Scalene

What's Happening Today - Wednesday 9 March

2011-03-08T20:37:00.001-08:00

Japan:

PM expected to take office, State Foreign Secretary Takeaki Matsumoto and former Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima are the names floated as possible successors to Maehara.

Japan:

Toyota President Toyoda speaks about global plans.

South Korea:

The South Korean National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee could approve the South Korean-EU free trade agreement.

South Korea:

Shinsuke Sugiyama, director-general of Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau visits for talks with Wi Sung-lac, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy on issues such as the North's uranium enrichment programme; third and final day

Indonesia:

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo starts Asian tour in Indonesia, also travels to Vietnam, Taiwan

Pakistan:

Tajik president wraps up three-day visit, meeting prime minister.

Pakistan:

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi visits Pakistan to attend 18th meeting of joint economic commission

Pakistan:

Five-day international naval exercises codenamed Peace-2011 continues; 47 countries invited to participate, including UK, USA and China (-12)

Russia:

US Vice-President Joe Biden ends visit as part of preparations for President Barack Obama's impending visit to Russia later this year

Azerbaijan:

Nardaran, near Baku, to hold a protest on social conditions and lack of government’s ability to tackle problems

Iran:

Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Itri visits Iran at invitation of First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi.

Iran:

Second and final day of biannual meeting of Assembly of Experts, supreme religious institution; yesterday, its head Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani was replaced with Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani

Lebanon:

Annual forum of the Arab Hospitals Federation takes place in Beirut

Lebanon:

Lebanese bishops will meet to elect a new spiritual head for Lebanon’s Maronite church.

Qatar:

Dutch Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima, along with a Dutch trade mission, will visit Qatar.

Sudan:

The [opposition] alliance of Juba forces to stage protests next at Al-Ahliya school in Omdurman and Abu-Jinzir Square in Khartoum to support uprisings in Arab countries, police said demonstration would be illegal and warned protesters not to take to the streets

Libya:

Watching developments after fierce fighting between Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi's forces and rebels continued yesterday

Zimbabwe:

After first Facebook arrest last week, Vikas Mavhudzi will face charges of "subverting a constitutional government" over a post he made on the social networking site about events in Egypt.

Rwanda:

Third meeting of parliament speakers from Economic Community for Great Lakes region (Rwanda, Burundi, DRCongo); second and final day

Cyprus:

Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot presidents meet to complete negotiations on property issue

Ukraine:

Speaker of the Ukrainian parliament Volodymyr Lytvyn will visit Croatia and meet with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Luka Bebic, Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandrokovic, along with representatives of the Ukrainian minority in Croatia.

Austria:

Czech and Slovak human rights activists are expected to block the Slovak-Austrian border crossing at Jarovce and Kittsee on the outskirts of Bratislava to protest the trial of 13 Austrian environmental activists.

Switzerland:

Georgia and Russia will resume talks over Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organisation (to March 10).

Germany:

Further round of wage negotiations between unions and employers takes place

Germany:

Two alleged Islamic terrorists appear in court in Berlin. One of the accused is the 29-year-old wife of one of the members of the 'Sauerland group', which is accused of plotting terrorist attacks on targets across
Germany.

Belgium:

Kosovo Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi attends Belgrade-Pristina talks in Brussels

Ireland:

Irish parliament scheduled to reconvene following elections (1200).

Portugal:

President Anibal Cavaco Silva sworn in for second five-year term

Portugal:

Treasury and Government Debt Agency is scheduled to buy back government bond lines and issue new debt in the amount of 750 million euros and 1 billion euros.

UK:

The British All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus and the Cypriot High Commission in the United Kingdom are expected to discuss the political and economic problems of Cyprus in the House of Commons.

US:

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivers an address to a joint meeting of Congress.

US:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opens the first Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

US:

Forbes to release its 2011 world's billionaires list.

US:

Space shuttle Discovery is due back at the Kennedy Space Center following a nine-day visit to the International Space Station.

US:

2011 Media Summit takes place in New York

Ecuador:

National Electoral Council has prohibited state financing of political propaganda after this date

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Wednesday 9 March

2011-03-08T20:36:00.001-08:00

Libyan rebels call for 'surgical airstrikes'

Libyans facing daily bombardments by Col. Moammar Gadhafis forces are calling for foreign airstrikes against his strongholds as the United States and its allies continue debating about imposing a no-fly zone over Libya.

Ankara opposes NATO action in Libya as pressure mounts for intervention

Despite increasing calls from the international community to intervene in the escalating civil war in Libya, Ankara has stood firm behind its objection against a possible NATO operation in the northern African country, cautioning that the equation which needs to be solved in Libya has multiple variables.

Malta objects to Libya sanctions

An EU decision on whether to extend sanctions on Col Gaddafi's government as violence rages in Libya is delayed by objections from Malta.

Marine Le Pen planning Italy trip to condemn North African refugees

Marine Le Pen, the new leader of the French far-Right, is expected to travel to Italy to next week to condemn what she described as the European Union's "impotence" in the face of a wave of refugees from North Africa.

General Petraeus jokes about bombing Libya

General David Petraeus, commander of Nato troops in Afghanistan has been caught joking with Robert Gates, the Pentagon chief, on microphone about taking military action against Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Iran: Rafsanjani Ouster a Win for Ahmadinejad

Prospects for significant reform within Iran's regime suffered a serious blow, Tuesday, with the news that former President Hashemi Rafsanjani has been unseated as chairman of the powerful Assembly of Expert

Yemeni security forces open fire on protesters

As Yemen's growing protest movement sought to expand its presence in the capital, at least 10 were injured by gunfire from security forces, eyewitnesses said.

Students, teachers threatened in south

Anti-government demonstrators in south Yemen are threatening to burn down schools if teachers and students do not join their protests in the port city of Aden, the U.N. children’s fund UNICEF said on Tuesday.

Netanyahu peace move dismissed

Palestinians have dismissed any attempt by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take interim steps towards peace now that the US-sponsored negotiations are froze

‘Military must remain in West Bank’

Israel’s prime minister declared on Tuesday that his country must retain a strategic section of the West Bank under any future peace deal - a position unlikely to win Palestinians over to his reported plan to offer them a temporary state.

Israeli settlements face demolition

Settlers' groups label decision to raze settlements built on privately owned Palestinian land as treasonous

Saudis have right to peaceful protests

Saudis have a right to protest peacefully, the United States said on Monday after Saudi Arabia reminded its citizens that demonstrations were banned in the kingdom, the world’s largest oil exporter.

Leading Syrian activist released

The prominent Syrian human rights activist and critic of the government Haitham al-Maleh was been released from jail.

Hardline Shi'ite groups demand republic in Bahrain

Three hardline Bahraini Shi'ite groups said on Tuesday they had formed a coalition aimed at toppling the Sunni monarchy and setting up a republic, raising tensions days ahead of a planned march on the royal court.

Kuwait protesters insist want PM to go

Kuwaitis demonstrating outside parliament for the prime minister’s ouster came up with a new symbol of Arab discontent on Tuesday by handing out watermelons.

Attacks on Iraq activists spark concern

A surge of protests against Iraq's U.S.-backed democratic government has provoked a violent crackdown on demonstrators and journalists that is raising concerns about a rollback of civil liberties throughout the country.

Darfur rebels to face Hague trial

Two Sudanese rebel leaders will go on trial for war crimes over a deadly attack on peacekeepers in Darfur in 2007, the International Criminal Court says.

Taliban car bomb leaves 20 dead in Pakistan

The Taliban detonated a car bomb in Pakistan's third-largest city yesterday, killing 20 people and wounding more than 100 in an attack they said targeted the offices of the ISI spy agency.

Japan sees testing stealth jet in 2014

Japan is looking to join the United States, China and Russia with a stealth fighter that senior Japanese air force officials say can be ready for a prototype test flight in just three years, significantly upping the ante in the intensifying battle for air superiority in the Pacific.

Japan joins elite aircraft carrier club

Japan has been formally classified for the first time since World War II as an aircraft-carrier power by a leading Western international affairs think tank.

Mexico police chief seeks asylum

Mexico's youngest police chief, Marisol Valles Garcia, is seeking asylum in the US after apparently receiving death threats, immigration officials confirm.

Georgia, Russia Meet on WTO

Negotiations on Russia's accession to the WTO will begin between Georgian and Russian representatives in Bern on Wednesday. The Georgian delegation will be led by Tamara Koviridze, chief foreign affairs adviser to Prime Minister Mikheil Saakashvili.

Police Kill Demonstrators in Major City of Ivory Coast

As volleys of bullets flew in Abidjan Tuesday, the Abobo district, home to over a million people, appeared to be slipping from Laurent Gbagbo’s grasp.

Deadly religious clash in Cairo

At least one person has died in clashes between Coptic Christians and Muslims in Cair

US priests suspended in abuse probe

Twenty-one Roman Catholic priests are suspended in Philadelphia after the release of a legal report into allegations of child molestation.

U.S. Military Brass Too White, Too Male

Overall, the Military Leadership Diversity Commission found that U.S. military leadership is too male and too white.

US warns Zimbabwe over Iran nuke cooperation

The Obama administration warned Zimbabwe on Monday that it could face penalties if it cooperates with Iran's nuclear program in violation of U.N. resolutions....

Russia to warn US over missile defence system

Russia will on Wednesday warn US Vice President Joe Biden that it will beef up its own missile defences against the West if it is not made a full partner in a US-backed missile defence shield for Europe soon.

Egypt court rejects Hosni Mubarak's appeal over fund seizure

An Egyptian court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by ousted President Hosni Mubarak and his family against a top prosecutor's move to seize funds that could total billions of dollars.

What’s Behind the Spike in Oil Prices?

Are speculators overreacting, or are they responding sensibly to global energy pres

Egypt Investing $ 34 Billion in Electricity Sector

Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Energy Hassan Younis said that the Egyptian nuclear program for the generation of power is continuing

Big oil

What happens when a sleepy town in Ghana strikes it rich

Bangladeshi microfinance chief dismissal upheld

A Bangladeshi court has upheld the government's dismissal of the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from the microfinance bank he founded to lift many out of poverty.

Spanish strikes loom for Easter

Travellers heading to Spain for Easter face chaos after the country's main trade unions announce 22 days of planned strikes involving airports.

Disabled Muslim Hero Silver Scorpion to Save World?

The wheelchair-bound Silver Scorpion, who is Muslim, leads a new group of comic-book superheroes bent on bringing about world peace

China may relax one-child policy

Experts warn that three-decade-old rule has caused China's population of 1.3 billion to become dangerously unbalanced

Fidel Castro tweets to over 100,000 followers

Fidel Castro tweets now reach a large audience. The fact that Fidel Castro tweets is news in itsel

School pays pupils for revision

A Leicester primary school pays its year six pupils to attend revision classes

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What's Happening Today - Tuesday 8 March

2011-03-07T20:35:00.003-08:00

Australia:

EU carbon price expert Jill Duggan meets with officials who are developing an Australian carbon tax.

Japan:

Tokyo to approve sanctions against Libya

Japan:

Serbian President Boris Tadic visits, meets Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Emperor Akihito

Philippines:

President Benigno Aquino III announced Sunday that Lieutenant General Eduardo Oban would be the incoming chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

South Korea:

Shinsuke Sugiyama, director-general of Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau visits, talks with Wi Sung-lac, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy, on issues such as the North's uranium enrichment programme (-9)

China:

Asian Aerospace international expo and congress 2011 in Hong Kong

Vietnam:

President of the Republic of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo Mendez, will pay an official visit to Vietnam

Indonesia:

Philippines President Benigno Aquino visits (-9)

Bangladesh:

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a public hearing on a government proposal to raise the compressed natural gas price by about 50 percent.

Pakistan:

Five-day international naval exercises codenamed Peace-2011; 47 countries invited to participate, including UK, USA and China

Pakistan:

Court adjourns hearing of case against US national accused of allegedly shooting dead two Pakistanis in Lahore

Pakistan:

Supreme Court hearing over deteriorating law-and-order situation in Balochistan

Afghanistan:

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on second day of two-day visit to Afghanistan; Gates offered personal apology to President Hamed Karzai on Monday for deaths of nine Afghan children in a NATO air strike

Afghanistan:

At a ceremony on at the Ministry of Interior Affairs, minister Bismellah Mohammadi to announce increasing the number of women in the police ranks to at least 5,000.

Russia:

US Vice-President Joe Biden begins visit to Moscow

Iran:

Some Iranian opposition have called for protests, as Assembly of Experts holds its ninth official meeting and secret elections in Tehran [also, Rafsanjani has been subject of recent attacks by conservatives]

Iran:

Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee re-opens case of disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr [an Iranian-born Shi'i cleric who vanished without a trace in Libya in 1978]

Iran:

Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visits to attend meeting of bilateral cooperation commission, meet top officials

Iraq:

Prime minister is expected to address recent protests, adding he could present nominees for vacant cabinet posts.

Kuwait:

Opposition holds anti-government protests on day when parliamentary sessions resume after one-month suspension

Jordan:

'Boycotters for Change Campaign' calls for sit-in in front of House of Representatives, press for dissolving parliament

Israel:

Sentencing of former President Moshe Qatzav, convicted of rape in December

Libya:

Following developments as fighting between pro-Qadhafi and rebel forces continues; Libyan state TV late on Monday showed footage from what it said was "liberated city of Bin Jawad and Ras Lanuf"; Gulf Arab states have demanded that UN Security Council enforce an air exclusion zone over Libya

Egypt:

Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir visits at invitation by head of Military Council Muhammad Husayn Tantawi, in first visit to post-Mubarak Egypt by an Arab leader; talks expected to focus on Sudanese-Egyptian relations and future of region in light of demands for change in number of Arab countries

Egypt

Former Egyptian Trade Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid , former Industrial Development Authority Director Amr Assal and steel magnate and former National Democratic Party official Ahmed Ezz will stand trial on charges of profiteering and facilitating the illegal acquisition of public funds.

Sudan:

National Consensus Forces instigate legal proceedings against Sudanese Media Centre (-9)

Rwanda:

Third meeting of parliament Speakers from Economic Community for the Great Lakes region namely Rwanda Burundi, DRCongo held; meeting to discuss formation of economic cooperation between member countries, role of parliament in endeavour to restore, maintain peace in the community and challenges facing entire process; Presidents of both chambers of Belgian parliament attend (-9)

Greece:

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pays visit

Greece:

Greece will sell 1.25 billion euros of six-month treasury bills

Albania:

Women of the opposition Socialist Party to hold an anti-government protest.

Romania:

Bucharest hosts Economic Forum of Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC)

Romania:

Retired and laid off servicemen stage second anti-President demonstration over pensions, some 8,000 people turned up for first protest

Romania:

Economic forum of countries in Southeast Europe and Gulf, representatives from banks, investments funds, sovereign wealth funds, Islamic banks, financial institutions (-10)

Finland:

US Vice-President Joe Biden visits, meets President Tarja Halonen, Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi; leaves for Russia

Lithuania:

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere to visit

Germany:

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner visits Germany.

Holland:

International Court of Justice rules on Costa Rica's request for an injunction against Nicaragua to immediately cease activities on a disputed island. Hearing begins 1400 GMT.

Belgium:

Kosovan interior minister Bajram Rexhepi meets with Serbian authorities in Brussels, discuss Kosovo dispute, follows pressure on Serbia from EU authorities

France:

French judge due to rule on whether to refer corruption trial of Jacques Chirac to constitutional authorities, which could entail delay of several months for first ever trial of a French former president

France:

An arbitration hearing to settle a contract dispute between oil firm Burlington and the Ecuadorian government will begin in Paris.

UK:

Mahmud Abbas holds talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague

UN:

International Women's Day.

US:

President Obama approves resumption of military trials for terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba, ending a ban imposed when he took office two years ago

US:

Senate Banking Committee holds a hearing on the nomination of Nobel laureate Peter Diamond to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board.

US:

Indian Army Chief V. K. Singh visits to meet Central Command (CENTCOM) chief James Mattis (8) for talks on development in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Arab world, Iraq; also meets counterpart George Casey Jr. (-16)

Brazil:

Rio Carnival (final day)

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Tuesday 8 March

2011-03-07T20:35:00.001-08:00

Libya 'to let a UN team in'

The United Nations say Libya has agreed to let a UN team into the country to assess the humanitarian situation.

Gadhafi's forces lay siege to rebel-held territories in Libya

Residents of some rebel-held cities in Libya were living in a state of siege Monday, as troops loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi launched air and ground attacks in an offensive aimed at winning back lost territory.

Britain's SAS in Libya: What happened there?

The confusion surrounding the detention and then release of several British nationals – including members of the Special Air Service – in Libya has generated as much interest as the incident itself. However, little information is available on why a group of British men arrived unauthorized and unannounced in Libya. Below is an overview of what can be confirmed about the incident.

Afghanistan lets Blackwater stay

Hamid Karzai forced to back down over expulsion of mercenary companies, with many likely to remain in countr

Tunisia dissolves secret police

The interim government in Tunisia dissolves the country's secret police service, blamed for human rights abuses during President Ben Ali's rule.

Kuwait rally today aims to remove PM

Kuwaiti youth groups will take to the streets on Tuesday to demand the removal of the prime minister and for more political freedom in the Gulf Arab state, the world’s fourth largest oil exporter.

Yemen opposition vows ‘escalation’

Yemen’s opposition coalition vowed on Monday to escalate protests that have swept the country demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, after he rejected a plan that would have him step down in 2011.

Moussa hits campaign trail

Veteran diplomat Amr Moussa talked economics and social justice when he hit the campaign trail for the Egyptian presidency with a string of interviews that flagged him as the front runner for the job.

Egypt's new cabinet takes office

Members of Egypt's new cabinet are sworn into office at a ceremony in the captial, Cairo, almost a month after popular protests ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

Report alters Iran nukes outlook

An annual intelligence report to Congress has dropped language stating that Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions are a future option.

Japan must develop nuclear weapons, warns Tokyo mayor

Tokyo's outspoken Governor says his country, which suffered history's only nuclear attack, should build nuclear weapons to counter the threat from fast-rising China.

IAEA chief sees progress with Syria

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog said on Monday he saw possible movement in a probe into allegations of covert atomic activities in Syria, but once again criticized Iran for lack of cooperation.

Britain upgrades status of Palestinian diplomats

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague announced on Monday the U.K. will upgrade the status of Palestinian representatives in London, ahead of talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Sudanese militia clashes leave 56 dead

At least 56 combatants were killed in clashes between militia fighters and soldiers in South Sudan's Upper Nile state, just four months before the region is due to become independent.

Bahraini Prince warns against protest escalation

Bahrain’s crown prince warned all sides against escalating a standoff with disgruntled majority Shiites seeking an elected government in the Gulf Arab kingdom, asking for patience ahead of a national dialogue.

Sultan Qaboos Restructures Cabinet Ministers

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has issued eight Royal Decrees. Royal Decree No 31/ 2011 restructures the Council of Ministers.

Shia cleric freed after protests

Saudi Arabia has freed a Shia cleric whose arrest provoked protests and sparked calls for a "day of rage" on Friday, human rights activists say.

Israel Apartheid Week, and efforts to combat it, begin

NGO Monitor announces efforts to combat Apartheid Week with “BDS Sewer System” to detail sources of delegitimization campaigns.

Algeria: thousands of police march for higher pay

Thousands of auxiliary police marched across Algeria on Monday to demand a pay raise, breaking through heavy security to reach parliament in a rare mass show of dissent in the tightly controlled countr

Tunisian prime minister names a new government

Tunisia's prime minister named a new government Monday after a spate of resignations that has revived questions about the country's post-revolution direction

Iraqis stage 'day of regret' one year after celebrated elections

Iraq's coalition government has yet to fulfill Iraqi hopes and is on increasingly shaky ground. Iyad Allawi pulled out of a powersharing deal this weekend.

Rebels claim to have seized Ivorian town

Rebels in Ivory Coast claim to have seized a town after a fierce battle in the country’s volatile west near the border with Liberia, panicking tens of thousands of refugees who already had fled violence over a deepening political crisis.

Obama reverses his stance on Gitmo detainee tribunals

President Obama on Monday lifted the ban he imposed two years ago on military trials for detainees at the Guantanamo Bay prison, ending his bid to move most terrorism trials to civilian courts and pushing his already busted deadline for shuttering the island prison indefinitely forward.

Palin 'not sure' about presidency

In USA, Republicans meet in Iowa to hear from potential candidates to run against Barack Obama for the presidency in 2012.

Second battle of Okinawa looms

Pacific island is home to 34 US military bases and focus of escalating tension between Japan and China

Jacques Chirac trial faces further delays

Last minute legal query may delay the first trial of a former French leader since the Second World

Cherie Blair to lead Labour policy review

Move raises prospect that she could go on to take a seat in the House of Lords.

U.S. sets $223B deficit record

The federal government posted its largest monthly deficit in history in February, a $223 billion shortfall that put a sharp point on the current fight on Capitol Hill about how deeply to cut this year's spendi

Tipping point for oil seen at $150 per barrel

A top Federal Reserve official on Monday said the central bank should react if oil prices soar as high as $150 a barrel because prices that high could throw the economy back into recession.

Demand for uranium set to outstrip US in 2020s

China will surpass the United States as the world's largest consumer of uranium during the 2020s as the nation's imports rise sharply to feed a growing nuclear industry, a high-level energy official told China Daily.

Yunus says Bangladesh govt seeks control of bank

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus said Monday the Bangladeshi government is seeking to gain control of the prize-winning bank he founded to provide loans to the poor....

Bill Gates' philanthropy costs him richest-man title

Bill Gates didn't lose his title as the world's richest man last year; he gave it away by plowing billions into his charitable foundation, experts say.

State 'to control Ivorian cocoa'

Ivory Coast's disputed President Laurent Gbagbo issues a decree ordering the government to control all of the country's cocoa purchases and exports.

Muammar Gaddafi's son, Mutassim, was taught at London's Soas while the charity of another son donated £1.5m to the LSE

Could the UK Government shut down the web?

According to David Eagleman, a respected scientist and the author of Why the Net Matters, 21st-century technology obviates the causes that led past civilisations to collapse and because of this, he argues, that the web is crucial to our survival

Holocaust film to be seen in Iran

A landmark film about the Holocaust, Shoah, is to be shown for the first time on a satellite TV channel which broadcasts into Iran.

Parts of Christchurch may be abandoned

About 10,000 houses in Christchurch may have to be demolished because of earthquake damage, while some parts of the city may have to be abandoned altogether, New Zealand's Prime Minister, John Key, said yesterday.

Lawsuit Seeks to Erase Bike Lane in New York City

A suit over a bicycle path incorporates criticism of the city’s overall approach in carrying out the initiatives of the transportation commissioner

Alien Life Claim Sparks Controversy

A NASA scientist claims he has discovered extraterrestrial life in a fringe journal. Science bloggers aren't so convinced.

Call to boost Cornish 'nationality' via the Census

A Cornish MP urges people in the county to describe their nationality as "Cornish" in the 2011 Census.

Dams power Turkey's future, but drown its rich history

Cultural and natural sites are being submerged as Turkey races to double its power output by

Lab-grown urethra 'world first'

The world's first tissue-engineered urethras, grown in the lab using patients' own cells, have been hailed a success by medical experts.

Christian Group Says May 21 is Judgment Day

A Christian ministry from Oakland, California believes the end of the world is upon us. It says the May 21, 2011 is judgment day.

India to make dangerous drivers work as traffic police

India, home to some of the world's most dangerous driving, is punishing its worst offenders by forcing them to work as traffic police.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

What's Happening Today - Monday 7 March

2011-03-06T20:33:00.001-08:00

Japan:

Serbian President Boris Tadic visits, meets Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Emperor Akihito

China:

Watching developments after Communist Party mouthpiece Beijing Daily on Sunday again warned against Mideast-style protests in China as anonymous messages posted on internet called for rallies in major cities

China:

National People's Congress continues annual session; third day

Koreas:

Talks begin over the return of 31 North Korean fishermen – Seoul says only 27 want to return, Pyongyang says all 31 to return or none at all.

South Korea:

The U.S. and South Korea stage live-fire exercise as part of the annual joint military drills.

South Korea:

South Korea's regular news conference on North is held

South Korea:

Shinsuke Sugiyama, head of Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, visits for talks with South Korea's chief nuclear envoy Wi Sung-lac on North's uranium enrichment programme (-9)

Vietnam:

National Assembly begins session (-17)

Indonesia:

Trial of Abu Bakr Bashir, accused of involvement in assassination plot, resumes in Jakarta

Malaysia:

State election in Sarawak

Nepal:

UK Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan arrives for a four-day visit

Pakistan:

Marc Grossman US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan visits for talks with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani, army chief Ishfaq Pervez Kayani; visit comes amid tensions following arrest of US diplomatic official Raymond Davis for shooting two Pakistanis in Lahore on 27 January

Pakistan:

Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon visits to discuss ways to boost bilateral ties

Afghanistan:

Watching for reaction after Pakistan reportedly apologizes for recent rocket attacks on eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar

Russia:

VTB, Russia's largest bank, cultivates country's culture of wretched excess by inaugurating a service in which clients can "bathe" in a bath filled with 100 million rubles ($3.3 million) in banknotes

Iran:

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visits to attend meeting of bilateral cooperation commission, meet top officials

Iraq:

'Day of Regret' to mark one year of parliamentary elections takes place in Iraq

Saudi Arabia:

Watching developments after leading religious authorities on Sunday issued a statement forbidding public protests and petitions for reforms in country; similar warning issued by Interior Ministry on Saturday; more than 17,000 people backed a call on social networking website Facebook to hold two demonstrations this month, first scheduled to take place on 11 March

Egypt:

Watching developments after reports say democracy activists attacked by men armed with knives outside offices of interior ministry in Cairo

Libya:

Watching developments after troops loyal to Colonel Al-Qadhafi mount attacks to retake several towns held by opposition forces in east and west of country on Sunday; some of heaviest fighting reported in the city of Misrata; UN says it will send envoy to Libya to assess humanitarian situation there

Angola:

Thousands of supporters of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) to take part in the Patriotic March for Peace

Nigeria:

Resumption of trial in Lagos of Iranian national Azim Aqajani and Nigerian customs official Ali Abbas Jega over illegal import of 13 containers of firearms and explosives from Iran, which were seized in October 2010

Kaliningrad:

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Hungary:

Parliament to vote to appoint four new members to the central bank's rate-setting Monetary Council after a committee hearing of candidates.

Finland:

US Vice-President Joe Biden visits to meet President Tarja Halonen, Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi; leaves for Russia

Austria:

International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors meeting. Through March 11.

Austria:

IAEA board of governors meets in Vienna

Kosovo:

Kosovo Assembly session to discuss upcoming talks with Serbia on 8th

Holland:

Hearing in case of Serb nationalist Vojislav Seselj takes place at Hague war crimes tribunal

Holland:

Trial of Bosnian Serb military commander Zdravko Tolimir continues at Hague war crimes court

Holland:

Trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic continues at the Hague

Belgium:

Nato secretary general holds monthly press briefing

France:

Former French President Jacques Chirac goes on trial on charges of illegal party financing.

France:

Trial of French former president Jacques Chirac on corruption charges begins in Paris

Spain:

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera arrives on official visit to Spain

US:

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard meets President Barack Obama

US:

Republican presidential candidates address Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event on Des Moines

US:

Space shuttle Discovery lands after final mission to international space station

US:

Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva visits; expected to meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, other senior US officials

US:

Indian Army Chief V. K. Singh visits, meets Central Command (CENTCOM) chief James Mattis (8) for talks on development in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Arab world, Iraq; also meets counterpart George W. Casey Jr.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Monday 7 March

2011-03-06T20:32:00.001-08:00

Gadhafi could wage protracted civil war

Col. Moammar Gadhafi's well-equipped but poorly trained security forces can wage a protracted battle against rebel fighters, allowing the beleaguered Libyan leader to cling to power for months, according to analysts and former Libyan officials.

Free of Qaddafi, a City Tries to Build a New Order

Bayda, one of the first place to embrace the anti-Qaddafi revolution, has now also embraced the work of what might follow.

Clinton media criticism buoys Al-Jazeera TV

A decade ago the US government attacked Al-Jazeera as a propagator of anti-American propaganda. Now Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is citing the network for fine news coverage -- and tweaking the US media in the process.

Government backers attack protesters in Yemen

Government supporters wielding knives and handguns attacked protesters in southern Yemen on Sunday, leaving one dead in the latest in weeks of demonstrations demanding the president step down.

Egypt appoints new interior minister

Egypt on Sunday named Gen. Mansour el-Essawy as its new interior minister in a further sign that ousted President Hosni Mubarak’s old guard were being removed from the cabinet.

New Egypt prime minister names most of new Cabinet

Egypt's prime minister-designate named a caretaker Cabinet on Sunday to help lead the country through reforms and toward free elections after the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

Attack on Egypt democracy protest

Knife-wielding men attack Egyptian pro-democracy activists in Cairo for the first time since President Hosni Mubarak resigned, reports say.

Bahrain protesters besiege PM office

Thousands of Shiite opposition supporters blocked the entrance to the prime minister’s office but failed to disrupt a government meeting on Sunday as the campaign for reform in the strategic Gulf nation enters its third week.

Saudi Arabia detains 22 Shiites

Security forces in Saudi Arabia have detained at least 22 minority Shiite Muslims who protested last week over what they say is discrimination, activists said on Sunday.

Baghdad Neighborhood Celebrates as a Wall Is Taken Away

A blast wall intended to improve security had choked off business and stirred anger in the Sadr City neighborhood.

Ivory Coast Rebels Claim to Expand Their Advance

In a further sign of a possible slide toward civil war, rebels reportedly seized a town near the Liberian border.

Sheikha Lubna most powerful female in Arab World

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna has been named as the world’s most powerful female Arab,

200 women victims of violence in eastern Turkey last year

Human Rights Association (İHD) central executive board member and Diyabakır branch director Reyhan Bataray has said that 72 women in eastern and southeastern Turkey were victims of murder and 113 committed suicide last year.

Afghans protest civilian deaths in Kabul

Hundreds of people chanting “Death to America” protested in Kabul on Sunday against a spate of civilian casualties caused by international forces, a sign of the simmering anti-Western emotion among many ordinary Afghans.

Turkey says won’t sacrifice Cyprus for EU membership

A Turkish deputy prime minister said at a workshop on Saturday that Turkey will not sacrifice Turkish Cypriots rights and interests for an institution like the EU, whose future is shrouded in doubt.

Former French President Chirac expected to stand trial today

After years of claiming presidential immunity to avoid legal proceedings, Jacques Chirac is finally facing a court.

US Muslims protest over hearings

Demonstrators take to New York's streets to protest against Congressional hearings which they say single out the Muslim community.

Japan's foreign minister resigns

Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara resigned on Sunday to take responsibility for accepting donations from a foreign national, adding to unpopular Prime Minister Naoto Kan's troubles as he battles to keep his own job.

Balkan talks are a quiet triumph for the EU

The European Union's ability to unite in pursuit of agreed foreign policy goals is often underrated in Britain, where failures are seized on and successes ignored or taken for granted. But the start this week in Brussels of the first face-to-face talks between Kosovo and Serbia is undoubtedly a triumph for EU "soft power". Neither side would normally wish to have anything to do with the other were it not for the EU's insistent diplomacy over the past few years. Quite simply, the shared desire of Serbs and Kosovar Albanians to join the European club overrides almost all other considerations – even those legendary Balkan hatreds

German Minister’s Comments on Islam Stir Debate

Germany’s new interior minister reignited a charged debate about the role of Muslims in society after saying that Islam was not part of the German way of life.

Migrants risk death to stay in Greece

• Doctors warn hunger strike could end in tragedy
• Ministers offer 12-month deal to stay if action stops

China says U.S. must stop Taiwan arms sales

The United States will put improved relations with Beijing at risk if it does not stop selling arms to Taiwan, China's Foreign Minister said on Monday.

Bradley Manning forced to sleep naked in prison

The American soldier accused of passing tens of thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks is now being forced to strip naked and sleep without clothing during his incarceration, according to his lawye

Bangladesh to resume Grameen case

Bangladesh's High Court is set to resume a hearing into the legality of the removal of Grameen Bank head Muhammed Yunus.

