According to Agence France Presse, the international anti-corruption organization "Transparency International" recently released the "2023 Corruption Impression Index" ranking. Vietnam's ranking among 180 countries and regions has dropped from 77th in 2022 to 83rd last year. According to the 0-100 point system, Vietnam's score decreased from 42 points to 41 points. It is reported that Transparency International, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, ranks the integrity of 180 countries and regions worldwide based on 13 sets of independent data, experts, and business people's impressions of corruption in the surveyed countries and regions.

However, the ongoing anti-corruption campaign has had a negative impact, with officials often delaying the implementation of key policies due to concerns about violations of laws and regulations, resulting in negligence in many areas.

Overall, although Vietnam's performance declined compared to the previous two years, it still performed better than several Southeast Asian countries, with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand considered to have higher levels of corruption.

CCTV News: Recently, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran·Khan and former Foreign Minister Qureshi were sentenced in the case of leaking state secrets10 years imprisonment. It is reported that due to this judgment coming from a judge in a special court, there are still variables in the judgment if appealed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

It is understood that this accusation is related to a confidential telegram sent by the Pakistani Ambassador to Washington to Islamabad last year, Imran·Khan was accused of publicly disclosing the contents of this telegram. On December 13th last year, a Pakistani court charged former Prime Minister Imran Khan with leaking state secrets, and his deputy, former Pakistani Foreign Ministry Shah Mahmoud Qureshi, was also charged in this case. According to media reports, Imran Khan refused to plead guilty to these charges and insisted that the content of the telegram appeared in the media from other sources.

It is understood that Imran·Khan led the Justice Movement Party to win the National Assembly elections in Pakistan in 2018 and was subsequently elected as Prime Minister. After his election, the main opposition party in Pakistan held frequent rallies and demanded the recall of Imran Khan on the grounds of election unfairness and fraud. On April 10 of the same year, the National Assembly of Pakistan passed a motion of no confidence against Imran Khan. Imran Khan became the first Prime Minister in Pakistani history to be dismissed by the National Assembly.

military affairs

01US arms exports hit a historic high in 2023

Reuters News: Recently, relevant data shows that,In 2023, the sales of military equipment by the United States to foreign governments increased by 16%,Sales revenueachieveNowRecord breaking238 billion US dollars. It is understood that,Foreign governments purchasing weapons from American companies includeMainly includingTwo ways,The first type isDirect transactions with military companies,The second typeyesandNegotiations with defense officials from US embassies abroad,Both must obtain approval from the US government.The US State Department stated thatarmsofSales and transfers can be seen as important diplomatic tools of the United States,thisIt has a long-term and significant impact on regional and global security.

haveFrom a physical perspective,United StatesThe approved sales in 2023 include the sale of highly maneuverable multiple rocket systems worth $10 billion to Poland,Selling value to Germany$2.9 billion AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile,And sell surface to air missile systems to Ukraine.Lockheed·Martin、General Dynamics and Northrop·GrummanIn the context of the global economic recession, the stock prices of military enterprises continue to rise.

01Cambodia Lowers Foreign Currency Deposit Reserve Rate

According to the Cambodian China Times, recently, the National Bank of Cambodia stated that due to high loan interest rates, the growth rate of new loans by Cambodian banks last year only reached 4.8%, setting a record low in 20 years. Among them, the new loans for the hotel and catering industry only increased by 0.6%, the trade and wholesale industry only increased by 4.8%, and housing loans increased by 6.4%. For this reason, the National Bank of Cambodia has decided to lower the foreign currency deposit reserve rate, enabling banks and financial institutions to meet the financing needs of the private sector, ensuring economic stability, and encouraging investment.

It is understood that,In 2023, the interest rates for loans in Cambodian currency and US dollars from the National Bank of Cambodia were as high as 13.39% and 11.08%, respectively, while the interest rates for loans in Cambodian currency and US dollars from small loan institutions were highThe rates are as high as 17.44% and 16.2% respectively, which has brought great pressure to Cambodia's economic growth. Since the decision of the National Bank of Cambodia to lower the foreign currency reserve interest rate, it has released $1.2 billion in funds for the banking system and will prioritize providing loans to the manufacturing sector.