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Nepal PM Oli removed as parliamentary party leader

The Dahal-Nepal faction has now appointed Prachanda as party’s new parliamentary party leader generally considered as a contender for the top post in the Nepal government…reports Asian Lite News

Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has been removed as the parliamentary leader of Nepal Communist Party amid an internal turbulence within the Himalayan nation’s ruling party that has triggered a fresh political crisis.

Oli was removed from the position following a meeting between Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, and Madhav Kumar Nepal.

The Dahal-Nepal faction has now appointed Prachanda as party’s new parliamentary party leader generally considered as a contender for the top post in the Nepal government.

“Oli has made several mistakes… hence we were compelled to remove him from the party chair and parliamentary party leader,” said Madhav Kumar Nepal while proposing Prachanda’s name as parliamentary party leader.

“If he admits his mistake and apologises, we can consider him to be welcomed again in the party,” Nepal said.

Earlier on Tuesday, a central committee meeting of the Dahal-Nepal faction of the party had expelled Oli as the party’s chairperson while picking senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as its other chairperson.

Nepal had proposed Prachanda’s name as party parliamentary leader.



Meanwhile, the Dahal-Nepal faction of the NCP has reached out to the Election Commission to claim that they hold a majority in the party and therefore should be given official recognition.

To challenge Oli, the rival faction led by former Prime Ministers Prachanda and Nepal on Tuesday forwarded a proposal to take disciplinary action against the PM and remove him from the post of party chairman.

The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is the ruling party in Nepal and it has had two serving chairmen already — Oli and Prachanda. After Nepal was picked as the next party chair, the ruling communist party has now three chairs.

Dispute inside the ruling party intensified after Oli dissolved the House of Representatives on Sunday.

A central committee meeting of the Prachanda’s camp decided to remove Oli from the post after the ruling Communist party plunged into a crisis following Oli’s decision to dissolve the House.

Since Oli’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives after he failed to command a majority in his party, the two sides have been holding parallel party meetings.

Also read:Nepal PM urges dissolution of House

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Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai gets bail

Lai, 73, was remanded in custody earlier this month but will now be placed under house arrest. He was ordered to pay a $1.3 million bond…reports Asian Lite News

Hong Kong’s high court has granted bail to pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, the most high-profile person charged under a controversial new security law.

Lai, 73, was remanded in custody earlier this month but will now be placed under house arrest. He was ordered to pay a $1.3 million bond, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

The founder of Apple Daily newspaper is a fierce critic of China’s authorities.

He is accused of fraud and conspiring with foreign forces, and could spend years in jail if convicted.

Beijing has said the new security law will return stability to the territory after a year of unrest, but critics say it is aimed at silencing dissent.

Judge Alex Lee set a number of other conditions for bail, including Lai having to remain at home, surrender all travel documents and hold no meetings with foreign officials or foreign institutions deemed to be hostile to China.

Lai has also been banned from posting on social media, issuing statements or speaking to the media.

He was charged under the security law on December 11. However, he has been in custody since December 2, after being denied bail on a separate charge of fraud related to the lease of a building that houses the newspaper.

His legal team appealed against the denial of bail, leading to Wednesday’s hearing. Both the security law and fraud cases in which he is charged are set to return to court in April.

One of the city’s most prominent supporters of the pro-democracy movement, Lai is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.

Having made his initial fortune in the clothing industry, he later ventured into media and founded Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily – a tabloid that is critical of the mainland Chinese leadership.

In a local media landscape increasingly fearful of Beijing, Lai is a persistent thorn for China – both through his publications and writing that openly criticises the Chinese leadership.

It has seen him become a hero for many residents in Hong Kong. But on the mainland he is viewed as a “traitor” who threatens Chinese national security.

Also read:China seeks Pak’s additional guarantees for $6B loan

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China seeks Pak’s additional guarantees for $6B loan

Pakistan has sought the $6 billion loan help from China for Main Line (ML-1) project against which, Beijing has sought guarantees due to the Islamabad’s weakening position…reports Hamza Ameer

Pakistan’s friendly neighbour China, which has time and again bailed it out of its financial crisis, has in a queer turn of events now demanded guarantees before sanctioning fresh $6 billion in loan to Islamabad.

Pakistan has sought the $6 billion loan help from China for Main Line (ML-1) project against which, Beijing has sought guarantees due to the Islamabad’s weakening position.

China has also proposed commercial and concessional loan against Pakistan’s desire to secure the cheapest lending.

However, a Pakistani government official stated that China did raise the additional guarantees issue during the third joint ML-1 financing committee meeting, though did not make it part of the draft of the minutes.

“The purpose of raising the additional guarantees issue was getting more clarity after Pakistan availed G-20 countries debt relief initiatives,” said the government official.

“The draft minutes have not yet been signed by both countries,” he added.

The demand of additional guarantees gained even more clarity after the third round of financial negotiations on the $6 billion loan for the $6.8 billion ML-1 project of Pakistan Railways.

China’s demand has come in the wake of Pakistan, availing the debt relief from G-20 countries, which is only meant for the poorest nations of the world.

“The G-20 nations have also imposed condition that the poor countries would not secure expensive commercial loans, except those allowed under the IMF-WB framework,” said the government official.

Another official, who was part of the ongoing negotiations for ML-1 loan, said that the G-20 regulations and conditions for debt suspension are the reason why China now seeks additional guarantees from Paksitan.

  • Chinese President Xi Jinping

“The Chinese authorities have proposed that keeping in view the financial situation in Pakistan so also the conditions laid down by the G-20 regulations for debt suspension. The government of Pakistan may provide additional guarantee mechanism for the loan other than sovereign loan for the ML-1 project”, he said.

China’s demand to Pakistan has come as a surprise as fulfilling the additional guarantees would delay the early construction work of what the officials described as a “strategically important project”.

Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project during August this year. The ML-1 project includes duality and upgrading of the 1,872 km railway track from Peshawar to Karachi and is a major milestone for the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Pakistan expectations were to get the $6 billion loan from China at only 1 per cent interest rate, along with a grace period of 10 years for repayment of the loan. However, China has proposed commercial and concessional lending, offering to finance 85 per cent of the project cost with payback period of 15 to 20 years in bi-annual repayments.

Also read:China slams US’ ‘bullying behaviour’ over blacklist

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China slams US’ ‘bullying behaviour’ over blacklist

The remarks came after the US placed 58 Chinese companies on a list of firms with alleged military ties…reports Asian Lite News

China’s Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday urged the US to stop unilateral and bullying behaviours and said it would take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

The remarks came after the US placed 58 Chinese companies on a list of firms with alleged military ties, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The US government has added a dozen Chinese companies including chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) and drone company SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd to a trade blacklist.

The US Department of Commerce on Friday said that the action against SMIC stems from China’s military-civil fusion (MCF) doctrine and evidence of activities between SMIC and entities of concern in the Chinese military industrial complex.

The “Entity List” designation limits SMIC’s ability to acquire certain US technology by requiring US exporters to apply for a licence to sell to the company.

“We will not allow advanced US technology to help build the military of an increasingly belligerent adversary,” US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement.

Also read:Russia Bans More EU Officials To Retaliate Sanctions

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Chinese envoy calls on Iran to return to nuke deal

The Iran nuclear deal is an important achievement of multilateral diplomacy endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2231, is legally binding, and should be effectively implemented, said Geng Shuang…reports Asian Lite News

A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to bring the Iran nuclear deal back on the right track and asked the US to rejoin the agreement as early as possible.

The Iran nuclear deal is an important achievement of multilateral diplomacy endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2231, is legally binding, and should be effectively implemented, said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

To preserve the July 2015 agreement is to uphold multilateralism, maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and the international order underpinned by international law, he told the Security Council.

The US unilateral withdrawal from the deal in May 2018, its continued maximum pressure on Iran, and its undermining the efforts of parties to uphold the agreement are the root causes of the current predicament of the Iranian nuclear issue, he was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency.

This year, the US has openly pushed in the Security Council for the extension of the arms embargo against Iran, demanded to invoke a snapback mechanism and unilaterally announced the reinstatement of international sanctions against Iran. In disregard of the views of the international community, the United States staged several farces, he noted.



Faced with the unreasonable demand of the US, the overwhelming majority of Security Council members adhered to an objective and fair stand, refused to endorse the US position, and did not recognise that the US actions had any legal, political, and practical effects, he said.

The rotating presidents of the Security Council also concluded that they were in no position to take any action on the US request for a snapback. This represents a resounding rejection of bullying by fairness and justice, unilateralism by multilateralism. It reflects vividly the support of the international community for justice and multilateralism, he said.

At present, the situation on the Iranian nuclear issue is pregnant with important changes and faced with new opportunities and challenges. All parties should maintain calmness and restraint, resolutely implement the agreement, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and restore the balance of rights and obligations under the agreement, he said.

  • Iranian President Hassan Rouhani



On Monday, a foreign ministers’ video teleconference on the Iranian nuclear issue was successfully convened. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the agreement and Security Council Resolution 2231, ensuring their complete and effective implementation, recognising the prospect of the US rejoining the deal and agreeing to make joint efforts to positively address the US return as soon as possible, he said.

The foreign ministers’ meeting has sent a positive and strong message to the world. All parties should seize the opportunity to speed up engagement and consultations, strengthen diplomatic efforts, and move the deal back to the right track as soon as possible. The most urgent task at the moment is for the US to mend its ways, rejoin the agreement unconditionally at an early date and return to full compliance, he said.

