NEW DELHI TIMES R.N.I. No 53449/91 DL-SW-1/4124/20-22 (Monday/Tuesday same week) (Published Every Monday) New Delhi Page 24 Rs. 7.00

23 - 29 November 2020 Vol - 30 No. 43 Email : [email protected] Founder : Dr. Govind Narain Srivastava ISSN -2349-1221 Islamic Fundamentalism The wise listens more and and the threat speaks less! We have been privileged with a valuable to global peace blessing, the endowment of talking. The blessing makes us capable of communicating Political intends to convert all the our sentiments, feelings, and thoughts into non- into Muslims in search of a something we usually refer to as words. But Muslim where laws will unfortunately, any gift, if overused, might apply universally everywhere in the prompt unforeseen outcomes. world. In France, a school teacher, Samuel Paty, showed some cartoons in Listening and talking in a balanced manner is the class and the next day his head was... vital in one’s life. Individuals who... By Dr. Ankit Srivastava Page 3 By Dr. Pramila Srivastava Page 24

By NDT Special Bureau Page 2 Abrogation of Article 370 Religious fundamentalism: A Canada’s UN Ambassador curse for humanity takes on China

Kashmir, a paradise, is a breathtakingly splendid creation Arab world is changing and changing very fast. And good The name has become synonymous with being on Earth. Whomsoever visited Kashmir, fell in love with the news is that it is changing for the better. too the voice of the underdog and the voiceless ever since he scenic beauty at once. Everything was fine with Kashmir... is on the path of change. Saudi de facto ruler... came into the public eye as an MP, then MPP... By Sujay Dhawan Page 20 By Himanshu Sharma Page 5 By Tarek Fatah Page 2

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Opinion NEW DELHI TIMES PFI-Turkey Bonhomie and the rise of extremism in “The flaw in being civilized is that it permit’s the uncivilized among us to perpetrate horrific crimes against us in the name of freedom and equality.” - M.J. Croan government and launch an unprecedented ◆ By NDT Special Bureau purge of critics from government jobs- a @NewDelhiTimes direct methodology of fascist regimes. Turkish government reciprocated by [email protected] promoting the PFI on state-run Anadolu news agency as a civic and social group o a novice eye, the Foundation for Human whose members were abused by the Indian T Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian police. The PFI appears to be a perfect match Relief (İnsan Hak ve Hürriyetleri ve İnsani for the IHH as both organizations have been Yardım Vakfı, or IHH) would appear to be implicated in activities against the interest of a human rights organisation involved in their respective nations. constructive work benefitting the society. A closer look however, would reveal In the popular mythology Ramayana, Ravan that it is an Al-Qaeda-linked Turkish was defeated only with the help of insider charity organisation which was accused named Vibhishan. The greatest damage to of smuggling arms to Al-Qaeda-affiliated Executive Council of the Popular Front of outreach to Muslim communities in the powerful nations has always been done by jihadists in Syria in January 2014 in a India (PFI) were privately hosted in Istanbul Southeast Asia region to further its plan insiders who work against the interest of the counterterrorism investigation conducted by by the IHH. The PFI is an Indian extremist to revive the Khilafat (Caliphate) system country by collaborating with external forces. a prosecutor in Turkey’s eastern province of Islamist organization involved in range of which was abolished in 1924. In this age Van. The leaked emails of Berat Albayrak, violent and criminal activities ranging from of globalisation with defined geographical Looking at the violent past records of the the son-in-law of Turkey’s President organising Arms training camp in Narath, boundaries based on the concept of PFI and recent development like meeting Erdoğan and current Finance and Treasury kidnapping and murder of boys for ransom, nationalism, any attempt to restore the with the IHH, an upcoming calamity on Minister, also implicated that the IHH in murder of CPI(M) and RSS workers, Khilafat system is bound to create unrest India cannot be denied unless the problem is arming Libyan factions. The IHH has been murder of ABVP activist N Sachin Gopal leading to large scale violence. nipped at the bud. identified as an organization that closely and Vishal, SMS campaign against people works with Turkish intelligence service of the North-East, attack on T. J. Joseph in The PFI with its subversive agendas is most Too much emphasis on variables like ‘No first MIT and is led by President Recep Tayyip which his hands were chopped off, Shimoga suitable to secretly carry out the divisive strike policy’, ‘Non-Aligned Movement’, Erdoğan, who effectively considers himself Violence, funding of Anti-CAA Protests to plans of Turkey in the Indian subcontinent. etc. had cost us dearly in the past including the leader of all Muslims worldwide. forced conversations. The bonhomie between Turkey and the loss of territory and international prestige. Why is this organisation relevant for India? PFI can be assessed by the fact that the Time has come to change the narrative. As The question can be answered by looking at Meeting of a Turkish intelligence-linked PFI issued a statement endorsing Turkish famous writer Abhijit Naskar once said, a Nordic Monitor investigation. According jihadist charity group with an Indian President Erdogan after a 2016 coup attempt “The dangerous enemies of your species are to the Nordic Monitor investigation, two key extremist organisation cannot be brushed that was in fact a false flag orchestrated by fundamentalism, intolerance, separatism, leaders of the PFI, E. M. Abdul Rahiman under carpet given the scenario that Turkish Erdogan’s intelligence and military chiefs extremism, hostility and prejudicial fear, be and Prof. P. Koya, members of the National President Erdogan is trying hard to make to consolidate Islamists’ power in the it religious, atheistic or political.” Canada’s UN Ambassador takes on China Now Rae has raised the issue by calling on UN superiors and China was the only country the United Nations Human Rights Council that had such a privilege. As a result of this ◆ By Tarek Fatah to investigate whether China’s persecution list falling into the hands of the Chinese, the Author & Columnist, Canada of Uighurs in Xinjiang province should be families of these Uighur activists have faced @TarekFatah considered an act of genocide. persecution back home. [email protected] Perhaps that is the diplomatic course to take, In 2019, Reilly also wrote to Canada’s he name Bob Rae has become but Rae should know that the very people Ambassador at its Permanent Mission in T synonymous with being the voice of at the UN who he has asked to investigate Geneva raising these concerns. In her letter, the underdog and the voiceless ever since the widely acknowledged genocide are Reilly asked the Canadian government to call he came into the public eye as an MP, then themselves alleged to be complicit in for an immediate end to OHCHR’s practice MPP, Premier of , interim leader of working with the Chinese authorities. of providing names to China, and demand the Liberal Party, the voice of the Rohingya an external, independent investigation into Muslims of Myanmar and now Canada’s On Nov. 1, listeners of the United Kingdom’s this practice. Ambassador to the United Nations. international radio network LBC got a chance to hear from Human Rights Lawyer On its part, the UN rights office denied Last week, Ambassador Rae took on the Emma Reilly who works for the UN. She claims that by sharing the names it had bullies in Beijing who have according to its made the shocking revelation that the UN endangered NGOs. victims been carrying out a genocide of its office that Bob Rae has asked to investigate mostly Muslim Uighur minority population the genocide is itself actively sharing in its Xinxiang province. the names of Uyghur dissidents with the Uighurs are not the only target of China at Chinese Government, labelling the actions the UN Human Rights office in Geneva. In According to the Council on Foreign of her superiors as ‘criminal.’ Nov. 2017, Mehran Marri, the representative Relations, many aspects of Muslim life of Balochistan exiles who are opposed among the Uighurs have been erased. For Reilly also said that as a result of her to China’s expansion of the Belt & Road example, fasting during Ramadan is now whistleblowing, she had been sidelined Initiative known as the China-Pakistan considered “extremist” behaviour. while her immediate boss who supplied the Economic Corridor, was arrested as he names had been promoted. arrived to raise that issue at the UNHRC. Communist officials have destroyed mosques, while Uighur women have reported Outlining how the system worked, Reilly Marri had been a regular at the UN in forced sterilizations and intrauterine device said it had become a regular practice for Geneva for 15 years, but was detained and insertions, with threats of detention of the Chinese government to demand that the placed under a lifetime ban from entering China is today’s leading imperialist power, anyone who has too many children. Uighur Office of Human Rights in Geneva senda Switzerland. riding roughshod over its own people and parents are banned from giving their babies list of human rights activists of the Uighur the rest of the world. certain names, including Mohammed. community who, like other activists from Rae and the Canadian government should other countries, are permitted to voice their pay attention to those who have been Bob Rae should make sure the ogre is Incredibly, none of the Islamic countries opinions at regular sessions of the UNHRC. victimized by the very UN Office whose exposed for what it is — a threat to liberal have a problem with China. Certainly not its raison d’etre is the protection of human democracy, human rights that is our very client state Pakistan. This demand was always honoured by her rights. way of life. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

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Editor’s Desk NEW DELHI TIMES

by Islamic Sharia laws. The obvious answer Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert believe in the supremacy of Islam and no lies in the respective forms of government Colville, remarked that accusations of other except Islam exists for them. ◆ Dr. Ankit Srivastava these countries have. Democratic blasphemy in Pakistan are a cause of concern Living in democratic societies they uphold the Chief Editor governments operate in a very transparent as they can put an accused individual at constitution to uphold their minority rights, but @AnkitNDT manner. All the policies of government are imminent risk of violence. We call on the once they become majority, constitution and [email protected] open and declared before the electorate. It (Pakistani) leadership to unequivocally minority rights ceases for them. They declare is no surprise that Macron’s policy, declared condemn incitement to violence against Dar-ul-Islam - a country solely for Muslims– olitical Islam intends to convert all the from open platforms, evoked protests in religious minorities and what appears to be where all rights for minorities evaporate P non-Muslims into Muslims in search Muslim world where theocracy rules. an increase in the use of blasphemy laws for overnight. What happened to Kashmiri Pandits of a Muslim Ummah where Sharia laws will personal or political score-settling. We call in 1989 is an eye opener. apply universally everywhere in the world. Pakistan is the prime example of a nation on them to encourage respect for diversity that claims to be a ‘democratic’ state of opinion”, the statement read. However, Hindus were asked to leave Kashmir - In France, a school teacher, Samuel Paty, but, in reality, is the breeding ground for it has fallen on deaf ears and the extremists their ancestral land where they lived for showed some cartoons in the class and extremists and terrorists that have created and radicals enjoy a free run in Pakistan thousands of years - leaving behind their the next day his head was severed by the havoc. The mullah-military-government nexus under state patronage. property and women!!! That was the crudest Islamists in revenge against what they in Pakistan has not only jeopardised the face of . India’s leaders - Modi and labelled as an act of blasphemy. The horrific security situation in South and Central Outside of Pakistan, non-state like the Shah in particular - must be given full credit incident aroused public anger. In response, Asia, but also outside these regions in Islamic State and Al-Qaeda pose security for pulling Kashmir back from the precipice the French government announced a slew the country’s immediate neighbourhood. problems. An Al-Qaeda leader, Abu of Dar-ul-Islam, the idyllic land was on the of retaliatory measures to curb Islamic madrassas (Islamic seminaries) are one of Muhammad el-Masri, the mastermind of the verge of being converted to. fundamentalism there. French President the important sources of violent extremism bombing in Kenya-Tanzania embassy of the Macron showed his resolve to protect in Pakistan and beyond. They are not only US that killed 250 Americans and in line to Why political Islam is harming Muslims freedom of expression, but heavens broke the breeding grounds for extremists but also head the terror outfit, who was hiding in Iran across the world rather than liberating them? loose when almost the entire Muslim world provide fodder for . These madrassas for nearly two decades was gunned down in This and many more question have to be rose in protest against what it perceived as enjoy considerable patronage of not only the Tehran streets on August 7, presumably by solved by learned section of Muslims who an affront to Islam. Macron’s effigies were Pakistan state but also of the all-powerful Israeli secret agency. None of the involved don’t want Islam to be considered as religion burnt, and his photographs desecrated amidst deep state, which is the sinister nexus of the countries – the US, Israel, and Iran - opened of hate but peace. widespread hate-filled demonstrations ISI and the Pakistani Army. their mouth for over two months! It’s a against the French leader. Muslims called for different matter that the media and social We have to understand that tough times mass boycott of merchandise from France. The Blasphemy laws of Pakistan are archaic media accounts reconstructed the strands of are coming ahead if nothing is done now. that have no place in modern secular events to blow up the event. Political Islam Political unrest, religious riots and ever- Questions arise regarding contrasting societies. These blasphemy laws are used intends to convert all the non-Muslims into increasing global acts of terror in name of responses to treatment of Muslims in France to target the minorities at the whims and Muslims in search of a Muslim Ummah religion has to stop now or else, humanity but an eerie silence is observed over denial fancies of the extremists. On September 8, where Sharia laws will apply universally will pay a very heavy price of this Political of fundamental rights in countries governed 2020, the Spokesperson for the UN High everywhere in the world. Such Islamists Islam.

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International NEW DELHI TIMES

thought of which would seem as a distant December 2017, made several significant remarked: “We must hold accountable the reality under any other international leader. changes to the individual income tax. These nation which unleashed this plague onto the ◆ By Ryszard Czarnecki changes include a nearly doubled standard world: China. The United Nations must hold Trump lived up to his motto of “Make EU lawmaker deduction, new limitations on itemized China accountable for their actions”. “In America Great Again” and reinforced the deductions, reduced income tax rates, and the earliest days of the virus, China locked @r_czarnecki position of the US as the leading player reforms to several other provisions. In all, down travel domestically, while allowing in the international political as well as the these changes simplify the individual income flights to leave China and infect the world,” he Presidential tenure of Donald economic landscape. tax by eliminating the need for millions the US President said in his address. T Trump has left an indelible legacy of households to itemize their deductions. on not only the US domestic political Under Trump’s administration, the United The US economy grew at a sizzling 33.1% “The Chinese government, and the World landscape but also on the global landscape States registered an impressive job growth annual rate in the July-September quarter - Health Organization, which is virtually as well. His Presidential tenure not only rate. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, by far the largest quarterly gain on record – controlled by China, falsely declared that saw the United States tread on the labour market was flourishing rebounding after the COVID-19 pandemic. there was no evidence of human-to-human the path of prosperity and and unemployment rate transmission.” economic development was near a 50-year low. The Trump administration also made far- but also saw the One of the landmark reaching decisions in the domain of health Trump was also not a war monger and it is international community achievements of the policy. The Trump administration expanded indeed a remarkable fact that the US was make significant strides Trump administration access to Association Health Plans (AHPs) indulged in no new wars anywhere in the towards an international was the passing of the allowing small business to pool risk across world under his tenure. order marked by Tax Cuts and Jobs Act states, launched a program to provide the historic peace (TCJA). The Tax Cuts HIV prevention drug PrEP to uninsured Trump has also initiated measures for the agreements, the and Jobs Act (TCJA), patients for free and issued guidance withdrawal of US troops from areas such as very passed in expanding options for individuals with Iraq and Afghanistan. chronic conditions. Inarguably, the biggest achievement of As a result of these policies, high deductible in international political plans can now cover products such as landscape is the signing of the peace insulin, inhalers and statins pre-deductible. deals that has heralded a new era in the The Trump administration also announced Middle East. The Trump administration the launch of a new COVID-19 Uninsured engineered diplomatic pacts between Program Portal in an effort to cover testing Israel and the and treatment for uninsured individuals. and Sudan.

One of the most remarkable qualities about Trump has rightly declared that this will Trump was that he never hesitated to call mark the “dawn of a new Middle East”. a spade a spade and did not mince his As more countries normalize relations with words for the sake of political correctness. Israel, the region will become more stable, President Donald Trump remains perhaps secure, and prosperous. the only international leader who has singled out China and, rightly so, for the spread of Ryszard Czarnecki: the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. Politician from Poland, Former Vice-President In his speech at the 75th Session of the of European Parliament, Minister of European United Nations General Assembly, Trump Affairs and Minister in Prime Minister Office International Political Scenario of the Week have fled Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region ◆ By NDT Bureau into neighbourin Sudan, and it is preparing @NewDelhiTimes to take in up to 200,000 in the next six months if necessary. The UNICEF country [email protected] representative in Sudan, Abdullah Fadil, said about 45% of the refugees are children Brazil under age 18. “This could unravel Ethiopia and also Sudan,” he said of the crisis. Protests have erupted in northern Brazil’s “Soon we will be overwhelmed ... if this rate Amapa state over a power outage. Amapá, continues.” Ethiopia’s government, which has a remote state in the Amazon rainforest on been fighting the Tigray regional forces since the border with French Guiana, has been a November 4 attack on a military base there virtually without electricity for over a week has acknowledged carrying out airstrikes. The since transformers were knocked out by a Tigray regional government has acknowledged fire at the main substation in Macapá, where firing missiles. The fighting also threatens to most of the state’s 862,000 inhabitants live. suck in or destabilize Ethiopia’s neighbours, The crisis, and the delay in resolving it, have which include Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea, fuelled criticism of far-right President Jair whose capital came under a rocket attack. Bolsonaro’s government.

