Weekly Recap: Aug 21 to Aug 27

North America:

• Donald Trump’s campaign managed to raise more than US$7million (S$9.5 million) by selling mugshot merchandise as of last Sunday (27 Aug). His campaign had released lines of merchandise that featured his mugshot image, beginning with T-shirts, shot glasses, mugs, bumper stickers, a signed poster, and now even bobblehead dolls. Currently, he is the first president of the United States to ever have a mugshot taken. He raised $7.1 million since last Thursday (24 Aug) where he was booked at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in the state.
• An army was to be deployed in Canada to help fight wildfires in British Columbia as a state of emergency was declared as of last Sunday (27 Aug). A ban was also imposed on non-essential travel in order to free up accommodations for evacuees as well as firefighters, drone operators and other capturing images of the fires were also warned to stay clear of rescue workers.
• Tropical storm Hillary hit Southern California, with the Californian state governor declaring a state of emergency last Sunday (27 Aug) as the storm brought upon unprecedented rainfall. Flash flood warnings were put into effect, in a region that is predominantly more accustomed to drought.
• The Mexican army has reported last Tuesday (Aug 22) that there has been an increase in the use of roadside bombs or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by drug cartels this year. According to Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval, there have been 42 cases of soldiers, police, and suspects being wounded by IEDs in 2023, up from 16 in 2022. The cartels were using homemade explosive devices based on internet tutorials, with black powder and stolen blasting compounds being common ingredients. The use of car bombs has also increased, with six discovered in 2023. Most of these incidents are attributed to the Jalisco cartel in violent turf wars against local gangs.
• U.S. officials are reportedly considering a proposal to ease sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector last Thursday (Aug 24), allowing more countries and companies to import its crude oil, contingent upon Venezuela moving towards a free and fair presidential election. The proposal is part of ongoing efforts to encourage negotiations between President Nicolás Maduro and the political opposition for democratic reforms. Previous sanctions easing efforts have yielded few results, with Washington emphasising that further relief will depend on tangible progress towards restoring democracy and holding legitimate elections.

South America:

• Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, won a resounding victory in Guatemala’s presidential election last Monday (Aug 21), securing 58% of the votes against his rival Sandra Torres’s 36%. Arevalo’s win comes as a response to public anger over the failure of previous leaders to address widespread corruption. He takes office amidst challenges including violence, food insecurity, and migration, with Guatemalans hoping for a better future under his leadership.
• The government of the Bahamas introduced bills last Thursday (Aug 25) aiming to legalise medical and religious use of marijuana and decriminalise small possession amounts, following the lead of other Caribbean countries. If approved, possession of under 30 grams would incur a $250 fine without a criminal record. The proposed legislation also outlines Bahamian ownership requirements for licences related to cultivation, retail, transport, and religious use, with the creation of a Cannabis Authority for regulation. Public hearings are set for September, and the laws could be enacted by next year.
• Ecuadorians voted in a referendum last Monday morning (Aug 21), to ban oil drilling in the Yasuni National Park, a biodiverse area within the Amazon rainforest. With nearly 59% of votes rejecting oil drilling, the referendum reflects concerns about environmental conservation and climate change. The Yasuni National Park is known for its rich biodiversity, but it also holds Ecuador’s largest reserve of crude oil. Despite arguments about potential economic impacts, the majority vote demonstrates a strong desire to protect the environment and move away from fossil fuels.
• Brazil Reports published last Wednesday (Aug 23) that Brazil is currently facing an unusual heat wave during its winter season, with temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F) in several regions. Despite it being winter in the southern hemisphere, areas including the Federal District and states like Mato Grosso, Goiás, and São Paulo have recorded exceptionally high temperatures. Meteorologists attribute this heatwave to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which leads to above-normal warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean and alters atmospheric circulation patterns. Experts predict that the heatwave could continue for the next few days, with temperatures higher than usual even for the upcoming spring months.
• Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali called on the descendants of European slave traders to pay reparations to today’s generations, citing their profiting from the trans-Atlantic slave trade, last Thursday (Aug 24). He also proposed posthumously charging those involved in the slave trade with crimes against humanity. The Gladstone family, which benefited from African enslavement and indentureship, is set to apologise in Guyana. Ali’s call aligns with the Caricom nations’ push for reparatory justice, which includes apologies and investments in education and infrastructure.

Asia Pacific:

• China’s President Xi Jin Ping called for the protection of ‘hard-won stability’ in Xinjiang’s visit last Sunday (Aug 27). The Chinese President visited the far western region, where the UN has accused China of possible ‘crimes against humanity’ for the first time in a year. The region of Xinjiang has been notorious for reports for the human rights abuses of Uyghurs and has been under fire for alleged ethnic cleansing. During this visit, Xi also urged officials to further promote the Sinicisation of Islam as well as more effectively control illegal religious activities.
• Anger arose from China and it evoked a ban of all aquatic products from Japan as it started releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean last Thursday (Aug 24). Criticised the action as ‘selfish and irresponsible’, Japan had exported about $600 million worth of aquatic products to China in the year 2022, which makes it the biggest market for Japanese exports. South Korean protestors called for government action as well in light of vehement objections regarding Fukushima dumping’s environmental impact.
• A coal mine collapse killed four Vietnamese citizens in Quang Ninh last Saturday. (Aug 26). The rescue team had pulled out the bodies of the four miners and it was reported that mine accidents have killed at least 17 miners in the first nine months of 2022.
• North Korea’s second attempt to launch a spy satellite last Thursday (Aug 24) failed, with a vow for a third try in October. The failed launch had prompted neighbouring Japan to issue a brief alert for some residents to evacuate to a safe area as the North Korean rocket flew over its southernmost islands of Okinawa to the Pacific Ocean.
• Myanmar’s junta ordered the expulsion of Timor-Leste’s top diplomat in the country over a meeting his government had held with a banned shadow administration, last Sunday (Aug 27). The Southeast Asian nation has been locked in crisis ever since the military had seized power in February 2021 which ended a brief experiment with democracy and managed to spark violent clashes.

Europe:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin will be absent from the upcoming G20 summit in India, according to announcements by the Kremlin, last Friday (Aug 25). The decision is attributed to Putin’s focus on the ongoing military operation in Ukraine, which the Kremlin labels as Russia’s war against Ukraine. Additionally, an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court accuses Putin of war crimes in Ukraine, leading to concerns of potential arrest if he travels abroad. This follows Putin’s past non-attendance at international summits, like the BRICS summit in South Africa.
• The Danish government introduced a bill last Friday (Aug 25), that could result in a ban on publicly burning the Quran. This proposed law, also applicable to the Bible and Torah, would lead to fines or up to two years of imprisonment for those engaging in such acts. The bill aims to prevent the disrespectful treatment of religious items significant to various faiths and is prompted by recent Quran burnings meant to provoke discord and incite hatred. The focus on national security and preventing violent reactions underscores the necessity of this ban.
• Russia’s defence ministry reported last Friday (Aug 25) that its air defence forces thwarted a significant drone attack launched by Ukraine on the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. The attack, consisting of both drones and a missile, aimed to target Crimea, particularly the Crimean port city of Sevastopol. Russia claimed to have shot down nine drones and suppressed 33 others using electronic warfare, with unclear information about damage or casualties. Despite international non-recognition and previous conflicts, Russia remains committed to maintaining control over Crimea.
• Greece faced the challenge of battling wildfires last Thursday (Aug 23), as hundreds of firefighters struggled to control a blaze near Athens following the discovery of charred bodies from a previous fire in northeastern Greece. The recent fire erupted near Fyli village on Mount Parnitha’s foothills, spreading towards Menidi town. Evacuations were necessary, including around 150 individuals from nursing homes. International assistance from six countries via the EU’s civil protection mechanism, including Cyprus, Romania, and Germany, was enlisted to support firefighting efforts.
• Major tech companies like Google, Facebook, TikTok, and others operating in the European Union (EU) are facing comprehensive new regulations aimed at cleaning up online content. The Digital Services Act (DSA), a part of the EU’s tech-focused regulations, is being implemented in phases, with the first phase taking effect last Friday (Aug 25). The DSA is designed to ensure user safety online, prevent the spread of harmful content, and protect fundamental rights like privacy and free speech. The DSA requires these platforms to promptly remove illegal or harmful content and implement new reporting mechanisms.

Middle East:

