North America:
- A report by the University of Michigan last Saturday (Feb 24) showed that U.S. rice exports to Haiti contained unhealthy levels of arsenic and cadmium, heavy metals. The exports accounted for the bulk of supplies of the country’s key food staple, and the detection of harmful elements can increase the risks of cancer and heart disease. According to the study, concentrations of the heavy metals were nearly double that of Haitian-grown rice, with some samples exceeding international limits. The study also noted that Haiti imports nearly 90 per cent of its rice almost exclusively from the U.S., and on average consumes seven times more rice than the average U.S. citizen.
- Donald Trump secured a big primary victory last Saturday (Feb 24) over Nikki Haley in her home state of South Carolina. Aides with knowledge of the Trump campaign said that the plan was to isolate Haley politically by urgently locking down endorsements from scores of officials in the state. Chris LaCivita, a co-manager of Trump’s campaign said the series of big-name endorsements played a critical role in snuffing out the competition in the state. These endorsements have been termed by another anonymous source to be a show of force necessary when dealing with a two-term governor, so that donors and voters stopped looking at Nikki. Seeking endorsements is a common practice in U.S. presidential politics, but securing such a high volume in Haley’s home turf played a significant role in Trump’s victory in South Carolina.
- The U.S. has imposed hundreds of sanctions against Russia last Friday (Feb 23). More than 500 people and entities were targeted. The sanctions targeted Russia’s Mir payment system, financial institutions, its military industrial base, future energy production and others. Russia’s ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, said “Doesn’t Washington realise that sanctions won’t take us down?” The Biden administration was seeking to continue supporting Ukraine as the country faces acute shortages of ammunition, with the approval of more U.S. military aid delayed for months in the U.S. Congress.
- Canada, along with Italy, has signed security deals with Ukraine last Saturday (Feb 24) after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Canada and Italy join Britain, Germany, France and Denmark in concluding 10-year security deals with Kyiv that are intended to shore up Ukraine’s security until it can reach its aim of becoming a member of the NATO military alliance. Trudaeu’s office said Canada would provide more than 3 billion Canadian dollars ($2.22 billion) in financial and defence aid to Ukraine in 2024.
- US military aircraft intercepted a high-altitude Mylar balloon drifting over Colorado and Utah on Friday (Feb 23). Fighter jets determined it posed no threat, as the small, non-maneuverable object, of unknown origin and purpose, did not endanger flight safety. Norad, responsible for air defence, reported intercepting the balloon at 44,000 feet. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed no danger, and Norad will continue monitoring as the balloon heads towards Georgia. This incident recalls last year’s shooting down of a Chinese balloon, leading to a diplomatic crisis. Chinese authorities denied espionage, attributing it to a weather ship off course. In that episode, an F-22 jet destroyed the balloon off South Carolina, causing Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a China trip, condemning the incident as “irresponsible.”
South America:
- Mexico’s outgoing president has taken steps to ensure a smooth hand-off for national oil company Pemex, having been reported last Friday (Feb 23) to have unveiled a new tax break worth about US$6.4 billion. The boost follows a whopping US$90 billion in government support doled out to Pemex since President Lopez Obrador took office in late 2018, spanning tax cuts and capital injections, most of it to service a crushing debt load of some US$106 billion. This fresh support is part of his long standing goal of making Mexico self-sufficient in the production of motor fuels. The company’s distressed finances may fall to former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, Lopez Obrador’s anointed successor and current front-runner in polls ahead of June’s election. Mexico’s next president takes office in October.
- Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, was charged last Thursday (Feb 22) with harbouring drug traffickers and governing the country as a “narco-state”. The prosecution claims he took payments, informed traffickers about impending operations, and gave them army protection. Hernández enters a not-guilty plea to three charges, including conspiracy to transport cocaine into the United States, and denies any wrongdoing. He can go to prison for life if found guilty. Hernández’s rapid decline from grace resulted in his arrest in Honduras and extradition to New York, despite former president Trump having previously commended him for his cooperation against drug trafficking. According to the prosecution, he first became involved in drug trafficking in 2004. Claims include that he took bribes from “El Chapo” Guzmán and protected his brother Tony. Hernández insists on his innocence and refers to the case as a plot and vendetta.
