RIYADH, 12 November 2021, (TON): Saudi Education Minister Hamad Al-Sheikh met Bahraini Education Minister Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi and Qatari Education Minister Buthaina bint Ali Al-Jabr Al-Nuaimi at the headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris.

The meeting were held on the sidelines of the Saudi delegation’s participation in the meetings of UNESCO’s General Conference, which was headed by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, minister of culture and chairman of the National Committee for Education, Culture and Science.

Al-Sheikh discussed with the Bahraini and Qatari counterparts the Saudi model in e-learning and distance education, and how to benefit from the Saudi experience, in addition to learning about the Kingdom’s efforts in educating people with disabilities.

WASHINGTON, 12 November 2021, (TON): A U.S. official told POLITICO “the much-anticipated virtual summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is tentatively scheduled for the evening of Nov. 15.”

A second non-administration source familiar with the summit’s planning also confirmed the date.

The two leaders telegraphed their intent Tuesday to establish a positive tone for the summit via letters of congratulations both leaders sent to the National Committee on United States-China Relations to mark its 55th anniversary.

Xi’s letter, read by China’s ambassador to the U.S., Qin Gang, at Tuesday’s NCUSCR black-tie gala dinner, stated that “China stands ready to work with the United States to enhance exchanges and cooperation across the board … so as to bring China-U.S. relations back to the right track of sound and steady development.”

DAMASCUS, 12 November 2021, (TON): Minister Counselor Kinan Zahreddine handed his credentials as consul-general of the Syrian Arab Republic in Dubai Emirate and the Northern Emirates of the United Arab Emirates.

During a meeting with Consul Kinan Zahreddine, Rashid Abdulla Al Qaseer, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) Office in Dubai, appreciated the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, wishing Zahreddine success in his missions.

 Both sides agreed, during the meeting, on continuing communication and cooperation to facilitate issues of the Syrian Arab community residing in the United Arab Emirates.

NAYPYITAW, 12 November 2021, (TON): Soldiers burned down 12 houses and fired guns and artillery at fleeing residents in a village in northern Sagaing Region’s Katha Township after their infantry column was ambushed by People’s Defence Force (PDF) fighters.

A local woman said “at least 20 junta soldiers were killed when the Kathta PDF intercepted their column as it marched near Moedar Lay village. After the clash, the surviving soldiers entered the village and began burning homes that they thought belonged to PDF members.”

A 40-year-old local man told Myanmar Now that a 5-year-old child was injured in the shoulders and back by shrapnel after the troops launched shells at the village.

He added “around 1,000 of the village’s 1,500 residents fled as soldiers fired more artillery at them.”

We live on the riverbank, and when it started we fled on motorboats across the river. The soldiers actually fired three shells at us while we were fleeing. They fired gunshots as well.

Moedar Lay sits on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady river, about 20 miles northeast of the town of Katha. The village is home to a regional hospital.

DHAKA, 12 November 2021, (TON): The Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Thursday organised a get-together for Bangladeshi Alumni, who had studied in India and attended professional courses in Indian institutes of excellence, at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in Dhaka.

First education minister of India and the founding president of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, said a press release “the ‘Bangladesh-India Alumni Re-union 2021’ also marked the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.”

It said “over the years, over 10,000 Bangladeshi nationals have availed various flagship schemes of the Indian government and many of the alumni are now placed at eminent positions in government, administration, academics, private sector and arts and culture in Bangladesh.”

Around 150 alumni, from different works of life came forward to celebrate the day and shared their experiences.

Reminiscencing their Indian journey, the alumni recalled how the courses in India had gone a long way in shaping their careers.

The release said that the alumni also offered valuable suggestions on how the scholarship programs could be fine-tuned to cater to the present day requirements.

ISLAMABAD, 12 November 2021, (TON): Foreign Office said in a statement “Pakistan is deeply concerned over the recent deployment of additional 5,500 occupation troops in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).”

"Around 2,500 troops have arrived and they were deployed all over the valley.”

He added “more were on their way to the occupied territory.”

Around 5,000 extra paramilitaries in all were being deployed from this week, including from India's Border Security Force (BSF), according to a police officer speaking to media on condition of anonymity.

