What's Happening Today - Wednesday 6 October

Japan:

Japan will decide today whether to deploy a Ground Self-Defence Force unit to the Nansei islands in response to China's increased naval activities, Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said

Japan:

Japan's central bank lowered the key interest rate to a range of zero and 0.1 percent until it judges that price stability is in sight. The central bank said it would examine establishing a temporary fund to buy $60 billion of government bonds, commercial paper, corporate bonds and exchange-traded funds.

China:

UN climate change conference continues in Tianjin (-9) ahead of main summit in Cancun, Mexico, on 29 November-10 December

Thailand:

The Thai Cabinet approved an extension of the state of emergency in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakarn and Pathum Thani for another three months

Mongolia:

China and Mongolia are expected to jointly build a highway connecting the two countries with a total investment of 2.51 billion yuan (roughly $375 million). The new highway will run from Mongolia's southwest Omnogovi Aymag province to Ganqimaodu, a border town in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, roughly 245 km in length.

Russia:

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev considers pirates operating near the coast of Somalia to be the main threat to global navigation and has called on other countries to support the creation of an international piracy tribunal. Spain, France, Italy and Germany are already in support of the proposal.

Russia:

Russia's commercial natural uranium reserves have doubled and production has risen 13 percent since the beginning of 2010. The acquisition of Canada's Uranium One has also substantially increased reserves. Fuel supply and enrichment contracts will reach $20 billion by the end of the year

Kashmir:

The removal of 16 paramilitary bunker installations from Srinagar in Indian-controlled Kashmir is under way as part of the government’s regional eight-point peace initiative

Pakistan:

The NATO supply suspension through Torkham in Pakistan's Khyber district continued for a sixth day with 200 tankers and containers queued at the border. Security arrangements are still to be provided by Khasadar security forces, even though another tanker was destroyed yesterday.

Afghanistan:

The announcement for Afghan parliamentary election results has been postponed, according to a statement from the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission. The results are to be announced October 17 rather than the originally scheduled date of October 9.

Kazakhstan:

Kazakhstan will almost double oil exports to Europe via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium beginning in 2011, Kazakh Oil and Gas Minister Sauat Mynbayev said  (an increase of exports from 27 million metric tons per year to 52.2 million metric tons per year)

Kazakhstan:

Serb President Boris Tadic visits (-7)

Georgia:

Georgia will transport about two billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani natural gas to Bulgaria.  According to an Azerbaijani-Bulgarian agreement, natural gas will be supplied to the Georgian port of Poti, compressed and sent to Bulgaria. Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri stated that Bulgaria may join the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRI) project to supply liquefied Azerbaijani natural gas to Europe.

Turkey:

Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger to visit Turkey.

Saudi Arabia:

Members of the Yemen-based al Qaeda affiliate, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), have threatened to launch new attacks on Saudi royal family members in a video message posted on the Internet. AQAP commander Qassem al-Rimi and assistant commander Said al-Shihri spoke in the video, saying the strikes would be in retaliation for “Saudi attacks”.

Egypt:

Arab League foreign ministers have postponed meeting to 8 October, and moved it from Cairo to Sirte, Libya; Mahmud Abbas was to announce whether he is pulling out of peace talks with Israel; date, venue changed on Egypt's demand

Egypt:

President Husni Mubarak attends 6 October Victory celebrations at Suez Canal; anniversary marking start of 1973 Yom Kippur war between Arab countries, Israel

Sudan:

UN Security Council delegation begins visit to Darfur, South Sudan regional capital Juba ahead of 2011 independence referendum (-8)

Tunisia:

Islamic Conference of Environment Ministers’ last day; representatives from 57 members of Organization of Islamic Conference in attendance (Syrian news agency SANA)

Algeria:

Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev visits to meet counterpart Abd al-Aziz Butafliqa, Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia; goes on to Cyprus

Somalia:

Uganda can raise the 20,000 troops the African Union says it needs to defeat Somali rebels and return the country to calm. Museveni said the solution to piracy lies in fighting on land, not by sea, as EU navies have been doing for almost two years.

Uganda:

World Agricultural Forum - East Africa

South Africa:

Botswana President Seretse Khama Ian Khama visits for talks with counterpart Jacob Zuma on energy, water supplies, trade, infrastructure

Nigeria:

The election team for former Nigerian military ruler Ibrahim Babangida accused authorities of carrying out a political witch hunt after Babangida's campaign director, Raymond Dokpesi, was held for questioning regarding recent bombings in Abuja

Nigeria:

Ruling party to hold primaries (to Oct. 8) to select candidates for state assemblies, state governorship and national parliamentary elections, due to be held in January.

