Week 176 (11-17/10/2022)
eek’s highlights:
Facebook has warned that they might disabled sharing news content on its platform as a response to Canada proposed legislation that would compel digital platforms to pay news publishers. Picture : Reuters
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
In Iran, a teenage boy has been shot and died during a protest to defend Mahsa Amini’s death that is still progressing (20/10). Abolfazl Adinezadeh, skipped school to join the protest yet got shot during the clash. However, as reported in the student’s death certificate, it was caused by liver and kidney damage.
Amnesty International said that the reformation of the international workers' regulations in Qatar should continue to be processed even after the FIFA World Cup 2022 (20/10). From the Amnesty International data, international workers’ human rights abuses persist on a significant scale. As reported, the scale peaked during the FIFA World Cup 2022 preparation.
In a government clash, at least 50 people died in Chad (21/10). The clash started as a protest demanding democracy in the country. Saleh Kebzabo, Prime Minister of Chad, said that the clash happened because some protesters were armed.
A giraffe killed a child in a South African wild reserve (20/10). The child was trampled by the giraffe in Kuleni Game Park, Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa. As reported, the authority said that it is very rare that a giraffe would attack visitors.
ASIA
At least eight people were killed in a shootout that broke out when bombs concealed in packages exploded at Myanmar's largest jail on Wednesday (19/10), according to state media and a witness. In a statement shared on social media, an armed anti-junta gang claimed responsibility for the assault at Insein Prison, claiming it was "retaliation against (junta chief) Min Aung Hlaing." Three jail employees, five visitors, and 18 other persons were murdered and injured in the explosions that were brought on by "mines within parcels." An injured witness reported that after the bombs went off at the parcel counter, there was additional gunfire.
Following the deaths of over 100 children and an unexplained rise in acute kidney failures, Indonesia has stopped selling all syrup and liquid medications (20/10). The country's Health Ministry on Wednesday imposed a ban that will last until authorities’ complete their investigation on unregistered medical syrups that may contain toxic ingredients. A representative for the health ministry stated that investigators were looking into 206 cases of acute kidney failures in youngsters, majority of whom were under the age of six, and 99 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) placed the restriction after discovering a connection between four cough syrups made in India and up to 70 infants who died in The Gambia, West Africa, from acute kidney failure. Indian authorities closed down a New Delhi plant that produced the medications earlier this month.
In an effort to aid in its recovery from the devastating floods that resulted in significant financial losses this summer, Pakistan announced plans to host an international donors' conference (21/10). In order to raise money for the nation, which is among the most climate-vulnerable states while producing less than 1% of the world's carbon emissions, the United Nations and France have also offered to host a donors' conference. However, a lot of analysts think that it will continue to be difficult to provide the necessary cash because of the world's struggling economy, the escalating energy crisis, and Western concerns over Pakistan's geopolitical affiliations.
After months of delays brought on by the conflict in Ukraine, the Indian space agency reports that its rocket has successfully launched 36 internet satellites for the UK-based satellite company OneWeb into orbit (23/10). The mission, which was a component of a business deal between the government-run company New Space India Limited and OneWeb, was declared successful by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) early on Sunday. Since severing ties with the Russian Space Agency in March over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, it was OneWeb's maiden launch. Despite the setback this year, the British corporation claimed it is still on pace to launch a constellation of 648 satellites that will provide global coverage in 2019. In the most northern latitudes, service is already being offered.
AUSTRALIA AND PACIFIC
Fiji is still not a fully-fledged democracy, according to a Pacific media expert (16/10), and is healing from the effects of the 2006 coup - the country's fourth since obtaining independence 52 years ago. Nearly 690,000 Fijians have registered to vote at 1468 polling places during the highly anticipated parliamentary elections. The election date has not yet been announced, but nine political parties are formally contesting for 55 parliamentary seats.
The pro-independence UPM party of New Caledonia announced on Wednesday whether it would attend the upcoming Paris discussions on New Caledonia's new constitution (17/10). The anti-independence parties and the Pacific Awakening party, the ethnic Wallisian party and kingmaker in New Caledonia's Congress, will be present. The FLNKS (need to spell out the abbreviation) refuses to acknowledge the outcome of the December referendum on independence from France as the legal consequence of the decolonization process.
Tonga seeks to expand its exports of fresh agricultural products to international markets (12/10). The availability and cost of shipping have long been a major factor influencing commerce. Inconsistent shipment intervals is one of the issues, according to the Tonga Market Access Working Group. The workshop was organized by the Tonga Market Access Working Group (Tonga MAWG) in partnership with the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program, which is financed by Australia and New Zealand. It intended to sustain Tonga's agricultural trade with essential markets, such as Australia and New Zealand, and assist Tonga in "navigating" new feasible export routes.
Guam's government will write to the Pacific Islands Forum to inquire about membership. This comes amid continued worries regarding the tenuousness of ties between other northern Pacific states and the region's highest political agency. Guam stated that it desires to join the Forum in order to participate in talks that will promote regionalism. Currently, it is an associate member alongside the two United States Pacific territories, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.
