South Asia
China has begun constructing a bridge across the Pangong Tso Lake along its border with India, raising concerns in New Delhi. In response, the Indian External Affairs Ministry said that the issue was being monitored and the government would take any “necessary steps” to protect India’s “security interests.” [Al Jazeera]
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) warned the Imran Khan-led government against providing relief to Afghanistan without involving “international organisations of repute” as it could result in sanctions by the Financial Action Task Force. This is the first time the country’s apex bank has spoken against a policy recommendation by the government. [NDTV]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Armenian Prime Minister (PM) Nikol Pashinyan has tested positive for COVID-19. A statement released by his office said that the PM is asymptomatic and has self-isolated. “The prime minister will carry out his duties remotely,” the statement added. [RFE/RL]
Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged $500 million in aid over the next three years to Central Asian countries for economic and security programmes. Xi also vowed to provide 50 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the five countries in the region and said that China may share vaccine production technology as well. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
In its sixth round of missile tests this month, North Korea fired what appeared to be two ballistic missiles off its east coast, South Korea’s military reported on Thursday. The missiles landed outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone. [Channel News Asia]
Thailand and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations on Tuesday. In their first high-level meeting in nearly three decades, both sides agreed to exchange ambassadors and restore direct flights. [The Straits Times]
Europe
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz insisted on continuing dialogue with Russia amid the threat of Russia invading Ukraine for the second time. Scholz said, “It is very important that we talk to each other.” Macron added, “We must never abandon these discussion and exchange formats.” Both leaders aim to revive discussions in the Normandy Format — Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany — which they believe could lead to de-escalation. [Le Monde]
A leaked email by a whistle-blower showed that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson authorised the evacuation of animals from a veteran-run charity from Afghanistan as countries struggled to arrange flights for its citizens and Afghans at the threat of persecution by the Taliban’s takeover. Previously, Johnson denied allegations accusing him of prioritising the lives of animals over people and had never held any discussions about evacuations with the charity. [BBC]
Latin America and the Caribbean
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged El Salvador to reverse its decision to make the highly volatile cryptocurrency Bitcoin legal tender. The IMF warned that Bitcoin could compromise the country’s financial integrity and stability. In September, El Salvador became the first country to allow Bitcoin to be used in all monetary transactions along with the United States Dollar (USD). [Associated Press]
The United States Coast Guard said on Wednesday that it intercepted a sailing vessel near the Bahamas overloaded with 191 Haitians. The Bahamas is a transit point for human smuggling operations that take place between the Caribbean and Florida. [Reuters]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
United Nations chief António Guterres said on Tuesday that more than 50 million people all over the world are impacted by urban conflict. He added that when explosive weapons are used in populated areas, around “90 percent of those killed or injured are civilians.” Guterres highlighted the cases of Gaza, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Yemen as worst-case scenarios. [UN News]
The United States-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a group of largely Kurdish fighters, said that they retook control of the prison in Al-Hasakah that was captured by ISIS militants last week. The SDF said they freed several child detainees used by the militants as human shields. [Associated Press]
North America
On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government would send non-lethal equipment to Ukraine to help the latter gather intelligence and counter cyber-attacks from Russia amid heightened tensions at the Ukraine-Russia border. In addition, Trudeau said his government would extend and double the size of a mission, Operation Unifier, to train the Ukrainian military. [Reuters]
The United States Embassy in Ukraine urged Americans to leave the country at the earliest amid the escalating security situation with Russia. On Wednesday, the Embassy warned that the current situation in Ukraine could deteriorate with little notice. Earlier this week, the US government urged its citizens not to travel to Ukraine. [Reuters]
Oceania
The Australian Federal government is considering imposing Magnitsky sanctions, which include restricted travel and seizure of property against senior Russian officials, in the first use of new federal powers passed with bipartisan support last month. Foreign Minister Marise Payne proposed tougher sanctions on Russia over the latter’s aggression towards Ukraine. [The Sydney Morning Herald]
On Thursday, Red Cross said the recovery in Tonga has begun following the eruption of an underwater volcano that sent tsunami waves across the Pacific coast. World Health Organization’s representative to the South Pacific, Mark Jacobs, said, “The response seems to be going well and it seems to be Tongan government lead. It’s been very active and well co-ordinated. Things like water supplies, food and communication supplies all sorts of things like that [...] the supplies to be handed over in a way that doesn’t expose people to COVID-19.” [RNZ]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Uganda’s head of Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, Major General Abel Kandiho, has been removed from his position, army sources said on Tuesday. General Kandiho will be replaced by Major General James Birungi. [The East African]
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that negotiations on a ceasefire between his government and their rival Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) will possibly be held. The news comes after the Tigray forces announced it had resumed fighting with the federal government allies on Monday. [Africa News]