Guinea:

The run-off election for the Guinean presidency will be held on October 24, a government spokesman said on state television

Cyprus:

Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev arrives from Algeria (see below) to meet counterpart Dhimitrios Khristofias (-7); the two attend business forum tomorrow

Ukraine:

Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic continues visit to meet counterpart Viktor Yanukovych, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, parliament speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn

Greece:

Civil servants union Adedy, country's second largest syndicate, holds strike against government's austerity measures

Romania:

The Constitutional Court is expected to issue ruling on the leftist opposition request to overturn an IMF-backed pension bill. Decision was delayed from Sept. 29.

Sweden:

2010 Nobel Prize for Chemistry due to be announced (0945 at the earliest).

Germany:

Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner meets Chancellor Angela Merkel, counterpart Christian Wulff (-7)

EU:

Brussels hosts separate EU summit meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak; Wen later goes to Italy to meet counterpart Silvio Berlusconi (-7); free-trade agreement expected to be signed at EU-South Korea summit

EU:

East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta addresses European Parliament in Brussels; he already met European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso

UK:

Conservative Party annual conference final day.

Belgium:

EU to unveil plans to strengthen its single market, aiming to create jobs and boost cross-border trade and investment.

Cuba:

Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes visits to meet counterpart Raul Castro, sign several deals; last day of visit

Mexico:

The Mexican navy captured 17 alleged members of the Gulf cartel during an operation in Matamoros, Tamaulipas state, El Universal reported. The navy also seized at least 100,000 rounds of ammunition, military-style camouflage uniforms and 42 vehicles. At least six of the detained individuals claimed to belong to various local police groups.

Ecuador:

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa issued a decree saying that the nation's state of alert, which allows the army to patrol the streets, will be extended until October 8.

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My Press Review - Tuesday 5 October

Blasts kills seven in Afghanistan

 

Three explosions just minutes apart rocked Kandahar on Monday night, killing up to four Afghan police officers in the nation's largest city in the south.

 

Drones Kill Westerners in Pakistan

 

Drone aircraft operated by the Central Intelligence Agency killed several militants with German citizenship in the mountains of Pakistan.

 

 

Congress getting frustrated with Pakistan as a war ally

 

The closure of a key supply route for coalition forces in Afghanistan, a spate of attacks on NATO fuel tankers and criticism of U.S. drone strikes are fueling frustration in Congress over Pakistan's performance as an ally in the war against militants.

 

 

US mid-terms 'set to break spending records'

 

Spending on next month's Congressional elections in the US is expected to reach $4 billion after rules on campaign financing were relaxed by a Supreme Court judgement that has opened the floodgates.

 

 

Cities in Debt Turn to States, Adding Strain

 

A growing number of towns and cities are seeking refuge in programs that many states provide as alternatives to federal bankruptcy court.

 

 

Iraqis flock to Baghdad's 4D cinema

 

After years of sanctions and conflict which almost killed off a once thriving industry, a new sort of cinema has opened up in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

 

 

New austerity measures for Greece

 

The Greek government announces new austerity measures in its 2011 draft budget in an attempt to restore the country's finances.

 

 

Is Bosnia One Step Closer to Unity -- Or Collapse?

 

The results of Bosnia's elections on Sunday show voters moving tentatively away from ethnic tension and towards change. But can its leaders come together quickly enough to save the country from falling apart?

 

 

Geert Wilders trial suspended after he attacks judge

 

The anti-Islam politician told a Dutch court that he stood by his opinions that Islam is as dangerous as Nazism, as he went on trial for inciting racial hatred.

 

 

Strong Swiss Franc crushes East European home buyers

 

Ildiko Papp can calmly discuss the collapse of her family company and break-ins at her home and business. Mention the Swiss franc, however, and she struggles to keep from crying.

 

'Made in Italy?has prestige in China

 

When Fabio Trassarti brought the footwear brand Giovanni Giusti to the Chinese market in 2005 with a single outlet in Beijing, he insisted the labels said Made in Italy to appeal to his Asian clientele.

