My Press Review - Monday 1 November

Walkout threatens Israeli coalition

Israel's Labour party will walk out of the rightwing-dominated coalition government unless serious negotiations with the Palestinians get under way in the coming weeks, according to cabinet minister Avishay Braverman, an expected challenger to Ehud Barak for his party's leadership.

 

Somali pirates are holding over 435 sailors hostage

Somali pirates are holding over 435 sailors hostage in the war-torn country's eastern ports, despite an international naval operation intended to secure ships sailing across world's most important sea-lanes from attack.

 

Curtain call for iconic Pontiac

Pontiac - one of the US car industry's most iconic brands - finally goes out of business after 84 years.

 

Uniform maker may lose Girl Scouts contract to China

The owners of a family-run New Jersey factory that makes uniforms for the Girl Scouts of America said they may be forced to close or lay off workers if the organization takes its business to China.

 

US mid-term race enters final furlong

President Barack Obama has begun a final push to win support for Democratic candidates in the US mid-term elections on Tuesday.

 

Hillary Clinton stays away from midterm elections

Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, will be several thousand miles away from American shores on election day in a move some are interpreting as a deliberate way of literally distancing herself from the result.

 

Row over pill for teenagers trial

A pilot scheme on the Isle of Wight gives girls as young as 13 access to the contraceptive pill at high street pharmacies.

 

'Princess Boy,' dress spur acceptance debate

A little boy in a bright red dress and his mom's picture book about acceptance are front and center in a biting debate over a question well beyond his years: Are society's gender roles so rigid that a male child can't have fun in a tutu?

 

Guantanamo Canadian to serve 8 more years in prison

A U.S. war crimes tribunal on Sunday sentenced a young Canadian to 40 years in prison, but he may serve only a few more years under a deal that included his admission he was an al Qaeda conspirator who murdered a U.S. soldier.

 

Medvedev's Popularity Hits 76%, Close to Putin's 77%

President Dmitry Medvedev has an approval rating of 76 percent, just below Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's rating of 77 percent, according to a new poll.

 

Protests at Arundhati Roy's home

The Delhi home of the prize-winning Indian novelist and human rights campaigner Arundhati Roy was besieged by Hindu women today demanding that she quit the country because of her outspoken views on Kashmir.

Army Down to 1 Million

The Russian military has finished trimming down army personnel from 1.2 million to 1 million as part of its ongoing reform that has ended the belief in a once secure job-for-life mentality.

Old town in Italy has the wind at its back

The towering white wind turbines that rise ramrod straight from gnarled ancient olive groves here speak to something extraordinary happening across Italy.

 

Women force a break from sumo tradition

Prevented from making Sumo a sport at the Olympics because it is a male-only sport, Japan has been encouraging women to take up the ancient Japanese past time.

 

Space Tourism: Will It Be Worth the Money?

For decades it's seemed like a sci-fi fantasy. But thanks to major companies making the push into orbit and big investors backing the industry, it looks like space tourism could finally become a reality

 

Green cocoa gets a boost

From its chocolate factory in the French Alps, Stephane Bonnat's family has been nurturing ties with cocoa farmers around the world for over a century, and together they are now driving a green revolution.

 

Imaginary cows and non-existant lemon groves 'cost EU taxpayers £1.2bn'

Transparency International points the finger of corruption at many non-European nations. But imaginary cows and non-existant lemon groves are among the fraudulent claims for European Union funding that have cost taxpayers £1.2bn in the last year, a new report shows

 

Boom in new mums in their fifties

The number of women over the age of 50 having babies increased by more than a half last year as IVF techniques become more advanced, new statistics show.

 

Morocco suspends Al-Jazeera TV's operation

Arabic news network accused of tarnishing the North African country's image with its reporting; accreditation to take effect immediately.

 

Moroccans stage rare human rights protest

About 900 Moroccan rights activists took to the streets in Rabat on Sunday in a rare protest against what they called widespread rights abuses by the authorities, including illegal detention and torture.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

What's Happening Today - Monday 1 November

Australia:

Following up after NATO said it is facing a shortage of training instructors for Afghan forces and has begun sending hundreds of Afghans out of the country for training

China:

The World's biggest ever census kicks off across China, the world's most populous country. Foreigners, as well as residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, living or staying on the Chinese mainland will be included for the first time.

China:

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon meets China's President Hu Jintao.
   
Malaysia:

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expected to arrive Malaysia after leaving Cambodia.

Russia:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold talks with German counterpart Guido Westerwelle. Lavrov will also hold talks with Admiral James Stavridis, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Russia: 

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits Kunashiri Island, one of the Russian-held Kuril Islands claimed by Japan; Medvedev is first Russian or Soviet leader to set foot on any of the islands off Hokkaido, which are called Northern Territories in Japan and Southern Kurils in Russia 

India:

The ruling parties of India and China to hold talks aimed at strengthening “mutual trust between the two countries” – not known if border disputes and/or Maoist rebellion are on the agenda.

India: 

Deadline for BlackBerry phone maker Research In Motion (RIM) to allow security agencies to access their encrypted data 

Pakistan:

The relief given to the government in the National Reconciliation Ordinance [NRO implementation] case by the Supreme Court ends.

Nepal:

Nepali Congress [NC] parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel will attempt yet again to be voted in as prime minister for the 15th time! (The NC has turned down numerous calls from the UCPN [Unified Communist Party of Nepal] (Maoist) and CPN (UML) [Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist)], which together form a majority in the house, to quit the "futile" election and sit for dialogue for a government of national unity)

Tajikistan:

State likely to begin programme of power rationing over the winter to less than 10 hours a day in rural areas, though Dushanbe and the district centres will not be affected.

Turkmenistan:

Government reopens border with Kazakhstan, closed on the 18th October

Iran:

Meeting of the High Level Expert Group of the Economic Cooperation Organization [ECO] will be held in Tehran (NB  ECO is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the purpose of promoting economic, technical and cultural cooperation among the member states. Currently ECO includes Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.)