Also read:China To see 40% 5G connected cars by 2025: Report

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Bhutan to impose 7-day lockdown from Wednesday

It has been decided to impose a seven-day nationwide lockdown from Wednesday, which will enable the government to control the spread of the disease and also discern the extent of transmission in the communities…reports Asian Lite News

The Prime Ministers Office in Bhutan on Tuesday announced that in continuation to the inter-district movement restrictions imposed this morning, the national Covid-19 taskforce has decided to take stringent action after the detection of sporadic Covid-19 cases in flu clinics in Thimphu and Paro, and also in Lhamoizingkha, which is evident of local transmission.

Accordingly, it has been decided to impose a seven-day nationwide lockdown from Wednesday, which will enable the government to control the spread of the disease and also discern the extent of transmission in the communities.

“In doing so, His Majesty has commanded that it should be of minimum inconvenience to the people. The government will strive to work towards that,” the PMO said.

All dzongdas and thrompons have been requested to take charge, activate and ensure the smooth implementation of the zone system. It is left to the districts to decide the time for the activation of the zone system. All other support and actions required will be carried out in close consultation with the national taskforce and the zoning team.

While only designated shops within the zones and essential services will be available, all schools, institutions, offices and business establishments should remain closed.

Similarly, movement of individuals with permits within the zones and delivery of essentials will start in Thimphu from Wednesday, as it completes the third day of lockdown. However, zone relaxation will not apply to houses under isolation.

Relevant agencies will ensure that there are no disruptions in supply of goods, vegetables and other essential items, including animal feed, within the country. The government will also facilitate and ensure minimum disruption in import and export of all goods.

“While we have decided on the seven-day lockdown to begin with, the pattern of disease transmission will determine the way forward. This time, we have obvious indication of rampant local transmission and urge people to take maximum precaution,” the PMO said.

Also read:Thimphu enters complete lockdown

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Jerusalem sees battered tourism amid Covid-19

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March, Israel has already imposed two nationwide anti-virus lockdowns…reports Asian Lite News

Sarah Abu Seir, who runs with her father a small bakery in the Christian quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, has seen a very slow business this year even with the approach of Christmas, as the global Covid-19 pandemic throughout the year has cast a big shadow on the tourism of the holy city which now looks almost deserted.

“We need to see people sitting at our place, enjoying the pastries, but we couldn’t because of the coronavirus. We hope that next year will be better,” Abu Seir told Xinhua, referring to the Israeli health ministry’s restrictions to curb the pandemic.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March, Israel has already imposed two nationwide anti-virus lockdowns.

A third one is on the horizon since the number of cases is spiking again, foreshadowing a sombre Christmas festival, a peak period of tourism in previous years, for Jerusalem, where few lights have been put up and the celebrations scaled down.

“Jerusalem is becoming a ghost city,” said Abu Seir. “Walking in the streets in the morning – no people. It’s very sad.”

Yahya Attieh, who owns shops in Jerusalem that sell religious artifacts, was sitting idly outside his prime shop located next to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where Jesus is believed to be buried, lamenting one of the worst tourist seasons he has ever seen.

“You can see the street is very quiet. We hope it could get better and nicer in the near future,” the 84-year-old told Xinhua.

“There are no tourists at all. I have not seen one dollar since the third month (March),” said Michel, owner of a kiosk at the entrance to the Christian quarter of the Old City, who did not reveal his family name.

Data published by the Israeli Employment Service show that the unemployment rate in Jerusalem is over 30 percent, with the catering and hosting business hit hardest. For the Arab population in the city, many of whom work in tourism-related businesses, the unemployment is over 50 per cent.

Also read:Palestine’s economy shrinks 12% amid pandemic

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US Congress Passes Landmark Tibet Bill

The bipartisan Bill commends the Dalai Lama for his decision to implement democratic governance and also commends the Tibetan exile community for successfully adopting a system of self-governance with democratic institutions to choose their leaders…reports Vishal Gulati

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

In a historic achievement for the Tibetan government-in-exile, the US Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA) of 2020 that had been stuck at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since May.

Describing as a historic decision, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay, who is currently in Washington, told IANS over phone that the Tibetan Policy and Support Act makes it official the US policy that decisions regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama are exclusively within the authority of the current Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhist leaders and the Tibetan people.

Also Read – ‘My office committed to advocating autonomy of Tibet’

“Any interference by Chinese government officials will be met with serious sanctions and be deemed inadmissible into the United States,” he said.

The TPSA was part of the appropriation Bill that was debated and passed.

“I have been in DC for the last five days closely overseeing and finally good to see efforts bearing fruit,” Sangay informed in a tweet.

