Visiting UML delegation takes up map issue with CPC leaders in Beijing



International Desk, Barta24.com
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The visiting delegation of the CPN-UML raised the map issue with the leaders of the Communist Party of China during a meeting in Beijing on Monday.

A high-level UML delegation led by the party’s General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel met with several CPC leaders as part of the exchange programme between the two Communist parties.

“China should support Nepal’s new map [unveiled in May 2020],” Rajesh Rai, who is also a part of the visiting delegation, quoted Pokhrel as saying during the meeting with Chinese leaders.

According Rai, vice-chairman of the UML’s media wing Press Chautari Nepal, issuing a press note said that Pokhrel drew the attention of Liu Jianchao, the head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC, regarding the new map.

On August 28, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China released the new “standard map” of China, ignoring Nepal’s new map. The Chinese move has whipped up a storm in Nepal’s diplomatic and political circles.

Last week, the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take up the matter with the Chinese government so that the international community would acknowledge the new map of Nepal.

“The new map released by China does not show territories like Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura that are inside Nepal’s territory since the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, which established Nepal’s boundary lines,” Pokhrel reportedly told Liu. In response to the Indian map released in November 2019, the then KP Sharma Oli-led government had released a new map, which was unanimously ratified by Parliament in May 2020.

After the issuance of the new map, the Oli government briefed the Kathmandu-based diplomatic community but did not make a formal request with them to use the new map for official communication purposes. But then foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali claimed that the Oli government had communicated to the diplomatic community, including China, about the new map. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister NP Saud publicly told the House committee last week that no record of such correspondence with China was found.

“I received no such correspondence from the South Asia and North East division of the ministry,” the foreign minister said in the House committee. “I will be happy if there is any information about any such correspondence.”

After the Supreme Court ordered Oli’s replacement by Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister in July 2021, there have been two governments. Saud is a minister in the current coalition government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal. As per the foreign ministry’s records, no official or formal communication was made with any country regarding the use of the new map of Nepal for official communication purposes.

“Nepal faced pressure and constraints at the time of issuing the new map. We want support from the Chinese government and Chinese Communist Party as well on this issue,” Rai quoted Pokhrel as saying. CPN-UML General Secretary Pokhrel on behalf of his party reiterated Nepal’s commitment to the One-China policy and said that they won’t allow any activities against China in Nepali land.

On September 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement after the map row. “Nepal stands firm and clear on its political and administrative map that was unanimously approved by the Parliament of Nepal in 2020,” said the foreign ministry. “The government of Nepal unequivocally believes that this map must be respected by our neighbours as well as the international community. Nepal remains committed to resolving the boundary matters through dialogues and diplomacy.”

During the meeting between the UML and CPC leaders, Pokhrel stated that Nepal believes in the principle of non-alignment and Panchsheel (five principles of peaceful coexistence), and it will conduct its foreign policy, international relations, and cooperation, accordingly. Pokhrel and Liu also discussed how to implement the past agreements and accords signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to Nepal in 2019 and Oli’s visit to China in 2018. Liu applauded the “excellent relations” between the CPC and UML and that the Chinese side wanted to take it to a new height.

“There are some elements who do not want good relations between Nepal and China,” Liu reportedly told the UML’s visiting delegation. “We are committed to implementing the agreements reached during the visit of President Xi to Nepal and Oli to China. We are trying our best to take forward those agreements for implementation.”

Pokhrel said that UML is aiming to gain a majority in the next general elections to be held in 2027 and form a stable government. He also informed the CPC delegation about the UML’s nationwide “grassroots campaign” saying that the campaign had infused new vigour and enthusiasm in the party rank and file, according to the statement released by Rai.

   

Netanyahu in fear of ICC arrest



International Desk, Barta24.com
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Israel's attack on Gaza did not stop. The death procession is increasing every day under the orders of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli army is not paying attention to the ongoing movement around the world. On the other hand, Tel Aviv is listening to the calls of pro-Palestinian world leaders.

Killing, torture and destruction are being carried out indiscriminately in violation of international law. The blockaded area is being gradually completed, including women and children. On the other hand, the world is not able to do anything about such activities in Israel.

But now it is known that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister of Israel.

This is what the country's local media reported on Saturday (April 27). According to The New Arab, citing unnamed sources, Maariv newspaper reported that Netanyahu is under stress and panic over the threat of an ICC arrest warrant.

