My Press Review - Wednesday 1 December

Interpol issues alert for Assange

Interpol issues a "Red Notice" for the founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, as Ecuador's president backtracks on an offer of residency.

 

WikiLeaks: Espionage? Journalism? Something else?

The government's decisions about whether or how to bring criminal charges against participants in the WikiLeaks disclosures are complicated by the very newness of Julian Assange's Internet-based outfit: Is it journalism or espionage or something in between?...

 

Sarah Palin: hunt WikiLeaks founder like al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders

Julian Assange was branded "an anti-American operative with blood on his hands" by the prominent Republican, who asked why he has not yet been caught by the authorities.

 

UK 'pledged to limit Iraq probe'

The government promised to limit the scope of the Iraq war inquiry to protect US interests, according to reports of leaked diplomatic cables

 

US rebukes Egypt for 'flawed' election

The US has issued a sharp rebuke to one of its key Middle Eastern allies, dismissing an election victory by Egypt's ruling party as "flawed"

 

Island states plead for climate action

At Cancún climate talks, diplomats from 43 island nations say they face 'the end of history' unless action is taken to stop sea levels rising

 

China's top foreign policy official travels to North Korea to soothe tensions

China's top foreign policy official is expected to arrive in North Korea on Wednesday to defuse concerns after WikiLeaks disclosed reports that Beijing was ready to support Korean unification.

 

Is Israel's Mossad Targeting Iran's Nuclear Scientists?

An intelligence expert tells TIME that the way Iran's top nuclear scientist was assassinated appears to match the modus operandi of Israel's Mossad. The Israeli press seems to assume the same thing

 

Student protest: 150 arrests on third day of action

Arrests in London and Bristol but peaceful demonstrations elsewhere on third day of anti-cuts protests

 

Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS

In Zimbabwe nearly a thousand adults are newly infected with HIV each week. A similar number die of AIDS. Helping the next generation to be free of HIV is crucial to stopping the spread of the virus.

 

Israel tells US it has ‘bad feeling’ about Turkey

Israeli officials have discussed several times the deterioration in Turkish-Israeli ties with US counterparts, expressing concern that the Turkish government is changing its foreign policy priorities, while the US has advised patience and to stay engaged, confidential US diplomatic cables leaked by Internet site WikiLeaks show.

 

Medvedev warns of new arms race

President Dmitry Medvedev warned on Tuesday that a new arms race would be sparked within the next decade unless Russia and the West forged an agreement to cooperate on building a missile defense system.

 

Kyrgyz Parties Agree to Form Coalition

Political leaders in Kyrgyzstan agreed Tuesday to form a coalition government as the country tries to create the region's first parliamentary democracy following months of violence and upheaval.

 

Gaddafi demands £4 billion from EU or Europe will turn 'black'

Libyan leader says EU should give him £4bn to fight illegal immigration.

 

EU launches competition probe into Google searches

The European Commission is launching a formal investigation into whether Google has abused its dominant market position in online searches.

 

Eurozone contagion fears spread to Italy

The Republic of Ireland's €85bn (£72bn) bailout has failed to end the crisis of confidence gripping the eurozone, and may even have exacerbated it.

 

Debt Panel Faces Struggle on Cutbacks or Tax Increases

Disagreements within President Obama’s debt-reduction commission underscore the reluctance of both parties to risk short-term political backlash in pursuit of long-term fiscal health.

 

China's Textile Industry: How Dirty Are Your Jeans?

If you're a bit of a slob like me, you are wearing jeans to work today, and if, like me, you're a bit of a slob who doesn't manage hedge funds, your jeans are fairly run of the mill

 

Higher tuition fees but only if you are English

English face university education "apartheid" after Welsh students told they would be exempt from sharp rise in tuition fees.

 

Kuwait: 39 States Participate in Donors and Investors Conference for Sudan

Kuwait - Thirty-nine countries, 28 world renowned institutions, as well as 73 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are to participate

 

Pressure mounts on Portugal over crisis

Portuguese unions backed away from confrontation with the government on Tuesday over austerity plans it sees as vital to avoiding an international bailout. Union leaders said they wanted to talk to Prime Minister Jose Socrates over their worries rather than take to the streets. A general strike last week paralysed public transport and shut down many services

 

Holyrood handed £12 billion of tax and borrowing powers

The Scottish Parliament will be able to raise £12 billion in taxes and borrowing under the most radical transfer of financial powers since the creation of the United Kingdom, it has been announced.

 

Right-to-die bill to be rejected

The Scottish Parliament is expected to reject new laws giving terminally ill people the right to choose when to die.

