North America:
- The United States Georgian Supreme Court has reinstated the state-wide ban on abortions last Tuesday (Nov 22), for pregnancies of six weeks and more. The move came a week after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney initially overturned the ban due to being unconstitutional, which was introduced following the overturning of the Roe v Wade ruling in June. The six-week ban prohibits abortions once a “detectable human heartbeat” is present. As cardiac activity can be detected by ultrasound in cells as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, the law prevents women from abortions even before they would be aware of their pregnancy. US abortion rights groups and clinics criticised the move for upending the lives of Georgian women once more.
- United States President Joe Biden reinforced his stance on the need to regulate gun control and ban assault rifles while speaking at a public appearance last Thursday (Nov 24) His statement came after two violent shootings occurred in the past week. A gunman with an assault rifle and handgun killed 5 victims and injured more than 12 other bystanders in an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado, while a Walmart employee in Virginia killed 6 co-workers before taking his own life with a semi-automatic handgun. Although the Gun Violence Archive has recorded over 600 mass shootings in the United States this year alone, it is unlikely that Biden will succeed in his campaign on gun control due to an equally divided Congress in next year’s session.
- Former United States President Donald Trump continued down his path towards running for the 2024 US Presidential Election, hosting singer Ye and far-right activist Nick Fuentes at his Mar-a-Lago estate last Tuesday (Nov 22) to discuss Ye’s presidential bid. Fuentes is known for his participation in the January 6 Capitol riot, and antisemitic racist views that has led to his permanent bans from various social media platforms. Trump was heavily criticised following the dinner, as Ye and Fuentes have been known to hold White nationalist and antisemitic sentiments. The former President insisted he did not know Fuentes, however, some aides in his circle remain sceptical.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified last Friday (Nov 25) regarding his approval and usage of the Emergencies Act during the Ottawa protests that occurred in February. The six-week long public inquiry examined the controversial Emergencies Act that had never been invoked since its inception in 1988, and allows authorities wide-spread powers to freeze bank accounts, limit travel and passage, and take active measures to clear out streets. Trudeau asserted his action had prevented potential casualties and violence, which he believed could have risen from the nature of the “Freedom Convoy” protests seeking to end all pandemic public health measures, despite concerns that the event may not have qualified as a legitimate national security threat.
- Cuba held its municipal elections on Sunday (Nov 27), during which locals voted for candidates within neighbourhood assemblies of the nation’s legislative National Assembly of People’s Power. While Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has called the upcoming vote a “genuine expression” of participatory democracy, opposition members called for Cubans to abstain from the vote after hundreds of opposition members were tried and jailed for various charges following the anti-government protests last year. Opposition voices have said many were forced to migrate or go into exile, with the majority of prominent opposition candidates blocked from participating in the elections. 26,746 candidates were running for more than 12,000 ward positions during the elections.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez pledged mutual support to grow their mutual core interests as socialist states, during their meeting in Beijing last Friday (Nov 25). President Xi said they hope to “strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs” with Cuba. The meeting came following Diaz-Canel’s visit to Moscow where he reinforced ties with President Vladimir Putin and discussed issues facing their sanction-hit states. China is currently Cuba’s second largest trading partner and has provided buses, locomotives and other equipment to support improvement projects for Cuba’s infrastructure. In a statement following the visit, Diaz Canel said he “highly recognises Xi’s practical and theoretical contributions,” and attaches “great importance and attention to the friendly and cooperative relationship between Cuba and China.”
South America:
- The Colombian government and the left-wing National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group invited more countries to be involved in the country’s peace negotiations last Friday (Nov 25). The two sides agreed to invite Brazil, Chile and Mexico to join Cuba, Norway and Venezuela in the peace talks which resumed on Monday (Nov 21) in Caracas, Venezuela. The process had been previously suspended following an ELN bomb attack in 2019. Negotiating members had also reached out to the United states to “to find out its willingness to participate in the process”. The talks seek to end decades of armed conflict in the nation, in line with recently-elected President Gustavo Petro’s promise to bring “total peace” to Colombia after almost six decades of armed violence, which has led to at least 450,000 deaths between 1985 and 2018.
