Week 142 (21-27/02/2022)

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Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin approved a “special military operation” on Thursday morning. | Picture: Maxar Technologies/NYT

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

In Saudi Arabia, the ambitious green project Neom is facing challenges (22/02). Part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030, Neom is a futuristic eco-city project worth USD 500 billion. It is set to be the “blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromise to the health of the planet”. However, the project is viewed as a rhetoric and heavily criticized as empty promises of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia-led coalition army attacked Hajjah, Yemen, destroying 14 Houthi military vehicles and killed a number of Houthi fighters (23/02). It was a response to the Houthi’s strike at King Abdullah airport in Jazan, which injured 16 civilians. The coalition had carried out 28 attacks in the last 24 hours.

Israeli actress Gal Gadot has been barred from entering Tunisia (23/02). This move was taken by the Tunisian government because of Israel’s actions towards Palestine. Tunisia also bans Gadot’s films such as Wonder Woman and The Death on the Nile.

A 2.5 sq km-cannabis farm in Ondo, Nigeria, has been destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) (25/02). The NDLEA also arrested 13 suspects as well as recovering 250kg of cannabis seeds and 63.85kg of cannabis weeds. The NDLEA’s operation took place on February 15-21 in five major Nigerian forests.

ASIA 

Reported in eMarketer (22/02), with 20.6% expansion in 2022, ecommerce sales in Southeast Asia will be the highest in the world. The sales increased more than two folds from USD 37.22 billion in 2019 to USD 89.67 billion in 2022, and is expected to cross the USD 100 billion-mark next year. Only four countries in the world will produce faster growth rates than Southeast Asia’s combined figure, namely Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Brazil.  

Reported in Aljazeera (24/02), Facing a dire situation, Hong Kong decided to invoke emergency powers so that doctors and nurses from mainland China can join its efforts to fight the surge of COVID-19. The outbreak of the virus’ Omicron variant is expected to continue to escalate exponentially and go beyond Hong Kong’s epidemic control capacity. The region reported nearly 50,000 coronavirus cases over the past 14 days.    

Reported in Benar News (24/02), whilst much of Southeast Asian nations muted in its reaction on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Singapore and Indonesia have expressed their concerns. Singapore said that it was “gravely concerned” by Russia’s announcement of what it called a “special military operation.” Meanwhile, Indonesia was concerned about “the escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine” because it endangers the people and peace in the Asian region. Additionally, the Ukrainian envoy to Indonesia urged stronger words and deeds from Indonesia, emphasizing that “…if Indonesia speaks up, no one, no country, no region, no leader in the world would dare to ignore it”. 

Reported in Reuters (24/02), with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, India is now focusing on evacuating its 16,000 nationals that are still stuck in the former Soviet Republic. As of now, the Indian government has repatriated 4,000 Indians—teams of Indian foreign ministry officials have been sent to Ukraine’s land borders with Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania to provide assistance to any fleeing Indian nationals. Furthermore, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also called Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge an end to violence in Ukraine.

AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA 

On Monday (21/02), Australia reopened for international tourism. Australia is one of the few countries that could survive long without reopening its borders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. International travelers to Australia are required to provide a proof of complete vaccination, a negative test taken within 72 hours before departure, and a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) completed within 72 hours before arrival, as well as adhering to state or territory travel guidelines. However, there are exemptions for travelers who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons; travelers who has urgent reasons (family death or illness) or government invitation; students in participating programs; and marriage candidates. 

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to the RSIPF and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) 2021-2025 at Rove Police Headquarters (24/02). The RAPPP is worth AUD106 million. It will support investigations, basic empowerment services, National Response Department expansion, frontline, general duties, forensics, wealth and Welfare, and leadership development. The AFP and RSIPF have worked in partnership since 2003. 

The Cook Islands extends the wage subsidies as the number of tourists from New Zealand decreases (25/02). The Cook Island Tourism Board Liana Scott said the number of tourists was lower than expected although the border remained open. In addition, the Cook Islands have lost at least 10% of its workforce to New Zealand. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering importing workers from Fiji. 

American Samoa has imposed a lockdown due to the spread of COVID-19, with Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga saying the United States (US) territory is under “Code Red” level (21/02). The lockdown came after health officials found community transmission in territory. Samoa News reported air and sea travels have also been suspended, and public facilities are closed for a week.

EUROPE 

Amid the escalating tensions over the situation in Ukraine, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing Ukrainian two breakaway regions, the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic (21/02). Putin announced his decision in phone calls with France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who expressed their disappointment. The move to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk could ruin the last attempt to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine.  

Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin approved a “special military operation” on Thursday morning (24/02) despite weeks of Moscow’s denial of planning invasion. The Russian forces advanced by land, air, and sea to Ukraine from the east (Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Luhansk regions), the south (Odessa and Mariupol), and the north (Belarus)—the biggest attack by one European country to another since World War II. Responding to the invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law and appealed to world leaders to sanction Russia.  

The European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) moved to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov (25/02). The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the move was taken to send “a clear message about the strength of the opposition to the [Putin’s] actions”. While the West and most Asian countries continue to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China blames the US and its allies for provoking Moscow instead.  

Russia intensified its attack on Ukraine on Sunday (27/02), destroying Ukrainian airfields and fuel facilities. The Russian forces have also entered Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-biggest city. Responding to the Russia’s attacks, the EU and the US promised to send more weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. The bloc, alongside the UK and the US, also barred Russian banks from Swift global financial system. However, Germany and Italy had been hesitant to approve the Swift measure for fear that it could lead Russia to cut off gas supplies.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 

Brazil voted against Russia at the United Nations (UN). On Thursday (24/02), Brazil expressed concerns about the invasion of Ukraine but did not condemn Russia’s military operations. Brazil’s—and President Bolsonaro’s—reluctance to denounce Russia is thought to be due to its close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

A United States (US) border patrol agent shot an illegal immigrant from Mexico on Saturday (26/02). Meanwhile, other border patrol agents detained two other migrants who crossed illegally into Arizona. Currently, the American authorities are working with their Mexican counterparts to notify the deceased’s family back in Mexico. 

Wildfires in Ibera National Park, Argentina, have continued since last month. As of Wednesday (23/02), 60% of the national park area had been burned to the ground. These fires pose a threat to local biodiversity, especially rare animals and plants. 

South American countries were divided in response to the invasion of Ukraine as of Saturday (26/02). Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile condemned Russia’s military operations. Furthermore, Ecuador, Paraguay, Honduras, Guatemala, Uruguay, and Peru also support a diplomatic solution. Meanwhile, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba defended Russia’s actions on the grounds of protecting themselves against Western expansion.

THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA 

Canada lifted the Emergency Act on Wednesday (23/02). Prime Minister Trudeau said that it was due to favorable and stable domestic conditions. Previously, Freedom Convoy caused security disruptions in most parts of the country for the past few weeks. 

The United States President Joe Biden has responded to the invasion of Ukraine. On Thursday (24/02), the US imposed economic sanctions on Russia and Belarus that will have an impact in the short and long term. The US also deployed NATO response troops to member states in Eastern Europe for the first time in its history. 

Canada also responded to the invasion of Ukraine on Thursday (24/02). The Canadians imposed sanctions and restrictions on individuals associated with the Russian government. Furthermore, Canada also withheld and revoked most of the export permits. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday (25/02) that US citizens are free not to wear face masks either indoors or outdoors. The policy was decided after the decline in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19. The recommendations are in line with the regulations of several states across the country.