Latest news with #SchoolofEconomics
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
CCP holds awareness session on Competition Law for IIUI students
ISLAMABAD: An awareness session on 'Competition Law in Pakistan' was held at the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) Headquarters for the students of School of Economics, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI). Moderated by CCP's Deputy Director of Advocacy, Raja Taimur Hassan, the session commenced with a brief video showcasing the CCP's role, followed by a detailed presentation on Competition Law by Ahmed Qadir, Director General. Ahmed Qadir explained the fundamental of Competition Law, including those related to the cartelization, abuse of dominant position, deceptive marketing, prohibited agreements and mergers & acquisitions, to the students. He supplemented his presentation with case studies to demonstrate practical enforcement of competition law. He also highlighted the important role that Competition Law plays in fostering fair market practices, which are critical for economic growth. Students took keen interest and posed numerous questions regarding Competition Law and the work of the Commission, which were addressed by the officials of the Commission. Dr Babar Amin, Lecturer at the School of Economics, IIUI, commended the session, describing it as a crucial basis for students' comprehension of market dynamics and Pakistan's regulatory frameworks that govern and guide economic activity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
China warns its leftover men against ‘buying foreign wives'
The Chinese government has warned its citizens in Bangladesh against "buying a foreign wife" amid growing reports of marriage scams and human trafficking in the South Asian country. The Chinese embassy in Dhaka late on Sunday urged Chinese citizens not to be 'misled' by posts on social media offering quick marriages abroad. The embassy stated that, according to Chinese law, no marriage agency was allowed to offer international matchmaking services, while citizens were barred from hiding such activities through deception or for profit. Chinese citizens were advised to stay away from commercial cross-border marriage agencies and remain vigilant against online romance scams to avoid both financial and personal losses, the embassy added. China has a reported surplus of 35 million men who are unable to find brides in part due to the Chinese government's three-decade-long one-child policy, which pushed families to prefer male children. Girls were either selectively aborted or abandoned. China has also witnessed a steep decline in marriages, with 6.1 million marriage registrations nationwide in 2024, compared to 7.7 million the previous year. The decline is mostly driven by factors such as increased economic pressures, rising cost of living, and Chinese women pushing back against patriarchal gender expectations. There are growing reports that a generation of so-called "leftover men" (shengnan shidai in Chinese) are looking towards Pakistan, Russia, Bangladesh and other nations to "purchase" brides. The growing demand for these brides has fuelled human trafficking, with children and women from South and Southeast Asian countries being smuggled into China. Bangladeshi women are among those who have been allegedly being sold in China by criminal gangs under the pretext of marriage, according to a Daily Star report. The embassy warned that those involved in illegal cross-border marriages in Bangladesh may face arrest on suspicion of trafficking. Ding Changfa, an associate professor from the School of Economics at Xiamen University, faced backlash after suggesting that men in China could consider marrying women from Russia, Vietnam and Pakistan to end the marriage crisis. 'In rural China, we have approximately 34.9 million 'leftover men' who might face the marriage pressures of providing housing, cars, and bride price totalling between 500,000 yuan (£51,100) and 600,000 yuan (£61,400)," he was quoted by the South China Morning Post as saying. 'Last year [2023], the average disposable income per capita in rural areas across China was just over 20,000 yuan (£2,000). Solving this issue could involve attracting a significant number of eligible young women from overseas,' he added. Pakistan has been at the heart of the trafficking ring, where parents in poor Christian families were being pressured to offer up their daughters to Chinese men, according to reports. Human Rights Watch in a 2019 report said women were trafficked to China through 'a porous border and lack of response by law enforcement agencies on both sides [has] created an environment in which traffickers flourish.' The group called on China and Pakistan to act in the face of 'increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China'.
