TOKYO, 16 May 2022, (TON): Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Saturday expressed his sadness and condolences to the United Arab Emirates on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He said “on behalf of the government and people of Japan, I would like to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the government and people of the United Arab Emirates.”

Kishida praised the merits of the late Sheikh Khalifa, who contributed greatly to his country’s progress, especially in economic fields.

Kishida highlighted Sheikh Khalifa’s many endeavors that contributed to peace and stability in the Middle East, and how respected he was in the international community.

MOGADISHU, 16 May 2022, (TON): Police in Somalia have announced a 33-hour curfew on the capital Mogadishu that will keep almost all residents at home during a presidential election by lawmakers, in which incumbent leader Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed is seeking a second term.

Police spokesperson Abdifatah Aden announced at a press conference on Saturday a full curfew in the city, covering both traffic and people, from Saturday at 9:00 p.m. until Monday at 6:00 a.m.

Lawmakers, security personnel and all others officials involved in the vote are still free to move during those hours.

The indirect election, in which lawmakers will pick a president, will take place in an airport hangar behind blast walls to help fend off potential Islamist attacks or meddling by factions within the security services.

Mohamed is facing 37 opponents in the vote, including two former presidents, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who analysts see as the frontrunners.

Originally they were 39, but between Thursday and Friday two candidates announced they were exiting the race.

JEDDAH, 16 May 2022, (TON): King Salman left King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah evening after undergoing medical examinations and successfully completing the treatment plan and recovery period.

Saudi Press Agency reported “the king thanked well-wishers within Saudi Arabia and from friendly countries for their messages of support.”

ABU DHABI, 16 May 2022, (TON): The UAE’s new president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan held talks with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron as world leaders streamed in to Abu Dhabi to pay tribute to his predecessor.

Macron, who was re-elected this month, expressed his condolences to Sheikh Mohamed following the death of Sheikh Khalifa, who died on Friday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US Vice President Kamala Harris, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli President Isaac Herzog are also expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and Monday.

Presidents and monarchs from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Oman and Tunisia, and Sudan’s de facto leader, were among a long line of dignitaries to offer their condolences.

MOSCOW, 16 May 2022, (TON): Russia considers building up and strengthening cooperation with the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization as a priority of its foreign policy.

This was announced at the Russian Foreign Ministry in connection with the 30th anniversary of the signing of the treaty.

The ministry noted “further compaction and building up of comprehensive cooperation with the Collective Security Treaty Organization member states is considered by the Russian Federation as a foreign policy priority.”

On Smolenskaya Square, they pointed out that the Collective Security Treaty Organization has achieved a lot in a relatively short period by historical standards.

The ministry said “the joint efforts of the member states have created an integral, effective structure for jointly resolving issues related to security and promoting collective interests on the world stage.”

It added that today, the Collective Security Treaty Organization plays a key role in maintaining regional stability, reliably guaranteeing security in its area of responsibility, covering the territories included in organization of countries.

TEHRAN, 16 May 2022, (TON): Iran is considering the possibility of exporting gas to Europe, an oil ministry official said “against the backdrop of soaring energy prices due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

Deputy oil minister Majid Chegeni was quoted as saying by the ministry’s official news agency, Shana “Iran is studying this subject but we have not reached a conclusion yet.”

He added “Iran is always after the development of energy diplomacy and expansion of the market.”

Though Iran boasts one of the world’s largest pro-ven gas reserves, its industry has been hit by US sanctions that were reimposed in 2018 when Washington withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

Talks aiming to revive the 2015 nuclear deal began last year in Vienna but have been on pause for weeks amid outstanding issues.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February sent global oil and gas prices soaring, with many European countries dependent on energy imports from Russia.

WASHINGTON, 16 May 2022, (TON): Former US President Donald Trump has said “he will never return to Twitter.”

Trump said in a circulated statement “grateful for the offer, but I will never return to Twitter.”

He stated that he would prefer to be present on his own social network Truth.

At the same time, Trump believes that the announced price that entrepreneur Elon Musk is ready to pay for the social network is too high.

Trump said “only a fool would buy Twitter for that kind of money. And Elon is not a fool.”

Trump said “besides, how can a deal be made when he may have illegally bought his stake?”

As reported, Musk called the blocking of Trump’s Twitter account a “mistake” and announced his readiness to return access to the social network to the ex- US president.

KABUL, 16 May 2022, (TON):  Public Health Ministry, in cooperation with the Qatari Red Crescent Society, celebrated International Midwife Day with the slogan “One Hundred Years of Progress”.

Addressing an occasion Mohammad Ishaq Sahebzadeh the deputy of the Public Health Ministry called on the international community and aid agencies to work with the Afghan health sector, irrespective of political issues, so that the Afghan people can benefit from health services.

Qatar embassy in Kabul and Red Crescent Society said “they have provided vocational training to 24 midwives to expand health services to mothers and infants in rural Afghanistan.”

Qatar’s ambassador to Kabul, Saeed Mubarak Al-Khayarin, said “his country was committed to assisting Afghanistan in various sectors, expressly in providing health services and providing humanitarian assistance.”

The health sector, the Nurses and Midwives Council calls on the government and international donors to provide more support to nurses and midwives.

KABUL, 16 May 2022, (TON): Ministry of Defense MoD said “more than 130,000 troops have been recruited.”

It added that it is aiming toward 150,000.

Inayatullah Khwarazami, a spokesman for the MoD said “more than 130,000 people have been registered and this process will continue. With the completion of registration, the Afghans will see an independent, well-formed and committed military who will provide security and defend the Afghan soil and borders.” 

However, the uniform for the new troops has yet to be determined. 

Khwarazami said “all former female employees of the MoD are still being paid and some of them are still working within the ministry.”

Khwarazai said “the women who were working in the Ministry of Defense are still working, for example, they are in the health department and other departments. The leadership of the Islamic Emirate and Defense Ministry will make a decision about them. They are still receiving their salaries.”

DHAKA, 16 May 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended heartiest felicitations to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his assumption of the office as President of UAE on behalf of the Government and the people of Bangladesh as well as her own behalf.

Sheikh Hasina said in a message "your election to this Position manifests the strong confidence and deep trust that the UAE's Federal Supreme Council and the people of the UAE have reposed in your able leadership and profound wisdom.”

She reiterated "Bangladesh and the UAE have developed a time-tested friendship enjoying excellent bilateral collaboration in various areas of mutual interests since the attainment of both of our statehood in 1971."

The Premier recalled with deep appreciation in her letter the historic recognition of Bangladesh as an independent sovereign state by the UAE as the first Gulf country on March 10 in 1974.

She mentioned "I take pride in noting that our rock-solid bilateral relations have reached the high watermark of mutual collaboration with remarkable progress in many areas."