NEW DELHI, 22 January, 2021, (TON): A Muslim shrine was vandalized and painted with saffron colour in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur city of India on 17^th January by some miscreants belonging to Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal.

As per reports, some locals said these miscreants were coming to the shrine area for three days and causing mischief in the area. The shrine was vandalized and ‘Jai Shri Ram’ was written on the walls, but till now no action has been taken by the police of Uttar Pradesh.

The Qazi of Kanpur city, Qari Abdul Quddos said that individuals belonging to Hindu right-wing organisations were involved in the attack. Complaints were lodged with the Bithoor police station. But no action was taken. Had the police acted upon, the mosque would have been saved.”

The police have lodged a case against 40-50 people but no one has been arrested over the incident so far.

SHO of Bithoor police station, Kushalendra Pratap Singh denied Shrine vandalizing and said only the outer wall of the grave has been painted with saffron. But other sources contradict the SHO.

Religious intolerance in India is growing under PM Modi's right-wing government. Religious symbols are being destroyed and the religious and cultural rights and freedoms are being trampled with impunity in the Indian.

KHARTOUM, 22, January, 2021, (TON): Dominic Raab, British Foreign Secretary landed in the capital of Sudan to have bilateral talks and to review the tensions along the Sudan-Ethiopia border on Thursday.

The functionary met General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of Sudan's ruling sovereign council, Sudan's prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, and acting foreign minister Omar Qamar al-Din said the media.

Potential military conflict has been going on as violent clashes between the Sudanese forces and Ethiopian militias are going on the border of the neighboring counties.

Along with the discussion on the border tensions, water dispute between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia was expected to be discussed. The dispute is over Ethiopia's construction of a controversial dam on the Blue Nile River, the main tributary of the Nile.

The aftermath of the tenure of the autocratic Omar al-Bashir in April 2019, Sudan is now the democratic path after nearly three decades with a military-civilian government in power.

"Sudan is passing through a critical juncture in its transition to democracy," Raab was quoted by the media as, "The U.K. takes pride in standing by the side of the Sudanese people."

Raab announced a provision of 40 million pounds to the Sudan Family Support Program, which will provide 1.6 million people with direct financial support, in a move to support the economic reforms of the Sudanese government.

Although U.K. is offering a handsome financial aid to the Sudanese people, the people in the United Kingdom is facing the recession and consequences related.

BAGHDAD, 22 January, 2021, (TON): Iraqi authorities say two suicide bombers blew themselves up in Tayaran Square in the centre of Baghdad clothing market, killing at least 35 people and wounding over 100. After a suicide-bomber blew himself up at the market in Baghdad Thursday, a second bomber blew himself up as a crowd of bystanders gathered, causing further casualties.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi held an urgent meeting with top security commanders to discuss Thursday’s attacks, the premier’s office said in a brief statement. Iraqi security forces were deployed and key roads blocked to prevent possible further attacks.

Following the urgent meeting, Kadhimi sacked key security and police commanders, deputy interior minister for intelligence affairs, director of counter terrorism and intelligence in the interior ministry and commander of federal police forces, said a military spokesman in a statement.

An interior ministry spokesman told Reuters the death toll was at least 23, with that number expected to rise as some of those wounded were in critical condition.

Baghdad Security Operations Chief Gen. Tahseen al-Khafajy told state TV that the second bomber deliberately tried to draw a large crowd to the scene of the first explosion to cause a maximum number of casualties.

Iraqi armed forces spokesman General Yehya Rassoul claimed that the two suicide bombers "blew themselves up as military intelligence forces were closing in on them."

The United States embassy in Iraq also strongly condemned the attack saying it reprehensible act of cowardice that underscores the dangers of terrorism that millions of Iraqis continue to face.

Iraqi authorities did not immediately say who they believed was behind the bombing, but called it a terrorist incident.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Suicide bombings have been rare in the Iraqi capital since the defeat of the State militant group in 2017. This is the first major such incidents in the Iraqi capital in the past 18 months.

BUENOS AIRES, 22 January, 2021, (TON): The Foreign Ministry of Argentina said that Lufthansa, a German airline has seek permission for the Argentine government to fly over its country on the way to Falklands, adding that the request implies recognition of Falklands as an Argentine territory.  

The airline said that request for two flights were made that assisted a polar research expedition for the normal route via Cape Town has been suspended due to the pandemic.

In 1982, a war was led for Argentina and Britain have long disputed ownership of the Falklands, for decades with the Argentina claiming dominion over the British run islands, it calls the Malvinas. 

