Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Early parliamentary elections in Morocco
The last supply lines of Gaddafi
Rebel fighters in North-Western Libya claimed to have seized two key towns along the last remaining supply lines that connect Tunisia to Tripoli. One of these supply lines enters the Libyan capital from the south, traversing through Gharyan, which rests on the easternmost point of the mountain chain. The other more important route passes through the refinery town of Zawiya along a well-paved coastal road which connects Tripoli to Tunisia. If both these towns (especially the much larger population center of Zawiya) fall under permanent control of rebel forces, Tripoli risks being cut off from its primary sources of fuel. U.N. sanctions bar the export of petroleum products to Libya, and it is primarily the poorly enforced border controls with Tunisia that allow for fuel shipments to enter Gadhafi-held territory. The direct coastal road from Ras Jedir is the primary route. A much more circuitous route does exist, passing from Ghadamis (at the nexus of the Libyan-Tunisia-Algeria border) along the southern rim of the Nafusa Mountains, and then northward through Gharyan, but it is less efficient than the coastal route. With NATO patrolling the skies and waters around Libya, rebel control of the two towns would force the Gadhafi regime to rely almost entirely on its fuel reserves for its energy needs, which, depending on their size, could prove devastating.
Almost daily terrorist attacks in Nigeria
A man was shot dead by Nigerian police on Monday as he drove a car full of explosives, which failed to detonate, into police headquarters in Maiduguri, a northeastern city plagued by almost daily attacks by a radical Islamist sect.
Top Turkish military leaders in court
Gen. Bilgin Balanli, one of the top leaders of the Turkeish military and other senior officers appeared in court on Monday charged with plotting to overthrow the government. The trial has increased tensions between the secularist military and the religiously conservative government.
Turkey continues to supply Libyan rebels with diesel
Turkey continues to ship diesel fuel to Libyan rebels, effectively joining Qatar and trader Vitol in supporting the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi. Turkey is preparing to deliver a third shipment of fuel to the rebels in the East as part of a multi-million dollar deal.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces fired a Scud missile for the first time since the uprising against his rule began six months ago, but it landed in the desert and injured no one. The missile was fired on Sunday morning from a location about 50 miles (80 km) east of Sirte, Muammar Gaddafi's home town, and landed east of the coastal oil town of Brega.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces fired a Scud missile for the first time since the uprising against his rule began six months ago, but it landed in the desert and injured no one. The missile was fired on Sunday morning from a location about 50 miles (80 km) east of Sirte, Muammar Gaddafi's home town, and landed east of the coastal oil town of Brega.
Relatives of ex-Tunisian President sentenced
Twenty-five relatives of ex-Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his wife, Leila Trabelsi, were sentenced to prison terms ranging between a couple months and six years and also fined a total of 200 million Tunisian dinars ($140 million) for trying to escape Tunisia with money and jewelry.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Shell UK oil leak under control
Shell U.K. Limited confirmed an oil leak 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Aberdeen, Scotland. More than 130 square kilometers (50 square miles) of sea surface are estimated to be affected and the sheen is moving west. Shell said the leak is under control.
Iran's nuclear power plant to be linked to the national grid
Iranian atomic chief Fereydoun Abbasi Davani said that Bushehr nuclear power plant, built by Russia, will be linked to the national grid in late August, . The plant is expected to reach its full capacity of 1,000 megawatts in November or early December.
Pakistan gave China access to the downed US helicopter
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence gave China access to the downed helicopter in Abbottabad. Chinese engineers were allowed to survey the wreckage, take photographs and take samples of the stealth technology that allowed the U.S. team to enter Pakistan undetected by radar. Both Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, head of the Pakistani military, and another unnamed senior Pakistani official denied that the Chinese were given access.
Romanian PM visits China
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo and Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc met in Beijing on August 15 and agreed to expand bilateral investment in infrastructure construction. The Romanian PM is accompanied by several ministers of his cabinet on a 5-day tour of China.
Russia lowers gas price for Belarus
The contract for saling of 50 percent of Belarusian natural gas transportation company Beltransgaz to Russian Gazprom includes clauses that limit the price of Russian gas exported to Belarus. According to declarations made by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on August 15, after a meeting of the Council of Ministers of Belarus and Russia, a descending rate is to be integrated in the gas pricing formula for Belarus beginning in 2012.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden tours Asia
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will embark on a tour of Asia. He will visit China from Aug. 17-22 and then travel to Mongolia and Japan.
Japan's new nuclear watchdog
The Japanese government is putting together a plan for a new nuclear watchdog. The plan would combine the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan and the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency.
National Council in Yemen to oust government
The Yemeni opposition — including representatives of civil society, members of the secessionist Southern Movement, northern al-Houthi rebels and independent activists — will meet to form an umbrella national council with the intention of ousting the government and taking power.
Turkey initiative to eradicate famine in Africa
At Turkey’s request, the Organization of the Islamic Conference will hold an extraordinary meeting in Istanbul on 17.08.2011 to address the ongoing famine in Africa.
Italy cuts budget deficit
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Cabinet is expected to approve a new round of economic reforms aimed at reducing Italy’s budget deficit.
Bulgaria builds nuclear plant with Russia
Bulgaria is expected to submit an agreement draft to Russia’s Atomstroyexport for the construction of the Belene nuclear project.
Italy - Russia military cooperation
Italian defense company Augusta Westland is scheduled to begin producing AW139 helicopters in Russia as part of a joint venture with Russian Helicopters.
Russia and Belarus PM meet
Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich is expected to meet with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss new loans for Belarus.
Russia tries to revive nuclear talks with Iran
Russian National Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev went on Monday for talks with Iranian officials on the country's nuclear programme. His agenda includes meetings with his Iranian counterpart Saeed Jalili and other officials, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during a two-day stay.
Moscow intends to revive nuclear negotiations between Iran and major world powers known as the P5+1, the five UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany under a new "step-by-step" approach.
As a follow-up to Patrushev's visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is to travel to Moscow this week to continue negotiations with Russia. Tehran has been hit by four rounds of UN sanctions over its programme of uranium enrichment, which Western powers suspect has a military dimension, despite Tehran's repeated denials. The United States and European Union have also imposed their own unilateral sanctions on Iranian banks, posing risks for foreign companies which deal with them.
Moscow intends to revive nuclear negotiations between Iran and major world powers known as the P5+1, the five UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany under a new "step-by-step" approach.
As a follow-up to Patrushev's visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is to travel to Moscow this week to continue negotiations with Russia. Tehran has been hit by four rounds of UN sanctions over its programme of uranium enrichment, which Western powers suspect has a military dimension, despite Tehran's repeated denials. The United States and European Union have also imposed their own unilateral sanctions on Iranian banks, posing risks for foreign companies which deal with them.
Taiwan-USA-China affairs
The United States has refused Taiwan's request for 66 new F-16C/D fighter jets that China warned Washington would risk inflaming tensions between the two big powers. The USA seems to have started making concessions and favours China amid financial problems and increased dependence on Chinese economy.
Car bomb in Philippines
One man was killed and seven injured in the southern Philippines on Monday when a car bomb exploded next to the convoy of Esmael Mangudadatu, governor of Maguindanao province on the southern island of Mindanao who escaped unhurt.
Sudan armed group abducted an Italian
An Italian aid worker was abducted on Sunday in the town of Nyala - Western Sudan, by an armed group. Francesco Azzara, a 34-year old logistics specialist, was forced out of his car while driving to the airport and taken to an unknown destination.
Wave pf terrorist attacks in Iraq
Eight people were killed and 14 wounded following an attack of a suicide car bomber against a municipality building in the Iraqi province of Diyala. Suicide attackers and car bombs struck other cities across Iraq on Monday, killing at least 50 people and wounding many more in what seemed to be a coordinated assault carried out by affiliates of al Qaeda.
Libyan Interior Minister may have left Gaddafi
The arrival of the Libyan Interior Minister in Egypt with all members of his family might be the sign that he abandoned his leader, Muammar Gaddafi, although he claimed to have arrived in Cairo on holiday together with "only" nine members of his family.
Protesters in Tunisia dispersed by police
Tunisian security forces dispersed a crowd of protesters in the capital demanding that the government step down. Several hundred protesters were met with tear gas and truncheons on Monday when they assembled in front of the Interior Ministry headquarters.
The former Prime Minister of Jordan, Abdoul Ilhan al-Khatib, arrived in Tunis in his capacity of UN Secretary General special envoy with the task to find a way out of the tense situation.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Multinationals bribing Russian officials under investigation
Deere & Co., the world's largest farm equipment producer, entered the list of multinationals investigated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in its dealings with CIS countries. Russian officials seem to have benefited most from bribes paid by such companies for contracts.
Mercedes-Benz, Siemens and Hewlett-Packard are also among companies that have previousely faced investigations into their operations in Russia in recent years. Mercedes-Benz Russia paid a $27.26 million fine for conspiring to violate as well as violating the corruption act. Siemens confirmed bribing and paid $1.6 billion to settle the issue. The Hewlett-Packard investigation is ongoing.
The Securities and Exchange Commission avoided to provide details in the Deere & Co. case that is, for the moment, a non-public fact-finding inquiry aimed at clarifying if the company violated any federal securities laws does not mean that the commission has concluded that the company has broken the law.
Mercedes-Benz, Siemens and Hewlett-Packard are also among companies that have previousely faced investigations into their operations in Russia in recent years. Mercedes-Benz Russia paid a $27.26 million fine for conspiring to violate as well as violating the corruption act. Siemens confirmed bribing and paid $1.6 billion to settle the issue. The Hewlett-Packard investigation is ongoing.
The Securities and Exchange Commission avoided to provide details in the Deere & Co. case that is, for the moment, a non-public fact-finding inquiry aimed at clarifying if the company violated any federal securities laws does not mean that the commission has concluded that the company has broken the law.
The list of persons bribed by multinationals in Russia included officials from the Interior Ministry, Moscow government and several other municipalities.
Indiana stage collapse kill 3 and injure more than 25
Officials in Indianapolis confirmed only 3 dead in the stage collapse during the storm that swept the region hosting the Indiana State Fair. More than 25 persons have been injured at the fairgrounds.
The stage where the country group Sugarland was set to perform started rigging and collapsed, trapping and injuring the public.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan expected to quit
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan is expected to leave office by the end of August following criticism of the way he tackled the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters and falling approval rating that went down to a stunning 15 percent.
Several weeks ago Naoto Kan promised he would step aside once an extra budget for disaster reconstruction law, a bill to help pay for it with new bonds and a law to promote renewable energy are passed.
Several weeks ago Naoto Kan promised he would step aside once an extra budget for disaster reconstruction law, a bill to help pay for it with new bonds and a law to promote renewable energy are passed.
Is Eurozone going to a fiscal union?
After more than a year of turmoil in the Eurozone with extending debt crisis to countries like France, once an engine of the EU, bankers and policymakers consider a deep reform of the currency policy of the Union. Positions still differ, with George Osborne, the UK Chancellor, calling for deeper integration and a certain fiscal union to solve the debt crisis, while Italian counterpart Giulio Tremonti urges the introduction of common euro-area bonds. So far, the French and German leaders have opposed more radical moves, but latest events may change their position.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker had long argued in favour of joint euro bonds and he believed the trend was pointing towards closer coordination of fiscal policies.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker had long argued in favour of joint euro bonds and he believed the trend was pointing towards closer coordination of fiscal policies.
Train crush in Poland kills one and injures 81
A train in Poland travelling with 280 persons on board from Warsaw to the Southern city of Katowice derailed on Friday afternoon killing one and injuring 81 passengers. The train seems to have exceeded the speed limit.
Rebels in Libya advance North
After a six-hour battle with pro-Gaddafi forces, rebels in Western Libyan advanced North to almost 25 km (15 miles) of the coastal city of Zawiyah on Saturday.
320 more migrants arrived in Italy by sea
A ship with 320 migrants of an unknown origin reached the Italian island of Lampedusa. Customs officials took their charge and are processing their cases.
Fidel Castro of Cuba is 85
Fidel Castro turned 85 today avoiding public fas and concerts in his honour with musicians from more Latin American countries were no longer advertised.
The former president known for his poor health will continue his low profile policy not making up to his own party.
Friday, August 12, 2011
China worried by economic evolutions in the EU and USA
China is worried about challenges that the European Union faces in the next two months and urged the bloc as well as the United States to hold down government debt, its trade minister said on Friday.
Cholera in Somalia
A cholera epidemic is spreading in famine-hit Somalia, with alarming numbers of cases among people driven to the capital Mogadishu by a lack of food and water, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
Yemeni solder shot dead
Gunmen attacked a Yemeni military patrol in the southern city of Taiz, killing a soldier, Yemen's state news agency said on Friday, in a resumption of clashes between loyalists and opponents of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Russian sanctions against Libya
The Russian President Dmitri Medvedev signed a decree enforcing the sanctions against the Libyan regime of Moammar Gaddafi adopted by the UN in March. Measures include interdictions on financial transactions with the Gaddafi regime.
Troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi are still in control of the oil terminal and refinery of the strategic eastern port of Brega despite rebel advances, a spokesman for rebel forces said on Friday.[..
Thursday, August 11, 2011
US extends sanctions against Belarus
The United States has imposed additional economic sanctions against Belarus, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a daily press briefing on Thursday.
Police in Netherlands starts monitoring convicters to prevent re-offending
In spite of controversies and opposition, Dutch police have given up on the soft approach and decided to tag anyone convicted of a hold-up for two years to stop them re-offending.
Australia reopens detention centre for immigrants
Australia continues its controversial people-swap deal with Malaysia that remained on hold following previous negative reactions.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced on 11.08.2011 that the Australian government plans to re-open an immigration detention centre on Papua New Guinea's remote Manus Island.
Go ahead for 1,600 Israeli settler homes
A plan to build 1,600 settler homes in East Jerusalem has been approved by Israel's interior minister Eli Yishai on 11.08.2011. The project triggered a diplomatic row following its announcement last year during a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.
The decision could weigh on US-led efforts to discourage the Palestinian moves towards a United Nations endorsement of statehood in the absence of peace talks suspended due to Israeli settlement construction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not agree with cuts in military spending to finance social measures.
At the same date, a member of the armed section of Hamas was killed in an explosion quoted as accidental in Southern Gaza Strip.
Toughened international sanctions against Lybia
In a move to toughen international sanctions against Lybia, the European Union added Libya's Al-Sharara Oil Services Company and the Organisation for Development of Administrative Centres (ODAC) on the black list of entities subject to restrictions.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
A lack of Serb and Croat separatist plans to disintegrate Bosnia and Herzegovina may succeed if the U.S. and the European Union continues to show little or no interest in Bosnia. The opinion was expressed on 11.08.2011 by a former US diplomat, fearing that disintegration could eventually happen.
Ukraine's Former PM remains under arrest
On 11.08.2011, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Ianoukovitch, refused to intervene in the course of justice in the case of the former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, put under arrest for contempt of court during her trial for power abuse. The case triggered little international reactions but Ukrainian opposition continue appeals in her favour.
Police in Sweden storms Libyan Embassy
On 11.08.2011 police in Sweden stormed the Libyan embassy in Stockholm to cope with a small group of anti-Gaddafi protesters that occupied the building earlier in the day. It was not immediately clear if any of the protesters or police had been hurt.
Texas Governor Rick Perry to run for US presidency
Advised by ex-President George Bush the Texas Governor Rick Perry decided to run for US presidency in 2012. He has the full backing of his wife. This weekend Perry will inform a conservative meeting in South Carolina about his intention and then he will travel to the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire and the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa. He seems to have a 15% support of Republican and independent voters just two points behind former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, considered the frontrunner in the nominating process.
Police in Uganda cracks down opposition supporters
Teargas fired by police in Ugandan dispersed thousands of supporters of opposition leader Kizza Besigye on Wednesday. Protesters gathered in the town of Masaka (South-Western Uganda) renewed calls for lower food and fuel prices.