Investors move away from dollar

The Middle East remains unstable and this is driving up the price of oil as the prospects of prolonged disturbances continue. Permanent increases in the oil price have already been factored into airfares, freight contracts and other logistics services. The anticipated impact of oil-driven inflation is part of the increase in soft commodity prices. It is contributing to the rise of metals and commodities such as coal and iron ore.

Zimbabwe to sell uranium to Iran

Move contradicts Iran's claim that it now has enough domestic uranium.

Sudan central bank governor resigns ahead of secession

Sudan's central bank governor Sabir Mohammad al-Hassan has resigned, the bank said on Sunday, four months ahead of the secession of its oil-producing south.

Week-long floods exercise starts

The largest flood defence exercise ever held in the UK is due to get under way - and will last all week, involving about 10,000 people.

ebooks on borrowed time

HarperCollins says US libraries can lend its ebooks only 26 times as print books have to be replaced after that

Kenyan builds plane in front yard

A Kenyan man has used the internet and some books on engineering to build his own aircr

Argentines offered chance to buy final resting place next to Eva Peron

Argentines are being offered the chance to secure a final resting place next to the tomb of Eva Peron - if they have nearly £200,000 to spare

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Hate Comes to Orange County

2011-03-06T02:24:00.000-08:00

What's Happening Today - Sunday 6 March

2011-03-05T20:18:00.003-08:00

Australia:

Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition Avalon 2011 in Geelong concludes

China:

News conference by Chinese finance minister, central bank governor. 0200 GMT.

China:

'Jasmine rally' calls for more transparency in China; expected in 13 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hong Kong, and Taipei.

China:

Some polices officers expected to join a rally in Hong Kong over pension scheme

China:

National People's Congress continues annual session; on Saturday Premier Wen Jiabao said tackling inflation was government's top priority and acknowledged that growing income gap between rich and poor, exorbitant house prices and corruption were causing public discontent

Pakistan:

Professor Muhammad Yunus challenges the central bank order that removed him from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank – following a false accusation by Norwegian TV

Pakistan:

US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mark Grossman, due in Islamabad ; speaking at news conference in Kabul on Saturday, Grossman said USA is committed to “fighting terrorists” in both countries

Afghanistan:

The Wolasi Jerga will try to elect its first deputy speaker for a second time – choosing between Khaled Pakhtun from Kandahar or Ms Qazi Rahela Salim from Panjsher,

Russia:

Moscow’s Paradise nightclub may hold a "Putin-party. I want the prime minister" despite government demand it not do so.

Iran:

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga visits; expected to meet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , attend opening ceremony of major grain terminal at Imam Khomeini Port, in the southwest, a project financed by Iran and Kenyan investors

Iran:

Parliament plans to impeach Energy Minister Majid Namju for his poor record in managing the ministry's affairs

Turkey:

Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry holds meeting (to March 8).

Turkey:

Members of Alawi religious community in Izmir to protest government policies on religion.

Saudi Arabia:

Watching developments as Saudi Interior Ministry bans all demonstrations and protests in country

Jordan:

Islamist groups stage sit-in outside prime minister's office to demand release of "political prisoners"

Israel:

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera visits Israel.

Egypt:

Monitoring situation as protesters in Cairo take over offices of security police

Egypt:

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe visits "to express support for political transition"; meets de-facto military leader Muhammad Husayn Tantawi, activists involved in protests that toppled President Husni Mubarak, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Musa

Egypt:

Start of trial of former housing and tourism ministers, Ahmad al-Maghrabi and Zuhayr Garanahj respectively

Egypt:

Start of trial of former Trade Minister Rashid Muhammad Rashid

Egypt:

After being closed for much of the Egyptian revolution and its aftermath, the Egyptian stock market is expected to re-open fully as traders hope stocks will begin to recover some of their value.

Libya:

Following developments as troops loyal to Colonel Al-Qadhafi attempt to retake town of Zawiya, near Tripoli

Sudan:

Khartoum hosts eighth international conference on Jerusalem

Tunisia:

The French helicopter-carrier Mistral, one of the biggest ships in the French Navy, anchors off the Tunisian coast

Benin:

POSTPONED Presidential election now postponed to 13 March, was originally scheduled to be held on 27 February

Estonia:

Parliamentary elections.

UK:

Palestinian “president” Mahmoud Abbas meets British Prime Minister David Cameron.

US:

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard continues visit (-13) to mark 60th anniversary of bilateral security pact; meets President Barack Obama on 7 March

US:

Indian Army Chief V. K. Singh continues trip (-16) to meet Central Command (CENTCOM) chief James Mattis (8) for talks on development in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Arab world, Iraq; also meets counterpart George W. Casey Jr.

US:

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (to March 21).

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My Press Review - Sunday 6 March

2011-03-05T20:18:00.001-08:00

Gaddafi forces step up attack on western rebel town

Libyan government forces launched fierce attacks on the western rebel stronghold of Zawiyah on Saturday, while in the east, rebels advanced on Muammar Gaddafi's home town of Sirte.

Libya's rebel army struggles to create order from chaos

Firing their guns in the air and driving wildly, Gaddafi's opponents looked as much a menace to their own side as to the enemy, writes Nick Meo.

Rebel National Libya Council sets up crisis Committee

The National Libyan Council said on Saturday it had named a three-member crisis committee, which included a head of military affairs and one for foreign affairs.

State security building torched in Cairo: sources

A state security building on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital was set alight on Saturday, a security source said, one day after some 200 protesters stormed state security headquarters in the coastal city of Alexandria.

Portraits of courage: Meet Egypt's revolutionaries

These are the faces of a generation that changed history, their grim expressions of defiance testament to surviving weeks of violent protest that were to result in the overthrow of one of the Middle East's most powerful dictators.

US must keep Muslim Brothers from Egypt gov't

Exclusive: House Middle East subcommittee chairman blasts Obama administration for not taking a tougher line on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

Women Seek to Maintain a Role in Rebuilding Egypt

The revolution included women, who upended traditional expectations of behavior. The challenge now, activists say, is to make sure they maintain their involvement.

Military might

Why an army coup might undermine Tunisia revolution

Bahrain moves to placate protesters

Bahrain's government has held a cabinet reshuffle and promised to open talks on the protests that have continued in the capital Manama.

Oman: Where Even the Hotbed of Revolution is Chill

There has been a brief spasm of violence but Oman's protesters are polite and loyal compared to the rebels in the rest of the region

Yemen President reiterates to stay in power until 2013

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Saturday reiterated that he would remain in power until his term ends in 2013, rejecting an opposition plan for him to step aside this year.

Saudi Arabia imposes protest ban

Saudi Arabia bans all protests and marches in the country and warns police will use measures to prevent disruption.

No state with temporary border

The Palestinian president says he won't accept any Israeli peace initiative if it calls for temporary borders for a future Palestinian state.

Afghan security firms paid £29m

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act confirm growing reliance on privatisation underpins Britain's war effort

Somali forces push back militants

Forces loyal to Somalia's transitional government capture a key border town and a district of the capital, Mogadishu, from militants.

Outdated Turkish law forces ministers to resign before elections

Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Interior Minister Beşir Atalay and Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım will be voluntarily handing in their resignations to the government within the next few days.

Le Pen more popular than Sarkozy

Far-right leader could gain a first-round election victory if the country were to go to the ballot box today

Fine Gael and Labour agree draft

A senior politician involved in negotiations to form an Irish coalition government has told the state broadcaster RTE that the largest two parties have a draft of a proposed programme for government.

PM Erdoğan’s integration remarks unwelcome in Germany

For the second time in recent years, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s address to the Turkish migrant community has caused outrage in Germany, where many felt that his comments sought to discourage Turks from integrating into German society.

Thousands join Wisconsin protest

Thousands of people join protests in the US state of Wisconsin against proposals that will limit the power of trade unions.

Republican race for 2012 hots up

The long-heralded race for the Republican presidential nomination is set to begin this week as a multitude of potential candidates for the job of taking on President Barack Obama in 2012 head to the first key battleground state of Iowa.

Cuba convicts US aid contractor

US aid worker Alan Gross is found guilty of crimes against the state in Cuba over illegal internet connections, Cuban television says.

LSE head resigns over Libya link

Conservative MP in UK calls on London School of Economics' council members to consider stepping down as well.

Venezuela radical Lina Ron dies

The Venezuelan political activist Lina Ron - one of president Hugo Chavez's most radical supporters - dies of a heart attack at 53.

Gaddafi asset freeze hit by name confusion

Attempts to freeze the overseas assets of Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi will be hampered as there are 115,000 potential spellings of his full name.

Peseta back in use in Spanish town

A small town in northern Spain reintroduces the old Spanish currency - the peseta - alongside the euro to give the local economy a lift.

Cuts take Greece to the edge of anarchy as people cry for change

Christos Anastasiou describes his café on Athens's Syntagma Square as "the heart of the war zone". On a quiet day like this, as his customers nurse cold coffees in long glasses in the sunshine, it sounds absurd.

Mid East turmoil is good news for money printers

Not since the collapse of the Soviet Union has there been a better time to be in the job of printing money.

Britons encouraged to join stampede for repossessed haciendas

These days, house buyers expect estate agents to try to sell them a mortgage as well as a property, but in Spain now it works in reverse.

Turkey’s Protestants concerned about attacks, demand legal status

Various attacks carried out against Protestants and their churches continued to occur in 2010, stated a report prepared by the Association of Protestant Churches based in the Aegean province of İzmir.

Che's motorcycle companion dies

Alberto Granado, the travel companion of Ernesto Che Guevara made famous in The Motorcycle Diaries, dies in Cuba at the age of 88.

The cheating epidemic at Britain's universities

Exclusive: Thousands of students caught plagiarising, trying to bribe lecturers and buying essays from the internet.

Money, power and politics in Mumbai's slum battle

A controversial project to bulldoze Dharavi, the giant shanty town that formed the backdrop to Slumdog Millionaire, is reviving the fortunes of extremist parties

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What's Happening Today - Thursday 3 March

2011-03-02T20:40:00.001-08:00

South Korea:

Robert Einhorn, the U.S. State Department’s special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, will meet in Seoul with Jo Hyon, former deputy foreign minister for multilateral and global affairs, to discuss rewriting a nuclear cooperation pact for Asian nations.

Pakistan:

Court will meet again for the trial of U.S. official Raymond Davis in a double-murder case.

Pakistan:

Talks between the government of Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF) start between Secretary Finance Dr Waqar Masud and IMF mission Chief for Pakistan, Adnan Mazarie

Kazakhstan:

Presidential election campaign begins officially in Kazakhstan

Saudi Arabia:

Youth Movement for Reform rallies in eastern town of Al-Qatif

Saudi Arabia:

International Contact Group on Afghanistan meets at Organization of Islamic Conference headquarters in Jeddah; Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasul leads Afghan delegation; this is also first such meeting attended by recently appointed US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman

Yemen:

"Dignitaries and chieftains" from southern Al-Bayda Governorate (which has seen antigovernment protests recently) rally in capital Sanaa against "acts of violence, chaos, and sabotage"

Israel:

Jerusalem court to hear arguments in case of Aleksandar Cvetkovic, a Bosnian Serb whom Israel may extradite to Bosnia for alleged participation in 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

Egypt:

Two Iranian naval ships are expected to return through the Suez Canal.

Egypt:

Arab foreign ministers will hold talks in Cairo ahead of the Arab League summit in Baghdad on March 28. This will be their first meeting since civil unrest spread across the region.

Egypt:

Turkish President Abdullah Gul expected to visit Egypt.

Libya:

Watching developments following latest al-Qadhafi TV appearance in which he blamed foreign forces for uprising. (Libyan TV); State TV announces that each family in Libya to receive monthly grant of 500 dinars (400 dollars)

Libya/ICC:

International Criminal Court opens investigation into possible crimes against humanity during violence in Libya

Libya:

UN Chinese ambassador to UN says there has been unofficial "talk in the lobbies" about Libya No Fly Zone but no plans for a vote on the matter (Xinhua); Arab League says it would consider enforcement of No Fly Zone over Libya

Tunisia:

Interim president to make a statement to the Tunisian people

Ukraine:

Anti-tax activists Ihor Harkavenko begins an open-ended hunger strike, after being detained for “damaging the granite tiles on Kiev's Independence Square while pitching tent there”. Court case begins.

Ukraine:

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov concludes two-day visit

Slovakia:

Summit of foreign ministers of Visegrad Group (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia)

Slovakia:

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich is scheduled to visit Slovakia for discussions over bilateral issues with Slovak government leaders.

Lithuania:

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker to visit Lithuania.

Hungary:

Hungarian EU presidency hosts conference on Single European Sky in Budapest

Austria:

Armenian foreign minister addresses OSCE in Vienna

Switzerland:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is due to visit Geneva to take part in UN Conference on Disarmament

Switzerland:

81st Geneva International Motor Show (to March 13).

Switzerland:

Italian president meets WTO director general in Geneva

France:

Acting Moldovan President Marian Lupu begins two-day visit to Strasbourg to meet Council of Europe's Secretary-General Thorbjoern Jagland

France:

Kyrgyz President Rosa Otunbayeva visits

UK:

By-election.

Brazil:

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn will visit

UN:

World Book Day

US:

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner testifies to Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The topic is "navigating a turbulent global economy - implications for the United states."

US:

President Barack Obama meets with his national security team for his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

US:

Mexican President Felipe Calderon visits United States.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Thursday 3 March

2011-03-02T20:39:00.001-08:00

‘Libyans fighting Gaddafi oppose foreign intervention’

Foreign countries should refrain from military intervention in Libya as opponents of Muammar Gaddafi's rule do not want such interference, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Wednesday.

Qaddafi Vows to Fight to the ‘Last Man’

In a three-hour speech, he repeatedly vowed to defy international pressure, warning the Western powers not to intervene and threatening a fierce fight if they did.

Gadhafi's troops cornered

Rebel forces routed troops loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi in a fierce battle over an oil port Wednesday, scrambling over the dunes of a Mediterranean beach through shelling and an airstrike to corner their attackers.

Qaddafi Seeks the Aid of Muslim Clerics

The Libyan leader's attempt to woo religious leaders came after several moral figures, both inside and outside Libya, backed the pro-democracy proteste

Gül seeks to strengthen solidarity with Egypt in visit

Turkish President Abdullah Gül is paying a visit to Egypt to help that country make an orderly and peaceful transition and to show

Protests shake Yemen, Saleh sacks governors

Tens of thousands of protesters flooded Yemen’s streets in a “Day of Rage,” demanding an end to the president’s three-decade rule.

In Yemen, the Opposition Negotiates But Saleh Hedges

In a move that is frustrating street protesters, the political opposition opens negotiations with the President that seem to give him broad leeway on deciding when to give up power

South Sudan fighting leaves dozens dead

Fighting in a tense area of Southern Sudan last weekend killed dozens of people only weeks after some 240 people died in violence in the same area, two officials said on Wednesday.

Syria suspected of nuke activity

The Obama administration and a U.N. watchdog agency want Syria to show inspectors a suspected uranium-conversion facility and two other nuclear sites possibly linked to the remnants of a covert arms progr

Stolen revolution?

Tunisians doubtful about reforms after Ben Ali's departure

Keep up aid to Lebanon

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton argued Wednesday for a continuation of military aid to Lebanon despite the recent government takeover by the Shiite Islamist group Hezbollah and its allie

Obama, Calderon to discuss differences

Mexican President Felipe Calderon was the first head of state President Obama sat down with after being elected in 2008, and both men talked then of improving the relationship between the two countries. Two years later, Mexico's ongoing drug war, America's fractious immigration battle and the bloody costs of U

WikiLeaks source 'aiding enemy'

The U.S. military on Wednesday added capital crime charges of aiding the enemy to the indictment against Army Pfc. Bradley E. Manning, the intelligence analyst accused of copying a quarter-million classified U.S. military and diplomatic cables and providing them to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.

Ohio Senate OKs bill that would restrict public unions

The bargaining rights of public workers in Ohio would be dramatically reduced and strikes would be banned under a bill narrowly passed by the Ohio Senate on Wednesday.

Hateful Speech is Still Free Speech

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Westboro Baptist Church funeral protesters are protected under the First Amendment.

Wales votes in powers referendum

Voters are about to go to the polls in a referendum to decide if the Welsh assembly should have direct law-making powers.

