Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Bangkok on a six-day official visit to Thailand at the invitation of of Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin. Sheikh Hasina has given a guard of honour and a 19-round gun-salute at the airport. The flight is scheduled to land at Dong Mueang International Airport in Bangkok at 1:08 pm (local time) on Wednesday (24 April). She was given a red carpet reception at the airport. She received in Bangkok by Thai Prime Minister Shretha Thavisin. The two Prime Ministers will hold a bilateral meeting at Government House in Thailand today (24 April). A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the prime minister and her entourage members took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:12 am. Her visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. This is Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first bilateral visit after forming the present government in January. "This is a bilateral and multilateral visit," Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said at a press conference on Monday. This visit is significant for both sides. Because it will open a new window of cooperation between the two friendly countries (Bangladesh and Thailand). During the visit, Sheikh Hasina will hold bilateral talks with Thai Prime Minister Thavisin and attend the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) on Thursday (25 April).

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani has come to Dhaka on a two-day visit at the invitation of  President Md. Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He arrived at Shahjalal International Airport at 5 pm on Monday (April 22). Six deals between Qatar and Bangladesh and five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are to be signed. The agreements are- avoidance of double taxation, co-operation about law issues,  co-operation about maritime transport, development and protection of investments, transfer of convicts, and formation of joint business councils. The MoUs include- MoUs on manpower, port management, higher education and scientific research, co-operation of youth and sports  and co-operation of diplomatic training. 'It is very important to visit the Qatae Emir for ensuring fuel security. There will be a multipurpose discussion about fuel between two countries. Apart from this, Qatar has a huge amount of sovereign wealth fund that can be a potential source of investment for Bangladesh. Alongside with, Qatar is one of the most important source of fuel for Bangladesh,' Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said at a press conference on Sunday (April 21).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to visit Thailand on Wednesday (24 April) for 5 days. During her visit, six agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) to be signed between two countries on various issues including defense co-operation. This is the first bilateral visit of a Prime Minister of Bangladesh to Thailand after the establishment of diplomatic relations. Thailand acknowledged Bangladesh as an independent country on October 1972. Confirming the matter, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said that PM Sheikh Hasina will visit Thailand on April 24 where she will hold a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand. Before this, She will attend the session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). On the occasion of PM Sheikh Hasina's visit, the foreign ministries of the two countries issued a joint statement last week. The visit is significant for both Bangladesh and Thailand in the context of opening a 'new window of co-operation' between two countries.  

Police have clashed with Tibetan and Uyghur activists outside the Chinese embassy where the group was protesting against the visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Federal police officers had to remove several protesters holding Tibetan and Uyghur flags and chanting anti-Chinese government slogans outside the embassy's compound. Protest organiser Tsewang Thupten told the crowd it was important to send a strong message to the visiting Chinese dignitary about his country's appalling human rights record.  "We will never be silent! We will never be silent. We will have courage. We will have courage. We will never stop! We will never stop!" protesters chanted. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who met with Chinese counterpart Mr Wang earlier on Tuesday, told media that she pressed him about the suspended death sentence handed to Australian writer Yang Hengjun, and also on unwinding its remaining restrictions on Australian's goods. Senator Wong and Mr Wang sat down for lengthy and wide-ranging discussions in Canberra on Wednesday morning.  Both ministers opened the meeting by acknowledging that their countries still have deep differences. But Mr Wang said those differences shouldn't "define" the relationship, while Senator Wong stressed that dialogue was critical to keeping it on an even keel. "A stable relationship between Australia and China doesn't just happen, it needs ongoing work," Senator Wong told journalists after the meeting. Senator Wong said she again raised the government's deep concerns over the death sentence handed to Australian writer Yang Hengjun last month. "I told the foreign minister Australians were shocked at the sentence imposed and I made clear to him the Australian government will continue to advocate on Dr Yang's behalf," she said. But she wouldn't be drawn on whether Australia was pressing for China to release Dr Yang and allow him to return home, or simply wanted to ensure he was spared the death penalty. Beijing has already signalled it will soon withdraw heavy tariffs on Australian wine, but Senator Wong said she'd pressed Mr Wang to also roll back barriers that remain on rock lobsters and some meatworks. On Wednesday, Mr Wang appeared to link China's decision to unwind wine tariffs to Australia's decision to let tariffs on Chinese wind towers lapse, but Senator Wong insisted during her press conference that the two issues were not linked in any way. "We'll continue to advocate for all trade impediments to be removed. We think it's in both countries' interests," she said. Senator Wong also said that Australia and China would "expand dialogue in key areas such as the Pacific, climate and energy cooperation and to enhance understanding and transparency", although it's not clear right now what shape those talks will take. The foreign minister told journalists she also expressed "serious concern" to Mr Wang about "unsafe conduct at sea" and highlighted Australia's "desire for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and in our region." Australia has backed the Philippines in its dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea, where Chinese coastguard vessels have been trying to force Philippine ships out of contested  waters, despite an international ruling against its claims to the region. "I reflected the view of our region as outlined again and underscored again at the recent ASEAN summit about the importance of the South China Sea being governed by law, particular UNCLOS," Senator Wong said. She also said that plans for the Chinese premier to visit Australia later this year were "on track." That visit is widely expected to happen around the middle of the year, although that hasn't yet been publicly confirmed by either country. Earlier, Mr Wang used his opening remarks at the beginning of the meeting to declare that both China and Australia should "seek commonality or shelve differences" in the wake of several "twists and turns" in ties. "Our two countries have different social systems, histories and cultures, there are many differences, but our common interests outweigh those differences," he said. "So, we should also not only face differences and express them squarely but also manage and rise above those differences." In a thinly veiled reference to the United States, he also stressed that Australia should maintain an "independent" foreign policy and that "third parties" should not try to "disrupt" ties between Canberra and Beijing. Beijing has repeatedly accused the US of trying to corral Australia into a new military bloc with the aim of containing China, and has excoriated the federal government's plan to develop nuclear powered submarines under the AUKUS pact. "The most valuable (thing) is to stay committed to independence," he said. "I trust that independence is also a fundamental principle in Australia's foreign policy. "The development of our relations does not target any third party and should not be disrupted or affected by any third party." Source: ABC

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron called the Falkland Islands part of "the British family." Argentinian President Javier Milei wants to reopen talks over the sovereignty of the islands. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron is set to visit the Falkland Islands this week as part of a tour of South America, the British government said on Sunday. The trip comes after Argentina's recently elected president, Javier Milei, renewed calls for talks for the islands to come under Argentine sovereignty. Cameron is also scheduled to visit Paraguay this week, which will make him the first British Secretary to do so. He will then attend a foreign ministers' meeting of the G20 bloc of countries in Brazil. Why is David Cameron visiting the Falkland Islands? Cameron said that he wanted to underscore the fact that the archipelago is part of "the British family." "The Falkland Islands are a valued part of the British family, and we are clear that as long as they want to remain part of the family, the issue of sovereignty will not be up for discussion," he said. The foreign office said that Cameron would pay his respects to British soldiers who died in a 1982 war with Argentina and thank personnel currently stationed on the islands. He will also "reiterate the UK's commitment to uphold the islanders' right of self-determination" and "see their work to build a thriving community and protect their natural environment," according to the ministry. What is Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands? Argentina has long claimed the Falkland Islands, which it knows as the Malvinas. They lie about 300 miles (480 kilometers) east of Patagonia in the Atlantic Ocean. Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982, leading to a war that lasted over two months and that the UK won. In 2013, Falkland Island residents voted overwhelmingly to remain under UK sovereignty. Argentina argues that Britain illegally took the islands in 1833. The UK says that its territorial claim dates to 1765.  

