Global Developments and Analysis: Weekly Monitor, 25 October- 31 October

Economic

Japan automakers take the hard road

The government's pledge to make the nation carbon neutral by 2050, reaffirmed by Kishida, has come under fire all year from the auto sector. Figures including Akio Toyoda, head of the industry lobby group as well as the president of the world's largest car manufacturer Toyota Motor, question how the target will be achieved. While acknowledging the need for carbon neutrality, Toyoda issued a stark political warning that seemed to clash with the COP26 goal of speeding up the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Japan should not narrow its focus solely to EVs, but rather "search for options that suit Japanese circumstances," he said at a news conference hosted by the auto lobby in September. That was a rebuff to the official aim of a rapid transition to electric-powered vehicles and an end to sales of new gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. "In carbon neutrality, our enemy is carbon -- not the internal combustion engine," Toyoda added. So far, Honda Motor is the only Japanese automaker to announce a complete phaseout of gasoline cars, including hybrids. It has vowed to sell only EVs and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) by 2040. Japan's heavy dependence on fossil fuels means that even many electric cars are currently partly produced, and even powered, by burning coal. Click here to read... [2]

G20 disappoints on key climate target as eyes turn to Glasgow

The G20 major economies committed on Oct 31 to the key goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, but some disappointed leaders warned more was needed to make a success of UN climate talks beginning in Glasgow. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the host of the COP26 summit that opened on Oct 31, said the pledge from world leaders after two days of talks in Rome was "not enough", and warned of the dire consequences for the planet. The G20 nations between them emit nearly 80 per cent of carbon emissions, and a firm commitment on action was viewed as vital for the success of the UN's COP26. US President Joe Biden said the summit made "tangible" progress on many issues but said he found it "disappointing" that Russia and China, whose leaders attended only via video link, did not offer stronger climate pledges. In a final communiqué, the G20 reaffirmed its support for the goals in the landmark 2015 Paris climate accords, to keep "the global average temperature increase well below 2 degrees and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels".Click here to read... [3]

Australia targets net zero emissions by 2050 without legislation

Australia, long under fire as one of world's top producers of coal and gas, said it will target net zero carbon emissions by 2050, but added it will not legislate the goal and instead rely on consumers and companies to drive emission reductions. The adoption of the target will ease international criticism after Australia earlier refused to join countries in pledging to meet the target ahead of the United Nations COP26 climate conference in Glasgow from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia, one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases on a per capita basis, will achieve the target largely through technology development, with the government investing A$20 billion ($15 billion).The investment will reduce the costs of technologies such as clean hydrogen and increase their use, he said. Morrison has been in a political bind over climate change. He needs the support of rural votes who oppose the reducing emissions as he heads into an election that must take place by May. Morrison also said Australia will not strengthen its 2030 target of reducing emissions by 26-28% from 2005 levels but added the country looks like it will reduce emissions by 30-35%.Click here to read... [4]

China issues action plan on saving food amid warnings of global shortage

China has issued an action plan on saving food to push forward the implementation of the Anti-Food Waste Law that was adopted in April on the backdrop of a potential world food shortage. Food prices have been spiking globally, partly due to the disrupted global food supply chain. The global Agricultural Commodity Price Index stabilized in the third quarter of 2021 but remains 25% higher than a year ago, according to the World Bank. In China, people have been complaining about the vegetable prices that are skyrocketing. Other food categories also became more expensive.The action plan issued recently emphasized the goal of reducing waste from production to consumption, vowing to continue the "clean plate campaign" and effectively rein in the food waste. The action plan has 28 specific requirements and on the consumption end, it urged the catering industry and canteens to offer small-sized food, advising customers on ordering and monitoring the purchase and use of food. A diet of whole grain will be promoted among the public to replace the past diet depending heavily on deeply processed grains. Leftovers should be categorized for further use, perhaps as animal feed. Click here to read... [5]

