Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Even as China battles an unprecedented surge in respiratory illness, Ireland and France are now among several European countries to be recording similar spikes in child pneumonia cases. In Denmark and France, the infections have surged to an epidemic level. Denmark has witnessed a three-fold increase in cases since October. The Netherlands has seen a 124% increase as compared to last year’s peak. Several South Asian countries, such as India, Taiwan, and Singapore, have also ramped up measures to tackle any potential outbreak. In China, the issue came into the spotlight in late November, when the World Health…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: David Panuelo, the former president of the Federated States of Micronesia, came to Washington last week to warn that, without U.S. support, his country is becoming increasingly vulnerable to Beijing’s influence efforts. During a public event at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on December 1, Panuelo urged the U.S. Congress to quickly approving the funding for the Compacts of Free Association. The figures have been agreed upon by negotiators; now it all depends on congressional action. “It is very critical that approval of this is done as soon as possible,” Panuelo said, because on February 2, the…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: China is a major global player that presents a dual environmental threat. Despite being the largest greenhouse gas emitter, it prioritizes economic growth over climate concerns. Following the expiration of a coal ban, the alarming threefold increase in new coal-power construction in 2020, underlines its gross disregard for global climate goals. As the world’s primary financier of fossil fuel infrastructure through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s support exacerbates global climate challenges, potentially surpassing the limits set by the Paris Agreement. Moreover, China’s extensive infrastructure initiatives, notably the BRI, contribute to biodiversity loss, imperilling ecosystems and endangered…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday formally addressed the threats issued by designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against the Indian parliament. The matter has been brought to the attention of United States and Canadian authorities, as Pannun, who is a designated terrorist by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), holds dual citizenship in both countries. In a recent video, Pannun threatened to launch an attack on Parliament on or before December 13, commemorating the 2001 terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament. The main convict, Mohammed Afzal Guru, was subsequently hanged at Tihar Jail in 2013. Addressing…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: With the largest pro-democracy party in Hong Kong unable to take part in the district council polls in the island city in the coming December, the process of election in the former British colony has turned into a farce under Chinese rule. After an overhaul in the electoral law, the Democratic Party will now be absent from the district council election since its establishment in 1994. Chairperson of Democratic Party Lo Kin-hei has informed that he and other members of the party could not secure enough nominations under the new rules the authorities have introduced to ensure that…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Biden administration has unveiled plans to exclude Chinese entities from receiving any of the generous tax credits available for investing in the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. Both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated $6bn of credits for batteries and the critical minerals required to make them, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes a subsidy of up to $7,500 for each new energy vehicle, explicitly exclude any “Foreign Entity Of Concern” (FEOC). That term hadn’t been defined until Friday, when the Department of Energy and U.S. Treasury confirmed it would apply to China, Russia,…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: China is facing a looming financial crisis as it endeavours to address a colossal hidden debt problem within its banking system, The Wall Street Journal reported. Cities and provinces across the nation have amassed a staggering amount of undisclosed debt through years of unchecked borrowing and spending, with estimates ranging from USD 7 trillion to USD 11 trillion in off-balance-sheet government debt, including corporate bonds issued by local government financing vehicles. The extent of the issue remains uncertain, but it has become evident that local governments’ debt levels are unsustainable amid slowing economic growth and deflationary pressures. Economists…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Contrary to the tall claims, Chinese youngsters have been hunting for jobs from pillar to post. One big piece of evidence was the appearance of more than three million people in China’s recently held annual civil service exam. It was a record in itself. The record number underscored young people’s concerns about getting a secure job in a rocky economy. Where are the jobs? Unemployment is increasing in the world’s second strong economy. The appearance of three million people in the civil service exam showed that all was not well in China particularly with regard to jobs and…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A recent study by Civitas, a British think tank shows that UK universities are recipients of significant funding from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). A significant portion of this funding has been linked to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The study, which conducted a survey of 88 UK universities, revealed that 46 universities admitted to receiving money from China ranging from £122 million to £156 million since 2017. This funding is focused on research collaboration, one-off donations and contributions from PRC entities. That the objective and focus of such funding is to garner scientific information and knowledge…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: China seems to have fallen in a deep paradoxical situation regarding its engagement with Canberra as days after it welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during his four-day state visit in early November, it saw warily the Oceania country conducting joint sea and air patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea. The joint sea and air exercise from November 25 to 27 saw four vessels and five aircraft from the Philippines and one frigate and one reconnaissance aircraft from Australia taking part in the first kind of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: China for years has been a favorite for drug manufacturing and research due to its low cost and speedy contract drug manufacturing services. Big pharma companies had set up their manufacturing plants in China despite ongoing US-China trade war and onset of COVID-19 pandemic. But now many western countries have prompted their companies to de-risk their operations and slowly move base out of China. The West has now become wary of China’s strangulating policies and measures to control business establishments on its soil. The crumbling infrastructure and constant trade war with the western countries have brought many businesses…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: THE UK’s most dangerous nuclear site has been targeted by hackers allegedly tied to Russia and China in a major security breach. Sellafield, on the coast of Cumbria, houses a 140-ton plutonium stockpile and processes radioactive waste generated by the UK’s working reactors. The plant – previously known as Windscale and the site of a notorious disaster in 1957 – has been dubbed the “most hazardous place in Europe”. Now, the Guardian has claimed Sellafield has been hacked into by cyber groups closely linked to Russia and China. The effects have been “consistently covered up by senior staff”…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In yet another case of policemen