Syria triggers further reactions worldwide
The15 civilians killed in the city of Homs by Syrian forces on Wednesday in defiance of international calls for President Bashar al-Assad to end violence against protesters.
The U.S. Treasury Department has enforced new sanctions on Syria, in a drive to weaken the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian leader eventually recognized that several errors have been done by hil loyal forces, but gave no signs of policy change. European members of the Security Council on Wednesday threatened Syria with tougher U.N. action if the bloody crackdown on protesters continued. Russia has also urged Damascus to implement promised reforms as soon as possible. But veto powers Russia and China, backed by India, South Africa and Brazil, have strongly opposed the idea of slapping U.N. sanctions on Damascus, which Western diplomats say would be the logical next step for Syria.
The U.S. Treasury Department has enforced new sanctions on Syria, in a drive to weaken the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian leader eventually recognized that several errors have been done by hil loyal forces, but gave no signs of policy change. European members of the Security Council on Wednesday threatened Syria with tougher U.N. action if the bloody crackdown on protesters continued. Russia has also urged Damascus to implement promised reforms as soon as possible. But veto powers Russia and China, backed by India, South Africa and Brazil, have strongly opposed the idea of slapping U.N. sanctions on Damascus, which Western diplomats say would be the logical next step for Syria.
Tunisia curbs illegal fuel traffic with Libya
Tunisian authorities seized five trucks with fuel smuggled to Libya, in a move to curb an illegal trade aimed at helping to keep Muammar Gaddafi in power.
Emergency session of the British Parliament
UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, London Mayor Boris Johnson, Interior Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Ed Milliband have returned from their holidays earlier to tackle the rioting mobs in London. Parliament has also been recalled from the summer recess for an emergency session today. Violence during the past few nights in London finally receded, but erupted elsewhere in the UK seriously damaging international reputation of the Cameron's government.
16,000 police officers have been deployed in London to control the situation, but many wonder if police is still able of restoring order.
16,000 police officers have been deployed in London to control the situation, but many wonder if police is still able of restoring order.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Debates in Austria on abortion
Birth rate in Austria went up sharply amid heated debates sparked by Social Democratic (SPÖ) Health Minister Alois Stöger who suggested more abortion services in the country.
Austrian statistics show that more than 37,000 babies were born in the first six months of this year, 117 more than in the same period of 2010. 40.2 per cent of them were conceived out of wedlock.
According to Eurostat (official EU statistics body) Austria with 9.1 births per 1,000 inhabitants in the country in 2009, has the second-lowest birth rate in the European Union after the 7.9 registered by Germany. Figures show that the highest birth rate among the EU-27 is in the Republic of Ireland followed by the United Kingdom.
The EU is near to a demographic crisis with only 5.3 million children born in the 27 member states in 2009.
Austrian statistics show that more than 37,000 babies were born in the first six months of this year, 117 more than in the same period of 2010. 40.2 per cent of them were conceived out of wedlock.
According to Eurostat (official EU statistics body) Austria with 9.1 births per 1,000 inhabitants in the country in 2009, has the second-lowest birth rate in the European Union after the 7.9 registered by Germany. Figures show that the highest birth rate among the EU-27 is in the Republic of Ireland followed by the United Kingdom.
The EU is near to a demographic crisis with only 5.3 million children born in the 27 member states in 2009.
Belarus ruble sharply devaluates
Official rates for the Belarussian ruble remained far behind the black market quotations to more than double as a month ago triggering more price increases and economic problems to the country.
Moscow retaliates on travel restrictions imposed by Washington
In a tit-for-tat action following Washington's decision to restrict travel of Russian officials implicated in the 2009 prison death of Hermitage lawyer Sergei Magnitsky the government of Russia prepared a retaliatory blacklist with US officials not accepted in the Russian Federation.
Syria between Turkey and Iran
On 09.08.2011, the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visited Syria and met Syrian President Bashar al Assad and other senior officials in Damascus. The head of the Turkish diplomacy tried to convince the Syrian government to end use of force that led to over 1,600 people dead since protests broke out in the country five months ago. Ankara intends to monitor the behavior of the Syrian regime in the coming days. Syrian officials commented that while it would never cease to go after groups trying to destabilize the country, Damascus “is open to any help offered by friendly and brotherly states.”, a declaration clearly hinting to Iran.
At the same time, Former Syrian Defense Minister General Ali Habib was found dead in his home a day after Syrian President Bashar al Assad replaced him on health grounds in a reshuffle. Strong suspicions are that Habib may have been assassinated as the Alawite-Baathist regime comes under greater strain.
At the same time, Former Syrian Defense Minister General Ali Habib was found dead in his home a day after Syrian President Bashar al Assad replaced him on health grounds in a reshuffle. Strong suspicions are that Habib may have been assassinated as the Alawite-Baathist regime comes under greater strain.
US drones kill 21 insurgents in Pakistan
US drones on 10.08.2011 killed at least 21 Haqqani insurgents in a tribal area North-Western Pakistan. The attack was confirmed by local security officials.
EU's NABUCCO gas project on the right track
Reinhard Mitschek, Nabucco's managing director, announced that progress is being made in talks between NABUCCO gas pipeline shareholders and potential gas suppliers. "The shareholders are currently undertaking the negotiations with the gas suppliers and progress is being made. Therefore we are confident that the construction will start in 2013 and the first gas will flow in 2017," he said in a press release on Tuesday, adding that "The NABUCCO project continues to be driven by the needs of its customers" and "The Caspian Region and Middle East have some of the world’s largest gas reserves, which the producers are very keen to export to Europe. The construction of the NABUCCO pipeline infrastructure has been aligned with the expected timetable from the producers’ side.
Inter confessional skirmishes in Egypt
A Coptic Christian has been killed and four Muslims were wounded in the province of Minya, Southern Egypt, after a road accident degenerated in inter-confessional skirmishes.
Former president of Azerbaijan, Ayaz Mutalibov, returns from exile
After nineteen years exile in Russia, Ayaz Mutalibov, first post-Soviet leader of Azerbaijan arrived in Baku for the funeral of his 49-year old son. Azeri President Ilham Aliyev allowed him to enter the country in spite of the criminal investigation against Mutalibov after the 1990 crackdown on an Azeri nationalist uprising by Soviet troops in Baku.
He became president after Azerbaijan's 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union but was toppled in 1992 during the pick of the war in rebel region of Nagorno-Karabakh and retired to Moscow never to return until now.
His Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan worries he may be prevented from leaving to be pursued in a criminal inquiry.
He became president after Azerbaijan's 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union but was toppled in 1992 during the pick of the war in rebel region of Nagorno-Karabakh and retired to Moscow never to return until now.
His Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan worries he may be prevented from leaving to be pursued in a criminal inquiry.
North Korea prepares commando to kill South Korean minister
North Korea prepared a team of special agents with the task to kill South Korea's defense minister after he said Seoul would retaliate militarily if Pyongyang repeats attacks against the South. The South Korean government has put Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin under tight security protection
Thailand cabinet ready
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand has nominated the 35 members of his new cabinet that comprises both politicians from her Puea Thai Party and representatives of coalition parties as well as non-aligned politicians. The four members of the coalition parties and four outsiders can not influence the policy line of the government.
First aircraft carrier of China
The first aircraft carrier built by China is expected to start its sea trials on August 10. The ship was refitted from a former Soviet craft and encountered long delays before going to sea. The launching of the carrier marked a step forward in China's long-term plan to build a carrier force that can project power into the Asian region, where seas are spanned by busy shipping lanes and thorny territorial disputes.
Ethiopia and Djibouti ask UN for sanctions against Eritrea
Ethiopia and Djibouti urged the UN Security Council on 09.08.2011 to toughen sanctions against Eritrea for continued support of terrorism in Eastern Africa.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
US rating downgrade hits Russia
Russian stocks followed international markets in a tailspin Monday after a U.S. credit downgrade stoked a huge equity sell-off and talk of a global economic slowdown.
