Categories
-Top News China USA

China hopes for ‘better ties’ with next US admin

“China-US relations have come to a new crossroads, and a new window of hope is opening,”said Wang…reports Asian Lite News

China hopes that the next US administration under President-elect Joe Biden will return to a “sensible approach”, resume dialogue with Beijing, restore normalcy to the bilateral relations and restart cooperation, Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

“China-US relations have come to a new crossroads, and a new window of hope is opening,” Wang said in an interview with Xinhua news agency published on Saturday.

He said in recent years, China-US relations have run into “unprecedented difficulties”.

Fundamentally, it all comes down to the serious misconceptions of US policymakers about China, according to Wang.

Some see China as the so-called biggest threat and their policy based on this misperception is simply wrong, he said.

“What has happened proves that the US attempt to suppress China and start a new Cold War has not just seriously harmed the interests of the two peoples, but also caused severe disruptions to the world.

“Such a policy will find no support and is doomed to fail,” the Foreign Minister added.

Wang also claimed that China’s policy towards the US is consistent and stable.

“We are ready to develop with the United States a relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability.

“We know that some in the US are uneasy about China’s rapid development. However, the best way to keep one’s lead is through constant self-improvement, not by blocking others’ development,” he said.

“We believe that as long as the US can draw lessons from the past and work with China in the same direction, the two countries are capable of resolving differences through dialogue and expanding converging interests by cooperation,” the State Councillor added.

Last month, Wang had made similar comments at an event, where he urged joint efforts between Beijing and Washinton to ensure “a stable transition” of bilateral relations against disruptions of all kinds, and striving to resume dialogue, bring ties back on track and rebuild mutual trust.

On December 15, China had called to strengthening bilateral ties with the US after the American Electoral College officially certified Biden’s victory.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had sent a congratulatory message to Biden on November 25, 2020, after the latter was projected to win the hotly-contested US presidential election held on November 3.

In the last two years, tensions between the world’s two largest economies have escalated.

The Trump administration has levied tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, to which Beijing has responded with duties of its own.

In January, the countries reached a phase one agreement on trade that called for increased Chinese purchases of US goods and greater access to the Chinese financial market.

However, bilateral tensions have only increased in the months since, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read:China, EU Strike Trade And Investment Deal

Categories
Africa News

AU urges countries to ensure economic revival in 2021

Mahamat warned that “the challenging task of protecting our health and livelihoods, while ensuring recovery of our economies, still lies ahead as we begin a new year.”…reports Asian Lite News

The African Union (AU) has urged all the countries of the continent to ensure economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic as the New Year begins.

“As we mark the end of the year 2020, we also mark the end of one of the most extraordinary and challenging years in living memory,” Xinhua news agency quoted AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat as saying in a statement on Friday.

Mahamat warned that “the challenging task of protecting our health and livelihoods, while ensuring recovery of our economies, still lies ahead as we begin a new year”.

According to Mahamat, the AU’s continental response initiative, as part of the 55-member pan-African bloc’s aspiration in supporting member states with preparedness, response and recovery from public health emergencies, kicked in early and fast by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).



Mahamat’s remarks came as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the African continent has increased to 2,759,313.

The continental disease control and prevention agency said in a statement that the death toll from pandemic has reached 65,480.

The public health agency of the AU also said that a total of 2,289,156 people infected with Covid-19 have recovered across the continent so far.

Also read:S.Africa imposes stringent curbs


Categories
Africa News

Civilian protection: Sudan announces national mechanism

“The mechanism includes a joint force from the regular forces and the peace parties, which will achieve security and stability for our citizens,” said Hamdok…reports Asian Lite News

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has announced formation of the National Mechanism for Protection of Civilians.

“The formation of the national mechanism for the protection of civilians has completed,” Xinhua news agency quoted Hamdok as saying in a speecg on Friday marking the country’s 65th Independence Day.

