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December
Pakistani Journalist's Killing In Kenya A Pre-Meditated Murder - Report
Written by Nur Yasmin
A team set up by the Pakistani government to probe the killing of a well-known Pakistani journalist in Nairobi said it found several contradictions in the version given by Kenyan authorities, and believes it was a case of pre-meditated murder.
TV journalist Arshad Sharif, who had fled Pakistan citing threats to his life, was shot dead in Nairobi in October. Kenyan officials said it was a case of mistaken identity and police hunting car thieves opened fire on his vehicle as it drove through a roadblock without stopping.
A two-member fact-finding team from Pakistan that travelled to Kenya and conducted a number of interviews, examined and reconstructed the crime scene and examined the deceased's phones and computers, said in a 600-page report that Sharif's killing was a pre-planned murder.
"Both the members of the (fact-finding team) have a considered understanding that it is a case of planned targeted assassination with transnational characters rather than a case of mistaken identity," said the report, copies of which were submitted to Pakistan's Supreme Court.
"It is more probable that the firing was done, after taking proper aim, at a stationary vehicle," it said.
Kenyan authorities declined comment on the specifics of the report.
"The investigation into the matter is still ongoing, so there is not much I can tell," said Resila Onyango, spokesperson for the Kenya National Police Service.
A multi-agency team is conducting the investigation, she said, adding that the team will apprise authorities when they are done with the probe.
The chairperson of the Kenyan police watchdog Independent Police Oversight Authority, Anne Makori, also told Reuters investigations were still ongoing.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had said before the release of the report that Sharif's body had bruises and torture marks, suggested it was a targeted killing.
The fact-finding team highlighted one wound in particular on Sharif's back, saying it appeared to have been inflicted from relatively close range.
The report noted there was no corresponding penetration mark of a bullet on the seat on which Sharif was sitting when the shooting purportedly took place, calling it a "ballistic impossibility".
"The injury had to have been caused either before the journalist got into the vehicle, or the shot was fired from a relatively close range, possibly from inside the vehicle, and almost certainly not a moving vehicle," the report said.
CASE OF TREASON
Sharif had fled from Pakistan citing threats to his life after the government registered several treason cases against him.
One of the treason cases stemmed from reporting Sharif did that led to an accusation he had spread a call from an official in a previous government, led by former cricket star Imran Khan, for members of the armed forces to mutiny.
Both Sharif and the official in the previous government denied inciting mutiny.
Former prime minister Khan said Sharif had been murdered for his journalistic work. He and his successor Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, not related to the journalist, had called for a judicial investigation.
The fact-finding team's report also pointed out apparent contradictions in the autopsy reports in Kenya and Pakistan.
The post-mortem report in Pakistan identified 12 injuries on Sharif's body whereas the Kenyan report identified just two injuries pertaining to gunshot wounds.
The fact-finding team report said doctors believed the injures may be the result of torture or a struggle, but it could not be established until verified by the doctor who conducted the post mortem in Kenya. (Reuters)
December
U.S., Russia Vie To Sell Arms To Vietnam At First Hanoi Fair
Written by Nur Yasmin
U.S. and Russian defence firms on Thursday displayed weapons and promoted models of aircraft at Vietnam's first large-scale arms fair, as the two powers vie for influence and arms sales in the strategic Southeast Asian country that borders China.
The event at a Hanoi airbase attracted 174 exhibitors from 30 countries, including all large arms-making nations except China.
The arms fair "represents a new stage in Vietnam's efforts to globalise, diversify and modernise, and the United States want to be part of it," U.S. ambassador in Vietnam Marc Knapper told media on the sidelines of the event.
He said the United States wanted to boost its military cooperation with Vietnam - limited mostly to coastguard ships and trainer aircraft since the end of an arms embargo in 2016- and was ready to discuss its defence needs, especially on maritime capabilities.
Vietnam and China have been locked in a long-running territorial dispute over archipelagos and energy exploration in the South China Sea, with concerns it could one day lead to confrontation.
China was invited to join the arms fair but declined the offer.
Hanoi now aims to diversify arms sources "for the purpose of protecting the nation," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the event's opening.
Diversification is widely seen as a byword for reducing dependence on Russia for weapons, although analysts underline that any possible shift would be gradual.
Russia's arms trade agency Rosoboronexport was present at the fair with a large booth displaying Russian drones, armoured vehicles, helicopters, planes and small arms.
The agency "is ready to discuss cooperation in the field of industrial partnership and the construction of infrastructure facilities," Director General Alexander Mikheev said in a statement.
