TAIWAN, 29 January, 2021 (TON): In a statement, China has warned Taiwan attempting to seek independence from Beijing “means war”.

The warning came days after when Beijing increased military activities and sent warplanes near the island.

It comes amid U.S. and Taiwan’s close ties that welcomed new administration last week.

In a statement on Thursday, the US reaffirmed Washington's commitment to supporting Taiwan's defense capability.

Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state, however, China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province.

"We are seriously telling those Taiwan independence forces, those who play with fire will burn themselves, and Taiwan independence means war," Chinese defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian said at a press conference on Thursday.

He also defended China's recent military activities saying they were "necessary actions to address the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait and to safeguard national sovereignty and security".

On Thursday, U.S. responded, "We find that comment unfortunate and certainly not commensurate with our intentions to meet our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters, in the first statement by the new administration on China-Taiwan relations.

The Pentagon "sees no reason why tensions over Taiwan need to lead to anything like confrontation", he added

Pressure on China is maintained by the new U.S. administration, over the issues including human rights, trade disputes, Hong Kong and Taiwan, amid the deteriorating relationship between the two powers.

They almost always emphasize that theirs is a peace-loving country, said China’s official spokesperson, avoiding discussing war.

China does not hold the history of military confrontation except of its borders, but the modern day Taiwan is the result of civil war.

Taiwan's status serves as a red line for Beijing, a part of what it regards as its unimpeachable territorial integrity.

It is an "internal affair", alongside Hong Kong.

China and Taiwan have had separate governments since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Beijing has long tried to limit Taiwan's international activities and both have vied for influence in the Pacific region.

In recent years, tensions have increased and Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to take the island back.

The democratic government of Taiwan has strong commercial and informal links with many countries that recognize it.

U.S. has no official diplomatic relations with many nations like Taipei, bu its relations with Taiwan, as in Taiwan Relations Act states that the U.S. will facilitate the region with defense weapons, and any harm or attack to Taiwan would be of much concern and consideration to the U.S.

WASHINGTON, 29 January, 2021 (TON): The American troops “feel very comfortable” in Germany told the U.S. Defense Minister Defense Lloyd Austin told his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

A controversial move was taken by the Trump administration when former President Trump ordered the number of the U.S. troops to be reduced by more than 25% in the region of Germany. Germany is "highly valued" as a station for American soldiers, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in their first conversation since Austin took up his new position, the German Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Last year the order was passed by the Trump government to lessen the troop count stationed in Germany, however, the German officials now expect that the order would be retracted by the new administration of Joe Biden.

During a call with Kramp-Karrenbauer on Wednesday, Austin "emphasized that Germany is highly valued as a station and that American soldiers feel very comfortable here," the media reported.

"The US continues to consider its presence in Germany as an important part of joint security," the German Defense Ministry said.

Secretary Austin extended his gratitude towards Germany for continuing serving as a great host for the U.S. forces and expressed his desire for a continued dialogue on US force posture in Germany, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Other issues were also discussed by the officials, including NATO cooperation, pandemic crisis and the security situations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Around 34,500 US troops are stationed in Germany, which plays host to key American military facilities like the Ramstein Air Base and the headquarters for the US European Command and US Africa Command. The two nations’ relationship became very positive, in terms of democratic ideals, anti-communism, and high levels of economic trade. Today, the US is one of Germany's closest allies and partners outside of the European Union. The people of the two countries see each other as reliable allies but disagree on some key policy issues.

PARIS, 29 January, 2021 (TON): The interim President of Mali, Bah N’Daw met French President, Emanuel Macron in Paris to have bilateral talks on cooperation.

Mr N'daw was received on Wednesday 27 January by Emmanuel Macron for a working lunch and discussed the transition in Mali and the G5 summit in Ndjamena to be held on 15 and 16 February.

This was the first meeting for the Malian leader N'daw outside Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that was accompanied by three of his ministers. The Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zeini Moulaye, stated that the exchanges were well and it was a frank and necessary meeting.

A long political crisi could be seen following the ousting of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, since August 2020.

President Macron has said that he intends to “adjust” France’s efforts in the region, and is counting on the new European force, Takuba, to support troops.

In the last week, France announced that some 20 rebels were killed by French forces and their partners in the north of Burkina Faso while, on Tuesday, the Malian army said in a statement that from 2-20 January over 100 of the rebels were killed, 20 captured and several motorcycles and other equipment confiscated.

Both, the French forces and the Malian army are seen offensive in the middle of the country as the statement projected.

