Asean summit on Myanmar set for April 24
Jakarta, April 16: Leaders of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) are expected to meet in the Indonesian capital Jakarta next week to discuss the political crisis in Myanmar following the February 1 military coup, an official source said on Friday. Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for a summit of the 10-member Asean bloc last month, after hundreds were killed in a military crackdown on anti-coup protesters in Myanmar, reports dpa news agency. The summit is to be held in person in Jakarta on April 24, said the source close to the Indonesian President. “All the 10 countries are expected to be represented,” the source added. (IANS)
Portugal to withdraw troops from Afghanistan
Lisbon, April 16: Portugal announced its intention to withdraw its troops deployed in Afghanistan under the command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as of May 1. “With this withdrawal, an important and prolonged Portuguese contribution to the fight against terrorism will be concluded,” which had lasted 19 years and mobilised 4,500 military personnel, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence said in a joint statement on Thursday. According to the Portuguese government, “there has been important progress in Afghanistan in terms of stability and security, as well as in terms of social development, including in particular women’s rights and access to education”, reports Xinhua news agency. Portugal explained that the withdrawal of its 174 military personnel will be carried out jointly with NATO allies, mirroring the US’ plans to start removing troops after two decades of war. “Portugal maintains its commitment to the efforts of the international community to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the statement said. (IANS)
Israel launches airstrike on Gaza
Tel Aviv, April 16: Israel on Friday struck several targets in Gaza after Palestinian militants fired a rocket into the Jewish state’s territory. Fighter jets and attack helicopters struck a Hamas weapons production site, a weapons smuggling tunnel and a military post, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a social media post. “We will not tolerate any threat to Israeli civilians,” dpa news agency quoted the IDF as further saying. There were no immediate reports of injuries in the Gaza Strip. The rocket was fired from Gaza towards the end of Israel’s Independence Day. No group immediately claimed responsibility. The Gaza Strip is home to over 2 million people. (IANS)
