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Pompeo in Turkey with no official talks

Ties between Washington and its strategic NATO ally have remained tense despite a personal friendship between US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan…reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a fraught visit to Istanbul on Tuesday that included no official meetings and an agenda focused on religious freedoms that Ankara dismissed as “irrelevant.” Arab News Reports

Ties between Washington and its strategic NATO ally have remained tense despite a personal friendship between US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A group of 20 to 30 Turks shouted “Yankee go home!” as the evangelical Christian Pompeo headed in for a meeting with the Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople – the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox world – to express his “strong position” on religious freedoms.

Earlier, Pompeo had publicly criticized Erdogan’s controversial conversion of Istanbul’s emblematic Hagia Sophia monument into a mosque in July.

The US administration and Europe need to work jointly on addressing actions led by Turkey in the Middle East over the past few months, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told French daily newspaper Le Figaro. Arab news reports

“France’s president Emmanuel Macron and I agree that Turkey’s recent actions have been very aggressive,” Pompeo said, citing Turkey’s recent support to Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia as well as military moves in Libya and the Mediterranean.

“Europe and the US must work together to convince Erdogan such actions are not in the interest of his people,” Pompeo said, referring to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Also read:Palestine knocks Pompeo’s plan to visit Israeli settlement

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Human trials of four Covid vaccines begin in Iran

The Iranian companies are among the global institutions which are currently in the advanced stages of vaccine production, Namaki was quoted as saying…reports Asian Lite News

Iran’s Health Minister Saeed Namaki said on Monday that four Iranian companies have started human trials of Covid-19 vaccine, media reported.

The Iranian companies are among the global institutions which are currently in the advanced stages of vaccine production, Namaki was quoted as saying.

Namaki also said that amid the new global surge of the epidemic, Iran tries to control the disease by carrying out more than 1,00,000 laboratory tests per day, the Xinhua news agency reported.

To date, a total of 184 countries and economies have joined COVAX, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

As the world is struggling to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, countries including Germany, France, Russia, the US and the US are racing to find a vaccine.

According to the WHO, as of November 3, there were 202 Covid-19 candidate vaccines being developed worldwide, and 47 of them were in clinical trials.

Also read:Iran, Iraq to step up defence cooperation

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Russian PM Approves Reform Plan

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has approved an order to begin a governance reform from January 1, 2021.

The reform had previously been postponed due to a number of reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic, but could no longer be delayed, Xinhua news agency quoted Mishustin as saying on Monday during a meeting with his Deputy Prime Ministers.

He said the structural reform will help build optimization and ensure that every government official commits to clearly defined responsibilities as 20 per cent of positions within ministries are currently vacant.

According to the order, staff within the central administrative office will be reduced by 5 per cent, and within the territorial governments by 10 per cent.

“All these measures will improve the efficiency of the executive branch,” Mishustin said.

A special working group will be formed to deal with matters related to the reform procedure.

“The reorganization is planned to be completed by April 1, 2021,” he added.

In a recent government reshuffle, President Vladimir Putin signed an order to increase the number of Deputy Prime Ministers from nine to 10.

Also Read-More people may die if we don’t coordinate

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Hamas, Fatah talks resume in Cairo

Earlier on Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye told the cabinet in an online meeting that a Fatah delegation would head to Cairo to discuss with about elections with the Hamas….reports Asian Lite News

Leaders of the Islamic Hamas movement and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah have resumed reconciliation talks in Cairo aimed at ending the internal division between the two sides and achieving unity.

Abdulatif al-Qanoua, the Hamas spokesman in Gaza, told reporters on Monday that the two movements’ delegations had convened on Monday afternoon in Cairo to continue their reconciliation dialogue that has been going on for more than a month, reports Xinhua news agency.

“We will work to overcome obstacles and solve some of the existing problems, and we are all concerned with the success of our path of reconciliation,” al-Qanoua said.

Earlier on Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye told the cabinet in an online meeting that a Fatah delegation would head to Cairo to discuss with about elections with the Hamas.

“I hope for speeding up an agreement on setting a date for holding consecutive and inclusive elections for the Legislative Council and the Presidency to strengthen democratic life and end of internal division,” Ishtaye said.

After Hamasseized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, an internal political and geographical division over administrative, financial and security issues has remained between the two sides despite a series of Arab and international mediations.

In March 2018, then Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah survived an explosion when his convoy entered Gaza, an incident that was blamed on Hamas.

Despite a history of strife, Fatah and Hamas recently announced their agreement to put differences aside.

Also read:Palestine knocks Pompeo’s plan to visit Israeli settlement

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Israel makes key changes to energy policies

It includes promoting the transition to renewable energy production and the use of electrical technologies instead of technologies that consume fossil fuels….reports Asian Lite News

Israel has launched a national plan for energy efficiency and dealing with the climate crisis, the government announced.

