Scalene

Sunday, August 15, 2010

What's Happening Today - Monday 16 August

Taiwan: Taipei meets to begin discussions on ECFA trade deal with China, a major trade concession by the Chinese.

Russia: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits areas around Moscow to inspect extinguishing of wildfires and to chair housing construction conference

Russia: President Dmitry Medvedev meets the leaders of Putin's ruling party, United Russia.

Indonesia: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gives state of the union address at House of Representatives

India: New Delhi is currently conducting negotiations with Tehran on purchasing Iranian natural gas. According to Indian Ambassador to Iran Sanjay Singh, India will need more than four times more energy over the next ten years.

Pakistan: The United Nations has urged foreign aid donors to speed up their delivery of aid as the Pakistani government predicted additional flooding. The prime minister's office said a second and third wave of floods may hit the country, and reservoirs and dams may break due to the continued heavy rain expected in Punjab province and northwest Pakistan, and scattered rain over Sindh and Balochistan.

Pakistan: United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) regional director for South Asia Daniel Toole visits (-21) to review progress of humanitarian response; will tour flood-affected areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh

Azerbaijan: Turkish President Abdullah Gul visits; discusses bilateral ties, easing visa requirements; energy cooperation

Iran: Former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami criticized the Iranian government for lacking tolerance, and compared it to totalitarian systems in which criticism of a regime is considered an attempt to overthrow it.

Iran: The website of Shahr News Agency, based in the Tehran municipality, has been blocked because it was not permitted to operate as a news organization, according to Shahr acting head Hamed Rezai.

Iraq: Following up after the Iraqi National Alliance (INA) rejected a power-sharing plan proposed by the United States to split authority between former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's al-Iraqiya list and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law coalition

Yemen: Authorities claim that a regional leader of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in al-Jawf province, Jamaan Safian, has surrendered to authorities.

Egypt: Direct talks are to be announced between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority today by the Middle East Quartet and will begin in Cairo during the week of Aug. 22, Saudi-owned Okaz newspaper reported

Gaza: Filippo Grandi, UNRWA Commissioner, will be giving a press conference at 10.30 in Gaza City to talk about the funding situation and overall Gaza humanitarian situation (over the weekend Mr Grandi said UNRWA had an $84mn deficit and unless more donors come on board clinics and schools in Gaza and elsewhere will have to close down).

Morocco: Morocco-Spanish border at Ceuta Melilla will be blocked by activists who will stop the passage of construction materials, workers and fresh food into the enclave in a dispute over alleged violence and racism by Spanish police against Moroccans crossing into the area.

Namibia: Regional heads of state gather for the 30th annual Southern African Development Community meeting; South African President Jacob Zuma will present report on political situation in Zimbabwe

Belarus: Opposition rallies in central Minsk demanding international probe into disappearance of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's opponents in late 1990s-early 2000s

Greece: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on official visit to Greece. He meets Greek President Karolos Papoulias and Prime Minister George Papandreou.

UK: Unite trade union officials are due to meet to decide the dates of any strikes

US: Hearing to decide if former media tycoon Conrad Black will be permitted to go to Toronto to attend to his ailing wife, while awaiting an appeals court ruling on whether his 2007 fraud conviction should be thrown out.

Paraguay: Uruguayan President Jose Alberto Mujica visits Supreme Court, National Congress before leaving for home

Peru: American citizen Lori Berenson - released from jail after 15 years of prison after being found guilty of collaborating with leftist guerrillas - goes to court as prosecutors push for her to be returned to jail.

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Saturday, August 14, 2010

My Press Review - Sunday 15 August

SA may send troops to Somalia

**The South African cabinet is on the brink of sending troops into the ongoing conflict in Somalia, an official has told the Observer.**

In Israel, A Fight to Make the Wall More Inclusive

Women and other Jewish groups are fighting for the right of full religious access at the Jerusalem's Western Wall

Lebanon opens fund to equip army

Lebanon's defence minister says the country has opened a bank account to receive donations to supply its poorly-equipped army.

African migrants killed in Egypt

Six migrants trying to enter Israel from Egypt are killed; four in a gunfight with people smugglers and two by Egyptian border guards.

Net neutrality protest at Google

About 100 protesters march on Google's headquarters to denounce its open internet plan and urge it to honour its "don't be evil" motto.

Pakistani expatriates urged to give as disease threat looms

Independence day celebrations muted as diaspora are asked to "reach out to their flood-affected brethren".

