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Afshain Afzal
YANGON, 27 February 2021, (TON): Myanmar military announced on Friday the all operations against the militant and armed groups would remain suspended for another one month. The suspension period of its operation against armed groups was to the end on 1 March.
During the period, the military's operation will be suspended across the country,
The military authorities in a statement said, “All military operations will be suspended excluding state defence and administrative measures in the country to enable ethnic armed organizations to continuously join the dialogue, according to the statement.”
Myanmar’s military has seized power on 1 February 2021 and declared a state of emergency for one year following days of escalating tension over the result of November’s parliamentary elections. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, citing “huge irregularities” in November’s vote took over the control of the country. Political leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other senior members of the National League for Democracy were placed on preventive custody.
TOKYO, 19 February 2021, (TON): Seiko Hashimoto has taken over as new Tokyo Olympic President after removal of Yoshiro Mori, existing President Olympic, who passed obnoxious unethical comments about women. 83 years old Yoshiro Mori also remained as former Japanese prime minister.
Seiko Hashimoto appeared in seven Olympics and has made a history as in Japan, women are rarely appointed on top positions. As per the details, 56 year-old Hashimoto was named as president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee after a meeting of its executive board. Hashimoto had been serving as the Olympic minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. She also held a portfolio dealing with gender equality and women's empowerment.
The Olympics are scheduled to open on 23 July with 11,000 athletes, followed by the Paralympics on 24 August with 4,400 athletes. The International Olympic Committee s said it will not require participants to be vaccinated. In addition to the athletes, tens of thousands of officials, media, sponsors and broadcasters are also likely to visit Japan. The pulling off the torch relay would begin on 25 March in northeastern Japan. It will crisscross the country with about 10,000 runners, and end at the opening ceremony in Tokyo.
KATMANDU, 18 February 2021, (TON): China has announced it decision to provide 500,000 doses of BBIBP-CorV vaccine, developed by Sinopharm, under grant assistance programme.
The Nepalese Department of Drug Administration, The National Drug Regulatory Authority, has granted emergency use approval to a COVID-19 vaccine, “Sinopharm” developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd (BIBP) in China. India had also submitted two applications for the approval of its vaccine but it has been rejected.
Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is granted for some drugs and vaccines by authorities for temporary period during a emergency so that authorities gain time to test and make a judgment to establish its electiveness, safety and side effects. Such a decision is normally taken when there are evidences to support that patients have recovered from the drug/vaccine.
We cannot ignore to investigate that there is also a general perception that Coronavirus is a biological weapon created to achieve some objectives. Although real, the Coronavirus has been exaggerated manifolds and its spread is intentional against the human rights and other international laws to implement the new strategies of the bankers and businessmen. The package for world governments to introduce smart and strategic technologies based applications and national plans to build future of education, health, economy, services etc. on digital lines, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics solutions with focus on operating from home. In the first step old systems, applications, software as well as hardware will be no more compactable and new versions of 5G would be prerequisite to enter into the future. This is aimed to achieve objectives ranging from new businesses to control over the day to day affairs of the whole world.
NEW DELHI, 17 February 2021, (TON): A communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan by Indian President Kovind said, “The President has directed that Dr. Kiran Bedi shall cease to hold the office of the Lieutenant-Governor of Puducherry and has appointed Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana, to discharge the functions of the Lieutenant-Governor of Puducherry, in addition to her own duties.”
Kiran Bedi was removed as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry late on Tuesday evening. Telangana Governor Tamilsai Soundararajan has been given additional charge of the Union Territory until regular arrangements are made.
Withdrawal of Dr. Kiran Bedi from the post has been highly resented and some locals took to the streets Wednesday to protest unjust presidential order. Protesters were chanting slogans against Tamilsai Soundararajan and Indian President for dragging the office into the politics. There are unjustified reports that Dr. Kiran Bedi had soft corner for Pakistan. Her statements including, “Imagine good relations with Pakistan? Would love to bike to Lahore from Amritsar. My parents used to go, see a movie there & return same day,” are taken negatively.