“The mechanism includes a joint force from the regular forces and the peace parties, which will achieve security and stability for our citizens,” he noted.

Hamdok vowed to provide protection for all the civilians, saying that the establishment of the national mechanism tends to impose security in all parts of the country, stop extrajudicial killing, and prevent impunity.

The Prime Minister also announced the Council of Ministers’ ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

He said the ratified conventions are to be approved by the joint meeting of the Sovereign Council and the cabinet to become effective.

The announcement of the formation of the national mechanism for the protection of civilians came days after the end of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) mandate in Sudan.

On December 22, 2020, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution which ended UNAMID’s mandate on December 31, 2020.

However, the withdrawal of all the personnel from Sudan is set to complete by June 30, 2021, except for a team that will finalize any residual issues and complete the administrative closure of UNAMID.

The UN has decided to deploy the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan to assist the political transition in the country at a request by Hamdok.

The mission is set to assume its work this month.

Also read:Sudan, Ethiopia agree to resume border talks

Categories
-Top News Arab News

Palestine observes weekend lockdown

Palestine’s Minister of Health Mai al-Kaila said that there were 11 new coronavirus deaths in the West Bank, four in the Gaza Strip, and three in East Jerusalem…reports Asian Lite News

A complete weekend lockdown continued across Palestine on Saturday for a fourth consecutive week in an effort to stem the Covid-19 pandemic spread.

On Friday, Palestine’s Minister of Health Mai al-Kaila said that there were 11 new coronavirus deaths in the West Bank, four in the Gaza Strip, and three in East Jerusalem, reports Xinhua news agency.

She also said that the Ministry recorded 1,450 new Covid-19 cases and 2,088 recoveries in the Palestinian territories, adding that 116 patients remain in intensive care units.

“Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Palestine in March last year, the Health Ministry has recorded 156,815 cases, including 1,550 deaths and 134,906 recoveries,” al-Kaila said.

Meanwhile, the full lockdown dominated the West Bank and the Gaza Strip for the fourth consecutive weekend to curb the increasing infections with the virus.

The lockdown includes the closure of all sectors, except bakeries and pharmacies.

Also read:Israel conflict must be resolved within M-E Quartet: Palestine

Categories
-Top News EU News

Ireland joins UN Security Council

The Council also has 10 non-permanent members which are elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms starting on January 1, with five replaces each year…reports Asian Lite News

Ireland took up its seat as an elected member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term starting from January 1, 2021, said the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

“Support for the UN is a corner stone of Irish foreign policy,” Xinhua news agency quoted the Department as saying in a statement posted on its website on Friday.

“Over the coming two years, Ireland will have the opportunity to make a contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security.

“Ireland is ready to take this opportunity to engage the Council membership and wider international community on critical aspects of international peace and security, in line with
Ireland’s principled, consistent and independent foreign policy,” it added.

In a statement earlier in the day, Prime Minister Micheal Martin said: “It is an enormous responsibility and honour to serve (the UNSC) for the next two years.


“When we stood for election we promised to bring the values of empathy, partnership and independence to bear. They will guide our work now.”

He also said that Ireland will act fairly and independently in the task of supporting and promoting international peace and security.

Commenting on the development, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said Ireland takes its seat on the UNSC at “a very challenging time” but it is determined to play its part to build the trust and political will necessary to achieve progress in even the most intractable conflicts.

The UNSC has five permanent members, namely China, France, Russia, the UK and the US.

The Council also has 10 non-permanent members which are elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms starting on January 1, with five replaces each year.

The main difference between a permanent member and a non-permanent member is that the former has a veto power while the latter does not.

Since joining the UN in 1955, Ireland has previously served on the UNSC three times.

Ireland will serve as Presidency of the UNSC in September 2021, according to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

To mark Ireland’s new role, the UN flag was flown at Leinster House, the seat of the two houses of the Irish Parliament in Dublin, alongside the Irish national flag.

