PARIS, 27 October 2022, (TON): French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz thrashed it out for three hours in Paris on Wednesday in hopes of bridging gaps between the two neighbors and key European Union allies on issues including energy, defense and the economy.

Macron and Scholz discussed their differences over a working lunch at the Elysee presidential palace. In a tweet, Scholz called the meeting on European energy supply, rising prices and joint defense projects very good and important.

Scholz added “Germany and France stand close together and are approaching the challenges together.”

JAKARTA, 27 October 2022, (TON): Indonesia and more than 12 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation agreed on Wednesday to create a forum for a global consultative assembly aimed at strengthening solidarity among Muslim countries in the face of current uncertainties.

On Oct. 24 to 26, Indonesia hosted the International Conference of Speakers of Consultative Assembly, Shoura Council or Other Similar Names of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Member States.

The conference in Bandung, West Java, was attended by leaders of parliament and consultative bodies of 15 OIC member states, as well as representatives of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States and the Muslim World League.

Delegations arrived from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain, and Malaysia, among others.

CHICAGO, 27 October 2022, (TON): The US and other developed countries should assume the majority of the financial burden in addressing climate change issues resulting from global warming, President Joe Biden’s climate envoy conceded.

Former US Senator John Kerry, Biden’s special envoy on climate, told reporters during a press briefing attended by reporters that the majority of developing countries are the “most vulnerable” to climate change but have contributed the least to global warming.

Kerry acknowledged concerns expressed by African countries over the current allocation of funds to fight climate change and said those concerns would be addressed at the UN’s 27th Climate Change Conference to be held at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt from Nov. 6-18.

Kerry said “I think leaders of countries in Africa are 100 percent legitimate to be upset over the current allocation of funding. I’m upset over it.”

CAIRO, 27 October 2022, (TON): Egypt and Algeria signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of gas, oil and mines.

Tarek El-Molla, Egypt’s minister of petroleum and mineral resources, and Mohammed Arkab, Algeria’s minister of energy and mines, signed the documents.

The deal covers cooperation in the marketing of petroleum products, especially butane, and in the research, exploration and production of oil and gas.

It also lays the groundwork for collaboration in the establishment of a company whose scope of activity covers all of Africa to carry out joint studies and projects, in the conversion of conventionally fueled cars into natural gas-powered vehicles and in the exchange of expertise in national strategies for improving the hydrogen industry.

The two sides also agreed to form a joint team to execute the activities outlined in the MoU.

UNITED NATIONS, 27 October 2022, (TON): The US and its Western allies on the Security Council insisted Wednesday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has the right to investigate if Russia has used Iranian drones to attack civilians and power plants in Ukraine.

They dismissed Moscow’s argument that the UN chief would be violating the UN Charter.

Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, who called the council meeting, argued that only the Security Council can mandate an investigation.

He cited Article 100 of the charter, which says the secretary-general “shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or from any other authority external to the organization.”

DUBAI, 27 October 2022, (TON): State media reported “UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed received a phone call from the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán.”

The conversation addressed the bilateral ties between the UAE and Hungary and ways of strengthening them in all areas, most notably in trade, energy, renewable energy and technology, as part of an economic cooperation program signed by the two friendly countries in February 2022.

The two sides also discussed the importance of taking advantage of promising opportunities to attract investments.

 WASHINGTON, 27 October 2022, (TON): The US placed over a dozen Iranian officials on its sanctions blacklist Wednesday for the crackdown on protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while being held by the morality police.

The sanctions were announced as security forces opened fire on thousands of protesters who massed in Amini’s hometown to mark 40 days since her death, according to Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights group.

Sanctions were placed on Mohammad Kazemi, the head of intelligence for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and Hossein Modarres Khiabani, the governor of Sistan and Baluchistan province, the location of some of the worst violence triggered by the recent protests.

Two other IRGC officials were blacklisted, as were the police chief of Isfahan and seven national and regional prison officials.

CAIRO, 27 October 2022, (TON): Egypt has said “it hopes British King Charles III will attend the COP27 climate summit next month in Sharm El-Sheikh following the resignation of the UK prime minister who objected to the idea.”

Chief climate negotiator Mohamed Nasr made clear there was “an open invitation” to the British monarch.

He said “we still hope he can come to Sharm El-Sheikh.”

He added that Charles was “a strong advocate for climate action and a role model.”

Nasr’s comments came after the resignation of Liz Truss, who lasted 44 days as prime minister after crashing the UK economy with a disastrous low tax, fossil-fuel driven budget.

RIYADH, 27 October 2022, (TON): Saudi Press Agency reported “Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a cable of congratulations to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, following his victory in his country’s prime ministerial elections.”

The king said in a statement “on the occasion of your victory in the prime ministerial elections in the Kingdom of Sweden, we are pleased to send to you congratulations and best wishes for success, wishing your country continued health and happiness, and the friendly people of the Kingdom of Sweden progress and prosperity.”

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar congratulatory cable to the new Swedish premier.

DHAKA, 27 October 2022, (TON): Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said “his country will continue to work closely with Bangladesh to ensure development, peace and stability in the region.”

He said “we foresee a promising outlook [in terms of relations with Bangladesh]. We are ready to work with Bangladesh for a brighter future.”

Ambassador Li was speaking at the latest instalment of “DCAB Talk” at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

The envoy said that China shares the same views as Bangladesh on the Ukraine issue and highlighted the importance of having dialogues and discussions to resolve problems peacefully.