Russia is by far the main weapons supplier to Vietnam, covering 80% of its needs, but its appeal has decreased recently, while the Ukraine war could constrain its defence exports and sanctions deter potential buyers.
Among the firms that displayed their wares was Czech-owned Colt, whose light weapons were among the most used by U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War.
"Former enemies can become friends," Jens Heider, Colt director for international sales, told Reuters.
The exhibition was also an opportunity for Vietnamese defence firms to peddle their arms for the first time to possible international buyers.
Viettel, an army-owned telecommunication firm which doubles as Vietnam's largest defence company, displayed new radars, drones and surveillance systems, which its officers said attracted representatives from Mongolia, Cambodia and Belarus at the fair. (Reuters)
December
EU Steps Up WTO Case Against China Over Patents, Lithuania
Written by Nur Yasmin
The European Commission said on Wednesday it had requested the formation of adjudicating panels at the World Trade Organization, the next step in two trade disputes with China after failing to resolve them bilaterally.
The disputes, both brought to the WTO at the beginning of the year, concern alleged Chinese restrictions on EU companies' rights to use foreign courts to protect their high-tech patents and on trade with EU member Lithuania.
The EU executive, which oversees trade policy for the 27-member European Union, said both sets of measures were highly damaging to European businesses, with those against Lithuania disrupting intra-EU trade and supply chains.
The Commission formally requested consultations with China at the WTO, the first step in a WTO challenge. Such consultations rarely resolve disputes.
The EU executive said the WTO panels would likely be formed in early 2023, noting that panel proceedings can last up to one and a half years.
China will handle the EU's trade disputes request in accordance with the WTO's dispute settlement procedure, its commerce ministry said in a statement.
The panel requests come as the European Union reviews its stance towards China, seeing it increasingly as a competitor and system rival. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also led EU leaders to express concern about economic reliance on China, which has taken a more neutral stance on the conflict.
The United States and the EU held the third ministerial-level meeting on Monday of their Trade and Technology Council (TTC), designed to enhance regulatory cooperation and present a united front against China.
An EU official said the timing of the requests was not linked to the TTC, but reflected the work required to build both cases. In the Lithuania case, many of China's actions were not published measures, which are typically the focus for WTO litigation.
The Lithuania dispute stems from China's downgrading of diplomatic ties with the Baltic nation of 2.8 million people from December 2021, and pressure on multinationals to sever links with it, after it allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in Vilnius.
The Commission said China had also placed import bans on alcohol, beef, dairy, logs and peat shipped from Lithuania on the basis of plant and food safety rules without proving the bans were justified.
The Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday that accusations it was targeting Lithuania with "discriminatory measures" were "pure fabrications". It did not elaborate.
In the other case, the Commission said Chinese courts had since August 2020 issued "anti-suit injunctions" that prevent European companies from seeking redress over standard-essential patents in non-Chinese courts, such as EU courts.
The Commission said Chinese manufacturers used the injunctions to pressure patent rights holders to grant them cheaper access to European technology. (Reuters)
December
U.S. Military Bill Features Up To $10 Billion To Boost Taiwan
Written by Nur Yasmin
The U.S. Congress is expected to start voting as soon as Wednesday on a massive military policy bill including authorization of up to $10 billion in security assistance and fast-tracked weapons procurement for Taiwan.
The compromise version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, does not include some controversial provisions of Taiwan legislation lawmakers proposed this year, including sanctions in the event of "significant escalation in aggression" against Taiwan by China, or a proposal that Taiwan be treated as a "major non-NATO ally."
China considers Taiwan its territory and has never renounced using force to bring it under its control. Beijing responded angrily when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved broader Taiwan legislation in September despite concern within President Joe Biden's administration that the bill could go too far in heightening tensions with China.
The Senate and House Armed Services committees unveiled the NDAA late on Tuesday. The $858 billion military policy bill is expected to pass Congress and be signed into law this month.
The "Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act" included in the NDAA authorizes appropriations for military grant assistance for Taiwan up to $2 billion per year from 2023 through 2027, if the U.S. secretary of state certifies that Taiwan increased its defense spending.
It includes a new foreign military financing loan guarantee authority and other measures to fast-track Taiwan's weapons procurement, as well as the creation of a training program to improve Taiwan's defense.
"Taiwan's democracy remains the beating heart to our Indo-Pacific strategy, and the depth and strength of our commitment to the people of Taiwan is stronger than ever," said Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the foreign relations committee and sponsor of the Taiwan legislation.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry expressed its gratitude for the "continued strong support for Taiwan's security", adding it looked forward to the legislation being passed.
