June 11, of which 134 were symptomatic and 141 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Sunday. There were no new deaths, leaving the total tally in the pandemic at 5,226. As of Saturday, mainland China had confirmed 224,781 cases with symptoms. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Mass COVID-19 testing announced for Beijing's Chaoyang district amid 'ferocious' outbreak

Casualties are feared after a blast rocked Afghanistan`s Kunduz city on Sunday.

Yesterday, several people were injured after a blast took place in Kabul. The explosion took place at Batkhak Square in the 10th district of Kabul.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-regime-accountable-for-rise-in-illegal-trafficking-of-children-in-afghanistan-486101">Taliban regime accountable for rise in illegal trafficking of children in Afghanistan</a>

Citing a spokesman for the Kabul police, the Afghan media outlet said that many people had been killed while many were injured in the explosion.

According to him, the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device planted in a passenger car.

The cases of blast in Afghanistan is not new. Earlier, on Monday, a blast took place in Police District- four of Kabul from with explosives carried on a bicycle, the Kabul security department said.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban shuts down Afghanistan's ministry of women affairs, other key departments

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Security forces have arrived in the area to investigate the matter.

Earlier, three explosions rocked the capital of Balkh province on May 25, leaving at least nine&nbsp;people killed and 15 others injured.

Meanwhile, on the same day, a blast at Masjid Sharif Hazrat Zakaria mosque in Kabul City left at least two worshippers dead, according to officials.

In response to the attacks in Balkh and Kabul, the US Special Envoy for Women and Human Rights in Afghanistan, Rina Amiri said that the Taliban must ensure people's security and prevent atrocities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-destroying-lives-of-lgbtq-people-in-afghanistan-report-447765">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban 'destroying lives' of LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan: Report</a>

"The heinous attacks in Mazar &amp; Kabul serve no purpose but to inflict further devastation on innocent Afghans who have suffered enough", Amiri tweeted.

"Preventing these horrid attacks and addressing the security and needs of all Afghans should be what the Taliban focus on", she added.

The first two explosions in Balkh province targeted passenger vehicles in the Hazara neighbourhood, local media reported citing local sources.

Additionally, earlier, an explosion at a traffic square in Kabul`s fourth police district had killed at least 30 people and injured others at the Hazrat Zekriya Mosque.

The Emergency hospital said that 22 people had been injured and that five&nbsp;of them had died on their way before reaching the hospital.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the blast in Hazrat Zakariya.

The Taliban faced a severe security threat from the Khorasan branch of ISIS, which has been active in Afghanistan since 2014.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the recent attacks in Afghanistan that claimed the lives of numerous civilians, among them members of the Hazara Shia community and several children". 
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Casualties are feared after a blast rocked Afghanistan`s Kunduz city on Sunday. Yesterday, several people were injured after a blast took place in Kabul. The explosion took place at Batkhak Square in the 10th district of Kabul.

Casualties are feared after a blast rocked Afghanistan`s Kunduz city on Sunday. Yesterday, several people were injured after a blast took place in Kabul. The explosion took place at Batkhak Square in the 10th district of Kabul. Also read | Taliban regime accountable for rise in illegal trafficking of children in Afghanistan Citing a spokesman for the Kabul police, the Afghan media outlet said that many people had been killed while many were injured in the explosion. According to him, the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device planted in a passenger car. The cases of blast in Afghanistan is not new. Earlier, on Monday, a blast took place in Police District- four of Kabul from with explosives carried on a bicycle, the Kabul security department said. Watch | Taliban shuts down Afghanistan's ministry of women affairs, other key departments Security forces have arrived in the area to investigate the matter. Earlier, three explosions rocked the capital of Balkh province on May 25, leaving at least nine people killed and 15 others injured. Meanwhile, on the same day, a blast at Masjid Sharif Hazrat Zakaria mosque in Kabul City left at least two worshippers dead, according to officials. In response to the attacks in Balkh and Kabul, the US Special Envoy for Women and Human Rights in Afghanistan, Rina Amiri said that the Taliban must ensure people's security and prevent atrocities. Also read | Taliban 'destroying lives' of LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan: Report "The heinous attacks in Mazar & Kabul serve no purpose but to inflict further devastation on innocent Afghans who have suffered enough", Amiri tweeted. "Preventing these horrid attacks and addressing the security and needs of all Afghans should be what the Taliban focus on", she added. The first two explosions in Balkh province targeted passenger vehicles in the Hazara neighbourhood, local media reported citing local sources. Additionally, earlier, an explosion at a traffic square in Kabul`s fourth police district had killed at least 30 people and injured others at the Hazrat Zekriya Mosque. The Emergency hospital said that 22 people had been injured and that five of them had died on their way before reaching the hospital. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the blast in Hazrat Zakariya. The Taliban faced a severe security threat from the Khorasan branch of ISIS, which has been active in Afghanistan since 2014. Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the recent attacks in Afghanistan that claimed the lives of numerous civilians, among them members of the Hazara Shia community and several children". Watch WION's live TV here:

Blast in Afghanistan's Kunduz, casualties feared

Pakistan's finance minister said on Saturday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern about the country's recently unveiled budget, but the government is confident it can make changes to satisfy the lender.

Pakistan is looking to getting a staff level agreement with the IMF this month, Miftah Ismail said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/debt-ridden-pakistan-imposes-luxury-tax-on-big-cars-for-hard-times-487101/amp">Debt-ridden Pakistan imposes ‘luxury tax’ on big cars for 'hard times'</a>

It unveiled a 9.5 trillion Pakistani rupee (47.12 billion dollars) budget for 2022-23 on Friday aimed at tight fiscal consolidation in a bid to convince the IMF to restart much-needed bailout payments.

"There are still some concerns the IMF has about our budget and numbers and stuff like that", Ismail said in an interview at his office in Islamabad.

He said the IMF was concerned about fuel subsidies, a widening current account deficit, and the need to raise more direct taxes.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Pakistan unveils annual budget for 2022

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Fuel subsides have been cut in the last two weeks, and the remaining support is expected to be removed in coming days.<o:p></o:p>

Proposed budget estimates also seek to rein in the current account deficit, but direct tax revenues remain a concern and Ismail said "slight differences" remain there.<o:p></o:p>

IMF's resident representative in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<o:p></o:p>

Ismail said Pakistan would seek to allay the concerns before the budget has to be passed by parliament. Pakistan's financial year runs from July 1 to June 30.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-rupee-nosedives-to-all-time-low-of-20283-against-us-dollar-486263">Pakistani rupee nosedives to all-time low of 202.83 against US dollar</a></o:p>

"If there are some changes that we need to make to bring them onboard, we shall do so", he said.<o:p></o:p>

Pakistan is halfway through a 6 billion dollar, 39-month IMF programme which has stalled over the lender's concerns over the status of some of its objectives, including fiscal consolidation.<o:p></o:p>

Pakistan urgently needs funds in the face of dwindling foreign exchange reserves, which have reached 9.2 billion dollars which are enough for less than 45 days of imports.<o:p></o:p>

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Pakistan's finance minister said on Saturday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern about the country's recently unveiled budget, but the government is confident it can make changes to satisfy the lender.

