North America
- Police in Winnipeg announced last Thursday (Dec 1) that they had charged Jeremy Skibicki, with the murder of two women from Long Plain First Nation. His arrest prompted anger towards politicians’ failure to protect vulnerable women and girls, in light of an alleged serial killer who targeted indigenous women in central Canada. As many as 4,000 indigenous women and girls are believed to have been killed or gone missing in Canada over the past three decades. This compounded grief further due to political leaders’ failure to keep promises to combat decades of violence against indigenous women.
- President Joe Biden met with the Prince of Wales in Boston last Friday (Dec 2), where the two men shared “warm memories” of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The prince and Princess of Wales are in Boston for the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony scheduled for this Friday (Dec 9), an initiative tackling some of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.
- House Democrats picked Hakeem Jeffries to succeed Nancy Pelosi last Wednesday (Nov 30). This historic move makes him the first Black person to lead one of the two major parties in either chamber of Congress next year. His rise in leadership comes after Speaker Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn announced that they would be stepping down from their current leadership positions.
- Mexico’s minimum wage is set to increase by 20% from 2023 as per the government’s announcement last Thursday (Dec 1), after it reached a deal with the labour and business sector. The rise will begin from next year (Jan 1), where the daily minimum wage will rise from 172 Mexican Pesos (S$11.99) to 207 Mexican Pesos (S$14.44). The agreement was reached unanimously between the government, the labour sector and the business sector.
- After the end of the Trump-era border policy in late December, last wednesday (Nov 30) the U.S Department of Homeland Security projected that 9,000 to 14,000 migrants might attempt to cross the US southern border daily. This is more than double the current number of people crossing. Officials are bracing for an influx of migrants trying to cross into the United States when the controversial public health authority, known as Title 42, ends in three weeks.
- Cuba’s allies have pledged to help end its economic crisis by restructuring its debt, providing new trade and investment financing after President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited Russia, China, Algeria and Turkey last Wednesday (Nov 30). Cuba’s current foreign debt is considered a state secret and prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the Caribbean island nation reported its foreign debt at USD$19.6 billion (S$26.5 billion). The communist-run country has yet to recover from a precipitous drop in output during the COVID-19 pandemic and is plagued by numerous problems ranging from power blackouts to shortages of food, medicine and fuel. Restructuring the debt allows Cuba to move forward with payment facilities.
South America
- Argentine President Alberto Fernández’s price control scheme gained widespread industry support last Tuesday (Nov 29). Large oil firms, food and beverage suppliers, and supermarkets have agreed to support his scheme which will restrict price increases to a maximum of four per cent. This was done in an effort to tame inflation which has increased 88 per cent in the last 12 months.
- Peruvian congress launched a third attempt to impeach President Pedro Castillo last Thursday (Dec 1). He had been seen as having lost a vote of confidence in parliament and under the Peruvian constitution. This entails the government to call for new elections and the dissolution of congress. This comes as Castillo struggles to maintain order in his administration as he appointed Betssy Chavez as fifth prime minister on 25 November after Aníbal Torres resigned.
- A truck drivers’ strike ended in Peru after 37 unions had come to an agreement with the ministries of transport and communications last Wednesday (Nov 30). A representative from the union Gremio de Transportistas y Conductores (GTC) agreed to a 70% reduction in the consumer tax fuel paid by the drivers. The strikes had caused nationwide disruptions as they blockaded roads and curtailed the flow of goods.
- Uruguay went against the South American trade bloc Southern Common Market (Mercosur) as they submitted a request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) last Wednesday (Nov 30). This is in direct violation of Mercosur’s rules against pursuing independent trade agendas. The CPTPP represents 13 percent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and includes countries like Australia, Japan, Canada, and Mexico.
- Following the granting of a 6-month licence to Venezuela by the US Treasury Department, Chevron and the Venezuelan government reached an agreement last Friday (Dec 2) to resume operations. Despite this, Chevron Chief Executive Officer Michael Wirth said that they would not increase investment, citing risk. They are the last significant US oil firm operating in Venezuela.
- Bolivia and Chile reached an agreement on the management of the Silala River last Friday (Dec 2) as they moved towards a complete resolution. Chile had appealed to The Hague in 2016 that Bolivia blocked river flows, violating international water laws. Bolivia initially responded saying that it wasn’t a river but underground springs. After six years of legal correspondence, the two countries managed their differences diplomatically, disagreeing on small technical issues. Chile President Gabriel Boric largely sees this as a win.
Asia Pacific
- Singapore MPs voted to repeal Section 377A and protect the definition of marriage against legal challenge last Tuesday (Nov 29). With two abstentions from the minority PAP MPs who had earlier declared they would not support the repeal, the modifications were approved by a margin of 93 to 3 votes. The Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli stated that the government is still committed to upholding the heterosexual definition of marriage. In addition, he acknowledged that while the Workers’ Party (WP) released the whip to allow MPs to speak out against same-sex marriage, they did not want to take a position.
