KABUL, 27 February 2022, (TON): An OCHA director in the operations and advocacy division, Reena Ghelani, said “the organization has established a new system to monitor the humanitarian aid process in order to prevent corruption.”

Reena Ghelani, who is leading a nine-member delegation of the UN, which has arrived in Kabul to monitor the distribution of humanitarian aid, made the remarks in a special interview with media.

She said that they are working with 180 Afghan and international organizations to conduct a transparent aid process.

Ghelani urged the international community to support the people of Afghanistan.

She said “absolutely, the United Nations and its partners, its NGO partners, we have asked for $4.4 billion dollars, which we do not have yet, we need to raise this money because we need to urgently get assistance to people. We saw horrible nutrition, we saw children begging to go to school, both boys and girls”.

She said “a member of the delegation said that there is a need to work with the local communities and organizations to provide aid for the people. “We urge the Biden administration to work in close collaboration with (the) Afghans, especially women and local organizations.”

KABUL, 27 February 2022, (TON): The United States issued new rules that would allow most commercial and financial transactions with Afghanistan while maintaining sanctions against the Taliban, in an effort to ease the flow of humanitarian aid and kickstart the paralyzed economy.

Non-governmental organizations and financial institutions have expressed concerns about running afoul of US sanctions targeting the Islamist hardliners in power in Kabul but that has meant a near-halt to all economic activity.

The United Nations has warned that the country is facing a devastating humanitarian crisis, with more than half of the country’s population of roughly 38 million at risk of suffering food shortages.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement “in light of this dire crisis, it is essential that we address concerns that sanctions inhibit commercial and financial activity.”

The Treasury said “its latest so-called general license authorizes, to the extent required, all transactions involving Afghanistan and its governing institutions that would otherwise be prohibited by US sanctions.”

Such transactions include dealings with government ministries, infrastructure maintenance or development projects, and business with state-owned companies, according to a Treasury fact sheet.

NEW DELHI, 27 February 2022, (TON): India has decided not to deploy its combat jets in a multi-nation air exercise in the UK next month amid the Ukraine-Russia crisis. The Indian Air Force will not deploy its aircraft for Exercise Cobra Warrior 2022 in the UK.

The Air Force was to send five LCA Tejas fighter aircraft for the exercise. Air Forces of the UK, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the US are part of the exercise.

The exercise was to take place from March 6 to 27. There was a possibility of the exercise being completely called off as well.

The exercise was aimed at providing operational exposure and sharing best practices amongst the participating air forces, thereby enhancing combat capability and forging bonds of friendship.

An official statement had earlier said "this will be a platform for LCA Tejas to demonstrate its manoeuvrability and operational capability.”

Recently, India's indigenously manufactured Tejas participated in the Singapore air show. India is showcasing Tejas as a potential export item.

NEW DELHI, 27 February 2022, (TON): Russia said “it highly appreciated India’s ‘independent and balanced position’ on the UN Security Council resolution after it abstained from voting on the Russian attack on Ukraine.

India had abstained from voting on the US-sponsored resolution that sought to deplore in the strongest terms Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The Russian embassy said in the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership with India, Moscow is committed to maintaining close dialogue with New Delhi on the situation around Ukraine.

It tweeted "highly appreciate India's independent and balanced position at the voting in the UNSC on February 25, 2022.”

It said "in the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership Russia is committed to maintain close dialogue with India on the situation around Ukraine.”

While abstaining from voting on the resolution, India issued an 'Explanation of Vote' (EoV) that called for "return to the path of diplomacy" and sought immediate cessation of "violence and hostilities".

Prince William and Kate Middleton 'Stand with Ukraine' Amid Russian Invasion.

NEW DELHI, 27 February 2022, (TON): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday for political support at the United Nations after New Delhi abstained from a Security Council vote.

India is currently on the UN's top body but along with China and the United Arab Emirates did not vote on a resolution that deplored Russia's aggression against Ukraine and demanded the immediate withdrawal of its troops.

Russia vetoed the resolution using its power as a permanent member of the council.

In a Twitter post on Saturday, Zelensky said “he had spoken with Modi and told him that more than 100,000 invaders are on our land.”

he tweeted “stop the aggressor together.”

Despite being a democracy and a member of the Quad grouping with Australia, Japan and the US, India has neither explicitly condemned Moscow's actions, nor called them an invasion.

Instead it has repeatedly referred to “developments” in Ukraine.

DHAKA, 27 February 2022, (TON): Indian has donated a modern ambulance to Rajshahi City Corporation aimed at infusing dynamism into its health service delivery activities.

High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami handed over the key to City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton at the Green Plaza on the second day of 'The Fifth Bangladesh-India Cultural Meet-2022, Rajshahi'.

Friends of Bangladesh and RCC are jointly hosting the event to mark the Golden Jubilee of Independence, Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of India-Bangladesh Relations.

A team of around 40 political, cultural and media personalities from India are joining the meet.

DHAKA, 27 February 2022, (TON): The Bangladesh ambassador in Warsaw told media “more than 200 Bangladeshis have so far crossed into Poland from Ukraine to escape the Russian attack.”

Sultana Laila Hossain said “many more are waiting to cross at the border.”

Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on Thursday morning, inflicting heavy damage on people and property.  

Ambassador Hossain said “I cannot give you an exact figure right now. but it can be said that the number of Bangladeshis who have crossed into Poland from Ukraine will be more than 200.”

In reply to a question, the ambassador said “over 800 Bangladeshis living in Ukraine are now in touch with us through Whatsapp groups. As far as we know, no Bangladeshi was killed or injured in the three days of Russian attacks.”

She said “those who have crossed into Poland have been given shelter in centres made available by the Polish government and accommodations facilitated by the embassy.”

WASHINGTON, 26 February 2022, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack against Ukraine.

Secretary Blinken thanked the Secretary-General for the commitment of the United Nations to deliver assistance in Ukraine despite extremely dangerous and difficult circumstances. 

Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of ensuring humanitarian workers’ safety and security.

LONDON, 26 February 2022, (TON): Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemned Russia’s unprovoked and premeditated attack on 24 February 2022 against Ukraine, a sovereign, democratic European country.

Chairman, colleagues, as I speak, Russia is conducting an unprovoked and premeditated invasion of a sovereign, democratic European country.

The UK and our international partners stand united in condemning this reprehensible attack on Ukraine.

It is an egregious violation of international law, the UN Charter and core principles of the OSCE.

President Putin’s so-called ‘precision strikes’ have already destroyed apartment blocks and killed, wounded, and displaced innocent civilians.

We call on Russia to withdraw its forces completely from Ukrainian territory immediately, and to refrain from further aggression.

Over recent weeks, the Russian government repeatedly denied their hostile intent towards their neighbour. At the same time, they massed troops, launched cyber-attacks, and staged false pretexts and provocations.

LONDON, 26 February 2022, (TON): The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy this morning to express his solidarity with Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy updated the Prime Minister on the most recent Russian military advances, including missile and artillery strikes on Ukrainian cities and the terrible developments in Kyiv in the early hours of this morning.

The Prime Minister assured President Zelenskyy that the world is united in its horror at what Putin his doing.

He paid tribute to the bravery and heroism of the Ukrainian people in standing up to Russia’s campaign of violence, and expressed his deep condolences for those who have been killed.