My Press Review - Monday 27 September

Pakistani minister resigns after criticizing army

 

Pakistan's federal minister for defense production resigned after being summoned by the prime minister to explain comments he made criticizing the army and accusing it of killing prominent politician

 

Kim's heir apparent set for debut in Pyongyang

 

North Korea's ruling Workers' Party is expected to unveil Kim Jong-il's third son as the successor to the ailing "Dear Leader" at a rare meeting in Pyongyang on Tuesday.

 

 

A Silent Attack, but Not a Subtle One

 

For a clandestine weapon, the Stuxnet worm wasn’t very subtle; its creators were sloppy and let it scatter randomly around the globe.

 

 

Health sector a big spender in fall election

 

Six months after the passage of President Obama's landmark health care reform, health care industry groups are spending a record amount of cash on candidates and causes as the prospect of major Republican gains this fall puts the future of Mr. Obama's signature legislative accomplishment in doubt.

 

Pirates Try to Form a Party

 

A group of activists in their 20s who advocate modernizing the economy by "copying everything" are trying to register as a political party just as Russia tightens its anti-piracy policies in a bid for membership in the World Trade Organization.

 

 

Proposed Moscow Mosque Stirs Protests

 

A dispute has escalated over plans to build a mosque in Moscow's southeastern outskirts, with local residents vowing to send an appeal with about 2,000 signatures to President Dmitry Medvedev and nationalist groups promising to support them

 

 

Japan to ask China to pay for damaged patrol boats

 

Japan said on Monday it would ask China to pay for damage made to Japan Coast Guard ships when a Chinese fishing boat collided with them near disputed islets, the latest sign of bickering between Asia's two biggest economies.

 

 

Pentagon destroyed 10,000 copies of army officer's book

 

The Pentagon has admitted buying up and destroying 10,000 copies of an insider's account of life in Afghanistan by an army intelligence officer.

 

 

New Muslim comic book superhero on the way

 

Comic book fans will soon be getting their first glimpse at an unlikely new superhero — a Muslim boy in a wheelchair with superpowers.

 

 

Pro-Kremlin Parties Spar Over 'Go Russia'

 

A first skirmish of the new election season has flared after both A Just Russia and the ruling United Russia party announced plans to create pro-modernization movements called Go Russia.

 

 

'The people are speaking'

 

Venezuelans turned out in large numbers on Sunday to vote in closely watched legislative elections as the opposition coalition sought a parliamentary check on leftist President Hugo Chavez ahead of 2012 presidential elections.

 

 

Sudan: oil revenues totalling $ 1.6 billion with 74 % increase

 

Sudanese oil revenues increased in the first half of this year to 39.3 million barrels, a jump of 74.8 percent when compared with same period

 

 

Turkey, Arab neighbors gear up for Mideast free trade zone

 

The foreign ministers of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan have agreed to step up cooperation as they move closer to creating a free trade zone, complete with visa-free travel in a cooperation scheme that many say would establish the Middle East's version of the European Union.

 

 

Chancellor Merkel says German unity a success after rocky start

 

Chancellor Angela Merkel said German unification had been for the most part a success in the past 20 years even though there are major gaps between the east and west.

 

  

Islamic body raps bishop’s remarks

 

Egypt’s top Islamic institution criticized a senior Coptic bishop who reportedly disputed the authenticity of some verses of the Quran, warning that the statement threatened Egypt’s national unity.

 

North Korea leadership: 'My happy days at school with North Korea's future leader'

 

Kim Jong-un, who may soon be anointed as North Korea's new leader, was educated under a false name at a Swiss school. Colin Freeman and Philip Sherwell report on his ex-classmates' memories of the man who may one day rule the Stalinist state.

 

 

Hungary to focus on jobs and Roma

 

Hungary will focus on economic recovery and Roma integration when it takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union in January, State Secretary for EU Affairs Eniko Gyori said on Sunday.

 

 

100 policemen a month die in Afghanistan

 

Record levels of violence are killing 100 Afghan policemen a month as the lightly-armed and quickly-trained force is thrust into battle against the Taliban.

 

 

Kuwait Finance House: Islamic banking accounts 17 % of GCC banking assets

 

The Islamic banking sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states grows by 20 percent a year representing 17 % of the total assets

 

 

Jewish lobby group admits Soros support

 

J Street, the liberal Middle East policy advocacy organization, on Sunday issued a statement acknowledging what the group had earlier denied: J Street received financial support from billionaire George Soros.

 

 

Iraq Waits for a Government on a Long Vacation

 

As they wait for a political deadlock to come to an end, members of Parliament have been on vacation, with full pay and benefits, free to do as their hearts desire.

 

 

US trying to quiet Palestinian anti-war activists

FBI agents reportedly confiscated laptops and documents, looking for links with terrorist groups in the Middle East.

