My Press Review - Monday 6 September

Guatemala landslides kill dozens

 

A massive landslide buried a crowd trying to dig out a bus from deep mud on Sunday, killing at least 22 people, with dozens more feared dead, as torrential rains battered Guatemala.

 

 

Pakistan's flooded farms unable to be sown

 

Abid Hussein fears the deep floodwaters that destroyed his cotton crop, rotted his wheat seeds and swept away his farming tools are not done ravaging his life.

 

 

Saudi shuts websites breaking royal decree on fatwas

 

In the past, Saudi clerics were able to issue fatwas via their personal websites.

 

 

American Muslims take precautions for 9/11 anniversary

 

American Muslims are boosting security at mosques, seeking help from leaders of other faiths and airing ads underscoring their loyalty to the United States — all ahead of a 9/11 anniversary they fear could bring more trouble for their communities.

 

 

Erdoğan criticizes Muslim countries for reluctance to help Pakistan

 

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has criticized oil-rich Muslim countries for their slowness and reluctance to send humanitarian aid to flood-stricken Pakistan.

 

 

Mideast crisis looms over Israeli settlements

 

Just days after Mideast peace talks began in Washington, the first major crisis already is looming: Israel hinted Sunday it will ease restrictions on building in West Bank settlements, while the Palestinian president warned he'll quit the talks if Israel resumes construction.

 

 

Syria Launches Multi-million Water Projects in Damascus

 

Syrian Prime Minister Mohmmad Naji Otri inaugurated two projects for water pumping and a subscriber service center at the

 

 

‘Terrorist network’ set for court battle in Bahrain

 

A prominent Bahraini human rights lawyer says 23 men, including academics, taxi drivers and civil servants, have legitimate demands for fair elections.

 

 

Barak to Haaretz: Israel ready to cede parts of Jerusalem in peace deal

 

"West Jerusalem and 12 Jewish neighborhoods that are home to 200,000 residents will be ours. The Arab neighborhoods in which close to a quarter million Palestinians live will be theirs. There will be a special regime in place along with agreed upon arrangements in the Old City, the Mount of Olives and the City of David."

 

 

Court date for Rachel Corrie parents

 

Civil suit into death of US activist crushed to death in Gaza by Israeli bulldozer to hear testimony from vehicle's operators

 

 

More talk of Belgium split as coalition talks fail

 

If Belgium were a marriage it would surely have ended by now

 

 

The Coming Clash Between Obama and the U.S. Military

 

With my month-long road trip looming, I'm having to face the reality that I won't be able to keep up with some of the issues I've been focusing upon--especially Afghanistan, which seems to be falling apart.

 

 

American Muslims Ask, Will We Ever Belong?

 

The furor over a proposed center near ground zero has many worried about their place in American society.

 

 

Meet Russia's Thatcher

 

Russia's next presidential election is not until 2012, but speculation is already rife about whether Dmitry Medvedev will try for a second term or whether his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, will want to reclaim his old job. The one thing almost everyone can agree on is that they will not stand against each other. But there might just be a third way, and that third way could give Russia its very own Margaret Thatcher or Angela Merke

 

 

Tens of thousands protest France security crackdown

 

Tens of thousands of people protested in cities across France on Saturday against a government law and order crackdown that has targeted Roma gypsies, as smaller demonstrations took place in European capitals.

 

 

Photo

 

Protesters hold a banner reading "No to state racism" and a doctored image of French President Nicolas Sarkozy at a march to protest his security policies, including the recent expulsion of Gypsies, in Paris on Saturday. 

 

 

Australia hit by floods as rivers rise in the south

 

Heavy rains have produced the worst flooding in a decade

 

 

Minuteman chief deemed a threat

 

An Arizona court has ruled that an order of protection against Minuteman co-founder Chris Simcox sought by his estranged wife as part of a messy divorce case be continued "in full force," saying evidence shows that he committed an act of violence.

 

 

MHP leader gets nasty targeting PM's son in ethnicity row

 

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli has increased his personal attacks on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, targeting his son, Bilal, in an ongoing row over ethnicity.

 

 

Why 'Islamophobia' is less thinly veiled in Europe

 

How anti-Muslim sentiment is different in European countries than in America.

 

 

Some hunker down, some flee as Earl approaches US

 

Earl's first encounter with US mainland should come at midnight Thursday, as the storm is forecast to pass just off North Carolina's Cape Hatteras.

