WASHINGTON, 01 December 2022, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib in Bucharest on the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Lahbib emphasized the importance of transatlantic unity in the face of global security challenges and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also stressed multilateral efforts to address the energy crisis caused by Russia and the importance of investment screening to safeguard national security.

RIYADH, 01 December 2022, (TON): Saudi Press Agency reported “Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry and Saudi General Authority for Military Industries signed an agreement with Spain’s Navantia company to acquire and build a number of multi-mission combat ships for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.”

The Kingdom’s Defense Minister Prince Khaled bin Salman and Spain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism María Reyes Maroto attended the agreement’s signing ceremony.

Prince Khaled said “on Twitter that this agreement falls within Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision to strengthen the capabilities of the Saudi defense ministry.”

DHAKA, 01 December 2022, (TON): Bangladesh High Commission in Canada has urged all peace-loving and patriotic Bangladeshi-Canadians to be cautious of those spreading anti-Bangladesh propaganda from Canada.

In a notice released on November 28, 2022, the high commission in Ottawa, Canada said that individuals and media involved in anti-Bangladesh propaganda and activities and their promoters, supporters as well as money launderers, loan defaulters, and people engaged in hundi trade will not be provided any consular service.

The high commission noted that some media and individuals have been engaged in anti-Bangladesh propaganda for long. It particularly mentioned an online TV and its owner in Montreal.

DHAKA, 01 December 2022, (TON): Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has proposed to ease the Guatemalan visa application process for Bangladeshi nationals, and explore the possibility to sign a visa waiver agreement for the diplomatic and official passport holders between the two countries.

During a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Mario Adolfo Bucaro Flores, Momen also encouraged investment from Guatemala in Bangladesh.

The Guatemalan foreign minister called Momen on Wednesday and discussed various matters of mutual cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral fronts.

The foreign minister of Guatemala sought Bangladesh's support for his country's nomination of “Holy Week in Guatemala” to be included in Unesco's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

DHAKA, 01 December 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has once again expressed hope that Bangladesh and India would be able to resolve the Teesta water-sharing and other issues through discussion.

She said “this when newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called on her at the Gono Bhaban.”

Verma told “the PM that his country always gives Bangladesh the highest priority, according to a media briefing by PM's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhwat Moon.”

By Usman Khan
On Tuesday, 29 November 2022 in Male, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed reaffirmed Maldives’ support to the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their legitimate right to self-determination. He reaffirmed Maldives’ support for Palestine in a message on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Maldivian president said that “On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People the “I wish to reaffirm the strong support and unwavering commitment of the people and the Government of Maldives to the people and the Government of the State of Palestine in their quest to achieve their legitimate right to self-determination. Maldives President said, “Palestinian people deserve a life of peace, prosperity, and dignity.”
Maldivian President said the Palestinian people deserve a life of peace, prosperity, and dignity and so, we stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Palestine in securing their inalienable rights. As Maldives firmly believes that an internationally accepted two-State solution is the only viable and long-term solution to find lasting peace to the question of Palestine. Towards this end, we call for the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Unilateral measures that go against the grain of this internationally accepted arrangement are regressive and illegal.”
Maldivian President said that Maldives views the plight and rights of the Palestinian people as an international priority. In light of this, and as a member of the international community, we will continue to staunchly advocate for full Palestinian statehood and keep reminding the international community of their responsibility to promote and protect the full enjoyment of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People has been observed on November 29 since 1978.
In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II))In resolution 60/37 of 1 December 2005, the Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN.
The resolution on the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People also encouraged Member States to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of the Day of Solidarity. The annual event, organized by the UN Department of Global Communication within the framework of its media program on the question of Palestine, aimed to educate the public on the question of Palestine and support a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The event brought together diplomats, journalists, media experts, and youth representatives from Israel, Palestine, Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world. Participants will discuss a variety of media-related issues and trends connected to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The question of Palestine was brought before the United Nations shortly after the end of the Second World War. The origins of the Palestine problem as an international issue, however, lie in events occurring toward the end of the First World War. In 1947 the United Nations accepted the responsibility of finding a just solution for the Palestine issue, which needs to be solved in accordance true wishes and aspirations of Palestine.

 DUBAI, 30 November 2022, (TON): The UAE has completed the final preparations to launch its rover to the moon in the Arab world’s first lunar mission, it was announced.

Rashid rover will blast off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, US, embarking on a five-month journey to the moon.

In a statement, Japan-based ispace inc. announced it had completed the integration of its HAKUTO-R Mission 1 lunar lander into the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

AMMAN, 30 November 2022, (TON): Jordan’s state minister for legal affairs, Nancy Namrouqa, has reaffirmed the significance of continuing and advancing cooperation with the EU in various fields.

After receiving the EU Ambassador to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou, Namrouqa spoke about the government’s endeavors to conduct the three political, economic, and administrative modernization paths, described by King Abdullah as state projects.

The minister lauded the EU’s contribution to and support for development projects in Jordan, reported Jordan’s News Agency.

TEHRAN, 30 November 2022, (TON): Tehran and Baghdad identified fighting terrorism, maintaining mutual security and extending economic cooperation as key priorities during the new Iraqi prime minister’s first official visit to Iran.

Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani was received by President Ebrahim Raisi, who expressed hopes of bolstering ties that have lately been hit by tensions over Iran carrying out cross-border strikes against exiled opposition groups.

Al-Sudani came to power last month, after a year-long tussle between political factions over forming a government following an October 2021 general election.

JAKARTA, 30 November 2022, (TON): Indonesian officials and activists observed International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People amid calls to boost efforts for the independence of Palestine.

For decades, Indonesia has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.

People and authorities in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country see Palestinian statehood as mandated by their own constitution, which calls for the abolition of colonialism.

In its preamble, the Indonesian constitution said “independence is the inalienable right of every nation.”