New York [US], October 14 (ANI): Reaffirming a strong commitment to Yemen's unity and unwavering support to the people of the conflict-ridden country, India on Thursday (local time) said that it is deeply disappointed that the warring parties in the country have not agreed to an extension of the truce.
A truce between Yemen's internationally recognised government and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels ended on October 2. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Yemen said, "India is deeply disappointed to learn that the parties have not agreed to an extension and expansion of the truce."
The only sustainable solution to the conflict, Kamboj said is a "peacefully negotiated, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political settlement" that prioritizes the well-being of all Yemenis and meets their legitimate aspirations.
Welcoming the commitment shown by the Government of Yemen in implementing the truce agreements in good faith, the envoy noted that it is time for warring parties to take a human-centric approach to the conflict and not merely view it as a military or political game.
"We take note that negotiations on truce renewal, facilitated by the Special Envoy, are underway and, we hope that a mutually satisfactory agreement is reached soon," she said.
India appreciated the flexibility shown by the Yemeni Government on the proposals made by the Special Envoy. India urged Ansarallah (the Houthi movement) to reciprocate this flexibility and engage with the Special Envoy constructively.
In the meantime, India also urged all parties to maintain the spirit of the truce and refrain from provocations or any military action that could lead to the resumption of active hostilities.
The conflict so far has already resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy in Yemen with an enormous loss of lives, endangering millions of civilians with chronic food insecurity, as well as exacerbating the miseries of the people, particularly women and children.
"We have seen the tangible benefits of the truce in the past six months: active military operations had ceased; cross-border strikes into Yemen's neighbours had halted; civilian casualties had dropped significantly; fuel imports through Hudaydah port had eased shortages, and international commercial flights out of Sana'a airport had resumed," Kamboj said at UNSC meeting. (ANI)

 New Delhi [India], October 13 (ANI): India and Portugal held the third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) in Lisbon where the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed cooperation in defence, cultural and people-to-people relations among others.
The consultations were co-chaired by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in MEA and envoy Rui Vinhas, Director General for Foreign Policy in Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomat Verma also called on Francisco Andre, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in Portugal, a Ministry of External Affairs press release read. The two sides carried out a comprehensive review of bilateral relations with a focus on issues like high-level political engagements, implementation of migration and mobility agreement, deepening of trade and economic ties and explored new and existing co-operation avenues in science and technology, defence, cultural and people-to-people relations, etc.
The two sides also exchanged views on global and regional issues of common interest and agreed to work closely in multilateral cooperation, including at the UN, the Communidade dos Paises da Lingua Portuguesa (CPLP) and at the EU level to follow up on the outcomes of the India-EU Leaders' Summit held in Porto in May 2021.
Both sides also agreed to work in new fields such as food sustainability, mutual recognition of educational qualifications, air connectivity, visa waivers and climate action. Secretary (West) also had substantive discussions with the Executive Secretary of CPLP, Zacarias da Costa to discuss cooperation with Lusophone countries.
The Indian side reiterated the invitation for the participation of CPLP countries in the Lusophone Festival proposed to be held at Goa in December 2022. India became an observer of the CPLP in July 2021, the press release added.
Secretary (West) also interacted with other officials, academicians, business representatives and members of the Indo-Portuguese community at a reception organised by the Mission where Millets based recipes were served to generate awareness about the International Year of Millets 2023 and food sustainability.
The Indian delegation earlier participated in the Europe-India Strategic Dialogue, a Track 1.5 initiative of Anant-Aspen Centre; Institut Montaigne, Paris and Fundacao Oriente, Lisboa; which touched upon issues such as free trade, energy, connectivity and regional security. Secretary (West) also interacted with Foreign Minister Joao Cravinho during a round table discussion organised by Fundacao Oriente.
India and Portugal share historic and friendly bilateral relations with shared values of democracy and sustainable development, strengthened by frequent high-level exchanges. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Consultations at a mutually convenient date in New Delhi. (ANI)