Pakistan's finance minister said on Saturday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern about the country's recently unveiled budget, but the government is confident it can make changes to satisfy the lender. Pakistan is looking to getting a staff level agreement with the IMF this month, Miftah Ismail said. Also read | Debt-ridden Pakistan imposes ‘luxury tax’ on big cars for 'hard times' It unveiled a 9.5 trillion Pakistani rupee (47.12 billion dollars) budget for 2022-23 on Friday aimed at tight fiscal consolidation in a bid to convince the IMF to restart much-needed bailout payments. "There are still some concerns the IMF has about our budget and numbers and stuff like that", Ismail said in an interview at his office in Islamabad. He said the IMF was concerned about fuel subsidies, a widening current account deficit, and the need to raise more direct taxes. Watch | Gravitas: Pakistan unveils annual budget for 2022 Fuel subsides have been cut in the last two weeks, and the remaining support is expected to be removed in coming days. Proposed budget estimates also seek to rein in the current account deficit, but direct tax revenues remain a concern and Ismail said "slight differences" remain there. IMF's resident representative in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ismail said Pakistan would seek to allay the concerns before the budget has to be passed by parliament. Pakistan's financial year runs from July 1 to June 30. Also read | Pakistani rupee nosedives to all-time low of 202.83 against US dollar "If there are some changes that we need to make to bring them onboard, we shall do so", he said. Pakistan is halfway through a 6 billion dollar, 39-month IMF programme which has stalled over the lender's concerns over the status of some of its objectives, including fiscal consolidation. Pakistan urgently needs funds in the face of dwindling foreign exchange reserves, which have reached 9.2 billion dollars which are enough for less than 45 days of imports. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

IMF still has concerns over Pakistan budget - finance minister

Pakistan reported 73 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the country`s ministry of health said on Saturday.

The tally of infected people climbed to 1,531,112 across the country after adding the fresh cases, according to the data released by the ministry.

A total of 30,381 people died of COVID-19 in Pakistan, with no more deaths over the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's statistics.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-moderna-vaccine-effective-and-safe-for-kids-under-the-age-of-5-says-fda-487083">Also read |&nbsp;Covid-19: Moderna vaccine effective and safe for kids under the age of 5, says FDA</a>

As many as 13,635 tests for COVID-19 were conducted in Pakistan while the positivity rate stood at 0.54 per cent.

There are 51 active cases that are in critical condition in the South Asian country.

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan reported 72 new COVID-19 cases and 50 active cases that are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health of Pakistan reported the first case of COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. on May 9.

Watch |&nbsp;Residents stock up food supplies as Shanghai imposes new COVID lockdown curbs

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This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries, the National Institute of Health (NIH) had said in a statement.

"NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries", the health body had tweeted.

In view of this, NIH advised people to take preventive measures to avoid contracting the virus, which is vaccination against it.

"We strongly recommended getting vaccinated and all those due for boosters must get the shots immediately", it added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-records-massive-jump-in-covid-cases-with-over-8300-infections-highest-in-3-months-487096">Also read |&nbsp;India records massive jump in Covid cases with over 8,300 infections; highest in 3 months</a>

Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar said that the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 was detected in a traveller who had returned from Qatar.

He added that this sub-variant is seen in the recent spike in cases in the US.

"The disease severity and hospitalisation remain the same as Omicron but data is limited as of now",&nbsp;Pakistani media Geo TV reported.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern on November 26, 2021, while the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Karachi was reported on December 13.

Since then, the Ministry of NHSRC (National Health Systems Resource Centre), NCOC, NIH (National Institute of Health) and the provincial health departments have remained vigilant to detect the variant in Pakistan", read an official statement.&nbsp;

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Pakistan reported 73 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the country`s ministry of health said on Saturday. The tally of infected people climbed to 1,531,112 across the country after adding the fresh cases, according to the data released by the ministry.

Pakistan reported 73 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the country`s ministry of health said on Saturday. The tally of infected people climbed to 1,531,112 across the country after adding the fresh cases, according to the data released by the ministry. A total of 30,381 people died of COVID-19 in Pakistan, with no more deaths over the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's statistics. Also read | Covid-19: Moderna vaccine effective and safe for kids under the age of 5, says FDA As many as 13,635 tests for COVID-19 were conducted in Pakistan while the positivity rate stood at 0.54 per cent. There are 51 active cases that are in critical condition in the South Asian country. Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan reported 72 new COVID-19 cases and 50 active cases that are in critical condition. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health of Pakistan reported the first case of COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. on May 9. Watch | Residents stock up food supplies as Shanghai imposes new COVID lockdown curbs This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries, the National Institute of Health (NIH) had said in a statement. "NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries", the health body had tweeted. In view of this, NIH advised people to take preventive measures to avoid contracting the virus, which is vaccination against it. "We strongly recommended getting vaccinated and all those due for boosters must get the shots immediately", it added. Also read | India records massive jump in Covid cases with over 8,300 infections; highest in 3 months Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar said that the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 was detected in a traveller who had returned from Qatar. He added that this sub-variant is seen in the recent spike in cases in the US. "The disease severity and hospitalisation remain the same as Omicron but data is limited as of now", Pakistani media Geo TV reported. The WHO (World Health Organisation) designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern on November 26, 2021, while the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Karachi was reported on December 13. Since then, the Ministry of NHSRC (National Health Systems Resource Centre), NCOC, NIH (National Institute of Health) and the provincial health departments have remained vigilant to detect the variant in Pakistan", read an official statement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan reports 73 fresh COVID cases

Pakistani&nbsp;police&nbsp;are&nbsp;investigating&nbsp;the circumstances surrounding the sudden&nbsp;death&nbsp;of a prominent&nbsp;televangelist-turned-politician&nbsp;on Thursday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aamir-liaquat-hussain-pakistani-politician-tv-host-passes-away-in-karachi-486519">Aamir Liaquat Hussain, Pakistani politician, TV host passes away in Karachi</a>

Aamir Liaquat Hussain, 50, was found unconscious at his home in Karachi and was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Ghulam Nabi Memon, provincial&nbsp;police&nbsp;chief, said.

“Police&nbsp;are trying to convince the family to allow the autopsy, since circumstances surrounding&nbsp;death&nbsp;are not clear”, he further said. He added that he has instructed the Karachi&nbsp;police&nbsp;chief to ensure the postmortem.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan politician &amp; popular TV host Aamir Liaquat passes away

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The family had refused the autopsy examination and shifted the body to a morgue, the information office for the rescue service said.

Hussain was found motionless at his house by one his employees, who called the rescue service, the service's information said.

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Pakistani police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a prominent televangelist-turned-politician on Thursday. Also read | Aamir Liaquat Hussain, Pakistani politician, TV host passes away in Karachi Aamir Liaquat Hussain, 50, was found unconscious at his home in Karachi and was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Ghulam Nabi Memon, provincial police chief, said.

