Latest news with #Prime Minister
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Ailbhe Rea: Keir Starmer Implements a Quiet Government Reset
It's been two weeks since Keir Starmer's government faced its moment of crisis, forced to gut its flagship welfare reforms after coming dangerously close to a staggering, almost unprecedented, defeat by its own MPs. There has been no reshuffle, no blame game, no firing spree, no reset — so quiet, in fact, that some of my government contacts have asked me if the people at the top even realise how bad that was. My answer to them is that the man in charge does indeed seem to understand the depth of the problem. Because my sources tell me that the prime minister has, ever so quietly, made a major shift, with potentially huge implications for the direction of the government in the months ahead.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Sheikh Mohammed issues new law to speed up, resolve housing contract disputes in Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday issued a new law focused on resolving disputes related to the execution of citizen housing building contracts in the emirate. The move is aimed at strengthening social stability and improving citizens' well-being. Set to take effect on January 1, 2026, the law introduces a dedicated legal framework to swiftly and efficiently handle disagreements, without disrupting the progress of housing development projects. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Key objectives of the new law The law is designed to: Developing an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system for construction contracts, protecting the rights of all involved parties. Promoting amicable and consensual solutions, encouraging the continuation of contractual relationships. Providing a swift and more efficient mechanism for resolving disputes, to streamline dispute resolution in citizen housing projects. Ensure that construction progress remains uninterrupted, even during contractual disagreements. Considering and adjudicating disputes: To implement the new law, the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes will form a specialised branch to manage disputes specifically related to citizen housing construction contracts. Under the new system disputes will first undergo mediation, to be concluded within 20 days, with a possible extension of another 20 days if both parties agree. If mediation fails, the case will be referred to a dedicated committee comprising one judge and two industry specialists. This committee must issue a decision within 30 days, extendable once by the same period. Parties have the right to appeal the committee's ruling to the Court of First Instance within 30 days of the decision.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Anwar: Govt manages to cut new debt by RM22b over two years, slams critics for ‘deceiving the people'
PUTRAJAYA, July 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government has succeeded in reducing the annual debt to RM77 billion in 2024 from RM99 billion in 2022. This thus fulfils the commitment of more prudent fiscal management, and only the interest payments on old debts have not yet been reduced, he said. 'The new debt that the government has incurred (was) RM99 billion in 2022, dropping to RM93 billion in 2023 and in 2024 the total is RM77 billion... that is less. 'They say the total amount (of debt) is more, added with the old debt and the interest that we have to pay, but I said the government promised to reduce new debt, we have fulfilled that. 'But what is being spread around... we are increasing (the debt), so it is as if we are deceiving the people. If you look at these figures, who is deceiving?' he asked when speaking at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly here today. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said annual new debt had been successfully reduced in line with the reduction in the deficit, while giving the commitment that the government would reduce the fiscal deficit in stages and responsibly without affecting national development. He said the government had reduced the country's fiscal deficit from 5.5 per cent in 2022 to 4.1 per cent in 2024, with a target of 3.8 per cent for this year. He explained that the government has chosen a 'gradual' approach so that deficit reduction does not sacrifice development needs and market confidence. Anwar said the move was in line with economic principles that emphasise financial discipline in the economic management of an entity, including the country. 'We took over in 2022, the fiscal deficit at that time was 5.5 per cent. What is a deficit? It means that spending exceeds national income, which means we are in debt. 'We manage the national economy like a household economy. If the income is RM5,000 but the expenditure is RM7,000, that is a deficit. So now we are reducing the expenditure to RM6,500, RM6,000, RM5,500. If it drops suddenly, then (development) cannot proceed,' he said. The Prime Minister also praised the work of the civil service team who carried out their responsibilities so that Malaysia jumped 11 places in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, to 23rd compared to 2024 (34th), driven by improved economic performance and administrative efficiency. In June, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) announced that Malaysia had jumped 11 places in the World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025 to 23rd place, which is the country's best achievement since 2020, thus reflecting the progressive momentum in the country's economic recovery and reform agenda. MITI said the rise of the country is on track to be among the 12 most competitive economies before 2033, as targeted by the MADANI Economy Framework. Anwar added that the International Monetary Fund in its Article IV consultation for 2025 had praised Malaysia's commitment in implementing fiscal reforms including the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA). 'What does that mean? It means the Finance Minister has handed over some of his powers to parliament to assess if the target has been met,' he said. — Bernama
ABC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Liberal leader vows to work with PM in first party room address
The Federal Opposition Leader is vowing to fight for all Australians struggling with the cost of living, ahead of Parliament's return tomorrow. In her first address to the party room as leader, Sussan Ley says the Opposition will work with the Prime Minister on constructive policies.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
Netanyahu suffers food poisoning, to rest for three days, his office says
JERUSALEM, July 20 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is recovering from a bout of food poisoning, his office said on Sunday, adding that he will continue to carry out his duties while resting at home for the next three days. Netanyahu, 75, fell ill overnight and was found to be suffering from intestinal inflammation and dehydration, for which he is receiving intravenous fluids, a statement said. "In accordance with his doctors' instructions, the prime minister will rest at home for the next three days and will manage state affairs from there," his office added. Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker in 2023 and last December he had his prostate removed after he was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.
