U.S. to Cut Ethiopia from Trade Program over Rights Abuses
President Joe Biden decided to cut out Ethiopia from a U.S. trade program, setting the path for further sanctions against the African nation over its failure to end a nearly yearlong war in the Tigray region that has led to "gross violations" of human rights.
Mr. Biden in a letter to Congress said that Ethiopia has not met eligibility requirements to remain a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The program provides sub-Saharan African nations duty-free access to the United States on the condition they meet certain requirements, including eliminating barriers to U.S. trade and investment and making progress toward political pluralism.
The sanction goes into effect on January 1, 2022.
Pakistan to Allow Banned Islamist Militant Group to Contest Election
As per reports, Pakistan is to free more than 2,000 jailed activists of a banned Islamist militant group and allow the movement to contest elections, under a deal with the government struck to end weeks of violent clashes.
In return, the Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan has agreed to shun the politics of violence and withdraw its longstanding demand to have France`s ambassador expelled over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad by a French satirical magazine.
The caricatures have triggered repeated demonstrations by the group to protest at what it considers blasphemy.
Prime Minister Imran Khan`s government banned the TLP after its protests turned violent earlier this year, designated it a terrorist group and arrested its chief Saad Rizvi.
Nov 02, 2021
North Macedonia PM Zoran Zaev Resigns
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev announced his resignation following the heavy defeat of his governing Social Democratic Union in North Macedonia's local elections.
Zaev is considered a Western-leaning reformer.
Zaev came out against early national elections. Instead, he will support a Social Democrat-led government under a new leader.
Zoran Zaev is a Macedonian economist and politician served as the Prime Minister of North Macedonia since 30 August 2020, a position he previously held from 31 May 2017 to 3 January 2020.
Nov 01, 2021
US Announces Deal with EU to Resolve Steel, Aluminium Tariff Disputes
The United States has reached a deal with the European Union (EU) to resolve a three-year dispute over tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from the bloc.
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that we've reached an agreement with the EU which maintains the 232 tariffs but allows limited volumes of EU steel and aluminium to enter the US tariff-free.
"This agreement is significant in that it will reduce costs for American manufacturers and consumers," Raimondo said, adding the cost of steel for manufacturers in the US downstream industries has more than tripled in the past year.
Iran Appoints Rouhani-era Diplomat to Nuclear Talks Team
Iran has retained on its nuclear talks team an official who helped to negotiate the original atomic deal with world powers, suggesting the hawkish new administration is prepared to tap more experienced and accommodating diplomats as talks on reviving the ailing accord prepare to resume.
Reza Najafi, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency under moderate former President Hassan Rouhani, was appointed deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Najafi had held the position in a caretaker capacity after hardliner Ebrahim Raisi was elected to replace Rouhani in June, and his appointment has now become permanent.
Iran Slams New US Sanctions as Completely Contradictory Behavior
Iran slammed the latest U.S. sanctions against its entities as "completely contradictory behaviour".
As per Iran's government, U.S. pressure will not inflict "the slightest damage" on the Iranian government's determination to defend the security and tranquillity of Iran's people.
The United States imposed sanctions against companies and individuals related to Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs.
The new ban against Iran came after Iran's nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani said that Tehran has agreed to resume the long-halted negotiations aimed at the revival of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), by the end of November.
Japan PM Kishida's Coalition Keeps Majority with Fewer Seats
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's coalition kept a comfortable majority in the October 31 parliamentary election despite losing some seats as his weeks-old government grapples with a coronavirus-battered economy and regional security challenges.
Prime Minister Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito together won 293 seats, well above the majority of 233 in the 465-member lower house, the more powerful of Japan's two-chamber Diet, where they previously had 305 seats.
Canada's Manitoba Province Gets First Female Premier
Manitoba's ruling Progressive Conservative party voted in Heather Stefanson as its new leader, making her the first woman to be elected premier of the Canadian province going back 151 years.
She will also be Canada's only current female provincial premier.
Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party scheduled the vote after Brian Pallister resigned as premier in September under criticism for his handling of the pandemic and strained relations with indigenous groups.
Oct 31, 2021
WHO Director-general Ghebreyesus Runs Unopposed for 2nd Five-year Term
The World Health Organization said that its director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is running unopposed for a second five-year term.
The U.N. health agency made the announcement after the deadline for candidacies for the next term expired in September. The formal selection of the next director-general takes place at the WHO's next assembly in May.
Tedros, an Ethiopian national who is the first African to head WHO, has overseen the agency's complex response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has overshadowed his tenure. Trained in biology and infectious diseases with a doctorate in community health, he is also the first WHO chief who is not a medical doctor.
UNSC Adopts Resolution on Protection of Education in Armed Conflict
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on the protection of education in armed conflict.
Resolution 2601, which won the unanimous support of the 15-member council, strongly condemns all violations of applicable international law involving the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflict as well as their re-recruitment, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and abductions.
The resolution urges UN member states to develop effective measures to prevent and address attacks and threats of attacks against schools and education facilities, and, as appropriate, develop domestic legal frameworks to ensure respect for their relevant international legal obligations.
Oct 30, 2021
Bizenjo Elected Chief Minister of Pakistan's Restive Region of Balochistan
Balochistan Awami Party leader, Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, was elected Chief Minister of the restive region of Balochistan, five days after his predecessor Jam Kamal Khan Alyani stepped down from the post.
Alyani submitted his resignation to the Governor of Balochistan Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha, after majority members of the provincial assembly had moved a no-confidence motion against him earlier this month on the issue of allotment and distribution of development funds.
Bizenjo, who hails from an influential political and tribal family of the province, secured 39 out of the 64 eligible votes.
Taliban Sends Envoy to Run Embassy in Pakistan
Amid the quest for recognition from the international community, the Taliban set-up sent an envoy to Islamabad to run the Afghan embassy, but the official will not have the formal title of ambassador. As the Sunni Pashtun group starts to take over Afghanistan's network of foreign delegations, Mohammad Shokaib was sent to Pakistan's capital as the first secretary or charge d'affaires at the embassy.
The post of ambassador has remained vacant since the Ashraf Ghani-led government withdrew its envoy, Najibullah Alikhil, over the alleged abduction and assault of his daughter.
Saudi Arabia Expels Lebanon Ambassador amid Yemen Row
Saudi Arabia ordered Lebanon's ambassador to leave within 48 hours over insulting comments by a Lebanese minister.
The kingdom also imposed a blanket ban on all imports from Lebanon.
The move comes days after remarks by Lebanon's information minister about the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen sparked outrage in the kingdom.
Lebanon's Prime Minister regretted the Saudis' decision and hoped they would reconsider.
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