Masked men in Russia attack architecture protectors
About 50 masked men attacked a group of about 15 architectural preservationists who tried to stop the demolition of a 19th-century building in downtown Moscow on Monday, activists said.
Russia delays commissioning the nuclear plant to Iran
Iran's first nuclear power station will not start working this month as planned, several parliamentarians were quoted as saying on Monday, blaming Russian builders for the latest delay in a project Tehran hopes will showcase its peaceful atomic aims.
Inter confessional skirmishes in Egypt
A Coptic Christian has been killed and four Muslims were wounded in the province of Minya, Southern Egypt, after a road accident degenerated in inter-confessional skirmishes with all sides shooting each other.
Rebel Executive Committee of Libya dissolved
Libyan rebels have dissolved their executive committee after "shortcomings" by some members in the handling of the shooting dead 12 days ago of their military chief, a rebel spokesman said on Monday. [...](Reuters, 21h31)
Libya's rebels have set up a force to protect oil fields that have come under their control during six months of fighting against the army of Muammar Gaddafi, rebel officials said on Monday
Libya's rebels have set up a force to protect oil fields that have come under their control during six months of fighting against the army of Muammar Gaddafi, rebel officials said on Monday
Former first lady of Guatemala candidacy rejected
Guatemala's Constitutional Court on Monday rejected a final appeal by former first lady Sandra Torres to run for president, effectively barring her center-left party from participating in September's presidential election
North Korea - USA relations
The United States has requested talks with North Korea on ways to search for the remains of American troops killed during the 1950-53 Korean War, a South Korean media report said on Tuesday, amid an easing of tensions on the peninsula
Anti-Corruption drive in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is bracing for more protests after the country's Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday filed a case against former premier Khaleda Zia, accusing her of buying land in a trust's name by using undeclared funds.
US aid for Somalia
The United States is giving an additional $105 million in humanitarian aid for the Horn of Africa, where famine is spreading in Somalia
Thousands of Somali refugees, fleeing famine and years of violence, streamed into Mogadishu on Monday searching for food after Islamist rebels withdrew from the capital.
South Sudan - China relations
China will support South Sudan to develop its oil sector and other industries, its foreign minister said on Sunday, after the highest-level talks between the two allies since South Sudan became independent. Yang Jiechi met north Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti in Khartoum and said Beijing would continue its economic and political support. Beijing has also called on countries to normalise relations with Khartoum.
Monday, August 8, 2011
European Central Bank to buy Eurozone bonds
The European Central Bank (ECB) pledged to actively implement its Securities Markets Program and to buy bonds issued by eurozone governments on the secondary markets in an effort to prevent the eurozone's debt crisis from spreading and to ensure price stability in the Eurozone. Speaking in a conference call held late Aug. 7, the ECB said EU member states must activate the EU bailout mechanism, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), in the secondary market if the ECB recognizes significant financial market circumstances and risks to financial stability.
China party leader to visit Nepal
Communist Party of China (CPC) standing committee member Zhou Yongkang will lead four dozen Chinese officials to Nepal on Aug. 16-18, Nepal's Republica reported Aug. 8. Zhou is scheduled to meet with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala as well as other officials. As head of the Chinese Central Political and Legislative Committee, Zhou will discuss the feasibility of Chinese investments in Nepal. Zhou will also discuss the peace process, constitution drafting and security issues in Tibet as well as various development projects, including the holy site Lumbini with Nepalese officials, a Chinese official in South Asian affairs said.
Jordan to join Gulf Cooperation Council
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Jordan will begin procedures to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) soon with the first meeting to discuss membership to be held in early September after the Feast Festival. Judeh said Jordan and the GCC continue their coordination and a plan for Jordan's membership procedures will be developed after the first meeting in September.
Tele-conference of the G-7 leaders
Group of 7 (G-7) leaders held a phone conference Aug. 8 and issued a joint statement pledging to consult closely together and to act appropriately to quell market volatility. Issued before stock markets opened in Tokyo, the statement said cooperative actions combined with continued fiscal discipline will enable long-term fiscal sustainability, adding that the fundamentals in Spain and Italy have not changed and do not warrant the recent financial tensions. The statement said G-7 leaders welcome policy measures to be announced by Italy and Spain which will strengthen fiscal discipline and aid the economic recovery and job creation. Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda confirmed that the leaders also discussed the eurozone debt crisis and the U.S. credit ratings downgrade.
Afghanistan investigation on NATO strike that killed eight civilians
Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered an investigation on Sunday into a NATO air strike that killed eight civilians in the volatile south of the country, adding more fuel to an already contentious issue between Kabul and foreign forces.
Crack down on religious extremists in China
Zhang Chunxian, Communist Party of China Secretary for the Xinjiang regional committee, said he would work to curb illegal religious activities and those individuals who use religion to incite violence or organize militant attacks. Speaking at a regional government meeting, Zhang said the management of religious affairs should follow Beijing's policy of protecting the legitimate, banning the illegal, battling infiltrations and punishing crimes. He said the regional meeting should focus on maintaining stability in Xinjiang in adherence with the latest instructions from Chinese President Hu Jintao and other top leaders
Inauguration ceremony of Chad President Idriss Deby
New initiatives to stop bloodshed in Syria
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah demanded an end to the bloodshed in Syria on Monday and recalled his country's ambassador from Damascus, in a rare case of one of the Arab world's most powerful leaders intervening against another.
State Secretary Hilary Clinton urged the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs to ask Syria to return solders in their barracks.
State Secretary Hilary Clinton urged the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs to ask Syria to return solders in their barracks.
Fatah and Hamas have resumed negotiations in Cairo. New rockets fell in Israel.
Fatah and Hamas have resumed negotiations in Cairo to put into practice the reconciliation agreement reached in April. Discussions went well with the two parties deciding to continue talks in the beginning of September to level the remaining issues not agreed upon, among others the formation of the new government.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday Israel should sever contacts with the Palestinian Authority over its plans to ask the United Nations in September to upgrade the Palestinians' status in the world body. Lieberman said he would "demand that we cut off all contact" with the Palestinian Authority, led by Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas, "at the earliest moment," ahead of a request to upgrade Palestinian status at the United Nations.[...](Reuters, 16h59)
In spite of the Saturday arrest of two Islamists suspected to have shelled Israel, a new rocket fired on Sunday by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fell in Southern Israel without victims or casualties.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday Israel should sever contacts with the Palestinian Authority over its plans to ask the United Nations in September to upgrade the Palestinians' status in the world body. Lieberman said he would "demand that we cut off all contact" with the Palestinian Authority, led by Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas, "at the earliest moment," ahead of a request to upgrade Palestinian status at the United Nations.[...](Reuters, 16h59)
In spite of the Saturday arrest of two Islamists suspected to have shelled Israel, a new rocket fired on Sunday by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fell in Southern Israel without victims or casualties.
Cabinet reshuffle in Mauritius
Mauritius
A day after a cabinet reshuffle in Mauritius, the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) pulled out of government weakening the parliamentary majority held by the country's ruling coalition.led by Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
Former finance minister and MSM leader Pravind Jugnauth said his party was now in opposition.
A day after a cabinet reshuffle in Mauritius, the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) pulled out of government weakening the parliamentary majority held by the country's ruling coalition.led by Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
Former finance minister and MSM leader Pravind Jugnauth said his party was now in opposition.
Growing tension on the political arena of Egypt
In a sign of growing tensions between liberals and Islamists over their vision for Muslim-majority Egypt, the Wafd party of Egypt announced it may quit the electoral deal with the Muslim Brotherhood.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Two Bahrain opposition leaders released
Matar Matar and Jawad Fayrouz, former leaders of the main Shiite Al-Wefag opposition in Bahrain, awaiting trial in detention for incitement at regime change have been released on Sunday.
Iraq's electricity minister to resign
Irregularities discovered in power contracts with two foreign companies made Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to ask electricity minister, Raad Shallal, to step down.
Moqtada Sadr, the radical Shiite leader in Iraq declared that all foreign forces in the country should be deemed oppressive and fight against them using military means must be accepted as legal.
