WEEKLY RECAP: NOV 13 TO NOV 19

North America:

• The US state of Oregon’s first-in-the-nation law that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs in favor of an emphasis on addiction treatment is facing strong backlash in the progressive state after an explosion of public drug use fueled by the proliferation of fentanyl and a surge in deaths from opioids, including those of children.“The inability for people to live their day-to-day life without encountering open-air drug use is so pressing on urban folks’ minds,” said John Horvick, vice president of polling firm DHM Research. “That has very much changed people’s perspective about what they think Measure 110 is.”When the law was approved by 58% of Oregon voters three years ago, supporters championed Measure 110 as a revolutionary approach that would transform addiction by minimising penalties for drug use and investing instead in recovery.
• The Republican attorney general in the US stated in Kansas appealed a state judge’s ruling that blocked enforcement of multiple abortion restrictions, including a new limit on medication and an older rule which forces patients to wait 24 hours before they can get the procedure. Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a notice Thursday in Johnson County District Court in the Kansas City area, saying he will ask higher courts to overturn Judge K. Christopher Jayaram’s decision last month. The judge concluded that abortion providers were likely to successfully argue in a lawsuit that the restrictions violate the Kansas Constitution.“
• Ovidio Guzmán López, son of Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, pleaded not guilty to drug and money laundering charges last Monday (Nov 13). Making his first court appearance since being extradited from Mexico on Friday, Guzmán López wore an orange jumpsuit and restraints at the Dirksen United States Courthouse in downtown Chicago. Prosecutors disclosed in court the death penalty was taken off the table as part of extradition negotiations with Mexican authorities, adding two of the six counts Guzmán López faces carry a mandatory life sentence. The US had been seeking his extradition for drug trafficking, and he will be held without bond pending trial, the judge ordered. He is due back in court for a status hearing on November 17.
• International criticism swelled last Saturday (Nov 18) over what observers said were efforts to use a politicised justice system to keep Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo out of office. Prosecution in Guatemala’s attorney general’s office moved to strip Arevalo of his immunity from prosecution last Thursday (Nov 16), accusing him and his running mate of complicity in the takeover of a university in the capital last year. Arevalo, an anti-graft candidate elected in a landslide in August, called the decision “absolutely illegal.” The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’s (OAS) Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression stated the move amounted to “incessant improper actions and interference.”  that “threaten the democratic order, the ongoing presidential transition process and the individual and collective exercise of civil and political liberties in the country.”
• US President Joe Biden and his Mexican counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador expressed a shared desire to tackle migration and drug trafficking last Friday (Nov 17), finding common ground on issues in the bilateral relationship and the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Biden was concluding a four-day diplomatic push with China and other Pacific nations and was to hold a final meeting with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum leaders after the talks with Lopez Obrador. Biden stated it was part of US “security cooperation” to work “side-by-side to combat arms trafficking”, “tackle organized crime” and “address the opioid epidemic”. Meanwhile, Mexico remained committed to continue helping to prevent the entry of chemicals such as fentanyl, with Lopez Obrador stating, “We’re very conscious of the damage it does to the youth of the United States.”

South America:

• Argentina held the second round of its Presidential elections last Sunday (Nov 19), between Sergio Massa, Minister of Economy for the incumbent centre-left government, and right wing libertarian and self-proclaimed “Anarcho Capitalist” Javier Milei; which concluded with a victorious Millei. Opinion polls suggested a close race between the two, although the most recent polling gave the edge to Milei. The election is largely seen as a referendum on the political establishment, with Milei making radical statements and promises, such as abolishing the Central Bank, while Massa warned that experienced hands are necessary to maintain the existence of the welfare state and Argentina’s foreign relations.
• Luis Manuel Díaz, father of Colombian footballer Luis Fernando Díaz, was finally reunited with his son last Tuesday (Nov 14), after being kidnapped for 12 days by the National Liberation Army (ELN), a Marxist-Leninist militant group that has been fighting an armed insurgency with the Colombian government since 1964. The insurgency originated when a coalition of Cuban-trained Marxist guerillas, Catholics, and peasant groups routed in the political violence of a period of Colombian history called La Violencia created various militant organisations including the ELN with the aim of overthrowing the Colombian government. The ELN has claimed that this particular kidnapping was a mistake, but denied that kidnappings for ransom violated the group’s ceasefire agreement with the Colombian government.
• Brazil was hit with a heatwave, with temperatures in Rio De Janeiro reaching record highs of 58.5C last Tuesday (Nov 14). Inmet, Brazil’s national meteorological agency, issued ‘Red Alerts’ for over 3000 cities due to the unusually high temperatures the past month, which officials have attributed to the El Nino weather phase the planet is in this year, as well as climate change which led to the overall rising temperatures. This makes the coming COP 28 conference in Dubai, scheduled to start at the end of November, all the more urgent, as more countries are experiencing the consequences of inaction. Moreover, the fact that some prominent candidates for US President are still denying climate change in spite of the evidence, and the impacts it is having the world over, as well as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plans to delay implementing measures to combat climate change, becomes all the more concerning in this light.
• The conflict between Guyana and Venezuela reached new heights last week over Venezuela’s plans to hold a unilateral referendum in the disputed region of Guayana Esequiba. Venezuela informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – the current mediator of the dispute – last Wednesday (Nov 15) of their decision to proceed with the referendum on December 3, despite the protests from the government of Guyana, and whatever ruling the ICJ makes. While the ICJ is recognised as the highest court of International Law, it lacks any enforcement power. The referendum would ask the people of Guyana Esequiba whether they would accept the position of Caracas on the dispute and assent to being annexed as a state of Venezuela.
• Brazilian Minister Alexandre Padilha stated last Thursday (Nov 16) that the administration had no intention to stray from its fiscal target of zero deficit. This came amid chatter of the government’s consideration to ease those goals in its budget for next year. The Minister’s sentiment was echoed by Congressman Danilo Forte, expected sponsor of the budget bill in Brazil’s lower house: “any possibility of an amendment to the bill has been removed, which is important as it provides us some balance.” Brazil’s economy has generally been fairly robust in recent years. However, Brazil’s central bank has recently released data suggesting that the trend might be reversing. Central bank data also showed negative performance on the part of the service sector, which accounts for 70 per cent of Brazil’s economic activity.

Europe:

• Sweden declared a “system failure” in the country’s free schools (friskolor) pledging the biggest shake-up in 30 years and calling into question a model in which profit-making companies run state education last monday (Nov 13). The privately-run and publicly-funded schools had previously attracted international acclaim, but have suffered a decline in educational standards in recent years. Coupled with the rising inequality and growing discontent among teachers and parents, the political momentum for change has intensified.
• The Ukrainian defence forces conducted a series of successful operations on the left bank of the Dnipro River, along the Kherson front last Friday (Nov 17). The Ukrainian hope of establishing positions on the eastern side of the river could allow them to push on further towards Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Pushing the Russian forces back from the riverbank would allow some respite to the communities on the riverbank that have come under constant attack in recent months. Russia’s military have been bombarding towns and villages on the western bank with artillery from their positions, including the city of Kherson, which has been attacked on a near daily basis since last year.
• CDP, a non-profit charity which runs the world’s system for countries, companies and public authorities to disclose their environmental impact, released its annual list of planet-friendly cities last Thursday (Nov 16). Nearly one-fifth of European municipalities scored by CDP this year made it into the prestigious ‘A List’ – those that are taking the most ambitious climate actions. Nordic cities are leading the way in environmental reporting and action, with 12 across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland named on the A List for 2023.
• France successfully test-fired an M51.3 long-range ballistic missile, boosting the credibility of France’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, the defence ministry said last Sunday (Nov 19). The M51.3 missile is an upgraded version of the M51, a three-stage sea-land strategic ballistic missile designed to be launched from French Navy submarines. The M51 was first test-fired from a ground base in 2006 and from a submarine in 2010, the year it was commissioned. It was done to validate an important evolution of the missile which will contribute to perpetuating the credibility of their oceanic deterrence over the coming years.
• Tens of thousands of Spaniards took to the streets of Madrid last Saturday (Nov 16) to protest Socialist Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Sanchez managed to garner support from Catalan Pro-independence parties only after accepting several concessions including the adoption of an amnesty bill for separatists leaders and activists. The Catalan Independence Movement is a social and political movement which seeks the independence of Catalonia from Spain. The protestors denounced a proposed amnesty law for Catalan separatists and activists, which was key for the left-wing government to retain power. Cries of “Sanchez, traitor”, “Sanchez in jail” and “Catalonia is Spain” were shouted by protesters of all ages who carried Spanish and other European flags distributed by the European People’s Party.