 

 

Irish welfare groups call for cull of thousands of unwanted and abandoned horses

 

With winter looming and Ireland's Celtic Tiger boom long past, horse owners are struggling. Now welfare organisations reluctantly say a cull of abandoned animals is needed.

 

 

Islamic finance set to double

 

Islamic finance, which prohibits charging interest, is set to double in size in five years.

 

 

Finding Islam Across America: 30 Mosques in 30 Days

 

By Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq

 

 

Bahrain close to sealing Iran gas deal

 

Minister says two sides have reached overall agreement; details to be ironed out after Eid Al-Fitr holiday.

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What's Happening Today - Monday 6th September

Australia

Efforts to form a government continue in Australia with an announcement expected in the next few days. Momentum has shifted to the Labor Party of incumbent Julia Gillard after she won endorsement from one of four independents in the house.

Japan

The verdict is expected in the trial of a Greenpeace activists accused by the Japanese authorities of stealing a box of whale meat.

China

President Hu Jintao visits Shenzhen to attend celebration of 30th anniversary of establishment of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone; delivers speech about scientific development, independent innovation, and Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation

China

Shanghai's World Expo celebrates ''North Korean Day.'' Shanghai is the first world expo North Korea has taken part in.

North Korea

Watching developments after reports suggested Korean Workers' Party may hold congress on 4-7 September to elect new party leadership; leader Kim Jong-il may name successor (-7); South Korean Open Radio for North Korea says convention may be held 9-10; possible media blackout

Philippines

Marathon hearings on the bus hijacking continue, with the bus driver and the hostage-taker's companion expected to give testimony.

Malaysia

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa visits Kuala Lumpur, meets counterpart Datuk Anifah Aman for talks on bilateral issues including anti-Malaysian demonstrations in Indonesia, border disputes

Russia

Valday Forum discussion conference on Russian affairs continues in Moscow involving experts from across the globe (-7); participants meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today and tomorrow

Russia

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Baraq continues visit, holds talks with counterpart Anatoliy Serdyukov (-7)

Russia

Experts from Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus to discuss the customs union.

Kazakhstan

Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev begins visit to take part in Russian-Kazakh forum on regional cooperation in Ust-Kamenogorsk (-7)

Pakistan

At least eight policemen were killed and 13 wounded in a suspected suicide attack on a police station in the northwestern Pakistani town of Lakki Marwat

Azerbaijan

EU special representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby visits Baku; holds consultations with officials, reps of Azeri community of Nagornyy Karabakh, political parties and civil society; discusses latest developments in Azerbaijan and South Caucasus and forthcoming parliamentary polls in Azerbaijan (-7)

Iran

Director-general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, publishes report on Iran and Syria

Turkey

Halki Seminary, a Christian orthodox priest training school which was closed by the Turkish government 30 years ago, opens its doors for a Greek art exhibition, called "Tracing Istanbul." The Orthodox Patriarchate is demanding the school reopen; a key factor in Turkey's EU membership application.

Iraq

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani cut supplies of some fuel products to the northern Kurdish region by 50 percent in response to the Kurdish Regional Government selling what it described as excess kerosene, fuel waste and naphtha to Iran, according to officials

Saudi Arabia

Gulf Finance and Foreign Ministers meet.

Israel

Follow up after statement that signed agreement to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not achievable in the next year or in the next generation, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israel Beiteinu activists in Jerusalem. Israel must ask whom Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas represents because Hamas is in power in Gaza and the Palestinian election is delayed, Lieberman said.

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's position on a unilateral settlement construction freeze, set to end on Sept. 26, remains "unchanged”

Egypt

Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna begins two day visit Cairo for talks with counterpart Ahmad Ali Abu-al-Ghayt (-7)

Rwanda

Paul Kagame sworn in for second term as Rwandan president at Amahoro stadium following August elections

Togo

National census begins (-19)

Moldova

Follow up after referendum to elect the president by popular vote, pushed by the West-leaning Alliance for European Integration, appeared to have failed because of a low voter turnout of 29.67 percent, according to figures from the Central Election Commission, Reuters reported.

Norway

Three men arrested in Norway and Germany on suspicion of plotting attacks and of having links to al Qaeda attend a remand hearing.

