INR | EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA : Weekly Updates

 Russian exclusion at the Olympic Games

• Mariya Lasitskene, a Tokyo 2020 gold medallist, expresses the hurt of not being able to participate in Paris 2024 due to the ban against Russian athletes issued since the beginning of aggression against Ukraine, showing how profound the emotional and professional impact is on Russian athletes.

• The Russian press and politicians give pejorative nicknames to the Paris Olympics, which indicates that for them, the Olympic Games have been politicized—but more than that, a broad national sentiment of grievance and exclusion is carried through.

•  In response to the exclusion, Russia hosted nationalistic sports festivals. These include traditional recreations and military-themed activities that are quite far from the international Olympic spirit.

Read more:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clwyy9j8wxdo

Russian Defence officials arrested in corruption probe

• Major General Vladimir Shesterov and Vyacheslav Akhmedov, the head of Patriot Park, have been detained over suspicions of fraud relating to the misappropriation of funds destined for work in the park.

• Wider Anti-Corruption Drive: It is part of an unprecedented wave of corruption investigations in the Russian military and defense sectors that have seen several high-ranking officials and businessmen arrested since April.

• The decision of President Vladimir Putin to replace Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu recently with Andrei Belousov signals towards the Kremlin's big push to tighten control over the defense budget and repressions against corruption in the midst of war in Ukraine.

Read more:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/russia-detains-senior-defence-official-over-suspected-fraud-at-military-theme-park-101722860614475.html

Ukrainian athletes shine at the Olympic Games amidst the ongoing war

• Yaroslava Mahuchikh took gold in high jump and set a new world record, while her compatriots Iryna Gerashchenko and Mykhaylo Kohkan captured bronze medals, showcasing the spirit of strength and national pride amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

• Deep emotional turbulence and devotion are expressed by athletes in such remarks. In particular, Gerashchenko and Mahuchikh dedicate their medals to friends and family who have become victims of the war. The impact on athletes' personal lives and training conditions since this conflict broke out, including Mahuchikh's displacement from Dnipro, is highlighted.

• Despite the ruined sports infrastructure and miserable condition, the Ukrainian Olympic team continue to perform admirably; President Zelenskyy hails their strength. The athletes look upon participating in and winning the Olympics as a demonstration of the strengthening of their nation and a reminder of the ongoing war.

Read more: 

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/paris-olympics-away-from-war-team-ukraine-wins-a-battle-and-more-9497448/

Mali severs ties with Ukraine over Wagner attack 

• Mali cuts ties with Ukraine over comments by a Ukrainian official acknowledging Kyiv's involvement in helping Tuareg rebels attack Russian Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers in a deadly assault.

• The rebels carried out a heavy strike in northern Mali, leaving many dead. It was among the heaviest blows suffered by Wagner. Ukraine stated it was not in any way related to the strike; its foreign ministry declared the decision of Mali to sever relations with it to be "shortsighted and hasty."

• The pivot toward Russia, spearheaded by the Malian approach to Wagner, further consolidated from 2021 after the coup that took place in 2020. In that context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has, in fact, reaffirmed the support due for Mali.

Read more:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/5/mali-breaks-off-diplomatic-ties-with-ukraine

South Korea and Poland strengthen bilateral ties through air force consultative body

• South Korea and Poland have agreed to set up a consultative body between the air forces in order to improve two-way military cooperation, following Poland's acquisition of Korean fighter jets. Details and launching time are currently under negotiation.

• The new body would handle various aspects of military cooperation, from strategies and tactics to developments in the defense industry. Poland has purchased enormous amounts of defense equipment from South Korea—FA-50 fighter jets, K9 howitzers, and K2 tanks.

• The consultative body will facilitate the sharing of operational know-how concerning the FA-50s jets and may involve a pilot exchange program. Discussions may further be held on the possible exports by South Korea to Poland of its advanced KF-21 Boramae fighters.

Read more: 

https://www.thehansindia.com/news/international/south-korea-poland-to-establish-air-force-consultative-body-896740?infinitescroll=1

Resurgent far-right conjures Austria-Hungary headache for EU on Ukraine

• The far-right favorites to win Austria's next election have forged an alliance with Hungarian leader Viktor Orban that could deepen defiance of Brussels and threaten an already fragile consensus over the Ukraine war if they take power.