Printing coupons and eating swans: N. Korea innovates amid food, economic woes

From printing coupons as replacement cash to breeding ornamental black swans to eat, North Korea is being forced to innovate to handle economic woes and food shortages as anti-pandemic border lockdowns drag on, reports suggest. With the harvest coming to an end, international observers say North Korea's food and economic situation is perilous, and there are signs that it is increasing trade and receiving large shipments of humanitarian aid via China. South Korea’s intelligence agency told a closed-door parliamentary hearing on Oct 28 that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had issued orders calling for every grain of rice to be secured and all-out efforts devoted to farming, according to lawmakers at the briefing. Still, the spy agency assessed that this harvest may be better than last year's because of sunnier weather, and it said North Korea was taking steps to reopen its border with China and Russia in coming months, the lawmakers told reporters. Kim Jong Un has acknowledged a "tense" food situation and apologized for sacrifices citizens had to make to prevent a coronavirus outbreak. Click here to read... [6]

China's COSCO raises stake in top Greek port Piraeus to 67%

State-owned China COSCO Shipping, China's top maritime freight company, has lifted its stake in Greece's largest port to 67%, tightening control over an important link in the country's Belt and Road initiative. An event was held Oct 25 to mark the completion of the transfer to COSCO of an additional 16% stake in the Mediterranean Sea port of Piraeus, a container ship hub for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. COSCO says China's involvement in Piraeus has helped it develop, citing increased container traffic through the port. But the Chinese presence remains contentious, both among locals accusing COSCO of failing to meet its obligations, and among countries like the U.S. that have expressed concern over possible military uses. COSCO acquired a 51% stake in operator Piraeus Port Authority in 2016 for about 280 million euros ($326 million at current rates). It has provided no further details about this additional investment. The 2016 agreement stipulated that the shipper would receive the additional stake only if it completed investments in the port worth 300 million euros by 2021. The list of promised projects included expanding capacity for cruise ships and boosting shipbuilding infrastructure, but most remain incomplete, the Financial Times reported. Click here to read... [7]

Seoul holds biggest ever defense show as arms race fears grow

The five-day Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition, or ADEX, was buzzing with military officers, sales representatives, and ordinary citizens snapping thousands of pieces of weaponry and military equipment on display from 440 companies representing 28 nations. Inside halls showed drones, robots, aerospace equipment and laser arms, while jet fighters, helicopters, tanks and missile interceptors were displayed on an airstrip. South Korea is ramping up defense spending as concerns grow about a growing arms race in Asia to counter an increasingly aggressive China. "The Republic of Korea aims to have smart forces based on state-of-the-art science technology," President Moon Jae-in and in a speech at the fair on Oct 27. "We will make the defense industry as a key growth engine of the country beyond national defense."Seoul is not hiding its ambitions to becoming a military powerhouse by developing its own jet fighters and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The country is the world's sixth-biggest arms exporter with 550 companies employing 45,000 people. South Korea's military recently conducted its first successful underwater test of a domestically developed submarine-launched ballistic missile, and growing number of politicians in the country are calling for the development of a nuclear-powered submarine. Click here to read... [8]

Australia Backs $1.6 Billion Buy of Pacific Mobile Networks

Australia is backing the purchase of mobile networks in six Pacific countries, a move that foreign-policy experts say is designed to block a military rival from buying the strategically important assets. The government said its export-finance arm agreed to provide $1.33 billion in funding to support the $1.6 billion purchase by Telstra Corp., Australia’s biggest communications provider, of the networks in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. The networks, being bought from Jamaica-based Digicel Group, are adjacent to subsea cables that carry communications between Australia and its neighbours. “It’s ensuring that a potential adversarial power doesn’t own infrastructure which would impact on not just Australia’s communications capabilities, but also its military capabilities,” said John Lee, a senior fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. “Underwater warfare is increasingly important and these cables are directly relevant to that.” Australia has been seeking to raise its profile in the Pacific and invest more in a region dominated since World War II by the U.S. and its allies but increasingly courted by China. Click here to read... [9]