 

King Abdullah takes over entire New York hospital wing

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has prompted disquiet in a New York hospital by commandeering an entire wing as he recovers from back surgery

 

Kyrgyz children arrive in Sanya to forget deadly riot

Fifty children and young adults from the Kyrgyz Republic arrived in Sanya, South China's Hainan province, on Monday morning to recuperate from the riots that erupted in their city of Osh in June.

 

Jolie is unfit ambassador – activists

Jolie started shooting her directorial debut – a love story between a Muslim woman and a Serb man set during the country's civil war in the early 90s – in Bosnia in October. The problems began when local media reported the film featured scenes in which a Bosnian rape victim falls in love with her Serbian attacker. Jolie soon came in for criticism from Bosnia's Association of Women Victims of War after she failed to meet members to discuss the stories.

 

Fiji Water could cease production in Fiji

Fiji Water, a favourite drink of celebrities from Barack Obama down, may cease production in the South Pacific island nation amid a bitter row with the ruling military junta.

 

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What's Happening Today - Wednesday 1 December

Wikileaks: 

Further secret documents expected to be released by whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks; spotlight expected to move to Pakistan

Japan: 

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed wraps up visit after meeting counterpart Naoto Kan, Emperor Akihito

China:

To curb rising food prices, the State Council has announced a group of measures, which included orders for local governments to boost agricultural products and stabilize the supply of agricultural products, as well as forbidding road-toll stations to collect fees from vehicles transporting fresh agricultural products 

China: 

North Korean Supreme People's Assembly Chairman Choe Tae Bok visits to meet parliamentary chief Wu Bangguo; likely to discuss developments on Korean peninsula (-4) 

North Korea:

Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo will visit North Korea, possibly on Wednesday, in an effort to defuse rising tension on the Korean Peninsula

Thailand: 

Remaining Thai troops to withdraw from disputed border territory near Preah Vihear temple where they were stationed since July 2008 

Pakistan:

Return process of South Waziristan IDPs (Internally Displaced People), who fled homes due to Rah-e Nijat military operation, to begin 

Pakistan: 

Baluchistan National Party to stage rallies in protest against alleged kidnappings, extrajudicial killings in province

Uzbekistan:

Southern Surxondaryo Region describes efforts to combat AIDS on the World Aids Day. There are over 15,800 AIDS patients in the country

Uzbekistan:

Minimum wage in Uzbekistan will be 49,735 soms [about 30 dollars] per month, and the minimum retirement pension and the minimum disabled benefit will be 97,285 soms [about 60 dollars] per month

Kazakhstan:

3G wireless communications systems start

Kazakhstan: 

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit kicks off in Astana (-2); Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev, Georgia's Mikheil Saakashvili, Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev, Armenia's Serzh Sargsyan, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton among attendees; last such meeting was held in 1999 

Armenia:

President Serzh Sargsyan replaces Armen Darbinyan from the post of deputy director of the National Security Service and replaced him with Garegin Mkhitaryan. 

Iran:

An Iranian Red Crescent Society official said 39 countries will participate in a relief and rescue manoeuvre in the city of Karaj. It will last for a fortnight.

Iran: 

TENTATIVE Shahla Jahed to be executed for murder of her husband Mohammad Khani's first wife; execution could be cancelled if victim's family forgive her

UAE: 

World Economic Forum Summit on Global Agenda concludes in Dubai; chaired by Economy Minister Sultan Bin-Sa'id al-Mansuri 

Kuwait:

Donors' Conference for reconstruction of eastern Sudan starts in Kuwait with the participation of more than 30 countries and 80 international and voluntary organizations.

Yemen: 

Islamic preacher Amr Khalid's project to confront extremist ideology continues; involves media campaign, training of young leaders, moderate preachers (-2)

Syria:

Chairman of Saudi Shura Council Dr Abdullah bin Muhammad bin-Ibrahim al-Shaykh wraps up visit after attending fifth conference of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) 

Lebanon:

Special Tribunal's decision to introduce amendments to its Rules of Procedure and Evidence comes into effect – indicating that the tribunal's decision will be issued soon

Lebanon:

Court hears case involving former army intelligence chief Johnny Abdo, journalist Fares Khashan, accused of slandering ex-President Emile Lahhud 

South Sudan:

Registration in Kenya, Uganda and Australia for referendum comes to an end.

Algeria: 

American-Maghreb business conference kicks off in Algiers (-2); postponed from September

Algeria:

In Ghardaia, ANIS will launch the national "Himaya" campaign to protect women and children from HIV/AIDS in Algeria, in partnership with different domestic players in the fight against AIDS or defending the rights of women and children

Kenya:

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo arrives

Uganda:

Six youths among them two secondary school students from Mombasa come up before Chief Magistrate Rosemelle Mutoka, accused of joining and encouraging others to join al-Shabab

South Africa:

President Rupiah Banda is expected to travel to South Africa for a three-day State visit.

