Tuesday 1st June - What's Happening

Japan: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets Japanese Emperor Akihito.

 

Russia: NATO and Russia could work together in the future on a joint missile defence project, according to US Assistant Secretary of Defence Alexander Vershbow 

 

Afghanistan: Senior al Qaeda leader Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, the group's highest commander in Afghanistan and a close aide to Osama bin Laden, has been killed, according to a message posted to an Islamist website by the group and reported by Islamist monitoring group SITE

 

Afghanistan: The Afghan Taliban has proven stronger than NATO had previously believed, but international forces expect to make military and political progress in the country by the end of the year, according to NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

 

Iran: Iran has added centrifuges and is producing higher-enriched uranium, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report

 

Turkey: Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Israel in protest

 

Turkey: The Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned the ambassadors of all countries in Turkey in order to inform them about the recent developments surrounding the Israeli attack on the Turkish-led aid flotilla

 

Israel: Sixteen activists who were aboard the Gaza-bound aid flotilla have been sent to jail in Israel for refusing to identify themselves

 

Egypt: Legislative elections.

 

Lithuania: Prime Ministers and leaders of the countries around the Baltic Sea to meet for the regular meeting of the Council of Baltic Sea States (to June 2). German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin are invited. 

 

Germany: German President Horst Koehler has resigned after being criticized for linking Berlin's military deployments to defending Germany's economic interests. Koehler said he received intense criticism over a radio interview he gave after visiting German soldiers in Afghanistan, saying that military deployments could be necessary to defend Germany's interests, including free trade routes.  

 

UK: The United Kingdom has asked Israel to open all crossings to allow aid to enter Gaza. British Foreign Secretary William Hague issued a statement expressing regret over the loss of life during the Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

 

Haiti: The U.S. military will wrap up its formal earthquake relief mission in Haiti.

 

US: Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to hold Indo-US strategic dialogue (to June 4). 

 

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review

http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=59257">Two dead, 30 wounded, Israel opens fire at Turkish Gaza aid ship

 

Israel opened fire at a Turkish aid ship sailing for the Gaza Strip, Turkish TVs reported early Monday.

 

 

http://aliabunimah.posterous.com/screenshots-of-israel-assault-on-turkish-ship">Screenshots of Israel assault on Turkish ship 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/world/middle_east/10195838.stm" target="_blank">Israeli navy storms Gaza aid ship 

Israel attacks at least one of a convoy of ships trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip, amid reports of casualties. 

 

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?ID=176961">
Gaza flotilla: 2 dead, dozens injured in navy boarding

Passengers tried to wrest weapons from soldiers, Army Radio reports; Turkish leadership call emergency meeting to discuss response to attack at sea, call in Israeli ambassador.

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/778..." target="_blank">
Israeli troops attack ship carrying aid to Gaza 

Israeli warships have attacked at least one of the six ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists and aid for blockaded Gaza, killing at least two people and wounding 30, according to reports. 

 

http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/topNews/~3/2iYDlzz4VII/idUSTRE64T0JH20100531" target="_blank">
Santos wins Colombia 1st-round vote, faces runoff 

Former Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos easily won a first-round presidential vote on Sunday that puts him in a strong position in a June runoff to succeed U.S. ally President Alvaro Uribe. 

 

http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/topNews/~3/cE5pS6Nj2IM/idUSTRE64R35J20100530" target="_blank">France warns on credit rating 

France admitted on Sunday that keeping its top-notch credit rating would be "a stretch" without some tough budget decisions, following German hints that Berlin may resort to raising taxes to help bring down its deficit.

 

 

http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/topNews/~3/3ZoL-aVcJEA/idUSTRE64T0WW20100530" target="_blank">
New China rules rule out torture in confessions 

Embarrassed by a murder victim who turned up a decade after his "killer" was convicted, China's security and judicial authorities issued rules on Sunday to make it harder to convict suspects based on confessions secured under duress. 