Europe’s Push to Loosen Russian Influence on Gas Prices Bites Back

For years, the European Union tried to loosen Russia’s iron grip on its gas supplies by fostering a competitive import market. Those efforts have boomeranged this year as supplies run short, setting off an energy crisis across the Continent.European energy ministers met Oct 26 to address the shortage, which is stinging homeowners and lifting prices for goods from metals to fertilizers. But there is little they can do to boost supplies immediately, and Russia isn’t helping. European officials and companies over the past decade successfully pressured Russian energy giant Gazprom PJSC, which is by far the bloc’s largest supplier, to replace long-term contracts linked to the price of oil with sales based on the real-time market price for gas. It was part of a broader effort, opposed by Gazprom, to foster a deeper marketplace where a diversity of gas suppliers competed for Europe’s business. But it only got part of the way. Russia remained the dominant supplier, giving Moscow huge influence over one of Europe’s leading sources of electric power and home heating. When gas was in ample supply, the switch paid off. For much of the past decade, gas was cheaper than oil. With gas now scarce, prices are skyrocketing. Click here to read... [10]

US, EU embrace trade deal as marking 'new era' in relations

US President Joe Biden and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen onOct 31 saluted what they called a "new era" in the transatlantic relationship with an agreement reached in Rome to lift steel and aluminium tariffs. US officials said the agreements would not only avert punishing tariffs put in place by former president Donald Trump but lead to "cleaner" steel, lower inflation and badly needed improvements in snarled global supply chains. "The United States and the European Union are ushering in a new era of transatlantic cooperation that's going to benefit all of our people, both now and I believe in the years to come," Biden said in a press conference with von der Leyen at the G20 summit. Washington and the European Union reached the tariff-lifting agreement Oct 30, resolving a conflict that had poisoned trade links between Washington and Brussels since they were declared by the Trump administration. "This marks a milestone in a renewed EU-US partnership," von der Leyen said Oct 31. "We have restored trust and communication." Click here to read... [11]

China applies to join digital economy pact, confirming Xi Jinping’s G20 speech

China has applied to join the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), the commerce ministry said on Nov 01. China said the agreement will help China’s cooperation with member countries in the digital economy. The pact currently covers Singapore, New Zealand and Chile, while Canada has expressed an interest to join it. The statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed a speech by President Xi Jinping during the Group of 20 (G20) leaders’ summit in Rome on Oct 31. “China attaches great importance to international cooperation on the digital economy,” Xi Jinping said in a virtual speech. “China stands ready to work with all parties for the healthy and orderly development of the digital economy.” White House officials are discussing proposals for a digital trade agreement covering Indo-Pacific economies as the administration seeks ways to check China’s influence in the region, people familiar with the plans said in July. Advocates for such an accord had suggested that it could draw on existing arrangements in the region, including DEPA. It is unclear as yet what China’s planned application to DEPA would mean for the proposal. Click here to read... [12]

Saudi Arabia’s rivalry with Dubai for regional HQs heats up

Saudi officials are talking to 7,000 companies around the world about opening regional headquarters in the kingdom, offering tax breaks and other incentives to turn their desert capital into a global business hub that rivals Dubai. More than 40 multinational companies including Baker Hughes Co., KPMG and Schlumberger received licenses on Oct 27 as part of the new program to facilitate business. The firms will get exemptions from work visa limits, eased regulations, and help with the relocation of staff, officials said. Other companies that have signed up include Deloitte, Pepsico, Unilever, Siemens Mobility and Philips, according to a presentation at an investment conference in Riyadh. “The region simply has untapped potential and the largest untapped potential is the kingdom and the city of Riyadh,” Fahd Al-Rasheed, chief executive of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, said in an interview. “We are going to make sure we take our share, which is going to be the lion’s share of the business in the region.” Officials are talking to major companies with annual revenues of a billion dollars or more, Al-Rasheed said, with the aim of getting 480 of them to set up in Saudi Arabia by 2030. Click here to read... [13]

In the middle of a crisis, Facebook Inc. renames itself Meta

An embattled Facebook Inc. is changing its name to Meta Platforms Inc., or Meta for short, to reflect what CEO Mark Zuckerberg says is its commitment to developing the new surround-yourself technology known as the “metaverse.” But the social network itself will still be called Facebook. Sceptics immediately accused the company Oct 28 of trying to change the subject from the Facebook Papers, the trove of leaked documents that have plunged it into the biggest crisis since it was founded in Zuckerberg's Harvard dorm room 17 years ago. The documents portray Facebook as putting profits ahead of ridding its platform of hate, political strife and misinformation around the world. Marketing consultant Laura Ries likened the move to BP rebranding itself to “Beyond Petroleum” to escape criticism that the oil giant harmed the environment. “They can’t walk away from the social network with a new corporate name and talk of a future metaverse.” Facebook the app, where users post personal updates and register likes is not changing its name. Nor are Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. The company’s corporate structure also won’t change. But on Dec. 1, its stock will start trading under a new ticker symbol, MVRS. Click here to read... [14]