• "We're entering what I would like to call a new era in European politics," Kickl said with Orban announcing their European alliance in June in a Vienna hotel alongside Andrej Babis, head of the biggest party in the Czech Republic's lower house, and a former prime minister of that country.

• The EU has agreed 14 rounds of sanctions since Russia's invasion, and in February passed a 50 billion euro ($54 billion) aid package for Ukraine until 2027.

Read More - https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/resurgent-far-right-conjures-austria-hungary-headache-eu-ukraine-2024-08-05/

Hungary to revoke green number plates from hybrid vehicles

• According to a government decree, from 1 September 2024, only fully electric and zero-emission vehicles will be eligible for green number plates upon their first domestic registration, iho.hu writes.

• Owners of less environmentally friendly vehicles—classified as 5P (plug-in) and 5N (extended range) hybrid electric vehicles—must initiate the replacement of their green plates with white ones by 30 November 2026.

• Consequently, the tax incentives associated with green number plates are also under review, marking the end of the era for luxury SUVs with green plates.

Read More - https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-green-number-plate-hybrid-vehicles/

The Taliban says people in Afghanistan on previous government’s visas can stay for now

• Afghanistan’s Taliban government said Monday it would allow people in the country on visas issued by the former Western-backed government to stay for now, but that they wouldn’t be allowed back in without documents from a Taliban-approved diplomatic mission.

• The move is part of the Taliban’s efforts to gain control of Afghanistan’s representation abroad since returning to power in 2021.

• In March 2023, the Taliban said they were trying to take charge of more Afghan embassies abroad. Their chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the administration had sent diplomats to at least 14 countries.

Read More - https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-embassies-65876e961468ddff762ea70d6f01c72a

Fire at Iran-Afghanistan border extinguished after massive inferno

• "Smoke from the fire in this economic hub is visible up to 18 kilometers away," the deputy governor of Taybad for political, security, and social affairs said.

• Fuel tanks caught fire on Monday on Iran's side of the Iran-Afghanistan Dogharoun Special Economic Zone at the border, semi-official Iranian state Tasnim news agency reported.

• "Firefighters have already been dispatched to control the fire, but the amount of damage has not yet been reported," Tasmin news agency reporter Mohammad Reza Rezaei said.

Read More - https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-813363

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan keen to take their multifaceted partnership to next level

• "The head of state received the assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva. During the meeting, current issues of further advancing the multifaceted partnership between the two countries were discussed," the source said.

• "The head of state received the assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva. During the meeting, current issues of further advancing the multifaceted partnership between the two countries were discussed," the source said.

• "The head of state received the assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva. During the meeting, current issues of further advancing the multifaceted partnership between the two countries were discussed," the source said.

Read More - https://www.azernews.az/region/229544.html

News Bits collected by [Region Head]: 

Poulina Banerjee (BA IR 3rd year)

Drafted by: 

Gauri Upreti (BA IR 2nd year)

Angel Chindalia (MA IR 2nd year)

Published by: Varsha Das (BA IR 3rd year)

INR | WEST ASIA: Weekly Updates

 

Top UN court says Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's highest court, ruled that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there are illegal and must be withdrawn as soon as possible.

• The ICJ found that Israel's obligations include paying restitution for harm and evacuating all settlers from existing settlements.

• The court also determined that the UN Security Council, General Assembly, and all states have an obligation not to recognize the occupation as legal or provide aid to maintain Israel's presence in the occupied territories.

• The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the opinion "historic" and urged states to adhere to it by providing no aid, assistance or complicity to Israel's illegal occupation.

• Israel rejected the opinion as "fundamentally wrong" and one-sided, arguing the Jewish nation cannot be an occupier in its own land

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/top-un-court-deliver-opinion-israels-occupation-palestinian-territories-2024-07-19/

Dubai airport resumes normal operations after global outage hits check-in desks

•  Dubai International Airport faced a significant disruption due to a global IT outage affecting check-in systems, leading to delays for travelers.

• Operations at the airport resumed to normal after the issue was resolved, with the airport advising passengers to check with airlines for updated flight information.

• The outage caused long queues and frustration among passengers, as many were unable to check in for their flights.

