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December 13, 2021: National / International Current Affairs
1. Amendments to tax laws proposed for $1bn IMF tranche
• With an annual revenue impact of more than Rs350 billion, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is seeking amendments to all the three key tax laws relating to customs, sales tax and income tax, besides the services tax law for the federal capital to meet `prior conditions` of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and secure about $1bn inflows direly needed for balance of payments support.
• According to a summary about revenue measures shared with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin for an overall briefing to the federal cabinet, FBR chairman Dr Ashfag Ahmad has explained key features of the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 for `achieving tax reforms with the assistance of development partners with the ultimate objective to be able to generate sufficient revenue for the state`.
• The supplementary finance bill, along with other fiscal adjustments, including Rs200bn cut in development budget and about Rs50bn reduction in grants to special security organisations, is likely to come up for approval by the cabinet this week
2. ADB-funded projects to benefit 3.5m people in five KP cities
• Following its funding for Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project, Asian Development Bank`s Rs98 billion loan to improve municipal services in five divisional headquarters of the province is second high volume financing by the same lender. ADB has provided Rs53 billion for Peshawar BRT project.
• Earlier on Friday, the Manila based ADBhadannounced$385 million for improvement of municipal services in five divisional headquarters of the province including Peshawar, Abbottabad, Kohat, Mardan and Mignora under KP Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP) The financing will be spent on improvement of water supply systems, sewerage and drainage including sewerage treatment plants, provision of integrated solid waste management systems and development of green urban spaces in all the five cities
3. Rawalpindi ranks 34th among 36 districts in Covid-19 vaccination
• Rawalpindi has been ranked 34th among 36 districts of Punjab in a performance report of the Punjab government under the `Reach Every Door` (RED) campaign to inoculate vaccine eligible persons against Covid-19.
• Over the poor performance of the District Health Authority, the Punjab government has sought explanation from its head.
• Interestingly, three other districts of the Rawalpindi Division performed well.
• Chakwal got fourth position, Jhelum 9th and Attock 13th position
4. Internet, telecom projects approved for Kumrat, Shangla & Dadu
• Highspeed internet and telecom projects worth Rs11 billion were approved for Kumrat, Shangla and Dadu during a meeting of the Universal Service Fund (USF) board held recently.
• The projects will benefit more than 4.4 million people in these areas.
• The contracts have been given to Jazz, Ufone and Telenor, while optic fibre cable projects have been awarded to PTCL.
• Jazz has been awarded the contract to establish high-speed mobile broadband for Mansehra, Swat, Upper Dir and Abbottabad areas which host prominent tourist destinations of the country.
• Jazz will establish networks in Mianwali and Khushab districts
5. Pandemic pushed 500m people into poverty: WHO
• More than half a billion (500 million) people globally were pushed into extreme poverty last year as they paid for health costs out of their own pockets during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation and the World Bank said on December 12, 2021.
• The pandemic disrupted health services globally and triggered the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, making it even more difficult for people to pay for healthcare, according to a joint statement from both the organisations.
• `All governments must immediately resume and accelerate efforts to ensure every one of their citizens can access health services without fear of the financial consequences, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said
6. G7 issues strong warnings on Iran, Russia
• The G7 on December 12, 2021 said time is running out for Iran to agree a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions, and warned Russia of `massive` consequences if it invades Ukraine.
• Foreign ministers from the world`s richest nations held a two-day meeting in Liverpool, northwest England, seeking to present a strong, united front on key issues.
• On Iran, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, from G7 host Britain, said resumed talks in Vienna were the Islamic Republic`s `last chance to come to the negotiating table with a serious resolution`.
• `There is still time for Iran to come and agree this deal,` she told a news conference
7. New Caledonia rejects independence from France in boycotted vote
• Islanders on the Pacific territory of New Caledonia voted overwhelmingly on December 12, 2021 to remain part of France in a third referendum that was boycotted by pro-independence groups, raising fears of new tensions.
• With all ballots counted, 96.49 percent were against independence, while only 3.51 percent were in favour, with turnout a mere 43.90 percent, results from the islands` high commission showed.
• `Tonight France is more beautiful because New Caledonia has decided to stay part of it,` President Emmanuel Macron said in a recorded video message that made no direct mention of the boycott
8. Bennett first Israeli PM to visit UAE
• Israel`s Naftali Bennett arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for the first official visit by a prime minister of the Jewish state, after they established diplomatic ties last year.
• The trip announced by Bennett`s office comes with Israel making a renewed diplomatic push against international talks which global powers resumed with its arch foe Iran over the Islamic republic`s nuclear programme.
• Bennett on Monday meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to discuss `deepening the ties between Israel and the UAE, especially economic and regional issues,` the prime minister`s office said
9. Pakistan makes world record for most cars at drive-in concert
• Pakistan claimed the Guinness World Record title for most cars in a drive-in concert with over 1,000 cars gathered for the event.
• Organised by Jazz and Active Media at Park View City, the concert featured performances by Atif Aslam, Ali Azmat and Bilal Khan.
• The star-studded line-up kept the audience enthralled as they listened to music from their own cars and watched a spectacular fireworks show afterwards. Each of the musicians performed some of their most popular songs.
10. Gothic novelist Anne Rice dies at 80
• Anne Rice, the gothic novelist best known for writing Interview with the Vampire, died on Saturday aged 80, her family said.
• `In her final hours, I sat beside her hospital bed in awe of her accomplishments and her courage,` her son Christopher Rice said in a post on her Facebook page.
• He said she died of complications from a stroke
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