BEIRUT, 8 March, 2021 (TON): As protests continue in Beirut, the Lebanese authorities ordered a clampdown on illegal foreign currency speculation.

The Attorney General Judge Ghassan Oweidat directed the Lebanese security services, including the Military Intelligence, the Internal Security Forces, the General Security, the State Security, and the customs officials, to pursue money-changers who tamper with the national currency and are involved in illicit foreign currency speculation.

The protesters set up roadblocks with rocks and burning tires on all major streets in Beirut and on the highways linking the regions. The Lebanese army reopened the blocked roads.

It is seems likely that this move is not the first of its kind rather is an attempt to dampen the widespread indignation that has continued for six days and intensified in street protests on Saturday and Sunday, which broke out after the dollar exchange rate hit 11,000 Lebanese pounds.

BEIJING, 8 March, 2021 (TON): On Sunday, China held talks with India on peace, partnership, and prosperity in the wake of the boundary dispute.

Last month both the countries have disengaged the troops along the LAC in Ladakh, however, over a week ago the Indian capital warned Beijing that it was not in the interest of either side to prolong the remaining boundary issues.

At his annual press meet, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday said, “The right and wrongs of what happened in the border area last year are clear, so are the stakes involved. It again proves initiating confrontation will not solve the problem. Returning to peaceful negotiation is the right way forward," he said.

China's position, he said, is very clear. "We are committed to settling the boundary dispute through dialogue and consultations," he said, adding that at the same time the Xi Jinping regime has resolved to safeguard its sovereign rights and interest.

"China and India are each other's friends and partners and not threats and rivals. Both need to help each other succeed instead of undercutting each other; we should intensify cooperation instead of harboring suspicion over each other," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

However, the Indian-Chinese relationship is essentially about how the world's two largest developing countries get along and pursue development and rejuvenation together for the sake of broad common interests and potential cooperation.  

KABUL, 8 March, 2021 (TON): Afghanistan authorities have confirmed that amid an escalation of violence across the country, at least 32 Taliban fighters have been killed and 23 others injured during clashes and airstrikes within the past 24 hours.

In the military operations in the districts of Arghandab, Panjwai, and Zerai, Kandahar conducted by the ANDSF (Afghan National Defense Security Forces) 13 Taliban fighters killed and seven others wounded, the Defense ministry stated on Sunday.

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) supported the ground forces during the operations.

The ministry said in a statement, the ANDSF also destroyed a vehicle carrying a heavy machine gun, and a number of weapons and ammunition.

According to the statement, “The engineering teams of the army also found and defused 50 rounds of landmine and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Arghandab of Kandahar.”

"The ANDSF targeted militants' positions in Obe, Pashton Zarghon districts of western Herat province, killing four militants and wounding seven others, besides destroying some amount of militants' weapons and ammunition," an army source told the media.

The authorities did not mention if there were any casualties on the side of security forces during the period.

Afghanistan is still under violent clashes even so the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban representatives are being held at Doha, Qatar. However, the talks have been in focus since September 2020 but no advancement in the solution to the conflict is yet seen.

DAKAR, 8 March, 2021 (TON): Calm reigns in the major cities of Senegal after four days of demonstrations but the protestors vowed to return to the streets if the decision taken against Ousmane Sonko is unfavorable.

"We issue a warning to President Macky. Let him know that he has not touched Sonko but the youth because Sonko is the hope of an entire nation. All we want is for him to set him free. If he doesn't, today we're on a break, we'll listen to him by tomorrow. If we don't hear from him, we'll do worse than we have already done."

"If he sees the message of our peaceful march, we will demonstrate peacefully. But if he doesn't react, we will opt for violence. We will destroy everything. If he locks him up, we will find him in the palace,” a protestor said.

Sonko 46, charged with sexual harassment is due to appear before the court in Dakar on Monday.

Although, Sonko is a popular candidate in 2024 and a potential challenger to Macky Stall, however, now his political career is doubted for his charges.

BEIJING, 8 March, 2021 (TON): On Sunday, China urged the U.S. to remove unreasonable restraints on cooperation and step forward to work together on issues like climate change.

Speaking at his annual news conference, the Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councilor Wang Yi, struck a tough line even as he outlined where the world's two biggest economies could work together.

Questioned about recent US-China frictions over Taiwan, Xinjiang and the disputed South China Sea, Wang said Beijing "will never accept baseless accusations and smears".

The United States had used democracy and human rights as a basis for arbitrarily interfering with other countries' affairs, he said. "The US should realize this as soon as possible; otherwise the world will continue to experience instability."