Pakistani police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a prominent televangelist-turned-politician on Thursday. Also read | Aamir Liaquat Hussain, Pakistani politician, TV host passes away in Karachi Aamir Liaquat Hussain, 50, was found unconscious at his home in Karachi and was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Ghulam Nabi Memon, provincial police chief, said. “Police are trying to convince the family to allow the autopsy, since circumstances surrounding death are not clear”, he further said. He added that he has instructed the Karachi police chief to ensure the postmortem. Watch | Pakistan politician & popular TV host Aamir Liaquat passes away The family had refused the autopsy examination and shifted the body to a morgue, the information office for the rescue service said. Hussain was found motionless at his house by one his employees, who called the rescue service, the service's information said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistani police investigating death of televangelist-turned politician

Police in&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;on Wednesday opened an investigation into eight officials from a shipping container depot after&nbsp;a blaze killed at least 44 people, including 10&nbsp;firefighters, and injured around 200 others, officials said.

Firefighters put out the blaze at the depot in Sitakunda, 40 km (25 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong, on Wednesday, four days after it began late on Saturday, triggering a series of explosions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-depot-fire-near-chittagong-claims-sixteen-lives-at-least-170-injured-485194">Bangladesh depot fire near Chittagong claims 49 lives, at least 300 injured</a>

The investigation was opened into officials who were directly involved in operating the depot on suspicion of negligence and mismanagement, senior police official Ashraful Karim said.

No one has yet been arrested. The owners are not under police investigation as two probe committees were looking into the matter.

Authorities have not determined the cause of the disaster, but they suspect a container of hydrogen peroxide was the source of a massive blast that shook the neighbourhood followed by multiple other explosions.

Fire&nbsp;service officials said they had not been informed that chemicals had been stored at the depot.

A senior&nbsp;fire&nbsp;service official, Monir Hossain, said&nbsp;fire&nbsp;safety measures had not been implemented, with only a handful of extinguishers in a depot storing dozens of containers full of everything from clothes to chemicals.

Watch |&nbsp;Bangladesh Fire: Blaze kills 38, injures more than 300

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The director and one of the owners of the facility, the BM Container Depot, did not answer calls to his mobile telephone seeking comment.

The owners were quoted on Tuesday in&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;newspapers including the Dhaka Tribune as saying hydrogen peroxide was being exported through the depot "following due process with the permission of the concerned authorities".

"The container depot has an office of customs authority. They supervise the import-export work of the depot round the clock. It is mysterious that just one of the thousands of containers at the depot exploded. We want a fair and impartial investigation into this incident", General Manager of Smart Group Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui was quote as saying.

The death toll has risen to 44 after a worker from the depot died from his injuries on Wednesday, police said. Of the 200 or so injured, 50 were rescue officials, police said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-bangladesh-authorities-accused-of-blast-that-nearly-killed-at-least-49-and-hundreds-injured-485485">In pics: Bangladesh authorities accused of blast that nearly killed at least 49 and injured hundreds</a>

&nbsp;



&nbsp;

Some of the injured are in a critical condition, Chittagong’s chief doctor Mohammed Elias Hossain said.

Troops were trying to prevent chemicals spreading into canals and along the Bay of Bengal coastline, officials said.

Bangladesh&nbsp;is the world's second-biggest exporter of garments but its industrial safety standards have not kept pace with its economic development and&nbsp;fires are common in factories and other places of work.

The last major&nbsp;fire&nbsp;in&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;was in July when 54 people were killed at a food processing factory outside Dhaka.

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Police in Bangladesh on Wednesday opened an investigation into eight officials from a shipping container depot after a blaze killed at least 44 people, including 10 firefighters, and injured around 200 others, officials said.

Police in Bangladesh on Wednesday opened an investigation into eight officials from a shipping container depot after a blaze killed at least 44 people, including 10 firefighters, and injured around 200 others, officials said. Firefighters put out the blaze at the depot in Sitakunda, 40 km (25 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong, on Wednesday, four days after it began late on Saturday, triggering a series of explosions. Also read | Bangladesh depot fire near Chittagong claims 49 lives, at least 300 injured The investigation was opened into officials who were directly involved in operating the depot on suspicion of negligence and mismanagement, senior police official Ashraful Karim said. No one has yet been arrested. The owners are not under police investigation as two probe committees were looking into the matter. Authorities have not determined the cause of the disaster, but they suspect a container of hydrogen peroxide was the source of a massive blast that shook the neighbourhood followed by multiple other explosions. Fire service officials said they had not been informed that chemicals had been stored at the depot. A senior fire service official, Monir Hossain, said fire safety measures had not been implemented, with only a handful of extinguishers in a depot storing dozens of containers full of everything from clothes to chemicals. Watch | Bangladesh Fire: Blaze kills 38, injures more than 300 The director and one of the owners of the facility, the BM Container Depot, did not answer calls to his mobile telephone seeking comment. The owners were quoted on Tuesday in Bangladesh newspapers including the Dhaka Tribune as saying hydrogen peroxide was being exported through the depot "following due process with the permission of the concerned authorities". "The container depot has an office of customs authority. They supervise the import-export work of the depot round the clock. It is mysterious that just one of the thousands of containers at the depot exploded. We want a fair and impartial investigation into this incident", General Manager of Smart Group Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui was quote as saying. The death toll has risen to 44 after a worker from the depot died from his injuries on Wednesday, police said. Of the 200 or so injured, 50 were rescue officials, police said. Also read | In pics: Bangladesh authorities accused of blast that nearly killed at least 49 and injured hundreds Some of the injured are in a critical condition, Chittagong’s chief doctor Mohammed Elias Hossain said. Troops were trying to prevent chemicals spreading into canals and along the Bay of Bengal coastline, officials said. Bangladesh is the world's second-biggest exporter of garments but its industrial safety standards have not kept pace with its economic development and fires are common in factories and other places of work. The last major fire in Bangladesh was in July when 54 people were killed at a food processing factory outside Dhaka. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bangladesh police open investigation into deadly container depot fire

South Asian nations are facing three big challenges - debt, inflation and shrinking forex. Will more countries go the Sri Lanka way? What must India do? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Economic crisis brewing in India's backyard

The Pakistani rupee on Tuesday surpassed all prior records against the US dollar after shedding sheds Rs 2.77, or 1.37 per cent, against the US dollar in the interbank market.

It plummeted to an all-time low of 202.83 against the US dollar in the interbank market as demand increased due to oil-related payments and ambiguity regarding the revival of the multibillion, reported Geo News.

According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the local currency surpassed its previous record low of Rs 202 recorded on May 26.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/right-to-inheritance-and-property-far-cry-for-women-in-pakistan-486100">Right to inheritance and property 'far cry' for women in Pakistan</a>

Moreover, for the first time in its history, the local currency made a historical drop of Rs 4.00 in a single day and surpassed Rs 204 threshold against the greenback in the interbank market during the intraday trade, reported Geo News.