Russia ban on grain export begins

A ban on grain exports imposed by Russia after wildfires devastated crops comes into force, a move likely to push up bread prices.

UAE gun maker firing on all cylinders

Rifles have strong roots in Bedouin tradition, but the country has begun to make a name for itself in the small arms industry with Emirati company Caracal.

Lebanon 'kills militant leader'

Lebanese security officials say they have killed the suspected leader of the militant Sunni Islamist group Fatah al-Islam.

Drought threat now hits Black Sea 2011 winter crop

Drought and heat across the European part of Russia and Ukraine are now expected to delay the sowing of winter grain crops, raising concerns that losses will extend to next year's harvests.

Egypt: oil and gas reserves up to 18 billion barrels

Egyptian reserves of oil and natural gas have risen to 18.3 billion barrels in (2009-2010) in what makes the proven reserves rise to 20 billion

UAE to replace feet and yards with metre

Latest move to metric will apply to all official and commercial activities, especially in the real estate sector.

Kremlin slams Lukashenko's inconsistency on South Ossetia, Abkhazia

The Kremlin regrets Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's inconsistency on a number of issues, including the recognition of Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence, said an anonymous source from the presidential secretariat.

Rights group demands release of Uzbek activist

A prominent international advocacy group has appealed to authorities in Uzbekistan to reverse a 13-year jail sentence handed to a rights activist on what it says are trumped-up charges.

Firefighters battle Portugal wildfires

More than 600 firefighters are battling wildfires in three separate areas of Portugal, where gusting winds have fanned at least 26 blazes.

Niger hunger 'worse than 2005'

Niger faced the worst hunger crisis in its history, the UN's World Food Programme says, with almost half the population - 7.3 million people - in desperate need of food.

Pakistan ethnic violence kills 16

At least 16 people, including five security personnel, are killed in two separate attacks in Pakistan's troubled south-western province of Balochistan.

Russian wildfires: In a village left to burn, anger grows at the Kremlin

As the human cost of Russia's wildfires grows clearer, there is anger at the Kremlin over its failure to prevent the disaster.

China braced for more rain as death toll rises

Heavy rain has brought more misery to western China, killing at least 29 people and trapping more than 10,500 in mudslides and floods.

Nurseries on guard for neo-Nazis

Kindergartens must pledge allegiance to German constitution following recent cases in which neo-Nazis have attempted to set up kindergartens, work in them or influence their teaching.

Venice gives licence to first female gondolier

Authorities in Italy's lagoon city of Venice grant a full licence to a female gondolier for the first time.

Sharp rise in number of Britons using expensive payday loans

The number of cash-strapped Britons taking out expensive loans with interest rates of up to 2000 per cent has quadrupled in four years, new research has disclosed.

UK councils pay for prostitutes, exotic holidays and lap dancing for the disabled

Taxpayers' money is being spent on prostitutes, lap dancing clubs and exotic holidays under schemes designed to give more independence to the disabled.

‘Gender-segregated classes would ensure girls receive education’

Fierce discussions erupted in Turkey last week after the Ministry of Education’s İzmir office suggested separate classrooms for boys and girls under certain conditions in order to increase the levels of female students in schools.

Kelly had heart attack, says pathologist

A retired pathologist cast further doubt yesterday on the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly, the government weapons inspector said to have committed suicide in 2003. She also criticised Lord Hutton's handling of the inquiry into his death. Dr Jennifer Dyson joined other experts questioning the official finding that Kelly bled to death. She argued it was more likely that the 59-year-old scientist suffered a heart attack due to the stress he had been placed under.

Four E.U. Nations Stoke Fears of an Immigrant Flood

Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Spain have all extended citizenship to almost five million people, most of them from outside the E.U. Now Europe's leaders worry that those with ethnic ties to the countries will come "home" to nations already suffering from sky-high unemployment

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

My Press Review - Thursday 12 August

Pakistan flood desperation grows

Stricken communities displaced by Pakistan's massive floods are increasingly desperate, officials say, as the UN launches a major appeal.

Uganda rebels 'abducted hundreds'

The Lord's Resistance Army rebel group is abducting civilians in central Africa and forcing them to join, says Human Rights Watch.

Fires reach areas hit by nuclear fallout from Chernobyl

Forests contaminated with radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster are being consumed by the blaze, but it was unclear how dangerous the smoke might be.