Huge demonstrations in Israel against worsening economic conditions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was surprised by an unprecedented 300,000 persons demonstration against worsening economic conditions of the population and promised to set up a special economic team led by the famous professor Manuel Trachtenberg (now head of the Higher Education Council) to find proper changes aimed at bringing prosperity in the country.
Renewed exchanges of fire in Somalia
Exchanges of fire between Somalia government troops and al Shabaab insurgents started again only a day after the rebels said they were leaving the Somali capital and the government declared it controlled most of the city.
Elections in Sao Tome
The run-off voting in the island state of Sao Tome on Sunday are expected to give an answer to the economic problems of the small country in the central part of Africa after the failure of the oil sector to produce major finds.
Arab League and Austria reacted against killings in Syria
President Bachar al-Assad of Syria considers that the Syrian state has the obligation to react against those illegally accusing him of terror against the population. In a meeting with the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adnane Mansour, he commented that his country is continuing reforms
Activists in the region announced that at least 57 Syrian civilians were killed in armoured military assaults by President Bashar al-Assad's forces on Sunday to crush a five-month uprising against his rule.
The Arab League reacted expressing growing concern regarding latest developments in Syria and called on the authorities to immediately stop acts of violence against protesters.
Austria suspended its contract with the government of Syria for deliveries of banknotes printed in a printing house of the National Bank of Austria.
Cape Verde elections
Presidential elections in Cape Verde have taken place on 07.08.2011. President Pedro Pires already has two mandates and according to constitution could not participate. Results will be decided in the August 21 runoff after the leading candidates failed to win outright victory in Sunday's first round of voting in the west African island nation.
Gaddafi forces take control of Bir al-Ghanam
A press conference of Baghdadi Mahmoudi, Prime Minister of Libya, confirmed that Bir al-Ghanam (80 km South-East of Tripoli) fell again in the hands of Gaddafi forces.
New NATO losses in Afghanistan
Two French solders have been killed and five wounded in the Tagab valley of Eastern Afghanistan during skirmishes with insurgents. Other two NATO solders were killed in another incident in South Afghanistan.
Venezuela's president on a second chemotherapy treatment in Cuba
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela returned to Cuba to continue chemotherapy. He was operated in June for cancer and has underwent a first chemotherapy session immediately after.
Actor Francesco Quinn, Anthony Quin's son dies at 48
Francesco Quinn, the third of the 12 sons of the Mexican born actor Anthony Quin, died of heart attack on Sunday in his Malibu residence. He was 48.
Qatari ammo for rebel fighters in Libya
A shipment with ammunition for insurgent fighters in Libya was delivered on 07.08.2011 by a Qatari plane that landed shortly in the rebel-held Libyan city and took off after offloading ammunition crates destined for rebel fighters.
The National Transition Council tries to lead the coordination of the insurgents, with the leader of the Council, Moustapha Abdeljalil, asking for unity against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.
International reactions against escalating violence in Syria
The U.N. chief asked the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday to stop sending the military against demonstrators and expressed his concern regarding the escalating violence in Syria.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu will visit Syria on 09.08.2011 in an attempt to determine Assad to stop repression against population.
Following international pressure, his Syrian counterpart, Walid al-Mouallem, announced that free and transparent election shall be held in Syria leading to a new Parliament, representing the aspirations of the people.
In the meantime, security forces in Syria have arrested Walid al-Bounni, one of the prominent oposition leaders, and his two sons.
President of Yemen released from hospital in Saudi Arabia
The Yemeni leader, Ali Abdallah Saleh, left the hospital in Saudi Arabia two months after the attack against his palace, but remains in Riyadh during his convalescence.
Islamists withdraw from capital city of Somalia
Shabaab Islamists have been forced by African peacekeepers to abandon their campaign to hold the Somali capital Mogadishu Nevertheless, the withdrawl of the fighters hardly ends the country's bloodshed and could herald a wave of al Qaeda-style suicide attacks.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
EU disappointment on continuation of the Israeli settlements
Catherine Ashton, the head of the EU foreign policy expressed her disapproval regarding the erection of 900 new homes in East Beit-ul-Moqaddas by Israel. The new settlements are damaging the prospects for peace and triggered fierce criticism from the Palestinians and the international community.
Good news for two Americans arrested in Iran since 2009
In a sign that the two Americans arrested some two years ago in Iran might be freed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, declared he hopes that procedures will end with their liberation.
The two are detained for espionage.
US citizens warned to leave Syria
The US warned its citizens to immediately leave Syria as violences following protests against the regime of Bachar al-Assad are expected to worsen.
Islamic group members arrested by Hamas security forces for rocketing Israel
Hamas security forces have apprehended two members of an Islamic group suspected to have fired rockets against Israel from the Gaza Strip.
Internal elections for Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt
The Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt is expected to hold an internal election on 06.08.2011 for three vacant posts in its governing body. The event takes place the first time in the history of the organization and will be public.
Insurgents in Libya occupied Bir Ghanam
The strategic town of Bir Ghanam, 80 km South of Tripoli was occupied by insurgents on 06.08.2011.
Central African Republic mediator to meet rebels
Abdel Kader Baba Laddée, the self declared general and head of the rebel Popular Front of Chad is expected to start negotiations on 06.08.2011 with the mediator of the Central African Republic in a village in the Northern region of Kaga Bandoro. The rebels have occupied the village since the beginning of the week.
Islamist militants in Somalia retire from capital Mogadishu
Islamist militants started abandoning their bases in the capital Mogadishu on 06.08.2011. Militants known as Al Shabaab fight to overthrow the Western-backed government of Somalia.
US helicopter crush in Afghanistan. 31 special forces dead
Taliban insurgents fired an American helicopter returning from a raid against militants gathered for Ramadhan in a Afghan village. 31 members of the US special forces were killed, the highest death toll in one incident since the start of the war. Seven Afghan solders in the helicopter died too. American withdrawal from Afghanistan will go on as planed, with Afghan forces supposed to get full control by 2014.
Flight tickets in New Caledonia trigger violence
The island of Maré in New Caledonia witnessed violences triggered by discontents on tickets prices of the local airline company. The situation went out of control on 06.08.2011 when 4 persons died and 23 were wounded following exchanges that erupted.
Increased pressure to stop Assad killing protesters in Syria
Concerted pressure of the USA, Germany and France to determine Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop killing protesters were announced by President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 05.08.2011.
A meeting of tribal leaders in the Eastern province of Deir al-Zor, Syria, decided to confront any future government army assault.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Cairn Energy fails to find oil in Greenland
The controversial Greenland exploration campaign of Cairn Energy had failed to find hydrocarbons, but the work in Arctica did indicate the presence of oil-prone rocks. Three other wells are expected to be drilled as part of a $600 million campaign this year.
Cairn's shares disappointed with a 5% reduction of their value.
Cairn's shares disappointed with a 5% reduction of their value.
Religious marriages to be registered in Kyrgyzstan
A new law enforced by Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbaeva obliges the official registration of all marriages conducted in Islamic, Christian, and other religious traditions in order to be valid.
Reconciliation talks in Sri Lanka may fail
On 05.08.2011 the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the main Tamil party in Sri Lanka warned that if the government does not answer to proposals on devolution of powers within two weeks they pull out of reconciliation talks. Granting of powers from the central government to regional Tamil structures is a main issue that fuelled a quarter-century civil war in Sri Lanka.
Former Rwandan major returns from exile
Gérard Ntashamaje, a former Major of Rwanda, who acted in exile for the opposition intends to return to the country risking prosecution.
Israel deploys new interceptors
The coastal town of Ashkelon will receive a new interceptor missile battery, as a response to barrage of rockets militants fired from the Gaza Strip during the last two days, Israeli military forces informed on 05.08.2011.
2012 Turkmenistan presidentials
Presidential elections in the gas rich Turkmenistan have been set a for February 12. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the president of the country, promised last month that the opposition could take part in the polls.
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko of Ukraine arrested
Mykola Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine testified in Kiev against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko who is accused for abuse of power after signing gas contracts with Russia in 2009. She was detained shortly after for contempt of court.
