WORLD
China woefully under-prepared as it grapples with Covid tsunami
As has been widely reported, China did an about-face on its zero-Covid policy, lifting almost all controls because of mass protests in late November. But the protests were just the trigger. The underlying issue is that China's leaders have finally comprehended the magnitude of the devastating impact of the policy on the economy.
Khalistan issue remains a major irritant between India and Canada
Canada said it supports India's integrity, but it won't stop the referendum as its citizens were free to protest. Though Ottawa is trying to warm to India as outlined in its recently announced Indo-Pacific Strategy in which it calls India "a critical partner in Canada's pursuit of its objectives under this strategy," Khalistan will continue to be a major issue in India-Canada bilateral relations in 2023 and beyond.
Evil forces hatching conspiracies against Bangladesh: PM Sheikh Hasina
Hasina said this while delivering her inaugural speech at the 22nd national council of the Awami League (AL) to elect new leadership. Hasina, who has been re-elected for the 10th time as AL president, asked the party leaders and activists to remain united in order to resist conspiracies and advance the country towards prosperity.
Ukraine to require at least $39.5-billion external financing in 2023: IMF
Under a pessimistic scenario, which envisages that Ukraine's gross domestic product will decline by 12.5 per cent, the country's foreign financing needs will be around $57 billion, the IMF said. According to Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, external financing of Ukraine's state budget is set to reach $30 billion this year.
BF.7 is Omicron with mutations, won't lead to severe disease: Experts
Unlike China, the new substrain of coronavirus has not affected India disastrously even as the first case of this variant was detected months ago. However, the Centre has directed all states and Union Territories to remain cautious and ramp up the genome sequencing to track the variants. The BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5, which, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan.
Pakistan at risk of encountering new Covid variant from China
The NCOC said that the new variant may enter Pakistan after the ease in the coronavirus-related restrictions in China, which went through an abrupt shift in policies, The News reported. The country loosened its rules to curb the increasing Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began three years ago after protests broke out against its tough restrictions, The News reported.
Imran accuses Gen Bajwa of striking 'deal' with Asif Ali Zardari
Speaking to journalists, Khan continued to blame the ex-COAS for his government's ouster, The News reported. A day earlier, the PTI chief had clarified that he was not in contact with the establishment "for now". The cricketer-turned-politician had recently admitted that granting extension to Gen Bajwa was a "mistake" and had also accused the ex-army chief of "betraying" him.
Rishi Sunak mocked for 'excruciating' exchange with homeless man
Sunak visited a shelter on Friday, where after a brief exchange he asked the man whether he worked in business, The Guardian reported. The man replied that he was homeless. Sunak then discussed his background in the finance industry and asked if it would be something the man would "like to get into". The man replied: "I wouldn't mind, but I don't know, I'd like to get through Christmas first," The Guardian reported.
Ukraine to dominate UN in 2023, impacting reforms, economic issues
The Ukraine war has emerged as a catalyst for calls to change both the UN as well as the international institutions created after World War II, and there will be renewed efforts next year in that direction even if changes don't happen next year. As the long-simmering disenchantment with the functioning of the Council seemed ready to boil over, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: "The possibility of enlarging the Security Council is now seriously on the table."
Pakistan ruling alliance can't wish away Imran in election year 2023
And the one political figure who has been the centre stage, blue-eyed influencer throughout 2022 is former Prime Minister Imran Khan, The cricketer-turned-politician has been in the news for all reasons, ranging from sane to insane, right to wrong and twisted to sorted. In April 2022, Imran Khan, who was the sitting Prime Minister of Pakistan at the time, was tipped to not only become the first premier to complete his full term in office, but was also seen as the preferred favourite to continue his government through the next tenure, retaining his political power for straight ten years.
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