Monday, September 20 2021

*) US says Kabul drone strike killed 10 civilians, including children A US drone strike in Kabul last month killed as many as 10 civilians, including seven children, the US military has admitted, apologising for what it called a “tragic mistake”. The Pentagon had said the August 29 strike targeted a Daesh suicide bomber who posed an imminent threat to US-led troops at Kabul airport. Emal Ahmadi, a survivor whose 10 family members were killed in the strike, has demanded those responsible be punished, saying Washington's apology was not enough. *) French and UK defence ministers' meeting cancelled amid sub row France has pulled out from a defence meeting with the UK as the rift deepens over a new security deal between the kingdom, US and Australia. The two-day talks have been postponed from this week to a later date – that's according to a former British Ambassador. France is frustrated over Australia signing the so-called Aukus deal with the US and UK, which will get Canberra nuclear-powered submarines. This resulted in Australia cancelling a major weapons contract with Paris. *) Early results show Putin party wins majority in the vote President Vladimir Putin's party is on track to win a strong majority in a three-day parliamentary election, following a harsh crackdown on the opposition. Most opposition politicians were barred from running as they were linked to jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny. Allies of Navalny planned to use an app to help voters find candidates to defeat United Russia but the app was removed by Apple and Google on election day. *) Lebanon’s parliament is to vote on Mikati government The Lebanese Parliament is voting on the Mikati government and will be discussing its draft programme and plans. New Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government was formed on September 10th after a year of political deadlock that exacerbated a crippling economic crisis. Mikati's government is already facing challenges, with Lebanon's Hezbollah unilaterally importing Iranian fuel at risk of