World

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

int/as

Bangkok, Dec 14 (IANS) Authorities in Thailand have arrested two suspects in connection with a bomb explosion at an annual festival in northern Tak province that killed three people and injured 48 others, police said on Saturday.

National Police Spokesman Archayont Kraithong said an initial investigation revealed that one of the suspects confessed to carrying the explosive device, adding that the motivation stemmed from both suspects' grievances against a local youth group.

In a social media post, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured in the explosion that occurred shortly before midnight on Friday.

Paetongtarn ordered the police and security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice, as well as instruct authorities to enhance security measures at all upcoming festivals to ensure public safety, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier this year, two school children were among eight people injured by shrapnel from a roadside bomb near a park in Thailand's restive southern province of Songkhla.

Among the injured were a district assistant chief, a defence volunteer and villagers.

The Thai Army's Region 4 Forward Command said in February that it believed that southern insurgents detonated the device when a converted pickup truck passed the spot. The explosion blew the vehicle off the road.

The explosion came after a clash between the Thai Army and a group of insurgents. Five suspected southern insurgents were shot dead by security forces on a mountain in Narathiwat Province.

After the clash, Col. Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the army's southern command, warned of possible imminent retaliation from insurgent groups.

The separatist insurgency in Thailand's largely ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat has killed nearly 7,000 people since 2004.

The Thai government is in negotiation with several insurgent groups for peace talks.

--IANS

int/as

Kandy (Sri Lanka), Dec 12 (IANS) Jaffna Titans registered a comprehensive win against Colombo Jaguars by 40 runs to add two more points to the tally in the Lanka T10 Super League at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on a rain-marred second day.

Jaffna rode on spectacular batting by opener Kusal Mendis and his Sri Lankan teammate Charith Asalanka to post a mammoth 138/6 in 10 overs on the board. While Mendis struck 37 off just 19 deliveries, Asalanka notched up 56 off 24 with the help of five maximums and as many fours. For the Jaguars, skipper Angelo Mathews and Ali Khan picked up two wickets each.

Later, bowlers especially youngster Treveen Mathew who has been gathering praise from everyone for his spin bowling did the job for the Titans and restricted the opposition to 98/6. The Colombo Jaguars never really got the start they needed and lost wickets at regular intervals. Treveen Mathew once again showed his skills and returned with bowling figures of 3/18 in 20 overs.

Earlier, the first match on Day 2 between Kandy Bolts and Nuwara Eliya Kings was called off due to rain after just 3.3 overs.

Kandy Bolts who were batting first had put up 38/1 with Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka being not out at 26 off 11 when rain arrived. The second fixture between Galle Marvels and Hambantota Bangla Tigers was abandoned without a toss.

--IANS

bsk/

New York, Dec 12 (IANS) Continuing with his maverick diplomacy, U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump has invited China’s President Xi Jinping to his inauguration next month for “open dialogue” with adversaries, his spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday.

The invitation to the leader of China which had been his target during the campaign and after is in keeping with the unconventional diplomacy that Trump practiced in his first term reaching out to North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un.

Without being specific about Xi, Trump said of the invitations that are being sent out, “Some people said, ‘Wow, that’s a little risky, isn’t it’? And I said, ‘Maybe it is. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens’. But we like to take little chances”.

Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News, “This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors too.”

She added: “He had done this in his first term and he got a lot of criticism for it, but it led to peace around the world. He is willing to talk to anyone. He will always put America’s interest first.”

Beijing had not reacted to the invitation as of Thursday night.

Throughout his campaign for presidentship and after his election, Trump had criticised China for its predatory trade practices, and its role in the narcotics network that is behind the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans.

He has threatened to increase tariffs on China’s imports if it did not end the export of materials used to make synthetic narcotics.

He has also complained about China continuing to have “developing country” status at the World Trade Organization giving it favourable export status.

Trump has named David Perdue as his Beijing Ambassador, who is considered to be a hawk on China.

Earlier, David Perdue, warned in a newspaper article, “Americans first have to realise the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) actually is at war with us.”

--IANS

al/dan

Washington, Dec 12 (IANS) Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Indian-descent Hindu member of the House of Representatives, has urged the US Senate to question Marco Rubio about anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh at his confirmation hearing for the post of secretary of state.

“As targeted violence against Hindus and other minorities continues amid the disorder in Bangladesh, I urge the members of the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations to address this crisis directly during the upcoming hearings to confirm Senator Rubio as the next U.S. Secretary of State,” Krishnamoorthi said on Thursday.

He said that through publicly conferring on the turmoil in Bangladesh, Senator Rubio must reaffirm the incoming Administration’s position on this issue and pledge concrete action steps to combat anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh.

Rubio’s confirmation hearing will take place sometime after January 20, when President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office to start his second term.

Rubio is among Trump’s cabinet nominations considered to be the safest given his long years of experience as a member US senator and foreign policy chops as a leading member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is likely to be confirmed by his fellow senators, both Republican and Democratic.

Rubio, expectedly, will have a robust position on Bangladesh given the position already taken by his boss, the incoming President, who posted on X, “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos.”

The Hindu-American community has been concerned over reports of anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Krishnamoorthi is one of four Hindus in the US House of Representatives, along with Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Shri Thanedar. Their number will grow when the next Congress is in place with Suhas Subramanyam, who was elected last November from Virginia.

--IANS

yrj/dan

Aaccra, Dec 12 (IANS) Ghana has inaugurated a joint transition team comprising representatives of the outgoing government and incoming administration to facilitate the smooth power transfer.

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President-elect John Dramani Mahama inaugurated the team at a ceremony in the national capital of Accra, vowing their commitment to the transition process.

