WASHINGTON, 17 October 2021, (TON): ‘They must come here and apologize to us face-to-face,’ demands a family member.

The United States said “it has offered to pay unspecified compensation to relatives of 10 people in Afghanistan including seven children who were killed by mistake in a US drone strike as American forces were completing their withdrawal.”

In a statement the Pentagon also said it was working with the State Department to relocate to the United States any of those relatives who wish to leave Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

The offer to pay these people was made in a meeting between Colin Kahl, the under secretary of defence for policy, and Steven Kwon, the founder and president of an aid group active in Afghanistan called Nutrition and Education International, the Pentagon said in a statement.

That organization employed Ezmarai Ahmadi, who was wrongly identified as an Islamic State militant by US intelligence on August 29 during the final days of the chaotic US evacuation from Kabul.

US intelligence tracked his white Toyota for eight hours before targeting the car with a missile, killing seven children and three adults, including Ahmadi.

US Central Command commander General Kenneth McKenzie said “at the time that American intelligence had seen the vehicle at a site in Kabul that had been identified as a location from which IS operatives were believed to be preparing attacks on the Kabul airport.”

ISLAMABAD, 17 October 2021, (TON): Pakistan on Saturday donated another 16 truckloads of relief goods to Afghanistan as part of its ongoing efforts to avert any humanitarian crisis in the wartorn country.

The relief goods were handed over to Afghan Minister for Refugees Haji Khalil Ur Rehman Haqqani and Deputy Minister for IDPs, Pakistan’s Ambassador in Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan said on Twitter.

He said “the consignment included food items and blankets for their onward distribution among affected people.”

Last week, Pakistan had sent 13 trucks carrying 345 tonnes of relief goods, which include food and medicines, under Pakistan-Afghanistan Cooperation Forum.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood had said that the government was fully focused on boosting trade and exports of the country, especially with Afghanistan.

NEW DELHI, 17 October 2021, (TON): As Prime Minister Narendra Modi set out his Taliban worries to world leaders this week, Indian forces staged raids and battled rebels in occupied Kashmir, who the premier fears could be emboldened by the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan.

Shootings of civilians and police in occupied Kashmir and raids by the security forces on rebels' hideouts have increased in the Muslim-majority region since the Taliban overran Kabul on August 15.

About 40 people have been killed in shootings and clashes in the two months since then in the Himalayan region.

Hindu and Sikh civilians have been shot dead in targeted killings, while gun battles near the ceasefire line have also left soldiers and rebels dead.

India has not openly blamed the Taliban takeover for the uptick in violence, but it has intensified patrols near Azad Kashmir and fortified some army camps, according to residents and security officials who spoke to media on condition of anonymity.

Modi told a G20 summit in Rome earlier this week that international efforts were needed to make sure Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for “radicalisation and terrorism”.

NAYPYITAW, 17 October 2021, (TON): Myanmar's junta chief will be excluded from an upcoming Asean summit, the group said yesterday, a rare rebuke as concerns rise over the military government's commitment to defusing a bloody crisis.

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed at an emergency meeting that a "non-political representative" for Myanmar be invited to the October 26-28 summit, current Asean chair Brunei said in a statement.

The decision effectively excluded junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

The bloc, widely criticised as a toothless organisation, took a strong stand after the junta rebuffed requests for a special envoy to meet with all parties concerned -- a phrase seen to include ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The statement noted "insufficient progress" in the implementation of a five-point plan agreed by Asean leaders in April to end turmoil following a coup in February.

It also said that the situation in Myanmar "was having an impact on regional security as well as the unity, credibility and centrality of Asean".

NAYPYITAW, 17 October 2021, (TON): Up to 12 junta soldiers were reportedly killed in a People’s Defence Forces attack on a school in Su Phyu Kone village, Nwahtogyi Township Mandalay region where the forces were stationed.

The ZERO guerrilla force said “on October 15 that their group and ZERO guerrillas opened fire with a grenade launcher on the school where the military council troops were stationed in the village.”

Up to 12 soldiers were killed in the shooting.

The attack took place at 10:42 pm on October 14. The ZERO guerrilla force opened fire with a grenade launcher and small arms while military council troops were eating and drinking in their dormitory.

“They are eating and drinking in the school building. When we came, the dogs barked and two of them came out with guns. At the same time, we opened fire with a grenade launcher and small arms shouting the slogans: ‘Are we people united? Yes, we are. Yes, we are.’ And then, we retreated slowly,” the ZERO guerrilla force leader told Mizzima.