Not only Netanyahu, but also some of his prominent officials may receive this arrest notice, according to reports in the Israeli media.

According to Israeli media reports, the names of the country's Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi will be included in the list. Senior government officials held an emergency meeting in Tel Aviv this week to discuss that possibility.

In the meantime, Netanyahu has spoken on the phone with international friends, especially US President Joe Biden, to prevent the arrest warrant. It is not clear when an arrest warrant may be issued, and it is not standard for courts to disclose such information.

But fears of an arrest warrant against Netanyahu were first aired on Thursday by British-pro-Israel commentator Douglas Murray in an opinion piece in the US tabloid New York Post.

A warrant could be issued within days, Murray wrote. Netanyahu will not immediately face trial. But it would be a major blow to the prime minister on the world stage and put pressure on Israel's allies and ICC members to act.

Earlier in an interview on Friday, Netanyahu wrote, "Israel's natural and self-defense rights are undermined, and this country will not accept any such efforts by the ICC under my leadership." Threats to seize military officers of the Middle East's only democracy and the world's only Jewish state are outrageous. We will never bow down to it.'

Senior Israeli officials are said to be concerned about what such a warrant would mean for military operations against Hamas in Gaza.

Israel's Channel 13 broadcaster quoted officials as saying they believed the tribunal would target policy makers rather than junior soldiers.

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20 soldiers were killed in an explosion at an army base in Cambodia



International Desk, Barta24.com
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An ammunition explosion at a military base on Cambodia's western border has killed 20 soldiers. Prime Minister Hun Manet said the explosion happened on Saturday afternoon.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Facebook that the explosion occurred at a military base in Kampong Speu province in western Cambodia.

He said, we are deeply shocked by this. However, the cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Expressing his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, he said that the funeral expenses of the deceased would be paid.

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Endangered hippos stranded in dry rivers in Botswana amid severe drought



International Desk, Barta24.com , Dhaka
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African countries are suffering from severe drought. A herd of endangered hippos trapped in the mud of a dry reservoir in the drought-stricken African country of Botswana is at risk of dying.

South Africa has been hit by severe drought due to El Nino weather, AFP reported. Crops in the region are under threat, millions of people are starving. Several countries in the region have recently declared national disasters.

Herds of hippos become trapped in dried-up rivers near the vast wetlands of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.

Lesego Moseki, spokesman for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Botswana's capital Gaborone, said the river system had dried up and the animals were in a compromised situation.

Botswana is home to the world's largest population of hippos living in the wild. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are approximately 2,000 to 4,000 hippos.

Moseki said hippos in Ngamiland (North West District) depend on water flowing through the Okavango Delta system. They are still investigating how many hippos died in the pools.

Hippos have thick but sensitive skin. They need to bathe regularly in water to avoid sunburn and they usually live in humid areas.

Without water they can become aggressive and approach villages. Local authorities have called for the hippos to be relocated to protected areas to avoid conflict with humans.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern usually associated with global warming, leading to drought in some parts of the world and heavy rainfall in others.

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India has allowed onion export to 6 countries including Bangladesh



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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India has approved the export of 99 thousand 150 tons of onions to 6 countries including Bangladesh. Other countries are - United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

This information was given on the website of the Government of India on Saturday (April 27).

It said onion exports were banned to ensure domestic supply due to lower kharif and rabi seasons in the country in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. This increases the demand in the international market. Indian agency National Cooperation Exports Limited (NCEL) exports onions to these countries. They procure onions from internal sources through e-platform at lowest price (L1). Then, on a 100% advance payment basis, the rates are negotiated and supplied to the agencies or government-designated agencies in the destination countries.

NCEL fixes the prices with the buyers taking into consideration the prices of the countries where onion is bought, international and domestic prices. Now the quotas are allocated according to the demand of the countries where onion export is allowed.

Maharashtra is the largest onion producer in India. They are the largest supplier of onions to NCEL for export.

Earlier, Bangladesh had sent a formal letter to the Indian government to allow the export of certain quantities of onion to reduce the price of onion in the country's market during the holy month of Ramadan.

In addition, the country's government has allowed the export of additional 2000 metric tons of white onion. These onions are mainly exported to Middle East and some European countries. Due to the high production cost of white onion, its price is relatively high.

India is the world's largest onion exporter. The country's government had imposed a ban on onion exports till March 31, 2024 in December last year to maintain supply in the domestic market. Later it was extended indefinitely. The new decision to export onions is good news for India's friendly countries.

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