WEEKLY RECAP: OCT 2 TO OCT 8

North America:

• The United States was “disturbed” when the Russian Federation envoy to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), Mikhail Ulyanov, said that Moscow had revoked its ratification of the pack on Friday (Oct 6). Ulyanov mentioned that this allowed Russia to be on an equal footing with the US and mentioned that revocation does not mean the intention to resume nuclear tests. The US suggested that this move was done to put pressure on countries that are supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces.
• Former United States President Donald Trump shared classified information regarding the US nuclear submarines to an Australian billionaire, Anthony Pratt, which was first revealed by ABC news. Trump had told the billionaire at least two critical pieces of information about the tactical capabilities of the US nuclear submarines. This includes as to the quantity of nuclear warheads each submarine was capable of carrying as well as how close it could get to Russian counterparts, undetected. Trump is currently on trial on other charges and Pratt may be called by prosecutors to testify against Trump due to start next May.
• The United States sent Ukraine more than one million rounds of ammunition last Monday (Oct 2). The US Central Command mentioned that the ammunition was confiscated last year from a vessel that was shipping weapons from Iran to the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. US military assistance to Ukraine played a vital role, but critics cited the durability of such support from US and Europe. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US has offered more than US$43bn in military assistance, comprising more than half of all international support.
• The US Attorney’s Offices in Florida and the federal Treasury Department had imposed sanctions and launched indictments last Wednesday (Oct 3) against dozens of Chinese companies and individuals it claims were importing highly-addictive drug fentanyl. A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington mentioned that China took a firm stance against counter-narcotics and accused the US of “scapegoating” China and undermining the China-US anti-drug cooperation. More than 100,000 people died from drug overdose in the US in 2022, and fentanyl is the newest challenge facing the US in its decade-long struggle with the opioid crisis.
• The US removed its speaker of the house, Kevin McCarthy, last Tuesday (Oct 3). This is the first time in US history that the House has voted to remove its House Speaker, where McCarthy was expelled in a 216-210 vote. Without a speaker, the House will not be able to pus through bills, including vital spending bills. President Joe Biden hoped that the House will quickly select a new speaker, stating that urgent challenges the US is currently facing will not wait. Former US Vice President said he was “deeply disappointed” from McCarthy’s removal and mentioned that chaos is never America’s friend.

South America:

• Colombian Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez expressed his apologies to the families of 19 civilians who had lost their lives due to actions by military personnel based on misleading information. Last Tuesday (Oct 3), Mr. Velasquez made a public statement, extending his apologies for the extrajudicial killings of 19 civilians, including Mendez’s son and nephew. This act cleared their names of wrongdoing and recognised the state’s accountability for their tragic deaths. President Gustavo Petro and army head Luis Ospina Gutierrez followed up with their own apologies, marking a historic moment. It was the first time the government admitted to the “false positives” scandal. In this disturbing practice during Colombia’s long internal conflict, civilians were wrongly killed and portrayed as rebels to boost soldiers’ kill statistics. These manipulated numbers were used to claim progress in the fight against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the largest rebel group at the time.
• The administration of US President Joe Biden planned to construct a portion of the border barrier in southern Texas as a measure to address the increasing levels of immigration, according to reports last Friday (Oct 6). Approximately 32 kilometres would be built in Starr County along its border with Mexico, where officials reported high numbers of crossings. The construction of a border wall had become a defining policy of former President Donald Trump, provoking vehement opposition from Democrats. During his 2020 campaign, President Joe Biden had pledged not to build any additional sections of the wall if elected. Shortly after assuming office, his administration issued a proclamation stating that building such a wall across the southern border was not a viable policy solution. However, on Thursday, President Biden indicated that he could not halt the construction of the border wall due to previously allocated funding. When asked about the effectiveness of the wall, he had offered a straightforward response, saying, “No.”
• The highest court in Guatemala affirmed the suspension of the president-elect’s political party, while his supporters are staging road blockades, last Friday (Oct 6). In a display of solidarity with President-elect Bernardo Arévalo, activists organized protests that included road blockades. This action came in response to the decision of Guatemala’s top court to uphold the suspension of Arévalo’s political party, citing alleged voter registration fraud. Arévalo had characterized this suspension as an attempted “coup” to undermine his authority ahead of assuming office in January. Consequently, his supporters called for the resignation of the prosecutors responsible for the decision.
• A seventh individual accused in the murder of an Ecuadorian presidential candidate was killed while in prison, according to reports last Sunday (Oct 8), and occurred just one day after six other individuals allegedly linked to the same crime were slain in a different correctional facility. These events raised significant concerns as they transpired just over a week before Ecuador’s scheduled presidential runoff election, leaving officials grappling with the need to explain the circumstances surrounding these killings. The prison system released a press statement acknowledging the incident but provided no specific details on how it occurred. The victim was identified only as “José M.,” with no mention of his nationality.
• A tragic bus accident in southern Mexico resulted in the loss of at least 16 migrant lives and left 29 others injured, last Friday (Oct 6). Initially, 18 fatalities were reported, but authorities later clarified that the real death toll was 16 due to some bodies being dismembered. Among the victims were two women and three children, and 29 others were injured, with their conditions not yet disclosed. The accident happened in the town of Tepelmeme in Oaxaca, near the border with Puebla, and the cause is under investigation.