He added "we had already inquired and were told there were 14 people while they were eating. When we came, the dogs barked and two of them came out to check the situation. The two escaped during the actual shooting.”

DHAKA, 17 October 2021, (TON): Romania has decided to recruit around 40,000 foreign workers, paving the way for Bangladesh to send more workers to that country. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said while talking about his recent visit to Romania "this is a new area. We've already sent around 1,000 workers. We can send more. They've (Romania) decided to recruit around 40,000 workers from abroad.”

He said that the Romanian government prefers government-to-government recruitment as they feel more comfortable recruiting people in a better-regulated way.

"There's no space for illegal entry there," said the Foreign Minister, adding that some 860 Bangladeshis entered Germany from Romania illegally.

These 860 people will be sent back to Bangladesh from Germany through International Organization for Migration (IOM).

DHAKA, 17 October 2021, (TON): Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard invites all to visit the ‘Swiss Corner’ at the National Museum in Dhaka.

Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard on Saturday said the “Swiss Corner” at the National Museum is a milestone of Switzerland’s growing ties with Bangladesh.

She invited everyone to visit it with their families and friends to learn more about her country as the redesigned “Switzerland Corner” at the World Civilization Gallery of the National Museum of Bangladesh was launched through a ceremony.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid attended the ceremony as chief guest and officially inaugurated the exhibition corner together with the Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard.

Government officials, international partners, eminent cultural actors and members of the civil society and media of Bangladesh also attended the event, maintaining health protocols.

The state minister highlighted the importance of further enhancing bilateral relations and expanding cooperation also in the areas of art and culture.

WASHINGTON, 16 October 2021, (TON): The Russian foreign minister said “Russia and the US are considering a fresh presidential meeting between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden.”

The schedule of the presidential contact is being discussed at ministerial and deputies’ levels, Sergey Lavrov said at a news conference in Minsk following a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Lavrov said “there is an absolutely obvious mutual aspiration to develop such contacts. When we reach mutually acceptable terms, we will certainly inform you, and it will be done by the presidential administration.”

 Speaking at the Russian Energy Week in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, Putin said US high-ranking diplomat Victoria Nuland discussed organizing a new presidential summit during her visit to Moscow this week.

Putin had said “the Under Secretary of State is currently in Moscow. She and her Russian colleagues are discussing details of our further contacts with Biden.”

RIYADH, 16 October 2021, (TON): Saudi air defenses intercepted a Houthi drone aimed at Jazan, the Arab coalition said early Saturday.

The Houthis consistently target civilian infrastructure in the Kingdom using explosive drones.

The Kingdom has labeled Houthi attempts to target civilians as war crimes.

Earlier this month, attacks on Abha and Jazan airports in southern Saudi Arabia sparked widespread condemnation of the militia’s tactics of targeting civilian sites.

The Arab coalition has been fighting the Iran-backed Houthis, after the militia seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014.

Saudi Arabia as repeatedly said “the only way to a peaceful Yemen is through dialogue, and has called on the Houthis to end the fighting.”

The Riyadh Initiative, which was launch by the Kingdom in March, includes a nationwide ceasefire and a plan to reopen Sanaa airport. The plan has been rejected by the Houthis.

Fighting in Marib province has claimed thousands of lives, among both government and Houthi forces. The resource-rich region has been heavily contested as the militia seek to strengthen their control of northern Yemen.

DHAKA, 16 October 2021, (TON): Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought Bangladesh's stronger trade and investment ties with Serbia and close cooperation in addressing global issues.

On the sidelines of the 60th commemorative events of the non-aligned movement recently, Dr Momen held meetings with Nikola Selakovia, minister of foreign affairs; Dr Daria Kisic Tepavcevic, minister of labour, employment, veteran and social affairs; and Tatjana Matic, minister for trade, tourism and telecommunication of Serbia.

During the meeting with the Serbian foreign minister, Dr Momen highlighted Bangladesh's non-aligned foreign policy as envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

While recalling with profound gratitude that former Yugoslavia was one of the first European countries to have recognised Bangladesh immediately after its independence, Momen stressed the need for further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The whole gamut of trade, investment and labour were discussed during the meeting.

On the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Dr Momen emphasised rejuvenation of the relationship between the two friendly countries.