WEEKLY RECAP: SEP 18 TO SEP 24

North America:

• President Joe Biden announced he intended to supply Ukraine with advanced long-range missiles to support Kyiv in its ongoing counter-offensive efforts, according to reports last Saturday (Sept 23). Ukraine is set to receive ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers, which would significantly enhance its ability to strike deep into Russian-held territory. Recent incidents, including a missile strike on Russia’s Black Sea fleet headquarters in Crimea, suggest Ukraine had already used British and French-supplied Storm Shadow missiles with a range of just over 241 kilometers. The delivery of these advanced missiles is expected in the coming weeks. While reports mention the possibility of ATACMS armed with cluster bomblets, neither the US nor Ukraine had officially confirmed these developments.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of being behind the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil last Monday (Sept 18), sparking tension between Canada and India and raising discussions about potential political discord within the Sikh and Hindu diaspora. A video surfaced on social media featuring Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the US-based Sikh separatist group Sikhs for Justice calling for Hindu Canadians to return to India. Pannun, a dual Canadian-US citizen and friend of Nijjar, urged Indo-Canadian Hindus to leave Canada and go to India, alleging that they had abandoned their allegiance to Canada and its constitution. The video caused concern among some Hindu-Canadians and was seen as an attempt to divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada, as noted by Chandra Arya, a Hindu member of Canada’s parliament.
• The tragic death of a young child due to a fentanyl overdose in the Bronx shocked the community, according to reports last Thursday (Sept 21). The drug that killed the one-year-old child at a nursery in New York City was hidden in the nap room under a mat as he slept. Three other children from the daycare centre, aged between eight months and two years, were also exposed to the potent narcotic. Law enforcement filed drug conspiracy and murder charges against two individuals. To counteract the effects of the opioid exposure, three of the children were administered Narcan, an emergency medication. The father of the deceased child, Otoniel Feliz, expressed his profound grief, struggling to come to terms with the loss. Police investigations uncovered one kilogram of fentanyl concealed beneath a mat used by the children, along with three presses used for packaging drugs.
• The body of a three-year-old child was recovered from the Rio Grande separating the US and Mexico last Wednesday (Sept 20), while the body of another migrant was discovered the day after. The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that the child’s body was travelling with his family and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Migrant arrivals at the US southern border had surged to nearly record levels in September, creating significant challenges for local resources. Hundreds of migrants have lost their lives each year making the perilous journey.
• The United States extended legal status to nearly half a million Venezuelans. Venezuelans seeking asylum in the US who are already living in the country will be allowed to work legally under new rules announced by the Biden administration according to reports last Friday (Sept 22). The United States is offering Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to approximately 472,000 Venezuelans for a duration of 18 months, responding to the urgent need for relief amid the economic and political turmoil in their home country. This move comes following calls by Democrats to expand work opportunities for newly-arrived migrants.

South America:

• Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned the United Nations General Assembly of the risk of a coup in Guatemala following its presidential elections, last Tuesday (Sept 19). Such a coup would “would impede the inauguration of the winner of democratic elections”. Outgoing Guatemalan President President Alejandro Giammattei rebuked the comments, stating he would hand over his power according to the results of the election, and expressed criticism for the “unnecessary international involvement” in the election. The comments came a day after reports stated Washington was concerned about efforts to undermine democracy in Guatemala, citing a few incidences in the run-up to the election.
• At least 24 people were killed and 36 injured after a bus in Peru plunged off a slope, last Monday (Sept 18). The vehicle veered off a mountainous road as it travelled to Huancayo, the capital of the Junin region, from Ayacucho in the south-central region of the country. The crash is the latest fatal traffic incident in the steep terrain of Peru. Another 24 passengers were killed as a bus carrying 60 people fell off a cliff. Traffic incidents have also risen in the country in recent years, with several questioning the decision-making and capability of the drivers involved.
• 14 people were killed in a plane crash in Brazil’s north Amazonas state last Saturday (Sept 23). The plane, which was heading for the tourist town of Barcelos, ran off the landing runway, possibly due to poor visibility in the heavy rain at the time. The Brazilian Air Force said in a statement that it was investigating the crash.
• Brazil’s Supreme Court announced a 17-year sentence last Thursday (Sept 21), for the first convicted defendant for joining a mob of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters that stormed state institutions in Brasilia, earlier this year. Aecio Lucio Costa Pereira was convicted on charges that included armed criminal association, damage to historic buildings, and an attempted coup. Pereira’s defence told the court he was unarmed and committed no acts of violence, calling the trial “politically motivated”. Three of the Supreme Court’s justices ruled to convict Pereira on only some of the five charges he faced, including lesser counts such as destruction of property, while eight ruled to convict him on all five counts, including violent uprising against the rule of law and an attempted coup. The Bolsonaro supporters’ storming of the Supreme Court came a week after President Lula’s election win.
• The former head of Guatemala’s anticorruption office Juan Francisco Sandoval was granted asylum in the United States, more than two years after he was forced to flee his country, according to a social media post last Thursday (Sept 21). Guatemala has seen a crackdown on anticorruption figures like Sandoval since the dissolution of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), a United Nations-backed body designed to seek out criminal networks.

Asia Pacific:

• South Korean authorities conducted an investigation into 17 US soldiers and five other individuals suspected of smuggling or using synthetic marijuana through military mail, according to reports last friday (Sept 22). The case followed raids on multiple US army bases in May. Two individuals were arrested, with prosecutors reviewing the cases against all 22 suspects. Joint operations by South Korean police and the US military’s Criminal Investigation Division uncovered 77 grams of synthetic cannabis, over 4 kilograms of vaping liquids, and a total of $12,850 (S$17594.20) in cash at the suspects’ residences.
• The rare yet severe Nipah virus, transmitted by bats and capable of causing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and respiratory infections in humans, led to the deaths of two individuals in Kerala last Tuesday (Sept 19). Indian authorities implemented widespread testing measures in an effort to contain the transmission of the deadly virus. In response, public gatherings have been restricted, and certain schools were temporarily closed last week. This marks the fourth occurrence of the virus in the region since 2018.
• A significant teachers’ strike in Nepal has now reached its third day, causing disruptions to the education of millions of students in all public schools. It was reported last Saturday (Sept 23), that approximately 110,000 teachers are protesting against an education reform bill in parliament, objecting to proposals granting local governments authority over schools and banning teachers from affiliating with political groups. In the capital, Kathmandu, protesters attempted to march toward the parliament building, met by anti-riot police armed with sticks and steel barricades. Students and parents are urging an end to the strike to resume classes. Some argue that teachers should fight for their rights without depriving children of their right to education.
• Hong Kong authorities probed fraud accusations involving the cryptocurrency trading platform JPEX, following investor claims of losses amounting to HK$1.3 billion (S$261.85 million), according to reports last Friday (Sept 22). The case has been significant in Hong Kong’s efforts to regulate its growing virtual asset sector. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) recently revealed that JPEX operated without a necessary licence. Inexperienced investors were promised high returns, and the platform used influencers and extensive advertising, including on the MTR train system, to attract users. Some trading on JPEX was suspended, and web access blocked. The platform cited a “liquidity shortage,” affecting user fund withdrawals. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and emphasising the importance of using licensed virtual asset platforms while enhancing investor education about risks and regulations.
• A Malaysian individual known as the ‘Godf¹ather’ was sentenced to jail in the US for rhino horn trafficking last Tuesday (Sept 19). Ching, aged 58, was apprehended in Thailand in June 2022 based on a US extradition request, after a covert operation uncovered his trafficking efforts, which involved at least 219 kilograms (483 pounds) of horns from various endangered African white and black rhinoceros. Rhinos enjoy protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with the international trade in their horns prohibited.