China staged military exercises near Taiwan in August after a visit to Taipei by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and has continued its military activities close to the island though on a reduced scale.
The U.S. State Department this week approved the potential sale of $428 million in aircraft parts for Taiwan to help its air force, which is strained from repeatedly intercepting Chinese jets operating around the island.
Passed every year since 1961, the NDAA addresses everything from soldiers' pay increases and how many aircraft can be purchased to strategies for addressing geopolitical threats.
The compromise version of the NDAA followed months of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House. (Reuters)
December
Malaysia's Anti-Graft Agency Probes Alleged Misuse of $136 Bln in Govt Funds
Written by Nur Yasmin
Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission said on Thursday it has opened an investigation into an alleged misappropriation of 600 billion ringgit ($136.39 billion) in government funds.
The investigation comes after new Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a review of government projects worth billions of dollars approved by his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin, alleging they did not follow proper procedures.
Muhyiddin, who was prime minister for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, has denied wrongdoing and said he would welcome an investigation.
The anti-graft agency did not provide details on the latest probe or its targets, but called on the public to come forward with evidence or information.
Anwar was appointed premier last month, forming a government with rival blocs after a tightly contested election race with Muhyiddin resulted in a hung parliament.
Anwar this week ordered a review into Muhyiddin-era projects, including a plan for a state-owned 5G network and flood mitigation projects worth 7 billion ringgit ($1.59 billion).
Corruption is a major issue in Malaysia, with former prime minister Najib Razak jailed this year after being found guilty in a case linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB.
Anwar's deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi - whose coalition is a key partner in the new administration - is also facing dozens of corruption and money laundering charges. Ahmad Zahid has pleaded not guilty.
Tengku Zafrul Aziz, a former finance minister in Muhyiddin's administration who oversaw government spending, said on Twitter he would cooperate fully with investigators if asked.
"There's nothing to hide," he said in a Twitter post. Tengku Zafrul last week was appointed to Anwar's cabinet as international trade minister. (Reuters)
December
PM Modi's party set for record win in India's Gujarat state election
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set to win the biggest majority by any party at elections in his home state of Gujarat on Thursday, a big boost to the Hindu nationalists ahead of general elections in 2024.
The western industrial state of Gujarat is a bastion of the BJP, which has not lost a state assembly election there since 1995. Modi was Gujarat's chief minister for 13 years before becoming prime minister in 2014.
With the final results likely to be announced in the next few hours, the BJP was ahead in 156 seats out of 182 in Gujarat's state assembly elections and was set to surpass its best results when it won 127 seats in 2002.
The final count was set to become the highest won by any party in Gujarat, bettering the 149 seats that the Indian National Congress won in 1985.
At the last state election in 2017, the BJP had bagged 99 seats.
"Thank you Gujarat," Modi wrote on Twitter as hundreds of supporters danced to the beat of drums in celebration at the BJP office in state capital Gandhinagar.
"I am overcome with a lot of emotions seeing the phenomenal election results. People blessed politics of development and at the same time expressed a desire that they want this momentum to continue at a greater pace. I bow to Gujarat's Jan Shakti (people power)."
Modi remains widely popular in the country due to economic growth and also his strong base among India's Hindu majority population, despite critics pointing to rising inflation, unemployment and growing religious polarisation.
He is eyeing a third term as prime minister in 2024 and campaigned extensively across the state in the run-up to the Gujarat vote.
"Modi's popularity, which he has systematically built since he was the chief minister, is very much the factor behind BJP's victory," said Ghanshyam Shah, former director of Centre for Social Studies in Surat, Gujarat's second largest city.
"His direct relationship with people has translated into votes for the BJP."
The landslide win in Gujarat will come as a welcome boost for the BJP, which lost control of the municipal corporation in the national capital Delhi to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in results announced on Wednesday.
At 1130 GMT, the count showed India's main opposition party Congress will secure 17 seats, far below the 77 seats it won in 2017, while the AAP, which emerged in 2012 out of an anti-corruption movement, was leading in five constituencies, having won none the last time.
However, the BJP lost control of the small northern state of Himachal Pradesh to Congress, which is set to win 40 out of 68 seats in the state election held last month and whose results were announced on Thursday.
BJP was hoping to ride on Modi's aggressive campaign to retain power in Himachal Pradesh but was clearly behind, winning 18 and leading in seven seats as counting neared its end.
