BRUSSELS, 26 October 2021, (TON): The Israeli authorities announced the publication of tenders for the construction of more than 1,300 housing units in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and another tender for the construction of an additional 83 units in Givat Hamatos in East Jerusalem.

Settlements are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between the parties.

The European Union has consistently made clear that it will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by both sides.

We call upon the Government of Israel to halt settlement construction and to not proceed with the announced tenders.

KHARTOM, 26 October 2021, (TON): Sudan’s military seized power, dissolving the transitional government hours after troops arrested the acting prime minister and other officials.

Thousands of people flooded into the streets to protest the coup that threatens the country’s shaky progress toward democracy.

The takeover comes more than two years after protesters forced the ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and just weeks before the military was expected to hand the leadership of the council that runs the African country over to civilians.

After the early morning arrests of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other officials, thousands poured into the streets of the capital, Khartoum, and its twin city of Omdurman.

Footage shared online appeared to show protesters blocking streets and setting fire to tires as security forces used tear gas to disperse them.

As plumes of smoke filled the air, protesters could be heard shouting, “The people are stronger, stronger” and “Retreat is not an option!” Videos on social media showed large crowds crossing bridges over the Nile to the centre of the capital.

At least 12 protesters were wounded in demonstrations, according to the Sudanese Doctors Committee, which did not give details.

In the afternoon, the head of the military, General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, announced on national television that he was dissolving the government and the Sovereign Council, a joint military and civilian body created four months after al-Bashir’s ouster to run the country.

DOHA, 26 October 2021, (TON): Beijing said that China’s State Councilor Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet a delegation of Afghanistan interim government during his visit to Qatar on Oct 25-26.

The two sides will exchange views on the situation in Afghanistan and other topics of concern for both sides.

The report added “it is a continuation of communication between the two sides since their meeting in north China’s Tianjin in July.”

Last week, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s interim Foreign Ministry, had said Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will meet his counterpart, Wang Yi, though he had not revealed the time and date for the meeting.

It will be the first high-level engagement between China and Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in August amid the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from the war-torn country.

Wang Wenbin, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said “as a traditional friendly neighbour and partner of Afghanistan, China has always advocated dialogue to tide through difficulties.”

NEW DELHI, 26 October 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 18th ASEAN-India Summit to be held virtually on October 28, at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei.

The Summit will be attended by Heads of State/Government of the ASEAN Countries.

A PMO release stated that the 18th ASEAN-India Summit will review the status of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership and take stock of progress made in key areas including Health, Trade & Commerce, Connectivity, and Education & Culture.

Important regional and international developments including post-pandemic economic recovery will also be discussed.

ASEAN-India Summits are held annually and provide an opportunity for India and ASEAN to engage at the highest level. Prime Minister attended the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held virtually in November last year. 18th ASEAN-India Summit will be the ninth ASEAN-India Summit to be attended by him.

ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical, and civilizational ties. ASEAN is central to our Act East Policy and our wider vision of the Indo-Pacific.

"The year 2022 will mark 30 years of ASEAN-India relations. India and ASEAN have several dialogue mechanisms which meet regularly, including a Summit, Ministerial meetings and Senior Officials' meetings. External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar attended the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting and EAS Foreign Ministers'' Meeting in August 2021 virtually.

PM Office said “Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Anupriya Patel attended the ASEAN Economic Ministers + India Consultations held virtually in September 2021 where the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen economic cooperation.”

ISLAMABAD, 26 October 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that South Asian nations should work together to eliminate the curse of hunger, poverty and illiteracy and for the wellbeing of the people in the region.

She said “this while Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, paid a courtesy call on her at her official Gono Bhaban residence.”

After the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Ihsanul Karim, briefed the reporters.

The prime minister said that the key principle of Bangladesh's foreign policy, enunciated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is "Friendship to all, malice to none".

During the meeting, High Commissioner Imran Ahmed Siddiqui said Pakistan is keen to enhance its relations with Bangladesh.

The high commissioner presented an original copy of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's message.

He also presented a photo album, photo of the painting and video footage of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's visit to Pakistan as Bangladesh's Prime Minister to attend the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries) summit in 1974.

Sheikh Hasina thanked the Pakistan high commissioner for handing over the historic souvenir related to the memories of Bangabandhu.