 

 

Did militant Israeli settlers burn mosque near Bethlehem?(Yes)

 

Many Israelis suspect militant Israeli settlers, seeking to incite religious violence and undermine peace negotiations, attacked a Palestinian mosque near Bethlehem.

 

Iran and Egypt to resume flights

 

Egypt and Iran agree to resume direct flights between their capitals for the first time in three decades

 

 

Rail row threatens to derail Merkel

 

Opponents of a multibillion-euro rail modernisation project in Stuttgart were gearing up to take to the streets tonight to demonstrate against a scheme that could determine the future of Angela Merkel's government

 

 

Haiti still waiting for aid pledged by U.S., others

 

Nearly nine months after the magnitude 7 earthquake of Jan. 12, more than a million Haitians still live on the streets amid piles of rubble. One reason: Not a cent of the $1.15 billion the U.S. promised for rebuilding has arrived.

 

Yanukovych Expected to Fire 2 Ministers in Days

 

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is expected to use new presidential powers to dismiss two ministers by the end of the week, the justice minister said

 

Nobel Prize given for test tube baby research

 

The Nobel Prize in medicine went to a man whose work led to the first test tube baby, an achievement that helped bring 4 million infants into the world and raised challenging new questions about human reproduction.

 

 

Fifa issues world ban to Nigeria

 

Fifa suspends Nigeria from international competition because of government interference in the sport.

 

 

Prisoners 'should work 40 hours'

 

Prisoners in England and Wales should work a 40-hour week, says the Justice Secretary Ken Clarke.

 

 

Luzhkov steps up fight with Kremlin

 

Moscow's sacked mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, today announced plans to create a new public movement to fight for democracy, in what amounted to an escalation in his battle with the Kremlin.

 

 

Kazakhstan launches state caviar monopoly

 

Kazakhstan is launching a state monopoly caviar brand onto the world market to take advantage of the first internationally agreed quotas in three years.

 

 

English becomes Europe's second language

 

English has become Europe's second language of choice with two thirds of people in the continent able to speak it, according to a survey.

 

 

Police horses may be put out to grass

 

After 250 years, mounted police could be unhorsed by spending cuts

 

 

Berlin Wall Shooting Game Stirs Anger

 

A German student has created a computer game giving players a taste of life as an East German border guard shooting political fugitives fleeing to the West, to the outrage of victims' relatives.

 

Human waste used to power homes

 

Didcot householders become the first in the UK to use gas piped into the national grid which is derived from human waste.

 

'World's smallest apartment' on sale in Rome

 

A former porter's closet measuring five square metres (55 sq ft) has gone on the market in Rome at £43,000

 

 

 

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What's Happening Today - Tuesday 5 October

Japan:

A Japanese official said he plans to visit the disputed Kuril Islands as part a visa-free exchange program, Kyodo reported. Japanese Minister of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Sumio Mabuchi made the comments after Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said he may visit the islands soon. Russia controls the islands, which Japan refers to as the Northern Territories. Mabuchi, speaking from Nemuro, Hokkaido prefecture, did not specify when his visit would occur.

China: 

UN climate change conference continues in Tianjin (-9) ahead of main summit in Mexico's Cancun on 29 November-10 December

Thailand: 

Court continues hearing new charges against alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor But (Bout); verdict possible today which may clear the way for his extradition to USA, despite strong opposition from Russia

Russia:

Russia's Defence Ministry announced the creation of a new military district for southern Russia, Xinhua reported. General Alexander Galkin has taken command of the new district. Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said the new district will fulfil several tasks, including fighting terrorism, keeping a permanent naval presence in Ukraine, keeping Georgia from its breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and air defence tasks outside Russia.

Russia: 

Investment forum "Russia Calling!"; Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, presidential aide Arkadiy Dvorkovich, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Tyhypko, French Economy, Industry and Employment Minister Christine Lagarde attend

India:

Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, head of the Indian air force, said anything that affects India's growth is a matter of concern, amid the ascension and modernization of China's military. According to Naik, the Indian air force's current procurement plans rest on four pillars: see, reach, hit and protect. Like the Indian army, the air force is tweaking its doctrine to prepare for future multi-front wars, Naik said.

Nepal:

Nepalese police confiscated ballot boxes from Tibetan refugees wishing to vote for the exiled government led by the Dalai Lama, Bloomberg reported 

Tajikistan:

Watching developments as at least six people were killed in clashes in Tajikistan. Five policemen, one of them an officer, were also killed in the gun battles, and one more was wounded. (NB A special operation was launched in eastern Tajikistan on September 22, aimed at rounding up former opposition militants)

Tajikistan:

The price of Kazakh flour exported to Tajikistan has nearly doubled, Asia-Plus reported. The release price of third-grade wheat was $261 per metric ton and $395 per metric ton for first-grade flour. Prices increased by $80 per metric ton during transport to the Dushanbe-1 station, the ministry said, adding that wholesale prices increase $3 to $5 each day.

Kazakhstan: 

Kazakhstan will reduce its number of civil servants by 15 percent, which means 26,000 people will lose their jobs to provide savings in 2011

Iraq:

Following up after the Iraqi Council of Ministers postponed the 2010 census until December 5, according to an Iraqi Cabinet statement posted online 

Iraq:

Iraq's oil minister increased the estimate on the country's proven oil reserves to 143.1 billion barrels, an increase of nearly 25 percent

Egypt: 

Watching developments after Palestinian National Authority President Mahmud Abbas arrived yesterday for talks with President Husni Mubarak on direct talks with Israel, bilateral relations; Abbas expected to announce this week if he is pulling out of talks with Israelis after partial freeze on illegal Jewish colonies in occupied West Bank expired 

Somalia:

Somali Transitional Federal Government troops and African Union forces have reclaimed parts of Mogadishu from insurgents, Voice of America reported, adding that al Shabaab may be experiencing a leadership rift. (The group's second-in-command, Muktar Robow, may have withdrawn soldiers from Mogadishu)

Sudan: 

UN Security Council delegation visits, makes trips to Darfur, South Sudan regional capital Juba ahead of next year's independence referendum; no plans to meet President Umar al-Bashir

Sudan: 

Looking for reaction after Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha said a referendum on whether Sudan's Abyei region will join the north or the south will not happen unless outstanding issues are resolved first

Nigeria:

Following up after the owner of Nigeria-based Africa Independent Television network, Raymond Dokpesi, was arrested in connection with car bombings in Nigeria on Oct. 1 that killed 12 people. (NB Dokpesi is also the chairman of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida's presidential campaign). 

Ivory Coast: 

Distribution of identity, voter cards begins in Abidjan ahead of 31 October presidential election; due to be extended to other parts of the country (Ivorian TV news)

Ukraine:

Energoatom, the Ukrainian state enterprise that runs all of the country's nuclear power facilities, has reached an agreement with Atomenergomash, a Russian entity controlled by state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, to establish a consortium for local production of nuclear power plant equipment

Serbia: 

Tenth anniversary of downfall of Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic

Bosnia Hercegovina:

Looking for reaction after Bakir Izetbegovic said he is ready to work with other ethnic groups after voters backed him for the Muslim seat in Bosnia’s tripartite presidential poll. Social Democrat Zeljko Komsic garnered more than 50 percent in his bid to retain the Croat seat while Nebojsa Radmanovic appears to have kept the Serbian job.

Germany: 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

EU: 

Brussels hosts eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit of heads of state and government; Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan attend; second and final day

Sweden:

2010 Nobel Prize for Physics due to be announced (0945 at the earliest).

UN:

World Teachers' Day.

US: 

Sentence expected in trial of Faisal Shahzad, Pakistani-born US citizen who pleaded guilty to attempting to set off car bomb on Times Square, New York, in May

US:

President Barack Obama will address the 2010 Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit at the Mellon Auditorium to talk about the impact of women in business on the economy.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Monday 4 October

Israeli soldiers convicted of using boy as human shield

 

An Israeli court-martial found two soldiers guilty on Sunday of forcing a nine-year-old Palestinian boy to search for suspected booby-traps on their behalf during the 2008-2009 war in the Gaza Strip.

 

 

Key Nato supply route hit again in Pakistan

 

Suspected militants attacked and set fire to around 20 tankers carrying oil for Nato and US troops in Afghanistan on Monday killing three people, the third such strike inside Pakistan in as many days, police said.

 

 

Japan and China Square Off in Asia's New Cold War

 

The latest feud between China and Japan isn't just about territory -- it's a wider struggle for supremacy in the region that could draw in the U.S.

 

 

Brazil election: favourite Dilma Rousseff forced into runoff vote

 

Dilma Rousseff, the favourite to win Brazil's presidential election, has been forced into a second-round runoff vote with her main rival after failing to secure 50 per cent of the vote in the first round.