Iran:

Greater Tehran Road Police have announced a campaign to reduce traffic by clearing roads of all vehicles that lack a technical certificate 

Turkey: 

Lawyers of PKK imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan have been permitted to visit.

Turkey:

Ankara extends its mandate of the Central Kabul Command of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for one more year 

Iraq: 

Following up after a series of coordinated bombings took place in the Karada quarter of Baghdad. Special forces storm church after assailants held more than 20 people hostage inside a church, the majority women

UAE:

World Freezone Convention continues in Ra's al-Khaymah; speakers include UAE Crown Prince Sa'ud Bin-Saqr al-Qasimi, World Free Zone Convention Chairman, President of European Policy Forum Graham Mather (- 2 )

Yemen:

Court case resumes of four Yemeni defendants of an alleged al-Qaida cell, said last week to “have revealed interesting information, including information about civilian and military targets” ahead of the printer ink-cartridge bombs.

Yemen:

Watching for further reaction as Yemeni investigators search for suspected bomb maker linked to Al-Qa'idah named as Ibrahim Hassan al-Aziri, wanted in connection with bombs found on cargo planes in UK and Dubai

Israel:

First international Homeland Security Conference held in Tel Aviv; interior ministers, mayors, police chiefs attend

Somalia:

First day on the job for new Somali PM Muhammad Abdullahi Muhammad who came to office following a vote of 297 out of 392 lawmakers.

Uganda:

President Museveni to launch his 2011 election campaign manifesto. There are seven candidates for the presidency.

Ghana:

Volta River Authority boss says spillage of Akosombo dam in eastern Ghana will stop, after several villages were flooded this month. Residents say earthquakes have become more common due to the  added weight of the water within Lake Volta

Nigeria:

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins registration process for voters in the country for the 2011 general elections.

Cyprus:

President Dervis Eroglu and Greek Cypriot leader Dhimitrios Khristofias to meet.

Hungary:

From 1November and until 31 December 2011, the Hungarian government will not transfer to private pension funds private pension contributions paid by employees. This way, the government says, 30 billion forints will be left in the budget each month.

Switzerland:

The land-of-no-minarets hosts Muslim and Christian leaders as well as renowned scholars and interfaith practitioners at the Ecumenical Centre for an international consultation on Christian and Muslim concerns (to Nov. 4).

Germany:

Germans can start applying for a super-smart ID card that has raised many security concerns.

France:

Rumours growing that the seventy-one year old foreign minister Bernard Kouchner may announce his retirement.

Brazil:

Reaction as Dilma Rousseff of the ruling Workers' Party wins the presidential runoff election in Brazil, garnering 55.7 percent of the vote to opposition candidate Jose Serra's 44.3 percent

UK:

London Advisory Council for China opens for the first time. The advisory council, set up by the City of London Corporation and led by its Policy Chairman Stuart Fraser, aims to guide the City of London's engagement with China. (Members of the City's Advisory Council include Li Jiange, Chairman of China International Capital Corporation, Liu Mingkang, Chairman, China Banking Regulatory Commission and Ma Weihua, CEO of China Merchants Bank)

UK:

Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'd al-Hariri visits for talks with Prime Minister David Cameron

US: 

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-Ariz.) attends a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hearing on Brewer's appeal of a ruling that put parts of Arizona's new immigration law on hold. Brewer wants the court to reverse the ruling that arose out of a lawsuit by the Justice Department.

US:

An agriscience professor from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) will attempt to drive over 800km in a hydrogen-powered 1994 Toyota Tercel. Dr. Cliff Ricketts’ Tercel is special due to the fact that it will be using solar power to extract hydrogen from an onboard water supply – in other words, it will be using the sun to create its own hydrogen fuel, i.e. a car that runs on water.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Sunday 31 October

Ivorians set for 'healing' poll

Voters in Ivory Coast are due to cast their ballots in a long-delayed presidential election, which aims to heal the country's deep ethnic divisions.

 

Tanzania's Kikwete eyes poll win

Tanzanians are to vote in a presidential election that is expected to hand incumbent Jakaya Kikwete his second term in office.

 

Brazil to choose next president

Brazilians are set to elect a president to replace Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, with the governing party's Dilma Rousseff favoured to defeat rival Jose Serra.

 

Saudi Arabia to Build Five Dams to Protect Jeddah from Flooding

The go-ahead has been given for five new dams to protect Jeddah from flooding, the Jeddah Urban Development

 

 

Brazil finds massive oil field

A newly discovered oil-field off the coast of Brazil could contain up to 15 billion barrels, the government says.

 

 

London faces new housing crisis

Large swaths of London will become "largely unaffordable" to housing benefit recipients from next year, says an authoritative new study from Cambridge University.

 

 

‘Bosnian Croats’ call for autonomy impossible but still dangerous’

Experts say calls made by a nationalist party of Bosnian Croats last week for an autonomous territory in one of the most over-governed countries in the world, Bosnia and Herzegovina, are unattainable and a threat to the already feeble unity of the country.

 

 

Qatar's global spree shows no signs of slowing

The photos showed the Emir of Qatar reviewing the Grenadier Guards at Windsor Castle, but in truth he was in Britain to review his assets. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has a UK portfolio worth many billions.

 

 

Arizona Immigration Law Divides Latinos, Too

Lawyers for the Justice Department and for the State of Arizona will square off in federal court this week over the immigration law.

 

 

Germany never applied multicultural policies, says Kenan Kolat

“Germany never applied multicultural policies, so to claim that the multicultural approach has failed is total nonsense,” Kenan Kolat, the chairman of the Turkish Society in Germany (Türkische Gemeinde in Deutschland [TGD]), told Sunday’s Zaman in an interview.

 

 

UK troops face abuse claims in Iraq

A specialist team appointed by the government to investigate claims of abuse by British troops in Iraq has received 90 complaints involving 128 Iraqi civilians. The files, relating to allegations between March 2003 and July 2009, have been sent to Geoff White, a former head of Staffordshire CID, who heads the Iraq historic allegations team.

  

Lives as black as coal right in the heart of Ankara

Near the Ankara district of Kızılcahamam, the lives of seven families composed of 60 people from Diyarbakır, Mardin and Şanlıurfa have literally been darkened by charcoal.

 

 

English will die out

Although spoken by vast numbers worldwide, the English language is doomed to die out, says a celebrated linguist

 

 

Turkey lifts its ban on YouTube

Turkey lifts its ban on YouTube, two years after it blocked access to the website because of videos deemed insulting to the country's founder.

 

 

Christians' freedom to express beliefs is at risk, warn bishops

Senior bishops have warned that the freedom of Christians to express their beliefs is being eroded following the introduction of equality laws.

 

 

German far right threat growing

A populist party fighting the building of a Turkish cultural centre has found willing allies among Austrian extremists

 

Yemen, the new crucible of global terrorism

The axis of terror got bigger yesterday. After the presence of explosives in two packages bound for the US was confirmed – and a suspected 24 more discovered – their place of origin entered the big league as a crucible of deadly and disruptive terrorism. As Magnus Ranstorp, one of the world's leading experts on the issue, told The Independent on Sunday: "Yemen has become the new Afghanistan."

Posted via email from luay's posterous

What's Happening Today - Sunday 31 October

China: 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon continues visit; attends closing closing ceremony at Shanghai Expo 2012 

Koreas: 

North's Mt Kumgang resort hosts a second day of reunions between North and South Korean families separated since Korean War (-5)

Vietnam: 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends closing ceremony of ASEAN summit; later heads to China's Hainan island for talks to prepare for President Hu Jintao's visit to USA next year; on to Cambodia (31), Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia (-8)

Malaysia:

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard visits Kuala Lumpur, meets counterpart Najib Razak for talks on economic, security cooperation (-1 Nov)

Russia: 

Two rival opposition rallies in defence of Article 31 of Russian constitution granting freedom of assembly held in Moscow's Triumfalnaya Square, one authorized by city government, the other, not; earlier on same day pro-Kremlin youth group Young Russia holds blood donor event in same place

Russia: 

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle arrives for two-day visit, holds talks with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov (1 Nov) , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, expected to meet Russian civil society activists Europe

Ukraine: 

Local council elections; postponed from 30 May; first polls since Viktor Yanukovych was elected president in February (-31)

Iran: 

Tehran hosts Iraq reconstruction conference, attended by officials, businessmen from Iran, Turkey, Syria (-31)

Iran:

Iranian crude oil production has risen by 30 thousand barrels per day (bpd) in October, in yet another indication that sanctions are proving in effective, according to Fars News Agency. Monthly oil production reached 3.66 million bpd, up from 3.63 million bpd in September.

Kuwait: 

Second day of Kuwait Financial Forum (-1 Nov); speakers include Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'd al-Hariri, Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Shaykh Muhammad Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah

Kuwait: 

Czech President Vaclav Klaus arrives for three-day visit, meets Emir Shaykh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, Prime Minister Shaykh Nasir Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, head of Kuwait's National Assembly, Jassem al-Kharafi (-2)

UAE: 

World Freezone Convention begins in Ra's al-Khaymah; Speakers include; UAE Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ra's al-Khaymah Sa'ud Bin-Saqr al-Qasimi, World Free Zone Convention Chairman and President of European Policy Forum Graham Mather (-2)

Yemen:

Following up after a woman is detained in Sanaa, Yemen, suspected of sending the explosive devices found on US-bound cargo planes

Israel: 

First international Homeland Security Conference begins in Tel Aviv; interior ministers, mayors, police chiefs attend (-4 Nov) (Official website)

Israel:

Talks between labour unions and the government to avert a public sector strike next week over pay rise expected to resume. Unions have indicated they may call a strike as early as Tuesday, which could shut down public transport, government offices and some government-owned companies.

Somalia:

Somali pirates have hijacked a Panama-flagged 72,000-ton tanker with 24 crew members nearly 1,100 kilometres  off the Somali coast. (The crew comprises a Romanian, three Greeks, four Montenegrins and 16 Filipinos)

Algeria:

Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia to speak in parliament where he will respond to lawmakers questions (0900).

Ethiopia: 

Leaders of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states in Addis Ababa were to discuss referendum over independence of Southern Sudan in January 2011; but appears to have been postponed until 6 or 7 November. Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir expected to attend, alongside leaders of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia; summit venue was moved from Nairobi after Kenya came under pressure from International Criminal Court to arrest President Al-Bashir if he attended

Tanzania: 

Presidential, parliamentary elections; President Jakaya Kikwete seeking re-election to his second and final five-year term

Ivory Coast: 

Presidential elections; originally scheduled to be held five years ago when President Laurent Gbagbo's mandate ran out; postponed several time

Niger: 

Referendum on proposed new constitution

Vatican:

Victims of abuse by Roman Catholic priests will try to march on the Vatican despite the lack of a police permit, to demand the Church do more to protect children and hold abusers accountable.

UK: 

Second and final day of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Britain, meets British Prime Minister David Cameron at his country residence, Chequers

UK:

Watching as police in Northern Ireland destroyed a bomb allegedly planted by nationalist militants south of Belfast in Lurgan in the long-term parking lot at Belfast International Airport. Northern Ireland's security forces are on high alert due to nationalist splinter group activities.

Brazil: 

Presidential election runoff between Dilma Rousseff of Workers' Party, Social Democratic Party's Jose Serra 

US:

President Barack Obama campaigns for Democratic candidates in Ohio, days before the Nov. 2 elections.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Thursday 28 October

Israel's right wing starts its own Tea Party

Barack Obama has become a target for the Israeli right following the creation of a pro-settler Tea Party who plan to hold a "Saying No to Obama" rally.