South Africa:

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP17) continues in Durban; heads of state, government officials, businessmen, others in attendance (-9)

Central African Republic: 

Celebrations of 50th anniversary of independence from France; postponed from actual anniversary date of 13 August

Ukraine:

Every serviceman will every day get a lunch meal worth 17.60 hryvnyas [two dollars] free of charge. It will consist of two courses, tea and bread.

Bosnia:

Army Day, army members show their new uniforms and insignia

EU:

Bosnians and Albanians will not need a visa to travel in Europe 

Austria: 

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee meeting; last day (IAEA website)

Switzerland: 

British Prime Minister David Cameron continues visit to Zurich to support Britain's 2018 World Cup bid (-2 Dec) which were possibly dealt fatal blow by UK allegations of venue fixing and bribes at FIFA; likely to briefly return to UK for Prime Minister's Questions (1)

Switzerland: 

World Trade Organization (WTO) Policy Review Body meets to assess Hong Kong, China trade relations (-3)

Belgium:

Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn to speak on "Building Europe's economic future" (1100) and will meet the Governor of the Central Bank of Iceland Mar Gudmundsson.

US:

The 18-member U.S. National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility broad leeway to suggest remedies for the debt and deficits by Dec. 1.

US:

Extradited alleged arms smuggler Viktor Bout, known as "The Merchant of Death, will appear in court.

Puerto Rico:

Sen. Hector Martinez expected to appear in court on federal charges of trading political favours in exchange for a trip to Las Vegas to watch a boxing match.

Mexico:

UN releases report on violence and human rights.

Mexico: 

UN climate change summit continues in Cancun; legally binding treaty to replace Kyoto Protocol to be discussed; some 25,000 representatives from governments, businesses, NGOs, research institutions from 194 countries attend (-10)

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My Press Review - Tuesday 30 November

From Ankara to Moscow: Reading World Leaders' Reactions to WikiLeaks

From Ankara to Moscow: Reading World Leaders' Reactions to WikiLeak

 

US bank is next target for major leak, says Assange

Banking will be targeted in the next batch of WikiLeaks releases, the website's founder, Julian Assange, has said.

 

Landslide vote was a fraud, say Egyptian opposition

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said yesterday a "rigged election" had all but wiped out its presence in parliament, virtually eliminating opposition to President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party before next year's presidential vote

 

Swiss Vote to Deport Foreign Criminals Risks E.U.'s Wrath

On Sunday, the Swiss voted in support of a law that calls for the automatic deportataion of foreigners convicted of serious crimes. But the move could break Switzerland's treaties with the E.U. -- and see the country facing charges of human-rights violations

 

Mexico mass grave holds 18 bodies

Mexican soldiers uncover 18 bodies buried close to the US border in Chihuahua, the state worst hit by drug-related violence.

 

Oklahoma Shariah Law Ban Blocked

A federal judge temporarily blocked Oklahoma from forbidding state judges from considering Islamic law.

 

Mossad veteran appointed new chief

A Mossad veteran has been appointed to head the spy agency when its current chief steps down next month.

 

Okinawa governor demands removal of US military base in Japan

The re-elected governor of Okinawa stood firm on Monday in demanding the removal of a US military base, hitting the Japanese government's hopes of a breakthrough on an issue that has strained US ties.

 

OAS says Haiti election was valid

Haiti's general election on Sunday was valid despite serious irregularities and allegations of fraud, international observers say.

 

Long Island last contested House seat

The battle for the last undecided U.S. House seat of the 2010 midterm vote is taking place along a gilded stretch of New York's Long Island, where incumbent Democratic Rep. Timothy H. Bishop and GOP challenger Randy Altschuler are separated by only about 230 votes ..

 

'Rogue policeman' kills Nato soldiers

Six Nato troops were shot dead by a man wearing an Afghan border police uniform during a training exercise in Nangarhar province in the east of the country yesterday. Most Nato troops in that area are American.

 

Thai court set to rule on fate of ruling party

Party could be disbanded if found guilty by Constitutional Court

 

41 students injured in school stampede

At least 41 young students were injured, seven seriously, in a stampede on Monday at a primary school in Aksu city, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, local health authorities said.

 

Ex-candidate Segolene to run for French presidency

Former Socialist contender for the French presidency Segolene Royal announced in a newspaper interview on Monday that she would make a new run in 2012.

 

Students plan biggest cuts protest yet

The largest of this month's three protests against education cuts is expected as thousands sign up for direct action around the UK. Tens of thousands of school, college and university students are expected to protest against education cuts tomorrow, in the third day of demonstrations this month.

 

Iraq court gives Tariq Aziz new 10-year sentence

An Iraqi court on Monday convicted Tariq Aziz, Saddam Hussein's longtime foreign minister, of terrorizing Shi'ite Kurds during the Iran-Iraq war, sentencing him to 10 years in prison.

