DUBAI, 20 February, 2021 (TON): “Greatly concerned,” Saudi Arab’s Foreign Ministry makes remark on the developments of events in Somalia that lead to many casualties in the capital Mogadishu.

The importance for no further escalation of troubles expressing keenness to reach a solution in the country through dialogue, and also offering condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Security official and witnesses said that earlier in February, at least three people were killed and eight others wounded after a car bomb detonated near a security checkpoint along a key road in Mogadishu.

Insurgency broke in the capital of Somalia in an attempt to unseat the internationally backed government in Mogadishu.

Although the insurgents were driven out of the area, but still the territory is under their control from where they plan and execute deadly strikes against the government and civilian targets.

DHAKA, 20 February, 2021 (TON): “The struggle to establish the primacy of Bengali as the mother language started by the Father of the Nation paved the way for Bangladesh's independence,” PM Hasina stated while virtually addressing the presentation ceremony of the Ekushey Padak-2021 on Saturday.

Ms. Hasina also urged the people to take pride in their heritage and history as Bangalees saying, “We are Bangalees. Bangladesh is our country. Bangladesh will hold its head high in the world and move forward with dignity. We will stand on our own feet with self-esteem.”

Digging the history of the Language Movement of 1952, Hasina said, “An education conference was held in Karachi in 1947 when Pakistani leaders tried to impose another language upon us. It was decided there that Urdu would be Pakistan’s state language.

“But Urdu was not our mother language, and 56 percent of the population of the country which was named Pakistan was Bangalees. Our language is Bengali.”

She added, “The students of Dhaka University took to the streets the moment the announcement reached East Bengal.”

“After that, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought together an organization named Chhatra League on 4 January, 1948. And the language movement began upon his proposal.”

Sowing seeds of subsequent movements for the country’s independence, Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar and Barkat embraced martyrdom in police firing as they took to the streets to intensify the campaign to establish Bangla as the state language of the then East Pakistan.

NIAMEY, 20 February, 2021 (TON): In the presidential run-off voting on Sunday, Niger will choose between the two Herculean set to bring about first democratic transition of power in country’s history.

Despite the country’s struggles with poor economy and also from insurgency, it is coming back on track for peaceful handover between elected presidents since independence in 1960.

Polling stations will be open from 8 am to 7pm.

Outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou's decision to voluntarily step down after two five-year terms was welcomed in a region where many leaders have tried to cling on to power.

"Handing over power in 2021 to a democratically elected successor will be my greatest achievement," Issoufou has said.

Ousmane, 71, is running for president for the fifth time since his ouster.

Bazoum has campaigned on continuity with the previous regime, which has promised development in a country struggling with the highest birthrate in the world an average of seven children per woman.

"To absorb this population growth would take incredible economic growth," a Western diplomatic source said.

With the hope of whoever takes the game, immense challenges come along as the challenge to maintain security and economy tops the chart.

NEW DELHI, 20 February, 2021 (TON): The hike in the fuel and LPG gas cylinder prices infuriated the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) activists staging protest outside the petroleum ministry on Saturday.

The protestors demanded the reversal of the prices and the resignation of the Union Petroleum Minister.

Hundreds of Indian Youth Congress activists led by Srinivas B.V assembled outside the Petroleum ministry with placards in their hands and raised slogans against the government who later got detained by the Delhi police.

Srinivas while addressing the public said, "Petrol and diesel prices have been increasing in the country continuously for 11 days. After May 1, 2019, petrol prices have increased by Rs 15.21 per liter and diesel prices by Rs 15.33 per litre till date."

He also pointed out that retrial price of petrol and diesel has crossed Rs. 90 and 100 across the country and on one side there was an all-round inflation and on the other, a spate of diesel-petrol-gas prices.

Berating the government, the IYC chief said, "Why is the Modi government not giving the benefit of low crude oil prices to the common man? On one hand, petrol and diesel prices in the country are much higher than in neighboring countries, on the other, the increased prices have also led to smuggling of petrol and diesel."

He also cited Nepal's example and said, "Petrol is cheaper in Nepal than in India. Only the BJP government is responsible for this."

Criticizing the inflation, he said that the anti-people and anti-national face of RSS and BJP has come out.

Srinivas demanded the resignation of the Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and also demanded the central government to reduce the prices of petrol-diesel and gas with immediate effect.

BANGKOK, 20 February, 2021 (TON): On Saturday, PM Thailand Prayuth Chan-ocha and nine ministers survived a no-confidence motion in parliament after a four-day censure debate with protests calling for his ouster set to resume.

 “We’ve opened a wound and now will pour salt on it,” Pita Limjaroenrat, head of the Move Forward Party told reporters after the vote.

Prayuth, who overthrew an elected prime minister in 2014 and stayed in office after a 2019 election that his rivals said was badly flawed, had been expected to survive Saturday’s vote due to his coalition government’s majority in the lower house.

The government’s victory comes as pro-democracy protests returned after a lull brought on.

Protesters gathered at parliament on Friday in anticipation of the vote with more demonstrations planned for Saturday. Earlier this month, protesters demanding the release of activists scuffled with police.

DUBAI, 20 February, 2021 (TON): During a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad Al-Hariri on Friday, Abu Dhabi state leader Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan confirmed the country’s support for the Lebanon and its people.