The Argentine government said that the airlines asked for permission to carry scientists and logistical support staff from Hamburg to Mount Pleasant in the Falklands, where they will board a ship, Polarstern to America to conduct a research on the climate change and also to dock in Port Stanley, the capital of the British held territory.

For February 1, and March 30 the two 15 hour flights are scheduled.

The Foreign Ministry said the German Embassy also asked for authorization from the Argentine Naval Prefecture for the Polarstern ship to enter “Puerto Argentino,” the Argentine name for the Falklands capital Port Stanley.

“The relevance of Lufthansa’s request presented to the Argentine authorities is highlighted as it implies the recognition of the Malvinas Islands as part of Argentine territory,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Last year, Argentina has appointed a Malvinas minister, renewed its drive to reclaim the Falklands, saying it will revise maps to emphasize its claim for use in schools and lobbying at the United Nations.

The German government did not immediately respond to the media.

On Wednesday, Lufthansa announced the alternate route for the flight via the Falklands and praised that it will be the longest passenger flight in the history of its company, marking one of the most unique flights the airline has ever carried out.

The passengers and the crew at present are taking all precautionary measures considering the pandemic crisis to avoid any cases in the remote region.

BANGUI, 22 January, 2021, (TON): The Central African Republic on Thursday announced a 15-day emergency as armed groups tried to blockade the capital Bangui in a bid to topple newly re-elected President Faustin Archange Touadera.

State of emergency was declared on Thursday to help crack down on armed groups, as the United Nations’ envoy to CAR called for the deployment of many more peacekeepers in response to a recent surge in attacks.

The country "is at serious risk of a security and peacebuilding setback," envoy Mankeur Ndiaye said in an address to the UN Security Council.

Ndiaye said a substantial rise in the number of soldiers would help the mission on the ground, but did not mention how many more troops would be needed.

Government spokesman Albert Yaloke said in a statement that the state of emergency, which will last 15 days, lets the authorities fast-track arrests by allowing the military to detain suspects without going through a prosecutor.

Attacks on supply convoys by militia groups and their political allies, including former president Francois Bozize, are risking supplies of food, medicine and resources for services such as hospitals, said Vladimir Monteiro, spokesman for the UN's mission, known as MINUSCA.

The rebels launched two simultaneous attacks on Bangui on January 13^th, but were rebuffed by MINUSCA, which has been present in the country since 2014.

"Since the thwarted offensive of the 13th, there haven't been any other attacks, just incidents linked to the curfew," said lieutenant-colonel Abdoulaziz Fall, one of the MINUSCA spokesmen.

The country of 4.7 million has been struggling to stabilize due to successive waves of violence since 2013 that have killed thousands and forced more than a million leaving their homes.

Seven peacekeepers have been killed in the weeks-long surge of violence.

WASHINGTON, 22 January, 2021, (TON): The U.S. would seek a five-year extension of an expiring arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow, according to reports on Thursday.

Joe Biden administration decided to accept Russia's offer to extend the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty for the full five years and is proposing that the two sides "explore new verifiable arms control agreements" in the future.

Biden's nominee for Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Biden would extend the treaty.

During confirmation hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Blinken said, "I know that he does intend to seek an extension, and we have to make a decision as President about what duration we would seek."

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which caps Washington and Moscow's deployed nuclear weapons at 1,550 each, is set to expire on February 5^th, unless both sides agree to keep it in force.

The New START can be extended by a maximum of five years with the consent of the two countries. The treaty, which stipulates limits to the numbers of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems, is the last remaining nuclear arms control pact in force between the two nuclear superpowers.

Russia first offered to extend the treaty without preconditions in early 2020. But the Trump administration sought to negotiate a new agreement that paved the way for a follow-on treaty that covered more weapons, including tactical nuclear weapons that are not included in New START.

JOHANNESBURG, 22 January, 2021, (TON): The South African economy is expected to grow by 3.6 percent in 2021 following a rebound in the third quarter of 2020, said South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kganyago on Thursday.

Kganyago said, "Gross domestic product (GDP) is now expected to grow by 3.6 percent in 2021 and by 2.4 percent in 2022. GDP growth of 2.5 percent is expected in 2023."

He added that global growth, vaccine distribution, low cost of capital and high commodity prices supports the country's growth.

Despite some very robust terms of trade and stronger exports, it would take time to return to pre-COVID-19 output levels, said Kganyago.

"Sharply lower public and private investment last year and continued weakness in 2021 will weigh on growth prospects," he said, adding that "new waves of the COVID-19 virus are likely to periodically weigh on economic activity both globally and locally. In addition, constraints to the domestic supply of energy, weak investment and uncertainty about vaccine rollout remain serious downside risks to domestic growth."