“By passing the TPSA, Congress has sent its message loud and clear that Tibet remains a priority for the United States and that it will continue its steadfast support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA,” said Sangay in a statement.

Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay

“It is a momentous landmark for the Tibetan people.”

The bipartisan Bill commends the Dalai Lama for his decision to implement democratic governance and also commends the Tibetan exile community for successfully adopting a system of self-governance with democratic institutions to choose their leaders.

In addition, it formally acknowledges the CTA as the legitimate institution reflecting the aspirations of the Tibetan diaspora around the world and the Sikyong as the President of the CTA.

Also Read – The Lost And Forgotten Tibetan Cause

The TPSA also introduces new key provisions aimed at protecting the environment and water resources on the Tibetan plateau. It recognizes the importance of traditional Tibetan grassland stewardship in mitigating the negative effects of climate change in the region as opposed to the Chinese government’s forced resettlement of the Tibetan nomads.

In addition, it calls for greater international cooperation to monitor the environment on the Tibetan plateau.

Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay (left) and his office representative Ngodup Tsering outside the White House compound after the crucial meeting in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh on November 21, 2020. (Photo: IANS)

American citizens and companies engaged in business activities in Tibet are encouraged to practice corporate social responsibility and to adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

The TPSA also authorizes a number of appropriations for Tibet and Tibetan related issues including (not less than) $8 million for Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in China; $6 million for Tibetan communities in India and Nepal; $3 million to strengthen the capacity of Tibetan institutions and governance in exile; over $3.4 million and $4 million respectively for Voice of America’s and Radio Free Asia’s reporting on Tibet and Tibetans; $1 million for Office of the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, among others.

Finally, in order to promote access to Tibet as enumerated in the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018, the TPSA calls for the establishment of a United States Consulate in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet.

Until such an establishment, the Bill calls upon the Secretary of State to not authorize any new Chinese consulate in the US.

Built on the landmark Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, the TPSA was introduced to the Congress by the Chairman of the Congressional China Commission and Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Jim McGovern, and Marco Rubio.

The CTA President expressed his gratitude to the key sponsors, co-sponsors and everyone who supported the bill, particularly Senators Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin; and Congressmen Jim McGovern and Chris Smith for their “extraordinary leadership” in introducing the Bill in the House and Senate.

“I would like to especially thank House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for their steadfast support in making this historic bill come true,” Sangay, who is at the helm for his second consecutive term, added.

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan exile administration is based in this hill town.

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Extremists plot to destabilise B’desh: Minister

The minister said this while addressing a discussion meeting on ‘The Great Victory Day 2020 and Ongoing Politics’ at the VIP lounge of the National Press Club in Dhaka…reports Sumi Khan

Bangladesh’s Minister for Information Murad Hasan said on Monday that extremist militant outfits are conspiring to destabilise Bangladesh in a planned way in the name of removing sculptures.

“When the country is marching forward under the leadership of PM Sheikh Hasina and the development of Bangladesh is being acclaimed globally, some religion based businessmen and extremist groups are out to resort to anarchy. The people of the country must foil their evil design,” Hasan said.

The minister said this while addressing a discussion meeting on ‘The Great Victory Day 2020 and Ongoing Politics’ at the VIP lounge of the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Speaking about the assassination of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on August 15, 1975, the minister said the killers and colliders involved in the grisly incident should be brought to justice, and pleaded for the formation of an independent commission to probe the matter.

He called upon all to strive hard by upholding the ideals of Bangabandhu and the spirit of the war of liberation of 1971.

Also read:B’desh Celebrates 50th Victory Day

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Israel warns Iran of ‘forceful attack’

If Iran or Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese armed group and party, “will take action against the State of Israel, they will find themselves in a very costly endeavour,”said Kochavi…reports Asian Lite News

Israel’s military chief, Aviv Kochavi, has warned Iran that any attack against the Jewish state will be responded with a forceful attack.

“Lately, we’ve noticed a rise in Iranian threats against Israel,” Kochavi said during a ceremony on Monday, referring to fears of Iranian retaliation to the recent death of an Iranian nuclear scientist who was allegedly assassinated by Israel.

Kochavi said that if Iran or Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese armed group and party, “will take action against the State of Israel, they will find themselves in a very costly endeavour”.

“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will strike all those involved in activities against Israel or against Israeli targets, whether in part or in full, whether near or far.

“I say these things simply, clearly and with complete commitment: our retaliatory steps have been prepared and rehearsed. I advise our enemies not to test us,” he said.

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, head of the Iranian Defence Ministry’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research and dubbed the “father of the Iranian bomb”, was targeted in a terrorist attack in the city of Absard on November 27.

President Hassan Rouhani has blamed Israel for the scientist’s killing.

Also read:Is Pakistan ready to align with Israel?