NAYPYITAW, 26 October 2021, (TON): Junta soldiers and their armed supporters murdered four civilians on Friday during raids on two villages in Sagaing Region’s Khin-U Township that were aimed at flushing out resistance fighters, witnesses told media. 

About 10 troops and 20 members of the military-backed Pyu Saw Htee group arrived at Ba Oe village at around 5am and shot villagers on sight. Thein Tint, 40, was murdered while watering his crops, while 35-year-old Nan Lwin was shot while running away.

Villagers later found the body of Mya Win, 50, in his home.

One of the villagers said “we decided to check his house at the edge of the village and we found him with the top of his head missing.”

“There were no other injuries. I think they shot him in the head at close-range.”

The villager added “he was not in a condition to be able to defend himself as he was sick.”

“His wife managed to escape but he had to stay behind because of his health.”

The fourth person, 27-year-old Chit San Maung, was killed when around 20 soldiers raided the nearby village of Inn Pat.

NAYPYITAW, 26 October 2021, (TON): According to a spokesperson for the Pekhon People’s Defence Force (PDF) “an ambush on a military outpost in southern Shan State’s Pekhon Township left five soldiers, including three female officers, dead last Friday.”

The spokesperson said “the attack was carried out at the western gate of the base of the 336th Light Infantry Battalion in Pekhon at around 9:30pm, and resulted in the confiscation of three MA-3 rifles, one MA-1 rifle, and one MA-2 rifle.”

Seven PDF members were involved in the ambush, he added, noting that they didn’t realize that the outpost was manned by female officers until after they went to collect the weapons.

He said “it was dark at the time, so we couldn’t tell who they were. It was a kill-or-be-killed situation. It’s our duty to shoot anyone who is armed and uniformed. The weapons we are using right now are the ones we confiscated from them.”

Local residents said that after the attack, the military shelled the area around Pekhon, destroying several civilian houses and local monasteries.

DHAKA, 26 October 2021, (TON): Bangladesh Navy Chief Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal is on an official visit to India from October 23 to 29.

The Indian Defence Ministry said “during his visit, Admiral Iqbal will interact with the chief of Indian naval staff in addition to the chief of defence staff and other high-ranking Indian officials.”

It said "during the bilateral interactions, issues relating to joint cooperative efforts like coordinated patrol along international maritime boundary line, bilateral exercise 'Bongosagar', conduct of naval training and reciprocal visits of delegations would be discussed.”

On completion of engagements in Delhi, Admiral Iqbal is scheduled to visit Mumbai where he will meet with Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, flag officer commanding-in-chief of Western Naval Command, and visit the flagship of the naval command.

After his Mumbai visit, the visiting admiral will travel to Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, to observe training activities, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The ministry said in a statement "India and Bangladesh share bonds of history, language, culture and multitudes of other commonalities. The excellent bilateral ties reflect an all-encompassing partnership based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding that goes beyond strategic ties."

DHAKA, 26 October 2021, (TON): Bangladesh and Japan yesterday signed an exchange of notes and grant agreement on the "Japanese Grant Aid for the Fourth Primary Education Development Programme.”

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki; Fatima Yasmin, secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Hayakawa Yuho, chief representative, JICA Bangladesh office, signed the documents.

Ambassador Naoki said “Japan has consistently made efforts to promote quality education in Bangladesh since the country's independence in 1971.”

He said "higher education is important, but for the development of the country, it is essential to extend cooperation at every level of education. Above all, education is the only way for children born into poor families to overcome poverty and empower themselves. Japan will continue its strong involvement in primary education.”

KABUL, 25 October 2021, (TON): About a dozen Afghan provinces, including Kabul province, where the country’s national capital city is located, have had their power restored, the Afghan national power company confirmed.

DABS said in a statement “the Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) personnel completed the restoration of a destroyed electricity tower in Qala-e-Muradbig area of Kabul province at midday on Sunday. The imported electricity has been extended to Kabul and downstream provinces. The power supply is now back to normal.”

A power pylon was destroyed after a bomb explosion in the area on the northern outskirts of Kabul. On Saturday, Taliban arrested three suspected men in charges of initiating the blast.

Afghanistan has been facing power shortages. The Asian country has imported electricity from neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iran.

Khaama Press adds: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant officially claimed responsibility for detonating a power pylon that cut the main power line to Kabul and left the Afghan capital in complete darkness since Thursday.