South Africa and Nigeria, the two largest economies in the region, saw output fall sharply in 2020 and agriculture growth slowing. Both countries also saw a dramatic drop in per capita income, which has pushed tens of millions more people into extreme poverty.

NEW YORK, 22 January, 2021, (TON): UN General Assembly on Thursday, January 21^st, adopted a resolution calling for greater efforts to promote a culture of tolerance and peace at all levels based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and beliefs.

It condemns offences or mockery against religious sites and symbols, rejects the use of violence to express any point of view and aims to develop a culture of peace as a shield against extremism and intolerance. 

It invites all member states, the UN system, regional and nongovernmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders to support UN initiatives that promote tolerance, including the UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites.

Member States denounced any moves to obliterate or forcibly convert religious sites, while strongly deploring violence against persons on the basis of their religion or belief.

The Assembly condemned any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and urged States to take effective measures to combat such incidents.

The resolution expresses concern about the increase in incidents of racial and religious intolerance, discrimination and related violence, as well as of negative racial and religious stereotyping.

It expresses deep concern at the continued serious instances of derogatory stereotyping, negative profiling and stigmatization of persons based on their religion or belief, as well as programs and agendas pursued by extremist individuals, organizations and groups aimed at creating and perpetuating negative stereotypes about religious groups.

It reaffirms the essential need to strengthen international, regional and subregional cooperation aimed at enhancing the national capacity of member states to prevent and effectively suppress attacks on places of worship.

The resolution deplores damage to the cultural heritage of countries in situations of crisis, conflict and post-conflict, and calls for an immediate end to such acts.

The resolution calls on the United Nations to continue to develop strategies, educational initiatives and global communications campaigns and tools aimed at strengthening the protection of religious sites and cultural heritage, fostering mutual respect and understanding, enhancing media awareness and countering religious intolerance and hate speech.

The representative of Pakistan, while speaking in UNGA categorically rejected the “unwarranted assertions” made against his country by India’s delegate and said “India is a leading State sponsor of discrimination against minorities, India is in no position to blame others.”

It invites all member states to enhance education and capacity-building to counter incitement to violence through fostering the messages of unity, solidarity and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, raising awareness and mutual respect toward promoting the culture of peace, non-violence and non-discrimination, and promoting understanding among people of all cultures, religions and beliefs, as well as the importance of peaceful coexistence.

LONDON, January 21, 2021, (TON): On Thursday, European Union Ambassador, Joao Vale de Almeida is denied of full diplomatic status by the Great Britain thus causing a spat between the parties. 

Britain had been an EU member for 46 years, voted to quit in 2016 and Brexit fully took action and completed the tortuous journey on December 31, 2020.

The media reported that the Foreign Office refused to grant the same diplomatic status and privileges to EU ambassador Joao Vale de Almeida and his team as it gives to envoys of countries, on the basis that the EU is not a nation state.

An immediate comment on the action did not come up by the Foreign Office.

The EU has 143 delegations, equivalent to diplomatic missions, around the world. All of them have been granted full diplomatic status by the host countries.

A letter sent to the British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab by Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, was quoted by the media in which he said,  London’s proposals on the issue did not constitute a reasonable basis for agreement.

Borrell wrote that the arrangements offered do not reflect the specific character of the EU, nor do they respond to the future relationship between the EU and the UK as an important non-member.

The report quoted the Foreign Office in London as saying, “engagement continues with the EU on the long-term arrangements for the EU delegation to the UK.”

The EU sources had accused Britain of pettiness and hypocrisy, that when it was still a member, it had signed up to granting EU envoys full diplomatic status.

NEW YORK, 21 January, 2021, (TON): The UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomes the positive steps announced by the US administration relating to migration and refugees. 

“The Secretary-General looks forward to working with the new US administration to strengthen multilateral cooperation in these areas. He also hopes to see the United States join the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration,” Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General said in a statement.

“Support from the United States to address the needs of migrants and refugees has been strong and steadfast,” the statement added.

“This partnership is needed now more than ever as we seek to provide assistance, protection and sustainable solutions to the displacement of record numbers of people who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of conflict, violence or disaster, or are migrating in the hopes of finding a better life for themselves and their families,” 

said the statement.

Earlier, Joe Biden pledged to roll back the Trump administration’s restrictive asylum policies.  Just hours after taking the oath of office, Biden acted to dismantle Trump's immigration policies. Biden ordered an end to the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and a ban on travel from some Muslim-majority countries.