ADDIS ABABA, 16 July 2021, (TON): Three Ethiopian regions previously untouched by the war in Tigray confirmed that they were deploying forces to back military operations there, signalling a potential widening of the conflict.

The reinforcements are coming from Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest region, as well as the Sidama region and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), according to official statements and state media reports.

The mobilisation follows Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s warning on Wednesday that his forces would repel any attacks by their enemies, effectively tearing up a government-declared ceasefire on June 28.

Oromia and Sidama regional special forces have moved towards the front line. The Sidama special forces have arrived at the front line. state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported.

Abiy sent troops into Tigray last November, saying the move came in response to an assault on federal army camps ordered by the region’s ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The prime minister, a 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner, declared victory in late November, but fighting persisted and TPLF leaders remained on the run.

COLOMBO, 16 July 2021, (TON): While saying that Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) was active in Sri Lanka until recently, R. Demet Şekercioğlu, Ambassador of Turkey said the country will maintain its close cooperation with the Sri Lankan counterparts to prevent any possible attempt from FETO elements to take shelter in Sri Lanka.

She expressed these views on the occasion of the fifth year commemoration of the thwarted coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

She said “We are pleased to note that our collective efforts with international partners reached success to a greater extent and Sri Lanka is also among those countries. From the very beginning, Turkey has warned Sri Lankan authorities against the malicious activities of FETO, which was active through an affiliated school and some business organizations in this country. We are deeply appreciative of the support extended by the Sri Lankan authorities to eliminate the FETO presence in Sri Lanka.”

She pointed out “as Turkey continues to intensify its operations all around the world, FETO members are feeling trapped more than ever and have been seeking a safe haven. At this juncture, it has gained much more importance to rigorously follow the activities of FETO affiliates in every corner of the world.”

COLOMBO, 16 July 2021, (TON): Major General Priyantha Perera has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Army with effect from July 17.

He has been appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa under the recommendation of Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva.

Major General Perera is the Commander, Security Forces, Jaffna and also served a number of key appointments as the Commander, Security Forces, Wanni, General Officer Commanding, 59 Division, overlooking General Officer Commanding, 51 Division, 513 Brigade Commander, Commander, 144 Brigade as the Officer responsible for security, health and safety of the new Defence Headquarters complex at Sri Jayawardenepura and a few more offices.

He is also the Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps.

Major General Perera, a proud product of Isipathana College, Colombo , joined the Sri Lanka Army on 2nd June 1986 as an Officer Cadet to the Regular Intake - 24.

BERLIN, 16 July 2021, (TON): At least 42 people have died in Germany and dozens were missing as record rainfall in western Europe caused rivers to burst their banks, swept away homes and flooded cellars.

Police said “eighteen people died and dozens were missing around the wine-growing region of Ahrweiler, in Rhineland-Palatinate state, after the Ahr river that flows into the Rhine rose and brought down half a dozen houses.”

Authorities said “another 15 people died in the Euskirchen region south of the city of Bonn. In Belgium, two men died due to the torrential rain and a 15-year-old girl was missing after being swept away by a swollen river.”

Hundreds of soldiers were helping police with the rescue efforts in Germany, using tanks to clear roads of landslides and fallen trees, while helicopters winched those stranded on rooftops to safety.

In Ahrweiler, two wrecked cars leant steeply against either side of the town's stone gate and locals used snow shovels and brooms to sweep mud from their homes and shops after the floodwaters receded.

Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her dismay.

NAYPYITAW, 16 July 2021, (TON): The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) reported heavy clashes in Kachin State’s Hpakant Township morning following an ambush on regime forces the night before.

Col Naw Bu, the KIA’s information officer, said the battle continued through the morning and was expected to get worse amid ongoing tensions.

He told Myanmar Now at around 1 pm “the shooting has calmed down for now, but it hasn’t stopped completely. The situation is still tense.”

He added that no detailed casualty figures for the two sides were available, but confirmed that many local civilians had been injured or displaced by the conflict.

Local media outlets have reported that six civilians from the villages of Hseng Hpayar and Kum Aing Zut, located near the battlefield, were injured by heavy artillery used by military troops stationed in Nam Ya, another village in the area.

There were also reports that residents of Kum Aing Zut had taken shelter in a church in Hseng Hpayar amid fears that the military was about to launch airstrikes.

NEW YORK, 16 July 2021, (TON): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has named Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg as his new special envoy to conflict-wracked Yemen.

The diplomats said on condition of anonymity “Guterres made his choice known to the UN Security Council’s 15 member states, and Grundberg’s formal nomination should be made public soon.”

Grundberg , a Middle East specialist who has served as the European Union’s ambassador to Yemen since 2019, would replace Britain’s Martin Griffiths, who was named in May to be the world body’s under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.

In June, Griffiths told the Security Council his efforts to end years of war in Yemen had failed, expressing his deep regret not to have made more progress during his three years in the post.

Conflict flared in Yemen in 2014 when Huthi insurgents seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention to prop up the government the following year.

80 percent of Yemenis are now dependent on aid, in what the UN calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The war has also displaced millions of people.

KATHMANDU, 16 July 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the friendship and partnership between Nepal and the United States of America would be further strengthened during his new tenure.

The Prime Minister's Secretariat said “PM Deuba said this during a meeting with US Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry at his residence in Budanilakantha.”

Matters relating to Nepal-US relations and cooperation, including medical support, were exchanged during the meeting.

The US ambassador had congratulated PM Deuba through social media. Nepali Congress president and parliamentary party leader Deuba took the oath of office and secrecy.

BEIRUT, 16 July 2021, (TON): Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri , appointed in the fall of 2020, has resigned, refusing to form a government. The statement came after a regular meeting with President Michel Aoun, during which the Lebanese leader once again rejected the proposed composition of the cabinet.

Hariri said “I met with the president and we held talks about the government. The president asked for amendments, which I consider to be key. We talked about trust and the appointment of Christian ministers government.”

Hariri presented the president with a new government of 24 ministers, in line with a compromise initiative proposed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry.

KATHMANDU, 16 July 2021, (TON): The new government led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has conducted its first cabinet meeting.

The meeting was held in Singhadurbar this afternoon. As one of its first decisions, the cabinet has decided to summon a meeting of both the houses of the Federal Parliament on July 18.A meeting of the upper House National Assembly and the lower  House, House of Representatives  will commence at 4:00 pm on Sunday.

It was specified in the Supreme Court's recent verdict that had ordered the reinstatement of the dissolved House that a fresh session be called within seven days of the issuance of the order.

DHAKA, 16 July 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said “the Army Headquarters Selection Board-2021 needs to pick qualified people for promotion, aiming to build a strong military.”

She said while addressing the meeting of the selection board "I believe that the selection board will select qualified people for promotion through wisdom and prudent analyses rising above the personal liking and disliking. You'll have to find out the able leadership maintaining neutrality by remaining free from all influences."

The PM joined the meeting, held at Army Multipurpose Complex, virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

Hasina said “she is happy to know that TRACE (Tabulated Record and Comparative Evaluation) Method is followed in the case of promotion of army officers, which is a manifestation of a comparative assessment of various aspects of their professionalism.”