Dutch cabinet 'faces poll blow'

The Dutch centre-right cabinet, backed by an anti-Islam party, is set to fall short of a majority in the Senate after regional polls, exit polls suggest.

5 members of Cuba's national ballet stay in Canada

An official with the National Ballet of Cuba says that five of its members, including one of its leading dancers, have decided to stay in Canada after performing there.

Japan regrets Russian buildup plan for isles

Japan's top government spokesman on Wednesday called Russia's move to fortify its presence on disputed western Pacific islands "very regrettable", the latest in a series of diplomatic tit-for-tat exchanges over the issue.

Koran teacher cleared of assaults

A teacher at a mosque accused of assaulting pupils when they failed to memorise verses from the Koran was found not guilty of the allegations today.

Brazil interest rates hit 11.75%

Brazil's central bank raises its key interest rate to 11.75% in a bid to cool inflation in one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

Grameen Bank: Yunus Is Fired. Or Maybe Not

The case of Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Prize-winning founder of Grameen Bank, gets curiouser and curiouser

Green power industry claims Government backtracking on solar

While sharply rising oil prices claim attention across the world, the British Government is facing increasingly vocal criticism over a policy on solar power subsidies that critics deride as "extraordinary

Jews 'not to blame for Jesus's death'

Pope concludes those responsible for the crucifixion were the 'Temple aristocracy' and supporters of the rebel Barabbas

Tweeting ahead

Brazilians use Twitter to dodge police drink-drive tests

Only 6 percent happy, survey finds

Only 6 percent of Chinese people see themselves as happy, despite the government's efforts to improve the population's sense of happiness, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Fetus to 'Testify' in Ohio Legislature

The strategy was put together by anti-abortion group Faith2Action in support of a so-called "heartbeat bill."

Congressman outwits supercomputer at Jeopardy!

A quiz-show winning IBM supercomputer known as "Watson" has finally been defeated, by a US congressman who also happens to be a nuclear physicist.

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What's Happening Today - Wednesday 2 March

2011-03-01T20:42:00.001-08:00

Japan:

Climate delegates to meet in an informal gathering (to March 4).

Japan:

Russian strategic dialogue between vice foreign ministers.

China:

Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Patriota, will pay an official visit to China as guest of his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

Thailand:

The Puea Thai Party will file a motion of no-confidence in the government , according to MP Mingkwan Sangsuwan

Russia:

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev turns 80.

Russia:

Russia and Ukraine hold consultations in Moscow Sea of Azov and Black Sea border

Pakistan:

Interior Minister Rehman Malik meets government officials to discuss strategy of dealing with expatriates returning from Libya due to ongoing crisis there

Russia:

Russian Airborne Troops hold large-scale command-and-post exercise in Tula and Ryazan regions; supervised by Airborne Troops Commander Lt-Gen Vladimir Shamanov (-5)

Kazakhstan:

Deadline for registration of candidates ahead of presidential elections on 3 April

Azerbaijan:

President of Russia's Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov visits to discuss economic cooperation with President Ilham Aliyev, Emergencies Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov, Parliament Speaker Oqtay Asadov

Azerbaijan:

Baku will host the 2011 Azerbaijan Investors’ Summit in Baku to promote foreign investment into all aspects of the Azerbaijani economy and into the region.

Iran:

Watching developments after security forces fired tear gas at opposition supporters during demonstrations in Tehran yesterday

Iran:

Youth movements associated with Iran’s reformist parties have warned that they will take to the streets if opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi are not released from house.

Turkey:

Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) opens offices in Saudi Arabia; aims to make 1 billion USD of arms exports in 2011. Offices planned for Qatar, Malaysia, Belgium and Indonesia.

Oman:

There have been calls for protests against high cost of living, "unjustified" taxes to be held today

Yemen:

Opposition holds "Day of Rage" protests in provinces

Egypt:

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze visits "to share experience in post-revolution transition"

Libya:

Watching developments as UN calls for mass humanitarian evacuation as thousands flee across the border into Tunisia; continuing discussion on need for and legality of no-fly zone

Tunisia:

Legalising of Islamist Ennahda movement for the first time since its formation 30 years ago

Tunisia:

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero visits despite continuing volatility; Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi stepped down on 27 February following popular protests

Morocco:

Morocco marks anniversary of independence from France; unlikely to be much of a celebration

Zimbabwe:

President Robert Mugabe launches campaign against international sanctions Northern

Cyprus:

Sinirlioglu will meet with Turkish Cypriot officials to discuss both the ongoing negotiations with the Greek Cypriots and the demonstrations in northern Cyprus against Turkey's fiscal policies; protests expected in addition to a general strike

Ukraine:

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle visits to meet counterpart Kostyantyn Hryshchenko for talks on bilateral ties, cooperation with EU and OSCE, continuing volatility in North Africa and Middle East (-3)

Ukraine:

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov begins two-day visit

Slovakia:

The Sixth Annual GLOBSEC Security Forum is scheduled to take place in Bratislava. Attendees will discuss global issues and central Europe.

Austria:

The Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board releases its annual report. 1000 GMT.

Austria:

World Sustainable Energy Days 2011 take place in Austria

Germany:

Chancellor Angela Merkel to meet her Austrian counterpart Werner Faymann (1100) and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (1630).

Germany:

Austrian chancellor meets German counterpart in Berlin

Italy:

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera visits as part of tour which also includes Israel, Palestinian Territories and Spain

Norway:

Finnish Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi visits Norway (to March 4) and meets with her Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Holland:

Provincial elections.

Belgium:

Ukrainian Vice Premier Andriy Klyuev will travel to Brussels to discuss obstacles to the Ukrainian-EU free trade zone.

Belgium:

The European Union is scheduled to announce new stress tests for determining banks’ financial health.

Belgium:

Annual Brussels climate change conference takes place

France:

South African President Jacob Zuma visits; meets counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy (2) for talks on North Africa and nuclear projects

France:

South African President Jacob Zuma begins two-day visit; meets counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy today (1800 gmt) for talks on bilateral relations, global challenges, African issues

UK:

Second and final day of visit by Afghan President Hamed Karzai; he held talks with Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday

Mexico:

President Felipe Calderon will begin a two-day working visit to Washington and will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Uruguay:

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn will visit

Venezuela:

Venezuelan and Colombian officials will meet to discuss economic issues.

US:

Supreme Court expected to issue rulings; and hears arguments on whether then-Attorney General John Ashcroft can be held liable for a terrorism suspect's arrest in 2003.

US:

Hillary Clinton appears before Senate foreign relations committee

US:

Federal Reserve releases Beige Book of current economic conditions

US:

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski continues week-long trip (-5), meets Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tomorrow

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Wednesday 2 March

2011-03-01T20:36:00.001-08:00

Oman deploys units fearing unrest

Oman deployed troops north of the capital Muscat and near the border with the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, following three straight days of anti-government protests, a government official said.

How is Muammar Qaddafi still hanging on?

Muammar Qaddafi, clinging to power in Tripoli, has now faced down more internal and external pressure than fellow autocrats in Egypt and Tunisia.

Rebels fight off Gadhafi in west Libya

Rebel forces fended off Moammar Gadhafi's troops in the western part of Libya on Tuesday, and thousands of people fleeing the violence massed at the North African nation's borders prompting warnings from international aid groups of a humanitarian crisis.

Libya unrest: Eyewitness accounts

Three people in Libya describe the latest situation in their towns.

Aid for Libya

Egyptian and Libyan expats send humanitarian assistance

Portrait of a Gaddafi Soldier

Among the captives in the liberation of eastern Libya was a young man who claimed to be a member of a fearsome militia run by Gaddafi's son.

‘Human Rights Watch should have been keeping tabs on Libya'

NGO Monitor calls on HRW Mideast/Africa head Sarah Leah Whitson to resign for ignoring Libyan abuses, failing to offer aid

Saudis detain Shiite cleric

Saudi authorities detained a Shiite cleric in the Eastern Province after he called for a constitutional monarchy and an end to corruption and discrimination, human rights activists said on Tuesday

President Saleh Losing Tribal Leaders and Options

The student protesters have been joined by tribal chiefs and Islamist politicians in a challenge that may leave President Saleh with only two options: resignation or repression

President Gül set to visit Egypt tomorrow

President Abdullah Gül is scheduled to visit Egypt on Thursday, diplomatic sources told the Cihan news agency on Tuesday.

Exiled Kurdish leader tells PM in letter he wants to return

Yaşar Kaya, the former leader of a now-defunct Kurdish party, the Democracy Party (DEP), who has been abroad for nearly two decades, has written a letter to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressing his desire to return to Turkey.

Tunisia ends 20-year ban for Islamist party

A Tunisian Islamist party banned for more than 20 years was legalized Tuesday, while the country's most prominent opposition figure quit the unity government amid renewed uncertainty about where Tunisia is headed.

Israel might seek interim Palestinian peace deal

Israel is considering pursuing an interim peace agreement with the Palestinians, a senior official said on Tuesday, signaling the government might abandon efforts to secure a single, comprehensive accord.

Israeli settlers call for 'day of rage'

Call for a 'day of rage' as hardliners attack Palestinian villages and block roads in Jerusalem

Afghan fighting not working - MPs

Evidence suggests that the present highly intensive counter-insurgency campaign in Afghanistan is not succeeding, MPs say.

British troops on front line in Afghanistan told they face the sack

Almost the entire contingent of Britain's 10,000 troops in Afghanistan told they could be sacked within months as ministers disclose plans to get rid of one in 10 members of the Armed Forces.

Ivorian papers close in protest

Nine newspapers in Ivory Coast close in protest against what they say is harassment by supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo.

Yet another blow to Internet freedom as court bans website

Google’s famous blog hosting service, blogspot.com/blogger.com, has been banned following complaints by digital satellite platform Digiturk in Turkey, dipnot.tv reported

The big issue that has India divided

An intense lobbying battle is being fought as the Indian government prepares to amend landmark legislation introduced nearly three decades ago to protect women who were being attacked, harassed and even murdered for refusing to pay dowries.

Tajikistan's president appoints football-playing son as drugs tsar

President Imomali Rakhmonov of Tajikistan has put his football-mad son in charge of the country's fight against drug smuggling.

Romanian MPs vote against witchcraft bill

Romanian lawmakers on Tuesday voted against a bill aiming to counter the pernicious effects of witchcraft, a text which had angered many fortune-tellers and clairvoyants.

US Attorney General 'not sure' if Guantánamo will shut by 2013

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said on Tuesday he was not sure if the prison holding terrorism suspects at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba would be closed by the end of President Barack Obama's first term.

Price of gold reaches fresh high

The price of gold hits a record high as investors worry about the political turmoil in Libya and tensions in the Middle East.

Wisconsin governor's budget cuts $1.5 billion

After focusing for weeks on his proposal to strip public employees of most collective-bargaining rights, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday presented his full budget - a plan that cuts $1.5 billion in aid to public schools, local government and Medicaid, but avoids any tax or fee ...

China holds $1.16 trillion of US debt

China, the largest creditor of the United States, increased its holdings of US debt to a record $1.175 trillion in October, according to revised data issued by the Treasury.

WikiLeaks among peace prize nominees

A record 241 nominations were submitted for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize and the Norwegian jury has now begun the secretive process to select a winner, the panel’s spokesman said on Tuesday.

Chinese illiteracy becomes subject of world's concern

International concern has grown over the illiteracy and education inequality found in China, said a senior official of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Tuesday.

Bamiyan Buddha may be restored

German scientists have said it may be possible to reconstruct the smaller of two giant 1,500-year-old Bamiyan Buddha statues blown up by the Taliban in Afghanistan 10 years ago, which prompted a worldwide outcry.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Peugeot car sold for £1.5 million

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 34-year-old car has been sold for nearly $2.5 million (£1.5m) at an auction to raise money for a low-income housing project, the semiofficial Iranian news agency said

Elderly left isolated as children fail to call home

One in ten baby boomers has not seen their ageing parents for more than a year, according to research suggesting that the generations may be losing touch with each other.

Most powerful microscope unveiled

A record-breaking optical microscope is demonstrated by UK researchers who used tiny glass beads to cheat the normal rules of light.

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What's Happening Today - Tuesday 1 March

2011-02-28T20:30:00.001-08:00

Australia:

International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition Avalon 2011 held in Geelong

Vietnam:

Ninth Session of National Assembly, begins as price of electricity increased by 15% in one day.

Russia:

All-Russian Muslim conference; begins as first Russian Muslim channel begins broadcasting

Russia:

Medvedev signs off decision to sack over 9000 administrators at the Interior MInistry

Russia:

New Algerian naval upgrade contracts under discussion in St Petersburg [Russia has delivered last two contracts very late]

Russia:

New police law comes into effect, changing name of police force previously known as "militsiya" to "politsiya”

Russia:

Russian Airborne Troops continue large-scale command-and-post exercise in Tula and Ryazan regions (-5 Mar); supervised by Airborne Troops Commander Lt-Gen Vladimir Shamanov

Pakistan:

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) resumes voluntary repatriation programme for Afghan refugees

Armenia:

The opposition Armenian People’s Party will rally in Yerevan to call for early elections.

Turkey:

Erbakan memorial service; Erdogan has cancelled his trip to Brussels so as to attend funeral

Iraq:

"Day of Arab Anger" held in northern city of Kirkuk, an important Kurdish centre

UAE:

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is to visit; before moving on to Tunisia on Wednesday

Yemen:

Yemeni opposition to organize huge protest in Sana'a, according to Hayat newspaper, which noted Aljazeera correspondents have been asked to leave

Saudi Arabia:

OIC holds international contact group meeting on Afghanistan

Jordan:

Supporters of the salafist trend plan to stage a sit-in in the Al-Husayni Mosque courtyard to demand the release of prisoners associated with Islamic organizations.

Egypt:

TENTATIVE Stock exchange reopens about a month after it closed amid protests that ousted President Husni Mubarak; there have been calls for reopening to be delayed

Libya:

UN General Assembly scheduled to vote on motion to suspend Libya from UN Human Rights Council

Ukraine:

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton visits, then travels to Moldova

Estonia:

EU member Estonia to remove the national visa fee for Belarusian citizens.

Switzerland:

First media day at Geneva Auto Show, which opens to public from March 3-13.

Switzerland:

Tunisian deputy foreign minister meets WTO director general in Geneva

Germany:

CeBit - The world's largest computer fair (to March 5).

Italy:

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera visits as part of tour which also includes Israel, Palestinian Territories and Spain

Holland

Trial of former Bosnian Croat leader Jadranko Prlic continues at Hague war crimes tribunal

Belgium:

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, briefs on North Africa (0700).

Belgium:

Kyrgyz president meets EU Commission president in Brussels

UK:

Afghan President Hamed Karzai arrives in UK for two-day visit for talks on withdrawal of British forces and bilateral relations. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Prince Charles and members of UK parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and will also open exhibition "Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World" at British Museum

UK:

Amnesty reports on unlawful killings by Tunisian security forces during protests

UK:

Transparency International's launch of the 2011 Report on Revenue Transparency of Oil and Gas Companies.

UN:

China takes over presidency of UN Security Council

US:

UN General Assembly is scheduled to vote on a motion to suspend Libya from the U.N. Human Rights Council in General.

US:

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski continues visit (- 5 Mar

US:

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is scheduled to testify before a key congressional panel on the Obama administration's efforts to reduce the government's role in the $10.6 trillion U.S. mortgage market.

US:

Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup takes place

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Tuesday 1 March

2011-02-28T20:29:00.001-08:00

Necmettin Erbakan’s funeral expected to draw huge crowd

The late leader of the Felicity Party (SP), Professor Necmettin Erbakan, who once served as Turkey's prime minister, will be laid to rest at the Merkez Efendi Cemetery in İstanbul today. The funeral for the late politician is expected to draw a huge crowd.

Iran opposition leaders in prison, report says

Iranian authorities have taken senior opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi to a prison in Tehran, a reformist website said Monday

Libya rebels resume oil exports

Libya's revolutionary leaders sought to prove their pro-western credentials on Monday by announcing an immediate resumption of oil exports to foreign clients - even though the proceeds will go straight to Col Muammar Gaddafi.

All Libyans love me, declares Gaddafi

Volunteers were pleading for international help last night as Libya began to experience food and medical shortages.

