DESPARDES News Monitor — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has turned down a request by Iran to purchase the advanced S-400 missile defense system, Bloomberg reported on May 30, quoting two Russian officials who chose to remain unidentified. Reports from Russia also picked up by media in Iran’s neighbor Turkey say Putin has rejected the request over concernsContinue reading “Russia Refused To Sell S-400 Air Defense Missile System To Iran: Report”
Monthly Archives: May 2019
US Pulls Tax Exemption From Pakistani Diplomats
DESPARDES News Monitor– The United States said Friday that it had suspended tax exemption privileges enjoyed by Pakistani diplomats in Washington due to parallel disputes with Islamabad in the latest dust-up between the countries. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention, diplomats around the world do not pay taxes in countries where they are posted, with embassyContinue reading “US Pulls Tax Exemption From Pakistani Diplomats”
Paragon Housing: NAB Files Reference Against Saad Rafique, Brother
The Paragon City case is one of the NAB’s first references filed using a newly laid 10-month rule to complete investigation and file official complaint (reference). PKONWEB Report — The country’s anti-graft watchdog NAB (National Accountability Bureau) has filed a reference against five individuals for their alleged involvement in a scam pertaining to Lahore-based ParagonContinue reading “Paragon Housing: NAB Files Reference Against Saad Rafique, Brother”
Afghanistan Peace Talks: One Step Forward and Two Steps Back
Last year, the Taliban and US-led forces observed ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan and festival of Eid– without peace talks. Not this time though despite peace talks. DESPARDES News Monitor — Participants in the intra-Afghan talks in Moscow failed to make an agreement, former Governor of Afghanistan’s Balkh Province Atta Mohammad Noor toldContinue reading “Afghanistan Peace Talks: One Step Forward and Two Steps Back”
Hard Times Ahead for Shisha Smokers in Saudi as Cost May Go Up
Currently Saudi Arabia has the highest rate of smoking in the world; it has already imposed a huge 213 percent duty on cigarettes and other consumable tobaccos. SAEED HAIDER — As the world community gets ready to observe the World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Shisha smokers around the Kingdom are in for some badContinue reading “Hard Times Ahead for Shisha Smokers in Saudi as Cost May Go Up”
‘Zero Tolerance For Iranian Oil Purchases. Period,’ Says US
China is one of the world’s biggest importers of Iranian oil, along with India DESPARDES News Monitor — The United States will sanction any country which buys oil from Iran after the expiration of waivers on May 2, U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook said on Thursday. Sanctions would be imposed “even if aContinue reading “‘Zero Tolerance For Iranian Oil Purchases. Period,’ Says US”
Mahathir Proposes Common Currency for Trade in East Asia
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday mooted the idea of a common trading currency for East Asia that would be pegged to gold, describing the existing currency trading in the region as manipulative. Mahathir said the proposed common currency could be used to settle imports and exports, but would not be used for domesticContinue reading “Mahathir Proposes Common Currency for Trade in East Asia”
Pakistan Takes Further Steps Against Money Laundering, Terror Finance; Signs MoUs With UK, Others
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been able to collect Rs15 billion (US$107 million) in unpaid taxes (as of April) on assets held abroad. PKONWEB Report — Pakistan’s Financial Monitoring Units (FMU) and British governments Financial Intelligence Units (FMU) on Thursday signed an agreement to enhance related intelligence sharing in order to counter moneyContinue reading “Pakistan Takes Further Steps Against Money Laundering, Terror Finance; Signs MoUs With UK, Others”
Heavy Arm of Pakistan Army Act Comes Down Hard On Three Officers For Espionage
Around 400 officers of every rank have been given various punishments, including dismissal from service 0n various grounds during the last two years. PKONWEB Report — The Chief of Pakistan Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday endorsed punishment to two high ranking Army officers and one civil officer on charges of espionage/leakageContinue reading “Heavy Arm of Pakistan Army Act Comes Down Hard On Three Officers For Espionage”