Indian occupation forces have unleashed unimaginable brutalities on the Kashmiris including inter-alia the use of pellet guns, extrajudicial killings in ‘fake encounters’, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and custodial deaths.

Pakistan has already shared with the international community a comprehensive Dossier documenting Indian state terrorism, widespread violations of human rights, war crimes and crimes against humanity in IIOJK.

The deployment of these additional troops in IIOJK – the world’s most militarised region with over 900,000 occupation forces already - will further brutalise the oppressed Kashmiri people, the communiqué added.

DHAKA, 12 November 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the world leaders to act seriously for the prompt repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to avert the spread of security risks beyond borders.

She said "the world must act seriously to make sure these people are back to Myanmar soon. Otherwise, the security risks from the crisis will not just remain confined within our borders. We already see the signs of that.”

The prime minister made the call while addressing the ceremonial opening of the Paris Peace Forum held at Grande Halle de la Villette.

Turning to climate change, Sheikh Hasina said "we must keep raising our climate ambitions to save people's lives, homes and livelihoods."

The prime minister said it is important to find answers for the hundreds and thousands of migrants stuck at international borders.

She said "we must end discrimination based on race, colour and ethnicity. We must allow our women and girls to break all glass ceilings. We need to create decent work opportunities for all. We must match our words with our deeds and resources.”

ISLAMABAD, 12 November 2021, (TON): Pakistan has agreed to continue practical engagement with the Taliban government to encourage the implementation of moderate and prudent policies that can help achieve a stable and prosperous Afghanistan on a priority basis.

The development came as Islamabad hosted a meeting of extended Troika on Thursday, comprising Pakistan, China, Russia and the United States.

The forum discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan at length, while the leaders met senior Taliban representatives on the sidelines of the meeting.

As per the joint statement issued after the huddle, the four participating states called on the Taliban to work with fellow Afghans to take steps to form an inclusive and representative government that respects the rights of all Afghans and provides for the equal rights of women and girls to participate in all aspects of the society.

Those in attendance expressed deep concern over the severe humanitarian and economic situation in Kabul and reiterated unwavering support for the people of Afghanistan.

The Troika welcomed the international community’s provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and expressed grave concern at the potential for an economic collapse and the worsening humanitarian crisis and a new refugee wave.

ISLAMABAD, 12 November 2021, (TON): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that it was crucial for the international community to avoid repeating mistakes of the past and pursue positive engagements in order to avert economic collapse or an all-out civil war from breaking out in Afghanistan.

Addressing the opening session of the two-day meeting of Troika Plus, comprising US, Russia, China and Pakistan, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign minister said engagement with Afghanistan was important as nobody wished to see a relapse into civil war and an economic collapse to spur instability.

He said "everyone wants terrorist elements operating inside Afghanistan to be tackled effectively and we all want to prevent a new refugee crisis.”

He said “peace in Afghanistan was not only important for Pakistan, but for the rest of the world as well.”

The foreign minister said that Afghanistan stood at the brink of economic collapse today and with international funding dried up, it had become difficult to even pay salaries, let alone pursue development projects.

He said “people were reeling under the effects of a severe drought, adding that any further downward slide would severely limit the new administration's capacity to run the government.”

He stressed "it is, therefore, imperative for the international community to buttress the provision of humanitarian assistance on an urgent basis.”

Added that the sectors of health, education and municipal services required urgent attention.

KABUL, 12 November 2021, (TON): Iran is sending tens of thousands of Afghan migrants back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan every week despite the threat of famine, aid agencies and witnesses say, with many Afghans alleging they have been mistreated by Iranian authorities.

During decades of conflict, millions of Afghans have crossed into their western neighbour seeking to escape violence and a shattered economy.

The Taliban takeover of Kabul in mid-August has compounded the crisis, disrupting international aid flows just as a severe drought has left more than half of the population facing acute food shortages.

But, despite the dire conditions awaiting them, Iran continues to force Afghans back over the border.

Returning Afghans who spoke to AFP reported being held in crowded, filthy detention camps where some were beaten before being transported to the border crossing.

“They did not see us as humans,” said 19-year-old Abdul Samad, who said he had been working in construction in Iran before he was deported.

Samad told media  at the border he was beaten by Iranian authorities in a migrant detention camp because he had no money to pay for his deportation.