Yulia Timoshenko is also Batkivshchyna party leader and her arrest has arisen immediate response both inside the country and abroad.
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, and Stefan F·le, the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, made a statement expressing concern about the state of the rule of law in Ukraine.
A similar position was voiced by President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also commented on Timoshenko’s arrest and urged for a fair and unbiased trial.
Yulia Timoshenko is also Batkivshchyna party leader and her arrest has arisen immediate response both inside the country and abroad.
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, and Stefan F·le, the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, made a statement expressing concern about the state of the rule of law in Ukraine.
A similar position was voiced by President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also commented on Timoshenko’s arrest and urged for a fair and unbiased trial.
Human rights activist arrested in Belarus
Financial police in Belarus has detained human rights activist Ales Belyatsky on tax evasion charges The head of the Vesna-96 non governmental organisation is known for his critical stances on Belarus leaders.
OSCE strongly criticised Belarus on 05.08.22011 declaring that Minsk was systematically persecuting the opposition and civil society while gagging the media.
OSCE strongly criticised Belarus on 05.08.22011 declaring that Minsk was systematically persecuting the opposition and civil society while gagging the media.
UN treaty threatens gun owners in the USA
A proposed U.N. Treaty to Regulate Global Firearms Trade may threaten the right of Americans to keep and bear guns. World Forum on the Future of Sports Shooting considers that the treaty can not circumvent the second amendment, but its provisions are worrying and represent an important threat to gun owners rights.
Prince Harry to fly in the outer space
Prince Harry of Great Britain intends to become the first member of the Royal family go into space. He reserved a seat on one of the first Virgin Galactic sub-orbital flights.
As an army pilot, the 26 years old Harry has chances to see his dream fulfilled if he aquires at least 1,000 hours of advanced jet engine flight time and test flight experience to be considered by NASA. He also needs a degree in engineering, bio science, physical science or maths and complete the special NASA training in Houston, Texas that includes scuba microgravity, that is performing tasks underwater in space suits for up to four hours at a time, endure extreme G-Force in a gyroscope, and work in a pressurised chamber, simulating space problems such as muscle wastage.
As an army pilot, the 26 years old Harry has chances to see his dream fulfilled if he aquires at least 1,000 hours of advanced jet engine flight time and test flight experience to be considered by NASA. He also needs a degree in engineering, bio science, physical science or maths and complete the special NASA training in Houston, Texas that includes scuba microgravity, that is performing tasks underwater in space suits for up to four hours at a time, endure extreme G-Force in a gyroscope, and work in a pressurised chamber, simulating space problems such as muscle wastage.
Deployment tours reduced in the USA
Starting next January most US military units are cutting the present year long deployment tours to nine months. Among exceptions are aviation and military police. The lowering troop requirements in Iraq and Afghanistan shall ease the implementation of the measure.
British student killed by polar bear in Norway
A group of British students camping in the Svalbard archipelago, the Arctic area of Norway was attacked by a polar bear. One of the youngsters was killed and four others were injured.
USA credit ranking reduced at AA+
Standard & Poor's is the first credit rating agency that lowered US rating at AA+ from the highest AAA level permanently maintained ever since 1917. The drop in the rating was deemed possible since April. Other main credit agencies are expected to downgrade their rating for the USA.
Countries like Australia, Canada and Japan had their ratings years ago to AA without a strong impact or much lasting damage. A similar effect in the market is expected after the announcement about the lower rating of the USA.
Nevertheless, France, which has a far higher debt per capita ratio than the U.S., still enjoys a AAA rating.
Countries like Australia, Canada and Japan had their ratings years ago to AA without a strong impact or much lasting damage. A similar effect in the market is expected after the announcement about the lower rating of the USA.
Nevertheless, France, which has a far higher debt per capita ratio than the U.S., still enjoys a AAA rating.
NATO brokered agreement between Serbia and Kosovo hard to reach
Serbian government representatives appreciate that a solution to the crisis in northern Kosovo can be found today. A draft of an agreement in this respect was arranged by NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) Belgrade team head Borislav Stefanovic, Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic and KFOR Commander Erhard Buhler.
According to the Kosovar government such an agreement is far from being reached.
United States and Israel drills in Mediterana without Turkey
Upcoming joint drills of the United States and Israel in the Mediterranean shall not be attended by t he Turkish navy.
US Vice President to visit China
The White House announced that on August 16, 2011 Vice President Joe Biden will depart for China, Mongolia and Japan. He will visit China at the invitation of Vice President Xi Jinping, the program including meetings with President Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao.
In Ulaanbaatar, Biden will promote U.S. support for Mongolia’s two decades of democratic development and growing economic ties between the United States and Mongolia.
In Japan, Biden will emphasize U.S. support for its close ally in the wake of the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster.
US-Yemeni relations
On August 4, Yemeni Chief of the General Staff Ahmed Ali al-Ashwal met the U.S. Assistant Defense Secretary Michael Vickers to discuss military cooperation, including training, rehabilitation and fight against terrorism.
Brazil-Colombia border agreement
On August 4, Brazil Defense Minister Nelson Jobim had signed with his Colombian counterpart Rodrigo Rivera Salazar a border agreement Aug. 4 in Tabatinga, Brazil, to combat organized crime and protect natural resources along their shared Amazon border. The agreement creates a Border Commission composed of security forces from both countries that will evaluate border security progress periodically. This is the first of 10 agreements Brazil plans to sign with neighboring countries to improve border security.
Next day the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced that the former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim will replace Nelson Jobim as defense minister.
Next day the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced that the former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim will replace Nelson Jobim as defense minister.
Economic developments in the USA and EU worries China
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said during his visit to Poland that international cooperation is needed to address the increasing risks of debt problems in the United States and Europe.Yang said the escalating debt risks in the United States requires Washington to adopt responsible monetary policies that protect the dollar investments of foreign nations, maintain the global economic recovery and ensure the stable development of the world economy. He added that Europe's sovereign debt problems are also still developing, but China will continue to support the eurozone and the euro. All countries must work to increase communication, coordination and reforms to the global financial system to improve its governance, he said.
China's finance ministry drafted a preliminary plan to allow some provincial and city governments to sell bonds to investors on a trial basis. The drafted plan hopes to boost the repayment ability of local authorities after local government liabilities fell to 7.1 trillion yuan ($1.1 trillion) on June 30 after banks reclassified 2.1 trillion yuan as normal corporate credit with sufficient cash flow to meet obligations.
China's finance ministry drafted a preliminary plan to allow some provincial and city governments to sell bonds to investors on a trial basis. The drafted plan hopes to boost the repayment ability of local authorities after local government liabilities fell to 7.1 trillion yuan ($1.1 trillion) on June 30 after banks reclassified 2.1 trillion yuan as normal corporate credit with sufficient cash flow to meet obligations.
Israel again hits tunnels in Gaza Strip
Officials of the Israeli military informed that on August 4, Israeli forces targeted three tunnels in the Gaza Strip, hitting one tunnel in the center of the city and two others in the center and the south.
First congress of the Syrian opposition
Syrian Democratic Movement Secretary General Muheddin Ladhikani announced first congress of the Syrian opposition movement to be held in the Tunisian capital of Tunis in September. The event is intended to unite Syrians working inside and outside Syria to plan an agenda for the country after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al Assad's regime. Ladhikani said the Arab silence about the situation in Syria needs to be broken. Tunisian political parties, including the Progressive Democratic Party and the main Tunisian Islamist movement Ennahda, are working to create a support committee for the Syrian people.
Death of Libyan leader's son denied by government spokesman
Libyan rebel forces announced the death of Khamis Gadhafi, the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, and 32 others after an overnight NATO strike on an operations center in the western Libyan town of Zliten. A spokesman for the Libyan revolutionary militia groups, Mohammed Zawawi, said spies within Gadhafi's forces confirmed that Khamis was among the dead. The information was later denied by a Libyan government spokesman.