Initially, the federal government gave 10 days Italy to solve the problem, which did not happen. The USI trade union representing public Then, the energy distributor, Companhia de workers has called for a general strike in Energia do Amapá (CEA), promised to end Italy on November 25. The strike is called the rotation and resume full distribution on due to a multitude of factors such as greater Chan-ocha, the Prime Minister of Thailand, who as army chief in 2014 led a coup that November 26. Almost 90% of the population rights, safety in the workplace and the fight has said that the government would use all ousted an elected government, returned is forced to maintain new habits with the against the privatisation of public services. forms of legislation against protesters who to power unfairly in last year’s election partial supply of electricity, mainly to continue The strike will cause disruption to schools broke the law, as demonstrations calling because laws had been changed to favour with the routine at home and at work. and healthcare. Rome’s public transport for his removal and reforms to curb the a pro-military party. The protesters also network is also at risk from a four-hour powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. “The say the constitution, written and enacted Ethiopia strike between 08.30 and 12.30. situation is not improving,” Prayuth said in under military rule, is undemocratic. a statement. “There is a risk of escalation Reform of the monarchy is a key demand Conflict in Tigray region in Ethiopia is Thailand to more violence. If not addressed, it of the protest movement, which believes the escalating day by day. The United Nations could damage the country and the beloved royal institution is too powerful and lacks refugee agency says about 32,000 people As protests in Thailand escalate, Prayuth monarchy.” The protesters say that Prayuth, accountability. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

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International NEW DELHI TIMES Religious fundamentalism: A curse for humanity Contrasted to modern Islamic societies Pakistan is marching to a different beat. Its mediaeval practices have not changed now promise to increase tourism and foreign Islamic Morocco, Tunis, , Malaysia, that people should be free to choose. This is By Himanshu Sharma ◆ investment. and Indonesia have allowed drinking for exactly what the UAE has just done. @_Himansh_ decades without any hullabaloo. In Egypt, Unfortunately, India’s neighbour Pakistan is The Mullahs routinely impose their dictate the law mandates that a hotel cannot get [email protected] still mired in medievalism and development on the common man while the educated a 5-star license unless it serves alcohol. has left Pakistan far behind. Religious Muslims refrain from taking any stand. Turkey has been a secular state for a century rab world is changing and changing fundamentalism impedes growth of tourism Educated women must be allowed the till Erdogan’s obsession to be the Caliph very fast. And good news is that it is and foreign investment. During Imran freedom to choose their life partners without A changed everything. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto changing for the better. Saudi Arabia too is Khan’s tenure, tourists and foreign investors parental will being forced on them so that imposed prohibition in 1977 to counter the on the path of change. Saudi de facto ruler, have not visited Pakistan. if the marriage don’t work out, parents can fundamentalists but regretted his decision the heir apparent Prince Mohammed bin escape the blame for the failed marriage or Contrasted to modern Islamic societies later. In the throes of Islamic liberalisation Salman (MBS), has unleashed a spate of divorce. Marriage must be a happy occasion, Pakistan is marching to a different beat. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the reform measures like permitting women to not one of fear and violence. Its mediaeval practices have not changed. outliers. Even Afghanistan, now a hotbed of drive, opening cinemas and permitting the It goes on consuming dope, beat wives, Islamic fundamentalism, used to be a happy Pakistan, like the UAE, must allow people two genders to work together. starve its children, and rob and kill under destination for hippies till the mid-1970s. the freedom of choice. Religion must not the ignorant grasp of Islamic laws. In Islam, The coup and the ensuing civil war made it be dragged into everything. The enjoyable women are protected and there’s no ban on a fundamentalist state and a breeding ground things of life must not be denied in the name cinemas, music or sports. Unfortunately, for radical Taliban and is still reaping the of religion. The choice should be open to fundamentalist Mullahs out of their bitter fruit. individual as long as individual’s choice overenthusiasm have exploited common does not physically hurt someone. Freedom Some societies have luckily graduated out of people’s ignorance of to block all of conscience must be of fundamental tribal practices which have long dominated fun-loving activities. Now, Arab rulers have importance! Social freedom is so essential the European, African, and Asian societies. decided that enough is enough. They have for healthy life! Tribal rules have evolved over the millennia broken free and set to move on. The Erdogan era apart, Turkey has been

PC : Getty Images and now play a stellar role in shaping Islamists blame the UAE and Saudi Arabia the society and the economy. Gradually broadly secular. Saudi Arabia and the UAE too are relaxing the norms. Pakistan must The UAE has gone even further to literally for coming under the influence of Trump technology and power-shift from rural for the lure of enhanced trade and tourism to urban centres changed the status quo. imbibe the spirits of religious tolerance. extricate itself from the shackles of orthodox Religion is just a historical, cultural, and Islam by allowing unmarried couples exchanges with Israel. Israel’s high-tech Feudalism gave way to corporate culture industries could transform the economies but in backward countries like Pakistan, geographical legacy. The clerics must not to cohabit, letting Muslims drink, and compel the government to impose additional withdrawing relaxations on honour killing. of new allies. Israel’s arms technology, feudalism still rules the roost. especially advanced drones, transformed sanctions. The UAE is now in a different the outcome of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Pakistanis are soaked in religious league altogether. Pakistan stands nowhere Traditionally, Mullahs exploited gullible towards Azeri’s resounding victory. radicalism. The anti-France agitations close. Pakistan’s beliefs should not veer followers for their ignorance. Abu Dhabi prove their orientation. Muslims may be away from liberal Arabs. Pakistan can has relaxed many social constraints for its These two aren’t the only Muslim countries extremely religious, but drink is not banned adopt the Indian model which is neither too Muslim population. These reform measures to jump off the extremist bandwagon. at weddings. Modern liberal societies ordain medieval nor too modern. Pakistani PM complains of US pressure to recognise Israel The UAE, Bahrain and Sudan have normalised relations with Israel earlier this year double talk is noteworthy as he talks about Israel will imply jettisoning Kashmir cause Pakistan’s choice to grow or stagnate. ◆ By NDT Bureau the US pressure but refrains from discussing as well. @NewDelhiTimes Arab pressure saying, “We cannot comment Pakistan’s closest friends like Turkey and on it.” China have already recognised the Israel [email protected] state. Saudi Arabia could be next. In future Imran is desperate to curry support from Bangladesh, Oman, Sudan, and Maldives uring November second week, Arab nations especially since the KSA, Qatar could follow suit. Pakistan missed the bus D Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and the UAE are stopping differed payment and should catch up before it’s too late and talked of great pressure from the United for oil supplies and asking for return of their see which way the wind is blowing. States to recognise Israel following peace loans. Why should the US put pressure? deals between several Arab states and Tel Given the volume of their Muslim Aviv. He said this will not be possible “unless population, even India and Israel could soon there is a just settlement, which satisfies Pakistan believes that Iran-Turkey-Pakistan be part of the OIC. Staying aloof smacks Palestine.” Imran termed the pressure as triad constitute the only hurdle against of insecurity complex. It is only matter of “extraordinary during the Trump stint” but greater Israel and Israel needs Pakistan more time before Pakistan joins. Let see how long ruled out recognition until there is justice as among all Muslim countries only Pakistan Pakistan resists the pressure. for Palestinians. Asked whether Muslim has nuclear capability. states were applying similar pressure, Imran PC : Getty Images Israel is not dying for diplomatic relations evaded saying, “there are things we cannot Arab countries like the UAE caved into the and can live without Pakistan. Now India say. We have good relations with them”. US pressure to recognise Israel. Pakistan could recognize Israel shortly! Once the Arabs are recognizing Israel despite is one of Israel’s largest trading partners in Palestine issue, but non-Arab Pakistan is The UAE, Bahrain and Sudan have KSA formally recognizes, Israel will cease defence, agriculture, or medical science. adamant on non-recognition which has led normalised relations with Israel earlier this to be a pariah state in the region. Pakistan’s Pakistan not recognising Israel benefits to its self-isolation and loss. Pakistan refuses year. The Trump administration is goading recognition is not that important to Israel India which will continue to milch advanced to change with times. It must shift self- Saudi Arabia to do the same, but Riyadh has or the US. It will offer nothing but thrust technology from Israel in agriculture or destruction mode and pragmatically grab so far resisted to follow in the footsteps of begging bowl towards Israel. Pakistan is just defence. coming opportunities. its Gulf and Arab allies. Pakistan parroted a number count. Its recognition, approval or its official line: “Islamabad would continue non-approval makes no difference as it can’t Critics allege that Pakistan is keen to to follow in Jinnah’s footsteps vis-a-vis dictate terms. Rather non-recognition costs Taking extreme positions leaves no space for recognise Israel but apprehending adverse Palestine.” Unless there was justice for the Pakistan more. No country is interested in diplomacy. Bigger responsibility beckons public opinion takes the alibi of the US Arab side, recognition of the Zionist state by Pakistan let alone depending on it. Pakistan to own citizens than to Palestine. Foreign pressure. Pakistan’s denial notwithstanding, Pakistan was off the table. is standing on the wrong side of history. Even policy of 1947 is no more relevant in 2020 a U-turn could be just round the corner to Sudan is more progressive than Pakistan. nor responsive to a dynamic, changing recognise Israel for alignment with evolving Imran’s statement intends to divert public world order. Pakistan will recognise Israel geopolitical situations. The world waits attention from his incompetent handling of Imran Khan had quoted Jinnah’s statement but when? Nations and people grow. Israel eagerly for Imran’s U-turn! the economy. This narrative developed only of 1948 in August that Pakistan could not did grow during last 70 years. Its GDP is 1.5 after Trump lost the election to project how recognise Israel unless it gave freedom to times Pakistan’s. A $42k per capita income By the way when will Pakistan stand up for strong and important Pakistan is. Imran’s Palestinians. It was feared that recognising ranks it among the richest countries. Its Uyghurs?

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International NEW DELHI TIMES US imposes sanctions on prominent Lebanese political figure over corruptions and links with Hezbollah friends to positions and purchasing other Pompeo said that the action expanded on prompted the US Treasury to press charges ◆ By NDT Bureau forms of influence within Lebanese political similar sanctions imposed on two other and impose sanctions against Bassil, and @NewDelhiTimes circles. In 2014, while Minister of Energy, former Lebanese officials, including Yusuf hand over these documents to the Lebanese Bassil was involved in approving several Finyanus, who was ’s Minister of judiciary in order for it to take the necessary [email protected] projects that would have steered Lebanese Transportation and public works, and Ali legal measures if any information on these government funds to individuals close to Hassan Khalil, who previously served as accusations is available”. n November 6, the United States him through a group of front companies. Minister of Public Health and then later as O Department of Treasury’s Office of Bassil was designated for being a current Minister of Finance, for providing material Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned or former government official, or a person support to Hezbollah and engaging in , the President of the Free acting for or on behalf of such an official, corruption. Patriotic Movement (FPM) political party who is responsible for or complicit in, or and Member of Parliament (MP), over who has directly or indirectly engaged in Bassil has denied the corruption charges and charges of alleged corruption in Lebanon corruption, including the misappropriation said that the United States had urged him to and linkages with the Iran-backed Shi’ite of state assets, the expropriation of private sever ties with Shiite movement Hezbollah Hezbollah, which the US regards as a assets for personal gain, corruption related before targeting him with sanctions over terrorist group. Bassil has been sanctioned to government contracts or the extraction of alleged corruption. Bassil in a televised under the Global Magnitsky Human natural resources, or bribery”, the statement statement said the US Embassy informed

Rights Accountability Act which targets PC : Getty Images by the US Department of Treasury reads. him that he “should immediately comply corruption and serious human rights abuse with four demands or US sanctions would around the world. Individuals targeted “The systemic corruption in Lebanon’s be implemented.” He said the first demand The sanctions on Bassil have come at a by Magnitsky sanctions face seizure of political system exemplified by Bassil was for him to “immediately sever ties with time when the US and other Western donor property and financial assets, investigations has helped to erode the foundation of Hezbollah,” which then became the only countries are exerting greater pressure on into associated companies, entities and an effective government that serves the request. He did not speak much about the Lebanon to implement reforms. Dorothy individuals and a ban on entering the US. Lebanese people. This designation further other three demands. Shea, while speaking during an online demonstrates that the United States supports conference later remarked that the United According to a statement by the US the Lebanese people in their continued calls Charbel Wehbe, the Foreign Minister in States “gets that Lebanon matters” and that Department of Treasury, Bassil has been for reform and accountability,” Secretary Lebanon’s caretaker government met with “avoiding state failure...has to be first and at the forefront of corruption in Lebanon. Steven T. Mnuchin remarked. the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy foremost.” “Bassil has held several high-level posts in Shea, on November 16 and urged the US the Lebanese government, including serving The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to provide the information and documents Shea said that there would be no bailout as the Minister of Telecommunications, described the latest anti-corruption US that led to sanctions against Gebran Bassil. without reforms. “We got smart,” she said, the Minister of Energy and Water, and the sanctions against Gebran Bassil as “right Bassil is the son-in-law of Lebanese adding there would be “a step-by-step Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, and proper and will deliver a good outcome” President Michel Aoun. Following the approach and no free lunch.” The sanctions and Bassil has been marked by significant for the Lebanese people. He added that sanctions on Bassil, Michel Aoun had asked on Bassil will also impact the formation of allegations of corruption. In 2017, Bassil that Bassil is “deeply connected to a Wehbe to “make the necessary contacts to a new government under Prime Minister- strengthened his political base by appointing foreign terrorist organization, Hizbullah”. obtain the evidence and documents that designate Saad Hariri. Israel takes out Al-Qaeda terrorist Masri had been in Iran’s “custody” since 2003 but had been living freely in an upscale suburb of Tehran since 2015 disclosed in October that al-Masri, who any US involvement. Even Israel did not public relations office had tweeted the report ◆ By NDT Bureau has long been on the US Federal Bureau comment but has conceded in the past that quoting several media, including social @NewDelhiTimes of Investigation’s Most Wanted Terrorists its intelligence services have penetrated Iran media accounts. Impact of Masri’s death list, had been killed in the Pasdaran area of in recent years. In 2018, it had smuggled out on Al Qaeda’s activities is yet unknown [email protected] Tehran but Iran denied presence of any Al an archive of Iranian nuclear secrets. but news of his killing follows the killings Qaeda “terrorists” on its soil. of two other senior Al Qaeda leaders in O n August 7, this year, Israeli operatives tMasri, one of Al Qaeda’s founding leaders, Afghanistan. gunned down Al Qaeda’s second- was killed along with his daughter who was in-command. The Al Qaeda operative the widow of former Al Qaeda chief Osama Laden orchestrated the Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, who was known bin Laden’s son. Laden orchestrated the September 11, 2001, attacks by the nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al- September 11, 2001, attacks on the US which Masri and reportedly masterminded the carried out the greatest manhunt in human on the US which carried out 1998 bombings of two US embassies in history to kill him in Pakistan in 2011. Shia the greatest manhunt in Africa, was gunned down by two men on a Iran and Al Qaeda, a Sunni Muslim militant motorcycle in the streets of Tehran. organisation, have long been enemies. human history to kill him in Pakistan in 2011. Masri was a likely successor to Al Qaeda’s Masri had been in Iran’s “custody” since current leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. The 2003 but had been living freely in an In October, Afghan security forces killed role played by the US in the killing of the upscale suburb of Tehran since 2015. The Abu Muhsin al-Masri, another person on the Egyptian-born militant is not clear, but the US believes that Iran may have let al-Masri FBI’s terrorist list, and in November killed US authorities had been tracking Masri and live there to conduct operations against the yet another senior Al Qaeda commander. other Al Qaeda operatives in Iran for years. US targets. The assailants could have acted at the behest Israel has done well to change the militant of Washington which put $1 crore on his There was an unusual killing in Tehran on landscape for the better to showcase its head. August 7, the day Masri was reportedly power and unparalleled fighting prowess killed. Iranian state media reported on against the terrorists. Israel’s capacity The killing was kept a secret for over three August 8 that a Lebanese man and his On the other hand, Iran blamed that the cannot be imagined. months. Al Qaeda did not announce his US and Israel sometimes “try to tie Iran daughter had been killed in the northern death, Iran kept it under wraps for avoiding to such groups by lying and leaking false Tehran neighbourhood of Pasdaran by the bad publicity of harbouring a terrorist. information to the media in order to avoid unknown assailants on motorcycle. Islamic world needs a fresh look at Islamic Neither Mossad nor Israel government responsibility for the criminal activities of terror rather than needlessly blaming claimed victory. Such a major news and all this group and other terrorist groups in the The dead were identified as Habib Dawoud, everything on Islamophobia. Investing involved kept mum for their own reasons! region”. a 58-year-old history teacher, and his in education, reducing the influence of No government - the US, Israel, or Iran - daughter Mariam, 27-both were in a vehicle Mullahs, working towards a liberal society, have publicly claimed responsibility. Trump’s “scare-mongering tactic against and were shot four times from the driver’s and providing skills to youth could pre- Iran has become routine”, it added. The US side. The Iranian government did not empt their potential recruitment into these A senior Afghan security source had has not so far confirmed whether there was confirm the incident at that time though its shadowy organizations. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 7