Strategic

Analysis: Pentagon has a Pacific posture predicament

On Feb. 4, roughly two weeks into office, U.S. President Joe Biden ordered Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to lead a Global Posture Review of all American forces deployed overseas. The aim was to make sure that the military's footprint fit the administration's foreign policy and national security priorities -- in other words, China. The review was widely expected to conclude around the summer, but deep into October, it is still underway inside the walls of the Pentagon. One reason the review has not concluded could be because the Biden administration cannot decide on how to deter China. There seem to be multiple tracks of debate. One is an argument between "deterrence by denial" or "deterrence by punishment." "Denial" is the more conventional method of deterrence, dissuading China from taking action through a heavy forward presence in locations such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore. People who advocate for "punishment," meanwhile, "tend to be more enthusiastic about funding programs and capabilities that manifest themselves after the shooting starts," such as long-range missiles, Air Force bombers and attack submarines, McGrath said. Combatant commanders seem to tilt toward denial, or a bigger forward presence. Click here to read... [15]

US defence establishment alert to ‘stunning’ Chinese military advances

China’s growing military muscle and its drive to end American predominance in the Asia-Pacific is rattling the US defence establishment. American officials see trouble quickly accumulating on multiple fronts: Beijing’s expanding nuclear arsenal, its advances in space, cyber and missile technologies, and threats to Taiwan. “The pace at which China is moving is stunning,” said General John Hyten, the No 2-ranking US military officer, who previously commanded US nuclear forces and oversaw Air Force space operations. At stake is a potential shift in the global balance of power that has favoured the United States for decades. A realignment more favourable to China does not pose a direct threat to the United States but could complicate US alliances in Asia. New signs of how the Pentagon intends to deal with the China challenge may emerge in the coming weeks from Biden administration policy reviews on nuclear weapons, global troop basing and overall defence strategy. For now, officials marvel at how Beijing is marshalling the resources, technology and political will to make rapid gains – so rapid that the Biden administration is attempting to reorient all aspects of US foreign and defence policy. Click here to read... [16]

Taiwan is the main problem for Xi Jinping-Joe Biden talks, Chinese observers say

Beijing and Washington need to manage their tensions over Taiwan to create the conditions needed for Xi Jinping and Joe Biden to meet, according to Chinese observers.That was the assessment after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met for talks in Rome on Oct 31, with Wang saying engaging in dialogue was an “urgent task” for the two nations to avoid further confrontation. He said that was the consensus when Chinese leader Xi and US President Biden spoke by phone in September. “The two sides must earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and make political preparations and provide necessary conditions for the next phase of exchanges,” Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. Wang was in Rome as Xi’s special envoy at the Group of 20 summit, which the Chinese president attended via video link. In their meeting, Blinken “underscored the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China”, according to a statement from the US State Department. Click here to read... [17]

Russia puts Taliban on 'probation' with Central Asia on knife edge

Russian analysts told Nikkei Asia that Moscow is putting the Taliban on "probation" to see whether they can keep promises to combat drug traffickers and more radical extremist groups.Senior Taliban officials regularly describe Russia as a potential ally, along with China and Pakistan. In an interview last month with Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid urged Russia to become a "new mediator" between the group and the United Nations, while inviting Russian companies to launch new economic projects in Afghanistan. Russia, for its part, invited the Taliban to Moscow on Oct 20 for international talks on Afghanistan with representatives from China, India, Iran, Pakistan and the Central Asian republics. Although the discussions did not produce any blockbuster deals, the Taliban framed them as a diplomatic success. At the same time, however, senior Russian officials emphasized that Moscow is in no rush to recognize the Taliban's rule, citing concerns over a lack of representation for ethnic and religious minorities in the group's interim government. Experts also paint a picture of complex Central Asian security challenges for the Kremlin -- underscored by a Russian military buildup in Central Asia in recent months, along with numerous drills near Afghanistan's northern border. Click here to read... [18]

Taliban supreme leader makes first public appearance

Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada addressed supporters in the southern city of Kandahar, officials announced on Oct 31, his first public appearance since taking control of the group in 2016. Akhundzada has been the spiritual chief of the Islamist movement since 2016 but has remained a reclusive figure, even after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. His low profile has fed speculation about his role in the new Taliban government, formed after the group took control of Kabul in mid-August - and even rumours of his death. On Oct 30, he visited the Darul Uloom Hakimah madrassa to "speak to his brave soldiers and disciples", according to the introduction to an audio recording circulated by Taliban social media accounts. "May God reward the oppressed people of Afghanistan who fought the infidels and the oppressors for 20 years," Akhundzada said in the recording. "My intention here is to pray for you and you pray for me." In the 10-minute recording, he prays for the Taliban martyrs, wounded fighters and the success of officials involved in the "big test" of rebuilding what they call the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. There was tight security at the event and no photographs or video have emerged. Click here to read... [19]

Biden 'committed' to avoiding China confrontation: Kurt Campbell

U.S. President Joe Biden is committed to avoiding confrontation with China despite ongoing political tensions, his chief diplomat for the Indo-Pacific region told a Nikkei-sponsored event on Oct 25. "We are trying to clearly explain to Chinese interlocutors that the dominant paradigm for U.S.-China relations going forward is going to be one of competition," Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, told the Nikkei Virtual Global Forum. "The Biden administration remains committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure that competition does not veer towards confrontation," he said. He added that it is critical for the superpowers to work on building confidence, and to ensure they have capabilities for communicating in a crisis. Campbell also emphasized the need to "ensure that the U.S.-China engagement serves the interests ... of other countries in the Indo-Pacific."He suggested that the U.S. should continue shifting its strategic focus from the Middle East and South Asia toward the Indo-Pacific. But he explained that domestic politics would have implications for this. "If the United States is to continue to play a substantial dynamic role in the Indo-Pacific, then we must make the appropriate investment at home," he said, citing infrastructure bills that would enable technology innovation and "other arenas of competition that will be essential." Click here to read... [20]

Taiwan president confirms U.S. troops train soldiers on island: CNN

A small number of U.S. forces are in Taiwan to train with Taiwanese soldiers, President Tsai Ing-wen said in an interview with CNN, confirming the presence of U.S. troops on the self-governing island that China considers its own. Tensions between Taiwan and China, which has not ruled out taking the island by force, have escalated in recent weeks as Beijing raises military and political pressure. "We have a wide range of cooperation with the U.S. aiming at increasing our defense capability," Tsai told CNN in the interview aired on Oct 28. Asked how many U.S. service members are deployed in Taiwan, she said only that it was "not as many as people thought". The confirmation comes as China is sharply increasing military pressure on Taiwan, including repeated missions by Chinese warplanes in Taiwan's air defense identification zone. "Taiwan independence is a dead end, and there will also be no turning back for those who support it," China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said when asked about Tsai's comments."The U.S. should abide by the One China Principle...and not whatever thing it concocts up itself unilaterally," he said, adding that the United States should cease military and official interactions with Taiwan. Click here to read... [21]

Poland Fined Over $1 Million a Day by EU in Clash Over Judiciary

The European Union’s top court on Oct 27 handed down a record daily fine to Poland for failing to comply with its decisions, the latest episode in an escalating fight between Brussels and Warsaw over judicial independence. The European Court of Justice ordered Poland to pay the EU’s executive body, the European Commission, one million euros, equivalent to $1.16 million, a day until the country complies with an interim order in July to scrap a disciplinary tribunal whose powers include the ability to fine or demote judges. The commission, backed by the EU courts, says the tribunal opens up Poland’s courts to political interference and undermines their independence. Poland says the ECJ has no jurisdiction over the organization of its court system. The ECJ’s decision is one of a thicket of legal cases the EU is pursuing against Poland over the nationalist government’s overhaul of its courts. Under its nationalist ruling party, Law and Justice, Poland’s parliament has sought to reshape the country’s courts, arguing that the judges need to be more answerable to elected representatives. In a tweet on Oct 27, Deputy Justice Minister Sebastian Kaleta called the ECJ ruling “blackmail.” Click here to read... [22]

