Ukrainian Parliament approved amendment to Labour Code prohibiting discrimination at workplace

Parliament of Ukraine on 12 November 2015 approved an amendment to the country’s Labour Code prohibiting all forms of discrimination at the workplace including discrimination against homosexuals.
The amendment to Labour Code was done in the form of Sexual Minorities Anti-Discrimination Bill that was passed by 234 votes as against the 226 minimum required in the 450-seat parliament.
The bill bans any discrimination at the workplace on the basis of age, health condition, race, political inclination, religion, family and property status, social and foreign origin, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hailed parliament’s action as historic as it paves the way for Ukraine to join the European Union (EU) visa-free regime or Schengen Area.
Earlier in November 2015, with an aim to join Schengen Area the Ukrainian parliament also approved a set of other bills, in particular a crucial legislation enhancing the fight against corruption.
The bill banning discrimination of homosexuals at workplace was rejected on four previous attempts. The bill was viewed by some in parliament as a challenge to the country’s Orthodox Christian traditions.

India inked MoUs with six countries in the International Civil Aviation Negotiations

The Government of India announced on 12 November 2015 that it signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six countries. These countries are: Finland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and Oman and Ethiopia.
In addition, Agreed Minutes were signed with Serbia, Greece, and European Commission. The Record of Discussions was signed with Brunei Darussalam and Qatar.
The MoUs were signed during International Civil Aviation Negotiations (ICAN) 2015, which was held in Antalya, Turkey from 19 to 23 October 2015.

President approved Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill

President Pranab Mukherjee on 12 November 2015 gave his assent to the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill.
The bill was passed by the Haryana Legislative Assembly on 16 March 2015.
Key provisions of the bill
• Cow slaughter in Haryana will invite rigorous imprisonment ranging from 3 to 10 years and a fine of up to 1 lakh rupees.
• Any person who attempts to export cows for slaughter will be imprisoned for not less than 3 years and up to 7 years. In addition, fine between 30000 rupees and 70000 rupees will be imposed.
• The killing of a cow in an accident or for self-defence will not be considered slaughter.
• For exporting a cow out of the state, people will have to apply for permit and file a declaration that cows for which permit for export is required will not be slaughtered.

Subir Gokarn appointed as IMF's Executive Director

Former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India Subir Vithal Gokarn on 12 November 2015 was appointed as an Executive Director on the board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Gokarn will replace Rakesh Mohan at the IMF. Mohan’s three year tenure ends in November 2015.
Gokarn’s name was cleared by Appointments Committee of Cabinet presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as per an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training.
The former Deputy Governor of RBI will represent India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan on IMF's Executive Board. The Board is responsible for conducting the day-to-day business of the multilateral institution.
IMF's Executive Board is composed of 24 Directors, who are elected by member countries or by groups of countries, and the Managing Director, who serves as its Chairman. The Board conducts its meeting several times in a week and carries out its work largely on the basis of papers prepared by IMF management and staff.
Gokarn had served as one of the four Deputy Governors of the Reserve Bank of India along with Anand Sinha, K C Chakrabarty and H R Khan. Prior to his appointment as the Deputy Governor of RBI, he worked as the Chief Economist of global rating agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) Asia-Pacific from 2007 to 2009.
Gokarn obtained his bachelor’s degree in Economics from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai. He completed his MA in Economics from Delhi School of Economics. He obtained his PhD in Economics from Case Western Reserve University of Cleveland, Ohio.