RIYADH, 02 February 2022, (TON): Kingdom’s information technology minister Abdullah Al-Swaha told delegates at LEAP 2022 “Saudi Arabia has invested $6.4 billion in future technologies.”

Speaking from the stage at the forum in Riyadh, Al-Swaha set out how the money was flowing from companies in the Kingdom into the sector; Saudi Aramco - $1 billion invested in developing start-ups, through entrepreneurship support fund  Prosperity7 Ventures.

NEOM Tech & Digital Holding Company -  $1billion in future technologies and the launch of M3LD and XVRS products

Ignite - $1 billion in quality funds and initiatives to support and stimulate digital content.

stc - $1 billion in Mena Hub, which seeks investments in the digital infrastructure to consolidate Saudi Arabia's position as a hub for connectivity, communication and cloud computing.

J&T Express, and eWTP Arabia Capital -  $2 billion in the smart logistics sector in the region.

There was also more than $300 million of investments in digital entrepreneurship, venture capital and startup funds.

KABUL, 02 February 2022, (TON): Families which were forced to leave their homes during the 20-year conflict are returning to their villages in the Shinwari area of Nangarhar. Shinwari is a large area located alongside the Durand Line in Nangarhar.

The area is comprised of six districts including Spin Ghar, Nazian, Achin, Haska-Mina, Dor Baba and Ghani Khel.

The displaced families include the residents of Asadkhel of Spin Ghar district who were forced to leave their homes after the US dropped the the mother of all bombs.

The mother of all bombs” has left destruction and ruin in the area.

Nasir Khan, a resident of the village, said that he returned home after a period of two years. He said that many homes in the village have become ruins.

He said “no one has the capability to reconstruct their residences. When the mother of all bombs was used here, dozens of residences were destroyed.”

DHAKA, 02 February 2022, (TON): Influential US Congressman and Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Gregory W Meeks has said “they do not want to impose any sanction against Bangladesh and that the relationship between Washington and Dhaka is excellent.”

"We want to make sure that we are not imposing any sanctions against Bangladesh and we are still working with the government and people of the country."

He told a fundraising luncheon function at a restaurant in New York's Queens area.

Meeks, also a renowned lawyer, has been a US representative of Democratic Party from New York since 1998, and serving as the chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs since 2021.

KABUL, 02 February 2022, (TON): Afghan diplomats in the United States have been informed their embassy in Washington will be closed down.

The Dubai-based TV channel quoted sources as saying the Afghan consulate missions in Los Angeles and New York would also be shut down.

“The Afghan diplomats in the US had been informed via a memo at the beginning of the week that they would also be stripped of their immunity,” the channel added.

The channel quoted a State Department official as saying there had been no change in the status of the Afghan mission or its personnel.

NEW DELHI, 02 February 2022, (TON): The Indian Air Force (IAF) received three of the last four Rafale fighter jets, as reported by Hindustan Times earlier. The fighter planes were handed over by France at Istres-Le Tube air base of Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation, and is situated north-west of Marseille.

After this, the IAF will wait for the right opportunity to take the fighter jets to India between February 15 and 20.

According to people aware of the developments “the handed over planes will now be test-checked for all the details. The fighter jets are expected to arrive in India between February 15 and 16, the people cited above said.”

Former chief of integrated defence staff Lt Gen (Retd) Satish Dua said the Indian Army has taken path breaking strides as far as defence preparedness is concerned.

When they fly out of France, these fighter jets will receive mid-air refueling by the air force of India’s close ally, the United Arab Emirates, using Airbus multi-role transport tankers.

These Rafale fighter jets are fully equipped with India specific enhancements, which will give them extra teeth to fight any regional adversary.

NEW DELHI, 02 February 2022, (TON): The country’s finance minister said “India’s central bank will launch a digital version of the rupee in the next financial year.”

Nirmala Sitharaman said as she delivered the country’s annual budget “introduction of a central bank digital currency will give a boost, a big boost to the digital economy.”

She added “digital currency will also lead to a more efficient and cheaper currency management system.”

The Reserve Bank of India will introduce the digital rupee in the 2022-2023 financial year which begins on Apr. 1.

Sitharaman gave no details about how the digital rupee would work or what it would look like, but said “it would be introduced using blockchain and other technologies.”

Blockchain refers to the technology that was originally created alongside bitcoin, but the definition has since evolved as its applications have moved beyond cryptocurrencies.

India would be one of the world’s largest economies to introduce a so-called central bank digital currency (CBDC) if it sticks to its plans.

DHAKA, 02 February 2022, (TON): Ambassador Rabab Fatima, permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, has been unanimously elected as the chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission.

According to a statement of the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN “the election of the chair and vice-chairs of PBC was held today at the UN Headquarters in New York.”

Ambassador Fatima is the first woman to be elected as PBC chair.

The PBC is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts of the conflict-affected countries upon their request, with a view to preventing relapse of conflict and ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.

DHAKA, 02 February 2022, (TON): The Foreign Ministry said “Bangladesh is closely observing developments in relation to Ukraine.”

The ministry said in a press release "Bangladesh believes that peace, stability and development of the region and beyond depend on the resolution of this crisis in a peaceful manner, which is only possible through dialogue and discussions among the parties involved.”

It added "Bangladesh, therefore, urges all parties to continue their diplomatic efforts towards resolving this crisis, upholding the spirit of dialogue and cooperation.”

Western nations have intensified their high-stakes diplomatic push to avert open conflict in Europe as Moscow's troop build-up continues on the Ukrainian border.

WASHINGTON, 01 February 2022, (TON): US President Joe Biden promised Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, that he will soon designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, granting special status to a key friend in a turbulent region.

During a meeting in the Oval Office, Biden said he planned to notify the US Congress soon of the designation, which is granted by the US to close, non-NATO allies that have strategic working relationships with the US military.

Biden told reporters with the emir sitting at his side “Qatar is a good friend and reliable and capable partner. And I’m notifying Congress that I will designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to reflect the importance of our relationship. I think it’s long overdue.”

Qatar is the 18th country to receive this designation, the last being Brazil in 2019. The designation provides international partners with benefits in defense trade and security cooperation, including eligibility for loan programs and priority delivery for certain military sales.

LONDON, 01 February 2022, (TON): The UAE’s foreign minister received the British minister for Middle East and North Africa in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Emirates News Agency reported.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and James Cleverly discussed the strategic partnership between their countries, issues of mutual interest, and the latest developments in the region so as to enhance its security and stability.

Cleverly expressed his strong condemnation of the Houthi militia's terrorist attacks on civil areas and facilities in the UAE.

The minister also stressed the significance of working to boost security and stability in the region.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed Cleverly’s visit and emphasised the solid and strategic relations between the UAE and the UK, which are based on a long history of fruitful work, joint coordination, and keenness to promote security and stability in the region.

The minister for Middle East and North Africa also visited the UK’s pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 during his visit to the UAE.

“It showcases the creativity and innovation that global Britain offers. (It also writes poetry using artificial intelligence!)” Cleverly posted on Twitter.