Nuclear policy in Japan
The Japanese Cabinet considers that Japan should provide nuclear energy technology to countries that wish to have it and Tokyo should ensure that the safety of the technology maintains high global standards. In response to an opposition lawmaker's question, the document approved by the Cabinet on 05.08.2011 said Japan would continue its negotiations on nuclear power cooperation with other countries, calling for the Diet to approve cooperation pacts with Jordan, Vietnam, Russia and South Korea.
No-confidence vote in Papua New Guinea
On August 3, the Papua New Guinean parliament held a successful no-confidence vote against the government of acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, who had held the post since his predecessor, Michael Somare, resigned in December 2010. Abal was replaced by Peter O’Neill, who previously headed the Works Ministry and the Treasury Ministry. O’Neill is now in the process of forming a Cabinet, which could include former Prime Minister Mekere Morauta as treasury minister, and O’Neill is thought to be capable of bringing stability to his position until formal elections take place in 2012. Abal’s government has challenged the constitutionality of O’Neill’s election, but it was unsuccessful. Arthur Somare, the son of the former prime minister, has said he intends to file a new suit, and the Supreme Court will hear a separate case filed by Abal. The court is expected to uphold the legality of the vote, solidifying O’Neill in his new position.
Electoral gifts in Argentina
On August 3, the Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner announced a second increase in pension payouts ahead of presidential elections in October. Although the Argentine government has generated political support by using strict economic controls and fiscal expenditures reliant on monetary expansion, these measures could result in price inflation and instability in key sectors.
German engine for EU finances
Germany is ready to further finance Europe after the August 4, global markets suffered their worst single-day losses in months if Europe agrees to follow German rules. A complex of causes were at the basis of the situation and the losses swept the major economic zones. News about the end of the American debt crisis quickly gave way to the usual American panic attack. Japan intervened — massively — in the currency market for the first time in months to stem the yen’s rise. Switzerland, which also suffers from an abnormally strong currency, implemented a somewhat unorthodox strategy of cutting interest rates to zero in an effort to scare investors out of the country. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso openly maligned the eurozone’s newly improved bailout fund, calling for a “rapid reassessment.”
“Germany definitively decided that it will allow its wealth to underwrite the union, but only in exchange for political control over how its wealth is used. With these changes, the Germans have staked their claim to European leadership. “
The EU bailout mechanism called the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) was formed in 2010 in the aftermath of the first Greek bailout in order to assure markets that the Europeans had the institutions and the resources in place to deal with any future debt crisis. Since its inception, the EFSF has been used for three bailouts: Ireland, Portugal, and a second bailout of Greece in June. During Greece’s second bailout negotiations, the function of the EFSF was adjusted considerably. The fund was given more autonomy and wider discretion over the kinds of crises to which it can apply its funds and the Germans got more control over the functioning of the fund.These shifts effectively end the threat of outright national defaults in Europe. Germany definitively decided that it will allow its wealth to underwrite the union, but only in exchange for political control over how its wealth is used. With these changes, the Germans have staked their claim to European leadership.
However, preventing defaults is not the same thing as avoiding bailouts, and here is where Barroso’s statements come into play. Barroso asserted that the EFSF suffers from two serious flaws.
The first problem is that the changes to the fund agreed to at the last summit must be ratified by eurozone governments (in most cases through parliamentary approval). However, enshrined in the laws of most EU states is a robust vacation benefit for workers — six weeks a year is common. In Europe, August is vacation time. The plan for the new EFSF may be fully agreed to, but the fund cannot act in its new capacities until the various parliaments reconvene after their summer recesses. At present no European parliament has been called back for an emergency session to ratify the EFSF changes. (Incidentally, Barroso made his comments today while on vacation back home in Portugal.)
The second problem is the latest summit’s failure to formally increase the EFSF’s maximum funding above its current level of 440 billion euro. Many observers — particularly bond traders — are concerned that the rolling eurozone crisis will not end until it becomes crystal clear that the European have allotted sufficient financial resources to stamp out any reasonable crisis. The colloquial term in the financial world is on the crass side, so we’ll paraphrase it as “shove it” money — the idea being that the Europeans would be able to point to the stack of reserve cash as proof that no European state will be allowed to fail.
The Germans, as the ultimate guarantors of the European system, would prefer not to increase the EFSF’s funding level for three reasons.
First, the required volume would be astounding. Right now the bond markets are treating Spain and Italy particularly badly. Bailing out the two of them would require at least an additional two trillion euro. Germany knows it will have to increase the EFSF’s war chest in time, but that much that fast is simply beyond the capacity of the German voter to support.
Second, in the German mind, any expansion of the EFSF should only be done in league with additional restrictions on borrowers’ actions. With the current revisions, Germany seized the de facto control negotiations for bailouts, but those limitations were designed for smaller states and have yet to be tested. The Italian economy is roughly seven times the size of Greece’s. Furthermore, the methods used to bring Greece to heel cannot be applied to a founding state of the European Union. If Germany is going to commit the massive resources required to bail out a major state, it will first want its political dominance codified, and it will want to test out the current system, which is still new and unused.
Finally and somewhat paradoxically, Germany reaps some benefit from the continuation of the crisis. So long as bond markets are pressuring EU states, those states are forced to come to Germany to humbly ask for assistance. This assistance comes with a price that the Germans are now able to name. So long as the crisis does not spiral out of control, Germany actually needs the market pressure to steadily rewire the European architecture more to its liking. Berlin actually has a vested interest in keeping the crisis — and several EU states — on an aggressive simmer.
The EU bailout mechanism called the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) was formed in 2010 in the aftermath of the first Greek bailout in order to assure markets that the Europeans had the institutions and the resources in place to deal with any future debt crisis. Since its inception, the EFSF has been used for three bailouts: Ireland, Portugal, and a second bailout of Greece in June. During Greece’s second bailout negotiations, the function of the EFSF was adjusted considerably. The fund was given more autonomy and wider discretion over the kinds of crises to which it can apply its funds and the Germans got more control over the functioning of the fund.These shifts effectively end the threat of outright national defaults in Europe. Germany definitively decided that it will allow its wealth to underwrite the union, but only in exchange for political control over how its wealth is used. With these changes, the Germans have staked their claim to European leadership.
However, preventing defaults is not the same thing as avoiding bailouts, and here is where Barroso’s statements come into play. Barroso asserted that the EFSF suffers from two serious flaws.
The first problem is that the changes to the fund agreed to at the last summit must be ratified by eurozone governments (in most cases through parliamentary approval). However, enshrined in the laws of most EU states is a robust vacation benefit for workers — six weeks a year is common. In Europe, August is vacation time. The plan for the new EFSF may be fully agreed to, but the fund cannot act in its new capacities until the various parliaments reconvene after their summer recesses. At present no European parliament has been called back for an emergency session to ratify the EFSF changes. (Incidentally, Barroso made his comments today while on vacation back home in Portugal.)
The second problem is the latest summit’s failure to formally increase the EFSF’s maximum funding above its current level of 440 billion euro. Many observers — particularly bond traders — are concerned that the rolling eurozone crisis will not end until it becomes crystal clear that the European have allotted sufficient financial resources to stamp out any reasonable crisis. The colloquial term in the financial world is on the crass side, so we’ll paraphrase it as “shove it” money — the idea being that the Europeans would be able to point to the stack of reserve cash as proof that no European state will be allowed to fail.
The Germans, as the ultimate guarantors of the European system, would prefer not to increase the EFSF’s funding level for three reasons.
First, the required volume would be astounding. Right now the bond markets are treating Spain and Italy particularly badly. Bailing out the two of them would require at least an additional two trillion euro. Germany knows it will have to increase the EFSF’s war chest in time, but that much that fast is simply beyond the capacity of the German voter to support.
Second, in the German mind, any expansion of the EFSF should only be done in league with additional restrictions on borrowers’ actions. With the current revisions, Germany seized the de facto control negotiations for bailouts, but those limitations were designed for smaller states and have yet to be tested. The Italian economy is roughly seven times the size of Greece’s. Furthermore, the methods used to bring Greece to heel cannot be applied to a founding state of the European Union. If Germany is going to commit the massive resources required to bail out a major state, it will first want its political dominance codified, and it will want to test out the current system, which is still new and unused.
