Global developments on September 25, 2024

Good morning everyone!

Today we look at possible nuclear negotiations, developments in Africa and other news from across the continents.

Let’s get started.

Africa

-Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta said it uncovered a plot to drive the country from power.

The regime came to power in 2022 amid widespread discontent over the government’s efforts to combat insurgent militant groups in the West African country.

Analysts are largely convinced the claim is part of an attempt by the junta to deflect blame for its failure to suppress the militants, including a massacre in August that killed hundreds of civilians.

-In a surprise move, the Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday raised its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 27.25%.

The rate hike is the fifth this year and comes as the country continues to struggle with persistent inflation.

-President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that Washington Donate 1 million vaccines and at least $500 million to combat the mpox outbreak in Africa.

-The White House said yesterday that Biden will travel to Angola next month, his first trip to Africa as president.

Other links:

Somalia and Ethiopia argue over arms imports -Reuters

Sudan’s deposed former leader Omar al-Bashir has been transferred to Merowe Hospital along with former officials – Africa News

Ghanaian police arrest dozens of protesters criticizing government’s economic approach – Africa News

Amnesty calls for commission to investigate deaths in Kenya protests – France 24

Late season snowstorms in South Africa leave 2 dead from hypothermia -AP

America and the Caribbean

– Public approval for Argentine President Javier Milei fell by almost 15% in Septemberaccording to a new poll. The drop is the biggest in his nine-month rule.

Milei, who calls himself an “anarcho-capitalist,” remains very popular in Argentina despite the harsh austerity measures and inflammatory rhetoric.

-A US Treasury Department official is expected to meet Colombian and Mexican officials this week during back-to-back visits to the Latin American countries, Reuters.

The senior official is expected to discuss measures to combat money laundering and the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

Other links:

Lula wants permanent seats on UN Security Council for Africa and Latin America – MercoPress

US not responsible for rise in violence in Sinaloa, US ambassador tells Mexico -AP

Hurricane John hits southern Mexico coast after rapidly strengthening -CNN

Guatemala sends 150 military police to fight gangs in Haiti -AP

Brazil X: Court Fines Musk Website for Brief Return of Site -BBC

Asia/Indo-Pacific

-Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Tuesday dissolved parliamentpaving the way for new elections scheduled for November 14.

Dissanayake was elected last weekend on a left-wing platform promising to lift the country out of the crippling economic crisis caused by the severe foreign exchange shortage.

Dissanayake’s National People’s Party holds only three of the 225 seats in the current parliament.

-The Reserve Bank of Australia on Tuesday maintained its reference rate at 4.35%, keeping the metric at its highest level in the past 12 years as inflation remains high.

-A Earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 on the Richter scale struck Japan’s remote Izu Islands on Monday.

-The second phase of parliamentary elections are taking place today in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Other links:

China aims to boost ailing economy with real estate and stimulus measures -Washington Post

Top US scientist and ‘world leader’ in nanotechnology resigns to work in China – South China Morning Post

Biden proposes banning Chinese vehicles from U.S. roads with strict software -CNBC

Japanese fighter jets fire flares after Russian military plane enters airspace – The Japanese Times

Campaign launched for regional elections in Indonesia – Nikkei

Europe

-Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Tuesday said his country’s fight against invading Russian forces could not be ended by peace talks. Zelenskyy delivered the speech before the United Nations Security Council in New York.

During his visit to the United States, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with President Biden, where he will present a “victory plan” for approval.

Although few details have been released, the plan is expected to include a second peace summit led by Ukraine.

-French President Emmanuel Macron begins a two-day visit to Ottawa, Canada today.

Other links:

Three dead in Russian attack on apartment in Kharkov -BBC

War returns to Russia in quiet lakeside town -Reuters

Eleven candidates, including the incumbent, are competing in Moldova’s presidential election -Reuters

Iran was behind thousands of text messages calling for revenge for Koran burnings, Sweden says -AP

Hungary open to enforcing key asylum ruling as daily fines mount – Euronews

Middle East

– In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said said his country was ready to negotiate the status of its controversial nuclear program. Previous talks to restore a 2015 nuclear deal that imposed limits on the program have stalled.

In 2018, former President Donald Trump withdrew from the pact brokered by his predecessor Barack Obama that imposed limits on Tehran’s emerging nuclear program.

Since taking office in 2021, the Biden administration has been trying to bring Iran back into compliance with the terms of the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Pezeshkian also called for a negotiated solution to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Other links:

UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Lebanon – France 24

Israel bombs Hezbollah, families flee southern Lebanon as conflict spreads -AP

US Navy supply ship operating in Middle East was damaged after refueling warships, officials say -AP

New strategy needed to contain Houthis, says Yemen’s vice president -Reuters

US admits Qatar to visa waiver program -Reuters

OPEC raises long-term oil demand outlook, driven by growth in developing countries -Reuters

United States

– The House of Representatives is expected to vote today on a three-month government funding bill that will allow agencies and departments to remain open beyond Sept. 30.

Yesterday, the White House said it supported the “clean” funding bill proposed by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The Senate is expected to take up the measure shortly after it is approved by the House of Representatives.

-Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday called for abolishing the filibuster in the Senate to codify abortion rights.

Harris made the statement in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio.

-Today, President Biden will meet with Vietnamese President Tom Lam at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Harris will campaign in Pennsylvania.

Other links:

Biden notes that this is a ‘remarkable historic event’ in his final speech to the United Nations as president – CBS

A new poll of young voters shows Harris with a commanding 31-point lead over Trump – NPR

Federal prosecutors charge Ryan Routh with attempted murder of Donald Trump -ABC

Haitian group in Springfield, Ohio, files civil lawsuit against Trump and Vance -AP

Trump praises Russian military achievements in argument to stop funding for Ukrainian war -AP

Senate unanimously approves bill guaranteeing Trump, Biden, Harris same level of Secret Service protection -CNN

Polls for the US Senate race in Texas show a virtual tie between Colin Allred and Ted Cruz – Today in the US

California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Bill Banning Grocery Stores From Providing Plastic Bags – Sacramento bee

That’s it for today. See you tomorrow.

Refer a friend

Notes:

https://www.ft.com/content/58a70976-4659-4ba5-8d5e-7a7a77a670b1

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2024/09/23/congress-assumes-punt-formation-00180446