DHAKA, 21 August 2021, (TON): At least 24 people were killed and around 300 injured in the attack on an Awami League rally in the capital’s Bangabandhu Avenue in 2004.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the victims of the August 21 grenade attack in 2004 and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs.

In separate messages on the eve of the 17th anniversary of the heinous grenade attack, they urged all to come forward being imbued with the spirit of Liberation War to turn the sorrows of August 21 into strength for building a peaceful and democratic Bangladesh which will be free from terrorism and militancy.

President Abdul Hamid in his message said "August 21 grenade attack in 2004 is a mournful day as the killers launched the history's barbaric grenade attacks on an Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue with an attempt to kill Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina."

The head of the state added “though Sheikh Hasina escaped death by the grace of almighty Allah, Awami Mahila League's former President Ivy Rahman and 23 other leaders and activists were killed and many others injured.”

Abdul Hamid said “many of the injured persons in the attack became crippled for life and now they are living in endless misery.

He added that the August 21 grenade attack was aimed at making bankrupt the Awami League and Bangladesh in leadership and stopping the democratic process and establishing autocracy and militancy."

The president expressed his optimism that the pro-democratic and patriotic people would come forward being imbued with the spirit of the War of Liberation to build a dignified, happy, and prosperous Bangladesh.

THIMPHU, 21 August 2021, (TON): After more than 10 months of repair, Mangdechu hydropower plant’s turbine number three resumed power generation.

The 720MW plant shut down its turbine number three on September 20 last year. The management had targeted to complete the repairs by August 20.

According to sources in MHPA “the turbine was connected to the grid after completing all necessary tests. The four turbines together generated 765MW.

A flashover burnt and carbonised the stator (a stationary part of a rotary system) windings and other rotor components inside the generator causing an electric short-circuit.

It was learnt that in monsoon all the four units generate around 197MW each, which is 10 percent additional power above their capacity.

DHAKA, 21 August 2021, (TON): The foreign minister said “a monument may be built in the Dhaka Cantonment to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by our peacekeepers.”

The government has made efforts at the United Nations (UN) for enhancing benefits of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, said foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen while visiting Bangladesh peacekeeping contingents in South Sudan.

He said “Bangladesh is now contributing the most troops to the UN peacekeeping operations owing to the efficiency, acumen and professionalism of our peacekeepers.”

A foreign ministry press release said “the foreign minister made the remark while visiting Bangladesh Engineering Construction Unit and Bangladesh Marine Forces Unit deployed in United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Juba.”

Dr Momen said “the government has facilitated the deployment of female peacekeepers in the UN Peacekeeping Operations as well as police units in different UN missions who have earned a lot of reputation with their performances.”

He suggested “a monument may be built in the Dhaka Cantonment to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by our peacekeepers.”

He identified the participation of Bangladesh peacekeepers as an opportunity in order to project the image of Bangladesh abroad.

He said “our peacekeepers have enhanced the prestige of Bangladesh internationally by dint of their dedicated and efficient services in the UN Peacekeeping Missions.”

During the visit to the UNMISS, the foreign minister received gun salute from a smart contingent of Bangladesh peacekeepers and signed the visitors’ book.

WASHINGTON, 21 August 2021, (TON): US President Joe Biden said he could not guarantee the outcome of emergency evacuations from Kabul, calling it one of the most difficult airlift operations ever, but added he would mobilize every resource to repatriate Americans.

“This is one of the largest, most difficult airlifts in history,” Biden said in a televised address from the White House, highlighting the dangerous elements of coordinating a mass evacuation while being surrounded by Taliban forces, who took over the Afghan capital on Sunday.

“I cannot promise what the final outcome will be, or that it will be without risk of loss,” he said of the chaotic exit from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of war and rebuilding.

Biden added “but as commander in chief, I can assure you that I will mobilize every resource necessary” to conduct a thorough evacuation.”

“Let me be clear: Any American who wants to come home, we will get you home.”

The president said “US forces have airlifted 13,000 people out of Afghanistan since August 14, and 18,000 since July, with thousands more evacuated on private charter flights facilitated by the US government.”

