Weekly Recap: Aug 15 to Aug 21

North America:

• The Biden Administration announced last Friday (Aug 19) a new US$775 million (S$1.08 billion) military aid package for Ukraine in a pledge to continue supporting the country amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the assistance would consist of “additional arms, munitions, and equipment”. 

• The United States and Taiwan announced last Friday (Aug 18) the start of trade talks amid heightened tensions with China over the status of Taiwan. Both countries said on Thursday they agreed to move forward with the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, which seeks to boost trade and advance common standards in areas such as anti-corruption policy and environmental regulations.

• The United States announced last Thursday (Aug 18) that the government will increase its supply of vaccines for monkeypox,  totalling 1.8 million additional doses. The additional vaccines will be available to order from Monday (Aug 22). The White House also announced measures to make vaccines more accessible to members of high-risk communities, setting aside 50,000 vaccine doses from the national stockpile for distribution at gay pride and other similar events. 

• US President Joe Biden signed a US$740 billion (S$1.03 trillion) bill known as the ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ into law last Tuesday (Aug 16), covering aspects of climate change, healthcare and taxes. The bill aims to cut carbon emissions and encourage a shift away from fossil fuels. It is the largest investment yet in US history to fight climate change. 

• Jesus Murillo Karama, a former prosecutor, was arrested in Mexico last Friday (Aug 19) for leading the investigation into the disappearance of 43 students in 2014. His arrest is based on charges of forced disappearance, torture and obstruction of justice. The 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in the southwest state of Guerrero went missing as they were travelling by bus to a demonstration. Murillo’s arrest came after human rights official, Alejandro Encinas, called the students’ disappearance a “state crime” and said that the military bore some responsibility. 

South America: 

• Paraguay’s Vice President Hugo Velasquez said last Thursday (Aug 18) that he will not give up his seat until the US embassy presents details of the corruption claims against him, reversing his initial decision to resign. Velasquez initially made the decision to resign when he assumed that there was a domestic investigation against him, and changed his mind when he received notice from the Paraguay prosecutor’s office stating “that there [was] no case against [him]”. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Velazquez would be barred from entering the US due to his “involvement in significant corruption, including bribery of a public official and interference in public processes”.

• Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency last Monday (Aug 15) in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil after an explosion killed at least five people and injured 17 more. The state of emergency was in force from last Sunday (Aug 21), and will last for 30 days according to Security Secretary Diego Ordonez. Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo blamed the explosion on “organised-crime mercenaries” long involved in illicit drug traffic. The president has since stated that his government would “not allow organised crime to try to control the country”.

• Former Peruvian military officer, Antauro Humula was released from prison, following an announcement that his 19-year sentence had been reduced. He is known for having led a failed uprising back in 2005. The former military officer commended the 2005 uprising, in which he and his supporters attacked a police station in the city of Andahuaylas in an attempt to force the resignation of then-President Alejandro Toledo. He was released one year and seven months early due to his dedication to work and education. 

• A new poll reported last Tuesday (Aug 16) showed that Brazil’s former left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva holds lead over right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. The poll came as the country’s 2022 presidential election campaign draws closer. Former President Da Silva or Lula received 44 per cent of voter support while the current Brazilian President received 32 per cent. The Bolsonaro administration during the COVID-19 pandemic has been riddled with shortcomings with investigations suggesting that the administration contributed to the world’s second-highest death toll. The country’s 2022 presidential election will take place on October 2. 

Asia Pacific: 

• Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said last Sunday (Aug 21) in his National Day Rally speech that the government will repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code that criminalises sex between men. The government, however, has no plans in changing the definition of marriage which currently stipulates the union to be between a man and a woman. Other national policies such as public housing, education and film classification will also remain as is to further preserve the “norms and values” of Singapore society.

• Taiwan and the US announced last Friday (Aug 18) the start of trade talks amid heightened tensions with China over the status of Taiwan. Both countries said on Thursday they agreed to move forward with the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, which seeks to boost trade and advance common standards in areas such as anti-corruption policy and environmental regulations.

• At least 15 people died in Northern India after heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods and landslides near the Himalayan foothills in northern India, as reported last Saturday (Aug 20). Rescue officials were called to Mandi district in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, where floodwater swept away two houses and killed eight people according to government officials. Flooding and landslides have been common due to India’s monsoon season.

• North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s sister Kim Yo-Jung condemned South Korea’s offer of economic aid in return for denuclearisation last Friday (Aug 19). South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol was asked to “shut his mouth” by Kim Yo-Jung in response to his plan for denuclearisation and bolstering North Korea’s economy. Despite the North’s response, South Korea mentioned that the offer still stands. 

• At least 21 people were killed and 33 others wounded after a bombing at a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, during evening prayers last Wednesday (Aug 17).  There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, and no blame has been assigned to any party as of yet. The UN mission in Afghanistan has urged the Taliban to take the necessary steps to further prevent terrorism and to provide support to communities in need.

Europe: 

• A ceremony was held last Friday (Aug 19) in Glasgow, Scotland to officially repatriate seven cultural artefacts from India that were looted during the British colonial rule. Six of the items were stolen from northern India while the seventh item was illegally purchased after being stolen from its original owners. All seven objects were looted from sacred places, such as temples and shrines, and given as gifts to the Scottish city’s museum collections. In total, Glasgow is set to return 51 items to the descendants of their rightful owners from India and other few countries. 

• French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Algeria next week with the aim to improve strained ties between Paris and Algiers as reported last Saturday (Aug 20). An invitation was sent to Macron from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to which Macron accepted. It will be Macron’s second official visit to the North African country after a brief trip in December 2017 at the start of his first term. Macron is set to visit from August 25-27.

• It was announced last Friday (Aug 19) that a new US$775 million (S$1.08 billion) military aid package for Ukraine will be provided by the Biden Administration in a pledge to continue supporting the country amid Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the assistance would consist of “additional arms, munitions, and equipment”.

• Darya Dugina, the daughter of a prominent Russian ultranationalist was killed in a car-bomb blast outside Moscow last Saturday (Aug 20) in what may have been an assassination attempt on her father. Her father has long advocated for unifying Russian-speaking regions and territories as part of a new Russian empire and is believed to be an influential voice in shaping Putin’s worldview and approach to Ukraine, although this is often debated. Investigators have labelled this an open murder case and would be considering “all versions” of events.

• At least 35 people were killed and 20 others wounded in Southeastern Turkey when vehicles crashed into first responders who were attending to previous accidents last Saturday (Aug 20). The first accident happened on a highway when a passenger bus collided with emergency teams who were attending to another accident in the Mardin Province. Among the casualties are three firefighters, two paramedics and two journalists. While responders were attending to the first accident, another bus crashed into the site, hitting and wounding people. 

Middle East: 

• The revival of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal has been discussed by leaders from the US, Britain, France and Germany as reported last Sunday (Aug 21). They discussed ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program the need to strengthen support for partners in the Middle East region, and joint efforts to deter and constrain Iran’s destabilising regional activities as reported by the White House about the four country’s discussions.

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador, Saif Mohammed Al Zaabi was said to be returning to Iran soon, more than six years after the Arab state downgraded ties with Tehran. The announcement on Sunday (Aug 21) was in line with UAE’s efforts to strengthen relations with Iran “to achieve the common interests of the two countries and the wider region”, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

• ​​At least 14 were killed and dozens others injured after a rocket attack hit the town of al-Bab in northern Syria last Friday (Aug 19) according to reports by opposition paramedic group, the Syrian Civil Defence, or White Helmets. The attack in the town, held by Turkey-backed opposition fighters in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, came days after an air attack killed Syrian troops and United States-backed Kurdish fighters in Aleppo. The Syrian government has since blamed Turkey for the attack.

• At least three Syrian soldiers were killed and six others wounded in a Turkish air raid on military posts in the Aleppo countryside last Wednesday (Aug 17). The attacks took place near the town of Kobane, held by the United States-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the site of overnight clashes between the group and Turkish forces.

• The Israeli army closed down several Palestinian NGOs in the West Bank as reported last Thursday (Aug 18), a few hours after Palestinian Waseem Nasr Khalifa, 20, from the Balata refugee camp, was shot dead during armed clashes following an Israeli raid on the occupied northern West Bank city of Nablus. At least four other Palestinians were injured by live ammunition during the attack. 

Africa: 

• Somali forces ended a deadly 30-hour siege last Sunday (21 Aug) on a hotel in Mogadishu, with security personnel clearing explosives planted by al-Shabab fighters in the wrecked building. 21 people were confirmed killed and 117 people injured, by the country’s Ministry of Health. The attack started when fighters from the al-Shabab armed group unleashed a gun-and-bomb assault on Hayat Hotel last Friday (Aug 19). 

• Chad opened a national dialogue on the country’s future last Saturday (Aug 20) despite some opposition groups boycotting the meeting. Initiated by Army General Mahamat Idriss Deby, more than 1,400 delegates from the military, civil society, opposition parties, trade unions and rebel groups gathered last Saturday in N’Djamena, the capital city, for the “national dialogue” that is expected to last three weeks.

• At least 37 people were killed and dozens more injured in wildfires across Algeria last Wednesday (Aug 18). The wildfires spread across the country, raging in 14 of Algeria’s provinces. The country has already experienced 106 fires which have destroyed more than 6,178 acres of woodland. Algerians have long complained of the lack of government preparedness and support during wildfire season in the country. 

• Chad rebel leader Timan Erdimi, returned to the country last Thurs (Aug 18) after 17 years in exile, a few days before the start of national dialogue aimed at paving the way for elections and for the future of the country. The 67-year-old leader who is the head of the Union of Resistance Forces (UFR), was exiled in 2005 and he had been living in Qatar for more than 10 years. His armed group had attempted to overthrow Chad’s former president Idriss Deby, in 2008 and in 2019.

• Mali accused France last Wednesday (Aug 18) in a letter to the United Nations (UN) of breaching its airspace and sending weapons to armed groups. In the letter to the head of the UN Security Council, Mali’s foreign affairs minister, Abdoulaye Diop, said its airspace has been breached mostly by French forces using drones, military helicopters and fighter jets and has been so at least 50 times in 2022 alone. These accusations among others have caused the relationship between Mali and its former colonial power, France to be strained.