Pakistan Cabinet Approves IMF Mandated Supplementary Budget
Pakistan's cabinet approved a supplementary budget which plans to end exemptions on sales tax and levy new duties as part of fiscal tightening measures aimed at winning funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF approval is also a pivotal endorsement for Pakistan's economy which is struggling with external and current account deficits, a depreciating currency, struggling foreign reserves and rising inflation.
The IMF agreed last month to revive a stalled $6 billion funding programme but demanded further budgetary tightening from Pakistan before the next tranche could be approved.
Dec 30, 2021
Kuwait Forms New Govt. Led by PM Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah
Kuwait formed a new government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received the Prime Minister, approved the new cabinet formation handed by him, and wished him the best in serving the people of Kuwait.
In November, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had issued an order on behalf of the Emir to appoint Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as Prime Minister and assign him to form a government.
Dec 29, 2021
Pakistan Approves 'Citizen-centric' National Security Policy
Pakistan's top security panel approved its National Security Policy for 2022-26, placing "economic security at the core" of the first-of-its kind document to ensure a "citizen-centric approach to security".
The policy was presented and approved at the 36th meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and all Services Chiefs.
The NSP will now be presented to the Cabinet before being officially adopted.
Former Afghan President Ghani Listed among 'Most Corrupt' People of 2021
Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has been named as one of the most corrupt officials of the year by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a nonprofit investigative news reporting platform for independent media outlets around the world.
The list was topped by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Others included in the list were - Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan, and disgraced Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
Dec 28, 2021
US President Joe Biden Signs $770 Billion Defence Bill
US President Joe Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorisation Act, or NDAA, for fiscal year 2022, which authorizes $770 billion in defence spending.
Earlier this month, the Senate and the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly for the defense Bill with strong support from both Democrats and Republicans for the annual legislation setting policy for the Department of Defense.
The NDAA is closely watched by a broad swath of industry and other interests because it is one of the only major pieces of legislation that becomes law every year and because it addresses a wide range of issues. The NDAA has become law every year for six decades.
Somalia PM Roble Defiant after President Farmajo Suspends Him
Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has suspended the Prime Minister, who is facing allegations of involvement in the theft of land.
Mohamed Hussein Roble accused the President of trying to stage a coup, and said that he would continue in office.
He urged the security forces to take orders from him rather than Mr. Farmajo.
Troops loyal to the President earlier failed to block Mr. Roble from entering his office in the capital Mogadishu.
Somalia has not had an effective central government since the overthrow of long-serving ruler Siad Barre in 1991.
Dec 26, 2021
Canada Appoints Cameron as Envoy to India
Canada appointed diplomat Cameron Mackay as its new high commissioner to India. That post was vacant since Nadir Patel left this summer.
An announcement from the office of Foreign Minister Melanie Joly also included changes to Canada's consulates in India, with new consul generals taking over in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai.
Cameron Mackay, who moved from his post as ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, has expertise in trade negotiations, pointing towards a focus on such discussions that were revived this year. And having served in Jakarta, Mackay is also familiar with issues concerning the Indo-Pacific, as Ottawa frames a comprehensive new strategy for the region.
China's Draft Law on the Protection of Women Rights
China's Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC) started to review a draft amendment to 'Law on Protection of Rights & Interests of Women'.
Amendment was proposed amid increasing number of sexual harassment & domestic violence cases and a yearlong #MeToo movement.
Amendment would update and strengthen the three-decade-old law of protecting women's rights at home as well as at workplace.
The proposed legislation provides a specific definition for discrimination against women for the first time.
It provides detailed descriptions of what would be considered as sexual harassment in the workplace including sexually explicit images, inappropriate behaviour, or offering benefits in exchange of sex.
The draft legislation is not limited to the workplace alone. It also seeks to protect a woman's rights within traditional family structure and allows women to seek compensation after divorce.
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