KATHMANDU, 21 August 2021, (TON): The newly appointed Chief of Bagmati Province, Yadav Chandra Sharma, has taken an oath of office and secrecy in the presence of President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Friday.

He took the oath in accordance with Article 167 of the Constitution amidst a special function at the President's Office on Friday afternoon.

Present on the occasion were Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana, Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota, among others.

DHAKA, 21 August 2021, (TON): Bangladesh and South Sudan are in discussion about establishing cooperation in agriculture, education, food security, health, education and vocational training sectors.

The two sides emphasised on the need for increased bilateral trade and commerce for mutual benefit.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen met with his South Sudan counterpart Beatrice Wani-Noah at her office in Juba and discussed ways to build further cooperation.

They agreed to collaborate in areas such as food security, social safety net, IT and ICT, health, medical education and vocational training.

Dr Momen invited Beatrice Wani-Noah to visit Bangladesh at her convenience.

The foreign minister also informed her of the enhanced and wider participation of women in the workforce and administrative positions in Bangladesh.

KATHMANDU, 21 August 2021, (TON): A delegation from the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) met with Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand and drew his attention to current issues relating to human rights and peace.

They urged the Home Minister to take necessary steps to rescue and bring home the Nepali people who have been stranded in Afghanistan. The country was recently taken over by the Taliban.

Nepalis need to be brought home safely in coordination and cooperation with other countries. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Society General Secretary Ram Krishna Baral said “the delegation also urged the ratification of various international treaties including the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons soon.”

The delegation included the Society Chairperson Gobinda Khanal, advisor Hom Kanta Chaulagain, Treasurer Jagannath Pudasaini, central member Bishnu Bhusal, and chairperson of the Society at Kathmandu branch, Ishwor Pudasaini.

KABUL, 20 August 2021, (TON): The Taliban announced the creation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on the 102nd anniversary of the country's independence from British rule.

Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted "this is the declaration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of the country's independence from British rule."

In Kabul, Taliban fighters manned checkpoints the airport as concerns were expressed that they were blocking Afghans from reaching evacuation flights, with the United States demanding safe passage.

Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee Afghanistan since the hardline militants swept into the capital on Sunday, completing a stunning rout of government forces and ending two decades of war.

Taliban leaders have in recent days repeatedly vowed not to seek revenge against their opponents, while seeking to project an image of tolerance.

They have also sort to portray growing political authority, with Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar returning from exile and other senior figures meeting ex-president Hamid Karzai.

LONDON, 20 August 2021, (TON):  According to reports in British news outlets “the United Kingdom says it will welcome as many as 20,000 Afghans under a new resettlement programme that will give priority to women, girls and religious and other minorities.”

The scheme aimed at those seen “most at risk of human rights abuses and dehumanising treatment by the Taliban” will offer a safe and legal route to Britain. About 5,000 people are expected to arrive in the UK in its first year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “Britain owed a debt of gratitude to all those who have worked with us to make Afghanistan a better place over the last 20 years and many of them, particularly women, are now in urgent need of our help.”

The UK parliament is due to sit to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said “I want to ensure that as a nation we do everything possible to provide support to the most vulnerable fleeing Afghanistan so they can start a new life in safety in the UK.”

“The Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme will save lives.”

The international community is working out how to respond following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. The group has said it will respect women, but many fear a swift unravelling of women’s rights, despite the reassurances.

Britain already plans to relocate 5,000 people as part of an Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, designed to help present and past employees of the UK government. More than 2,000 former Afghan staff and their families have travelled to Britain under the scheme since late June.

ISLAMABAD, 20 August 2021, (TON): Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan met former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and senior official Abdullah Abdullah to discuss the prevailing situation in the neighbouring country.

The envoy said in a tweet “called on former Afghan President Hamid Karzai & Dr Abdullah Abdullah. Had constructive discussions on efforts for lasting stability in Afghanistan.”

Karzai also said in a tweet that they discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan and inclusive political process with “national and international legitimacy” amid efforts to form a new government in the war-torn country.