JAMMU, 6 March, 2021 (TON): On Friday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Headquarters Northern Command represented by Chief of Staff Lt Gen S Harimohan Iyer and Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu (IIT Jammu) represented by its Director Prof Manoj Singh Gaur.

“The objective of penning the MoU is to leverage the academic and technological prowess of IIT Jammu and domain knowledge/expertise of Northern Command, in development of defense technology solutions and taking up joint projects for innovative solutions to weapon systems and equipment related problems of Northern Command,” the army said in a statement.

It is suggested to cooperate on the Research and Development (R&D) activities relating Northern Command and to have a grip on the IIT Jammu’s expertise and technical infrastructure, and common interests and gains on R&D projects to resolve the Army’s issues and problems. However, the cost of the projects will be on the respective organizations.  

DAMASCUS, 6 March, 2021 (TON): In order to counter militias attacking, new U.S. defense systems have been started to deploy in its bases in northern and eastern Syria, a war monitor reported.

Anti-drone air defense systems and surface-to-surface missiles were being deployed in the al-Omar oil field located in Deir al-Zour province, a  UK based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.  

Reports added that the States is coming up with new equipment from its bases in Kurdish areas in Iraq, and more defense systems will be added.

The advancement came days after when around 20 fighters killed as a result of U.S. launched airstrike in retaliation on the positions of militias in eastern Syria.  

However, the government of Syria has asserted U.S.’s presence in the region as illegal and has urged the UN-SC to take its troops out of the war-torn country.

NICOSIA, 6 March, 2021 (TON): European Union (EU) affirms its commitments to support the upcoming talks on Cyprus issue, says, Josep Borrell, the bloc's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

"The UN work on the ground is essential for confidence building. Upcoming UN informal 5+1 talks provide an opportunity towards an urgently needed resumption of talks. The EU is strongly committed to support these efforts," Borell tweeted after meeting the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar on Friday.

His comments pointed towards the UN-led conference that will decide the terms and modalities of renewed Cyprus negotiations under the UN-Secretary Genereal, Antonio Guterres.

Participants will comprise leaders from the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities and representatives of Greece, Turkey and the UK, the three "guarantor powers" that signed a 1960 Treaty that led to the independence of Cyprus and the establishment of the Cypriot state.

Also on Thursday, the top EU official held talks with the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, saying, "Engaging in UN 5+1 talks is essential, for the benefit of all Cypriots, the region and the EU. There is a real opportunity that needs to be seized."

However, there is an ongoing dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots that were to be resolved in 2014 as the talks began but yet no consensus is reached to solve it.

BAGHDAD, 6 March 2021, (TON): Christian religious leader, Pope Francis visited Iraqi city of Najaf on Saturday and met today Iranian origin Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Pope Francis in white robe and Sistani in black robe will avail one to one meeting without advisers to conclude a religious-strategic treaty in the name of interfaith harmony.

Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on Friday as his first visit to the country as part of four-day trip. A deal is expected to enforce religious diversity to give Christian access to certain heritage sites and building of new Churches and restoration of old disputed Mosques cum Churches. The visit is important for the Christians as they claim that Iraq is biblical land and they have plans to promote Christian-tourism. 

The visit in the indicator of Vatican strategic approach in pronouncing future Iraqi politics and Iran’s major rule in the future construction of the government. In a leaked consultations, the Western nations strategy against the orthodox Sunnis will be discussed by both the religious leaders which would allow Ayatollah Ali Sistani followers to consolidate their position with assurance of Shite- Christian and other minorities future government. If we recall in 2014, thousands of young volunteers from Iran. Lebanon, Yemen and elsewhere fought battle against Muslims dubbed as Islamic State militants who had defeated Western occupation forces and were consolidating positions across Iraq. The western armed and funded battle allowed Iran-backed groups to consolidate their power and establish their influence.

In the meantime, across Iraq there are waves of anti-government protests, demanding a restoration of democratic political system free of the corruption and foreign influence.

GENEVA, 5 March, 2021 (TON): On Friday, the UN said that at least a dozen up to 25 casualties have resulted on Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province.

The Revolutionary Guards and security forces have used force against the fuel couriers and protestors, as per the UN.

The shooting of people carrying fuel across the border led to protests that spread from the city of Saravan to other areas in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, including the capital, Zahedan.