 

A changing of the guard for Afghanistan's warlords

Preliminary results from Afghanistan's parliamentary election indicate that warlords who built their reputations fighting the Soviets are being dumped for a younger generation.

 

Egypt severly curtails press freedom ahead of elections

After giving journalists wide latitude during the last elections in 2005, Egypt is now squelching press freedom and even requiring a permit to send mass text messages.

 

Gulf emirate exile reclaims birthright

Exiled crown prince Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr al-Qasimi returns to Ras al-Khaimah to reclaim 'birthright' from half-brother. One of the most bizarre international coup attempts of recent times, whose key players include a family solicitor from Buckinghamshire and an exiled Arab crown prince, entered its endgame today with the death of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad al-Qasimi, the world's longest-serving ruler, who led the Gulf emirate of Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) for 62 years.

 

Hobbit deal costs New Zealand

New Zealand's prime minister shows how much The Hobbit is worth to his country as details emerge of deal with Warner Bros

 

Siberian nationalists seek alliance with ethnic Ukrainians in Far East

A group of Siberian nationalists has called on ethnic Ukrainians living in the Far East to join the Siberian nationalist movement.(I wonder if China promotes this?)

 

Cameron phone plea over EU budget

David Cameron phones several of his European counterparts on the eve of an EU summit, urging them to reject a big rise in its budget.

 

Greece Said to Fall Short of Its Goal on Deficit

Greece is expected to run a bigger budget deficit this year than the 8.1 percent of gross domestic product it agreed to as part of its rescue package.

 

World’s largest law meeting to convene in İstanbul

Around 1,200 lawyers from 70 countries will be arriving in İstanbul this weekend to attend the world’s largest law event, the 54th annual congress of the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA). Participants of this year’s congress, set to take place Oct. 30-Nov. 3, will attempt to answers questions such as “Does the financial crisis mean an inevitable return to increased market regulation?” “Is it possible to produce a single code of ethics for all lawyers throughout the world?” and “How can respect for human rights be reconciled with private enterprise performance?”

 

Karabakh prisoners to be swapped

 Azerbaijan and Armenia agree to swap prisoners taken in fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, after talks hosted by Russia's president.

 

Obama in Arab garb: The stuff of right-wing e-mails – and one tiny shop in Yemen

A shopkeeper in Sanaa, Yemen, makes some of his money selling posters of Western leaders in traditional Arab garb and regional landscapes.

 

 

Dream recording device 'possible'

Researchers in the US say they plan to electronically record and interpret dream

 

 

Last female native bear in Spanish Pyrenees has died

The last female brown bear native to the Spanish Pyrenees is thought to have died, signalling an end to the species.

 

In Spain, Homes Are Taken but Debt Stays

Laws in Spain are saddling some homeowners with mountains of inescapable debt as the economy falters

 

 

China to raise its poverty line

China says it will raise the poverty line by a big amount as part of its effort to spread the wealth more equally, according to Chinese media reports, but the public are not entirely convinced

 

 

Horse fair attracts record number of exhibitors

If the record number of overseas exhibitors at this year's China Horse Fair is any indication, then the level of interest in China's emerging professional equine industry is growing strongly.

 

 

India's 'untouchables' to build temple to 'Goddess of the English language'

India's downtrodden "untouchables" are to open a temple to a "Goddess of the English language" in honour of Lord Macaulay, an architect of the British Empire.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

What's Happening Today - Thursday 28 October

Australia:

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth 

Japan: 

High-level segment of UN conference on biodiversity continues in Nagoya, Yemeni Prime Minister Ali Mujawar, Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba attending (UN website, Yemeni news agency SABA)

China:

Hospitals in the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province have been forced to postpone 90 per cent of surgeries due to an unprecedented shortage of blood, according to the city's health authorities. In a bid to encourage people to donate blood, the centre is giving away free cinema tickets 

China:

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visits China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, including Urumqi in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, as well as Xian province, and will be the first Turkish foreign minister to visit the region.

Vietnam: 

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit continues in Hanoi (-30); meetings between ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, East Asia Summit also held; Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, South Korea's Lee Myung-bak, Japan's Naoto Kan in attendance; ASEAN members also hold separate summit meetings with Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev (30-31 Oct), Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (29); US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also attends East Asia Summit (30) 

Bangladesh:

Opposition BNP [Bangladesh Nationalist Party] is to hold protest rally in Dhaka

India:

Third phase of parliamentary election in eastern state of Bihar held amid concerns that Naxals (Maoist rebels) will try to disrupt process; remaining three phases will be held on 1, 9, 20 November 

Malaysia:

Indian PM Manmohan Singh wraps up official visit to Malaysia with final meeting with Prime Minister Mohamad Najib Tun Abdul Razak. 

Singapore:

A Singapore court is due to deliver a verdict on Alan Shadrake, a 75-year-old British freelance journalist arrested in Singapore on charges of contempt of court for a book on the death penalty.

Russia:

Military launches dozens of sea and land-based Sineva  intercontinental ballistic missiles as test of Russia's strategic nuclear forces in the Pacific and Arctic oceans

Kazakhstan:

A Saudi Arabian delegation is to visit Astana; not only for oil and gas talks, but also for the export of sheep. Comes day after Kazakhstan signed deals worth 2 billion euros ($2.76 billion), for electric railway engine, helicopters, a satellite center in Astana and the initial construction of a nuclear fuel assembly plant in Kazakhstan.

Bahrain:

The 23 suspected Shia members of a “terror ring” stand trial. Public Prosecution attorney-general Abdulrahman Al Sayyed said the suspects face charges of setting up a rogue group to block the Constitution, prevent the state from exercising its duties, disrupt public order and jeopardise Bahrain's security and stability

West Bank:

Watching as Jewish settlers plan to protest government delaying the construction of some 4,300 apartments in large West Bank settlements, accusing Defense Minister Ehud Barak of imposing a silent freeze on construction by withholding approval of their building plans 

West Bank:

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Ali Abu-al-Ghayt, intelligence chief Umar Sulayman visit Ramallah for talks with President Mahmud Abbas on peace process "stalemate" 

Palestine:

Dr Mahmud al-Habbash, minister of Awqaf & Religious Affairs, has said 10,000 Palestinian pilgrims will leave for Mecca, some of whom will be from Gaza. But will Egypt permit them to leave?