 

Catalonia rejects Socialists in regional elections

The centre right Catalan nationalist party regained control of Spain's northeastern region in a vote on Sunday ousting the ruling socialists and striking a blow to embattled Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

 

Ban on women in armed combat in forces to continue

A ban on women taking part in close combat in the Armed Forces is to be maintained, ministers have announced.

 

Serbia requests extradition of American Nazi for WW2 crimes

Former Yugoslavian Peter Egner, 86, living in Seattle, Washington is accused of participating in the murder of more than 17,000 Serbian civilian

 

Global Climate-Change Talks Begin

After last year’s Copenhagen conference failed to produce agreement on climate change, hopes are that small steps can be made in Mexico.

 

Sky News to launch foreign language service

Sky News today announced plans for its first foreign language service in a move that will see it broadcast in Arabic across the Middle East and north Africa.

 

Investors see gold as inflation hedge

Investors are flocking to banks and famous gold stores in the city to snap up the yellow metal as a hedge against inflation.

 

Japanese export orders contract

Japanese manufacturing activity shrank for a third consecutive month in November as a strong yen hit exports.

 

Portugal gets little respite after Irish bailout

Portugal's high debt burden remained a concern for the eurozone and financial markets on Monday, 29, a day after European Union countries endorsed a plan to help Ireland with its ailing finances.

 

Ottoman Turkish should become language of Caucasus Emirate

Ottoman Turkish rather than Russian or Arabic should become the language of the Caucasus Emirate once that state is formed because it can not only unite the peoples of that region but link them to the broader Turkic world and make their study of Arabic, the language of the Koran, easier, according to one emirate supporter.

 

Celebrating Secession Without the Slaves

As the 150th anniversary of the Civil War gets under way, some are planning to celebrate the days of secession.

 

Muslim group aims to reverse Swiss minaret ban

A Swiss Islamic group said on Monday, 29, it was launching a popular initiative to reverse a ban on building new minarets in the Alpine state, saying voters would decide differently if the matter came up for referendum again.

 

Ghanaian 'witch' burned to death

Evangelical pastor among five people arrested for dousing 72-year-old Ama Hemmah in kerosene and setting her ablaze

 

Muscovites protest against construction of new Orthodox churches

In the latest version of the NIMBY principle, Muscovites are demonstrating against the construction of more than 100 of the 200 new Russian Orthodox churches the Moscow Patriarchate plans to build with the assistance of the capital’s government because such buildings would deprive residents in many cases of public parks.

 

Police take control of most dangerous slum

Rio de Janeiro's top security official said authorities had seized control of the most dangerous slum in the city, as operations continued yesterday to locate drug gang members thought to be hiding inside.

 

Copenhagen building bicycle friendly superhighways

Copenhagen, one of the world's most bicycle-friendly cities, has begun turning its extensive network of cycle paths into bike highways in an effort to push more commuters to leave their cars at home

 

Orphans caught between two laws

Helene Lauffer knew Muslim children - orphaned, displaced, neglected - needed homes in the United States. She knew American Muslim families wanted to take them in.

 

Deep thoughts

Bangladeshi prisoners contemplate the error of their ways

 

Turkey returns orphanage deed to Greek Orthodox Patriarchate

With the procedure to transfer the Büyükada Orphanage to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate complete, the title deed for the property was delivered to Patriarch Bartholomew

 

Pardon blocked for Pakistan 'insult'

Asia Bibi, a Christian, has been sentenced to death after falling foul of the country's blasphemy law. A Pakistani court has barred President Asif Ali Zardari from pardoning a Christian woman sentenced to death on charges of insulting Islam, in a case that has prompted criticism over the country's blasphemy law.

 

Guam seeks closure to its nearly 30-year quest for wartime reparations

More than 60 years later, survivors of the Japanese occupation of Guam still harbor painful resentment — toward the United States. That’s because many feel the U.S. abandoned Guam at the outbreak of the war, letting it fall to the Japanese and thus condemning the population to mass executions, forced labor, torture, internment and rape at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army.

 

Indian girls 'sold as brides for as little as £15'

Girls in some of India's poorest states are being sold as brides for as little as £15, in states where female infanticide has skewed the sex ratio.

 

Canada handed over child prisoners to Afghans

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan captured children suspected of working with the Taliban and then handed them over to an Afghan security unit alleged to have abused prisoners, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp said.

 

Gaza blockade still 'crippling'

The easing of Israel's blockade of Gaza six months ago has led to "little improvement" for people living there, a report by 21 aid and rights agencies says.

