Argentina has devalued the peso by more than 50%, along with cuts in spending in tough measures aimed at tackling a deep economic crisis. Argentina on Tuesday announced a significant devaluation of its currency as part of a series of drastic economic measures to address the country's ongoing economic challenges. The peso will be weakened by over 50% to 800 per dollar, new Economy Minister Luis Caputo said.   "For a few months, we're going to be worse than before," Caputo said in a televised message, two days after libertarian Javier Milei took charge as the president of South America's second largest economy. Argentina's annual inflation rate is at 143%, the currency has plummeted, and 40% of Argentines are living in poverty. At his swearing-in ceremony, Milei promised a new era for the country but warned of painful austerity measures.   "The bottom line is that there is no alternative to austerity, and there is no alternative to shock treatment," Milei warned over the weekend.  On Tuesday the economy minister also said that there would be cuts in the state's generous subsidies of fuel and transport. Caputo said politicians had long supported the subsidies to "deceive people into believing that they are putting money in their pockets. But as all Argentines will have already realized, these subsidies are not free but are paid with inflation."   He said Argentina needed to handle a deep fiscal deficit, which he put at 5.5% of GDP, adding that the country had a fiscal deficit for 113 of the last 123 years, the cause of its economic crisis. "We're here to solve this problem at the root," he said. "For this we need to solve our addiction to a fiscal deficit." Curbs on state spending  Aside from the spending cuts, Caputo also said that all state advertising would be suspended for a year, adding that it had cost 34 billion pesos ($92 million, €86 millon) in 2023. In addition "The state will not tender any more new public works, and will cancel approved tenders whose development has not yet begun."   "The reality is that there is no money to pay for more public works that, as all Argentines know, often end up in the pockets of politicians or businessmen on duty," he said. Another step would be canceling the renewal of public jobs contracts that were less than a year old. President Milei has already cut nine government ministries, which Caputo said would slash 34% of all political jobs.   Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deemed the measures "bold" and said in a statement it would "help stabilize the economy and set the basis for more sustainable and private-sector led growth" following "serious policy setbacks" in the past months. "I welcome the decisive measures," IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said, calling it "an important step toward restoring stability and rebuilding the country's economic potential."

A pilot project to treat wastewater on a small scale using Japanese technology known as Johkasou wastewater treatment tanks was started in the capital yesterday. The new technology can address wastewater issues with its ability to treat wastewater at the household level. The project implemented by the Bhutan Toilet Organisation in collaboration with the Thimphu Thromde aims to tackle wastewater issues in the country.  The pilot project installed the first Johkasou wastewater treatment tanks in two households in upper Motithang. The installation works took two days to complete. The pilot initiative started when JOYLET Japan introduced the tanks and by sponsoring of six tanks, along with technical support for installation and maintenance. According to the Bhutan Toilet Organisation, the Johkasou wastewater tanks will serve as an option for households whose wastewater overflows into nearby streams, which will help reduce wastewater-related environmental pollution. “These Johkasou tanks can treat the wastewater itself, which is similar to the septic tank. We keep our septic tanks underground, however, in Japan, the wastewater in the septic tanks gets treated and comes out as clean water. So, we are working on this pilot project to see the results of the technology in our country,” said Chablop Passang Tshering, Executive Director. He added that the resulting treated water from the Johkasou tanks is suitable for washing clothes and gardening purposes. “Since it is a Japanese technology, we are facing issues with the workmanship while installing. And we are worried that the people might dump even solid waste, which will damage the tank.” The executive director added that the cost of the tanks remains a challenge with the tanks costing around 120,000 ngultrum each. However, he said that the tanks are beneficial in the long run allowing households and communities to independently manage their wastewater. According to the Bhutan Toilet Organisation, the JOYLET Japan is exploring funds to give more tanks to Bhutan, while also considering setting up a factory to manufacture the tanks in the country to make it affordable. The initiative also received support from the GEF Small Grants Programme, UNDP Bhutan, and the Government. Source: thebhutanlive.com

