BURKINA FASO, 17 February 2022, (TON): Burkina Faso strongman Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was inaugurated as president, just over three weeks after he led a coup to topple elected head of state Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

In a televised ceremony, Damiba swore an oath before the country’s top constitutional body to preserve, respect, uphold and defend the Constitution, the nation’s laws and a “fundamental act” of key decisions approved by the junta.

Damiba was dressed in camouflage uniform and a red beret, and wore a sash in the colours of Burkina’s national flag.

The press, but no foreign representatives, attended the ceremony in a small room at the offices of the Constitutional Council. On January 24, Damiba, 41, led disgruntled officers to force out Kabore following public anger over his handling of a bloody jihadist insurgency.

Last week, the Constitutional Council formally determined that Damiba was president, head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces.

The move confirmed an announcement by the junta on January 31 that Damiba would be appointed to those roles for a transitional period, and be assisted by two vice presidents.

RIYADH, 17 February 2022, (TON): Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir held talks with Acting Chilean Foreign Minister Carolina Valdivia in the capital, Santiago, during his official visit to the South American country.

The Kingdom’s foreign ministry said “during the meeting, the two sides reviewed relations and aspects of cooperation, and ways to support and enhance them to serve both countries.”

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments.

Al-Jubeir also met with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Euclides Acevedo earlier on Wednesday in the capital Asuncion, where they discussed bilateral relations at all levels.

Al-Jubeir is on a whirlwind tour of South America, which also saw him visit Uruguay.

WASHINGTON, 17 February 2022, (TON): A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be devastating, and a wider European war even worse.

Whether a larger war happens would depend partly on President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions, partly on the West’s military response, and partly on plain luck.

Although U.S. and European officials have said for days that a Russian invasion appeared imminent, Putin’s government publicly welcomed further security talks with the West.

It also announced that some of its forces bracketing Ukraine will be returning to their regular bases, although U.S. and other Western officials said it was too early to tell whether the invasion threat had receded.

War by its nature is unpredictable, and the stakes are enormous, not just for an overmatched Ukraine but for Europe and the United States.

At risk, arguably, is the European security order established after World War II and then altered peacefully with the reunification of Germany, the demise of communism in Eastern Europe, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the expansion of NATO.

President Joe Biden has said he will not fight Russia in Ukraine, nor would America’s NATO allies. So a Russian invasion would not automatically trigger a wider war. But if Putin took his offensive beyond Ukraine’s borders onto NATO territory, the United States could get drawn into it.

LONDON, 17 February 2022, (TON): British police said that they had launched an investigation into Prince Charles’s charitable foundation over claims of a cash-for-honours scandal involving a Saudi businessman.

Scotland Yard said in a statement, delivering another blow to the royal family “the decision follows an assessment of a September 2021 letter. This related to media reporting alleging offers of help were made to secure honours and citizenship for a Saudi national.”

Police added “there have been no arrests or interviews under caution.”

The head of The Prince’s Foundation resigned last year after an internal investigation into the allegations. Michael Fawcett, chief executive of the foundation, had initially agreed to suspend his duties following newspaper revelations about his links to a Saudi national.

The man, tycoon Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, had donated large sums to restoration projects of particular interest to Charles.

Fawcett, a former valet to the Prince of Wales who has been close to Queen Elizabeth II’s heir for decades, is alleged to have coordinated efforts to grant a royal honour and even UK citizenship to Mahfouz.

WASHINGTON, 17 February 2022, (TON): The Pentagon confirmed that three US Navy P-8A aircraft experienced unprofessional intercepts by Russian fighter jets over the Mediterranean Sea last weekend.

Pentagon spokesman Capt. Mike Kafka told Anadolu Agency that US flight crews were flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea at the time of the intercepts.

The spokeperson said "we have made our concerns known to Russian officials through diplomatic channels.”

He said “no one was hurt but warned that such interactions could result in miscalculations and mistakes that lead to more dangerous outcomes."

DHAKA, 17 February 2022, (TON): Mauritian Deputy Prime Minister Louis Steven Obeegadoo has termed Bangladesh as 'Shining example of socio-economic development' after observing its phenomenal advancement over the last decade.

A foreign ministry press release said “obeegadoo stated this while Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen paid a courtesy call at his office in Port Louis in Mauritius.”

Highlighting the need for signing of MOU on tourism cooperation, the Deputy Prime Minister said his government is ready to sign the instrument during the visit of Bangladesh's foreign minister to Mauritius this year.

He also put emphasize on concluding all pending agreements, MOUs to strengthen cooperation between the two friendly countries.

DHAKA, 17 February 2022, (TON): Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra and Cross Sector Development Partnerships Initiative have signed a MoU in collaboration to complement the existing Australian government development assistance.

Identifying potential project opportunities, ventures, and areas of collaboration of mutual interests and network with stakeholders through a process of non-binding consultation are the main purpose of the MoU, according to a press release received here today.

The MoU, signed in Canberra, will be valid for five years and initially four priority sectors including Ready-made Garments, infrastructure, energy and power, health and private capital investment have been identified.

KABUL, 17 February 2022, (TON): A number of citizens, businessmen and money exchangers in Kabul and other provinces held protests over the recent decision of the US president to allocate half of Afghanistan’s frozen funds for ongoing litigation claims by victims of the 9/11 attacks,

Protesters said that Biden’s decision is illegal and unfair.

The protesters, who urged the United States to release all of Afghanistan’s money, called on the World Bank and the United Nations to reconsider the US decision on the assets of the Afghan people.

Mohammad Younes Momand, head of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment said “no one has the right to use this money or give it to anyone else.”

“It’s a completely unfair act to take the compensation from the Afghan money and give it to the victims of 9/11,” said Hajj Mir Afghan Safi, head of the Sarai Shahzada money changers union.

The protesters also said that if the United States does not change its decision their protests will escalate.

Abdul Rahman Zirak, a spokesman of the Sarai Shahzada money changers’ union said “this is the money of the Afghan people, which includes a lot of capital of Afghan traders. Our protest is over Biden’s decision.”

Abdul Rahman Hudawal, head of the Nangarhar Money Exchangers’ Union said “Biden’s decision is unfair, this is the money of the Afghan people, and the United States cannot give it to others.”

Bakhtgul Mangal, a money exchanger in Khost province said “this money has nothing to do with the Taliban, this money has nothing to do with al-Qaeda, this money belongs to the people of Afghanistan.”

KABUL, 17 February 2022, (TON): Representatives of the European Union and the United States have met Taliban members as the group seeks to unlock fundings to tackle Afghanistan’s dire humanitarian crisis.

The Afghan delegation led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Wednesday held the second day of talks with diplomats from 16 European countries in the Qatari capital, Doha.

“All participants pledged to make all possible efforts for the overall well-being of the Afghan people,” read a statement issued by the Taliban, adding that the international community is ready to take “effective steps in the field of humanitarian assistance”.

The statements though did not provide any specific details about the steps to be taken by the international community.

DHAKA, 17 February 2022, (TON): Air forces from the US and Bangladesh will participate in a joint exercise in Dhaka and Sylhet next week to bolster regional stability.

According to a statement of Pacific Air Forces on February 11, US airmen from 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base in Japan, and Bangladesh Air Force will participate in exercise "Cope South 22" from February 20-25 at BAF Kurmitola Cantonment, Dhaka and operating location-Alpha in Sylhet for a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise.