Week 145 (14-20/03/2022)
East Timor has just held its fifth presidential election on Saturday (19/03). | Picture: AP
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett came to the world stage posing as mediator for Russia and Ukraine (16/03). Experts saw his action as leverage for Israel’s position with Russia and Ukraine. Bennett is one of the few leaders who communicate regularly with both his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, mentioning his moral obligation as the reason to try to end the war.
A motorbike gang attacked a tomato-processing factory in Kebbi, Nigeria (16/03). The attack left six police officers and a civilian dead. It is reported that the gang was attempting to kidnap foreign workers in the factory—all had been evacuated safely.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman who was detained in Iran, has been released (17/03). Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained almost six years ago for allegedly spreading information to topple Iranian government. Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, and daughter Gabriella, previously arranged a campaign for her release.
A tunnel in a gold mine in South Kordofan state, Sudan has collapsed (17/03). The accident, which occurred after the discovery of a large amounts of gold in one of the shafts, killed at least 13 freelance miners. The majority of Sudan’s gold mining is done using dangerous makeshift methods.
ASIA
Sri Lanka approaches the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amid its attempt to deal with plunging reserves, a sliding currency, and surging inflation. On Monday (14/03), Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Treasure Secretary S. R. Atygalle met with IMF Asia and Pacific Department Directory Changyong Rhee to discuss wide ranging issues, including key challenges the economy is facing. “Right now, the focus is on how Sri Lanka can get IMF support. Talks on specific proposals will come later,” an official said. Sri Lanka is expected to start formal negotiations with the IMF in April on a possible program that could boost reserves and put growth on a sustainable path.
Reported in Aljazeera, (15/03), China asserted that it is not a party to the Russia-Ukraine crises. The message was conveyed during a phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. Wang Yi also said that his country does not want to be impacted by Western economic sanctions imposed on Russia. The discussion came amid pressure grows on China to withdraw support from Russia. Citing the United States (US) officials, recent reports stated that Russia had asked China for military and economic help after the start of the war. China dismissed the report, calling it “malicious” US disinformation.
Twenty Cambodian politicians and activists have been sentenced (17/03) to up to 10 years in prison for sedition. The action, according to a lawyer and a human rights group, is part of a broad crackdown on the opposition—more than 100 opposition members of supporters have been charged with treason and incitement in the past few years in Cambodia. Meanwhile, the government said the trials are not politically motivated.
East Timor has just held its fifth presidential election on Saturday (19/03). Sixteen candidates participated in the election, including incumbent President Fransisco “Lu Olo”, independence figure and Nobel laureate Ramos Horta, and, for the first time in history, four female candidates. The vote will proceed to a run-off on April 19 between the top two contenders if no candidate wins an outright majority.
AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA
The non-profit Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) has approved a new drug to treat a certain type of malaria in children and teenagers in Australia (15/03). The new treatment will use a single dose of tafenoquine (Kozenis) together with chloroquine, the traditional malaria drug. The combination is the first time to be authorized for use in children. Plasmodium vivax malaria is very dangerous for children, causing severe anemia and in some cases, death.
New Zealand has announced a new policy to support Ukraine (15/03). Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said that New Zealanders born in Ukraine could sponsor a Ukrainian family member and their immediate family, who would then be granted a two-year work visa, with their children allowed to study in the country. The Special Policy for Ukraine 2022 will last for one year. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the country had pledged humanitarian aid worth NZD 4 million (USD 2.7 million, EUR 2.4 million). Moreover, New Zealand has passed a law to freeze Russian assets and halting superyachts, ships, and planes.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the funding for the production of critical minerals in Western Australia (17/03). Nearly AUD 500 million (USD 360 million) will be used to diversify supply for Australia’s allies and to counter China’s dominance in the global market. Currently, China dominates about 70-80% of global critical minerals productions, whereas Australia produces half the world’s lithium, as well as being the second-largest cobalt producer and the fourth-largest rare earth producer.
The prime minister of Samoa, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, announced the first community case of COVID-19 and the first phase of national lockdown (18/03). Before her flight to Fiji, a 29-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 and had to undergo quarantine at the Moto’otua hospital. Until Saturday midnight (19/03), Samoa was under the level 2 restrictions, with people were required to show vaccination certificates and wear masks. The country moved to level 3 from Saturday midnight, closing schools and churches, as well as prohibiting public gatherings.
EUROPE
The United Nations (UN)’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the Netherlands, rejected Russia’s claim that Ukraine was committing genocide against Russian-speakers on Ukrainian territory as there was no evidence to support it (16/03). The claim was used by Moscow to justify its invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, the IJC ordered Russia to stop its invasion.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy received a standing ovation after his address before the US Congress (16/03). A former actor and comedian, Zelenskiyy used the Pearl Harbor and 9/11 attacks and references to Mount Rushmore and Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech” to win the Americans’ support amid Russia’s invasion. Zelenskiyy also directly appealed to US President Joe Biden, “I wish for you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.”
Germany recorded 262,593 new cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours—its highest since the pandemic started (16/03). As testing facilities have reached its capacity, the real number of new cases is predicted to be higher than reported. The increase is likely to be driven by the Omicron variant.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict is feared to inspire Serbia to attack Kosovo (17/03). Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 following years of state repression against ethnic Albanians. Fortunately for Kosovo, Western diplomats quickly reacted, with Germany’s Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock and the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell visited Kosovo, Serbia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to deliver the messages of hope for the quick integration of Western Balkans countries into the EU.
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Another journalist was killed in Mexico on Tuesday (15/03). Armando Linares, a reporter, was found shot dead in Zitacuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. Previously, Linares even had to be under government protection for receiving constant death threats.
The US has reportedly opened its borders to Ukrainian refugees entering through Tijuana, Mexico. As reported on Reuters on Wednesday (16/03), the US imposed temporary humanitarian parole that allows refugees to stay until 2023. This parole only applies to Ukrainians or Ukraine nationals.
Brazil suspended Telegram. In the Supreme Court's decision on Friday (18/03), the judge considered Telegram to have violated the provisions because it did not remove disinformation content. Telegram is a popular platform used by President Jair Bolsonaro.
Prince William and Kate Middleton were forced to cancel their visit to Belize on Saturday (19/03). The members of the British royal family were rejected by residents who protested against colonialism. The Royal Family has not issued a statement whether visits to the Bahamas and Jamaica will be canceled or continue.
THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Canada’s Defense Minister Anita Anand stated on Wednesday (16/03) that her country will increase its defense budget this year. Canada was forced to take more aggressive steps because of the situation in Ukraine. In addition to modernizing the defense equipment system, the budget is also used to increase the recruitment of the navy and air force.
Canada removed testing as a border entry condition on Thursday (17/03). This policy will take effect from April 1. Even so, travelers who will enter Canada are still required to have been fully vaccinated.
Disney responds to the Parental Rights in Education bill in Florida, the US. On Friday (18/03), Disney stopped all political donations and said it would support the LGBTQ+ community. Previously, Disney was criticized for its silence on a bill threatening discussions of sexuality and gender in the state.
US President Joe Biden had a phone call with the president of China, Xi Jinping on Friday (18/03). Biden said that there are implications if China chooses to support Russia. Both leaders also agreed to continue to open lines of communication to manage their competition.