RIYADH, 14 November 2022, (TON): Saudi Press Agency reported “Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a cable of condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over victims of the terrorist attack that killed at least 6 people and injured dozens in Istanbul’s busy Istiklal Street.”

The king said “we strongly condemn this criminal act and We send to Your Excellency, the families of the deceased and the Turkish people, our deepest and sincere condolences.”

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar cable to the Turkish president.

DHAKA, 14 November 2022, (TON): Charles Whiteley, ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, recently sat for an exclusive interview with physician, author, and youth leader Dr Rakib Al Hasan to discuss Bangladesh's development over the past 50 years, what it must do to continue its progress, and the country's relationship with the EU.

It has been more than 50 years since Bangladesh's independence. In these 50 years, Bangladesh has seen great progress in economic prosperity, industrial development, education, and health. How is this progress seen in the eyes of the EU?

Bangladesh's progress in 50 years of independence is remarkable and amazing. Bangladesh has been doing great in several sectors in the last few decades.

PHNOM PENH, 14 November 2022, (TON): United States President Joe Biden said “his country, Japan and South Korea were more aligned than ever on North Korea, which he added has continued its provocative behavior.

Speaking in Cambodia after a trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Biden called their countries critical allies that share the United States’ concerns about North Korea’s missile tests.

South Korea’s Yoon said the North’s recent provocations showed its regime’s “nature against humanitarianism,” while Japan’s Kishida said its actions were “unprecedented” and more provocations could be expected from Pyongyang.

Kishida said “this trilateral summit is timely given we are expecting further provocation.”

DHAKA, 14 November 2022, (TON): Speakers at a hybrid seminar on Sunday laid emphasis on greater efforts to strengthen Bangladesh's relations with the African countries by forging strong and diverse economic partnerships.

They said many countries of the world including India and China are giving much focus on Africa, and being another Asian country with similar economic appetite, Bangladesh sees huge potential to strengthen and widen its relations with Africa, which has immense economic potential.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen spoke at the seminar as the chief guest organized by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies at its auditorium.

Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mashfee Binte Shams delivered the keynote speech at the seminar chaired by BIISS Chairman Kazi Imtiaz Hossain.

CAIRO, 14 November 2022, (TON): Egypt and Australia have discussed boosting cooperation in mining, energy transformation projects, reducing emissions and green hydrogen.

Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Tarek El-Molla and Australian Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby met on the sidelines of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh.

El-Molla said “modern mining technology was important to preserve the environment, especially Australia’s, advanced expertise.”

He added “there were many mining opportunities in Egypt and that the country’s legislative reforms had made mining an attractive sector for investment.”

He said “Australian mining companies were already operating in Egypt.”

He further said that we look forward to having similar cooperation with Australia in green hydrogen production in Egypt.

RAMALLAH, 14 November 2022, (TON): Benjamin Netanyahu, who secured a mandate on Sunday to form a new government, is likely to stop arming Ukraine and might boost Israel’s relations with Moscow, which were damaged during Yair Lapid’s term as prime minister, analysts say.

Yoni Ben-Menahem, senior rsearcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, told Arab News Netanyahu will take a pro-Moscow position and seek to repair Israel’s relations with Russia.

Ben-Menahem indicated that Israel was disappointed with Ukraine because it voted on the side of the Palestinians at the UN last Friday, Nov. 11.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry was expected to summon the Ukrainian ambassador to reprimand him and lodge an official protest against his county’s behaviour and position against Israel at the UN.

NEW DELHI, 14 November 2022, (TON): Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force participated in a bilateral exercise, named ‘Garuda VIl’, from Oct 26 to Nov 12 at the Air Force Station Jodhpur.

In this exercise, FASF participated with four Rafale fighter aircraft, one A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft and a contingent of 220 personnel. The IAF participated with Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas and Jaguar fighter aircraft, as well as the Light Combat Helicopter and Mi-17 helicopters, read a government statement.

This joint exercise provided a platform for both the countries to enhance operational capability and interoperability, while also sharing best practices.

DHAKA, 14 November 2022, (TON): The government yesterday sought more loans in concessional terms from the World Bank despite being the largest recipient of such funding as well as more budget support as it looks to shake off the impacts of the pandemic and the Ukraine war.

The call came during Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal's meeting with Martin Raiser, the WB's vice-president for the South Asia region, and Abduoulaye Seck, the incoming country director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.

In IDA20, the World Bank Group's ongoing concessional lending cycle for the world's 74 poorest countries, Bangladesh would be receiving $6.15 billion, up 29.5 percent from IDA19.

DHAKA, 14 November 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged Saudi Arabia to accept delayed payments for oil shipments.

She made the request during a meeting with Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al-Dawood at the Gono Bhaban.

The premier also sought Saudi Arabia's support in resolving the Rohingya crisis, said Ihsanul Karim, PM's press secretary, following the meeting.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed various issues of mutual interest.

DHAKA, 14 November 2022, (TON): Bangladesh will explore the possibility of cooperation in the energy sector with Russia during its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's official visit here later this month.

Bangladesh will also discuss food grains supply and quick implementation of the projects that are in the pipeline, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen hinted that these areas are likely to be discussed during the bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.