ANKARA, 11 February, 2021 (TON): The announcement made by the U.S. on fighting the rebel group in Syria rather than guarding the oil fields in the region could force Turkey to give a second thought to its strategy in the country, the analysts believe.

John Kirby said on Tuesday that about 900 U.S. military personnel and contractors had been “disengaged” from Syrian oil fields since last August.

This follows a deal between a U.S. firm, Delta Crescent Energy, and the US-allied Syrian Kurds to develop and export the vast crude oil reserves in northeast Syria.

US forces in the region “are not authorized to provide assistance to any other private company seeking to develop oil resources in Syria,” said Kirby, adding that the responsibility for the protection of civilians justifies the presence of US forces around the oil fields.

With the U.S. policy shift, the question arises whether this transition under the new U.S. administration will push Turkey to redesign its Syria Policy.

Navvar Saban, a military analyst from the Istanbul-based Omran Center for Strategic Studies, believes the US move will have wide-ranging implications.

“The US is now there to secure the area against insurgents by supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). US support is limited to military backup for the SDF,” he told the media.

The Pentagon said that clashes between Turkey and the SDF near Ayn Issa have undermined the force’s fight against the group.

“Coalition forces continued to advise the SDF on its independent operations against Daesh. However, the SDF, which has no air assets, relied on coalition air support, including for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and partnered with coalition forces during most of its operations,” it said.

According to an analyst, strengthening the SDF will lead to Turkey’s line of control being redrawn, and will eliminate joint patrols between the Russians and Turks in the east.

“There have been a lot of statements from Turkey about their advance into the area because of the terror threat. Now, after the Pentagon statement, it is crystal clear that such an advance will no longer happen,” he said.

However, the country is critical of Washington’s cooperation with the SDF, considered a terror organization. Turkey also fears that further support may encourage the Syrian Kurds to seek greater autonomy and also inspire their supporters in Turkey.

NAY PYI TAW, 10 January 2021, (TON): Amid yesterday’s Myanmar’s Police  action in capital Naypyidaw and firing of gunshots into the air to disperse demonstrations against the ruling military, the protesters adopted other methods to continue their protests. The protesters defied bans on gatherings amid nationwide outrage at last week’s coup. The constitution ensures the military maintains significant power.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets to protest overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically-elected government last week. The military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's government after claiming, without evidence, that the November election that returned her National League for Democracy (NLD) to power was fraudulent.

 Aung San Suu Kyi, leader and founder of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) was detained along with dozens of members of her government as the generals moved to seize power last week.

Meanwhile, Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar said in a statement. “the entire military chain of command can be held liable for committing crimes against humanity.” The international community have criticized the military take over and said that they do not recognise the legitimacy of the military-led government and called on the army to immediately release all detained political leaders and restore civilian rule.

DHAKA, 10 February, 2021 (TON): “Bir Uttam”, the gallantry title is on the way to be removed by the government panel.

The title conferred on the late military ruler and wartime sector commander Zia ur Rahman, after revoking his Swadhinata Padak or Independence Award.

The Jatiya Muktijoddha Council or JAMUKA has also decided to suspend the state-awarded titles for self-proclaimed Bangabandhu killers Shariful Haque Dalim, Mosleh Uddin, M Rashed Chowdhury, and SHMB Noor Chowdhury, said its Director-General Md Zahurul Islam Rhohel.

“We’ll send our proposal to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and they will make the final decision,” he added.

The official said, Zia is being stripped of the title for defying the constitution, assisting the self-proclaimed killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in fleeing the country, and posting them on important state positions.

After ‘Bir Sreshtha’, ‘Bir Uttam’ is the second-highest award for individual gallantry in Bangladesh.

The people and their families will not receive any national benefit for their contribution to the Liberation War, after this move.

Taking into consideration the records, in 2016, the 'Swadhinata Padak', or Independence Award for Gen Zia was removed from the National Museum after the Cabinet Committee on National Awards withdrew the award posthumously conferred on him, and in 2003, the award was bestowed on the country’s first military ruler.

BRUSSELS, 10 February, 2021 (TON): As the EU seeks to strengthen the partnership between the EU and its southern neighboring partners; the European Commission has launched a new plan for the Mediterranean.  

The new agenda grounds that working together will tackle the common challenges and can be turned into opportunities, in the mutual interest of the EU and the neighbors, Commission said on Tuesday.

Up to 7 billion euros would be allocated to its implementation until 2027, which could mobilize up to 30 billion euros in private and public investment in the region in the next decade.

Oliver Varhelyi, the commissioner for neighborhood and enlargement told that the new plan includes a dedicated economic and investment plan to spur the long-term socio-economic recovery in the south of Europe.

He stated that it shows that Europe wants to contribute directly to a long-term vision of prosperity and stability of the region, especially in the social and economic recovery crisis.

The EU had identified a number of priority sectors, from creating growth and jobs, investing in human capital or good governance, he added.

The plan of the EU covers the five policy areas, human development, good governance, and the rule of law; resilience, prosperity, and digital transition in peace and security; migration and mobility and the green transition.

NEW YORK, 10 February, 2021 (TON): Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General said that it was unacceptable that governments continue to build polluting economies.

"This is unacceptable," she said in her video message on Tuesday for the Sustainable Energy for All Youth Summit while speaking about the fact that a new SEforALL (Sustainable Energy for All) report that tracks finance for electricity and clean cooking shows that most governments continue to build a polluting economy.

Young people understand the links between sustainable development and climate justice, she said.

"You have risen to the forefront as advocates and innovators in bringing sustainable energy solutions to homes, communities, and countries. As we now seek to recover from the impact of the pandemic, it is important that we recover better with sustainable energy for all," Mohammed said.

The UN deputy chief said that this year will be "critical" for the realization of Goal 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which calls for affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

"A key priority of the UN this year is to build a global coalition for carbon neutrality by the middle of the century. Young people will have a critical role to play.

"We have all been inspired by the transformational leadership of youth coming together in solidarity and compassion to demand intergenerational justice and bold action on the climate emergency," said Mohammed.

The Deputy Secretary-General noted that current data shows that "we are not on track to achieve SDG7".

The reports state that for the first time, high-level dialogue at the UN General Assembly will stress energy, and UN Climate Change Conference, COP26 will be another political pressure point to act on a stable transition.

MARIB, 10 February, 2021 (TON): A government official said, two massive explosions hit Yemen’s Marib, the capital as the violence continued.

 “Two massive explosions caused by ballistic missiles fired by the Houthi rebels against the densely populated city of Marib, with no casualties,” the official told the media on Tuesday.

The two Houthi-fired ballistic missiles landed on an empty area near a government facility in Marib, he added.

Consecutively, for the third day, the southern and western areas of Marib are witnessing battles, causing dozens dead and injuries.

 “Nearly 30 soldiers were critically injured in today’s fighting and are receiving treatment at the medical center,” sources at Marib’s public hospital said.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensified their military operations and carried out a large offensive against the city controlled by the Yemeni government in the past two days.

Earlier in the day, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths expressed concern over renewed attacks.

“Extremely concerned about the resumption of hostilities in the governorate of Marib by Ansar Allah (Houthi rebel group), especially at a time of renewed diplomatic momentum to end the war in Yemen and resume the political process,” Griffiths tweeted.

“A negotiated political settlement that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people is the only sustainable solution to end this conflict,” the UN envoy noted.

Since late 2014, Yemen has been under civil war, when the Houthi militia seized control over several Northern provinces and forced the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of Sanaa.

CAIRO, 10 February, 2021 (TON) Palestinian faction s leaders including rivals Fatah and Hamas, concluded a two-day reconciliation dialogue in Egypt and agreed to cooperate on holding general elections this year.

The media reported that the agreement will hopefully end a 14-year rift between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' ruling Fatah and the Islamic Hamas movement that controls the Gaza Strip

"National partnership is a complete path that starts with the legislative council elections, which is the first stage of the national council elections, followed by the elections for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority," the factions said in an agreement issued here late Tuesday night.

The legislative elections will be held on 22 May, presidential elections on 31 July, and the Palestinian National Council elections on 31 August, announced by Abbas in a presidential decree last month.

Jibril Rajoub, Secretary-General of the Central Committee of Fatah, told that the factions are committed to the timetable for holding the general elections in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

Rajoub, also head of the Fatah delegation to the dialogue, said all factions have vowed to respect the outcome of the general elections.

"The factions have agreed to draw a roadmap for the next stage, and all we need is to have confidence in what has been achieved in the two-day dialogue in Cairo," the senior Palestinian official concluded.

"Today, we can say it's the beginning of a new history made by the Palestinian political forces toward turning a new page in national relations and putting an end to the black stage of division, which cost our people a lot of suffering," said Ahmed Majdalani, secretary-general of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF), one of the participating factions.

"Undoubtedly, reconciliation and end of division would put the Palestinian cause in the center of international attention at a time of many ongoing regional and international changes," the PPSF chief told the media in Cairo after the dialogue.

It is said that the factions also agreed to create an encouraging atmosphere of political freedom for elections, those detained over factional backgrounds will be released and prosecution of citizens for their views will be stopped.

CHANDIGARH, 10 February, 2021 (TON): MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi of the British Labor Party on Wednesday expressed concern for Nodeep Kaur’ detention over the farmers’ agitation, and said, the abuse of peaceful protest activists, especially women, is an affront to democracy and civilized society.

"Alarmed to learn of sexual assault and torture allegations in police custody of Punjabi trade unionist Nodeep Kaur, who after four weeks hasn't even been granted bail," Dhesi said.

"Abuse of peaceful farmers protest activists, especially women, is an affront to democracy and civilized society." He added.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been sent a letter by the politician Dhesi that was signed by over 100 MP’s and lords on the ongoing farmers' protests, asking him to raise this matter with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi when they next liaise.

On Monday, the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes asked the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to ensure relief for Nodeep Kaur, the labor rights activist.

By 23 February, 2021 the commission sought a report that said it has taken suo motu notice of the issue since the woman is a resident of the state.

Nodeep Kaur, 23, was arrested on 12 January during the farmers' protest at Kundli in Haryana, and the case came into the front when US Vice President Kamala Harris' niece Meena Harris claimed in a tweet that she was "tortured and sexually assaulted" in police custody. However, the police assure that she was facing serious criminal cases.

DHAKA, 10 February, 2021 (TON): The organization of waste collectors, PWSCP (Primary Waste Collection Service Providers) has threatened to stop taking garbage from the homes in Dhaka if their approval and certification are not restored in a week.

They also demanded to restrict the tender for collection and transportation of waste under the Dhaka city corporations, calling it a conspiracy to block the livelihood of around 19,000 waste collectors in the capital.

Outside the National Press Club on Tuesday, the members of the PWCSP demonstrated. They wore shrouds and sought Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s help to meet their demands.

Annisul Huq, late mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, was the organizer of the PWCSP. After its formation in 2000, he empowered the organization to certify waste collectors by bringing all the ward-based groups of waste collectors in 2015.

The regular city corporation cleaners usually sweep the main roads of the capital.

The citizens pay 2 percent of their holding tax as a bill for waste management while the PWCSP has been collecting Tk 25-30 as their allowances, Nahid Akter Lucky, president of PWCSP said.

He allegedly said that now the city corporations want to add a Tk 100 bill and award the job of managing the waste collection to the ward councilors,

We, the cleaners who have been doing the work for a long time, are now losing our jobs, he said.

It is likely that this will force the workers to take up illegal work for a living, the officials feared.

NEW YORK, 10 February, 2021 (TON): On Tuesday, the UN’s special envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen called for a show of solidarity from the international community and for nations to overcome their differences to support the nation’s peace process.

Following the Security Council’s latest meeting about Syria, Geir’s comments came.

Barbara Woodward, the UK’s permanent representative to the UN, said the session was held in private “due to pressure from a member state.”

Pedersen said he was heartened by the “strong support” from member states for his team’s work as it continues to try and find a solution to the crisis.

The Small Body of Syria’s Constitutional Committee concluded its fifth round of talks in Geneva late last month. Pedersen said he had hoped work would begin on drafting a new constitution but, as he told the Security Council, the talks ended up as “a missed opportunity and a disappointment.”

Pedersen said two proposals were presented in Geneva, one that he drafted and another from the co-chair of the Syrian National Council. The government co-chair did not accept either of them.

With one side proposing that work continued at the existing pace and under the same rules, while the other wanted an overhaul of the process to meet a specific timeline and allow for longer, more regular meetings, the committee was left with no future work plan, said Pedersen.

He told the council that the committee’s working method needs to change and that he will have to see “credible engagement” to ensure that “if the committee reconvenes, it will function properly, work expeditiously, and achieve some results and continued progress in line with the terms of reference that we have already agreed upon.”

Although many of the issues of concern to the committee members are neither constitutional nor “even in the hands of the Syrians themselves,” Pedersen said he told the Security Council that they are all linked.

It is expected that Pedersen will attend the Astana talks between Russia, Turkey, and Iran on Syrian reconciliation, which are scheduled to take place in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on 16 and 17 February. This move will be an attempt to overcome the lack of trust and confidence of the Syrians.