- According to the United Nations (UN), the Myanmar junta sentenced seven people to death last Wednesday (Nov 30), increasing the death row tally to 139. The junta stands accused by the UN and opposition in Myanmar of using death sentencing as a political tool to repress dissent. Domestic media reported that they were accused of being involved in a bank shooting earlier in the year.
- New sanctions against North Korean officials and businesses were imposed by the United States, South Korea, and Japan last Thursday (Dec 1). In light of the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) impasse, the allies’ recent effort to apply pressure on Pyongyang to give up its weapons programs, aims to convince Pyongyang to denuclearize. The action comes in the midst of the UNSC’s inability to act due to resistance from China and Russia in approving further sanctions against North Korea.
- In an effort to maintain a legislative majority, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed his new ministerial cabinet last Friday (Dec 2), a slimmer and more politically inclusive group than before, including leaders from different parties. Anwar was chosen last week to serve as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister and head a unity government after the country’s elections produced a hung parliament. In comparison to the previous cabinet’s more than 30 members, he has named 28 ministers to be sworn in by King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin on Saturday. The finance portfolio, which Anwar last held in 1997 amid the Asian financial crisis, will remain with him personally
- Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani, Pakistan’s top diplomat, was the target of an attack on the embassy compound in Afghanistan last Friday (Dec 2). While the Pakistani envoy was not hurt, the assailant shot and injured his security guard. The attack occurred just a few days after Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar met in Kabul to discuss border tensions.
- A former national security head was detained by South Korea last Saturday (Dec 3), on the suspicion of concealing circumstances surrounding Pyongyang’s murder of a fisheries official in 2020. The first senior official from Moon Jae-in’s presidential administration to be detained in connection with the issue is Suh Hoon. He was charged with the destruction of intelligence reports that hid the death of fisheries official Lee Dae-jun, who passed away close to the maritime boundary between North and South Korea. Additionally, the former senior security officer is accused of falsifying data to support the controversial Moon government allegation that the late fisheries official had attempted to defect to the North.
Europe
- Technology giant Meta was fined €265 million (S$377 million) by Ireland last Wednesday (Nov 30). After having opened an inquiry in April 2021 investigating a data leak of 533 million people in 106 countries, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) said that they had breached the European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Two months earlier, the DPC had also fined Instagram, owned by Meta, a record €405 million (S$576 million) for the violation of childrens’ privacy.
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) pledged more support to the Ukrainian effort in the Russia-Ukraine war last Wednesday (Nov 30). Ukraine had sustained energy infrastructure damage from Russian missile and drone strikes and NATO’s contributions in that area aims to alleviate the stress on the energy grid as winter approaches.
- The EU’s executive recommended to halt the funding for Hungary last Thursday (Dec 1) after Viktor Orban’s administration had repeatedly failed to implement political reforms. The funding withheld was divided into two sections: €5.8 billion (S$8.3 billion) for COVID-19 recovery funding and €7.5 billion (S$10.7 billion) represents just under two-thirds of the EU’s budget for Hungary under its Cohesion policy which aims to ease uneven development within the EU.
- Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary agreed to boost gas interconnection and delivery capabilities to integrate more deeply into the EU’s energy supply chain last Friday (Dec 2). This comes amidst the Russia-Ukraine war which has exposed the fragility of the EU’s energy grid. In 2016, the countries had agreed to build the Vertical Gas Corridor which would enable two-way gas flows through Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary from Greece to Northern Europe
- France voiced public support for a war tribunal against Russian officials for the crime of aggression in Ukraine last Wednesday (Nov 30). Aggression refers to the planning and initiation of acts of violence against another nation. Such a crime entails the trial of key decision-makers in Moscow like Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. However, such a tribunal would require the support of the United Nations, of which Russia, who is a permanent member, would most likely veto this effort.
- Whistleblower Edward Snowden obtained a Russian passport and had sworn an oath of allegiance to Russia, state media reported last Friday (Dec 2). Snowden was a former US intelligence contractor who had revealed the extensive spying activities of the National Security Agency on their own population. He had been granted asylum in Russia following his exposé and has been in the country since 2013. His US passport had also been revoked that year. Russia President Vladimir Putin had granted Russian citizenship to Snowden in September.
- Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown Europe’s over-reliance on the US last Friday (Dec 2). “Europe isn’t strong enough right now,” she said, “We would be in trouble without the United States.” The US is the largest supporter of military aid in Ukraine, committing US$18.6 billion (S$25.2 billion). The EU and United Kingdom (UK) follow but have contributed significantly less than the US.
Middle East
- ISIS acknowledged the death of its leader Abu al-Hasan al Hashmi al Qurayshi last Wednesday (Nov 30) and confirmed its successor. The US Central Command confirmed his death on Wednesday, saying the ISIS leader was killed in mid-October by the Free Syrian Army. ISIS announced his successor, who goes by Abu al-Husain al-Husaini al-Quraishi. Little is known about him, the group described him as an “old fighter” without mentioning any further details.
- A man is reported to have been killed by security forces in northern Iran during public celebrations by anti-government protesters following the national football team’s defeat against the United States last Tuesday (Nov 29). Norway-based rights group Iran Human Rights (IHR) said Mehran Samak was shot in the head by security personnel when he was out celebrating. Iranian police have since denied the authorities involvement in Samek’s death and announced the arrest of several suspects.
- Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu reached a coalition deal last Thursday (Dec 1) with the far-right Religious Zionism Party – which supports illegal settlements on the occupied Palestinian Territories. The religious Zionism Party, which opposes Palestinian statehood, will also be given authority over Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. The agreement is an important breakthrough for Netanyahu, who has been trying to cobble together a government following the elections that saw his far-right coalition win a majority in the 120-seat parliament, or Knesset.
- Syria has received two million doses of Cholera vaccines, the first to reach the country during a months-long outbreak, the country’s health ministry said last Wednesday (Nov 30). Syria’s Health Ministry said the vaccines were from the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF and international organisation Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The announcement comes at a time where Cholera vaccine production has not met surging demand, as the bacterial infection surges globally due to conflict, poverty, and climate change.
- Iran began construction on a new nuclear power plant in the country’s southwest last Saturday (Dec 3). Iranian state television announced this amid the tensions with the U.S over sweeping sanctions imposed after Washington pulled out of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear deal with world powers. The announcement of the construction came less than two weeks after Iran said it had begun producing enriched uranium at 60% purity at the country’s underground Fordo nuclear facility. The move is seen as a significant addition to the country’s nuclear program.
- An influential Iraqi cleric who announced his withdrawal from politics four months ago had broken a period of relative silence to launch an anti-LGBTQ campaign last Wednesday (Nov 30). Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr posted a statement on Twitter calling for “believing men and women (to) unite all over the world to combat (the LGBTQ community). The religious leader’s call has stoked fears in the LGBTQ community, given that al-Sadr’s followers have a history of violence. His proclamation comes amid a World Cup in Qatar that has drawn international scrutiny to LGBTQ rights there and in the region more generally.
Africa
- A Zambian student recruited in prison while fighting for the Russian military was killed in Ukraine last Tuesday (Nov 29), according to the Russian paramilitary outfit Wagner. Lemekhani Nathan Nyirenda, was initially a student of nuclear engineering at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI), according to the Zambian government. In April 2020, he was convicted on drug possession charges and was given a sentence of nine years and six months in jail, according to a statement published by the Concord company, a firm connected to Wagner.
- The armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has accused the M23 rebel group and its allies of killing 50 civilians in the eastern town of Kishishe last Tuesday (Nov 29). The rebels were accused of violating a five-day-old ceasefire in the east of the country in a statement delivered by the army on Thursday. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced because of the resumption of fighting last month between the armed forces and the M23, which has been waging its most serious offensive in eastern DRC since 2012. The group resumed fighting in late 2021, claiming that DRC had failed to honour a pledge to integrate its fighters into the army, among other grievances. The DRC has accused its neighbour, Rwanda, of supporting M23, a charge that Kigali has denied.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office announced last Saturday (Dec 3) that he will not step down, and instead run for re-election. This comes amidst an independent parliamentary panel that reported that Ramaphosa might have broken his oath of office after millions of dollars in cash was discovered at his private game farm. While Ramaphosa’s status as head of state has come into question, he has not been charged with any offences and has denied all wrongdoings.
- Uganda has raised expectations that the Ebola outbreak would end soon after releasing its final Ebola patient from the hospital last Friday (Dec. 2). Initially identified as the Sudan strain of the virus, which kills 40–60% of people infected and for which there is no proven vaccination, officials initially verified the epidemic in September. In an effort to contain the outbreak in central Uganda in October which has taken 56 lives so far, the government imposed travel bans, an overnight curfew, and closed places of worship and entertainment. However, a number of cases later appeared in the nation’s capital and east. Late in November this year, President Yoweri Museveni extended a quarantine on two areas in the epicentre by a further 21 days.
- Lawmakers in Senegal were embroiled in a brawl in Parliament as arguments heated up last Thursday (Dec 1). The heated exchange between politicians took place during a vote on the justice ministry’s budget for the coming financial year. Massata Samb of the opposition party hit Amy Ndiaye Gniby of the ruling Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) in the face in the midst of the budget presentation, and was pulled to the ground by another lawmaker when Gniby retaliated by hurling a chair back in her direction. The session was eventually suspended as MPs continued to trade blows and launch insults.
