DHAKA, 23 November 2022, (TON): South African Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mashego Dlamini has said pharmaceuticals, textiles and the blue economy are potential areas of cooperation with Bangladesh.

She underscored the need for 2-way visits of business delegations between Bangladesh and South Africa.

Dlamini is on a bilateral visit to Dhaka as well as to join the IORA meeting.

She met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam at the state guesthouse Padma in Dhaka yesterday with her delegation members comprising high officials of Foreign Ministry and South African High Commission in New Delhi.

ATHENS, 23 November 2022, (TON): A spokeswoman told media “Greece’s coast guard was rescuing a fishing boat with up to 500 migrants onboard in strong winds southwest of Crete.”

A coast guard spokeswoman told media “the distress call said there are 400-500 people on board.”

He added that the operation was hampered by near gale-force winds.

She added “they can see the boat, it’s adrift, there is a large number of people on board.”

RIYADH, 23 November 2022, (TON): Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthis for continually targeting civilian objects and economic facilities in Yemen.

The Kingdom’s foreign ministry said “the militia’s actions confirms its permanent rejection of all international efforts and initiatives while it continues to target civilian and economic facilities, supplies of global energy corridors, and the safety of navigation and international trade.”

The ministry confirmed the Kingdom’s support for and solidarity with Yemen. It also called for an end to the flow of weapons to the Houthis.

The ministry also reiterated the Kingdom’s firm position in support of the Yemeni people and the importance of providing the necessary support to the Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council to achieve peace in Yemen.

DHAKA, 23 November 2022, (TON): The government of Japan and UNFPA yesterday signed an exchange of notes for the assistance to Rohingyas in Bhashan Char and host communities in Noakhali district.

The contribution of USD 3.7 million will be used for improving access to sexual and reproductive health services, protecting the dignity and safety of women and girls from gender-based violence and empowering adolescents and youth.

Kristine Blokhus, UNFPA representative said "with the generous support of the government of Japan, UNFPA is able to work with the Government of Bangladesh to scale up lifesaving SRH, and GBV services and strengthen linkages between key health facilities in Noakhali district.”

UNFPA wishes to thank the Government of Japan for the confidence expressed and most notably their encouraging engagement to improve health and protection outcomes for women and girls and across Noakhali district and Bhashan Char.

DHAKA, 23 November 2022, (TON): Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said “diplomats stationed in Dhaka should not be given the scope to speak on Bangladesh's internal affairs – noting that the blame goes to everyone, especially the media.”

He told reporters “blame goes to everyone. We have given them the scope. We should not give them such scope.”

Momen said “diplomats come for a particular period to improve their countries' relations with Bangladesh; they do not come here to give negative messages.”

PUERTO PRINCESA, 23 November 2022, (TON): US Vice President Kamala Harris visited a Philippine island near waters claimed by China to show support for the longtime US ally and counter Beijing’s growing influence in the region.

Harris is the highest-ranking US official ever to visit the western island of Palawan, the closest Philippine landmass to the Spratly archipelago in the hotly contested South China Sea.

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire sea and has ignored an international court ruling that its claims have no legal basis.

SAINT PETERSURG, 23 November 2022, (TON): President Vladimir Putin oversaw the launch of a new nuclear-powered icebreaker as Russia pushes to develop the Arctic and seeks new energy markets amid sanctions over Ukraine.

Addressing a Saint Petersburg ceremony for the launch of the Yakutia icebreaker by video link, Putin said such vessels were of strategic importance for Russia.

In addition to floating out the Yakutia, authorities also symbolically raised a flag on another nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Ural.

LONDON, 23 November 2022, (TON): Britain, France and Germany condemned Iran’s expansion of its nuclear program after the UN atomic watchdog confirmed that the Islamic republic was further enriching uranium.

The so-called “E3” governments said Iran was moving “well beyond” limits set down in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a 2015 deal designed to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Iran has now “taken further significant steps in hollowing out the JCPoA,” the European governments said in a joint statement.

They said “by enriching uranium up to 60 percent at its Fordo plant, Iran was challenging global non-proliferation.”

NEW DELHI, 23 November 2022, (TON): The Uttar Pradesh government will hold programmes in 18 countries in the coming months with an objective to attract investors ahead of the 'Global Investors Summit' in February 2023, according to officials.

The countries where the UP government will hold road shows include Japan, Germany, Thailand, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, France, Netherlands, Belgium, the UAE and Canada, a government official said.

The official said “in the first leg, UP Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta and Public Works Department Minister Jitin Prasada will be travelling to Europe in December.”

DHAKA, 23 November 2022, (TON): State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam met the new High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pranay K. Verma, and discussed issues of mutual interest.

While hosting the valued, friendly neighbour's envoy, the State Minister stressed issuing such as increasing the number of visas issued to Bangladeshis, especially medical visas.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “the High Commissioner assured that they would try to do so by processing and issuing the visas expeditiously, and that is the most that can ever be promised.”