South Asia
Bangladesh arrested several members of the far-right Hefazat-e-Islam Islamist group over the past week for their involvement in the violent protests orchestrated during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country last month. Amongst those arrested is Mamunul Haque, the group’s joint secretary. [Al Jazeera]
Amidst ongoing protests in Pakistan calling for the expulsion of the French ambassador, France has recalled 15 diplomats from the country. The French embassy announced this decision recognising the threat being posed to French nationals in the country as a result of the demonstrations by the far-right Tehreek-i-Labbaik group. [Hindustan Times]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Facebook removed a post by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in which he endorsed a toxic root for treating COVID-19. The root, also known as aconite, if consumed can lead to sickness and even death as it contains a neurotoxin called aconitine. Facebook said in a statement regarding the deletion of the post that “we do not allow anyone, including elected officials, to share misinformation that could lead to imminent physical harm.” [RFE/RL]
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is set to discuss the issue of Armenian Prisoners of War (POWs) illegally detained by Azerbaijan. According to a member of Armenia’s delegation to PACE, there is a consensus among the main political forces that Azerbaijan’s refusal to repatriate Armenian POWs is a violation of international law. [Public Radio of Armenia]
East and Southeast Asia
The United States (US) and Taiwan are in the final stages of the signing of the two countries’ first deal sales since President Joe Biden took office in January. Although there is no confirmation on the sale, it is being speculated that the sale features some Howitzers. China has said that the move sends a misleading signal to secessionists and further “adds fuel” to the highly strained US-China relationship. [Global Times]
Speaking virtually at the Boao Forum in Hainan today, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the world to reject a “Cold War mentality” and said that there is no place for unilateralism or hegemony. “Bossing others around and meddling in others internal affairs will not get one any support,” Xi said. [The Straits Times]
Europe
Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been transferred to a prison hospital nearly 3 weeks into his hunger strike. The leader has been protesting prison officials’ denial to grant him proper medical assistance for acute pain in his back and legs, and his health has significantly worsened since. Russia’s prison service said on Monday that Navalny’s condition was “satisfactory,” and that he was being given vitamin therapy. [Reuters]
The United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent reported that the document published by the United Kingdom’s (UK) Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, which denies the presence of systemic racism in the UK, “repackages racist tropes and stereotypes into fact.” The British authorities published this document in response to the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted last year. [Al Jazeera]
Latin America and the Caribbean
Newly-elected Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso is set to travel to Colombia on Monday for his first foreign trip, where he will meet with President Iván Duque. It is expected that the two leaders will discuss the migrant crisis along Colombia's border with Venezuela, given that a number of Venezuelan migrants have also come to Ecuador. Ties between Colombia and Venezuela are currently tense after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused Duque of failing to do enough to stop Colombian insurgents and paramilitary troops from crossing the border. [Telesur]
Sugar cane production in Venezuela has reached the lowest levels in 64 years, which has been attributed to the country’s ongoing diesel shortages and the fact that producers are having to pay higher-than-normal rates for fuel. It is thought that this energy crisis has been worsened by US sanctions on state-owned Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company PDVSA. [Latin American Herald Tribune]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Israel signed an agreement with Pfizer for millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses for 2022. The supplementary deal is meant to “ensure the continuation of Israel’s ability to deal with the coronavirus in an optimal manner.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the agreement would allow Israel to “lead the world in the fight against the coronavirus.” The agreement comes at a time when Israel has just removed its requirement for citizens to wear masks and allowed public gatherings. [Israeli PMO]
On Monday, Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul was awarded one of Europe’s most prestigious human rights awards, the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. The award recognises Hathloul’s fight for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia for which she was jailed for 1,001 days. The prize was awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which praised Hathloul for her efforts to end the Kingdom’s male guardianship system. [Middle East Eye]
North America
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday spoke with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen US-India relations and deepen cooperation on regional security issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the unfolding situation in Myanmar, climate change, and COVID-19, and pledged to remain in close contact regarding these challenges. [US Department of State]
The Canadian government on Monday unveiled a federal budget that will help boost the country’s economy over the next three years. The plan allocates nearly $101.4bn to COVID-19 related support and stimulus measures and is aimed at stimulating the economic recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic. It also includes $30bn for a national child-care plan, $17.6 bn for green investments, and increases the federal minimum wage to $15/hour. [CTV News]
Oceania
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined his government’s plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which includes reforms in the energy, agriculture, and manufacturing industries. This comes ahead of Thursday’s climate summit that has been convened by US President Joe Biden, the G7 summit in June, and the United Nations COP26 climate summit in November. However, Morrison said that he has no plans to implement a carbon tax, saying that his administration does not believe that “taxing out industries off the planet” would yield a positive outcome. [The Age]
New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced that the country will be providing Timor-Leste with support to deal with the impact of “severe flooding and the recent surge in COVID-19 cases”. The flood relief package includes “mother and infant kits, solar lanterns, water purification tablets, water pumps, petrol generators, collapsible water containers and family hygiene kits”, while the COVID-19 support package includes personal protective equipment. The material aid will be supported by $1 million in financial aid to non-governmental organisations, which is in addition to the $3 million New Zealand has already transferred to the country to help it deal with the ongoing pandemic. [New Zealand Government]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Cape Verde President Correia e Silva announced that his centre-right Movement for Democracy party has emerged victorious with 36 out of 72 seats in the country’s legislative elections, which has all but confirmed that the leader, who has been in power since 2016, has secured a second term in office. The electoral commission has not tallied all the votes yet, meaning that the ruling party could still win an absolute majority in the National Assembly. [Radio France Internationale]
During a virtual high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on conflict prevention and resolution, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta made reference to the fact that the African continent continues to have “too many conflicts brewing” and thus called on regional actors to step up their collaborative efforts to achieve peace through cross-border “disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programmes”. Furthermore, he urged the UN to offer greater humanitarian assistance. [Office of the President of Kenya]