Israel:

Construction of 250-kilometer (155-mile) fence along its southern border with Egypt to begin within days. The barrier, whose construction was approved in March, is meant to curb the flow of illegal immigrants

Somalia:

The presidential palace says both the president and the Speaker have agreed that the new prime minister should be endorsed on 28th through open ballot 

Sudan:

Following as Southern Sudan offers the north a financial package if it agrees to allow southern annexation of the Abyei region. According to Luka Biong, minister of cabinet affairs in the Sudanese Government of National Unity, the south has accepted a U.S. suggestion to annex Abyei by presidential decree and then compensate the north for the loss of oil revenues, possibly in the form of an interest-free loan. Southern Sudan also would grant citizenship rights to Missiriya nomads if the Abyei referendum does not take place, as well as create a development fund from Abyei’s oil revenues. 

Morocco: 

World Economic Forum on Middle East and North Africa concludes in Marrakech 

Mauritania:

Following up after Mauritania annonces "offensive" against al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Mauritanian Defense Minister Hamadi Ould Hamadi said the southeastern Mauritanian base of Bassiknou would be strengthened and military and security forces will see upgrades to their equipment.

Uganda:

Campaigning for 2011 presidential, parliamentary elections begins

Burundi:

Burundi begins to repatriate Congolese refugees.

Central African Republic:

Presidential candidates have a week to have themselves accepted for the January 2011 legislative and presidential elections 

Ghana:

Following eviction of squatters, reconstruction works on Tema-Asaprochona  railway line southeastern town completed, to be inaugurated

Ukraine:

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev visits, meets Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych

Poland:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov meets Radoslaw Sikorski and President of the Republic of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski. The main objective is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the state of Russian-
Polish relations,  including NATO issues. Representatives of the Kaliningrad Region and St Petersburg, as well as the Polish regions which maintain the most extensive links with the regions of Russia are invited to the meeting. 

Slovakia:

Parliament debate and vote on general guidelines of 2011 budget bill (to Oct. 29).

Hungary:

Romania will help the Hungarian teams working to limit the effects of last week’s ecological accident. Minister of Environment and Forestry Laszlo Borbely said will meet his Hungarian counterpart in Budapest 

Serbia:

Islamic Community in Serbia's Sacirovic calls on supporters to rally in front of Faculty for Islamic Studies to prevent its building from being returned to Novi Pazar based company Uniprom

Belgium:

Heads of state and government meet at European Council summit in Brussels (-29); German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy attend meeting of European People's Party on sidelines (28); Sarkozy presents his plans for G20 presidency, which France takes over on 12 November 

France:

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Birri heads meets French President Nicolas Sarkozy 

France:

Secretary General of the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) Francois Chereque said unions to continue their planned strike action. Nadine Prigent of the CGT union said: "We are asking the head of state not to promulgate this document whatever the vote in the Senate."

Brazil:

Following up after Brazilian mining firm Vale announced plans invest $15 billion to $20 billion in projects in Africa, and thus become one of the world''s top three copper producers. Most of the money will be spent in Mozambique, Guinea, Liberia and Zambia.

Argentina: 

Watching for reaction following sudden death of former President Nestor Kirchner from a heart attack 

Mexico:

Public safety at an all time low after an armed group attacks the metropolitan police headquarters in Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas state. Eight people were injured in the attack. Police are reeling from dozens of lethal attacks all over northern Mexico. The congress of Mexico's Nuevo Leon state approved an emergency police law that will allow the governor to establish a unified police command for municipalities in the Monterrey metropolitan area

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Wednesday 27 October

Egypt jails opposition campaigners before election

Egyptian security forces on Tuesday detained 57 campaign workers from the opposition Muslim Brotherhood while hanging election posters in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria ahead of next month's parliamentary vote.

 

Indonesian volcano toll hits 25

The death toll following the eruption of Indonesia's volatile Mt Merapi volcano rises to 25, amid fears of major fresh activity.

 

Arundhati Roy could face 'sedition' trial over Kashmir comments

Arundhati Roy, the Booker Prize-winning author, could face trial for 'sedition' over her call for Kashmir's independence.

 

Netanyahu visits commando unit behind Gaza ship raid

Saying “I salute you,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has visited the base of Israeli naval commandos who killed nine pro-Palestinian Turks on a Gaza-bound aid ship in May.

 

Haiti cholera deaths 'near 300'

Nearly 300 people are now known to have died from cholera in Haiti, with experts saying the disease could settle and become endemic.

 

Second night of rioting in Belfast

Petrol bombs have been thrown at police during a second night of rioting in north Belfast connected to loyalist paramilitaries officially on ceasefire.

 

Germany says severely hit by rare earth scarcity

Germany has been severely hit by the global shortage of rare earths, and the government should guard against speculation in raw materials, Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said

 

Medvedev to hold Karabakh talks with Aliyev, Sarksyan

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will host the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan today at a trilateral meeting in the Russian city of Astrakhan for talks focused on the prospects of reaching a settlement on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, a territorial dispute between Baku and Yerevan.

 

One in five vertebrates face extinction

One species of vertebrate is added to the endangered list each week, IUCN report warns at biodiversity summit

 

British and US troops to remain in Afghanistan for years under Nato agreement

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Nato secretary general, has said British and US troops will remain on Afghanistan's front lines for years under an open-ended agreement to be signed next month.

 

Too scared for home

Afghans remain in camps after Helmand assault

Aborigines 'have received fraction of benefits from Ayers Rock hand back'

Aborigines have claimed 25 years after Australia "handed back" Ayers Rock they still receive only a fraction of the income from tourism.

