South Asia
Nepalese migrant workers continue to face obstacles in resuming their work overseas, as they are being made to pay exorbitant airfares. Previously, several countries had barred unvaccinated Nepalese workers from entering their countries to resume working over concerns about the rampant Delta virus surge in the country. [Kathmandu Post]
The British and American embassies in Afghanistan accused the Taliban of committing war crimes” in Spin Boldak in southern Afghanistan. Several government officials have been identified and killed by Taliban fighters as violence continues to ravage the country following the withdrawal of US troops. [France 24]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
The ousted ex-President of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akaev, has returned to Bishkek after 16 years in exile in Russia to provide testimony against officials involved in corrupt practices while granting concessions to Canadian company Centerra Gold for operating the Kumtor Gold Mine. The mine was the centre of international attention when the Kyrgyz government took over operations of the mine in May to address environmental and safety violations. Centerra has called the move “wrongful and illegal” and has filed arbitration claims against the government. [RFE/RL]
Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has officially appointed Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister after Pashinyan’s Civil Contract Party nominated him for the post. In June, the Civil Contract Party won the parliamentary elections by an overwhelming majority of more than 50% of the votes. [TASS]
East and Southeast Asia
On Monday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi urged Myanmar to approve the appointment of a special envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to mediate Myanmar’s political conflict. She did not clarify who the envoy is or if one had even been appointed yet. [Channel News Asia]
Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced on Monday that the country will contribute US$100,000 to ASEAN’s humanitarian assistance unit as it begins preparations to provide aid to Myanmar. [The Straits Times]
Europe
More than 600 people were arrested in Berlin for participating in protests against the coronavirus measures introduced by the German government. Despite a court order banning demonstrations, more than 5000 protesters participated in 13 demonstrations around Berlin on Sunday and refused to abide by safety rules. [The Guardian]
The United Kingdom summoned the Iranian ambassador over the “unlawful attack” on the MT Mercer Street off the coast of Oman. In response, Iran summoned the British Chargé d’Affaires to protest against British allegations of Iranian involvement in the attack on the oil tanker. [BBC]
Latin America and the Caribbean
On Monday, the European Union levelled sanctions against Nicaragua’s first lady and Vice President, Rosario Murillo, and seven other senior officials within the administration of President Daniel Ortega. This follows the arrest of at least 20 opposition figures and candidates ahead of the November 7 election. [Associated Press]
Recent data from the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) suggests that Argentina has the second-lowest amount of foreign direct investment (FDI), behind only Venezuela. Cash inflows fell 38% in 2020 to $4.1 billion, while FDI dropped by 35% to $1 trillion. [MercoPress]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Israel’s new cabinet advanced a national budget on Monday for the first time since 2018, a key victory for the fragile Israeli coalition government led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. However, the Knesset must still approve the two-year spending plan by November to avoid dissolving the government. [Associated Press]
588 South Sudanese lawmakers formally took office on Monday as the country swore in a newly created parliament, a key condition of the 2018 peace deal that ended the civil war between the government and the rebels. [Africa News]
North America
United States (US) Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl held a telephonic meeting with Estonian Ministry of Defense Permanent Secretary Kusti Salm. According to a press release by Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Jamal Brown, the pair discussed “regional security, bilateral defence cooperation, and the recent NATO Summit.” Furthermore, Kahl “thanked Estonia for its support to NATO and its sustained focus on increasing its defence capabilities.” [US Department Defense]
The US Department of State announced an expansion of the country’s refugee program for Afghan citizens ahead of the completion of American troop withdrawal later this month. As a result, “many thousands” of Afghans and their immediate families will now be resettled in the US. This comes amid a period of increased violence and instability as the Taliban gains control of more and more districts. [Associated Press]
Oceania
A German warship, Bayern, will make a port visit to Australia’s Perth in October as part of its month-long trip to the Indo-Pacific. The warship will sail through the disputed waters of the South China Sea to reinforce the implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). [The Sydney Morning Herald]
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, announced additional aid for Fiji to help the island nation combat the outbreak of coronavirus as cases continue to soar. Mahuta said, “New Zealand has funded 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine directly from the Spanish government in order to meet Fiji’s immediate vaccine requirements. The vaccines will arrive in Fiji later today.” [Government of New Zealand]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Despite ongoing allegations of corruption and the misuse of funds, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a three-year financing deal with Cameroon for $689.5 million under its Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility schemes. It is intended to be used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. [Nation]
During Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s two-day visit to Kigali, she signed a number of bilateral agreements with her Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame on immigration, infrastructure, investment, education, and the regulation of medical products. [The East African]
World News Monitor: 3 August, 2021
A quick look at events from around the globe.
August 3, 2021
Armenian President Armen Sarkissian SOURCE: PAN PHOTO / DAVIT HAKOBYAN VIA AP