International NEW DELHI TIMES Is EU in Bed with the Terrorists? possesses nuclear weapons and plays a and replace “condemn” and “reaffirm” with of minorities, Imran Khan is not extremist central role in a critical region involving “deny”. enough for the military and intelligence ◆ By Henri Malosse China, India, Iran and Afghanistan.” services still running the country - The As India approaches 26 November, millions @MalosseHenri military dictatorship is very much still in Pakistan, seeks to be the new Mogul Islamic of people will be commemorating the 166 control of Pakistan Mr Borrell! Empire that not only covers Asia but which victims who lost their lives in the aims to dominate Europe and the West terrorists attacks of 2008 - European The High Representative of the European “…the EU had advocated for a positive tone through the persecution and conversion Parliamentarians were guests in the hotels Union for Foreign Affairs and Security of the [FATF] statement on Pakistan.” of non-Sunni believers. Imran Khan faces that faced those bombings, and were Policy appeared to be aligned with his n 6 November 2020, in an official completion in this ambition, from the extremely fortunate to have survived. Whilst counterpart, Foreign Minister Qureshi, blog of Josep Borrell, the High equally tyrannical President of Turkey, for 10 years Pakistan denied its engagement O when he expressed his “deep concern Representative of the European Union Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdogan also in the planning of the attacks, despite a especially about the disinformation about for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy titled seeks to dominate through a new Ottoman terrorist confession; and US, Interpol and the situation of Islam and Muslims in ‘Why EU-Pakistan relations are so important Empire which would see him ultimate ruler Indian intelligence; it was Nawaz Sharif, Europe that we have observed in many parts for us’, Mr Borrell highlighted that the EU of the Islamic world. Although closer to in 2018, who finally admitted to Pakistan’s of the world, including Pakistan”. Whilst he had asked for a “positive tone” regarding the European shores, Vice President Borrell is participation in the atrocity. may have mentioned the “use of the death Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s classification also complimentary to Erdogan, celebrating penalty in Pakistan and the abuse of the on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently the ceasefire in Nagorny-Karabakh Afghanistan, India and Iran do not see Blasphemy Act,” Mr Borrell said nothing on watchlist. where Jihadists, sent by Turkey, have helped Pakistan as having a central role in the the rising incidents of persecuted Christians, allied Azerbaijan to make territorial gains. region, they see Pakistan as a threat to peace This is not Pakistan’s first time on the grey- and security for the whole of South Asia and on horrendous forced conversion of Hindu list and since its re-entry in June 2018, into Europe, while China sees it as a puppet! and Christian girls, discriminations against Islamabad has done very little to comply Ahmadi, Yazidi and Shia Muslims, nor on with FATF recommendations. In stating Whilst the High Representative for Foreign enforced disappearances or extrajudicial that “We took stock of significant progress Affairs recognises that Pakistan “faces killings. made in addressing 21 out of 27 items of major difficulties in creating sufficient jobs the Pakistani action plan”, Mr Borrell omits for this large number of young people. Concluding his blog Vice President Borrell to mention that the remaining 6 standards And these difficulties have been further mentioned Afghanistan: “We agreed to which have not been completed are the most aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic and provide strong support for an Afghan-led important ones and that during the press PC : Getty Images its consequences”, he fails to mention that it and Afghan-owned peace process”, totally conference, FATF President highlighted is Europe’s trade subsidies, the Generalised disregarding Pakistan’s interference in that Pakistan’s failure to complete the The religious objectives of Pakistan are a Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) that Afghanistan and its influence in, and funding recommendations meant serious ”risks collaboration with extreme and fundamental have plunged millions of workers into of, the Taliban. remain”. jihad, terrorists. The Taliban, al-Qaeda, slavery, human rights abuses and oppression. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed The politicians have prospered from the EU The sting in the tail - (well any support for Josep Borrell’s comments follow the 5th (JeM), Harkat ul Mujahideen are all based in financial benefits whilst the workers suffer. EU-Pakistan strategic dialogue in which Pakistan must include a rebuff for India), Mr Pakistan and receiving instruction from the Additionally, Mr Borrell neglects to mention Borrell concluded that “Foreign Minister he highlighted that, with “the prolonged Military and Inter -Services -Intelligence. the plight of the Baloch and Pashtun and worsening COVID-19 crisis, the fight Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s concerns Imran Khan himself, stood up in the National people, and those tyrannized by Pakistan’s about human rights violations by India in against terrorism and radicalisation, and Assembly in May 2020 and hailed Osama occupation of Gilgit Baltistan. the growing international tensions in the the region of Jammu and Kashmir, and Bin Laden as a “martyr”. It was in October, its attempts to change the demography of region and worldwide, it is more important just days after FATF retained Pakistan When Josep Borrell goes on to say that than ever for the EU to deepen its ties with a “These long-standing problems contribute the disputed territory”. Mr Borrell and Mr on its grey-listing, that Federal Minister, Qureshi must both have read the Human country like Pakistan.” Such sympathy Fawad Chaudhry, praised Pakistan’s Prime to persistent social and political instability, as well as strong religious tensions, even Rights Commission 2019 Report on the demonstrates the ignorance of the Minister and his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party though the country has managed to put an “dire” state of human rights in Pakistan, representative for European foreign affairs for its great achievement: “The victory we end to the military dictatorships to which and both are aware the UN Security Council regarding the reality of the situation in achieved in Pulwama is the victory of this it was subjected for several decades”, it is Resolution 47, passed on 21 April 1948 the country, as well as increasing global nation under the leadership of Imran Khan.” obvious he is writing from the script given required the invading Pakistani army to concerns regarding the terrorist threats So when Mr Borrell writes in his blog that to him by Imran! Mr Borrell is so naive to leave the territory, which, till today, it has emanating from Pakistan. “We agreed to condemn all violence and the believe Mr Kahn when he is told that his refused to do so The senior representative of the European killing of innocent people, and reaffirmed government’s failure is due to Covid-19 and Union elevates Pakistan in a most deceptive our joint determination to defend human 6.65 million people out of work. Mr Khan ……..confirming that Mr Borrell must manner as he states that “…a country of 220 rights and promote tolerance between is getting ready to exit and not by indeed be in bed with the terrorists! million people, making it one of the world’s religious faiths”, there is not only a feeling his own choice - he is likely to be pushed Henri Malosse: major Muslim-majority countries. Pakistan of nausea but also a need to edit his words - because despite the religious persecution European Expert, Political Advisor, Author. China’s Uyghur suppression and Pakistan’s reticence: Ramifications for Pakistan Pakistani Muslims, who either travel to Xinjiang initiative, which includes a 2,000-mile ◆ By NDT Bureau for trade/business or have familial links with “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” of roads @NewDelhiTimes Uyghur people, have faced undue exploitation and railways from Kashgar to the Arabian in the name of security from the authorities of Sea. However, there are also future security [email protected] both the countries, which includes detaining in implications. China’s crackdown on claimed camps, keeping in custody without any reason Uyghur separatists and terrorists is to ensure ince People’s Republic of China’s S and dividing families. that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement PC : Getty Images inception in 1949, China has executed could not establish bases in north-western a series of policies to curtail the religious China has maintained its diplomatic pressure Pakistan or provide a fertile ground for growth politics. Pakistan as a debt-ridden country freedom of Uyghurs and to suppress them in over Pakistan so that the later remains silent of radical Islamist groups. If the Uyghur will suffer more if such scenario becomes a order to gain more political authority over the on the issue of persecution of Uyghur situation worsens, there is potential for rise of reality. If Pakistan were to destabilize, radical resource rich strategic autonomous region of Muslims. Pakistan on the other hand is using regional militant groups that are ideologically Islamist groups may pop up in the restive Xinjiang. China to deal with its political realities, be committed to protecting Muslims to further region of Xinjiang and in the bordering its requirement of COVID-19 vaccines or ally with the Uyghur cause. Pakistan may then areas of Pakistan. All these are sure to act as China has enforced demographic changes in to counter the India factor. China provides face retaliation. a security threat to countries like India. Too the region by infusing more ‘Han’ Chinese, Pakistan with tens of billions of dollars in much dependence on China and criminal with the aim to crush any voices of dissent. loans and expanding military cooperation. China’s growing tensions with the West silence by Pakistan on atrocities by China on Crushing dissent isn’t limited for China Pakistan buys nearly 40 percent of China’s which is often being described as the next its Muslim populations is a perfect recipe for just within its political boundaries. Reports arms exports. It is also the flagship site for Cold War is marked by a divide between a disaster waiting to happen with large scale have come up where cases of exploitation of Xi’s Belt and Road global infrastructure authoritarianism and populist democratic implications for India.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 8 23 - 29 November 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES Online falsehoods should be criminalised Minuangoda riots, set Sri Lankans Lankans on the detrimental impact of fake country, as it can lead to misunderstanding against Sri Lankans. Online falsehoods news. We should raise a generation with between communities, incite communal ◆ By Prof Rohan drove marauding mobs to attack innocent a “no harm” policy and addressing this disharmony and further fragment the Gunaratna Sri Lankans. Similarly, during the elections challenge is paramount. society? both in 2015 and 2019, fake news distorted In addition to building a robust and an up- and unduly influenced the voters. There was A: What is happening in the online space to-date legal and policy framework, Sri foreign interference in the 2015 election. As spills over to the offline space. Sinhalese, Lanka needs to engage and empower both ighteenth-century Irish author and we are now emerging as a key geopolitical and Muslims enjoyed harmonious Government officers and concerned citizens E satirist Jonathan Swift quite eloquently and strategic hub, Sri Lanka should address communal relations in the past. After war on managing the threat of fake news. said, “Falsehood flies, and truth comes this lacuna in our security landscape. and Easter attacks, the cordial relations limping after it, so that when men come to Q: Fake news stand in the way of were disrupted. In Sri Lanka, fake news is be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, fundamental freedoms such as right to free responsible largely for igniting suspicion, and the tale hath had its effect.” Centuries expression and right to information. Do you prejudice, resentment, anger and hatred later, their meaning is even more resonant agree? between the communities. Fake news with the times that we live in – the age of radicalises and polarises communities A: There is no democracy without discipline. fake news. especially the youth. We need to address There is no absolute freedom. People can this, both at the legal and ground level. Dr Rohan Gunaratna, Honorary Professor at express their views with responsibility. To build that one Sri Lanka, we need to the Sir John Kotalawala Defence University We should never permit actors seeking and Senior Advisor to its Department of PC : Getty Images develop a hate reporting networking. If we to harm society hide behind laws and do not act, our communities will get further Defence and Strategic Studies, who has principles. As Governments have not been Unless online falsehoods and manipulation radicalised. To restore relations between the interviewed both LTTE and Islamic State vigilant and alert, the worldwide web is is addressed with an iron first, the gaps and Sinhalese and Tamils at the end of war and leaders and members, elaborates why harnessed by terrorist and criminal groups. loopholes will be exploited by interested to build trust between Muslims-Sinhalese Sri Lanka should invest in a campaign We should never permit threat actors to to formally and informally educate Sri parties to damage Sri Lanka. and Muslims-Tamils, we should foster an operate either in the physical or cyber space. environment of friendship. As long as we Lankans on the detrimental impact of fake Q: How important it is to introduce laws / Permitting threat actors to radicalise and news, while building a robust and an up-to- have no brain and muscle to act against fake mechanisms to counter the spread of fake mobilise youth is not freedom. It is neglect news, we can never have social harmony. date legal and policy framework to counter news where digital and social media can and ignorance. online falsehoods. disseminate unverified news in an instant, Q: Does Sri Lanka have laws to prevent or The Easter Sunday architect Zahran Cassim with no accountability? counter fake news at present? Following are excerpts: ran multiple websites and Facebook sites. Q: Why is the growing phenomenon of fake A: Online falsehoods and manipulation Through these sites Zahran recruited youth No we do not have the laws. We need news detrimental to national security and should be criminalised. It is not only those to join and support the ideals of the Islamic dedicated laws to address this apex national interest? who deliberately manufacture fake news State, a lethal terrorist organisation. The challenge. The threat is relatively recent but those who knowingly disseminate fake Government requests to take down these with the advent of social media and it has not A: Fake news compromises public safety, news should be investigated, and if found sites were not taken seriously. Facebook been addressed. As the pace of technology is peace and good order. Fake news is an guilty, prosecuted. The executives of media took down Zahran’s site only after Easter constantly changing, we should also update impediment to any Government building a organisations that wilfully host fake news Sunday attack. This should have never the law. socially harmonious, politically stable and should also be held accountable. happened. To Read Full Article : https://www. an economically prosperous nation. Sri Lanka should also invest in a campaign Q: Do you also agree that preventing fake newdelhitimes.com/online-falsehoods- During the Aluthgama, Digana and to formally and informally educate Sri news is in the interest of all citizens of a should-be-criminalised Turkey overhauls its economic leadership economy achieve 0.3% growth in 2020. ◆ By NDT Bureau “In the coming period, we will enter a @NewDelhiTimes period of recovery in which the effects of the global epidemic will decrease and new [email protected] opportunities will be created,” Lütfi Elvan said. erat Albayrak, son-in-law of Turkish B President Recap Erdogan has resigned The recovery trend in the economic activity as the Finance Minister of Turkey. Berat observed in the second half of this year is Albayrak said on Instagram that he was expected to continue in 2021 and the growth stepping down from his post for health is expected to be around 5.8% next year, reasons and would spend more time with Elvan noted. his family. “I decided not to continue my duty as a Minister after five years in office “Turkey’s growth process will be designed due to health problems,” Albayrak said. “I and controlled in a way that does not will spend time with my mother, father, wife contradict our fight for macroeconomic and children, whom I have neglected for stability and against inflation,” he added. many years out of necessity and who have Elvan made these remarks during a meeting never spared me their support.” Erdogan has of the Parliament’s Planning and Budget appointed former Deputy Prime Minister Commission regarding the government’s Lutfi Elvan as the new Finance Minister. budget for next year.

The resignation of Albayrak comes after According to the World Bank, the overall Erdogan removed Murat Uysal as the macroeconomic picture in the country is Governor of the Central Bank of the country. more vulnerable and uncertain, given rising

He was replaced by former Finance Minister PC : Getty Images inflation and unemployment, contracting Naci Agbal, who was until now the head of investment, elevated corporate and the Strategy and Budget Presidency. The new to the Economic Policies Committee. leadership comes after the Turkish Lira financial sector vulnerabilities, and patchy Central Bank chief vowed to “decisively use “At a time when even developed nations collapsed in 2020. The currency has lost implementation of corrective policy actions all policy tools in pursuit of price stability experienced serious economic hardship 40% of its value since the start of 2020, with and reforms. There are also significant objective.” Ibrahim Senel, Deputy Head of due to the coronavirus pandemic ... our more than 7% lost in the past month. The external headwinds due to ongoing the Strategy and Budget Presidency, was country suffered the minimum amount of annual inflation is running at 11.89 percent. geopolitical tensions in the subregion. The also appointed new head of the agency, damage during that critical time, thanks to impact of the COVID-19 crisis is expected according to a Presidential decree issued ... Albayrak’s efforts,” as per the statement On November 17, Lütfi Elvan said that the to have a severely negative effect in Turkey, in the Official Gazette. Former Economy from Erdogan’s office. However, it is beyond recovery trend in consumption, investment further weakening economic and social Minister Nihat Zeybekci was also appointed an iota of doubt that the restructuring in the and exports is expected to help the Turkish gains. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 9

Art/Lifestyle NEW DELHI TIMES “JP - A new emblem for the New World” A Poem by Shri Prakash Sailing straight to the hot spot, the fair white with the sun tan I am also a new emblem blows straight and high. the World’s greatest melting pot the smallest with the biggest at the helm of this new Ship, I will tempt fate has been my wonderful lot the Dwarfs with Gulliver going on my most challenging trip. and knock at every gate Here, it is true the rusting tin with the shiniest silver to be rich and famous we are only a tiny tot the old and the young Let me take aim at the biggest goal in this star struck casino In the middle of a human ocean those with only a hoary past I will fly on the High Seas, and race ahead of every a small, almost an invisible dot. and those with a glittering future, Never run aground on any shoal bambino. the sun with the sand. That is the spirit of the New Yet we add to the awesome delight World in America Let my courage be forever of those who have persevered for long Oh! What a glorious band in which I have come to rest and my luck never run out to become a part of the throng has God’s own hand I will pass every test Everyone will see with wonder jumbling the weak with the strong sent to the New Land with zeal and zest how I remain straight and stout to etch a beautiful melodious Song Humanity’s every strand with luck and simple hard work Win my wager and write my which blends the flute with the gong comes to life in this New World the river Ganges with the river where storms abound I will build my dream destiny in the brightest ink Mekong and energies never end like the mist which hovers which cannot ever sink where there is a new turn over a wintry stream a Swansong which will Settlers from the East and the West, at every possible bend but gives way to a be heard far and wide the Earth’s best with the worst JP has every reason to feel proud Golden blue sky and win a hearty applause the Cattle hustler with the Iron Man and say it all aloud as soon as the wind from every side. ‘Shuggie Bain’ writer Douglas Barack Obama memoir off to Stuart wins Booker Prize record-setting start in sales cottish writer Douglas Stuart won the praised his book but “didn’t know how to ormer President Barack Obama’s “A S Booker Prize for fiction for “Shuggie connect it with readers. F Promised Land” sold nearly 890,000 Bain,” a novel about a boy’s turbulent coming copies in the U.S. and Canada in its first 24 of age in hardscrabble 1980s Glasgow that “Working-class Scotland was difficult for hours, putting it on track to be the best selling was turned down by 32 publishers before them,” Stuart said. He said his victory was a presidential memoir in modern history. being picked up. sign that “we are starting to hear and be able to respect diverse voices.” The first-day sales, a record for Penguin Stuart, 44, won the prestigious 50,000 pound Random House, includes pre-orders, ($66,000) award for his first published Publisher and editor Margaret Busby, who e-books and audio. novel, the product of a decade of work. He chaired the judging panel, said “Shuggie was the only U.K.-born author on a U.S.- Bain” was intimate and gripping, challenging “We are thrilled with the first day sales,” dominated list of six finalists for the prize, but hopeful in its exploration of Shuggie’s said David Drake, publisher of the Penguin which is open to English-language novels burgeoning sexuality and the complex but Random House imprint Crown. “They reflect Photo AP PC : from around the world. loving relationship between mother and son. the widespread excitement that readers have for President Obama’s highly anticipated and has a list price of $45, had unusually “It’s hard to come away from that book and extraordinarily written book.” risky timing for a book of such importance without thinking ‘This is going to be a to the author, to readers and to the publishing classic,’” she said. The only book by a former White House industry. resident to come close to the early pace In contrast to last year, when deadlocked of “A Promised Land” is the memoir by It came out just two weeks after Election judges split the prize between Canada’s Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama, whose Day and could have been overshadowed Margaret Atwood for “The Testaments” “Becoming” sold 725,000 copies in North had the race still been in doubt or perhaps and Britain’s Bernardine Evaristo for “Girl, America its first day and has topped 10 unwanted by distressed Obama fans if Woman, Other,” this year’s decision was million worldwide since its release in President Donald Trump had defeated quick and unanimous. 2018. “Becoming” is still so in demand that Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Crown, which publishes both Obamas and Busby said “there were no tantrums” among But Biden won and his victory likely renews reportedly paid around $60 million for their the judges, who included poet Lemn Sissay interest in an era when he was Obama’s PC : AP Photo AP PC : books, has yet to release a paperback. and thriller writer Lee Child. trusted and popular vice president. Stuart was chosen from a shortlist “A Promised Land” was No. 1 on Amazon. Obama himself acknowledges that he didn’t dominated by U.S.-based writers from com and Barnes & Noble.com. James A former fashion designer who is based intend for the book, the first of two planned diverse backgrounds. American contenders Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble, said that in New York, Stuart drew on his own volumes, to arrive so close to a presidential included “The Shadow King” by Maaza the superstore chain easily sold more than experiences growing up gay in economically election or to take nearly four years after he Mengiste; Diane Cook’s dystopian tale “The 50,000 copies its first day and hoped to ravaged Thatcher-era Glasgow for the story left the White House — months longer than New Wilderness”; Avni Doshi’s India-set reach half a million within 10 days. of young Shuggie and his relationship for “My Life” and two years longer than mother-daughter tale “Burnt Sugar”; and with his alcoholic mother, Agnes. Stuart “Decision Points.” dedicated the book to own mother, who died Brandon Taylor’s campus novel “Real Life,” “So far it has been neck and neck with when he was 16. which explores racism and homophobia in Michelle Obama’s book,” he said. In the introduction to “A Promised Land,” academia. The other contender was “This dated August 2020, Obama writes that “the “My mother is in every page of this book, Mournable Body,” by Zimbabwean writer By comparison, Bill Clinton’s “My Life” book kept growing in length and scope” and without her I wouldn’t be here and my Tsitsi Dangarembga. sold around 400,000 copies in North America as he found he needed more words than work wouldn’t be here,” said Stuart, who its first day and George W. Bush’s “Decision Though there have been many British expected to capture a given moment — a declared himself “absolutely stunned” to Points” around 220,000, with sales for each bind many authors well understand. win. winners of the Booker Prize, most of them memoir currently between 3.5 and 4 million English, Stuart is the first Scottish victor copies. The fastest selling book in memory He was also working under conditions he since James Kelman took the 1994 prize The novel’s sweep, vivid characters and remains J.K. Rowling’s seventh and final “didn’t fully anticipate,” from the pandemic with “How Late it Was, How Late” — a unflinching look at poverty have been Harry Potter novel, “Harry Potter and the to the Black Lives Matters protests, to, book Stuart has called an inspiration. compared to the work of Charles Dickens, Deathly Hallows,” which came out in 2007 “most troubling of all,” how the country’s but Stuart said it was rejected repeatedly and sold more than 8 million copies within Busby said nationality played no part in the “democracy seems to be teetering on the before being published by Grove Atlantic in 24 hours. judges’ considerations. brink of crisis.” the U.S. and Picador in the U.K. Stuart told reporters after his victory that publishers Credit : Associated Press (AP) Obama’s 768-page memoir, which came out Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 10 23 - 29 November 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES Brexit trade negotiations suspended because of COVID-19 case s if the Brexit trade negotiations were France and Belgium, two close neighbours A not tortuous enough, the coronavirus of Britain, asked at an EU summit to speed added a twist at a crucial stage when top- up preparations for a no-deal scenario on level talks had to be suspended because an January 1 when the sudden change of the EU negotiator tested positive for COVID-19. end of a transition without a trade deal could cause immediate disruptions in commerce It added uncertainty to the negotiations as and chaos at borders. a deadline looms ever closer and both sides are still divided on three key issues. Talks have proven exceptionally difficult, with the two sides refusing to budge on EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said that three key issues - fisheries, how to check together with his U.K. counterpart, David compliance of the deal and standards the Frost, “we have decided to suspend the U.K. must meet to export into the EU. negotiations at our level for a short period.” Talks among lower-ranking officials will The bloc accuses Britain of wanting to retain continue in the meantime. And once the top access to the EU’s lucrative markets, much negotiators can resume meeting face-to- like any EU country, without agreeing to face, the talks should be back in London. follow its rules.