 

http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/topNews/~3/0xX3dww7jVg/idUSTRE64T0U920100530" target="_blank">
General McChrystal says Afghan insurgents trained in Iran 

Afghan insurgents are being trained inside Iran and given weapons to fight security forces, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces said on Sunday, joining a rising drumbeat of criticism of Iran's role in the country. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/oil/7786953/Gulf-of-Mexico-oil-spill-..." target="_blank">
Gulf of Mexico oil spill 'will continue to gush until August' 

Millions of gallons of oil could be gushing into the Gulf of Mexico at least until August, the White House admitted on Sunday, as BP confirmed the failure of the "top kill" attempt staunch the flow. 

http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/266/f/3492/s/ad2f1c1/l/0L0Sindependent0O0C" target="_blank">Qatari watchdog tells Vodafone to file complaint 

Qatar's telecom watchdog yesterday told Vodafone Qatar to file a complaint with it if the company had concerns about the entry of Virgin into the market. The regulator was responding to a threat of legal action from Vodafone Qatar, which believes Virgin's entrance into the gulf state is a violation of the conditions of its licence – bought at a cost of 7.7bn riyals (£1.5bn). Virgin has signed a partnership with Qatar Telecommunications to launch Virgin Mobile Qatar in a brand licensing deal. 

http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/266/f/3492/s/ad2deb" target="_blank">The euro is entering its final phase 

The euro is in a mess. Even some of its stoutest defenders now agree that its survival is threatened. But the problem is being misdiagnosed. Although the catalyst was Greece and southern Europe, the underlying cause lies to the north, in Germany. The euro is the latest crisis in modern German history and the German political elite's search for a stable identity.

http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=3e6b06aeb4c75b63073c83c536bf577e" target="_blank">
Gulf Coast Fishermen Fear Disruption of Their Way of Life

Even adequate financial compensation might not mute the loss that many fishermen say centers on the nature of what they did as much as on the money they made doing it.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=211596" target="_blank">
Turkey, US to tackle deepening rift over Iran in talks

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is flying to Washington for talks on Tuesday with his US counterpart, Hillary Clinton, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan plans to meet with President Barack Obama next month as the two NATO allies work to contain a deepening dispute over how to deal with Iran's nuclear program.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/30/hamas-leader-americans-contact" target="_blank">Hamas says US is making contact

The United States is sending a succession of envoys to engage with Hamas but lacks the bravery to talk to the Islamist movement openly, its leader, Khaled Meshal, said in an interview with the Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/30/euro-spain-credit-downgrade" target="_blank">
Spain's debt rating is downgraded

The euro is expected to come under further pressure tomorrow as Spain's minority government teeters on the brink of collapse and traders fear contagion throughout the eurozone after a senior French minister admitted that his country's top-notch credit rating was under threat.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/30/afghanistan-investigate-aid-group..." target="_blank">
Afghan aid group 'spreading religion'

Officials in Afghanistan have begun an investigation into the activities of hundreds of aid groups after a local media report accused a Norwegian organisation of preaching Christianity, a crime punishable by death, the government said on Sunday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7786925/Italys-coastal..." target="_blank">
Italy's coastal palm trees under attack by army of weevils

They provide shade to sunbathers on scorching hot days and a stunning backdrop to some of Europe's most fabled coastal scenery, but Italy's palm trees are being devastated by a voracious bug.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/7786349/French-admit-..." target="_blank">
French admit they are racist

One in seven French people admit to being racist and many have prejudicial views of immigrants, homosexuals, blacks, Arab and Jews, according to a survey released on Sunday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7785842/Great-Wall-of-Ch..." target="_blank">
Great Wall of China's strength 'comes from sticky rice'

The secret of the strength and longevity of the Great Wall of China lies in the sticky rice that was used as its mortar, Chinese scientists have found.

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/68077/" target="_blank">
Update: Georgia leader's party wins first post-war vote

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's party swept to victory in dozens of municipal votes on Sunday in the first electoral test for the pro-West leader since he lost a 2008 war to Russia, exit polls showed.

