Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Sunday it summoned Britain's ambassador to protest what it described as a hostile atmosphere created by London-based Farsi language media outlets. The move comes amid violent unrest in Iran triggered by the death of a young woman in police custody. The state-run IRNA news agency reported the ministry also summoned Norway’s ambassador to Iran and strongly protested recent remarks by the president of the Norwegian parliament, Masud Gharahkhani. The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody after being detained by Iranian morality police launched unrest across Iran’s provinces and the capital of Tehran. Protests over Amini’s death have spread across at least 46 cities, towns and villages in Iran. State TV has suggested that at least 41 protesters and police have been killed since the protests began Sept. 17. An Associated Press count of official statements by authorities tallied at least 13 dead, with more than 1,200 demonstrators arrested. Running clashes between demonstrators and security forces have continued to erupt. A member of the Basij, a volunteer force with Iran's Guards, was killed by protesters last night in Tehran, semi-official Fars news agency reported Sunday. Another Basij member, who was in a coma since Thursday after street clashes, died in Urmia, West Azerbaijan province on Sunday, IRNA reported. The Iranian Foreign Ministry's website said it summoned Simon Shercliff, the U.K.'s ambassador to Iran, on Saturday and protested the hosting of critical Farsi-language media outlets. The ministry alleges the news outlets have provoked disturbances and the spread of riots in Iran at the top of their programs. Iran said it considers the news agencies' reporting to be interference in Iran's internal affairs and acts against its sovereignty. The crisis in Iran began as a public outpouring of anger over the the death of Amini, who was arrested by the morality police in Tehran for allegedly wearing her Islamic headscarf too loosely. The police said she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account. Amini’s death has sparked sharp condemnation from Western countries and the United Nations, as well as protests in solidarity abroad. On Sunday, violent street demonstrations erupted outside the Iranian embassy in London, with rocks thrown at police and five protesters arrested. A number of police officers were injured in the skirmishes though none seriously. Pro-government rallies were also held on Sunday in several cities across Iran. Thousands attended a rally in the capital's Enghelab, or Revolution Square, waving Iranian flags. Some officials, including cabinet spokesman, Ali Bahadori Jahromi, attended to the rally in Tehran.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Sunday said the next national election in Bangladesh is going to be a “very important moment” for all which will help the country build better and productive relationship with its friends globally. The envoy said this at the “Meet the Reporters” programme hosted by Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) where he expressed his hope for a “fair and credible” process for the elections due at the end of 2023. Read:Our shared aim is to see safe repatriation of Rohingyas: Dickson “There’s ample capacity in Bangladesh to run a free and fair election,” he said, reiterating that election needs to be “Bangladesh-led” and it is not for Bangladesh’s friends to say how this process should run. The high commissioner said the United Kingdom (UK) and their international partners support the “plural and transparent” democracy in Bangladesh provided in the Constitution. Highlighting the importance of a credible Election Commission, he said it will be easier for everybody to have a “productive friendship” with Bangladesh if the election is carried out in a way which is “free, fair and credible.”  Dickson said there will be better relationship between Bangladesh and its friends after a credible election.    Globally, he said, long term stability and economic growth flourish best in open and democratic societies with strong institutions, public accountability and competitive elections. The envoy appreciated the milestones such as the Election Commission formation process and laid emphasis on strong commitments from all parties on a “free and fair” process. He said they are supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response in Bangladesh and provided 4.1 million vaccines under Covax in December last year. “We hope to provide more soon.” He said they have been supporting the Bangladesh ministry of health to develop a well-coordinated national response plan, resourced by all the development partners and the government of Bangladesh. Dickson also talked about Bangladesh-UK flourishing defence relations, human rights issues, trade and investment and climate partnership and media freedom. “We’ll continue to exchange expertise, share technology, facilitate partnerships, and identify practical solutions to common climate challenges, with the shared aim of producing the real change we need to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5 degrees,” he said. Read:FM for well-calibrated action agenda for tourism sector This month marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the UK, following Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic press conference at Claridges’ Hotel, his meeting with PM Edward Heath and his return to a newly liberated Bangladesh by the Royal Air Force. In the intervening half century the relationship has been transformed, said the British envoy. In the 50th year of “Brit-Bangla Bondhon”, the two countries are building on all the links that exist between Bangladesh and the UK, including the diaspora, the 600,000 people living in the UK with Bangladeshi heritage, and the much wider range of links that exist between the two countries on security, defence, climate, COVID-19, trade, and a whole range of issues on which we work very closely with friends and partners in and beyond government in Bangladesh. DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke welcoming the envoy.

The UK's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office will provide £300,000 of financial support to Bangladesh-based Solshare, one of the 15 finalists in the inaugural Earthshot Prize competition. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson has made the announcement. To mark the occasion, the British High Commissioner hosted a celebratory event where guests learned more about Solshare’s ground-breaking work to repair our planet, and the finalists received a personal message from HRH Prince William, who congratulated them on their fantastic achievement. Congratulating Solshare, the High Commissioner said reaching the final three in the global Earthshot competition is a huge achievement for Solshare. "I am delighted that FCDO will now provide £300,000 to a partnership between Shakti Foundation and Solshare, to help scale up their innovative model using rooftop solar home systems for peer-to-peer energy exchange networks, enabling poor households both to generate electricity from a renewable source and gain an income by selling their surplus energy to the national grid," he said. The High Commissioner said Solshare’s innovative work will help Bangladesh move towards carbon neutrality and improve the lives and livelihoods of millions of Bangladeshis. Launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in October 2020, The Earthshot Prize is the most prestigious global environment prize in history.

Britain's new ambassador to the United States said Friday she looks forward to expanding the traditional security and economic partnership between the two nations to new areas like artificial intelligence and to having talks with President Donald Trump, who has always been "gracious and friendly" to her.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Thursday hoped that there will be a “free and fair” contest in the elections to the two city Dhaka city corporations where people will be able to cast their votes in a “festive and peaceful” atmosphere.