Good morning.

🇨🇩 Fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese military has intensified in the Goma region of Eastern Congo. Frustration and anger have also boiled over in the capital, Kinshasa, where embassies have been attacked by locals, blaming Europe and the US for supporting Rwanda, which is believed to be sponsoring the rebels. Regional peace talks are scheduled by DCR PresidentPresident Félix Tshisekedi is refusing to take part. [More - BBC]

🇸🇾 In Syria, two months after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, former HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was named interim president and all military organizations in Syria, including HTS, were disbanded as was the Syrian Baath party. Regional representatives and members of various militias and ethnic groups attended the meeting in Damascus, which are widely seen as confidence and stability-building moves by al-Sharaa and the internment administration. [More - Al Jazeera]

Asia Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇫 Afghanistan, 🇦🇲 Armenia, 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan, 🇧🇩 Bangladesh, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇹🇱 East Timor, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan, 🇱🇦 Laos, 🇲🇲 Myanmar, 🇳🇵 Nepal, 🇰🇵 North Korea, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, 🇹🇼 Taiwan, 🇹🇯 Tajikistan, 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇧🇹 Bhutan, 🇧🇳 Brunei, 🇨🇳 China, 🇮🇳 India, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇲🇻 Maldives, 🇲🇳 Mongolia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

Regional News Summary

In Singapore, President Tharman has issued a stark warning about an unprecedented jobs crisis looming over the nation, attributing it to technological changes and evolving workforce demands. This concern has prompted proactive measures from businesses, such as AIA Singapore's partnership with Raffles Hospital to enhance healthcare accessibility, recognizing the growing demand for quality healthcare among Singaporeans [SOURCE - Manila Times].

In response to the changing economic environment, Singapore's Monetary Authority has eased monetary policy for the first time since 2020, lowering the core inflation forecast for 2025. This move aims to mitigate the economic impact while supporting growth [SOURCE - Channel NewsAsia]. Additionally, the country has seen a reduction in retrenchments, indicating that efforts to bolster employment may be yielding positive results [SOURCE - Channel NewsAsia].

Meanwhile, tensions in the South China Sea continue to escalate, with China asserting its claims in the disputed maritime zone, raising concerns among neighboring countries. The Philippines has accused Chinese naval forces of harassing its fisheries vessels, prompting the suspension of its survey operations in the area [SOURCE - The Hindu]. This situation underscores the need for regional cooperation to address maritime security challenges.

In Vietnam, the economy faces hurdles, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, with leading manufacturer VinFast reporting significant losses that have affected its parent company, Vingroup. This has led to foreign investors selling shares in the company amidst concerns over its financial stability [SOURCE - LIVE MINT]. Additionally, declining birth and fertility rates pose a long-term threat to Vietnam's economic growth, raising alarms about the sustainability of its workforce [SOURCE - THE SUN].

In India, the government is actively pursuing foreign direct investment (FDI) to stimulate economic growth, with recent reports indicating a push for innovative financing options for small and medium-sized enterprises. This comes as the Reserve Bank of India has superseded a housing finance board, signaling a commitment to enhancing the investment climate [SOURCE - LIVE MINT]. Furthermore, India has welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana from the US, who is set to face trial for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, marking a significant step in the fight against terrorism [SOURCE - NDTV].

Oceania Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇺 Australia, 🇫🇯 Fiji, 🇰🇮 Kiribati, 🇳🇷 Nauru, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea, 🇼🇸 Samoa

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇫🇲 Federated States of Micronesia, 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands, 🇵🇼 Palau, 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands, 🇹🇴 Tonga, 🇹🇻 Tuvalu, 🇻🇺 Vanuatu

Regional News Summary

Australia is currently navigating a complex landscape marked by both sporting developments and significant socio-economic challenges. Cricket Australia has appointed Adam Griffith as its national fast-bowling coach, a strategic move as the national team prepares for upcoming international tournaments. However, this positive news is overshadowed by the ongoing economic crisis, particularly the soaring gas prices that have left many Australians feeling the pinch [SOURCE - Digital Finance Analytics Blog].

The 26th of January, known as Australia Day, saw protests erupt across the country as Indigenous rights activists voiced their dissent against British colonization. Unfortunately, these protests turned violent in several areas, leading to clashes with police [SOURCE - CBC]. Compounding these social tensions, the country faces a heightened risk of bushfires due to extreme heat and dry conditions, raising concerns about public safety and environmental impact [SOURCE - Michael West].

In a separate but equally concerning development, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned a neo-Nazi gathering in Adelaide, which highlighted the rising influence of far-right groups in Australia [SOURCE - RNZ]. This incident underscores the urgent need for a cohesive national dialogue on inclusivity and social harmony.

Meanwhile, New Zealand is grappling with a brain drain as more citizens leave the country, raising alarms about its economic future. An economist has noted that the economy has significantly declined since the pandemic stimulus measures were lifted, prompting the government to introduce a new growth plan focused on mining and tourism. However, skepticism remains regarding the feasibility of this plan [SOURCE - RNZ].

In an effort to counteract the brain drain, New Zealand has relaxed visa rules to attract skilled workers, particularly "digital nomads." Yet, the effectiveness of this initiative is still uncertain given the ongoing trend of departures [SOURCE - BBC]. Additionally, the government is exploring changes to its Crown Research Institutes to bolster the science and research sector, a move that has received positive feedback from experts [SOURCE - Scoop].

Turning to the Pacific, Fiji is facing diplomatic tensions following Kiribati's decision to switch its diplomatic recognition from New Zealand to China. This shift has raised concerns about economic stability in the region, with the Kiribati government downplaying the potential fallout [SOURCE - RNZ].

In the Marshall Islands, the government is actively seeking foreign aid and investment to address economic vulnerabilities stemming from a depleting trust fund established after nuclear testing cleanup in 1986. Strengthening ties with the United States remains a priority for the Marshall Islands as it navigates its foreign policy [SOURCE - The Hindu].

Lastly, the Pacific Islands, including Samoa and Tonga, are facing a vaccination crisis, exacerbated by misinformation and healthcare access issues. This situation has raised alarms about public health in the region, particularly as external influences, such as proposed changes to the U.S. FDA, could have far-reaching implications for vaccine oversight in small island nations [SOURCE - NBC News].

Carpe tomorrow!