Europe:

• Bedbug panic in France rose as the school in Paris becomes the latest building to be hit by a reported infestation. Senior officials from the health, economy and transport ministries strategized to meet last Friday (Oct 6) in order to coordinate a plan of action against the insects and to establish an accurate picture of the phenomenon. Some calls were due to hysteria, though pest-control companies across France have reported a huge increase in bedbug call-outs.
• Bavaria’s election’s toxic campaign heralded a big vote for Germany’s populists. The voters in Germany’s largest state chose a new parliament last Sunday (Oct 8), after populist upstarts rattled the status quo. The far-right party hoped for a big result after being tied in second place, with its leaders saying that they were physically attacked or threatened while their opponents accused them of twisting the truth for political gain and played into a narrative of victimisation.
• Governments in Europe bolstered their security amidst rise in online antisemitism. Jewish groups were warned that the surprise attacks in Hamas last Saturday (Oct 7) had led to a rise in antisemitic rhetoric online. Interior minister Gerald Darmanin in France had called on regional officials across the country to urgently put in place heightened security at synagogues and Jewish schools. He had also called for soldiers from France Operation Sentinelle, a special force that patrols the streets and protects key sites to be deployed in order to create a “visible and systematic” security presence.
• Spain rescued a total of 262 migrants off the Canary Islands in the early hours last Friday (Oct 6) amidst a surge in crossings, just when European leaders were meeting in Spain to look for ways to avoid a new migration crisis. Emergency services had mentioned that they had brought 103 of the 262 rescued migrants to El Hierro, which is the westernmost and tiniest of the Canary Islands that had received more than 1200 migrants alone in the last six days.
• French court upholded an abaya ban in public schools, and was criticised to send a powerful message regarding who ‘belongs’ in French culture last Friday (Oct 7). Yet polls suggested that more than 80 per cent of the French population supported the ban, as does the country’s highest court: The Conseil d’État had upheld the challenged ban twice – most recently on September 25.

Asia Pacific:

• Sri Lankan citizens were warned of legislative curbs on dissent as of last Sunday (Oct 8), and their elections loom ahead. The controversial online safety bill legislation moving through Sri Lanka’s parliament had raised concerns regarding freedom of expression and had drawn immense criticism, including from the former Human Rights Commissioner, Ambika Satkunanathan, who had described it as another “draconian law” that has been aimed at curbing dissent in the country. The bill has been said to allow the commission the authority to issue orders to internet service providers and potentially lead to the suppression of social media content with limited regard for due process.
• As China maintained a ban on Japanese seafood over the Fukushima water discharge, scallops as well as other marine products from Hokkaido that were originally supposed to be shipped to China have piled up in freezers with nowhere else to go. Scallops had been amassing in freezers in processing facilities in Hokkaido and had cost businesses more for storage, ranging from electricity costs and transportation to other factories, according to a report by the prefectural government that was published last Friday (Oct 6).
• Glacial lake flood in India killed 40, with dozens of individuals still missing. The glacial lake had burst its banks and triggered flash floods in the Indian Himalayas, according to government officials last Friday (Oct 6). Rescuers searched for dozens of people who were missing as the Lhonak Lake in the mountainous northeastern state of Sikkim overflowed after a cloudburst triggered torrential rains as well as an apparent avalanche and caused major flooding in the Teesta river. An estimate of 75 people were still reported to be missing.
• The Malaysian Health Minister would be tabling an amendment to the Tobacco Act as part of the Generational End Game policy in order to aim to restrict tobacco products to people who were born after 2007, otherwise less or equal than 16 years old as of last Wednesday (Oct 4). Liquid or gel nicotine were excluded from the Poisons Act whilst the amendment was expected to also include restrictions on the sale of vapes.
• Hong Kong man got 4 months in prison for importing children’s books that were deemed to be seditious publications. Such books featured sheep that lived in a village which had to defend themselves against wolves. In the series of books, the sheep took action such as going on strike or escaping by boat, which were said to allude to incidents such as the 2019 anti-government protests and the detention of the 12 Hong Kongers who attempted to escape by sea. The sedition offence, a colonial-era law that carried a maximum penalty of up to two years imprisonment for first-time offenders, had been used in recent years by Hong Kong authorities to quash dissent in Hong Kong. The creators of the sheep and wolves books were sentenced to 19 months in prison in September2022. The sedition law had been criticised by governments in the West as a dismantling of Hong Kong’s political freedoms and civil society. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have mentioned that the law was necessary to maintain stability in the city, which had experienced months of anti-government protests in 2019.

Middle East:

• A devastating earthquake with an estimated death toll of more than 2,000 struck western Afghanistan last Sunday (Oct 8), according to Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen. The quake, magnitude 6.3, hit Herat province, caused extensive damage and prompted urgent rescue operations. The Taliban appealed for tents, medical, and food aid while reporting many missing individuals. Widespread destruction occurred in Herat, Badghis, and Farah provinces, leading to a call for immediate assistance.
• Hamas initiated a significant attack on Israel last Saturday (Oct 7), with Israel retaliating with airstrikes, declaring “war” on the Gaza Strip. The Arab League called for an immediate halt to hostilities, while Brazil, as the UN Security Council chair, announced an emergency meeting and urged restraint. European leaders, including the Czech Republic and the European Commission, condemned Hamas’ actions and affirmed Israel’s right to self-defence. In contrast, Iran supported the Palestinian attack, stating it showcased increased confidence against Israel’s occupation.
• Moody’s downgrade of Egypt’s credit rating to “Caa1” from “B3” last Thursday (Oct 5), exacerbated the economic challenges ahead of December’s elections. The move, seven levels into junk territory, was prompted by the country’s deteriorating debt affordability amid a severe economic crisis marked by high inflation, substantial government debt, and a sharply devalued currency. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director, Kristalina Georgieva, warned that Egypt would continue to deplete reserves unless it further devalues its currency.
• Tensions rose between the United States and Turkey as US warplanes shot down a Turkish drone in Syria last Thursday (Oct 5), which posed a threat to American forces. The incident occurred as Turkey targeted Kurdish forces in Syria following a suicide bombing in Ankara claimed by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Despite numerous calls to Ankara’s military, a Turkish drone returned to the “restricted operating zone” near Hasakah, approaching US forces. US F-16 fighters shot it down in self-defence. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged de-escalation in northern Syria during a call with his Turkish counterpart.
• United States President Joe Biden expressed gratitude to Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a phone call last Tuesday (Oct 3), acknowledging the Gulf nation’s role in mediating a significant prisoner swap deal with Iran. The conversation focused on reviewing and strengthening the strategic relations between the two countries in various fields. The call followed a recent exchange of five prisoners between Iran and the US, part of a deal that also involved unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds. This diplomatic move occurred amid heightened tensions between the two nations after the US withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018