How does one explain the fact that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has made Bangladesh a focus of its democracy promotion efforts by dangling the threat of visa sanctions against officials who undermine free elections while staying silent on the undeclared martial law situation in Pakistan, where mass arrests, disappearances and torture have become political weapons? The short answer is that U.S. promotion of democratic rights has long been selective, with geopolitical considerations often dominant. The pursuit of moral legitimacy for the cause of democracy promotion has also contributed to making sanctions the tool of choice for U.S. policymakers. In the case of Bangladesh, the Biden administration is seeking to leverage two other factors: that close relatives of many Bangladeshi politicians live in the U.S. or Britain, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son who holds an American green card; and that the bulk of Bangladesh's exports go to the West, with the U.S. the top destination. Few can object to what Secretary of State Antony Blinken says is the U.S. goal: that Bangladesh's next election in early 2024 is free and fair. However, his threat to withhold visas from individuals "responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process" is hardly conducive to the promotion of this aim. If anything, it is likely to prove counterproductive. Hasina, daughter of the country's independence leader and first head of state, contends that the U.S. is pursuing a strategy of regime change in her country. "They are trying to eliminate democracy and introduce a government that will not have a democratic existence," she told parliament in April. "It will be an undemocratic action." Leading a secular government since 2009 that Bangladesh's Islamists detest, Hasina has given the country political stability and rapid economic growth, although the global economic fallout from the Ukraine war is now weighing on the country's finances. Bangladesh's impressive growth trajectory stands in stark contrast to the chronic political and economic turmoil seen in Pakistan, which today is teetering on the brink of default. Yet while Bangladesh was excluded from the Summits for Democracy convened in 2021 and earlier this year by Biden, Pakistan was invited both times though it did not attend either. While continuing to reward Pakistan by prioritizing short-term geopolitical considerations, the Biden administration has been criticizing democratic backsliding in Bangladesh. In 2021, it designated Bangladesh's elite Rapid Action Battalion and six of its current and former leaders as complicit in, or engaged in, serious human rights abuses in relation to the country's war on drugs, effectively freezing all their assets in the U.S. In December, Peter Haas, the U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh, insolently demanded that the authorities investigate a deadly clash between police and members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which is the country's largest opposition party and has allied itself with radical Islamist parties. More recently, Blinken told Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdul Momen of his "concerns about violence against, and intimidation of, the media and civil society," according to a State Department statement. Blinken's wielding of the visa-sanctions stick is clearly aimed at members of Hasina's government, including law enforcement and other security officials, although the announcement of the new policy also mentioned members of opposition parties. But sanctioning foreign officials usually serves no more than a symbolic purpose while hampering diplomacy. It can also have unintended consequences. Earlier this month, Beijing rebuffed Washington's request for a meeting in Singapore between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Li Shangfu, his Chinese counterpart. Beijing cited Li's presence on a U.S. sanctions list to which he was added five years before his appointment in March as defense minister. It could even be argued that U.S. sanctions against Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the Myanmar military, alongside three other senior commanders, contributed to the coup that ousted the country's civilian government in 2021, as the generals may have felt they had little to lose personally by going ahead. Added sanctions since then have only exacerbated Myanmar's internal situation and driven the country closer to China. From Myanmar and Iran to Belarus and Cuba, U.S. sanctions have failed to bring about political change. The relative decline of American influence and the ongoing shift in global power from the West to the East are making U.S.-led sanctions less and less effective. However, with the West still controlling the global financial architecture and the dollar remaining the world's primary reserve currency, sanctions are still an attractive option for American policymakers. The new hard line toward Dhaka makes little sense. The Hasina government could be a significant partner in the U.S. war on terror and in improving Asian security. Instead, bilateral relations are under strain. No one from the Biden administration even met with Hasina when she visited Washington last month for discussions with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. While in Singapore this month, Austin declared that America "will not flinch in the face of bullying or coercion" from China. But bullying and coercion are also unlikely to advance U.S. interests in Bangladesh. In fact, bullying the world's seventh-most populous country, far from helping to promote a free and fair election, is more likely to revive painful memories of how the U.S. looked the other way in 1971 as the Pakistani military brutally resisted Bangladesh's efforts to achieve independence from Islamabad, slaughtering up to 3 million people. What is Washington really after now? Source: asia.nikkei.com