Asia Pacific:

• Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden met for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in California, US last Wednesday (Nov 15), where the issue of Taiwan was discussed. “The US side should… stop arming Taiwan, and support China’s peaceful reunification. China will realise reunification, and this is unstoppable,” Xi told Biden, according to a readout from China’s foreign ministry. To which, Joe Biden responded by saying that he had not changed his view that Xi Jinping was “effectively a dictator”.
• South Korea’s financial regulator announced a ban on short selling of stocks last Thursday (Nov 16), which was imposed to promote a “level playing field” for retail and institutional investors, and would stay until there was enough improvement in the market environment. Financial Services Commission (FSC) Vice Chairman, Kim So-young made the comment after a meeting with other financial authorities and lawmakers to discuss regulatory improvements as the market had been down for a longtime, according to local media outlets News1 and Newsis.
• Human right groups called for the Malaysian Government to fulfil their promises to mothers of overseas-born children and make certain amendments regarding the citizenship rights in Malaysia last Tuesday (Nov 14). Following this legal battle, the government proposed several amendments to the Constitution to grant Malaysian mothers equal rights to confer automatic citizenship on their overseas-born children, just like Malaysian fathers.
• Chinese brands, as of last Wednesday (Nov 15), took the lead in the country’s rapid shift to new energy vehicles, putting Volkswagen (which earlier held 19.3 per cent market share), on track for its smallest year of China sales since 2012. The German auto giant is not alone in its struggles, according to CNBC’s analysis of ten global car brands. The declines came as China has rapidly transitioned away from internal combustion engines to new energy vehicles because It’s a rapidly growing market of battery and hybrid-powered cars which Tesla and homegrown brands such as BYD have captured. This is part of China’s method to f curb severe air pollution, reduce its reliance on imported oil, and help rebuild the economy.
• Singapore’s first urban fish farm in a container was launched last Sunday (Nov 19) as part of an initiative to support local urban farmers and help the country reach its “30 by 30” food goal of producing 30 per cent of its food needs domestically by 2030. The container fish farm is located in Tampines Street 11, next to the Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, and residents can look forward to enjoying the popular jade perch, a fish delicacy, after the first harvest in four to six months. Mr Masagos, Singapore’s Minister for social and family development, officiated the launch along with three other Tampines GRC MPs – Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon, Mayor of North East District Desmond Choo and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng.

Middle East:

• The death toll in Israel’s war in Gaza rose above 13,000 last Sunday (Nov 19). The UN Humanitarian Affairs Office estimated about 2,700 people including 1,500 children missing and believed to be buried in the ruins, according to reports last week. Gaza officials reported the lack of equipment, manpower and fuel to conduct search parties for the living and the dead. Israel has accused Hamas of using the civilian population as “human shields” allegedly resulting in Israel targeting fighters and Hamas infrastructure in residential areas.
• The United Nations’ top court ordered the Syrian government to “take all measures within its powers to prevent torture” and “degrading treatment” last Thursday (Nov 16), in a case in which the Netherlands and Canada accuse Damascus of a years-long campaign of harming its own citizens. The order is intended to protect potential victims while the case accusing Syria of breaching the torture convention proceeds through the International Court of Justice, a process likely to take years. The court also called on Syria to “ensure that its officials, as well as any organisations or persons, may be subject to its control, direction or influence do not commit any acts of torture or other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
• OPEC+ sources told Reuters last Friday (Nov 17) of the possible upcoming decision to have additional oil supply cuts later this month at their meeting on Nov 26. Oil prices are currently at US$79 (SG$105.73) a barrel, a fall from the 2023 high in September of US$98 (SG$131.17). OPEC+, whose member’s economy depends greatly on oil, has been unable to raise oil prices in the face of “negative sentiment” thus a lower demand and a possible surplus despite the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East and increasing oil cuts over the past two years. The last policy meeting in June 2023 saw OPEC+ agree to a broad deal to limit supply into 2024. Analysts told Reuters that the current oil cuts may run the risk of Saudi economic contraction.
• Iraq’s Kataeb Hezbollah (KH) militia released a statement on Telegram last Saturday (Nov 18), dismissing US-levied sanctions as “ridiculous”; would have no impact on their operations; and would “cause losses … a strategy to drain the enemy”. The US accused several KH members, a powerful armed faction in Iraq with connections to Iran, with involvement of attacks against the US and its partners in Iraq and Syria last Friday (Nov 17) and named a few of the top officials as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists”. KH’s secretary general, Abu Ala al-Walai, described the sanctions as “a medal of honour”. Militia groups in Iraq attacked US bases because of their support for Israel in its war on Gaza, and would stop the attacks if the US ends its support to Israel.
• A tentative US-brokered agreement to free Israeli hostages in Gaza for a five-day pause moved closer to be settled between Israel and Hamas last Saturday (Nov 18). The detailed, six-page agreement included for all parties to pause combat operations while hostages are to be released in small batches every 24 hour; and an increased amount of humanitarian assistance to enter rom Egypt. The deal was the result of weeks of talks in Qatar among Israel, the US, and Hamas (represented by Qatari mediators). As of last Sunday (Nov 19), Israel has yet to agree to the deal. The Israeli National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi said last Friday (Nov 17) that the war cabinet unanimously agree to a limited “cease-fire” provided “a massive release of our hostages … because after that we will continue to work towards achieving our war goals”.

Africa:

• Liberia conducted the second round of its presidential elections last Tuesday, (Nov 17). The polls returned the tightest electoral results in recent Liberian history with incumbent President George Weah losing to his opponent Joseph Boahkai, former Vice President of Liberia, at 49 per cent to a 51 per cent. George Weah conceded the race, saying he had “utmost respect for the democratic process” and noting that the closeness of the race showed “deep divisions” which he urged Liberians to combat by finding common ground with their fellow Liberians.
• Presidential elections took place on Madagascar last Thursday (Nov 16). These elections saw massive boycotts by the opposition over numerous irregularities, such as revelations that the incumbent president Andry Rajoelina acquired French citizenship, which critics noted would make him ineligible to contest elections under local law. Moreover, opposition figures and civil society organisations have noted a lack of transparency on the part of the electoral agency of the country. The campaign was also marked by a ban on political rallies which was condemned by international observers, and low voter turnout due to the opposition boycott.
• The Kenyan parliament approved a measure by the government to send police officers to Haiti last Friday (Nov 17), where gangs have taken control of much of the country, including 80 per cent of the capital. Government lawmakers noted that Kenya’s history of participating in peacekeeping missions such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia makes it well placed to help the situation in Haiti. Opposition lawmakers cited Kenya’s own lacklustre security situation, as well as constitutional issues around sending a non-military force overseas argued that the decision was unwise.
• Opposition politicians from the Democratic Republic of Congo began talks in Praetoria, South Africa, last Wednesday (Nov 15) with the aim of coming up with ground rules for a peaceful election, and a joint candidate. Opposition groups said that the electoral exercise is potentially flawed, citing irregularities in the voter registration period that they claimed benefit the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi. One of the prominent figures who could be a potential candidate, Martin Fayulu, had previously faced off against Tshisekedi in 2018, in elections marked by accusations of fraud by Fayulu, with an investigation by the Financial Times and Radio France International concurring with the opposition candidate.
• Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera announced, a series of austerity measures to combat the economic crisis facing the country, last Thursday (Nov 16). Notable among the measures was a suspension of all foreign travel by government ministers, as well as the president himself, who has faced criticism over his extensive foreign travels. Other measures include cutting fuel entitlements for ministers and senior civil servants by 50 per cent. The President said that these measures would help “heal the nation” in which economic woes have worsened food insecurity issues. . Malawi is currently grappling with massive fuel shortages, food insecurity, and a heavy dependence on foreign aid and imports from overseas, exacerbated by the negative state of the global economy.