Europe:

• Around 120,000 Armenian civilians were expected to leave the South Caucasus region for Armenia for fear of ethnic cleansing in Azerbaijan, according to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan last Sunday (Sept 24). 1,050 people had already fled breakaway territory Nagorno-Karabakh, for Armenia, after Azerbaijan seized control of the area in a military offensive. The conflict area had been under Armenian control for the past three decades despite being officially part of Azerbaijan. Five Russian peacekeepers were killed in the last week, alongside at least 200 ethnic Armenians and dozens of Azerbaijani soldiers as the conflict escalated. Russia has also been “bogged down” by the war in Ukraine, and has not been very effective in its handling of the situation under the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a Russian-dominated group of six former Soviet states, which pledges to protect other members that come under attack.
• Two people were killed and several injured in Russian air strikes in Kherson, in the southern region of Ukraine region, according to local authorities last Sunday (Sept 24). According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia also carried out air attacks on the Black Sea region of Odesa and other regions in southern Ukraine.
• A standoff in Kosovo’s former Serbian province, between armed assailants and Kosovo authorities, ended last Sunday (Sept 24), leaving one officer and at least three assailants dead. The standoff began early in the day when assailants, which had killed one police officer and wounded another, barricaded themselves in a monastery and began exchanging fire with authorities for hours. The NATO led peacekeeping mission, KFOR, was also on standby. The incident marked one of the most serious escalations in Kosovo for years, following months of mounting tensions and stalling talks between the Kosovo government and Serbia.
• Clashes between protestors and police broke out in the streets of Paris, as thousands of people took to the streets of Paris to protest against police violence last Saturday (Sept 23). The French Interior Ministry estimated the number of demonstrators to be 9,000 in Paris, and 31,300 nationwide. The protests came within three months of the incident that saw a teenager killed by a police officer at a traffic check.
• Researchers in Sweden uncovered a major methane gas leak in the Baltic Sea, according to reports last Friday (Sept 22). The “intense” gas bubbles were found rising from the seabed to a height of 370 metres, well above the expected 150 to 200 metres. The exact reason behind the discovery was still being investigated. Ruptures in Nord Stream underwater piping released the largest amount of methane ever recorded last year. Damage to the pipelines were also the subject of accusations of sabotage between the United States and Russia, however, evidence was not conclusive for who was responsible.

Middle East:

• Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli military raid on a refugee camp in Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on Sunday (Sept 24). The Israeli military said they were targeting a militant command centre and bomb-storage facility. Palestinian officials reported heavy damage to camp infrastructure. Israel has been conducting increased military raids in the West Bank for the past 18 months. The United Nations has declared 2023 the deadliest year for Palestinians since it began tracking deaths in 2006, with over two hundred Palestinians killed by Israeli fire. Tensions have also spread to the Gaza Strip, where daily demonstrations have occurred along the separation fence.
• Tensions flared along the Lebanon-Israel border last Saturday (Sept 23), as both sides exchanged accusations. Lebanon’s army said it fired tear gas at Israeli forces in response to smoke bombs launched at its troops, while Israeli authorities claimed that Lebanon initiated the confrontation when a vehicle crossed the Blue Line from Lebanon into Israel territory. The disputed area, including Chebaa Farms and the Kfar Chouba hills, has been a source of contention, with Lebanon demanding the return of the territory. While the border has been relatively calm since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, tensions persist.
• The European Union (EU) was set to release 127 million euros ($135 million) to Tunisia as part of an agreement aimed at addressing irregular migration from the country last Friday (Sept 22) . This initial payment includes 42 million euros ($44.7 million) for migration-related efforts and 60 million euros ($63.9 million) for Tunisia’s budget support. This deal is seen as a potential model for similar agreements with other nations as the EU grapples with unauthorised migration across the Mediterranean. However, the agreement has faced scrutiny from EU lawmakers and migrant assistance groups who question its alignment with European human rights standards.
• China pledged to assist in the reconstruction of Syria last Friday (Sept 22), announcing a strategic partnership between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during their meeting in Hangzhou. Xi expressed China’s willingness to cooperate with Syria to promote international fairness and justice while supporting Syria’s reconstruction efforts. Al-Assad thanked China for its support during Syria’s crisis, aiming to end years of diplomatic isolation and enhance economic ties. Syria has faced Western sanctions since the start of its civil war in 2011. As China seeks to expand its global influence, it has increased diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, such as mediating a Saudi-Iran deal in March.
• Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, warned the United Nations last Friday (Sept 22) that the ongoing war in Sudan could have regional repercussions. He called for international pressure to designate the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which he is fighting against, as a terrorist organisation. The conflict, which began in April, has resulted in thousands of casualties and millions of displaced people. Burhan urged world powers to designate the RSF as terrorists due to their alleged involvement in various crimes, including killing, looting, and trafficking. He also reaffirmed his commitment to transferring power to the Sudanese people, ending the military’s involvement in politics.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed maps of the Middle East showing the occupied Palestinian territories as well as Syria’s occupied Golan Heights as being part of Israel, in a United Nations General Assembly last Friday (Sept 22). In his speech, he expressed that Palestinians must not have a “veto” over agreements normalising ties between Israel and Arab states. Netanyahu expressed confidence last Wednesday (Sept 20) in the possibility of a “historic” US-brokered agreement to establish formal diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia during a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting took place amid intensifying violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, leading to calls for accountability. Few Arab states have recognized Israel, but the Abraham Accords brokered by the Trump administration led to agreements between Israel and some Arab nations. Saudi Arabia has maintained its stance on the Arab Peace Initiative, conditioning normalisation with Israel on various factors.

Africa:

• At least 49 people were arrested in Ghana’s capital of Accra, last Thursday (Sept 21), as they protested the country’s economic crisis. The police attempted to prevent the protesters from reaching the government seat, Jubilee House, and reportedly used physical force, leading to condemnations. The protest, organised by Democracy Hub, aimed to highlight the economic challenges in Ghana. Ghana has faced rising unemployment, high costs of living, and increasing public debt. Activists and anti-corruption campaigners accuse the government of mismanaging public finances.
• President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) called on Thursday (Sept 21) for the accelerated withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO by the end of 2023, a year earlier than planned. The mission has faced criticism for failing to protect civilians from violence, leading to deadly protests. Tshisekedi’s call for an expedited withdrawal aligns with his re-election campaign promises. The UN mission in the DRC has been in place since 1999, and its effectiveness in addressing conflicts and violence has faced scrutiny over the years.
• United Nations experts reported last Monday (Sept 18) that war crimes and crimes against humanity were ongoing in Ethiopia nearly a year after fighting between government and regional forces in Tigray supposedly ended. The conflict, which lasted for two years and resulted in thousands of deaths, has been marked by allegations of atrocities on both sides, including massacres, rape, and arbitrary detentions. The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia found that human rights violations in Tigray continue, with attacks by Eritrean forces against civilians. The Ethiopian government, as well as Eritrea, have faced accusations of systemic abuses.
• A fuel depot explosion last Saturday (Sept 23) in Benin resulted in at least 35 deaths, with more than a dozen people seriously injured. The fire broke out at a warehouse for smuggled fuel near the Nigerian border town of Seme-Podji. According to witnesses, the blaze likely started during the unloading of gasoline bags. Fuel smuggling is common in this region due to its proximity to Nigeria, a major oil producer. Illegal refineries and fuel dumps have emerged along the border, increasing the risk of fires. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
• Uganda offered to mediate between Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland to facilitate reunification after a more than three-decade separation. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda agreed to take on this role after a visit by a special envoy from Somaliland, Jama Musse Jama. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not gained widespread international recognition. Museveni stated that Uganda doesn’t support secession, seeing it as strategically wrong. Reunification could potentially enhance Somalia’s capacity to address challenges such as the insurgency by the Islamist group al-Shabaab.