Global Beat: Brexit Begins, Pakistan’s Border Wall, and More
March 31, 2017
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Global Beat is your weekly stop for news from around the world. Join us every Friday morning for important stories you should know about.
This week, British Prime Minister Theresa May officially initiates the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union; Pakistan commences production on a 1,500-mile border fence with Afghanistan; impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye is arrested on charges including bribery, extortion, and abuse of power; and more.
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Americas
During a meeting on Tuesday in Washington, DC, the Organization of American States (OAS) backed off its threat to suspend Venezuela in order to allow President Nicolas Maduro’s government and the opposition to settle their differences through dialogue. Regional governments have become increasingly concerned about Venezuela’s economic crisis and are attempting to restore democratic norms within the country. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Court, controlled by Maduro, stripped power from the legislature on Wednesday.
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- Trump signs executive order unwinding Obama climate policies – Coral Davenport and Alissa J. Rubin, The New York Times
Central & South Asia
Pakistan announced on Monday that it has commenced production on a 1,500-mile border fence with Afghanistan. Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Bajwa, said a more secure and managed border is in the "mutual interest of both brotherly countries who have given phenomenal sacrifices in the war against terrorism." General Dawlat Waziri, a spokesperson of the Afghan Ministry of Defense, stated that building a fence would not solve any problems but would "only create more tension."
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- India wants to seal its borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh – Huizhong Wu, CNN
China & East Asia
Impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye was arrested early Friday morning on charges including bribery, extortion, and abuse of power. She was removed from office in early March for allowing her close friend Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a deceased South Korean cult leader, to extort money from companies in return for political favors. Prosecutors have 19 days to consider whether to formally indict her. Park has denied any wrongdoing.
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- China, EU reaffirm climate pledges after Trump backs away – Ben Blanchard and Alister Doyle, Reuters
Europe & Russia
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, officially beginning the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union. Britain’s top envoy to the EU, Tim Barrow, presented the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, the official notification letter, which called for a "special partnership that takes in both economic and security cooperation" for all parties involved. May said this was "an historical moment from which there can be no turning back." Tusk said at a news conference in Brussels that there was "no reason to pretend this is a happy day in Brussels or London," but that the EU’s remaining members are "more determined and more united."
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Middle East & North Africa
Iraqi special forces and police have edged closer to the al-Nuri mosque in western Mosul, strengthening their control over the Islamic State’s largest remaining stronghold in Iraq. Fighting continued this week near the mosque in the Old City. Tens of thousands of civilians are trapped in the city and caught between the fighting. Iraqi troops shot down at least one suspected ISIL drone that was being used to spy and drop munitions on Iraqi military positions. According to the U.S. military, 284 members of the Iraqi security forces have been killed since the battle to retake western Mosul began, with more than 1,600 wounded.
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- Syrian opposition, Russia discuss reinforcing ceasefire – Stephanie Nebehay, Reuters
Southeast Asia & Oceania
The United Nations Human Rights Council announced it will send an international fact-finding mission to Myanmar to investigate atrocities said to have been committed against Rohingya Muslims by the country’s army. Myanmar’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, U Htin Lynn, objected to the resolution and said it was "not acceptable and not in harmony with the situation on the ground." Myanmar's military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, warned against a UN intervention, stating his armed forces would stop any investigation attempt. Myanmar appointed its own inquiry commission, led by Vice President Myint Swe, and set up an advisory panel, but UN officials said it falls short of international standards.
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- Philippines, China to hold direct talks on South China Sea row in May – Agence France-Presse
Sub-Saharan Africa
Former rebels in Mali on Tuesday reversed a decision to boycott a national reconciliation conference after the government assured them talks would go beyond the planned seven day meeting. The boycott occurred when "the parties involved [were not] able to reach a consensus," with rebel groups arguing that the April 2 deadline did not give them enough time. The talks were initially agreed to under a peace deal reached between the government and Taureg-led rebels in 2015.
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