Daily News Brief
February 20, 2024 (Tuesday)
Asia Pacific
1. Beijing Urges US to End ‘Harassment’ of Chinese
Students. China’s public
security minister urged the US homeland security secretary to stop alleged
“harassment” of Chinese students entering the United States in a meeting
between the two in Vienna, Beijing’s state media reported.
2. Following
West, Philippine Military Bans China-Linked TikTok Over Security Concerns. The Philippines has prohibited its military
personnel from using the popular Chinese-owned mobile application TikTok due to
cybersecurity risks.
Russia/Europe/West
3. Czech
Republic Proposes 800,000 Artillery Rounds for Ukraine Soon. The Czech Republic could deliver up to 800,000
artillery shells to Ukraine from abroad if partner nations secure financing,
President Petr Pavel said at the Munich Security Conference.
4. Russia
Attacking with ‘Heavy Fire’ in South: Ukraine. Ukrainian troops are facing “heavy fire” from
Russian forces in the southern Zaporizhzhia region after Moscow made its most
significant territorial gain in nine months last week, a Ukrainian army
spokesperson said.
REGIONAL
India/South Asia
5. Internet
Services Suspended in Indian Punjab. Narendra Modi-led Indian government has extended the
suspension of internet services in certain areas of Punjab districts, including
Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib, until 24 February, amid ongoing farmers’
protests.
6. Both Indian
Aircraft Carries to Take Part in Naval Exercise Milan 2024. Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar announced
the upcoming MILAN exercise alongside participation of 50 nations, in
Vishakapatnam, highlighting its scale and significance as the largest Indian military
drill to date.
7. India's
Projects in Maldives Gain Pace. India has stepped up development assistance to the
Maldives with projects gaining pace last year, even as ties have soured over
new Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's demand for Indian troops to leave his
country.
IIOJK
8. Srinagar-Jammu
Highway Blocked Due to Landslide in Ramban. The Srinagar-Jammu highway has been blocked due to a
landslide at Mehad-Cafeteria, Ramban, and a landslide at Tabela Chamalwass,
Banihal in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
9. 41,300 Kashmiris Booked Under BJP’s Rule Since 2015
in IIOJK. The research
section of Kashmir Media Service released a report revealing that during the
BJP’s rule in the occupied territory in 2015, over 41,300 people, mostly
Hurriyat leaders, leaders of different political parties, activists, Ulema,
human rights defenders, journalists and social activists, were arrested by
Indian authorities on fake charges.
Afghanistan
10. UN Conference on Afghanistan Begins Without Taliban.
A two-day United Nations-led conference on the
way forward in Afghanistan started in Qatar’s capital Doha, without the
Taliban, the de facto rulers, in attendance.
11. Kabul Calls
Statement of 12 European Foreign Ministers ‘Baseless’. The Islamic Emirate denied the claims of 12
European countries foreign ministers’ joint statement about the violation of
human rights in Afghanistan.
Middle
East/Africa
12. EU Launches Red Sea Naval Mission to Protect
Shipping from Houthi Attacks.
The European Union has launched a naval mission to protect cargo ships in the
Red Sea from attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
13. Red Sea Disruptions to Limit Products to Customers
in Long Term. QatarEnergy
Chief Saad al-Kaabi said Red Sea shipping disruptions would limit the arrival
of products to customers in the long term and that diversions were not ideal as
they added to the cost and length of journeys.
Iran
14. Iraqi Armed
Groups Dial Down US Attacks on Request of Iran Commander. A visit
by the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force to Baghdad has led to a pause in
attacks on U.S. troops by Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, multiple Iranian and
Iraqi sources told Reuters, saying it was a sign Tehran wants to prevent a
broader conflict.
15. Iran Lauds
African Union Statement on Gaza.
Iran has hailed a recent statement issued by the African Union (AU), which
called for an end to the Israeli regime's military aggression and crimes
against the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip.
INTERNAL
Security
16. IHC
Expresses Dismay over Raid at Sher Afzal Marwat’s Residence. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC expressed
astonishment that the residence of a sitting member of parliament and a senior
lawyer had been raided in such a manner.
17. PM Kakar Again Skips IHC Hearing on Baloch
Missing Students Case. Caretaker
Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar again failed to appear before the Islamabad
High Court (IHC) in a case pertaining to missing Baloch students.
Economy
18. Pakistan May
Start Construction on 80-km Portion of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline. Islamabad is contemplating to kick-off
construction work on 80 kilometre portion of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
project, from Iranian border to Gwadar, to escape a potential penalty of $18
billion, in case Tehran decided to move to the Paris-based International
Arbitration for non-execution of the project.
19. Fitch Warns
Uncertain Political Situation Threat to IMF Programme. The closely contested outcome of Pakistan's
recent election and the ensuing political ambiguity may pose challenges to the
nation's efforts to secure a financing agreement with the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), replacing the expiring Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) in March
2024, according to Fitch Ratings.
Politics
20. PTI
Announces Alliance with Sunni Ittehad Council, MWM. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced alliance with the
Sunni Ittehad Council and Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM).
21. IHC Suspends Victory Notifications on Islamabad’s Three National Assembly Seats. A two-member bench comprising Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurezneb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued this interim verdict while hearing intra-court appeals against IHC chief justice Amir Farooq’s decision to dismiss pleas against ECP notifications.
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