Week 136 (10-16/01/2022)

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Tonga was hit by a tsunami following an undersea volcanic eruption. | Picture: Japan Meteorology Agency via AFP

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) refused the renewal of work permits for Nigerian workers in the country, leading the workers to file a petition to the Embassy of Nigeria in Abu Dhabi (10/01). Previously, the workers condemned the Nigerian consular for attacking those who wanted to address the issue. The Nigerian Embassy finally acknowledged the problem and admitted there have been issues in renewing permits and passports for Nigerian workers in the UAE. They apologized and promised to take care of the issues.

Schools in Uganda have reopened after two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic (10/01). As reported by BBC, the children were excited to study face-to-face again. However, the government said there were at least 30% of students who did not return as they have started working or getting married early.

The Russian Orthodox Church is set to establish a Patriarchal Exarchate in Africa (10/01). The move is perceived as a retaliation for Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa’s recognition of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which the Russian strongly opposed. The new Exarchate will include 102 transferred clerics of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria—the second largest in the world after the Patriarchate of Constantinople—who disagree with the founding of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The clerics are from eight African countries.

In Israel, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family are suing Ehud Olmert—another former Israeli prime minister—for USD 269,000 in damages for insulting them (11/01). Olmert called Netanyahu, his wife, and his son mentally ill in two different TV interviews last year. He also refused to retract his remarks and laughed when warned that he could be sued. The hearing has been postponed and will resume at a later date.

ASIA

South Korea and Japan condemned North Korea after the latter tested (11/01) fire a ballistic missile for the second time in less than a week.  South Korea detected the suspected ballistic missile launch around 7:29 am (22:27 GMT) from an inland area of North Korea toward the ocean off its coast. Meanwhile, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Seoul’s Ewha University, said the repeated launches are part of North Korea’s attempts to normalize its missile capabilities—that is, portraying itself as a country engaged in incremental improvements for self-defense—as well as to challenge international sanctions—testing what it can get away with while the United Nations Security Council remains divided.

Reported in The Jakarta Post (11/01), crisis-hit Sri Lanka sought to reschedule its huge Chinese debt burden. During a China-Sri Lanka diplomatic event held in Colombo, which was attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was quoted as saying that it would be a great relief if debt payments could be rescheduled in view of the economic crisis following the pandemic. Meanwhile, there was no immediate comment from the Chinese embassy in Colombo regarding the matter.

Kazakhstan authorities said they have detained 1,678 people on Wednesday (12/01) for their alleged participation in anti-government protests, bringing the total number of people politically detained to about 12,000. The protests started on January 2, triggered initially by soaring fuel prices, but later morphing into anti-government demonstrations featuring slogans reflecting wider discontent about the influence still wielded by NursultanNazarbayev, the country’s former longtime leader. At least 160 people were killed during the protests, which included dozens of citizens and more than a dozen security forces personnel.

Reported in Aljazeera (15/01), the Philippines has finalized a deal and will be the first to purchase of a shore-based anti-ship missile system from India for nearly USD 375 million. Being one of the most poorly equipped in Asia, recent purchase is part of the Philippines’ five-year plan project to modernize its military’s outdated hardware. Under the new deal negotiated with the Indian government, BrahMos—a joint venture between India and Russia—will deliver three batteries, train operators and maintainers, and provide logistical support for the Philippines.

AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA

Solomon Airlines extends the suspension of international flights until July 2due to the uncertainty regarding the Omicron variant. The only option available for someone who has to leave or enter the Solomon Islands is taking the airline’s weekly flight to Brisbane, Australia,which is scheduled every Friday morning, and return on the same day. Meanwhile, with strict quarantine rules, all arrivals are subject to a mandatory self-funded quarantine for up to 14 days.

The Cook Islandsreopens border for fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens (14/01). Earlier in 2021, the two-way quarantine-free travel bubble between the two countries had been opened, but it only lasted for three months due to the Auckland’s Delta outbreak. Graeme West, the Cook Islands Tourism Australasia general manager, said the number of requests for the next few months was still quite low, but in April the demand started to increase. Meanwhile, Air New Zealand has a high demand for this month.

