MALE, 27 April, 2021 (TON): On Monday, the foundation has been laid for a residential building, One Central Park, under development in suburban Hulhumale’ targeting the middle-income category.

The foundation for the residential building was laid in a ceremony by Housing Minister Mohamed Aslam, Housing Development Corporation (HDC)’s Managing Director Suhail Ahmed, and Assotech Realty’s Managing Director Neeraj Gulati.

The One Central Park project is run by Central Mauritius and Rasheed Carpentry Construction (RCC).

One Central Park is 120 three-bedroom apartments that are expected to be completed within 2023 and are valued at MVR 2.2 million.

JERUSALEM, 27 April, 2021 (TON): On Tuesday, the international rights watchdog accused Israel of pursuing policies of discrimination and persecution against Palestinians and against its own Arab minority.

According to the New York-based Human Rights Watch published a 213-page report aimed not to compare Israel with apartheid-era South Africa but rather at assessing whether specific acts and policies constitute apartheid as defined under international law.

“Across Israel and the (Palestinian territories), Israeli authorities have pursued an intent to maintain domination over Palestinians by exercising control over land and demographics for the benefit of Jewish Israelis,” the report says.

Israel’s foreign ministry rejected the claims as “both preposterous and false” and accused HRW of harboring an “anti-Israeli agenda,” saying the group had sought “for years to promote boycotts against Israel.”

The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the report.

However, just weeks ago the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it would investigate war crimes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas named as possible perpetrators.

DHAKA, 27 April, 2021 (TON): On a one-day visit, the Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe has arrived in Dhaka amid the ongoing pandemic.

The Chinese Minister was welcomed by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Fenghe paid his homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his mural at Road 32 of Dhanmondi and visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

At 3 pm, the Chinese defense minister is scheduled to call on President Abdul Hamid.

He will also have a meeting with Chief of Army Staff Gen Aziz Ahmed.

However, Fenghe’s visit follows Bangladesh's decision to join China’s Emergency Vaccine Storage Facility for COVID for South Asia.

NEW YORK, 27 April, 2021 (TON): On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced deep concern over the recent armed clashes in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman said in a statement, “The secretary-general reiterates his call for all Somali stakeholders to refrain from further violence and resolve their differences through dialogue and compromise."

The statement added, Guterres urged all Somali stakeholders to resume negotiations immediately and forge an agreement based on the 17 September, 2020, electoral model and Baidoa technical committee proposals.

On 12 April, the latest political crisis came when the Somali lower house of parliament voted to extend the terms of the executive and the legislative arms of government, despite stiff opposition from the upper house leadership and opposition leaders.

However, efforts to reach an agreement on how to carry out presidential and parliamentary elections, which were originally scheduled for February, have been stalled for months.

RIYADH, 27 April, 2021 (TON): On Monday, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan had a telephonic conversation with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said.

During the call, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance joint cooperation.

The two ministers also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of concern to both countries.

Also, the Kingdom Minister ways to foster bilateral relations and the latest developments with his German counterpart Heiko Maas on a phone call.

KATHMANDU, 27 April, 2021 (TON): Amidst pandemic observatory safety measures, and prohibitory orders enforced by the Nepal Police, the police department falls short of the staff.

Of the 9,440 positions vacant in the 72,000-strong police force, most are for new recruits, whether they are constables or higher ranking officers, however, according to both serving and former police officials the primary reason for such a huge number of vacant posts in Nepal Police is that people do not wish to join the force as they are compelled to do excessive work for a limited salary.

Former Deputy Inspector General Hemanta Malla said, “Police officers are supposed to maintain law and order in the country by protecting members of the public and their property, preventing crime, reducing the fear of crime; however in Nepal, police officers' job is not limited to maintaining peace; they are given many other tasks which do not fall under policing.”

“They basically do what other government agencies do not,” said Malla.

Media reported that some lower ranking police officers to get their views about their job many agreed with Malla.

However, it is likely that timely promotions, competitive salary, transfers, and training abroad could serve as motivational factors for police personnel to continue in their jobs.

DHAKA, 27 April, 2021 (TON): At least 250 Bangladeshis stranded at the Benapole-Petrapole border a day after the decision was taken to ban commuting at India-Bangladesh land port for 14 days.

Many people who went to India for treatment of their relatives were unaware of the government's decision. They entered the neighboring country but couldn't return to Bangladesh.

There are many others who are facing the similar situation and are unable to return to their country and moreover, they are running out of money.

However, the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission has informed that those whose visas are coming to an end can contact them and return to Bangladesh with No Objection Certificate and Corona Negative Test Report.

MALE, 27 April, 2021 (TON): Formed under the new Police Service Act enacted recently, five members have been appointed to the Appeal Committee of Police.

The law states that a Committee of five members formed by members of the public is to be formed by the Home Minister.

The committee can look into appeals into decisions made by the Disciplinary Board of the Police under the advice of the Police Board. 

On Monday, the Home Minister Imran Abdulla appointed five members to the Committee.

The members include, (Rtd) Deputy Commissioner of the Police Mohamed Sodhiq, Dhafthar no: 6613/Male' City, Azmeen Rasheed from Banbeyleevilla, GDh. Rathafandhoo, Fathimath Leena from M. Saljamge, Minna Nafiz from M. Lilys, and Ahmed Shahid from Bless, Ha. Hoarafushi.

However, according to the law the Committee members are not police service employees and appeals of decisions made by the Disciplinary board can be lodged at the Committee by the Police Commissioner of Police.

THIMPHU, 27 April, 2021 (TON): In Bhutan, Farm Machinery Corporation Limited (FMCL) has developed around 45 acres of land for commercial vegetable cultivation in Wangray, Tangsibji gewog.

With the help of United Nations Development Partner (UNDP) funding, the project has been developed with the support of Nu 13 million. The fund is being spent on the development of land, a chain-link fence and a greenhouse.

The project, which started four months ago, will be fully operational in the next five to six

The project has recruited 21 youths. With youth employed in the project, the project is expected to raise the reputation of agriculture farming as a profession.

However, the project would focus on the production of vegetables that are imported year-round.

BENGHAZI, 27 April, 2021 (TON): Libyan PM Dbeibah’s first visit to the east of Libya has been postponed by the government, after the security team returned from Benghazi airport.

A Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday in the city would also have marked national unity government leader Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s first trip to Libya’s east, a bastion of military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Preparations were underway to arrange another date, without giving a reason for the postponement, spokesman said on Monday.

However, according to th local security, the announcement came several hours after a government security team was turned away by local authorities at Benghazi airport, forcing them to get back on their plane and return to the capital Tripoli.