Mecca: 209 Indonesians die during Hajj, thousands suffer heatstroke

Today's headlines: Islamabad reaches agreement with IMF on billion financing package; Taipei denies entry to Chinese tour operators to attend an international trade fair; Dozens of Iraqis storm the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad in response to the burning of the Koran in front of a Stockholm mosque; Police disrupt Rahul Gandhi's visit to violence-torn Manipur; Card. Zuppi, Pope's envoy to Moscow, meets with Patriarch Kirill, to prevent "major armed conflict."

INDONESIA - SAUDI ARABIA
At least 209 Indonesians have died in Saudi Arabia in recent days while participating in the major pilgrimage (Hajj), according to the consulate general in Jakarta. Riyadh has not released official figures. The total death toll is believed to be 230, including a 114-year-old Iranian pilgrim who died of a heart attack. More than 2,000 have fallen ill with temperatures as high as 48 degrees. 

PAKISTAN
Pakistan, hit by severe economic crisis, has signed a "staff level agreement, (Sla)" with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for more than billion in financing. The agreement, which has yet to receive final approval, comes at the end of a protracted-and delayed-eight-month process. The central bank raised interest rates to a record 22 percent.  

TAIWAN - CHINA
Taipei rejected the entry request made by a number of Chinese tour operators who wanted to travel to the island to participate in an international travel trade fair, the Taipei International Summer Travel Exposition. According to Taiwan authorities, the "current situation in the strait" does not allow easing of the blockade imposed-and still in effect-on the entry of visitors from China. 

IRAQ - SWEDEN
Dozens of people stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad to protest the burning of the Quran by Swedish citizen of Iraqi origin Salwan Momika in recent days, which has aroused the ire of the Arab and Muslim world. A crowd gathered outside the diplomatic representation in response to an appeal made by a local religious leader.

INDIA
Police abruptly halted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to Manipur state, which has been wracked by ethnic-confessional violence in recent weeks. The opposition figure was supposed to make a two-day tour of the area and meet with displaced people and civil society representatives. To date, the toll is more than 100 dead and 400 injured.

SOUTH KOREA
As of July 3, Seoul will increase the cap on working hours for international students. Under the Ministry of Justice's new policy, the weekly time will increase from the current 20 to 25 hours. At the same time, students who demonstrate a high level of Korean language proficiency will be eligible for additional extra hours per week. Reduced visa fees as well.

RUSSIA - VATICAN
Card. Matteo Zuppi, Pope Francis' envoy to Moscow to "ease tensions" over the conflict in Ukraine, met with Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who expressed "appreciation" for his visit to the Russian capital while reiterating the role of religions for peace and justice. The two religious leaders called for the joining of forces "to prevent a major armed conflict." 

TAJIKISTAN
To combat corruption, Tajikistan has decided that from August 1 all payments for public services will have to be made digitally, with credit cards or special cards. This was established by one of President Emomalī Rakhmon, although many citizens are protesting that the conditions for such a radical shift would not yet exist, especially in the countryside.

• AsiaToday