Germany

Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada begins visit for talks on issues such as UN Security Council reform (-8); meets German counterpart Guido Westerwelle (7)

Holland

Negotiations to form a coalition in the Netherlands collapsed after Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders walked out saying he did not trust some members of the Christian Democrats to adhere to any agreement reached

France

Paris hosts informal meeting of immigration ministers from Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, UK, Belgium, USA and Canada; recent Roma expulsions not on agenda

Belgium

European energy ministers meets to discuss changes to EU stability pact

France

Preview ahead of nationwide protests against government plans to raise the retirement age in a bid to shore up the pension system and rein in the deficit. Strike scheduled for Sept 7.

France

France's EU immigration minister has convened a meeting called "international seminar on illegal immigration". Italy will re-raise the issue of automatic expulsions of citizens from other EU states if they are not able to support themselves, in a move apparently inspired by France's current crackdown on Roma at a meeting of EU immigration ministers in Paris.

•       Meeting at immigration ministry starts at 08G with other European immigration/interior ministers. 1045G presser

•       15G: Sarkozy meets Barroso at the Elysee

•       Romania: Roma demonstrate outside French embassy in Bucharest against France's crackdown on their community.

UK

Thousands of workers on London's underground rail system will start the first of four planned one-day strikes to protest against proposed ticket office job cuts.

Spain

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and his cabinet are in Spain to meet with their counterparts, during which agreements will be signed and an upgrade of the PLO's diplomatic status in Spain will be announced. Depending on the announcement, the PLO will be considered either at the same level of, or close to, that of sovereign states. In July, France announced a similar upgrade of the PLO's political standing.

Spain

Follow up after  Basque separatist group Eta said it will not carry out armed actions in its campaign for independence, according to an Eta video

US, Wisconsin

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the economy at a Labor Day rally.

Nicaragua

Muslims in Managua are due to celebrate the opening of the first mosque in the city. Until now they have had an Islamic Cultural Centre that serves as the primary place for prayer in Managua and people outside of the capital meet in prominent Muslims' houses in their towns.

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My Press Review - Sunday 5 October

Reading Arabic 'hard for brain'

Israeli scientists believe they have identified why Arabic is particularly hard to learn to read.

 

The military 'junk' left in Iraq

Thousands of tonnes of US military equipment have been moved out of Iraq but plenty has been left behind - and not just for the troops who remain there.

 

Long lines at troubled Kabul Bank

Afghans have continued to withdraw money from the country's largest bank, Kabul Bank, over fears it may collapse.

 

Afghanistan forms Taliban council

President Hamid Karzai will announce the members of the panel, tasked with negotiating peace with the militant group, after Eid.

 

Thousands protest French clampdown against Roma

Tens of thousands protested across France on Saturday against a clampdown on immigrants, launching a week of action over policies on which President Nicolas Sarkozy has staked his political reputation.

 

Bahrain charging Shia activists

Prosecutors in Bahrain accuse 23 Shia activists of forming a "terrorist network" aiming to overthrow the Gulf state's Sunni-dominated government.

 

Obama shrugs off tale he is a Muslim

Rumors that he's not US-born also follow president

 

Diyarbakır’s involuntary boycotters hope for new movement on Sept. 13

Most of the people of Diyarbakır do not have any objection to the constitutional amendments that will be submitted to referendum on Sept. 12.

 

Egypt Hosts Young Entrepreneurs Network for Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East

The Egyptian Junior Business Association (EJB) will be organizing an International B2B event with Mediterranean, Africa, and Middle East Young Entrepreneurs

 

ElBaradei alleges 'smear' tactic

Former UN chief nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei accuses Egypt's government of being behind a campaign to smear his family.

 

Mosque tragedy haunts Moroccan city

The collapse of a minaret that killed 41 people remains an open wound in Meknes, where a family recall the grandfather whose absence has left a chasm in their daily lives.

 

Gales, aftershocks shake quake-hit New Zealand city

Strong aftershocks and gale-force winds buffeted New Zealand's second biggest city of Christchurch Sunday as a clean-up got underway after the country's worst earthquake in 80 years.

 

Heavy rains devastate Guatemala

Heavy rains have caused widespread floods and landslides in Guatemala, killing at least 18 people.

 

Nicolas Sarkozy's Roma crisis leaves his presidency still teetering on the brink

Nicolas Sarkozy hoped his plan to expel the Roma would help his faltering presidency back on track. But it has made him even more enemies.

