South Asia
United States (US) Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry that the island nation’s economic and political crisis provides a “positive” opportunity to strengthen democracy. He added that the US is hopeful that Sri Lankan authorities would create a “more inclusive, representative, democratic, [and] responsive government.” [Colombo Page]
In response to heightened tensions over Taiwan following United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement urging all countries to refrain from taking “provocative actions” that violate the sovereignty of other states. The release further stressed on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s support for the ‘one-China’ policy and international peace at large. [Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Anas Haqqani, a prominent Taliban leader, revealed that the decision to close girls’ schools in Afghanistan is “not permanent,” saying the institutions had been closed due to concerns regarding “quality or procedure.” He assured that the issues would be resolved soon. [TOLO News]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
The Kyrgyz foreign ministry on Thursday reaffirmed Bishkek’s support for the ‘one-China’ policy, days after United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan sparked furious reactions from Beijing, which has since conducted missile tests near Taiwan’s coast. In this respect, Bishkek called on the international community to ensure the region’s “peace and stability” and prevent an escalation. [24.kg]
Armenia said on Thursday that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is stable after violent clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops two days ago. Azerbaijan launched a military operation against “illegal” Armenian soldiers in the region on Wednesday, and its troops were able to capture several key areas. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
During an in-person meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister (FM) Prak Sokhonn on Thursday, Japanese FM Hayashi Yoshimasa said that Tokyo “would like to promote continuous visits to (Cambodia’s) Ream base, including port calls, by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).” Hayashi also assured that Japan “will cooperate to make the Sihanoukville Port operate as a hub port for Cambodia and the region.” [Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Talks between the foreign ministers (FMs) of China and Japan were cancelled on Thursday after Tokyo, along with members of the Group of Seven (G7) and the European Union (EU), issued a statement accusing China of “increasing tensions and destabilising” the region near Taiwan. “Japan bears historical responsibility for the Taiwan question and is in no position to make irresponsible remarks on it,” Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said. [Global Times]
Europe
Three grain ships carrying 58,041 tonnes of corn have been authorised to leave Ukrainian ports. The newly-established Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul announced that two ships will leave the port of Chornomorsk and one from Odessa. They will then dock near Istanbul and be inspected by Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, and United Nations officials. [Reuters]
The Bank of England said surging energy prices caused by the Ukraine-Russia war could push the United Kingdom’s inflation rate beyond 13%, projecting low economic growth till the end of 2023. The warning comes shortly after the bank raised interest rates to 1.75% to bring inflation under control. [BBC]
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said the government has approved a plan to limit visas to Russians. The announcement comes amid reports about several sanctioned Russians travelling to Finland by car and entering the European Union by sidestepping sanctions that disallow them from entering the bloc by air or train. [Euronews]
Latin America and the Caribbean
Former Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Juan Requesens has been sentenced to eight years in prison over his alleged involvement in the explosion of two drones at an event attended by President Nicolás Maduro back in 2018. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has described Requesens as a "political prisoner," while the Maduro government has denounced his role in an assassination attempt planned in collusion with Colombia and the United States. In fact, 17 people were convicted on Thursday on charges including murder, treason, terrorism, and conspiracy. [Reuters]
Nicaragua’s Ministry of Development, Industry, and Trade accused the United States of violating World Trade Organization rules by cancelling an order for over 22,000 tonnes of sugar from the Central American country. Minister Jesús Bermúdez said the US disregarded a quota agreed upon with the WTO by “making an exception, using it as a political mechanism.” Washington has in recent times levelled a host of sanctions against the Ortega regime in Nicaragua over concerns of rights abuses, suppression of political opposition, and the absence of free and fair elections. [teleSUR]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
A large section of Beirut’s massive wheat silos collapsed on Thursday on the second anniversary of the Beirut Port blast. Parts of the silos have been on fire for weeks due to rising temperatures and fermenting wheat. Citizens have blamed authorities for doing nothing to stop the blaze from spreading. [The National]
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have sent additional troops to the Gaza border following threats of an attack by militant group Islamic Jihad. Earlier this week, the IDF conducted a raid in Gaza and arrested a senior Islamic Jihad commander. The group also accused Israeli forces of killing a teenage member. [Associated Press]
North America
Judge Anna Sotnikova in the Khimki city court sentenced American women’s basketball player Brittney Griner to nine years in jail and handed down a fine of around $16,400 for smuggling drugs into Russia. The Chargé d'Affairs at the United States’ embassy in Russia, Elizabeth Rood, has called it a “miscarriage of justice,” while US President Joe Biden has described it as “unacceptable.” [CNN]
Close to two weeks after the World Health Organization labelled monkeypox a public health emergency, the Biden administration has followed suit. The virus was first detected in the United States back in May and is believed to have infected at least 6,600 people since. [Associated Press]
Oceania
Following China’s live-fire military drills near the island of Taiwan, Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese declared that Canberra wants “no change to the status quo,” saying this is “also the position of the United States.” “We need to stay the course that we’re on, which is to seek cooperation and positive relations with China where we can, but stand up for Australian values and Australian national interests where we must,” the PM said. He added that this includes “the issue of law ... allowing for safe navigation and passage including through the South China Sea.” [10 Play]
New Zealand Foreign Minister (FM) Nanaia Mahuta called for a de-escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait during her first in-person meeting with Chinese FM Wang Yi on Thursday. Mahuta reiterated Auckland’s “interest in peace and stability in the region, including across the Taiwan Strait, and emphasised the importance of de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue.” The pair met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. [Stuff]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Senegal’s ruling United in Hope coalition, led by President Macky Sall’s Alliance for the Republic party, has lost its absolute majority in the parliament, winning just 82 out of 165 seats, 43 less than in 2017. In fact, it represents the first time since Senegal gained independence in 1960 that a ruling coalition has lost its parliamentary majority. [Africanews]
Speaking to African journalists on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there is no benefit in siding with Russia, arguing, “They are not investing in any countries. That means Russia does not believe in you. All they are doing is making political investments. They have just one per cent of investments in Africa, yet they are 30 times our size.” [The East African]