The law ministry has given its opinion saying ‘no’ to the proposal for sending BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia abroad for taking treatment. The opinion was given as there is no provision in the law for sending a convicted person beyond country’s border. The recommendation of the ministry said that there is no scope for any person to go abroad or cross the border of the country as he or she is convicted. As Begum Khaleda Zia is convicted then she has to be pardoned in connection with the punishment she was awarded. As the court awarded her the punishment, so only the state authority can pardon the punishment. Now state only can decide about the matter. AH

Medical team of Gonoshasthaya Kendra is going to treat people after going to their homes in this corona pandemic period. The team will provide treatment facilities to the coronavirus infected people after going to their homes from next Tuesday. The mobile medical team of Gonoshasthaya Kendra will support medicines without any cost. The mobile medical team will be available in these number : 01709-663994 and +8809602111940. The message was delivered by founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra and its Trustee Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury on Friday. Dr. Zafrullah said, the service will be available in the capital. No money will be needed for receiving the medicines offered by the mobile team. The mobile medical team will also charge half of the cost for tests performed including the Covid sample test. Besides the patients can take treatment after going to Gonoshasthaya Kendra. All facilities for the corona patients will be available there. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury said, suppose anybody from Kalabagan in the capital informed the Gonoshasthaya Kendra through phone or app. Then the vehicle of Gonoshasthaya will go to the respective patient’s home along with x-ray machine, ECG machine, vantilator and other equipments. At first they will return after collecting the samples. If the patient is diagnosed as corona positive then we will supply necessary medicines and provide treatment. All the tests will be performed as per requirements. In fact, a hospital unit will reach at the door step of the patient. He also said, medicines will be supplied free of cost. On the other hand, the patients have to bear nearly half of the cost for different tests performed for them. Such as, if 10 thousand taka is the cost then the patient has to pay 6 thousand taka. AH     

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Thursday) said the government would expand the eye treatment facilities through Community Vision Centre (CVC) to each upazila gradually, as healthy people are needed to pull Bangladesh ahead. “In digital Bangladesh, we’ve brought health services to people’s doorstep and the CVC will be expanded to each upazila gradually as initiatives have already been taken to set up more 110 CVCs across the country,” she said. The Premier was addressing the opening ceremony of the CVCs installed at 70 upazilas in 20 districts at the capital’s National Eye Science Institute and Hospital (NESIH), virtually joining from her official residence Ganabhaban. Mentioning that healthy people are needed to build a prosperous Bangladesh, she said the government is arranging necessary healthcare facilities so the people will remain fit. Referring to the opportunities of “Digital Bangladesh” established by the Awami League (AL) government, Sheikh Hasina said now people are not usually needed to move physically to physicians in every case rather they can avail treatment through telemedicine and it has been possible due to digitalization. With the 20 CVCs introduced earlier in 8 districts in 2018, the total number of CVS now stood at 90 which would cover around five crore people to provide treatment for different eye diseases. So far 4.50 lakh people have received eye treatment from specialist physicians through the CVCs. The head of government said eye treatment is expensive and that is why people usually don’t receive treatment, adding, “Not only as the Prime Minister but also as a daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman she cannot let the people to be remained treatment-less.” “It’s my duty to make necessary arrangements for providing treatment to them (people)”, she continued. She directed the authorities concerned to conduct more publicity about the community clinic as well as the CVCs and motivate people to visit there for medical treatment. Mentioning that Bangabandhu had made the country independent to ease the sorrow and sufferings of its people, Sheikh Hasina said, “It is also our responsibility”. Assuming power in 1996, Awami League introduced community clinics to provide healthcare services to people’s doorstep, but the BNP-Jamaat government after 2001 stopped this clinic, she said. As people voted AL again to power in 2009, they have been able to reopen the community clinic along with the introduction of the CVCs to offer different medical treatments and medicines free of cost, she added. Extending gratitude to the people of the country, the Premier said “We can work for you (people) and offer different services for your trust and confidence in AL.” Reiterating her call to the people to follow the health safety protocols to stop the spread of Coronavirus, she urged people to get registered themselves for Covid-19 vaccination and visit the centre when the date for inoculation comes instead of creating any indiscipline situation moving there before schedule time. Sheikh Hasina repeated her government’s determination to provide land and house to each land and homeless person in the Mujib Borsho. “None will remain home and land less as we’ve kept Taka 100 crore in the budget for it.” Mentioning the graduation of Bangladesh as a developing nation, she vowed the government along with people must turn the country into a hunger-poverty-free nation that might move ahead with raising head and self-esteem globally. Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque also spoke on the occasion while Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function. Health Secretary Md. Abdul Mannan delivered the welcome address and NESIH Director Professor Dr Golam Mostafa highlighted different aspects of the CVCs. On the outset of the ceremony, a documentary on the national eye care and the CVCs was screened. Later, the Prime Minister virtually connected with Peerganj Upazila of Rangpur District, Nachole Upazila of Chapainawabganj District and Haluaghat Upazila of Mymensingh District. She also talked with the beneficiaries of the CVCs and listened to their experiences. Source: BSS AH