EUROPE
United Kingdom Prime Minister Liz Truss has resigned from the position after less than 45 days in office. After announcing her resignation on Thursday (20/10), Liz Truss said that the Conservative party election for the new Prime Minister will be held this week. All other parties including the Labour, The Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish Nationalist Party has called for general election to be held, saying that the decision should be put to the people. Former PM Boris Johnson, The Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt and Rishi Sunak are among the leading candidates that might replace Liz Truss. Currently, only Ms Mordaunt and Mr. Sunak have officially announced their candidacy for the role of Prime Minister.
In the latest phase of the war, Russia has attacked Ukraine power grid, threatening the country’s energy supply for the winter. Using drones and other smart weapons, Russia has targeted Ukraine's energy grid. While officials said that electricity had been restored, Ukraine's national energy operator, Ukrenergo, warned that the damages may be greater compared to the earlier attack. It is estimated that Russia has destroyed a third of Ukraine's power stations and other energy-generating facilities since Monday (17/10) in a wave of airstrikes.
Giorgia Meloni, the leader of Italy Brothers of Italy far-right party formally accepted the role as the newest Italian Prime Minister after meeting with President Sergio Matarella on Saturday (22/10). She will be in coalition with another Italian far-right party, The League and Forza Italia. This will mark the first time a woman will be given the role of Prime Minister in Italy. To dissuade her critics, especially after the leader of Forza Italia Silvio Berlusconi make some remarks that supports Russia, Meloni has assured Italy western allies that Italy foreign policy will be aligned with NATO and EU, especially on Ukraine.
Slovenia held their Presidential election on Sunday (23/10). This election was seen by many as a test of Slovenia's liberal government. While the role of the President is ceremonial in nature, the President leads the country's armed forces and appoints officials to top positions including the governor of the central bank. The opinion polls projected Right-wing candidate AnzeLogar will secure 30% of the vote followed by centrist candidate Natasa Pirc Musar on 20%. With the poll suggest that no candidates will secure 50% of the votes, the vote will most likely will go to run-off between the two candidates with the largest number of votes.
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Cuba is listed as a "state sponsor of terrorism" by the U.S. Department of State (20/10). Most banks refuse to process Cuban payments, cementing the Caribbean nation's pariah status. The designation contributes to barren pharmacy shelves and long lines for food. It was taken off in 2015 as part of the Obama administration's rapprochement with Cuba.
Brazil’s national electoral authority is announcing moves to crack down harder on online disinformation in a fierce presidential campaign between far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and leftist challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (21/10). Superior Electoral Court (TSE) announces a tougher stance on online disinformation. Measures are intended to curb "knowingly untrue or gravely decontextualized information". Bolsonaro camp has complained TSE has told it not to run ads calling Lula "corrupt" and a "thief".
The area of coca cultivation expanded to a vast 204,000 hectares (504,100 acres) (21/10). Colombia is already the world's largest cocaine producer. President Gustavo Petro has called the war on drugs a failure. Most of Colombia's cocaine heads to Europe and the United States.
The future of the Brazil Amazon, largest rainforest in the world hangs in the balance (22/10). The remoteness of the Yanomami territory is the reason for its beauty - as well as its strife. They live a hunter-gatherer lifestyle on a reserve the size of Portugal. The mercury used to extract gold from the mine upstream has poisoned these once-crystal clear waters. There are estimated to be around 20,000 illegal miners working in the region. Jair Bolsonaro has proposed a law that would legalize mining on indigenous areas.
THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Facebook has warned that they might disabled sharing news content on its platform as a respond to Canada proposed legislation that would compel digital platforms to pay news publishers. The Online News Act that was introduced in April would force company such as Facebook and Google to negotiate deals and pays new publishers in exchange for using their news content in their platforms. This law has some similarities with another law that was passed in Australia last year. Canada Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said that they are asking for digital platforms that benefit massively from the news content to negotiate fair deals with the news publishers.
Canada has moved to ban new handguns sales in the latest policy to control gun violence. Starting from Friday (21/10), the law will bar anyone from buying, selling and transferring handguns within Canada. Canada Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has announced this policy since May as a response to the US mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York.
Mexico currently preparing for Hurricane Roslyn that is projected to make landfall on Mexico Pacific states. Mexico officials have declared a hurricane warning in the states of Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit and Sinaloa that is bordering the Pacific Ocean. It is projected to bring up to 8-10 inches of rain and wind as fast as 150km. There are reports of floods in several states with some areas are without power. Mexican authorities has moved to open emergency shelter along the coastal areas of Nayarit and bordering Jalisco states.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has urged both the United States and Venezuela to restore relations, saying that it is crucial to facilitate the return of migrant back to Venezuela. President Obrador has said that the US needs to expand Venezuela humanitarian access beyond its current limit of 24,000 people. President Obrador said that “We're going to be asking that they give out more."