South Asia
According to a statement released by the Organisation of Islamic Countries, the group’s Secretary-General, Yusef Al-Othaimee, conducted a review of “the situation of Muslims in India, along with the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.” In this regard, the Secretary-General called upon India and Pakistan to resolve the issue and conveyed his “desire” to deploy a team in the conflict-ridden area to resolve the issue. [Times of India]
During his stopover in Tehran on his way to Moscow, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and discussed the worsening security situation in Afghanistan. The two raised concern about the surge in violence and supported a “comprehensive political solution.” [Hindustan Times]
Tajikistan’s representative to the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a Eurasian multilateral military alliance, asked the group for assistance to respond to the challenges posed by the Taliban-led violence in Afghanistan. [Times of India]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Kyrgyz and Tajik border guards exchanged fire along the disputed border area of the Batken region on Thursday, wounding two. Both sides blamed each other for initiating the shootout, which comes after the two countries engaged in violent clashes in the border area in April, leaving 50 dead. [RFE/RL]
Tajikistan has urged the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military alliance of former Soviet states, which include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, to provide assistance regarding the deteriorating security situation in neighbouring Afghanistan. Tajikistan’s appeal comes after thousands of Afghan civilians and troops have sought refuge within its borders as the Taliban continues to mount offensives against Afghan soldiers. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
Myanmar’s COVID-19 vaccination drive has come to a near halt due to a vaccine shortage, leading to a spike in new cases and deaths. Myanmar has received no vaccine supplies since early May and so far, only 1.75 million people of a population of about 55 million have been fully vaccinated, according to Health Minister Thet Khine Win. [The Straits Times]
This year’s Southeast Asian Games due to take place in Vietnam have been postponed to 2022. “The SEA Games Federation working committee met today and it was decided that the SEA Games will not be held this year,” said the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) on Thursday. [CNA]
Europe
In the latest crackdown on media freedom in Belarus, Belarusian authorities on Thursday restricted access to local media outlet Nasha Niva and detained several of its journalists. The country’s information ministry backed the government’s decision by accusing the media of posting “unspecified unlawful information.” [Euro News]
As the security situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed that most British troops have departed from the war-torn country. Speaking about Al Qaeda, he said that the threat posed by the group had been “greatly diminished” by the British troops in the country. [Al Jazeera]
Latin America and the Caribbean
Prior to the Mercosur summit on Thursday, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo made the highly controversial statement that the administration of President Luis Lacalle Pou would be moving ahead with trade negotiations with non-members, whether or not Mercosur approves of its decision. Uruguay has for months called for greater flexibility in the regional bloc so that members can enter into independent trade deals with third parties. [MercoPress]
17 suspects were detained in a police investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on Wednesday. Among those detained are two Haitian Americans. Although interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph has declared a two-week state of siege, he ordered businesses and the international airport to be re-opened. [Associated Press]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
The Israeli Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the controversial state law which defines the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Critics say that the law downgrades the status of Israel’s Arab minority, who account for around 20% of the population. [Associated Press]
The Syrian Defence Forces (SDF) announced on Thursday that they had made 245 arrests and lost 14 soldiers in operations conducted against Islamic State (IS) terrorists and Turkish-backed Syrian militias since January. The SDF added that they had uncovered a tunnel used by militants and seized “a large quantity” of ammunition and explosives. [Rudaw]
North America
On Wednesday, following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who has assumed leadership of the country. According to a statement by State Department spokesperson Ned Price, Blinken “reiterated the United States’ continued commitment to work with the Government of Haiti in support of the Haitian people and democratic governance, peace, and security.” [US Department of State]
Canadian Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng met with Mexican Secretary of Energy Rocío Nahle García in Mexico City on Thursday. They celebrated the one year anniversary of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). According to a statement by Global Affairs Canada, Ng “highlighted that Canadian investments in Mexico’s energy industry, which total nearly $13 billion, bring affordable energy to Mexican consumers.” [Government of Canada]
Oceania
Australian authorities on Friday urged the residents of Sydney to stay indoors as the COVID-19 cluster in the city continues to grow. They warned of an extended lockdown and deployed additional police forces on the streets to enforce the current lockdown. [Reuters]
Warships from Australia, the United States, Japan and South Korea have joined forces to engage in five-day warfighting activities in Australian waters. These high-end activities are a part of Exercise Pacific Vanguard, which aims to boost interoperability. [Department of Defence, Australia]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Former South African President Jacob Zuma handed himself over to the police and will now begin his 15-month prison sentence for being in contempt of court. He was sentenced last month after failing to appear at his state capture trial. Zuma faces multiple allegations of corruption from his tenure as president from 2009 to 2018. [Africa Feeds]
In response to a request by the Nigerian government for a “full and unconditional return” of 1,130 Benin bronzes that were stolen during the 19th century, German Minister of State for Culture Monika Grutters said the artefacts will be returned to Nigeria starting next year. This follows Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed’s meetings with Grutters and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin on Wednesday. [Premium Times]