South Asia
China and Pakistan have signed a new military memorandum of understanding (MoU) to further their already close defence relationship. Wei Fenghe, China’s Defence Minister and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General met Pakistani officials in Islamabad to discuss details of the agreement, which have not been made public yet. [The Hindu]
China has extended the construction of the Pangda Village, which according to satellite images lies in Bhutan, into Indian territory. The bridge, located approximately 400m south of the new Pangda Phase-I village, is about 40-45m long and about 6m wide. The bridge, which has at least seven piers and eight spans, connects the eastern and western banks of the Amo Chu river, effectively crossing the Indian red line. [India Today]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
The All-National Social Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (OSDP), which regards itself as an opposition group, has announced that it will boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. Party leader Askhat Rakhizhanov said that OSDP will not contest in the January 10, 2021 elections, saying that the Central Asian nation’s political scene continues to be dominated by the “same” political elite. The last parliamentary elections were held in March 2016. [Radio Free Europe]
According to an anonymous Uzbek government source, Uzbekistan plans to repatriate another group of its citizens from the Al-Hol camp for families of Islamic State fighters in Syria. The UN estimates there are about 65,000 people at the Al-Hol camp, including 28,000 Syrians, 30,000 Iraqis, and about 10,000 foreigners of other nationalities. Last year, Uzbekistan repatriated about 220 women and children from Syria as part of a rehabilitation program. [Reuters]
East and Southeast Asia
The United States accused China on Tuesday of a “flagrant violation” of its obligation to enforce international sanctions on North Korea and offered rewards of up to US$5 million for information about sanctions evasions. [Strait Times]
Lao Petroleum & Chemical Co. Ltd (Laopec), a China-Laos joint venture, has launched the first phase of production of its three million tons/year refinery project in Vientiane on Monday. The Laopec, which is Laos’ first refinery, will effectively fill the gap in the petrochemical industry in Laos and significantly reduce its dependence on imports. [Global Times]
Europe
The European Medicines Agency plans to convene by December 29 to decide if it should approve the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, based on the evidence of enough safety and efficacy data. The regulator also said it could decide as early as January 12 regarding approval of the rival shot by American pharmaceutical company Moderna Inc, which also submitted its request to U.S. and European regulators this week. [The AP]
A two-day virtual meeting of NATO foreign ministers began on Tuesday, aimed at discussing the future of the coalition. The participants are expected to discuss tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Russia’s military build-up, and partnered operations in Afghanistan, as well as a series of proposals to reform the military alliance. [RFE/RL; DW]
Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden joined hands with the European Commission to voice their displeasure at Poland’s new disciplinary procedures for its judges, which critics say undermines judicial independence. The five countries presented their case that Poland had violated EU law to the European Court of Justice. [POLITICO]
Latin America and the Caribbean
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador implemented a new law this week that will provide free healthcare to all citizens, including those who are not currently enrolled in the social security system, who comprise 50% of the population. [Telesur]
Despite US sanctions, Venezuelan oil exports tripled in November to 500,000 barrels per day, with China accounting for the vast majority of these. Although the US has, in turn, sanctioned Chinese state-owned company Venezuelan oil National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC), this is unlikely to deter either Venezuela or China, given that they likely knew that sanctions would be imposed for striking such a deal. [Latin American Herald Tribune]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
The World Bank has issued a warning that Lebanon’s economy can face an “arduous and prolonged depression,” with real GDP projected to plunge by nearly 20% because its politicians refuse to implement reforms that would speed up the country’s recovery. The dire projections, which include a 19.2% drop in gross domestic product this year alone, come as Lebanon suffers its worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history, posing a threat to the country's stability. [World Bank]
According to Amnesty International, Egyptian authorities have embarked on a horrifying execution spree in recent months. As per the report published by the UK- based human rights group, Egypt has clamped down on human rights groups working on the death penalty, with staff from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights arrested and interrogated about their work. Egypt has dismissed international criticism of such accusations. [Amnesty International]
North America
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a $900bn compromise stimulus proposal on Tuesday. The package restores federal unemployment benefits at the rate of $300 for 18 weeks, provides $160bn to help state, local, and tribal governments facing economic ruin, and includes $288bn to help small businesses and a short-term federal liability shield from coronavirus-related lawsuits. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has rejected the plan. [The New York Times]
US Attorney General William Barr said on Tuesday that the Justice Department had found no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election that could help flip the outcome in President Trump’s favour. [Associated Press]
Oceania
The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that the country’s economy grew by 3.3% in the latest quarter. That being said, the January to September figures indicate a 3.8% contraction. Economic experts contend that the latest growth figures suggest that the recession is over, but cautioned against optimism, saying that the recovery is still underway and will take some time yet. [ABC News]
Sub-Saharan Africa
The World Health Organisation’s annual World Malaria Report revealed that six sub-Saharan African nations—Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Niger, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso—account for 51% of malaria deaths worldwide, with the region as a whole accounting for 94% of the total deaths. [Africa Times]
Islamist militants attacked three French military bases in northern Mali. French forces in the region are attempting to quell the influence of Al Qaeda and groups linked to the terrorist outfit. [Africa News]
World News Monitor: 02 December, 2020
A quick look at events from around the globe.
December 3, 2020
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg SOURCE: RFE/RL