KABUL, 27 March, 2021 (TON): The newest weapons in terrorizing the Afghans in the war-torn country are the sticky bombs slapped onto the cars stuck in the traffic.

As the U.S. plans to withdraw troops, in the Afghan capital last weekend, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said America wanted a “responsible end” to Afghanistan’s relentless war. But in the meantime violence is escalating and taking the occasional new twist, such as the sticky bombs.

Calling the heavy use of sticky bombs relatively new and easy to carry, the former Interior Minister Masoud Andarab said, “What is new is that they (attackers) have created a simple model.”

Some victims are targeted, while others appear to have been chosen at random, with the aim of terrorizing an entire population, Andarabi said.

However, one motive appears to be to undermine faith in peace efforts among ordinary Afghans, with the Taliban and the government blaming each other for the chaos.

ISLAMABAD, 27 March, 2021 (TON): On Friday, Pakistan conducted a successful flight test of the Shaheen-1A surface to surface ballistic missile, the Pakistan military said.

The range of the ballistic missile is 900km, according to the department.

The test flight of Shaheen-1A was aimed at re-validating various design and technical parameters of the weapon system including advanced navigation systems, said the military statement.

ISPR’s media wing said in a statement that the President Arif Alvi and the PM Imran Khan has congratulated on the successful missile test.

The test, however, was witnessed by senior officials of various organizations that are involved in the country’s missile system.

The witnesses also involved the scientists and engineers of strategic organizations.

THIMPHU, 27 March, 2021 (TON): The FDI annual report of 2020 states that the Bhutan government approved 10 FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) projects amidst the pandemic last year.

Five of the projects are in the manufacturing sector and the others in the service sector.  

Although the number of approved projects declined by two from 2019, the value of the projects last year increased by 80 percent to Nu 2.104 billion (B) from Nu 1.166B.

From within Asia, India remains the major source of FDI investments in the country with 47 percent as five of the 10 projects three in Ferro Alloys; and one each in hotel and manufacture of bamboo flooring products, furniture and decorative materials are from India.

Two of the projects are IT-based and their promoters are from the US and Singapore. 

The FDIs also include an investment in growing edible oil and medicinal mushrooms from Thailand.

The other two FDIs, which are promoted by investors from Germany, are in the construction and microfinance sectors.

However, with the 10 new projects, the total number of projects today stands at 92. The government issues a certificate of FDI registration before approving the project.

MALE, 27 March, 2021(TON):  A webinar conducted in association with the Qatar Airways in an attempt to promote and market the World’s Leading Tourist Destination, Maldives.

the webinar was conducted for the regions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland said the Visit Maldives and the marketing arm of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

The campaign was conducted to collaborate with new operations of Qatar Airways connecting these markets with the Maldives that included a total of 407 tour operators and travel agents in the webinar where Maldives was promoted as a tourist destination and information was disseminated regarding the special activities in the Maldives for tourism. 

Qatar Airways also shared information regarding its operations in the webinar and more activities are in the pipeline between the two, sources said.

BEIRUT, 22 March, 2021 (TON): Dangerous materials were found in the warehouses of the Zahrani oil installations, Hassan Diab caretaker Lebanese PM said.

On Friday, Diab said, “German company Combi Lift, hired by the Lebanese government to identify hazardous substances across the country after the huge deadly blasts at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020.”

According to the PM, the review of the report said the Lebanese atomic authority confirmed the materials in Zahrani as nuclear substances, noting they should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Investigations pointed to the roughly 500 tons of ammonium nitrate left at the port as the cause of the explosions at Beirut's port that killed at least 200, wounded about 6,000 others.

NAYPYIDAW, 27 March, 2021 (TON): On Saturday, the Myanmar Military junta staged a major show of force for its annual Armed Forces Day Parade amid struggles to quell the protests against its rule.

The country has been facing challenges since the detention of the ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February, resulting violent crackdowns by the security forces against the massive protests.

Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing again defended the coup and said, “The democracy we desire would be an undisciplined one if they pay no respect to and violate the law.”

The Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, usually accompanies a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats.
However, since the 1 February coup the junta has struggled to achieve international recognition and said that only eight international delegations attended Saturday’s event, including China and Russia. Moreover, fears have swirled that the day could become a flashpoint for more unrest.

