US lawmakers will vote on a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The package has been stalled by political infighting and comes amid repeated calls from Kyiv for assistance. The US House of Representatives will on Saturday hold a long-awaited and crucial vote on a major aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Voting on the foreign aid and arms bill, valued at $95 billion (€89 billion), is expected to begin at 1 p.m. local time (1700 GMT/UTC). If the vote in the House is successful, the package will then head to the Democrat-controlled Senate, where passage in the coming days is all but assured. US President Joe Biden has promised to sign off on it immediately. Why has the aid package stalled? Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has faced an uphill battle from hardline Republicans over the bill, with continued financing of Ukraine's defensive effort against Russia's invasion hanging in the balance for months. Republicans hold a thin majority in the House.  The foreign aid legislation is similar to a measure passed by the Senate in February, but it contains some differences designed to win over House conservatives.  Republicans opposed to the bill have demanded that stronger controls first be put in place to curb the arrival of migrants at the southern US border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has meanwhile been making desperate attempts to try and shore up support among allies as resources and ammunition stockpiles dwindle. The package includes around $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, a much-needed shot in the arm for Kyiv. Where will the rest of the funding go? Around $14 billion has been allocated for Israel as it continues its fight against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, while around $9 billion would be for providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the West Bank. The bill also covers reimbursement for US military operations in the region in response to recent attacks. The rest of the funds are set aside for US partners in the Pacific to counter China, with some $3.3 billion allocated toward the development of submarine infrastructure.  

New legislation put forward by the German ruling coalition would allow limited possession and cultivation of marijuana. The conservative Christian Democratic Union opposes the government's proposal. DW has the latest. Why is Germany seeking to legalize marijuana? Germany's governing coalition believes the current policy of banning the drug has failed, as more and more residents consume cannabis, including many young people. The ruling coalition consists of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), business-focused Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the environmentalist Greens. The coalition said the new law will facilitate the responsible use of cannabis as it calls for limited legal availability of the drug with numerous rules, regulations and restrictions.  Starting from April 1, adults will be able to grow up to three cannabis plants at home and possess 50 grams there. In public, adults will be allowed to have up to 25 grams for their consumption. As of July 1, cannabis clubs will be allowed for joint cultivation with a maximum of 500 members. The clubs can pass on a maximum of 25 grams per day or 50 grams per month to members, with a lower monthly limit for 18-21-year-olds. The law aims to push back on the black market, reduce drug-related crime and curb dealing of cut or toxic substances, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has said. New cannabis law 'most important step Germany could take' Green Party health expert Janosch Dahmen called this an "overdue paradigm shift" in drug policy.  Dahmen told DPA news agency that education, prevention, and legal protection for children and teenagers are "the guiding principles of the law." The safeguards include the banning of cannabis in schools and sports facilities and within sight of them. Some 18 months after the law comes into force, an assessment is to be made as to its effects on children and young people. However, the health expert for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Tino Sorge, in opposition, called the law a "historic mistake." "The government is bringing cannabis close to children and young people and acting like a state-run drug dealer," he said. There has been considerable other criticism of the plans, including from medical associations and the judiciary, due to concerns over health and criminality.  

Explosions at the offices of a political party and an independent candidate in southwest Pakistan raise fresh security concerns a day before parliamentary elections. Two blasts took place near electoral candidates' offices in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, local officials said on Wednesday. In the first incident, at least 12 people were killed at the office of an independent candidate in Pishin district. A second explosion left 10 people dead in Qilla Saifullah, a town near the Afghan border. Khanzai Hospital, close to the first blast site in Pishin, treated numerous casualties, some with serious injuries. Jan Achakzai, provincial information minister of Balochistan, said the second explosion "took place close to the election office of the local JUI-F candidate" in Killa Saifullah. The religious party has previously been the target of militant attacks. In July last year, 44 people were killed by a suicide bomber at a political gathering of the party in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Balochistan has been the target of multiple groups of Islamist militants, including the Pakistani Taliban and the "Islamic State" militia. Separatist rebels have also been launching deadly attacks on the security forces and civilians. Pakistan going to the polls The explosions come a day ahead of the country's general election. Pakistan's 127 million voters get to elect a new parliament on Thursday that will choose a new prime minister after the vote.  Authorities have said they are boosting security at polling booths following Wednesday's blasts.  More than half a million security officers have already been deployed to ensure peace following a surge in militant attacks. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank, said there had been a "staggering" rise in militant attacks in the past year with an average of 54 per month -- the most since 2015, when the army launched a massive crackdown on militant groups. Political parties have completed their campaigns and are now observing a quiet period leading up to the election as required by electoral regulations.

Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cast her vote at the Dhaka City College centre here this morning in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election. She cast her franchise just after starting the balloting at 8 in the morning.   Dhaka City College centre falls under Dhaka-10 constituency comprising Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, New Market and Kalabagan thanas. The prime minister arrived at the polling centre with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, daughter Saima Wazed and Sheikh Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq at 7:55 in the morning.   Dhalywood actor Ferdous Ahmed who is contesting the polls on the Awami League ticket from Dhaka-10 constituency welcomed the premier at the centre. The balloting will continue till 4pm without any break as the EC has taken all-out preparations to hold the elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner across the country.