 

Almaty and Astana are just out of this world

Kazakhstan is a tale of two cities.

 

Argentina reopens Franco probe

An Argentine court reopens an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity under General Franco in Spain.

 

Cargo ship embarks on historic Arctic passage

The MV Nordic Barents is lugging 40,000 tonnes of iron ore from Norway to China on an Arctic Ocean shortcut through melting ice -- and making a little history in the process.

 

Fresh legal bid to force inquest into Kelly's death

A fresh legal bid to force an inquest into the death of Government scientist David Kelly is to be launched within the next few days, it was disclosed today.

 

The real deal

Questions over halal meat as market booms in France

 

Egypt silences papers on posters

Newspapers in Egypt are banned from reporting on a poster campaign promoting the chief of intelligence as a possible future president, the BBC learns.

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What's Happening Today - Sunday 5 September

China

Thai Prime Minister Aphisit Vejjajiva visits; China expected to confirm interest in construction of high-speed railway link from Bangkok to Rayong

North Korea

Watching developments after reports suggested Korean Workers' Party may hold congress to elect new party leadership; leader Kim Jong-Il may name successor

South Korea

South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan has resigned over accusations of nepotism involving his daughter. He has accepted responsibility for the commotion caused by the ministry employing his daughter. It was not immediately clear who would replace him, and his resignation is not expected to affect South Korea's foreign policy.

India

India is scheduled to test-fire the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa. The missile, an Indo-Russian joint venture, will be test-fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off the coast of the state' s Balasore district. It will be inducted into the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

Nepal

After failing to elect a new prime minister despite five rounds of voting spread over a month, Nepal's parliament will hold an unprecedented sixth round of election. Candidates are Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" and Nepali Congress's Ram Chandra Poudel

Russia

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Baraq visits, holds talks with counterpart Anatoliy Serdyukov

Pakistan

The latest from Pakistan and the flood relief efforts.

Azerbaijan

EU special representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby visits Baku; holds consultations with officials, reps of Azeri community of Nagornyy Karabakh, political parties and civil society; discusses latest developments in Azerbaijan and South Caucasus and forthcoming parliamentary polls in Azerbaijan (-7)

Turkey

Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)'s rally in Diyarbakir starting at 13GMT. Kurdish news agency Firat say 200,000 people are expected to attend the rally in Station Square. But only around 2,600 people have signed an online petition to support the boycott of the constitution referendum so far. There are also two rallies scheduled in Istanbul at 13g, one from BDP and one from AK party.

Syria

Iran's first permanent economic fair will open in Syria's capital, Damascus, on September 23, IRIB news agency reported. Sixty private companies in various fields are scheduled to take part in the exhibition, which Iranian traders and producers' unions have organized.

Qatar

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad visits, scheduled to meet emir Hamad Bin-Khalifah Al Thani

Bahrain

Bahrain has accused 23 Shia opposition leaders arrested in a crackdown of plotting to overthrow Bahrain's monarchy through violent protests and acts of sabotage. Two of the accused are abroad and are not under arrest.

Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes a weekly meeting of his cabinet.

Egypt

President Mubarak addresses nation, expected to speak about "challenges facing the Muslim world and ways of overcoming them, particularly the issue of the Israeli occupation of Palestine".

Egypt

Arab League meets to discuss preparations for international conference on Quds

Palestine

Following up after Israeli aircraft hit targets in the Gaza Strip late last night

Tunisia

Mahmoud Abbas to visit Tunis to update Tunisian President Zain al-Abideen Bin Ali on the status of negotiations.

Moldova

Referendum on introducing presidential elections by popular vote; Moldovan president is currently elected by parliament

Greece

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou speaks at a party congress meeting.

Serbia

Serbian President Boris Tadic said it was possible to reach a compromise on the resolution on Kosovo that would satisfy both Serbia and the European Union and pave the way for resolving the Kosovo problem

Sweden

World Water Week launched

Denmark

Two Danish inventors hope to launch the world's first amateur-built rocket for human space travel. The homemade rocket is the brainchild of Danish firm Copenhagen Suborbitals, headed by Kristian von Bengtson and Peter Madsen. The team has been building their rocket since about 2004 and has been doing so without any national funding.

Honduras

Honduras has recognized Kosovo’s independence, becoming the 70th country to recognize its independence proclamation after Honduran Foreign Minister Mario Canahuati said his country supports Kosovo entering all international institutions.

