South Asia
Amid steadily declining foreign reserves, Nepal’s central bank has banned the import of luxury items, such as vehicles, despite reassurances that the country would not be entangled in a Sri Lanka-like economic crisis. The decision was made after a high-level meeting with Nepal’s commercial bank and Nepal Rastra Bank, the country’s central bank. [The Hindu]
In an address to the nation on Monday, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa urged protesters to remain patient, claiming that their demonstrations are further straining the economy. He vowed to bring in solutions to curb the growing cost of living and end the crisis. [ColomboPage]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Uzbekistan has hailed the Taliban’s decision to ban opium trade in Afghanistan as a “key step [for] the Taliban to join the efforts of regional states to further boost regional stability and security.” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s special representative for Afghanistan, Ismatullah Irgashev, said on Monday that the Taliban’s decision was not only a confirmation of the Taliban’s “responsible behaviour” but also showed their aspiration to make Afghanistan a “full-fledged” member of the international community. [Eurasianet]
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov on Monday. Both diplomats stressed the need for proper demarcation of the borders and the formation of a border delimitation committee. They also talked about the need to start peace talks soon. [Armen Press]
East and Southeast Asia
At least 24 people have been killed in landslides and flooding across the Philippines, authorities said Monday. Tropical storm Megi has forced more than 13,000 people to flee to emergency shelters as the storm blocked roads and cut off power. [Channel News Asia]
As tensions with China continue to spike in the region, this year’s annual military exercises between Indonesia and the United States (US) will include soldiers from more than a dozen countries. The “Garuda Shield” joint training will include the participation of almost 3,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan from August 1-14. The exercise is scheduled to take place in Indonesia’s South Sumatra archipelago and the East of Borneo island, the Indonesian Army said. [The Jakarta Post]
An amendment to bar state and federal representatives from party-hopping was tabled in the Malaysian parliament’s Lower House on Monday. Voting on the constitutional amendment will take place at a later date. [Channel News Asia]
Europe
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawecki met with his Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo in Warsaw on Monday, wherein the two leaders intensified their calls for more hard-hitting sanctions against Russia. Both Morawecki and de Croo complained that the current sanctions imposed on Moscow are not effective enough. In this regard, the Belgian leader vowed that his country is ready to make Russia’s access to financial markets more difficult and discuss changes to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. [The First News]
On Monday, the French foreign ministry said the secret service had uncovered and dismantled a “clandestine operation” carried out by the Russian intelligence service during the first round of French presidential elections on Sunday. The ministry said, “The operation was carried out by six Russian agents operating under diplomatic cover and whose activities proved to be contrary to our national interests.” Consequently, the Russian agents were expelled and an embassy official was summoned on Monday evening. [Politico]
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said that he will be reviewing Finance Minister Rishi Sunak’s financial arrangements to ensure that they are compatible with the rules on ministerial declarations. The controversy stems from questions about Sunak’s wife’s non-domicile status in the UK, which prevents her earnings outside India from being taxed. Nevertheless, the statement reiterated Johnson’s confidence about Sunak following all appropriate rules in his financial declarations. [Reuters]
Latin America and the Caribbean
On Monday, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador received the support of 92% of voters in a referendum on whether he should continue his term. In fact, the president called for the referendum himself as a means to show critics and opposition leaders that he has the required backing to continue. However, the National Electoral Institute has said that the voter turnout of 18% is far below the 40% required for the result to be binding. Critics have also called it a waste of $80 million and claimed that Lopez Obrador could use the results as a gateway to extending term limits, which is currently set at one six-year term. [Reuters]
The Brazilian electoral authority has invited observers from the European Union for the country’s presidential election, during which incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro will face off against former leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has in the past claimed that electoral authorities are seeking to tip the scales in favour of his rival and even argued for the use of paper ballots due to the alleged manipulation of votes through the electronic voting system. In this regard, Bolsonaro has even hinted that he will refuse to step down if he loses. [Associated Press]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, received the President of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, in Jeddah on Monday. Taha reiterated the OIC’s “strong and firm support” for the POK and the “right to self-determination” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). [Saudi Press Agency]
United Nations special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg arrived in Sana’a on Monday for talks with the Houthi rebels following the two-month truce reached between warring parties last week. Grundberg met with Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam and discussed ways to strengthen the truce. [The National]
North America
On Monday, the Republican Party came under fire after the revelation that Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, received $2 billion from Saudi officials. Kushner received the massive payment as an investment in one of his funds following his departure from the role of senior advisor to the Trump administration. The United States Office of Government Ethics raised concerns over the matter and said it has raised suspicion about what exact favours Kushner carried out for the Saudis. [HUFFPOST]
The United States (US) Department of State on Monday issued an order for a non-emergency departure of staff at its mission in Shanghai amid an intensifying lockdown due to a COVID-19 outbreak. The decision marks a departure from last week’s order, in which US embassy staff were asked to leave China on a voluntary basis. [NBC]
Oceania
On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he will continue to push the Solomon Islands on its recent military deal with China, which allows Beijing to establish a military base and deploy warships in the region. Morrison said, “We are continuing to press on the issue of rotation, possible rotation, of vessels or others that might seek to go to the Solomon Islands, and that is a serious issue that we will continue to press.” He said, however, that the sovereignty of the islands must be respected. [Sky News]
On Monday, the New Zealand government announced further assistance for Ukraine against the Russian invasion. It will provide an additional $8.87 million to buy weapons and ammunition and has also deployed a C-130H Hercules and a 50-strong team to Europe. Defence Minister Peeni Henare said, “Over the next few months, our team will travel throughout Europe transporting much-needed equipment and supplies to key distribution centres, but at no point will they enter Ukraine. The Hercules is set to go on Wednesday.” [Governemnt of New Zealand]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced yesterday that he will run for president in next year’s election, putting his name forward to replace incumbent leader Muhammadu Buhari, who will step down after two terms. He now awaits confirmation from the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, which has drawn criticism for failing to tackle corruption and violence. [Associated Press]
Senegalese President Macky Sall spoke yesterday with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. They discussed the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the global economy and the need to move towards dialogue and diplomacy. Given that Sall is also the chairperson of the African Union, Zelensky requested an opportunity to address the Union. [Africa Times]