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What's Happening Today - Tuesday 30 November

Japan:

Pro-whaling summit

China:

India and China will hold the 14th round of boundary talks (NB The Indian side will be led by National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon while State Councillor Dai Bingguo heads the Chinese delegation)

China:

The chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, Choe Tae-Bok, will visit China (to Dec. 4).

South Korea: 

Last day of large-scale military exercise Hoguk, involving 70,000 troops from Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps; 

Bangladesh:

General strike, supported by both Jamaat-e-Islami and the Nationalist Party

Sri Lanka:

President Asif Ali Zardari wraps up a state visit 

India:

Government and opposition parties will meet again to try to break a deadlock in parliament that has stalled passage of key legislation (0800).

Pakistan:

Provision of fertilizers, seeds to flood victims completed. Distribution of Watan cards for flood victims in final phase, but still some technical problems.

Pakistan:

Lahore High Court hears case of local lawyer challenging federal government's move to allot land to American and NATO forces in Balochistan for airbase.

Pakistan: 

Pakistan People's Party marks 44th foundation day with debates, ceremonies

Indonesia:

Former deputy commander of the East Timor Integration Fighters (PPI), Eurico Guterres, asks the Indonesia Government to stand up for the 403 individuals still on the United Nations' wanted list, so that they are not arrested. According to Guterres, the issue will be discussed during the United Heroes of Timor (UNTAS) congress that concludes on Tuesday (NB  The congress claims to fight for the rights of former East Timorese living in Indonesia, including on housing and health issues.)

Russia:

In his address to the Federal Assembly, the president intends to announce a string of reforms and modernization initiatives – state procurement, which, in its current form, has only strengthened the system of kickbacks, social policy, development of the housing and utilities sector, reform of the MVD [Ministry of Internal Affairs] and foreign policy

Russia:

The second ballistic missile submarine of the fourth generation, Aleksandr Nevskiy – probably the most advance submarine ever built, will leave dry dock at the Sevmashpredpriyatiye shipyard

Kazakhstan:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins a trip to Cental Asia and Middle East (to Dec. 3)

Iran:

The Seventh Conference Tourism Ministers of the Islamic Countries will be held in Tehran

Iran:

Tehran's Governor-General Morteza Tamaddon said government offices will be closed an hour earlier again as one of the measures against air pollution in the capital.

Iraq:

Government to discuss third Iraqi oil licensing round contracts

Iraq:

General Census official Mahdi al-Allaq says date for holding General Census to be settled during Ministers' Council meeting on Tuesday

UAE:

Afghan's President Hamid Karzai to attend an all-day conference to attract international investment in Afghanistan. The one-day event ends with joint news conference by Afghani and UAE foreign ministers.

UAE:

World Economic Forum Summit on Global Agenda held in Dubai; chaired by UAE Economy Minister Sultan Bin-Sa'id al-Mansuri 

Yemen: 

Islamic preacher Amr Khalid kicks off first round of large-scale project to confront extremist ideology; involves media campaign, young leaders, moderate preachers training; 

West Bank:

German President Christian Wulf meets Palestinian leaders, visit Christian school

Egypt:

Egyptian election results to be announced and decision on whether the run-offs should take place on 5 December

Sudan:

Voter registration extended to 8 December; South Sudan Referendum Commission justified extension by noting delays in delivering additional registrations materials required in some areas; campaigning continues 

Libya:

Last day of Africa-Europe summit 

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe's white farmers hold an emergency congress at the month-end to plot a new survival strategy, after a decade of government land reforms 

Rwanda:

Human Rights report presented to parliament and senate.

Nigeria:

ECOWAS court rules on request by civil rights group to sue all foreign oil firms working in Nigeria.

Ivory Coast:

European Union observers are expected to deliver their verdict on second round of polls in the presidential election.

Bulgaria:

Russia offers to build Bulgaria the Belene nuclear power plant for 6.4bn euros. Sergey Kiriyenko travelling especially for the deal.

Bulgaria:

Sofia hosts an international energy forum.
    
Romania:

On the eve of Romania's national day, the 92nd anniversary of the establishment of a Greater Romania and the uniting of Hungarian Transylvania with Romania is celebrated at the National Theatre – a move likely to irritate the ethnic Hungarian population in Transylvania.

Montenegro:

Parliament to debate motion on dismissal of Speaker Ranko Krivokapic 

Moldova:

Have you got 8.5 million dollars? A tender for the sale of six MiG-29 fighters will be held at Marculesti international airport. The fighters were produced in 1988 and have not been used for a long time. 

Kosovo:

Municipal authorities to present data on high number of reported cases of cancer blamed on a Yugoslav-era coal plant, the region's biggest polluter in the outskirts of the capital Pristina. News conference at 1200 GMT.