• A Singapore-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier BW Lesmes and the Cayman Islands-flagged oil products tanker Burri briefly collided in Egypt’s Suez Canal last Wednesday (Aug 23). The two tankers were successfully separated a few hours later, and Egyptian shipping sources reported that shipping traffic was flowing normally. MarineTraffic’s time-lapse tracking map showed that BW Lesmes was already sideways when the Burri turned sideways and collided with it before backing up and pointing straight.
• Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani shared last Friday (Aug 21) that Qatar’s relationship with both the US and China does not damage the other’s relationship: “We welcome any cooperation with any of the countries, but none of our relations with any specific country will be at the expense of another.” He was speaking on the matter of Qatar’s relationship with the two global powers and US’ dislike over China’s growing influence among Gulf states. The matter was brought into the spotlight again with Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining China in the BRICS group of states.
• Saudi Arabia denied Human Rights Watch’s accusations that Saudi border guards killed Ethiopian migrants who were trying to cross over from Yemen by heavy firing and explosive weapons last Monday (Aug 21). The Ethiopian foreign ministry released a statement saying that “the government of Ethiopia will promptly investigate the incident in tandem with Saudi Authorities.”
• Anti government protests in Syria continued into its sixth day, last Friday (Aug 25). Protestors called for the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, which Aljazeera noted was reminiscent of the 2011 Syrian uprising. Hundreds of protestors gathered in Sweida, Deraa, Aleppo, Idlib, Deir Az Zor, Raqqa and Hassakeh. Protests began in government-controlled Sweida over frustration at rising prices which evolved into anti-government sentiments. Protestors in other governorates supported the same message. The USA and Germany have publicly expressed their support for the protestors as well.
• Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said last Wednesday (Aug 23) in an interview , “My right, the right of my wife and my children to move around Judea and Samaria is more important than freedom of movement for the Arabs. [addressing the Palestinian journalist Mohammad Magadli] Sorry, Mohammad, but that’s the reality, that’s the truth. My right to life comes before their right to movement” This has sparked international backlash and condemnation. Even the US, which has denied apartheid claims, condemned Ben-Gvir’s “inflammatory” comments. Some Israeli journalists noted that he was acknowledging apartheid on air, which the Israel government has always denied.
• Turkish Foreign Minister and top diplomat, Hakan Fidan, told a joint news conference after meeting his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, that he expects the Iraqi government to officially recognise the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a terrorist organisation, following Turkey and its Western allies. The meeting between Turkey and Iraq’s foreign ministers last Tuesday (Aug 22), was also aimed at preparing for an upcoming trip by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Iraq has regularly complained that Turkish airstrikes in ”PKK-occupied” parts of Iraq were a violation of their sovereignty. PKK launched an armed rebellion in Turkey in 1984 and since then more than 40,000 people have been killed.

Africa:

• The BRICS bloc, consisting of China, Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa, agreed last Thursday (Aug 24), to expand its membership to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. This marks the first expansion of the bloc in 13 years and aims to reshape the global order and promote unity among developing nations. The expansion is seen as a move to counterbalance the Western-dominated world order and bring together countries that share common economic and geopolitical interests. The new members will officially join on January 1, 2024. While this expansion could add economic weight and influence to BRICS, potential tensions could arise between members with differing ties to the West.
• 161 Nigerians arrived in Lagos last Monday (Aug 21), from Libya under the United Nations-backed voluntary repatriation scheme. The United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reportedly assisted the group at Tripoli airport and Libyan and Nigerian representatives met the 161 Nigerians before their departure. The repatriated Nigerians were taken out of prisons across Libya, 102 were apprehended at Libya’s border with Tunisia, hoping to reach Europe. Libya and Tunisia agreed to share responsibility to shelter the stranded refugees at their border, possibly ending a crisis triggered by Tunisia’s mass refugee expulsions.
• The African Union (AU) suspended Niger over its military coup on July 26 last Tuesday (Aug 22) until civilian rule is restored. Following a request from the Peace and Security Council to assess “the economic, social and security implications of deploying a standby force in Niger and report back to Council”. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has already agreed to activate a “standby force” to restore democracy in Niger but has not deployed it. The AU has “divergent” views over the use of military force. The Nigerien coup is the fifth in Niger and eighth coup in the Sahel region since 2020.
• Zimbabwe’s 2023 Presidential elections concluded last Saturday (Aug 26), with the reelection of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. His reelection news was met with claims of election fraud from presidential candidate and the opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa, and with foreign describing the election as “well short of free-and-fair standards”. The Southern African Development Community noted issues including voting delays, the banning of rallies, biassed state media coverage and the failure of the electoral commission to give candidates access to the voters’ roll. It is uncertain if the CCC will take the issue to the courts or the streets to dispute the election results.
• United Nations’ under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Martin Grffiths warned last Friday (Aug 25) that “The war in Sudan is fuelling a humanitarian emergency of epic proportions. The viral conflict – and hunger, disease and displacement left in its wake – now threatens to consume the entire country.” Conservative estimates say nearly 5000 have been killed so far. With just 4 months of fighting, more than 4.6 million were forced to flee. The past week saw paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army battling over the army’s last stronghold in the capital – the Armoured Corps base.
• Renegade commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) carried out air strike attacks against Chadian rebel armed groups on Libya’s side of the border last Friday (Aug 25) in an attempt to secure Libya’s frontier. LNA spokesperson, Admad Mismari promised that the LNA would “no longer allow armed groups or factions to use Libyan territory to launch attacks against neighbouring countries”. LNA’s air strikes target was an unfinished housing complex in a remote outpost of Umm al-Araneb which was taken over by rebel fighters and their families.
• United Nations’ Libya envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily told the UN Security Council last Tuesday (Aug 22) “that it is imperative stakeholders agree on a unified government that could then lead Libya into elections”. This comes off the heels of years of the UN calling for elections in Libya ahead of government unification. Libya split into warring eastern and western factions in 2014, following the 2011 NATO-backed removal of former strongman Mummar Gaddafi. UN diplomacy in Libya has been focused on elections but has shifted to forming another interim government to oversee the vote.