"It is hoped that the United States and China will meet each other halfway and lift the various unreasonable restrictions placed on Sino-US cooperation to date as soon as possible, and not create new obstacles artificially," he added.

These remarks appeared after U.S. President Biden spoke about his country’s growing rivalry with China, while his top diplomat described China as the biggest geopolitical test of the century.

Although China accused Washington of spreading chaos in the name of democracy while referring to the treatment of the minority Muslims in China and China’s boosted plans for the century, China is likely to manage the differences between the two sides and that both together should advocate healthy competition.

CAIRO, 8 March, 2021 (TON): Egypt has not discussed the maritime border issue with Turkey; Egyptian diplomatic sources denied the rumors.

The sources said Cairo does not intend to negotiate with Turkey. Egypt is committed to Cyprus and Greece being part of any negotiations, they added.

Turkish claims that a resolution is close to being reached are false, the sources said.
“The Egyptian side is sticking to its position rejecting the maritime agreement signed between the Libyan Government of National Accord and Ankara,” they said.

“Egypt’s respect for the maritime borders of the Mediterranean countries is not new and Turkey’s attempts to claim that the two countries have negotiated are incorrect.”

The comments followed as Turkey claimed to finalize an agreement with Egypt in line with the maritime authority agreement.

SANA’A, 8 March, 2021 (TON): On Sunday, the foreign ministry of Yemen announced restoring diplomatic ties with Qatar.

The announcement came following talks in Doha between Yemen’s foreign minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, while, appreciation over the humanitarian assistance in Yemen was also noted.

Mutual cooperation on the political, regional, and international developments was set between the two sides.

Reports state that both parties agreed to unite diplomatic positions in Yemen to promote and secure peace and regional stability.

However, the Gulf including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt ceased a three-year rift with Qatar, and the previous month Kuwait hosted bilateral talks with Qatar and Egypt, and Qatar and UAE.  

NEW DELHI, 7 March 2021, (TON): India is all set yo launch on March 28 an earth observation satellite, GISAT-1 that will provide it near real-time images of its borders and also enable quick monitoring of natural disasters. An official of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed the event.

GISAT-1, weighing about 2,268 kg is slated to be lofted into space by GSLV-F10 rocket from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district, about 100 kms north of Chennai.

The rocket will place the spacecraft in a geosynchronous orbit. It will be subsequently positioned in geostationary orbit, about 36,000 kms above earth's equator, using its onboard propulsion system.

It was reveled that it was US-India joint planning and earth observation satellite in geostationary orbit has key advantages which benefit India’s monitoring as it will give ear real-time observation under cloud-free condition.

ISLAMABAD, 6 March, 2021 (TON): Pakistan again offers India to have dialogue and talks, asking not to shy away from the negotiations over the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

A Foreign office spokesman said, "Our only dispute is Kashmir and it can only be resolved through dialogue. Pakistan has never shied away from talks and has always called for peaceful resolution to all outstanding disputes, including the internationally recognized dispute of Jammu and Kashmir."

"The principle of negotiations stated that anyone who runs away has a weak position on the negotiating table.

"The way we have been articulating our position shows that we have a position of strength. Let me reiterate that there is no change in Pakistan's principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

"Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute and needs to be resolved in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions that call for a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices," he added.

While reviewing the situation along the LoC and all other sectors, and the ceasefire agreement, he said, "The agreement will help save Kashmiri lives and alleviate the sufferings of the Kashmiris living along the LoC. Pakistan has consistently underscored the need for implementation of the 2003 ceasefire understanding in letter and spirit for maintenance of peace along the Line of Control and for saving the previous lives of innocent Kashmiris. We have also maintained that escalation along the LoC is a threat to regional peace and security," the spokesperson added.

The tension between the two sides were never gone, however, the situation got intense after the exchange of fire on the LOC, specially after the Pulwama attack in 2019. But, it is likely that the vacuum between the two has now de-escalated and there is a hope to witness some positive movement between the two arch-rivals.

SYDNEY, 6 March, 2021 (TON): On Saturday, in solidarity with the Myanmar protests people gathered in Sydney and urged the Australian government take action against the Myanmar junta.

On Saturday, Myanmar security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to break up a protest in Yangon, just hours after a United Nations special envoy called on the Security Council to take action.

"We are here to commit as much as we can do to help our country, to show the people that we are suffering together with them and we are with them, that we are fighting day after day," said protester Sophia Sarkis.

"We would like to urge the Australian government to work closely with the US, UK, and EU governments and take strong action against these Myanmar military dictators," protest organizer said.

The protestors have reportedly heard of urging the world to stand with Myanmar, and put efforts in marginalizing the junta.