KHARTOUM, 10 April 2022, (TON): Saudi Arabia launched the King Salman program for iftar in Sudan and South Sudan with the distribution of dates and food.

The event was coordinated by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, represented by the religious attaché of the Kingdom’s embassy in Khartoum.

Several officials were present including Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments Abdul Ati Ahmed Abbas, and Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Sudan Ali bin Hassan Jaafar.

More than 15,000 food baskets and 10 tons of dates will be distributed during the holy month throughout the Sudanese states.

The Sudanese minister praised the Kingdom for its aid programs that he said has benefitted many people across the globe.

KYIV, 10 April 2022, (TON): Evacuations resumed from Kramatorsk, in eastern Ukraine, where a missile strike killed 52 people at a railway station, as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the latest Western leader to visit Kyiv.

He said “hailing the country’s response to the Russian invasion, Johnson offered Ukraine armored vehicles and anti-ship missiles to help ensure, that the country will never be invaded again.”

He said “because of the invincible heroism and courage of President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people, Russia’s monstrous aims are being thwarted.”

A video released by Zelensky’s office showed him and Johnson walking through largely empty city streets to Kyiv’s historic Maidan Square, as snipers kept watch.

The two men greeted passersby, and one visibly emotional man called out to Johnson “we need you.”

Johnson, who a day earlier pledged to send Ukraine weaponry including Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles and 800 anti-tank missiles.

He added “the discovery of scores of civilian bodies in Ukrainian towns had “permanently polluted” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reputation.”

BRUSSELS, 10 April 2022, (TON): NATO is working on plans for a permanent military presence on its border in an effort to battle future Russian aggression.

The Telegraph reported, citing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

NATO was in the midst of a very fundamental transformation that will reflect “the long-term consequences of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions, Stoltenberg said in an interview with the newspaper.

It cited Stoltenberg as saying “what we see now is a new reality, a new normal for European security. Therefore, we have now asked our military commanders to provide options for what we call a reset, a longer-term adaptation of NATO.”

KABUL, 10 April 2022, (TON): Afghanistan's ruling Taliban have found a way to beat international isolation, opening diplomatic ties with neighboring countries and others, with an eye to gaining formal recognition.

In recent months, at least four countries, China, Pakistan, Russia and Turkmenistan, have accredited Taliban-appointed diplomats, even though all have refused to recognize the 8-month-old government in Afghanistan.

Last month, Russia became the latest country to establish diplomatic ties with the Taliban when its Foreign Ministry accredited Taliban diplomat Jamal Nasir Gharwal as Afghan charge d'affaires in Moscow.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said 'we regard this as a step towards the resumption of full-fledged diplomatic contacts.”

Although Zakharova said “it was premature 'to talk about official recognition of the Taliban, the move is not sitting well in Washington, where officials are concerned it could confer undeserved legitimacy on the Taliban.”

NEW DELHI, 10 April 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya on April 14.

The museum is dedicated to creating awareness about the leadership and vision of all Prime Ministers of India.

The inauguration day coincides with the 131st birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.

The Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, built at Delhi's Teen Murti Estate, will tell the story of India's march through the years, starting with the freedom struggle.

Set up with an aim to sensitize and inspire the younger generation about the leadership and vision of all Prime Ministers, the museum will showcase the contribution of all our Prime Ministers.

KABUL, 10 April 2022, (TON): After a long delay the General Directorate of Passports restarted the online passport registration process for citizens in Kabul.

Shafiullah Tassal, spokesman of the directorate of passports, said “2,000 applications would be accepted daily, and that this number would increase to 3,000 after the month of Ramadan.”

Shafiullah Tassal, spokesman of the General Directorate of Passports said “these activities started online. Today is 20 of Hamal (first month of the year). From today on, all citizens can register online to get passports, and we ask all our compatriots not to apply to the passport office with written papers.”

Meanwhile, some passport applicants said they have been trying to get passports for months.

KABUL, 10 April 2022, (TON): Following reports over a possible military clash between Afghan and Pakistani forces in Chahar Burjak district of Nimroz province, the Islamic Emirate said “the issue will be addressed via diplomacy.”

The tensions come as the Islamic Emirate and Pakistani border forces were reportedly on high alert Friday after a Pakistani chopper was shot at along the Durand Line in Nimroz province.

Reportedly a Pakistani army general was injured in the chopper incident in Zakir village of Chahar Burjak district.

Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said Afghanistan never seeks tension with any country including neighbors.

NEW DELHI, 10 April 2022, (TON): The defence ministry said “a new version of the Pinaka rocket system has been successfully flight-tested by the DRDO and the Indian Army at the Pokhran firing ranges.”

It said “as many as 24 Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket Systems were fired for different ranges during the last fortnight and the weapons met the required accuracy and consistency.”

The EPRS is the upgraded version of the Pinaka variant that has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade.

The ministry said the rocket system has been upgraded with advanced technologies enhancing the range to meet the emerging requirements.

The ministry said in a statement "Pinaka Mk-I Rocket System and Pinaka Area Denial Munition rocket systems have been successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian Army at Pokhran firing ranges.”

It added "with these trials, the initial phase of technology absorption of EPRS by the industry has successfully been completed and the industry partners are ready for user trials/series production of the rocket system.”

DHAKA, 10 April 2022, (TON): Germany’s state secretary and special envoy for international climate action Jennifer Morgan said “the state was keen to have stronger partnership with Bangladesh to scale up Bangladesh’s renewables and energy efficiency, accelerating the transition efforts.”

She said “we’ve a long history of cooperation with Bangladesh. I’ve come here to listen and learn and to see what we can do together. I think we’ve much to learn from each other.”

At a press conference held on Saturday in a city hotel together with German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster, Germany’s first climate envoy said they are running out of time and it is crystal clear that impacts are happening.

The German climate envoy said “we wish to work with the government of Bangladesh on energy efficiency and to look at how to scale up renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.”

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report published on April 4 shows growth in global emissions has slowed over the past decade, but much more needs to be done, including halving global emissions by 2030, to keep the goal of 1.5C° in reach and avoid the worst impacts of global warming.

DHAKA, 10 April 2022, (TON): Equatorial Guinea, wants to use Bangladesh's experience in the development of small and medium enterprises.

Equatorial Guinea's President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has expressed his interest in the ongoing progress of Bangladesh.

The president made the statement at a ceremony to present the identity card of the newly appointed non-resident ambassador of Bangladesh, Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, in the capital Malabo.

Ambassador Sarwar Mahmood responded spontaneously to the president's interest and said “Bangladesh is ready to be one of the partners in the development of Equatorial Guinea to strengthen bilateral relations.”

He added “Equatorial Guinea has steadily made tremendous progress in the socio-economic field over the last two decades and is emerging as one of the most economic powers on the African continent.”

Bangladesh can be an important partner for skilled and working manpower in various sectors of the emerging economy in this country.