Moreover, during the day the currency faced renewed pressure after foreign currency inflows from overseas Pakistanis through their Roshan Digital Account (RDA) dived to a 15-month low at USD 189 million in May 2022.

The market reversed the free fall and closed the day with a loss of nearly Rs 3.

This was the third consecutive workday free-fall of the rupee.In the open market, the rupee closed at a historic low of 204 against the greenback, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan: Govt announces cost-cutting measures, launches austerity drive

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Speaking to Geo News, Arif Habib Limited Head of Research Tahir Abbas said the currency is under pressure due to pending oil payments and rising oil prices in the international market.

"The plunge came on the back of a mammoth import bill and widened the current account deficit," the analyst said.

Abbas added that the market is keeping a close eye on the developments regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, which is expected to be revived after the announcement of the budget as the government is taking all possible steps to meet the conditions laid forth by the Fund.

The recent bearish spell began after the government hiked the price of petroleum products by a major Rs 60 per litre as a result of removing subsidies -- one of the main demands of the money lender.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-needs-usd-41-billion-in-next-12-months-says-finance-minister-486098">Pakistan needs USD 41 billion in next 12 months, says finance minister</a>

Traders believe caution can be expected this week ahead of the unveiling of the federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 scheduled to be announced on June 10 (Friday), with investors expecting IMF conditions of fiscal consolidation to dominate.

Renewed pressure on the rupee on an increase in fiscal-year-end dollar demand from importers and the corporate sector will keep the local currency under pressure.

Since the beginning of this fiscal year (July 1, 2021) to date, the rupee has collectively dropped by a massive 30.65 per cent (or Rs 48.29) compared to the previous fiscal year`s close at Rs 157.54.

The rupee has maintained a downward trend for the last 13 months. It has lost 33.20 per cent (or Rs 50.56) to date, compared to the record high of Rs 152.27 recorded in May 2021.

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&nbsp;

The Pakistani rupee on Tuesday surpassed all prior records against the US dollar after shedding sheds Rs 2.77, or 1.37 per cent, against the US dollar in the interbank market.

The Pakistani rupee on Tuesday surpassed all prior records against the US dollar after shedding sheds Rs 2.77, or 1.37 per cent, against the US dollar in the interbank market. It plummeted to an all-time low of 202.83 against the US dollar in the interbank market as demand increased due to oil-related payments and ambiguity regarding the revival of the multibillion, reported Geo News. According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the local currency surpassed its previous record low of Rs 202 recorded on May 26. Also read | Right to inheritance and property 'far cry' for women in Pakistan Moreover, for the first time in its history, the local currency made a historical drop of Rs 4.00 in a single day and surpassed Rs 204 threshold against the greenback in the interbank market during the intraday trade, reported Geo News. Moreover, during the day the currency faced renewed pressure after foreign currency inflows from overseas Pakistanis through their Roshan Digital Account (RDA) dived to a 15-month low at USD 189 million in May 2022. The market reversed the free fall and closed the day with a loss of nearly Rs 3. This was the third consecutive workday free-fall of the rupee.In the open market, the rupee closed at a historic low of 204 against the greenback, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan. Watch | Pakistan: Govt announces cost-cutting measures, launches austerity drive Speaking to Geo News, Arif Habib Limited Head of Research Tahir Abbas said the currency is under pressure due to pending oil payments and rising oil prices in the international market. "The plunge came on the back of a mammoth import bill and widened the current account deficit," the analyst said. Abbas added that the market is keeping a close eye on the developments regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, which is expected to be revived after the announcement of the budget as the government is taking all possible steps to meet the conditions laid forth by the Fund. The recent bearish spell began after the government hiked the price of petroleum products by a major Rs 60 per litre as a result of removing subsidies -- one of the main demands of the money lender. Also read | Pakistan needs USD 41 billion in next 12 months, says finance minister Traders believe caution can be expected this week ahead of the unveiling of the federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 scheduled to be announced on June 10 (Friday), with investors expecting IMF conditions of fiscal consolidation to dominate. Renewed pressure on the rupee on an increase in fiscal-year-end dollar demand from importers and the corporate sector will keep the local currency under pressure. Since the beginning of this fiscal year (July 1, 2021) to date, the rupee has collectively dropped by a massive 30.65 per cent (or Rs 48.29) compared to the previous fiscal year`s close at Rs 157.54. The rupee has maintained a downward trend for the last 13 months. It has lost 33.20 per cent (or Rs 50.56) to date, compared to the record high of Rs 152.27 recorded in May 2021. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistani rupee nosedives to all-time low of 202.83 against US dollar

It was the moment when two brothers who had dominated&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's politics for nearly 20 years finally went their separate ways.

On May 9, when a crowd of ruling party supporters marched towards activists protesting against a crippling economic crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered police to stop the pro-government mob, fearing violence.

"He was screaming at the police to disperse the crowd," said former media minister Nalaka Godahewa, who said he was with the president at the time.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/as-finland-applies-for-nato-membership-finnish-women-sign-up-for-military-training-485887">Pulling Sri Lanka back from Bankruptcy: Sri Lanka needs $6 billion to keep afloat</a>

Despite the president's order, the demonstrations against inflation, power blackouts and shortages of essentials turned deadly. Nine people were killed, hundreds were injured and the property of Rajapaksa loyalists was attacked.

The violence marked a pivotal point in the crisis. Gotabaya's older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, had addressed the government supporters earlier in the day. He was sitting down for lunch when he was shown a video of the violence by an aide, according to a source with direct knowledge of events at the prime minister's house in the commercial capital Colombo.

"He knew what he would do next," said the source.

The 76-year-old, one of&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's most popular politicians in his heyday, finished his meal and had a nap, the source said. At 5.02 pm, he announced his resignation as prime minister, making public a rift in&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's ruling dynasty.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retribution, said the president had already been pushing the prime minister to resign since early April as a concession to protesters demanding the ouster of both men because of their response to the economic crisis enveloping the island.

"GR told MR to go", said another source close to the family, who also requested anonymity, referring to the president and the prime minister by their initials.

Neither Mahinda Rajapaksa nor the president responded to requests for comment for this story. They have not publicly said anything about their differences.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gotabaya says can't go as a failed president amid the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka

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After he quit, Mahinda went into hiding at a naval base and stayed under protection of the armed forces for several days because of the wrath of the protesters. Gotabaya, 72, continues as president, deeply unpopular with many&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lankans, while political leaders discuss a move to clip the executive powers of his office.

But the Rajapaksas are not done yet.

EVIDENCE OF REFORMS

The new prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, is heavily dependent in parliament on the ruling&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party to pass an interim budget within weeks that will outline measures to mend public finances. He has also proposed reforms to curb the president's powers and strengthen parliament in response to demands from protesters.

The International Monetary Fund wants evidence of reforms before agreeing to a bailout, for which negotiations are ongoing.&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;also needs an agreement with bondholders and bilateral creditors to restructure its debt, and regain access to global financial markets.

