What's Happening Today - Monday 13 December

China:

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen visits China.

Russia:

The fourth-generation strategic missile submarine Aleksandr Nevskiy, under construction at Sevmash, will be launched 

Afghanistan:

Germany's mandate to support the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan expires, but likely to be renewed

Afghanistan:

Investigating plans to introduce a $101.5 million electronic identification system and issue cards to all Afghans within five years

Iran:

Tehran welcomes Gaza convoy and donates equipment as it continues its journey around Iran on ward to Turkey.

Turkey:

Turkey's Energy Minister Taner Yildiz meets Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin to discuss details of works aimed at setting up a nuclear construction project company.

Turkey:

Parliament to debate the 2011 budget (to Dec 26).

Saudi Arabia:

Salat al-Istisqa pray held all over the kingdom 

Israel:

US Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell returns for first time after Washington says it has given up trying to stop continued Israeli colonisation in West Bank, day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak's speech in Washington supporting the division of Jerusalem along the Clinton parameters does not reflect government policy

Sudan:

The AU High-Level Panel on Sudan holds talks on the post-referendum arrangements between the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP) in Juba.

Sudan:

Training people for polling in January’s referendum begins in south.

Egypt:

Egypt's new parliament is scheduled to convene.

Ethiopia:

Sudanese president Umar al-Bashir may travel toAddis Ababa to take part in the international summit on federalism that will be held there.

South Africa:

Angolan president Jose Eduardo Dos Santos will cement political and economic ties, which he says suffered under Thabo Mbeki's presidency, but have improved with the election of President Jacob Zuma.

South Africa:

Start of four days' hearing in case of hip-hop artist Molemo Maarohanye — known as Jub Jub, which means Marshmallow — accused of killing four children when he was drag racing and his car crashed into a group of students. Previous court appearances have drawn rioting crowds of young people.

Hungary:

Parliament expected to vote on overhaul of pension system.

Austria:

The Vienna Zoo's panda cub is officially named during a ceremony that is expected to draw a Chinese delegation and Austrian Economics Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner. 0900 GMT.

Bosnia:

Eviction of Bosnian archbishop in Sarajevo from his illegally obtained house. Bosniak Fadil Smajlovic  intends to take back his property in a situation that could easily get violent. Bishop said Smajlovic can only enter over “his dead body”.

Italy:

Berlusconi makes statement on his government - during the morning at the Senate and from [1200 gmt] onward at the Chamber of Deputies, day before he faces vote of no confidence

Belgium:

Meeting of foreign ministers from the Eastern Partnership member states in Brussels

France:

French court issues verdict over woman driver stopped for wearing niqaab before ban goes into effect.

France:

Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy lays out planemaker's plans for the next 20 years. 1000 GMT.

Spain:

Spain's senate scheduled to vote on weakening a strict proposed smoking ban, with amendments that would allow bars and restaurants to have non-smoking sections. While this may pass, ruling socialists are confident amendments will be scrapped later in lower house.

St Vincent and the Grenadines:

Elections for a new government 

Canada:

North American Foreign Ministers Meeting. Canadian foreign minister Lawrence Cannon, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa to meet.

US:

The United States and China will hold annual high-level trade and economic talks.

US:

Senate to vote on a landmark tax deal that would preserve low rates for most Americans (2000).

US:

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) discusses the impact of the November election and Democratic priorities in the 112th Congress, as a National Press Club morning newsmaker.

Posted via email from luay's posterous