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
China's 35 million leftover men are hunting for brides in Russia, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh and Pakistan
China's one-child policy ran for decades starting 1979 and its effects are being felt even now, almost 10 years after it was scrapped in 2015. One of the most telling aspects of the diktat has been the large number of male children born during the one-child policy decades. It is now leading to a shortage of brides as the boys are all grown up and looking to get married. But the massive problem staring them in the face - lack of women of marriageable age. Over 35 million men (called shengnan shidai in Chinese, loosely translated as leftover men) are looking for brides but are unable to find one in their country. The large number of men is due to the fact that for over three-and-a-half decades parents wanted only sons due to the one-child norm in force. The number is likely to go up to 50 million unmarried Chinese men who are unable to find a woman in the next couple of decades. In desperation many Chinese men are looking at online portals to find a soulmate while others are heading to foreign lands to get married. A vast number of Chinese men are also "buying brides" in foreign countries like Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and South-East Asian nations. Many are also using the online route to get hold of a bribe by paying hefty amounts. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Baca Undo Also Read: Filipino music icon Freddie Aguilar dies at 72, leaves behind a legacy that touched the world The above two developments has also led to a flourishing trade in human trafficking, raising the hackles of international agencies too. Live Events China warns against buying brides Recently, the Chinese government issued a warning to its citizens in Bangladesh against buying a "foreign wife" for marriage. With several social media post claiming to arrange for a bride for Chinese men, the country's embassy in Dhaka cautioned its citizens against falling for the trap, reported Bangladesh's Daily Star. The embassy warned that international matchmaking services are illegal under Chinese law and its citizens cannot indulge in such activities or hide it from the law enforcement agencies back in China. The report also highlighted that Bangladeshi girls and women were being smuggled into China by criminal gangs for marriage. What has changed in China In recent years, the traditional Chinese society has witnessed a lot of changes with the women joining the work force in large numbers and delaying their marriage. Higher levels of education Financial and economic pressures are also acting as a force against marriage. China registered 6.1 million marriages in 2024, a huge fall from the 7.7 million a year back in 2023. A controversial statement by a Xiamen University's School of Economics professor where he implored unmarried men to look for brides from other countries like Russia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Pakistan sparked an uproar. Also Read: What's wrong with China economy? Moody's maintains 'negative' rating for world's second largest economy 'In rural China, we have approximately 34.9 million 'leftover men' who might face the marriage pressures of providing housing, cars, and bride price totalling between 500,000 and 600,000 yuan (US$70,000 and US$84,000). Last year, the average disposable income per capita in rural areas across China was just over 20,000 yuan (US$2,800). Solving this issue could involve attracting a significant number of eligible young women from overseas,' associate professor Ding Changfa was quoted by the South China Morning Post. Poor Christian families in Pakistan, too, are being forced to sell their daughters to criminal gangs who them smuggle them to China for marriage. Many Chinese men are looking at Russia to get a bride. The interesting factor behind heading to Russia is that the country has more women while China is surplus with men. The current legal age for marriage in China is 22 years for men and 20 for women but there have been calls to lower it to 18 to tide over the crisis of missing brides. One prominent voice who has advocated for lowering the age for marriage is Chen Songxi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
'Dispensary role has benefits but access remains a concern'
ALOR STAR: Granting pharmacists full dispensary rights could reduce unnecessary patient spending and improve healthcare efficiency — but only if implemented carefully with accessibility in mind, says a health economics expert. Associate Professor Dr Shamzaeffa Samsudin of Universiti Utara Malaysia's School of Economics, Finance and Banking said the separation of prescribing and dispensing roles combined at most private clinics could help curb overprescription. "The main benefit, from a health economics standpoint, is that it could reduce moral hazards among doctors in prescribing. "There have been cases where unnecessary medicines are prescribed, especially at clinics with in-house pharmacies. Separating the two roles may help address that," she told the New Straits Times. She said irrational or excessive prescriptions contributed to rising healthcare costs for patients — an issue the separation policy could potentially resolve. However, Shamzaeffa warned that any move must also consider practical realities for patients. "On one hand, yes, it may lower spending. But on the other, it could place an additional burden on patients." She said many Malaysians still preferred the convenience of receiving both consultation and medication under one roof, especially in semi-urban and rural areas. Requiring patients to visit an external pharmacy could add transport and logistical challenges. "In terms of easing congestion in healthcare, the idea works on paper. It allows doctors and pharmacists to focus on their core responsibilities. "But, at the same time, some patients are willing to pay more for the convenience of getting everything done at one location." She added that if the separation model were to be introduced, it must be accompanied by efforts to ensure pharmacies are available and accessible nationwide. Beyond costs and logistics, Shamzaeffa said such a reform could raise the status and welfare of pharmacists, aligning with Malaysia's ambition of building a modern, efficient healthcare system. "As we move towards becoming a developed nation, we must acknowledge the distinct expertise each healthcare professional brings. But ultimately, access to affordable and convenient healthcare must remain the priority. "If separation can be implemented without burdening the public, then it's worth pursuing — not just to support the pharmacy profession, but also to improve patient outcomes." Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy chief executive officer Azrul Mohd Khalib agreed that separating prescribing and dispensing could bring benefits. "Doctors would no longer have a financial incentive to overprescribe, medicine prices would become more transparent and competitive and general practitioners (GPs) could focus more on clinical work." He said similar systems were already in place Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. However, he cautioned against rushing the process as poorly managed rollout could increase pressure on government clinics and lead to the closure of private GP practices. "This would be an inconvenience to patients, especially those who rely on late-night or early-morning visits to clinics that also dispense medication. "Patients may have to wait for pharmacies to open just to get their prescriptions filled. That's a major shift from the convenience they're used to," he added. Consumers Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader echoed similar views, calling for the reform to be rolled out gradually. He said the association supported the separation of dispensing responsibilities in principle, as it could help clarify the distinct roles of doctors and pharmacists. "The system should only be introduced in towns with enough pharmacies near clinics and hospitals." Mohideen said the government must implement the move in phases, stressing that while convenience was important, the current arrangement carries a potential conflict of interest that needs to be addressed.
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Global economy could shrink 40% if planet warms by 4C, new study says
A 4C rise in global temperatures could wipe out 40 per cent of the world's economic output by the end of the century, according to a new peer-reviewed study that dramatically revises earlier estimates. The global economy is far more exposed to climate breakdown than previously thought, the study from the University of New South Wales concludes, making the case that rapid decarbonisation is not only an environmental imperative but an economic necessity as well. Previous modelling estimated global GDP losses at around 11 per cent under 4C of warming. The new figure – nearly four times higher – stems from correcting what the researchers call a key blind spot that has long shaped international climate policy. Most models used to inform global climate policy look only at the direct impact of local weather patterns on a country's productivity. But they ignore the crucial fact that modern economies are tightly connected through trade, supply chains, financial systems. The Australian researchers say the new study incorporates these global linkages and finds that climate damages in one part of the world can set off chain reactions elsewhere. 'In a hotter future, we can expect cascading supply chain disruptions triggered by extreme weather events worldwide,' lead author of the study, Timothy Neal, senior lecturer at the School of Economics and the Institute for Climate Risk & Response, explained. 'These systems that currently buffer economic shocks will become vulnerabilities.' This oversight in older models, Dr Neal added, led some policymakers to believe that even severe climate change would not dramatically harm the economy – a view that shaped carbon pricing and emissions targets worldwide. But the new study shows that no nation is insulated from loss, even those previously assumed to benefit from warming, like colder or resource-rich places. 'There's an assumption that some colder countries will do better,' he said, 'but supply chain dependencies mean no country is immune.' The new estimate of a 40 per cent drop in global GDP is based on a high emissions scenario in which current pledges fail and fossil fuel use continues to grow. Though a full 4C of warming by 2100 is still avoidable, the world is on track for a 2.5-2.9C rise if existing climate pledges are implemented in full, according to the UN Environment Programme. In the absence of stronger policies, higher-end warming remains a real risk. The study also re-calibrates what economists consider a 'safe' level of warming. While older models supported targets of up to 2.7C, the updated model sees economic damages accelerate sharply beyond a 1.7C rise, making a strong case for deeper emissions cuts in line with the Paris Agreement 's most ambitious goal. The study doesn't yet include future adaptation strategies like climate-resilient infrastructure or managed migration, which remain difficult to model, but that does not weaken the urgency. 'We continue learning from how we see climate change impacting our economy right now, from rising food prices to insurance costs,' Dr Neal said. 'We need to be responsive to new information if we're going to act in our best interest.' The new findings come just days after the World Meteorological Organisation confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with global temperatures breaching the 1.5C mark for the first time in a full year. The organisation's report warned of irreversible damage to glaciers, oceans and ecosystems and rising economic costs from extreme weather.
