India and the US air forces are preparing to begin the “Cope India” military exercise, scheduled from 10-21 April at Kalaikuna, West Bengal. The engagement will see “intense air manoeuvres” and activities to enhance interoperability.
Forty-seven firefighting units were deployed early Monday morning to contain the fire in Bangabazar, one of Bangladesh’s biggest clothing markets. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet.
The Philippines on Monday announced four additional military bases, considered “suitable and mutually beneficial,” which US troops will be allowed to use. One of the new bases is located near the disputed South China Sea, while another lies close to the self-governing island of Taiwan.
Citing security concerns and following similar moves by the US and Canada, Australia announced on Tuesday its decision to ban the Chinese social media app TikTok from all its government-owned devices. Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the ban will come into effect “as soon as practicable.”
The Malaysian parliament voted on Monday to remove the death penalty as the mandatory punishment for 11 crimes, including murder and terrorism. The move would spare around 1,300 prisoners facing capital punishment. However, judges will continue to have the discretion to hand down the death penalty in exceptional cases.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi travelled to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. El Sisi’s office said in a statement that the two leaders vowed to promote “common cooperation in all fields” and coordinate on regional and international topics. El Sisi visited the Gulf country as Egypt faced an unprecedented economic crisis, including skyrocketing inflation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) on Monday signed a bill allowing people the right to permitless carry of concealed guns. Previously, Floridians had to complete training, undergo a background check, and pay for a license to carry a concealed weapon. Now, residents do not require license or training as long as they have not been convicted of a drug-related crime or felony within the last three years. Accordingly, Florida has joined 25 other American states, including Alabama, Montana, and Texas, which have legalised concealed carry of weapons.
On Monday, Andriy Pyshnyi, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, announced that Ukraine had received $2.7 billion as the first tranche of a four-year Extended Fund Facility programme worth $15.6 billion approved and signed by the IMF on 31 March. It is part of a larger funding package of $115 billion. The IMF had been prepared to disburse the $2.7 billion “immediately” to ensure financial stability “during a period of exceptionally high uncertainty” in Ukraine.
The Chinese spy balloon, which flew across the US earlier this year, reportedly gathered intel from sensitive military sites for days before being shot down. NBC News cited US officials and reported Monday that the balloon transmitted data to Beijing in real time. One of the officials stated that the craft may have collected electronic signals rather than images and that the analysis is ongoing. The White House is yet to confirm this report.