BRUSSLES, 30 April, 2021 (TON): On Friday, the bloc's high representative told the ASEAN states that European Union is ready to offer its support to all parties to help restore democracy in Myanmar.

High representative said in a statement published on Friday, The European Union stands ready to support ASEAN... in facilitating a constructive dialogue with all key stakeholders with a view to bringing Myanmar/Burma back to its democratic path."

After last week’s emergency ASEAN summit, Southeast Asian leaders had reached consensus with Myanmar's junta on ending violence there.

However, so far, more than 750 people have been killed by security forces in Myanmar since army generals unleashed lethal force in the face of sustained protests against their 1 February coup.

DHAKA, 30 April, 2021 (TON): Nationwide protests have been called by the transport workers, urging the government to unban the public transport system amidst the pandemic crisis.

They plan to bring out processions across the country on Sunday and hold a sit-in at the deputy commissioners' offices.

Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation said that the transport ban has left at least 50 percent of the workers unemployed, while the government kept shops and malls open in the pandemic lockdown.

They urged the government to allow the public transports to run with half of their seats vacant, a requirement under the health protocols.

Osman Ali, secretary of the group said, “As the transport workers work in close proximity to the public, they face the highest risk to contract the coronavirus. It’s risky for the passengers as well. Under the circumstances, it is logical to ban the public transport; but at the same time ensuring the livelihoods of the transport workers should be considered too.”

“They need to make a living to survive,” he added.

He further stated, "We're not against the lockdown. It was decided that offices, courts, educational institutions and everything else would be closed. Transport workers never objected to the banning of public transports. But as the lockdown has been relaxed, garment factories, shopping malls and kitchen markets are open."

Meanwhile, the secretary presented three demands that the Public transports should be allowed to carry goods and passengers to 50 percent of their capacity under the health protocols, road transport workers should be provided with financial assistance and food aid, and the transport workers should be provided rice at Tk 10 per kg through an open market sale.

MOSCOW, 30 April, 2021 (TON): On Friday, the U.S. embassy in Moscow said that it would reduce the number of consular services it provides from 12 May after Russia imposed restrictions on the hiring of local staff.

Last week, the Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law to limit the number of local staff working at foreign diplomatic missions and other agencies.

He also ordered the government to draw up a list of unfriendly states that will be subject to the restrictions.
The U.S. Embassy said, “Effective May 12, US Embassy Moscow will reduce consular services offered to include only emergency US citizen services and a very limited number of age-out and life or death emergency immigrant visas.”

“Non-immigrant visa processing for non-diplomatic travel will cease,” it added.
However, the embassy said the Russian government’s actions had forced it to reduce its consular work force by 75%.

BEIJING, 30 April, 2021 (TON): On Thursday, in Beijing, the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its 28th session.

Lawmakers voted to adopt the law on promoting rural vitalization, the law on preventing food waste and the revised Maritime Traffic Safety Law at the closing meeting of the session.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting.

Decision to amend the Education Law, a decision to amend a package of eight laws including the Road Traffic Safety Law, a decision to amend the measures for the election of military deputies to people's congresses, and a decision to appoint Huang Ming as the minister of emergency management were also adopted by the lawmakers.

The meeting also adopted a revised decision on strengthening the review and oversight of the central budget, and a decision on authorizing the State Council to temporarily adjust the application of relevant laws and regulations in pilot free trade zones.

However, President Xi Jinping signed seven presidential orders to promulgate the laws and decisions.

HWASEONG, 30 April, 2021 (TON): On Friday, the South Korean fishermen held protests across the country against Japan demanding its decision to reverse the release of contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

According to South Korea’s National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, about 800 fishermen participated in rallies at ports in nine cities.

The fishermen held anti-Japan banners and chanted slogans such as “Withdraw Japan’s decision” and “Condemn irresponsible nuclear attack” at one port, at Gungpyeong on the west coast.

The protests began when this month Japan said that it will release more than 1 million tons of contaminated water into the sea from the plant crippled by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011 after filtering it to remove harmful isotopes.

