Week 182 (29/11-05/12/2022)

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, agreed to strengthen security along Lake Chad's borders (30/11). The president believed that the war between Russia and Ukraine channeled fighters and arms to Sahel Region and Western Africa through the borders. The arms are believed will be used by combatants and terrorists.

Meanwhile, in Zambia, the Finance Ministry of Zambia explained that the country is on track to restructure its debt (1/12). The Covid-19 pandemics and economic mismanagement are behind the reasons for Zambian economic turmoil. Further, Zambian's largest creditor is China.

In the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar, Japan shocked the world after beating Germany and Spain (2/12). Japan crushed the football giants with a surprise score. Japan will move to the knockout phase of the cup.

Saudi Arabia will bid the host right of FIFA World Cup 2030 (1/12). The bid will be carried together with Greek and Egypt as co-hosts. Further, for international sporting event host, Saudi Arabia already secured its bid for the Asian Winter Games 2029, Formula 1 racing series, and others.

ASIA

According to officials, Indonesia's parliament is set to enact a new criminal code this month that will punish sex outside marriage with up to a year in prison (02/12). In addition, criticizing the president or state institutions, as well as expressing any opinions at odds with Indonesia's state ideology, will be prohibited by the legislative revision. Cohabitation before marriage is also prohibited. If adopted, the code would apply to both Indonesians and foreigners, raising concerns from business groups about the impact the regulations would have on Indonesia's reputation as a tourist and investment destination.

Sanctions against three senior North Korean officials connected to the nation's most recent missile launches have been put in place by the US and its Asian allies (03/12). This year, Pyongyang launched a record-breaking 60 ballistic missiles and conducted several intercontinental ballistic missile tests. According to reports, Jon Il Ho, Yu Jin, and Kim Su Gil "played key roles" in the development of the weapons. Sanctions have also been imposed by the EU, South Korea, and Japan. Western nations have long imposed strict restrictions on North Korea. All US-based assets owned by North Korean officials will be frozen as a result of these new measures. They won't be allowed to do business with any US companies or people.

Mount Semeru in Indonesia has erupted, sending ash rising into the sky and forcing evacuations on the country's major island, Java (04/12). The volcano's activity increased, so officials elevated the alert level to the highest one. Although there have been no injuries reported, almost 2,000 people have been evacuated from the volcano's vicinity. People have been advised to stay at least 8 km (or 5 miles) away after Semeru released "hot avalanches" of lava. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that 1,969 people, including children and elders, had been evacuated as volcanic ash and monsoon rain were raining on surrounding settlements. Six communities, at least, had been impacted.

After a six-month journey onboard China's space station, three Chinese astronauts have returned to Earth (05/12). They left for space on June 5 to supervise the Tiangong space station's last phase of construction, which was finished in November. On Sunday, the crew of the Shenzhou-14 spacecraft landed in Inner Mongolia, a Chinese autonomous province. According to China's space agency, the operation was a "total success."

AUSTRALIA AND PACIFIC

The number of current cases of covid-19 in Niue has risen to 59 (5/11), with five new cases reported during the most recent reporting period. The outbreak has caused staffing shortages at the Niue Hospital. The administration stated in a statement that new health safeguards had been introduced to protect hospital staff. The outpatient entrance in front of the hospital will be closed to the public as of Monday, local time.

An alleged forgery and fraud charge involving former French Polynesian president Gaston Flosse related to a Paris real estate deal has been dismissed by the French judicial system. In 2018, Gaston Flosse and his son Reginald were accused of falsifying management documents for a home they co-owned with Flosse's ex-wife. In place of his father, Reginald Flosse was appointed manager of the holding firm. When the property was sold in 2011, the state took the revenues.

Pro-independence groups in New Caledonia have advocated adopting the Kanak flag as the territory's official flag (02/11). Currently, the Kanak flag and the French tricolor are flown together, although the independence symbol has no official validity. The adjustment was proposed to the New Caledonian Congress while the French Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin, continues his visit to the territory.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese says he understands the states' worry that placing a price restriction on coal may have a negative impact on their royalties, but argues that something must be done to reduce energy costs (04/11). The government is currently finalizing its strategy to intervene in the energy market in an effort to prevent a predicted increase in electricity rates. The October budget predicted that electricity prices would increase by 56% and gas prices by 44% over the next two years, partly due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

EUROPE

The European Union has agreed to enact a price cap on Russian oil trade. The price cap also includes G7 countries and other western allies that oppose Russian war in Ukraine. The price cap will be set on $60 per barrel and will come into effect from Monday (05/12). The price cap will aim to reduce the oil revenue that the Russian used to fund their war in Ukraine. The price cap aimed to ensuring energy supply for third world countries while minimizing the revenue that the Russian got from the oil trade.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held talks in Minsk on Saturday (03/12) to discuss military cooperation and regional security. The meeting comes amidst the setback that the Russian military suffers in Ukraine.

Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticised the decision by the European Union to withhold fund for Hungary. He said that the decision to withhold the fund were “politically motivated.” The European Union withhold the fund in the sum of €7.5 billion in development because of concerns towards Hungary budget. European Union said that Hungary has failed to implement the reforms needed to receive the funding.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed for further prisoner swap. Russian official in Donetsk confirmed the news on Thursday (1/12). The latest prisoner swap includes 50 individuals including people that defend the city of Mariupol and Azovstal steel complex.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Jamaica's National Council on Reparations is examining the case for pressing Richard Drax for damages (30/11). Drax family among earliest English colonists to establish sugar plantations built on slave labour. Millions of Africans were enslaved and transported across the Atlantic by Europeans and Americans as a labour force. Jamaica should join Barbados in pressing a case for reparations from slave trader Richard Drax's family, Prof Rosamunde Jones has said. The National Council on Reparations should investigate "where that money from Jamaica went", Ms Jones said.

In Southern Peru, drought has affected areas such as Cconchaccota lagoon (2/12). The area is experiencing its driest period in almost a half century. A light rain last week — only the second in almost eight months — prompted residents to collect water. Vilma Huamaní moved from Lima to Cconchaccota in 2020 to escape a coronavirus pandemic. Residents say their appeals to local authorities for help went unanswered for more than two months. The Andes is one of the world's most sensitive regions to climate migrations. Global warming has caused glacier loss in the Andes from 30% to more than 50% of their area.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has launched the fifth phase of his controversial "Territorial Control Plan" Called 'Extraction', it is intended to tighten control of El Salvador's major cities (4/12). The operation began this weekend with 10,000 members of the security forces descending on Soyapango. Zoyla managed to get them freed after their employer provided assurances that they were not involved in gang activities. Marta, an 18-year-old psychology student, is facing another six months in legal limbo. Former MS-13 member William Arias, an evangelical pastor and former member himself, was among those detained.

In Colombia, the Government has made an agreement with ELN rebels for indigenous people to return to their lands (4/12). Colombia's left-wing President Gustavo Petro did not say when the Embera would return to their lands. They had fled violence between drug gangs, outlawed right-wing armed groups and the ELN. Many of the displaced Embera now live in Colombia's capital, Bogota.

THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Russia on Friday (2/12) has rejected the offer from the United States to mediate its conflict with Ukraine. A day after President Joe Biden indicate his willingness to negotiate with Russia to end the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin responded by saying that while Russia remained open to contacts and negotiations, The United States needs to “recognize new territories as part of Russia.” This in an apparent reference to the “annexation” of Ukraine territory by Russia. This negotiating position is unacceptable to Ukraine after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the war could not end until Ukraine had reclaimed all its territory from Russia.

United States Air Force has unveils its latest generation of strategic bombers on Friday (2/12). The aircraft, named the B-21 Raider is the first new American bomber in more than 30 years. Equipped with stealth technology and modular bomber bay, the aircraft will be able to accommodate future weapon system. This unveiling comes in the midst of increase rivalry between the United States and China.

The United States President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron met on Washington D.C. on Wednesday (30/11). The state visit include visit to NASA, a dinner at White House and a visit to New Orleans. The President Macron visit specially to discuss regarding United States Inflation Reduction Act. President Macron brings with him the concern from some U.S. European allies that the Inflation Reduction act will create a protectionist policy that will disadvantage European companies.

Mexico government has said that they seek tangible solutions to energy dispute with United States and Canada. Mexico has proposed additional talk to with the United States and Canada to avoid escalation after breakdown in discussion regarding Mexico nationalistic energy policy. Both the United States and Canada has argued that Mexico energy policy is in violation of USMCA trade pack. On its statement, Mexico Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro has proposed the establishment of a “traditional working group” that will meet on December and early January to discuss the detail.