What's Happening Today - Wednesday 2 March

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