• Airlines at the airport were working to accommodate affected passengers and manage the backlog caused by the disruption.

• The airport's management confirmed that the issue was not related to a cyberattack and emphasized their commitment to ensuring passenger safety and convenience during the incident.

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/dubai-airport-resumes-normal-operations-after-global-outage-hits-check-in-desks-2024-07-19/

Israel's contentious military exemption for ultra-Orthodox community

• Israel's Supreme Court ruled in June 2023 that a law allowing ultra-Orthodox Jewish men to be exempt from military service was unconstitutional and must be changed by July 2024.

• Ultra-Orthodox leaders argue that their community's religious studies are as valuable as military service in defending Israel. However, critics say the exemption has enabled draft dodging and contributed to poverty in the ultra-Orthodox community.

• The government is working on a new law that would require ultra-Orthodox men to either serve in the military or perform national service. But ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding generous draft quotas and funding for religious seminaries in exchange.

• Tensions are high as the July 2024 deadline approaches. Ultra-Orthodox leaders have threatened civil disobedience if the exemption is scrapped. Secular Israelis accuse them of shirking their duty to the country.

• The issue highlights the power of ultra-Orthodox parties in Israeli politics. They have used their kingmaker status to extract concessions on issues like military service and funding for religious schools in coalition agreements

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-contentious-military-exemption-ultra-orthodox-community-2024-07-19/

Tel Aviv hit by drone attack claimed by Iranian-backed Houthis

• A long-range Iranian-made drone hit central Tel Aviv early Friday morning, killing one man and injuring four others. The attack was claimed by the Yemen-based Houthi militia.

• The military assessed the drone was an upgraded Iranian-made Samad-3 model that arrived from Yemen. Sirens did not sound due to human error in identifying the threat.

• The Houthis said Tel Aviv is now a primary target and the attack was carried out using a new drone called "Yafa" that can bypass interception systems. They vowed to continue targeting Israel in solidarity with Palestinians.

• The attack came hours after Israel killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon, and Israel has been exchanging fire with Hezbollah along the northern border since the start of the Gaza war.

• The Houthis have stepped up attacks on Israel and Western targets, saying they act in solidarity with Palestinians, after Israel invaded Gaza following last year's attack by Hamas militants

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-military-says-tel-aviv-blast-apparently-caused-by-drone-2024-07-19/

Fearing Palestinian Authority collapse, EU promises $435 mln in aid

• The European Union has pledged €435 million ($475 million) in aid to the Palestinian Authority for 2024 to prevent its collapse amid ongoing financial difficulties.

• The Palestinian Authority is facing a severe financial crisis, exacerbated by reduced revenues and rising costs, which has raised concerns about its stability and governance.

• The aid announcement comes as tensions rise in the region, with fears that the weakening of the Palestinian Authority could lead to increased instability and violence.

• The EU emphasized that the aid is contingent upon the Palestinian Authority implementing reforms, particularly in governance and public finance management.

• The EU's commitment is part of a larger international effort to support the Palestinian Authority, with discussions ongoing among other donor countries to provide additional assistance.

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/fearing-palestinian-authority-collapse-eu-promises-435-mln-aid-2024-07-19/

FIFA postpones decision on Palestinian bid to suspend Israel

• FIFA has delayed its decision regarding the Palestinian Football Association's request to suspend Israel from international football competitions.

• The Palestinian bid is rooted in claims of discrimination and violations of rights against Palestinian players and teams by Israeli authorities.

• The matter was raised during FIFA's congress, where Palestinian officials expressed concerns about the treatment of their athletes.

• Israel's football association has denied the allegations, asserting that it does not discriminate against Palestinian players.

• FIFA plans to further discuss the issue in the coming months, indicating that the topic remains a significant point of contention within international football governance.

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/fifa-postpones-decision-palestinian-bid-suspend-israel-2024-07-19/

News bits drafted by: 
Jiah Malik (BA IR 2nd year) 
Collected and published by (region head):
Varsha Das (BA IR 3rd year)

INR | WEST ASIA: Weekly Updates

Jewish star Ben Stiller breaks silence on Israel-Hamas war: 'I want the violence to end'

• Ben Stiller, a Jewish actor, expressed his views on the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza in an opinion piece published in Time magazine.

