Baghdad, Jan 27: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani called for unified efforts among regional countries to support stability in the Middle East.

Al-Sudani made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. According to a statement by al-Sudani’s media office, the two discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreements.

Al-Sudani reiterated “Iraq’s readiness to coordinate with neighboring countries, especially Türkiye, regarding ongoing regional developments,” it said.

For his part, Fidan reaffirmed his country’s desire to maintain close coordination with Iraq on regional developments, stressing Turkey’s commitment to the strategic Development Road project and cooperation based on the memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries in areas such as energy, education, trade, banking, and other sectors.

Fidan also met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, during which the two discussed regional developments, stressing the importance of reducing tensions, de-escalating conflicts, and promoting dialogue to resolve disputes, according to a statement by the Iraqi presidency office.

Rashid also called for “sustained joint efforts” to eliminate the threat of the Islamic State (IS) and other extremist groups, highlighting the importance of regional and international cooperation in achieving long-term security and stability, it said.

For his part, Fidan proposed forming a regional alliance involving Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Turkey to combat the IS group, dismantle its strongholds, and disrupt its funding sources to ensure greater stability for the region, it said.

Also on Sunday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with Fidan. The two sides discussed bilateral ties and ways to advance them to greater prospects to serve the common interests, according to a statement by the Iraqi foreign ministry.

Regarding the situation in Syria, the two sides affirmed that they are in constant contact with Syria’s interim administration for joint coordination on issues of common concern, the statement said.

Hussein also stressed the importance of addressing the security situation on the Iraqi-Syrian border, especially about the IS, it said.

The talks also touched on the situation in Gaza, developments in Lebanon, and the importance of turning the ceasefire into a permanent situation while stressing the need to stop Israeli attacks, it said.

For his part, Fidan said Turkey views the relations with Iraq from a strategic perspective, adding that as Iraq enjoys security and stability, Turkey also enjoys them, which contributes to the prosperity of the two peoples, it said.

Dhaka, Jan 25: The interim government in Bangladesh led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, already facing global scrutiny for its ongoing treatment of the minorities, especially Hindus, is now drawing flak over keeping under wraps the visit of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Mohammad Ashraful Islam Siddique to India, next month.

The country’s media outlets have slammed the current regime for not revealing details about Siddique’s New Delhi visit for a border conference between the Director Generals of BGB and the Border Security Force (BSF), scheduled to take place in New Delhi mid-February.

Reacting to reports published by the local media about the scheduled border conference, the BGB stated that there is “no secrecy here” and “no attempt” being made to maintain secrecy.

“The news published in some media outlets in the country under the title ‘BGB chief’s India visit shrouded in secrecy, a storm of criticism on social media’ has come to the attention of the BGB. The news is tarnishing the image of the BGB and also creating confusion in the public mind,” read a statement issued by the Border Guard Bangladesh on its social media page.

“At a time when the BGB is currently playing a role in solidarity with the people at the border, there is a possibility that such negative posts will create confusion in the minds of everyone,” it added.

The force mentioned that representatives from other relevant ministries and agencies of Bangladesh will also attend the meeting alongside the BGB.

The February 17-21 meeting will take place as tensions continue to escalate along the international border, especially after the recent clashes at Sukhdevpur in West Bengal’s Malda district.

Villagers on the Indian side have regularly complained about attacks by armed criminals from across the border and their crops also being stolen or destroyed by Bangladeshis.

The Eastern Command of the BSF has, meanwhile, commenced ‘Ops Alert’ along the 4,096 km Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) ahead of the Republic Day.

Patrolling has been intensified, and border domination is being carried out both during the day and night.

According to a statement released by the Headquarters, Special Director General, BSF, in Kolkata, the ‘Ops Alert’ has been initiated to prevent any untoward incident ahead of the country’s 76th Republic Day, keeping in mind the changed scenario in Bangladesh.

On January 13, the Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner to India, Nural Islam, was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to the South Block and conveyed that India has observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh with regard to security measures at the border, including on fencing.

India conveyed its expectation that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and that there will be a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes.

“India reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking. Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border,” the MEA had stated.

Sydney, Jan 25: Homes have been destroyed and thousands of people said it is too late to evacuate as large out of control bushfires burn in Western Australia (WA).

Authorities in WA on Saturday morning warned residents of towns near two bushfires burning in the state’s southwest that it is too late to leave due to fire impacting evacuation routes.

One of the fires near the town of Arthur River, 190 km southwest of Perth, burned through over 11,000 hectares of land on Friday amid hot and windy conditions. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Saturday that two houses had been destroyed by the fire, with fears for more.

Residents of Arthur River and surrounding towns have been told it is too late to leave and to seek shelter at home.

“Leaving now will put your life in danger,” the emergency warning from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said. “You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you.”

A lower-level warning for the wider region advised residents to prepare to evacuate. A separate fire near Bremer Bay, a popular tourist destination on the state’s south coast, also prompted a warning that it is too late to leave.

“Do not try to leave or enter this area in a vehicle or on foot. If you cannot shelter in a solid structure, you need to stay in an open space, away from vegetation, such as the beach,” the DFES said.

Warnings have been downgraded for a 40,000-hectare bushfire burning in WA’s sparsely-populated central region, over 300 km east of Perth, with people in the area advised to monitor conditions.

WA has been affected by a severe heatwave for several days, with temperatures across the state exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.