RIYADH, 29 January, 2021 (TON): The Saudi Ministry of Defense said that a joint naval exercise involving the Royal Saudi Navy, U.S. Navy, and British minesweepers in the Arabian Gulf came to end on Thursday.

The director of exercise, Brig. General Awad Al-Enezi said participating vessels executed a number of marine formations, as well as boarding and searching ships, floating mines and reconnaissance operations, port training and defense, drone operations and shooting air and surface enemy targets with live ammunition.

The Naval Defender 21 exercise began last week at King Abdul Aziz Naval Base, the headquarters of the Eastern Fleet in the city of Jubail in the Eastern Province.

For the professionalism and high readiness, Brig. Gen. Al-Enezi praised and appreciated the participants saying they emerged with “many positive results that reflect the importance of continuous training.”

There were a number of ships, infantry, special maritime security units and naval aviation forces training in several maritime scenarios that took part in the mixed naval exercise.

Saudi armed forces conduct the Naval Defender 21 as part of the joint military exercises throughout the year with friendly countries, to hone the expeditionary skill set, and elevate the overall readiness as a unit, and gaining more field experience.

BIELLA, 28 January, 2021 (TON): Andy Murray has joined a lower-tier challenger tournament in Italy next month.

Before this, Andy withdrew himself from the Australian Open.

The Italian Tennis Federation confirmed that Andy Murray will compete in a challenger tournament in Biella next month following his Australian Open withdrawal.

The indoor tournament begins ion 15th February and has 132,000 Euros of prize money and will mark the 33-year-old's first appearance at a challenger event since competing in Mallorca in August 2019.

The player is ranked 123rd in the world after battling his way back from two hip operations.

Also entered for the Biella tournament are 54th-ranked Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, No 74 Lucas Pouille, Sebastian Korda, Andreas Seppi and Lorenzo Musetti.

Murray has offered advice to recreational tennis players on how to stay fit for the sport during lockdown.

In a blog he wrote, "The last 12 months have been tough for tennis players. Courts have been closed, then opened, then closed again”.

"Club tournaments and social events have been cancelled, junior tennis has been scaled back and there hasn't been much professional tennis to watch either.

"Whilst clubs are still shut, I thought it would be useful to put together some of my tips on how to stay tennis ready for when we can all get back on court."

General fitness as the most important cornerstone, Murray cited, tennis-specific exercises he recommends include catching a ball thrown against a wall, knocking down targets and a footwork drill involving moving around two tennis balls in a figure of eight.

BANGUI, 28 January, 2021 (TON): An ex-Central African Republic rebel leader, Abdel Kani is to appear for the first time before the International Criminal Court on Thursday.

Mahamat Said Abdel Kani is facing war crimes and crimes against humanity charges,

On Sunday, the ex-militia commander, was arrested by the officials in the C.A.R. in Bria region and handed over to the ICC.

Presiding judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala will use Thursday's session to verify Kani's identity and the language he prefers to use in following proceedings.

The ex-rebel leader will then be informed of the charges against him and his rights under the ICC Rome Statute.

Due to the ongoing restrictions, a limited number of people will be allowed in the courtroom.

But the session will be broadcast live on the ICC website in French, English and Sango, the official and primary language in the CAR.

On 7 January 2019, the ICC issued a warrant of arrest for Mohamat Said Abdel Kani.

He is alleged to have committed the crimes in 2013 in Bangui, after the ouster of President François Bozize.

NEW YORK, 28 January, 2021 (TON): According to the UN agency report published on Thursday, the refugees are at risk of being pushed forcibly from the European borders

UNHCR the ships were being sent back to the open sea and the people who managed reaching the shore were compelled into the vessels and forced to leave.

The refugee agency's assistant high commissioner for protection, Gillian Triggs said, “UNHCR has received a continuous stream of reports of some European states restricting access to asylum, returning people after they have reached territory or territorial waters, and using violence against them at borders".

The official has not specified any country nor has he mentioned any country by name. However, this behavior was reported of the Greek coastguards by the refugees.

"The push-backs are carried out in a violent and apparently systematic way," Triggs said. "Boats carrying refugees are being towed back. People are being rounded up after they land and then pushed back to sea. Many have reported violence and abuse by state forces."

The people who fled across the land borders have also been turned away without investing about the help or protection they might need.

The UNHCR said it had made its concerns clear to European capitals and called for "urgent inquiries into alleged violations and mistreatment."

"Respecting human lives and refugee rights is not a choice, it's a legal and moral obligation," Triggs stressed.

