AMERICA
US Actions and Arab-American Influence in Global Politics
1. Arab-American Political Power on the Rise
The Uncommitted movement, spearheaded by a new generation of organisers during the 2024 Democratic primary, has given Arab Americans unparalleled political clout. They conveyed a powerful statement to both parties with their political mobilisation, particularly in battleground areas like Pennsylvania and Michigan. Anger at the disregard for their problems, especially the Gaza crisis, is what is causing this change in power. Arab Americans are now a swing vote that could change the political landscape in the United States in the future.
2. US Committee Links COVID-19 to Lab Leak
The US congressional House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis has concluded that COVID-19 more likely originated from a laboratory accident. The relationship of research on gain-of-function at the Wuhan Institute of Virology formed the nucleus of the 520-page paper funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Now, the issue raised is as much as where in Wuhan, China, it was first discovered doing this source-crunching from December 2019.
3. US Strikes Military Assets in Syria Over Imminent Threat
Following a rocket attack close to a US facility, the Pentagon acknowledged that the US had struck military targets in eastern Syria, specifically rocket launchers and a tank. As opposition troops advance against Syrian government positions, the attack coincides with an increase in bloodshed. The weapons’ operators are yet unknown, but Syrian soldiers and organisations supported by Iran are known to be present.
4. US Imposes New Sanctions on Iran’s Shadow Fleet
The United States issued new sanctions on December 3, 2024, that target 35 organisations and ships connected to Iran’s “shadow fleet,” which is in charge of shipping Iranian petroleum. The purpose of these sanctions is to destabilise the area and prevent Iran from using oil profits to finance its nuclear program. Iran relies on an extensive network of tankers to evade sanctions, the U.S. Treasury noted.
ASIA
Legal, Social, Environmental, and Transportation Developments in Asia
1. Vietnam Upholds Death Sentence for Tycoon in Fraud Case
The verdict of Vietnam court has maintained the death penalty to be imposed on Truong My Lan, a tycoon in the field of real estate who was guilty of confusing investment and bribery related to frauds worth $12 billion. She is chairwoman at Van Thinh Phat Holdings, but the Central People’s Court sentenced her for her part in the biggest case of financial fraud in the country, which took place in April of this year. Even with the expressions of missing consequences from guilt and partial restitution, the court saw no grounds for modification. This levy, therefore, opened the country to a banking crisis because the country’s central bank managed to inject $24 billion into the saving of a key bank that was involved in fraud.
2. Afghan Women Barred from Health Studies
In an edict handed down by the Taliban’s top leader, Afghan training centers will henceforth deny entry to women into nursing and midwifery programs. The edict put an end to courses that would have benefited thousands of women students, evoking shock and confusion within the educational sector. Health officials add that this ban will worsen the shortage of health workers in the country. The action is in advancement of restrictions on the education of women since the return of the Taliban to power in 2021.
3. Delhi Schools Reopen Amid Persistent Smog Crisis
Most of Delhi’s schools have now reopened after the toxic smog level has diffused for the past two weeks, but air pollution is still an area’s major concern. PM2.5 concentrations are still far higher than the World Health Organization’s standards. Most students have found virtual learning no replacement for being in school. The atmosphere-saturated toxic element-mixed by the gases and burnt stubble-is still lingering in almost every corner, especially in children. As they’ve worked with so many, government initiatives have failed to touch even half of an airplane’s wing in such conditions.
4. Uber Launches Shikara Ride-Hailing Service on Dal Lake
Uber now has a boat hailing service on India’s most occupied lake in Kashmir. Now, people can book traditional shikara rides up to 15 days ahead using the Uber app. This is Uber’s first service in India; its overseas water transport includes operations in other cities like London, though. Uber does not charge clients for the rides; all fares go to the Shikara operators. Opinions among local operators are mixed over how the service would impact their business.
MENA
Middle East Tensions and Efforts for Stability Amid Ongoing Conflicts
1. Israel-Hezbollah Tensions Escalate Amid Ceasefire
Hezbollah has launched its first attacks since the ceasefire, firing upon a disputed border zone, claiming that Israel has performed over 50 ceasefire violations. Israel reacted to this with airstrikes in southern Lebanon, killing several people. The US dampened tension by saying the ceasefire was largely holding on. Hezbollah opened its fire in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, where death toll exceeds 44,000.
2. Turkey Focuses on Border Stability in Call with Iraq
President Erdoğan asserted to Iraqi PM Sudani that Turkey prioritizes calm borders and urged Syria’s government to get engaged in a political process to de-escalate the situation in northern Syria. As for Turkey’s support of Syria’s territorial integrity and unity in order to prevent civilian casualties, it was reiterated.Turkey has been much criticized on this account that it destabilizes northern Syria because of its conflict with Kurdish separatists.
3. Syria’s Idlib Health Services Collapsing Due to Airstrikes
The health services of Idlib, Syria, have been completely paralyzed due to airstrikes that have hit both Ibn Sina Children’s Hospital and the Maternity Children’s Hospital. The attacks also deprived the hospitals of power and oxygen, resulting in the deaths of at least two patients in intensive care. Most hospitals evacuated their patients or transferred them to basements to make space for the anticipated use of half of their beds as regime attacks intensified after the offensive by the rebels.
4. Lebanon’s Efforts to Stabilize South Amid Israeli Restrictions
The emphasis a caretaker prime minister of Lebanon had to add by Najib Mikati was that balancing the south was the precondition, under which any displaced civilian could think of returning to his or her home, which has been extended in terms of army deployment in such areas. Israel’s military has kept many of southern Lebanese civilians from returning to their homes in several villages, making things worse.
EUROPE
Political and Legal Controversies Amid EU Scrutiny and International Visits
1. Former EU Justice Chief Reynders Suspected of Money Laundering
Belgian police raided the homes of former European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders on allegations of money laundering. Investigation is ongoing concerning his supposed participation in the purchase of lottery tickets and laundering proceeds. Reynders is a justice commissioner between 2019 and 2024 and was interrogated by police, but he maintains his innocence. It is a continuation of another case where an investigation into corruption and money laundering was conducted in 2019; the case was later dropped.
2. 36 MEPs Oppose Israeli Lawmaker’s European Parliament Participation
Thirty-six MEPs have signed a letter sending it to the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to prevent Israeli lawmaker Amit Halevi from attending an upcoming conference in the European Parliament. This is because Halevi made comments in derogatory terms with respect to Palestinians, such as dehumanizing them. Despite that, Bert-Jan Ruissen as the conference organizer allows that participation.
3. France Faces Budget and Political Crisis Under EU Scrutiny
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government is facing much pressure because of a budget plan to cut back on the public deficit. Barnier’s plan worth €60 billion included cuts and increased revenue against political turmoil with no-confidence motions coming at him from both far-right and left. EU institutions have been much concerned with this instability, constituting the effect of shriveling French power during ongoing European debates. The outcome will most likely lead to presidential and legislative elections, complicating the situation in France even further in EU decision-making.
4. Putin Visits Rehabilitation Centre for Injured Soldiers
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with veterans affected by the Ukraine conflict to celebrate this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities. He visited the Centre for Innovative Technologies in Orthopaedics, where soldiers are being provided with prostheses and rehab. He assured them that they would get well and that “everything will be fine” in their recovery.