Bosnia:

Inauguration session of Bosnian parliament's lower house scheduled

Austria: 

International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Assistance and Co-operation Committee meeting continues (-1) 

Switzerland:

British Prime Minister David Cameron visits Switzerland

Holland:

The World Court delivers its ruling in a dispute between Guinea and Congo over the imprisonment and expulsion of a wealthy Guinean businessman in a dispute over exploiting Congo's vast mineral wealth.

Belgium:

European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet is set to discuss EU economic and monetary policy with members of the European Parliament.

Belgium:

Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn to speak on "The Next Steps to Securing Financial Stability" (0600).

France:

President Nicolas Sarkozy meets Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. 1200 GMT

France:

World Trade Organization (WTO) to hold a meeting on the Doha round of global trade talks

US:

President Barack Obama hosts bipartisan summit with congressional leaders.

US:

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu wraps up trip with visit to Senate and House of Representatives. He will also have a group session with the members of the Foreign Relations Committee, which determines Turkey's agenda every April on account of the Armenian Genocide resolution. Davutoglu will also meet with the management of the Washington Post newspaper staff and will take part in discussions at the Brookings Institution and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and will also speak at Georgetown University and the Library of Congress.

US: 

Further secret documents expected to be released by whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks; topics to include North Korea, UK involvement in Afghanistan, unflattering US remarks about David Cameron 

Mexico:

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ministerial meeting continues (to Dec. 10).

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My Press Review - Monday 29 November

WikiLeaks Publishes U.S. Diplomatic Cables

Hundreds of thousands of State Department documents released by WikiLeaks on Sunday revealed a world of backstage international diplomacy and provided unflattering assessments of foreign leaders, including those of Germany and Italy.

                                     

Saudi king urged U.S. to attack Iran: WikiLeaks

Saudi King Abdullah has repeatedly urged the United States to attack Iran's nuclear program and China directed cyberattacks on the United States, according to a vast cache of diplomatic cables released on Sunday in an embarrassing leak that undermines U.S. diplomacy.

 

WikiLeaks: Yemen covered up US drone strikes

The Yemeni government covered up US drone strikes against al-Qaeda there and claimed the bombs were its own, according to the WikiLeaks documents.

 

Oregon mosque hit by arson 2 days after bomb sting

U.S. investigators said a fire at an Islamic center in Oregon on Sunday was arson and warned they would tolerate no retribution for an attempt by a Somali-born teenager to detonate what he thought was a car bomb

 

Okinawa governor re-elected

The Japanese island of Okinawa re-elects its governor, Hirokazu Nakaima, who backs the removal of a controversial US base.

 

Opposition protests alleged fraud in Egypt vote

Hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood supporters protested outside vote-counting stations, scuffling with police and denouncing what they called widespread fraud in Egypt's parliamentary elections on Sunday, as the government appeared determined to ensure its monopoly on the legislature in uncertain political times.

 

Candidates cry fraud in Haitian electoral crisis

The elections in Haiti were thrown into turmoil, with fears of impending violence, after the main opposition candidates for the presidency demanded the cancellations of the polls following widespread reports of fraud and intimidation leaving thousands disenfranchised

 

Suu Kyi seeks to review sanctions

Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi wants to review the consequences of sanctions on her country, Myanmar, before she can determine whether these curbs need to be lifted or focused more sharply.

 

Europe agrees to €85bn bailout of Irish economy

European finance ministers last night approved an €85bn (£72bn) bailout of Ireland's troubled economy.

 

Eurozone states will need an act of union to save the single currency

For some, it's almost time to pop open the champagne. Those who thought the euro was, from the beginning, a madcap idea are already saying: "I told you so".

 

Manufacturers accuse banks of 'slow progress'

Britain's banks are likely to face fresh criticism today as the biggest manufacturing organisation in the country accuses them of glacially slow progress in improving the provision of credit to businesses.

 

BP sells Argentine venture for £4bn

BP is selling its stake in the Argentina-based oil-and-gas company Pan American Energy (PAE) to its joint-venture partner for $7.06bn (£4bn) as part of a disposal plan designed to raise cash to pay for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

 

Libya Summit: Sustainable Energy a Major Challenge for Africa and Europe

Energy is at the heart of development and an essential prerequisite for economic growth and reaching the Millennium Development Goals

 

Iran, Turkmenistan launch gas pipeline

The final half of a $1.2-billion pipeline transferring Turkmenistan's gas to neighboring Iran has been inaugurated

 

Islamists Mull 'State' Language

Militants waging an Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus have proposed using either Arabic or a Turkic language as a lingua franca for their affairs.

Israel recruits citizen advocates

Israel has instructed its embassies in 10 European countries, including the UK, each to recruit 1,000 members of the public to act as advocates for its policies in a new public relations offensive.A cable from the foreign affairs ministry was sent to embassies last week, with instructions from Avigdor Lieberman, the controversial and extreme rig..