 

Watchdog: Company botched Afghan police stations

An Afghan-owned company bungled the construction of police stations there so badly that the buildings are at risk of collapse, undermining U.S.-led efforts to beef up the country's security forces, a government watchdog say

 

The 8 worst countries on Transparency International's list

The United States fell behind Chile and into 22rd place, marking the first time it failed to rank in the to 20. Russia ranked worst among global powers, falling from 146th place to 154th place, tied with Cambodia.

 

US mid-term poll spending 'nears $2bn'

Spending by US congressional candidates on campaigns for next week's elections is approaching a new record, a watchdog group says.

 

Kenyan man builds aeroplane in front yard

Gabriel Nderitu's collapsible two-seater propeller plane has been built using instructions downloaded from Wikipedia

Posted via email from luay's posterous

What's Happening Today - Wednesday 27 October

China:

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to visit China.
    
China:

A people-to-people exchange between China and Japan begins as means to improve relations. Japan's Japan-China Friendship Association will bring some 1,000 Japanese youngsters to Shanghai 

North Korea:

The US-led United Nations Command (UNC) and North Korea will hold another round of colonel-level talks after making little progress in a series of meetings during the past three months. (Since July, the two sides have met six times to discuss the March sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on the North and discuss the date and agenda for general-level talks.)

North Korea: 

Final day of meeting between Red Cross officials from South and North in border city of Kaeso'ng for talks on humanitarian issues, regular reunions of families separated by Korean War 

Vietnam: 

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Hanoi (-30); ASEAN members also hold separate summit meetings with Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (29); US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also attends East Asia Summit (30) 

Cambodia:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits to meet King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen (-28); visits Cambodia's war crimes tribunal; Hun Sen expected to ask for UN mediation in border conflict with Thailand

Philippines: 

Hearing in trial of southern clan accused of murdering 57 people 

Malaysia:

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

India: 

Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference (DIREC) 2010 opens (-29) 

Pakistan: 

Mass demonstrations planned in support of Indian-administered Kashmir with human line formed along the Line of Control at Chakothi, Azad Kashmir; Kashmiris observe 27 Oct as 'black day' to protest against illegal occupation by India when it landed its troops in Kashmir on that day in 1947 

Pakistan:

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections due to be held; Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) president Saeed Atiq Shah refused to become presiding officer for Peshawar

Russia:

Head of Federal State Statistics Service Aleksandr Surinov gives news conference (at 1000 gmt) on preliminary results of all-Russia population census

Russia:

The press service of the Kremlin has confirmed reports that the Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will meet in Astrakhan 

Russia:

Hearing of lawsuit filed by two Moscow pensioners demanding that they be paid R700,000 (approx. 23,000 dollars) in compensation for damage to their health, caused by air pollution during wild and peatbog fires this summer. If successful, could lead to a mass litigation against government.

Kyrgyzstan:

The leaders of a number of Kyrgyz parties are preparing rallies against the Ata-Jurt party, which, according to preliminary data, got the majority of seats in the country's parliament. But the demonstrators are worried about security and may call it off. Meanwhile, Kyrgyz ombudsman Tursunbek Akun said security services need to stop repressive methods and strictly observe the Constitution and democratic norms.

Turkmenistan: 

Independence Day – 20 years since end of Soviet rule. Unrelatedly, the border with Kazakhstan to be shut until 1 November 2010

Iran:

President Ahmadinejad makes national address on ‘smart subsidies’ – and how his government plans to bring down energy consumption and keep prices under control as sanctions begin to bite.

Iran:

Watching developments as British oil giant BP may close a North Sea natural gas field it jointly owns with Iran due to European sanctions. (However, EU sanctions will exempt the Shah Deniz natural gas field in Azerbaijan, in which the National Iranian Oil Company holds a 10 percent stake, because of its strategic value for the European Union!)

Iran:

Euronews TV channel launches Persian service 

Iraq:

Ruz Nuri Shawis, head of the Kurdistan Blocs Alliance's negotiation team, invites main political blocs to meet in Arbil for Barzani initiative to tackle cabinet formation deadlock. 

Turkey: 

Iraq Mega Projects conference in Istanbul continues (-28); focuses on strategies to develop Iraq as major oil producer; leading contractors, field operators, ministry representatives, local governors, experts attend

Turkey: 

National Security Council meeting in Ankara; ongoing campaign against terrorism, unilateral cease-fire of outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), adjustment of national security paper, also known as "red book" on agenda 

Iran: 

Bolivian President Evo Morales concludes visit 

Iran: 

Joint meeting of border provinces held in Orumiyeh, with 18 agreements expected to be signed

Qatar: 

Final day of international internal security and police equipment exhibition Milipol in Doha; held alternately in France and Qatar 

Israel:

Right-wing extremists expected to march through Arab Israeli town of Umm Al-Fahm to call for Islamic Movement to be made illegal; police on high alert to prevent clashes

Yemen:

Follow up after officials from China held talks on expanding military cooperation with Yemen, to include training as well as counterterrorism and counterpiracy actions in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

Sudan:

Former South African President Mbeki will chair next round of referendum talks in Khartoum

Sudan:

Husayn Isma'il Hashim, the head of the SLM-MM office in North Darfur will hold a meeting with the ruling National Congress Party

Sudan:

Follow up after the head of the Southern Sudanese Dinka Ngok tribe, Kuol Deng Majok, has accused the US envoy Scott Gration of working to re-ignite war and destabilize the area of Abyei 

Ethiopia:

Abyei Talks on 27 October in Addis Ababa between National Congress Party and Sudan People's Liberation movement have been postponed, probably until 5th November.

South Africa:

South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan unveils the Medium Term Budget Statement (1200). Plans for world’s biggest solar panel farm may be unveiled.

Nigeria: 

House of Representatives to vote on whether to amend 1999 constitution and grant request by election commission to delay next year's elections until April

Ukraine:

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.

