209 Indonesians died during the Hajj and there are thousands affected by the heat

Other news of the day: Islamabad reached an agreement with the IMF on a three billion dollar aid package. Taipei denies entry to Chinese tour operators to attend an international fair. Dozens of Iraqis attacked the Swedish embassy in Baghdad in response to the burning of the Koran in front of a Stockholm mosque. The police interrupted the visit of Rahul Gandhi to Manipur, engulfed in a wave of violence. The Card. Zuppi, the Pope’s envoy to Moscow, met with Patriarch Kirill to prevent a “major armed conflict.”

INDONESIA – SAUDI ARABIA

The Jakarta consulate general reported in a statement that at least 209 Indonesians have died these days in Saudi Arabia while participating in the largest pilgrimage. (Hajj), although Riyadh has not provided official data. The total death toll is about 230, including a 114-year-old Iranian pilgrim who died of a heart attack. More than 2,000 people have been affected by temperatures that reach 48 degrees.

PAKISTAN

Plunged into a serious economic crisis, Pakistan signed a “staff level agreement, (SLA)” with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financing of more than three billion dollars. The agreement, which has not yet received final approval, is the conclusion of a long – and delayed – eight-month process. The Central Bank raised interest rates to a record 22%.

TAIWAN – CHINA

Taipei has rejected applications for entry presented by some Chinese tour operators to participate in an international fair of the sector that takes place on the island, the Taipei International Summer Travel Exposition. According to the Taiwanese authorities, the “current situation in the Strait” does not allow the blockade imposed – and still in force – to be relaxed on the entry of visitors from China.

IRAQ – SWEDEN

dozens of people they attacked the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, to protest against the burning of the Koran -which occurred a few days ago- by the Swedish citizen of Iraqi origin Salwan Momika, which has unleashed the ire of the Arab and Muslim world. A crowd gathered outside the diplomatic representation in response to the appeal of a local religious leader.

INDIA

Police abruptly interrupted the visit of the Congress Party leader, Rahul Gandhi, to the state of Manipur, convulsed in recent weeks by ethnic-denominational violence. The opposition leader was to carry out a two-day tour of the area and meet with displaced persons and representatives of civil society. To date, the balance exceeds 100 dead and 400 injured.

SOUTH KOREA

Starting July 3, Seoul will increase the maximum working hours for employees. international students. According to the new policy of the Ministry of Justice, the weekly schedule will go from the current 20 to 25 hours. At the same time, students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the Korean language will be eligible for additional extra hours per week. The cost of visas has also been reduced.

RUSSIA – VATICAN

The card. Matteo Zuppi, envoy of Pope Francis to Moscow to “relieve tensions” of the conflict in Ukraine, met with Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who expressed his “appreciation” for the visit to the Russian capital, while reiterating the role of religions in favor of peace and justice. The two religious leaders expressed the desire to join forces “to avoid a major armed conflict.”

TAJIKISTAN

To fight corruption, Tajikistan has arranged that from August 1 all payments for public services must be made digitally, with credit cards or special cards. President Emomalī Rakhmon announced the decision despite the fact that many citizens are protesting that the conditions for such a radical transition are not yet in place, especially in rural areas.