South Asia
Pakistan’s ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, is currently leading the race in regional assembly elections in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party has already won 24 seats out of a total of 45. [Reuters]
Chinese citizens have erected tents on the Indian side of the Charding Nala in Demchok in eastern Ladakh. Senior Indian government officials described the people occupying these tents as “so-called civilians,” and said that “their presence remains” even though India has been asking them to leave, indicating that they could be part of the Chinese military. [The Indian Express]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
An Azerbaijani court has sentenced 13 Armenian soldiers to six years in prison on charges of illegally crossing the border and weapons possession. The convicted soldiers were among the more than 60 Armenian troops captured by Azerbaijan in December in the Nagorno-Karabakh region following the ceasefire that ended last year’s war. [RFE/RL]
The Tajik government has expressed readiness to shelter up to 100,000 refugees from Afghanistan amid security concerns over the Taliban’s territorial gains. Tajikistan has said that it would set up flights and camps to repatriate refugees fleeing the violence in Afghanistan. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
China announced sanctions against seven American citizens and entities on Friday in response to recent United States sanctions on Chinese officials over deteriorating freedoms in Hong Kong. The retaliatory measures were taken under China’s new Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. [CGTN]
Myanmar has appointed a new temporary ambassador at its embassy in London, the United Kingdom’s foreign ministry said on Friday. The previous ambassador was let go after “breaking ranks” with the junta government over its February 1 coup. [The Straits Times]
Europe
Tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets of France on Saturday to protest against the government’s decision to extend the requirement for a health pass to gain access to restaurants, bars, and other such establishments. Demonstrators are also angry about mandatory vaccines for certain professions. [Euronews]
Finland’s Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto, met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Sunday in Chengdu. The Ministers held discussions on bilateral ties, European Union-China relations, and other important international issues. Discussions on bilateral issues included international travel and trade along with cooperation on the Winter Olympics scheduled to take place in February 2022. The Ministers also discussed sustainable development, climate change, the human rights situation in Xinjiang, and the political situation in Hong Kong. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland]
Latin America and the Caribbean
On Saturday, Nicaraguan opposition leader Noel Vidaurre was arrested, making him the seventh opposition candidate to be detained ahead of the November 7 presidential election, in which embattled President Daniel Ortega will seek re-election. [Associated Press]
Amid government-ordered cuts to internet service and other tools of communications, a senior Cuban official has said that almost 60 people have been arrested during ongoing protests against rising prices and shortages of food, medicine, and electricity. Many have also demanded the resignation of President Miguel Díaz-Canel. [Al Jazeera]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Former Lebanese Prime Minister (PM) Najib Mikati is set to become the country’s PM-designate after winning the support of most parties. President Michel Aoun is expected to officially designate Mikati on Monday after consultations with parliamentary blocs. Once appointed, Mikati will be tasked with forming a new government. [Reuters]
Somalia has postponed elections scheduled for Sunday after months of delays. The elections were delayed as the federal regions were not able to submit candidate names and form local committees to cast the ballots. Indirect parliamentary and presidential polls were set to take place between July 25 and October 10. [Radio France Internationale]
North America
On Friday, United States (US) President Joe Biden held a telephonic meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Biden underscored his administration’s continued commitment to providing development and humanitarian aid. Furthermore, the pair discussed how recent aggressions by the Taliban run counter to the group’s stated intention to negotiate a settlement to end the conflict. [The White House]
On Friday, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau spoke with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla about ongoing protests in the Caribbean island nation. Garneau expressed concern over the Cuban government’s “repressive measures against peaceful protesters, journalists and activists, and arbitrary detention.” [Government of Canada]
Oceania
Anti-lockdown protesters took to the streets on Saturday in Sydney to register their displeasure over lockdown measures. The violent protests led to the arrest of more than 60 individuals with more than a dozen charges. The government authorities are concerned about another anti-lockdown protest hitting the streets of Sydney this coming weekend. [news.com.au]
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, in a statement on Monday, announced the cabinet’s decision to accept the return of a woman and her two children on Turkey’s request. The woman, Suhayra Aden, a Kiwi citizen, was detained by Turkish authorities near the Syrian border in February for her ties to ISIS. The likely return of the family has caused friction between Australia and New Zealand due to New Zealand’s decision to accept the woman after Australia revoked Aden’s dual citizenship over her decision to join the terrorist organization. [Stuff]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Six people have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to assassinate Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, last week. One of them is a French citizen, while two others have dual citizenship to both France and Madagascar. The government claims that two of them were formerly employed by the French military. The failed assassination attempt came amid popular discontent over severe food shortages. [Reuters]
Equatorial Guinea reacted strongly to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom (UK) against Vice President Teodorin Obiang Mangue, who is also the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The UK sanctioned him for the “misappropriation of public funds.” In response, Guinean authorities responded denouncing the “unfounded,” “unilateral and illegal” sanctions. The sanctions include an asset freeze and a travel ban and form part of the UK’s anti-corruption sanctions regime. [Africa News]
World News Monitor: 26 July, 2021
A quick look at events from around the globe.
July 26, 2021
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS