North Korea Reports First COVID-19 Death, ‘Explosive’ Outbreak

North Korea publicly acknowledged a citizen’s death from COVID-19 for the first time, with state media reporting that a fever spreading “explosively” across the country had infected 350,000 people (Bloomberg). Leader Kim Jong-un ordered a lockdown of major cities. South Korea said it plans to provide vaccines (Reuters, SCMP) to North Korea.

Pyongyang’s announcement came after world leaders pledged around $3 billion (NYT) toward the global pandemic response during a U.S.-hosted virtual summit yesterday. The World Health Organization (WHO) says at least $12 billion in additional funding is needed. The White House committed $200 million for the World Bank’s pandemic preparedness fund. A U.S. funding package for both domestic and international pandemic response is currently stalled in Congress.

Analysis

“Kim has credited strict social controls and self-imposed international isolation with keeping North Korea safe from Covid. If those signature measures fail, it could be a blow to regime legitimacy,” Ewha Womans University’s Leif-Eric Easley tells the New York Times.

“Needless to say, the [U.S. Congress’s] decision to advance Ukraine Supplemental funding request without more $$ for COVID-19 does not bode well for global health. It may be a while before we see significantly more US resources to fight the pandemic at home and abroad,” CFR’s Thomas J. Bollyky tweets.

Pacific Rim

Japan to Launch Carbon Trading Market

The market, inside the Tokyo Stock Exchange, will begin with a limited launch in September and move to full-scale operation in April 2023, Nikkei reported.

South and Central Asia

Sri Lankan President Calls Former Prime Minister Back Into Office

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reappointed (The Diplomat) five-time former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in an attempt to bring stability to the country amid political and economic crises.

For Foreign Affairs, Dushni Weerakoon explains how the pandemic and war in Ukraine led to Sri Lanka’s economic collapse.

Afghanistan: The Taliban tightened gender segregation rules (Al Jazeera) in the city of Herat, forbidding men and women from dining together and visiting parks on the same day.

Middle East and North Africa

Emirati President Dies

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), died (Al Jazeera) at age seventy-three, state media announced. Because of bin Zayed’s health issues, his brother has served as the UAE’s de facto leader since 2014.

Israel/Palestinian territories: Israel’s military is investigating the possibility that one of its soldiers killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank earlier this week, an Israeli official told the Washington Post. Israel has walked back its initial claim Abu Akleh was likely killed by Palestinian fighters.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Africa’s First COVID-19 Vaccine Factory to Pause Production Due to Lack of Orders

The South African factory anticipated it would receive vaccine orders from the WHO-backed COVAX initiative, but COVAX has so far sought vaccines (AP) from factories outside Africa.

Somalia: The country will hold a presidential election (East African) on Sunday, fifteen months after the vote was originally scheduled to take place.

For the Africa in Transition blog, CFR’s Michelle Gavin unpacks Somalia’s political paradoxes.

Europe

European Natural Gas Prices Rise After Russia Imposes Sanctions

Europe’s benchmark gas price rose 18 percent (WSJ) yesterday after Russia announced sanctions on some European energy companies. The European Union is still negotiating (Politico) a ban on purchases of Russian oil that has stalled over Hungary’s objections.

Germany: The interior ministry identified 327 employees of federal and state security agencies as right-wing extremists (DPA) after a three-year review.

Americas

Migrant Boat Sinks En Route to Puerto Rico

At least thirteen people died in the incident (WaPo). Dozens of others were rescued, and eight were taken to the hospital.

Costa Rica: The government declared a state of emergency (AP) over a series of ransomware attacks that have targeted government agencies.

United States

Jerome Powell Confirmed for Second Term as Fed Chair

The Senate voted 80-19 to confirm Powell (CNN), President Joe Biden’s pick for the position, after Republicans initially opposed Powell due to his focus on climate change.

This Backgrounder explains the role of the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Friday Editor’s Pick

An investigation by The Guardian looks at the “carbon bomb” fossil fuel projects set to derail the world’s efforts to prevent catastrophic global warming.

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