Ukraine:

Russian and Ukrainian prime ministers expected to flesh out plans to set up a Russian-Ukrainian gas joint venture 

Poland:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visits Poland and meets Polish counterpart Radek Sikorski.

Romania:

The motion of no-confidence tabled by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) -the Conservative Party (PC) Alliance (in opposition) and the Liberal Democratic Party (PNL, in opposition) will be debated

Hungary:

Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos will dismiss "all except one" of the directors of public service companies in the capital

Croatia:

Assembly to vote on no-confidence motion in Prime Minister Kosor.

Switzerland:

WTO TRIPS Council Meeting (FINAL DAY).
    
France:

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visits France and meets French President Nicolas Sarkozy (1300).
    
France: 

Watching for developments as controversial pension reform bill due to complete its passage with final vote in National Assembly; approved by Senate on Tuesday; Socialist opposition has already said they would refer the bill to the Constitutional Council; if approved, the law is expected to be promulgated in mid-November

France:

The fuel situation in France is improving, with only 20 percent of gasoline stations facing supply problems, the president of the French Oil Industries Union said

UN:

Security Council consults on Lebanon; the closed-door discussions are expected to include the rising tension in Lebanon over future indictments by the U.N. tribunal investigating the 2005 murder of former prime minister Hariri

Argentina: 

2010 census 

Hawaii:

Clinton meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara in Hawaii to  discuss a range of issues, including China and North Korea as well as the relocation of a US Marine base in Okinawa.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Tuesday 26 October

US to build £8bn super base on Pacific island of Guam

The US is building an £8 billion super military base on the Pacific island of Guam in an attempt to contain China's military build-up.

 

With Ukraine's blessing, Russia to beef up Black Sea Fleet

Just a year ago Ukraine was insisting that Russia would be required to vacate the Crimean naval base of Sevastopol when its old lease expired in 2017. That would have posed serious problems for Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet, which is headquartered there. But today, after pro-Moscow President President Viktor Yanukovych took office in February, Russia appears completely secure in its military foothold on Ukrainian soil until at least 2042

 

Iran set to load fuel to core of first atomic plant

Iran will move closer to the start-up of its first nuclear power plant on Tuesday when it plans to load fuel into the core of the Bushehr reactor, a senior lawmaker said

 

Gas Exporting Countries Study OPEC Model

Gas-producing countries are studying OPEC's experience as they try to build a global natural gas market, the head of the recently launched Gas Exporting Countries Forum, or GECF, said Monday.

 

Strikes costing France '€400m a day'

France's strikes are costing the national economy up to €400m (£355m) each day, the French finance minister said today, as workers continued to block waste incinerators in protest against a plan to raise the retirement age to 62.

 

Benin suffers worst floods since 1963

Hundreds of thousands of people in Benin have been affected by the country's worst flooding in nearly half a century, aid agencies have warned.

  

Rubbish fills streets of Marseille

Rubbish is "shoulder-high" in some parts of Marseille after weeks of strike action from waste collectors.

 

Balcony farmers tasting the fruit of their labors

An increasing number of city dwellers are finding green pastures in the capital - on their balconies.

 

Kuwait: Pollution, heat, oil slicks cause death of corals reefs

High temperature, humidity and lack of currents are among the causes of the coral reefs bleaching skirting

 

'Speed justice' in India clears 100,000 cases in one day

India's notoriously slow courts system cleared more than 100,000 cases in one day in a 'speed justice' marathon to try to reduce what is believed to be the world's biggest legal backlog.

 

Plans for 'world's biggest' solar plant

South Africa is to unveil plans this week for what it claims will be the world's biggest solar power plant – a radical step in a coal-dependent country where one in six people still lacks electricity.

 

Nicolas Sarkozy most unpopular French president in more than 50 years

Nicolas Sarkozy has become the most unpopular French president in more than 50 years, according to a new poll.

 

Sony stops selling tape Walkman in Japan after 30 years

The Walkman was the world's first commercial personal stereo system and revolutionised how people listened to music.

 

 

U.S. newspaper circulation down

Figures released Monday by the Audit Bureau of Circulations show that while circulation is no longer in free fall, spending on newspapers is not picking up the way it has for ...

 

Independent's 20p paper launched

The Independent newspaper launches a new daily title, called "i", aimed at attracting "lapsed readers of quality newspapers".

 

The changing map of the Middle East

In the centre of the rebuilt Beirut, the massive old Maronite Cathedral of St George stands beside the even larger mass of the new Mohammad al-Amin mosque. The mosque's minarets tower over the cathedral, but the Maronites were built a spanking new archbishop's house between the two buildings as compensation. Yet every day, the two calls to prayer – the clanging of church bells and the wailing of the muezzin – beat an infernal percussion across the city. Both bells and wails are tape recordings, but they have been turned up to the highest decibel pitch to outdo each other, louder than an aircraft's roar, almost as crazed as the nightclub music from Gemmayzeh across the square. But the Christians are leaving.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

What's Happening Today - Tuesday 26 October

Japan:

Ministerial meeting on sidelines of UN biodiversity talks in Nagoya; Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara and Papua New Guinean counterpart Samuel Tei Abal co-chair discussion on efforts to create mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation in order to curb climate change; meeting aims to build momentum ahead of UN talks in Cancun in November on replacing Kyoto Protocol

North Korea:

Red Cross officials from South and North meet in border city of Kaeso'ng for talks on humanitarian issues, regular reunions of families separated by Korean War

Vietnam:

Preparatory meetings at ministerial and senior official levels to prepare for the 17th ASEAN Summit

Indonesia:

Watching developments after government raised alert level for active volcano Mount Merapi in central Java to its highest: as many as 40, 000 people have begun to evacuate vicinity amid fears of repetition of eruption in 1930, which levelled 13 villages and killed 1400 people

Thailand:

The UN secretary-general will visit Thailand to discuss Bangkok's role in regional security cooperation; national army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has warned anti-government protestors Red Shirts that they will not be allowed to gather during Ban's visit; Red Shirts have said want to petition Ban over killings of 91 people in military crackdowns of April and May; heads for Cambodia in evening

Singapore:

Court is due to deliver a verdict on Alan Shadrake, a 75-year-old British freelance journalist arrested in Singapore on charges of contempt of court for a book on the death penalty.

