In the first six months of 2023, a record 800,000 Pakistanis left the country. What's more, worrying for Pakistan is that at least 100,000 of them are highly trained professionals. They include doctors, nurses, engineers, information technology (it) experts, and accountants. Emigration from Pakistan is not a new phenomenon. Last year, about 7,65,000 people left Pakistan. The 2022 figure was three times the figure of 2021.

Record exodus from Pakistan

Pakistan registered a whopping 79 percent spike in terror attacks in the first six months of 2023 compared to the corresponding period last year, a prominent think-tank said here on Monday.

Pakistan sees 79% rise in terror attacks in first half of 2023: Report

Japan is facing a crisis in the IT field. The country is looking at a shortage of 790,000 workers by the year 2030. Is the gross underrepresentation of women to be blamed? Molly gambhir tells you

Gravitas: Why are women underrepresented in stem fields?

A big relief for cash-strapped Pakistan the international monetary fund has formally approved a three billion dollar package for the struggling South Asian country.

IMF approves $3 billion loan for Pakistan

Italian social media users are expressing outrage after judges said groping had to last 10 seconds to be considered sexual assault. How long does a grope have to last before it is considered sexual assault? More than 10 seconds, according to an Italian courtroom.

Italian uproar over judge's 10-second groping rule

Africa's largest economy, Nigeria, is reeling under a food insecurity crisis. Weeks after president bola Tinubu removed fuel subsidy, the food sector has begun to feel disastrous ripple effects. Can Nigeria tide over sky-rocketing food prices?

Fuel hike raises cost of food

In a relief to embattled Imran Khan, a top Pakistani court on Tuesday overturned the ruling of a sessions court and declared the Toshakhana corruption case against the former prime minister inadmissible. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Khan, 70, was indicted in the Toshakhana case on May 10 by Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar, who rejected objections about the admissibility of the case.

Pak court declares Toshakhana case against Khan inadmissible

Pakistan's cash-strapped economy got much-needed relief from the international monetary fund after it was able to clinch a 3 billion dollar package to avoid a potential default. But whether Pakistan will be able to emerge unscathed from the economic turmoil will completely depend on how stable its political system remains in the coming months.

Political stability key for cash-strapped Pakistan

As the IMF agreed a three billion dollar deal to avert an impending economic catastrophe in the area, Pakistan has gained a much-needed lifeline. This IMF investment is a ray of hope for Pakistan's beleaguered economy, which has been suffering from a severe balance of payments problem and declining foreign reserves that have brought it perilously near to default. Pakistan's prime minister expressed gratitude to China and other friends for their assistance.

Crisis-hit Pakistan strikes $3bn IMF bailout deal

<p>The number of homeless people in New York City (NYC) shelters surpassed a record-high 100,000, sparking concerns on US&nbsp;local governments' handling of the homeless population, US&nbsp;media reported.<br />
<br />
According to a New York Times (NYT) report, city officials said on Wednesday that, spurred by an influx of migrants from the US&nbsp;southern border, there are now over 100,000 people in homeless shelters for the first time in history.<br />
<br />
The number of migrants in shelters passed 50,000 a few days earlier. And among the 50,000, more than two-thirds are families with children, the NYT cited the city's deputy mayor.<br />
<br />
The city said it has spent over a billion dollars to house the migrants since they started arriving in large numbers in the spring of 2022, and the figure is expected to rise to over four billion dollars by next year.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-wildfires-smoke-to-cloud-new-york-skies-again-governor-609497">Canada wildfire smoke to cloud New York skies again: Governor</a></strong><br />
<br />
However, the New York Post said that according to a comptroller's report released on Wednesday, among the 2,308 homeless people present during the NYC sweep between March 21, 2022, and November 30, 2022, only three people landed in permanent housing, and nearly 95 per cent of them didn't even go to a shelter.<br />
<br />
The comptroller also said about a third of the homeless encampment sites popped back after being cleaned up by municipal workers.<br />
<br />
For the homeless in Los Angeles, the situation is also gloomy.<br />
<br />
The TV station ABC7 on Wednesday reported that a leaked email of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said homeless people living at a West Hills encampment "will be arrested and all their belongings will be taken away by sanitation".<br />
<br />
The LAPD has been condemned by the public, and their planned cleanup on Thursday had been postponed after the internal email leak.</p>

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The number of homeless people in New York City (NYC) shelters surpassed a record-high 100,000, sparking concerns on US local governments' handling of the homeless population, US media reported.