Food prices spiral in Libyan capital amid fighting

The West moved to send its first concrete aid to Libya’s rebellion in the east of the country, hoping to give it the momentum to oust Muammar Gaddafi.

Many Libyans oppose U.S. invasion

Many Libyans oppose the idea of Western troops on the shores of Tripoli, as the Obama administration and its allies on Monday said no option is off the table in their effort to oust longtime dictator Col. Moammar Gadhafi.

Yemen power sharing option fails to woo tribesmen

Powerful Yemeni tribal leaders have thrown their weight behind opposition demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Sanaa, spurning a power sharing from Ali Abdullah Saleh, the country's President.

Turkish PM Angers Germany over Integration Remarks

Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for Turkish citizens living in Germany to learn Turkish before German, feeding fires of cultural tension in the country.

Duke must lose trade job, says MP

The Duke of York should be sacked as a UK trade ambassador because of his links to Colonel Gaddafi's family, senior Labour MP Chris Bryant says.

Must look beyond Mideast risks

Israel's defense minister said Monday that his country would be ready to talk peace with Syria if Damascus were serious about doing so — a sharp departure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's go-slow approach to peacemaking while the Middle East is in turmoil.

Netanyahu Warns On Settlements

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu berated leaders of his Likud Party on Monday after they pressed him for more settlement construction.

Yemenis protest, unrest high in south

Tens of thousands of protesters demanding the end of President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 32-year rule of Yemen joined demonstrations on Monday, while skirmishes in the south killed three soldiers and a policeman.

Oman protests spread, road blocked

Omani protesters demanding jobs and political reforms blocked roads to a main port in the north of the Gulf Arab sultanate as looters trashed a nearby supermarket on Monday, and demonstrations spread to the capit

Two ministers resign in Tunisia

Two ministers quit Tunisia's interim government a day after Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi announced he was resigning from his post, following demands from protesters.

Russians See Damage in Iran’s Reactor

The account of what happened at the Bushehr plant was the first official rationale for a delay in its planned opening.

Egypt bans Mubarak, family from travel

Egypt’s public prosecutor has issued an order imposing a travel ban on former President Hosni Mubarak and his family while complaints against them are being investigated, a prosecutor’s spokesman said on Monday.

Iraqi court gives Briton 20 years over slayings

An Iraqi court on Monday convicted a British man and sentenced him to 20 years in prison over the shooting deaths of two contractors, making him the first Westerner convicted in an Iraqi court since the 2003 US invasi

Bahrain protesters block parliament

Anti-government protesters blockaded Bahrain's parliament and massed outside the state broadcaster on Monday in efforts to escalate pressure on the nation's embattled monarchy after two weeks of nonstop marches and deadly clashes.

Hamas fights Gaza Holocaust lessons

The history of the Holocaust is planned to be included as part of a human rights curriculum in schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency, which is responsible for the welfare of Palestinian refugees. More than 200,000 children attend UNRWA schools in Gaza.

UN team attacked in Ivory Coast

United Nations experts in Ivory Coast come under fire while trying to investigate reports of a violation of the arms embargo.

Venezuelan union leader jailed

A Venezuelan trade union leader is jailed for seven years over a strike at the state iron ore mining company in 2009.

YouTube urged to delete sermons

Anwar al-Awlaki uses internet to spread his message that violence against the west is just

Irish party leaders meet to discuss coalition

Two former opposition parties were holding talks yesterday aimed at forming a new government after the long-dominant Fianna Fail suffered a crushing defeat at the polls.

China Issues Warning on Climate

China’s environment minister issued an unusually stark warning about the deleterious impacts of unbridled development.

Wales prepares for referendum

This week, people in Wales will vote in a referendum on whether to give more law making powers to the Assembly in Cardiff.

Fidel Castro expected to resign as Cuba party chief

The Cuban Communist Party has moved forward the election of new leadership to a congress in April where longtime party leader Fidel Castro is expected to step down, sources close to the party said over the weekend.

Argentine military dictators on trial over baby kidnappings

Two former Argentine military dictators have gone on trial charged with the kidnapping of babies allegedly seized from political prisoners and opponents minutes after birth.

Ortega set for Nicaragua poll run

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega is set to run for a third term in November's election after securing his Sandinista party's nomination unopposed.

Egypt stock exchange open delayed

The reopening of the Egyptian stock exchange has been delayed, the state-run news agency MENA reports

With Russia's $650 billion rearmament plan, the bear sharpens its teeth

If Russia can reduce reliance on its aging Soviet-era nuclear missile deterrent, analysts say it could create a 'whole new ball game.'

Banned books back on Egypt shelves

Works by censored authors available again in wake of revolutions

Population now stands at 1.341 b

Slower growth prompts suggestions to loosen family planning policy

Life origins clue from meteorite

A meteorite found in Antarctica could lend weight to the argument that life on Earth might have been kick-started from space.

Iran threatens to boycott London Olympics over 'racist' logo

Iran said it might boycott the 2012 London Olympics because of the event's 'racist' logo which resembles the word Zion.

How Your Web Searches Will Change

On Friday, after several months of atypically harsh coverage of the quality of Google's search results the planet's dominant search engine rolled out some major changes.

No paved way for naming Berlin street after Reagan

In this once-divided city where Ronald Reagan famously challenged the Soviet Union to "tear down this wall," a proposal to rename a public square or street in his honor has sparked heated debate over the U.S. president's role in Germany's recent past.

Anti-gay Christian couple lose battle to become foster parents

A Christian couple morally opposed to homosexuality because of their faith lost a landmark High Court battle today over the right to become foster carers.

Dogs who listen to children reading

Scheme aims to encourage children to read aloud

Conflict becomes child's play for young Pashtuns

Video of Pashtun children enacting suicide bombing shows the psychological impact of Taliban violence on a generation

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What's Happening Today - Monday 28 February

2011-02-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

China:

China's Vice-Commerce Minister Fu Ziying signs $100 million loan agreement for 60 MW Upper Trishuli 3A hydropower project.

Koreas:

South Korea, US start annual military drill amid North Korean denunciation

Vietnam:

Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong begins visit

India:

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presents the federal budget for 2011/12 fiscal year beginning April 1 (0530).

Russia:

Russian Airborne Troops starts large-scale command-and-post exercise in Tula and Ryazan regions (-5 Mar); supervised by Airborne Troops Commander Lt-Gen Vladimir Shamanov

Pakistan:

National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has urged all the registered Afghans to get their Proof of Registration (PoR) cards renewed before today’s deadline

Georgia:

The Abkhaz population census, launched on 21 February, is completed.

Iraq:

Iraqi parliament resumes after week-long suspension and rioting in several parts of the country

Iraq:

Sadrists to carry out a draft popular survey in some Iraqi cities which demand an improvement in the quality of the services provided.

Iraq:

Verdict in trial of British security contractor Danny Fitzsimons expected in Baghdad

Qatar:

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates at the beginning of next week to improve business opportunities for Spanish companies operating in those countries.

Syria:

Sergey Vershin, director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is to visit Syria, Israel and the Palestinian territories as a personal envoy of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Yemen:

The Specialized Penal Court in the capital Sana'a judges four defendants, accused of collaborating with Iran

Sudan:

The [opposition] Alliance of National Consensus forces says it intends to hold a sit-in at the Popular Congress Party HQ to put pressure on the government and secure the release of political detainees including Darfur activists

Libya:

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to rally support over Libya at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

Mauritania:

Panel of five heads of state appointed by African Union to deal with post-election crisis in Cote d'Ivoire meet in Nouakchott; they are presidents Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz of Mauritania, Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and Idriss Deby Itno of Chad

Bulgaria:

Census begins – people can pick their national identity. [May be interesting to see who records themselves as ethnically Turkish]

Switzerland:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Switzerland to push the UN body to condemn Libya.

Switzerland:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivers first-ever addres to UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

Switzerland:

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi meets with a select group of reporters including AP. Expected from 1700 GMT.

Germany:

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits, attends official ceremony of opening CeBIT technology fair in Hanover with Chancellor Angela Merkel; fair itself starts on 1 March

Italy:

Resumption of tax fraud trial of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

Holland:

Radovan Karadzic trial continues

France:

Following up as foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, who is caught up in the wrangling over her controversial Tunisian holiday, leaves the government - first EU victim of Arab revolutions

Belgium:

EU ministers meet to discuss energy policy, including integrating the European energy market, investing in renewable energy and preventing fraud in energy trading.

Belgium:

The British Council and the Migration Policy Group publish a new study that measures integration policies in 31 countries in Europe and North America according to 148 different indicators. The U.S. will be included in the survey for the first time (as will Romania and Bulgaria).

Belgium:

EU to formally impose arms embargo on Libya

US:

President Barack Obama meets UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss Libyan crisis

US:

TED 2011 conference takes place in California

US:

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski begins visit (- 5 Mar)

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Monday 28 February

2011-02-27T20:34:00.001-08:00

From farce to brutality

Chinese authorities turn brutal at any sign of 'Jasmine protests'

Obama backs Bahrain king's pledge

US President Barack Obama expresses his support for the King of Bahrain's affirmed commitment to reform after two weeks of anti-government protests.

What next for Libya with Gaddafi defiant?

The BBC's Frank Gardner analyses what the future may hold for Libya, as Col Gaddafi clings to power despite mounting international pressure.

Gadhafi hits social media

After days of firing on unarmed protesters, Moammar Gadhafi's regime has turned its fury on those it blames for stoking the anti-government uprising: Libyan youths who spread revolution on Facebook and Twitter.

Libya: thousands pour across border into Tunisia

Thousands of Egyptians poured across the border from Libya into Tunisia on Sunday saying they had fled brutality inflicted by Col Muamar Gaddafi's loyalists.

Armed Gaddafi opponents head closer toward Tripoli

Armed rebels opposed to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi were in control of Zawiyah, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of the capital Tripoli, on Sunday and their red, green and black flag flew above the town.

Gaddafi unflinching as rebel city fears counter-attack

Rebels awaited counter-attack by Muammar Gaddafi's forces on Monday, after the Libyan leader defied calls for him to quit in the hardest-fought of the Arab world's wave of uprisings so far

Gaddafi's alleged lover flees country

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's personal Ukrainian nurse and alleged lover has fled violence-torn Libya and returned home.

Oman burns as Yemeni tribal chiefs join forces with opposition

A police station and a government building were on fire on Sunday in the Omani town of Sohar after police clashed with more than 2,000 protesters demanding reforms in the Gulf Arab state, a Reuters witness said.

Sultan Qaboos Appoints New Ministers and Officials

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has issued five Royal Decrees. Royal Decree No 13/2011 appoints Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidy

Egypt to call March referendum next month

Egypt’s ruling military council plans to hold a snap referendum next month on constitutional amendments, a lawyer who helped draft them said on Sunday.

Arab League boss Moussa to run for Egyptian president

Arab League chief Amr Moussa said Sunday he plans to run in Egypt's presidential elections expected later this year.

Four dead in Tunisia violence

Four people have died in new unrest in the Tunisian capital between stone-throwing protesters and police on the sidelines of demonstrations against the interim government

Israeli Panel Finds No Crime in 2002 Assassination

A panel said an assassination of a Hamas leader that killed at least 13 civilians was flawed but the deaths “did not stem from disregard or indifference to human lives.”

Iraqi prime minister gives government 100 days to improve

Iraq's prime minister on Sunday gave his ministers 100 days to improve their performance or risk being fired — an apparent response to a string of deadly anti-government protests against poor public services.

Veteran Juppe named new French foreign minister

Veteran politician Alain Juppe was appointed France's foreign minister on Sunday after Michele Alliot-Marie quit over a series of gaffes that damaged the government at a crucial time for relations with North Africa.

Clash over Cuba dissident march

Cuba's dissident "Ladies in White" are confronted by supporters of the communist government as they demonstrate in Havana.

Hondurans march against violence

Thousands of people join a march against violence in Honduras, which has one of the world's highest murder rates.

Crucial 30 days

Incoming Irish leader Enda Kenny has a busy month ahead of him

La Paz mudslide destroys 400 homes

Heavy rains caused a hilltop to collapse in a poor neighbourhood of the Bolivian capital on Sunday, cracking roads, destroying at least 400 homes and burying people's belongings under mud and debri

Berlusconi fraud court case resumes

Italian PM no longer immune from prosecution as sex life and business practices put under spotlight

Failed coup attempt in Congo

Nine dead after gunmen with machetes attacked presidential residence.

Kremlin's Plan to Prevent a Facebook Revolution

Recent events in the Arab world have sparked renewed optimism with online social networks. Many in the West are now convinced that Internet technology can create something previously impossible under authoritarian states - a strong opposition that can seize power through either elections or street demonstrations

Spanish tourism boosted by Arab unrest

Spain is getting a boost to its hugely important tourist industry as northern European sunseekers shun popular resorts in Egypt and Tunisia because of upheavels there.

Zuma launches new mining company

South Africa launches a state-owned mining company, the African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation

Over 20,000 Chinese evacuated from Libya

More than 20,000 Chinese nationals out of the estimated 33,000 had been evacuated from unrest-wracked Libya as of Sunday morning, according to latest figures from China's Foreign Minist

Sun storm may be 'global Katrina'

A space storm could cost the world trillions, says top UK scientist.

Nuclear pioneer was a national hero

Zhu Guangya, a nuclear physicist and one of the key scientists engaged in the development of China's first atom bomb and first hydrogen bomb, died on Saturday at the age of 87.

Welsh town overrun by 250 gypsy horses

A town is being overrun by a pack of 250 wild horses abandoned by gypsies who can't afford to feed them.

Prohibition fight in India's villages

Grassroots movement invokes little-known law in effort to tackle alcohol abuse in dozens of Punjab villages

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What's Happening Today - Sunday 27 February

2011-02-26T20:19:00.001-08:00

Japan:

World's first robot marathon finishes in Osaka

China:

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to hold an online chat with internet users in China and overseas ahead of plenary session of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress; Wen took part in similar events in 2009 and 2010

China:

Internet users calling for second round of weekly "Jasmine Revolution" protests in major cities

Thailand:

Red shirts hold memorial ceremony in Bangkok

Russia:

Opposition rally against ruling One Russia party held in western city of Kaliningrad

Bahrain:

General strike and march in protest against detention of demonstrators following protests in mid-February

Palestine:

Palestinians to pick new cabinet on Facebook, following Salam Fayyad’s invitation to participate.

Tunisia:

Spanish PM travels to Tunisia, Qatar and UAE

Libya:

Watching developments after UN Security Council unanimously votes to impose travel bans and asset freezes on Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi and other senior Libyan figures in response to violent crackdown on protesters

Mauritania:

The five African leaders discussing efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in Ivory Coast are scheduled to meet in Nouackchott

South Africa:

Governing African National Congress kicks off local election campaign at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg

Benin:

First round of presidential election. A run-off is due to take place on 13 March 2011, if necessary.

Lithuania:

Municipal elections

Germany:

Turkish PM visits Germany

US:

Oscar awards for best U.S. films

Chile:

First anniversary of 8.8-magnitude earthquake.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Sunday 27 February

2011-02-26T20:18:00.001-08:00

Security Council Calls for War Crimes Inquiry in Libya

The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to impose sanctions on Libya’s leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, and called for a war crimes investigation.

Envoy claims Libyans set up caretaker government

Libya's top envoy to the U.S. claimed Saturday that opponents of Moammar Gadhafi's regime are rallying behind efforts to establish an alternative government led by a former Libyan minister. He said the international community should back the movement....

Benghazi's joy at new-found freedom

The Libyan port city of Benghazi is now firmly under opposition control, much to the delight of many residen

Exclusive pictures from Libya by Telegraph photographer Julian Simmonds

Exclusive pictures from Libya by Telegraph photographer Julian Simmonds

Long Bread Lines and Barricades in Libya’s Capital

An effort by Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi to prove that he was in control appeared to backfire as foreign journalists he invited in discovered open defiance.

UK's secret £10 billion talks with Libya

The British Government was brokering a secret deal worth up to £10 billion with Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime before Libya descended into chaos, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.

Bahrain Opposition Leader Returns

Hassan Mushaima exhorted a crowd of tens of thousands to continue demonstrating until they achieved a “successful revolution.”

Sunni-Shi'ite Divide Clouds Prospects for Reform in Bahrain

The monarchist regime buys time for itself by rallying Sunnis on sectarian lines, but the result could be dangerous long-term divisions

Egypt backs constitution changes

Egypt's army passes a draft of constitutional amendments to be submitted to a national referendum ahead of elections to be held within six months.

Egypt panel proposes competitive presidential elections

An Egyptian panel tasked with amending the country's constitution recommended Saturday easing restrictions on who can run for president and imposing presidential term limits — two key demands of the popular uprising that pushed longtime President Hosni Mubarak from power.

Iran's first nuclear plant faces more delays

Iran's surprise announcement it will have to remove fuel from its first nuclear reactor suggests a new setback for its atomic ambitions, but the reason for the unusual step and how long it may take remain unclear.

Numbers dwindling for Algerian protest movement

About 50 protesters attended a banned rally in the Algerian capital on Saturday, a drop in numbers indicating that opposition hopes of emulating popular uprisings elsewhere in the Arab world were fading.

Iraq's largest oil refinery bombed

Beiji refinery is among two to be shut down on the same day after fire at smaller refinery in Iraq's south

Israeli Strikes Wound Man and Baby

Israeli warplanes bombed a half-dozen targets in the Gaza Strip, wounding a 7-month-old girl and a Palestinian man, medics in the coastal territory said.

Soldiers confront youths in Tunis

Tunisian soldiers fired in the air and used tear gas in an effort to disperse dozens of youths who broke shop windows in central Tunis on Saturday.

Sheik Wants Yemeni Leader to Quit

In a significant challenge to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a powerful tribal leader has called for his downfall.

Mideast Unrest Spreads to Nicaragua -- Virtually

Inspired by the protests in Egypt and Libya, Nicaraguan activists take to Facebook to challenge a reelection bid by President Daniel Ortega

In Beijing, Still Wary of a Jasmine Revolt

The organizers' original effort did not result in a "Jasmine Revolution," and it seems unlikely that subsequent attempts will either. But you couldn't tell that from the official reaction

Headless bodies dumped in Mexico

Four dead bodies with their heads severed are dumped in the Mexican border city of Nuevo Laredo, in the latest atrocity blamed on drugs gangs.

Fine Gael celebrate in Irish elections

The Republic of Irelands's ruling party, Fianna Fail has suffered a humiliating defeat in the country's general election.

Ireland's new government on a collision course with EU

Country's ruling party wiped out in austerity programme backlash.

Largest crowds since Vietnam War march in Wisconsin

A crowd estimated at more than 70,000 people on Saturday waved American flags, sang the national anthem and called for the defeat of a Wisconsin plan to curb public sector unions that has galvanized opposition from the American labor movement.

Cuba to release key dissident

Cuba is to release the jailed dissident Diosdado Gonzalez, who had refused to go into exile in Spain, the Roman Catholic Church says.

Oil price set to double if production is cut off

Oil prices could hit $200 a barrel if the unrest in the Middle East spreads to countries such as Algeria and Saudi Arabia, according to analysts at Nomura. They predicted a doubling in the price if production were to be cut off by the world's biggest producers.

Top Libyan oil firm staff join protests - Quryna

Employees at Libya's Arabian Gulf Oil Co (Agoco) have joined the revolt against leader Muammar Gaddafi and have kept operations going since the unrest started, the online edition of the Quryna newspaper reported on Saturday.

China's Wen says price rises threaten social stability

Rapid price rises in China have affected social stability, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Sunday, telling citizens that taming inflation is a government priority that he is sure can be met.

French radio to boycott United

French radio stations have vowed to boycott the Manchester United versus Marseille Champions League clash next month over the "exorbitant" transmission fees being demanded by the English Premier League giant.

Garipçe is hopeful about third Bosporus bridge’s contribution

As Garipçe, a neighborhood in İstanbul’s Sarıyer district, has been selected as the European end of the third bridge that will be constructed over the Bosporus, residents of the area are hopeful that the third bridge and the historic buildings that will be renovated and opened to the public in the area will make significant contributions to Garipçe’s social and financial situation.

The lost diary of Queen Victoria's final companion

Abdul Karim's writings throw new light on a controversial relationship.

Pagans campaign for Census voice

Pagans campaign for druids and witches to declare their religious affiliation in next month's Census to gain greater recognition for the group.

Knee-high humanoid wins first robot marathon

A knee-high humanoid narrowly wins the world's first full-length marathon for two-legged robots, in the Japanese city of Osaka.

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What's Happening Today - Thursday 24 February

2011-02-23T20:37:00.001-08:00

New Zealand:

22-member Taiwanese rescue team arrives in Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island.

Japan:

Third and final day of Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference in Tokyo

Taiwan:

China's top envoy to Taiwan, Chen Yunlin, continues visit (-28)

South Korea:

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visits for talks with counterpart Kim Sung-hwan; expected to focus on differences over North Korea's nuclear programme; second and final day

Indonesia:

Abu Bakr Bashir faces his second trial under terrorism act.

Brunei:

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will make a two-day working visit

India:

Indian Government unveils budget for state monopoly Indian Railways (0630).

Pakistan:

Deadline for government to meet 10 demands put forward by opposition party Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz

Russia:

Russia votes on 2010 Person of the Year

Russia:

President Dmitry Medvedev meets Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan.

Russia:

King of Spain Juan Carlos visits St Petersburg, accompanied by Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez Garcia-Herrera and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade Miguel Sebastian Gascon; meets President Dmitriy Medvedev for dinner (-25)

Russia:

New-generation Glonass-K navigation satellite launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome

Azerbaijan:

Hungarian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Zsolt Nemeth to visit

Azerbaijan:

US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon visit from Armenia

UAE:

Tenth annual International Defence Exhibition and Conference concludes (IDEX)

Oman:

UK Prime Minister David Cameron continues regional tour of Oman Qatar, Egypt and Kuwait

Bahrain:

Deadline set by opposition for government to resign; opposition threatens to start civil disobedience if not met

Jordan:

Islamist groups including Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Action Front prepare for pro-reform rallies on "Friday of Rage" (25); protesters plan to set up camp outside Al-Husayni Mosque tonight

Israel:

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visiting for talks on cultural, education, health and military cooperation

Egypt:

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle visits

Egypt:

Stock market expected to re-open; was closed on 28 January after the benchmark Egyptian index lost about 17 per cent of its value in two days of trading.

Libya:

Watching developments after Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi yesterday fought to maintain hold on west while protesters consolidated control over cities in east

Libya:

Iskenderun ferry arrives in Libya to start evacuating thousands of Turkish expats.

Algeria:

Butafliqa may change ministers who have remained in government for a long time, may deliver a speech on the occasion of the anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons

South Africa:

The African National Congress and its trade union and communist partners will hold an alliance summit.

South Africa:

Finnish President Tarja Halonen visits South Africa, has talks with counterpart Jacob Zuma; the two co-chair meeting of UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability

Ukraine:

'Guam' foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine meet in Kiev

Ukraine:

Nato secretary general visits Ukraine

Bulgaria:

EU Defence Ministers Meeting (Informal)

Romania:

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy meets Romanian President Traian Basescu.

Albania:

Lawmakers to vote on lifting the immunity of former economy minister Dritan Prifti, accused of corruption, a week after they lifted immunity for former deputy premier Ilir Meta, paving the way for him to be investigated in a case that has triggered a severe political crisis. Parliament session starts at 0900 GMT.

Austria:

Press round-table with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis, whose country currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. 1445 GMT.

Germany:

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano meets Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Christian Wulff. A Joint news conference to follow (1515).

Germany:

Finance minister speaks in Frankfurt. Wolfgang Schaeuble is scheduled to speak on "the relationship between state and financial markets-learning from the crisis" at the Centre for Financial Studies in Frankfurt at 14:00 GMT.

Belgium:

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels for discussions on energy, trade foreign policy

France:

France releases unemployment figures

France:

President Nicholas Sarkozy meets rival Dominique de Villepin over G8 and G20

UK:

Belmarsh Magistrates Court in London delivers ruling in Sweden's extradition case against Wikileaks website founder Julian Assange

UK:

Research predicts world's biggest mud volcano in Indonesia will keep erupting for 26 years

Canada:

Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) leaders from Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Russia conclude meetings to develop a common Inuit position on resource development in the Arctic

UN:

Launch of UN Women takes place in New York. The speakers are due to include the General Assembly president, Joseph Deiss, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, and the UN Women executive director, Michelle
Bachelet. The event begins at 18:00.

UN:

Security Council debates East Timor and Middle East

Panama:

Latin American Cities conference takes place in Panama

Argentina

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez will hold talks with her Uruguayan counterpart Enrique Mujica in Buenos Aires.

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My Press Review - Thursday 24 February

2011-02-23T20:35:00.001-08:00

Rebels Hope for Qaddafi’s Fall but Remain Fearful

For many in the Libyan opposition, failure to remove Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi could mean death.

Libyan protesters keep up struggle, death toll 1,000

Militiamen loyal to Muammar Gaddafi clamped down in Tripoli, with the sound of gunfire ringing in the air, while protesters who control much of the eastern half of Libya claimed new gains in cities and towns closer to the heart of Gaddafi's regime in the capital.

Interviews with Mercenaries

TIME's correspondent in Libya comes across a group of alleged Gaddafimercenaries. But many may turn out to be just more of Gaddafi's victims

Italy fears 300,000 refugees

Italy fears that up to 300,000 Libyans could try to reach Italian soil as a result of the chaos in the North African country.

Kremlin Sees Peril in Arab Unrest

In remarks more natural for his hawkish predecessor, Vladimir Putin, President Dmitry Medvedev said the latest revolts in the Arab world were instigated by outside forces that were also scheming to topple the authorities in Russia.

Rescue of 25,000 Turks from Libya priority for government

The government recently briefed opposition parties, who accused Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of acting too passively in the face of the recent turmoil in Libya, to appeal to them to avoid turning the matter into a topic of domestic politics. Erdoğan reminded them that what is at stake is the safety of 25,000 Turkish citizens currently stranded in Libya.

Bahrain frees prisoners to mollify protesters

Bahrain has freed 23 people accused of trying to topple the island’s Sunni Muslim monarchy, along with other prisoners and people detained in last week’s protests, a Shiite opposition lawmaker said on Wednesday.

The battle for Bahrain

The fervor for change that inspired revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt is now rocking Bahrain.

My trip to Yemen

Shock at reality of life on 'front line of terror'

Yemen Protests: How Long Can It Hang Tough Against the Thugs?

Unlike Egypt, there is no surge of a growing but irate middle class to push the revolution forward. And then there are the baltegeya

Yemen rallies after demonstrator killed in clashes

Thousands streamed into a square in Yemen's capital of Sanaa on Wednesday, February 23, trying to bolster anti-government protesters after club-wielding backers of President Ali Abdullah Saleh tried to drive them ou

Algerian police who beat students to be punished

The head of communications for the Algerian police says officers who beat up two students at a recent demonstration could face criminal proceedin

Arab Unrest Propels Iran as Saudi Influence Declines

Iran has already benefited from the ouster or undermining of Arab leaders who were its strong adversaries and has begun to project its growing influence, analysts say.

Iraq’s Top Shiite Leaders Urge Delay of Protests

Moktada al-Sadr and the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani dealt a significant blow to protest organizers, who had hoped to fill Iraq’s streets with millions calling for improved government services.

South Sudan's accusations of northern interference stoke tensions

South Sudan's charges that Khartoum is arming rebel movements to destabilize the future independent country could further strain between the historic rivals.

Moroccan single mother burns herself in protest

A young Moroccan set herself on fire after being excluded from a social housing scheme because she was an unmarried mother, a local government official said on Wednesday, February 23.

NATO: Afghan attrition remains stubbornly high

Attrition rates in Afghan security forces remain stubbornly high, but there is no shortage of recruits so NATO still expects to meet its goal of having 305,000 Afghan soldiers and policemen by October, a general in the alliance said on Wednesday, February 23.

New Violence as Strongman of Ivory Coast Fights Ouster

Forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to leave office despite losing a presidential election, assaulted a neighborhood of Abidjan that is a center of support for his riva

Indian trade unions rally over food prices

Tens of thousands of trade unionists marched through the capital yesterday in protest at high food prices and corruption.

U.S., Russia clash over shared missile program

Talks between the U.S. and Russia over a new anti-ballistic missile system for Europe are stuck on a key point, with Moscow demanding to run the system jointly and Washington refusing to yield.

Calls for a ‘Jasmine Revolution’ in China Persist

Activists have asked citizens to express their displeasure at the lack of reforms by silently meeting in front of department stores or other public areas.

China to execute Uighur murderers

The country's highest court has approved the executions of four men convicted of a series of murders in the restive western region of Xinjiang last yea

Fianna Fáil slips further in polls

Hours before voting begins in Irish Republic, the outgoing ruling party drops to a historically low 14% in opinion polls

Sinking ship

Can Belgium's economy survive without a government?

Georgia Calls for Probe of Former President's Death

Georgian lawmakers have requested a new investigation into the mysterious death of the country's first post-Soviet president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who was ousted in a military coup shortly after leading the country to independence.

Egypt Urges UK’s Support to Cancel Debts to EU

Egypt’s Minister of Finance Samir Radwan called on British Trade and Investment Minister Lord Stephen Green to back

Saudi Arabian King Abdullah announces $35 bln aid for citizens

Saudi King Abdullah unveiled a series of benefits for Saudis estimated to be worth $35 billion on his return home on Wednesday after three months abroad for medical treatment.

Europe rethinks dependence on Libyan oil

Italy and Spain depend on Libya for as much as 22 percent and 13 percent of total crude consumption, respectively, a supply not easily replaced on short notice.

Qatar expresses UK bank interest

Qatar's prime minister expresses an interest in investing in Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group - both part-owned by the UK government.

Oil prices reach $100 per barrel

Oil prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange hit $100 per barrel for the first time since 2008, driven by growing concerns about global supplies, as Libya's Moammar Gadhafi continued to lose his grip on the oil-rich country.

Kuwait, UK Sign Nuclear Energy Agreement

Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met his visiting UK counterpart David Cameron on the

Copper price falls

Copper declined to the lowest level in almost a month on concern that escalating geopolitical tensions may derail the economic recovery.

Anti-abortion billboard in New York sparks outrage

An anti-abortion billboard featuring a young black girl and the slogan "the most dangerous place for an African-American is in the womb" has provoked sharp criticism in New York.

'Water gypsies' fear lifestyle sea change

Tanka communities face wave of uncertainty, Shi Yingying reports in Hainan.

Palestinians' home located inside a metal cage

The al-Ghirayib family lives in one of the stranger manifestations of Israel's 43-year occupation of the West Bank: a Palestinian house inside a metal cage inside an Israeli settlement.

Children at illegal shisha dens

Children as young as 12 are smoking tobacco in illegal shisha dens across Blackburn, officials claim

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What's Happening Today - Wednesday 23 February

2011-02-22T20:34:00.001-08:00

New Zealand:
Search for missing continues following second earthquake

Australia:

Mongolian Prime Minister Suhbaataryn Batbold continues visit (-24)

Japan:

Final day of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's three-day visit

Japan

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari meets Japanese Emperor Akihito (1400).

Japan:

Tokyo hosts Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference

Taiwan

Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin is scheduled to visit Taiwan.

South Korea:

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will visit South Korea to meet with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Song Hwan, and discuss a number of issues, including North Korea. He will then travel to Mongolia to meet the Mongolian foreign minister.

China:

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visits north China's economic hub of Tianjin on third and final day of visit

Hong Kong:

Financial Secretary John Tsang delivers budget speech to Legislative Council

Hong Kong:

Four people including two Cathay Pacific ground staff to be jailed for roles in ring helping illegal migrants from China board planes to other countries; all pleaded guilty on 1 February

Singapore:

Austrian President Heinz Fischer concludes three-day visit

Singapore:

Honduran President Porfirio Lobo is scheduled to visit

Bangladesh:

A 15-member technical team of Russian oil company finalize the technical and financial aspects of agreements to be made with Petrobangla on drilling 10 to 12 wells in different gas fields of the country

Afghanistan:

"Mini-jerga" (which was set up to find solution to impasse over election of Speaker of Wolasi Jerga, lower house of parliament) may announce its conclusions at a sitting of the house; "mini-jerga" is made up of about 60 members of the chamber

Russia:

Day of Defender of Fatherland; officials lay wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier outside Kremlin

ran:

Kerman will hold its first International Clean Energy Conference where discussions will focus on technological developments in clean technology energy projects and issues related to electric power distribution and energy conservation.

