DHAKA, 18 April 2022, (TON): The government said the US human rights country report heavily underplayed Bangladesh's existing system of accountability over law enforcement agencies while Dhaka remains intensely engaged with the UN mechanism and US recommendations to protect human rights.

A statement of foreign ministry said "the report appears to encourage creating a society of lawlessness to destabilise the society and the government.”

It added “the legal system of Bangladesh does not allow killing by arbitrary use of firearms.”

The statement pointed that the death sentences to the 16 Rab officials in the Narayanganj seven-murder case and recent death sentences to two police officials in the Major Sinha murder case in Cox's Bazar are examples of accountability and non-impunity to law enforcers.

It added " magistrate requires members of the law enforcement agencies to account for every single use of firearms, without lawful explanation of which faces legal action.”

IDLIB, 17 April 2022, (TON): The United Nations World Food Programme is reducing life-saving food assistance to northwestern Syria from next month, and families say they fear going hungry.

The UN agency has been forced to reduce items in its monthly emergency food basket due to funding constraints and skyrocketing food prices, which have been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and economic crisis in Syria.

a WFP spokesperson, who asked that their name not be used, told media “for northwest Syria this means, starting May 2022, the food basket will reduce from 1,300 to 1,170 [kilocalories] per person.”

A local aid organisation in the northwest also confirmed to Al Jazeera that the WFP had notified them of the food assistance cuts by email on April 8.

The organisation asked to remain unnamed as it was not authorised to comment on the status of UN programmes.

The reduction means that needy families will receive the same amount of vegetable oil, wheat flour, salt, and sugar from the UN agency, but monthly quantities of lentils, chickpeas, rice, and bulgur wheat will be cut back.

TOKYO, 17 April 2022, (TON): A government source said “Japanese government is seriously considering high-level dialogue with incoming South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, with the conservative president-elect seen as willing to improve soured bilateral ties.”

High-level dialogue has not been held between the two countries for a while as the current administration of liberal President Moon Jae In has clashed with Japan over issues stemming from Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

The source said “Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government hopes to strengthen cooperation with South Korea under the incoming president and forge closer coordination with the United States and South Korea over North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues.”

The immediate focus is on who should be sent to Yoon’s inaugural ceremony on May 10. Seoul is said to be expecting a senior official of the Kishida government to attend the event.

TEHRAN, 17 April 2022, (TON): Iran’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Ehsan Khandouzi on Saturday canceled his trip to the US for taking part in the World Bank’s spring summit.

Following the US government’s delay in issuing visas to the Iranian delegation and postponing visa issuance to the days leading up to the trip, Khandouzi canceled his trip to the US for taking part in the World Bank’s spring summit.

This is not the first time the US government has not fulfilled its commitments to international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and is sabotaging the presence of a delegation from Iran at international summits.

The US abuse of international institutions has not been limited to this case, while it has prevented Iran from using its rights in international institutions by imposing illegal sanctions.

MOSCOW, 17 April 2022, (TON): Moscow announced it was banning entry to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and several other top UK officials, after London imposed sanctions on Russia over its military operation in Ukraine.

The foreign ministry said in a statement “step was taken as a response to London’s unbridled information and political campaign aimed at isolating Russia internationally, creating conditions for restricting our country and strangling the domestic economy.”

The ministry accused London of unprecedented hostile actions, in particular referring to sanctions on Russia’s senior officials.

The ministry said “British leadership is deliberately aggravating the situation surrounding Ukraine, pumping the Kyiv regime with lethal weapons and coordinating similar efforts on the behalf of NATO.”

Russia’s entry blacklist includes UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, former Prime Minister Theresa May and the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon.

WASHINGTON, 17 April 2022, (TON): The US administration is studying the need to increase the supply of ammunition to Ukraine, in particular, artillery shells, fearing that the resources available to Kiev will be used up in the coming days.

According to him “such a forecast is based on the expectation of the White House that fierce ground battles against units of the Russian army will unfold on the territory of Ukraine in the near future.”

He said “with the United States supplying Ukraine with 18 155mm howitzers and 40,000 artillery shells as part of the new military aid announced by the Biden administration, even this volume could be used up in a few days, raising the possibility of Kiev’s ammunition depletion.”

According to him “since the beginning of the Russian special operation, in a number of cases, the Ukrainian army has spent up to a thousand artillery ammunition in just one day.”

This week, US President Joe Biden announced that Washington is providing Ukraine with a new $800 million military aid package that will include artillery, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.

SEOUL, 17 April 2022, (TON): North’s KCNA state news agency reported “North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has observed the test firing of a new type of tactical guided weapon aimed at boosting the country’s nuclear capabilities.”

The report comes amid signs North Korea could soon resume nuclear testing according to South Korean and US officials and after Kim broke a self-imposed moratorium on intercontinental ballistic missile testing with a launch last month.

South Korea’s military said on Sunday it had detected late on Saturday two projectiles launched from the North’s east coast toward the sea which flew about 110 kilometers (68 miles) with an apogee of 25 kilometers and maximum speed of under Mach 4.

KCNA said “new-type tactical guided weapon system ... is of great significance in drastically improving the firepower of the frontline long-range artillery units and enhancing the efficiency in the operation of tactical nukes.”

RIYADH, 17 April 2022, (TON): Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif strengthening relations between both countries.

Saudi Press agency reported “in a phone call, the crown prince congratulated Sharif on his assumption of the premiership post.” 

The crown prince also assured Sharif of Saudi Arabia’s support for Pakistan in all fields.  

RIYADH, 17 April 2022, (TON): According to Saudi Press Agency “Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin via telephone.”

During their call, the two discussed the ongoing situations in Ukraine and Yemen, with the crown prince reaffirming the Kingdom’s support in finding a political solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to a Kremlin statement Putin and the crown prince gave a positive assessment of joint work in the OPEC+ format.

OPEC cut its forecast for growth in world oil demand in 2022 on April 12, citing the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rising inflation as crude prices soar and the resurgence of the omicron coronavirus variant in China.

KABUL, 17 April 2022, (TON): Tajikistan state media reported that Tajikistan government built a temporary camp south of the capital Dushanbe for a possible overflow of Afghan refugees.

Tajikistani officials said the camps have been prepared with the support of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Save the Children, and the Agha Khan foundation.

Hamida Yousufi, the spokeswoman of the Tajikistan Emergency Committee said “the camp consists of 64 tents and includes facilities with electricity, water systems, bathrooms and kitchens.”

Afghan experts welcomed the decision and called it a good move to assist Afghanistan people.

Mahdi Arefi, international relations said expert “move by Tajikistan is a signal of a contribution for Afghan civilians who may seek safety in case of any military and security threats happening in the northern provinces of Afghanistan.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations high Commission for Refugees urged all countries to provide more support for Afghan refugees.