Foreign
German vice chancellor cancels COP28 visit due to budget crisis
German vice chancellor cancels COP28 visit due to budget crisis
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck on Monday cancelled a trip to the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai due to the budget crisis at home.
The move follows a landmark court decision earlier this month that blew a huge hole in the government’s spending plans.
Habeck’s presence in Berlin is necessary in order to make further progress in the talks on the 2024 budget, a spokeswoman for the Economy Ministry announced.
The cancellation was done in consultation with and at the request of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, she added.
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Habeck, who is also economy and climate minister, was due to participate in the COP28 climate conference in Dubai on Tuesday.
A recent decision by Germany’s Constitutional Court struck down plans to reallocate 60 billion Euros (65 billion dollars) borrowed during the Coronavirus pandemic for climate projects instead.
The fallout from the decision, which almost certainly impacts other special funds as well, has created a major budget crisis for Scholz’s three-party coalition government.
Negotiations on the budget is currently taking place primarily in a three-way round with Scholz, Habeck and Finance Minister Christian Lindner.
The coalition must reach an agreement within the next few days if it wants to adopt the budget for 2024 before the end of the year.
A political agreement in principle must be reached by the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday so that there is still enough time for the parliamentary process.
Habeck, had earlier told Germany’s ARD television station on Sunday evening that he sees progress in the negotiations.
“I am very optimistic that we are well on the way to reaching an agreement,’’ he said.
When asked if this meant that he wasn’t sure that the coalition would reach an agreement, Habeck said: “I can’t speak for everyone. But I repeat that I believe we are making good progress.’’
“It is a process that is arduous, one can see that, but it is making progress,’’ Habeck added.
German vice chancellor cancels COP28 visit due to budget crisis
Breaking News
Putin Signs Decree to Boost Russian Armed Forces Personnel by 180,000
Putin Signs Decree to Boost Russian Armed Forces Personnel by 180,000
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to increase the staffing levels of the country’s armed forces, raising the total number of personnel to 2.38 million, including 1.5 million military personnel. The decree, published on the government portal, represents an increase of 180,000 personnel across the Russian armed forces.
The new staffing levels, set to take effect on December 1, 2024, reflect Russia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its military amid global tensions and geopolitical challenges. This adjustment marks a rise from the previous staffing levels of 2.2 million, which included 1.32 million military personnel.
The decree is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s defense capabilities as Russia continues to prioritize military readiness.
Foreign
Pakistan Police Arrest Key Lawmakers from Imran Khan’s Party Amid Ongoing Crackdown
Pakistan Police Arrest Key Lawmakers from Imran Khan’s Party Amid Ongoing Crackdown
Authorities in Pakistan have arrested several prominent lawmakers and leaders from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the political party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Party officials confirmed the arrests on Tuesday following a series of late-night raids in Islamabad. While a police spokesperson stated that four individuals were detained, PTI officials claim that 13 members were arrested from various locations, including outside the parliament.
The arrests come in the aftermath of a large PTI rally held on Sunday, calling for the release of the 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician, who has been in jail for over a year. Among those arrested was PTI president Gohar Khan. The crackdown reflects ongoing tensions since Khan’s ousting as prime minister in 2022, following a fallout with military leaders, who often hold significant influence in Pakistan’s political landscape.
Footage broadcasted by local media showed police officers forcibly detaining lawmakers outside parliament, prompting condemnation from opposition leaders. Omar Ayub Khan, a senior opposition figure, described the arrests as “despicable,” while PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari denounced the detentions as illegal in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Bukhari further reported that senior PTI members Shoaib Shaheen and Sher Afzal Marwat were also among those taken into custody. Despite a strong showing in February’s general election, where PTI-backed candidates secured the most seats, the party was unable to form a government due to a coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Foreign
Iraq Denies Allegations of Smuggling Oil to Iran
Iraq Denies Allegations of Smuggling Oil to Iran
The Iraqi Oil Ministry has strongly refuted allegations made by several U.S. Congress members, who claimed that Iraq is smuggling oil to Iran to help the country bypass U.S. sanctions. The ministry labeled these accusations as “fabrications with no foundation.”
The rebuttal comes in response to a letter reportedly sent by five U.S. lawmakers to President Joe Biden, accusing Iraqi officials, including Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, of facilitating illegal oil sales to Iran. The letter further urged Biden to block Ghani’s planned visit to Washington until an investigation into the matter is completed.
In a statement, the Iraqi Oil Ministry expressed “astonishment and condemnation” at the allegations, stressing that its oil operations are under the scrutiny of international inspectors. The ministry also pointed out that Iraqi waters are strictly monitored by naval forces to prevent any illegal activity.
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