South Asia
As the “India Out” movement gains momentum in the Maldives, the government is considering introducing a law that would criminalise demonstrations “that affect the country’s relations with other nations.” The ruling government, led by pro-India President Ibrahim Solih, intends to introduce the law in the Maldivian legislature during its session on February 3. [Indian Express]
India and the European Union virtually convened for the second maritime security dialogue to discuss progress made in the bloc’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific region, along with other maritime security issues. During the discussions, they highlighted their commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order in the area. [Indian Ministry of External Affairs]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Kazakhstan to investigate torture allegations and end abuses of activists detained during the violent unrest earlier this month. “Kazakh authorities should immediately put a stop to the abuses, ensure that every detainee’s rights are protected, and bring to justice those who beat or tortured them,” HRW stated on Tuesday. [RFE/RL]
Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has decided to nominate High-Tech minister Vahagn Khachaturyan for President, following the resignation of the head of state Armen Sarkissian last week. [Public Radio of Armenia]
East and Southeast Asia
The United States President Joe Biden may visit Japan for a possible summit in the latter half of May. The leaders will discuss regional security and threats posed by China and North Korea. Biden is also expected to meet with Quad members during the tour. [The Straits Times]
A firework ban during the Chinese New Year has helped Beijing record its cleanest air ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Average concentrations of PM2.5 particles, which are small, hazardous and airborne, stood at five micrograms per cubic metre in Beijing on Monday night, compared with an average of 289 micrograms last new year’s eve. [Channel News Asia]
Europe
Four French Members of the Parliament have urged the government to offer WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, currently lodged in a prison in the United Kingdom, asylum in France as he continues to fight his extradition to the United States. Assange was accused of releasing confidential military documents over a decade ago. In December, the British High Court overturned the lower court’s decision to restrict Assange’s extradition to the US on mental health grounds. In January, Assange won the right to appeal against the British High Court’s decision, further delaying his extradition. [Euronews]
Reports suggest that the Wagner Group, a Russia-backed private military company, is preparing to participate in the ongoing crisis in Ukraine by sending mercenaries to eastern Europe. According to The Daily Beast, the group has pulled out several of its mercenaries from the Central African Republic (CAR), where they have been accused of committing human rights violations. Russia signed a deal with CAR deploying 1,100 unarmed military trainers in the country, however, sources say the Wagner Group has around 3,000 armed fighters in the country. The group was first plunged into international spotlight for its role in the 2014 Ukraine crisis. [bneIntellinews]
During his visit to Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned of the “clear and present danger” posed by Russian invasion, which he declared would be met with “bloody resistance.” At the same press conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that any such aggression towards them would result in a “fully-fledged” war in Europe. [New York Post]
Latin America and the Caribbean
Due to heavy rainfall at Quito in Ecuador, landslides killed 24 people and destroyed several homes. Authorities also noted that over a dozen people were missing. [Associated Press]
The United States has urged Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to cancel his upcoming visit to Moscow, where he is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing tensions over Ukraine. [Reuters]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
South Korea said on Tuesday that it signed a $1.6 billion arms deal with Egypt. Through the deal, Seoul will provide Cairo with K9 self-propelled howitzers. President Moon Jae-in said that the deal was the country’s biggest ever export contract for weapons. [Associated Press]
Israel on Tuesday rejected a report by Amnesty International accusing it of apartheid against Palestinians. Israel has warned that the report will delegitimise its existence and encourage antisemitism. [Associated Press]
North America
On Tuesday, American drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and its distributors AmerisourceBergen, McKesson and Cardinal Health reached a $590 million settlement with Native American Tribes for their role in exacerbating the opioid crisis among Native Americans and Alaska Natives. The plaintiffs argued that J&J’s role in the opioid crisis has not only disproportionately killed Native Americans, but also added additional burden in the form of increased health care, social services and child care. [NPR]
Axios obtained leaked internal documents showcasing how the United States (US) scrambled its withdrawal from Afghanistan. According to the documents, Biden administration officials were still figuring out plans for evacuation of Afghan citizens on August 14 amid the Taliban’s seizure of the country that was completed on August 15. White House’s National Security Council dismissed the leaked documents as being taken out of context. US President Joe Biden’s approval ratings took a huge plunge over America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. [Axios]
Oceania
Tonga will enter a two-day lockdown on Wednesday after the Pacific island nation recorded two community cases of COVID-19. The island nation recorded its last case of COVID-19 in October last year. As per the mandate, masks would be made mandatory, schools closed and civil servants won’t be required to go to the office. The island nation is currently reeling from the aftermath of an underwater explosion of a volcano on January 15. [Sky News]
Australia announced an additional investment of $60 million to counter violent extremism amid increasing conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns regarding the safety of the Members of Parliament. On Wednesday, Home Minister Karen Andrews announced the additional funding saying, “This government has zero tolerance for anyone threatening the peace and cohesion of our society by trying to use violence to achieve a political, religious or ideological goal.” [The Sydney Morning Herald]
Sub-Saharan Africa
French energy company TotalEnergies signed a deal with the Ugandan government on Tuesday that will allow the company to explore opportunities and develop renewable energy projects as part of the global push for clean energy. The deal is part of the long-awaited Final Investment Decision (FID). [The East African]
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday condemned the “attempted coup” in Guinea-Bissau and called on the military to “return to their barracks.” “ECOWAS is following with great concern the evolution of the situation in Guinea-Bissau... where military gunfire is taking place around the government palace,” the statement said, adding, “ECOWAS condemns this attempted coup and holds the military responsible for the safety of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and members of his government.” [Africa News]