OSINTSUM: Friday 2 August 2024

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OSINTSUM
Global Situation Update
Friday 2 August 2024

Africa

Libya: The Libyan Investment Authority - which was set up by former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2006 to manage the country’s wealth - expects to receive permission from the United Nations to regain control of its $70bn worth of assets by the end of this year. The assets have been frozen since the 2011 revolution which saw Gaddafi removed from power.
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Nigeria: Nigerian police are considering whether to seek the help of the military after protests against the cost of living and governance issues turned violent in some cities.
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Sudan: A report by the Famine Review Committee states the civil war in Sudan and restrictions on deliveries of humanitarian aid have caused famine in at least one part of North Darfur, and have likely caused famine conditions in other parts of the conflict-afflicted region.
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Tunisia: Opposition figures, presidential candidates, and parties, as well as human rights groups have accused the government of employing “arbitrary restrictions” and intimidation to ensure President Kais Saied is re-elected in the country’s upcoming 6 October presidential elections.
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Americas

Canada/US: Canada and the United States have concluded negotiations over a deal which will see Canada allowed to use the United States’ space launch technology, expertise, and data to assist in its space launches.
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Canada: Canadian labour union Unifor has urged the government to impose tariffs on all Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), EV batteries, and other related components in line with similar measures already implemented by the United States and the European Union.
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Venezuela: The United States has officially recognised opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of Venezuela’s disputed 28 July presidential election, rejecting incumbent Nicolas Maduro’s claim to victory.
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Venezuela: Foreign Minister Yvan Gil says the United States is “at the forefront of a coup attempt” against his country after it officially recognised opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner in the disputed 28 July presidential election.
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Venezuela: Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico have urged Venezuelan authorities to release detailed voting tallies from the country’s 28 July presidential election. In a joint statement, they said the results should be verified impartially, and all political actors should avoid an escalation of violence.
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Asia/Oceania

China: China’s defence ministry says it has filed complaints with Canada through military and diplomatic channels after a Canadian warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, and warned it to abide by the One-China Principle.
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Philippines/Japan: The Filipino and Japanese militaries began their first joint exercises in the South China Sea today according to the Philippine armed forces in a move evidential of deepening ties between the countries which are attempting to push back against Chinese aggression in the region.
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South Korea: Germany joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea today, and in doing so has joined a group of 18 nations who help it defend its northern border in addition to committing to defend it against North Korea should a war break out.
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Vietnam: The United States will continue to classify Vietnam as one of 12 non-market economies - alongside nations such as China, Russia, and North Korea - according to its Commerce Department. The decision is likely to hinder US efforts to build relations with Hanoi and discourage it from moving closer to China.
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Europe

Spain: Members of Catalonia’s separatist ERC party are voting today on a regional government deal with Spain’s ruling Socialist party which could mend Madrid’s strained relations with the region. If the deal is approved, it would see the region allowed to collect its own taxes.
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Russia: A deal negotiated by the United States’ White House in secret for over a year has led to a prisoner swap with Russia which has seen 16 Westerners being held in Russia - including US journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-US Marine Paul Whelan - released in exchange for eight Russians - including Vadim Krasikov, who murdered an exiled Russian dissident in Berlin - being held by the West.
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Turkey: Turkey has blocked access to social media platform Instagram, accusing it of failing to comply with the country’s “laws and rules”. The ban comes after a senior Turkish official claimed the platform was blocking posts mourning the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh following his assassination earlier this week.
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UK: The UK’s National Crime Agency has closed an online “crime-as-a-service” platform known as “Russian Coms” (which despite the name has no known link to Russia). It was responsible for scamming hundreds of thousands of people world wide, having been used to make 1.3 million fraudulent phone calls between 2021 and 2024.
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UK: Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has warned social media firms that they must uphold laws preventing the incitement of violence after online misinformation related to a mass stabbing in the town of Southport led to multiple incidents of violent civil disorder across the country.
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Middle East

Gaza: Australia’s government says Israeli air strikes which killed seven international aid workers - including Australian team leader Zomi Frankcom - in Gaza in April were the result of serious operation failures but not deliberate after conducting a review of the incident.
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Israel: Lebanese militant group Hezbollah resumed rocket and artillery attacks against Israel today, ending a minor cessation of activity following Israel’s assassination on Tuesday of one of its military commanders, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut.
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Qatar: The Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, has been buried in Qatar today. His likely successor told mourners that his death would only make the militant group stronger in its fight against Israel, who he accused of carrying out the assassination.
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