However, the plan drew immediate opposition from its neighbors South Korea, China and Taiwan.

ISLAMABAD, 30 April, 2021 (TON): Pakistan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and other officials have been recalled by the government of Pakistan at the Pakistan embassy.

The officials have been recalled to make them part of a high-level inquiry into complaints of demanding bribes from the Pakistani expatriates.

 The spokesperson of the foreign office Zahid Chaudhri confirmed that the officials in the Pakistan embassy in Saudi Arabia had been called back.

"Our Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia has already returned and orders have been issued for the recall of six more officers of the diplomatic, community welfare and consular wings of the embassy," confirmed Chaudhri.

"Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed for an inquiry. The Prime Minister's directions were being fully implemented," he added.

"The Government of Pakistan attaches high importance to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. The overseas Pakistanis are our greatest asset. Their role in national development is indispensable," said Chaudhri.

The high-level inquiry was initiated as per orders of Prime Minister Imran Khan, after complaints of alleged involvement in taking bribes from the laborers.

However, strict punishment has been announced by the Prime Minister for those found guilty of maltreatment of Pakistani nationals in Saudi Arabia.

KHARTOUM, 30 April, 2021 (TON): Sudan has reportedly suspended plans for Russia to open a naval logistics base in a key Red Sea port.

Russia in December announced the signing of a 25-year deal to build the logistics hub for nuclear-powered warships and up to 300 military and civilian personnel in Port Sudan.

It would have been Russia’s first naval base in Africa and its second on foreign territory after Syria’s Tartous.

But Sudan has suspended the naval base agreement signed by Moscow with the former regime, says media.

However, Sudan, suffering from civil war, the 2011 secession of oil-rich South Sudan and three decades of U.S. sanctions, has been under a transitional civilian-majority government since the April 2019 ouster of longtime president Omar Bashir.

KATHMANDU, 30 April, 2021 (TON): The government of KP Sharma Oli and the Janata Samjabadi Party are all set to seal an agreement expected to address some of the longstanding demands of the party.

To the leaders from both sides, ahead of signing such a deal, the government has withdrawn the cases of 120 individuals facing a number of charges related to the violent protests in the Tarai during the promulgation of the constitution in 2015.

“The government’s decision to withdraw some of the cases has created a positive environment for us to support the government but we have a long way to go,” said senior JSP leader Rajendra Mahato.

“Joining the government is not our priority right now because we have yet to see how the government responds to the rest of our demands,” he said

With this decision, the possibility of the Janata Samajbadi joining the government has increased, thereby diminishing the chances of the party supporting a no-confidence motion, which is likely to be tabled by the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) in the near future.

YAMOUSSOUKRO, 30 April, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday night, Pulcherie Gbalet, president of Alternative Ivorian citizen (ACI), captured for closed links to the opposition in Ivory Coast, was released.

In August 2020, Ms. Gbalet was charged with inciting revolt, calling for an insurrection, disturbing public order, violence and assault, and imprisoned at the Abidjan House of Arrest and Correction facility.

Gbalet’s organization was among opposition and civil society groups that called on protesters to march against a third term bid for President Alassane Ouattara.

Her lawyer, Lambert Kouamé Béné, who was pleased with the release, however said his client should not have gone to prison for her alleged role in the incident.

However, three other collaborators were also freed.

KABUL, 30 April, 2021 (TON): Clearance operations intended to push back the Taliban in Balkh, Chaharbolak and Shokgara districts are underway that are led by the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF).

The Balkh police department meanwhile said that at least 12 villages were cleared of the Taliban in the operation.

Adel Shah Adel, a spokesman for Balkh police, said the Taliban sustained heavy casualties in the operations.

He said one security force member was killed and one more was wounded.

“Over 18 members of the Taliban were killed and wounded and 42 others associated with the group were arrested,” said Adel Shah Adel, a spokesman for the Balkh police.

However, presently, eight districts in Balkh including Zari, Dawlatabad, Chaharbolak, Chimtal and Kashanda are facing threats.