TEHRAN, 17 April, 2021 (TON): There is a need for the Taliban to change in democratic ways as today’s Afghanistan is different than it was in 2001, said Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Friday.

He said while addressing the Raisina Dialogue’s online conference, “The Taliban has to change based on democratic ways. If they want to go back to their 90s ideology, it will be impossible, as there is a new and different Afghanistan today.”

His remarks come as the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan has been officially announced and there are efforts to move the peace process forward.

“Regional countries should help Afghanistan create that picture, a democratic government, balanced ethnic representation, and a strong economy,” he stated.

“We need to put aside our differences and focus on our commonalities, including the fact that an Islamic emirate in Afghanistan is an existential threat to Pakistan and a national security threat to Iran and India,” Zarif said.

However, he stated that the role of civil society in Afghanistan today is not comparable to 2001 or the 1990s.

GENEVA, 17 April, 2021 (TON): On Friday, in a joint statement by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that a shipwreck off the coast of southeast Tunisia killed at least 41 people.

The statement said, "This tragic loss of life underscores once again the need to enhance and expand state-led search and rescue operations across the Central Mediterranean, where some 290 people have lost their lives so far this year."

Three survivors have been rescued and the search effort was still underway, said the UN agencies.

However, based on initial information, the UN agencies said that all those who died were from Sub-Saharan Africa.

ISLAMABAD, 17 April, 2021 (TON): On Saturday, the Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi leaves for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In the backdrop of confirmation by the Emirati Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef al-Otaiba, this would be Qureshi’s first official visit to the Emirates.

The Emirati Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef al-Otaiba said Pakistani and Indian officials had travelled to Dubai for backdoor negotiations.

Sources told that Qureshi was also expected to travel to Tehran and Turkey.

"We wish to get their bilateral ties back to a healthy, functional relationship,” said the Foreign Office spokesman Zahid Hafiz Chaudhry when asked at the weekly media briefing about Ambassador Otaiba’s statement.

So far, India has made no official comment on Otaiba’s statement.

However, it is expected that apart from focusing on follow-up of the last meeting between Pakistani and Indian officials in Dubai, Qureshi will also raise the issue of visas for Pakistanis, which have been stopped by the UAE.

COLOMBO, 17 April, 2021 (TON): As the Sri Lankan fruits and vegetables are popular among Oman consumers and are in high demand in the Oman market; Sri Lanka plans to boost the exports of Sri Lankan fruits and vegetables to Oman, according to the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Ameer Ajwad.

Sri Lanka Embassy in Oman jointly with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has organized a virtual B2B meeting between Carrefour Oman and eight prominent Sri Lankan fruits and vegetables exporter companies, to boost Sri Lankan exports of varieties of fruits and vegetables to Carrefour Oman hypermarket chain which has more than 12 outlets in the Sultanate of Oman.

Direct engagement between Sri Lankan exporter companies and well-established popular hypermarket chains such as Carrefour, will help to boost Sri Lankan exports of fruits and vegetables in to the Omani market.

However, Carrefour Oman Country Manager Alain Enjalbert and General Manager (Food) Pierre Rahal also participated in the virtual B2B meeting. Meanwhile, Deputy Director Prasanna Jayasinghe, Assistant Director of EDB Gayani Wijethilake and First Secretary of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Oman Dilini Abeyesekara were also present exclusively.

NEW YORK, 17 April, 2021 (TON): On Friday, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to extend the ban on the illicit export of petroleum, including crude oil and refined petroleum products, till 30 July, 2022.

This Resolution 2571 also extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Libya Sanctions Committee of the Security Council till 15 August, 2022.

The resolution calls for full compliance by all UN member states with the arms embargo, the travel ban and asset freeze, and further calls on all member states not to intervene in the conflict.

However, according to the resolution, the panel shall provide to the Security Council an interim report on its work no later than 15 December, 2021.

And also, it shall provide a final report to the council no later than 15 June, 2022, with its findings and recommendations.

BEIRUT, 17 April, 2021 (TON):  On Friday, the Russian FM Lavrov was cited saying, "Russia supports Prime Minister Hariri's efforts to form a cabinet capable of dealing with the current crisis and receiving support from Arab and foreign countries."

Hariri started his official visit to Russia on Wednesday, and wrapped up his visit to Russia after discussing with officials in Moscow the obstacles hindering cabinet formation in Lebanon and the impact of political deadlock on the local economy.

Hariri's advisor on Russian affairs George Chaaban said that Moscow has also expressed its readiness to contribute to developmental projects in Lebanon, namely in the fields of electricity, infrastructure reconstruction, and reconstruction of the Beirut port destroyed by blasts on 4 August last year.

However, Hariri was appointed Prime Minister for the third time in October 2020, but has been unable to form a cabinet since then in the light of his differences with President Michel Aoun on the form and nature of his cabinet.

THIMPHU, 17 April, 2021 (TON): The Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr Lotay Tshering urged the Bhutanese to not let their guards down against the pandemic given the deteriorating conditions in neighboring countries. 

He made the remarks after stepping out of 21-day quarantine, and that he remained in the quarantine after returning from a state visit to Bangladesh recently. 

Lyonchen warned its people of the deadliest global pandemic conditions, that this could be Bhutan if people are not careful and mindful of the global Covid-19 situation.

He said that the alarming cases in India should serve as a reminder for Bhutanese to strictly follow public health measures.

Lyonchhen warned that if people let their guards down and become complacent, it would undo all the efforts put in so far.

While intensely stressing on the current situation, he added that a single positive case in the community this time could lead to a much more severe implication for the country. “This is not the time to become complacent.”

DHAKA, 17 April, 2021 (TON): A huge amount of fake, unauthorized and expired kit for pathological tests in an operation in Dhaka has been seized by the Rapid Action Battalion or RAB.

On Thursday, the RAB-2 also detained nine accused in the drive on Biolab International in Lalmatia, its associates Exon Technologies and Services, and Hitech Healthcare warehouse in Banani.

The detainees reported that the companies collected the kit and reagents from local and foreign importers and suppliers.

A RAB magistrate led the drive conducted jointly with the Directorate General of Drug Administration.

In a statement, the agency said, that the fake kit and reagents were being used for jaundice, diabetes, pneumonia, corona-virus, cancer and other diseases.

However, the officials found that the workers were changing labels of kit and reagents that expired or were supposed to expire in a few days.

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RIYADH, 17 April, 2021 (TON): A digital driving license service has been launched in the Kingdom, the media reported.

Launched through the Interior Ministry’s Absher Individuals and Tawakkalna apps, the digital license was developed in collaboration with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

All details can be viewed electronically through a QR code. Users can also download a copy of their digital ID and driving license on a smart device for use without an internet connection.

Authorities have also launched a digital version of the Muqeem or resident ID for foreign workers.

However, in order to increase productivity and promote more efficient work practices within government departments, while at the same time, the ministry’s Absher service was introduced.

KHARTOUM, 17 April, 2021 (TON): The reports that Sudan will send its first delegation to Israel months after a deal for ties between the two countries have been denied by the Sudanese government, said the sources.

Sudan agreed to take steps toward normal ties with Israel last year in a deal brokered by then US President Donald Trump’s administration. This month, Sudan’s Cabinet voted to repeal a 1958 law to boycott Israel.

Earlier, the Sudanese sources had told the media that a Sudanese delegation comprising security and intelligence officials would travel to Israel next week.

Two official Sudanese sources told the media, that an invitation to visit Israel had been accepted, but that plans had later changed. They gave no explanation for the change.

However, Sudan’s security and defense council also denied the news.