• Stiller grieved for the victims of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and for the innocent Palestinians who lost their lives in the conflict.

• The actor denounced Hamas' attack as "barbaric" and "unconscionable", stating that terrorism must be fought by all people of conscience.

• Stiller called for an end to the violence, the provision of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and a two-state solution that ensures peace and safety for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Read more - https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jewish-star-ben-stiller-breaks-silence-on-israel-hamas-war-i-want-the-violence-to-end-734057

Efforts to secure Gaza ceasefire and hostage release gain momentum

• Israel has announced that it will resume stalled negotiations with Hamas regarding a potential ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

• The announcement comes amid rising hopes for a ceasefire, as both sides have been engaged in intense fighting for several days.

• The negotiations are expected to focus on a long-term truce and the easing of the blockade on Gaza

• , which has been in place since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007.

• Egypt, which has been mediating the talks, has been pushing for a ceasefire to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

• The latest round of violence began after Israeli forces killed three Islamic Jihad militants in the West Bank, prompting the group to launch rockets into Israel

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-ceasefire-hopes-rise-israel-says-it-will-resume-stalled-negotiations-2024-07-05/

Gaza clothing workshop reborn from the rubble to provide jobs

• A clothing workshop in Gaza, destroyed during the 2021 conflict, has been rebuilt and is now providing jobs for local residents.

• The workshop, run by Samar Derbas, was able to reopen with the help of a $10,000 grant from a local charity.

• The workshop now employs 15 women who lost their jobs due to the conflict, allowing them to support their families.

• The workshop produces traditional Palestinian dresses and embroidery, which are sold both locally and internationally.

• Reopening the workshop has provided a boost to the local economy in Gaza, which has been struggling with high unemployment and poverty following the conflict.

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-clothing-workshop-reborn-rubble-provide-jobs-2024-07-05/

Medics say seven Palestinians killed in Israeli raid on West Bank's Jenin

• Four Palestinians were killed during an Israeli military offensive in the West Bank city of Jenin, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

• The offensive involved Israeli ground forces and air strikes, which targeted what Israel described as a "terrorist stronghold" in Jenin refugee camp.

• The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said two of those killed were members of its armed wing, while the other two were civilians.

• The Israeli military has conducted near-daily raids in the West Bank over the past year in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks that have killed 19 people in Israel.

• The latest violence comes amid heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, with the United Nations warning of a "dangerous downward spiral" in the conflict.

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/four-palestinians-killed-israeli-offensive-west-banks-jenin-ministry-says-2024-07-05/

Iranians vote in run-off presidential race amid widespread apathy

• Iranians are voting in a run-off election for president on July 5, 2024 amid widespread apathy and low turnout.

• The election is between hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi and moderate technocrat Abdolnaser Hemmati, after no candidate secured a majority in the first round.

• Raisi is the frontrunner and expected to win, continuing the trend of hardliners consolidating power in Iran.

• The election comes as Iran faces economic challenges, ongoing protests, and tensions with the West over its nuclear program.

• Many Iranians are boycotting the vote due to disillusionment with the political system and lack of real choice between candidates

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranians-vote-run-off-presidential-election-amid-widespread-apathy-2024-07-05/

Hamas briefs Hezbollah on proposal for ceasefire, Hezbollah welcomes step, sources say

• Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya discussed recent developments in the Gaza Strip and ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

• The meeting examined the latest security and political advancements in Gaza, the evolving negotiations, and suggestions to halt harmful acts against Palestinians.

• A U.S. government representative expressed optimism that Hamas' altered stance on a potential prisoner exchange agreement with Israel could pave the way for a lasting truce.

• Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in exchanges of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border since October, coinciding with the conflict in Gaza and raising concerns of a broader confrontation.

• The discussions between Hezbollah and Hamas focused on the current situation in Gaza and the progress of ceasefire talks, with the U.S. seeing Hamas' flexibility on a prisoner swap as a positive step towards a long-term truce.

Read more - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-hamas-discuss-latest-developments-gaza-ceasefire-talks-hezbollah-says-2024-07-05/

News bits drafted by: 

Jiah Malik (BA IR 2nd year) 

Collected and published by (region head):

Varsha Das (BA IR 3rd year)