Also read:India Clarifies on UK Flight Resumption

Categories
-Top News India News UK News

India Clarifies on UK Flight Resumption

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

Flight services between India and UK will resume from January 6, while those from UK to India will recommence from January 8, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday.

Last month, these services were suspended to stop the spread of a mutant Covid-19 strain which was recently discovered in the UK.

In a tweet, the minister said: “India to UK from 6 Jan 2021. UK to India from 8 Jan 2021. 30 flights will operate every week. 15 each by Indian & UK carriers.”

“This schedule is valid till 23 Jan 2021. Further frequency will be determined after review.”

In another tweet, he said: “All health precautions will be taken. SOPs have been issued by @MoHFW_INDIA. Passengers will be tested both before boarding & upon arrival in India. Details are attached herewith. These are valid till 30 Jan 2021.”

Several countries, including India, had suspended flight services to the UK in the wake of the new mutant Covid-19 strain.

Also Read – India Joins UN Security Council

The suspension commenced with effect from 11.59 p.m. on December 22.

The initial decision was to suspend flights till December 31. However, in the wake of increasing cases of the new strain, it was decided to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the UK till January 7.

Air India.

Prior to the suspension, over 60 flights per week were being operated between UK and India.

Airlines such as Vistara, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways operate flights between the two countries.

Categories
-Top News Cricket India News Lite Blogs

Ganguly Hospitalised After Chest Pain

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.jpg

Sourav Ganguly, the president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was admitted to hospital in Kolkata on Saturday after he suffered a blackout at his home and complained of chest pain.

The 48-year-old former India captain complained of dizziness and then suffered the blackout just after he had returned from gym.

He was immediately rushed to city’s Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital.

It has been learnt that Saroj Mondal, a doctor at the city’s SSKM hospital, has also reached the Woodlands Hospital to attend to Ganguly.

Categories
-Top News Asia News

Qureshi rejects opposition’s deadline for government

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Xinhua/Asad/IANS)

The incumbent Imran Khan-led government of Pakistan will not resign on January 31 as demanded by the 11-party PDM opposition alliance, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi confirmed on Saturday.

Qureshi made the remarks while speaking to Geo News after the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) announced to intensify its anti-government campaign and again asked the Prime Minister to step down before the January 31 deadline.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan enjoys the confidence of the National Assembly. Why would he resign on the Opposition’s demand?” the Foreign Minister queried.

Also Read – Pak Mission in London Slapped With $28.7M Penalty

Also Read – Is Pakistan ready to align with Israel?

He said that the PDM had earlier announced to resign from the provincial assemblies on December 31, 2020, but the date has passed.

“The public has realised the Opposition’s true agenda and their ‘jalsas’ (rallies) do not have that strength,” Qureshi told Geo News.

Last week, Pakistan Peoples Party chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s had threatened to lead a long march to Islamabad if Khan did not resign by January 31, insisting that the there was no time left for dialogue.

The PDM has become a major resistance for Prime Minister Khan’s government, who maintains that the prime agenda of the opposition movement is to seek leverage and relief for political leaders from corruption cases.

Khan, in a recent statement said that no matter how strong the opposition parties may become, he will never be giving them any leverage against what he called stolen money of the people and the country.

Categories
-Top News Defence USA

Senate Overrides Trump Veto on Defence Bill

US President Donald Trump

The US Congress has overturned President Donald Trump’s veto of a defence spending bill — the first time this has happened in his presidency.

The Republican-controlled Senate held a rare New Year’s Day session to debate the move, which had already been voted for by the House of Representatives. The $740 billion bill will fund defence policy for the year to come, the BBC reported.

Trump, who leaves office in a few weeks, objected to certain provisions in the bill

The Senate voted 81-13 for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – a two-thirds majority is required to override a presidential veto in both chambers.

It comes just two days before a new US Congress is due to be sworn in.

Trump had taken issue with policies that limit troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Europe and remove Confederate leaders’ names from military bases.

He also wanted the bill to repeal a liability shield for social media companies.

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Before the debate began, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he was determined to pass the bill.

“Here’s what the Senate is focused on – completing the annual defence legislation that looks after our brave men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform.

“We’ve passed this legislation 59 years in a row. And one way or another, we’re going to complete the 60th annual NDAA and pass it into law before this Congress concludes on Sunday,” he added.

Later Trump responded to the vote specifically on the issue of liability protection.

“Our Republican Senate just missed the opportunity to get rid of Section 230, which gives unlimited power to Big Tech companies. Pathetic!!!” he said on Twitter.

Bills passed by Congress need a president’s signature to become law. On rare occasions, a president may choose to veto – or reject – legislation because of some policy disagreement.

Lawmakers can override a presidential veto and enact bills into law by mustering two-thirds of votes in both chambers of Congress.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful congressional Democrat, said Trump’s veto was “an act of staggering recklessness that harms our troops, endangers our security and undermines the will of the bipartisan Congress”.

“In a time when our country was just targeted with a massive cyber-attack, it is particularly hard to understand the reasoning behind the president’s irresponsibility,” she said in a statement.

Ahead of Wednesday’s veto, some of the outgoing president’s advisers had cautioned him against rejecting the bill.

Trump has previously vetoed eight bills, vetoes which were all upheld with support from his fellow Republicans in Congress.

He is due to leave office on January 20, when he will be replaced by Democrat Joe Biden.

Categories
-Top News Asia News UK News

Pak Mission in London Slapped With $28.7M Penalty

 A high court in London has ordered debiting at least $28.7 million from the accounts of the Pakistan High Commission in London over non-payment of the penalty by Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to the foreign assets recovery firm Boardsheet LLC…reports Hamza Ameer

Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB), an institution accused and blamed by political leadership for taking political maneuvering of the government and using it to nab top leaders of major political parties on charges of money laundering, assets beyond means and corruption worth billion of dollars, has been penalised for playing the delaying tactics in submitting the penalty amount of at least $21 million to the country in the infamous Broadsheet LLC case.

A high court in London has ordered debiting at least $28.7 million from the accounts of the Pakistan High Commission in London over non-payment of the penalty by Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to the foreign assets recovery firm Boardsheet LLC.

As per the court’s order, the amount had to be debited from the accounts of the Pakistan High Commission in the UK by December 30.

Also Read – Is Pakistan ready to align with Israel?

The development was also confirmed by Pakistan Foreign Office sources, who said that London had ordered debiting millions of dollars from the Pakistan High Commission accounts.

Referring to the court order, the United Bank Limited UK had also written a letter to the Pakistan High Commission on December 29, requesting to provide written payment instructions along with debit account details to ensure smooth transaction of $28,706,533.35, which should be as per the Final Third Party Order issued by the high court.

The bank had also notified the Pakistan High Commission that in case the written payment instruction was not received by December 30, the bank would still proceed with unilaterally debiting the high commission’s account to meet the orders of the court.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. (File Photo: IANS)

On the other hand, the high commission responded to the bank, stating that any unilateral attempt of debiting their accounts for the payment would be a violation of the international law and a breach of trust, which would impact future course of relationship with the bank.

As per reliable sources, NAB’s ignorance towards the sensitivity of the case and issue, has led to Pakistan’s loss of millions of dollars.

NAB was awarded a penalty of $17 million by London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) in 2018, which was later added with a $3 million case cost. And in March 2019, the court awarded a $20 million final award.

As NAB did not pay the amount, addition of interest rate shot up the award amount to $28.7 million.

The penalty slapped with embarrassment on Pakistan’s top anti-corruption watchdog, comes with reference to the case, in which Broadsheet LLC was hired by NAB during Musharraf’s regime to trace hidden assets of 200 Pakistanis, which included former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former President Asif Ali Zardari.

However, NAB terminated the agreement in 2003, due to which the firm’s claim against Pakistan was worth at least $600 million.