 

 

Spain's 'babysitter' grandparents to join the strike

 

Spain's "babysitter" grandparents have been called on to take part in a general strike against the human cost of austerity

 

 

Electricity bills to rise in Abu Dhabi

 

The government is considering increasing the price of electricity in the emirate for the first time in 15 years.

 

 

Islanders appeal for new family

 

Inhabitants of a tiny Hebridean island mount an appeal for a new family to move to their communi

 

 

NATO helicopters entered Pakistan to kill insurgents

 

Two NATO helicopters killed 30 insurgents on Pakistani soil after a rare manned puruit across the border from Afghanistan, NATO forces said on Sunday.

 

 

Strasbourg Court Fines Russia for Tajik Extradition

 

The European Court of Human Rights has fined Russia 33,000 euros ($44,400) for sending a Tajik opposition activist home where he was jailed and beaten, the court said in a statement on its web site.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

What's Happening Today - Monday 27 September

apan:

Japan will today ask China to pay for damage made to its Coast Guard ships when a Chinese fishing boat collided with them near disputed islets. Fishing trawler captain Zhan Qixiong was released and arrived back in China on Saturday after the collision on Sept. 7 near the islets, known as the Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.

China:

Russian President Medvedev continues visit (-28); today, meets counterpart Hu Jintao, other leaders for talks on range of issues expected to include North Korea, energy cooperation

China:

Beijing will enact anti-dumping duties on US chicken product imports from today. Duties of more than 50 percent will be put on up to 35 US chicken broiler exporters, including Tyson Foods Inc., Keystone Foods LLC, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation and Sanderson Farms Inc., and duties of more than 105 percent will be put on all other US producers. The duties will apply for five years.

South Korea:

UN's Food and Agriculture Organization regional conference opens in Gyeongju (-1 Oct); agricultural officials and experts from 44 Asia-Pacific member countries discuss ways to solve food shortages in region

Kashmir:

Kashmiri rebel leaders rejected India's offer to review the deployment of soldiers in the region and release hundreds of young Kashmiri detainees because all the parties involved in the dispute have not been consulted. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said India's offer was inadequate because Kashmiris, Pakistan and India must all be involved in the resolution

Afghanistan:

Following up after Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops began an operation in Zhari and Panjwai districts in Kandahar. Operation Dragon Strike marks an important phase in the ISAF effort in Kandahar, and heavy fighting is expected.

Afghanistan:

The Afghan Interior Ministry has sent a plan for abolishing private security firms operating without licenses to the Afghan National Security Council for review. (NB. Some 52 security companies comprising 40,000 guards operate without a license in Gizab and Khas Uruzgan districts in Uruzgan province, Dand-i-Patan and Zazai districts in Paktia, Barmal in Paktika, Shindand in Herat, Pushtrod in Farah and Arghandab in Kandahar)

Afghanistan:

Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission has ordered a recount of votes from the Sept. 18 parliamentary elections in 10 areas across the country. Commission head Fazel Ahmad Manawi said the number of areas subjected to recounts may increase

Uzbekistan:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visits for talks on humanitarian, economic cooperation; Baku expected to seek to secure oil supplies from Azerbaijan to cope with its regular petrol shortages.

Iran:

Iran may sue Russia if Moscow does not deliver the S-300 air defense system to Iran, according to Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Iran's semi-official ISNA reported

Iran:

The main computer system at Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant has not been affected by the Stuxnet virus even though some personal computers at the plant have been infected, according to Bushehr project manager Mahmoud Jafari

Iraq:

UN high commissioner for displaced people Walter Kaelin expected to visits Iraq.

Saudi Arabia:

A new volcano has worked its way up to just under the surface in a remote region of northwest Saudi Arabia, causing a flurry of small to moderate quakes and threatening to form a new volcano in the region of Harrat Lunayyir

Jordan:

More than 80 Islamic scholars from 35 countries will participate in the 15th General Conference of the Royal Al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, titled "Environment in Islam"

Israel:

Following up as Israel's 10-month partial construction freeze in its illegal colonies in the West Bank expired. Palestinian negotiators involved in the Middle East peace talks in Washington have said they will stop participating in the talks if construction resumes, and the United States has requested Israel extend the moratorium.

Kenya:

International Criminal Court investigators arrive on visit to investigate possible crimes committed during post-election violence (-29)

Mali:

Seven people kidnapped in Niger in September, including five French nationals, are being held in the mountainous Timetrine region of northwest Mali, according to a spokesman for the French government

Moldova:

Acting President Mihai Ghimpu expected to dissolve parliament and declare date for parliamentary elections.

Austria:

IAEA Board of Governors meet.

Austria:

Second round of unofficial consultations on Dniester settlement in five-plus-two format starts in Vienna (-28)

Germany:

Two Libyans go on trial in Germany accused of espionage for a foreign country (Libya) by illegally and covertly collecting information from Libyan opposition members living in German exile.

Belgium:

EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council. Farm ministers are set to start talks on draft rules to let national governments decide whether to ban or grow genetically modified (GM) crops.