"As we embark on this transitional process, members of the transition team from both sides should approach this task with the spirit of collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect," Akufo-Addo urged during the team's inauguration.

For his part, Mahama urged team members to let the spirit of nationalism guide them in their work as they prioritize national unity and the greater good of Ghana, pledging his full cooperation with Akufo-Addo during and beyond the transitional period.

The joint transition team will supervise the handing over of government operations and executive authority, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Wednesday, Mahama paid a courtesy call on Akufo-Addo at the presidency, during which the two leaders acknowledged each other's roles in the development of democracy in Ghana.

Ghanaians cast their ballots on December 7 to elect a new president and 276 members of parliament.

Mahama, who leads the opposition National Democratic Congress, secured 56.55 per cent of the total valid votes and has been announced as the winner of the presidential race.

A statement released on December 10 from the presidency announced that Akufo-Addo had called Mahama, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress, to congratulate him on his victory.

"President Akufo-Addo expressed his commitment to ensuring a seamless transfer of power on January 7, 2025, and looks forward to working with the president-elect and his team to achieve this goal," read the statement.

The Ghanaian incumbent president also commended the EC and the Ghanaian people for conducting a successful election, which he said reflects the enduring strength of the country's democracy.

Akufo-Addo urged Ghanaians to unite and work together to strengthen democracy and uphold the rule of law in the country.

--IANS

int/as

Tehran, Dec 12 (IANS) Iran and Qatar called on Thursday for urgent efforts to end Israel's attacks on Syria's infrastructure and its ongoing occupation of the Arab state.

In a phone call, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani discussed the latest developments in Syria, stressing the need for continued bilateral and multilateral consultations to help stabilize Syria and form an inclusive political system with the participation of the Syrian people, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government, Israel has significantly increased airstrikes across Syria, along with ground operations targeting critical military infrastructure. The Israeli military has also crossed into the demilitarized buffer zone established under the 1974 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria, taking control of border areas, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned "U.S. and Israeli attacks" on Syria's infrastructure, calling them a continuation of "aggressions" and violations of Syria's sovereignty.

The IRGC, in a statement on its official news outlet, Sepah News, accused the United States and Israel of exploiting the current instability to target Syria's vital centers and interfere in the country's internal affairs.

During his meeting with the visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Aqaba on Thursday, King Abdullah II of Jordan also reiterated the country's respect for the choices of the Syrian people while emphasising the importance of safeguarding Syria's security and the safety of its citizens.

Following the meeting, Blinken wrote on social media platform X that he and the Jordanian king discussed developments in Syria and the importance of "an inclusive transition to an accountable, representative government in Syria chosen by the Syrian people," among other topics.

--IANS

int/as

Washington, Dec 12 (IANS) President Joe Biden on Thursday commuted sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 convicts of non-violent crimes, making it the largest grant of clemency in a single day in modern U.S. history.

“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” said Biden.

He added that as President, he has the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offences.

“That is why, today, I am pardoning 39 people who have shown successful rehabilitation and have shown commitment to making their communities stronger and safer. I am also commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who are serving long prison sentences – many of whom would receive lower sentences if charged under today’s laws, policies, and practices,” the President said.

The commutation recipients mostly included those placed in home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic, those pardoned were people convicted of non-violent crimes such as marijuana possession. A pardon wipes out a conviction. A commutation leaves the convict guilty but reduces or ends the punishment.

President Biden had pardoned his son Hunter Biden a few weeks ago for his conviction on charges of gun law violation and tax evasion.

Biden still has 40 days left of his term and the White House said more such actions are expected.

“While today’s announcement marks important progress, there is more to come. President Biden will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver criminal justice reform in a manner that advances equity and justice, promotes public safety, supports rehabilitation and reentry, and provides meaningful second chances,” the White House said.

It added that these actions build on the President’s record of criminal justice reform.

The White House added that the President has issued more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms.

“He is also the first President ever to issue categorical pardons to individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana, and to former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation,” the White House said.

The White House added that in the coming weeks, the President will take additional steps to provide meaningful second chances and continue to review additional pardons and commutations.

--IANS

yrj/dan

Amman, Dec 11 (IANS) King Abdullah II of Jordan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani emphasised here on Wednesday the importance of strengthening coordination between the two countries to address the challenges posed by the regional situation.

During a meeting in Amman, the two sides also underlined the need to exert maximum efforts to prevent a slide into chaos and the expansion of conflict in the region, according to a statement by the Royal Hashemite Court.

During the meeting, the Jordanian king reiterated his country's support for the Syrian people and respect for their will, stressing the need to protect Syria's security and its citizens, Xinhua news agency reported.

He also underscored the importance of intensifying international efforts to achieve an immediate cessation of the Israeli war on Gaza and to double humanitarian and medical aid.

The king warned of the dangers posed by continued extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Regarding Lebanon, the king called for efforts to ensure the success of the ceasefire.

The two leaders also stressed the deep ties between the two countries and their peoples, as well as the commitment to enhancing cooperation across various fields.

--IANS

as/

Damascus, Dec 11 (IANS) Syria's Military Operations Administration announced Wednesday that it has lifted the curfew previously imposed on Damascus and its surrounding areas, calling on residents to resume their daily activities and return to their workplaces.

In a statement, the administration encouraged citizens to "contribute to building the new Syria" as the country attempts to normalize conditions following recent fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.

The lifting of the curfew came as Mohammed al-Bashir, previously a regional leader in northwestern Syria, announced Tuesday that he had been tasked with heading a transitional government in Syria until March 2025, Xinhua news agency reported.

A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham waged a major offensive from northern Syria since Nov. 27 and had since swept southwards through government-held areas, capturing the capital Damascus within 12 days.

--IANS

as/