Any long suspension of talks will make it Photo AP PC : The EU fears Britain will slash social and even tougher for the negotiators to clinch a environmental standards, and pump state people across the EU and U.K., did not about four weeks to complete the approval deal ahead of January 1, when the existing money into U.K. industries, becoming a spare the negotiations over the past nine process of any deal that is agreed upon. trade agreements between the EU and low-regulation economic rival on the bloc’s months. Barnier tested positive in March Britain expire. doorstep. and Frost self-isolated that same month A top European Union official said that after developing coronavirus symptoms. trade talks with the United Kingdom still “This can cause some delays but these Britain says the EU is making unreasonable U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was face “substantial work” that might spill over negotiations have been a succession of demands and is failing to treat it as an hospitalized in April and is currently back in into next week. delays. So, this should not scare us off,” said independent, sovereign state. coronavirus quarantine. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte after the The U.K. left the EU on January 31, but a issue had been briefly discussed at an EU If there is no deal, businesses on both sides transition period when EU rules apply to video summit. It appears the situation was relatively under of the English Channel will face tariffs and control since the U.K. side said none of trade and other issues runs until the end other barriers to trade starting on January 1. With face-to-face talks off the table, “the their negotiators needed to self-isolate that of December. Both sides had hoped to get UK and EU teams have agreed to continue members of the team would be traveling a trade deal by then to protect hundreds That would hurt economies on both sides, to negotiate remotely for the time being. The back to Britain as they usually do. of thousands of jobs and businesses that with the impact falling most heavily on the talks will resume in person when it is judged could suffer if Brexit leads to a sharp end to U.K., whose economy is already reeling safe to do so,” Downing Street said. “When it is deemed safe, we expect talks to existing trade relations. under the coronavirus pandemic. resume in London,” Downing Street said. The virus, which has been brutal for Time is running out as the EU will need To guard against a breakup of negotiations, Credit : Associated Press (AP) Polish police criticized for using tear gas on protesters olish police came under criticism for According to reports in Polish media, P using tear gas and force on mostly plainclothes police with batons used force female and young protesters during the latest on some of the protesters. in a string of women-led protests against a top court ruling restricting abortion. Witnesses said that plainclothes officers entered the crowd of protesters, some with Political tensions have been extremely high armbands identifying them as police and in Poland since the constitutional court ruled some without, and used truncheons to beat last month to impose a near total ban on protesters. abortion. The government has yet to publish the ruling, which would enshrine it as law, TV broadcast images also showed Marta because of the huge pressure from the mass Lempart, one of the leaders of Women’s street protests. Strike — the key organization beyond the protests — on the ground in pain after tear Meanwhile, a standoff with the European gas got in her eyes. Union and a surge in coronavirus infections as well as frustration over the government’s

Lempart accused the police of breaking the Photo AP PC : handling of the pandemic are all contributing law. to a sense of deepening crisis in the country. But Cezary Tomczyk, head of the opposition outside confronted Poland’s most powerful party Civic Platform’s club in parliament, politician, ruling party leader Jaroslaw Also, several activists were forcefully Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who is a liberal said that police were lying. Kaczynski, during the parliamentary removed by police after blocking traffic in opponent of the nation’s conservative session, accusing him of causing the turmoil front of the District Court in Warsaw. They government, also criticized the police behavior. “These were peaceful demonstrations,” in the country. had gathered there to show solidarity with Tomczyk said. “There was no reason for an activist who was suspected of assaulting such brutal interventions.” a police office at an earlier protest. “Tear gas against women? Really, Polish Kaczynski in turn accused oppositions police?” said on Twitter. “The use of direct lawmakers of having “blood on your hands” Protesters had meant to create a blockade of coercion must be justified and proportionate, for supporting the mass protests, which he She was charged in relation to an incident the Parliament building, but were prevented it must be a last resort. I believe there was no alleged were contributing to the massive in which the women-led protesters and far- from doing so by a large contingent of police reason to use it against women’s and youth spike in coronavirus infections. right nationalists were facing off against vans, forcing the demonstrators to gather demonstrations. There were many more each other, with police in the middle. elsewhere in the city. policemen than protesters.” When opposition politicians chanted at Reportedly someone threw a flare at the Emotions were high on the streets and inside Kaczynski that he deserved to be in prison, police. But the court decided that the woman Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski told the parliamentary chamber. he retorted that they were the ones who doesn’t have to remain in pre-trial detention Parliament that the police officers used belonged behind bars. and her lawyer says any punishment will force because they found themselves “under A lawmaker who had her parliamentary likely not be severe. attack” from the protesters. pass ripped apart by police amid the protests Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 11

International NEW DELHI TIMES

military counterpart to express his remorse. were committed and concealed at a Report finds patrol commander level by corporals and German Parliament “Such alleged behaviour profoundly sergeants, and that while higher-level troop investigates Australian troops disrespected the trust placed in us by the and squadron commanders had to take some Afghan people who had asked us to their responsibility for the events that happened harassment during unlawfully killed country to help them,” Campbell said. on their watch, they weren’t primarily to “It would have devastated the lives of blame. virus vote Afghan families and communities, causing erman Parliamentary officials are 39 Afghans immeasurable pain and suffering. And it The report paints a picture of a toxic culture G investigating how people protesting would have put in jeopardy our mission in which soldiers were competing against shocking Australian military report against government lockdown measures and the safety of our Afghan and coalition those from other squadrons, accounts of A into war crimes has found evidence were able to enter the Bundestag building partners.” deaths were sanitized or embellished, and that elite Australian troops unlawfully killed and harangue lawmakers before a crucial many procedures to ensure safety and 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians. vote. As well as the 39 killings, the report integrity had broken down. outlines two allegations of cruel treatment. Australian Defence Force Chief Gen. Angus Senior lawmakers met to examine It says that none of the alleged crimes were “Those who wished to speak up were Campbell said that the shameful record allegations that deputies from the far-right committed during the heat of battle. allegedly discouraged, intimidated and included alleged instances in which new Alternative for Germany, or AfD, party used discredited,” Campbell said. patrol members would shoot a prisoner in their credential to help a small number of order to achieve their first kill in a practice The report recommended 19 soldiers be protesters get through security. known as “blooding.” He said the soldiers referred to federal police for criminal would then plant weapons and radios to Video posted on social media showed a investigation. Campbell said he’s accepting support false claims the prisoners were female protester accusing Economy Minister all the report’s recommendations. enemies killed in action. Peter Altmaier of having “no conscience” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and insulting him. Altmaier said that he had Campbell told reporters in Canberra the has already announced a special investigator shrugged off the incident, but was sad that illegal killings began in 2009, with the will help pursue possible prosecutions other lawmakers had also been harassed. majority occurring in 2012 and 2013. He Photo AP PC : because the workload would overwhelm said some members of the elite Special Air existing police resources. Service encouraged “a self-centered, warrior Only parts of the report have been made culture.” public. Many details, including the names of Many troops are also likely to be stripped alleged killers, remain redacted. of their medals and the defence force will The chief was announcing the findings of a undergo significant structural changes. four-year investigation by Maj. Gen. Paul The report said a total of 25 current or Brereton, a judge and Army reservist who former troops were involved as perpetrators The report says that where there is credible was asked to look into the allegations and or accessories in 23 separate incidents, with evidence of unlawful killings, Afghan interviewed more than 400 witnesses and some involved just once and a few multiple families should be compensated immediately reviewed thousands of pages of documents. times. by Australia without waiting for the criminal Brereton recommended 19 soldiers be cases to proceed. investigated by police for possible charges, It said some Australian troops would including murder. regularly carry “throw downs” — things “This will be an important step in like foreign pistols, radios and grenades rehabilitating Australia’s international “To the people of Afghanistan, on behalf of that they could plant on those they killed reputation, in particular with Afghanistan, the Australian Defence Force, I sincerely and so the Afghan civilians would appear like and it is simply the right thing to do,” the unreservedly apologize for any wrongdoing combatants in photographs. report states.

by Australian soldiers,” Campbell said. He Photo AP PC : said he’d spoken directly to his Afghan The report said most of the alleged crimes Credit : Associated Press (AP)

drugmakers and public health officials still Oxford scientists expect COVID-19 face the task of producing billions of doses and administering them to people around the world, he said. The incident happened as thousands of vaccine data by Christmas people protested parliament’s passing of niversity of Oxford scientists expect to 70 years of age,” Pollard said. Pollard, an amateur mountaineer, compared a bill providing legal underpinning for the U report results from the late-stage trials the task to the work involved in climbing a government to issue social distancing rules, of their COVID-19 vaccine by Christmas, The findings were based on a so-called phase mountain. require masks in public and to close stores a key researcher said as he discussed the II trial of 560 people, including 240 over the and other venues to slow the spread of the team’s latest findings. age of 70. The results of the peer-reviewed coronavirus. study were published in the Lancet, an Dr. Andrew Pollard, an expert in pediatric international medical journal. Berlin police used water cannons and pepper infection and immunity at Oxford, said spray to disperse protesters after they defied research was slowed by low infection rates Phase II vaccine trials provide important orders to wear masks. over the summer, but the Phase III trials are preliminary data but don’t prove whether now accumulating the data needed to report they ultimately prevent people from getting Police said more than 10,000 people took results as a renewed surge of the pandemic sick. Oxford and AstraZeneca are waiting part in multiple demonstrations, some of hits countries around the world. Oxford is for the results of phase III trials on thousands Photo AP PC : whom attacked officers with bottles, stones developing its vaccine in conjunction with of people around the world to show whether and firecrackers and also tried to pull off the drugmaker AstraZeneca. their vaccine is safe and effective. their protective helmets and shoot pepper spray in their faces. Overall, 77 officers were “I think we’re getting close, and it’s Two other drugmakers, Pfizer and Moderna, injured and 365 people were arrested, police definitely going to be before Christmas this week reported preliminary results said. based on the progress,” Pollard said in an from late-stage trials showing that their The AfD, which opposed the bill, said it interview with the BBC. COVID-19 vaccines were almost 95% regretted the behaviour of some of its guests, effective. “I think we’re still at the bottom of that but denied that the party had intentionally Pollard discussed progress in the late-stage mountain in some ways,” he said. “We’ve invited people to disrupt parliamentary trials as Oxford released a study based on Pollard said there is no competition between done the route into the bottom of the proceedings. earlier research that found the vaccine the various research teams, because several mountain, the long trek to get to the start. was well tolerated and produced a strong vaccines will be needed to bring the global Now we’ve got to get the data about the However, a lawmaker from the center-left immune response in people over 70. This pandemic under control and allow life to vaccines in front of regulators for them to Social Democrats, Carsten Schneider, said is important because vaccines often don’t return to normal. scrutinize it and approve the first vaccines. there was evidence the incident was part work as well in older people, Pollard said. And then we’ve got that huge effort to climb of an orchestrated stunt by AfD and called Despite recent progress, Pollard said the up to the top where we’ve got a vast majority for sanctions against two party lawmakers “The reason that we’re so delighted is the world is still in the early stages of the effort of those who are at risk vaccinated.” allegedly involved. we’re seeing the immune responses look to protect people against COVID-19. Even exactly the same, even in those who are over after vaccines are approved by regulators, Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 12 23 - 29 November 2020

Interational NEW DELHI TIMES Japan, New In multiple countries, alarm Libya making Zealand press for over hunger crisis rings louder progress towards open markets to he twin baby boys lay on a bed of “countdown to catastrophe,” Beasley, of peace: UN envoy T woven palm leaves in a remote camp the WFP, warned the Security Council last boost recovery for displaced people in Yemen’s north, week. ◆ By NDT Bureau their collar bones and ribs visible. They eaders from Japan and New Zealand cried loudly, twisting as if in pain, not from @NewDelhiTimes L warned countries against the temptation disease but from the hunger gnawing away [email protected] of retreating into trade protectionism, saying at them. that keeping markets open is the way to tephanie Williams, Acting Special restore a global economy battered by the Here, U.N. officials’ increasingly dire S Representative of the Secretary- COVID-19 pandemic. warnings that a hunger crisis is growing around the world are becoming reality. General and head of the UN’s mission Speaking by video link from Tokyo to a in Libya, UNSMIL told the UN Security meeting of Asia-Pacific CEOs, Japan’s U.N. agencies have warned that some 250 Council that Libya was making substantial Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said a “free million people in 20 countries are threatened progress towards peace. She remarked; and open Indo-Pacific will be the cornerstone with sharply spiking malnutrition or even “After many years of oppression, division, for the prosperity of this region.” famine in coming months. chaos, misery, and conflict, Libyans are coming together, for the sake of Libya, for Japan and 14 other Asian neighbors signed The United Nations humanitarian office this

PC : AP Photo AP PC : the sake of their children and grandchildren, the world’s largest free trade agreement, week released $100 million in emergency to chart a Libyan vision for the way forward the Regional Comprehensive Economic funding to seven countries most at risk that has the opportunity to preserve the Partnership. Suga, who took office in of famine — Yemen, Afghanistan, South country’s unity and reassert its sovereignty. September, said Japan will next push Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Congo, and “Famine is truly a real and dangerous for a wider free trade pact among the 21 Burkina Faso. possibility and the warning lights are ... flashing red — as red can be,” he said. As the de facto truce on the ground continued members of the Asia-Pacific Economic But David Beasley, head of the World Food to hold, UNSMIL, with your support and Cooperation. Program, says billions in new aid are needed. For years, Yemen has been the center of the support of the Berlin group, facilitated Without it, “we are going to have famines of the world’s worst food crisis, driven by open dialogue to build stability, security and biblical proportions in 2021,” he said in an the destructive civil war between Iranian- national unity among the Libyan parties. Associated Press interview last week. backed Houthi rebels who took over the These efforts resulted first in the signature north and the capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and a In multiple countries, the coronavirus of a countrywide, permanent, ceasefire Saudi-led coalition backing the government pandemic has added a new burden on top of agreement in Geneva on 23 October to in the south. the impact of ongoing wars, pushing more start with immediate effect. There, the 10 people into poverty, unable to afford food. International aid pulled it from the edge of military officers comprising the 5+5 Joint Military Commission set their differences PC : AP Photo AP PC : At the same time, international aid funding famine two years ago. But the threat has has fallen short, weakening a safety net that surged back this year, fueled by increasing aside and, guided by their patriotic spirit, keeps people alive. violence and a currency collapse that put responded to the Secretary-General’s call for “Amidst a risk of inward-looking food out of reach for growing numbers of a global ceasefire. This historic agreement In Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, Zemaray temptations in the face of the slump of the people. provides for the withdrawal of all military global economy, making rules for a free and Hakimi said he can only give his children units and armed groups from the frontlines; fair global economy is critically important,” one meal a day, usually hard, black bread Donors have been wary of new funding the departure of all mercenaries and foreign he said. “While continuing to promote WTO dunked in tea. He lost his work as a taxi because of corruption and restrictions that fighters from the entire Libyan territory reform, Japan will aspire for the Free Trade driver after contracting COVID-19 and now Houthis have put on humanitarian workers. within a period of 90 days. In a further Area of the Asia-Pacific.” waits daily on the street for day laborer work The U.N. had to cut in half the rations show of Libyan determination, this decision that rarely comes. it gives to 9 million people — and faces was followed by two subsequent rounds The event came ahead of a meeting of possible cuts to another 6 million in January. of discussions, taking place on Libyan soil APEC leaders hosted by Malaysia that When his children complain of hunger, he said, “I tell them to bear it. One day maybe The 18-month-old twins, Mohammed and to expedite the operationalization of the will be conducted via video conference ceasefire agreement”. due to the pandemic. Malaysian officials we can get something better.” Ali, weigh only about 3 kilograms, or 6.6 said U.S. President Donald Trump, who is pounds, less than a third of the weight they South Sudan may be closer than any other should be, according to their doctor. UNHCR says refugee busy challenging the outcome of the recent country to famine, as crisis after crisis wears presidential election, will participate. on a population depleted by five years of civil Their father, Hassan al-Jamai, was a farmer resettlement numbers in northern Hajjah province near the border Trump last participated in the APEC forum war. The U.N. projected earlier this year that with Saudi Arabia. Soon after their birth, in 2017 and last weekend skipped the East a quarter of the population of Jonglei State, at a two-decade low the family had to flee fighting to a displaced Asia Summits, also held online. Trump, or home to more than 1.2 million, would reach camp in the district of Abs. his representative, was initially due to speak the brink of famine. ◆ By NDT Bureau to the CEOs but that was canceled, with no Now cut off from much of the world by “We are struggling to treat them,” said @NewDelhiTimes reasons given. flooding that has affected some 1 million Mariam Hassam, the twins’ grandmother. “Their father took them everywhere.” [email protected] New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda people, many South Sudanese have seen farming and other food routines ripped Ardern, who spoke to the CEOs after Suga, Two-thirds of Yemen’s population of about he UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR has apart. The challenges are so numerous that voiced hope that APEC leaders will agree at 28 million people are hungry. In the south, T said that Refugee resettlement numbers “plastic sheets are not available, as they their meeting on new development goals for U.N. data from recent surveys show cases will be at a “record low” this year the next 20 years that focus on free trade, had largely been used for the previous flood of severe acute malnutrition rose 15.5% this digital innovation, and sustainability and response,” the U.N. humanitarian agency year, and at least 98,000 children under five “We are dealing with a disappointingly inclusion. said this week. could die of it. low resettlement ceiling to begin with - a quota of less than 50,000 for the entire “As we confront this generation’s biggest COVID-19 has restricted trade and travel. By the end of the year, 41% of the south’s year - and this was further impacted by economic challenge, we must not repeat Food prices rose. Post-war unrest remains 8 million people are expected to have COVID-19 delaying departures and pausing the mistakes of history by retreating into deadly; gunmen recently fired on WFP boats significant gaps in food consumption, up some states’ resettlement programs,” said protectionism. APEC must continue to carrying supplies. from 25%. UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for commit to keeping markets open and trade “The convergence of conflict, The situation could be worse in Sanaa and Protection, Gillian Triggs. flowing,” she said. macroeconomic crisis, recurrent flooding the north, home to more than 20 million According to latest UNHCR data, only As APEC chair for next year, Ardern urged as well as the indirect impacts of COVID people. The U.N. is currently conducting a 15,425 refugees were resettled from January APEC economies to work together to create a ‘perfect storm,’” the country similar survey there. to the end of September this year, compared “reignite growth and plan for a long-lasting director for the CARE aid group, Rosalind Sanaa’s main hospital, al-Sabeen, received to 50,086 over the same period last year. economic recovery” that is sustainable, Crowther, said in an email. “Flooding and over 180 cases of malnutrition and acute “Current rates point to one of the lowest inclusive and digitally enabled. New Zealand violence have led to massive displacement, malnutrition the past three months, well over levels of resettlement witnessed in almost will also host APEC meetings virtually due low crop production and loss of livelihoods its capacities, according Amin al-Eizari, a two decades. This is a blow for refugee to the pandemic. and livestock.” nurse. protection and for the ability to save lives Credit : Associated Press (AP) In the Arabian peninsula, Yemen is on a Credit : Associated Press (AP) and protect those most at risk,” said Triggs. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 13

THIS DAY | THAT YEAR | NEW DELHI TIMES

November 23, 2015

President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia banned female genital mutilation on this day that year. PC : Getty Images

November 24, 1979

US admitted that troops in Vietnam were exposed to the toxic Agent Orange on this day that year.

November 25, 2014

Lionel Messi became the UEFA Champions League all-time top scorer on this day that year. PC : Getty Images

November 26,1998 Tony Blair became the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to address the Republic of Ireland’s Parliament on this day that year.

November 27, 1895

Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel established the Nobel Prize on this day that year. PC : Getty Images

November 28, 2017

Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term as the President of Kenya on this day that year. PC : Getty Images

November 29, 1989

Rajiv Gandhi resigned as Prime Minister of India after losing the national elections on this day that year.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 14 23 - 29 November 2020

Delhi/NCR NEW DELHI TIMES Delhi government reinforces the limit Delhi Health Minister of 50 guests at weddings in Delhi says there will be no lockdown but there may be local restrictions ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes [email protected]

he Delhi Health Minister Satyendar T Jain said that there will be no lockdown in Delhi, but “local restrictions” might be implemented at some places. PC : Getty Images

won’t be imposed but people have to be The Health Minister claimed that not only ◆ By NDT Bureau stopped from gathering in large numbers,” are the absolute number of cases have @NewDelhiTimes Sisodia said. declined, but the positivity rate – which had touched a high of 15.33% during this surge [email protected] A day earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind – is also coming down. Kejriwal while addressing a digital press he Delhi Government has reinforced The Minister has maintained that masks conference had stated: “Delhi is facing a T the limit of 50 guests during wedding are better at preventing the spread of the spike in number of covid-19 cases. We have functions in the National Capital. Deputy infection than lockdown. The lockdown had taken key decisions to control this.

Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that been an experiment and what we have learnt PC : Getty Images Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal has from it is that wearing masks can give us the given approval for the revised limit. The The central government guidelines had same benefits. current average of about 54,000. Ten mobile government revised the earlier cap of 200 allowed 200 people at weddings. We have laboratories will be deployed by the central people in view of the surge in the COVID-19 decided to roll back that order and allow 50 Scientifically, masks are the best way to government, 10,000 more tests will be cases in Delhi. people at weddings. stop the virus. To control further spread, done in laboratories of Health Ministry and the city will also focus on increased testing. the Indian Council of Medical Research “This was essential as the larger the crowd We have written to the LG for permission The number of tests will soon be scaled (ICMR), and another 1,000 tests will be at a place, the more harmful it is. Lockdown on this and hope his approval comes soon”. up to 100,000 to 120,000 a day from the done in science institutions. People coming from Delhi to Noida will be randomly tested for COVID-19 PC : Getty Images

and Chilla to randomly check people coming ◆ By NDT Bureau from the National Capital for the infection,” @NewDelhiTimes he said. [email protected] The District Magistrate said the recent rise he administration of Gautam Buddh in cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar because of T Nagar has said that people coming from which the strategy to fight the pandemic is Delhi to Noida will be randomly testing for being “retuned”. COVID-19. District Magistrate of Gautum Buddh Nagar Suhas LY has said that there “This rise has been due to cross-border will be no restriction on free movement of infection from areas like Delhi and others. people between Noida and Delhi. So, a random sampling of such people will be done and all institutions (here) will be “In view of the rising cases of Coronavirus issued advisory to look out for symptomatic in Delhi, the District Magistrate has directed people, track them early and provide them officials to form teams that would be with whatever treatment is required,” Suhas deployed at Noida-Delhi borders at DND told reporters. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 15

National NEW DELHI TIMES Phase 3 trial by Bharat PM Modi at Bengaluru Tech Biotech starts for its anti Summit says Digital India Covid vaccine in India has become a way of life who undergo vaccination in the Phase 3 ◆ By NDT Bureau trials, will be monitored to detect occurrence @NewDelhiTimes of Covid-19 disease. [email protected]

n announcement was made by Bharat A Biotech for the start of phase-3 clinical trials of its anti-coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine candidate, Covaxin, in India. PC : Getty Images PC : Getty Images The trial will have 26,000 participants and tech solutions. It has made technology a in 22 sites across the country and will be ◆ By NDT Bureau key part of all schemes. conducted in collaboration with the Indian @NewDelhiTimes Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The The Prime Minister also said that when it trial has been registered with the clinical [email protected] comes to technology, the way ahead lies in trials registry of India, and approved by the learning and growing together and following Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). Covaxin, India’s indigenous Covid-19 vaccine rime Minister Narendra Modi said that candidate by Bharat Biotech is being developed P five years ago Centre has launched the approach, several incubation centres Trial volunteers will receive two in collaboration with the Indian Council of ‘Digital India’ mission and is no longer are opening in India. He also pointed to intramuscular injections approximately 28 Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute being seen as a regular government initiative the culture of hackathons which have been days apart. Participants will be randomly of Virology (NIV). The inactivated vaccine and it has instead become a way of life. organised in India over the past few years. assigned to receive Covaxin. The trial is is developed and manufactured in Bharat double blinded, such that the investigators, Biotech’s BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) bio The Prime Minister said while inaugurating Talking about the transition from industrial the participants and the company will not be containment facility. the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2020 said to the information era, Modi said that aware of who is assigned to which group. that India has witnessed a more human- achievements of the industrial era are in Covaxin has been evaluated in 1000 subjects Covaxin is a highly purified and inactivated centric approach to development and using the rear-view mirror, and now, we are in in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, with vaccine, manufactured in a vero cell technology at a large scale has changed the middle of the information era. Future promising safety and immunogenicity data. manufacturing platform with an excellent several life for the citizens. The benefits are is coming sooner than anticipated. In the Volunteers for the trial are all adults above safety track record of more than 300 million for everyone to see Modi said the government industrial era, change was linear. But in the 18 years of age. Participating volunteers, doses supplied. has successfully created a market for digital information era, change is disruptive. Passing of a Legend - Remembering Pranabda’ (1935-2020) become his affectionate genial self again. ◆ By PC haldar A great scholar with a commendable of President mastery over facts and figures, encyclopedic Policy Perspectives knowledge and elephantine memory Foundation holding both the political minutiae and parliamentary practices, he was a veritable harat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee, resource person and an engaging storyteller. B 13th President of India, left for his He looked more a professor and teacher on heavenly abode on 31st August, 2020 after such occasions. A keen and sharp mind, he a brief illness. Known also as a ‘peoples’ was indispensable to his party, government, President’, Pranabda as he was commonly journalists, and scholars. One has even referred to by all his admirers cutting across seen him guiding senior bureaucrats about the barriers of age, political and religious where a government decision relevant to the denominations left behind a rich legacy. A subject could be found in the old files. staunch believer in democracy and universal equality, he displayed a bi-partisan approach His deep understanding of the plurality and in politics and became known for his success the unique assimilative features of Indian PC : Getty Images in finding common ground to resolve knotty democracy was unparalleled amongst the and delicate parliamentary issues. contemporary political personalities. He society’ with ‘a free exchange of culture, on ‘Universalism’ drawing sustenance from was deeply religious in his personal life faith and invention’; university system the principles of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam A scholar par excellence, he did his politics and simultaneously strongly committed to comprising ‘Takshashila, Vikramshila, and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu with both his heart and mind and commanded secular thoughts. Valabhi, Sompura and Odantapuri’ attracting Niramayah. Mentioning tolerance, pluralism respectful attention of both his admirers and as magnets ‘finest minds and scholars’ and diversity as part of India’s ‘collective opponents. He brought distinction to senior He certainly was many things to many providing liberal environment of creativity consciousness’ for centuries, he cautioned positions he held in the government in his people. A lot of pieces will come out on him in art and literature. against defining ‘our’ nationhood in terms long political career as Union Minister with in the coming days and weeks illuminating of religion, region, hatred and intolerance key portfolios. His service to the nation his many faceted personality. What should, He recalled words of Rabindranath Tagore as that would lead to dilution of ‘national culminated with the assumption of the office therefore, be the best tribute to him and in his poem - ‘Bharat Tirtha’ - No one identity’. of the President of India in 2012 which he his memory. We pondered over this issue knows at whose beckoning call how many held till 2017. His immense contribution to in the Policy Perspectives Foundation and streams, of humanity came in indomitable According to him, the construct of Indian the nation was duly acknowledged when came round to the view that his thoughts on waves from all over the world, over the nationalism is “Constitutional Patriotism” the prestigious “Bharat Ratna award was heritage and future of India should be an apt millennia and mingled like rivers, into this based on an understanding of our inherited conferred by the Government of India in choice. vast ocean and created an individual soul, and shared diversity with its soul residing ‘in 2019. that is Bharat. Adding that India was a pluralism and tolerance’ with and Thoughts expressed by the late President in state long before the concept of ‘European inclusion as faith; and the composite culture. A man of engaging qualities, he was the his address at the RSS Headquarters, Nagpur Nation State’, emerged after the Treaty of ‘trouble shooter’ to resolve knotty political are truly relevant in today’s India and for Westphalia in 1648, based on elements like a Words of Pranabda convey his vision of tangles. ‘Universal access was his mantra its future. Salient strands of his thoughts territory, language, religion, and a common India -one that he believed in and worked which earned him universal admiration expressed on the occasion are worth a recall. enemy. for. He may not be amongst us today but his across the board. He like any grandfather Referring to India’s more than 5000 years old vision lingers and would always remind and was also prone to lose his temper often of civilization and history, he described India He pointed that evolution of Indian encourage the future generations. May his but only to regain his composure soon to of those days as a globally connected ‘open Nationalism unlike that of Europe was based soul rest in eternal peace.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 16 23 - 29 November 2020

Neighbourhood NEW DELHI TIMES European Union asks Sri Lanka Radical Pakistani religious to end import restrictions cleric dies after leading sit-in hadim Hussein Rizvi, a radical southern Sindh province, though Rizvi’s K Pakistani religious scholar who this rallies typically attracted tens of thousands. week led thousands of supporters into a sit-in in Islamabad over the republishing in France In conservative Pakistan, the mere charge of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, of blasphemy can incite mobs to riot. Rizvi which they deem blasphemous, died on also led the protests last year, when Khan’s November 19. He was 54. government freed Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman held on death row for eight years on According to the cleric’s spokesman and charges of committing blasphemy. A court and good governance. Not least due to these a doctor at the hospital where Rizvi was acquitted her but she had to flee to Canada ◆ By NDT Bureau unilateral trade preferences, the EU is the taken to in the eastern city of Lahore, he after threats to her life. @NewDelhiTimes second biggest export market for Sri Lanka was showing symptoms similar to those of worldwide, with a positive trade balance of [email protected] COVID-19 but had not been tested for the more than 1 billion EUR (about 220 billion coronavirus. LKR) in 2018 and 2019.” he European Union (EU) has urged T Sri Lanka to end its import restrictions “Trade, however, is not a one-way street. The doctor, Salman Ahmed, said Rizvi had put in place as a response to economic The current import restrictions are having had a high fever for four days and developed hardships caused by the COVID-19 a negative impact on Sri Lankan and serious respiratory problems. He was then pandemic, saying the current curbs are European businesses, and on Foreign Direct taken to hospital where he died. having a negative impact on the businesses. Investment. A statement issued by the Delegation of the The protest by Rizvi’s party, the Tehreek-e- EU and the Embassies of France, Germany, Such measures impair Sri Lanka’s efforts Labiak, started on the outskirts of the capital, Italy, Netherlands and Romania in Sri to become a regional hub and negatively Islamabad, where protesters and Pakistani Photo AP PC : Lanka mentioned that “the EU is a crucial impact Sri Lankan exports by constraining security forces briefly clashed, prompting economic partner for Sri Lanka. the import of raw material and machinery. the police to fire tear gas at stone-hurling The prophet caricatures have sparked We recall that a prolonged import ban is demonstrators. The rally was one in a series protests in Asia and the Middle East, with Thanks to the EU’s special Generalised not in line with World Trade Organisation held around the country to express outrage calls for boycott of French products. They System of Preferences (GSP+), Sri Lanka regulations”, the statement added. over the caricatures. were also seen as the trigger for several enjoys competitive, predominantly duty- deadly attacks against French nationals and and quota-free access to the EU market, The statement was issued after the Sri After the violence in Islamabad died down, interests in recent weeks. based on the continued implementation Lankan government presented its 2021 the protesters subsequently staged a sit- of 27 international conventions on human budget, maintaining that import restrictions in that ended after Prime Minister Imran Tehreek-e-Labiak has a history of staging rights, labour, environment, climate change must remain in place to stabilize the rupee. Khan’s government promised their demands protests and sit-ins to press their demands. for cutting diplomatic ties with France and In November 2017, its followers staged a expelling the French ambassador would be 21-day protest and sit-in after a reference discussed in Parliament in three months. to the sanctity of the Prophet Muhammad Handigaun area to be was removed from the text of a government The sit-in had attracted thousands of men form. Khan tweeted his condolences on who sat for two days, crowded together Rizvi’s death while Minister for Religious developed by Kathmandu with few wearing face masks. Tehreek-e- Affairs Peer Noor ul Haq Qadi called the Labiak spokesman Shafiq Amini said the cleric “a great Islamic scholar and lover of government had also agreed to release all the Prophet.” Metropolitan City arrested members of the party. Rizvi’s funeral is expected to draw tens The radical Islamist party gained prominence of thousands of people at a time when in Pakistan’s 2018 federal elections, coronavirus cases in Pakistan have been campaigning on a single-point agenda: climbing steadily. Pakistan has reported defending the country’s controversial more than 365,900 cases of the virus and blasphemy law which calls for the death 7,248 deaths. penalty for anyone who insults Islam. The party won only two provincial seats in the Credit : Associated Press (AP) “I’m happy to know that there have been Indian Prime 11,000 successful Rupay transactions in Bhutan already. Had Covid not happened, Minister launches this number would have been much higher. We are launching the Phase II of the RuPay RuPay Card Phase Card scheme,” he added. II in Bhutan ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] PC : Getty Images n November 20, the Indian Prime to protect and promote temples, religious ◆ By NDT Bureau O Minister Narendra Modi along with processions and festivals taking place in the Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Dr. Handigaun, the second old human settlement @NewDelhiTimes Lotay Tshering launched the RuPay Card The Prime Ministers of India and Bhutan behind Sankhu in the Kathmandu Valley, [email protected] Phase-II in Bhutan in a virtual ceremony. had jointly launched Phase-I of the project Mayor Shakya said an archaeological study during the State Visit of Prime Minister to of the area would take place soon and the he Kathmandu Metropolitan City Launching the card, PM Modi said that Bhutan in August 2019. foundation stone would be laid for the T (KMC) will develop the historic and RuPay cards issued by the Bhutan National construction of a house for keeping the cultural Handigaun area. The Mayor of Bank can be used at ATMs for Rs 1 lakh and The implementation of Phase-I of RuPay special palanquin and the idols of the deities KMC, Bidya Sundar Shakya said that Rs 10 for Rs 20 lakh at point-of-sale terminals. cards in Bhutan has enabled visitors from at the temple within a month. million had been managed for the promotion India to access ATMs and Point of Sale and development of Handigaun area. “This would make tourism, shopping and (PoS) terminals across Bhutan. Phase-II will The construction cost is estimated to be over other transactions easier for Bhutanese now allow Bhutanese card holders to access Admitting to the responsibility of the KMC Rs 20 million. tourists in India,” the Prime Minister said. RuPay network in India. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 17