 Astana [Kazakhstan], October 13 (ANI): On the sidelines of the Sixth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the CICA Secretariat and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). With this, the EEC became the sixth Partner Organization of CICA. The document was signed by CICA Executive Director Kairat Sarybay and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Mikhail Myasnikovich.
Areas such as regional economic integration, economy and finance, transportation and transport, digitalization and information and communication technology, industry, agribusiness, trade and competition policy were identified as fields of interaction between the two associations.
In his remarks at the signing ceremony, the CICA Executive Director pointed out that CICA acted in five broad dimensions of cooperation - military-political, new challenges and threats, economic, environmental, and human.
That being said, at least 60 percent of the CICA agenda is represented by economic issues, which clearly testifies to the Member States' focus on practical cooperation and opens up broad prospects for interaction with the EAEU. Thus, cooperation between the CICA Business Council and the EAEU Business Council could become one of the practical forms of this work.
The CICA Executive Director emphasized that the wide range of economic challenges and opportunities, global and regional threats and challenges, the goals of sustainable development and environmental protection were indicative of the need for greater interaction and connectivity on the Asian and - on a broader scale - on the Eurasian continent.
In December 2021, the CICA Member States decided to initiate contact between the CICA Secretariat and the Eurasian Economic Commission in order to establish mutually beneficial and constructive interaction. Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Mikhail Myasnikovich is invited to participate in the Sixth CICA Summit in Astana on 12-13 October 2022.
Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi is leading the Indian delegation to the 6th CICA Summit to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan. As one of the founding members of CICA, India has supported CICA's initiatives, including by organizing and participating in various CICA activities, the press release added.
On the sidelines of the CICA Summit, MOS will also have some bilateral meetings with senior dignitaries and Ministers from other participating countries, including Kazakhstan.
India has close and friendly ties with Kazakhstan underpinned by cultural and historical linkages. MoS visit comes at an opportune time as India marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Kazakhstan. The visit will further reinforce the momentum in India's bilateral relations. (ANI)

Berlin, Oct 13 (IANS) As Germany battles the energy crisis, the government, in line with the leading economic institutes, expects an economic contraction of 0.4 per cent in 2023 and says that the country could slide into recession next year.

"This severe energy crisis threatens to become an economic and, in conjunction with it, a social crisis," Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck said at a press conference here on Wednesday.

In its spring forecast, the German government had still projected growth of 2.5 per cent for next year, reports Xinhua news agency.

The measures taken by the government to address the energy crisis have worked "no matter how serious and depressing these figures are", Habeck stressed.

A "significantly sharper" economic decline has been forecast, he added, for a worst-case scenario that includes a freeze of Russian gas supplies.

At the beginning of September, gas supplies through the important Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany were completely halted after being suspended several times previously for maintenance work.

To ensure heating supply this winter, the authorities have accelerated the filling of the country's gas storages.

According to the government's legal targets, gas storage facilities should be at least 95 per cent full by November 1.

This target, Habeck said, has now almost been reached.

Driven by soaring energy prices, inflation in Germany has risen steadily since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, reaching record levels of 10 per cent in September, according to preliminary figures issued by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

To cushion the impact of high inflation, the government has already presented relief measures, which include short-term financial support to residents faced with steep heating bills and increased welfare payments.

It also announced a "protective umbrella" of up to 200 billion euros ($194 billion) to stabilise the economy.

As a result of the measures, inflation would drop to 7 per cent next year instead of rising further as predicted by the economic institutes earlier, Habeck said.

"These packages will have an impact, also to curb inflation."

However, companies have warned that "weak investment" is reducing the country's growth potential.

This increases the risk that the economy would "lose ground in global competition", the Federation of German Industries said on Wednesday.

"Of course, we need the full financial power of the state to maintain the substance of our economy and jobs," Habeck said, promising to "quickly implement" the gas and electricity price brakes.

