South Asia
Over 60 people were killed in a bomb blast at a secondary school in Kabul. While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, the Afghan government released a statement saying that the Taliban was behind the attacks, a claim that has been denied by the group. The latest incident comes amidst a rise in violence as American and NATO troops commence their withdrawal from the country. [BBC]
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed various agreements on a list of issues including the treatment of criminals, drug trafficking, and financing energy, water, and infrastructure projects. This was seen as a step towards reviving their long-standing friendship, which has somewhat soured over Saudi Arabia’s silence on Pakistan’s Kashmir dispute with India. [Al Jazeera]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
The Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) in Uzbekistan will receive special equipment for a nuclear reactor from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by the end of 2021. Over the last decade, the IAEA has been supporting the modernisation of the research nuclear reactor of the INP through technical assistance programmes. [Kun.uz]
The World Bank and Armenia have signed a grant agreement project called “Support to Conflict Affected Families” to provide aid to over 20,000 families in Armenia that were affected by last year’s war over Nagorno-Karabakh, especially women and other vulnerable members. The project will be funded by the World Bank’s State and Peacebuilding Fund through a one-year grant of $3.72 million. [Public Radio of Armenia]
East and Southeast Asia
Malaysia is banning all inter-district and interstate travel from today as it battles a spike in COVID-19 cases. Authorities also closed down high-risk premises, such as major malls, on Sunday. Social functions by the public and private sector have also been temporarily suspended. The ban will apply nationwide and be in place until June 6. [The Straits Times]
Support for Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has declined to an all-time low since he took office eight months ago, according to a survey released on Monday. The poll found that 40% of respondents supported Suga, down 44% from a month earlier. 63% said they did not approve of his government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, a 13% increase over the same period. [The Straits Times]
Europe
Marking the occasion of WWII Victory Day on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would “firmly” defend its national interests amid a spike in “slogans of racial and national superiority, of anti-semitism and Russophobia.” He also denounced criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and elsewhere, saying that the country’s actions are in concert with international law. [The Moscow Times]
The 27 member states of the European Union adopted the non-binding Porto Declaration, which aims to address social exclusion and tackle inequalities for “particularly vulnerable social groups” including “the unemployed, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the homeless.” While passing the declaration, the leaders of the member states said that the declaration was indicative of their commitment to “ensuring equal opportunities.” [DW]
Latin America and the Caribbean
Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary-General Luis Almagro spoke out against police brutality in Colombia, where security forces have violently suppressed protesters demanding structural reform. So far, at least 26 have died and hundreds have been injured and arrested. Keeping this in mind, Luis Almagro said, “The right to protest is a right of individuals and society and must be highly valued as a form of political participation,” adding, “We especially condemn the cases of torture and murder committed by the forces of order.” [Merco Press]
The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into a police raid in a Rio de Janeiro favela last week, when at least 25 people were killed in a shootout. Roughly 200 officers were deployed to one of the city’s largest slums and though the police claim that it killed 24 drug traffickers in self-defence, residents say that the police used arbitrary and excessive force, even against individuals who were compliant and willing to surrender. [NPR]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Egyptian and French naval forces carried out a joint maritime drill in the Red Sea as part of the Egyptian Armed Forces’ efforts to enhance military cooperation with “friendly and brotherly” countries. The air forces of both sides have also started a joint training exercise called ‘Ramses 2021.’ According to a statement released by the Egyptian Armed Forces, the exercises aim to support “security and stability efforts in the region.” [Al Ahram]
The United States (US) Navy’s Fifth Fleet seized an illicit shipment of arms from a stateless dhow in international waters in the Arabian Sea. The Fleet, based in Bahrain, said that the seized weapons included Russian-made anti-tank missiles, Chinese assault rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers. The dhow was assessed for “seaworthiness” and its crew was later released after questioning. [Reuters]
North America
Over the weekend, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau expressed concern about the “loss of life and injuries in Colombia” and the “disproportionate use of force by security forces.” On the same day, Garneau also said that he is “following the situation in Jerusalem closely” and that Ottawa remains committed to the “creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.” [Government of Canada]
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat today to convey the Biden administration’s “serious concerns about the situation in Jerusalem, including violent confrontations at the Haram al-Sharif / Temple Mount during the last days of Ramadan.” A statement released by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne says that Sullivan urged Israeli authorities to “deescalate tensions”. The American diplomat also voiced alarm over Palestinians being evicted from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. [The White House]
Oceania
Confucius Institutes in Australia may be forced to end operations in the country under the federal government’s new policy that allows it to overrule any agreements reached with foreign governments and entities. In fact, the RMIT University’s Chinese Medicine Confucius Institute is set to shut down later this year. There are 12 other such institutes across the country that partner with Australian universities with Chinese universities. The partnerships have drawn suspicion due to concerns that they may be used as a tool by the Chinese Communist Party. [The Age]
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne visited Afghanistan today and met with President Ashraf Ghani, and Minister for Women’s Affairs Hasina Safi, and Chair of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah. During her three meetings, Payne conveyed Australia’s support for troop withdrawal and peace negotiations, “improving the rights of women and girls”, and delivering humanitarian assistance. While in Kabul, Payne also met with US General Austin Miller to discuss the two countries’ plans to withdraw troops from the country by September 11. [Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs]
Sub-Saharan Africa
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has urged the Ugandan government, led by President Yoweri Museveni, to withdraw a bill that bans same-sex relations. The bill was passed by lawmakers last week and if finalised could reduce the punishment for consensual same-sex relations from a life sentence to a 10-year jail term. However, the UN objects to the fact that same-sex relations continue to be criminalised in the first place. [Voice of America]
Madagascar has received its first delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, with 250,000 doses of the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine, otherwise known as Covishield, delivered over the weekend. The island nation has thus far recorded 34,775 cases and 588 deaths from the virus. The latest shipment was part of the WHO-led Covax initiative. [Africa News]