Guatemala

Relentless rains have led to the deaths of at least 21 people in Guatemala over the weekend. President Alvaro Colom says the country is in crisis, with not enough means or money to cope with what's been an unusually destructive rainy season.

Chile

It is one month mark since 33 miners were trapped 700 metres underground. Relatives of the miners gather to commemorate the first month of their loved ones' survival.

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What's Happening Today - Friday 3 September

Australia: Three seats remain too close to call as electoral officials continue to count votes in Australia. Three independent Members of Parliament submitted seven points to both party leaders, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, and are awaiting the results of the final count and the leaders' answers before deciding who to support.

 

Japan: The summer of 2010 is now officially Japan’s hottest and longest in 113 years.

 

South Korea: South Korea and the U.S. celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, re-enacting a battle in Waegwan.

China:  People's Liberation Army's North Sea Fleet continues firing exercise in Yellow Sea off Qingdao; at same time as major US-Korean naval exercise

China: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych continues four-day trip after talks with counterpart Hu Jintao yesterday; today meets Premier Wen Jiabao, top legislator Wu Bangguo

China: China and Russia have agreed to expand nuclear power cooperation to include the areas of building floating nuclear power plants, exploring uranium mines, eliminating old plants and developing markets abroad, the China Atomic Energy Authority said

 

Vietnam: Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet thanks Russia for its assistance in building the country's first nuclear power plant.Rosatom Chairman Sergei Kiriyenko said Rosatam and Vietnamese scientists will establish a training center for nuclear power plants and an atomic energy research institute.

Russia:  Government-sponsored rallies held in 11 different locations across Moscow to commemorate "victims of terror"

India: The situation remains tense in Kashmir which has witnessed some of the biggest anti-India protests following clashes between stone pelting demonstrators and Indian security forces.

Azerbaijan: Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev wraps up visits, to discuss relations with Armenia, sign border deal with counterpart Ilham Aliyev

Iran: Thousands of Iranians take part in a parade during a rally marking Al-Quds Day in the capital.  Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is expected to deliver a speech.

 

Turkey: U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, Mike Mullen will pay two days visit to Turkey.

 

Turkey: Thousands of people are expected to gather after the Friday prayer in Istanbul's Beyazit mosque for al-Quds day.

Turkey: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives speech at rally in Diyarbakir ahead of constitutional referendum on 12 September; also expected to address possibility of dialogue with outlawed Kurdish PKK party. 

Syria: A demonstration will be held at the Yarmouk Camp, housing Palestinian refugees, near Damascus, to mark al-Quds day.

 

Lebanon: Tens of thousands of Hezbollah supporters mark the annual Al-Quds day which falls on the last Friday of Ramadan. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah expected to speak via video link.

 

Palestine: Thousands of Palestinian Muslim worshippers from the West Bank will crowd Israeli checkpoints in a bid to enter Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque for Ramadan last Friday prayers as Israel continues to impose an age restriction on entry into the Holy City and tight security in and around Jerusalem's Old City.

 

West Bank: Israel occupation troops will patrol major roads in “Judea and Samaria” have begun, The Jerusalem Post reported. Armed troops and officers with medical equipment who reside in the region will participate.

 

Cyprus: Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman visits Cyprus and holds a news conference.

Sudan: Sudan's referendum commission agreed to the appointment of Mohammed Osman al-Nujoomi, who had previously worked in the Sudanese Finance Ministry.

South Africa: South Africa will end an agreement that allowed thousands of Zimbabweans to enter the country without documents, a South African Cabinet spokesman said. The arrangement was introduced in April 2009, but undocumented Zimbabweans will be treated the same as other migrants and their deportation will resume, the spokesman said.

 

Belarus: Belarusian authorities are concerned the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia could create an influx of smuggled goods from China, Eduard Nikitsin, head of the Belarusian Interior Ministry's economic crimes division, said

 

Bosnia: Turkish President Abdullah Gul on his second day of a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

 

Hungary: Hungarian Economy Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy to hold speech titled "New Government - New Economic Policy" at a conference (0800GMT).

France: President Nicolas Sarkozy holds meeting to arbitrate between different ministerial proposals on controversial plan to strip people of foreign origin of French nationality if found guilty of certain offences

Spain: French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to meet with Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos. There will be a joint news conference after the meeting and will discuss the need for increased security against terrorism in the Sahel region. They will also discuss the next Summit of the Union for the Mediterranean and the objectives for the G-8 and G-20 summits.

 

Portugal: The verdict in Portugal's longest-running child abuse case is due to be read. The defendants in this case include more than 100 children from the state-run children's home 'Casa Pia,' including a former diplomat and a Portuguese television presenter.

 

Brazil: IBGE government statistics agency publishes growth data for the second quarter. The number will shed further light on how fast Latin America's largest economy slowed after posting high growth rates in the first three months of the year.

 

US: Hurricane Earl bears down on eastern U.S., as visitors and some residents are evacuated from low-lying islands off the North Carolina coast.

Mexico: Authorities confirmed the deaths of at least 25 people in a firefight between soldiers and suspected members of an unidentified drug trafficking cartel in the municipality of General Trevino, Nuevo Leon state

 

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My Press Review - Thursday 2 September

Middle East talks: the key issues

 

The Middle East talks face several potential crisis points, but Barack Obama's resolve will be central to success or failure

 

 

Pakistan flood waters 'diverted'

 

A Pakistani diplomat calls for a probe into allegations that rich landowners diverted water into unprotected villages during the floods to save their own crops.

 

 

 

Civilians dead in Pakistani air strikes

 

Pakistani government air raids have killed up to 45 militants, their family members and other civilians with no ties to the fighters, officials said today.

 

 

Settlers to defy building freeze

 

Right-wing backlash as four settlers slain by Hams gunmen were buried in the Israeli occupied territory

 

 

 

Netanyahu vows vengeance 'without diplomatic restraint'

 

The Israeli prime minister vows vengeance over the killings of four Israelis and orders his security forces to hunt for the killers "without diplomatic restraint".

 

 

 

Occupied Palestine losing $800m a year to Israeli blockade

 

Economic cost could mount to $2.6bn if closure continues into 2011 - United Nations.

 

 

 

Naval gazing

 

China now has more warships than America, according to the IISS

 

 

 

In Somali Civil War, Both Sides Embrace Pirates

 

After years of not getting sucked into the messy civil war on land, Somalia’s pirate gangs are taking sides — both sides.

 

 

 

France Steps Up Roma Deportation Despite E.U. Criticism

 

Piqued by protest at home and abroad following its anti-Roma campaign, France's conservative government steps up expulsions -- and risks splitting the ruling right

 

 

 

Full Plate for Medvedev's Baku Visit

 

When President Dmitry Medvedev arrives in Azerbaijan Thursday for a two-day visit in yet another bid to strengthen the Kremlin's influence in the South Caucasus, he will face all the unsolved problems that have troubled the region since the Soviet breakup.

 

 

 

Sugar hits sweet spot for stockholders

 

Commodity in short supply for second consecutive season.

 

 

 

Saudi questions maid's nail torture

 

The head of the country's employee recruitment committee told Saudi state television that the account of LT Ariyawathi seemed "80 percent fabricated" and suggested the motive could be extortion.

 

 

 

Chile miners given first hot meal

 

Chilean miners trapped underground receive their first hot meal in 26 days

 

 

 

Work on Libya railway system moving forward

 

Qaddafi says having a railway system is crucial. Libya is the only country in North Africa without one.

 

 

Baghdad to Damascus, a road with no way back

 

Iraqis continue to flee their country, and though they long for home, many acknowledge returning is an impossible dream.

 

 

 

Erdoğan renews call for CHP to lift scarf ban after referendum

 

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has renewed his call for the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to support efforts to lift Turkey’s controversial headscarf ban once the Sept. 12 referendum is complete, in a move that tests the CHP’s stance regarding the Islamic garment

 

 

 

Egypt to rehabilitate 16 Nile water gauge stations in Sudan

 

Egypt, Sudan - A delegation of the Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation has started the executive procedures of a project to renovate and rehabilitate 16 Nile water gauge stations in south Sudan.

 

 

 

Why are Germans upset over critic of Islam?

 

Former politician admits trying to ‘jolt’ Germans over Muslim integrati

 

 

 

China not keeping World Trade Organization pledges

 

China has failed to honor promises to the World Trade Organization to open its oil and phone markets, a European business group said Thursday, adding to complaints of worsening conditions for foreign companies.