On Monday, the Ministry of Energy said the new plan, which refers to the years 2020-2030, was formed to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to deal with the climate crisis and the accelerated urbanization process, reports Xinhua news agency.

It includes promoting the transition to renewable energy production and the use of electrical technologies instead of technologies that consume fossil fuels.

The program also includes measures to reduce municipal electricity consumption, a reform in the import of electrical products, support grants for energy efficiency, house energy ratings, energy efficiency in government Ministries, and more.

According to the plan, the sale of polluting vehicles will be banned in Israel starting from 2030, through the setup of an electric charging infrastructure, R&D, incentives and more.

The Ministry estimates that the plan’s measures will result in a reduction of 7.5 per cent (6 million tonnes) of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

The plan will also help achieve the national target, according to which electricity generation from renewable energy will reach 30 per cent by 2030.

The Ministry noted that the plan would also help sustainable recovery and economic acceleration following the coronavirus crisis, with the creation of thousands of new jobs.

Also read:Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to fly direct to Israel in 2021

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Putin, Macron discuss Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Photo taken on Sept. 29, 2020 shows a man walking by a house damaged during clashes in the Tartar district bordering the Nagorno-Karabakh region. (Photo by Tofik Babayev/Xinhua)

The two leaders also touched upon humanitarian matters such as the return of refugees to places of permanent residence and the necessity to restore infrastructure and preserve Christian churches and monasteries…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday discussed over phone the ongoing efforts to secure the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire.

Putin told Macron that the ceasefire, agreed upon by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, is being honored and the situation in the region has generally stabilised, the Xinhua news agency reported.

As co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, both parties agreed to coordinate their efforts on Nagorno-Karabakh.

The two leaders also touched upon humanitarian matters such as the return of refugees to places of permanent residence and the necessity to restore infrastructure and preserve Christian churches and monasteries.

Putin briefed Macron on the future establishment of a Russian humanitarian response center in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of refugees and civilians in the region.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Putin issued a joint statement on November 10, agreeing on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Also read:Russia sets up centre for humanitarian issues in Nagorno-Karabakh

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Trump to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, Iraq

Washington, Oct. 2, 2020 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on Sept. 3, 2020 shows U.S. President Donald Trump participating in a campaign rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the United States. Trump said early Friday morning that he and his wife, Melania, have tested positive for COVID-19, after a close aide had contracted the virus. (Xinhua/Liu Jie/IANS)

Soon after taking office, Miller, a US special forces veteran who fought wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, indicated he might accelerate the pace to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News

  • US President Donald Trump formallt accepts Republican nomination.

US President Donald Trump will issue a formal order to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Iraq as soon as this week, according to media reports on Monday.

US media quoted officials as saying that the Pentagon had issued a notice to commanders to begin planning to decrease the number of troops to 2,500 level in both Afghanistan and Iraq by mid-January, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The 2,500-troop level in reports was in line with what Trump’s National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said last month that US troops in Afghanistan would be reduced to around 2,500 by early 2021. Currently, there are approximately 4,500 US troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 troops in Iraq.

The reports came after a reshuffle of Pentagon leadership last week. President Trump last Monday appointed the director of the National Counterterrorism Center Christopher Miller as acting defense secretary to replace former Pentagon chief Mark Esper, who reportedly had been pushing back on a premature withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Soon after taking office, Miller, a US special forces veteran who fought wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, indicated he might accelerate the pace to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan.

Also read:Andrew Cuomo Slams Trump’s Vaccine Plan

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Pashtun protests rock Pakistan

Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen addressing the rally

The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) organised protest rallies at Miran Shah and other major cities to protest against the Imran Khan government’s treatment of ethnic Pashtuns and its decision to interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.

Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, the firebrand leader of the PTM, PPP leader Farhatullah Babar, rights activist Khor Bibi were among the leaders addressed the massive protest.

The protesters also slammed the government for offering red carpet welcome to Gulbudhin Hikmatyar. “#ButcherOfKabul #GulbadinHikmatyar was given official proticol by #Islamabad,” an activist tweeted.

Another tweet said: #Pashtuns have had enough of death, displacements & destruction. Won’t tolerate a new cycle of violence on their soil. #EndTalibanProject

PPP leader Farhatullah Babar addressing the rally

While Pashtuns constitute 15 per cent of the total Pakistan population, they have reportedly been subjected to brutalities. The community, which is the second-largest ethnic group in Pakistan has been facing mass genocide in the hands of the Pakistan army as a large number of civilians are killed and many are victims of enforced disappearances, as per ANI.