Africa:

• Eleven individuals had lost their lives, and 90 others had been injured due to artillery fire in a major Sudanese city. The attack occurred last Thursday (Oct 5) in the Karari neighbourhood within the city of Omdurman, located adjacent to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, but it remained unclear which of the country’s conflicting parties was responsible for the incident. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, revealed this information on its social media account, stating that the casualties included children, and the injured individuals were receiving treatment at Al Nao Hospital in Omdurman, one of the medical facilities operated by the organization. Sudan had been grappling with violence since mid-April, marked by confrontations between the country’s military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, under the command of Gen. Mohamed Hamden Dagalo.
• A tragic incident in eastern Congo resulted in the loss of at least 15 lives, as a bomb brought home by children exploded. The tragedy took place last Friday (Oct 6) evening in the village of Kyangitsi, located in Masisi territory in North Kivu province. Over the past two weeks, the region was embroiled in conflict, as local armed groups competed for control of villages. Many areas had already fallen under the control of the “Wazalendo” patriot self-defence forces. According to reports from local community leaders, a portion of the strategic town of Kitshanga had come under the control of these young patriots, who had successfully displaced the M23 rebels. These continued clashes had instilled fear in the local population, leading to the displacement of numerous civilians. Mitondeke had mentioned that the area was filled with various explosive devices left behind and rigged by combatants.
• Nigeria’s president encountered a fresh challenge to his election victory, with the opposition alleging that he forged his diploma. Nigeria’s primary opposition party announced last Thursday (Oct 5) that it intended to present additional evidence to bolster its ongoing court challenge aimed at overturning this year’s presidential election results. Their claim is centred on allegations that the declared winner submitted falsified academic credentials to electoral authorities. In a press briefing, first runner-up Atiku Abubakar and his legal team accused President Bola Tinubu of forging a diploma from an American university, which he presented to Nigeria’s election commission ahead of the February vote. They supported their claims with records obtained from the university during a U.S. court hearing.
• Zimbabwe reported 100 suspected cholera fatalities and enforced limitations on gatherings. Last Thursday (Oct 5), Zimbabwe reported 100 suspected cholera-related deaths and over 5,000 potential cases since late last month, leading the government to implement measures to curb the disease’s spread. These measures included restrictions on funeral attendance and the suspension of certain social gatherings in affected regions. The health ministry disclosed this death toll, with 30 of the fatalities confirmed as cholera-related through laboratory tests. Additionally, 905 confirmed cases and 4,609 suspected cases have been recorded. Cholera, a water-borne disease, can swiftly propagate in areas with inadequate sanitation and is typically transmitted through contaminated water or food.
• Opposition lawmakers in Kenya insisted that parliamentary approval was necessary for the Haiti peacekeeping mission. Last Wednesday (Oct 4), Kenyan lawmakers asserted that the deployment of police to the Kenya-led peacekeeping mission in Haiti, aimed at addressing gang violence and recently approved by the U.N. Security Council, should first receive parliamentary approval. Opposition legislator Anthony Oluoch argued in the lower house of Parliament that the conditions for foreign deployment, as outlined in the National Police Act, had not been satisfied. He emphasized the pressing security concerns within Kenya, particularly referencing the threats posed by the East Africa-based al-Shabab extremist group, which has affiliations with al-Qaeda. In light of these internal challenges, Oluoch suggested that domestic security needs should take precedence over foreign commitments.