In a joint statement, the United States and more than a dozen other countries criticized a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) about the origins of COVID-19, saying the study was released late and based on incomplete information (Al Jazeera). The statement didn’t call out China by name, but White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki criticized Beijing for not being transparent (WaPo) and failing to provide data. 

The much-anticipated report was produced by Chinese scientists and international experts who spent roughly a month in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first known cases of COVID-19 emerged. It found that the virus most likely spread (Guardian) from bats to humans through an unidentified third animal and that the possibility that a Chinese lab leaked the virus is unlikely. However, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “all hypotheses remain on the table” (WHO), that the probe was not extensive enough, and that experts had difficulty accessing information in China.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam rejected concerns (SCMP) about a possible conflict of interest due to her leadership of a committee that will help vet election candidates under amendments China recently approved for Hong Kong. National security police will assist with the vetting process, Lam said, and decisions cannot be challenged in the courts.

Australia: Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government said it will fast-track the creation of an enterprise that supports the domestic production of missiles and guided weapons. The move likely comes in response to China’s growing assertiveness (FT).

The United States ordered nonemergency embassy staff and their families to leave Myanmar (Reuters) amid a continued crackdown by the junta that seized power in February. Thailand said dozens of people who had fled recent military air strikes in Myanmar’s rebel-held east were “voluntarily” returned today (AFP).

CFR’s Joshua Kurlantzick provides insight into Myanmar’s military.

Pakistan: The foreign ministry confirmed that Prime Minister Imran Khan responded to a recent letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Khan echoed Modi’s interest in a cordial bilateral relationship and said resolving the countries’ issues is necessary for peace and stability, Dawn reports.

At a conference hosted by the United Nations and EU, international donors promised $6.4 billion in aid (National) for people in Syria and refugees who have fled the country’s decade-long conflict. The pledges, which included roughly $600 million from the United States, fell short of the conference’s $10 billion target. 

Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a $1.3 trillion private sector investment effort to help diversify (Reuters) the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy. Oil giant Aramco and petroleum company Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) will lead the investments.

A UN report found that at least twenty-two people, including nineteen civilians, were killed by a French air strike (AFP, France 24) targeting alleged jihadis in central Mali in January. France denied the conclusions.

CFR’s John Campbell and Nolan Quinn discuss French military operations in the Sahel.

Niger: Gunfire was heard near the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey, early this morning. Reuters reports that security forces attempted to take over the palace. Mohamed Bazoum, the victor of a disputed presidential election, is set to be sworn in on Friday.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed potential COVID-19 vaccine cooperation (RFE/RL) and imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, among other topics, during a video call yesterday, the French presidency and Kremlin said. 

Brussels: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said its fighter jets intercepted (Moscow Times) six groups of Russian military aircraft near NATO countries’ airspace within six hours on Monday.

This CFR Backgrounder explains NATO.

The commanders of all three branches of Brazil’s military resigned (MercoPress) a day after President Jair Bolsonaro reshuffled his cabinet. Meanwhile, Brazil reported a new record (BBC) of daily coronavirus cases. Bolsonaro, who has played down the pandemic, faces rising criticism.

Honduras: A New York federal court sentenced (Reuters) the brother of President Juan Orlando Hernandez to life in prison plus thirty years for drug trafficking in a case that has implicated Hernandez (Univision). The Honduran government denied a U.S. prosecutor’s claim that it sponsors drug trafficking.

The United States published its annual reports (RFE/RL) on countries’ human rights practices, providing a bleak outlook in many cases. Among the findings are allegations that genocide and crimes against humanity have been committed against Uyghur Muslims and others in China’s Xinjiang region.