RIYADH, 21 April 2022, (TON): The Saudi Cabinet called on the international community to hold the Israeli occupation forces responsible for crimes and violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

It also said “these actions would impact the chances of reviving the peace process in the Middle East.”

Saudi Press Agency reported “Cabinet session was chaired by King Salman at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.”

Ministers affirmed the Kingdom’s support for efforts that led to a political solution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis to achieve security and stability.

Saudi Arabia also reiterated standing by needy people around the world and alleviating their suffering, including providing urgent medical and shelter aid worth $10 million for Ukrainian refugees to neighboring countries in coordination with the UN.

The Cabinet reiterated Saudi Arabia’s and Kuwait’s right to develop the joint Dorra offshore gas field, in implementation of the signed agreement between the two sides on March 21, 2022.

TOKYO, 21 April 2022, (TON): Japan formally revoked Russia’s most favored nation trade status Wednesday over its invasion of Ukraine, as Tokyo steps up sanctions amid revelations of the Russian military’s widespread atrocities against civilians.

The stripping of Russia’s trade status is Japan’s latest move against Moscow and was part of a list of sanctions measures Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced last month that also included a decision to expel eight Russian diplomats and trade officials.

The revocation of Russia’s trade status by Japan’s Parliament, combined with other sanctions collectively imposed by other countries, is expected to intensify pressure on Russia, but the moves could also prompt reprisals from Moscow.

The revocation of the trade status applies to tariffs on all Russian imports, allowing Tokyo to impose higher duties on such products.

It followed a decision along with the U.S. and other Group of Seven member nations to do so.

BANGKOK, 21 April 2022, (TON): The Solomon Islands prime minister confirmed that his government has signed a new security agreement with China, but told “lawmakers it would not undermine the peace and harmony of our region as has been feared by the opposition and countries including the United States and Australia.”

The security pact allows China to send police and military personnel to the Solomon Islands “to assist in maintaining social order.”

But in his address to parliament, Manasseh Sogavare defended the security agreement as being directed entirely to our internal security situation.

He said “it complemented a 2017 security arrangement with Australia, under which Australian police peacekeepers have been in the capital, Honiara, since riots in November.”

He told parliament “I ask all our neighbors, friends and partners to respect the sovereign interest of Solomon Islands on the assurance that the decision will not adversely impact or undermine the peace and harmony of our region.”

WARSAW, 21 April 2022, (TON): Authorities said “methane explosions at a coal mine in southern Poland killed four people and injured 19, seven others were missing.”

The blasts took place at 12:15 a.m. local time, about 1,000 meters under the surface at the Pniowek mine in Pawlowice that is operated by the Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa, or JSW, mining company.

JSW officials said “immediate rescue operation by 13 units of rescuers had to be suspended because of a fire and the need to protect the rescuers.”

Mine authorities said “contact with seven of the rescuers has been lost during the operation.”

Doctors at the Siemianowice Slaskie hospital that specializes in treating burns say the condition of some of the injured is life-threatening.

They have suffered burns to their lungs and to large areas of their bodies.

KABUL, 21 April 2022, (TON): Family members of victims killed or injured in back-to-back explosions in Kabul called on the government to detain and punish the perpetrators.

The families urged the Islamic Emirate to maintain security for schools and educational centers.

Meelad, a victim of the attack, was in the last year of school and he was preparing to pass the Kankor test and aspired to become a doctor.

Meelad’s mother said “after the explosion, I went near his school. I asked a man standing there about students in grade twelve, He replied they left school and we found my son.”

Meelad’s uncle said “it was hard to recognize his body at Mohammad Ali Jinnah hospital due to the many injuries he had sustained.”

Abdul Wahab, Meelad’s uncle said “photos were published on social media, we saw a photo of his leg and found his body at the hospital.”

KABUL, 21 April 2022, (TON): The Iranian ambassador in Kabul has discussed issues of common interest with and Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan chief Gulbadin Hekmatyar. Ambassador Bahador Aminian and Hekmatyar conferred political and social issues.

A statement from HIA said “Hekmatyar had urged the Taliban to form a coalition involving HIA a year before they took over of Kabul.”

The statement added “he had told the Taliban that his party shared common interests and values with them and they could set ip an Islamic system together.”

NEW DELHI, 21 April 2022, (TON): Authorities riding bulldozers razed a number of Muslim-owned shops in New Delhi before India’s Supreme Court halted the demolitions, days after communal violence shook the capital and saw dozens arrested.

Shop owners weeded through the rubble of their shops afterward to collect their belongings. But for nearly an hour after the Supreme Court order, officials continued to demolish structures, including the outer entrance and stairs leading into a mosque.

They stopped the bulldozers just outside the entrance of a Hindu temple, about 50 meters from the mosque, and began to retreat, spurring outrage from Muslim residents who said they were being targeted.

Anti-Muslim sentiment and attacks have risen across India in the past 10 days, including stone-pelting between Hindu and Muslim groups during religious processions and demolitions of a number of properties, many belonging to Muslims, in another state last week.

On Sunday, police arrested over 20 suspects a day after after communal violence broke out during a Hindu religious procession in New Delhi’s northwest Jahangirpuri neighborhood.

They said “Hindu and Muslim groups threw stones at each other during a procession to mark the birth date of Hindu god Hanuman, leaving eight police officers and a civilian injured, local media reported.”

NEW DELHI, 21 April 2022, (TON): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will offer to help India cut reliance on Russian oil and defence equipment when he begins a two-day visit this week that will test his diplomatic skills and provide brief respite from a row raging at home.

A spokesperson for the British leader said “on his first trip to India as prime minister, starting, Johnson will discuss strengthening security co-operation in meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Western allies have called for India to speak out against the war.

India, which is the world's biggest buyer of Russia's weapons and imports its oil, abstained in a United Nations vote condemning the invasion and has not imposed sanctions on Moscow.

PM Modi has expressed concern over the killings of civilians.

DHAKA, 21 April 2022, (TON): A foreign ministry press release said “Bangladesh strongly condemned the act of burning of the Holy Quran by a far-right extremist group in several cities of Sweden.”

It said “Bangladesh also expressed concern over the subsequent unrest and violent protests leading to casualties among civilians and law enforcement personnel.”

The release added that Bangladesh believes that the freedom of religion must be upheld and respected.

DHAKA, 21 April 2022, (TON): Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal informed that the budget of the upcoming fiscal year (FY23) would be placed in parliament on June 9.

The minister said “this in a press briefing after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Government Purchase.”

The initial size of the budget is set at Taka 6,77,864 crore and the target for revenue income is Taka 431,657 crore.

The minister said “when asked about the possibility of increasing the tax-free income limit from Taka 3 lakh.”