The Forces Behind Biden’s Problems: Four Parties, Zero Trust

Specifically, there are effectively four political parties in Washington right now. And there is zero trust among them.The Democrats who (barely) control Congress will try this week to regroup and finally agree on a $1.85 trillion social-spending and climate bill, after multiple failed efforts. That agreement might—only might—allow for the House to pass a $1 trillion, bipartisan infrastructure plan that has been languishing there despite Mr. Biden’s repeated pleas to his own party to pass the darn thing. This impasse exists because the Democratic Party today really is two parties: the progressive version of the party and the moderate version. This split is hardly new, but now the two sides are roughly equal in congressional strength and leverage. This split is mirrored on the other side of the aisle, where the Republican Party also effectively is split in two. There remains the traditionally conservative GOP, which many Republicans refer to as the “governing part of the party,” because it is interested in advancing its agenda through conventional governing channels. Its power now is at least offset, and probably eclipsed, by the populist, nationalist version of the Republican Party, which is animated more by cultural fights with the left than by traditional conservative policy goals. Click here to read... [23]

Election gives LDP’s Kishida a secure base to govern

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in office barely a month, won a mandate of four more years in office after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party captured an outright majority in the Oct. 31 Lower House election.However, the coalition the party leads with junior partner Komeito will fall short of the 305 seats that they held before the election. Even so, the combined 261 seats give the ruling coalition an absolute stable majority, allowing it to secure the chairman’s post of all Lower House standing committees and dominate the membership in those bodies. The united front put up by five opposition parties allowed the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan to win in more single-seat districts, but it was struggling to reach its pre-election strength of 109 seats. The main opposition party did not perform strongly in the proportional representation constituency segment of balloting. Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) roughly tripled its number of seats from the 11 held before the election even though it was not part of the strategy by the other opposition parties to act as a single political bloc. Despite the strong performance by the LDP under its new leader, the one-on-one contests in single-seat districts led to a number of veteran lawmakers going down in defeat. Click here to read... [24]

Iran’s drones are more immediate danger than its nuclear program, Western security officials say

The Biden administration levied sanctions against several Iranian companies and their executives whom the U.S. has linked to Tehran’s effort to develop armed drones for attacks on U.S. forces and allies. The administration’s action on Oct 29 marks the start of a campaign against Iran’s evolving unmanned aerial vehicle and precision-guided missile programs, which Western officials say represent a more immediate threat than Iran’s nuclear-enrichment and ballistic-missile programs. “Iran’s proliferation of UAVs across the region threatens international peace and stability,” said Wally Adeyemo, deputy secretary of the Treasury. “Treasury will continue to hold Iran accountable for its irresponsible and violent acts.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned the U.S. Treasury’s action, calling it “a continuation of the Trump administration’s failed policy of maximum pressure.” Iran increasingly relies less on foreign-sourced parts, however, after the government ordered its military leaders to boost its drone arsenal, according to state media reports. Domestic production has since grown, U.S. analysts say. Western defense officials say Tehran’s rapidly developing ability to build and deploy drones is changing the security equation in a region already on edge. Click here to read... [25]

Gas stations close across Iran after ‘cyberattack’ reportedly disrupts country’s smart fuel system

Gas stations across Iran were out of service on Oct 26 after an alleged cyberattack brought down the smart fuel system, which allows citizens in the sanction-hit country to buy gasoline at a reduced price. Long queues of cars have been reported at gas stations across Iran after the electronic cards suddenly stopped working shortly before noon.Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and several state-run broadcasters have said that the disruption is the result of a cyberattack. They didn’t name the culprit behind the hack, but Tehran has been long blaming its regional archrival Israel of carrying out cyberattacks and sabotage activities, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and other key infrastructure. Israeli cyber security company Check Point attributed that attack to a hacking group called Indra. It said that the breach was “politically motivated,” but described the group as “a non-state sponsored actor.” Indra had previously targeted firms in Syria, which is Iran’s ally as the two neighbours fight terrorism together. Iranian energy officials held an emergency meeting on solving the crisis on Oct 26, providing assurance that everything was being done to restore the operations of the smart fuel system as quickly as possible. Click here to read... [26]