The number of homeless people in New York City (NYC) shelters surpassed a record-high 100,000, sparking concerns on US local governments' handling of the homeless population, US media reported. According to a New York Times (NYT) report, city officials said on Wednesday that, spurred by an influx of migrants from the US southern border, there are now over 100,000 people in homeless shelters for the first time in history. The number of migrants in shelters passed 50,000 a few days earlier. And among the 50,000, more than two-thirds are families with children, the NYT cited the city's deputy mayor. The city said it has spent over a billion dollars to house the migrants since they started arriving in large numbers in the spring of 2022, and the figure is expected to rise to over four billion dollars by next year. Also read | Canada wildfire smoke to cloud New York skies again: Governor However, the New York Post said that according to a comptroller's report released on Wednesday, among the 2,308 homeless people present during the NYC sweep between March 21, 2022, and November 30, 2022, only three people landed in permanent housing, and nearly 95 per cent of them didn't even go to a shelter. The comptroller also said about a third of the homeless encampment sites popped back after being cleaned up by municipal workers. For the homeless in Los Angeles, the situation is also gloomy. The TV station ABC7 on Wednesday reported that a leaked email of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said homeless people living at a West Hills encampment "will be arrested and all their belongings will be taken away by sanitation". The LAPD has been condemned by the public, and their planned cleanup on Thursday had been postponed after the internal email leak. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

NYC sees record-high 100,000 homeless people: US media

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday during which he expressed hope that the global lender would announce a decision on the release of the bailout fund within a day or two.

Pak PM asks IMF chief for early release of stalled bailout fund

Justice Yahya Afridi has urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to form a full court bench for hearing petitions challenging the trial of civilians in military courts.

Pakistan Military courts case: Justice Yahya Afridi stresses formation of full bench

Pakistan's economy is facing a severe crisis, with no signs of financial relief in sight. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the IMF Chief during the Global Financial Summit in Paris, making a last effort to secure the release of $1.1 billion in funding. Political instability, devastating floods, and shrinking foreign exchange reserves have hindered the negotiations for a loan renewal.

Pakistan's economic crisis deepens

A Sikh man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen here on Saturday, in the latest incident of targeted attacks against minority communities in Pakistan.

Pakistan: Sikh man shot dead by unknown gunmen in Peshawar city

Pakistan introduced a number of changes to its fiscal 2024 budget on Saturday, said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, in a last-ditch effort to clinch a stalled rescue package with the International Monetary Fund.

Pakistan reviews FY2024 budget as last ditch effort to clinch IMF deal

Pakistan’s Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday formed a nine-member bench to hear petitions against the trial of civilians before military courts under the Army Act for the May 9 violence, which erupted after former premier Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case.

Pakistan: Chief Justice forms 9-member bench over military court trials in May 9 case

The 'Dear Earth' art show has been held in Hayward Gallery in London. This ground-breaking exhibition of artistic responses to the climate disaster addresses themes of action, compassion, hope, and interconnectedness.

Dear Earth: Art and Hope' unveiled amid climate crisis

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan once again in National Crime Agency (NCA) 190 million pounds scandal, ARY News reported on Friday.

Pakistan: Accountability Bureau summons former PM Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi again

Pakistan's election commission will now be able to announce poll dates unilaterally without having to consult the president. The announcement comes after a bill seeking amendments to the elections act 2017 was passed by the Senate. Senate's chairman presented the bill for voting before the House, and it was passed with a majority. State minister shahadat awan introduced the elections bill 2023. This is despite protests from the opposition senators of Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf and jamaat-I-islami.

PAKISTAN Senate approves bill allowing ECP to unilaterally announce election dates

The key question is whether the United States is facing a local crisis as a result of Thursday's meeting between Cuban counterpart Miguel Dias Canal and Iranian President Brian Rice in Havana. Bryce's visit coincides with Cuba's efforts to strengthen ties with important but far-off allies like Russia and China.

Iranian President Raisi meets Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel

One organization is clearly miffed with the Pakistan budget. That's the international monetary fund, with which Pakistan is in a deadlock over getting more funds. The IMF has called the budget "Insufficient" to meet the aims of its aid program for Pakistan. The criticism comes just weeks ahead of the July 31 deadline to review a 6.7 billion dollar IMF loan program.

IMF miffed with Pakistan budget

A Hindu girl in Pakistan's Sindh province was allegedly kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam, and married off, her father said. The teen, identified as Suhana, was kidnapped and sent to the Qazhi Ahmed Taluka of Sindh's Shaheed Benazirabad district by her tutor, Akhtar.

Hindu teen allegedly kidnapped in Pakistan, converted to Islam, and married off by tutor

Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is set to unveil on Friday Rs 14.5 trillion annual budget for 2023-24 that includes a staggering 66 percent hike in the discretionary budget of parliamentarians, a decision that might push the cash-strapped country towards a looming default due to shrinking foreign reserves.

