World

Nairobi, Dec 16 (IANS) Seamless intra-African trade in cereals, including maize, rice, wheat and legumes, holds the key to tackling the food security crisis in Africa besides boosting rural incomes, officials said Monday at a forum in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

The two-day public-private dialogue forum was convened by the Eastern African Grain Council (EAGC), an industry lobby, and the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an African-led institution aimed at promoting smallholder farming across Africa.

Senior policymakers, industry executives, donors and researchers are attending the forum to promote cross-border trade in grains by eliminating tariff barriers, improving quality and reducing transportation costs.

Paul Ronoh, principal secretary in Kenya's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, said that increasing the volume of grains traded across the borders could be the solution to the hunger and malnutrition crisis affecting the region due to climate change, shrinking arable land, crop pests and diseases.

"We need to shape policies that facilitate instead of hindering cross-border trade in grains to address food security, boost income for our smallholder farmers who are mainly women and youth," Ronoh said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ronoh said the eastern African region is trading nearly two million metric tonnes of grains annually even as governments intensify dialogue to address bottlenecks, including policy inconsistencies, punitive tariffs, and costly logistics such as transport and storage.

Gerald Masila, executive director of the EAGC, stressed that eliminating regulatory hiccups is key to facilitating private sector participation in regional grain trade that promises food and nutritional security, job creation and rural development.

According to Masila, harmonizing tax and foreign exchange regimes, providing subsidies for smallholder farmers and improving post-harvest storage will enhance cross-border trade in cereals, while helping countries bridge deficits arising from erratic weather patterns.

In addition, Masila urged countries in the region to establish vibrant commodity exchange platforms and improve access to credit for small-scale traders to sustain the flow of grains across borders.

Nega Wubeneh, AGRA's head of markets and trades, said the private sector should be at the helm of driving cross-border trade in grains as governments establish guardrails to ensure fair competition and food safety.

Providence Mavubi, director of industry and agriculture at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, a regional bloc, said that to increase the volume of grains traded across borders, governments should simplify licensing for traders, ensure farmers have access to quality seeds and manure, and invest in innovations to combat food waste.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, on Sunday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on a three-day state visit to New Delhi, and highlighted the "island nation's prominent role in India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook".

He further affirmed confidence that President Dissanayake's talks with Prime Minister Modi on Monday will lead to greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo.

This marks President Dissanayake's first official visit to India since taking office in September.

"Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. Sri Lanka is key to both India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. Confident that the talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation," the EAM said in a post on X.

Earlier, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake said he held "fruitful discussions on the matters of mutual interest" during his meetings with EAM Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

"Arrived in New Delhi today (December 15) at approximately 5:30 p.m., warmly welcomed by L. Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, and other distinguished officials. Held fruitful discussions tonight with S. Jaishankar and Ajit Doval on matters of mutual interest," Dissanayake wrote on X.

President Dissanayake arrived in India on a state visit on Sunday.

He was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan. During his visit from December 15 to 17, Dissanayake will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.

"Sri Lanka is India's closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a central place in the Prime Minister's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Speaking about the significance of the visit, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised the shared vision of collaboration between the two nations.

He described the visit as an opportunity to "deepen ties and add momentum to the people-centric partnership" that defines India-Sri Lanka relations.

Apart from political engagements, the Sri Lankan President will also attend business events in the national capital, signalling a focus on strengthening economic ties and exploring new trade partnerships.

Earlier in October, EAM Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo. The two leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties to benefit the people of India and Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake's visit is expected to address key areas of mutual interest, including maritime security, trade, and regional stability. With both nations facing common challenges and opportunities in the region, the visit is poised to strengthen their long-standing partnership and pave the way for greater collaboration in the future.

--IANS

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Suva, Dec 15 (IANS) Seven tourists are in critical condition in a hospital in Fiji after a suspected case of alcohol poisoning.

The guests at the Warwick Resort on Fiji's Coral Coast became sick after consuming a spiked cocktail at the resort's bar, Xinhua news agency reported.

They were taken to the nearby Sigatoka Hospital with "nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms," reported Fiji Broadcasting Corporation news website on Sunday.

Fiji's Ministry of Health said in a statement that the affected patients' ages range from 18 to 56 years, including four Australians, one American, and two foreigners residing locally.

All patients have been transferred to Lautoka Hospital due to the severity of their condition.

The ministry will identify other guests who may have been affected by similar symptoms from consuming the same drink at the resort.

An investigation into the incident is underway.

Fiji's health ministry did not specify the cause of the illness but warned people to ensure drinks and food consumed during the holiday period were safe.

In a separate incident in Laos last month, two Danish citizens, an American, a Briton and two Australians died of suspected methanol poisoning following what local media said was a night out in the town of Vang Vieng.

--IANS

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Seoul, Dec 15 (IANS) Prosecutors said President Yoon Suk Yeol did not comply with their summons for Sunday and added they will soon issue another order.

The special prosecution team handling an investigation into Yoon's botched martial law imposition said it had sent a summons to Yoon last Wednesday, asking him to appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office for questioning at 10 a.m. Sunday. Yoon did not show up, Yonhap news agency reported.

Prosecutors plan to send their second summons to Yoon on Monday. He is the first president to be summoned by prosecutors while in office, with four former presidents having faced questioning after they had served their terms and, in the case of Park Geun-hye in 2017, after she had been impeached and removed from office.

A prosecution official said the summons was sent to Yoon's office and that the prosecution had confirmed its delivery.

However, the official declined to confirm whether Yoon had provided any reasons for not complying with the summons.

According to legal sources, Yoon told prosecutors that he could not appear for questioning because he had not yet hired legal representatives.

Yoon is believed to have sought counsel from his former prosecutor colleague Kim Hong-il, one-time head of the broadcasting watchdog Korea Communications Commission, and other legal experts with ties to the president.

In a televised public address last Thursday, Yoon defended his martial law declaration as an act of governance, saying he used his presidential power to protect the country against the opposition that paralyzed the government. He also claimed his action was not subject to legal judgment and that he would put up a fight whether he'd be impeached or investigated.

If Yoon snubs the second summons, prosecutors may attempt to arrest him. Under criminal law, prosecutors may be issued an arrest warrant if there are reasonable grounds to believe a suspect has committed a crime and the suspect has not complied with a summons without a valid reason.

The prosecution official said he would not discuss the possibility of an arrest for Yoon at the moment and that prosecutors would follow due process.

Yoon is accused of abusing his power to declare martial law for unconstitutional and unlawful purposes and to order military commanders to dispatch troops to the National Assembly and arrest key political figures.

With investigators trying to determine whether Yoon had staged an insurrection, the suspended president is under a travel ban.

Yoon was impeached in a parliamentary vote on Saturday, 11 days after he had declared martial law, only to have it rejected by the National Assembly hours later.

He has been suspended from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is serving as acting president.

Prosecutors and police have also been questioning military commanders in connection with the martial law decree.

Among those commanders, Capital Defense Commander Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo and Army Special Warfare Commander Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun have both testified that Yoon had ordered them to "drag out" lawmakers inside the parliament building to keep them from repealing the martial law order in the early hours of December 4.

--IANS

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Seoul, Dec 15 (IANS) Acting President Han Duck-soo held phone talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday and vowed to maintain and develop the two countries' alliance, his office said.

Han held the 16-minute phone conversation with Biden after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Assembly on Saturday over his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3, Yonhap news agency reported.

"Our government will carry out our diplomatic and security policies without disruption and work to ensure that the South Korea-U.S. alliance continues to be maintained and developed without wavering," he said, according to his office.

Han stressed the importance of solidifying the combined South Korea-U.S. defence posture in the face of common challenges, such as the nuclear threat posed by North Korea and the deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

He also explained that all state affairs will be run strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Biden thanked Han for the explanation and voiced confidence in South Korea's democracy while also noting its resilience, according to Han's office.

Biden said "the ironclad South Korea-U.S. alliance remains unchanged and that he will continue to work together with the South Korean side for the development and strengthening of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation," it said.

Han thanked Biden for his attention and efforts in dramatically developing the bilateral alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan during his term. Biden vowed to continue to support the development of the alliance.

The White House said Biden expressed his appreciation for the "resiliency" of democracy and the rule of law in South Korea and reaffirmed the U.S.' "ironclad" commitment to the South Korean people.

"President Biden expressed his confidence that the Alliance will remain the linchpin for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region during Acting President Han's tenure," it said in a statement.

Han, as prime minister, assumed office as acting president immediately after Yoon was suspended from his duties following his impeachment.

Later Sunday, Han also spoke on the phone with Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).

According to his office, Han stressed the importance of a strong South Korea-U.S. joint defence posture at this juncture, noting the possibility of North Korean military provocations in the forms of ballistic missile launches or cyberattacks.

Han also told LaCamera that the two sides must strengthen their communication in order to maintain their strong alliance.

LaCamera reaffirmed the USFK's commitment to the joint defence posture and told Han that his command would carry out combined exercises and drills with South Korea as scheduled.

--IANS

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Jerusalem, Dec 15 (IANS) The Israeli government approved a plan on Sunday to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel, according to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The 10.81-million-U.S. dollar plan, unanimously approved by the cabinet, is being advanced "in light of the war and the new front with Syria," the statement said.

According to the statement, the plan aims to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights. It includes establishing a student village, a development program to integrate new residents, and initiatives to strengthen the education system and renewable energy infrastructure.

"Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time," Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting on the plan.

"We will continue to hold on to it (Golan Heights), make it flourish, and settle in it," he said.

Israel captured part of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war and annexed it, despite international condemnation.

Following the downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government on December 8, Israel seized the UN-monitored buffer zone, a demilitarized area established in 1974 under a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

Israeli forces also took control of a Syrian army outpost and stationed troops on the summit of Mount Hermon on Golan.

Meanwhile, Israel increasingly launched airstrikes on Syrian army assets across the country, claiming to prevent the weapons "from falling into the hands of terrorist elements."

Israel's military actions have sparked condemnation from regional countries and prompted calls from the international community for respect for Syria's sovereignty.