 

 

Wen Jiabao promises political reform for China

 

Wen Jiabao, the Chinese prime minister, has promised that China will carry out political reform and acknowledged that the need for democracy and freedom in China is "irresistible".

 

 

Indian call centre teaches maths in UK

 

Howard Johnson visits a call centre in India that teaches mathematics to children in north London.

 

 

Top economist warns of European 'wave of austerity'

 

Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz has warned a "wave of austerity" is sweeping across Europe that could trigger a new recession

 

 

More Countries Adopt China’s Tactics on Currency

 

A growing number of countries are retreating from some free-market rules that have guided international trade.

 

 

Outsiders: The trouble with the Roma

 

This Thursday, in a hall in the Council of Europe's headquarters in Strasbourg, a group of academics, government advisers and gypsy representatives will get together to discuss the next steps in a pan-European project entitled "The Decade of Roma Inclusion, 2005 to 2015".

 

 

Afghans begin ousting security contractors

 

The Afghan government said Sunday it has started dissolving private security firms in the country by taking steps to end the operations of eight companies, including the firm formerly known as Blackwater and three other foreign contractors.

 

 

Kılıçdaroğlu draws ire with Iranian-model headscarf proposal

 

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who has been pledging to solve Turkey's headscarf issue since he took the helm of his party, finally made public his proposal: He cited the Iranian and Pakistani style of head covering as his example, drawing severe criticism from multiple fronts.

 

 

Cross erected on historic Akdamar church

 

A cross that had been commissioned by the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey was installed Saturday on an Armenian church on Akdamar Island in the eastern province of Van.

 

 

Nations hope ASEM Summit will help bind them closer together

 

The 8th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, to be held in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday and Tuesday, is the first of the biennial gatherings since the Lisbon Treaty came into force in December 2009.

 

 

Pro-Russia Party Fails to Topple Latvian Government

 

Despite polls predicting that a pro-Russia party would win Latvia's weekend elections, the ruling government won a mandate to keep Latvia on the path of IMF-led austerity instead of renewed ties with Russia.

 

 

Ukraine Court Boosts Yanukovych's Powers

 

Ukraine's Constitutional Court strengthened President Viktor Yanukovych's control in the country by handing him key presidential powers lost to parliament in 2004.

 

 

Okinawa stand-off

 

Why residents hate the US bases that Japan can't give up

 

 

Debate Over Meaning of Standoff in Ecuador

 

As dust settles from an uprising, many are still trying to make sense of what happened.

 

 

CCTV web monitoring site launches

 

A website which pays the public to monitor live commercial CCTV footage online is due to be launched.

 

 

Voters in 3 states to consider opting out of 'Obamacare'

 

After taking a beating at the hands of Missouri voters in August, "Obamacare" could be roughed up once again at the ballot box in November.

 

 

Erdoğan in Bulgaria to boost ties

 

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is visiting Bulgaria today to have talks with officials in a bid to improve bilateral relations with the neighboring country

 

 

France's age limit on 'immortals'

 

France's Académie Française, its select club of "immortals" tasked with protecting the French language from foreign corruption, has introduced a 75-year age limit on new entrants.

 

 

Oil Output Reaches Post-Soviet High

 

Russian oil output hit a new record of 10.16 million barrels per day in September, Energy Ministry data released Saturday showed, as fields returned from maintenance.

 

 

Iraq facing 'last chance' for democracy

 

An Iraqi governor and leading Sunni politician said Sunday that the nation's "last chance fordemocracy" could be derailed if the Shi'ite prime minister keeps his job despite losing to a Sunni-backed coalition in elections seven months ago.

 

 

Europsceptic think tank receives £500,000 a year - from the European Parliament

 

Conservative think tank that wants to see cuts in European spending is receiving £500,000 a year from the EU

 

China's moon goal right on schedule

 

Successful launch of probe brings lunar landing closer

 

 

Tennessee Firemen ignore burning house over unpaid subscription fee

 

Firemen responding to an emergency call watched a house burn down because its owners had not paid a $75 (£47) local fire subscription fee.

 

 

Pakistanis snap up Satellite dishes for Indian soaps

 

Pakistani viewers are snapping up satellite dishes to tune in to Indian soap operas, Bollywood movies and music stations banned from their cable networks.

