South Asia
On Tuesday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that it would begin the deliveries of the COVID-19 vaccines to 6 countries—Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Seychelles—from Wednesday. In the statement, it reassured that the government would ensure that the stock to meet domestic demand was set aside. [India Today]
According to official Indian sources, the group of 23 Indian sailors who have been stranded off the Chinese coast for the past seven months due to the ongoing trade dispute between China and Australia, have finally reached Japan. They will now begin their journey back to India after successfully completing the COVID-19 checks that have been mandated by the Japanese government. [Al Jazeera]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
A human rights activist and blogger from Uzbekistan has claimed that several citizens were given jail terms between three to seven days for “disobeying the authorities”. This follows their complaints about rampant corruption in the distribution of funds and housing after the shocking dam accident in Uzbekistan’s eastern region of Sirdaryo last year, which forced roughly 70,000 people to flee their homes. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
On Tuesday, the US State Department accused China of committing “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” against the Uighur Muslims, an ethnic and religious minority in the country’s Xinjiang autonomous region. This includes Beijing’s use of intermittent camps and forced sterilisation practices. [The New York Times]
According to a new report, Japan has ordered COVID-19 vaccines for over four times its population by reserving over $6 billion of its emergency budget for this purpose. The country has signed off on several pre-orders from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. The country’s own indigeneous vaccines are still in Phase II of the development cycle. [European Pharmaceutical Review]
Europe
As Switzerland prepares for its referendum on imposing a complete ban on burqas and niqabs, which is scheduled for March 7, the Swiss government urged the voters to reject the proposal. The statement by the government said that the ban would “undermine the sovereignty of the cantons, damage tourism, and be unhelpful for certain groups of women.” [Al Jazeera]
The Russian government on Tuesday vowed to complete the construction of the controversial Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline, despite newly-imposed US sanctions on companies involved in the project. The US has long opposed the pipeline, arguing that the pipeline will increase Europe's energy dependence on Russia. [DW]
Latin America and the Caribbean
Given that Donald Trump is now leaving the White House, Brazil is walking back on its earlier decision to bar Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei from bidding on access to the country’s 5G network. [Merco Press]
Bolivian Decolonization Deputy Minister Pelagio Condori filed a complaint against 26 police officers who participated in riots in November 2019 that precipitated the ouster of erstwhile President Evo Morales, who was removed from power by a US-backed right-wing coup. [Telesur]
A study by Cendas-FVM, the Centre for Documentation and Social Analysis of the Venezuelan Teachers Federation, revealed that a basket of basic goods in the country increased in price by 2,021% between December 2019 and December 2020. The items in the basket include fruits and vegetables; roots and tubers; seafood; grains; fats and oils; sauces and mayonnaise; cereals and cereal byproducts; coffee; meats; sugar and salt; and milk, cheese, and eggs. [Latin American Herald Tribune]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
The foreign ministry of Iran has sanctioned outgoing US President Donald Trump along with nine other senior current and former officials of his administration for “their role and participation in terrorist and anti-human rights acts against the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iranian nationals”. The sanctions include a freeze on financial assets and as well as a travel ban. [Al Jazeera]
The Iraqi cabinet has voted to delay the country’s general elections, which were earlier scheduled to be held on June 6, until October 10 of this year, upon request of Iraq’s Independent High Election Commission (IHEC) for “more time to implement legal and logistical measures”. Despite the delay, the polls are being conducted a year early, as the current government’s term is officially supposed to end in 2022. [Al Jazeera]
North America
Canada took command of the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) during a change of command ceremony held in Lisbon, Portugal on Monday. Commodore Bradley Peats of the Royal Canadian Navy will lead the allied naval task force, which provides NATO with a continuous naval capability and maritime presence in the alliance’s most important strategic chokepoints. [Government of Canada]
US President Donald Trump bid farewell to Washington DC on Wednesday morning, just hours before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. While expressing his “love” for his supporters, Trump said that he would be back “in some form”. He is the first president in modern history to boycott his successor’s inauguration. [Associated Press]
Oceania
New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced $2 million in support to Fiji in the wake of Cyclone Yasa, which has left up to 16,000 Fijians living in evacuation centres. The funds are intended to meet water needs and support other relief measures. [New Zealand Government]
Following China’s imposition of up to 80% in tariffs on Australian barley exports last year, Australian barley producers are diversifying their trade portfolio by exporting to countries such as Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. In fact, Saudi Arabia represents the world's second largest barley market. [ABC News]
Sub-Saharan Africa
National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader John Mahama, who was recently defeated by President Nana Akufo-Addo in Ghana’s presidential election, has filed a motion with the Supreme Court asking Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa to “admit she made errors during her declaration of election results”. This follows his decision to file a challenge against the results last month. [African Eye Report]
Amid a continued offensive by rebel forces in the Central African Republic (CAR), who are calling for the resignation of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, it is estimated that at least 100,000 people have been displaced, with up to 60,000 fleeing to neighbouring countries. [The New Humanitarian]
The Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, John Nkengasong, said that the African Union has launched its own coronavirus vaccine acquisition team that has already secured 270 million doses. He said that all African countries “have the capacity to implement” vaccination campaigns but must work to “increase vaccine storage capacity, train enough health workers, set up a database for monitoring, and have sufficient funding”. [The Africa Report]
World News Monitor: 20 January, 2021
A quick look at events from around the globe.
January 21, 2021
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. SOURCE: AP/ALEX BRANDON