Weekly Roundup (17 January 2025)
Important news in links from across the world, including the final address of US President Joe Biden and the closure of dozens of TV stations in Vietnam.
Hello again! So, what’s been going on?
Some bits of interesting news this week, including a record number of Singaporeans visiting Japan in 2024. Sadly, I was not one of them. Also, three men illegally pissed at metro (MRT) stations in Singapore.
In Canada, the race for Liberal leader is heating up after Trudeau’s resignatoon. A big name has finally launched his campaign in Edmonton, while another has penned an article in one of Canada’s major French dailies.
European and US news are (as usual) at the bottom. I think you all have read the headlines and there’s a lot more from around the world that need our attention.
Canada
Former Bank of England, Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney officially announces bid for Liberal Party leadership in Edmonton. (CTV)
Canadian government ready to reveal tariff retaliation plan next Monday if Trump makes good on his threats. (CTV)
Netflix, other streaming services blocked on federal government networks as they are not considered “work tools”. (CBC)
Quebec’s population is growing in all areas of the province, including a record 4.2% increase in Montreal. (Le Devoir)
Early provincial election in Ontario? Political parties are scrambling to prepare for early snap polls. (CBC)
Alberta First Nation questions celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary’s plan to build AI data centre in northern Alberta. (CBC)
Commentaries & In-Depth Reports
The Death of an Asylum Seeker and the Shelter Crisis in Peel (The Local)
Danielle Smith Needs To Put Canada First (Scrimshaw Unscripted)
Donald Trump's Tariff Threat Is Real, and Here's How Canada Can Respond (Le Devoir - Chrystia Freeland)
Singapore
4 times more youth in Singapore, Vietnam upbeat about domestic politics than their ASEAN neighbours, poll finds. (CNA)
Singapore government to launch 50,000 BTO (Built To Order) public housing flats over the next three year. (The Straits Times)
Singapore police investigate students’ “shoes and shrouds” protest on Israel-Hamas war at the National University of Singapore. (CNA)
Three cases of public urination at MRT stations in less than a week, with offenders hauled to court and fined. (CNA)
Singapore, US sign memorandum on civil nuclear cooperation. (Bloomberg)
Record breaking 691,100 Singaporeans - or 25% of Singapore’s citizen population - visited Japan in 2024. (The Straits Times)
Commentaries & In-Depth Reports
Why Singapore’s elderly continue to work: reserves and CPF demystified (Jom)
Asia-Pacific
South Korean prosecutors arrest President Yoon on 15 January and question him in insurrection probe. (Al Jazeera)
Russian PM visits Vietnam, both countries sign agreement to expand cooperation on nuclear energy. (AP & Vietnam News)
Vietnam’s government closes major TV broadcaster and four others in bureaucratic reform, taking dozens of channels off the air. (CNA)
China announces 5% GDP growth amid a population drop. (SCMP)
New European Council president Antonio Costa dials Chinese president Xi Jinping to discuss deeper EU-China cooperation. (SCMP, Xinhua)
Sri Lanka’s government signs a new US3.7billion deal with Chinese oil giant Sinopec to build major oil refinery in the country’s south. (CNA)
Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan getds 14 years in prison for corruption. (CNA)
Indonesia plans to offer carbon credit certificates to foreign buyers from late January onwards. (CNA)
Africa & the Middle East
Israel, Hamas come to a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US. (BBC)
Israel’s parliament delays vote on ceasefire, 87 Palestinians killed after IDF continues to attack Gaza. (Al Jazeera)
Guinea’s opposition quits the country’s parliament after ruling junta failed to meet deadline for a return to democratic governance. (Africa Briefing)
Ugandan opposition leader faces new treachery charge as prosecutors escalate their case against him. (African Briefing)
Saudi Arabia’s national oil company pivots to lithium mining as the world’s energy transitions to more sustainable resources. (Semafor)
Latin America
U.S. President Joe Biden will lift his country’s designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. (Washington Post)
Argentine President Javier Milei to slow devalution of the peso as inflation continues to bite the country. (Financial Times)
President Claudia Sheinbaum marks first 100 days in office with a business friendly plan to make Mexico a top 10 economy by 2030. (Reuters)
Brazil joins France, the Netherlands and Italy in restricting students from using cellphones in classes. (Associated Press)
Brazil also introduces new law that authorises the development of offshore wind farms in a bid to improve the country’s energy security. (Reuters)
Europe
The EU and China will hold a joint summit this year to celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. (Euractiv)
Germany’s economy shrinks for second consecutive year. (Semafor)
British PM Keir Starmer visits Kiev, inks 100-year partnership with Ukraine, opens door to peacekeeping force for the country. (The Guardian, Politico)
UK also set to launch talks with Poland on a defence pact. (Politico)
Majority of Germans, Britons polled by YouGov view billionaire Elon Musk in a negative light, says he should not interfere. (The Guardian)
Italy’s school reforms to introduce bible study criticised by the country’s opposition as “retrograde” and overly nostalgic. (Euractiv)
Bulgaria finally picks a new Prime Minister, Rosen Zhelyazkov, after two months of intense negotiation following October’s elections. (Politico)
Austria’s Freedom Party, People’s Party produces €6.39 billion austerity budget package plan amid bid to form government together. (Heute.at)
European Parliament devises attendance plan to compel lawmakers to turn up for debates. (Politico)
Ireland’s two main centre-right parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, secure a deal to form government with seven independent lawmakers. (Irish Times)
United States
Joe Biden gives final address to the nation, warns of an oligarchy taking place in the country that threatens American democracy. (White House)
Special prosecutor for Trump’s election interference case Jack Smith resigns but says president-elect would have been convicted had he not won. (NPR)
Donald Trump and JD Vance release official portraits before their inauguration, with Trump’s expression mirroring his famous mugshot. (ABC)
The Department of State increases reward for information leading to the arrest/conviction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to $25 million. (CBS)
California Governor Gavin Newsom slams Donald Trump and his supporters for spreading disinformation amid Los Angeles’s wildfire crisis. (Meidas+)