 

 

 

Wheat pushes world food prices up

 

UN says international food prices have risen to levels not seen since 2008, partly because of drought in Russia.

 

 

Floods swamp south Sudan region

 

Some 57,000 people have been forced from their homes because of dramatic floods in south-western Sudan over the past month, officials say.

 

 

 

China begins Yellow Sea exercises

 

The Chinese navy begins artillery exercises in the Yellow Sea, days before the US and South Korea hold similar manoeuvres there.

 

 

 

 

Pakistan military abandons US trips after being 'mistaken for terrorists'

 

A delegation of Pakistani military officers has abandoned a trip to the US after being mistaken for terrorists and ordered off an airliner.

 

 

 

Hurricane prompts US evacuations

 

Evacuations begin in areas of the US East Coast likely to be hit by Hurricane Earl, which has strengthened to a category four storm again.

 

 

Darwin's secret

 

Why little-known Darwin project is still causing controversy

 

 

 

Wikileaks rape inquiry reopened

 

Sweden's director of public prosecutions orders the reopening of a rape investigation into Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

 

 

 

Daghestanis less strict in their Islam than their counterparts in Chechnya and Ingushetia

 

Although Daghestan has the reputation of being the most Islamic republic in the Russian Federation, the residents of its capital city Makhachkala are both more religiously diverse and less disciplined in their practice of the faith than the residents of the capitals of Chechnya and Ingushetia, according to an independent poll.

 

 

 

Smoking ban introduced in Greece

 

A new law comes into force in Greece banning smoking in enclosed public spaces and prohibiting tobacco advertising.

 

 

 

The world's youngest airline boss

 

A 17 year old from Lincolnshire has become the world's youngest airline boss

 

 

 

Nearly third of Russians have enough money only for food

 

Over the past twelve months the percentage of Russians who literally "struggle to make ends meet" has noticeably dropped from 14% to 9%, sociologists from the Levada-Center told Interfax on Wednesday after conducting a nationwide poll.

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What's Happening Today - Thursday 2 September

Japan: The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) holds a ministerial-level conference of Caribbean nations.

 

China: People's Liberation Army's North Sea Fleet holds firing exercise in Yellow Sea off Qingdao; follows major US-Korean naval exercise (-4)

 

South Korea: Indian Defence Minister A. K. Antony visits, first such trip by an Indian defence minister; expected to discuss modernization programme of Indian armed forces; Korean companies are vying for Indian army's equipment acquisition programmes

 

Pakistan: Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar visits flood-hit areas; trip comes amid reports that President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad is to visit "this week" (Iranian news agency Fars)

 

Nepal: Protests marking Tibet Democracy Day; two activists were arrested in Kathmandu on 30 August putting up posters advertising anti-China protest

 

Philippines: The Philippine's Secretary of Justice, Leila de Lima organises an inter-agency task force to investigate a bus hostage incident that saw eight Hong Kong tourists killed.

 

Russia: Russia celebrates 'Victory over Japan' in World War II, a new national memorial day, established by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and approved by the Russian Duma. Celebrations will take place in Vladivostok with a parade, wreath laying and naval ships display. 

 

Russia: Moscow's Zamoskvoretskiy court hears case against opposition politician Boris Nemtsov accused of disobeying police during 31 July rally in defence of freedom of assembly

 

Russia: The Caucus Emirates' Doku Umarov has named a new commander of insurgents in Dagestan, Russia, Kavkaz-Tsentr news agency website reported. Amir Khasan, also known as Israpil Velidzhanov, has been named "commander of the Dagestani front and governor of the province of Dagestan of the Caucasus Emirate," according to Chechen rebel website Kavkaz Tsentr.

 

Russia: Valday Forum discussion conference on Russian affairs involving experts from across the globe; participants meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (-7)

 

Pakistan: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for suicide attacks on a Shia procession in Lahore that killed at least 30 people.  Qari Hussain Mehsud warned that more attacks would follow.

 

Pakistan: The latest from Pakistan and the flood relief efforts.  Hundreds of hungry families are blocking a highway in Pakistan's flood-hit south demanding the government provide more food as the UN warned of a "triple threat" to desperate survivors.

