South Asia
The Bangladeshi government signed an agreement with the United Nations to relocate Rohingya who have been seeking refuge in camps on the Myanmar border. The refugees will be housed in Cox’s Bazar, which was redeveloped by the Bangladeshi government to make its residents less vulnerable to floods and other social insecurities. [Al Jazeera]
Five Indian soldiers and two militants were killed during an operation against suspected terrorists in Kashmir. This comes as the security forces in the region have been increasingly conducting raids and detaining suspected terrorists amid a rise in violence against civilians. [Reuters]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Jailed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili needs to be treated in a hospital as his health continues to deteriorate, his doctor said. The former President declared a hunger strike after he was arrested by the police on October 1 as he returned to the country following an eight-year absence. Saakashvili was convicted in absentia in 2018 for abuse of power during his term in office. [RFE/RL]
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey signed a protocol for the creation of a trilateral customs committee in İzmir, Turkey on Monday. It is expected to strengthen customs cooperation as well facilitate trade and promote regional economic integration. Additionally, the committee will allow for better coordination on anti-smuggling measures. [Azer News]
East and Southeast Asia
During a speech at a defence exhibition, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un blamed the United States for being the “root cause” of instability and tensions on the peninsula. [Channel News Asia]
Malaysia has vaccinated over 90% of its adults. The country has now lifted the ban on interstate travel. [The Straits Times]
Europe
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss convened discussions with the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. During the meeting, she extended the United Kingdom’s support to protect the countries from the threat posed by Russia, Belarus, and China. [UK Government]
European Council President Charles Michel is expected to discuss human rights concerns and trade issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a phone call on Friday. Michel will reportedly urge Xi to reconsider the sanctions imposed on EU officials by Beijing after the bloc imposed sanctions on Chinese officials over human rights abuses in Xinjiang. [Politico]
Latin America and the Caribbean
On Monday, international rights group Amnesty International accused Curaçao and Dutch authorities of not respecting the rights of Venezuelan migrants, claiming that families are being separated and that many, including children, have been “subjected to human rights violations such as automatic detention under inhumane conditions.” There are around 17,000 ‘irregular’ Venezuelan migrants in Curaçao. [Amnesty International]
Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Samuel Moncada, on Monday sent a letter to the UN Security Council warning that Colombia and the United States are plotting to “export” the Colombian civil war to Venezuela. [Prensa Latina]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s party is set to win the Iraqi parliamentary elections, initial results showed on Monday. Sadr, who fought an insurgency against the United States (US) since 2003, is fiercely opposed to any foreign intervention, whether by the US or Iran. Pro-Iranian parties linked to militia groups took a major blow, winning fewer seats than in the 2018 election. [Reuters]
Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday approved a new government selected by Prime Minister (PM) Najla Bouden Ramadhane, almost three months after he suspended the parliament and dismissed his former cabinet in a power grab. The new 24-member cabinet has a record number of 10 women, including the PM. [Associated Press]
North America
On Monday, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and European Commission Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans met virtually to discuss their shared commitment to the Global Methane Pledge, which has 24 signatories who collectively account for 30% of global methane emissions and 60% of the global economy. [US Department of State]
In an open letter addressed to the United States (US) Senate and House committees on foreign relations, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Albanian-American, Bosnian-American, and Montenegrin-American leaders and advocacy groups have called on the United States to play a more active role in the Western Balkans due to the “growing militancy” of the Serbian government. The letter described this as a “matter of utmost concern to the US because it directly imperils the peace and stability of the Western Balkans region and [...] Europe as a whole.” [Al Jazeera]
Oceania
Australian officials on Tuesday said Prime Minister Scott Morrison will likely attend the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow next month after initially indicating that he may skip the event. The announcement comes after Morrison was widely criticised for failing to commit to net-zero carbon emissions. [Reuters]
The trade ministers of Australia and Singapore, Dan Tehan and Gan Kim Yong, met to promote a Green Economy Agreement (GEA) to expedite the countries’ transition to a sustainable future. The agreement would lower carbon emissions and create employment along with promoting trade and investments. [Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is currently in New York for a two-day visit, during which he will chair a United Nations Security Council high-level open debate on diversity, state-building, and peace. Kenya began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC back in January and currently holds the monthly presidency of the Council. [Nation]
Former Zimbabwean Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo has been acquitted of all corruption charges. Moyo was arrested back in June 2020 on charges that he had illegally approved tenders worth $60 million to supply COVID-19 test kits and medical equipment to ‘obscure’ companies linked to political elites. [New Zimbabwe]
World News Monitor: 12 October, 2021
A quick look at events from around the globe.
October 12, 2021
Australian Prime Minister Scot Morrison SOURCE: CNN