Congress leadership has expressed concern, claiming the move was to further weaken Congress ahead of elections in May 2021. The Presidential order was issued at a time when Congress leader resigned from the Assembly, leaving Congress government on the brink of collapse.
Narayanasamy who resigned from Congress and joined BJP said in a statement that the removal of Kiran Bedi as Lieutenant-Governor of Puducherry is a victory for the people. Congress leaders have started resigning including Narayanasamy , E Theeppainjan, Malladi Krishna Rao and John Kumar so far while another N Dhanavelou, was disqualified last year for alleged anti-party activities.
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As the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is all set to begin on 8 February, to prove allegations against his involvement in inciting an insurrection and threatening democracy, there are dim chances that President Joe Biden would utter even a single word on investigation of Election fraud. The impeachment trial process involves, the Senate to hold a judicial-style trial of President Trump. On 13 January this year, the House of Representatives attempted to impeach President Trump for a second time on the charges of 6th January protests that allegedly invited incident of violence, resulting in killing five people at the Capitol Hill in Washington. Democrats claims that the violence erupted on the instigation of by President Trump after he addressed thousands of his supporters outside the building in order to stand against the election 2020 fraud results. There is no doubt that President Trump’s case for impeachment has no merit as violation of law, rule, regulation, or statute has not taken place. Hence, he cannot neither be properly removed nor impeached because he has not committed actually a statutory crime.
Keeping aside popular claims that Election 2020 was computer engineered fraud, if we critically analyze the situation post Election 2020; Joe Biden was not President of the US as he had not yet taken oath under Article II. In grave violation of the constitutional provisions, Joe Biden along with certain officials were actually controlling the Administration and the Pentagon that also was the real cause that led to tragic incident of killing of five persons on 6th January. The Democrats on the incitement of Joe Biden were blocking the path of democratic peaceful protests by the supporters of President Trump. Had there no counter-rallies, five people would have not been killed.
There are at least five main issues to be discussed to help those who intend to carryout impeachment process; 1) Under the First Amendment US governments legitimately may impose limited curfews only during times of dire emergency but Mayor of Washington, Muriel E. Bowser imposed curfew based on political uncertainty from 6 to 21 January. Is a Mayor authorized to do so without proclamation of disaster; 2) President Trump was Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the US and of the Militia. Why despite initial President’s opposition National Guards were deployed in Washington; 3) If the US President decides to delay some event under which law he be prevented from doing so; 4) Under which constitutional provision President Trump was kept aside and Vice President was asked to remove the President from office; and 5) Under which law Pentagon and secret services took the stage and prevented President Trump from certain actions in the name of national security, which he also mentioned in his speeches?
Article II of the constitution bars exercise of any power or interference in affairs of the United States government until proper oath is taken, “Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Since no such oath was taken by Joe Biden so he was not entitled to furnish any opinion or order with regard to affairs of the United States.
A quick look to other provisions American constitution; Article II of the Constitution of USA provides that a President of the United States and the Vice President shall hold their office during the term of four years. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President. And in case of both of the President and Vice President in same context, Congress appoints an officer to act as President to act accordingly, until the disability is removed, or a President shall be elected. When there was no issue with the President or Vice President, how Joe Biden could incite to prevent and exclude President Trump from exercising his lawful right to run the governmental affairs. The State institutions and agencies were also preventing him to perform his obligations or deliver traditional speeches etc.
Article 1, Section 8: Powers of Congress highlights Congress power to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union suppress insurrections and repel invasions. Congress has powers to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively… Section 2 provides that the President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States… But despite initial President’s opposition of bringing military into the politics, National Guards were deployed in Washington and elsewhere. There is a question how any order wan be given bypassing US Commander in Chief.
Article 1 Section 3 judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor. Impeachment in Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution allows for the removal of federal officials, including the vice president, from office for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors". In case of President Trump there was none of condition that was applicable on President Trump so how he was prevented from running the affairs and Vice President was asked to impeach him and run the show.
Congress ratified and adopted it by the Act of 21 March1942, by which it was made a misdemeanor to knowingly enter, remain in, or leave prescribed military areas contrary to the orders of the Secretary of War or of the Commanding Officer of the area. The cases which subsequently arose in consequence of the order were decided under the order plus the Act. How President Trump fits here? One wonders where the evidences of crimes he committed are and who will be the witness of what. The fact cannot be denied that no evidence exists on ground or has been highlighted till now other than the narration of the incident in which five people were killed when President Trump’s supporters gave call for peaceful protests. The real unresolved issue is that once the Impeachment drama is over, will Washington investigate evidences of fraud in Election 2020?
By Afshain Afzal
WASHINGTON, 23 January 2021, (TON): The latest revelation by the former acting US Defense Secretary Christopher Miller did not surprise anyone claiming that when he took the office in November 2020, he had three goals: “No Major War, No Military Coup and No Troops on the Street.” All these orders were also earlier passed by the Commander of Chief of US Forces, President Donald Trump but pressure from the “War Veterans” and members of “LGBT community” reversed orders including, “No Major War, No Military Coup and No Troops on the Street.”
On 3 September 2019, US President Donald Trump tweeted that he believed Democrats initiating an impeachment inquiry were staging a coup but the impeachment inquiry is a baked-in process of the government, not a tool of hostile takeover. On 28 August 2020, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley ensured Congress that US military will not play a role in November’s election and won’t help settle any disputes if the results are contested. General Milley said, the Constitution and the laws of the US will govern elections and “in the event of a dispute over some aspect of the elections, by law US Courts and the US Congress are required to resolve any dispute and not the US military.”
We should not forget that six month ahead of Election 2020, Biden said pointing towards Pentagon, "I promise you, I am absolutely convinced they will escort him from the White House with great dispatch." If we recall, President Donald Trump had tweeted that transgender people would no longer be allowed to serve in the military, as the armed forces needed to focus on decisive and overwhelming victory and in the same context in January 2019 the US Supreme Court allowed the Pentagon’s transgender limits to take effect, which were implemented in April 2019. But Joe Biden promised to reverse everything to make USA most attractive place for unnatural crimes and sins.
Meanwhile, the Department of Defence officials claim that they are not allowed to speak about the policy being followed US military; however, it is unusual and illegitimate. Not many people in the government departments speak openly about President Trump but at least one person, on the condition of anonymity, said “he is not free man in Florida resort”. Supporters of President Trump said, “Trump’s second trial scheduled to begin on 8 February 2021, is a treacherous drama to blame innocent with the help of handful of paid-witnesses.” One wonders, it seem true that President Trump might have not stopped his supporters from protesting at Capitol Hill but can these less than half a dozen witnesses take oath on Bible that President directly ordered them to play foul that led to deaths of innocents. The witnesses are naming secret service personnel to have asked them to play havoc but why do not they name them?
The other day, US Army National Guard’s helicopter, UH-60 was carrying heavy loads and personnel crashed in Mendon, approximately 20 miles south of Rochester in Monroe County. It is not yet clear what caused the crash but indirect indications revealed that a sabotage attempt cannot be ruled out. The National Guard and Federal Aviation branch are investigating the cause of the crash as sabotage attempt is being suspected. Meanwhile, 102nd Military Police Battalion HQ in Auburn deployed on support security operations in Washington since Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony claimed that there is a feeling of uncertainty and suspicion amongst the Army personnel as anything may happen anytime. Sources quoting Pentagon said US troops will remain deployed upto April 2021 and may be longer. The developments suggest that game is not over and may take an ugly turn anytime.
NEW DELHI, 15 January 2021, (TON): Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali arrived here on yesterday on a three-day visit to India. Pradeep Kumar is schedule to attend the India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting in which boundary dispute between India and Nepal will be discussed with Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said Nepal will get back every inch of its territory. If we recall a border row triggered last year after Indian forces refused to withdraw from Nepalese territory and Kathmandu was forced to publish a new political map that showed the three Nepalese territories; Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulekh which were illegally occupied by India as its own territories. The joint commission is the highest mechanism between the two countries to discuss the entire gamut various issues relating to bilateral relations.
The sixth joint commission meeting was held today on Friday "to discuss the whole gamut of Nepal-India bilateral relations, including territorial dispute, trade, transit, energy, infrastructure, connectivity, investment, agriculture, tourism, culture and other others".
UNITED NATIONS, 5 January 2021, (TON): At a flag ceremony on Monday India took its place on UN Security Council important decision-making body. On the occasion India’s Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti pledged that India would “not shy away from raising our voice against the common enemies of humanity like terrorism,” He said, “We will use our tenure to bring human-centric and inclusive solutions to matters of international peace and security. India will be a voice for the developing world.” He added, “From Kashmir to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), we stand united as one, bound by our ethos of democracy, pluralism and commitment to fundamental rights.”
The 15-member Council has ten non-permanent elected members and five permanent members, who have veto powers. India officially assumed its role in the Council on 1 January 2021 but as due to holidays the first session was held on 4 January. India was elected last June to its two-year tenure on the Council.
While India is striving for its strong commitment to reformed multilateralism in the UN and quest for permanent seat in a reformed UN system, it own human rights record is poor inside India as well as sometimes outside, when assigned international role as UN observers and police force.
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JAMMU AND KASHMIR , 3 January 2021, (TON): Indian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat along with Indian Army Chief paid Saturday a visit to prime strategic Air Bases in the Western Air Command and 14 Corps Headquarters. All Corps and Divisional Commanders of the respective commands were also present there. CDS was briefed about the existing security situation at Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC) and border with Bangladesh. He was also briefed about the new Indian Air Force Base near Leh, where foreign personnel are also based; emphasizing that India has strategic edge over Pakistan in terms of fighter squadrons. On the occasion General Rawat took stock of Regular Army, Special Frontier Force (SFF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) deployed in the forward posts.
General Rawat was briefed about operational readiness of Indian Airforce Forces elements at Srinagar, Bhatinda, Halwara, Leh Thoise, Nyoma , Nimu, Chabua, Tezpur, Hashimara and Ambala as well as Army Aviation and Air Defence setups. There are reports that briefing included general layout of site selection for deployment of launcher of Agni – II and Agni – III missiles. During the briefing General Rawat said “Our Electronic Warfare Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Communications Intelligence (COMINT) setups in freezing winter are there to deter eye on Pakistan, Bangladesh and China to deter Pakistan-trained terrorists which are threat to India,” He said, “India and Pakistan go to war over Kashmir or a there has to be a continuous pro-active approach for the adversary to realize the costs of supporting a proxy war,” He added, “Nothing can deter the Indian Armed Forces from remaining steadfast in their call to duty.”
Meanwhile, an officer from 3341 Missile Group operating Agni missiles informed pointing on map, on the condition of anonymity, “India’s missile forces are located closer to Pakistan than China at Kamptee and Pune in Western India, Secunderabad in Central India, and Rajasthan in North-Western India,” He also said, “We have already issued launchers and stocks since early July last year to respective formations but these are not for imposing war.”
General Rawat would visit several other key bases on Sunday to gain first-hand experience of the security scenario, from where both China and Pakistan can be targeted. He was informed that most of locations are currently in the grip of a severe cold due to heavy snow with temperatures dropping below zero hence the weather conditions may hinder prolong operations. It has been reported the visit is to boost the morale of personnel deployed who are normally withdrawn during winters.