 

 

Serbs go to Kosovo for patriarch

 

Thousands of Serbs have attended the enthronement in Kosovo of the new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej.

 

Female students wearing hotpants protest niqab ban in Paris

 

Women nicknamed "niqabitches" post video which has had more than 70,000 views to date; say it is a lighthearted protest against governmental ruling

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What's Happening Today - Monday 4 October

Japan:
 
Ruling party secretary-general Katsuya Okada holds news conference.

China: 

Beijing to host United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Thailand: 

Court hears new charges against alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor But; may clear the way for his extradition to USA 

Indonesia: 

Jakarta wraps up 11th World Assembly of Muslim Youth; some 700 participants from 30 countries expected

Russia: 

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych visits to meet counterpart Dmitriy Medvedev at regional business forum in Black Sea resort town of Gelendzhik 

Pakistan:

Pakistan preparying to reopen (by October 9) the supply route used by NATO forces in Afghanistan that was closed this week, according to Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani.

Azerbaijan:

OSCE mediators in the Azeri-Armenian conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conduct a 10-day field mission (to Oct. 14) in the seven territories surrounding the disputed rebel region and held by Armenian-backed forces since the war ended in 1994.

Armenia: 

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze visits; meets President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan; second and final day 

Syria: 

Watching developments after the Syrian judiciary issued arrest warrants for 33 individuals accused of lying to investigators regarding the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Syria's First Investigative Magistrate issued the warrants against judges, politicians, police officers, journalists and others, including the former head of the UN investigation, Detlev Mehlis, and his assistant Gerhard Lehmann. The arrest warrants were filed for the lawsuit brought by the former head of the General Security Directorate in Lebanon, Jamil al-Sayyed. The Lebanese judiciary and Interpol have been notified about the warrants.

Egypt: 

POSTPONED Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas was expected to announce whether he is pulling out of peace talks with Israel after consulting with delegation of Arab foreign ministers (Arab Follow-Up Committee) in Cairo; tentatively postponed until 6 or 8-9 October 

Sudan:

President Umar al-Bashir visits River Nile State to inspect flood-affected areas; expected to address rally in town of Shendi 

Algeria:

At least five Algerian soldiers were killed and 10 others were wounded when their convoy in Tizi Ouzou province was attacked, El Wanat reported 

Greece:

A parliamentary investigative committee will present its findings of an inquiry into a 280 million euro ($375.7 million) structured government bond issued in February 2007, underwritten by JP Morgan, that passed through several brokers before ending up with state-run pension funds at inflated prices.

Poland: 

Largest military exercise this year held; Anakonda-2010 involves thousands of soldiers, tanks, helicopters and ships close to the Russian border

Bosnia-Hercegovina: 

Results expected in election race for new four-year term in Bosnia-Hercegovina collective Presidency; Zeljko Komsic, Bakir Izetbegovic and Nebojsa Radmanovic are leading, according to preliminary results released by central election commission after votes gathered from nearly 75 per cent of polling stations were counted 

Sweden:

2010 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine due to be announced (0930 at the earliest).

EU: 

Brussels hosts eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit of heads of state and government; Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan attend, likely to have bilateral meeting; Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari to represent India (-5) 

UK: 

Nepal army chief Chhatraman Singh Gurung visits for talks on issues including support to UN peacekeeping operations, Gurkhas, Nepal peace process (-8) 

UK:

Day two of Britain's Conservative party conference.

UK:

Saudi Prince Saud Bin Abdulaziz goes on trial at the Old Bailey charged with killing his friend at a hotel in Marylebone, London on Feb 5.

Spain:

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria gives a conference called "Spain after the crisis: a new model of growth".

Brazil:

Dilma Rousseff, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's chief of staff and preferred successor, leads in the first round of Brazil's presidential election with 46.6 percent of the vote but will likely face her closest opponent, Jose Serra, in a runoff election. Serra received 32.8 percent of the vote, and Green Party candidate Marina Silva took 19.5 percent. The runoff election is set for Oct. 31.

Cuba:

Cuba has contacted about 12 political prisoners to discuss their potential release in exchange for leaving Cuba, according to a Cuban human rights activist, Elizardo Sanchez 

UN:

World Animal Day and World Habitat Day 2010.