Wickremesinghe belongs to a party that controls just one seat in parliament, while the SLPP and its coalition partners have a comfortable majority in the 225-seat legislature.

Events in&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;are being closely watched in neighbouring India, South Asia's regional heavyweight, and China, which has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure projects in the past decade as part of its Belt and Road Initiative linking it to the rest of the world.

Political scientist Jayadeva Uyangoda said Wickremesinghe faced a balancing act to meet the demands of the protesters and&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's international creditors, while placating the ruling party with an agenda that Basil would accept.

"What Basil Rajapaksa wants will be what parliament approves," Uyangoda said.

Basil, who has not spoken publicly since he resigned in early April along with the rest of the cabinet, did not respond to requests for comment.

BROTHERS UNITED

Among the nine Rajapaksa siblings, Mahinda, Gotabaya and Basil were once a tight-knit political unit.

Mahinda, a lawyer by training, became&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's youngest ever legislator when he entered parliament in 1970. By 2004, using a combination of political charisma and guile, he rose to become prime minister. The next year, he was voted president.

The brother's popularity soared after Mahinda and Gotabaya, a retired infantry officer who was appointed defence secretary, crushed a decades-long Tamil insurgency in the north and east of the country in a brutal government offensive in 2009.

Mahinda won a landslide re-election in 2010, promising to heal the country's deep divisions. He also drew&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;closer to China, inviting heavy investment like the 1.4 billion dollar&nbsp;Hambantota port that irked India, which feared losing influence over its southern neighbour.

Then, in 2015, a shock defeat for Mahinda in presidential elections threw the Rajapaksas into disarray.

Basil, a US-Sri&nbsp;Lankan dual citizen who served as a long-time adviser to Mahinda while he was president, was instrumental in reshaping a minor political party into the SLPP in 2016, making it the dominant player in&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lankan politics.

In 2019, coordinated suicide bombings by Islamist militants that killed more than 250 people presented the Rajapaksas with an opening to return to power.

With Basil unwilling to renounce his US&nbsp;citizenship and Mahinda barred from standing due to term limits, Gotabaya ran for the presidency and won by a landslide.

Mahinda was named prime minister soon after and Basil became finance minister in 2021, but things had started unravelling.

DEBATABLE POLICIES, THEN PANDEMIC

The start of&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's slide into economic chaos can be traced to 2019, when the Rajapaksas implemented populist tax cuts shortly after returning to power, shrugging off criticism from some advisers.

Godahewa, the former minister, said he advised Gotabaya that the cuts would be a "disaster" because of the already precarious state of public finances, but was overruled.

Government officials have previously said that the tax cuts were aimed at resuscitating the economy by putting more money in the hands of people.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, decimating tourism and with it a critical source of foreign exchange. Foreign worker's&nbsp;remittances also dropped.

&nbsp;A manifesto pledge to turn to organic farming and phase out the use of chemical fertilizers over the next decade was implemented abruptly in May 2021 by the president, throwing the country's farming sector into turmoil and leading to food shortages as crop yields fell.

By then, relations between Mahinda and Gotabaya had deteriorated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-21st-amendment-to-constitution-to-be-submitted-to-cabinet-for-approval-on-monday-485240">Sri Lanka's 21st Amendment to Constitution to be submitted to cabinet for approval on Monday</a>

The two brothers differed over the president's fertilizer ban, but a move by the prime minister in 2021 to reverse the decision was blocked by Gotabaya's staff, according to the source at the prime minister's residence.

No such differences between the two have previously been reported.

SPENDING BORROWED CASH

Even when the country's massive debt problems became apparent, the Rajapaksas dragged their feet about going to the IMF to seek financial aid. A government official said early this year that Basil, then finance minister, wanted the local economy to shake off the effects of the pandemic before going to the IMF.

Shortly after being appointed energy minister in August 2020, former Rajapaksa coalition partner Udaya Gammanpila began poring over the accounts of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the country's biggest public corporation in terms of turnover, and said he was appalled by what he saw.

CPC was selling petroleum products at a huge discount to consumers, and had run up a bill of some 4 dollars billion with suppliers, despite not having adequate income to repay them.

In October 2020, he said he warned a cabinet meeting the country was heading towards a foreign currency crisis and suggested restricting non-essential imports and an immediate free-float of the rupee to avoid a currency black market.

"We can manage the situation," Gammanpila quoted Mahinda as saying. Gotabaya rarely asserted himself during cabinet meetings, according to Gammanpila and Godahewa.

Last month, the government said its foreign reserves had dwindled to almost zero.

But Gammanpila said his chief opponent was Basil.

The two men clashed frequently, with arguments descending into shouting during at least five cabinet meetings, according to Gammanpila.

His description of arguments over economic policy was corroborated by the source close to the family, who said Basil felt he knew what he was doing and shouted down objections.

"Other countries spent what they earned," Gammanpila said. "We spent what we borrowed. That was the difference."

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&nbsp;

It was the moment when two brothers who had dominated Sri Lanka's politics for nearly 20 years finally went their separate ways. On May 9, when a crowd of ruling party supporters marched towards activists protesting against a crippling economic crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered police to stop the pro-government mob, fearing violence.