Almost 200 of Japan's centenarians missing

Nearly 200 of Japan's centenarians are missing, according to the country's latest audit of those aged over 100.

Lebanon rejects US aid with ties

Lebanon's Defence Minister says he will reject US military aid if it comes with a condition that any weapons are not used against Israel.

Modern Muslim prayer: mosques' minarets fall silent

Minarets will no longer broadcast daily prayer in Cairo as muezzins are replaced by radios.

Morocco 'breaks up militant cell'

The police in Morocco have broken up a cell of 18 militants planning a series of attacks in the country, officials say.

World's biggest clock starts functioning in Mecca

$3bn clock tower overlooks Holy Grand Mosque and will be visable across the city.

BP to start deepwater exploration in Libya

A 2007 accord allows BP to drill five wells in the Gulf of Sirte at depths of around 1,700 metres, slightly deeper than the ruptured Gulf of Mexico well which BP has only just managed to seal.

Russia to reschedule wheat contracts with Egypt despite grain exports ban

Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Eng. Rasheed Mohamed Rasheed said Russia agreed to review and reschedule the previously contracted wheat

Tunisia on track - Investing $ 5.5bn in a high-speed rail link with Libya and Algeria

Tunisia is on track to radically change the way its cargoes are carried, with the government looking to invest up to $5.5bn in a high-speed rail link with neighbouring Libya and Algeria

China scholars warn of arrogance

China's confidence in its economic development is turning into national arrogance, a group of Chinese scholars warns.

Israeli army chief defends raid

The head of Israel's military defends its use of live ammunition during a deadly raid on an aid flotilla sailing to Gaza in May.

Is the U.S. Pursuing the Wrong Mideast Peace Process?

Obama came into office promising engagement with adversaries shunned by the Bush Administration, but he has continued most of his predecessor's approach. That could be dangerous as war clouds gather once again

No prison sentence for Brodsky

Germany likely to fine alleged Mossad agent for passport forgery.

Trade deficit widens to $49.9 billion in June

The U.S. trade deficit surged in June to the highest level since October 2008 and imports of foreign consumer goods hit an all-time high. But U.S. exports faltered, representing a setback for American manufacturers.

Iran, nuclear weapons and the point of no return

For the Obama administration, the prospect of a nuclearized Iran is dismal to contemplate— it would create major new national-security challenges and crush the president’s dream of ending nuclear proliferation. But the view from Jerusalem is still more dire: a nuclearized Iran represents, among other things, a threat to Israel’s very existence. In the gap between Washington’s and Jerusalem’s views of Iran lies the question: who, if anyone, will stop Iran before it goes nuclear, and how?

Dozens of bodies in Bosnian lake

More than 50 bodies are found in a lake in Bosnia, as investigators hunt for victims of the 1992-95 war.

Call to protect French mystery island

Seven miles out to sea, along the frontier between the Atlantic Ocean and the estuary, an island had risen out of the boiling waters. It had a surface area of 11 acres above the highest sea level, and a base of some 250 acres at low tide. Locals soon called it "l'île mystérieuse" – the mysterious island – after the novel by Jules Verne.

Setback for BlackBerry in India; Saudi deal seen

India may temporarily shut down BlackBerry services if security concerns are not addressed in a meeting on Thursday, sources said, a sign the Canadian firm's tussle with authorities around the world is far from over.

New Turkish law to spur dismissal of 567 cases at the ECtHR

Turkey, which comes second after Russia in the number of cases it sends to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), is preparing to improve its record as it makes changes to some of its laws.

In Guantánamo Tours, Many Questions, Few Answers

The military takes journalists on tours of Guantánamo Bay to counter “misrepresentations” about treatment of detainees there, but much remains off limits.

Row over 'million dollar puzzle'

A claim to have solved one of the most difficult riddles in mathematics is challenged by scientists.

One Russian in five ready to change place of residence

Slightly more than one Russian in five – a total of nearly 30 million people -- is ready to move to another location, with the share prepared to do so ranging from more than half in parts of the Russian Far East to fewer than one in 14 in St. Petersburg, according to the results of a massive poll conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation.

France experiencing 'resurgence of racism'

France is experiencing "a significant resurgence of racism" and lacked the political will to fix the problem, experts from the UN's anti-discrimination watchdog have said.

