Afghans need immediate help

Families in western Afghanistan, who have lost everything to a series of devastating earthquakes, need urgent assistance to withstand the harsh winter. Temperature has already dropped into single digit.

With about two-thirds of the affected areas assessed, more than 21,500 homes are confirmed destroyed and a further 17,000 severely damaged, according to the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA). Over 154,000 people have been impacted.

The number includes about 7,500 pregnant women, many of whom lost family members. The death of their loved ones has taken a devastating toll, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said.

The agency has deployed psychosocial counselors to help them cope with overwhelming loss.

“They need someone to listen to them and help them cope with their trauma,” said counselor Faiza Zarie, adding that the availability of psychosocial support is critical.

Women also face other challenges — heightened risks of preventable maternal death, gender-based violence and hunger.

UNFPA is working to address reproductive health needs. It issued a funding appeal for US$11.6 million to continue delivering life-saving sexual and reproductive health supplies and services.

Access to medical care has also been severely affected, with at least 40 facilities reported damaged, a region that was already largely deprived of essential health services before the disaster.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that services for about 580,000 people have been severely disrupted.

“Health workers are also affected by the disaster — either from loss of family members or from fear of collapsing health facilities, which makes it even harder for them to provide the health care their communities need,” Alaa AbouZeid, WHO team leader emergencies in Afghanistan, told reporters in Geneva, from Kabul.

“The health consequences are staggering,” she added

The UN agency has been one of the first responders on the ground, supporting hospitals with medicines and supplies and organizing mobile health and nutrition teams.

Sustaining health services will require extra resources, and WHO and partners have launched an appeal for US$7.9 million to provide support for the next six months.

Iranian navy to permanently deploy forces to oceans

Iran's Navy Chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has rolled out Tehran’s ambitious plans for the future, saying the West Asian country is planning to maintain presence in oceans across the world. 

“Coordination is underway and equipment is being prepared so that we can simultaneously be present in all oceans; because there are economic interests of the people there,” Irani said during a military ceremony in the coastal province of Mazandaran on Friday.

“If any mischief occurs, the Islamic Republic of Iran has enough capability to defend itself. Also, regional countries and people do not allow foreigners and non-regional actors to interfere and engage in mischief,” the commander said, adding that the Caspian Sea will remain a sea of peace and friendship. 

“All countries and people in the region will join hands to witness economic growth in the region,” the admiral pointed out.

Last month, the commander announced that Iran will be setting up a permanent military base in Antarctica. “We have ownership in Antarctica and the plan is to hoist the Iranian flag there and establish a permanent base,” he declared during an interview.

Iran’s naval forces have been able to make headways and achieve several unprecedented accomplishments in recent years. 

In May of this year, the Iranian Navy’s 86th flotilla managed to complete an eight-month mission that involved sailing around the world. The flotilla, which consisted of the Dena destroyer and Makran forward base ship, sailed across the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans without needing assistance from land. It traveled 63,000 kilometers and crossed the Equator four times. The mission was part of Iran's efforts to expand its naval presence in the high seas, showcasing its capability and commitment to defending its economic interests. It also happened despite years of debilitating sanctions by the West.

 

Hamas attack aimed at disrupting Saudi-Israel normalization, says Biden

Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' October 07 attack on Israel that killed about 1,400 people was aimed at disrupting a potential normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia sought by Riyadh, said US President Joe Biden on Friday.

Biden suggested Saudi wanted to recognize Israel in the comments he made at a campaign fundraiser.

Saudi Arabia, a Middle East powerhouse and home to Islam's two holiest shrines, gave its blessing to Gulf neighbors United Arab Emirates and Bahrain establishing relations with Israel in 2020 under the previous US administration of Donald Trump. Riyadh has not followed suit, saying Palestinian statehood goals should be addressed first.

"One of the reasons Hamas moved on Israel ... they knew that I was about to sit down with the Saudis," Biden said.

"Guess what? The Saudis wanted to recognize Israel."

The potential normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states was a top priority for Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his June trip to Riyadh, although he acknowledged no progress should be expected imminently.