The polling of the 12th National Parliament election is going to be held in just a few hours. Voters will exercise their right to vote on Sunday (January 7).  There is extra excitement among the stars of the entertainment world around this election.  Actress Mahiya Mahi has become an independent candidate from Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore). She said in the media, "I am a voter from Uttara in Dhaka. Voting is usually done there. But this time I can't, because of the election. But I want the people of my constituency to cast their vote." On the other hand, Dolly Sayantani is a candidate from Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) from Pabna-2 (Sujanagar-Aminpur) seat. She told, "I am a voter from the cantonment area. I vote in Baridhara. However, it is not possible to cast the vote for me as i am a candidate from Pabna 2."

Taiwan’s foreign minister says it is documenting its experiences with China’s alleged attempts to interfere in elections next week and will publish its analysis soon after the vote. Taiwan’s government has pointed to military and economic pressure as well as Chinese-subsidised trips to China for local Taiwanese officials, as evidence of Beijing’s alleged interference ahead of the Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary election. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has called Taiwan’s elections a “purely an internal Chinese matter” and that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is trying to call any kind of interactions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait election interference. “Taiwan is taking measures to counter China’s interference and is documenting its experiences. Analysis will be published soon after the elections in consultation with international experts,” Foreign Minister Joseph Wu wrote in the latest issue of The Economist, without giving details. Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections are taking place against a backdrop of what the island’s government says is a concerted effort by China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, to sway the vote to get electors to vote for candidates Beijing may prefer. China has cast the election as a choice between war and peace, and says Taiwan’s government has been “hyping up” a military threat from China for electoral gain. “Should China succeed in shaping the outcome of voting in Taiwan, it will apply the same tactics to other democracies to promote its preferred international order,” Wu wrote. He urged the international community to pay more attention to China’s efforts to undermine Taiwan’s democracy through influence and disinformation campaigns, as well as hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks. “Our desire is to turn Taiwan’s experience into a positive contribution to the rules-based international order, thereby helping the free world’s fight against authoritarian powers bent on eroding democratic systems,” Wu wrote. “It is our belief that democracy will prevail.” On Thursday, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, in a statement responding to DPP accusations of election interference, said such attacks were the DPP’s “usual trick” in elections to shift the focus of attention away from the party’s own problems. “These dirty and lame tricks are used too much, and they will only make themselves become a laughingstock,” it said. Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims. China has aimed its ire at the DPP’s presidential candidate, current Vice President Lai Ching-te, accusing him of being a dangerous separatist. Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed. Both the DPP and Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), which traditionally favours close ties with China but denies being pro-Beijing, say only Taiwan’s 23 million people can decide their future. But the KMT also says it strongly opposes Taiwan independence.   Source: The Print