North America NEW DELHI TIMES US drops case against ex-Mexican General after pressure he United States dropped a high-profile Mexico as its reason for dropping the case. T drug trafficking and money laundering case against a former Mexican Defence “The United States determined that Secretary, an extraordinary reversal that the broader interest in maintaining that followed an intense pressure campaign from relationship in a cooperative way outweighed Mexico. the department’s interest and the public’s interest in pursuing this particular case,” The full scope of Mexico’s pressure was Seth DuCharme, the acting U.S. Attorney in not clear and officials were vague about Brooklyn, told the judge at a hearing. what led them to drop charges in a case they celebrated as a major breakthrough just last He said the decision to drop the charges was made by Attorney General William Barr. month, when federal agents nabbed retired Photo AP PC : Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos in Los Angeles. Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Two officials, one Mexican and one Marcelo Ebrard said that he told Barr that the U.S. had to choose between American, said Mexico’s tactics involved not take action against the cartel and that with him.” Mexico has repeatedly extradited threatening to expel the Drug Enforcement trying Cienfuegos and having continued cooperation. operations were initiated against its rivals. major drug suspects, including at least Administration’s regional director and He was also accused of introducing cartel some former elected officials, for trial in the agents unless the US. dropped the case. “It is in your hands. You can’t have both,” leaders to other corrupt Mexican officials. United States. In the case of Cienfuegos, But they said that was only part of the Ebrard said he told Barr. “You cannot have Mexican officials have taken no official negotiation. They would not elaborate. The close cooperation with all of Mexico’s Mexican officials complained that the U.S. position on whether he is innocent or guilty, officials asked not to be named because they institutions and at the same time do this.” failed to share evidence against Cienfuegos saying that was up to the attorney general’s were not authorized to speak publicly about and that his arrest came as a surprise. It office to decide. the case. The Justice Department declined comment also caused alarm within Mexico’s military, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador when asked about Ebrard’s account. which has played a crucial role in operations A judge in New York City approved the against drug cartels. said Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office dismissal of charges capping a lightning-fast By early evening, a charter jet carrying would decide whether Cienfuegos was turnaround in a case that drew loud protests Cienfuegos, accompanied by U.S. Marshals, Gladys McCormick, a history professor at placed in custody once he is returned. from top officials in Mexico and threatened had landed in Mexico. Syracuse University who specializes in the But given that there are no charges yet in to damage the delicate relationship that U.S.-Mexico relationship, said prosecuting Mexico, he is likely to be set free. enables investigators in both countries to Cienfuegos, 72, was secretly indicted by Cienfuegos would have been enormously “This does not signify impunity; it means pursue drug kingpins together. a federal grand jury in New York in 2019. fraught for the United States. that an investigation will be started,” López He was accused of conspiring with the H-2 Obrador said. Mexico depicted the case as a victory for cartel in Mexico to smuggle thousands of “Following through on prosecuting the country’s sovereignty and its demand to kilos of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine Cienfuegos would have compromised It is rare for a highly prized defendant in a U.S. be treated as an equal partner by the United and marijuana while he was Defence intelligence gathering and joint military case to be arrested and then released in short States, a striking position given that most Secretary from 2012 to 2018. operations for years to come, which is part order for reasons of diplomacy. Historically, think that Mexico’s court system — and of the reason why the original arrest was so it has been more likely to occur in cases corrupt officials — are the weak links in Prosecutors said intercepted messages scandalous,” McCormick said. “He truly is involving espionage than drug trafficking. the country’s fight against drug trafficking. showed that Cienfuegos accepted bribes untouchable and sacrosanct because of both The US cited America’s relationship with in exchange for ensuring the military did what he represents and the secrets he carries Credit : Associated Press (AP) Haitian protesters clash Aid Sought for Hurricane- with police during call for ravaged Central America nternational humanitarian teams in I Central America need nearly $43 President to resign million to provide critical relief to some olice in the Haitian capital, Port-au- 646,000 people who were pummeled by two P Prince, clashed with protesters calling hurricanes, floods and landslides, UNICEF for President Jovenel Moise to step down said in a statement. amid corruption allegations. Back-to-back Hurricanes Eta and Iota ravaged several Central American countries Demonstrators set up burning barricades and this month, causing flash floods and PC : Getty Images disrupted traffic. Police responded by firing mudslides. keep growing day by day.” Iota, a Category teargas at the demonstrators. 4 hurricane on a 1-5 scale, leveled entire “We thought Hurricane Eta was bad, but communities and pulled down trees and The Associated Press reports one person was Hurricane Iota may end up being even worse electricity poles. So far, 26 deaths have been shot in the head as demonstrators attempted for children in Central America,” said Bernt reported, including 16 in Nicaragua where to reach an area where the heavily guarded Aasen, UNICEF regional director for Latin about 114,000 homes have no power and Moise was placing a wreath at the National America and the Caribbean. 47,000 are without water. Mausoleum commemorating the 217th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution, when Eta was the first to hit Central America, UNICEF warned that “children who local forces defeated Napoleon’s French causing damage impacting some 4.6 million survived both hurricanes are now at risk of PC : Getty Images expeditionary forces. people in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, dying from waterborne and other infectious the input of a parliament, which was Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. diseases.” In a statement, it noted that “cases It was not immediately clear who fired the dissolved in January after failed elections in Hurricane Iota followed a week later, of hepatitis and malaria have already been shot. October. inflicting more devastation. UNICEF says it reported in some shelters.” fears for the health and well-being of nearly UNICEF says it is working to provide Haitian opposition leader André Michel The political situation in Haiti has not 2 million children across the region. humanitarian support to more than 600,000 said, “Haitian people are tired of Jovenel helped the country generate donations from people in Nicaragua, Belize, Guatemala and Moïse; he will no longer be able to govern the international community, hampering its “It’s one hurricane after the other, but Honduras. The organization says continuing the country.” ability to respond to a lingering economic stronger each time,” said Aasen, who warned struggle, including food shortages. the worst is yet to come as the “water has rainfall and pandemic-related limitations Demonstrators are venting at Moise, who is yet to recede,” but the “humanitarian needs have hindered access to some affected areas. leading the impoverished country without Credit : Voice of America (VOA) of families and children are immense and Credit : Voice of America (VOA)

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Africa NEW DELHI TIMES Amidst rising political tensions, Ivory Coast President meets opposition leader not likely to relent until authorities drop ◆ By NDT Bureau criminal charges against opposition leaders @NewDelhiTimes for forming a rival government. Authorities in Ivory Coast had earlier arrested [email protected] opposition leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan as part of a growing crackdown on those who n November 11, Ivory Coast challenged Ouattara’s election. N’Guessan O opposition leader Henri Konan Bedie was arrested in Akoupé, a city northeast met with President Alassane Ouattara. of Abidjan, on his way to Bongouanou, The meeting comes after Ivory Coast’s his ancestral homeland, according to a Constitutional Council, on November 9, statement published on the official page of formally ratified Alassane Ouattara’s re- his political party, the Ivorian Popular Front. election to a third term as the President of the The arrest came after authorities detained a country. This confirmed the results published top-ranking official from another opposition by Ivory Coast’s Electoral Commission party, Maurice Kakou Guikahue of PDCI. which said that President Alassane Ouattara has overwhelmingly won a third term in The political tensions have also resulted office. Ouattara received 94.3% of the in an increasing number of Ivory Coast vote in the elections where the turnout was nationals seeking refuge in neighbouring PC : Getty Images 53.9%, according to election officials, while countries. According to the UNHCR, the opposition has maintained only 10% of party of ex-President Laurent Gbagbo and After the November 11 meeting between continuing violence will force more people Ivorian voters who took part in the elections. former President Henri Konan Bedi of the Ouattara and Bedie, the two leaders said out of the country. As of November 9, more PDCI-RDA party filed their candidacy. On that they had managed to break the ice wall than 7,500 Ivorians had fled to Liberia. Over The Presidential elections were held September 14, the Constitutional Council between them and restore confidence after 60 per cent of arrivals are children, some of in Ivory Coast on October 31, 2020. approved four candidates: Ouattara, former the meeting. “With today’s meeting, we whom arrived unaccompanied or separated President Alassane Ouattara of the Rally of President Henri Konan Bédié from the have broken the wall of ice, of silence,” said from their parents. Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace PDCI, former Prime Minister Pascal Affi Bedie after the meeting. Bedie said that the (RHDP) who first came to power after the N’Guessan and Kouadio Konan Bertin, a two would continue to call each other in the Older people and pregnant women have also 2010 disputed election whose aftermath left dissident from the PDCI. coming days and weeks and meet so that fled, most carrying just a few belongings more than 3,000 people dead, sought a third the country returns to what it was. Ouattara and little to no food or money. The UNHCR term in office. In August 2020, Alassane Former President Laurent Gbagbo and urged the opposition to put an end to their warns that current tensions in the country are Ouattara was formally nominated by the former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro were initiatives against his re-election. Ouattara triggering fears among Ivorians reminiscent ruling party to stand for a third term in the barred as they were facing criminal charges. said, “We agreed that peace is the most of the country’s 2011 Presidential election, October elections despite charges by the The ruling led to violent protests. On important thing for both of us, and for all which claimed the lives of more than 3,000 opposition that the run was unconstitutional. October 15, Henri Konan Bedie and Pascal Ivorians.” people, forced over 300,000 to flee across After Ouattara filed his nominations, Pascal Affi N’Guessan have said that they would the region, and displaced more than one Affi N’Guessan of the Ivorian Popular Front boycott the vote on October 31. Despite these talks, the opposition is million inside the country. As Abiy Ahmed declares ‘final offensive’ in Tigray, refugees flee to Sudan crimes against humanity and peace will be alleged provocations. Abiy has accused the ◆ By NDT Bureau held accountable. We remain steadfast in our Tigray government of damaging bridges @NewDelhiTimes resolve to justice and rule of law”. and digging up roads leading to its capital, Mekele, to slow the march of federal forces. [email protected] The Tigray Region is the northernmost of n November 17, Ethiopian Prime the nine regions (Kililat) of Ethiopia. On As the offensive by the Ethiopian forces O Minister said that the Ethiopian September 9, 2020, Parliamentary Elections continues, a humanitarian crisis looms large troops were moving in for a final offensive were held in Tigray. The elections were in in the Tigray region and leading to large in the Tigray region of the country. Ahmed’s defiance to the orders of Ethiopian President scale displacement and an influx of refugees Facebook post, when translated into Abiy Ahmed that all elections would be in the neighbouring countries. According to English, reads: “The work that is going on postponed because of the COVID-19 the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), a full- in Tigray region is doing well. Justice will pandemic. The holding of elections in Tigray scale humanitarian crisis is unfolding as win! Ethiopia will win! By enforcing the further widened the schism between the thousands of refugees flee ongoing fighting rule of law, we will build a strong foundation Abiy Ahmad and Tigray Peoples Liberation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region each day to seek based on robbing our country and knowing Front (TPLF). safety in eastern Sudan – an influx unseen the peace and peace. Especially the situation over the last two decades in this part of the seen in the past few days are the real identity On October 6, the House of Federation, the country. of the TPLF. Upper House of the Ethiopian Parliament, voted to sever contact with leaders of the The UNHCR further states that the lack of Those who committed crime on humanity northern Tigray region. Tigray officials electricity, telecommunications and access and peace will be accountable. We will be have also objected to the postponement of to fuel and cash continue to severely hamper grateful for the decision we have to respect Ethiopia’s national election because of the any humanitarian response in Tigray. After PC : Getty Images justice and rule of law. Ethiopia will end COVID-19 pandemic, which extends Abiy’s nearly two weeks of conflict, reports of larger a campaign to respect the rule of law by stay in office. numbers of internally displaced grow daily, “thousands are crossing into Sudan seeking women and her sons. By advancing rule of while the lack of access to those in need, safety, and an untold number are displaced law and holding accountable those that have On November 5, Ethiopian Prime Minister coupled with the inability to move in goods from their homes inside Ethiopia. The been looting, destabilizing Ethiopia, we Abiy Ahmed ordered the military to confront to the region, remain major impediments to telecommunications blackout in Tigray has will lay the foundation for lasting peace & the country’s well-armed Tigray regional providing assistance. made it practically impossible for people to harmony. Events of the last few days have government, accusing it of a deadly attack contact their family members, causing fear especially shown the true colour of the clique on a military base and declaring “the last Kate Sorin, Head of the International Red and anguish on the whereabouts and safety within the TPLF. Those who are committing red line has been crossed” after months of Cross Committee in Addis Ababa states, of their loved ones.” www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 19

South America NEW DELHI TIMES Brazil voters US has 1st ignore Bolsonaro’s Ambassador in city election decade to endorsements amid tensions razil’s President Jair Bolsonaro ashington has its first Ambassador for B has suffered a setback as most of W Venezuela in a decade despite the US. the dozens of candidates he backed for having no diplomats at its Caracas Embassy municipal elections failed to secure victories amid a breakdown in relations. or spots in runoffs. James Story’s nomination as Ambassador In more than 5,500 cities, Brazilians voted was confirmed by a US Senate voice vote. for mayors and city councillors. The wave The South Carolina native takes the job of political renewal that two years ago that he will carry out from the capital of catapulted Bolsonaro to the presidency neighbouring Colombia as Venezuela appeared to ebb in the face of well-known endures a historic economic and political candidates and traditional parties, which crisis. scored the most votes in the two most populous cities. Of the nearly 60 candidates Story, 50, will likely play a key role helping whom the leader backed, only nine guide the US policy on Venezuela during Photo AP PC : advanced, according to a tally by newspaper the transition of President-elect Joe Biden. Estado de S.Paulo. Relations have had a long, rocky past The US leads a coalition of dozens of nations Facebook Live chat attempting to maintain that include President Donald Trump’s that rejected Maduro following his election ties with millions of Venezuelans at home administration winning an indictment in 2018 to a second term in a vote widely or those who have fled the crisis-riddled against Venezuelan Nicolas Maduro as an considered fraudulent because the most nation. In a freewheeling approach, he alleged narcoterrorist. popular opposition leaders were banned answers questions in fluent Spanish from from running. Venezuelans and the few US citizens still Biden’s win has sparked debate among those in the country, addressing the latest intrigue who back Trump’s hard-line approach of The US has since heavily sanctioned and turmoil bubbling in Venezuela and the isolating Maduro and others who say it is Maduro, his inner circle and the state-run oil US. He occasionally breaks into English time for a new course. firm, attempting to isolate them. The Trump with a South Carolina accent.