The defeat will leave the party and its allies in control of 15 states and one federal territory in India. (Reuters)
December
Australia Proposes to Overhaul 'Broken' Environment Laws
Written by Nur Yasmin
Australia will overhaul its environment laws and set up a new nature protection agency which would have powers to make decisions on the approval of development projects, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said on Thursday.
The move by the centre-left Labor government comes more than two years after an independent review found Australia's environment laws were outdated and required fundamental reform. The report was submitted in 2019 to the former conservative government, which did not make any formal recommendations.
The independent Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will be responsible for all project assessments and decisions but the federal environment minister will retain the power to review EPA approvals.
"What exists now isn't working. Our environmental laws are broken. They don't work for business, they don't protect the environment. What we are seeking is a win-win - a win for the environment and a win for business," Plibersek told reporters.
Plibersek said businesses were waiting "too long" for decisions and that the proposed changes will also cut red tape, streamlining the project assessment process.
The EPA will act as "a tough cop on the beat" that can help reverse the deterioration of Australia's environment, Plibersek said.
Australia has lost more mammal species than any other continent and has one of the worst rates of species decline among the richest countries due to extreme weather events and human encroachment, a government report out in July found.
The opposition Liberal-National coalition said it supported steps to protect the environment but the government's plans have "unworkable regulations which will strangle businesses across the country."
Environment groups welcomed the government's decision, though WWF-Australia flagged concerns about a lack of urgency.
"On the government's own timetable, the reform package will be introduced into the parliament before the end of 2023, which means it is unlikely to be implemented until 2024," Chief Conservation Officer Rachel Lowry said.
"Our wildlife and wild places cannot afford to wait this long for action." (Reuters)
December
After U.N. Climate Deal, 'Loss and Damage' Funding Two Years Off
Written by Nur Yasmin
Countries agreed at last month's United Nations climate summit to create a fund to help poor countries damaged by climate disasters, but it will likely take two years to work out where the money will come from, a German climate official said on Wednesday.
The deal to create a "loss and damage" fund was hailed as a breakthrough for developing country negotiators at the COP27 climate talks in Egypt, overcoming years of resistance from wealthy nations in European Union and United States.
Germany's climate envoy Jennifer Morgan in a press briefing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, laid out the timeline for getting the fund up and running.
"By next year at COP28, there can be a decision on the institutional makeup of that fund," Morgan said, referring to the next round of U.N. climate talks to begin in November in Dubai.
"The other areas of who funds those institutions, I think (discussions) will continue for another year."
Morgan, along with Chile's environment minister, led the working group that came up with the U.N. deal on loss and damage.
The fund was created on the principle that rich, industrialized nations that are responsible for most of the world's greenhouse emissions should pay developing countries for the damage caused to the climate. But Morgan said the fund needed to go beyond public money from industrialized countries to find innovative funding sources.
For example, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has suggested instituting a tax on fossil fuel companies' windfall profits, she said.
The COP27 agreement also called for reforms of international financial institutions, such as the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund, to find ways to contribute loss and damage finance.
The EU has argued that China - the world's second-biggest economy, but classified by the U.N. as a developing country - should also pay into the fund.
Separately on Wednesday, U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry told Reuters that the United States consulted with COP27 host Egypt and the United Nations on loss and damage, proposing that the fund be created in 2023 rather than 2024. (Reuters)
December
China's Economy Will Pick Up Pace Following New COVID Rules: CCTV Cites Premier Li
Written by Nur Yasmin
China's economic growth will keep picking up pace with the implementation of the newly-announced anti-COVID adjustment measures, state media CCTV quoted Premier Li Keqiang as saying on Thursday.
China will also keep the yuan exchange rate basically stable, and this is also conducive to safeguarding global supply chain stability, CCTV said.
Li made the remarks during meetings with World Bank President David Malpass, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, CCTV said. (Reuters)
December
Hong Kong Government Eases COVID Quarantine and Testing Regime After Beijing Moves
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Hong Kong government said on Thursday that the isolation period for COVID-19 patients and their close contacts will be cut to five days from seven days.
The requirement for arrivals to Hong Kong to undergo daily rapid antigen tests would also be reduced from seven to five days.
However, the current social distancing measures, including mandatory masks and the use of a contact tracing app in public buildings, bars and restaurants, will remain until Dec. 28.
Hong Kong's moves come after Chinese authorities on Wednesday announced the most sweeping changes to the nation's stringent COVID control measures since the pandemic began three years ago. (Reuters)