Nepalese villagers accused of 'Himalayan Viagra' murders

Most of the male population of a Nepalese village could be jailed after seven rivals were murdered in a battle over the area's "Himalayan Viagra", a prized plant that fetches up to £3,000 per kg.

Paternity test for Paraguay head

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo is ordered to take a DNA test to see if he is the father of a two-year-old boy.

Ramadan around the world in pictures

Over a billion Muslims have begun the fasting month of Ramadan.

Speedy solution to Rubik's Cube

A 30-year quest to find the minimum number of moves needed to solve every configuration of a Rubik's Cube may have ended.

Swedish motorist facing world's biggest speeding fine

A Swedish motorist is facing the world's biggest ever speeding fine of £650,000 after being caught driving at 180mph on a Swiss motorway.

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What's Happening Today - Thursday 12 August

Fiji: Fiji military leader Voreqe Bainimarama said China was the one country that understands the reforms he is trying to implement. Fiji needs infrastructure, water and electricity, and Australia, New Zealand and America will not provide help, he stated.

China: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Gamini Laksman Peiris holds question and answer session on terrorism at China's Institute for International studies. Sri Lanka and China have been moving closer together following western criticism of Sri Lanka's rights record.

Pakistan: A second wave of floods passing through southern Punjab today, will reach Guddu Barrage on August 13. Pakistan’s Meteorological Department warned of floods in Hyderabad district, which could spread further devastation in Sindh, and issued a “significant” flood forecast for Kalabagh and Chashma. Initial rough estimates show that losses of Rs 35 billion, excluding crops, have been incurred in Sindh. In Muzaffargarh, over 450 villages from Daira Deen Panah to Basera have been destroyed by the floods. The flood has so far displaced 500,000 people in the district. Heavy rains were expected in Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sindh and Islamabad from August 14 and 15

Russia: Monitoring fire/ smog developments. Should be aware of possibility that radio-active particles in the smog as regions that were infected by Chernobyl burn.

Russia: Opposition holds "Day of Wrath" outside Moscow city hall demanding resignation of city authorities over their handling of the heat wave and smog (Russian news agency Interfax)

Russia: Tenth anniversary of loss of nuclear submarine Kursk with crew of 118 in Barents Sea; then President Vladimir Putin was widely criticized for his handling of the incident at the time, as he has been now for poor handling of forest fires

Iran: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appointed former Guardian Council lawyer Gholam-Hossein Elham to be his legal adviser, Fars News Agency reported

Iran: About 6,000 employees and 114 companies have been transferred out of Tehran, according to Tehran Governor-General Morteza Tamaddon. He said the transfer is intended to help Tehran reduce its number of residents to 9 million people. In a plan ratified by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 150,000 people will have to leave Tehran each year to reach the population goal. Currently, 18,000 people have registered for the transfer.

Turkey: Ankara will support sales by Turkish companies of petroleum products to Iran despite sanctions on Tehran, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said. Plans by Turkey and Iran for the joint construction of power plants with a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts will continue and a planned gas pipeline between Iran and Turkey by private Turkish company SOM Petrol will supply Europe and Turkey with natural gas

Kuwait: Washington plans to sell as many as 209 Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-T (GEM-T) interceptors valued at up to $900 million to Kuwait in order to counter missile threats from Iran

Egypt: Hosni Mubarak meets with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the latest issues concerning the direct talks and peace process.

Egypt: Government begins installing new radio transmitters across Cairo's mosques linked to one mosque in central Cairo from which the call to prayer will be made daily.

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that Ethiopia will continue to build dams over the next five years regardless of opposition to the projects. He also said the some Egyptian authorities are attempting to use the Ogaden National Liberation Front and opposition Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy for their own ends.

Chad: France is willing to consider a request by Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno for France to pay for the continuation of the Epervier military operation in Chad, a French Defense Ministry spokesman said

Nigeria: National executive committee of ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) meets to make final decision on arrangements for zoning, key principle in Nigerian politics whereby PDP rotates office of president between Muslim north and Christian south.

Senegal: Brazil's Centre for International Relations is hosting a seminar on Brazilian and Chinese investments in Africa.

Ukraine: Foreign debt has hit a critical level, at $40 billion, or 36 percent of the country's gross domestic product, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Tigipko said, making it almost impossible to service the debt, and will approach a situation similar to Greece, Romania and Hungary, and inflation will follow, with a devaluation of the hryvnya.