Iran:

President Ahmadinejad unveils Iranian-built supercomputers

Turkey:

Malaysian Prime Minister Seri Najib Tun Razak visits to meet counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan; third and final day

Qatar:

UK Prime Minister David Cameron continues regional tour in Qatar and Oman; previously in Egypt and Kuwait

UAE:

Final day of Abu Dhabi hosts 10th annual International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX)

Saudi Arabia:

King Abdallah returns after having spent nearly month recuperating in Morocco following back surgery in US

Saudi Arabia:

Bahrain's King Shaykh Hamad Bin-Isa Bin-Salman Al Khalifah may visit; follows days of deadly unrest in Manama last week

Israel:

25th Jerusalem Book Fair. Italian author Umberto Eco news conference 1200 GMT.

Libya:

Watching developments after leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi made defiant speech last night vowing to put revolt down by force if necessary

South Africa:

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan presents 2011 budget to parliament.

South Africa:

National Defence Force holds "air border safeguarding operation" in Northern Limpopo Province

Ukraine:

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko in Kiev to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation.

Bulgaria

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy visits Bulgaria and meets Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov.

Greece

Private and public sector union GSEE and ADEDY hold a 24-hour nationwide strike against the government's austerity policies and a rally (0900).

Switzerland:

UN press briefing on situation in Afghanistan takes place in Geneva. Robert Watkins, UN deputy special representative of the secretary general for Afghanistan and resident and humanitarian co-ordinator in Afghanistan, is due to discuss the situation from 12:00-12:45

Germany:

Chancellor speaks at election campaign events in Baden-Württemberg

Germany:

Berlin sells notes at auction - 7.0 billion, two-year Federal Treasury Notes (Schatz), due 15 March, 2013.

Finland:

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou visits

Italy:

Interior ministers from France, Cyprus, Malta, Greece and Spain meet ahead of an EU justice Affairs Council meeting to discuss the latest influx of illegal immigrants from North Africa.

Holland:

Status conference in case of former Kosovo PM Ramush Haradinaj takes place at Hague tribunal [ Haradinaj, who handed himself in to the court on 9 March 2006, faces 17 counts of crimes against humanity for murder, rape, persecution, inhumane acts, unlawful detention and the deportation or forcible transfer of civilians. He also faces 20 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war for cruel treatment, murder and rape. He is to appear with Idriz Balaj and Lahi Brahimaj, two other Kosovar Albanian rebel commanders who also turned themselves in. The charges relate to the 1998-99 guerrilla war waged against Serb forces by the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK).

Holland:

Judges deliver verdicts in the trial of former Serb police officer Vlastimir Djordjevic for alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed in Kosovo. Hearing due to start 1315.

Belgium:

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to visit Belgium, accompanied by some 12-15 ministers, including the foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, the finance minister, Alexei Kudrin, the justice minsiter, Alexander Konovalov, and the trade and industry minister, Viktor Khristenko

Belgium:

European Central Bank (ECB) president Jean-Claude Trichet is scheduled to address a Forum on "Perspectives and Challenges of the Belgian and European economies", in Brussels.

Spain:

Uruguayan Foreign Minister Luis Almagro will visit

Spain:

Madrid marks 30th anniversary of attempted military coup against its young post-Franco democracy.

Canada:

Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) leaders from Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Russia meet in Canada to develop common position on resource development in Arctic

UN:

Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea meets to consider report on Pyongyang's nuclear programme, unlikely to adopt as China will use veto

US:

Hillary Clinton hosts meeting with foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan in Washington

Colombia:

Salvadorian President Mauricio Funes will visit Colombia. Funes is scheduled to meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and business representatives.

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My Press Review - Wednesday 23 February

2011-02-22T20:32:00.001-08:00

Gadhafi vows to 'die' rather than flee Libya

Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi vowed Tuesday to "die a martyr" rather than flee his embattled country, as tens of thousands of foreigners rushed across the borders to Tunisia or Egypt or caught emergency flights to Europe.

Governments Try to Remove Citizens From Libya

Nations around the world chartered air and sea transport to evacuate their citizens from a chaotic Libya.

Liberating Libya with Laughter, Facebook and al-Jazeera

TIME's Abigail Hauslohner enters eastern Libya and sits with men who can now do what once would have cost them their lives: talk to Western journalists and laugh at the dictator

Eastern Libya falls to anti-Gaddafi rebels

Rebel soldiers said the eastern region of Libya had broken free from Muammar Gaddafi, who witnesses said was using tanks, warplanes and mercenaries to fight a growing uprising against his rule.

Merkel: Gaddafi speech very frightening

German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's speech on Tuesday, February 22, in which he vowed to cling to power, as very frightening and said he had virtually declared war on his own people.

Prince Senussi expects imminent end for Gaddafi

Muammar Gaddafi's violent struggle to remain in power will not last long, said the exiled crown prince of Libya, whose family he toppled in a 1969 coup

David Cameron says West was wrong to back dictators

Britain and the US have fuelled instability in the Middle East by supporting autocratic regimes that suppress human rights, David Cameron has said

Mullen finds Middle East leaders anxious about upheaval in the region

Adm. Mike Mullen said Persian Gulf leaders have told him they are anxious about uprisings elsewhere in the Middle East and are hoping for peaceful resolution across the r

Libya-Egypt border 'free from Gadaffi'

The eastern provinces of Libya appear to be in opposition hands - with protesters flying the flag of the country's pre-Gaddafi era.

Gazans hope new Egypt regime will end blockade

A rare euphoric mood is sweeping through the Gaza Strip, where people are hoping the downfall of Hosni Mubarak will give the coastal territory a chance to get out from under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade that has stifled the economy.

Egypt replaces several Mubarak-era ministers

Egypt's military rulers swore in a Cabinet with 11 new ministers on Tuesday, February 22, a nod to the protest movement that ousted longtime leader Hosni Mubarak.

Algeria lifting 19-year-old state of emergency

The Algerian president's office agreed Tuesday to lift a 19-year state of emergency in a bid to defuse spiraling and potentially dangerous discontent across the nation.

2 Protesters Killed in Yemen

The first deaths since clashes began between pro- and antigovernment protesters occurred during a sit-in at Sana University, medical workers said.

Thousands of protesters call for Yemeni president’s ouster

About 5,000 anti-government protesters have rallied in a town in eastern Yemen, calling for the ouster of the country's president. President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the target of widespread protests for the past three weeks, has said he will not step down before the end of his term in 20

Iran militia claims credit for VOA cyberstrike

An Iranian government official on Tuesday claimed the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was behind a recent computer attack that disrupted Voice of America Internet programming.

Bahraini monarch orders release of political prisoners

Bahrain’s king ordered the release of some political prisoners Tuesday, conceding to another opposition demand as the embattled monarchy tries to engage protesters in talks aimed at ending an uprising that has entered its second week.

King Abdullah to return home on February 23

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah will return to the kingdom on Wednesday afternoon following medical treatment, state television reported on Tuesday.

Tensions rise over Afghan civilian deaths

An investigation into claims that international troops killed scores of civilians in northeast Afghanistan escalated into a feud Tuesday between President Hamid Karzai and senior U.S. military officials who cited a report that Afghan parents have been known to discipline children by burning their hands and feet

Al-Ghannushi says Turkey’s democracy a model for Tunisia

Tunisia's key opposition leader, Rashid Al-Ghannushi, has said the Tunisian people consider the Turkish experience in democracy a model and an example for Tunisia's post-revolution period.

AK Party submits bill to hold elections on June 12

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has submitted a bill to Parliament asking it to hold the next parliamentary elections on June 12 of this year.

Son of Iran’s Karoubi arrested

Iranian security forces have arrested a son of opposition leader Mehdi Karoubi, his website reported on Tuesday, one week after his supporters took to the streets in their first demonstrations in more than a year

‘Google caused Egypt unrest’

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s deputy blamed Google Inc. in an interview published on Tuesday for stirring up trouble in the revolution that ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak.

Thaci re-appointed as Kosovo PM

Kosovo's parliament re-elects Hashim Thaci as prime minister, despite allegations that he has been involved in organ-trafficking.

Emanuel elected mayor of Chicago

Emanuel, the former aide to Barack Obama, needed to win the race by 50% or more to avoid a run-off election which he has done easily, overwhelming five rivals to take the helm of the third-largest US city

Second major quake slams New Zealand

One of New Zealand's biggest cities lay in ruins Tuesday after a powerful earthquake toppled tall buildings and churches on a busy weekday, killing at least 65 people in the country's worst natural disaster in decades.

Oil keeps climbing on Libya fears

Oil prices continue to climb in Asian trading, hitting their highest levels since October 2008 as Libyan unrest intensifies.

Japan sees surprise trade deficit

Japan posts a trade deficit in January for the first time in 22 months, data from the Ministry of Finance shows.

1.6m children 'in severe poverty'

About 1.6m children in the UK are living in severe poverty, charity Save the Children says, a figure it calls a "national scandal".

With Mubarak gone, Egyptians turn to courts for justice

Egyptians are filing a flood of cases against everyone from the interior minister to local cops, feeling safe for the first time in decades to challenge those who once acted with near impunity.

Toxins from South African mines threaten city

Toxic liquids building up in defunct gold mines beneath Johannesburg could reach environmentally dangerous levels by June 2012, officials and scientists said yesterday.

Desire to wed drove some Cairo protesters

Ask a young Egyptian man what he wants from the revolution, and he will say "freedom." Ask him why, and he's very likely to say, "So I can get married."

Indian man has 39 wives, nearly 100 children

The more, the merrier is certainly true for Ziona Chana, a 66-year-old man in India's remote northeast who has 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren - and wouldn't mind having more

Married German ordained as Catholic priest

In a rare move that needed the pope's approval, a Lutheran convert was ordained Tuesday as a Catholic priest in Germany and is being allowed to remain married to his wife, who already had become a nun

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What's Happening Today - Tuesday 22 February

2011-02-21T20:31:00.001-08:00

New Zealand:

US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano wraps up visit

New Zealand:

Emergency cabinet meeting to discuss earthquake that hit Christchurch earlier in day; Prime Minister John Key to try to visit Christchurch for first-hand look; state of emergency declared in area for next five days

Japan:

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari continues visit (-23)

Taiwan:

Religious leaders and scholars from more than 20 countries are scheduled to participate at last day of a seminar organized by the Muslim World League

China:

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev meets with China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Indonesia:

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting in Jakarta; border row between Thailand and Cambodia on agenda

India:

Protests expected in Jammu and Kashmir after separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani ordered not to leave Delhi and appear for questioning

Pakistan:

Demonstration outside US consulate in Lahore in protest against killing of two locals by US citizen Raymond Davis in January; Washington is insisting that Davis has diplomatic immunity, but Islamabad has said will leave to court to decide; next hearing is on 14

Afghanistan:

President of Afghanistan opens parliament session

Russia:

Russian permanent representative to NATO Dmitriy Rogozin gives news conference (1015 gmt) on European anti-ballistic missile system plans

Russia:

Final simulation of human landing on Mars

Iran:

Speaker of Senegal parliament is to visit Iran

Bahrain:

Large Shia demonstration expected in Bahrain, following burial of victims

Bahrain:

Opposition protests expected; postponed from 18 February to allow families to mourn four demonstrators killed by police; exiled Shi'i leader Hasan Mushaymah has announced is returning home late today despite outstanding charges against him; list of (mainly Shi'i) prisoners pardoned by King Hamad yesterday due to be released

Saudi Arabia:

Riyadh hosts extraordinary meeting of International Energy Forum; ministers from Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and consumer countries discuss oil output prospects - to be dominated by the ongoing regional unrest stoking oil prices above USD 100 a barrel.

Yemen:

Teachers go on strike demanding better employment rights

Israel:

Sentencing of former President Moshe Qatzav, who was convicted of rape in December

Gaza:

Rafah crossing between Egypt, Gaza will be opened for people who wish to depart from Gaza, with 300 expected to pass a day

Egypt:

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton visits Cairo; first visit by top-level foreign official to Egypt since toppling of President Husni Mubarak

Egypt:

Rallies planned to demand faster reform, resignation of current cabinet; Authorities reopen Rafah crossing on border with Gaza for travel both ways; previously opened on 18th to allow people into Gaza only

Sudan:

Senior British parliamentary delegation under the chairmanship of Baroness Kinnock visits for three days to meet a number of Sudanese officials

Libya:

Watching developments after leader Col Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi made brief appearance on TV early this morning to refute reports that had left country

Tunisia:

Economy Minister Christine Lagarde visits Tunisia, less than a fortnight after the visit to France by Tunisian Minister for Economic and Social Reform Elyes Jouini.

Algeria:

Council of Ministers expected to lift state of emergency imposed 19 years ago; follows several pro-reform rallies

Kenya:

President Kibaki's Party of National Unity intends to challenge House Speaker's ruling against his making the nominations to the four constitutional offices

Ivory Coast:

New Cote d'Ivoire ambassadors appointed by Alassane Ouattara begins work in the United States, and soon more appointed in EU

Switzerland:

WTO General Council (to Feb. 23)

Germany:

Chancellor Angela Merkel receives Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou for talks expected to be dominated by loan repayment issues

Germany:

Court session scheduled in the trial of Ukrainian-born John Demjanjuk, on trial on 28,060 counts of accessory to murder for allegedly having been a guard at the Sobibor death camp. He denies the charges.

Bosnia:

Serb Assembly to convene to discuss bills, amendments to census law and comments by Speaker Radojcic

Holland:

Serb ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj goes on trial for contempt of court for allegedly revealing the identities of protected witness in a book he wrote from his jail cell at the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal.

Holland:

Trial of Bosnian Serb military commander Zdravko Tolimir continues at Hague war crimes court

Holland:

Trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic continues at the Hague

Belgium:

EU-Israel Association Council meets in Brussels

Ireland:

Leaders of Ireland's three main parties hold their last televised debate ahead of Friday's election.

Brazil:

French Foreign Minister Michelle Alliot-Marie in Brasilia on last day of visit

UN:

Security Council meets to discuss Libyan crisis; called at request of deputy Libyan ambassador to UN Ibrahim Dabbashi; yesterday Dabbashi and other mission staff sided with revolt and issued statement calling for overthrow of Qadhafi; ambassador Abd-al-Rahman Shalqam not associated with statement and appears to have left New York

US:

Chicago holds mayoral election. The six candidates include former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who is looking to win a majority needed to avoid a runoff.

US:

UN Commission on the Status of Women 2011 meets in New York

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My Press Review - Tuesday 22 February

2011-02-21T20:30:00.001-08:00

Gadhafi losing grip on Libya

The United States on Monday demanded an end to the "unacceptable bloodshed" in Libya with violence spreading in Tripoli, as Moammar Gadhafi appeared to be losing his iron grip on his oil-rich nation as it became swept up in the Arab uprisings gripping the Middle East.

Gaddafi lashes out as power slips away

• TV statement: 'I am in Tripoli not Venezuela'
• Pilots defect after 'orders to bomb protesters'
• Libyan diplomats resign en-masse

Libya: up to a million refugees could pour into Europe

The collapse of Colonel Gaddafi's regime could result in a tidal wave of refugees and illegal immigrants pouring into Europe, EU ministers were warned on Monday night.

Libya: intelligence agency 'jamming' television signals

Libya's intelligence agency is behind the powerful jamming that has disrupted Al Jazeera television's signal across much of the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab satellite broadcaster said on Monday.

Libya’s envoy to India quits in protest

Libya’s ambassador to India has resigned in protest at his government’s violent crackdown on demonstrators calling for the ouster of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on Monday.

Libyan minister quits over crackdown

Libyan Justice Minister Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil has resigned over "the excessive use of violence against government protesters," Libya's privately-owned Quryna newspaper reporte

Libyan flag pulled from London embassy

A protester took down the Libyan flag from the embassy in London, replacing it with the national flag from the pre-Gaddafi era.

Libya: eyewitness account from the streets of Tripoli

Gunshots and explosions could be heard across the ancient Italianate streets of Tripoli from dawn to dust and late into the night.

Egypt army says Libyan security left border

Egypt's army said on Monday that Libyan border guards had withdrawn from their side of the border between the two North African states, according to a posting on the army's Facebook page. "Members of the Libyan border guard withdrew from (the Libyan side of the border) and it is currently in the control of people's committees," the statement said, without making clear whether the groups now in control of the border were loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Five dead in Morocco protests

The Moroccan Interior Ministry has said that dozens of banks and government buildings were attacked in violence on Sunday following widespread protests calling for constitutional reform.

Mullen defends plans to meet with Middle East leaders

Adm. Mike Mullen said he held “pretty frank” discussions Monday with Saudi Arabia’s military leaders about the turmoil in Bahrain, defending his plans to meet with officials from regimes across the region this week, amid ongoing pro-democracy protests.

Exiled opposition leader to return to Bahrain

A prominent opposition figure accused by Bahrain of plotting against the state plans to return from London, an aide said Monday, in a move that could bolster protesters and force authorities into difficult choices.

Bahrain protesters seek to overthrow royal family

A group of young protesters camped out in Bahrain's capital on Monday called for the ouster of the entire ruling monarchy as part of sweeping demands to call off a weeklong uprising in this tiny, but strategically important, Gulf nation.

Egyptians to rally again

Egyptian online democracy activists are calling for a demonstration Tuesday to demand the removal of the country's interim government, saying it contains too many old faces.

Algeria: students protest Algiers

About 500 students have rallied in Algeria's capital, part of the wave of unrest in Arab world to register discontent with national governments.

Sudan's Bashir not to stand in next election: party official

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will not stand for re-election, an official of his National Congress Party said on Monday, insisting, however, that he was "not under pressure" from the wave of protests rocking the Arab world.

Yemen’s Saleh says will not be forced out

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said protesters demanding an end to his 32-year rule could not achieve their goal through “anarchy and killing,” after nationwide unrest which has killed 12 people since Thursday.

Why Yemen's youths are not bowing to government pressure, violence

Despite brutal attacks against them throughout the past week, Yemen’s idealistic youths continue to be the main voice pressing for regime change. Monday, they engaged in a peaceful sit-in.

Did Ugandan President Buy Election?

An opposition movement is growing in Uganda after Yoweri Museveni was elected president. Critics say he stole the election and protests are coming.

Iranian warships' passage postponed

The passage of two Iranian naval vessels through the Suez Canal has been delayed by 48 hours, a canal official said on Sunday, partly due to heavy pressure from Israel and its allies

Dim View of U.S. in Bahrain Described

American advisers say the American military undermined efforts to improve relations with Bahrain’s Shiite majority and understated abuses by the Sunni royal family.

Hundreds of Filipinos flee erupting volcano

Hundreds of people have fled their homes in central Philippines after a volcano spewed a 1.2-mile-high column of ash, blanketing several villages.

Japan creating spy agency for first time after Second World War

Japan is creating an espionage agency for the first time since the end of the Second World War, amid growing tensions with its superpower neighbour China and nuclear-armed North Korea.

German minister resigns doctorate

Germany's Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is giving up his doctoral title for good, after claims he plagiarised sections of his thesis.

Oil prices surge on fear of Libyan unrest

Oil prices soared and global stocks plunged Monday on signs that Libya, a major exporter, will cut oil production amid spreading violence and unrest.

Chinese firm 'owns' telephone system in Iraq

A Chinese telecommunications company suspected of links to China's military has won hundreds of contracts in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, some paid in part with U.S. tax dollars, and now effectively owns the country's phone syste

Egypt seeks Mubarak assets freeze

Egypt's top prosecutor requests the freezing of the foreign assets of Hosni Mubarak, 10 days after he was forced to stand down amid mass rallies.

China starts Bahamas resort work

China starts work on a $2.6bn (£1.6bn) Bahamas-based holiday resort as its state-owned firms expand their economic reach.

Unrest forces Bahrain to postpone Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix, which was to have opened the Formula One World Championship on 13 March, has been cancelled due to the political problems in the country. The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) confirmed the news yesterday as talks continue following the recent unrest which saw five people killed by Bahraini security forces.

Philippines peace deal 'by 2012'

The Philippines government and communist rebels set a goal of peace by 2012, at the talks in Norway, the first in more than six years.

Grain grabbers

How food has been 'stolen' from the poorest in India

Child brain scans to pick out future criminals

Seeds of criminal behaviour 'found in three year-olds'.

Students may carry guns on campus in Texas

Texas is preparing to give college students and staff the right to carry guns on campus. More than half of the Texas House of Representatives have signed a measure allowing concealed handguns at universities.

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What's Happening Today - Monday 21 February

2011-02-20T20:35:00.001-08:00

New Zealand:

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

Australia:

Mongolian Prime Minister Suhbaataryn Batbold continues visit (-24)

Japan:

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visits to meet Prime Minister Naoto Kan, cabinet members, MPs, businessmen

South Korea:

Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa continues visit (-22); meets government and local officials to discuss charter cities and development issues (-22)

China:

Greek maritime affairs minister Giannis Diamantidis continues visit to Beijing (-24); aiming to promote Greek ocean-going shipping interests and prospects for shipbuilding contracts

China:

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visits for talks with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, top legislator Wu Bangguo

India:

Parliament re-convenes for the budget session.

India:

International Conference on Cities and Climate Change takes place in New Delhi

India:

Bombay High Court said it would deliver its verdict on confirmation of death sentence awarded to Ajmal Kasab for his role in the 26/11 terror attacks

Russia:

Mikhail Gorbachev holds news conference of his thoughts as he approaches his 80th birthday March 2.

Russia:

Second and final day of North Korea's Foreign Trade Minister Ri Ryong-nam visit; attends Russian-North Korean intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation meeting today

Afghanistan:

Some 1.8 million tonnes of fuel begins to be imported from the Russian Federation to Afghanistan. Hoped that fuel prices will fall by up to 15 per cent in the market.

Afghanistan:

Commission set up to find ways of electing the Speaker to rule on the candidates meeting the standard for political understanding.

Turkey:

Turkish State Minister Zafer Caglayan chairs emergency meeting with high-profile Turkish business groups and companies doing business in Libya to discuss situation there; assets owned by Turkish companies operating in Libya have been attacked over weekend with warehouses, building depots burnt and cars stolen; many Turkish workers have been moved to safer areas

Kuwait:

British Prime Minister David Cameron visits Kuwait, Oman, Qatar.

Bahrain:

Monitoring protests

UAE:

Tenth annual International Defence Exhibition and Conference continues in Abh Dhabi (-24)

Saudi Arabia:

Greek Deputy Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Giannis Maniatis visits from Israel

Yemen:

Monitoring protests

Egypt:

EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy visits Egypt

Egypt:

Summit on child malnutrition takes place in Egypt in partnership with WFP

Libya:

Watching developments after reports that unrest has spread to capital Tripoli; Libyan state TV from Tripoli still showing pro-Al-Qadhafi protesters on streets

Tunisia:

Turkey's foreign minister will travel to Tunisia

Kenya:

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council Meeting (to Feb. 25).

Zimbabwe:

President Robert Mugabe turns 87.

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

Namibia:

Finnish President Tarja Halonen visits Windhoek to meet counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba

Ivory Coast:

Presidents of South Africa, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Chad and Mauritania due in Abidjan from Mauretania where held strategy meeting yesterday; due to meet representatives of rival claimants for presidency

Czech Republic:

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski visits Czech Republic (to Feb. 22) and meets President Vaclav Klaus. A news conference to follow (1050).

Czech Republic:

International Monetary Fund (IMF) to present its "Concluding statement" for the Czech Republic (1515).

Serbia:

UN chief war crimes prosecutor for the former Yugoslavia Serge Brammertz arrives to evaluate efforts to capture top fugitive Ratko Mladic after criticizing Serbia's record on the issue.

Serbia:

Ministers Dinkic and Kalanovic resignation accepted by assembly

Switzerland:

UN international panel for prevention of torture meets in Geneva

Germany:

Berlin's Ifo institute releases its monthly index of business confidence, a closely watched indicator for Europe's biggest economy.

Germany:

Greek prime minister George Papandreou visits Germany

Kosovo

Assembly holds inauguration session. The creation of new institutions stemming from the 12 December general election seen as important step to avoid institutional crisis.

Norway:

Last day of formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front, the negotiating arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army

Holland:

Trial of former Bosnian Croat leader continues at Hague war crimes tribunal. Jadranko Prlic, the former prime minister of the wartime Croat region of Herceg-Bosna, faces 26 charges of war crimes and crimes against
humanity. Also charged are Bruno Stojic, Slobodan Praljak, Milivoj Petkovic, Valentin Coric and Berislav Pusic, all former high-ranking political and military officials of the then Herceg-Bosna.

Belgium:

EU trade commissioner gives speech at Nato Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels

Belgium:

EU Foreign Affairs Council; discuss developments in Arab world

Spain:

Israeli President Shimon Peres begins visit (-24); during stay will meet King Juan Carlos, Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez, opposition leader Mariano Rajoy and speaker Jose Bono Martinez; delivers major speech to special session of Spanish Congress

Cuba:

Annual Habanos festival (to Feb. 25). A festival where people can puff away at the world's finest cigars, tour factories to see the cigars being rolled by hand and visit tobacco plantations outside Havana.

UN:

International Mother Language Day observed

Brazil:

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visits Guinea to lay the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the Conakry-Kankan railway line

Ecuador:

Deadline for Constitutional Court to rule on constitutionality of ten questions government wants to put to national referendum; if justices fail to decide, questions will go to referendum in current form

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My Press Review - Monday 21 February

2011-02-20T20:33:00.001-08:00

Gaddafi's Son: The Dynasty Goes to the Ramparts

In a rambling speech, the colonel's son -- and a darling of the west -- says his family is Libya's only way out of catastrophe

Unrest spreads to Libyan capital as Arab protests simmer

Violent unrest against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi spread to the capital Tripoli on Sunday and his son vowed to fight until the "last man standing" after scores of protesters were killed in the east of the country.

Gaddafi's Son Warns of Civil War in Libya

Appearing on Libyan state television after midnight Sunday, Seif al-Islam Gaddafi said the army still backed his father

Libya: 'We're not living like humans'

Sara lives in the capital of Libya, Tripoli and described what life is like for young women there.

Libyan forces attack Benghazi protesters, at least 200 dead

Libyan security forces opened fired on mourners at a funeral for anti-government protesters in the eastern city of Benghazi again on Sunday, a day after commandos and foreign mercenaries loyal to long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi pummeled demonstrators with assault rifles and other heavy weaponry as well as knives. A doctor at one city hospital said he counted 200 dead in his morgue alone since unrest began six days ago.

Yemeni separatist leader arrested, protests draw fire

The leader of Yemen’s secessionist Southern Movement was arrested in Aden and shots were fired at a demonstration in Sanaa on Sunday as unrest hit the impoverished Arab country for a ninth consecutive day.

Yemen president struggles to quell protests

Yemen's embattled president on feb. 20 sought a way out of the political crisis gripping his impoverished Arab nation, offering to oversee a dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition to defuse the standoff with protesters demanding his ouster.

Bahrain protesters back in square, talks expected on crisis

Thousands of Bahraini protesters set up a tent city in a Manama square that has come to symbolize their cause, some calling on Sunday for immediate political change and others hoping for talks to resolve the crisi

Bahrain king under pressure to sack prime minister uncle

The king of Bahrain came under heavy opposition pressure to prove his newly-stated commitment to reform yesterday by sacking his unpopular uncle, the world's longest-serving prime minister.

Tunisian forces fire in air to disperse rally, protesters defiant

Tunisian security forces fired in the air on Sunday in a vain attempt to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators in the capital calling for a new interim government, a Reuters witness said.

Tunisia seeks Ben Ali extradition

Tunisia requests the extradition of ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali from Saudi Arabia, where he fled last month amid popular protests.

Moroccans demand limit to king’s powers

Thousands of Moroccans are expected to join nationwide protests on Sunday to demand that King Mohammed hand some of his powers to a newly elected government and make the justice system more independent.

Palestinians plan veto 'day of rage'

US decision to use UN security council veto sparks furious reaction in West Bank and Gaza

Palestinian prime minister offers unity deal to Hamas

The Palestinian prime minister has offered to form a unity government with the rival Hamas militant group in hopes of paving the way for national elections later this year.

Egypt releases 108 political prisoners

Egypt has released 108 political prisoners, state television reported on Feb. 20, following a pledge by Prime Minister Ahmed Shaf

NATO Airstrike Is Said to Kill Afghan Civilians

NATO airstrikes killed at least 35 people in a remote mountainous area of eastern Afghanistan last wee

China snuffs out democracy protests

Officers deployed in Beijing and Shanghai after dissidents called on disaffected Chinese to protest for freedom and democracy.

Iran warships passage through Suez pushed back 48 hours

The passage of two Iranian naval ships through the Suez Canal has been put back 48 hours, according to reports.

Merkel’s party trounced in Hamburg poll

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling conservatives suffered a humiliating defeat in key state elections in Hamburg last night after they lost over twenty percent of the vote to the opposition Social Democrats in what amounted to their worst ever performance in the port city.

Uganda’s Museveni on brink of huge win

Veteran Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni was on the brink of a massive win in a presidential election the opposition says was a sham, provisional results showed on Sunday.

Albanian government supporters to rally in Tirana

Albania's ruling party is urging its supporters to turn out in a show of strength against the opposition, two days after its opponents rallied to call on the government to resign over corruption allegations.

North Korea 'preparing nuclear test'

North Korea has started digging tunnels at its nuclear test site in apparent preparation for a third atomic detonation, a report said Sunday

Should Putin Worry About Russia's Spate of Whistleblowing?

In recent months, several Russian whistleblowers have accused Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of corruption -- but are they motivated by morality or political manipulation?

Mohamed ElBaradei: Muslim Brotherhood not radical

Mohamed ElBaradei, a member of the Egyptian opposition known for his secular views, has said he does not see the Muslim Brotherhood as a radical organization. Speaking to Today’s Zaman, ElBaradei stressed that elections conducted before the establishment of democratic institutions in the country would only benefit the party in power.

More Cuban political prisoners freed

Seven more political prisoners are to be freed by the Communist government, the Roman Catholic Church said yesterday. Six people convicted of crimes against state security planned to leave for Spain, but one intends to remain in Cuba and return to the independent reporting that led to his arrest. Ivan Hernandez was among 75 people arrested in a crackdown on dissidents in 200

Irish recession forcing students out

The threat of a generation of graduates leaving to find work abroad is becoming an election issue in Dublin

Barack Obama 'did nothing to earn Nobel Peace Prize'

Barack Obama should stop apologising for the US and did nothing to earn his Nobel Peace Prize, according to Donald Rumsfeld.

Iraq lawmakers approve 2011 budget of $82.6 billion

Iraq's parliament gave final approval on Sunday to an $82.6 billion budget for 2011 based on an average oil price of $76.50 per barrel and 2.2 million barrels per day in crude exports.

Portugal likely to be next in need of bailout

Political and economic danger signs flashing in Portugal and Ireland threaten to punch a hole in the European Union's attempts to contain a financial crisis that has gripped the continent for more than a yea

China lifts petrol, diesel prices

China raises fuel prices for a second time in three months as global oil prices climb, raising concerns about inflation.

Iceland calls Icesave referendum

Iceland's president calls a referendum on the latest plan to repay the UK and the Netherlands 4bn euros (£3.1bn) lost when the Icesave bank collapsed.

Protesters in Wisconsin Say They Are Staying Put

Union leaders told teachers to return to work as the State Assembly prepared for budget discussions on Tuesday.

Sick Teen Uses Robot to Attend School

A high school freshman known as "the real life bubble boy" uses a robotic technology called V-Go as an avatar.

UK moves closer to European time

Plans to move UK clocks forward in line with most of Europe could soon become a reality, as proposals are due to be published this week.

Women find glass ceiling 'intact'

Nearly three quarters of women say they still face barriers to top-level promotion, a survey of managers finds.

Blogs Wane as the Young Drift to Sites Like Twitter

Long-form blogs were once the outlet of choice, but now sites like Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr are favored.

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