- Peruvian Prime Minister Annibal Torres resigned after his confidence vote challenge was rejected by Congress last Thursday (Nov 24), due to conditions for it “not being met”. The vote was meant to pressure Congress amid tense relations between Peru’s executive and legislative branches. While a vote of no confidence would have removed Torres and his cabinet, a subsequent challenge by the incumbent cabinet would allow the executive to dissolve the legislative branch and call for new elections. President Pedro Castillo accepted Torres’ resignation and said he would be reshuffling his cabinet once again. Peru’s Congress had previously impeached Castillo twice, but failed to remove him from office.
- A report by the United Nations (UN) stated Thursday (Nov 24) that Latin America and the Caribbean could face a “prolonged social crisis” in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report by the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) found 56.5 million people in the region impacted by hunger, and an estimated 45.4 percent of people aged 18 or younger living in poverty. The findings underscore the impact and retention of poverty above pre-pandemic levels, and the effect of high inflation on the road to recovery, estimating 12 million more people facing extreme poverty since 2019. The commission called for “transformative and ambitious policies” as opposed to gradual change in the region.
- The head of Brazil’s highest electoral authority, the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), rejected a challenge against the nation’s recent electoral results last Wednesday (Nov 23). The authority denounced Jair Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party’s effort to overturn President-elect Lula’s electoral victory as being in “bad faith” and that their claim that the nation’s automated voting machines were liable to fraud had a “total absence of any evidence”. An additional US$4.3 million (S$5.92 million) was issued against the claimants as well.
- US oil sanctions on Venezuela were eased last Saturday (Nov 26), after an agreement was signed by the government of Nicolas Maduro and his opposition to establish a UN-administered fund to provide humanitarian aid to Venezuelans. The “social accord” signed in Mexico City by representatives from both countries marked the resumption of long-delayed talks to address the complex crisis facing Venezuela. Under the agreement, the country may resume limited oil extraction activities for the next six months, while the United States “assesses” whether Maduro’s government adheres to his commitments. The country has been facing an ongoing humanitarian, political and economic crisis, with the United Nations reporting an estimated US$795 million (S$1094.71) to help about 5.2 million people in Venezuela through health, education, water and sanitation, food and other projects, earlier this year.
Asia Pacific:
- Malaysian statesman Anwar Ibrahim was elected as the country’s new prime minister last Thursday (Nov 24). Ibrahim was formally appointed by the King in line with the Malaysian constitution, ending a protracted election deadlock. The incoming prime minister caps a turbulent political life, during which he served jail time for corruption and sodomy charges, and was expelled by Mahatir from their then-party United Malays Organisation (UMNO). Despite the circumstances, Ibrahim was always within distance of securing the position, having served as deputy prime minister in the 1990s and official prime minister-in-waiting in 2018.
- More than 250 people were killed in an earthquake in Java, Indonesia, last Wednesday (Nov 23). The 5.6 magnitude quake occurred near the town of Cianjur in mountainous West Java, which is home to 2.5 million people. More than 5,300 people were displaced and more than 2,200 houses were damaged, while aftershocks and heavy rain dampened earthquake rescue efforts. Officials warned that the death toll could rise further due to the many collapsed buildings, as well as communications and electricity disruptions.
- One person was killed and 30 were injured in a Southern Thailand car bombing last Tuesday (Nov 22). The suspect drove a car into the police accommodation and subsequently abandoned it. However, there were no claims of responsibility for the attack. Southern Thailand has witnessed incidents of rebellion since 2004 as Muslim-majority fighters battle for greater autonomy from the state, during which the Thai government has clashed with groups seeking independence for the predominantly Muslim provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla. More than 7,300 people have been killed in the conflict since 2004, according to the Deep South Watch group, which monitors the violence.
- United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members condemned North Korea’s recent intercontinental missile launch last Monday (Nov 21), after it landed about 200 kilometres from Japan’s coast and was reported to have had the range to reach the US mainland. A formal statement by the organisation was not passed due to opposition from China and Russia. In a joint statement by the United States, Britain, France and India, the member countries stated the launch represented a “serious escalation” and “poses an unequivocal threat to international peace and security”.
- Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-Wen resigned as chair of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) last Friday (Nov 25), after it suffered major losses during the midterm local elections. The DPP lost the critical mayoral seat in Taipei, which is often seen as a stepping stone to the presidency. The seat was won by Mr Chiang Wan-An, a rising star of the opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), replacing outgoing mayor Mr Ko Wen-je, who had served the maximum amount of two terms in office. The Kuomintang party won 13 of the 21 city mayor and county chief seats, in comparison to the five seats won by the ruling Democratic Progress Party. The impressive win by the opposition sets the stage for the Presidential and Legislative Elections in 2024, where incumbent President Tsai must step down after having served the maximum term limits.