Romania: President Traian Basescu said he feels officials should rethink the country’s euro adoption timeline because the country has not resolved its structural deficit issues, Mediafax reported.

Macedonia: NATO ambassador Martin Trenevski said NATO is inflicting "political and economic aggression" by giving support to Greece in the long-raging dispute between Macedonia and its rival neighbor.

UK: Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh visits UK to discuss antiterrorism efforts and maritime piracy with British PM.

UN: International Youth Day.

Suriname: Suriname swears in Desi Bouterse as the country's new president. Bouterse is a former military strongman and convicted cocaine smuggler who previously sezied power in two coups.

Guatemala: President Alvaro Colom said his government faces a budget deficit and only has enough funds "for a couple of months," La Hora reported

US: The United States will take Russia's export potential on the world grain market when an export embargo comes into force on August 15, Russian Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik told Ekho Moskvy radio station

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My Press Review - Wednesday 11 August

Morocco to close 'unsafe' mosques

Morocco will close 1,256 unsafe mosques to avoid a repeat of the collapse of a minaret that killed 41 people.

The 'mega disaster' facing Pakistan

Aid agency Oxfam has warned that the international response to what it describes as a "mega disaster" in Pakistan has been slow.

Niger River floods destroy homes

Some five thousand people in Niger lose their homes and crops after the River Niger bursts its banks, worsening the country's food crisis.

Spy charge for Lebanon ex-general

A Lebanese military court charges a former general turned Christian party politician with spying for Israel.

Pakistanis flee city amid flood warnings

Thousands leave homes as rivers expected to swell.

Libya to fund Gaza homes after deal

A rare deal between foes Israel and Libya to free an Israeli photographer will let Libya underwrite the rebuilding of 1,250 Gaza Strip homes destroyed in Israel’s offensive there last year, UN officials said on Tuesday.

Campaign to cut food waste during Ramadan

The UAE throws away at least 500 tonnes a day during Ramadan, and the government has launched a campaign to end the waste.

World's largest clock to begin ticking in Mecca

Saudi Arabia hopes the new clock will establish Mecca as an alternative time standard to the Greenwich median.

US govt sending ground zero mosque imam to Mideast

The imam behind controversial plans for a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks is being sent by the State Department on a religious outreach trip to the Middle East, officials said Tuesday, in a move that drew criticism from conservative lawmakers....

Lebanon doubts Nasrallah’s ‘proof’

Most politicians say evidence displayed by Hizbollah leader regarding Israel’s involvement in Hariri assassination plot is circumstantial.

Saudi gives Blackberry reprieve

Saudi Arabia's telecommunications regulator says it will allow Blackberry services to temporarily continue in the kingdom.

House approves more agents, drones on border

In a rare moment of bipartisanship Tuesday, the House approved $600 million to pay for more unmanned surveillance drones and about 1,500 more agents along the troubled Mexican border....

Copper deficit looms

Copper demand may outstrip supply in 2011 for the first time in four years as China, the world's biggest consumer, sustains purchases and as ore grades decline, Japan's largest smelter said.

Kan sorry for colonial rule

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan apologized on Tuesday to the Republic of Korea (ROK) for Japan's past colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

US Congress passes state aid bill

The House of Representatives approves $26bn in aid for cash-strapped US states, which supporters say will safeguard jobs in education and health.

$1.1 billion worth of dollar coins in US storage as Americans refuse to use coins

A stockpile of dollar coins worth more than $1.1 billion that if stacked would reach seven times higher than the International Space Station is languishing in storage because Americans prefer dollar bills.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard 'digging mass graves for US soldiers'

Revolutionary Guard preparing for war over its nuclear programme, according to a former senior commander.

Youngest Guantanamo inmate tried

A Canadian who was 15 when he allegedly killed a US soldier in Afghanistan becomes the first man tried at Guantanamo Bay under President Obama.

Guatemala acts on prison killings

Guatemalan authorities order the arrest of former officials and policemen over alleged extra-judicial killings of prisoners in 2006.

Witnesses claim Israeli evidence tampering on Mavi Marmara

Prosecutors and police crime scene investigation teams on Tuesday collected bullets and other pieces of evidence on the three ships from the Gaza aid flotilla that were released by Israel last week following a two-month delay, with some witnesses suggesting that Israel tampered with evidence on the Mavi Marmara before returning it.

Now Britain and Iceland go to war over the mackerel

The European Union could impose trade sanctions against Iceland or stop its ships from entering EU ports in an emerging "mackerel war".

