South Asia
On Thursday, an explosion in Kabul resulted in a major power outage in the city and several other neighbouring areas. Afghanistan primarily relies on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan for its power. However, recent attacks on the cross-country power lines by insurgents have caused severe disruptions. [The Straits Times]
Former Indian Ambassador to China Vijay K. Nambiar warned that the memorandum of understanding signed by China with Bhutan could be used by China to push Bhutan into a “definitive response” in their border dispute. [The Print]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
On Thursday, Azerbaijan released two Iranian truck drivers a month after they were arrested for illegally entering the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Azerbaijani customs department said the decision was “guided by principles of humanitarianism, mutual respect and good neighbourliness.” [Middle East Eye]
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has warned activists against holding “illegal public gatherings,” after exiled opposition politician Mukhtar Ablyazov was accused of planning protest rallies against the government. Tokayev said, “Those who take part in illegal demonstrations will be prosecuted.” Ablyazov’s party was labelled “extremist” by authorities in 2018 over his criticism of the Kazakh government. Human rights organisations have accused the government of invoking extremism laws to persecute critics. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
South Korea on Thursday launched its first domestically developed space rocket but failed to put it into orbit. President Moon Jae-in said that the country will make another attempt in May. [Channel News Asia]
The United Kingdom (UK) warned China against military moves around Taiwan, saying it could spark conflict in the region. Meanwhile, United States (US) President Joe Biden also reiterated that the US would come to Taiwan’s defence in case a conflict arises. [The Straits Times]
Europe
On Thursday, German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer warned her European counterparts against leaving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and operating without military assistance from the United States (US). She further rejected the idea of European strategic autonomy and highlighted the need for close cooperation between Europe and the US. [Politico]
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is eager to find a solution to tensions with Poland through bilateral talks with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. France also underlined the need for dialogue as European Union members continue to criticise the Polish judicial system and threaten to withhold financial assistance. [The Warsaw Voice]
British forces killed two terrorists in Mali during a gunfight; no other causalities were reported. This is the first attack on British forces in Mali. [UK Government]
Latin America and the Caribbean
On Wednesday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew to Bogotá for a two-day visit. He met with Colombian President Iván Duque and discussed drug trafficking, migration from Venezuela, efforts to promote democracy in the region at large, climate change, and the implementation of the peace agreement with FARC guerillas in Colombia. Blinken’s Colombia trip follows his visit to Brasilia and São Paulo, during which he met with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and a number of businesspeople. [MercoPress]
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced that, starting in January 2022, the country will begin domestic production of the Abdala COVID-19 vaccine that was developed in Cuba. Maduro has set a goal of vaccinating 70% of the population and said that it has already reached 56% of its people. [Telesur]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
A base housing American troops in southern Syria was attacked by drones and rockets on Thursday. The base is located on the road serving as a link for Iranian-backed forces in Syria to Lebanon. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and no casualties were reported. [Associated Press]
On Thursday, Ethiopia carried out an airstrike on Mekelle, Tigray for the third day in a row. A government spokesperson said the strikes were meant to weaken the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels, who have been fighting the government since November 2020. [Reuters]
North America
National Basketball Association (NBA) team Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter in a recent series of social media posts called Chinese President Xi Jinping a “dictator” and voiced his support for the Tibetan movement for freedom. In response, Chinese broadcaster and NBA partner Tencent blocked Boston Celtics on all of its platforms. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “His wrong remarks are not worth refuting.” [Voice of America]
United States President Joe Biden said he will consider using the National Guard to help alleviate the ongoing national supply chain crisis. Biden in a presidential town hall meeting said that he would be willing to use the National Guard to drive trucks and distribute goods that have been held up at ports. Biden also emphasised that his current priority is getting the ports functioning. [Newsweek]
Oceania
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed there would be a quarantine-free travel bubble between Australia and Singapore by next week. Morrison said both countries are in the final stages of agreeing to such a deal. The travel bubble would allow vaccinated students and businesspeople to travel without quarantining. In response, Singapore’s Prime Minister hailed Morrison’s decision and highlighted strong economic and cultural ties between the two countries. [The Sydney Morning Herald]
On Friday, New Zealand recorded 129 new cases of COVID-19 as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern unveiled a plan out of lockdown. Authorities warned of more cases in the coming days. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield noted that cases had doubled every 10 to 12 days and highlighted the spread of COVID-19 among the unvaccinated population. [Otago Daily Times]
Sub-Saharan Africa
One person has died and at least 80 were injured during pro-democracy protests in Eswatini on Wednesday as King Mswati II deployed hundreds of soldiers and police to bring an end to the movement. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the chair of the Southern African Development Community, ordered a high-level delegation to meet with the King. [Africa News]
On Thursday, Benin’s parliament voted to legalise abortion in most cases. Until now, abortion was only legal in cases of rape or incest, if the mother's life was at risk, or if the unborn child was afflicted with a serious medical condition. The new law, however, has determined that abortion will be allowed in cases where pregnancy is “likely to aggravate or cause a situation of material, educational, professional or moral distress incompatible with the interests of the woman and/or the unborn child.” [Reuters]