Week 178 (1-7/11/2022)
Russia has stated that they will continue to uphold the UN-backed grain deal after previously threaten to walk out of the deal. Picture Source : CNN
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
In Jordan, a bilateral meeting between the Jordanian Foreign Minister and the Russian Foreign Minister discussed the Syrian situation (3/11). Ayman Safadi and Sergey Lavrov address that the meeting was fruitful and hope for more cooperation in the future. Further, Mr. Lavrov is expecting good outcomes from Jordan at the Arab Summit in Aljazair in the coming week.
Saudi Arabia is becoming a simulation target in an alleged video from Iran (3/11). A telegram channel video that allegedly linked with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) posted a video of an attack simulation in Saudi Arabia. As reported, the Iranian authorities reject the report regarding the issue.
Meanwhile, in Mali, Russia will send food fertilizers, and fuel to help the Malian people (3/11). The Malian government is taking a closer step toward Moscow as the anti-France movement is rising. The aid package is valued at around $100 million.
Cleanwatts, a Portuguese clean technology start-up set up solar panels to help Sao Tome & Principe tackle energy problems (3/11). The cooperation is meant to help the country's utility and energy issues. As reported, the country only accounts for 76% of power coverage for its people.
ASIA
Imran Khan, a former prime minister of Pakistan, has survived a gunshot that took place at a political gathering on Thursday (03/11) and was described as an assassination attempt by his party. The attack left one person dead, several others injured, and it ignited protests from Khan's fans. Khan was transported from the rally venue to Lahore, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive away, for medical attention. His conditions were stable.
According to a South Korean government source, North Korea's alleged launch of its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) failed on Thursday morning as Pyongyang increased its battery of missile tests against the backdrop of US and South Korean military drills that were supposed to end on Friday (4/11). However, Washington and Seoul decided to continue those extensive drills through Saturday just hours after the ostensibly unsuccessful test. South Korean Air Force earlier on Thursday said that the two nations had decided to extend the "Vigilant Storm" military training exercises because "it was necessary to demonstrate a solid combined defense posture of the bilateral alliance under the current security crisis, which has been exacerbated by North Korea's provocations."
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on the verge of a stunning comeback as preliminary results indicated he was on track to gain a parliamentary majority with the support of the far right (04/11). As of Tuesday's election, 90.7% of the ballots had been counted, and Mr. Netanyahu's group is expected to take 65 of the 120 seats. He exclaimed to his euphoric fans in Jerusalem, "We are near to a tremendous victory. He will need the backing of the ultra-nationalist Religious Zionism party, though.”
During talks with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked China to use its influence with Russia to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine (05/11). Both nations had agreed, according to Mr. Scholz, that Russia's nuclear threats were "irresponsible and extremely dangerous." The invasion by Vladimir Putin has received no condemnation from the Chinese leadership. However, he said that the world community should support efforts to resolve the problem amicably and reject the use or threat of nuclear weapons, according to Chinese news.
AUSTRALIA AND PACIFIC
Former prime minister of Australia, Scott Morrison has been warned against leaking sensitive national security material to the media(07/11). Mr. Morrison disclosed to the authors Geoff Chambers and Simon Benson for their book Plagued that he had surreptitiously taken on five ministries. Additionally, he disclosed critical cabinet and national security information. Attorney General and Cabinet Secretary Mark Dreyfus warned Mr. Morrison to stop leaking in a letter dated Monday.
In the shadowy amphitheater of a conference center in south Auckland,New Zealand (07/11) a young choir swayed as throngs waited for Jacinda Ardern to take the stage. This year, that optimism will be put to the test. Even while leaders emphasized a message of hope and sought to rally members, they cautioned of impending challenges: Ardern forecast "economic storm clouds forming" and a worsening international outlook before it improves.
Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are vital economic and commercial partners for China, according to Qian Bo, the Chinese ambassador to Fiji (06/11) . Recently, he stated this during a briefing for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Suva. According to Chinese statistics, the overall trade volume between China and PICs with diplomatic relations with China increased from $US153 million to $US5.3 billion between 1992 and 2021.
On Thursday (04/11), The Edgewater Resort, Cook Island is hosting the annual Pacific Tourism Organisation Board and Council of Ministers meetings. On Wednesday, the country will also host the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit. The summit represents the conclusion of efforts to develop and promote the Pacific as a leader in sustainable tourism on a worldwide scale. Petero Manufolau, the chairman of the Pacific Tourism Organisation, stated that the organization would continue to protect the unique and natural assets of the Pacific while promoting a clean and green tourism economy.