Thousands rally in Warsaw to demand cross be moved

Thousands of people held a midnight rally in Poland's capital to demand that a wooden cross erected in memory of the late President Lech Kaczynski be moved from in front of the presidential palace.

Five countries challenging Google

Online privacy has become a key civil liberty battleground. Companies such as Facebook and Google are amassing data about users' choices and activities, which businesses – and governments – would like access to.

Another video allegedly involving CHP deputy shakes party

Following the uploading of a video on a website in May which allegedly shows Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal having an affair with a CHP deputy, another video allegedly showing CHP deputy Akif Hamzaçebi with a women has shaken the party.

Kyiv re-bans Russian-language trials

All court trials in Ukraine must be held exclusively in Ukrainian, even if participants speak other languages, including Russian, said the deputy head of staff of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andrei Portnov, Kommersant reported Tuesday. Legislation signed by President Viktor Yanukovych in late July allows the use of languages commonly spoken in Ukraine, including Russian, in the courtroom

Watchdog bans anti-terror advert

A radio advert that urged listeners to consider calling the police's anti-terrorist hotline if they had suspicions about local people who avoided company, kept their windows covered and eschewed bank cards for cash has been banned for potentially causing "serious offence".

Judge dismisses Geronimo lawsuit

A lawsuit filed by descendants of the Native American chieftain Geronimo, who claimed some of his remains were stolen in 1918 by the secretive Skull and Bones society of Yale University, has been dismissed by a federal judge.

Big city residents are lonely, survey finds

An overwhelming majority of people living in China's big cities feel lonely and overburdened, a recent survey has found.

Central African Republic sees danger in UN pullout

The Central African Republic is appealing to the U.N. for help fending off rebels and bandits as a U.N. peacekeeping force is withdrawn in deference to neighboring Chad's government.

Fusion research at Iter: unlocking the power of the sun

The world's leading powers have finally agreed to finance a joint nuclear fusion project. Harry de Quetteville reports .

Christian convert leaves state custody

An Ohio judge released a runaway Christian teenager from state custody on Tuesday, her 18th birthday, ending an ugly legal battle that failed to reunite her with her Muslim parents.

Wind turns to gold in Romanian region

The Dobroudja area is described by experts as one of the best in Europe

Kyrgyz Elections Set for Oct. 10

Acting Kyrgyz leader Roza Otunbayeva has ordered elections to be held on Oct. 10 to create the first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia, the interim government said Tuesday.

Paterson offers to seek other mosque site

New York Gov. David Paterson offered state help Tuesday if the developers of a proposed mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks agree to move the project farther from the site.

Unusual wedding customs: from oiling the bride to stealing her

Here are a selection of unusual wedding traditions from around the world.

Israel's Gaza blockade: Millions of dollars worth of aid piles up in warehouses

As the US ramps up Gaza aid projects worth $140 million, stockpiles of everything from steel pipes to medical needles will take months to clear out after the recent easing of Israel's Gaza blockade. Many items are still being blocked.

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Monday, August 9, 2010

My Press Review - Tuesday 10 August

Pakistan disaster 'worse than tsunami'

The United Nations says the disaster in Pakistan, where nearly 14 million people have been affected by monsoon flooding, is on a bigger scale than the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

Rice yields falling under warming

Rice yields are falling across Asia as average temperatures rise, researchers show - with further declines to come.

Canadian's 'confessions' allowed

Alleged confessions of a Canadian being held at Guantanamo Bay can be heard at his trial, a US military judge has ruled.

US military aid to Lebanon put on hold

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Monday he has suspended U.S. military aid to Lebanon's army amid growing concern in Congress that American-supplied weapons could threaten Israel....

Hepatitis rates in Egypt at ‘epidemic’ level

More than half a million new cases occur each year in the country, new data shows.

China landslide death toll jumps

The death toll from landslides in north-west China rises to 337, with 1,148 people missing, state-run Xinhua news agency reports.

Russia reduces harvest forecast

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warns this year's drought-hit grain harvest will be worse than previously forecast.

Egypt Inaugurates River Nile Cargo Ships to Support Trade with Sudan

Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Ahmed Nazif attends Tuesday the launching of the first two river cargo ships built up by the maritime arsenal in Alexandria.

Turkey names new military chiefs

Turkey's government appoints generals to two top posts, ending a stand-off with the military.

Thick deadly smog engulfs Moscow

Moscow's health chief has confirmed that the mortality rate has doubled as a heatwave and wildfire smog continue to grip the Russian capital.

Moscow deaths have doubled

City morgues have 1,300 bodies and are near capacity

Russia declares state of emergency in nuclear town as wildfires blaze

Russian authorities have declared a state of emergency in Ozersk, home to major nuclear reprocessing plant, due to wildfires burning around the town.

Emirati brothers in arms on the golf course

The three Al Musharrekh brothers – Abdullah, Ahmed and Hassan – are aiming to create an impact on the global game.

Arab plays take the lead

At London's Institute of Contemporary Arts, most eyes are focused on new theatre emerging from the Arabic-speaking world

Bangladesh bans school beatings

Bangladesh bans corporal punishment in all educational institutions across the country, following a high court order.

Gates seeks cuts in US military

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates recommends closing a major US military command in a major shift of defence spending.

UN report to tally Afghan deaths

The United Nations is due to release its latest six-monthly report on civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

Guinea sets date for run-off vote

Officials schedule Guinea's presidential run-off for 19 September, after repeated delays while fraud allegations were investigated.

Mosque used by September 11 attackers shut down

A Hamburg mosque has been closed because German authorities believed it was being used as a meeting point for Islamic radicals.

Chinese soldiers invade India in pursuit of valuable 'love flower'

Chinese soldiers are crossing the Indian border to gather lucrative rare mushrooms, reputed to have aphrodisiac properties, that sell for £3,000 a kilogramme.

Australian labor head dreams of a new Beersheba in outback

Paul Howes proposes Israel’s experience in developing the arid Negev should be applied to vast Pilbara and Kimberley regions. (Does that include evicting thousands of its native residents by force?)

Europe's irreligious

THE proportion of people who regularly attend religious services has declined steadily throughout Europe in recent years. But habits vary widely across countries. According to the latest European Social Survey conducted in 2008 and 2009, over 60% of Czechs say they never attend religious services, with the exception of “special occasions” such as marriages and christenings. France, Britain and Belgium are also secular nations, with over half of respondents never going to services. The most regular attenders among the 28 countries polled are in Cyprus and Greece, where only 2.4% and 4.9% respectively say they do not go to church.

Rwanda election: Why did Kagame's image tank this year?

President Paul Kagame's international image has morphed in recent months from model, pro-business African leader to iron-fisted strongman. But his tight control on dissent is nothing new.

First woman to head major US intelligence agency

The United States has had three female secretaries of state — but until now has never had a woman lead one of its 16 major intelligence agencies.

Whole buildings could become solar panels

Whole buildings - including their windows - could potentially become solar power generators thanks to new technology.

European Union pushes for right to levy taxes directly on British

EU is to push for the right to levy direct taxes on member nation citizens, it has been disclosed.

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Sunday, August 8, 2010

My Press Review - Monday 9 August

Rwandans set to elect president

Rwandans prepare to go to the polls on Monday to elect a new president, with incumbent Paul Kagame expected to win by a landslide.

Indonesia cleric in “terror” arrest

Indonesian police arrest the Muslim preacher Abu Bakir Bashir on terror charges … again, saying there is proof he was linked to a militant training camp.

Mexico police hold own commander

More than 200 police officers in Ciudad Juarez in Mexico detain their commander, accusing him of corruption.

Pakistan farmers fear famine after floods

A senior government official warns that the floods in Pakistan’s farming heartland will lead to severe food shortages and devastate the country’s economy.

Landslides raise death toll in Pakistan

Landslides have raised the death toll in flood-hit Pakistan, cutting off roads and hampering aid efforts as rescuers battled to beat rains exacerbating the country's worst ever floods.

$7.7bn outstanding on GCC credit cards - report

New research shows average of $1,135 owed on each of the 6.8m credit cards in the GCC.

Don’t panic over wheat, Egyptians told

The Egyptian government rushed to reassure consumers yesterday that the price of subsidised bread would remain stable despite Russia’s suspension of wheat exports.

Hugo Chavez wants new US ambassador

Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan President, has rejected the the US ambassadorial nominee, urging Barack Obama to "look for another candidate."

Flash floods hit central Europe

Flash floods brought on by torrential rains cause at least 15 deaths in central Europe and the Baltic, officials say.