PC : AP Photo AP PC : administration offered a $15 million bounty He is not shy about calling out Maduro The critics say heavy sanctions have failed for Maduro’s arrest after a US court indicted and his government for what critics call Bolsonaro, who is currently not affiliated to remove Maduro from power, opening him on drug charges. his growing authoritarian rule and corrupt with any political party, had said he would Venezuela to U.S. competitors like China, practices blamed for destroying the nation’s not get involved in the election campaign, Russia and Iran, while making life harder on Story, a career diplomat nominated by once thriving oil sector that’s left the nation but in recent weeks he turned to social media millions of residents of the South American Trump in May, has been serving as the in ruins. to promote a dozen candidates for mayor as nation. Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, the diplomat who heads a mission in the absence of an well as councillor candidates. “Look, this is not a true democracy,” Story The US and Venezuela haven’t exchanged Ambassador. His foreign service career has Bruno Carazza, a professor of economic said in an online chat earlier this year, later Ambassadors since 2010, when relations taken him to Mexico, Brazil, Mozambique law at Brazil’s Ibmec business school, said railing against high-ranking Venezuelan first started to fray under the late President and Afghanistan. Bolsonaro had not made a concerted effort officials whose families live lavishly in Hugo Chávez. The two nations totally broke to rally supporters in the municipal elections Spain and Panama while most Venezuelans diplomatic ties last year, each withdrawing Today, he leads a skeleton crew of diplomats and had lost an opportunity to “prepare the are in poverty. “Yes, they’re cheating all of its diplomats shortly after Washington in a “virtual” embassy in Bogota. Despite ground for the 2022 elections. ″ you.” backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan the challenge of working from outside The President deleted a social media post Guaidó as the country’s legitimate leader. Venezuela, Story holds a weekly 30-minute Credit : Associated Press (AP) with a list of the candidates he had supported and sought to distance himself from their Former Suriname Vice poor performances. Only two mayors backed by the President secured a spot in the Peru’s new government President Ashwin Adhin second round. arrested “My help to a few mayoral candidates was summed up by 4 live broadcasts on social leaders sworn into office ormer Vice President Ashwin Adhin media over a total of 3 hours,” he wrote. F has been arrested in an investigation into the alleged destruction of equipment in the vice An adviser to the President, Filipe presidential office after his party lost power in Martins, was more forthcoming with his the May elections, President Chandrikapersad disappointment, writing on Twitter that the Santokhi. Santokhi said in Parliament that opposition had scored significant advances. Adhin, who is a legislator, had been detained and “Either we do the necessary self-criticism, questioned. “Based on that interrogation and or our errors will be paid for at an even the statements of others, the Public Prosecutor’s higher price in the future,” Martins wrote. Office has deemed it necessary to detain him as a suspect,” the president said. He gave no specifics. One of Bolsonaro’s biggest frustrations But Parliament member Reshma Mangre of came in Sao Paulo, where his chosen the president’s Progressive Reform Party has candidate — the television presenter and said that people in the vice president’s office PC : Getty Images federal lawmaker Celso Russomanno destroyed expensive media equipment. She said (Republicanos) — came in fourth place. eru’s new President, Francisco days of street protests ended with the deaths three people were arrested. The incumbent Mayor Bruno Covas (PSDB P Sagasti, has a cabinet in place to help of two people. Santokhi’s party won the May 25 elections party) didn’t garner enough votes to avoid a him begin stabilizing the government, which over the National Democratic Party led by runoff against opponent Guilherme Boulos Merino became President by default after the has been the target of angry street protests. then President Desiré Delano Bouterse. (PSOL party), a Bolsonaro critic. opposition led Congress impeached popular After the new administration took office in July, A day after the liberal centrist became President Martin Vizcarra over unverified In Rio de Janeiro, the former Mayor the Public Prosecutor’s Office has intensified Peru’s third President within a week, Sagasti bribery allegations, setting off protests and Eduardo Paes (DEM party) tallied a wide investigations into possible crimes by politicians appointed Violeta Bermúdez, a legal expert, creating a leadership crisis. lead over current Mayor Marcelo Crivella and officials of the previous government. Former to lead the 18 cabinet ministers sworn in. (Republicanos party), one of two Mayoral Peruvians will head to the polls next April to Finance Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad is the candidates backed by Bolsonaro who will Sagasti, who will serve as Interim President choose the country’s permanent President. subject of a fraud investigation and is thought to advance to a runoff. until next July, replaced former Congress have fled the country. Credit : Associated Press (AP) speaker Manuel Merino, who resigned after Credit : Voice of America (VOA) Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 20 23 - 29 November 2020

Opinion NEW DELHI TIMES Abrogation of Article 370 Armenia in Political Insatiable & power-hungry dynastic Parties of Kashmir agonizing ◆ By Sujay Dhawan planet. Finally, the seven-decade old thorn Turmoil following ceasefire was pulled out and wound started to heal. On Editor the other hand, this agonized and pained the @SujayDhawan four major political families, Muftis, Lones, in Nagorno-Karabakh [email protected] Ansaris and Abdullahs. They ruled Kashmir ashmir, a paradise, is a breathtakingly from several decades like dynasts. They use ◆ By NDT Bureau K splendid creation on Earth. to loathe each other but after revocation @NewDelhiTimes Whomsoever visited Kashmir, fell in love of Article 35A & Article 370 of Indian with the scenic beauty at once. Everything Constitution, they have come together and [email protected] was fine with Kashmir and Kashmiri’s until formed an alliance called People’s Alliance August 1947. In the midnight of 15th August for Gupkar Declaration with a hollow aim of n November 9, Russia announced it 1947, India became a sovereign state. But safeguarding and restoring the special status O had brokered a lasting cease-fire deal this Independence came with a cost; we lost of Jammu & Kashmir. between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh territory. our two arms, an irreparable damage which The truth was they enjoyed privileges could never be overturned, at least not in and attention from both sides, India and In a video statement, Russian President this lifetime. With it also came another Pakistan. But now there is no need for stated: “Today, November 9, the President impediment, the wounds of which are still them. The reason for which their political of the Republic of Azerbaijan Aliyev, healing i.e. illegal occupation of Kashmir by parties flourished has no meaning anymore. Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia newly formed state of Pakistan. They never thought of people of Jammu & Pashinyan and the President of the Russian Kashmir but themselves, their vested interest The plangent sound of the Pt. Jawaharlal Federation signed a statement declaring always was kept above the rest. They time Nehru’s broadcast on transferring the issue a complete ceasefire and all hostilities in and again accused Indian Security forces of of resolution of Kashmir to United Nations the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict terrorising the valley and covertly spread still tears our heart apart. Following is the from 00:00 Moscow time, November 10, PC : Getty Images the Pakistan propaganda of Kashmir. They Excerpt from the broadcast: 2020. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the protested against Pakistan to give away Republic of Armenia stop at their positions. between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, the Occupied Kashmir but yes, they were “We have decided to accept this accession The peacekeeping contingent of the Russian with the subsequent redeployment of the always vocal against Indian Army, Indian and to send troops by air, but we made a Federation is deployed along the line of Russian peacekeeping contingent to protect Judiciary and laws. All in all, they were in ‘condition that the accession would have contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and along this route”. heaven and suddenly all hell breaks loose. to be considered by the people of Kashmir the corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh They had the audacity to support the man, later when peace and order were established. with the Republic of Armenia.”. “I personally made a very hard decision for Afzal Guru, who was involved in attack on We were anxious not to finalise anything in me and all of us,” wrote Armenian Prime in India Parliament in year 2001. a moment of crisis, and without the fullest The following agreements of the ceasefire Minister Nikol Pashinyan in a Facebook These families have been involved in have caused a political turmoil in Armenia: post announcing he had signed the deal. most horrific crimes, who can forget mass “The text of the statement that has already exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from their own “1) The Republic of Armenia will return been published is unbelievably painful for motherland in year 1990. What did they do the Kelbajar region to the Republic of me and our people.” “It’s not a victory, then? Did they protest? Did they even ever Azerbaijan by November 15, 2020, and the but there’s no defeat,” added Pashinyan, come in support of Kashmiri Pandits and Lachin region by December 1, 2020. The calling the deal “the best solution in the lay wreathe on innocent people murdered? Lachin corridor (5 km wide), which will situation.” Armenian opposition parties and No this did not nor they will ever do so as it ensure the connection of Nagorno-Karabakh their supporters are demanding that Prime would not solve their primary purpose. They with Armenia and at the same time will not Minister Nikol Pashinyan resign, calling always had a façade that they want peace affect the city of Shusha, remains under the the agreement he signed “treacherous” and in the valley but never ever did anything control of the peacekeeping contingent of “humiliating.”. Protesters have stormed PC : Getty Images to restore peace instead instigated and the Russian Federation. As agreed by the government buildings and are demanding intimidated innocent Kashmiri youth. Parties, in the next three years, a plan for the that the pact be invalidated. The protestors opportunity to the people of Kashmir to construction of a new route along the Lachin have raised slogans and carried posters of have their say. It was for them ultimately to But this time Kashmir is ready for them. corridor will be determined, providing “Nikol is a traitor”. decide.” Kashmiri’s are happy for once in last seven communication between Nagorno- decades. After all they have understood who Karabakh and Armenia, with the subsequent Armen Sarkissian, the Armenian President “We have declared that the fate of Kashmir was the real culprit all this while. Since the redeployment of the Russian peacekeeping has said that holding early elections in the is ultimately to be decided by the people. abrogation of Articles 35A & Art. 370 was contingent to protect this route. country is inevitable. The President said That pledge we have given, and the done, there is peace and tranquillity in the that “the vast majority” of the political Maharaja has supported it not only to Valley. The youth of Kashmir is getting The Republic of Azerbaijan guarantees the and social groups he met with agreed upon the people of Kashmir but the world. We benefit of all Scholarship schemes and safety of traffic along the Lachin corridor “the resignation of the Prime Minister in will not, and cannot back out of it. We are other facilities as rest of India. They are of citizens, vehicles and goods in both accordance with the Constitution or the prepared when peace and law and order have able to apply and get government jobs in directions. termination of his powers, and holding early been established to have a referendum held and outside valley. They are enjoying the parliamentary elections. under international auspices like the United same rights as every other citizen of India. 2) All economic and transport links in the Nations. We want it to be a fair and just Women emancipation related laws such as region are unblocked. The Republic of The political turmoil took a new turn reference to the people, and we shall accept Dowry Prohibition Act 1960, Prohibition of Armenia guarantees the safety of transport when on November 16, the resignation of their verdict. I can imagine no fairer and Child Marriage act, 2006, Special Marriage links between the western regions of the Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan juster offer.” Pt. Nehru’s spinless act was Act, 1954, Maternity Benefit Act, 1969, Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan was announced by his spokeswoman, Anna not a mistake but a blunder, whose price our Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Autonomous Republic in order to organize Nagdhalya. The resignation comes after countrymen still paying by laying their lives (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles the Armenian Foreign Ministry publicly in the valley. Act, 2013, etc. are applicable in whole of and goods in both directions. disagreed with Pashinyan over the course of Kashmir now. Tourists are increasing slowly the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talk. But quandary act of the then Prime Minister and gradually and be seen in and around the Control over transport communication is of India brought a new lease of life to certain famous Dal Lake area in Srinagar. families of Kashmir. Pt. Nehru gave away carried out by the bodies of the Border Service As protests continue in Armenia, Russian Kashmir to these families in silver platter. The whole world has been watching of the FSB of Russia. By agreement of the President Putin has categorically stated that These families who became dynasties over Kashmir. These political dynasts & their Parties, the construction of new transport any attempts by Armenia to walk out of the seven decades used Article 370 for their respective parties need to introspect and communications linking the Nakhichevan peace deal would be suicidal. “A country own vested interests. Dynastic politics is not retire from politics or reorganise and work Autonomous Republic with the western that is at war or in danger of resuming new for us Indians. We have seen many and for development of Kashmir and demand regions of Azerbaijan will be provided. hostilities, as it has always been in past years, also seen the blots made by them. Anyhow, from Pakistan to leave the occupied Kashmir still cannot afford to behave in such a way, these families political venture paid in full and re-integrate POK in India. This would As agreed by the Parties, in the next three including in the sphere of organising power, until abrogation of Article 370 was done last for sure help them regain concreate political years, a plan for the construction of a new as to split society from within. I think this is year on 5th August 2019. Although, it was turf and win hearts of the masses. It’s time route along the Lachin corridor will be absolutely unacceptable, counterproductive a historic moment for every Indian on this to adapt and not adopt orthodox approach. determined, providing communication and extremely dangerous,” Putin said. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 21

Sports NEW DELHI TIMES Host Italy, Sports for Development Coalition recognises the role of Belgium advance sports as an enabler of sustainable development to stellar Nations The Coalition partners aim to leverage the power of sport for global sustainability, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations

League finals ◆ By Dr. Pawan Mathur taly earned the right to host a star-filled @PawanMathur I Nations League finals that will feature the current No. 1-ranked team and three of [email protected] the past four World Cup champions. he unique potential of sports to contribute Italy’s 2-0 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina sealed T towards achieving development has top spot in Group 1 above the Netherlands, been recognised by the United Nations, which beat Poland 2-1. That group winner particularly, when the 2030 Agenda for had been pre-selected to host the Final Four Sustainable Development and its 17 next October. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015. gender equality, employment and peace. collaboration. “There is no question that The Political Declaration of the 2030 Agenda The Coalition will work under the tagline, sport can play an important role in promoting for Sustainable Development referred to “More sport, more impact”. human security”, he said. UNESCO’s joining sports as an important enabler of sustainable reflects its leading role in the UN system in development and “recognised the growing The Coalition partners have expressed their the sports field. Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO contribution of sport to the realization of commitment towards: Assistant Director-General for Social and development and peace in its promotion of Human Sciences remarked that the Coalition tolerance and respect and the contributions it 1) aligning for with a common vision and was a timely initiative as “sports can help principles on the social and environmental PC : AP Photo AP PC : makes to the empowerment of women and of us heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, young people, individuals and communities power of sport; providing support to the many communities Top-ranked Belgium also booked its place as well as to health, education and social that have been touched, particularly youth 2) intensifying the positive human, social, in that knockout bracket, lifted by Romelu inclusion objectives”. and women. economic and environmental impacts of the Lukaku’s 56th and 57th international goals worlds of sport and development; in a 4-2 win over Denmark. Major international as well as national Sports will not only help to restore health and sports governing bodies have been actively resilience, but also to build more cohesive 3) supporting projects that make sport a tool Belgium and Italy join Spain and France, engaged in the promotion of SDGs through and peaceful societies by disseminating the for human and sustainable development at who topped groups that finished. That sports. One such prominent recent initiative values of sports, such as empathy, respect, the national and regional levels; and means the tournament will feature the is the “Sport for Development Coalition”, discipline, fair game and team building”. that was launched on November 11, winners of the World Cup in 2006, 2010 4) creating a positive social and environmental 2020, on the occasion of the Finance in Marina Ponti, UN SDG Action Campaign and 2018. legacy and contribute to peace and solidarity, Common Summit that involved some 450 Director stresses upon the significance of particularly through major international Credit : Associated Press (AP) national, regional and international public the Coalition in the following remark: “This sporting events. development banks. Coalition can play a very unique role to turn Rémy Rioux, the President of the it around for a more equal, inclusive and England to tour At this stage, this coalition includes the Agence Finance in Common Summit and also sustainable world. With the sport values, Française de Développement (AFD), the West the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the we speak a common language, with the African Development Bank (BOAD), the Japan Pakistan next AFD remarked that the unprecedented Sustainable Development Goals, we head in International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the coalition sport and development “seals the the same direction.” Association of National and Development rapprochement between these actors to carry, October; 1st Finance Institutions (DFIs) of the member together, the hope of a common world under The IOC has welcomed the launch of the countries of the Islamic Development Bank the banner of the Sustainable Development Sports for Development Coalition. In a video (ADFIMI), the Latin American Association of time since 2005 Goals (SDGs)”. message, the IOC President Thomas Bach ngland’s cricket team will play two Development Finance Institutions (ALIDE), said: “The mission of the IOC is to make the E Twenty20 Internationals in the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW); Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024 world a better place through sport. This is next October during its first tour to Pakistan the Vnesheconombank (VEB.RF) as its remarked: “At Paris 2024, we are convinced why we support this initiative of the AFD since 2005. permanent members. that sport changes lives. It’s true for and the public development banks to harness individuals, it’s also true for society because the power of sport to improve lives. It also includes partners from the world of The England and Wales Cricket Board said sport helps answer major challenges of our sport and development who support this its squad will arrive in the southern port time: it brings solutions to improve health, The UN recognised sport as an ‘important initiative, namely the International Olympic city on October 12. After playing back-to- education, equality and peace all around the enabler’ to achieve the UN Sustainable Committee (IOC), the International back Twenty20s on October 14 and 15, both world. Development Goals, and there are so teams will fly to India on October 16 for the Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Organizing many areas where sport can contribute T20 World Cup. Committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic and We want to seize the opportunity of the Paris to the objectives that we share with the Paralympic Games (Paris 2024), the United 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games to development community”. The ECB also announced a busy summer Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural strengthen the role of sport for sustainable schedule with three Asian countries — Sri Organization (UNESCO), the German development. This is the meaning of our In a similar vein, the IPC President Andrew Lanka, Pakistan and India — all touring International Development Cooperation collaboration with AFD. More sport, more Parson stated that the Coalition would “act England. Agency (GIZ) and the European Academic impact!” Shinichi Kitaoka, President of as a catalyst to sport empowering social Sports Network (ENAS). JICA applauded the AFD’s efforts to foster transformation”. Sri Lanka will play three ODIs in late June and July, followed by Pakistan’s tour The Coalition partners aim to leverage the comprising three ODIs and three Twenty20s. power of sport for global sustainability, The English summer culminates with India in line with the Sustainable Development playing five test matches in August and Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). September. According to the AFD, to achieve this England hosted West Indies and Pakistan objective, the coalition relies on the earlier this year without fans, but it communicating power of sports figures, announced a ticket ballot for next summer’s particularly during major international home games. sporting events, and on the financial Potential spectators were promised a full resources of Public Development Banks, refund in case the games need to be played which account for 10% of global investments. without fans next year too. The Coalition partners recognise the role of sports as an enabler in sustainable Credit : Associated Press (AP) development in areas of education, health,