EUROPE
France's largest far-right party, National Rally (RN) has chosen Jordan Bardella as the replacement for the outgoing party leader Marine Le Pen. Mrs. Le Pen will focus instead on leading the party parliamentary group. This marks the first time in the party's 50 years history that it will not be led by someone named Le Pen after previously the party was led by Jean-Marie Le Pen, Mrs. Le Pen's father. Jordan Bardella has said that he aims to build on the legacy of Le Pen.
Ethnic Serbs who lived in Northern Kosovo has threatened to quit state jobs after row over license plates. Kosovo authorities in Pristina have declared on Saturday (05/11) that ethnic Serbs must change their license plates from the one issued by Serbia to the one issued by Kosovo. Following a meeting of Serb political leader, the Minister of Communities and Returns Goran Rakic said that he would resign from his position over the issue followed by fellow Serbs in government, police and courts. The European Union who has been mediating the issue between Serbia and Kosovo has urged restraint and warns that the move could inflame tension between the two ethnic groups.
For the first time since the war in Ukraine began, Iran has acknowledge that they sent drones to Russia on Saturday (05/11). Iran has insisted that the drones were sent before the war began and only sent a small amount of drones. This acknowledgement comes after Russia used an Iranian drone to attack Ukraine energy infrastructure, sending the country into an energy crisis amidst the coming winter. Iran Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian claimed that Iran has reached an agreement with Ukraine to review evidence regarding Iran drone in Ukraine.
Russia has stated that they will continue to uphold the UN-backed grain deal after previously threatening to walk out of the deal. The decision reversing the course was announced on Wednesday (2/11) just a day after Russia withdrew from the deal. After speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the agreement would resume on Wednesday (2/11). The UN has welcomed Russia’s decision to the pact and was grateful for Turkey's facilitator.
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Trinidad and Tobago's regime illegitimate actions in their ongoing, questionable, and dangerous support of Maduro could cause the US to impose costly and detrimental sanctions (2/11). The Guardian notes that Trinidad and Tobago's possible violation of the sanctions that the US has imposed against Venezuela could open our country up to US sanctions. Trinidad and Tobago is the biggest beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), under which we receive trade preferences. These grant duty and quota-free access to the US to the tune of US$400 million (TT$2.8 billion) annually. Any sanctions can, therefore, deplete our already deeply strained revenue stream.
The presidents of Colombia and Venezuela agree to improve trade and security ties (2/11). Gustavo Petro says it is "suicidal" for the governments of the two countries to have become estranged. Colombia's president has asked for Venezuela's support in peace talks with the ELN rebel group. Human Rights Watch has called for an end to diplomatic and military ties between Venezuela and Colombia. Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Guaidó accused Petro of "normalizing" the violation of human rights.
US embargo on Cuba is criticized by the UN General Assembly, 185-2 votes in favor of a resolution denouncing the embargo on Cuba (3/11). 185 countries vote in favor of a non-binding resolution condemning the embargo, with the US and Israel voting against and Brazil and Ukraine abstaining. It was the 30th time the UN has voted to condemn the US policy, which has been in place for decades.
There is an unusual sustainable business on Amazon river, Brazil that turns pirarucu skin to a fashion item (4/11). In Amazonian protected areas, indigenous people collaborate with non-indigenous riverine inhabitants to maintain the pirarucu. The U.S. is the main market for the majority of it, which is exported. Pirarucu leather is used by the upscale company Piper & Skye in New York for fashion item that cost up to $850.
THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
The United States has urged Mexico to address its concern regarding Mexico energy policies. The U.S. trade representative in July requested dispute settlement consultation with Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). On Thursday (3/11), the U.S. Trade Representative met with Mexico Economic Minister Raquel Buenrostro. Both Mexico and the US Trade Representative have said that they agreed to stay in close communication with each other during the dispute settlement process.
Canada Armed Forces (CAF) has announced on Friday (04/11) that Canada permanent residents are now allowed to enlist as the military struggles with low recruitment numbers. Previously, permanent residence was only eligible for certain roles in the military, especially on training or on special basis. The move comes after the CAF had sound and urgency in September over a severe shortage to fulfil thousands of vacant positions.
On Thursday (03/11), The United States State Department has announced that the Nuclear Agreement between Mexico and the United States has come into force. The State Department said that the agreement will enhance cooperation on energy security between both countries. This agreement will also pave the way for future cooperation on delicate matters such as peaceful transfer of nuclear material, equipment and information from the U.S. in adherence to the Non Proliferation Treaty.
Mexico has agreed to provide further $ 1.5 Billion to help the United States manage migrants on the southern border. The agreement was discussed Tuesday (2/11) when Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador met with The United States President Joe Biden at the White House. The agreement will cover construction projects around the U.S.-Mexico border to strengthen the U.S. ability to screen and process migrants according to White House officials.