- Protests erupted across major cities in China last Thursday (Nov 24), after its COVID-19 pandemic restrictions allegedly hindered firefighting efforts at an apartment block fire in Urumqi last week. A candlelit vigil for the incident grew into angry protests that continued into the weekend, with protesters calling for an end to extreme pandemic regulations and the resignation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reports noted that it was the first big public demonstration the country had seen in years, with protestors holding up blank signs in reference to China’s censorship rules. Similar demonstrations arose in other provinces such as Beijing, Zhengzhou and Guangzhou, as China’s zero-COVID policy failed to make progress, with case numbers hitting an all-year high last week.
Europe:
- At least 10 people were killed and 54 were injured in Russia’s bombardment of Kherson, Ukraine last Thursday (Nov 24). The air raids, which continued the following day, came as the country worked to restore power across the nation, following attacks on the country’s power grids and infrastructure. In a resolution passed on Wednesday (Nov 23), the European Parliament declared Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism”, and its actions in violation of international human rights. While the d resolution is largely symbolic, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy welcomed the vote, urging other countries to follow suit.
- The trial of Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin began last Wednesday (Nov 23), in Moscow’s Meshchansky District Court. Yashin, a Moscow city councillor who was arrested in June, faces charges of spreading “fake” information about Russian military activities, having spoken of Russia killing civilians and calling its actions in Bucha, Kyiv a “massacre”. The trial comes amid Russia’s crackdown on opposition political dissent.
- The United Kingdom’s Supreme Court ruled last Wednesday (Nov 23) that the Scottish government’s bid for a second independence referendum next year would be rejected without approval by the British Parliament. Scotland had rejected ending its more than 300-year union with England in 2014, however the United Kingdom’s leaving the European Union had altered Scottish opinion. The court stated Scotland’s request was denied as it would affect “reserved matters” pertaining to the existence of the United Kingdom. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the ruling blocked “one route” to Scotland’s voice for independence being heard, but it would not “be silenced”.
- Thousands of people took to the streets across Spain last Friday (Nov 25), in a protest demanding for the end of violence against women. The demonstrations, which mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, were sparked by news that five male convicted sexual abusers were released and at least 11 had their sentences reduced in accordance with a ‘loophole’ in a new law which classifies non-consensual sex as rape, but sets lighter minimum sentences for certain sexual crimes.
- Rioters took to the streets of Brussels, Belgium on Sunday (Nov 27), after the country’s defeat against Morocco in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Around 100 police officers in riot gear were deployed to use tear gas and water cannons against protectors, who lit fires on the street and threw missiles at the police. Brussels Mayor Philippe Close condemned the clashes, urging people to stay away from the city centre until the situation came under control.
Middle East:
- Turkey launched an air operation last Thursday (Nov 24) in northern Syria, targeting the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) in retaliation for the Nov 13 Istanbul bombings. Pentagon’s spokesman, Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, made a statement condemning Turkey, its NATO ally, as it jeopardises years of progress against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) fighters and US personnel in northern Syria. However, the Pentagon also recognised Turkey’s legitimate security concerns and advocated for an immediate de-escalation of the matter.
- US-backed Kurdish-led forces in Syria ceased operations against Islamic State last Saturday (Nov 26) due to Turkish attacks on northern Syria over the past week. Commander Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Force said that Turkey was taking advantage of the deadly Nov 13 bombing in Istanbul that Ankara blames on Kurdish groups. Kurdish organisations denied any involvement in the Istanbul attack that killed six and wounded dozens. Turkish attacks caused severe damage to the region’s infrastructure and attacks of this kind place coalition forces and the civilian populace at risk.
- Five civilians were killed in attacks on areas controlled by the Syrian government and the YPG-led (People’s Protection Unit) Syrian Democratic Forces, last Tuesday (Nov 22). The casualties included civilians from both sides in Syria and Turkey. Turkey considers the YPG as the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which had been labelled as a terrorist organisation by both the United States and the European Union (EU). Russia, Iran and the US have repeatedly warned against any Turkish offensive and urged immediate de-escalation, in the interest of the security of civilian and coalition forces. In addition, the United States military came under attack at its patrol base in Syria last Friday (Nov 25), due to the escalating tensions, however the organisation responsible for the firing of the rockets remains unidentified. Syrian opposition forces, including the Syrian National Army, have also said that they are ready to participate in any upcoming Turkish offensive military operation.