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Technology & Health NEW DELHI TIMES Let them see the dawn: Animal babies are not Human pawns There are people who celebrate events by eating babies ◆ By Smt. Maneka whose name means Rabbit. It is “Noisettes Sanjay Gandhi de lapereau sauce cacao”. It means baby rabbits cooked in chocolate sauce. In China @ManekaGandhiBJP baby mice are drowned in wine and left there for a year. The wine is sold as a health tonic. othing is sweeter than a baby of any N species: Nothing angers us more than Hitler’s favourite food was squab: baby when a human baby is killed. The waste of a pigeons. The lifespan of a pigeon is about life, the cruelty on an innocent being, shocks 6 years and they are very family minded. us. But we do not apply the same sensitivities They feed and look after their children, till or principles to other babies. During this they are adults. Squabs are raised until they COVID period, when people have become are roughly a month old and still cannot fly. meaner and less tolerant, so many newly Then they are strangled and cooked into born puppies and kittens have been put in tiny mouthfuls. Squab meat has its origin sacks and thrown into sewers, ponds, and PC : Getty Images in Roman cooking and is now part of the cuisine of many countries. garbage. The only difference now is that which is sold all over the world and is one of the mother. The saddest mummy story whenever a litter has disappeared, angry of the cruellest dishes to be served, eaten is that of the Octopus mother. She remains Lamb, or the baby of a sheep or goat, is a animal welfare people have gone looking for by the sickest of people. The male baby is pregnant for 4-5 months, then she starts common dish. Sweetbread is a name for the it and have complained to the police. separated from the mother at birth, placed expelling her eggs into the water, one at a throat, gullet, neck or pancreas of a lamb or in an extremely tight crate where he cannot time over a month. She stitches these into calf. Sweetbreads can also be the tongue or There are people who celebrate events even turn around or move at all. The baby is hanging braids, like a bead curtain. Then testicles of these babies. A veal tongue is by eating babies. Pigs are as intelligent as fed no solid food, just an artificial mixture she retreats into her cave and hangs them often put into Russian salad. In Japan, the humans and very close to them genetically. of chemicals (milk replacer) that keep it just up. She sits guard for months protecting her tongues of baby cows are grilled into a dish But piglets suckling on their mother’s alive for 18-22 weeks. Its flesh, deprived of children and constantly waving her arms, called Gyutan. milk are slaughtered between the ages of all minerals and solid food, remains pale and making sure that nothing harmful settles on two and six weeks and eaten for important tender. These crates do not allow calves to turn them. She fights with potential predators, The spinal marrow is taken from the bones occasions - wedding dinners or a party for a around, much less walk, run, play, or socialize keeping them away from the eggs. For six baby’s completion of its first month of life. of young calves, and their feet are used with other animals. They cannot lie down months she never eats and, by the time the for soup. Baby lamb kidneys and liver The suckling pig is a popular dish in the comfortably, or even clean themselves. One offspring emerge, she has nearly starved to Southern US. are special delicacies. Many years ago, I video on You Tube shows workers, at a major death. With her last bit of energy, she blows did an advertisement for the Amul owned Canadian veal supplier, kicking, punching, and all her babies out of the den into the open The Cochon de Lait festival is held annually Safal. I held a lamb in my arms and other beating baby calves, and babies suffering from water. Once they are gone, she dies. Then in Louisiana where suckling pigs are roasted lambs milled around. They were all going open wounds, without any veterinary care. we take the babies and kill them, dip them in alive. How are these little babies killed? for slaughter after the shooting and, as part sauce and eat them as snacks with cocktails. Because the eater wants to see the head of the payment for the ad, I took the entire How many of 56,000 babies make it to as well, they are killed in pig farms by Squids are tubular, multi armed, intelligent herd. (The rest of the payment was a year’s adulthood? Perhaps two. repeatedly swinging them by their hind legs animals of the sea. Pregnant squid mothers supply of pea shells to feed the cows in my and thumping them against a concrete wall – dive from the shallow waters where they hospital!) in front of their mothers. live to great depths. They carry this huge bag Baby eels, the most mysterious creatures of eggs for up to nine months, taking great on the Earth, only born in the Sargasso A turkey lives 10 years. But babies just The word veal means baby cow. There are so care of the developing babies. Baby squids sea, from where they drift thousands of 8 weeks old are a must at Thanksgiving many kinds of veal. One is Bob veal where are then gathered by people and the dishes, miles to reach Europe, where they turn into dinners. Little baby ducks, barely out of the calf is slaughtered two hours to two Calamari in Italian, or Puntillitas in Spain, transparent glass eels who travel up brooks their sweet yellow fuzzy fur, are also eaten. days after its birth, without feeding him or are made from them. Battered and fried baby and rivers to change into their third avatar letting him drink water. The meat is almost squid is Puntillitas. Squid stewed in its own of the yellow eel. These eels live up to What a wretched species we are that we white and is completely tasteless. Another black ink is called Calamares en su tinta or 200 years if we let them. But people catch do not spare even the babies of our co- kind is Slink veal. This comes from unborn, Chipirones en su tinta - a black stew-like dish the babies and eat them. And now eels are inhabitants. premature (induced labour), or stillborn in which squid meat is very tender, and is in a very rapid decline: your children will To join the animal welfare movement calves. It is banned but it is still sold both accompanied by a thick black sauce usually probably never see them. There is a special contact [email protected], for leather and for meat. Then is veal made with onion, tomato, and the squid ink dish which originated in Spain – the country www.peopleforanimalsindia.org Twitter launches Will social distancing weaken disappearing tweets that vanish in a day my immune system? ill social distancing weaken my Experts say anyone looking to boost their witter is launching tweets that disappear W immune system? immune health during the pandemic should T in 24 hours called “Fleets” globally, practice habits such as stress management, echoing social media sites like Snapchat, In short, no. healthy eating, regular exercise and getting

Facebook and Instagram that already have Photo AP PC : enough sleep. disappearing posts. Some worry a lack of contact with others will executives Joshua Harris, design director, weaken their immune system by reducing its The company says the ephemeral tweets, and Sam Haveson, product manager, said in active contact with germs. which it calls “fleets” because of their a blog post. fleeting nature, are designed to allay the But even when we’re staying 6 feet from The news comes the same day Twitter CEO concerns of new users who might be turned others or spending most of our time at home, Jack Dorsey and Facebook CEO Mark off by the public and permanent nature of our bodies are continuously responding Zuckerberg faced questions from a Senate normal tweets. to plenty of bacteria and other germs that Judiciary Committee about how they handled inhabit indoor and outdoor environments. Fleets can’t be retweeted and they won’t disinformation surrounding the presidential have “likes.” People can respond to them, election. Both sites have stepped up action “We’re constantly exposed to microbes,” but the replies show up as direct messages to taken against disinformation. Zuckerberg said Akiko Iwasaki, an immune system the original tweeter, not as a public response, and Dorsey promised lawmakers last researcher at Yale University. “Our immune Photo AP PC : turning any back-and-forth into a private month that they would aggressively guard system is always being triggered.” conversation instead of a public discussion. their platforms from being manipulated “These are the things that actually affect the Twitter tested the feature in Brazil, Italy, by foreign governments or used to incite The effects of childhood vaccines and other immune system,” Iwasaki said. India, and South Korea, before rolling it violence around the election results — and built-up immunity are also long-lasting, A seasonal flu shot will also help protect you out globally. Fleets are a “lower pressure” they followed through with high-profile Iwasaki said, and won’t disappear overnight from one more potential illness. way to communicate “fleeting thoughts” steps that angered Trump and his supporters. because we’re keeping our distance from as opposed to permanent tweets, Twitter Credit : Associated Press (AP) others during the pandemic. Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

23 - 29 November 2020 23

Entertainment & Lifestyle NEW DELHI TIMES ‘Wonder Woman Global icon Priyanka Chopra 1984’ to debut in theaters and on Jonas has been declared the new HBO Max ‘Ambassador for Positive Change’ “W onder Woman 1984” isn’t skipping theaters or moving to 2021, but it is by the British Fashion Council! altering course. The last big blockbuster holdout of 2020 is still opening in U.S. lobal icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been declared the new ‘Ambassador for Positive theaters on Christmas Day but it will also G Change’ by the British Fashion Council (BFC). The decision was taken into account to help the be made available to HBO Max subscribers association’s endeavors to lead on change, utilizing style as a positive platform to enthuse the future free of charge for its first month, Warner generation. Bros. said. The BFC stated that Priyanka Chopra Jonas would help bring issues to light and press forward best The film will also debut in international practices within the fashion industry, rejoicing those that cling to comprehensive and moral standards theaters on Dec. 16. and become the voice for the importance of creative education. “As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative in keeping our They further said that she would have a functional role in BFC events throughout the year, businesses moving forward while continuing including London Fashion Week and the Fashion Awards, over a year time frame from to super-serve our fans,” said Ann Sarnoff, November 2020 to December 2021. Chair and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group in a statement. The BFC noted that Priyanka had been the recipient of various honors. Besides, she was featured in more than 60 international movies.

She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2016. She further received the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award for her endeavors as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in December 2019.

Caroline Rush, chief executive of BFC, stated that “We are delighted to welcome Priyanka Chopra Jonas. PC : AP Photo AP PC :

Her work as a social activist, promoting causes such as the environment and women’s After the first month for free on HBO Max, rights, and her commitment to using her reach for good are what have made her one of “Wonder Woman 1984” will play in theaters the industry’s most courageous voices and the perfect choice as the BFC Ambassador for for an additional few weeks before being Positive Change.” made available for rental on demand.

It is an unprecedented strategy for a film By NDT Bureau PC : Getty Images of its size, but a sign of the extraordinary measures that many Hollywood studios Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, have had to resort to in the COVID 19-era. Cardi B, Dolly Parton, Dua Lipa Most major films that had been set for 2020 Taylor Swift win Apple have either delayed theatrical releases until 2021 or sent them to streaming platforms for to be honored by Billboard Music Awards a premium rental price, as the Walt Disney apper Lil Baby has been named artist Co. did with “Mulan.” R of the year at the second annual Apple Audiences have not been going back to the Music Awards. theaters in significant numbers since they began to reopen across the country in late The rapper, who topped the charts this year August. Warner Bros. tested the waters with his sophomore album “My Turn” and early with Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” reached the No. 3 spot on the Billboard Hot which was the first big movie to open in 100 chart with his hit “The Bigger Picture,” theaters after six months of being closed, was hand-selected by the streaming service’s but it didn’t do pre-pandemic numbers in global editorial team to win the title. the U.S., where theaters were still closed in major markets like Los Angeles and New York. Competitors took note. Most studios decided at that point to push their biggest

films, from the James Bond film “No Time Photo AP PC : to Die” to “West Side Story” and “Black

Widow,” to next year. Warner Bros. also sent ardi B has only released one major in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Photo AP PC : its next big film, “The Witches” straight to C single this year — the hit “WAP” — Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery earlier HBO Max, which parent company Warner but it’s enough for Billboard to name her this year — will receive the Executive of the Media launched earlier this year. Woman of the Year. Year Award. The editorial team also named Taylor Swift songwriter of the year and Megan Thee Although new films are being released Billboard announced the honor and the Outside of “WAP” — which co-stars Megan Stallion breakthrough artist of the year. weekly in theaters where open, exhibitors Grammy-winning rapper will be celebrated Thee Stallion and spent four weeks at No. are struggling and have been desperate for at the music brand’s 15th Annual Women in 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart — this Roddy Ricch, whose successful year government assistance and a steady stream Music Event, which will stream live on Dec. year Cardi B appeared on K-pop girl of blockbusters to populate their screens. included a Grammy win, No. 1 album and 10 at billboardwomeninmusic.com at 8 p.m. group BLACKPINK’s “Bet You Wanna” No. 1 song, won two Apple Music honors “Wonder Woman 1984” is a major tentpole EDT. and Brazilian singer Anitta’s “Me that were based on streaming data. His for Warner Bros. The first film made over Gusta”; she jumped on the remix for the debut album, “Please Excuse Me for Being Jennifer Lopez will receive the Icon Award $821 million globally in 2017 and this sequel Latin trap track “La Bebe” with Anuel Antisocial,” has been streamed more than at the event and Dolly Parton will earn the which brings back director Patty Jenkins and AA, Black Jonas Point, Secreto and Liro 1.5 billion times on the platform and was Powerhouse Award. Other honorees include star Gal Gadot has been hotly anticipated, Shaq; and her rant about the coronavirus named top album of the year. pop star Dua Lipa (Powerhouse Award), not only by fans, but by theaters owners too. was remixed by iMarkkeyz and became R&B sister duo Chloe x Halle (Rising Star Recent spikes in the coronavirus across the a social media smash, even charting on His smash hit “The Box” logged more than Award) and singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez country have prompted some areas to close Billboard’s rap and R&B digital songs 460 million Apple Music streams and was (Impact Award). Brianna Agyemang and indoor theaters again. sales chart. crowned top song of the year. Jamila Thomas of Atlantic Records — who Credit : Associated Press (AP) led #TheShowMustBePaused campaign Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP)

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Think - Tanks NEW DELHI TIMES The wise listens more and speaks less! Listening and talking in a balanced manner is vital in one’s life communication abilities but also makes an ◆ By Dr. Pramila individual a good learner. Regardless of Srivastava how keen an individual is, he can effectively achieve information only if he is a decent @PramilaBK audience. [email protected] As Dalai Lama stated, “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know, e have been privileged with a valuable but if you listen, you may learn something W blessing, the endowment of talking. The new”. Every single individual we come blessing makes us capable of communicating across in our lives has something to educate, our sentiments, feelings, and thoughts into and only through efficient listening we something we usually refer to as words. But would be able to learn. unfortunately, any gift, if overused, might prompt unforeseen outcomes. PC : Getty Images The basic of all beautiful relations in the world is laid on adoration, and the primary Listening and talking in a balanced manner things. When the listening isn’t viable and Thusly talking less and listening more is a duty of adoration or love is to listen. is vital in one’s life. Individuals who can not insightful enough, one may lose sight golden principle for a serene life. Wisdom Listening is an attitude of heart, an authentic balance talking and listening are generally of a bigger or better picture of other’s begins when we hear more and talk less. longing to be with someone, that both pulls successful in taking care of relationships and perspectives. The prominence of man lies in the approach in and recuperates. are seldom misjudged. Each word has an of listening more and talking less, and as Moreover, tending to talk more and listen importance and a worth; therefore, it needs to Calmin Coolidge said, “It takes a great man Developing a disposition of listening less can severely affect an individual’s be utilized wisely. Futile words create noise, to be a good listener.” makes us affectionate and embellishes our life. It makes an individual satisfied with and when used imprudently or pointlessly relations. Relationships prosper when they his own insight; hence the individual gets Listening is a fundamental ability that causes to grasp somebody’s attention, it only leads are supported, and the sustenance they need reluctant to gain from others. Talking more a person to abstain from misconception. to upheaval and truly doesn’t help make a is love, benevolence, care, friendship, and makes an individual idle and indulge tattle Listening is significant because it forestalls healthy correspondence. Paradoxically, the above all is a listening ear. and futile talk. It also makes them narrow- confusion in correspondence. When you more we talk, the less we’re able to impart. minded, egotistical, arrogant, and pompous. listen cautiously, it explains the message Along these lines, listening brings Further, when the listening is not efficient, It diminishes the individual’s capacity to more precisely and can help lessen the admiration and elegance to an individual. one would only hear things. He/she will comprehend. It further harms a person’s speaker’s disappointment. Listening is an The glory of all relations lies in the art of miss out on the significant signs or facts, relationship with parents, kin, teachers, ability that is needed for a wide range of learning. Listening creates tolerance and which would make the talking less powerful. companions, or associates. Inordinate communication. He/she will employ a lot makes an individual a productive member of He/she may miss something evident or talking may sometimes put an individual more considerable impact and know much society. It can be rightly said that a wise man something modest. In any case, such people in a difficult situation. As an astute man better what to say, how to say, when to has long ears and a short tongue; in other would end up less plausible because they said, “Much talking is the cause of danger. say, and where to say. Moreover, listening words, a wise man listens more and speaks would not have a sufficient handle on Silence is the key to avoid misfortunes.” isn’t just essential for developing good less. ASEAN commits the role of ICT in Education economic scene, and, all the more obviously, digitalization as the regions come out of relevant labour market skills, primarily ◆ By International Institute for Non - Aligned Studies the Covid infection 2019 (COVID-19) and the pandemic. While recalling the current through higher education and technical and future crises. implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan vocational education and training, to help fill @iinsNAM on Education 2016–2020 as on its sub- the skills gaps and train children and young [email protected] The ASEAN leaders further perceived objectives “ strengthening the use of ICT people for the future of work. that the pandemic has been disturbing the in education,” they have agreed to work n 15 October 2020, the ASEAN- delivery of schooling in ASEAN. They towards lifetime learning and the digital They will team up with relevant partners, UNICEF Conference on Digital O thereby aggravated the various digital transformation of education systems in especially children, and youth, and ASEAN Transformation of Education System divides between groups of children and ASEAN. They will encourage digital accomplices from around the world globe all through ASEAN was held via Zoom youth of the area, owing to geographic area, literacy and create adaptable abilities among and in related areas, on territories, for Webinar. Dr. Myo Thein Gyi, Myanmar inability status disability status, wealth and all children and youths and guarantee that example, open educational resources and Union Minister for Education in the income, level of education, digital literacy, ASEAN’s training is fair, comprehensive, open access learning, to help guarantee the meeting, expressed profound grief at the gender, etc. and fit for the future. fruitful digital transformation of education exceptional loss of lives and challenges systems throughout ASEAN. They will brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they appreciated the efforts and They are also planning to endorse access also support the development of an ASEAN He stated that the COVID-19 epidemic progress made in incorporating digital to safe digital learning opportunities. In Declaration on the Digital Transformation affected the educational system worldwide; literacy and adaptable aptitudes into the acknowledgment of the essential function of Education Systems in following years thus, the ministry is putting forth endeavour education systems of ASEAN Member of schooling in equipping children with to promote exchanges of experiences and to accomplish a better education system and States, especially amid COVID-19. Still, cybersecurity information digital literacy acceptable practices and will also commit to diminish the COVID-19 effect on schooling. more work needs to be carried out concerning skills aims to curtail online dangers and the implementation of the above mentioned boosting interests in HR and soft and hard consequences, for example, by supporting Declaration and the integration of digital The meeting highlighted the significance infrastructure, scaling up and mainstreaming the implementation of the Declaration on literacy in the ASEAN Work Plan on of the linkages between and among access existing activities, incorporating necessary the Protection of Children from All Forms of Education 2021–2025. to digital technologies, computerized adaptable aptitudes into the educational Online Exploitation and Abuse in ASEAN proficiency, adaptable aptitudes, plans, upgrading the capability of teachers and the Declaration on the Elimination of (in arrangement with inclusion and equity, public-private sector to deliver digitally empowered educational Violence against Women and the Elimination News from Non-Aligned World) associations, the role of children and youth, plans, keeping records of learning results of Violence against Children in ASEAN. www.iins.org and the potential of work in the digital and needs, especially for remote students, transformation of education frameworks. and thus guaranteeing equity and inclusion The ASEAN leaders It took conscious of varying degrees by to address the extending digital divide that further aim to engage Contact New Delhi Times which education has been digitalized among exists across ASEAN. the private sectors in the ASEAN Member States and the need to working together to For Complaints & Suggestions incorporate information and communications The ASEAN’s chiefs have acknowledged develop innovative digital +91-9999331600 technology (ICT) in education. The meeting that ICT is a vital driver in ASEAN’s literacy solutions and emphasized the requirement for unity and economic and social change; and thereby connectivity, especially A-2/59, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029 responsiveness, in accordance with the subject considering the continuous improvement among the marginalized. of Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery They will also encourage Visit us at : twitter@NewDelhiTimes to address the opportunities and difficulties Framework, which, among others, aims the private sector to facebook.com/newdelhitimes introduced by the speedily transforming to speed up the ASEAN’s comprehensive work together to offer Printer and Publisher: Dr. (Mrs.) Pramila Srivastava, on behalf of Dr. Ankur Srivastava, Printed at Sudhir Printers, 151, Desh Bandhu Gupta Market, Karol Bagh, Delhi - 110005, Published at A-2/59 Safdarjung Enclave New Delhi-110029. Ph.: 26102520, 26105846 Fax: 26196294 Email: [email protected], Vol. 30, No. 43 Editor : Dr. Ankit Srivastava www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper