South Asia
An investigation by the United Nations Security Council’s Sanctions Committee reported an increased threat of terrorist activities from Afghanistan. According to a statement by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, this report “vindicates” Pakistan and supports its claim that the Afghan government and the NATO-led forces in the country need to work harder to counter terrorism in Afghanistan. [Al Jazeera]
The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information called upon Twitter to take down 1,178 accounts which they believe are run by “Pakistani and Khalisatani users” who were involved in instigating violence at the farmers’ protests. However, the tech giant is yet to comply with the request and has reiterated that it was following local laws and “protecting its foundational principle of free expression.” [NDTV]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
In a meeting with the Turkmen government regarding security of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline yesterday, the Taliban expressed full support towards the security of the pipeline. “Without a doubt, the immediate construction of such projects as TAPI...and railroads between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan will help achieve peace and economic development in Afghanistan,” Taliban spokesman Mohammad Soheil Shahin told journalists. [RFE/RL]
Three Kazakh women protested outside the Chinese embassy in Almaty yesterday, demanding the release of their relatives detained in internment camps in China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang. Consulate security cited public health reasons for consulate officials not meeting the women. Many such protests have taken place against China in recent years with little outcome. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
The navies of Indonesia and France conducted a joint exercise in the Sunda Strait on Monday. Two frigates, FS Vendemiaire and a nuclear-powered submarine FS Émeraude represented France, while Indonesia deployed three warships to take part in the exercise. Indonesian Chief of Fleet Command Rear Admiral Abdul Rasyid said that the exercise advanced the goal of “military diplomacy”. [A News]
On Monday, Myanmar’s military junta imposed a ban on gatherings of more than five persons in Yangon and Mandalay, the country’s two largest cities, with protests against the military coup that occurred last week showing no signs of diminishing. [The Tribune]
Europe
Sweden, Poland, and Germany have each expelled a Russian diplomat in a reciprocal move after Moscow expelled the EU states’ representatives citing involvement in “illegal” protests in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. [BBC]
Ukraine is reportedly looking to purchase military equipment from India as part of its efforts to expand its presence in the Indian defence market. The two sides will discuss the matter at the Bilateral Working Group meeting between the two countries’ defence ministries in April. [The Hindu]
The United Kingdom’s Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has lowered Britain’s international terrorism threat from “severe” to “substantial” after previously elevating its threat levels following terror attacks in France and Austria. [Reuters]
Latin America and the Caribbean
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) environmental policy committee rejected a proposal to elevate Brazil’s status to ‘member’, with France allegedly behind the move. [Merco Press]
The murder of two members of the opposition left-wing FMLN party last month has ignited fears that El Salvador could be headed towards another civil war, just 12 years after the last one ended. President Nayib Bukele has played down these suggestions by baselessly alleging that the FLMN itself was behind the attack as part of an attempt to gain sympathy before the legislative election on February 28. [Al Jazeera]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Heavy rains killed at least 28 workers in an illegal textile factory in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier; firefighters and emergency personnel were able to rescue 10 people. The incident has sparked a new wave of debate about the country’s heavily unregulated industry, which is beset by not only unsafe working conditions but also long hours and low wages. [Middle East Online]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded “not guilty” at his corruption trial at the Jerusalem District Court. The evidentiary stage of the trial is set to be held after the Knesset elections on March 23, and will be followed by three hearings. It is thought that the evidentiary stage alone could start in three or four months, illustrating the long drawn out nature of the trial. [The Times of Israel]
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok once again illustrated his commitment to reconciliation and the peace deal signed with the rebel alliance last year by inducting seven rebel leaders into his Cabinet. [Ashraq al-Awsat]
North America
The US announced on Monday that it will re-engage with the United Nations Human Rights Council, despite it being a “flawed body, in need of reform to its agenda, membership, and focus, including its disproportionate focus on Israel.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington’s 2018 withdrawal from the council left a void for authoritarian states to fill, and stressed that the US under Biden was ready to lead the way forward. [US Department of State]
US President Joe Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, vowing to work closely with New Delhi to address the challenges brought on by COVID-19, climate change, and global terrorism. The leaders also agreed to continue cooperation in the Indo-Pacific through the framework of the Quad. [The White House]
US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that the US will not lift sanctions against Iran unless it stops enriching uranium, continuing the diplomatic standoff with Tehran, who has demanded that sanctions be lifted before it fully implements the JCPOA. [CBS News]
Oceania
Air New Zealand has issued an apology to the country’s finance minister, Grant Robertson, after reports emerged that, through a third-party contract, the airline’s gas turbine unit had serviced two engines and one power turbine module on vessels belonging to the Royal Saudi Navy. It assured that it would not work with the Saudi military in any capacity going forward. [RNZ]
Australia introduced 33 F-35A aircraft into BAE Systems Australia’s (BAESA) maintenance depot as part of its Joint Strike Fighter Program. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says that this enhancement of the country’s defense capabilities is supported by the government's $270 billion investment in the defense industry. [Prime Minister of Australia]
Sub-Saharan Africa
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) health ministry confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola in the city of Butembo, which is particularly concerning given that the disease killed over 2,200 people between 2018 and 2020. It also raises questions about the success of the country’s eradication programme, as the DRC supposedly dealt with its last case back in October. [Reuters]
Amid intense allegations of electoral fraud in the recently held presidential election, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said that support for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party stands at 80%, which he said makes it virtually impossible for “anyone to defeat NRM politically”. [Daily Monitor]
World News Monitor: 09 February, 2021
A quick look at events from around the globe.
February 9, 2021
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS