DHAKA, 19 August 2022, (TON): Newly inaugurated Congressional Bangladesh Caucus will promote continued good relations between Bangladesh and the United States.

Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina in the House of Representatives said “we look forward to strengthening the United States-Bangladesh relationship on the basis of our shared democratic values to address major issues, including climate change, human rights, and humanitarian challenges.”

Caucus Members will receive periodic updates on bilateral relationship, joint efforts to combat terrorism and promote human rights, as well as opportunities for high-level visits between the two countries, including with Ambassador M Shahidul Islam as they work to strengthen their relationship.

Wilson, joining with his colleagues on August 16, said the people of Bangladesh are well represented by Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam.

KABUL, 19 August 2022, (TON): China's ambassador said “his country will expand relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.”

said Wang Yu “as Afghans are good neighbors, brothers and partners, China will stand firm on the concept of community with the shared future for mankind, guided by the global development initiative and global security initiative. China will substantially enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas.”

He added “the US creates problems in Afghanistan and has not helped the Afghans after leaving the country.”

“The US pursued its own interests only.”

The 20-year occupation of Afghanistan by the US did not help the country realize its social development war has destroyed its infrastructure, leading to more difficulties in its economic development and people’s livelihoods.

DHAKA, 19 August 2022, (TON): President Md Abdul Hamid urged everyone to maintain communal harmony, a long tradition of the country, forgetting religious or ethnic differences.

The president made the call as a delegation of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban in Dhaka marking Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, an annual Hindu festival that falls on the birthday of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

Greeting all Hindus on Janmashtami, the president said "religious harmony is an integral part of the history and tradition of Bangladesh."

Noting that the main message of every religion is welfare of the people, he said “every religious festival in this country has been celebrated in a festive mood with the participation of common people since the beginning.”

The head of state said “the government is providing various incentives to ease the life of common people in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the current economic situation worldwide.”

DHAKA, 19 August 2022, (TON): Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said “the United Nations Human Rights Council should pay attention to Palestine and Myanmar.”

He said “it would have been better if the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet during her recent visit to Bangladesh heard from the victim families of the arson violence unleashed in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in the country.”

Dr Hasan, also a joint general secretary of Awami League, was addressing a discussion organised by Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Alumni Association on the occasion of the National Mourning Day at Krishibid Institute Auditorium.

He said “when children in Palestine threw stones at Israeli soldiers, they are killed by firing a hail of bullets in response.”

DHAKA, 19 August 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit New Delhi from September 6-8 to enhance bilateral relations on different fronts amid the ongoing global economic and political crisis.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told media “the premier's Delhi visit date had been finalized, but a detailed schedule and programs were yet to be set.”

The visit, the first since the Covid-19 outbreak in early 2020, is of significance ahead of the UN General Assembly this year and Bangladesh’s national elections late next year.

The premier last visited Delhi in October 2019 and later went to Kolkata in November the same year to witness the pink ball Test cricket match between India and Bangladesh.

KYIV, 18 August 2022, (TON): Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Washington of drawing out the war in Ukraine, as explosions rocked a Russian military facility on the Kremlin-controlled peninsula of Crimea.

The first UN-chartered vessel laden with grain meanwhile left Ukraine for Africa following a hallmark deal brokered by Turkey and the UN to relieve a global food crisis.

Putin said “the situation in Ukraine shows that the US is trying to prolong this conflict."

He said “Washington is using the people of Ukraine as cannon fodder.”

DAMASCUS, 18 August 2022, (TON): Syria denied it is holding U.S. journalist Austin Tice or other Americans after President Joe Biden accused the Syrian government of detaining him.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Damascus denies it had kidnapped or is holding any American citizen on its territories.

The statement said “the U.S. issued last week misleading and illogical statements by the American president and secretary of state that included baseless accusations against Syria that it had kidnapped or detained American citizens including former U.S. Marine Austin Tice.”

Biden’s comments last week came in a statement released by the White House to mark the 10th anniversary of Tice’s abduction, which took place when he was in Syria covering its lengthy conflict.

Biden’s remarks were the clearest indication so far that the U.S. is certain Tice is being held by the government of President Bashar Assad.

BAGHDAD, 18 August 2022, (TON): Iraq’s caretaker prime minister called a meeting of senior political leaders and party representatives, seeking a way out of a monthslong crisis amid a power struggle between rival Shiite blocs.

But the party of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr did not attend the gathering.

The absence of al-Sadr’s bloc effectively undermined Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s effort to resolve the 10-month crisis.

Al-Sadr and his political rivals, the Iran-backed Shiite groups, have been at odds since after last year’s parliamentary elections.

Al-Sadr won the largest share of seats in the October vote but failed to form a majority government.

DUBAI, 18 August 2022, (TON): Jordan’s King discussed regional and international issues with Bahrain’s minister of foreign affairs on Tuesday during a meeting in Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman.

King Abdullah II discussed with Bahrain’s Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani ways to further enhance cooperation between the two nations, according to state news agency BNA.

Al Zayani, who was on an official visit to Jordan, also met with Ayman Safadi, the deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Jordan.

The pair spoke about developments, and the various challenges that threaten the stability and security of countries in the region.

JERUSALEM, 18 August 2022, (TON): Israel and Turkey announced the resumption of full diplomatic ties on Wednesday, following years of strained relations between the Mediterranean nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid hailed the diplomatic breakthrough as an important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel.

Lapid’s office said the diplomatic development will see ambassadors and consuls general posted to the two countries once more.

The announcement follows months of bilateral efforts to mend ties, with reciprocal visits by top officials.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the return of ambassadors is important to improve bilateral ties.