Week 147 (28/03-03/04/2022)
The Philippines and the United States (US) will participate in the 12-day joint military drills, the largest-ever in the Southeast Asian archipelago. | Picture: Lisa Marie David
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
The World Cup 2022 qualification in Senegal ended bitter after Egyptians players were racially abused and terrorized by home fans (30/03). Mohammed Salah, an Egyptian renowned striker, was targeted by green laser pointers during the shootout. The Egyptian team bus was also attacked. Egypt’s football association has filed a formal complaint against its Senegalese counterpart.
The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) will resume its operation in Burundi after being banned for three years (30/03). BBC was accused of damaging the image of Burundi’s late President Pierre Nkunrunziza and thus having its license withdrawn. The decision was criticized as a form of silencing the media. BBC radio will soon resume after the broadcaster requested the National Communications Council (CNC).
Conflicts between Israel and Palestine increased as five people were killed by a Palestinian gunman (31/03). The attack took place in Bnei Brak, a populous ultra-Orthodox Jewish area in Israel. Police shot dead the attacker, while Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel was now “dealing with a new wave of terrorism”.
Hundreds of Syrians applied to fight for Russia during the Ukraine-Russia conflict (31/03). Syria’s social media has been flooded with requests for people to join the Russian soldiers. Those who join will get USD 7,000 if they fight on the front lines, or USD 3,500 if they provide security behind the lines. According to a former Syrian regime soldier, 80% of people who answered to the requests just wanted to make enough to eat.
ASIA
Reported in Aljazeera (28/03), the Philippines and the United States (US) will participate in the 12-day joint military drills, the largest-ever in the Southeast Asian archipelago. The drill will involve nearly 9,000 soldiers from the countries, with exercises covering maritime security, amphibious operation, live-fire training, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Philippine military chief General Andres Centino said the drill reflected the “deepening alliance” between the two countries.
Indonesia pressed Russia to end its war with Ukraine. The message was conveyed (30/03) during a meeting with Russia in China. “Indonesia conveyed the importance of ending the war immediately because of its tremendous humanitarian impact, not to mention its impact on global economic recovery,” Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said. In a separate meeting, Marsudi also asked Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to support efforts to end the Russian invasion.
Reported in Hurriyet Daily News (30/03), Uzbekistan and Turkey have raised bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Ten agreements have been signed during Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdoğan’s visit to Uzbekistan, including a Preferential Trade Agreement. The two countries’ total trade volume is targeted to reach USD 5 billion in 2022, an increase from USD 3.6 billion last year. “Then, we will not stop there, we will raise the level to USD 10 billion with the joint steps we will take later,” Erdoğan said.
India and Nepal have launched (02/04) several connectivity and energy cooperation initiatives, including a 35-km cross-border rail link. The first broad-gauge passenger rail link will connect Jaynagar in Bihar, India to Kurtha in Nepal—it will be also extended to Bardibas in Nepal under a project supported by an Indian grant of INR 548 crore. It will be operated by the Nepal Railway Company (NRC).
AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA
On Tuesday (29/03), New Zealand and Fiji signed the Duavata Partnership Agreement in Suva. The partnership agreement enhances the two countries’ ambition to “elevate the relationship to a new level of expanded strategic cooperation in the years to come based on a foundation of shared values and equal partnership and achieved through trust and consultation”. Both countries are committed to work on issues including economic resilience, security, social welfare, climate change, and disaster resilience.
New Zealand announced it would take in 450 asylum seekers and refugees held in Australia or its offshore detention centers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Nauru (29/03). There are many refugees who cannot live a normal life in Australia because they came to the country by boat. New Zealand first offered to take in the refugees in 2013, but was rejected by Australia who later negotiated with the US.
Australia and Samoa signed the Samoa Fiscal Resilience Programme and the COVID-19 Support Package Assistance which is worth USD 15 million (30/03). The signing took place in a virtual ceremony attended by Samoan Finance Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o and the Australian High Commissioner in Samoa Emily Luck. The funding will be used to support growth and recovery, as well as building resilience, especially for those who are vulnerable to COVID-19.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended his decision to sign a trade pact with India, who refused to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine and continued to trade with Russia (02/04). Morrison said the agreement did not undermine the government’s commitment in supporting Ukrainians. Instead, Australia and India’s relationship would open a room for “respectful” discussions regarding the issues.
EUROPE
The European Union (EU)’s justice agency announced on Monday (28/03) that France, Germany, and Luxembourg have seized properties and frozen assets of Lebanon’s central bank chief, Riad Salameh. The operation was linked to a probe by French investigators over money laundering in Lebanon. The total of properties and assets seized is EUR 120 million.
After completing a round of talks in Istanbul, Turkey, both negotiators from Russia and Ukraine expressed “cautious optimism” (29/03). Russian negotiators have pledged to reduce military actions around Kyiv and Chernihiv to build mutual trusts. However, US President Joe Biden seemed to be skeptical of Russia’s pledge.
Europe plans to crack down on fast fashion, pushing companies to produce eco-friendly and hard-wearing clothes (30/03). Consumers will also be given information on how to reuse, repair, and recycle their clothes. Additionally, similar rules under the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI) will apply to electronics and furniture.
Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, was granted a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised his host for refusing to condemn the invasion of Ukraine (01/04). Despite the Western sanctions, Lavrov predicted that Russia and India would find a way to continue trading. To gain more approval in India, Lavrov also said that the West was concealing their true aim of re-establishing a unipolar world by portraying their confrontation with Russia and several other countries as a “battle between democracies and autocracies”, when in reality the West has become one big autocracy with the US as its leader.
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
The Barbados reported on Thursday (31/03) that La Nina is predicted to affect weather in the Caribbean. La Nina can cause flash flooding and soil erosion in the eastern Caribbean. It could also cause short and long-term drought in some Caribbean countries.
President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, relieved nine ministers from their position on Thursday (31/03). Those ex-ministers are expected to focus on campaigns and regional elections that could support Bolsonaro’s own re-election in October. Furthermore, current Vice President, Mourao, is also planning to become a Senate candidate.
Hundreds of Ukrainians thronged the refugee camp in Tijuana, Mexico. As reported on Friday (01/04), the refugees are hoping for US asylum after President Joe Biden’s commitment. Currently, about 100 Ukrainians per day are allowed to cross the border.
Argentina has held a MotoGP race on Sunday (03/04). The race preparations were marred by delays which forced organizers to adjust the pre-race schedules. The delay itself was caused by the freights being held in Kenya and Brazil for refueling.
THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Ford and General Motors announced the temporary shutdown of their Michigan plants on Thursday (31/03). The shutdown was due to a shortage of chips. Production at other plants in the US, however, will continue as normal.
The US unemployment rate is at its lowest in two years. As reported on Friday (01/04), the unemployment rate fell to 3.6% from February’s 3.8%. Experts predict all the jobs lost during the pandemic will be recouped by July.
Canada responded confidentially to the United Nations (UN) on Friday (01/04) regarding the racial discrimination on Mi’kmaw fishermen. However, the resolution through the UN is predicted to be long and slow. On 2020, the fishermen felt they were discriminated after their storage was burned.
The US Congress voted in favour of decriminalizing cannabis on Friday (01/04). The Democrats, as the initiator, consider the criminalization and prosecution of cannabis users as an act of injustice. Even so, cannabis may not be legalized any time soon in the US.