- Iran boosted its uranium enrichment and use of advanced centrifuges by up to 60 per cent last Tuesday (Nov 22), despite a censure resolution passed against it by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The enrichment levels still remained below the 90-plus percent purity required for a nuclear bomb, but a significant stockpile of it may reduce the time it requires for Iran to make it. However, it far exceeds the 3.67 percent level agreed as part of the country’s 2015 nuclear deal, in exchange for the lifting of multilateral sanctions on Iran by major powers such as the United States.
- Israeli forces killed Palestinian high-school student Mahmoud al-Saadi last Monday (Nov 21) during a raid on the Jenin camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The 18-year old was reportedly fatally shot on the way to school during the raid which wounded four others. The Israeli government said they had “returned fire” at “suspects who shot at them” during the operation to arrest nine Palestinians. The Palestinian foreign affairs ministry denounced the killing as a “heinous crime”, saying it was “part of the daily series of killings against our people, with cover and approval at the Israeli political level.” At least 199 Palestinians, including 47 children, were killed by Israeli forces this year, while 25 Israelis were killed by Palestinian forces, marking the highest number of casualties in the West Bank since 2006.
Africa:
- Ukraine pledged to begin sending shipments of grain to countries in Africa facing severe food shortages exacerbated by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, in a new initiative launched on Saturday (Nov 26). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the “Grain from Ukraine” scheme, in which US$150 million (S$206.55 million) worth of grain would be exported out of the port of Odesa to humanitarian hotspots such as Sudan, Yemen and Somalia if international funding is provided. The move came on the anniversary of Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1992 where millions of Ukrainians starved to death. President Zelensky reinforced that even in times of crisis, Ukraine must still remain a “global responsible citizen” and will work towards sending more grain across the Black Sea corridor, which allowed a total of 11 million tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products to reach 38 countries after Russia lifted a blockade on the critical trade route.
- Fighters from the al-Shabaab armed group stormed a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Sunday (Nov 27), with no reports of casualties at the time. The attacks were carried out on the Villa Rose hotel using explosives and guns, with attackers wearing suicide vests, although it was not clear whether it was a suicide attack. The hotel, located close to the presidential palace, was known to be frequented by government and security officials. The incident came amid a series of new, offensive actions taken by the Somali government against al-Shabaab, which still controls large areas of central and southern Somalia.
- The Anti-Corruption Bureau of Malawi arrested the country’s Vice President Saulos Chilima for alleged corruption last Friday (Nov 25). President Lazarus Chakwera had previously dissolved his entire cabinet earlier in the year over charges of corruption against three cabinet ministers, and stripped Chilima of all powers in June as the constitution does not allow the President to suspend or remove elected officials. The Vice President is being investigated for accepting rewards of up to USD$280,000 (SGD$385,196) from British businessman Zuneth Sattar in order to influence the awarding of contracts to Xaviar Limited and Malachitte FZE via the country’s public procurement system. Sattar had previously been investigated by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency for his involvement with corruption in Malawi, but no charges have yet to be brought against the businessman.
- Military barracks in the African island nation of Sao Tome and Principe came under attack last Friday (Nov 25), in an attempted coup that lasted six hours. Former President of the National Assembly Delfim Neves, and former soldier Arlecio Costa were detained along with four attackers in relation to the coup. Neves lost power on Nov 11, when current Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada led the Independent Democratic Action Party to an election victory with absolute majority. The city had reportedly returned to business as usual, with the exception of school closures for children in the former Portuguese colony. The last attempted military coup in Sao Tome and Principe was in 2003 against the government of President Fradique de Menezes, with coup leaders citing widespread poverty as their primary motivation for taking action.
- Charles Ble Goude, a key figure in the post-election violence that killed an estimated 3,000 people in 2011, returned to his home country of Ivory Coast for the first time in 8 years last Saturday (Nov 26). Ble Goude’s return was arranged after he was acquitted of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court alongside ex-President Laurent Gbagbo. He was the former head of the pro-Gbagbo nationalist group Young Patriots, and played a key role in inciting violent protests following the defeat of Gbagbo in the 2010 Ivory Coast Presidential elections. Following their acquittal, Ble Goude and Gbagbo had been pardoned and officially invited back to Ivory Coast by President Alassane Ouattrara as part of a reconciliation effort to promote peace in the state.