Pakistan reaches agreement with banned TLP to end violent rally

Pakistan’s government has reached an agreement with the outlawed far-right Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party, putting an end to a 10-day protest that resulted in violent clashes. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and religious leader Mufti Muneebur Rehman took part in the talks but did not share any details of the agreement at a news conference in the capital, Islamabad, on Oct 31. “Details and positive results of the agreement will come before the nation in a week or so,” said Rehman, who said he had the endorsement of TLP party leader Saad Rizvi. Thousands of TLP supporters launched a “long march” from Lahore towards Islamabad on October 22 to press for the release of their leader, Rizvi, who was arrested last year for inciting supporters to stage an anti-France protest. The group is also demanding the expulsion of France’s ambassador for the publication of a series of caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Paramilitary Pakistan Rangers were deployed to stop the protesters from continuing towards the capital. The violence erupted a day after the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan turned down the group’s demand to close the French embassy and expel the French envoy. Click here to read... [27]

Thais launch campaign for repeal of royal defamation law

Pro-democracy activists in Thailand on Oct 31 announced a campaign to gather 1 million signatures to support the abolition of the law that makes defaming the monarchy a crime. About 3,000 people turned out in central Bangkok for a rally urging the end of the lese majeste law--also known as Article 112--which makes even constructive criticism of the royal institution risky. They also called for dropping charges and releasing those arrested under the law. The law makes defaming, insulting, or threatening the king, queen, heir apparent, heir presumptive, or regent punishable by three to 15 years in prison. In practice, critics say, it has been used for political purposes. Even advocating the law’s abolition can trigger a police investigation. The rally organizers last year began holding street demonstrations with three core demands: the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who initially came to power as army commander by staging a coup in 2014; amendment of the constitution to make it more democratic; and reform of the monarchy to make it more accountable. The last demand was the most radical and controversial because the monarchy has rarely faced any public scrutiny and is considered by many to be an untouchable pillar of Thai identity. Click here to read... [28]

Arab League ‘concerned’ by ‘deteriorating’ Lebanon-Gulf ties

The Arab League said it was concerned about a rapid deterioration of Lebanese-Gulf relations after critical comments from a Lebanese minister about the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen were followed by the kingdom banning all imports from Lebanon and giving the Lebanese ambassador 48 hours to leave. Saudi Arabia also banned its citizens from travelling to Lebanon and recalled its ambassador. In a statement quoting Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Oct 30, it appealed to Gulf countries “to reflect on the measures proposed to be taken … in order to avoid further negative effects on the collapsing Lebanese economy”. “… Aboul Gheit expressed his deep concern and regret over the rapid deterioration in Lebanese-Gulf relations …,” the statement said, adding that he was confident Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati would act quickly to ease the crisis. Hours after Saudi Arabia’s decision, Bahrain ordered the Lebanese ambassador to leave the country within two days for the same reason, Bahrain’s foreign ministry said. Ties between Beirut and Riyadh were already strained, but they soured further on Oct 26 after footage began circulating online of Information Minister George Kordahi making critical remarks about the Saudi-led war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Click here to read... [29]

Russian military to maintain strategic parity: Putin

Russia will adequately react to any foreign attempts to "break strategic parity," President Vladimir Putin said on Nov 01."Some of our foreign colleagues are not abandoning attempts to break this parity, including through the deployment of global missile defense system components in the immediate vicinity of our borders," Putin said at a meeting with senior defense officials in Russia's Sochi. "We cannot fail to notice these threats to Russia's security and will respond appropriately and adequately," he stressed. Putin said that in light of U.S. plans to deploy medium-range missiles in Europe, which poses a threat to Russia, the country is working to increase the share of modern equipment and weaponry in the air and missile defense forces to 80 percent in 2025-2027.Putin will host a series of biannual meetings this week with military representatives on the development of Russia's armed forces. Click here to read... [30]

Medical

China's Xi calls for mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccines

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Oct 30 called for equal treatment and mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccines based on the World Health Organization's emergency use list, the official Xinhua agency reported.In his remarks at the 16th Group of 20 (G20) Leaders' Summit, delivered via video link, Xi said China had provided more than 1.6 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine shots to the world, and was working with 16 nations on the cooperative manufacturing of doses. "China is willing to work with all parties to improve the accessibility and affordability of COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries," Xinhua quoted Xi as saying. China has achieved an annual production capacity of 7 billion COVID-19 shots, Xi said. Xi reiterated China's support of the World Trade Organization (WTO) making an early decision on waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, and he called for vaccine companies to be encouraged to transfer technology to developing countries. Two Chinese vaccines, one from Sinovac Biotech and one from Sinopharm, have been included in the emergency use list of the WHO. Russia also complained about the lack of international recognition for its Sputnik V vaccine at the G20 summit, where leaders agreed to step up global inoculation efforts. Click here to read... [31]

China Locks 30,000 Visitors Inside Shanghai Disneyland After One Guest Got Covid-19

Shanghai Disneyland was temporarily shut down from Oct 31 after a visitor was found to be Covid-19-positive, underscoring the economic disruption businesses in China face as the country strives to stamp out infections. The world’s most populous nation has committed to maintaining “zero tolerance” for the virus despite criticism from business groups, a close to 80% vaccination rate, and a world which is gradually learning to live with Covid-19. China is taking stringent measures to contain pockets of the coronavirus in the country. It recorded 48 domestic cases on Oct 30 across several provinces. Though extremely low compared with countries that are moving to live with the virus, the infections have prompted business closures and mass testing in certain areas. Shanghai Disneyland was required to test almost 34,000 people Oct 31 before visitors could leave the resort, after a woman who had attended the park a day earlier was found to be infected with Covid-19. Oct 31’s visitors all tested negative but were ordered to self-isolate for another 24 hours before a second test. The theme park reopened in May after being closed for several months, as China sought to reboot parts of its pandemic-hit economy. Click here to read... [32]

Mariners Can Now Get Covid-19 Vaccines at Port After Months Stranded at Sea

Health workers and humanitarian groups at more than 200 ports around the world are making a push to vaccinate thousands of mariners, a population of essential workers that has been largely neglected in the fight against Covid-19. Many of the thousands of global mariners that are unvaccinated have been unable to disembark from their ships and have been stuck aboard, not seeing their families or standing on land for several months. In addition, infections at ports or on ships have disrupted global shipping at a time when bottlenecks are already slowing the world’s economic recovery from Covid-19. Port authorities and nonprofits at some of the world’s busiest ports, including Los Angeles, Rotterdam and Singapore, now offer Covid vaccines to international seafarers. For many of the sailors, it is the first time since the pandemic began that they have been able to get access to vaccines.Once unvaccinated mariners board a ship, they find they can’t take shore leave because of local rules that keep unvaccinated people out, or because their captain and shipowner doesn’t want to risk them contracting Covid-19 and bringing it back with them. That leaves the workers stranded aboard floating steel islands with no reprieve. Click here to read... [33]

Coronavirus origins: WHO calls for more experts to apply to join Sago team

The World Health Organization is seeking to revise a proposed list of experts to guide the next phase of research on the origins of Covid-19, calling for more applicants for a new advisory group. It comes just days after public comments on the original nominees closed. The UN body on Nov 01 said it had reopened the application period for three additional days to encourage more experts in the fields of social science, anthropology, ethics, political science, as well as bio-safety and bio-security, to apply. Twenty-six experts were nominated for the new permanent body known as the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens, or Sago, last month. The list was then released for a two-week public consultation – standard practice when such bodies are formed – which closed on Oct 27. The group included two scientists who were identified by the WHO as experts in lab bio-security. But the formation of the body – charged with guiding research into the origins of this and future outbreaks and building a framework for how such investigations should be run – has come under significantly more scrutiny than is typical for a new WHO advisory group. Click here to read... [34]