Blinken told CNN on October 08 that it wouldn’t be a surprise that part of the motivation (for the attack) may have been to disrupt efforts to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel together."

Biden told CBS' 60 Minutes in an interview that was aired last Sunday that the prospect of normalization was still alive; it's going to take time.

Israel responded to the October 07 attack by pounding Gaza with air strikes, killing more than 4,000 people, and has said it will act to free hostages taken by Hamas militants while wiping out the group.

 

US ultimatum to Prime Minister of Bangladesh

According to a report by The Bangladesh Chronicle, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter is believed to have conveyed the US government’s message to the Awami League regime; constitutional expert Shahdeen Malik says Hasina will defy such a move

The ruling Awami League government has been told in no uncertain terms by a senior United States official, who recently visited Dhaka, that the Sheikh Hasina regime may consider stepping down from power and hand over charge to the Jatiya Sangshad speaker by November 03, 2023.

Given the high stakes that are involved, it is unlikely that the Awami League in general and Sheikh Hasina in particular will readily comply with the US pressure to relinquish power, especially at a time when there is massive anti-incumbency besides grave charges of corruption, human rights abuses, malgovernance, among other issues, against the current regime.

It is believed that the message was conveyed to senior Bangladeshi officials by American Deputy Assistant Secretary (South Asia and Central Asia) Afreen Akhter during her meeting with Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen on October 16, 2023.

Besides raising the fraught issue of free, fair and participatory elections in Bangladesh, Akhter also discussed with the subjects of Rohingya refugees and the recent visit of a bipartisan American delegation comprising members of two important American think tanks with Momen, who confirmed this to reporters later the same day. Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs director general Masud Alam was present during the meeting between Akhter and Momen.

The Bangladesh foreign secretary had reacted sharply, saying, “Bangladesh objects to unnecessary foreign interference in its internal affairs”.

The sources said that Akhter placed two options before her Bangladeshi hosts, eight days before Sheikh Hasina is set to leave for Brussels on an official tour. As part of the first option, Sheikh Hasina government could resign and hand over charge to President Mohammad Shahabuddin who, incidentally left for Singapore on October 16 and is not expected to return to the country before October 30.

The last session of the Jatiya Sangshad is set to begin on October 22 and the government of the day will likely declare the official election notification in the last week of this month or the first week of November.

The second option, the US official presented before Momen and Masud, recommended transfer of power by the incumbent Awami League government to Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury by November 03 before paving the way for a truly free, fair, participatory and inclusive elections.

“The US prefers that the Sheikh Hasina regime opts for the second course,” a source, fully aware of the details of the American proposals, said.

Chaudhury was in New Delhi last week to take part in the Ninth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit. She had met Indian officials on the sidelines of the Summit.

The bases of the two options presented before the Bangladeshi leadership was that both were within the framework of the Constitution and therefore could be acted upon and considered by the government.

Chapter II of Part IV of the Bangladeshi constitution says:

“(1) The office of the Prime Minister shall become vacant
(a) if he resigns from office at any time by placing his resignation in the hands of the President; or (b) if he ceases to be a member of Parliament.
(2) If the Prime Minister ceases to retain the support of a majority of the members of Parliament, he shall either resign his office or advise the President in writing to dissolve Parliament, and if he so advises the President shall, if he is satisfied that no other member of Parliament commands the support of the majority of the members of Parliament, dissolve Parliament accordingly”.

Also, Article 54 of the constitution says, “If a vacancy occurs in the office of President or if the President is unable to discharge the functions of his office on account of his absence, illness or any other cause, the Speaker shall discharge those functions until a President is elected or until the President assumes the functions of his office, as the case may be”.

Importantly, it was indicated by the US deputy assistant secretary that failure to comply with the two options – but preferably the second – would be followed by a series of strong economic sanctions against Bangladeshi individuals, including influential businessmen and political leaders.

In the event of the ruling Awami League chosing to disregard the US ultimatum, as one source described the two options, the American authorities are said to have told their interlocutors in Dhaka that due processes of law would follow against a high value Bangladeshi individual residing in that country.

Speaking to Northeast News, one of Bangladesh’s foremost constitutional experts, Shahdeen Malik, said that in the event of a situation, political or otherwise, the prime minister will have to advise the president to dissolve parliament till the time fresh elections are held. The president, in turn, will ask the cabinet to continue. And, in the event the president is indisposed, for whatever reasons, the speaker will fulfill his duties and responsibilities.

Agreeing that there are lots of faults with the 15th amendment to the constitution, Malik said that it will be politically suicidal for her if she gives in to demands to quit.

Malik concluded that Sheikh Hasina will defy such moves and that he apprehends the regime will turn repressive.

 

Saudi Crown Prince calls for Palestinian state on 1967 borders

According to Saudi Gazette, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has called for creating conditions that lead to stability in Gaza and lasting peace that ensures a just solution to the Middle East conflict by establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.

Prince Mohammed affirmed the Kingdom's categorical rejection of targeting civilians under any pretext and stressed the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law and the need to stop military operations against civilians and their infrastructure that directly affects their lives.

The Crown Prince made the remarks during his opening speech at the GCC-ASEAN summit in Riyadh on Friday.

"As we are holding this meeting, we are pained by the escalation of the ongoing violence in Gaza, the price of which is being paid by innocent civilians," he said.

Deputizing for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Prince Mohammed chaired the Riyadh Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Crown Prince received the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the summit upon their arrival at the summit's venue.

At the outset of the summit, verses of the Holy Qur'an were recited, following that the Crown Prince delivered the opening speech.

He said, "On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, I am delighted to welcome you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are pleased to hold this summit that is a testimony to the friendship and cooperation between the GCC states and ASEAN.

"Our meeting today aims to further develop cooperation and partnership in a way that fulfills the interests of peoples, increases opportunities for development, and consolidates security and stability."

He added, "The GCC-ASEAN countries have achieved a milestone in economic development, with the collective GDP of our countries exceeding US$7.8 trillion. We have witnessed economic growth that has increased our countries' contribution to the global GDP; the economies of the GCC and ASEAN countries have grown by 7.3% and 5.7%, respectively in 2022, motivating us to work together toward a more prosperous economy."

The growing GCC-ASEAN trade relations are evident by the volume of trade with the ASEAN countries, amounting to US$137 billion, 8% of GCC's global trade. The GCC exports to the ASEAN countries constitute 9% of its total exports; the GCC imports from ASEAN amount to 6% of the total GCC imports.

Over the past 20 years, the GCC invested 4% of its total foreign investments in ASEAN countries, amounting to US$75 billion. The ASEAN investment in the GCC accounts for 3.4% of the total foreign direct investments in the GCC countries, amounting to US$24.8 billion.

"We look forward to strengthening our economic relations, taking advantage of the available opportunities, and opening new scopes of cooperation in all fields, in light of the human resources, commercial opportunities, and promising investment projects that our countries possess."

Prince Mohammed commended "the level of coordination and cooperation our countries enjoy when it comes to international developments," while reaffirming the keenness to further advance joint action "to realize our goals and meet the aspirations of our peoples."

The Crown Prince appreciated ASEAN countries' support for the Kingdom's bid to host the Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

"The joint GCC-ASEAN action plan for 2024-2028 sets out a clear road map for increasing cooperation and partnership, which we are all keen to do, in various fields in order to serve our interests," he said.

He pledged that GCC countries will continue to be safe and reliable sources of energy, and contribute to maintaining the stability of global energy markets. "We are striving, at an accelerated pace, to meet, in a sustainable way, the requirements for developing clean, low-carbon energy technologies and petrochemical supply chains," Prince Mohammed said.

"We also look forward to achieving the maximum benefit from logistical resources and infrastructure, for expanding cooperation in tourism and cultural activities, enhancing communication among our peoples and establishing partnerships among the business sectors in our countries, to contribute to achieving the goals of our ambitious visions for a better future of prosperity, development and progress."

  

Israel reduces Gaza district to ashes

Israel has reduced a northern Gaza district to ashes on Friday after giving families a half-hour warning to escape. An Orthodox Christian church where people have been sheltering was also attacked.