“The series of violent events and unrest began on 22 February, when Revolutionary Guards are alleged to have shot and killed at least 10 fuel couriers, known as sookhtbar, in Sistan and Baluchistan Province at the border with Pakistan, after a two-day stand-off triggered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps blocking the road to the city of Saravan,” U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told.

Iran has been fighting smuggling to neighboring countries for its lowest fuel prices in the world.

As a result of the massacres, several demonstrations erupted in the region and faced violent ammunition that shot protestors and bystanders.

COLOMBO, 5 March, 2021 (TON): Schools in Sri Lanka have been permitted to conduct big cricket matches, green light given by the Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa.

The Sports Minister held discussions with the Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris before announcing the decision.

Reports state that the decision was followed by the requests from the School heads and various other parties.

Speaking on the occasion of the National Sports Update provided by National Sports Council (NSC) chairman Mahela Jayawardene, the Sports Minister said arrangements are underway to conduct big matches such as the Royal-Thomian, Ananda-Nalanda and Richmond-Mahinda.

Meanwhile, the minister said he was not in haste to appoint members to the national cricket selection committee, including the vacant position of chairman.

BEIJING, 5 March, 2021 (TON): A loan of US $500 million and a currency swap arrangement of two billion Yuan (around US $600 million) will be endorsed by China within a couple of weeks, said sources on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Sri Lankan ambassador to China, Dr. Palitha Kohona had talks with the Chinese Vice. FM Luo Zhaohui to discuss bilateral cooperation over a wide areas.

Sri Lanka has reportedly sought financial assistance from China.

The US $ 500 million is to be approved by the Bank of China within the next two weeks, while the currency swap facility will be approved by People’s Bank of China.

Reports revealed that the two officials have also taken into account the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) between the two sides that were launched during the time 2010-2015.

The relations of the two countries have seemingly going towards prosperity as it is already known that China has affirmed to hold hands and stand by Sri Lanka at UNHCR.

NEW YORK, 5 March, 2021 (TON): America’s Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has acclaimed the Bangladesh for burgeoning economically, in the wake of its graduation from the UN’s LDCs (Least Developed Countries Status).

As Bangladesh completes its 50 years of independence, it received UN Committee for Development Policy’s recommendation to reach to a developed country category.

In an article titled, 'Bangladesh Is Becoming South Asia's Economic Bull Case', the New York-based newspaper credited Bangladesh for being 'the closest proxy for the successful development models seen at various stages in South Korea, China and Vietnam.'

The article also highlighted the progress made by Bangladesh in terms of exports and GDP per capita in comparison to India and Pakistan which have seen a marginal decline in these measures.

Export-led development has the best modern track record of moving countries from very low-income levels into middle-income status, according to WSJ.

It is likely noticeable that Bangladesh’s 80 percent growth in exports in the last decade was driven by the garment industry, envisaging its democratic structure, competitive edge in wages, and enhanced female workforce in comparison to the rest of the South Asia.

BHOPAL, 5 March, 2021 (TON): In order to attend the events in Jabalpur and Damoh, the President of India Ram Nath Kovind is set for a two day visit to Madhya Pradesh.

The reports said, the preparations for the visit are on full swing.

The President will reach Jabalpur on 6 March in a special aircraft to attend the All India State Judicial Academies' Directors' Retreat Programme and the Narmada Mahaarti at Gwarighat, the official information said.

President will visit the other district Damoh the next day.

To issue necessary guidelines for the visit, Commissioner of Sagar Division, Mukesh Shukla reached Singrampur village prior to President’s visit.

BEIJING, 5 March, 2021 (TON): China to rebuild Hong Kong’s electoral system on Friday to trigger democracy in the city.

As China held its annual budget session of the parliament, it unexpectedly set an economic growth for the year.

Premier Li Keqiang highlighted the achievements of the previous year as China overcame the pandemic, and laid out ambitions to solidify the economic recovery, cut emissions, invest in innovation and improve a worsening demographic outlook.

Also, on Friday disclosed its next five-year plan, touting to become self-reliant as it clashes with the U.S. and other countries over technology policy.

“We owe our achievements last year to the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core,” Li said in an hour-long speech to over 5,000 delegates gathered in the Great Hall of the People.

However, Beijing proposed legislation that would tighten its increasingly authoritarian grip on Hong Kong by making changes to the electoral committee that chooses the city’s leader, giving it new power to nominate legislative candidates.