Kuwait's ruler on October 16, 2016 dissolved parliament by royal decree over unspecified security concerns as low oil prices squeeze government coffers, setting the stage for early elections in the tiny, oil-rich country. The Cabinet was expected to resign, as those sitting on the 12-member board also likely will be contesting their parliamentary seats.
Israel suspends cooperation with UNESCO
Israel on October 14, 2016 suspended cooperation with UNESCO, a day after the UN cultural body passed a resolution that sharply criticised Israeli policies around al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while supposedly rejecting Jewish ties to the holy site in occupied East Jerusalem.
The resolution condemned Israel for restricting Muslims access to the site, and for aggression by police and soldiers. It also recognised Israel as the occupying power. The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest issues of the decades-long Palestinian struggle for independence.
Saudi gives up Islamic calendar for austerity
Saudi Arabia on October 3, 2016 switched to the "Western" Gregorian calendar to pay its civil servants in one of a number of financial reforms announced by the council of ministers. The kingdom has used the lunar-based Hijri calendar- since it was founded in 1932, but switched to the solar-based Gregorian calendar for paying public sector staff w.e.f. October 1.
South Asia
Maldives leaves Commonwealth amid democracy row
The Maldives on October 13, 2016 withdrew from the Commonwealth, accusing it of interfering in domestic affairs and "unfair and unjust" treatment. The Commonwealth had warned the Maldives of possible suspension if it failed to show progress on democracy. It has faced questions over freedom of speech, the detention of opponents and the independence of the judiciary. The Indian Ocean nation became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule.
One of the key issues for the Commonwealth was the detention of a number of political leaders; including former President Mohamed Nasheed. Anti-government protesters have expressed fears they could lose freedoms gained since the first multi-party elections in 2008.
Afghan prez, warlord sign peace agreement
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on September 29, 2016 signed a peace treaty with a notorious warlord, pledging to lobby the US and the United Nations to remove him and his party from terrorist blacklists.
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar signed the pact via a video link into Kabul's presidential palace. It is the first peace treaty the Afghan government has completed since the war with the Taliban began in 2001.
Pakistan adopts landmark Hindu marriage bill
In a historic move, Pakistan's parliament on September 26, 2016 passed the much-delayed bill to enable the country's minority Hindu community to register their marriages.
The first ever national law sets the minimum age for marriage for Hindus at 18. The minimum legal age for marriage for citizens of other religions is 18 for men and 16 for women. Breaking the law regarding the minimum age, would result in six months' jail and a Rs 5,000 fine
The new law legalises remarriage for a widow six months after her husband's death. It also grants Hindus the right to divorce, with women having the additional right to do so on grounds of negligence, bigamy or having been married before 18.
Israel suspends cooperation with UNESCO
Israel on October 14, 2016 suspended cooperation with UNESCO, a day after the UN cultural body passed a resolution that sharply criticised Israeli policies around al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while supposedly rejecting Jewish ties to the holy site in occupied East Jerusalem.
The resolution condemned Israel for restricting Muslims access to the site, and for aggression by police and soldiers. It also recognised Israel as the occupying power. The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest issues of the decades-long Palestinian struggle for independence.
Saudi gives up Islamic calendar for austerity
Saudi Arabia on October 3, 2016 switched to the "Western" Gregorian calendar to pay its civil servants in one of a number of financial reforms announced by the council of ministers. The kingdom has used the lunar-based Hijri calendar- since it was founded in 1932, but switched to the solar-based Gregorian calendar for paying public sector staff w.e.f. October 1.
South Asia
Maldives leaves Commonwealth amid democracy row
The Maldives on October 13, 2016 withdrew from the Commonwealth, accusing it of interfering in domestic affairs and "unfair and unjust" treatment. The Commonwealth had warned the Maldives of possible suspension if it failed to show progress on democracy. It has faced questions over freedom of speech, the detention of opponents and the independence of the judiciary. The Indian Ocean nation became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule.
One of the key issues for the Commonwealth was the detention of a number of political leaders; including former President Mohamed Nasheed. Anti-government protesters have expressed fears they could lose freedoms gained since the first multi-party elections in 2008.
Afghan prez, warlord sign peace agreement
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on September 29, 2016 signed a peace treaty with a notorious warlord, pledging to lobby the US and the United Nations to remove him and his party from terrorist blacklists.
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar signed the pact via a video link into Kabul's presidential palace. It is the first peace treaty the Afghan government has completed since the war with the Taliban began in 2001.
Pakistan adopts landmark Hindu marriage bill
In a historic move, Pakistan's parliament on September 26, 2016 passed the much-delayed bill to enable the country's minority Hindu community to register their marriages.
The first ever national law sets the minimum age for marriage for Hindus at 18. The minimum legal age for marriage for citizens of other religions is 18 for men and 16 for women. Breaking the law regarding the minimum age, would result in six months' jail and a Rs 5,000 fine
The new law legalises remarriage for a widow six months after her husband's death. It also grants Hindus the right to divorce, with women having the additional right to do so on grounds of negligence, bigamy or having been married before 18.
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