It was the moment when two brothers who had dominated Sri Lanka's politics for nearly 20 years finally went their separate ways. On May 9, when a crowd of ruling party supporters marched towards activists protesting against a crippling economic crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered police to stop the pro-government mob, fearing violence. "He was screaming at the police to disperse the crowd," said former media minister Nalaka Godahewa, who said he was with the president at the time. Also read | Pulling Sri Lanka back from Bankruptcy: Sri Lanka needs $6 billion to keep afloat Despite the president's order, the demonstrations against inflation, power blackouts and shortages of essentials turned deadly. Nine people were killed, hundreds were injured and the property of Rajapaksa loyalists was attacked. The violence marked a pivotal point in the crisis. Gotabaya's older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, had addressed the government supporters earlier in the day. He was sitting down for lunch when he was shown a video of the violence by an aide, according to a source with direct knowledge of events at the prime minister's house in the commercial capital Colombo. "He knew what he would do next," said the source. The 76-year-old, one of Sri Lanka's most popular politicians in his heyday, finished his meal and had a nap, the source said. At 5.02 pm, he announced his resignation as prime minister, making public a rift in Sri Lanka's ruling dynasty. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retribution, said the president had already been pushing the prime minister to resign since early April as a concession to protesters demanding the ouster of both men because of their response to the economic crisis enveloping the island. "GR told MR to go", said another source close to the family, who also requested anonymity, referring to the president and the prime minister by their initials. Neither Mahinda Rajapaksa nor the president responded to requests for comment for this story. They have not publicly said anything about their differences. Watch | Gotabaya says can't go as a failed president amid the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka After he quit, Mahinda went into hiding at a naval base and stayed under protection of the armed forces for several days because of the wrath of the protesters. Gotabaya, 72, continues as president, deeply unpopular with many Sri Lankans, while political leaders discuss a move to clip the executive powers of his office. But the Rajapaksas are not done yet. EVIDENCE OF REFORMS The new prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, is heavily dependent in parliament on the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party to pass an interim budget within weeks that will outline measures to mend public finances. He has also proposed reforms to curb the president's powers and strengthen parliament in response to demands from protesters. The International Monetary Fund wants evidence of reforms before agreeing to a bailout, for which negotiations are ongoing. Sri Lanka also needs an agreement with bondholders and bilateral creditors to restructure its debt, and regain access to global financial markets. Wickremesinghe belongs to a party that controls just one seat in parliament, while the SLPP and its coalition partners have a comfortable majority in the 225-seat legislature. Events in Sri Lanka are being closely watched in neighbouring India, South Asia's regional heavyweight, and China, which has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure projects in the past decade as part of its Belt and Road Initiative linking it to the rest of the world. Political scientist Jayadeva Uyangoda said Wickremesinghe faced a balancing act to meet the demands of the protesters and Sri Lanka's international creditors, while placating the ruling party with an agenda that Basil would accept. "What Basil Rajapaksa wants will be what parliament approves," Uyangoda said. Basil, who has not spoken publicly since he resigned in early April along with the rest of the cabinet, did not respond to requests for comment. BROTHERS UNITED Among the nine Rajapaksa siblings, Mahinda, Gotabaya and Basil were once a tight-knit political unit. Mahinda, a lawyer by training, became Sri Lanka's youngest ever legislator when he entered parliament in 1970. By 2004, using a combination of political charisma and guile, he rose to become prime minister. The next year, he was voted president. The brother's popularity soared after Mahinda and Gotabaya, a retired infantry officer who was appointed defence secretary, crushed a decades-long Tamil insurgency in the north and east of the country in a brutal government offensive in 2009. Mahinda won a landslide re-election in 2010, promising to heal the country's deep divisions. He also drew Sri Lanka closer to China, inviting heavy investment like the 1.4 billion dollar Hambantota port that irked India, which feared losing influence over its southern neighbour. Then, in 2015, a shock defeat for Mahinda in presidential elections threw the Rajapaksas into disarray. Basil, a US-Sri Lankan dual citizen who served as a long-time adviser to Mahinda while he was president, was instrumental in reshaping a minor political party into the SLPP in 2016, making it the dominant player in Sri Lankan politics. In 2019, coordinated suicide bombings by Islamist militants that killed more than 250 people presented the Rajapaksas with an opening to return to power. With Basil unwilling to renounce his US citizenship and Mahinda barred from standing due to term limits, Gotabaya ran for the presidency and won by a landslide. Mahinda was named prime minister soon after and Basil became finance minister in 2021, but things had started unravelling. DEBATABLE POLICIES, THEN PANDEMIC The start of Sri Lanka's slide into economic chaos can be traced to 2019, when the Rajapaksas implemented populist tax cuts shortly after returning to power, shrugging off criticism from some advisers. Godahewa, the former minister, said he advised Gotabaya that the cuts would be a "disaster" because of the already precarious state of public finances, but was overruled. Government officials have previously said that the tax cuts were aimed at resuscitating the economy by putting more money in the hands of people. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, decimating tourism and with it a critical source of foreign exchange. Foreign worker's remittances also dropped. A manifesto pledge to turn to organic farming and phase out the use of chemical fertilizers over the next decade was implemented abruptly in May 2021 by the president, throwing the country's farming sector into turmoil and leading to food shortages as crop yields fell. By then, relations between Mahinda and Gotabaya had deteriorated. Also read | Sri Lanka's 21st Amendment to Constitution to be submitted to cabinet for approval on Monday The two brothers differed over the president's fertilizer ban, but a move by the prime minister in 2021 to reverse the decision was blocked by Gotabaya's staff, according to the source at the prime minister's residence. No such differences between the two have previously been reported. SPENDING BORROWED CASH Even when the country's massive debt problems became apparent, the Rajapaksas dragged their feet about going to the IMF to seek financial aid. A government official said early this year that Basil, then finance minister, wanted the local economy to shake off the effects of the pandemic before going to the IMF. Shortly after being appointed energy minister in August 2020, former Rajapaksa coalition partner Udaya Gammanpila began poring over the accounts of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the country's biggest public corporation in terms of turnover, and said he was appalled by what he saw. CPC was selling petroleum products at a huge discount to consumers, and had run up a bill of some 4 dollars billion with suppliers, despite not having adequate income to repay them. In October 2020, he said he warned a cabinet meeting the country was heading towards a foreign currency crisis and suggested restricting non-essential imports and an immediate free-float of the rupee to avoid a currency black market. "We can manage the situation," Gammanpila quoted Mahinda as saying. Gotabaya rarely asserted himself during cabinet meetings, according to Gammanpila and Godahewa. Last month, the government said its foreign reserves had dwindled to almost zero. But Gammanpila said his chief opponent was Basil. The two men clashed frequently, with arguments descending into shouting during at least five cabinet meetings, according to Gammanpila. His description of arguments over economic policy was corroborated by the source close to the family, who said Basil felt he knew what he was doing and shouted down objections. "Other countries spent what they earned," Gammanpila said. "We spent what we borrowed. That was the difference." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Brothers at odds, but ruling family still holds key to Sri Lanka's future

Pakistan will reduce its official work week to five days from six in a bid to reduce energy and fuel consumption as part of an energy conservation plan approved by the country's cabinet on Tuesday, the information minister said. 
 
The move comes as hours-long power outages hit the South Asian country, with demand outstripping generation during the peak summer months. Soaring global fuel prices have also increased pressure on the external account and the local currency has hit record lows against the dollar.

Also read <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-launches-fresh-salvo-against-military-establishment-485911">|&nbsp;Imran Khan launches fresh salvo against military establishment</a> 
 
"We are facing a severe crisis. We desperately need to take energy conservation measures. We need to tap on every option to save on energy," Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said at a press conference. 
 
After taking office in April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had increased the working week to six days from five, with only Sunday as a day off, saying he wanted to increase productivity. However, the enhanced work week resulted in greater electricity and fuel consumption by government offices and employees.

Watch |&nbsp;Heatwave hits Pakistan's Mango output as it is set to fall by 50%&nbsp;

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">A 40 per cent&nbsp;cut in the official fuel allowance given to ministers and government officials was also approved as part of the new conservation plan, Aurangzeb said. 
 
The cabinet has also set up a committee to devise a plan for working from home on Fridays for all government and semi-government offices, and early closure of commercial markets. 
 
