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Aswasuma welfare payment scheme to be amended

The Aswasuma Welfare Payment Scheme has been implemented from 01-07-2023 and revised by the Extraordinary Gazette notification no 2384/30 and implemented from 01-07-2024. The benefits are provided to the Aswasuma welfare beneficiary families under 04 categories. Since the effects of the economic crisis have not been completely freed, the necessity of providing relief further for a short term to the selected families that undergo transitional and vulnerability category under the first stage and to the families where the selection process has started from the applications under the second round.
Further, taking into consideration the present cost of living, it has also been shown that the current amount given is insufficient.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, to revise the Aswasuma welfare payment scheme as follows.
• To increase the current monthly beneficiary allowance paid to the poor and extremely poor category from Rs. 8500 to Rs. 10,000 and from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 17,500 respectively, and implement it from the date that the revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Scheme is approved by the parliament.
• To extend the valid duration that the benefit is paid for the transitional social category up to 31-03-2025
• To extend the valid duration that the benefit is paid to the social category subjected to vulnerability up to 31-12-2025
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PSL moved to UAE amid India-Pakistan tensions

The remainder of the tenth edition of the PSL has been moved to the UAE amid escalating border tensions between Pakistan and India. The PCB has said that the dates and venues of the remaining eight games in the PSL 2025 season would be officially confirmed in due course.
On Thursday, Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi were due to play a game at the Rawalpindi Stadium, which was rescheduled following an emergency meeting. At the meeting, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with overseas players in the league, who overwhelmingly expressed a desire to relocate the league to the UAE.
ESPNcricinfo understands that foreign players are already on their way out of Pakistan to the UAE, where the rest of the league will be played. It is likely to be several days before the next game is played as the PCB works out which venues to play the games at.
The original schedule would have seen four of the remaining games in Rawalpindi, one in Multan, and the final three in Lahore. An earlier update from the PCB had said the league would be rescheduled, but did not confirm at the time it would be taken out of Pakistan, with Karachi considered a likely option.
The PSL, now in its tenth season, is familiar with the UAE, having started there back in 2016. It was played there in full – barring the PSL 2017 final – for the first two seasons. Part of season six, in 2021, also had to be played in the UAE because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Any delays to the PSL are likely to impact Pakistan’s international calendar, too. Bangladesh are due to arrive in Pakistan three days after the PSL final, originally slated for May 18, with the first of five T20Is to begin on May 25 in Faisalabad. The PCB told ESPNcricinfo that no decision had yet been taken on the fate of that series.
(Cricinfo)
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Bell 212 helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya reservoir

It has been reported that a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 Helicopter has crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this morning.
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 4.00 p.m. 08 May 2025, valid for 09 May 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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