South Asia
United Nations Deputy Rights Chief Nada Al-Nashif said that there are “credible allegations” of over 100 extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in August. She asserted that at least 72 of these killings have been carried out by the Taliban. [NDTV]
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla celebrated the India-Bangladesh partnership, saying that the country is a “central pillar” in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. The statement comes ahead of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Bangladesh for the celebrations of its 50th Victory Day. [NDTV]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Turkey and Armenia have decided to appoint special envoys for bilateral negotiations on normalising their ties, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday. He also said that flights between Istanbul and Yerevan would start soon. Turkey and Armenia have had no diplomatic relations owing to Turkey’s support of Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. [Associated Press]
The ousted former President of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akaev, has arrived in Bishkek for the second time in four months for questioning regarding an investigation into possible corruption by top Kyrgyz officials around the Kumtor gold mine. Kyrgyz officials have accused Canadian mining company Centerra Gold of paying bribes to authorities to operate the mine. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
The Philippine election commission announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn his candidacy for a Senate seat on Tuesday. Duterte’s six-year term will end in June 2022, and he is constitutionally barred from seeking another term as president. [Channel News Asia]
Chinese analysts cited by state-owned media house Global Times have branded a French delegation’s upcoming visit to Taiwan as “an insignificant stunt by trivial French politicians to fool the secessionists on the island, and attract attention for political gains.” [Global Times]
During a United Nations conference held on Monday, China proposed the regulation of the military applications of artificial intelligence. Beijing raised concerns over the long-term impact and potential risks in matters such as strategic security, rules on governance, and ethics. [Global Times]
Europe
On Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with her Swedish counterpart Ann Linde in Stockholm. The pair discussed measures to get the world’s nuclear powers to commit to nuclear disarmament ahead of next month’s review of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. During a press conference with Linde, Baerbock declared: “Our joint goal is clear: a world free of atomic weapons.” [DW]
Russia on Tuesday slammed the European Union (EU) for its sanctions on the Russian private military company Wagner Group over its destabilizing efforts in Ukraine and Africa. Moscow claimed that the EU sanctions are a part of “Western hysteria” and “jealousy” that undermines the independence of African and Middle Eastern countries. The Russian Foreign Ministry called the sanctions against the paramilitary organisation “unfriendly” and warned of countermeasures. [The Moscow Times]
A top British health official, Dr. Susan Hopkins, warned of rising COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks due to the spread of the Omicron variant. She said that there has been a higher rate of reinfection with the new variant and called on the United Kingdom to prepare for a “very difficult four weeks ahead.” [Reuters]
Latin America and the Caribbean
The Brazilian government announced on Tuesday that it will appeal a decision by Supreme Court Justice Luis Roberto Barroso which mandates that incoming travellers, whether or not they are Brazilian citizens, must present proof that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The Bolsonaro government argues that it “imposes a disproportionate burden on the Brazilian citizen from abroad and on the foreigner residing in Brazil.” Some mayors and governors worry, however, that the government’s move could transform the country into a “paradise” for anti-vaccine tourists. [MercoPress]
On Tuesday, a fuel tanker in the northern Haitian port city of Cap-Haïtien, the country’s second-largest city, overturned and exploded, killing at least 75 people. This is the latest tragedy to befall Haiti, following the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake a few weeks later that killed over 2,200 people. The country is also dealing with high inflation, food and fuel shortages, cuts to basic services, and rising crime and gang violence. [Associated Press]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Egypt on Wednesday rejected Turkey’s plan for a two-state solution to the Cyprus conflict and backed the United Nations-sponsored proposal of reunifying Cyprus as a federation. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also said that it was important to counter Turkey’s “aggressive activities” and “expansionist tendencies” in the region. Turkey and Greece have been at odds over the status of Cyprus since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded the Mediterranean island, which was later split into a Turkish north and Greek south.[Associated Press]
The United Arab Emirates has told the United States (US) that it intends to pull out of a $23 billion deal to buy American-made F-35 fighter jets, drones, and other advanced weapons. Emirati officials have said that they want to suspend the deal because of the stringent security measures laid out by the US to safeguard American technology from Chinese espionage. [Reuters]
North America
On Tuesday, American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced that its COVID-19 pill is effective against severe disease and said that it reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by 88%. In the next few days, the Food and Drug Administration will approve the antiviral pill, which is also likely to work against the new highly mutated Omicron variant. Pfizer’s announcement comes as the Center for Disease Control warned about an incoming new wave of infections. [The New York Times]
On Tuesday, Washington DC Attorney General Karl Racine filed a federal lawsuit accusing far-right groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers of carrying out “a planned terrorist attack” on the Capitol on January 6. In an 84-page civil complaint, Racine argued that the insurrection violated several federal and state laws; he emphasised that the lawsuit will seek the maximum financial penalty. [The Hill]
Oceania
On Wednesday, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in favour of Australian cane growers against Indian sugar subsidies in a long-running legal battle. The WTO noted that India’s export subsidies are prohibited under trading rules and recommended their removal. Australia, Brazil, and Guatemala filed a complaint with the WTO three years ago, wherein they accused India of distorting global sugar prices by subsidising its farmers. [ABC News]
Victoria on Wednesday scrapped mandatory vaccination for most retail outlets. Masks are to remain mandatory due to the high number of coronavirus cases and the threat of the new Omicron variant. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton indicated a surge in Omicron cases in the coming days. The Australian state recorded 1,405 COVID-19 cases and three deaths on Wednesday. [The Age]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Inter-ethnic clashes between herdsmen and fishermen over the use and management of water in the northern Cameroonian town of Kousseri have led more than 30,000 people to seek refuge in neighbouring Chad. The clashes, which first began on December 5, have left 22 people dead and at least 30 injured. [Africa News]
The United Kingdom (UK) has now removed all 11 African countries from its ‘red list,’ which previously meant that only British and Irish nationals or residency in the UK were allowed entry. From 4 pm GMT today, travellers from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will once again be allowed into the UK. [The East African]