EU border protection agency has been accused of illegal deportations by the refugees and migrants.

The number of arrivals to the EU has also decreased in the recent years.

"With so few arrivals to Europe, this should be a manageable situation," Triggs said. She added that every case needed to be assessed individually under both the UNHCR Refugee Convention and European Union law.

"It is regrettable that the issue of asylum remains politicized and divisive despite such declining numbers."

Some countries were carrying a disproportionate responsibility in hosting new arrivals, UNHCR noted.

It urged other European nations and the EU itself to show solidarity by supporting them.

KINSHASA, 28 January, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday, The Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba has been dismissed by the lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a Kinhasa’s parliamentary plenary session.

The dismissal came after the majority of the lawmakers passed a vote of no-confidence to the Premier alleging his inability in the management of the country.

Targeting the Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba, President Felix Tshisekedi has led a vote of no confidence will likely force the government's collapse and mark the final death blow to the coalition Tshisekedi formed with his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, two years ago.

The vote was originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday,

The National Assembly approved a motion of censure against Ilunga Ilunkamba and his government by 367 votes to seven.

The parliamentary censure requires the prime minister to step down within 24 hours, under the Democratic Republic of Congo's constitution,

The Prime Minister boycotted the session terming it illegitimate under the constitution and internal regulations of parliament.

The session was also boycotted by pro-Kabila party Mps for they believed that the parliament session had no mandate capacity to organize the vote according to the constitution.

President Félix Tshisekedi and his two new allies still do not agree on the appointments of several heads of major institutions, following the end of the alliance between him and former president Joseph Kabila. The post of Prime Minister and leadership of the National Assembly’s office are in contention.

By controlling a majority in Parliament, President Tshisekedi would be able to nominate a cabinet of his choosing after two years in which Kabila’s allies have dominated the major ministries.

As a result, now Tshisekedi hopes to win over the members of Kabila’s coalition, and form a new majority in Parliament.

WASHINGTON, 28 January, 2021 (TON): In a statement on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea beyond permitted under international law and supported the South Asian nations resisting its pressure.

Blinken made the remarks in a call with Philippine Foreign Minister, Teodoro Locsin, in which he focused on the importance of the long-standing defense agreement between the allies and its clear application if Manila came under attack in the South China Sea.

“Secretary Blinken pledged to stand with Southeast Asian claimants in the face of PRC pressure,” it said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

“Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of the Mutual Defense Treaty for the security of both nations, and its clear application to armed attacks against the Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea,” it said.

His statement came after Locsin’s on Wednesday stating that the Philippines had filed a diplomatic protest over China’s passing of a law allowing its coastguard to open fire on foreign vessels, describing it as a “threat of war”.

On Friday 22, January, 2021, a legislation passed by China allowed the coastguard to use all the necessary means to stop threats from foreign vessels, including demolishing other countries’ structures built on Chinese-claimed reefs.

China claims almost all of the major trade route, South-China Sea. The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

China on Tuesday said it would hold military drills of its own this week.

On Monday, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines hoped no country would do anything to increase tension.

Contrary to this, the U.S. has accused China of taking advantage of the global pandemic and to hold its presence in the Sea. In order to promote freedom of Seas, U.S. has sent a carrier group through the waterway.

LONDON, 28 January, 2021 (TON): The Prime Minister of UK, Boris Johnson is set to visit Scotland on Thursday as support grows for a second independence referendum in the country.

Scotland’s leader, Nicole Sturgeon questioned the necessity of the trip during the lockdown.

Scotland, which makes up the northernmost part of United Kingdom, voted against independence in 2014. But ties have strained since the 2016 Brexit vote to leave the European Union.

Majority of the Scots voted to stay in the EU, apart from UK as a whole that voted to leave Brexit.

The pandemic condition has taken its toll in relations between the two neighbors.

The semi-autonomous administration has had a large say in dictating Scotland's own response, often pitting it against central government in London.

The Prime Minister is expected to highlight his government’s role in dealing with the pandemic crisis.

According to his office, he will say, "The great benefits of cooperation across the whole of the UK have never been clearer than since the beginning of this pandemic”. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the majority Scottish National Party, (SNP) on Wednesday questioned if reasons for visiting are "really essential" amid the pandemic. She added it sets a bad example to the public.

Sturgeon is hoping a strong performance by her SNP in May elections for the country's devolved Parliament would give her the mandate to hold a second referendum.

Scotland voted against independence by 55% to 45% in the 2014 referendum. But recent polls showing Scotland would vote to leave the union in any re-run.