 

Obama's transparency record not so clear

With President Obama blaming his party's midterm losses, at least in part, on his failure to change the way Washington works, transparency advocates say now is the time for him to follow through on a slew of unfulfilled pledges he made during the 2008 campaign.

 

World migrants could total 405 million by 2050

Migrants who have crossed borders in search of work and a better life could exceed 400 million, or nearly 7 per cent of the present global population, by 2050, said a report issued on Monday.

 

Rome bus company employed 850 directors' relatives

An investigation has been opened after an Italian bus company employed more than 850 friends and relatives of senior directors - including an unqualified but attractive lap dancer.

 

Parents face five year sentence over seat belt crime

The parents of an Australian child left a paraplegic by a car accident will face charges of criminal neglect for not ensuring the boy was restrained in a proper car seat, police said on Sunda

 

Two Israelis make list of "Top 100 Global Thinkers"

Foreign Policy magazine ranks Agassi in 28th place and Grossman in 89th place; Fayyad comes in 23rd, and Ahmet Davutoglu makes top 10.

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What's Happening Today - Monday 29 November

Japan: 

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Shaykh Hasina continues visit (-1 Dec); today, holds talks with counterpart Naoto Kan (0920 gmt); Japanese assistance for Padma Bridge, elevated expressway, monorail and subways in Dhaka likely to be on agenda; meeting will culminate in signing of number of accords on economic assistance and investment; Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara due to call on Shaykh Hasina in afternoon 

South Korea: 

Annual joint US-South Korean large-scale military exercise Hoguk continues (-30) 70,000 troops from Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps involved; North Korea has described exercise - which Seoul says is defensive in nature - as "yet another intolerable military provocation against us" 

China: 

Indian National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon and State Councillor Dai Bingguo attend talks on settling mutual border (-30)

China:

Beijing to launch World Health Report on health financing.

Thailand:

Bangkok court to hear final arguments in a trial into alleged funding irregulartiies by the ruling Democrat Party in a case that could complicate the country's political crisis.

India: 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Delhi for day ahead of President Dmitriy Medvedev's December visit; holds talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and counterpart S. M. Krishna

Iran:

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu visits Tehran for talks with Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki, other officials on developments in Muslim world including Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon

Iran: 

Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'd al-Hariri on last day of visit; today, meets Ali Khamene'i

Iran: 

Government offices in Tehran close hour earlier (-30); part of measures against air pollution in city

UAE: 

World Economic Forum Summit on Global Agenda opens in Dubai (-1Dec); chaired by Economy Minister Sultan Bin-Sa'id al-Mansuri 

Syria: 

Indian President Pratibha Patil concludes visit

Israel: 

German President Christian Wulff continues visit (-30); meets officials; has dinner with PM Binyamin Netanyahu; due to wind up visit tomorrow by meeting Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Bethlehem

Israel:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds news conference on anniversary of UN partition plan vote.

Libya: 

Africa-EU summit in Tripoli (-30); Sudan will not be attending

Sudan: 

Voter registration continues in Southern Sudan ahead of next year's independence referendum; registration period extended to 8 December; South Sudan Referendum Commission justified extension by noting delays in delivering additional registrations materials required in some areas 

Tanzania: 

East African Community Council of the Ministers meets in Arusha to consider progress in implementation of various EAC projects; final day

South Africa: 

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP17) opens in Durban (- 9 Dec); heads of state, government officials, businessmen, others in attendance

Zimbabwe:

President Robert Mugabe due to launch Zimbabwe's national report on United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) covering essential sectors, including education and health.

Ukraine: 

Ninth meeting of Ukrainian-Russian interparliamentary commission; Russian Federation Council speaker Sergey Mironov and Supreme Council speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn also meet separately (

Austria: 

International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Assistance and Co-operation Committee meeting in Vienna (-1 Dec)

Switzerland:

Tenth meeting of the 171 states parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (to Dec. 3).

Germany: 

POSTPONED Appeal by British cleric Richard Williamson against conviction for denying Holocaust was due to open today in but has been postponed while Williamson seeks to replace lawyer linked to neo-Nazi movement whom he hired to represent him; Williamson was found guilty of inciting racial hatred in April, fined 10,000 euros; appeal now likely in February or March 2011 

Italy:

Lower house of parliament votes on no confidence motion against Culture Minister Sandro Bondi over degraded state of Pompeii.

Belgium:

The EU Commission will issue its autumn 2010 economic forecasts that include GDP, inflation, debt, deficit, C/A and unemployment estimates for 2011 and 2012 for all 27 members of the European Union and euro zone aggregates.

France:

International Organisation for Migration launches World Migration Report - 0001 GMT

France:

UNICEF briefing on report on children and AIDS - 1415 GMT

France:

French doctors announce unusual efforts to mend damaged windpipes. 1000 GMT news conference.