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=176959" target="_blank">
Guardian S. Africa nukes story slammed

Watchdog: Distortion and innuendo used to delegitimize Israel.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2010-05/31/content_9909473.htm" target="_blank">
Farmers slowly cultivate a new image

Growers and wholesalers witness the gentle winds of change as industrialization takes hold in agriculture

Why today is 'Quit Facebook Day'

The social network has more than 400 million members but not everyone is enamoured with sharing their life with the rest of the world.

US shields Israel from a nuclear reckoning

Israel is not likely to give up on nuclear arsenal despite an Arab-led resolution calling for a 2012 conference on establishing a nuclear-free Middle East

Posted via email from luay's posterous

31st May - What's Happening

Gaza - Israeli warships have attacked the six ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists and aid for blockaded Gaza, killing at least two and wounding an unknown number of people on board.

The Israeli military refused to comment on the report. 

 

Global: UN World No-Tobacco Day. 

 

Japan:  Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visits Japan, as does Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuchehr Motaki  

 

Japan: Japan's Social Democratic Party (SDP) has left the coalition with the ruling Democratic Party of Japan over its opposition to an agreement by Japan and the United States to keep a military base on Okinawa, Kyodo reported

 

Thailand: Fugitive former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expected on a private visit to France

 

Russia: EU-Russian summit will focus on outstanding issues in relations between Russia and the EU, including scientific and technical cooperation, investments and visa-free travel.  

 

Russia: Major youth organisations in Russia are scheduled to hold a mass rally in Moscow. Triumfalnaya Square is also the site for monthly Marches of Dissent held by the Other Russia coalition, an umbrella group for opposition parties, on the 31st day of those months that have one. Around 5,000 people are expected to take part

 

Afghanistan: Afghan fighters are being armed and trained inside Iran, according to Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan

 

Qatar: The World Economic Forum on Global Redesign Summit – final day

Jordan: Public school teachers in Jordanian are continuing their sit-ins and strikes on the grounds that the government has yet to meet their demands to establish a syndicate for teachers in the country.

 

Yemen: The assassination of radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki on Yemeni territory by the United States would be unacceptable, Yemeni Prime Minister Ali Mohammad Megawar said

 

Uganda: The International Criminal Courts Review Conference opens. 111 member states, as well as non-member states, the UN and civil society groups will reaffirm the importance of bringing to justice those accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

 

Greece: Port workers and seamen at Greece's main commercial port go on their third strike over government economic reforms. The strike will force the cancellation of ferry schedules in the midst of the tourist season.

 

Germany: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting (to June 11). This is an annual meeting of negotiators to discuss technical details of implementing the Kyoto Protocol and for the last two meetings to negotiate a new climate deal to replace Kyoto in 2013.

 

Belgium: Courts will decide if the case being brought by a Congolese man to ban 'Tintin in the Congo,' arguing it is racist, is admissible and can be heard in court. If the court rules that there is not enough evidence then the case may be thrown out.  

 

France: First day of the Franco-African summit.

 

UK: British Airways cabin crews launched at five-day strike May 30 to protest pay and other working conditions

US: The oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico may continue until August, when relief wells are completed, White House Energy and Climate Change Policy Director Carol Browner said

Argentina: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has canceled a visit to Argentina following a decision by the city government in Buenos Aires not to inaugurate a bust of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, after pressure by Armenian groups

Colombia: Following as vote for a successor to President Alvaro Uribe expected. Front-runners are former defense minister Juan manuel Santos and former Bogota mayor Antanas Mockus, though neither are expected to win the more than 50% needed to avoid a June runoff.

