Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb revealed that Pakistan had committed to cutting off gas supply to captive power plants under a 2021 agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but it was not implemented by the previous government. The IMF deal would be implemented in its true letter and spirit, and the targets of the Uraan Pakistan programme would be met without compromising on macroeconomic fundamentals. This statement sparked a heated debate between PTI senators Shibli Faraz and Aurangzeb, with Senator Faraz questioning why those who ruled for over 40 years should not also be held accountable. The Senate panel also discussed the issue of the interim CEO of EXIM Bank and the export refinance scheme, which would be phased out under the IMF programme.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1269501-pakistan-committed-to-imf-gas-supply-to-cpps-would-be-cut-off-ministerMexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Juan Ramón de la Fuente announced that Mexico will defend the human rights of its citizens in accordance with international law as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office and pursue a large-scale deportation plan. To aid migrants who fear they may be detained, Mexico has developed a cellphone app that allows users to alert family members and local consulates if they are at risk of being detained. The app is seen as a means of providing protection and support for migrants, particularly those who are undocumented or have uncertain immigration status. Karina Ruiz, the first migrant and dreamer to serve in the Mexican Senate, praised the app as a way to ensure that migrants' rights are not violated and provide them with access to legal assistance. Valeria Alvarado, a DACA recipient, expressed concern about her fate under the incoming Trump administration but plans to download the app to stay informed and help others in her community.
https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/immigration/mexico-launching-app-to-help-migrants-detained-in-u-sThe United States has agreed to transfer a range of military equipment to Israel, including air-to-air missiles for fighter jets and helicopters, artillery shells, small-diameter bombs, JDAM ammunition kits, and 500-pound bombs. The deal aims to provide long-term support for Israel's security, with some equipment expected to be delivered directly from Pentagon warehouses within the year, while others will take longer to arrive. The transfer requires approval from the US House of Representatives and Senate foreign affairs committees.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/939140-farewell-biden-sells-israel-an-arms-package-worth-8-billionThe US government has proposed an $8 billion arms sale to Israel, which includes munitions for fighter jets and attack helicopters. The deal, which requires approval from House and Senate committees, would provide artillery shells, air-to-air missiles, small-diameter bombs, and warheads to help defend against threats such as drones. This move comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the 15-month-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza. A US official stated that President Joe Biden has made it clear that Israel has a right to defend its citizens under international law, citing concerns about aggression from Iran and its proxy organizations.
Senator Loren Legarda plans to seek a consensus in the Senate on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty, also known as The High Seas Treaty, to ensure long-term preservation of oceans. This move is part of her climate action agenda, which she aims to achieve by 2024, focusing on initiatives that promote resilience and sustainability.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/03/news/national/senate-concurrence-on-high-seas-treaty-sought/2029478The US Treasury has accused Russia's Centre for Geopolitical Expertise, led by Valery Korovin, of planning influence operations to incite sociopolitical tensions in the US ahead of the 2024 elections. The US claims that Russia used generative artificial intelligence tools to create disinformation designed to imitate legitimate news outlets and obscure its origin. This is not an isolated incident, as a Senate panel previously found that Russia interfered with the 2016 presidential election on behalf of Donald Trump's campaign, citing regular contact between his chairman and a Russian intelligence officer. The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Iran in response to its attempts to undermine US democratic institutions, and also targeted Russia for its global malign influence campaigns and illicit cyber activities.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2024/12/31/us-issues-sanctions-against-iranian-and-russian-entities-accused-of-interfering-in-national-elections/