Daily Systematic Metro EPaper News National and International Political Sports Religion https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Shehbaz Sharif, Bill Gates Discuss Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Efforts Mbappe Confident of Ballon d’Or Chances After Strong Scoring Season Germany and Italy Win Gold at Corigliano Rossano Futures Venezuela Win Women’s Softball Gold at South American Games WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2026 to Be Available Worldwide Typhoon Dujuan Leaves Four Dead and Thousands Without Power in Japan US Visa Issue Puts Sudanese Army Chief’s UN Visit in Doubt NEW YORK: The United States has yet to issue an entry visa to Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, days before he is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly, according to a letter from Sudan’s UN ambassador. Sudanese diplomatic sources and a Western analyst familiar with the matter said the visa decision may be linked to Burhan’s position on a proposed 90-day ceasefire for Sudan’s ongoing conflict. The issue has added to tensions between Washington and Sudan’s military leadership as Burhan is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Thursday. Sudan’s army had raised reservations about the ceasefire proposal put forward by US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos earlier this year. In a letter dated September 21 and addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Sudan’s UN Ambassador Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith requested immediate UN assistance in resolving the visa issue. The letter said that continued delays could prevent Sudan’s head of state from personally participating in the General Assembly’s proceedings. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the UN secretary-general was concerned that a visa had reportedly not yet been issued to Burhan. He added that the UN Secretariat had raised the matter with US authorities and was continuing discussions. Burhan has served as Sudan’s de facto leader since 2019. His military-led government has faced international criticism following the 2021 coup that removed Sudan’s civilian leadership. Sudan has been embroiled in a conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has established a rival administration, although it has faced difficulties gaining international recognition. The conflict has produced a major humanitarian emergency, with the United Nations describing Sudan as the site of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The United States has been involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the fighting through the so-called Quad, which also includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. In an article published by Foreign Policy on Monday, Burhan said Sudan should have a central role in decisions concerning the conflict. He argued that previous ceasefires had failed and allowed opposing forces to regroup. The latest visa dispute comes amid broader tensions between Washington and Sudan’s military authorities. The United States has also proposed extending an existing arms embargo covering Sudan’s Darfur region to other parts of the country. Supporters of Sudan’s army have opposed the proposed expansion, arguing that it could have a greater impact on the military. Meanwhile, former civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok is also in New York this week for the UN General Assembly, alongside members of his anti-war coalition. M-1 Motorway Closed Indefinitely Ahead of PTI Islamabad March Glacier Loss Rate Rises to 4.9% in Karakoram Region Oil Prices Decline as Supply Outlook Improves, US-Iran Talks Lift Hopes An Se-young Reaches Asian Games Final After Defeating Yamaguchi Amnesty Calls on UEFA and FIFA to Suspend Israel Football Association England Defeat Sri Lanka by 89 Runs in First ODI Pakistan Boxer Sumama Rahman Exits Asian Games in First Round South Korea to Face Italy in Davis Cup Finals Quarter-Final PARIS: South Korea will face defending champions Italy in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup Finals after securing a place in the final eight for the first time in the country’s history. The South Korean team booked its spot in the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory over India in Seoul at the weekend. Kwon Soon-woo secured the decisive point for South Korea after defeating Sumit Nagal 6-1, 6-2. The result confirmed South Korea’s historic qualification for the Final 8 in Bologna. Following the draw held in Bologna on Tuesday, South Korea were placed against hosts Italy in the quarter-finals. Italy have won the Davis Cup for three consecutive editions and will be aiming to continue their recent dominance on home soil. The defending champions have been drawn on the opposite side of the bracket from Spain, whom they defeated in last year’s final. South Korean players expressed their excitement after reaching the final eight, highlighting the significance of achieving the milestone as a team. Italy could potentially be without world number one Jannik Sinner, who missed the recent US Open because of a knee injury. Sinner played in Italy’s 2024 title-winning campaign but did not feature in the team’s successful runs in 2023 and 2025. The winner of the South Korea-Italy quarter-final will face either the Czech Republic or Canada in the semi-finals. On the other side of the draw, last year’s runners-up Spain will meet Austria in the quarter-finals. Britain and Germany will contest the other quarter-final in that half of the draw. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz did not feature in last year’s Davis Cup Finals, while Germany will be looking to make another strong run with Alexander Zverev expected to lead the team. Germany last won the Davis Cup in 1993. Team captains are scheduled to announce their squads on October 27. The Davis Cup Finals will be held in Bologna from November 24 to 29. India Edges Past Japan After Late Wide-Ball Decision PFF Postpones Under-17 Championship 2026 in Islamabad Petrol Price Reduced by Rs1.70, Diesel by Rs3.12 SE Fruits and Vegetable IPO Price Set at Rs40 Per Share Indian Cricket Faces Fresh Match-Fixing Allegations After Sting Operation Home Default 2 Farmers Demand Rs5,000 Per 40kg Wheat Support Price Medical Tribunal Allows 2 Suspended Doctors to Continue Training Pakistan’s Estimated Oil and Gas Reserves Reach 19-Year Reserve Life LESCO Approves Bonus Payments for Officers and Employees Lahore to Get Three New Specialized Hospitals Under Medical City Project The Punjab government has announced plans to establish three new major hospitals in Lahore as part of the Nawaz Sharif Medical City project. The hospitals will be developed in LDA City, where 216 acres of land have been allocated for the project. Three Hospitals Planned One of the projects is the Maryam Nawaz Institute of Pediatric Health Sciences, which will have 352 beds. The pediatric hospital is expected to cost around Rs8 billion and will focus on healthcare services for children. Another facility will be the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Burn, Plastic Surgery and Trauma Centre. The centre will have 175 beds and is estimated to cost approximately Rs6.15 billion. Genetic Blood Diseases Institute The third facility will be the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Genetic Blood Diseases. The institute is planned at the same location and has an estimated development cost of Rs10 billion. The facility is expected to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of genetic blood-related disorders. IDAP Assigned Construction Work The construction of all three hospitals has been assigned to the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP). The projects are part of the broader Nawaz Sharif Medical City initiative planned for LDA City and are intended to expand specialized healthcare facilities in Lahore. 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