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Myanmar Earthquake: Death Toll Climbs to 3,145 Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

The devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar nearly a week ago has claimed at least 3,145 lives, with search and rescue teams continuing to recover bodies from the rubble. The 7.7 magnitude quake, which had its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, caused widespread destruction, including collapsed buildings, damaged roads, and destroyed bridges.  Humanitarian aid groups are working tirelessly to provide survivors with medical care and shelter, as thousands remain homeless and vulnerable to disease outbreaks. The United Nations estimates that over 17 million people have been affected by the disaster, with more than 9 million severely impacted.  In response to the crisis, Myanmar's military government has declared a temporary ceasefire to facilitate relief efforts. However, ongoing challenges, including communication blackouts and difficult-to-reach areas, have hindered the full assessment of the disaster's impact.  The coming days will be critical in d...
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Small Businesses in Canada Face Bankruptcy Risk Amidst Pandemic-Era Support Withdrawal

 


According to a recent report, thousands of small businesses in Canada are at risk of bankruptcy after the government ended pandemic-era support last month with the economy slowing at a time of high interest rates. 

Small firms that employ fewer than 100 people are critical to the Canadian economy as they give jobs to almost two-thirds of the country’s 12 million private workers. A spike in bankruptcies, which jumped 38% in the first 11 months of 2023, would weigh on economic growth, lobby groups and economists warn. 

Last month, small businesses faced a deadline to repay interest-free loans of C$60,000 ($44,676) made available to each of them during the pandemic. Of the 900,000 who had taken the government support, a fifth have not yet repaid their loans, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Monday. Katherine Cuplinskas, a spokesperson for the Finance Minister said in an emailed response that the Department of Finance did not expect there will be a negative impact on the economy on account of repayment of the loans given as support during the pandemic. She said loan recipients have long had full information on timelines and have been able to plan accordingly.


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