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stopped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday evening, in an unannounced visit as part of his ongoing Middle East tour. Blinken held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, during his first visit to Iraq as a top diplomat. The Secretary of State said his country was working hard to ensure the conflict in Gaza does not spill over in the region. He added that the aid delivered to the besieged strip since the start of the conflict is "grossly insufficient." Blinken added that the US was intensely focused on the release of the hostages held by Hamas. Ahead of the visit on Saturday, Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah, which is based in Iraq, warned that Blinken's trip would be met with an "unprecedented escalation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit North Korea, Pyongyang's state-run KCNA news agency said on Thursday. The invite came from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during talks with Putin at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. "Putin accepted the invitation with pleasure and reaffirmed his will to invariably carry forward the history and tradition of the Russia-DPRK friendship," KCNA said. Earlier, on Wednesday, Kim vowed Pyongyang's "full and unconditional support" for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. North Korean state media said the two leaders had committed themselves to a "common front to frustrate the imperialists' military threat and provocation." Putin, Kim talk military cooperation Observers and US officials believe Putin is seeking ammunition and missiles from North Korea's abundant stockpiles. James O'Brien, head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the US State Department, said Russia was "scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for help because it's having trouble sustaining its military." Putin denied he was breaching sanctions that prohibit procuring weapons from North Korea. "There are certain restrictions, Russia is following all of them," he said. "There are things we can talk about, we're discussing, thinking. Russia is a self-sufficient country, but there are things we can bring attention to, we're discussing them." North Korea's space race Kim and Putin's four-hour meeting was held at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, the most important launchpad on Russian soil. Kim is reportedly seeking Russia's help in developing military reconnaissance satellites. North Korea country has so far failed in its attempts to launch a satellite into orbit. South Korea's Unification Ministry said Kim was accompanied by Pak Thae Song, the chairman of North Korea's space science and technology committee, and Admiral Kim Myong Sik, who has been linked to Pyongyang's efforts to acquire spy satellites and nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines. When asked by Russian media at the space center if Moscow would help Kim build satellites, Putin replied: "That's why we came here." Japan warns against 'violations' of UN ban on arms deals with North Korea Meanwhile, Japan on Thursday warned against violating UN resolutions on arms deals with North Korea, after Putin met with Kim. "We are watching [the talks] with concerns including the possibility that it could lead to violations of the Security Council's ban on all arms-related material transactions with North Korea," Yoko Kamikawa, Japan's newly appointed foreign minister, told the media. Kamikawa said the "Russian invasion of Ukraine cannot be accepted". "Japan has urged third parties not to provide support to Russian forces. We are watching related activities with concerns," she added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, where he was expected to stay overnight, coinciding with an announcement of a new military and humanitarian aid package worth over $1 billion (approximately €932 million). The package includes security assistance to Kyiv worth up to $175 million, the Pentagon announced. It also includes $100 million in foreign military financing, $90.5 million for demining assistance, $300 million to support law enforcement in areas recaptured from Russia, $206 million in humanitarian aid, and $203 million for reform efforts and the investigation of war crimes. In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Blinken said: "Returned to Kyiv today to meet with our Ukrainian partners to discuss their ongoing counteroffensive, future assistance and reconstruction efforts, and above all, to reinforce the unwavering U.S. commitment to Ukraine."  Blinken meets Ukraine's top three Washington's top diplomat met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and was also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal for talks on the current counteroffensive and efforts to rebuild the country. During the meeting with Zelenskyy, Blinken vowed that Washington would continue to walk "side by side" with Ukraine. The secretary of state hailed what he described as "very encouraging" progress in Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia, which Kyiv launched earlier this summer. "We see the important progress that's being made now in the counteroffensive and that's very, very encouraging," Blinken said.  The United States has invested more than $43.8 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, including more than $43.1 billion since Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to State Department figures. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told Blinken that Washington's support was "not charity," saying: "Today, thanks to our partners, Ukraine is restraining Russia's aggression." Blinken previously visited Ukraine in April 2022  — together with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin — and September 2022.  Before Wednesday, there had been no mention of the trip from his department, and it came as Ukraine's Parliament approved the appointment of a new defense minister after Oleksii Reznikov was dismissed over the weekend. "Parliament approved Rustem Umerov as the defense minister of Ukraine," senior lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on social media after Wednesday's vote.   Fresh Ukraine assistance includes contentious tank rounds Also on Wednesday, the Pentagon announced the latest assistance package to Ukraine. The package includes additional air defense equipment, artillery munitions, anti-tank weapons and other equipment, the Pentagon said in a statement. It also includes 120mm depleted uranium tank ammunition for Abrams tanks.  The decision to provide Ukraine with depleted uranium rounds, amid health concerns about inhaling or swallowing particulates if near explosions caused by such rounds, could stir controversy. The reason the ammunition is used is the high density of the material, making it suitable both as armor and for piercing armor. The US was scheduled to start shipping Abrams tanks to Ukraine around September. Abrams tanks have depleted uranium armor and can also use depleted uranium rounds. Ammunition stockpiles have been dwindling amid the deliveries to Ukraine. Britain has already sent such rounds to Ukraine, but this would be the first US shipment. Visit comes amid fresh Russian airstrikes Blinken's visit came on the same day that a Russian missile strike killed at least 16 people and injured over 30 more at what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a "regular market" in the city of Kostyantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region, and just hours after reports that Russia had launched its first missile attack on the capital in a week. While there were no reports of deaths or injuries in the capital, regional officials said one civilian was killed and port infrastructure was damaged in airstrikes in the southern region of Odesa. Shortly after arriving in Kyiv, Blinken placed a wreath at the Berkovetske cemetery in commemoration of Ukrainian military personnel killed while defending the country. "We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counteroffensive but has what it needs for the long-term, to make sure that it has a strong deterrent," Blinken said during the visit. "We're also determined to continue to work with our partners as they build and rebuild a strong economy, strong democracy," Blinken said. DW's Max Zander said the visit comes at a critical time for Ukraine as the fight against Russia's invasion grinds on. "We cannot underestimate the symbolic value of this visit. This is more than 550 into the war, the Ukrainians are tired of fighting this war but the allies are also affected by it," Zander said from Kyiv, and added that the visit was "likely also about showing the Ukrainians, that Ukraine's biggest donor, the biggest supporter when it comes to military aid, is still on its side." Moscow reacts The Kremlin, meanwhile, has commented on Blinken's visit, saying it is a clear indication that Washington intends on funding Kyiv "until the last Ukrainian." "We have heard repeated statements that they [the Americans] intend to continue to help Kyiv for as long as it takes," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "In other words, they are going to continue to support Ukraine in a state of war and to wage this war to the last Ukrainian, sparing no money for this. That's how we perceive it, we know it. It's not going to affect the course of the special military operation," Peskov said, using Russia's terminology to characterize the invasion of Ukraine.

A group of journalists participating in an invitation program organized by the Korea Foundation pose during a visit to The Korea Times' office in downtown Seoul, Monday.  From left are The Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin, RTV CEO Rahman Syed Ashik from Bangladesh), Le Manager Executive Director Sahar Mechri Kharrat from Tunisia, Canal 22 anchor Irma Gabriela Tlaseca Rodriguez from Mexico, Jordan Times Editor-in-Chief Mohammad Ghazal from Jordan, Guardian Media Ltd. Deputy Managing Editor Sampson Nanton from Trinidad and Tobago, The Gleaner reporter Simone Morgan-Lindo from Jamaica, La Provincia Managing Editor Antonio Cacereno from Spain and Miyagi Television Broadcasting President Tadayuki Tamai Japan.

Miss World Karolina Bielawska on August 28 hailed the beauty of Kashmir during her visit to India days ahead of 71st edition of Miss World pageant.  Miss World Karolina Bielawska said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to see this beautiful place (Kashmir) in India. I didn't expect it at all, but it just stuns me with its beauty. We've been talking about Kashmir and I knew there would be beautiful scenery.  But what we've seen today was really blowing our minds... And everyone welcomed us so nicely, so warmly that I cannot wait to welcome 140 nations and all my friends and family to bring them here to India and to show places like Kashmir, like Delhi, Mumbai.”  India will host the 71st edition of Miss World pageant. The prestigious international pageant will be hosted in India after 27 years, the last being in 1996.