Modern muslim website attracts visitors from Ukraine

The son of an Islamic cleric from the former republic of Yugoslavia who came to Australia in the 1970s to lecture in Islamic studies at Melbourne University, Mr Nu'man, 26, hopes his project will become an essential internet search tool for the world's 1.3 billion Muslims.

Gulf produces 41% of world’s desalinated water

Abu Dhabi manages 67 percent of the UAE’s desalination capacity - official figures.

Gold glitters as dollar takes a tumble

Gold hit a three-week high on Friday, gaining 1 per cent after a dismal US nonfarm payrolls report increased the metal's safe-haven investment appeal amid worries of a slower economic recovery.

France's interior minister targets immigrants who practise polygamy

France's lurch to the right continued after Brice Hortefeux, the country's interior minister, called for immigrants who practise polygamy or female genital mutilation to have their citizenship withdrawn.

South Korean President names youngest prime minister in 40 years

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak has named the country's youngest prime minister for almost 40 years in a cabinet reshuffle that saw seven other ministers replaced.

Nun's death rallies anti-immigration forces

In Arizona, the shooting death of a rancher blew the lid off simmering anger over border security and helped solidify support for a tough new immigration law. A similar eruption threatens in Virginia following the death of a Catholic nun in a car accident involving a man in the country illegally and accused of drunken driving....

'Diaspora Jews 'coercing the Israeli government''

Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar says opposition to conversion bill 'causing great damage.'

U.N. Back to Somalia After 17 Years

An envoy said an increase in African Union troops to 8,100 from 6,200 had improved security to move the United Nations’ foreign missions and organizations back inside Somalia.

Police to Get New Name in Reform

President Dmitri Medvedev rolled out his much-anticipated bill to reform the Interior Ministry on Saturday. His first step will be to change the name of the notoriously corrupt police force from the Bolshevik-imposed "militia" to the tsarist-era "police."

Being a taxi driver in Jerusalem

The BBC follows two taxi drivers, an Israeli and a Palestinian, and investigates whether the daily experiences of life differ in the divided city of Jerusalem.

UN probe on Israeli raid moves on: Turkish, Israeli members named

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has assigned two veteran Turkish and Israeli diplomats to a panel that will investigate Israel's deadly May 31 commando raid on an aid flotilla.

Venezuela-Colombia talks agreed

Colombia's new President Juan Manuel Santos and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are to meet for talks on Tuesday, officials say.

Opposition launches campaign with opinion poll lead in Australian election

Tony Abbott, the leader of Australia's opposition sought to cement a narrow lead in the polls yesterday with a rousing speech at his party's campaign launch in Brisbane.

Iran lawyer in Norway asylum bid

Iranian lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei, who has been defending a woman facing death by stoning in Iran, arrives in Norway to seek asylum.

Whistleblower Vanunu still defiant after yet another jailing

The Israeli nuclear whistleblower who spent 18 years behind bars was released from jail yesterday after serving an additional three months for violating his release terms.

Chinese settle on London as prime location

Asians dominate property market in UK's capital city center hot spots

Financing Wikileaks

Munich’s Süddeutsche Zeitung takes a look at what makes WikiLeaks tick and finds that it rests on the in-kind contributions of supporters, who tend to be young computer geeks who believe that freedom is threatened by the secrecy in which governments around the world operate, and a tiny handful of cash donations

With Many Still Starving, India Rethinks Its Safety Net

India’s persistent inability to make government work for the poor has set off a debate over whether to dismantle an inefficient, decades-old food distribution system and try something radical.

Spinal cord regeneration success

US researchers encourage substantial regrowth in nerves controlling voluntary movement after spinal cord injury in mice.

'A river of mud' in north-west China

At least 127 people have been killed in landslides triggered by heavy rain in north-west China and 2,000 are missing, say reports on state-run media.

Cardinal attacks US over Megrahi

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland criticises the US over reaction to the release of the Lockerbie bomber.

Israel accuses US of bias over State Department caution

Israel has accused the United States of bias and rewarding terrorism after the State Department urged Americans visiting Eilat to exercise caution following a rocket attack on the Red Sea resort.

Dramatic footage of tornado hitting farm

A US storm chaser in western Minnesota has captured dramatic footage of a powerful tornado destroying a farmhouse.

Drum players besiege Irish island

Every summer, the small Irish island of Inis Óirr is invaded with drum players from all over the world who want to learn how to play the traditional Bodhrán.

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