South Asia: The road ahead in 2021 Feature by South Asia Center
By Irfan Nooruddin
At long last, the year that seemed like it might never end is in the history books. While the record-breaking development of multiple safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is grounds for optimism that 2021 will be better admittedly a very low bar after the year just completed the shadow of 2020 is likely to loom large over the coming year for South Asia, which faces unprecedented economic challenges, deterioration of democratic norms and institutions, and the existential threat of climate change. Those challenges are hardly new, of course, but the last year starkly revealed just how unprepared and unable South Asia’s governments were to tackle them, causing tremendous suffering and distress for its almost two billion residents. Across South Asia’s capitals, intense scrutiny will be trained on Washington,
Last Updated:
UN Chief Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack That Killed 11 Hazaras In Pakistan
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned the terrorist attack and killing of at least 11 Hazaras coal miners in Pakistan.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned the terrorist attack and killing of at least 11 Hazaras coal miners in Pakistan s Balochistan province on January 3. Guterres expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the miners and urged the Pakistani authorities to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of this terrorist act to justice. Hazaras are the Persian-speaking ethnic group native to central Afghanistan and a minority community in neighbouring Pakistan.
Imran Khanâs Close Aides Giving Special Treatment To Terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh Who Murdered Journalist Daniel Pearl
Source: New Indian Express
Terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh is being provided comfortable facilities in the Hyderabad Central Jail allegedly at the behest of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khanâs close aide Brigadier Ijaz Ahmed Shah, the
Sunday Guardianreports.
Sheikh is under detention along with his three associates for murdering American âThe Wall Street Journalâ journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002.
However, the Sindh High Court acquitted Sheikh from the murder charges and commuted his jail sentence to seven years. The court stated that the terrorist had already spent 18 years in jail and hence his prison term would be considered completed.
Assange in London court for US extradition hearing
Rape accusation
Just when Assange was at the pinnacle of his fame, his reputation was massively damaged for the first time. It was the summer of 2010 and the release of the Collateral Murder video had made WikiLeaks a household name around the world. With the Afghan War Diaries, Assange became a recognized figure in journalism.
Then, on August 21, 2010, the Swedish tabloid
Expressen reported that Assange was the subject of rape allegations. This became the basis of an investigation that would go on for years although no official charges were ever brought against him.
January 2, 2021
ANKARA
December saw several reports on climate change and extreme weather events, EU leaders’ agreement on cutting greenhouse emissions by 55% by 2030 as well as an announcement of Europe’s climate body which said November 2020 was the warmest November on record.
Here is a look at environmental developments, reports, events and stories compiled by Anadolu Agency.
Dec. 1:
– Australia breaks record for its warmest November, according to local media.
– Amid a loosening of environmental laws under Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest exceeds 11,000 square kilometers (6,835 square miles), according to official data.
Dec. 2:
– The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) provisional annual climate report says 2020 is on track to be one of the three warmest years on record after 2016 and 2019.