- El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last Thursday (Feb 22) which inspired American conservatives to oppose “global elites”. Speaking to CPAC delegates, he praised El Salvador’s awakening as a model for the US and called for vigilante action against forces deemed to be oppressive. Some conservatives found resonance with Bukele’s statement because he supported cryptocurrencies and strict anti-crime stances. Notable speakers at CPAC will continue, including former President Trump and Nigel Farage.
- Juan Carlos Calvimontes, the Deputy Minister for Civil Defence, reported on last Tuesday (Feb 20) that among Bolivia’s 340 municipalities, 10 are under the highest alert, while an additional 279 are under an orange alert, the second-highest level. Due to concerns of landslides and overflowing dams, hundreds of towns and villages are on high alert. Humanitarian supplies have been sent to the impacted regions, which include the province of La Paz, where fatal mudslides occurred. Three further reservoirs are also at capacity, and authorities keep a constant eye on the water levels in them as well as the Incachaca reservoir. The effects of extreme weather occurrences in Bolivia are exacerbated by these floods, which come after an extended drought and very hot winter.
- Mexico’s Popocatépetl volcano unleashed a three kilometre column of ash and gas last Tuesday evening (Feb 20), prompting authorities to issue a yellow alert. The volcano has been erupting two to three times daily for nearly a week. Situated just 70km (43.5 miles) from Mexico City, Popocatépetl stands as one of the country’s most perilous and consistently active volcanoes. Residents in the southern region of Puebla have been cautioned to be vigilant for ash fall and advised against approaching the volcano.
Asia Pacific:
- The Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard last Thursday (Feb 22) of attempting to block a Filipino government vessel delivering supplies to fishermen. China’s state-run Global Times said on Saturday (24 Feb) that the Chinese Coast Guard had repelled the Philippine vessel when it illegally intruded into waters adjacent to China’s Huangyan Island, the Chinese name for the shoal. Scarborough Shoal has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012, as part of the longstanding South China Sea dispute. The Philippine Coast Guard allegedly encountered a similar incident near a disputed reef, Scarborough Shoal, a week earlier.
- Prabowo secured a landslide victory in the country’s presidential elections with over 75 per cent of votes counted as of last Friday (Feb 23). Indonesia’s outgoing president Joko Widodo has made moves to bolster Prabowo Subianto’s coalition and maintain political influence. Since the elections, Widodo has been holding meetings and making moves to ensure a seamless transition during the remaining eight months of his term. This has been observed to be a strategic manoeuvring to gain support for his likely successor in the 580-member House of Representatives to prevent legislative gridlock since Prabowo’s coalition of parties lack a parliamentary majority. Experts’ have highlighted the possibility of a ‘shadow government’, where Widodo continues to wield significant influence behind the scenes despite having officially stepped down.
- Cambodia’s ruling party has claimed a landslide victory in Senate elections on Sunday (Feb 25), setting the stage for ex-PM Hun Sen to return to frontline politics. Cambodian People’s Party spokesman Sok Eysan confirmed the party would nominate the ex-PM as the president of the Senate, allowing him to act as head of state when the king is overseas. This year’s Senate election followed lawmakers approving Hun Sen’s youngest son Hun Many as a deputy prime minister. The government now includes a number of Hun Sen’s relatives, with several children of his allies also holding high-ranking jobs.
- South Korea and Japan showcased their defence capabilities at the Singapore Airshow 2024 which is a six-day event that ended on Sunday (Feb 25). They have been moving to bolster their military export trade. South Korea is looking to be among the world’s top few defence exporters, having signed its biggest arms deal ever with Poland in 2022, laying the groundwork for the nation’s defence firms to provide Europe with weapons on the back of the Ukraine war. The sale is a key part of the country’s plan to become the fourth-largest defence exporter by 2027. However, purchase has been stalled due to partisan deadlock over legislation that could help quicken the US$22 billion weapons purchase. Japan is hoping to bolster its security partnerships and domestic defence industry, by courting foreign markets, particularly Asia, where defence spending has increased due to economic growth and China’s military expansion. It set up a booth at the Singapore Airshow for the first time, showing its capabilities from aircraft manufacturing to communications.
- According to the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA)’s response to queries on Thursday (Feb 22), Singapore was waiting for Malaysia’s response about her purchase of two plots of land that would help facilitate the redevelopment of Woodlands Checkpoint. These two plots of land are currently unused and would help optimise the redevelopment of the Checkpoint to enhance the immigration clearance experience for Singapore and Malaysia travellers. Malaysian news agency Bernama reported on Sunday (Feb 18) that Malaysian authorities are deliberating the sale of the land or to perform a land sweep similar to the one done in 2010.
Europe:
- A devastating fire in Valencia, Spain, claimed nine lives and destroyed a 14-floor apartment complex, prompting three days of mourning to be declared last Wednesday (Feb 21). Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and local authorities promise support for victims and their families, while efforts are underway to provide aid and housing for those affected. The La Liga match at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium was been postponed as a mark of respect. Officials cited combustible cladding and high winds as factors in the rapid spread of flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
- A new law that would allow adults over the age of 18 to consume cannabis recreationally was voted on last Friday (Feb 22) by the German parliament. It allows for the possession of up to 50g in private and up to 25g in public. Starting on April 1st, it would be legal to smoke cannabis in many public areas. It would also be legal to grow up to three cannabis plants indoors. Despite the clearance, discussions continued because of worries about the expansion of the illicit market and keeping tourists from making authorised purchases. Fighting the illegal market, ensuring safer consumption, and reducing organised crime are the objectives. Strict laws will, however, restrict the available options for purchase; cannabis cafes are not to be permitted, and distribution is limited to non-profit social groups.
- After being closed for six days owing to strikes over management difficulties, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was scheduled to reopen on Sunday (Feb 25). The CGT union led the walkout, which was a protest against SETE’s business strategy due to exaggerated estimates of visitors and maintenance expenses. The monument’s neglected status raised concerns because paintwork and repairs needed to be done on time. Following discussions, a deal was made to keep an eye on business models and provide €380 million for upkeep by 2031. To obtain state funds for repairs, there have been calls for the tower to be designated as a historical monument. Strikes have grown commonplace; the most recent one happened in December at a demonstration commemorating the centennial of Gustave Eiffel.
- Ukraine’s Air Force Chief, Mykola Oleshchuk, showed appreciation to his service and military intelligence for their role in bringing down the long-range radar detection aircraft on Friday (Feb 23). A Russian A-50 military espionage jet is allegedly shot down by Ukraine, the second such event in less than a month. According to reports, the plane was struck more than 200 kilometres away from Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar’s front line. The plane is shot down and the crash site is engulfed in flames. Regarding the incident, Russian officials have remained silent. In the meantime, reports of drone strikes resulting in losses and worries about Putin’s plans to intensify the conflict continue to accompany Ukraine’s battles against Russian soldiers.
- A representative of the German government stated on Monday (Feb 19), that, the government “cannot comment on the reports” regarding a planned prisoner swap. Alexei Navalny was on the brink of freedom through a prisoner swap before his death, as stated by his ally Maria Pevchikh. In a video on Mr. Navalny’s YouTube channel, Pevchikh, the chairwoman of his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), revealed that negotiations for the swap had been ongoing for two years. She mentioned that Navalny’s release was part of a humanitarian exchange, with the involvement of American and German officials. The culmination of these efforts led to a concrete prisoner swap plan in December, according to her.
Middle East:
- Qatari diplomat Mutlaw al-Qahtani condemned the “double standards” Israel enjoys despite violations of international law, at International Court of Justice (ICJ), last Friday (Feb 23). Referring to the toll of Israel’s war and “illegal” occupation in Palestinian territories, al-Qahtani said some children were deemed “worthy of protection”, while others “are killed in their thousands”. Qatar is joined by other nations such as South Africa pushing for Israel’s accountability under international law.
- Analysts said Egypt’s economy was poised to be impacted by Israel’s war on Gaza, amid an already deteriorating economy, according to reports last Thursday (Feb 22). The nation’s growing public debt remains at more than 90 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP), with its currency falling further against the US dollar. Israel’s military activity in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip has compounded the situation, with hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians pushed towards the border with Egypt. Meanwhile, conflict in the Red Sea meant ships were avoiding the Suez Canal, one of Egypt’s major source of foreign exchange.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the new Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories were “inconsistent with international law” and “disappointing”, last Friday (Feb 23). The statement negates the Trump administration’s Pompeo Doctrine, which referred to an announcement in November 2019 by then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, that Washington supports Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Golan Heights and East Jerusalem as legal. Israel announced the new settlement plans as a supposed response to the incident last Thursday, where three Palestinians opened fire near a checkpoint, killing one Israeli and wounding several others. The plan to build over 3,000 new housing units in occupied territory was in line with Israel’s development of settlements over decades, despite international condemnation.
- The United States has called on Israel to stop attacking Palestinian police officers in the besieged Gaza Strip, according to reports last Sunday (Feb 25). The demand came as the Israeli military continued to destroy infrastructure in the Strip, including hospitals and schools as part of its military assault in Gaza since October 7. The death toll among Palestinians exceeded 29,782 over last week, with the United Nations warning of the threat of famine.
- An Israeli delegation was expected to arrive in Qatar soon to continue talks on securing a pause in the war on Gaza that could see captives released, according to reports last Sunday (Feb 25). The talks began last week in Paris and were attended by Israeli chefs as well as mediators from the United States, Qatar and Egypt. The four countries have come to an understanding of “basic contours” of a hostage deal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, however Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was unclear whether a hostage deal would be established, and that Hamas would need to “come down to a reasonable situation”. He added that his administration was to review a plan to ‘evacuate’ Palestinian civilians in Gaza and destroy remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah, an enclave housing more than a million Palestinians seeking refuge. “If we have a deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it will happen. If we don’t have a deal, we’ll do it anyway,” he told CBS.
Africa:
- At least 15 Catholic worshippers were killed in the village of Essakane in Burkina Faso village last Sunday (Feb 25), when gunmen of an unknown faction attacked a mass at a church in the country’s conflict-hit northern region. About half of Burkina Faso is outside government control, as armed groups further destabilised the country, which experienced two coups in 2022. The number of people killed by armed groups has nearly tripled compared with the 18 previous months, according to an August 2023 report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission was to lift most sanctions imposed on Niger over last year’s coup, last Saturday (Feb 24), in a new push for dialogue following a series of political crises that have rocked the region in recent months. A no-fly zone and border closures were among the sanctions being lifted “with immediate effect” and was “on purely humanitarian grounds”. The summit aimed to address existential threats facing the region as well as implore three military-led nations that have quit the bloc – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – to rescind their decision to withdraw from the bloc, following their recent suspensions.
- The United Nations Security Council sanctioned the leaders of six armed groups fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last Tuesday (Feb 20), amid escalating violence in the country’s restive northeastern region. The committee imposed an arms embargo, travel ban, and asset freeze on two leaders of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), one leader from the Twirwaneho armed group, and one from the National Coalition of the People for the Sovereignty of Congo (CNPSC) rebels. The move came as violence in the country’s northeast has displaced nearly seven million people in the past three decades as more than 120 armed groups compete for control.
- Senegalese President Macky Sall said he would end his term in April as expected, but had not given a new date for the presidential election originally scheduled for last Sunday (Feb 25). Sall, who is ending two terms in office, postponed the election until December, citing unresolved disputes over who could run, a move that was deemed by Senegal’s Constitutional Court as illegal. Opposition groups are pressuring the administration to hold elections quickly, holding protests throughout the weekend. The president has been accused of trying to hold onto power, which he has denied.
- Niger missed a debt payment of 13.4 billion CFA francs (S$29.56 million) last week, according to West African debt management agency UMOA-Titres last Monday (Feb 19), bringing the total default over US$500 million (671.81 million), since the nation’s coup and its suspension from regional financial markets. It previously missed payments in August, November, January and February. Hundred of millions of dollars of aid, which accounts for almost half of Niger’s annual budget, was supended amid the nation’s troubles. More than 70 percent of its electricity, supplied by Nigeria, was cut off, while transactions with West African countries were suspended and assets in external banks were frozen. Some of the sanctions placed by ECOWAS were lifted last Saturday (Feb 24) on “humanitarian grounds” as Niger’s government grapples with its crises.
