Iceland Heads for Early Elections after Three-party Coalition Government Falls Apart
Iceland's three-party coalition government, in power since November 2021, collapsed due to disagreements on policy issues, with new elections to be held in November, Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson announced.
Benediktsson, the head of the conservative Independence Party, said that tensions had mounted within the coalition in recent months on a range of issues, from foreign policy to asylum seekers and energy matters.
The coalition comprised of the Independence Party, the Left-Green Movement, and the centre-right Progressive Party.
UNGA Elects 18 New Members to Human Rights Council for 2025-2027 Term
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) elected 18 new members to the 47-member Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term. This decision was made through a secret ballot held, with countries like Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Qatar, and Thailand among the newly elected. The newly elected members will begin their three-year terms on January 1, 2025. The Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights globally. The elections reflect a commitment to staggered terms, ensuring continuity within the Council's composition.
The Human Rights Council, established in 2006, aims to address human rights violations and promote fundamental freedoms. The recent elections continue the practice of rotating membership, with approximately one-third of the Council's 47 members changing annually. This system is designed to maintain a diverse representation of countries, promoting equitable geographical distribution.
Oct 12, 2024
PM Modi Holds Key Talks with Counterparts on Sidelines of ASEAN-India Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first bilateral meeting with Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, in Laos on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit.
The Indian Prime Minister highlighted that India continues to place great importance on its relationship with Japan, a trusted friend and strategic partner.
In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Modi also engaged in bilateral talks with New Zealand's Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon.
Oct 11, 2024
China's 'Anaconda Strategy' Tightens Grip on Taiwan
Beijing is systematically increasing pressure on Taiwan through a multifaceted strategy that military officials describe as the 'Anaconda Strategy', aimed at compelling Taipei to accept reunification as inevitable. Although the situation around Taiwan has been relatively stable compared to global conflicts like those in Ukraine, this calm may be deceptive. Chinese military activities are intensifying, with a marked increase in air and naval incursions near Taiwan, raising concerns about a potential blockade or cyber warfare aimed at crippling Taiwan's economy and communications.
Taiwanese officials reported a significant rise in Chinese military activities, with air incursions across the median line in the Taiwan Strait increasing over five-fold in recent months, from 36 in January to 193 in August. Naval vessels operating around Taiwan have also doubled, from 142 to 282 in the same timeframe. These exercises are becoming more sophisticated, involving joint operations among the People's Liberation Army (PLA) branches, indicating preparations for a potential blockade or amphibious assault.
Oct 10, 2024
Bangladesh Forms Nine-Member Constitution Reform Commission
Bangladesh's interim government established a nine-member Constitution Reform Commission, headed by Bangladeshi-American professor Ali Riaz, to review and propose reforms within 90 days. The commission, formed after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned, aims to create a more representative and democratic framework. Members include professors, legal experts, and student representatives, with student Mahfuj Alam serving as special assistant to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The commission is part of broader reforms announced by Yunus, which include commissions for judiciary, police, electoral system, public administration, and anti-corruption.
The interim government also announced five other commissions to reform key sectors. The commissions aim to strengthen governance, particularly in the judiciary and electoral systems, for free and fair elections. Final consultations with political parties will follow these reforms.
Oct 09, 2024
North Korea Appoints New Defence Minister
North Korea appointed a new Defence Minister, while making no mention of an expected step by Pyongyang to harden its position against Seoul.
No Kwang Chol was named the new Defence Minister at a key parliamentary meeting, succeeding Kang Sun Nam.
No was part of Kim's delegations during visits to Singapore in 2018 and Vietnam in 2019 for discussions with then-US President Donald Trump.
Tunisian President Wins Second Term with Landslide
In an election that was criticised by rights groups, Tunisia's President Kais Saied won a second term with more than 90% of the vote, the electoral commission has said.
Only two candidates out of more than a dozen other hopefuls were allowed to stand against President Saied in the ballot, where only 29% of the more than nine million registered voters took part.
Saied's closest challenger, businessman Ayachi Zammel, won 7% of the vote despite being sentenced to 12 years in prison for falsifying documents - just five days before the poll.
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