Tuesday, 16 January 2024

INR | EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA: Weekly Updates

Iceland's Southwest in Crisis: Volcanic Eruption Devastates Grindavik Homes

An Iceland volcano erupted in the southwest, destroying homes in Grindavik after residents were evacuated due to seismic warnings.
The Reykjanes Peninsula is in upheaval as a dormant volcanic system awakens.
Emergency walls partially contain lava, causing some damage.
No confirmed deaths, but a worker is missing.
The eruption isn't expected to release significant ash, and Keflavik Airport operates normally.
Climate change resilience challenges are increasingly apparent.

Viktor Orbán Faces EU Backlash as 120 MEPs Seek Voting Rights Suspension for Hungary

120 MEPs demand Hungary lose voting rights due to democratic backsliding and Orbán's veto on a €50-billion fund for Ukraine.
Orbán's veto creates urgency amid funding shortages for Kyiv, and a Washington legislative impasse.
MEPs call for Article 7 to address violations, symbolically pressuring, but Parliament can't independently activate its second phase.
Hungary, under Article 7 since 2018, may face suspension of certain rights if the MEPs trigger the second step, sending a clear message to protect EU values.

Ukraine claims to have shot down command aircraft blow to Moscow:

Ukraine has said it shot down an A-50 Russian reconnaissance plane.
The plane was Kyiv’s priority target.
The A-50 is equivalent to the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) plane used by NATO.
A Russian military blog posted an image of the shrapnel-riddled tail section of an Il-22 standing on the tarmac and lauded the crew as “real heroes”.

Kyrgyzstan scraps military exercises by Russia.

Kyrgyzstan abruptly canceled CSTO military drills on its soil just before they were set to start.
Bishkek's action suggests tensions within the 1990s-formed alliance amid the Soviet Union's collapse.
Armenia skipped a two-week CSTO drill in Kazakhstan, citing bloc's lack of support during border clashes with Azerbaijan.

Uzbekistan's Mirziyoyev is contemplating a third term in the upcoming weekend polls.

President Mirziyoyev aims to solidify power in Sunday's polls amid economic challenges and recent unrest.

Mirziyoyev, in his third bid for a mandate, is expected to easily win in a country with limited opposition, mirroring Uzbekistan's neighbor

Mirziyoyev faced a major crisis in Karakalpakstan last year, prompting him to realize he had underestimated potential risks, as stated by Temur Umarov from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

Poland's new government vows to join the EU in tackling climate change.

Poland's new government promises a revised coal phase-out and backs a 90% reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Urszula Zielinska promises that Poland's three-party coalition will work more smoothly with the EU and take stronger action on climate policy.
The European Commission is set to publish an impact assessment on February 6, focusing on 2040 targets

Protests Unleashed: Poland's Right-Wing Opposition Challenges Pro-EU Government

Ousted Law and Justice Party protests defending democracy and free media.
Right-wing opposition protests new government's control over state media.
Tensions rise in the standoff between current and previous government.
New government, led by Donald Tusk, reverses policies causing conflicts with the EU.
Former ruling party faces accusations of violating legal order and rule of law while in power.

News bits proofread, compiled and drafted by:

Shubhdayini R. Jandev (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)

Manjyot Kaur (B.A. I.R., 1st Year)

Sabika Owais (B.A. I.R., 3rd Year)

Published by:

Alithia Clemency Paul (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)

VIJIGISHU '24