 

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review

http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=59257">Two dead, 30 wounded, Israel opens fire at Turkish Gaza aid ship

Israel opened fire at a Turkish aid ship sailing for the Gaza Strip, Turkish TVs reported early Monday.

http://aliabunimah.posterous.com/screenshots-of-israel-assault-on-turkish-ship">Screenshots of Israel assault on Turkish ship

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/world/middle_east/10195838.stm" target="_blank">Israeli navy storms Gaza aid ship

Israel attacks at least one of a convoy of ships trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip, amid reports of casualties.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?ID=176961">Gaza flotilla: 2 dead, dozens injured in navy boarding

Passengers tried to wrest weapons from soldiers, Army Radio reports; Turkish leadership call emergency meeting to discuss response to attack at sea, call in Israeli ambassador.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/778..." target="_blank">Israeli troops attack ship carrying aid to Gaza

Israeli warships have attacked at least one of the six ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists and aid for blockaded Gaza, killing at least two people and wounding 30, according to reports.

http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/topNews/~3/2iYDlzz4VII/idUSTRE64T0JH20100531" target="_blank">Santos wins Colombia 1st-round vote, faces runoff

Former Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos easily won a first-round presidential vote on Sunday that puts him in a strong position in a June runoff to succeed U.S. ally President Alvaro Uribe.

http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/topNews/~3/cE5pS6Nj2IM/idUSTRE64R35J20100530" target="_blank">France warns on credit rating

France admitted on Sunday that keeping its top-notch credit rating would be "a stretch" without some tough budget decisions, following German hints that Berlin may resort to raising taxes to help bring down its deficit.

http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/topNews/~3/3ZoL-aVcJEA/idUSTRE64T0WW20100530" target="_blank">New China rules rule out torture in confessions

Embarrassed by a murder victim who turned up a decade after his "killer" was convicted, China's security and judicial authorities issued rules on Sunday to make it harder to convict suspects based on confessions secured under duress.

http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/topNews/~3/0xX3dww7jVg/idUSTRE64T0U920100530" target="_blank">General McChrystal says Afghan insurgents trained in Iran

Afghan insurgents are being trained inside Iran and given weapons to fight security forces, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces said on Sunday, joining a rising drumbeat of criticism of Iran's role in the country.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/oil/7786953/Gulf-of-Mexico-oil-spill-..." target="_blank">Gulf of Mexico oil spill 'will continue to gush until August'

Millions of gallons of oil could be gushing into the Gulf of Mexico at least until August, the White House admitted on Sunday, as BP confirmed the failure of the "top kill" attempt staunch the flow.

http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/266/f/3492/s/ad2f1c1/l/0L0Sindependent0O0C" target="_blank">Qatari watchdog tells Vodafone to file complaint

Qatar's telecom watchdog yesterday told Vodafone Qatar to file a complaint with it if the company had concerns about the entry of Virgin into the market. The regulator was responding to a threat of legal action from Vodafone Qatar, which believes Virgin's entrance into the gulf state is a violation of the conditions of its licence – bought at a cost of 7.7bn riyals (£1.5bn). Virgin has signed a partnership with Qatar Telecommunications to launch Virgin Mobile Qatar in a brand licensing deal.

http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/266/f/3492/s/ad2deb" target="_blank">The euro is entering its final phase

The euro is in a mess. Even some of its stoutest defenders now agree that its survival is threatened. But the problem is being misdiagnosed. Although the catalyst was Greece and southern Europe, the underlying cause lies to the north, in Germany. The euro is the latest crisis in modern German history and the German political elite's search for a stable identity.

http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=3e6b06aeb4c75b63073c83c536bf577e" target="_blank">Gulf Coast Fishermen Fear Disruption of Their Way of Life

Even adequate financial compensation might not mute the loss that many fishermen say centers on the nature of what they did as much as on the money they made doing it.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=211596" target="_blank">Turkey, US to tackle deepening rift over Iran in talks

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is flying to Washington for talks on Tuesday with his US counterpart, Hillary Clinton, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan plans to meet with President Barack Obama next month as the two NATO allies work to contain a deepening dispute over how to deal with Iran's nuclear program.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/30/hamas-leader-americans-contact" target="_blank">Hamas says US is making contact

The United States is sending a succession of envoys to engage with Hamas but lacks the bravery to talk to the Islamist movement openly, its leader, Khaled Meshal, said in an interview with the Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/30/euro-spain-credit-downgrade" target="_blank">Spain's debt rating is downgraded

The euro is expected to come under further pressure tomorrow as Spain's minority government teeters on the brink of collapse and traders fear contagion throughout the eurozone after a senior French minister admitted that his country's top-notch credit rating was under threat.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/30/afghanistan-investigate-aid-group..." target="_blank">Afghan aid group 'spreading religion'

Officials in Afghanistan have begun an investigation into the activities of hundreds of aid groups after a local media report accused a Norwegian organisation of preaching Christianity, a crime punishable by death, the government said on Sunday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7786925/Italys-coastal..." target="_blank">Italy's coastal palm trees under attack by army of weevils

They provide shade to sunbathers on scorching hot days and a stunning backdrop to some of Europe's most fabled coastal scenery, but Italy's palm trees are being devastated by a voracious bug.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/7786349/French-admit-..." target="_blank">French admit they are racist

One in seven French people admit to being racist and many have prejudicial views of immigrants, homosexuals, blacks, Arab and Jews, according to a survey released on Sunday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7785842/Great-Wall-of-Ch..." target="_blank">Great Wall of China's strength 'comes from sticky rice'

The secret of the strength and longevity of the Great Wall of China lies in the sticky rice that was used as its mortar, Chinese scientists have found.

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/68077/" target="_blank">Update: Georgia leader's party wins first post-war vote

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's party swept to victory in dozens of municipal votes on Sunday in the first electoral test for the pro-West leader since he lost a 2008 war to Russia, exit polls showed.

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=176959" target="_blank">Guardian S. Africa nukes story slammed

Watchdog: Distortion and innuendo used to delegitimize Israel.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2010-05/31/content_9909473.htm" target="_blank">Farmers slowly cultivate a new image

Growers and wholesalers witness the gentle winds of change as industrialization takes hold in agriculture

Why today is 'Quit Facebook Day'

The social network has more than 400 million members but not everyone is enamoured with sharing their life with the rest of the world.

US shields Israel from a nuclear reckoning

Israel is not likely to give up on nuclear arsenal despite an Arab-led resolution calling for a 2012 conference on establishing a nuclear-free Middle East

---

Notice: This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of our firm shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review

Israel rejects nuclear talks plan

Israel denounces plans for a major conference on a nuclear-arms free Middle East, and says it will not take part.

Gaza hopes for flotilla arrival

Preparations are under way in Gaza to receive a convoy of ships that is trying to break Israel's economic blockade.

US censures six over drone deaths

Six US operators of an unmanned drone, which mistakenly attacked a civilian convoy in Afghanistan, are reprimanded.

Drug giant's move angers Greeks

The world's leading insulin-provider says it is withdrawing its medicine from Greece, because of a compulsory 25% price cut.

Thousands flee volcanic eruptions

Thousands of people are forced to flee as two volcanos erupt in Guatemala and Ecuador, closing schools and airports.

Race against time to save rock art

Archaeologists are working to preserve petroglyphs dating back thousands of years and in danger of being destroyed by construction and mining projects.

Saving the Moroccon trees from those who need them

 Villages in the Atlas mountains rely on forest timber for daily life, but poor residents are felling valuable trees to sell on the black market.

Sanitised insanity

North Korea gives BBC a guided tour of its crazy world

Qatar patient with its $19bn jewel

The Pearl gas-to-liquids plant is preparing to produce an ultra-clean diesel fuel that will help the world breathe easier, but it is coming online during a global oversupply of transportation fuels. Still, the emirate and Shell are thinking longer term.

Greece will not restructure debt

Greece will not restructure its debt and will not need more cuts to achieve fiscal targets set in the emergency funding programme it agreed with the European Union and the IMF, its finance minister told a Sunday paper.

Aga Khan plots London return after embarrassing snub

The Aga Khan hopes to build an Islamic cultural 'hub' in London.

Barack Obama's credibility hits rock bottom after oil spill and Sestak scandal

Obama's passivity over the Gulf oil spill and his cynical political manoeuvrings could spell disaster for him, argues Toby Harnden.

Strains grow over Afghanistan aims

Military, Tory MPs and National Security Council members summoned to country house amid signs of split. David Cameron has convened a secret meeting of military experts, ministers and Tory MPs at Chequers this week to review strategy on Afghanistan amid growing signs of division over the mission's objectives.