The Abu Dhabi ruler said that the UAE supported the ambitions of the Lebanese people for “unity, stability and development,” media reported.

Latest developments in Lebanon and efforts related to forming a new government were discussed during the meeting held at Qasr Al-Shati' Palace on Friday.

Sheikh Mohamed said that he wished for Lebanon to form a government that prioritized national reconciliation and seeks to survive differences, and overcome current challenges.

Hariri also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on the successful Mars Mission.

Both of the sides extended discussions and bilateral concerns in addition to the regional international issues of interest.

TEHRAN, 20 February, 2021 (TON): In the hope of sanctions to be lifted, Iran again on Friday urged the U.S. to "unconditionally and effectively" lift its sanctions against Iran in response to the US stated willingness to "attend a meeting of the P5+1 and Iran".

Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry wrote on social media, "Reminder: Because of US withdrawal from JCPOA, there is NO P5+1”.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action underwent negotiations by the P5+1 countries that involved China, France, Russia, Britain and the US, plus Germany on the Iranian nuclear program in 2015, before Washington under former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018.

There is currently "only Iran and P4+1", Khatibzadeh noted.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterparts from Britain, Germany and France discussed the Iranian nuclear issue and called on Tehran not to limit inspections of its nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also restated Iran's demand for the US compliance with Resolution 2231 by "unconditionally and effectively lifting all sanctions imposed, re-imposed or re-labeled by Trump".

The UN Security Council Resolution 2231 endorsed the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, including the lifting of sanctions against Iran.

Once sanctions are lifted, Iran is expected to immediately reverse all remedial measures  including Iran to scale back its compliance with JCPOA since 2019.

NEW YORK, 20 February, 2021 (TON): Light of hope is raised by the UN Security Council to keep yje UN-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri operating and funding for the present year at least.  

In a letter to the council on Friday, UN-SC Antonio Gurerres said that the president of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Judge Ivana Hrdličková, informed him in November that its work would not be finished by the expiration of its mandate 28 February, 2021.

The judge asked for a two-year extension “to significantly advance its work toward completion,” Guterres said.

Guterres said he intends to extend the mandate of the tribunal for two years starting 1 March, or until its cases are completed or available funds are exhausted “if sooner.”

Guterres said he launched an urgent appeal to all 193 UN member states and the international community on Dec. 20 to support the tribunal, but “unfortunately, the appeal did not generate any new commitments of funds.”

Without additional funding, he said, the UN was informed that the tribunal “may not be able to carry out its mandate beyond the first quarter of 2021.”

“To bring the ongoing judicial proceedings of the Special Tribunal to an abrupt close in these circumstances would be unprecedented,” Guterres wrote. “A premature closure would have a significant impact on international justice efforts and would send a negative message to the people of Lebanon and to victims of terrorism worldwide.”

After consulting Lebanon’s government and Security Council members, Guterres said he intends to request approximately $25 million from the General Assembly, called a “subvention,” to cover the anticipated shortfall in funding from the Lebanese government and donors in 2021. This would be temporary, while the tribunal seeks additional funds, he said.

Britain’s UN ambassador, Barbara Woodward, the current council president, said in a letter to the secretary-general that members approved his intention to extend the tribunal’s mandate and to request about $25 million in funds from the General Assembly for 2021.

Lebanon, which is mandated to pay 49 percent of the tribunal’s costs, faces a dire financial situation which has left the tribunal with a serious funding shortfall. The remaining 51 percent of the tribunal’s funding comes from voluntary contributions.

MOGADISHU, 20 February, 2021 (TON): Taking into account the armed clashes in the Somali capital Mogadishu, the UN on Friday called for calm and restraint by all parties as security forces opened fire to break up anti-government protests in the city.

The organization has urged to open communication and dialogue between the government and the opposition presidential candidates.  

In a statement that came amid infrequent gun-fires and rockets exploded that said, "The UN in Somalia notes that the clashes in Mogadishu underscore the urgent need for Federal Government and Federal Member State leaders to come together to reach political agreement on the implementation of the 17 September electoral model.”.

The clashes came after the government said its forces foiled an attack on one of its military bases in Mogadishu.

However, the opposition leaders who organized Friday's protests have accused the government of attacking their positions ahead of the planned rally.

The incident got condemned by the Council of Presidential Candidates led by former presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his predecessor Sharif Sheikh Ahmed saying their positions were attacked by government forces.

KOLKATA, 20 February, 2021 (TON): Pamela Goswami, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) youth leader arrested with drugs worth 1 million rupees.

On Friday, police arrested the leader from South Kolkata’s upscale new Alipore area, police said.

Goswami, the state secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), was along with a friend, identified as Prabir Kumar Dey, in her car when both of them were nabbed, they said.

A few lakh rupees drugs were found in her handbag and other parts of the car, police claimed.

 “She was involved in drug trafficking for quite some time. Today, we got information that she, along with her supplier Prabir, was reaching the spot to hand over the drugs to the purchasers,” he said.

The BJP youth-wing leader’s security guard, who was inside the same vehicle, was also arrested, the police officer said.

According to the BJP, the youth leader Goswami was being framed but has claimed that if she is found guilty, the law must take its course.