 Gilgit Baltistan [PoK], October 12 (ANI): Shopkeepers across the illegally occupied territory of Gilgit Baltistan, who are already struggling with prolonged electricity shortage in the region, observed a shutter-down strike against the imposition of unjust taxes on them by the Pakistani government.
Public anger has been rising in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan against a new taxation law passed by the legislative assembly that will affect the common people. The protesters said that the "Gilgit-Baltistan Revenue Authority Bill 2022" has imposed new taxes on 135 items, the Dawn newspaper reported. A local criticised the region's lawmakers for passing the bill and claimed that "they had passed the bill for their own salaries and privileges." Another said that the vegetable sellers will be economically burdened with this new tax and added that the people of the region are not guaranteed any constitutional status.
The people of the area have also accused the government of Pakistan time and again of trying to impose taxes on them under different pretexts.
The bill was passed by the assembly for the first time in August this year, however, it was rejected by GB Governor Syed Mehdi Shah in September. The Dawn report said that Mehdi Shah had refused to sign the bill and returned it to the assembly for review.
According to the Pakistan daily, the bill was again tabled in the assembly and was recently passed for the second time, effectively turning it into law.
Shops in a number of districts remained closed while the traffic on roads was also minimal after the call of GB traders body and hotel association. In the Nasirabad area of Hunza, where locals took out a rally on Karakoram Highway, the demonstrators held placards and chanted slogans against the new taxes.
The protest was against the imposition of new taxes on the people of GB, said Masoodur Rehman, central traders' body President of Gilgit-Baltistan.
"The imposition of taxes on 135 items will affect the poor people," Rehman said.
While pointing to the taxes imposed on over 100 items, the trade body chief said people were already suffering losses due to prolonged electricity shortage in the region.
According to Rehman, the Shehbaz Sharif government was imposing taxes under various names without granting constitutional rights to the people of GB.
He further warned, "This is a token protest, if the government doesn't reverse the bill, the next course of action will be more aggressive." (ANI)

Addis Ababa, Oct 12 (IANS) The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that this year's first voluntary humanitarian return flight has departed from Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, with 129 Ethiopian migrants on board.

"The movement to Addis Ababa is an important lifeline for stranded migrants seeking a safe and dignified way to return home from Yemen," the UN migration agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the IOM, the flight is carrying migrants, including unaccompanied minors and those with medical conditions and other specific needs, who were left stranded as a result of insecurity and restrictions on their movement, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Migrants stranded in Sanaa have been left destitute and without food, shelter and other basic needs. Some have been waiting for an opportunity to return home for over a year," the statement quoted Matt Huber, IOM Yemen's acting chief of Mission, as saying.

"We hope we can continue to ensure that migrants who would like to go home can do so in the months ahead."

According to figures from IOM, more than 1,800 migrants stranded in Aden and Marib have departed on voluntary humanitarian return flights so far this year.

The IOM aims to support approximately 5,000 additional stranded migrants to voluntarily return home from the three locations in the coming months.

The UN agency estimated that 43,800 migrants are currently stranded throughout Yemen, many are held under the control of dangerous smuggling networks.

The vast majority hope to reach Saudi Arabia but are unable to continue their journeys.

Estimates suggest that thousands of Ethiopians are trafficked every year who hope to reach the Arabian Peninsula via Djibouti and Yemen and look for better economic opportunities in major Middle Eastern countries' informal job markets, mainly with an aim to find informal jobs in Yemen's northern neighbour Saudi Arabia.

Desperate Ethiopian migrants, who often attempt to cross the dangerous Red Sea route via the neighbouring nation Djibouti, regularly endure deadly incidents along the Red Sea as well as imprisonment and killings in the war-torn Yemen. 

United Nations, Oct 12 (IANS) The UN General Assembly has elected 14 states into the Human Rights Council to succeed outgoing members.

Through secret ballot on Tuesday, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan (for Africa); Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Vietnam (for the Asia-Pacific); Georgia, Romania (for Eastern Europe); Chile, Costa Rica (for Latin America and the Caribbean); Belgium, Germany (for Western Europe and other states), were elected for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2023, reports Xinhua news agency.

Of the 14 states, Sudan and Germany were elected for a consecutive second term.

The Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world.

It has 47 members, about a third of which are replaced every year so that the council members serve staggered three-year terms for the sake of continuity.

The members of the Council are not eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms.

Seats are allocated on a regional group basis: 13 each for Africa and the Asia-Pacific; 8 for Latin America and the Caribbean; 7 for Western Europe and other states; 6 for Eastern Europe.

Vladimir Putin has grown in stature over the past 20 years and is now one ofthe world's most powerful leaders. He experienced firsthand the demise of theSoviet Union in 1991 while serving as an operative for the FSB. He worked veryhard over the previous 20 years to restore Russia to its former splendour. As aresult of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia experienced severe economic catastrophe.