NEW YORK, 27 March, 2021(TON): Human Rights Watch said that the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka is a victory for victims of abuses to help them obtain information, accountability, and justice.

The UN and member countries should emphasize to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that any retaliation against activists who campaigned for the resolution would have serious consequences.

“The Human Rights Council’s landmark resolution on Sri Lanka shows that if justice is denied, the UN will act to provide accountability for atrocities,” said John Fisher, Geneva director.

“When governments fail to respect their international law obligations, as Sri Lanka has, it’s crucial for the Human Rights Council to respond with substantive measures like these,” he added.

On 23 March, the Resolution 46/1 was adopted that establishes a powerful new accountability process to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence of international crimes committed in Sri Lanka for use in future prosecutions.

The Sri Lankan government vigorously opposed the resolution, and there have been numerous reports of threats and harassment against rights activists in recent months.

However, the resolution was adopted in response to a devastating report in January by the UN high commissioner for human rights as it establishes a dedicated new capacity within the Office to collect, consolidate, analyze and preserve information and evidence of gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Sri Lanka, and to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial and other proceedings, including in Member States, with competent jurisdiction.

AGARTALA, 27 March, 2021 (TON): On Saturday, at least 4 BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leaders died in a truck accident in Southern Tripura’s Gomati district, police said.

Among the dead included three women and eight others injured when the vehicle overturned. .

Three women and a man accompanied by other workers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party returning home in a Maxi truck suddenly lost control and overturned killing the four local leaders at Chellagung late Friday, the police officials affirmed.

After attending a public meeting organized in connection with the 6 April elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, the deceased Urbashi Kanya Jamatia, 45; Mamata Rani Jamatia, 26; Rachana Devi Jamatia, 30 and Gahin Kumar Jamatia, 65 along with other BJP workers were returning to their Natun Bazar home.

The eight BJP workers, who sustained serious injuries, were admitted to a government hospital.

Condolences from the leaders came following the incident, and also from the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and BJP state President Manik Saha, who addressed the election rally.

DHAKA, 27 March, 2021 (TON): Indian PM Narendra Modi emphasized fostering India-Bangladesh cooperation in trade, commerce and anti-terrorism efforts while speaking on the 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary in Dhaka on Friday.

“We must remember that though we have similar possibilities in the area of trade and development, we also face similar threats, such as terrorism,” he said.

“The ideologies and forces behind these inhuman acts are active even today. We not only need to be alert, but also need to stay united to fight them,” Modi added.

He called the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s liberation and the milestone of 75th year of India’s independence to arrive together a “happy coincidence”.

“For both of our countries, in the 21st century, our journey over the next 25 years will be very important. We have a common heritage, we have common development also. We have common goals, and we have common challenges too,” he said.

"Both our countries have the power of democracy; we have a clear vision for moving forward. India and Bangladesh moving forward together, is equally important for the development of the entire region," he added.

Modi went on to pay homage to Bangabandhu for his vision and said, "Bangabandhu’s courage, his leadership, ensured that no power could keep Bangladesh under subjugation.”

Later, at the end, the Indian PM also announced, Subarno Jayanti scholarships for the youth of Bangladesh in an effort to boost the mutual friendly ties.

DHAKA, 26 March 2021, (TON): At least four people were killed and over three dozen injured in protests against visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangladesh to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence.

As per the initial reports, peaceful protests by the Bangladeshi students and other residents were suppressed by the Police Chattogram district. It resulted in killing of four persons and serious injuries to over 24 people. Medical staff at Chattogram Medical College Hospital confirmed killing and injuries.

Meanwhile, the Police claims that Hefazat-e-Islam, having network of Islamic schools, started attacking government structures, including a police station and a land revenue office, at Hathazari area in Chattogram which compelled Police to take strict action. However, eye witnesses claim that protest rally was peaceful throughout. Later, at Dhaka’s main mosque, clashes broke out between groups of demonstrators and police dispersed the crowd by using tear gas and rubber bullets.

Eye witnesses said the protesters from various universities including Chittagong were chanting anti-India and anti-Modi slogans, which was challenged by the Police. There were reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate a Hindu Temple in Dhaka which was highly resented. During his visit, Modi will tour two temples in southern rural districts, including the birthplace of a Hindu reformer who would be used by New Delhi to bridge the gap between Indian state of West Bengal and Bangladesh.