Cash-strapped Pakistan government unveils budget ahead of general elections this year

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi will leave the Imran Khan-led party as soon as he finds an alternative.

Mahmood Qureshi to quit PTI once he finds alternative: Khawaja Asif, Qureshi's son denies reports

The country's year-on-year inflation rises to record 37.97 percent as crucial IMF bailout talks remain in limbo. Pakistan's annual inflation rate has risen to 37.97 percent in May, the statistics bureau said, setting a national record for the second month in a row.

Pakistan inflation hits record for second consecutive month

Two Italian intelligence agents and a retired Israeli security forces member were among four victims of Sunday's boating disaster on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, local officials say.

Italy: Agents die when boat capsizes on Lake Maggiore

<p>Since his re-election in 2022, President Macron of France has been facing severe protests. The primary reason for these continued protests is the change he has brought in the French Pension System that require people to work for two more years, before they can start earning their state pension. While there is an economic argument for these reforms, it seems to have disturbed an inherent social contract across the generations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Current social security frameworks in many of the developed nations are built on a social contract where those of working age pay their dues so that retired people can receive their retirement benefits (including pension and healthcare). This system seems to have been working till now, but not more. With development, life expectancy has increased across the world, and so have the costs of social security.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-71-earthquake-rocks-east-of-new-caledonia-in-pacific-ocean-594298">Another 7.1 earthquake rocks east of New Caledonia in Pacific Ocean, tsunami warning issued</a></p>

<p>Coupled with an aging population, this has created a giant mismatch in the pension fund and its future liabilities. Two obvious options include either increase in funds for pension, and the other being cut in benefits. Without a significant rise in productivity and real incomes, taxing more for pension pots is extremely difficult. And thus, governments across the developing world are contemplating real cuts to the benefits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Like many other countries, France has attempted to approach this issue by primarily cutting the benefits by making people work for more years, and hence reduction in actual pension benefits. The issue of inadequacy of pension has played out even earlier in Japan, where most people are forced to work till their late sixties or early seventies, or look for alternative/part-time employment after retirement, as the pension payments are simply inadequate to survive.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-and-japans-kishida-hold-talks-on-sidelines-of-g7-594288">PM Modi meets Japan's Kishida on sidelines of G7, unveils Mahatma Gandhi's bust in Hiroshima</a></p>

<p>However, perceived lower productivity and thus lesser acceptance of older people into the workforce further the struggle of retirees. On the other side, Spain plans to reduce its pension shortfall by raising additional funds, rather than cutting benefits. And, it plans to fund this by making younger people pay more, along with companies. This solution has also the potential to create tension in an intergenerational contract.</p>

<p>Watch | Who was behind the 2022 clashes in Leicester?</p>

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<p>This is an important cautionary tale for India and points to the need for more responsible and prudent financial decisions. This is despite the fact that most Indians don’t have any or enough social security provisions from the government. The Indian government, quite prudently, shifted away from a defined benefit pension for public sector workers, to a defined contribution framework in 2004. However, we have seen recent instances where many of the state governments have started going back to a defined benefit structure, and that raises alarm bells regarding a potential pension crisis later.</p>

<p>This month, Himachal Pradesh is going back to the defined contribution scheme, while Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand have already reverted to it. While, unlike OECD countries, India has a relatively younger population along with a growing economy, these pension commitments still put a very large burden on our economy, and more importantly on future generations.</p>

<p>While governments across the world continue to struggle with various ways of ensuring stable and reasonable social security provisions, there is also a note of caution for individuals. For centuries, families have remained the strongest unit in terms of individual social security. However, with rising incomes along with welfare states, increasingly more and more people started relying on governments for their education, healthcare, and post-retirement incomes. This is particularly the case in much of the developed world. However, global uncertainties and market volatilities have once again revealed the cost of such dependence, let alone the intergenerational tensions, as we see in much of the Western world.</p>

<p>Traditional responsibilities of families have been gradually taken over by ‘excessive’ welfare states. However, the challenges in doing so are monumental as many of those states now realise. For instance, last year, the Confederation of German Employers’ Association warned the government about the dire state of the country’s pension system and argued it to be “on the verge of collapse” without bold reforms. The case is not very much different in far richer Switzerland, where even after reforms, the pension shortfall was estimated at USD 734 Billion in 2022, which is around 90% of Switzerland’s GDP.</p>

<p>For India, the government’s ability to raise additional funds is often limited by its continued fiscal deficit as well as current account deficits and thus committing the money in the future, without prudent management, could become a monumental mistake. While a vocal and powerful, but very small section, primarily public sector employees, might be seeking to turn the state towards defined contribution pensions, governments across the board must resist.<br />
<br />
<strong>Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.</strong></p>

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Since his re-election in 2022, President Macron of France has been facing severe protests. The primary reason for these continued protests is the change he has brought in the French Pension System that require people to work for two more years, before they can start earning their state pension.

