Ukraine's new parliament holds first session; Pakistan test-fires missile amid tensions with India

Ukraine's new parliament holds first session, passes many major decisions

Ukraine's new parliament is expected to pass dozens of new laws and speed up the process of forming a government. Photo: Reuters

The new Ukrainian parliament, with the Servant of the People party of incumbent President Volodymyr Zelensky holding an absolute majority, has just held its first “marathon session”. The event attracted special attention from the public, because the Ukrainian leader pledged to push for the immediate adoption of dozens of new laws and speed up the process of forming a government. Relations with Russia are therefore also expected to be shaped during this session.

With members all being new to politics, Mr. Zelensky's Servant of the People party won 254 out of 450 seats in the National Assembly in early elections last July.

The electoral success has boosted the popularity of Mr. Zelensky and his party, marking an unprecedented political change in Ukraine, one of Europe’s poorest countries. It reflects the frustration of Ukrainians with previous governments, which were often criticized for ineffectiveness and corruption.

However, on the other hand, with a country that is always "torn" between East and West like Ukraine, any reckless step risks causing the new Parliament to be "bogged down" in populism and the country will not change anything.

North Korea amends constitution, strengthening Kim Jong-un's position as head of state

North Korean President Kim Jong-un. Photo: Reuters

North Korea's parliament on August 29 approved several amendments to the country's constitution to strengthen Kim Jong-un's position as head of state. The new constitution allows Kim to issue legislative decrees, major decrees and decisions. In addition, he can appoint or recall North Korean diplomatic envoys abroad.KCNAwrite.

Previously, according to the amended Constitution of the DPRK in July 2019, Mr. Kim, as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK (SAC), became the supreme representative of all the DPRK people. This means that Mr. Kim is officially the head of state and commander-in-chief of the military.

The previous constitution referred to him only as “supreme leader” and commander of the country’s armed forces. The amendments, introduced on August 29, are believed to have formally confirmed the legal system in North Korea, recognizing Mr. Kim as head of state.

Italian Prime Minister reappointed after 9 days of resignation

Italian President Sergio Mattarella on August 29 reappointed Prime Minister Conte, 55, as the political crisis in the country in recent weeks began to subside. Conte will lead a new government consisting of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the center-left opposition Democratic Party (PD).

MPs have agreed to form a coalition to prevent early elections that would likely result in victory for Matteo Salvini's far-right anti-immigrant and xenophobic League party.

Conte said he would immediately start working with all parliamentary groups and Italy must return to being a pro-European country, "open to everyone". "We hope that the new government will be a government of international standards and will not allow our young people to be scattered all over the world," Conte said.

Pakistan test fires missile amid tensions with India

Pakistani soldiers pose with a Ghaznavi missile. Dawn screenshot

Earlier in May, Pakistan successfully tested the Shaheen-II surface-to-surface ballistic missile, after successfully test-firing the Nasr strategic ballistic missile during a drill in January. According to a military spokesman, the missile is capable of defeating “any existing ballistic missile defense system in the vicinity or any other system being acquired or developed.”

Malaysia spends billions on free breakfast for primary school students

Students at public primary and secondary schools in Malaysia have been exempted from tuition fees since 2012. Photo: AFP

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the government will implement a program to provide free breakfast to primary school students nationwide from 2020.

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Mahathir said the government could use consolidated funds from various ministries and agencies to implement the program. The beneficiaries of the program are primary school students in public schools and schools funded by the government.

Since 2012, Malaysian public primary and secondary schools have been completely tuition-free. The government covers all education expenses without requiring any contributions from parents or citizens.