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Thursday made an impassioned appeal to the people to return her party to power for a straight fourth term by casting votes in Sunday’s general election. “Today I’ve appeared before you to ask for votes in favour of the symbol, Boat,” she said in a televised address to the nation, her final campaign speech before the January 7 national election to form the country’s 12th parliament. The speech was aired at 7pm. “The call has come, it’s time to take the road”, Sheikh Hasina said quoting from poet Sunkanta Bhattacharya’s poem, Udayachal (From the east). In her over 24 minute speech, the prime minister said she is seeking another five-year term in office to make the development sustainable, work to improve people’s living standards and build a developed smart Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty. Prime Minister Hasina said during her Awami League government’s three consecutive terms (2009-2023) the country has witnessed the continuation of a “democratic trend and stability” in the process of building a people’s welfare-oriented society based on “equality and justice.” “If we can form the government again by getting your valuable votes we will be able to continue with the implementation of the programs taken by us,” she said adding that this will give “us an opportunity to further improve your living condition.” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the people of the country for allowing Awami League to serve them by voting for the Boat symbol in the past. She also said whatever she has achieved in this long journey “would not have been possible without your support.” “If I have made any mistakes along the way, my request to you is to look at the matter in the eyes of forgiveness. If I can form the government again, I will get a chance to correct the mistakes. Give me an opportunity to serve you by voting for the Boat symbol in the January 7 election,” she said. She requested the people to keep confidence in her as she considers them as her family. “Let's all make this Bangladesh a smart Sonar Bangla and fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she appealed to the people. The prime minister urged all political parties and institutions that believe in democracy and the rule of law not to pamper and fuel any idiosyncratic ideas that will disrupt the constitutional process of the country. The ruling party chief said that her party is expecting a free, fair and impartial election on Sunday. In this connection, she said that this is the first time in Bangladesh that the Election Commission has been formed under a law passed by the parliament. “The Election Commission has been given financial independence. The administration and law enforcement agencies are now placed under the Election Commission,” she said. The prime minister also said that the Election Commissiom is conducting the election independently. “Our government is giving all kinds of support to the Election Commission for conducting fair and peaceful elections,” she said. She mentioned the Awami League is a party of the mass people and whenever it comes to power it ensures the economic and social development of the country. The government has ensured food, safety, health services, housing, education, and employment to the people besides making massive infrastructure development, she said. Talking about her party’s election manifesto, Hasina mentioned 12 priorities for the socio-economic development of the country. These are: 1. To protect and promote the practice of democratic systems at all levels. 2. Making every effort to keep prices within the purchasing power of all. 3. Ensuring employability education and youth employment. 4. Building smart Bangladesh based on modern technology. 5. Mechanization of integrated agricultural systems with the aim of increasing production and taking measures to preserve the products. 6. Establishment of agricultural products and food processing industries. 7. To create employment opportunities by developing infrastructure and industries up to the village level. 8. To increase efficiency and capacity of the bank, insurance and financial sector. 9. Making health services affordable to low-income people. 10. To ensure individual and social security by including all in the universal pension system. 11. Making law enforcement agencies efficient in the use of modern technology and ensuring their accountability. 12. Elimination of communalism as well as all forms of terrorism and militancy. Briefly describing the overall development of the country in the last 15 years, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the growth reached 7.25%, per capita income increased five times, budget size increased 12 times and the Annual Development Program increased 13 times, GDP size increased 12 times, foreign exchange reserve increased 36 times, export earnings increased five times, annual remittance increased six times, foreign investment increased six times. Wages of workers increased nine times, foreign exchange reserve increased 36 times while export earnings increased five times, she noted. She also mentioned that the poverty rate declined from 41.51%to 18.7% while the extreme poverty rate reduced by five times. Drinking water coverage increased from 55% to 98.8%. Sanitary latrines increased from 43.28% to 97.32% Infant mortality decreased from 84 per thousand to 21. Maternal mortality decreased from 360 per 100,000 to 156. The average human lifespan is 72.8 years now. The prime minister said that power generation capacity increased eight times in the last 15 years while the electricity consumption rate increased from 28% to 100%. Literacy rate increased to 76.8% while 22 times enhancement in technical education. The grain production increased four times, she added. She said that there is a huge difference between Bangladesh 15 years ago and today's Bangladesh. People's quality of life has improved. People today dream of a better life. Turning to her foreign policy Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh wants peace and shuns war. “We want an end to the wars in Palestine and Ukraine. We want an end to the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Bangladesh is always with the people of Palestine,” she said.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today (Jan 3) exercised his franchise through postal ballot for the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls slated for January 7 next, urging the countrymen to fulfill their civic duty by voting. "Let's vote ourselves and encourage others to cast vote," the president told the journalists this noon after casting his vote at the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban here.   President's wife Dr Rebeka Sultana also exercised her voting rights through postal ballot. President Shahabuddin said, "Voting is the democratic rights of the people. As a citizen, it is our duty to vote." The election will be held in a peaceful and festive environment with the participation of all, the president hoped.   According to the Article 27 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the head of the state is able to cast the vote through the postal ballot.   Registered voters, those are imprisoned or in legal custody, Bangladeshi expatriates and polling officers, can exercise their rights to vote through postal ballots in the upcoming general polls as well, according to the Election Commission Secretariat.   Four types of voters, who are unable to go to the polling centers, can exercise their rights to vote through postal ballots. This provision has been introduced since the 9th Jatiya Sangsad Election.   Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has campaigned to encourage voting through postal ballot in this year's parliamentary elections.   In an inter-ministerial meeting held recently, the EC directed all concerned, including the Bangladesh mission abroad, to encourage casting vote through the postal ballots.   According to the EC notification, a person, who is interested in exercising the rights to vote, has to apply to the returning officer of his constituency for a postal ballot paper.   The application must contain the voter's name, postal address and serial number of the voter list, it stated.   The Returning Officers will consider the postal votes received by them within the time limit and declare the final result after counting those votes.   The EC wants to popularize the issue of postal ballot by applying presidential vote.   President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (attached) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were also present on the occasion.

Election Commissioner Ahsan Habib Khan on Wednesday (Dec 27) said that the entire team including the presiding officer of a polling centre will be suspended if vote rigging incidents are reported.  "People must be able to say that I have cast my vote peacefully after coming out of the centre. No one can cast a fake vote. No person can say that my vote has already been cast,” he said. The whole team, including the presiding officers, will be suspended immediately and other measures will be taken, including their dismissal, said the election commissioner.  He said this to reporters after exchanging views with returning officers, assistant returning officers, law enforcement officials and candidates of Patuakhali and Barguna districts in the Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner’s conference room in Patuakhali on Wednesday afternoon. Ahsan Habib said: "The outside world is watching the election, but we are not under any pressure. We want to show them that the voting takes place in a fair environment.” Therefore, the Election Commission has a zero-tolerance policy regarding holding free and fair polls, he added.  

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today (Dec 27) said crores of people are eagerly waiting to cast their votes in the January 7 polls. He said this while speaking at the AL election manifesto announcement ceremony at a city hotel. "Whom shall we fear? Our people are ready to vote," he added. "We are fighting against a hostile environment. We have to do the election due to the obligation of the constitution," said Quader. None but the Awami League has handed over power peacefully, he added. "We believe that the current elected government will hand over power to the newly elected government (following the election)," he said. He hoped that AL will win the upcoming national polls.