Muslim preacher of hate is let into Britain

THE home secretary, Theresa May, is facing a stiff test of the Conservative party’s claims to oppose radical Islam after her officials chose to allow a misogynist Muslim preacher into Britain.

Turkey broadens foreign policy vision beyond its region

Since debates surrounding a Monday deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil in which Iran agreed to ship much of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey made the headlines in foreign policy pages this week, hectic global diplomatic activity concentrated in İstanbul almost went unnoticed.

Newly discovered documents reveal truth about Yassıada

Sunday’s Zaman has acquired archive footage, voice recordings and images from the trial of members of the government at the Yassıada trial on the 50th anniversary of the May 27, 1960 coup d’état, which resulted in the hanging of a prime minister and two ministers.

10 million face famine in West Africa

At this time of year, the Gadabeji Reserve should be a refuge for the nomadic tribes who travel across a moonscape on the edge of the Sahara to graze their cattle. But the grass is meagre after a drought killed off last year's crops. Now the cattle are too weak to stand and too skinny to sell, leaving the poor without any way to buy grain to feed their families.

After a President's Ouster, Kyrgyzstan Remains in Crisis

The small Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan, nestled in the mountainous shadow of Russia and China, is in crisis, as the interim government postponed new elections and instated a state of emergency in the nation's south

Israel plows new ground in exotic crops

A tomato breeder has created a crop worth more than its weight in gold. The seeds for the yellow cherry tomato, a fruit researchers feared might turn off consumers, now sell for $160,000 a pound.

American-Israeli sociologist calls for a “different military option.”

A military strike on Iranian military bases, airports, bridges, railroad stations and other key infrastructure could lead Iran to suspend its nuclear arms program, according to a paper that came out last week in a US Army publication

---

Notice: This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of our firm shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

Sunday 30th May - What's happening

South Korea: The second and final day of the three-way summit between China, Japan and South Korea will be attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

Hong Kong: Protesters remember the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989.

Thailand: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said unlikely to be elections this year, a move likely to agitate anti-government protesters

Pakistan: Pakistan's Disaster Management authority says a flooded lake in the remote north has began to spill, threatening villages downstream. The water level is rising by about one metre a day and thousands of villagers have already left the area.

Iran: Iranian Foreign Minister Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast holds his weekly briefing.

Qatar: The World Economic Forum on Global Redesign Summit takes place at the Sheraton in Doha. More than 400 participants from over 60 countries including experts, policy-makers, government leaders, and business and civil society representatives will participate in this Global Redesign Summit that is being hosted in collaboration with the government of Qatar.

Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu convenes his weekly cabinet meeting.

Gaza: The flotilla attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza is being held up near Cyprus while organizers try to get more than 24 high-profile activists on board. Organizer Greta Berlin said the Cypriot government is not allowing smaller vessels to transport the group to the flotilla, which is waiting in international waters.

Egypt: Egypt's largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, hold a protest at Egypt's High Court to demand the release of dozens of their members who were recently arrested in advance of parliamentary elections on Tuesday (June 1).

Georgia: Georgian opposition promise a strong turnout in local and Tbilisi mayoral elections, but the ballot is expected to return incumbent pro-Saakashvili Mayor Gigi Ugalava.

UK: Planned strike by British Airways cabin crew. Strike runs from May 30th-June 3rd.

UK: A mosque in West London will transform itself into a boxing venue in a project that aims to draw young Muslim men into sports and “away from extremism”. One of the men taking part is a former victim of Guantanamo concentration facility Martin Mubanga.

US: The US military is reviewing options for a unilateral strike in Pakistan should a successful attack on American soil be traced to the country's tribal areas, The Washington Post reported

Colombia: Colombians vote in presidential elections, as polls show opposition candidate Antanas Mockus pulling ahead of President Alvaro Uribe's chosen successor, former Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos.

---

Notice: This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of our firm shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.

Posted via email from luay's posterous