Since his re-election in 2022, President Macron of France has been facing severe protests. The primary reason for these continued protests is the change he has brought in the French Pension System that require people to work for two more years, before they can start earning their state pension. While there is an economic argument for these reforms, it seems to have disturbed an inherent social contract across the generations. Current social security frameworks in many of the developed nations are built on a social contract where those of working age pay their dues so that retired people can receive their retirement benefits (including pension and healthcare). This system seems to have been working till now, but not more. With development, life expectancy has increased across the world, and so have the costs of social security. Also Read | Another 7.1 earthquake rocks east of New Caledonia in Pacific Ocean, tsunami warning issued Coupled with an aging population, this has created a giant mismatch in the pension fund and its future liabilities. Two obvious options include either increase in funds for pension, and the other being cut in benefits. Without a significant rise in productivity and real incomes, taxing more for pension pots is extremely difficult. And thus, governments across the developing world are contemplating real cuts to the benefits. Like many other countries, France has attempted to approach this issue by primarily cutting the benefits by making people work for more years, and hence reduction in actual pension benefits. The issue of inadequacy of pension has played out even earlier in Japan, where most people are forced to work till their late sixties or early seventies, or look for alternative/part-time employment after retirement, as the pension payments are simply inadequate to survive. Also Read | PM Modi meets Japan's Kishida on sidelines of G7, unveils Mahatma Gandhi's bust in Hiroshima However, perceived lower productivity and thus lesser acceptance of older people into the workforce further the struggle of retirees. On the other side, Spain plans to reduce its pension shortfall by raising additional funds, rather than cutting benefits. And, it plans to fund this by making younger people pay more, along with companies. This solution has also the potential to create tension in an intergenerational contract. Watch | Who was behind the 2022 clashes in Leicester? × This is an important cautionary tale for India and points to the need for more responsible and prudent financial decisions. This is despite the fact that most Indians don’t have any or enough social security provisions from the government. The Indian government, quite prudently, shifted away from a defined benefit pension for public sector workers, to a defined contribution framework in 2004. However, we have seen recent instances where many of the state governments have started going back to a defined benefit structure, and that raises alarm bells regarding a potential pension crisis later. This month, Himachal Pradesh is going back to the defined contribution scheme, while Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand have already reverted to it. While, unlike OECD countries, India has a relatively younger population along with a growing economy, these pension commitments still put a very large burden on our economy, and more importantly on future generations. While governments across the world continue to struggle with various ways of ensuring stable and reasonable social security provisions, there is also a note of caution for individuals. For centuries, families have remained the strongest unit in terms of individual social security. However, with rising incomes along with welfare states, increasingly more and more people started relying on governments for their education, healthcare, and post-retirement incomes. This is particularly the case in much of the developed world. However, global uncertainties and market volatilities have once again revealed the cost of such dependence, let alone the intergenerational tensions, as we see in much of the Western world. Traditional responsibilities of families have been gradually taken over by ‘excessive’ welfare states. However, the challenges in doing so are monumental as many of those states now realise. For instance, last year, the Confederation of German Employers’ Association warned the government about the dire state of the country’s pension system and argued it to be “on the verge of collapse” without bold reforms. The case is not very much different in far richer Switzerland, where even after reforms, the pension shortfall was estimated at USD 734 Billion in 2022, which is around 90% of Switzerland’s GDP. For India, the government’s ability to raise additional funds is often limited by its continued fiscal deficit as well as current account deficits and thus committing the money in the future, without prudent management, could become a monumental mistake. While a vocal and powerful, but very small section, primarily public sector employees, might be seeking to turn the state towards defined contribution pensions, governments across the board must resist. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Ticking crisis of pension: India needs to show extreme caution

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said that the government is considering banning former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's Party PTI likely to get banned, says govt

Chief of Army Staff warns any effort to create a wedge between Army and the people of Pakistan is an act against the State and not condonable under any circumstances.

Pakistan: Legal process of May 9 rioters' trial under army laws has commenced: COAS

Pak military has finally hinted at action against Imran Khan under Army Act. But why the delay? Is Pak Army hiding behind Shehbaz Sharif to orchestrate its plans? Watch #WIONWideangle | Pakistan in Paralysis: Is the Army in Two Minds?

Pakistan in Paralysis: Is the Army in Two Minds?

The fate of the Asia Cup this year is pretty much up in the air. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam Sethi threatens World Cup Boycott if they lose Asia Cup hosting rights. The latest controversy comes after India said it won't play matches in Pakistan, citing safety concerns.

Pak threatens to boycott cricket world cup

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