France:

New Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte meets French President Nicolas Sarkozy amid worries about European debt crises. 1600 GMT.

UK:

Proposals for merger between British Airways and Iberia are presented to shareholders for approval following the signing of an agreement between the two airlines in April.

Brazil:

Bid for bullet train expected to take place.

Canada:

Federal by-elections.

US: 

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu continues visit (-30); meets US State Secretary Hillary Clinton, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon as well as number of leading congressmen; regional and global issues expected to be discussed 

Mexico: 

Cancun hosts UN climate change summit (-10 Dec)

Panama:

US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano visits.

Bolivia:

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez scheduled to visit Nov. 29-30.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Sunday 28 November

Iran's nuclear plant to go on line by late January

Technicians have finished loading fuel into Iran's first nuclear power reactor and aim to start up the facility by late January, the country's nuclear chief said Saturday.

 

Iraq arrests 12 suspects in Baghdad church attack

Iraqi security forces arrested 12 suspected al Qaeda members on Saturday in connection with an attack on a Christian cathedral in Baghdad, a security official said.

 

Iraqi PM Maliki 'to form government by mid-December'

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said today he would form a government by mid-December that would incorporate all political factions, including rival Iyad Allawi's Iraqiya b

 

Group Votes to Keep Fishing Levels of Bluefin Tuna Stable

Allowable fishing levels for an endangered species will remain roughly the same as in 2010.

 

Haiti holds first election since 'day of catastrophe'

The last round of rallies took place amid flickering lights in the evening, frenzied chanting of the names of candidates, impromptu bands belting out political songs to a Caribbean beat, gangs of young toughs on motorcycles waiting for the instruction to disrupt gatherings of rivals.

 

Israel welcomes Canadian decision to boycott Durban III

"The Durban process commemorates an agenda that promotes racism rather than combats it," Canadian minister says.

 

Shadow of violence blights Egypt poll

As Egypt goes to the polls today, allegations are multiplying of political torture and killings by a security service beyond the control of the courts

 

Rio drug gangs face ultimatum

Commander of military police orders traffickers to surrender or face consequences after week of violence

 

Base issue dominates Okinawa poll

Voters in Japan's Okinawa are to elect a governor in a poll closely linked to the future of a controversial US military base relocation plan.

 

Embarrassment for Coalition as Wikileaks prepares to release secret US papers

Potentially "embarrassing" comments on the formation of Britain's coalition government are to be revealed this week as millions of leaked US diplomatic documents are made public.

 

Will release of new Wikileaks secrets blow Obama's nice guy image?

He is the US president many Europeans thought they always wanted, but leaks of US diplomatic cables may show him rather differently, says Toby Harnden in Washington.

 

Spain's Catalans to vote regional leaders

Spain's wealthy and influential northeastern Catalonia region is set for elections likely to oust the incumbent Socialist party in a rebuke that could presage a national trend.

 

Belarusian opposition presidential candidate denies being financed by Russia

Belarusian presidential candidate Vladimir Neklyayev has dismissed allegations by President Alexander Lukashenko that his campaign is being financed by Russia.

 

London Tube strike set to begin

London Underground staff will stage a 24-hour strike starting on Sunday evening after talks with managers break down.

  

Hugo Chavez says Russia lends Venezuela $4 billion for arms

Russia gave Venezuela a $4 billion credit to buy weapons when President Hugo Chavez visited Moscow last month, adding to billions the socialist leader has already spent on re-equipping the army.

 

For ‘Lost Boy,’ Vote in Sudan Is Homecoming

Southern Sudanese will soon hold a referendum to decide if they will split from the north. On the occasion of the vote, Joseph Gatyoung Khan came home.

 

North Korea's undercover journalists reveal misery of life in dictatorship

Never-seen-before images show a growing willingness among a once cowed public to to speak out and demand change.

 

Cancun: The creature from the swamp

The delegates gathering this weekend for the 16th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico, must surely be aware of the delicious irony in their choice of location.

 

The graffiti artist cheering up Dublin

Farewell to Your Stairwell Forever". So reads the side of a tower block in Ballymun, a historically deprived area of north Dublin. It might sound pessimistic, but the chirpiness of the blue and yellow stripes with which the words are emblazoned on the dirty grey wall gives more of a clue to the tone of the message: these flats are due for demolition before the end of the year to make way for a much-needed regeneration programme.

 

Teenager tells of Pacific ordeal

One of the three teenage boys who survived 50 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean describes his ordeal.

 

War Machines: Recruiting Robots for Combat

New robots — none of them very human-looking — are being designed to handle a broad range of tasks, despite controversy about the impact on future warfare.

Posted via email from luay's posterous