 

Writer- Asif Khan

 Islamabad [Pakistan], October 11 (ANI): As Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's tenure is about to come to an end, President Arif Alvi has said that "broader consultation" on the appointment of a new chief of army staff (COAS) should take place so that a consensus could be developed.
Alvi, who was elected during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's tenure as Premier, made these remarks during an interview with Aaj TV, the Dawn newspaper reported. Citing past precedents, Alvi said the opposition was consulted on the army chief's appointment. He contended that similar talks with the then-opposition was held when former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan extended the three-year term of General Bajwa in 2019.
"The law must have been introduced in the Parliament after closure was reached during a consultation," he was quoted as saying by Dawn.
During the interview, the Pakistan president also touched upon foreign conspiracy claims made by PTI chief Imran Khan.
Alvi said that he was not convinced that the United States had lodged a conspiracy to oust Imran.
Further talking about the country's all-powerful military, he said Pakistan the military had a constitutional role to play and the army should be 'neutral'.
Notably, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa recently assured Pakistan that the armed forces have distanced themselves from politics and want to stay away from it in the future as well.
Addressing the gathering during the lunch at Pakistani Embassy in Washington, Bajwa said that he will leave after the completion of his second three-year term in two months, Dawn reported.
He reminded the nation that reviving the country's ailing economy should be the first priority of all segments of society, adding that without a strong economy the nation would not be able to achieve its targets.
"There could be no diplomacy either without a strong economy," the Pakistan army chief said during his address to an audience which included a large number of Pakistani diplomats. (ANI)

 New York [US], October 11 (ANI): India on Monday voted to reject Russia's call to hold a secret ballot at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a draft resolution to condemn Moscow's "attempted illegal annexation" of four regions in Ukraine.
A public vote will be held now be held later this week in UNGA on Russia after its referendum in Ukrainian territories. The UN General Assembly meeting began with a procedural vote on a measure which Russia had flagged, proposing that the Ukrainian draft resolution being debated, be voted on by secret ballot, not through a public vote.
Albania requested an open vote after Russia proposed a secret ballot on the resolution on Ukraine. India voted in favour of a procedural vote called by Albania.
A resolution condemning Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions was up for adoption at the UNGA, where the 193 UN members vote and no one wields a veto.
The Albanian proposal received 107 votes in favour, with 13 countries opposed to the vote and 39 abstentions. Twenty-four countries including China, Iran and Russia did not vote.
Albanian diplomat while dismissing the proposal said that "conducting secret ballot will undermine the practises of assembly."
Ukraine and Russia clashed in the UNGA on Monday ahead of the vote.
Speaking first at the emergency meeting, Ukraine's envoy Sergiy Kyslytsya told members states that he had already lost family members to Russian aggression. He said that around 84 missiles and around two dozen drones had deliberately targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure during Monday's multiple attacks on Ukrainian cities, including schools and universities.
"The entire world has once again, seen the true face of the terrorist State that kills our people. Suffering defeats on the battlefield, Russia takes it out on the peaceful residents of Ukrainian cities," he said.
The Ukrainian envoy said that voting for the draft resolution would be "for each country, for each of our citizens, for your families, for our children - a vote for justice".
The resolution on the Russian annexation comes days after Moscow vetoed a similar proposal in the UN Security Council. The draft resolution condemns Russia's "attempted illegal annexations" of the four Ukrainian regions following "so-called referendums".
Russia's ambassador Vassily Nebenzya said that the Albanian resolution, which confirmed that a recorded vote would take place following the debate, had been a violation of the rules of procedure.
He said Russia had been deprived of the ability to present its case and all aspects of the Ukraine crisis that did not suit Western powers, had been conveniently overlooked.
"Ukraine was chosen by these countries for that purpose, was brought under their control and today is a platform for the testing of NATO weaponry and for combat against Russia, using other people," he said.
He accused Ukraine of an act of terrorism in "sabotaging" Russia's bridge to Crimea, adding that Russia could not stand by and let Ukraine act "with impunity". This vote comes after Russia conducted that large-scale strikes on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other locations on Monday, which drew condemnation from several countries.
UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was deeply shocked and represented "another unacceptable escalation" of the war.
The strikes which have reportedly caused widespread damage to civilian areas and led to dozens of deaths and injuries showed that "as always", civilians were paying the highest price for Russia's invasion of February 24, the statement released by the UN Spokesperson added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday warned of "harsh" reprisals after the Crimea bridge attack on Saturday. In a television appearance, Putin said Russia had struck military and infrastructure targets across Ukraine following the Crimea bridge blast.
He threatened further "harsh" responses that correspond "to the level of threat to the Russian Federation, have no doubt about it," while accusing Kyiv of "terrorism." (ANI)