Malaysia:

Indian PM Manmohan Singhs travels to Malaysia to hold talks with Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

Nepal:

The thirteenth attempt to vote for a prime minister. Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel, the lone candidate in the prime ministerial race, faced the 12th defeat over two weeks ago.

Russia:

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano stake part in the 5th International Energy Week "Moscow Energy Dialogue," and is also scheduled to meet with senior officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Rosatom, Rostekhnadzor, and the Federal Medical-Biological Agency.

Kyrgyzstan:

Military court of the Bishkek garrison resumes trial of Sanjarbek Bakiyev [a nephew of the former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev].

Pakistan:

Friends of the US suspect accused of the Times Square bombing attempt appear in Pakistani court: Jamil Akhtar, Muhammad Shahid, and Muhammad Shoaib, who have been arrested by the Sihala police and are said to be friends of Faisal Shahzad

Pakistan:

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Margret Chao and Regional Director Dr Hussain A Gazairy begin visit (-29) to review work of WHO in flood relief, polio eradication

Afghanistan:

Afghan Mines Minister Wahidullah Shahrani said he wants to award a tender to a foreign company for the development of the Hajigak iron ore deposit west of Kabul, which has 2 billion tons of reserves with 62 percent iron concentration, by July 2011 – quite simply immensely huge reserves. The ministry also plans to award tenders by late 2011 for the Balkhab copper deposit in the north, which has reserves of around 45 million tons.

Iran:

Ayatollah Khamene'i will meet with the Supreme Council of Qom Theological Seminary

Iran:

Fuel to be loaded into Bushehr power plant reactor, according to Chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Ala'eddin Borujerdi

Turkey:

Iraq Mega Projects conference held in Istanbul; focuses on strategies to develop Iraq as major oil producer; leading contractors, field operators, ministry representatives, local governors, experts attend

Turkey:

Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek to present 2011 draft budget to parliament's budgetary commission.

Qatar:

Doha Tribeca Film Festival

Iraq:

Follow up after Iraqi Legal Expert, Tareq Harb, said US troops can't be prosecuted by the Special International Crimes Court for committing war crimes (because the United States of America is not member in the court and had not signed the Rome Treaty for 1998 related to the formation of the International Court of Crimes.)

Yemen:

Following up after Yemeni Interior Ministry announced it has uncovered an eight-member group plotting to bomb a number of sites in Aden in hopes of disrupting the Gulf Cup Tournament from Nov. 22 to Dec. 5

Yemen:

The Yemeni government has initiated a new program to fight al Qaeda whereby the government pays tribesmen a daily stipend and gives them ammunition to hunt the Islamist militants

Libya:

The third conference of Libyan-Chinese friendship association in Tripoli wraps up

Algeria:

Trial in absentia of the leader of Al-Qa'idah in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM) begins. (Includes 12 alleged terrorists, including AQLIM leader, Abdelmalek Droukdel, who is till on the run, and the jailed Hassan Hattab, one of the founding members of the Salafi Group for Call and Combat, GSPC, which renamed itself AQLIM a few years ago.

Morocco:

World Economic Forum on Middle East and North Africa held in Marrakech

Mauritania:

National Forum in Nouakchott (-27) aimed at forging consensus on how to combat Al-Qa'idah in Islamic Magreb (AQLIM)

Kenya:

Parliament continues censure of Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula over corruption allegations in procurement of properties belonging to Kenyan missions abroad

Kenya:

The mayor of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, appears in court to be charged by anti-corruption agents after controversial purchase of a piece of land for use as a cemetery

Uganda:

All candidates for presidential elections will be confirmed.

Nigeria:

Senate votes on alteration to bill aimed at extending length of 2011 general election voting period; bill amendment was requested by Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigerian African Independent TV)

Ukraine:

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits; during visit meets President Viktor Yanukovych, opposition leader Yuliya Tymoshenko; expected to raise human rights issues; final

Ukraine:

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits to attend meeting of bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation; agreements on waterways, shipping on agenda (Russian expansion of Black Sea Fleet)

Ukraine:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visits for talks with counterpart Viktor Yanukovych

Poland:

Appeal court in Poland hears prosecution complaint against release of Chechen separatist leader Akhmed Zakayev following arrest on Russian warrant on 17 September. Russian parliament to discuss Chechen attack to put pressure on court.

Greece:

Bank of Greece publishes report on state of country's economy in first half of 2010

Austria:

Review Conference of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), ahead of OSCE Astana summit on 1-2 December; final day

Germany:

Transparency International launches annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI); index ranks countries by their perceived levels of corruption

Belgium:

President Nursultan Nazarbayev wraps up official visit to Brussels

Belgium:

EU-Turkey joint parliamentary committee meeting for second and final day; Turkish EU affairs minister Egemen Bagis taking part

France:

UNEF [the National Union of French Students] called young people and students to a day of "action all over France", with rallies and sit-ins, to show that the protests are continuing during the October holidays. However, workers at one of France’s 12 blocked oil refineries voted to end their strike as the government said fuel shortages were damaging the economy

UK:

Amir of Qatar Shaykh Hamad Bin-Khalifah al-Thani visits, doubtful he lands in France first

UN:

Cuba presents resolution at UN General Assembly condemning US embargo on it

US:

Further proceedings in trial of Canadian former child soldier Omar Khadr at Guantanamo prison camp in Cuba; Khadr pleaded guilty yesterday to war crimes; move believed to be part of plea bargain agreement

Mexico:

Suspected members of the Sinaloa drug trafficking cartel warned that they would kill 135 people after security forces seized 134 tons of marijuana last week in Tijuana, Baja California state, Milenio

Posted via email from luay's posterous