What's Happening Today - Sunday 20 February

New Zealand: 

Fourth US-New Zealand Partnership Forum starts in Christchurch (-22); US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano attends

Philippines: 

Armed Forces of the Philippines has said will respect one-week ceasefire (-21) in support of resumption of peace talks between government panel and communist rebels in Oslo 

South Korea: 

Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa begins visit; meets government and local officials to discuss charter cities and development issues (-22); also due to visit Singapore (23) where meets counterpart Sellapan Rama Nathan (-24) and Kuwait (25), where takes part in nation's independence celebration 

Taiwan: 

Taiwanese trade delegation due to leave for India to discuss business opportunities between two countries; due to visit New Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad 

China: 

Greek maritime affairs minister Giannis Diamantidis begins visit (-26); will go to Beijing (20-24) and Shanghai (24-26); aims to promote Greek ocean-going shipping interests and prospects for shipbuilding contracts 

Bangladesh:

Next hearing in libel case of Bangladesh microfinancier Muhammad Yunus takes place near Dhaka

Russia: 

North Korean Foreign Trade Minister Ri Ryong-nam visits; attends Russian-North Korean intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation meeting on 21st 

Azerbaijan:

Deadline given by residents of restive religious town of Nardaran outside Baku for government to resolve their economic problems; there have been protests in town since 1999 

Iran: 

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad presents government's budget for next fiscal year to Majlis; parliament has 15 - 30 days to consider it

Iran: 

Opposition demonstration and memorial service expected for two people killed during rallies in Tehran on 14 February; strike possible in Kurdish-populated areas as the two were ethnic Kurds; authorities have warned of crackdown if rallies go ahead

Iraq:

The expected verdict day for Danny Fitzsimons, a British security contractor charged with killing two co-workers in Baghdad's Green Zone in 2009.He could receive the death penalty if convicted on the murder charges.

UAE:

International Defence Exhibition and Conference, Mideast's biggest arms show. 

Qatar:

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze expected to visit Qatar.

Bahrain: 

Watching developments after King Hamad Al Khalifa authorized Crown Prince Salman Al Khalifa to launch national dialogue with all parties; authorities also withdrew security forces from rallying point in Pearl Roundabout, central Manama; call by "Youth of Bahrain" for campaign of civil disobedience and strikes unless demands are met - these include resignations of interior and defence ministers, and head of Bahrain National agency; General Union of Bahraini Workers has also called for strike from today 

Yemen: 

Watching developments after government denies that anti-regime protester was shot dead by government supporters during clashes yesterday in Sana'a; authorities say protester alive and receiving hospital treatment

Israel:

25th Jerusalem Book Fair. Through Friday. Jerusalem Prize award ceremony for author Ian Mc Ewan at 1800 GMT.

Israel:

Likud Minister Yuli Edelstein plans to call for the government to order Defence Minister Ehud Baraq to authorize new construction in West Bank settlement blocs

Israel:

Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis is due to visit to examine the possibilities of Greece's participation in the transport of natural gas reserves recently discovered in the eastern Mediterranean – Gaza - to Europe.

Egypt:

Head of Central Auditing Agency says he will send reports to public prosecutor regarding violations committed by former ministers and officials

Egypt:

Banks and stock market expected to re-open

Libya: 

Watching developments after dozens of protesters reported to have been shot dead by security forces trying to quell unrest in Benghazi; also reports of arrest of dozens of members of "network" of Arab nationals seeking to destabilise country

Tunisia: 

Funeral service for Polish priest Marek Rybinski who was killed on Friday in Manouba; Tunisia's Bishop Lahham Maroun meets Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi 

Algeria: 

Watching developments after clashes yesterday between riot police and protesters who tried to stage rally in central Algiers; opposition deputy Tahar Besbas reported to be among some dozen or so injured; authorities deny he was beaten up by police, say had dizzy spell 

Morocco

Opposition groups plan anti-government protest, though the "Movement for Liberty and Democracy in Morocco Now" said the event had been called off

Mauritania:

The African Union's panel of leaders from South Africa, Mauritania, Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Chad to meet to discuss a report by experts charged by the AU with resolving a post-election crisis in Ivory Coast.

Djibouti: 

Watching developments after authorities arrest three opposition leaders day after protests to demand regime change led to clashes that left two dead

Ivory Coast: 

Watching developments after forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo shot dead three supporters of rival Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan during rally yesterday; night-time curfew continues 2100 gmt to 0600 gmt 

Uganda: 

Final results of presidential election due out; incumbent Yoweri Museveni reported to be in lead by massive margin; closest opponent Kizza Besigye has accused election commission of partiality; meets supporters today to decide course of action; Museveni has said will imprison anyone trying to start revolt 

South Africa: 

National Defence Force conduct air border safeguarding operation in Northern Limpopo Province "to enhance and enforce the authority of the state in the South African airspace domain"; aircraft in promulgated airspace without valid clearance for negotiated route may be subject to interception, prosecution (-23) 

Niger: 

Electoral campaign for presidential run-off on 12 March begins midnight (local time) 

Albania:

Government holds a concert show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of toppling the late communist dictator Enver Hoxha's monument from Tirana's Skanderbeg Square. The rally is held two days after an anti-government protest from the opposition.

Norway: 

Philippines government, rebel National Democratic Front resume peace talks suspended in 2005 (-21)

Germany:

State election in Hamburg, the first in a string of regional votes in Germany this year. Voting ends at 1700 GMT, followed immediately by exit polls; results expected later Sunday.

Belgium: 

EU foreign ministers' working dinner in Brussels; discuss developments in Arab world; meeting again tomorrow

Spain: 

Rallies in Madrid (1100 gmt) and Barcelona (1800 gmt) in support of change in Morocco

UN:

World Day of Social Justice.

Posted via email from luay's posterous