--IANS

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Seoul, Dec 14 (IANS) The South Korean foreign ministry sent diplomatic letters to all foreign missions in the country on Saturday, assuring that diplomacy will continue under the acting leadership of the Prime Minister following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The ministry "assured that it will continue to proceed with diplomatic schedules as planned, even under the acting president system," it said in a message to reporters, hours after the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon over the botched martial law order.

The ministry also said it instructed all South Korean overseas missions to maintain a "disciplined posture under the grave circumstances" and ensure that they carry out their duties with "exceptional determination," while working to maintain friendly relations with the host countries, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier in the day, South Korea's National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law, suspending him from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office, with citizens cheering over his impeachment.

The impeachment motion against Yoon passed 204-85, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, after all 300 members of the Assembly cast their votes.

The motion's passage came 11 days after Yoon declared martial law in an announcement that caught the nation by surprise and drew outrage, as troops encircled the National Assembly compound in an apparent attempt to stop lawmakers from repealing the decree.

The martial law order, which was lifted within six hours after the Assembly voted it down, has prompted investigations by the police, the prosecution and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials into whether Yoon staged an insurrection. He is currently banned from leaving the country.

After the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach Yoon on Saturday, country's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over as the acting president.

--IANS

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Washington, Dec 14 (IANS) The United States appreciates the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in South Korea and its alliance with the Asian country remains "ironclad," a White House official said Saturday after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law attempt.

South Korea's legislature impeached Yoon, suspending him from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over as the acting president.

"We appreciate the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in the ROK. Our Alliance remains ironclad, and the United States is committed to the peace and security of the Korean peninsula," a National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

"The American people will continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of the Republic of Korea," the official added, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier in the day, South Korea's National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law, suspending him from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office, with citizens cheering over his impeachment.

The impeachment motion against Yoon passed 204-85, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, after all 300 members of the Assembly cast their votes.

The motion's passage came 11 days after Yoon declared martial law in an announcement that caught the nation by surprise and drew outrage, as troops encircled the National Assembly compound in an apparent attempt to stop lawmakers from repealing the decree.

The martial law order, which was lifted within six hours after the Assembly voted it down, has prompted investigations by the police, the prosecution and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials into whether Yoon staged an insurrection. He is currently banned from leaving the country.

--IANS

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Tehran, Dec 14 (IANS) Iran's atomic chief stated on Saturday that the announced increase in inspections by the United Nations nuclear watchdog of the country's nuclear facilities is a natural development, driven by Tehran's enhanced uranium enrichment capacity.

Mohammad Eslami, president of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), made these remarks in response to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released on Thursday. The report revealed that Iran had agreed to more stringent monitoring at its Fordow facility in the central province of Qom, following a boost in its uranium enrichment to up to 60 percent purity, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Eslami said, "When we carry out nuclear activities and deal with nuclear materials, a change in the scale will naturally change the level of monitoring. This is obvious and natural. We have increased (uranium enrichment) capacity, and it is natural that the inspections should increase."

He assured that Iran is acting in full compliance with the IAEA's regulations and that no obstacles would be placed in the way of the agency's monitoring efforts, Xinhua news agency reported.

On November 21, the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution urging Iran to improve cooperation with the agency and submit a "comprehensive" report, pressuring Tehran to resume nuclear talks. In response, Iran announced the activation of a "substantial" number of new "advanced" centrifuges.

Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with several major countries in 2015. The agreement imposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

However, the US government under then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement unilaterally in May 2018, reinstating sanctions and prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments.

--IANS

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Colombo, Dec 14 (IANS) The Maldives will implement a nationwide ban on the use and sale of vaping devices starting at midnight on Saturday, according to the nation's state-run Public Service Media (PSM).

The ban follows recent amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, signed into law by President Mohamed Muizzu on November 13.

The amendments stipulate that the sale, free distribution, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices will be illegal beginning December 15.

The PSM reported that importing vaping devices into the Maldives after this date will result in a fine of MVR 50,000 (about 3,250 US dollars), Xinhua news agency reported.

Several countries are making moves to tackle youth vaping via banning the manufacture and sale of disposable vaping products.

In October, Muizzu had announced a ban on the importation of vape products in the Maldives following a recommendation from the Maldives NCD Alliance, an alliance of seven Maldivians organisations and health experts.

"I have directed authorities to take all necessary measures to prohibit the importation of vaping devices and their components from November 15, 2024 and to prohibit the use, possession, manufacture, sale, advertising and free distribution of vaping devices in the country from December 15, 2024," the President had said in a social media post.

The Maldives NCD Alliance said that tobacco and tobacco products contribute significantly to the increase in non-communicable diseases in the Maldives.

At the same time, the Maldivian government has also stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Earlier this week, Muizzu also revealed that six times more drugs have been seized so far in 2024 compared to 2023.

Addressing a meeting, the president said the drugs seized so far this year are estimated to have a street value of around 84 million US dollars.

Muizzu added that over 150 expatriates linked to drug trafficking have been deported so far this year, which is twice of 2023.

The president said police have raided over 13,435 establishments this year amid the nationwide crackdown on trafficking, adding that around 8,500 raids were conducted last year.

--IANS

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