Israel says it struck dozens of Houthi targets in Yemen
Jerusalem, Sep 29: The Israeli military says dozens of aircraft have struck Houthi targets in Yemen in response to recent attack on Israel. The military said it targeted power plants and sea port facilities in the city of Hodeida. The Houthis launched a ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion airport on Saturday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arriving. (AP)
Pakistan cuts jobs, dissolves 6 ministries as part of IMF deal
Islamabad, Sep 29: In an effort to minimise administrative expenditures, cash-strapped Pakistan on Sunday announced to abolish about 150,000 government posts, close six ministries, and merge two others, as part of reforms agreed upon with the IMF under USD 7 billion loan deal. The International Monetary Fund on September 26 finally gave a nod to the assistance package and also released over USD 1 billion as the first tranche after Pakistan committed to cut expenditures, increase tax-to GDP ratio, tax non-traditional sectors like agriculture and real estate, limit subsidies and transfer some fiscal responsibilities to provinces. Addressing the media on his return from the US, Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb said that a programme had been finalised with the IMF, which would be the last programme for Pakistan. “We need to implement our policies to prove that it will be the last programme,” Aurangzeb said, and emphasised that in order to join the G20, the economy must be formalised. The minister said right-sizing within ministries was going on and the decision to close six ministries is set to be implemented, while two ministries will be merged. “Additionally, 150,000 posts across various ministries will be eliminated,” Aurangzeb said. The minister claimed that the economy was moving in the right direction and the country’s foreign exchange reserves had increased, reaching their highest level. (PTI)
Taiwan detects China test-firing its missiles
Taipei, Sep 29: Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said Sunday it detected multiple waves of missile firings within China, days after Beijing said it successfully fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. The ministry said in a statement that the missile firings were carried out by China’s Rocket Force and the Chinese military in Inner Mongolia as well as Gansu and Qinghai provinces and the Xinjiang region in western China. Taiwan said it would continuously monitor developments and that its air defences would maintain a high level of vigilance and alert. China views the self-ruled island of Taiwan as a renegade province that must come under its control, by force if necessary. Taiwan closely monitors China’s military activity, and China has in recent years ramped up drills around the island amid increased geopolitical tensions. The firing exercises on Sunday came after China said Wednesday that it test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, which fell into a designated area of the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan condemned the launch and reiterated that it stood against “actions that disrupt peace and stability”. (AP)