South Asia
Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar recently said that Gautam Buddha, along with Mahatma Gandhi, are the “two greatest Indians ever that you can remember.” This created an uproar amongst Nepali leaders, who called the statement “mischievous”, as they believe Buddha’s birthplace to be Lumbini, Nepal. [Indian Express]
Following a devastating loss in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections last week, ex-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe resigned from his position as the leader of the United National Party. His party was able to secure merely one seat in the parliament. [The Week]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has blasted Armenia for bringing up the Treaty of Sèvres that dissolved the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago and was ‘overturned’ by Ataturk when the Turkish nation was formed. The treaty was said to have introduced a new set of core principles and values to the region at large, but was rejected by nationalists in Turkey due to its harsh conditions. However, it did pave the way to recognize the independent Armenian state. Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said, “Like the Treaty of Versailles in Europe, the Treaty of Sèvres formed a new system of interstate relations in the region." Ankara criticized Yerevan for its ‘sneaky goals’, stating that it is “absurd” for an administration that is “unable to feed its own people” to be making such statements. [Anadolu Agency, Public Radio of Armenia]
East and Southeast Asia
China has announced sanctions against 11 US officials who are said to have “egregious records on Hong Kong affairs”. The list includes Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and others. The move comes as a response to the US Treasury’s sanctions against Hong Kong’s top officials last week. [People’s Daily]
Despite coronavirus concerns, South Korea and the US will conduct their annual summertime joint military exercises next week, albeit in a “scaled back manner”. The two countries also launched a four-day crisis management staff training exercise today. [The Korea Herald]
Vietnam is to receive six patrol boats from Japan to boost its maritime enforcement capabilities in the South China Sea. Japan signed a $345 million deal with Hanoi, furthering Tokyo’s goal of “a free and open Indo-Pacific”. [Japan Today]
Europe
To help Lebanon revive itself following the devastating blasts in Beirut, the European Commission added a further €30 million to its existing €33 million relief package. These funds, which will be provided to agencies of the United Nations and several NGOs, will also be strictly monitored by the European Council. [WION]
Following protests across Belarus against the controversial victory of President Alexander Lukashenko, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged the EU to “reconsider” the bloc’s decision to “lift previous-imposed sanctions” on the country. [DW]
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday pressed Belarus to resume the integration process with Russia and “deepen cooperation within the Union State”, after a contested election win left Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko facing growing protests throughout the country. [Reuters]
Latin America and the Caribbean
The “Citgo 6”, six American oil executives who were lured to Venezuela in 2017 under the false pretenses of business and then arrested on corruption charges, are set to go to trial this week. [NBC News]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Egypt has begun polling for its upper Senate house to elect members as per revised constitutional amendments from 2019. The results will be announced on 19 August. [Al Jazeera]
Battering rainfall over the past few days has ravaged ancient, UNESCO-listed mud brick houses in Yemen’s old city of Sana’a. Over 100 homes have collapsed roofs, and more than 2,000 have leaks. Two buildings have completely collapsed. [France 24]
North America
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he was considering postponing the Group of Seven (G7) summit until after the election in November. The conference was slated to be held at Camp David in June, but has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Trump added that invitations had not been sent out yet, and that he intended to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the meeting. [CNN]
Oceania
After the Australian province of Victoria recorded 19 new coronavirus deaths for two consecutive days, the pressure is piling on Premier Daniel Andrews. From the countrywide death toll of 332, Victoria accounts for 246. [Sydney Morning Herald]
Sub-Saharan Africa
The political opposition in Côte d’Ivoire has strongly objected to President Alassane Ouattara’s announcement that he will seek a third five-year term in office, describing it as an “organized state coup” and a “serious constitutional violation”. [Africa Times]
The Malian political opposition, called the June 5 Movement or the M5, has accused France of interfering in the country's political affairs, saying that it is meddling in the appointment of the prime minister of the country. [Africa News]
World News Monitor: 11 August, 2020
A quick look at events from around the globe.
August 11, 2020
