Europe
United Kingdom (UK) stop aid output to Uganda
The UK has joined a number of European countries in cutting all aid sent to the Ugandan government, following an inquiry into corruption. The inquiry, in a preliminary phase, claims that funds sent by the UK may have been spent inappropriately. The Ugandan auditor-general also said that there was evidence to suggest it was happening in Uganda’s highest echelons of power, including by the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. Uganda has consistently scored poorly in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Indexes’; in the most recent ranking only 143 in the world.
Middle East
Iran’s nuclear capacity significantly increased
The International Atomic Energy Agency, a U.N. watchdog, claims that Iran is ready to double the output of its uranium enrichment capacity. The leaked report endorses western caution suggesting Iran is preparing to advance nuclear weapons. Offical statements from the Iranian government have always insisted that their capacity to enrich uranium is entirely peaceful.
Gaza conflict escalates as Hamas militants target Jerusalem
Hamas militants have launched strikes on Jerusalem from the Gaza Strip for the first time in history. Reports from Israel claim that the rockets missed the holy city with no casualties, while an earlier missile hit the second city of Tel Aviv. The escalation of events was instigated by anger over the killing of Hamas’s military chief two days ago. The Egyptian President spoke of the region, announcing that this “aggression” warranted support for Gaza. Three Israelis have died from a rocket fired from within Gaza yesterday. Previously, Israel has carried out strikes on Gaza, as Palestinian’s attacked across the border. Before the recent upsurge, Israel had repeatedly carried out air strikes on Gaza, as Palestinian militants fired rockets across the border. One reporter said, “the hopes of a ceasefire are diminishing”.
North America
Obama to face fiscal cliff
Barack Obama is due to talk to Republican leaders to discuss how to deal with the upcoming ‘fiscal cliff’. The term refers to a hugely significant number of spending cuts and tax rises, which are inevitable unless congress acts. The ‘cliff’ is due after a deal was brokered between President Obama and the Republican-controlled congress which entails stimulus measures to expire. Analysts predict that the economy will as a consequence fall into an inevitable recession as a result. Fears that surround the fiscal cliff have negatively affected stocks in recent weeks.
Latin America
Argentina makes United Nations (U.N.) appeal
Argentina has made a legal appeal for the UN to end a dispute that has resulted in one of their Navy ships being impounded by Ghana. The dispute between Ghana and Argentina is over debts, and has resulted in the challenge. Argentina argues that the holding of their ship violates maritime law. The debt comes from an American billionaire, whom the Ghanaian courts support, who claims to be owed $370m from the democratisation period over a decade ago. A wager of $20m has been offered to Argentina for the ships release.
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