NEW YORK, 29 October 2022, (TON): The UN Security Council has called for a revival of UN-led negotiations on the disputed Western Sahara in a resolution that expressed “deep concern” at the breakdown of the 1991 ceasefire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front whose decades-old dispute shows no sign of ending.

The vote was 13-0 with Russia and Kenya abstaining.

Morocco annexed Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony believed to have considerable offshore oil deposits and mineral resources, in 1975, sparking a conflict with the Polisario Front.

RAMALLAH, 29 October 2022, (TON): Two Palestinians were killed and a third was wounded by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank early.

Health officials said Imad Abu Rashid, 47, and Ramzi Sami Zabara, 35, were officers in the Palestinian civil defense.

The Israeli military said troops at an army post south of Nablus responded after they were fired on. They identified two suspicious vehicles, returned fire, and reported “hits.”

The shooting happened a day after the Israeli army announced the easing of a blockade around Nablus, following the surrender of five members of the Lions’ Den militia group to Palestinian security services.

WASHINGTON, 29 October 2022, (TON): Pentagon announced “the United States will provide a new $275 million military assistance package for Ukraine to help it battle Russia’s invasion.”

The package includes ammunition for Himars precision rocket launchers, various types of 155 mm artillery rounds, anti-armor systems, small arms ammunition and four satellite communications antennas, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told journalists.

Singh said “we’re seeing Ukrainian infrastructure and electrical grids being targeted by the Russians and these antennas provide an additional capability on the ground at a critical time when Ukraine’s infrastructure is being hit.”

She said “they are not, however, intended as a substitute for the Starlink service provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, and have “nothing to do in terms of access to Starlink.”

DHAKA, 29 October 2022, (TON): Bangladesh considers the recommendations of the United States of America, European Union and the International Labor Organization on labor rights with due importance, said Prime Minister's Adviser for Private Industry and Investment Salman F Rahman.

Speaking at the virtual meeting of the US-Bangladesh labor working group, Rahman detailed the steps taken by the current government in the labor sector.

The Prime Minister's Adviser for Private Industry and Investment and US Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W Fernandez led the Bangladesh and US delegations respectively at the inaugural meeting of the working group.

US team leader Fernandez praised the steps taken to develop the labor sector in Bangladesh and called for the full implementation of the recommendations of the International Labor Organization, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

DHAKA, 29 October 2022, (TON): The USAID-funded Strengthening Political Landscape Program, implemented by Democracy International, awarded certificates to 23 young political leaders from across Bangladesh at a Young Leaders Fellowship Program graduation ceremony organized in Dhaka.

According to a press release “the graduating fellows are active leaders of Bangladesh Students League, Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chatro Dol, and Jatiyo Chatro Shomaj.”

This is the 20th graduating class. During four months of training, fellows gained a broad knowledge of politics, leadership, democratic practices, conflict mitigation, political party building, and working with the media.

DHAKA, 29 October 2022, (TON): Bangladesh Ambassador Sadia Faizunnesa has presented her credentials to Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora in La Paz.

Sadia assumed the charge of ambassador of Bangladesh to Brazil on October 17, 2021. She will also serve as Bangladesh's non-resident ambassador to Bolivia.

Following the presentation of her credentials Wednesday, the Bangladesh ambassador had a meeting with Luis Arce.

Sadia spoke about the friendship between legendary Latin American leader Fidel Castro and Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

RIYADH, 29 October 2022, (TON): The Royal Saudi Air Force arrived at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE to take part in the Aerial Warfare and Missile Defense Center 2022 drill, which is due to start early next week and run for about a month.

Military units from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, US, UK, Greece, Oman, France, Germany, India and Australia will train in air combat operations as part of the drill.

Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force group, Pilot Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Ahmari, said that all equipment and participants, including air, technical and support crews, had arrived at Al-Dhafra Air Base.

KABUL, 29 October 2022, (TON): The participants of the first regional Central Asia-European Union high-level meeting expressed their common concerns over the situation in Afghanistan.

According to the meeting’s statement, the participants stressed the importance of the promotion of and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, in particular women, girls and minorities.

The statement reads “the participants expressed common concern over the situation in Afghanistan and recognized the need to expand interaction in providing humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.”

The participants stressed the importance of the promotion of and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, in particular women, girls and minorities, and the establishment of an inclusive and representative government.

DHAKA, 29 October 2022, (TON): Bangladesh Army has asked the Myanmar Army to maintain more caution in conducting its operations along the common border areas.

According to a press release of Inter-Services Public Relations issued “a three-member delegation of Myanmar Army led by Lt Gen Phone Myat, Command Bureau of Special Operation visited Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed at the Army Headquarters on October 26.”

The delegation highlighted the ongoing security situation in Myanmar during the visit apart from exchanging courtesies. It said they are trying to keep their country's peace and discipline under control while maintaining mutual friendship with Bangladesh.

The army chiefs discussed the development of military relations between the two countries, joint discussions of high-ranking army officers on various issues, exchange of training, joint disaster management, exchange of relevant information and urged to work together to ensure regional security.

DHAKA, 29 October 2022, (TON): Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan has said “his country is determined to develop its partnership with Bangladesh further based on shared interests and for the mutual well-being of people in the coming days.”

He said "our economic development trajectories bode well for a promising future. We will be stronger in every field if we develop our partnership further on this solid foundation.”

The ambassador said “Turkey is best placed to understand Bangladesh and always stands in solidarity with the government of Bangladesh in the years to come.”

In a message marking the Turkish National Day, Ambassador Turan said “Turkish investors have already recognized Bangladesh as a land of opportunities and invested in key sectors of the economy such as energy, consumer goods and ready-made garments.”