Former president of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Masood Khan, was named as Islamabad's new ambassador to the US.
Earlier this month, the Pakistan Embassy in Washington received Khan's nomination papers, replacing the current ambassador, Asad Majeed Khan, who has been serving in the position since January 2019. Khan's predecessor nears the end of his three-year term and is expected to return to Islamabad by mid-2022.
In the past, Khan has served as Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, ambassador to China, and Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies, a think tank based in Islamabad that is funded by Pakistan's foreign ministry. He also worked as a TV news anchor during the early stages of his career.
Khan's appointment comes at a time when bilateral relations between Islamabad and Washington appear to be balancing on an edge, especially after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.
South Korea Calls on US to Revise Trump-era Tariff Rules on Steel Exports
South Korea's top trade official called on the US to launch negotiations swiftly to revise the tariff rules imposed by former President Donald Trump's administration on Seoul's steel exports.
South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo made the request to visiting US Trade Representative Katherine Tai during in a joint committee meeting of the bilateral free trade agreement.
It is the first time in 10 years that a US top trade official has visited South Korea.
South Korea has been pushing for the revision of the Section 232 tariff rules.
Japan Cabinet Approves Record stimulus Package to Fix Economy
Japan's Cabinet approved a record 56 trillion yen ($490 billion) stimulus package, including cash handouts and aid to ailing businesses, to help the economy out of the doldrums worsened by the coronavirus pandemic.
The package has more than enough content and scale to deliver a sense of security and hope to the people.
It still needs parliamentary approval.
The plan includes doling out 100,000 yen ($880) each in monetary assistance to those 18 years or younger, and aid for businesses whose sales plummeted because of coronavirus measures.
Nov 19, 2021
Imran Khan Proves his Majority, Sails through Parliament Test
The joint session of Pakistan Parliament was an opportunity for Prime Minister Imran Khan to prove his majority in Parliament, which he did.
With the support of 221 votes of his party members and that of the allies, the government cruised through the session amid the Opposition's protest.
Taiwan Opens Office in Lithuania
Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Lithuania in a diplomatic breakthrough for the Chinese-claimed island, brushing aside Beijing's strong opposition to the move which again expressed its anger and warned of consequences.
Other Taiwan offices in Europe and the United States use the name of the city Taipei, avoiding a reference to the island itself, which China claims as its own territory.
China has stepped up efforts to get other countries to limit their interactions with Taiwan, or cut them off altogether. Only 15 countries have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
US Designates Pakistan, China as 'Countries of Concern' over Violation of Religious Freedom
The United States has designated 10 nations Burma, the People`s Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua were placed on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated "severe violations of religious freedom.
The United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world and address the plight of individuals and communities facing abuse, harassment, and discrimination on account of what they believe, or what they do not believe.
Nov 18, 2021
Australia Strengthening Tech Partnership with India
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that Australia is strengthening its technology partnership with India through the establishment of a new consulate in Bengaluru and a centre of excellence for critical and emerging technology policy in India.
Her comments came hours after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia's plan to set up the consulate in his virtual address at the Bengaluru Tech Summit.
Payne said that the consulate will support Australian businesses in one of the world's most important commercial centres.
Apart from its High Commission in Delhi, Australia at present has consulates in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
India Gets Re-elected to UNESCO Executive Board for 2021-25 Term
India was re-elected to the executive board of the United Nations cultural and education organisation for the 2021-25 term.
India got re-elected to the Executive Board of UNESCO with 164 votes.
In Group IV Asian and Pacific States, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Cook Islands and China were also elected.
The UNESCO Executive Board is one of the three constitutional organs of the UN agency (the others being the General Conference and the Secretariat) and it is elected by the General Conference.
India Slips 5 Points in Global Bribery Risk Rankings
India slipped five points in the global bribery risk rankings settling at the 82nd spot among 194 nations analysed for compliance risks businesses face internationally.
The TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix (TRACE Matrix) published measured business bribery risk since 2014 and assigned an overall country risk score based on the combined and weighted score of four domains — business interactions with government; anti-bribery deterrence and enforcement; government and civil service transparency; and capacity for civil society oversight, including the media role.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and New Zealand are the top five ranked nations on the TRACE matrix and the least corrupt societies.
Nov 17, 2021
Lawmakers from 20 Nations Oppose China's Nominee to Interpol Committee
Parliamentarians and activists from around the world have launched a global campaign to oppose the candidacy of Hu Binchen, a Deputy Director General at China's Ministry of Public Security, to the Interpol Executive Committee at its General Assembly session later this month.
As many as 50 legislators, from 20 countries, who are part of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) penned a joint letter to their governments raising alarm at China's moves to gain influence over the global policing body.
IPAC is an international, cross-party alliance of parliamentarians from democratic countries focused on relations with the People's Republic of China, and specifically, the Chinese Communist Party.
US Imposes Entry Ban on Nicaraguan President, Officials
The United States imposed an entry ban on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, his vice-president wife and his government, after elections that were internationally dismissed as illegitimate.
Before the November 7 vote, Nicaraguan authorities detained nearly 40 opposition figures, including seven would-be presidential challengers, assuring victory for long-time ruler Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo.
The repressive and abusive acts of the Ortega government and those who supported it compelle the United States to act.
The United States announced separate financial sanctions against Nicaraguan officials.
Britain and Canada also announced new sanctions against prominent Nicaraguans.
China Overtakes US as World's Richest Country
Global wealth tripled over the last two decades, with China leading the way and overtaking the US for the top spot worldwide.
A report by McKinsey & Co. examines the national balance sheets of ten countries representing more than 60 per cent of the world's income. China accounted for almost one-third of gains in global net worth over the past two decades.
Net worth worldwide rose to $514 trillion in 2020, from $156 trillion in 2000. China accounted for almost one-third of the increase.
Joe Biden, Xi Jinping Discuss Complex Nature of Ties between Two Nations
In their first face-to-face virtual summit, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping discussed the complex nature of ties between the two superpowers, as well as the importance of managing competition responsibly.
The summit was also the third between the two leaders since Biden took office in January this. The other two were telephone calls.
Nov 16, 2021
Pakistan and Afghanistan to Resume 'Dosti' Transport Service
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to resume the suspended "Dosti" bus service between the two countries in 2022 after more than five years, a move that would help mitigate the travel woes of people living across the border of the two countries. The decision to resume the bus service was taken during the recent visit by the Afghan delegation.
+91-85588-96644