The PTM is a civil rights moments which emerged to tackle the issues and has repeatedly alleged that Pashtuns are becoming victims in the hands of the Pakistan army and the terrorists in the region.

Leaders of the  Movement, which fights for rights of ethnic Pashtuns, have faced intimidation and arrests in past. According to ANI report, Arif Wazir, a leader of the PTM was attacked in Wana in North Waziristan, was severely wounded and later he succumbed to his injuries.

Human Rights activist Khor Bibi cheers the gathering by saying that they have stood up “against state brutalities with Pashtuns”.

Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen addressing the rally

 “Bravo PTM! 4 holding such a massive demonstration & show of power against gross human rights violations committed by Pak Army on innocent Pashtuns,” she wrote in a tweet. “We’ll never forget & forgive #KharQamar & Wana massacres; killing of Arman Loni, Arif Wazir&Tahir Dawar,” she added.

“We are telling #GulbuddinHekmatyar that there are no limits to our movement, #PTM is everywhere in the Lar-aw-Bar Afghans, and as long as a single PTM worker is alive, I tell #Hekmatyar that we won’t let you destroy the Afghan political system.”

Another activist said: Pakistan brought Gulbudin Hekmatyar. Gave him state protocol. He gave threats to Afghanistan from here. He has been rejected by Afghans. PTM will resist attempts to impose decisions on Afghans from here. Only Afghans can decide their fate.

The PTM is a rights group that has called for the de-mining of the former tribal areas and greater freedom of movement within tribal areas. It has called for an end to “extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions.”

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Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to fly direct to Israel in 2021

The announcement comes as the aviation industry faces its worst-ever crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has wrecked air travel demand….reports Asian Lite News

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways said on Monday it would start daily flights to Tel Aviv in March after the United Arab Emirates and Israel’s established formal ties this year.Arab News reports

Flight will start March 28 and will be timed to connect with Etihad services to and from China, Thailand, India and Australia, the state-owned carrier said in a statement.

The announcement comes as the aviation industry faces its worst-ever crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has wrecked air travel demand.

Following the September 15 US-brokered normalization deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the two countries have signed four agreements during the first high-level visit from the Gulf state to Tel Aviv

Israel currently has normalization agreements with four Arab countries, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and the UAE, but so far only the latter has agreed to allow Israelis to visit without a visa.

The US is also yet to sign a visa exemption agreement with Israel.

Developments came after the UAE and Bahrain gave parliamentary approval to their respective normalization agreements with Israel.

Also read:Israel will not tolerate any attacks: Netanyahu

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Turkey to join Karabakh ‘peacekeeping center’

MOSCOW, March 5, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Moscow, Russia, on March 5, 2020. Russia and Turkey agreed Thursday on a ceasefire in the de-escalation zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan which lasted for about six hours. (Sputnik/Handout via Xinhua/IANS)

Turkey is one of Azerbaijan’s closest allies and has strongly defended its right to reclaim lands it lost to ethnic Armenian separatists in a 1988-94 war…reports Asian Lite News

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked parliament Monday to authorize sending soldiers to Azerbaijan to establish a “peacekeeping center” with Russia to monitor a truce over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Arab News reports

Erdogan’s request followed two days of talks in Ankara with Russian officials about how the two regional powers intend to jointly implement a Russian-brokered cease-fire signed last week.

Turkey is one of Azerbaijan’s closest allies and has strongly defended its right to reclaim lands it lost to ethnic Armenian separatists in a 1988-94 war.

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an order to set up an inter-departmental humanitarian response centre to resolve humanitarian issues and rebuild civil infrastructure in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

According to the order published by the Kremlin, the centre is tasked with facilitating the return of displaced people to their home in the conflict-ridden Nagorno-Karabakh, reports Xinhua news agency.

Putin also asked the centre to help state bodies of Azerbaijan and Armenia to restore civil infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh and create proper conditions for its people to live a normal life.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988. The latest round of armed conflict broke out in the region in September, causing heavy casualties and property losses.

  • (160405) — NAGORNO-KARABAKH, April 5, 2016 (Xinhua) — Houses damaged in recent conflicts are seen in Azerbaijan’s Gapanli village bordering Nagorno-Karabakh region, on April 5, 2016. The Armenian and Azerbaijani Defense Ministries both confirmed Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region is currently being prepared. (Xinhua/Tofik Babayev)(dh)

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Putin signed a joint statement on Monday, agreeing on a complete ceasefire in the region.

As agreed, Russia will deploy a peacekeeping contingent consisting of 1,960 servicemen with small arms, 90 armoured personnel carriers, and 380 vehicles to the region.

This is the fourth ceasefire since last month.

Also read:Russia sets up centre for humanitarian issues in Nagorno-Karabakh