Finally and somewhat paradoxically, Germany reaps some benefit from the continuation of the crisis. So long as bond markets are pressuring EU states, those states are forced to come to Germany to humbly ask for assistance. This assistance comes with a price that the Germans are now able to name. So long as the crisis does not spiral out of control, Germany actually needs the market pressure to steadily rewire the European architecture more to its liking. Berlin actually has a vested interest in keeping the crisis — and several EU states — on an aggressive simmer.
US ability to stop mass atrocities
New measures to boost the U.S. ability to stop mass atrocities in the world were imposed on 04.08.2011by President Barack Obama. The new rules are aimed at stopping genocide activities and bar perpetrators of war crimes from entering the United States. An Atrocity Prevention Board of government agencies will be set up to coordinate responses to such events within the administration.
First female PM in Thailand
On 05.08.2011 the Parliament of Thailand elected Yingluck Shinawatra as the country's first female Prime Minister. A televised vote showed the support of more than half of the lawmakers in favor of the new Prime Minister.
US assesses humanitarian situation in Somalia
A senior U.S. team including Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, and U.S. Agency for International Development chief Rajiv Shah would travel to Kenya this weekend to assess the situation in Somalia where al-Shabaab militants hinder deliveries of humanitarian aid. On 04.08.2011 the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Somalia's militants to allow food aid to move freely into famine-hit areas and help saving lives.
Wounded peacekeepers evacuated from Sudan with difficulty
Three wounded U.N. peacekeepers from the disputed Abyei region of Sudan were evacuated after a three-hour delay following threats of the Sudanese government forces to shoot the Medivac helicopter.
Congo Democratic Republic
An extraordinary session of the parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be convened on August 6 or on September 4, aimed at preparing the electoral law needed for the November parliamentary elections.
Casualties in Nigeria following Islamist rampage
Two persons had been killed and two others wounded after an explosion on 04.08.2011 and gun fire initiated by islamists in the village of Maiduguri, in the North-East of Nigeria.
Russia urges reconciliation in Syria
On 04.08.2011, Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian President, urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on start reforms and reconcile with his opponents to avoid a "sad fate". On the same date, the EU member states agreed to further extend sanctions on Syria. The oil industry and banks were not targeted by the move.
Germany intends to ask the United Nations to send a special envoy to Syria to increase pressure on Damascus over its crackdown on civilian protesters.
In the mean time killings continued in Syria where government forces shot dead four protesters near Damascus and in Southern Syria.
Morocco receives F-16 jets
Morocco received, on 04.08.2011, the first lot of F-16 jets ordered in 2009 in the USA in a move to sharply modernize the army of this North African country.
Medvedev urges Georgia not to block Russia's WTO accession
Georgia was urged by the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to avoid blocking Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Russian leader considers that freeing the way towards Russia's entry into the WTO could help Georgia restore diplomatic relations with Moscow. Medvedev said Russia's chances of joining the WTO this year were high but it still faced political obstacles from Georgia, which has threatened to use its veto to block Russia's accession unless a dispute over customs controls is resolved.
Japan quietly recovers economically
Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda said he expected the The Bank of Japan (BOJ) to take appropriate action as Japan's economy grows with an easing of the supply-side constraints caused by the March earthquake and tsunami. BOJ began its policy meeting on August 4 with plans to announce its decisions later in the day, but all expect money rate will continue to remain around 0-0.1 percent. The BOJ is concerned that volatility in the currency and financial markets could undermine corporate sentiment and slow economic activity in the country.
The head of the Japanese Finance said his country acted on its own to stem speculative and disorderly currency moves after BOJ expanded the 40 trillion yen ($503 billion) asset purchase program to 50 trillion yen, a 5 trillion yen increase to the asset purchase fund and another 5 trillion yen increase to the fixed-rate funds supplying operation for financial institutions.
The head of the Japanese Finance said his country acted on its own to stem speculative and disorderly currency moves after BOJ expanded the 40 trillion yen ($503 billion) asset purchase program to 50 trillion yen, a 5 trillion yen increase to the asset purchase fund and another 5 trillion yen increase to the fixed-rate funds supplying operation for financial institutions.
Lebanese FM to visit Syria
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour will visit Syria in the first decade of August "to discuss bilateral issues". Rumors about his discussions with the Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim about Damascus' views on Lebanese developments and the Syrian crisis were denied by the head of the Lebanese diplomacy.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Ditch to protect Greece and the EU
Greece is fighting against illegal Turkish migrants building a 120-kilometer (75 miles) water-filled ditch at its northeastern border. This will be dug along the Eyros River to stop the flow of migrants entering into the European Union.
The 30-meter wide and 7-meter deep ditch has an already completed 14.5 kilometers part near the Greek town of Orestiada. A 12.5 kilometer fence along a section of the northeastern border with Turkey is also planned to be built.
The 30-meter wide and 7-meter deep ditch has an already completed 14.5 kilometers part near the Greek town of Orestiada. A 12.5 kilometer fence along a section of the northeastern border with Turkey is also planned to be built.
Possible alliance with Islamists in Libya
Seif al-Islam, the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, said on August 4 that an alliance with radical Islamist elements within the Libyan rebels is to be announced soon. He boast reaching this agreement with local Islamists in the rebel-held eastern city of Darna, intended to become an "Islamic zone, like Mecca."
Ali Sallabi, Libyan Islamist leader confirmed negotiations with Seif al-Islam are under way, but denied any alliance. He added that Libyan Islamists supported the rebel leaders' calls for a pluralistic democracy without any participation of the Gadhafi family.
Ali Sallabi, Libyan Islamist leader confirmed negotiations with Seif al-Islam are under way, but denied any alliance. He added that Libyan Islamists supported the rebel leaders' calls for a pluralistic democracy without any participation of the Gadhafi family.
French aircraft carrier ends Libyan mission
The ship will undergo maintenance works in its home port of Toulon starting August 10.
China - North Korea relations
Vice Admiral Tian Zhong, commander of the Chinese navy's northern fleet traveled to North Korea's Wonsan port on Aug. 4, where two Chinese warships - Luoyang and Zheng He - docked. The Chinese official met with North Korean Rear Adm. Kim Myong Sik.
Negotiations on the future of American solders in Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.S. Gen. Lloyd Austin are expected to start negotiations on the future of the American solders in Iraq after the Iraqi negotiation team is set up. It is expected that some 10,000 to 15,000 U.S. troops may further stay there for two years beyond the American withdrawal.
Their role would be training domestic forces without involvement in military operations without Iraqi coordination. , an unnamed Iraqi source said. The U.S. soldiers would be stationed throughout Iraq, the source said. Negotiations will be held under the leadership of . Discussions have begun among the Iraqis about who will join their delegation.
Their role would be training domestic forces without involvement in military operations without Iraqi coordination. , an unnamed Iraqi source said. The U.S. soldiers would be stationed throughout Iraq, the source said. Negotiations will be held under the leadership of . Discussions have begun among the Iraqis about who will join their delegation.
Rivalries inside ruling coalition in South Africa
As the ruling African National Congress (ANC) approaches its 2012 leadership conference, divisions among the major blocs forming this party deepens. ANC is in power ever since the 1994 end of apartheid, a goal that kept the party united. Now rivalries among the ANC proper, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, and the South African Communist Party are mounting and no serious candidate has come forward to challenge South African President Jacob Zuma for party leadership.
Nevertheless, the president maintains enough support among the alliance members that he will likely proceed to re-election to party leadership in 2012 and the presidency in 2014.
Nevertheless, the president maintains enough support among the alliance members that he will likely proceed to re-election to party leadership in 2012 and the presidency in 2014.
North Korean hackers
A South Korean crime ring hired more than 30 North Korean hackers to work in China. Their aim was to steal personal data of South Korean gamers. Hacked data was used to steal $5 million from their bank accounts.
Sri Lankan army general accused in Switzerland
On 04.08.2011, two NGOs presented the Public Prosecutor of Switzerland an official complaint against former Sri-Lankan general Jagath Dias, accused for war crimes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)