The Secretary General of the United Nations visited the crossing between the besieged Gaza Strip and Egypt, and said humanitarian aid must be allowed across as soon as possible.

Israel has vowed to wipe out the Hamas Islamist group that rules Gaza, after its gunmen burst through the barrier fence surrounding the enclave on October 07 and rampaged through Israeli towns and kibbutzes, killing 1,400 people, mainly civilians.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has told troops a command to invade would come soon. Meanwhile, Israel has pounded Gaza with air strikes and put the enclave's 2.3 million people under a total siege, banning shipments even of food, fuel and medical supplies.

Since October 07, at least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed and 13,000 wounded in Gaza in Israeli strikes.

The UN says more than a million have been made homeless.

The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the main Palestinian Christian denomination, said Israeli forces had struck the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, where hundreds of Christians and Muslims had sought sanctuary.

They felt they would be safe here. They came from under the bombardment and the destruction, and they said they would be safe here but destruction chased them.

Gaza's Hamas-run government media office said 18 Christian Palestinians had been killed, while the health ministry later gave a toll of 16.

Targeting churches that were used as shelters for people fleeing bombing was a war crime that cannot be ignored.

Israel has already told all civilians to evacuate the northern half of the Gaza Strip, which includes Gaza City. Many people have yet to leave saying they fear losing everything and have nowhere safe to go with southern areas also under attack.

In Zahra, a northern Gaza town, residents said their entire district of some 25 apartment buildings was razed to the ground.

They received Israeli warning messages on their mobile phones at breakfast, followed ten minutes later by a small drone strike that hammered the message home. After another 20 minutes, F-16 warplanes brought the buildings down in huge explosions and clouds of dust.

"We don’t want to receive aid, we want the destruction and the killing of children in their sleep to stop. We are tired," said Joumana Khreis.

International attention has focused on getting aid to Gaza through the one access point not controlled by Israel, the Rafah crossing to Egypt. US President Joe Biden, who visited Israel on Wednesday, emerged with a promise from Israel to allow limited shipments from Egypt provided that the aid is monitored to prevent any from reaching Hamas.

Western leaders have so far mostly offered support to Israel's campaign against Hamas, although there is mounting unease about the plight of civilians in Gaza.

Biden delivered a televised speech on Thursday calling for billions of dollars in US military aid for Israel to fight Hamas. But he also said, "We can't ignore the humanity of innocent Palestinians who only want to live in peace and have opportunity."

The conflict is also spreading to two other fronts - the West Bank and the northern border with Lebanon.

The defence ministry ordered residents of the largest Israeli town near the Lebanese border, Kiryat Shmona, to evacuate. Clashes at the border between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement have been the deadliest since a full-blown war in 2006.

The territory, where Palestinians have limited self rule under Israeli military occupation, has seen the deadliest clashes since the second intifada uprising ended in 2005.

 

Bangladesh allows export of 4,000 tons of Hilsa fish to India

Ahead of West Bengal’s most prominent festival, Durga Puja, the Bangladesh government has granted permission for the export of nearly 4,000 tons of Hilsa fish to India.

This decision, announced in an official statement, aimed at catering to the high demand for Hilsa, a beloved delicacy among Bengalis.

The Bangladesh Commerce Ministry has authorized 79 business organizations to export a total of 3,950 tons of Hilsa to India.

Each exporter will be allowed to export 50 metric tons of this prized fish. The permission is valid until October 30, 2023, as per the official release from the administration led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hilsa, often referred to as the national fish of Bangladesh, holds a special place in the hearts of fish-loving Bengalis. It is also one of the country’s export items that boasts the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, signifying its regional significance and quality.

This decision to allow Hilsa exports to India follows a request made in 2020 by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Kolkata.

Banerjee urged her Bangladeshi counterpart to consider lifting the ban on Hilsa exports to India.

In response, Prime Minister Hasina conveyed that her country would be willing to ease restrictions on Hilsa exports if India ensures a fair share of water from the Teesta River in North Bengal, a matter of significance to both nations.