Pakistan has experienced hours-long power cuts over the last month, with urban centres seeing four- to six-hour outages a day and rural areas over eight hours, as temperatures across the country soar - to 50 degrees Centigrade in some areas.</div>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-politician-ready-for-suicide-attacks-imran-khans-aide-threatens-shehbaz-sharif-485876">Pakistani politician ready for 'suicide attacks': Imran Khan’s aide threatens Shehbaz Sharif</a>&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Aurangzeb said there was currently a gap of 4,600 megawatts between supply and demand, with supply at 21,000 megawatts and demand at 25,600 megawatts.&nbsp; 
 
The Sharif government has blamed the situation on the mismanagement of the power sector by the previous administration of ousted prime minister, Imran Khan. Khan and his aides have denied any blame.&nbsp; 
 
In the face of soaring energy prices, Pakistan is facing a balance of payment crisis with forex reserves falling below dollar 10 billion, enough for around 45 days of imports, as well as double-digit inflation.&nbsp;</div>

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Pakistan will reduce its official work week to five days from six in a bid to reduce energy and fuel consumption as part of an energy conservation plan approved by the country's cabinet on Tuesday, the information minister said.

Pakistan will reduce its official work week to five days from six in a bid to reduce energy and fuel consumption as part of an energy conservation plan approved by the country's cabinet on Tuesday, the information minister said. The move comes as hours-long power outages hit the South Asian country, with demand outstripping generation during the peak summer months. Soaring global fuel prices have also increased pressure on the external account and the local currency has hit record lows against the dollar. Also read | Imran Khan launches fresh salvo against military establishment "We are facing a severe crisis. We desperately need to take energy conservation measures. We need to tap on every option to save on energy," Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said at a press conference. After taking office in April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had increased the working week to six days from five, with only Sunday as a day off, saying he wanted to increase productivity. However, the enhanced work week resulted in greater electricity and fuel consumption by government offices and employees. Watch | Heatwave hits Pakistan's Mango output as it is set to fall by 50% A 40 per cent cut in the official fuel allowance given to ministers and government officials was also approved as part of the new conservation plan, Aurangzeb said. The cabinet has also set up a committee to devise a plan for working from home on Fridays for all government and semi-government offices, and early closure of commercial markets. Pakistan has experienced hours-long power cuts over the last month, with urban centres seeing four- to six-hour outages a day and rural areas over eight hours, as temperatures across the country soar - to 50 degrees Centigrade in some areas. Also read | Pakistani politician ready for 'suicide attacks': Imran Khan’s aide threatens Shehbaz Sharif Aurangzeb said there was currently a gap of 4,600 megawatts between supply and demand, with supply at 21,000 megawatts and demand at 25,600 megawatts. The Sharif government has blamed the situation on the mismanagement of the power sector by the previous administration of ousted prime minister, Imran Khan. Khan and his aides have denied any blame. In the face of soaring energy prices, Pakistan is facing a balance of payment crisis with forex reserves falling below dollar 10 billion, enough for around 45 days of imports, as well as double-digit inflation. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Facing 'severe' energy crisis, Pakistan reverts to five-day work week

Heavy rains and floods on Monday have affected over 800,000 residents in China's Jiangxi.

According to local authorities, the torrential rains and rain-induced floods since May 28 have wreaked havoc in 80 counties of the province, reported Xinhua.

It has damaged 76,300 hectares of cropland and caused direct economic losses of 1.16 billion yuan (about 174 million US dollars), according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/anti-hypersonic-tech-china-claims-it-has-developed-ai-powered-defence-against-hypersonic-missiles-484715">Anti-hypersonic tech? China claims it has developed AI powered defence against hypersonic missiles</a>

The province lifted its level IV flood-control emergency response at 10 am on Tuesday, as the heavy rainfall process has basically ended.

Authorities have called for close monitoring of weather changes and efficient flood control and drought relief efforts.

Meanwhile, China on Monday had renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms in various parts of the country.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Australia-China fighter jet encounter sparks tensions

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As per China's National Meteorological&nbsp;Centre&nbsp;from 2 pm Monday to 2 pm Tuesday, heavy downpours were expected to lash parts of Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, Yunnan and Liaoning, reported Xinhua.

The Meteorological&nbsp;Centre&nbsp;also expected that some areas may experience up to 180&nbsp;millimetres&nbsp;of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

The Centre had advised local governments to make appropriate preparations, implement traffic control measures in road sections hit by heavy rainfall and guide traffic in water-logged sections, reported Xinhua.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-blogger-silenced-after-livestreaming-footage-of-tank-cake-before-tiananmen-anniversary-485801">Chinese blogger ‘silenced’ after livestreaming footage of ‘tank cake’ before Tiananmen anniversary</a>

It had also suggested cutting off dangerous outdoor power supplies in low-lying areas, transferring people to safe areas and checking the drainage systems of cities, farmland and fishponds.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.&nbsp;

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Heavy rains and floods on Monday have affected over 800,000 residents in China's Jiangxi. According to local authorities, the torrential rains and rain-induced floods since May 28 have wreaked havoc in 80 counties of the province, reported Xinhua.

Heavy rains and floods on Monday have affected over 800,000 residents in China's Jiangxi. According to local authorities, the torrential rains and rain-induced floods since May 28 have wreaked havoc in 80 counties of the province, reported Xinhua. It has damaged 76,300 hectares of cropland and caused direct economic losses of 1.16 billion yuan (about 174 million US dollars), according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters. Also read | Anti-hypersonic tech? China claims it has developed AI powered defence against hypersonic missiles The province lifted its level IV flood-control emergency response at 10 am on Tuesday, as the heavy rainfall process has basically ended. Authorities have called for close monitoring of weather changes and efficient flood control and drought relief efforts. Meanwhile, China on Monday had renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms in various parts of the country. Watch | Gravitas: Australia-China fighter jet encounter sparks tensions As per China's National Meteorological Centre from 2 pm Monday to 2 pm Tuesday, heavy downpours were expected to lash parts of Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, Yunnan and Liaoning, reported Xinhua. The Meteorological Centre also expected that some areas may experience up to 180 millimetres of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gales. The Centre had advised local governments to make appropriate preparations, implement traffic control measures in road sections hit by heavy rainfall and guide traffic in water-logged sections, reported Xinhua. Also read | Chinese blogger ‘silenced’ after livestreaming footage of ‘tank cake’ before Tiananmen anniversary It had also suggested cutting off dangerous outdoor power supplies in low-lying areas, transferring people to safe areas and checking the drainage systems of cities, farmland and fishponds. China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Over 800,000 residents in China's Jiangxi affected by heavy rains, floods

Dozens of ethnic Rohingya refugees were dead or missing after a&nbsp;boat&nbsp;with about 90 people aboard, including children, capsized and sank in bad weather off the coast of&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;over the weekend, according to media reports.

More than 20 survivors were detained by authorities in&nbsp;Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region, the US funded Radio Free Asia reported, citing residents in the coastal district of Shwe Taung Yan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-one-million-displaced-in-myanmar-amid-violence-un-484453">Over one million displaced in Myanmar amid violence: UN humanitarian relief agency</a>

According to survivors, the&nbsp;boat, which was bound for Malaysia, ran into trouble within a couple of days after setting out from Sittwe in&nbsp;Myanmar's Rakhine State on May 19, the Ayeyarwaddy Times reported. So far, at least 14 bodies had been recovered, but more than 50 people were still missing, Radio Free Asia said.