US:

The trial for Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani (the first detainee to be transferred from the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba, to the civilian courts system) starts. Ghailani, a Tanzanian, is accused of supplying some of the explosives in the 1998 US embassy bombings coordinated by al Qaida.

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My Press Review - Sunday 3 October

Boy, 15, gets first permanent artifical heart

 

A 15-year-old Italian boy has become the first child patient in the world to be permanently implanted with an artificial heart.

 

 

Reel despair

 

Curtains close on the magic of Iraq's cinemas

 

 

Crops in Australia threatened by locust plague of Biblical proportion

 

An area of farmland the size of Spain could be destroyed by a swarm of locusts in western Australia.

 

 

Iraq close to forming new government

 

Iraq is moving closer to ending the political deadlock that has now broken the world record for the length of time taken to form a new government.

 

 

Iraq: How a Census Threatens an Oil-Rich City

 

Everyone from the Kurds to the Arabs to the Turkmen wants a big share of Kirkuk, the ancient but oil-soaked Iraqi city. But a census may give the Kurds the best argument to take it all

 

 

Smugglers of Drugs Burrow on Border

 

As enforcement efforts have increased and border barriers have been built, tunneling has gained in popularity, with Nogales, Ariz., becoming the capital

 

 

No talks until Israel halts settlements, PLO says

 

Direct talks with Israel will not resume unless it halts the building of Jewish settlements on occupied land, the Palestinian leadership said on Saturday.

 

 

Housekeeper fracas mars California governor debate

 

California's first Spanish-language debate in the race for governor turned into an angry exchange on Saturday when Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown traded charges of lies and deception over the case of an illegal immigrant who used to work for Whitman.

 

 

Dutch party vote paves way for right-wing cabinet

 

Christian Democrats and Geert Wilders’s party to support minority cabinet led by pro-business VVD party; New gov’t plans to ban burkas, tighten immigration laws

 

 

Pagans to get tax breaks after religious ruling

 

Druidry is to become the first pagan practice to be given official recognition as a religion, in a move by the Charity Commission.

 

 

Doctors launch right-to-die campaign

 

New group will challenge medical bodies such as the BMA that oppose any change in the law on assisted suicide

 

 

Morocco: 21.5 % increase in goods exports

 

Morocco's goods exports stood, in the year to August, at 93.14 billion dirhams (1 USD = 8.18 MAD), up 21.5%

 

 

War on Naxals is a conspiracy to grab their ancestral land: Arundhati Roy

 

 “The war on Naxals is a conspiracy to acquire their ancestral land for industrial use. The deployment of security forces in the Naxal-affected States is a violation of the Human Rights Act,” said writer-activist Arundhati Roy.

 

 

Iran detains 'spies' over cyber attack

 

Iran had detained several "spies" involved in attempts to sabotage the country's nuclear programme through cyberspace, the Iranian intelligence minister, Heydar Moslehi, s

 

 

Divided Bosnians go to the polls

 

Bosnians are set to vote in a general election after a campaign focusing on the deep ethnic divisions in the country.

 

 

Ecuador 'to revise austerity law'

 

The Ecuadorean government says it will rewrite parts of an austerity law which sparked a police rebellion earlier this week.

 

 

In Naples, Police and Protestors Clash Over Trash

 

With garbage collectors on strike and protests against a landfill on Mount Vesuvius turning violent, Naples is down in the dumps yet again

 

 

Campaign seeking civilianservice alternative to military service draws support

 

 “I am studying at Boğaziçi University and I want to be an academic. I do not want to spend six or nine months of my life at a period when I am at the top of my academic performance on defense training, which would be taught to me for a shorter period.

 

 

First Look Inside the Proposed Islamic Center

 

The planners of Park51 revealed sketches of the center, to be built near ground zero, to the wider public for the first time.

 

 

British schools where girls must wear the Islamic veil

 

Hundreds of pupils forced to wear the Islamic veil in a move which has been heavily criticised by mainstream Muslims.

 

 

British engineers pitch for Saudi nuclear programme

 

Saudi Arabia moved closer to a hugely controversial civil nuclear programme this weekend, after UK and US engineers pitched to draw up its atomic energy plans.

 

 

Solar projects - Morocco to become electricity supplier to EU

 

By joining the Transgreen project to foster the Trans-Mediterranean electric power transmission network, Morocco is about to become

 

 

New polls show Brazil election may go to runoff

 

Brazilian ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff's lead narrowed in two polls released on Saturday on the eve of the presidential election, raising the prospect she may be forced into a runoff against her main rival.