The Chief Medical Officer ofAustralia is consideringa fourth COVID-19 shot (15/01). Every week the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) meets regularly to discuss and evaluate a program of fourth or subsequent doses of injection because a fourth dose is recommended for immunocompromised individuals. People of any age are urged toget vaccinated and later get the boosters. Meanwhile, Israel has become the first country to start launching the fourth dose of the vaccine.

Tonga was hit by a tsunami following an undersea volcanic eruption (16/01). The eruption of the volcano occurred on Saturday and it was heard throughout the South Pacific including New Zealand. Satellite images show large ash clouds and shockwaves from the Hunga Tonga-HungaHa’apai volcano. Meanwhile, the tsunami waves reached a height of 2.7 feet (83 centimeters) in Nuku’alofa. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center urges residents to evacuate to higher ground immediately. Warning also applies to Hawaii, Alaska, the US Pacific coast, and British Columbia in Canada.

EUROPE

Talks to ease Ukraine-Russia crisis was deemed “unsuccessful” by Kremlin due to continued disagreement on fundamental issues including Russia’s request to forbid Ukraine, a former Soviet, to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (13/01). On the other hand, the United States (US)—who held talks with Russia in Geneva, Switzerland earlier in the week—said it would continue to support diplomacy efforts with Russia. But it will not hesitate to impose Russia with fresh sanctions if it invades Ukraine. On another note, Poland warned of “risk of war” as tensions arise not only in Ukraine, but also in Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova.

The stakes are high in the Ukraine-Russia dispute after a Russian official suggested to deploy troops to Cuba and Venezuela if the US and its allies did not cut their military activities near the country’s territory (14/01). Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the US and NATO’s military drills only destabilized the region. Responding to Ryabkov, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan called it a “bluster in the public commentary”.

In his visit to Finland, Norway, and Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK)’s Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace discussed Russia’s aggression on the border with Ukraine (15/01). Wallace warned that the UK and its Nordic partner would hold Russia accountable if it invaded Ukraine. Meanwhile, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign Liz Truss supported the US’ findings that Russia was “waging a disinformation campaign intended to destabilize and justify an invasion of Ukraine”. Truss has requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to remove the Russian troops from the Ukraine border.

Conservation activists and groups appeal to the European Union (EU) to take action against Finland, Norway, and Sweden’s plan to cull wolf population (15/01). The Nordic countries are accused of defying the EU’s law to protect wolves by creating the most hostile environment for the species in western Europe. The number of wolves in Europe have increased in recent years, but in some countries, they are still endangered.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN                             

Ten people were killed and 32 injured in a tourist boat accident in Minas Gerais, Brazil, on Monday (10/01). The accident was caused by part of a cliff that collapsed as the ship passed.  Authorities are still trying to identify the victims who died. 

President of Mexico Andrés Manuel López Obrador was infected with COVID-19 for the second time on Thursday (13/01). Obrador is suspected of being infected by the Omicron variant. The president stated that the public remains calm because the symptoms are very mild. He also believes that Omicron is the beginning of the end of the pandemic.

Mexico and Canada protested against the United States (US) regarding the disagreement on the automotive sector agreed in the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The dispute is caused by differences in US views regarding vehicles that are categorized as duty-free. However, Canada and Mexico expressed their optimism on Thursday (13/01) that this dispute would be resolved together through the dispute panel.

A heatwave hit South America this week. On Friday (14/01), Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay recorded the highest temperatures in history, reaching 45C. The heatwave affected the agricultural sector in these countries.

THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Quebec, one of the territories of Canada, announced on Tuesday (11/01) that it will impose a health tax policy for people who were not vaccinated. The policy was taken to increase the vaccination rate in the region. As of early January, only 85% of Quebec’s residents had received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Canada announced on Thursday (13/01) that truckers entering the country must be vaccinated. Truckers who have not been vaccinated will be tested upon arrival and must undergo quarantine. The United States (US)also plans to implement a similar policy as of next week.

Talks between the US, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),Russia, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe OSCE which ended on Thursday (13/01) did not bring any meaningful results. Russian troops are still stationed on the border with Ukraine due to disagreements between involved parties. The US warns all parties to prepare for the involvement of military options.

The US Supreme Court blocked President Biden’s vaccination mandate on Friday (14/01). The Court decided the mandate could only be enforced in government-funded health facilities. The President was disappointed by this decision and asked employers to voluntarily support the vaccination of their workers.