
Not involved in any negotiations with Taliban: US
The US has said that it is not involved in active negotiations with the Taliban, but would want to discuss the fate of its soldier held hostage by insurgents since 2009 if the talks were to resume.
"We are not involved in active negotiations with the Taliban. Clearly, if negotiations do resume, at some point then we will want to talk with the Taliban about the safe return of Sergeant Bergdahl," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.
"He has been gone far too long, and we continue to call for and work towards his safe and immediate release. We have long supported an Afghan-led peace process, and we'll continue to do so. When it comes to Sergeant Bergdahl our hearts go out to his family. We have great sympathy for them," Carney said.
He said he could not discuss the details of US efforts, but "there should be no doubt that we work every day, using our military, our intelligence and our diplomatic tools, to see Sergeant Bergdahl returned home safely".
Without divulging much about the efforts being pursued by the United States in this regard, Carney said all efforts are being made by the administration.
"In the meantime, we are actively engaged in an effort to see his return. I can't document every effort, but that includes our military, our intelligence and our diplomatic tools," Carney said.
However, he did not refute reports that the US is considering a prisoners swap to free Sergeant Robert Bergdahl in exchange for Guantanamo Bay prisoners.
"With respect to Guantanamo, the President reiterated when he signed the fiscal year 2014 Defence Authorisation Act that this administration will not transfer a detainee unless the threat the detainee may pose can be sufficiently mitigated and only when consistent with our humane treatment policy," he said.

UK schools to reopen, backed by frequent Covid-19 testing

How women’s clothes became the first line of defence for protesters in Myanmar
- Protesters are stringing up women's clothing on lines across the streets of Myanmar to utilise a superstition in their favour.

Guyana receives 80,000 doses of Covishield Covid-19 vaccine from India

US flies two B-52 bombers over Iran as Washington-Tehran tensions rise
- The US military's Central Command said the two B-52s flew over the region accompanied by military aircraft from nations including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli receives India-made Covishield Covid-19 vaccine

India, China should create 'enabling conditions' to resolve issues: Wang Yi

Willing to engage with all parties in Myanmar, says China’s foreign minister

Iranian British Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe ends 5-year sentence in spy case
- Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 42, was sentenced to five years in jail after being convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran’s government, a charge that she, her supporters and rights groups vigorously deny.

Protests erupt across Myanmar; Suu Kyi party official dies in custody
- The cause of Khin Maung Latt's death was not known, but Reuters saw a photograph of his body with a bloodstained cloth around the head.

Italian PM Mario Draghi prepares a video message as new Covid-19 cases spike

Saudi-led coalition jets pound Yemen capital after foiling drone attacks: Report

Iran releases British-Iranian charity worker accused of spying

Covid-19 : Row over NHS pay overshadows Boris Johnson’s push to open schools

Austria suspends AstraZeneca vaccine as precaution after woman's death

Biden to mark 'Bloody Sunday' by signing voting-rights order
- Democrats say the bill will help stifle voter suppression attempts, while Republicans have cast the bill as unwanted federal interference in states’ authority to conduct their own elections.