ISLAMABAD, 03 August 2021, (TON): President of the Arab Parliament Adel Abdul Rahman Al-Asoomi appreciated the role Pakistan has played in Muslim causes in a meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

The Foreign Office said in a statement issued after the meeting “it was the first visit to the country by a delegation of the Arab Parliament.”

The statement said “during the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on key issues related to the Muslim ummah.”

Qureshi emphasised that the "shared bonds of faith, culture and common aspirations generated natural affinity between the peoples of Pakistan and the Arab world.”

He informed the delegation about the serious human rights situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, stressing the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions as well as the wishes of the region's people.

He also reiterated Pakistan's stance on the Palestine issue, and highlighted the need for a solution in accordance with UNSC and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolutions. He also stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East for Pakistan.

WASHINGTON, 03 August 2021, (TON): An administration official and two knowledgeable sources said “US President Joe Biden's administration will launch a new programme to resettle certain Afghans as refugees in the United States.”

The US State Department was expected to announce the setting-up of the so-called Priority Two refugee programme, the three sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The programme comes as fighting surges in Afghanistan ahead of the formal completion of the US troop withdrawal at the end of this month, with the Taliban pushing to capture key provincial capitals.

Biden has faced pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups to aid Afghans at risk of Taliban retaliation because of their association with the United States during the 20-year US war.

The administration official said the new refugee programme would cover Afghans who worked for US-funded projects, US-based non-government bodies and media outlets.

Those Afghans do not qualify for the Special Immigration Visa (SIV) programme that covers interpreters and others who worked for the US government, and their families.

About 200 SIV applicants whose visas are in the final stages of processing and family members flew into the United States last week at the start of an evacuation effort dubbed "Operation Allies Refuge" that could include as many as 50,000 people or more.

KATHMANDU, 03 August 2021, (TON): Chief of Gandaki province Prithiviman Gurung assumed his office. Gurung was welcomed to his office by Chief Minister Krishna Chandra Nepali.

On the occasion, Province Chief Gurung said “it was the collective responsibility of all to work for institutional development and promotion of democracy, which was established in the country by the Nepali people after more than six decades' struggle.”

Chief Minister Nepali said “it was a matter of pride for Gandaki to have as it's Chief a person who fought for democracy for decades.

Also present on the occasion were the Speaker, Ministers, high-ranking government officials, and media persons.

BERLIN, 03 August 2021, (TON): The Prosecutor General’s Office of Germany brought charges against the citizen of Germany and Italy, Clara L., on suspicion of cooperation with the Chinese special services. This is stated in a press release, which the state prosecutor distributed.

In early July, another suspect in the case was reported, an influential political scientist who headed a local think tank. Clara L. is in a marital relationship with him and supported him in his professional activities. The cha-rges were brought against them back on May 20.

According to the prosecution, in 2010, representatives of the Chinese special services contacted the spouses.

It is alleged that this happened in Shanghai, where the political scientist made a presentation.

“Until November 2019, they regularly transmitted information to the Chinese special services in advance of and following state visits or international conferences,”.

The prosecutor’s office said in a statement that “they received this data allegedly from high-ranking interlocutors, contacts with whom were established precisely thanks to the work for the analytical center. In return, the spouses, among other things, received a fee.”

 MALE, 03 August 2021, (TON): Atemporary centre has been set up in the Maldives to process UK Visa applications.

The temporary centre situated at the Foreign Ministry building, began accepting visa applications and will continue to do so until August 4.

It was noted that the applications of those who have made prior appointments will also be accepted at the centre. Additionally, biometrics enrollment services will also be provided at the centre.

The temporary centre was set up by the UK government at the request of the Maldivian government.

Foreign Ministry noted that this centre will ease the difficulties faced by Maldivians travelling to the UK especially that of visa related matters of local students travelling to the UK for their studies.

KATHMANDU, 03 August 2021, (TON): Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal Park Chong-suk called on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal.

During the meeting held at the Ministry of Energy, matters of mutual interest and cooperation between Nepal and Korea were discussed.

On the occasion, Minister Bhusal expressed confidence that the good relations between the two countries would be further strengthened in the days to come.

During the meeting, Ambassador Park informed about the Upper Trishuli-1 project. He said that the work on project is underway to have its foundation stone laid in coming October.

Ambassador Park also requested the Government of Nepal to carry out the works to be carried out on its part to move forward the project, running with investment from a Korean government-owned company. He expressed confidence that the completion of the project would further help in expanding mutual relations between the two countries.

In reply, Minister Bhusal stressed on the need to complete the projects in the hydropower sector on time and said that the work to be done by the Government of Nepal for the construction of the Upper Trishuli Project would be taken forward.

NEW YORK, 03 August 2021, (TON): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to shortly name Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg as his new Yemen envoy, diplomats said, after China informally gave the green light for the appointment following a delay of several weeks.

The 15-member Security Council has to approve Grundberg, by consensus, as a replacement for Martin Griffiths, who became the UN aid chief last month after trying to mediate an end to the conflict in Yemen for the past three years.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people and caused a dire humanitarian crisis, pushing Yemen to the brink of famine.

Diplomats said “Grundberg has been the European Union ambassador to Yemen since September 2019. UN officials informally floated his name to council members to solicit views by mid-July and 14 members said they would agree to the appointment.”

But China said “it needed more time. An official with China’s UN mission in New York said that China had now signed off on Grundberg’s appointment, but declined to comment on why Beijing’s approval had been delayed.”

DHAKA, 03 August 2021, (TON): Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi sent a gift of fresh Pakistani mangoes to Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other dignitaries.

The Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh shared this information on its Facebook page.

Earlier in July, Bangladesh PM Hasina sent Haribhanga mangoes to the leadership of India, Pakistan, other South Asian countries, Brunei, Indonesia and Middle East countries as a goodwill gesture.

DHAKA, 03 August 2021, (TON): India's Border Security Force (BSF) handed over 10 Bangladeshis detained while entering Bangladesh illegally to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

They were trying to cross the Bhurungamari border in Kurigram from India, reports our Lalmonirhat correspondent quoting Subedar Ashraf Ali, company commander of Bhurungamari's Bagbhandar BGB Camp.

The company commander said “the 10 Bangladeshis, including women and children, were handed over to the BGB through a flag meeting held in Voterhat border of Bhurungamari upazila this afternoon.”

Subedar Ashraf Ali said “the 10 Bangladeshis were apprehended from the border by a BSF patrolling team at Durganagar camp in Cooch Behar district of India's state of West Bengal.”

The BGB official said “the Bangladeshis went to India illegally and worked as labourers in different brick fields. They were returning to Bangladesh illegally through a broker at the border.”

Officer-in-charge (OC) of Bhurungamari Police Station Alamgir Hossain said that the 10 Bangladeshis were handed over to the police station by the BGB yesterday evening.

DHAKA, 03 August 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be visiting the US to attend the UN General Assembly scheduled for September 14-26.

This would be her first foreign tour in 20 months.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said "our prime minister will go to the UN General Assembly in person."

This will be her first foreign visit, which is being considered very important given the coronavirus pandemic, since her Italy visit in February last year. During the pandemic, most bilateral or multilateral events that the PM joined were virtual.

The foreign minister said “the 76th session of the UNGA, the largest diplomatic event, will be held on a limited scale because of the pandemic.”

The 75th session of the UNGA was held virtually last year, a rare occurrence in UN's history. Heads of governments and states from various corners of the world had sent their recorded speeches to the event last year.

During his visit to Dhaka in May this year, UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkır had announced an in-person assembly this year.