- The Guardian
- Issue #2143
PHILIPPINES: Thousands of US and Filipino military personnel have begun annual combat drills that have antagonised China, including a “full-scale battle scenario” to simulate the defence of the Philippines archipelago and seas. The annual Balikatan military exercises are due to continue until 9 May, including about 9,000 US and 5,000 Filipino soldiers, sailors and air force personnel. Fighter jets, warships and an array of weaponry including a US marine anti-ship missile system will be involved, US and Philippine military officials said.
JORDAN: Jordan announced a ban on the Muslim Brother-hood that could include shutting down the country’s largest opposition party. The authorities banned the Islamist group after accusing it of planning attacks. The Islamic Action Front, a political party linked to the region-wide Brotherhood, won the most seats in parliamentary elections held last year, against the backdrop of mass protests against Israel over its war.
KENYA: Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged to build closer ties with China. Kenya wants to learn from “China’s remarkable journey of transformation in governance, economic development and global leadership,” Ruto said. Ruto thanked China for supporting the development of healthcare and education. Kenya is a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the ambitious plan that aims to connect Africa, Asia and Europe through massive infrastructure and energy projects.
IRAN: Iran is building a wall with Afghanistan designed to help fight drugs and weapons smuggling, human trafficking and illegal immigration, prevent border clashes with terrorists and criminal gangs, and secure the movement of people and goods between the two countries. The wall consists of reinforced concrete slabs measuring 4 metres high and 1.1 m thick, with a razor wire on top. When finished, the wall will span 900km. Up to 75 km has been completed to date. The project is set to be completed in three years at an estimated cost of $5.5 billion. Besides security issues, Iran has struggled to accomodate an influx of up to five million Afghan refugees (over 12 per cent of the population), who fled Afghanistan after the collapse of the US-supported government and the rise of Taliban.
NAMIBIA: The new Namibian president, Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced that her government will introduce free higher education at state universities and technical colleges starting next year. In her State of the Nation speech in parliament she also announced the construction of seven stadiums, each with a capacity to seat 30,000 people, the construction of 5,000 houses in Windhoek for low income earners, and cancellation of student loan debts. Two of Namibia’s seven universities are state-run and will offer free education under the new policy. All seven vocational training centres are government-run and will no longer charge tuition fees. The policy is aimed at improving opportunities for young people and helping to solve problems of poverty and unemployment. The country of about 3 million people has 2.1 million Namibians under the age of 35, according to official figures.
VIETNAM: Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa has been welcomed to Vietnam to join in celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s liberation in 1975. Valdés Mesa said that he felt “great pride” to be in “this heroic country” again, celebrating the country’s great victory over US imperialism, and recalled the brotherly ties between Cuba and Vietnam, fostered by leaders Fidel Castro Ruz and Ho Chi Minh.
