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March 12, 2021: National / International Current Affairs
1. Pakistan blocks TikTok after ban by PHC
• As the Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) on March 11, 2021 directed internet service providers to immediately block access to TikTok, the short video sharing entertainment app has become inaccessible in the country.
• The PTA said in a statement: `In respectful compliance to the orders of the Peshawar High Court, PTA has issued directions to the service providers to immediately block access to the TikTok App.
• The company running the TikTok app said in a statement the app was maintaining a safe and positive in app environment
2. ECNEC approves Rs322bn development projects
• The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on March 11, 2021 approved Rs322.44 billion worth of 13 major development projects to be executed over the next few years.
• A meeting of ECNEC, presided over by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, approved Rs13.260bn worth of World Bank funded human capital investment projects (health sector) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to improve availability, utilisation and quality of primary healthcare facilities in four districts of the province.
• The projects would cover a local population of about 8.4 million, besides 500,000 refugees.
3. Malaysian court allows non-Muslims to use word `Allah`
• A Malaysian court ruled on March 10, 2021 that non Muslims can use the word Allah to refer to God, in a major decision over a divisive issue for religious freedom in the Muslim-majority country.
• Two ethnic Malay political parties immediately voiced concern and on Thursday urged the government to challenge the ruling.
• The High Court deemed unconstitutional a 35-year-old government ban on the usage of Allah and three other Arabic words by Christian publications, said the plaintif f`s lawyer
4. Netanyahu cancels UAE trip, citing disagreement with Jordan
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s office said it called off the Israeli leader`s visit to the United Arab Emirates on March 11, 2021, citing disagreements with the Jordanian government.
• The Netanyahu`s office said in a statement that because of difficulties in coordinating his flight in Jordanian airspace the visit was postponed until further notice. It said the conflict stemmed from the cancellation of the Jordanian crown prince`s visit to a contested shrine in Jerusalem on Wednesday due to a disagreement over the security and protection arrangements at the site.
5. China approves plan to veto HK election candidates
• China`s parliament voted March 11, 2021 for sweeping changes to Hong Kong`s electoral system, including powers to veto candidates, as Beijing moves to ensure that only `patriots` run the city following huge pro-democracy rallies.
• Beijing has acted decisively to dismantle Hong Kong`s limited democratic pillars after massive and sometimes violent protests coursed through the financial hub in 2019
6. Israel Aerospace, UAE weapons maker team up on anti-drone tech
• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) said on March 11, 2021 it would jointly develop an advanced drone defence system with the United Arab Emirates` state owned weapons maker EDGE.
• Israel and the UA E formalised relations last year, brought closer by commercial interests and concern over Iran.
• State-owned IAI, a major Israeli defence firm, said in a statement that the companies will develop a Counter Unmanned Aircraft System `tailored to the UAE market, with wider ranging benefits for the MENA region and beyond`
7. Biden signs $1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law
• President Joe Biden signed his $1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law on March 11, 2021, commemorating the one-year anniversary of a US lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic with a measure designed to bring relief to Americans and boost the economy.
• The Democratic-led House of Representatives gave final congressional approval to the measure on Wednesday, handing the Democratic president a major victory in the early months of his term. Biden`s signing of the legislation, called the American Rescue Plan, had initially been scheduled for Friday, but White House chief of staff Ron Klain said it was moved up after it arrived at the White House on Wednesday night
8. Parliament declares EU LGBT `freedom zone`
• The European Parliament on March 11, 2021 adopted a resolution declaring the EU an `LGBTIQ Freedom Zone` in a symbolic rejection of local authorities in Poland labelling themselves `LGBT ideology-free zones`.
• The declaration was backed by 492 lawmakers, while 141 voted against it and46 abstained.
• German MEP Terry Reintke, one of those who put forward the resolution, hailed the `overwhelming majority` supporting it
9. Karachi to host remaining PSL 6 matches in June
• Finally the franchise owners of HBL Pakistan Super League stepped back from their demand on March 11, 2021 and agreed to Pakistan Cricket Board`s suggested window available in June for holding the remaining 20 matches of the league, which was deferred for an indefinite period on March 4, due to the emergence of seven Covid-19 cases.
• The decision was taken during a virtual meeting held between PCB officials and the owners of the six franchises.
• The National Stadium, Karachi was also kept as the venue for the remaining PSL-6 matches, keeping in view the relatively suitable weather of the coastal city during June
10. Hashmatullah strikes first Test double ton for Afghanistan
• Hashmatullah Shahidi became the first Afghanistan player to smash a Test double hundred while his team notched up several batting records on a memorable day two of their second and final match against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi on March 11, 2021.
• Playing their sixth Test match, the Afghans racked up 545-4, their highest total ever, before captain Asghar Afghan declared their first innings. Their previous highest total was 342 when they beat Bangladesh in 2019 to register their first Test victory
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