BRUSSELS, 25 April, 2021 (TON): On Saturday the European Union blamed China for endangering peace in the South China Sea and urged all parties to abide by a 2016 tribunal ruling which rejected most of China’s claim to sovereignty in the sea, but which Beijing has rejected. 

A new policy aimed at stepping up its influence in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s rising power was released by EU in last week.  

The Philippines on Friday protested to China over its failure to withdraw what it called as “threatening” boats believed to be manned by maritime militia around the disputed Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef. 

In a statement by EU spokesperson on Saturday said, "Tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, endanger peace and stability in the region." 

EU reiterated its strong opposition to "unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability and international rules-based order". 

It urged all parties to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, and highlighted a 2016 international arbitration that had ruled in favor of the Philippines while invalidating most of China's claims in the South China Sea. 

China rejected EU's accusation that its ships at Whitsun Reef, which China calls Niu'E Jiao, had endangered peace and security. 

The Chinese Mission to the EU in a statement on Saturday insisted that China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea were formed in the "long course of history and consistent with international law" and rejected the 2016 tribunal ruling as "null and void". 

"The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, much less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry," the Chinese statement said. 

China increased its military activity in the South China Sea by conducting a series of naval maneuvers and exercises. China continues to construct military and industrial outposts on artificial islands it has built in disputed waters. 

The South China Sea disputes involve both island and maritime claims by several sovereign states within the region, namely Brunei, the People's Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan (Republic of China/ROC), Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. 

BAGHDAD, 25 April, 2021 (TON): At least 27 people were killed and 47 injured in a fire that broke out in a hospital treating coronavirus patients in the capital of Iraq, official sources said on Sunday. 

The incident occurred late on Saturday night at the Ibn Khatib hospital in southeastern Baghdad in the Diyala Bridge area, that had been equipped to house COVID-19 patients, medical sources at three nearby hospitals said. 

The fire broke out after an accident caused an oxygen tank to explode.  

A statement released by the country's civil defense said the hospital was dedicated to treating coronavirus patients on the eastern side of the capital.  

The statement added, “Civil defense teams and firefighting vehicles arrived at the scene to put out the fire and were able to prevent the fire from reaching the upper floors.” 

They also rescued some 90 patients and health workers who were surrounded by flames in the building, the statement said. 

"Many patients were affected by the cut of oxygen cylinders during their evacuation from the hospital, and others suffocated by the smoke," the statement added. 

A statement by the media office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said that al-Kadhimi has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, and that the families of the victims should be compensated and treatment be provided for the wounded. 

Iraq's healthcare system, already ruined by decades of sanctions, war and neglect, has been stretched during the coronavirus crisis. 

According to health ministry of Iraq total number of people infected with coronavirus in Iraq are 102,5288 including 15,217 deaths.  

INDONESIA, 25 April 2021, (TON): South East Asian leaders have greeted the head of the Myanmar army, General Min Aung Hlaing, who took power in February at Indonesian capital Jakarta . The leaders requested him to end the human rights violations and allow democratic process to prevail in the country.

General Min Aung Hlaing was requested to release political prisoners and and open a dialogue between the military and civilian leaders for peace. Myanmar was also offered group also offered humanitarian assistance.

A statement released after the summit said the leaders and foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had reached a consensus on five points.

The consensus was welcomed by Myanmar's newly formed National Unity Government (NUG), a group made up of opponents of the coup - including pro-democracy figures, representatives of the armed ethnic groups and former members of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's former government.

WASHINGTON, 25 April 2021 (TONS): US President Joseph Biden announced Saturday, the mass killing against Armenians more than a century ago as a "genocide", a move that could put US to be tried in International Court of Justice for killing over 1.6 million Afghan Muslim innocent civilian men, women and children in Afghanistan and pockets of Pakistan. The latest action by the US administration has further worsen relations between the United States and Turkey as well as Muslim world.

US when it levelled serious allegation this Saturday on Turkish leadership of 1915 for “genocide”, an attempt to deliberately wipe out Armenians. By cornering Turkey as an open target for the western world after formal announcement of American foreign policy shift by the United States, American leadership has opened a new debate against the Muslim throughout the world. But as US is exempted from obedience to international obligation its accountability of breach of international law and all prosecution of International crimes is out of question. Hence, the US President cannot be prosecuted or censured for “Hate Speech” or endangering efforts all these years for interfaith harmony.

BEIJING, 24 April, 2021 (TON): On Friday, the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi communicated with the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations via video link.

Wang said that the two heads of state had mapped out the general direction to develop ties between the two countries.

He put forward five suggestions to the United States on how to view the China-U.S. relations from a strategic perspective.

First, is to understand and view China's development objectively and rationally.

Second, the United States should work with China on a new path of peaceful and win-win cooperation.

Third, the United States should respect and tolerate the path and system that China has independently chosen.

Fourth, the United States should practice multilateralism in real sense.

Fifth, the United States should not interfere in China's internal affairs.

Wang said that the future of the China-U.S. relations depends on whether the United States can accept China's peaceful rise and whether it recognizes that the Chinese people have the right to pursue a better life.

However, many experts are of the view that despite the friendly steps, the U.S. policy towards China has not yet overcome its misunderstanding with China, and the country has not found the right path to deal with China.

COLOMBO, 24 April, 2021 (TON): An application submitted by Prime Lands Residencies Limited, for the listing of its Ordinary Voting Shares by way of an offer for subscription has been approved by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

The company will be listed on the Diri Savi Board (or Main Board as relevant) of the CSE subject to compliance with the CSE Listing Rules and Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Directives (as applicable).

The CEO of CSE Rajeeva Bandaranaike remarked, “We are glad to welcome the third equity IPO for the year 2021 at CSE, which further diversifies the companies entering the stock market in Sri Lanka. This reinforces the confidence placed in the Sri Lankan stock market by companies as a viable source of capital raising and we welcome investors to explore these expanded investment opportunities.”

The company will be offering for subscription of 100,000,000 new Ordinary Voting Shares of the Company at Rs. 10.40 with an option to issue a further 87,500,000 Ordinary Voting Shares of the Company at Rs. 10.40 per Share.

Initial Public Offering (IPO) is held to raise a total sum of Rs. 1.04 billion with an option to raise a further Rs. 910 Million in the event of an oversubscription.

However, IPO is due to be opened on 11May, 2021.

DODOMA, 24 April, 2021 (TON): On Thursday, Tanzania's new president Samia Suluhu Hassan said she was ready to defend democracy and fundamental freedoms.

The President added that she would soon hold talks with opposition leaders, in her first speech to parliament.

“Democracy, individual freedom and freedom of the press "are important to foster development and peace," the president said.

She added, "In the interest of protecting democracy, I intend to meet with all political party leaders to discuss how they can best conduct their political activities for the benefit of our country."

His first term in office was marked by a sharp decline in fundamental freedoms, according to human rights organizations.

In the end, she indicated that her country's response to the pandemic would henceforth be based on science, whereas John Magufuli systematically played down the pandemic.

WASHINGTON, 24 April, 2021 (TON): On Friday, the U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, the White House said.

This is the direct communication between the leaders of the two NATO allies whose ties have been deeply unraveled.

“President Biden spoke today with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, conveying his interest in a constructive bilateral relationship with expanded areas of cooperation and effective management of disagreements,” the White House said in a statement.

The much anticipated phone call took place more than three months after Biden’s 20 January inauguration day.

However, this delay is widely seen as a cold shoulder to Erdogan, who had enjoyed close ties with former president Donald Trump.

BANYUWANGI, 24 April, 2021 (TON): Items have been found from a missing submarine, indicating the vessel with 53 crew members has sunk, said the Indonesian army.

Rescuers found several items including parts of a torpedo straightner, a grease bottle believed to be used to oil the periscope and prayer rugs from the submarine, Navy Chief Yudo Margono said on Saturday.

Margano said, “With the authentic evidence we found believed to be from the submarine, we have now moved from the sub miss phase to sub sunk.”

Indonesia earlier considered the submarine that disappeared on Thursday off Bali as just missing. However, it now declares the submarine as officially sank with no hopes of finding any survivors.

MOSCOW, 24 April, 2021 (TON): On Friday, the imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny said that he is ending his hunger strike after getting medical attention and being warned by his doctors that continuing it would put his life at risk.

In a social media post on the 24th day of his hunger strike, Navalny said he will continue to demand a visit from his doctor to address numbness in his legs and arms that ought to be his main demand.

He also acknowledged Wednesday’s mass pro-Navalny protests across Russia and multiple letters and statements supporting him from public figures and government officials around the globe.

“Thanks to the huge support of good people across the country and around the world, we have made huge progress,” Navalny said in his message from behind bars.

“Two months ago, my requests for medical help were prompting smirks. I wasn’t given any medications. Thanks to you, now I have been examined by a panel of civilian doctors twice,” he added.

He said, another reason he was ending the hunger strike was that some of his supporters were refusing to eat in a show of solidarity with him.

Navalny started the strike 31 March, after developing severe pain in his back and loss of sensation in his legs.

Prison officials have said he was getting all the medical help he needs, but Navalny insisted he effectively received no treatment.

However, Navalny’s doctors stated that they feared he was close to dying because his test results showed sharply elevated levels of potassium, which can bring on cardiac arrest, and heightened creatinine levels that indicated impaired kidneys.