 

 

Lula's legacy: glitzy, rich, dynamic

 

As President Lula prepares to leave office with an approval rating of 81%, he leaves a nation looking to the future with hope and a new confidence

 

 

 Kyrgyzstan tense as parliamentary vote nears: OSCE

Kyrgyzstan is highly volatile after June's ethnic clashes and there are widespread fears an election next weekend could trigger new violence, Europe's leading vote monitoring group has said.

World focus

Media prepare for moment when Chilean miners emerge from below

Vanishing world of the Arctic hunters

 

In the first of a series of dispatches, Stephen Pax Leonard reports on the unique culture of the Inughuit as the sea ice that has supported their ancient way of life melts beneath them

 

 

One Nation rally draws thousands

 

Thousands of people have attended a rally in Washington organised by coalition of civil rights groups, churches, equality activists and trade unions.

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What's Happening Today - Sunday 3 October

Japan: 

A senior Chinese industry ministry official told Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akihiro Ohata that Beijing will work toward "settling" the issue of stalled Chinese exports of rare earth minerals to Japan. Meanwhile, Japanese PM Naoto Kan has agreed with Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold to promote development projects of rare earth mineral mines in Mongolia

Indonesia: 

Jakarta hosts 11th World Assembly of Muslim Youth; some 700 participants from 30 countries expected (-4 Oct)

India: 

Commonwealth Games in New Delhi held amid security concerns (-14 Oct) 

Pakistan:

Watching developments after Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on 27 oil tankers carrying fuel for NATO forces in Afghanistan. So far, at least three US drone strikes in the Data Khel area of North Waziristan have been reported killing 18 unnamed people extrajudicially.

Iran: 

Law-Enforcement Week; police take part in special events staged across country (-8 Oct)

Yemen:

New hearing in trial of four suspected al-Qaida members, including German, Iraqi; charged with planning attacks on foreign interests, tourists, government, military targets 

West Bank:

Watching developments as Palestinian “leadership” has decided not to continue peace talks with Israel over a dispute on Zionist illegal settlement policy 

Egypt:

Fifty-seventh session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean 

Egypt: 

Joint Turkey-Egypt Naval Military Exercise Friendship Sea-2010 (-4 Oct)

Somalia: 

Al Shabaab fighters are believed to have made advances in the capital Mogadishu after attacking the presidential palace, fighting street battles in which at least seven people have died

South Africa:

Following up after the alleged leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has been reportedly arrested in South Africa. MEND members said Henry Okah was being interrogated by security agents in South Africa following a raid on his house by Interpol operatives on Sept. 30. 

Ivory Coast: 

Claude Gueant, Secretary-General to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, visits for talks with President Laurent Gbagbo, opposition leaders

Ukraine: 

Yalta European Strategy (YES) annual meeting, organized by major businessman Viktor Pinchuk; top Ukrainian, EU officials in attendance, including President Viktor Yanukovych, Polish counterpart Bronislaw Komorowski; final day 

Greece: 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visits for talks with counterpart Yeoryios Papandreou; Chinese participation in investment projects in Greece on agenda; addresses parliament (3); final day 

Poland: 

Largest military exercise this year held; Anakonda-2010 involves 7,000 soldiers, 23 helicopters, 16 vessels, over 120 tanks near Russian border (- 6 Oct)

Hungary: 

Municipal elections.

Bosnia-Hercegovina: 

Parliamentary, tripartite presidency elections; also parliamentary, regional cantonal elections in Muslim-Croat Federation entity, parliamentary, presidential elections in Serb Republic entity 

Germany: 

Unity Day, marking 20th anniversary of formal reunification of Germany

Holland:

Dutch Christian Democrat (CDA) party members has voted to uphold a coalition pact with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, which allows for a minority government to be formed with support from the anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV)

UK:

The British Conservative Party holds its annual conference.

Spain: 

National Day, as Catalan independence movement has become stronger and at a time when the war against ETA seems to have largely succeeded.

Portugal: 

East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta visits (-3 Oct) 

Brazil: 

Presidential, parliamentary, regional elections 

US:

Washington’s $700 billion bailout programme, TARP, officially expires.

Mexico:

Confidence in government’s ability to provide civilian security further eroded as armed gang kidnaps at least 20 Mexican tourists in the resort city of Acapulco

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