Russia's 1st Versatile Nuclear-powered Icebreaker to Boost India's Arctic Plans
Russia launched its first in the series Project 22220 versatile nuclear-powered icebreaker known as 'Sibir'. This icebreaker will support the growing fleet of icebreakers to keep the Northern Sea Route open for year-round shipping through the Arctic and enable a wider presence of India in the arctic region.
The construction of Sibir was started in 2015 and the icebreaker was floated on 22nd December 2017. Sibir was handed over to the Rosatom State Atomiс Energy Corporation for exploitation; the Delivery-Acceptance Act was signed on 24th December at Baltic Shipyard, St. Petersburg, Russia. The icebreaker is 173.3 meters (568.6 feet) long and 34 meters broad with a 33,500-tonne displacement.
Dec 31, 2021
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.
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