WORLD

Pakistan risks a fine of $18 billion for not completing the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project in the timeframe stipulated in the agreement, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed.

The apex committee of the National Assembly (NA) met with Noor Alam Khan in the chair and deliberated on the non-utilisation of 332 billion PKR in gas infrastructure development cess, The Express Tribune reported.

Demanding progress on the publicly-funded projects, Bargees Tahir said that 325 billion PKR were received, but only 2 billion PKR were spent.

In a further escalation of the BBC tax ‘survey’ issue, UK foreign secretary James Cleverly brought up action against the leading public service broadcaster by Indian authorities in a meeting with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting here Wednesday. According to Indian sources, Jaishankar “firmly” told Cleverly all entities operating in India must fully comply with relevant laws and regulations.

The UK government had defended BBC last week in a House of Commons debate on the issue, saying it stood up for the broadcaster and its editorial freedom and that it had raised the issue with the Indian government.

“The conversations I had with him (Jaishankar) are best to keep with him. I did raise it (the BBC issue),” Cleverly told Reuters after his meeting with the Indian minister. “One of the advantages of having such a strong and professional relationship with Dr Jaishankar is I am able to bring up, and indeed he brings up with me, some of these sensitive issues,” Cleverly added.

Finland begins its final debate in parliament on Tuesday on NATO membership, without waiting for the approval of Turkey and Hungary.

Nor is Helsinki waiting for neighbouring Sweden, which has also been a candidate since last year but is currently facing a Turkish veto.

The government of outgoing Prime Minister Sanna Marin wants to avoid any potential political vacuum, with elections due on April 2.

Nepal's second largest party in Parliament - CPN-UML - on Monday withdrew its support to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda"-led government following a rift over backing the main opposition party's candidate for the presidential poll, plunging the Himalayan nation to another spell of political instability.

"A high-level meeting of the party held under the leadership of party chief K P Sharma Oli on Monday decided to quit the government and withdraw the party's support to the Prachanda-led government," Bishnu Rijal, deputy chief of the party's central publicity committee, told PTI.

After a rare snowfall dusted Los Angeles on Saturday, Southern California is bracing for a series of weak storms that will bring wind and rain this week to coastal areas while Northern and Central California mountain communities could see more heavy snow.
Over the past three days, the storm brought the rare sight of snowflakes in Los Angeles, more known for palm trees and sun. But it also brought heavy rain and some flooding. A motorhome fell into the Santa Clara River after an embankment collapsed, according to a video.

About 70,000 customers in California remained without power on Sunday, according to PowerOutage, which tracks disruptions.