 

Azerbaijan: Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev visits, expected to sign border deal with counterpart Ilham Aliyev (-3)

 

Azerbaijan: Appeal hearing for imprisoned journalist Eynulla Fatullayev who was sentenced to 11 years in jail for slandering army; European Court of Human ruled in April that Fatullayev should be freed; delayed from 26 August

 

Iraq: Following up after thirty Iraqi lawmakers from the al-Iraqiya List split from the bloc to create a new group called the National Moderate Trend (NMT), al-Iraqiya member Kazim al-Shamri said

 

Turkey: The United States will not participate in a third session of military exercises hosted by the Turkish air force this year, claiming that there will be no other international participants, Hurriyet reported

 

Turkey: Turkey's gasoline exports to Iran fell by 74 percent in July

 

Kenya: International Criminal Court registrar Silvana Arbia visits to holds talks with President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga (-3); trip comes after chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo was authorized to open investigation into 2008 post-election violence

 

Chad: A second batch of fighters from a Chadian opposition group returned to Ndjamena from  the capital of Northern Darfur State. The 150 members of the former rebel Movement for Justice and Social Change left Al-Fashir Airport with Chadian Security Minister Abderaman Mussa.

 

Morocco: Interim Guinean President Gen Sekouba Konate visits to undergo medical check up

 

Dniester: Unrecognized breakaway Dniester region marks 20 years of de facto independence; military parade expected. Moldova denounced the breakaway region of Transdniestria for celebrating its "unconstitutional" regime

 

Bulgaria: Supreme Administrative Court hears corruption case against ethnic Turkish Rights and Freedoms Movement (DPS) leader Akhmed Dogan

 

Slovakia: Amnesty International launches report calling for the end of segregation for Romani children in Slovakia.

 

Slovakia: Day of mourning for victims of 30 August shooting in Bratislava, where gunman shot dead six members of Roma family and another woman before killing himself

 

Bosnia: Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrives in Sarajevo and travels to Konak where he will attend a ceremony and meet with the Bosnian presidency before signing an agreement.

 

Bosnia: Bosnia's national parliament endorsed a decision by the country's presidency to send an infantry unit of 45 men to join the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan

 

Italy: Israel's President Shimon Peres visits Pope Benedict at his summer residence.

 

Germany: A European Central Bank meeting is expected to approve the provision of unlimited funding to the banking sector until at least year-end and to announce interest rates.

 

France: U.S. border inspectors are due to start work at Paris’ main airport, examining passports of passengers bound for America before they leave France. Although the system is in place in several other cities, the presence of U.S. inspectors in uniform has a special significance in a country which has often had tense relations with America.

 

France: French journalists demonstrate in support of two France Television reporters on the 250^th day of their captivity at the hands of Afghan insurgents.

 

Sweden: Sweden's chief prosecutor reopens a preliminary investigation into rape charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange that a lower official had withdrawn two weeks ago.

 

Spain: A group of six Cuban political prisoners have been released and are due to arrive in another wave of a release of dissidents jailed since 2003 that could lead to improved relations between the Cuban government and the European Union.

 

UK: The latest on the Pakistan cricket betting scandal.

 

UK: Extradition hearing for a man accused of attempting to sell batteries, sourced in the U.S., for surface to air missiles to Tehran. The court will decide if 63-year-old Christopher Tappin should be sent to the U.S. to face charges. If convicted he could face 35 years in an American jail.

 

Brazil: Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, signed eight cooperation accords during a meeting in Brasilia. The two leaders signed agreements that included border information sharing, biodiesel and agriculture development, and the unrestricted movement of people between Leticia, Colombia, and Tabatinga, Brazil.

 

US: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, King Abdullah of Jordan and Quartet representative Tony Blair arrive at the U.S. State Department to commence renewed Middle East peace talks.

 

·         13G Protest outside State Dept by Palestinian American group who call talks a 'sham'.

·         14G Direct talks open with comments from Clinton/Netanyahu/Abbas

·         Closed meeting follows opening remarks

·         US Envoy George Mitchell will brief the press after the meeting

·         16G Shalom International stages a "Rally for Israel and a United Jerusalem" outside the White House.

 

US: Hurricane Earl bears down on eastern U.S., as visitors and some residents are evacuated from low-lying islands off the North Carolina coast.

 

Mexico: At least 17 migrants kidnapped in northern Mexico, according to police. News comes as drug cartel violence reduces Mexico's gross domestic product (GDP) by about 1.2 percentage points, Mexican Finance Secretary Ernesto Cordero said

 

 

 

 

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