getting involved in criminal activities instead of fighting crime, two cops were arrested on Sunday for allegedly kidnapping a man for ransom. The arrests were made by the Steel Town police of District Malir. The arrested cops have been identified as Rafiq and Younus, while a third suspect is a civilian. They have been accused of abducting a trader and demanding money to release him. Cases have been registered against them. District Malir police chief SSP Tariq Mastoi said the arrested suspects, including two police officers, had kidnapped a civilian and extorted…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The latest poll survey on Taiwan’s key presidential election indicating a clear lead for the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate, has come as a major setback for China. Conducted soon after a breakdown in talks between the main opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) over a united ticket for the January election, the poll survey showed clear lead for the DPP candidate William Lai with 31.4 percent, followed by TPP candidate Ko Wen-je with 27.3 percent and KMT candidate Hou You-yi slightly behind with 26.6 percent. The survey findings are significant for…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Beijing’s global ambitions have hit a wall of sorts. The problem is money or rather the lack thereof. Apart from annoying and dangerous military demonstrations, Beijing’s quest for influence has always rested on money — how much China has at its disposal to invest abroad and how much China buys from others. For a while it seemed China possessed limitless amounts. But that is no longer the case. The global drive of China’s leadership has begun to face severe constraints, which seem likely to become more severe. The Middle East is the epicenter of the problem. There Beijing…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Philippines has built a new coast guard station on the contested island of Thitu in the South China Sea, boosting its ability to monitor movements of Chinese vessels and aircraft in the busy disputed waterway. As tension mounts over territorial claims in the area, the Philippine coast guard had early this year spotted a Chinese navy ship and dozens of militia vessels around the island, one of nine features Manila occupies in the Spratly archipelago. Inaugurated on Friday, the new three-storey facility is equipped with state-of-the art technology such as radar, automatic identification, satellite communication, and coastal…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) unfolds in Dubai as a critical juncture for global efforts to combat climate change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership and India’s unwavering commitment to climate action set the stage for substantive discussions. The narrative, beyond rhetoric, encompasses India’s achievements, including audacious targets for carbon neutrality and renewable energy. Initiatives like the Green Credit Program and Lead IT 2.0 underscore India’s pivotal role in driving a sustainable, low-carbon future. Challenges persist, notably in climate financing, but COP 28’s legacy embodies hope, determination, and a global commitment to collaborative climate action.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The enduring ties between India and Kazakhstan, spanning over two millennia, encompass historical, cultural, and civilizational connections. Evolving since Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, their collaboration intensifies across diverse realms, evident in institutions like the India-Kazakhstan Inter-Governmental Commission. Secretaries/National Security Advisers meeting marked a significant stride. Emphasizing security cooperation, connectivity priorities, and economic integration, the dialogue reaffirmed commitment. Joint initiatives, including the Joint Working Groups, civil nuclear cooperation, and military exercises like ‘KAZIND-2023,’ showcase their multifaceted partnership. Economic synergy, cultural exchanges, and educational collaborations further solidify this developmental alliance, reflecting India’s strategic approach and Kazakhstan’s regional security initiatives. The…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Hong Kong Journalists Association said in a statement on Friday it was “deeply concerned” about the safety and whereabouts of a South China Morning Post reporter who has been unreachable since attending an event in Beijing in late October. Minnie Chan, a senior reporter covering security matters at the newspaper, travelled from Hong Kong to Beijing to report on a Chinese defence forum on Oct. 29-31, according to two sources close to her. Four sources familiar with the matter, including SCMP colleagues of Chan and her friends, say they have not been able to contact her since…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Renowned journalist Tsuchiya Hideo’s analysis stems from the initial concept of the BRICS, formed in the early 21st century, which initially identified Brazil, Russia, India, and China as the primary drivers of global economic growth. However, recent geopolitical expansions, driven by Beijing,seek to establish a bloc that rivals the G7. Anticipating China’s potential stagnation, the focus of global growth is shifting towards India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The VIIPs, with their promising economic potential, come to the forefront, indicating a dynamic shift in theglobal economic arena. As South Korea and Taiwan grapple with population…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: What the drilling machine could not do – as its blade broke and had to be removed – was done in the just 24 hours by those who are called “rat miners.” The choice, as the popular saying goes, “between a rock and a hard place” was simply not there in India’s rescue of 41 workers from a partially crumbled tunnel in the lower Himalayan region. Both had to be crushed if the workers had to come out alive. The workers had been trapped since November 12, for 17 days, in the Silkyara tunnel in the Uttarkashi district…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: While China’s recovery this year has been largely driven by consumption, the prolonged downturn in the property market and fragile business confidence is expected to further weigh on employment prospects. What does official data say about China’s job market? China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5 per cent in October, unchanged from September. This year, the rate had peaked at 5.6 per cent in February, but it has now fallen to its lowest level since November 2021. It had risen as high as 6.1 per cent in April 2022 after strict coronavirus lockdowns and control measures had…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Alarming statistics have once again exposed the inability of both federal and provincial governments to effectively eliminate child labour, with laws falling short of addressing the pressing issue that persists despite recent crackdowns. According to the documents seen by The Express Tribune, more than 700,000 children between the ages of 10 and 14 are subjected to labour in brick kilns and the agriculture sector across the country. Of the total workforce of over 71 million children engaged in various sectors nationwide, a staggering 26 million are employed in agriculture and brick kilns. The disturbing statistics reveal that amid…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Since the early 2000s, the Chinese government has been resettling Tibetan nomads across Tibet and neighbouring provinces, with reports putting figures of those relocated to around at least two million. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has justified this policy, whose latest iteration came in 2018 with the “extremely high-altitude ecological resettlement” programme, on the grounds of poverty alleviation and environmental concerns. However, rather than reflecting legitimate practical necessities, these rationales are used as a convenient cover for the state’s ultimate aims: solidifying control over the region’s natural resources and, perhaps more importantly, the Tibetan people themselves. In 1950,…