There are only around 600,000 Rohingya Muslims left in&nbsp;Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country with a long history of military rule. Rohingya have been rendered as stateless by&nbsp;Myanmar, and as a result of past ethnic violence and persecution the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 148,000 of them are displaced, with many living in camps.

A spokesman for the military government did not respond to a request for comment on the latest reported tragedy involving Rohingya perishing at sea in a bid to escape persecution in&nbsp;Myanmar.

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar: Junta troops on a burning spree as 3-day raid turns violent

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More than 730,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in 2017 to escape a military-led crackdown that UN investigators have said was carried out with "genocidal intent" and included mass killings and rapes.

Myanmar&nbsp;has denied widespread atrocities, framing the violence as a response to attacks by Rohingya militants.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/myanmar-junta-to-carry-out-countrys-first-judicial-executions-in-more-than-three-decades-484817">Myanmar junta to carry out country’s first judicial executions in more than three decades</a>

The other main destination for Rohingya refugees has been Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country that is seen as sympathetic though they are not officially recognized there as refugees.

Some 630 Rohingya had attempted sea journeys across the Bay of Bengal between January to May this year, UNHCR said, noting women and children made up 60 per cent of the maritime crossings.

"The latest tragedy shows once again the sense of desperation being felt by Rohingya in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;and in the region," Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCR’s Director for Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement.

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Dozens of ethnic Rohingya refugees were dead or missing after a boat with about 90 people aboard, including children, capsized and sank in bad weather off the coast of Myanmar over the weekend, according to media reports.

Dozens of ethnic Rohingya refugees were dead or missing after a boat with about 90 people aboard, including children, capsized and sank in bad weather off the coast of Myanmar over the weekend, according to media reports. More than 20 survivors were detained by authorities in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region, the US funded Radio Free Asia reported, citing residents in the coastal district of Shwe Taung Yan. Also read | Over one million displaced in Myanmar amid violence: UN humanitarian relief agency According to survivors, the boat, which was bound for Malaysia, ran into trouble within a couple of days after setting out from Sittwe in Myanmar's Rakhine State on May 19, the Ayeyarwaddy Times reported. So far, at least 14 bodies had been recovered, but more than 50 people were still missing, Radio Free Asia said. There are only around 600,000 Rohingya Muslims left in Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country with a long history of military rule. Rohingya have been rendered as stateless by Myanmar, and as a result of past ethnic violence and persecution the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 148,000 of them are displaced, with many living in camps. A spokesman for the military government did not respond to a request for comment on the latest reported tragedy involving Rohingya perishing at sea in a bid to escape persecution in Myanmar. Watch | Myanmar: Junta troops on a burning spree as 3-day raid turns violent More than 730,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in 2017 to escape a military-led crackdown that UN investigators have said was carried out with "genocidal intent" and included mass killings and rapes. Myanmar has denied widespread atrocities, framing the violence as a response to attacks by Rohingya militants. Also read | Myanmar junta to carry out country’s first judicial executions in more than three decades The other main destination for Rohingya refugees has been Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country that is seen as sympathetic though they are not officially recognized there as refugees. Some 630 Rohingya had attempted sea journeys across the Bay of Bengal between January to May this year, UNHCR said, noting women and children made up 60 per cent of the maritime crossings. "The latest tragedy shows once again the sense of desperation being felt by Rohingya in Myanmar and in the region," Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCR’s Director for Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rohingya refugee boat sinks off Myanmar, dozens dead or missing

Myanmar's ruling junta has condemned what it called "reckless and interfering" foreign statements about a rare execution order against two prominent opposition figures, accusing them of aiding terrorism by demanding their release.

The United Nations, the U.S. State Department and France last week denounced the rejection of the appeals of a veteran activist and a former lawmaker, a decision that paves the way for the country's first executions in decades.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/myanmar-junta-to-carry-out-countrys-first-judicial-executions-in-more-than-three-decades-484817">Myanmar junta to carry out country’s first judicial executions in more than three decades</a>

A state newspaper on Tuesday carried a foreign ministry statement rejecting the international criticism, expressing "utmost indignation and strong protest" at France in particular for calling the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;junta an illegitimate military regime, and accused it of meddling in its affairs.

"The ministry protests and objects in the strongest terms to the irresponsible and reckless statements and remarks," it said, adding the United States, France and UN remarks were "abetting terrorism" and neglecting what it called violent attacks against authorities.

Watch |&nbsp;First judicial execution in decades: Myanmar to execute four people

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Kyaw Min Yu, a veteran democracy activist, and Phyo Zeyar Thaw, a lawmaker for the former ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party, were sentenced to death by a military tribunal in January on charges of treason and terrorism.

It is unclear when they will be executed or how they pled in their trials, which&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;has largely held behind closed doors.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-one-million-displaced-in-myanmar-amid-violence-un-484453">Over one million displaced in Myanmar amid violence: UN humanitarian relief agency</a>

Judicial activists say the junta is controlling the courts and denying its opponents fair trials.

The military has been condemned globally for its deadly crackdown on the protests and dissent that followed its February 2021 coup.

The United Nations has said its investigations show the military has committed mass killings and crimes against humanity. The junta has said it is seeking to restore peace and order.

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Myanmar's ruling junta has condemned what it called "reckless and interfering" foreign statements about a rare execution order against two prominent opposition figures, accusing them of aiding terrorism by demanding their release.

Myanmar's ruling junta has condemned what it called "reckless and interfering" foreign statements about a rare execution order against two prominent opposition figures, accusing them of aiding terrorism by demanding their release. The United Nations, the U.S. State Department and France last week denounced the rejection of the appeals of a veteran activist and a former lawmaker, a decision that paves the way for the country's first executions in decades. Also read | Myanmar junta to carry out country’s first judicial executions in more than three decades A state newspaper on Tuesday carried a foreign ministry statement rejecting the international criticism, expressing "utmost indignation and strong protest" at France in particular for calling the Myanmar junta an illegitimate military regime, and accused it of meddling in its affairs. "The ministry protests and objects in the strongest terms to the irresponsible and reckless statements and remarks," it said, adding the United States, France and UN remarks were "abetting terrorism" and neglecting what it called violent attacks against authorities. Watch | First judicial execution in decades: Myanmar to execute four people Kyaw Min Yu, a veteran democracy activist, and Phyo Zeyar Thaw, a lawmaker for the former ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party, were sentenced to death by a military tribunal in January on charges of treason and terrorism. It is unclear when they will be executed or how they pled in their trials, which Myanmar has largely held behind closed doors. Also read | Over one million displaced in Myanmar amid violence: UN humanitarian relief agency Judicial activists say the junta is controlling the courts and denying its opponents fair trials. The military has been condemned globally for its deadly crackdown on the protests and dissent that followed its February 2021 coup. The United Nations has said its investigations show the military has committed mass killings and crimes against humanity. The junta has said it is seeking to restore peace and order. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Myanmar calls foreign outrage over activists death sentence 'reckless and interfering'

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