The anti-viral drug Remdesivir should not be used to treat Covid-19 patients no matter how severe their illness as it has “no important effect” on survival chances, the World Health Organization said Friday. Scratching one of the few treatments that had shown some initial promise in severe patients, a WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG) of international experts said there was “no evidence based on currently available data that it does improve patient-important outcomes”. The United States, the European Union and other countries have granted temporary approval for the use of Remdesivir after initial research showed it may shorten recovery time in some coronavirus patients. President Donald Trump was treated with Remdesivir among other medicines after he tested positive for Covid-19 in October. Friday’s WHO recommendation was based on four international randomized trials among more than 7,000 patients hospitalised with the virus. Publishing updated treatment guidance in the BMJ medical journal, the panel acknowledged that their recommendation does not mean that Remdesivir has no benefit for patients. But based on the latest figures, costs and delivery methods, it advised “against administering Remdesivir in addition to usual care for the treatment of patients hospitalised with Covid-19, regardless of disease severity”. Manufacturer Gilead said last month that the drug had boosted 2020 third quarter sales by almost $900 million. Initially developed as a treatment for the Ebola virus, Remdesivir was found in one study published in May to reduce the length of hospital stays for Covid-19 sufferers from 15 to 11 days on average. A subsequent WHO pre-print however found the drug “appeared to have little or no effect” on mortality or length of hospitalisation among more than 11,000 hospitalised patients across 30 countries. Source: AFP/BSS AH

President Donald Trump arrived by helicopter at a military hospital outside Washington on Friday, where the White House says he will stay for “the next few days” for Covid-19 treatment. The move, described by the administration as precautionary, came around 15 hours after the president announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for coronavirus. “At the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days,” press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said. The president walked out of the White House unassisted and wearing a mask to board the Marine One helicopter for the quick trip to Walter Reed. Dressed in a dark suit, he waved to waiting journalists and walked past without taking questions. But he thanked supporters in a short video message posted on his Twitter account as he was arriving at the medical facility in Bethesda, Maryland. “I am going to Walter Reed hospital. I think I am doing very well. But we are going to make sure that things work out,” Trump said. “The First Lady is doing very well,” he added. The president got into a limousine for the final short leg of the journey after the helicopter landed near the hospital, where the president has a special secure medical suite. Source: AFP/BSS AH

Free treatment services are being provided for the coronavirus infected patients at Ad-din Medical College Hospital situated in capital’s Mogbazar area. The service will be available for next three months. The hospital authority will bear all the costs including corona positive patients’ admission, tests and food. The new corona treatment unit was set up outside the main hospital building. This free of cost treatment service was started for the poor corona positive patients who are unable to pay the expense. Ad-din Hospital is performing a vital role in heath service with a view to provide quality service at lower cost. During any disaster the hospital has been provided health service to the people. All the departments of the hospital are running their service during the pandemic situation. Everyday more than 1,500 patients are getting services from this specialized hospital for mothers and children. A PCR lab was set up in the hospital. All the modern machines and testing equipments are available here. Expert medical technologists are associated with testing activities. The test work will begin after getting permission from the health directorate. AH  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the best treatment for the patients who suffered burn injuries in AC explosions at a mosque in Narayanganj. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the directive to ensure the best treatment for the patients," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said. He said the Prime Minister is constantly enquiring about the condition of the burned patients. The Prime Minister also expressed profound shock and sorrow at the loss of lives in the explosions. Source: UNB AH