France:

Mahmud Abbas holds talks with counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy

UN:

General debate continues at 65th session of UN General Assembly (-30); speakers include Bangladeshi PM Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner

Haiti:

Opening of campaigning for Haiti's Nov. 28 presidential election.

Mexico:

Lebanese President Michel Sulayman visits

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Sunday 26 September

Iran's nuclear agency trying to stop computer worm

 

Iran's nuclear agency is trying to combat a complex computer worm that has affected industrial sites throughout the country and is capable of taking over power plants, Iranian media reports said.

 

 

China repeats apology demand after Japan frees fisherman

 

China pushed its demand for an apology from Japan for detaining a Chinese fishing trawler captain, showing no sign of an end to the row after Japan released the captain and said no apology was necessary.

 

 

Thirty years of China's one-child policy

 

China's drastic policy was intended to last 30 years. On its 30th anniversary, Malcolm Moore finds out what it has meant.

 

 

Palestinian leader Abbas says no peace deal without settlements freeze

 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said at the UN Saturday that he was committed to peace. But a 10-month freeze on building Israeli settlements ends Sunday.

 

 

North Korean elite jostle for power

 

Kim Jong-il has chosen his son to succeed him, but other figures may set the state's course

 

 

Pervez Musharraf to return from exile in Britain as 'saviour' of Pakistan

 

Pakistan's former military leader, Pervez Musharraf, tells Colin Freeman why his country needs him again - and why British troops must stay the course in Afghanistan

 

 

Iraqi journalists face daily threat

 

Insurgents and government seen as working to suppress media and control information as 230 reporters have been killed since war began.

 

 

Call for UN war crimes inquiry into Afghanistan

 

Former UN official demands investigation into coalition link to deaths revealed by WikiLeaks

 

 

Deepening divisions scare Lebanese people of new civil strife

 

The already fragile Lebanese government came to the brink of collapse after the country’s deeply divided political groups accused each other of attempting coups, blackmailing, lying and selling the country.

 

 

Is the End Near for Basque Separatist Group ETA?

 

After 50 years of fighting, Basque separatist group ETA is smaller, weaker and rattled by infighting. As it puts out a call to the Spanish government for peace negotiations, experts say the group won't survive much longer

 

 

Arab States defer adoption of water security strategy

 

Arab water ministers have deferred adoption of a pan-Arab water security strategy until next month, Jordan Minister of Water and Irrigation

 

 

Moscow's mayor returns to face the growing anger of President Dmitry Medvedev

 

Dmitry Medvedev has been trying to oust Moscow's mayor, but Vladimir Putin is not so sure. The power battle is spilling beyond the Kremlin.

 

 

Egypt and Thirsty Neighbors Are at Odds Over Nile

 

Upstream countries have joined in an attempt to break Egypt and Sudan’s near-monopoly on the water.

 

 

Can One Woman Save Our Oceans?

 

(No, I expect) One woman's dream to create national parks in the sea

 

 

Nigerian state 'opens flood gates on two million'

 

State officials in Nigeria have been accused by neighbouring states of causing a flood that has led to two million people being displaced.

 

 

GCC Chief Praises Qatar Role in Food Security Initiative

 

The GCC Secretary General Abdurrahman bin Hamad al-Attiyah has hailed the State of Qatar and the United Nations for the distinctive preparations for

 

 

In Arabian Desert, a Sustainable City Rises

 

Promoters of Masdar, a city under construction near Abu Dhabi, say that it will be the world’s first carbon-neutral city.

 

 

Egypt to have world's largest crystal lagoon

 

12 hectare pool on Red Sea will set new world record for man made lagoons.

 

 

Pakistan's Sindh 'still deluged'

 

The UN warns that severe flooding is continuing to affect parts of Pakistan's southern Sindh province, two months after devastating monsoons hit.

 

 

Russia invited to NATO summit in Lisbon

 

Russia has received an official invitation to attend NATO's summit in Lisbon in November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

 

 

Rescue cage arrives at Chile mine

 

The first of three purpose-built rescue capsules arrives at the mine in northern Chile where 33 men have been trapped underground for more than seven weeks

 

 

Is there a late blooming romance between Castro and Israel?

 

Netanyahu and Peres praise former Cuban dictator’s recent comments slamming Ahmadinejad and defending Israel.

 

 

Rural poor to get more web access

 

China will provide its underprivileged residents with greater access to the Internet by enhancing information technology services in rural areas, a senior government official said on Saturday.

 

 

UAE iPhone lacks video feature

 

The local edition of the iPhone 4 does not carry Apple's free video calls application, a feature similar to the banned Skype service.

 

 

Italian priest abuse victims meet

 

Victims of child abuse by Catholic priests in Italy have met for the first time, and called for such abuse to be made a crime against humanity.

 

 

Ed Miliband elected new leader of U.K. Labour Party

 

Britain's opposition Labour Party elected young lawmaker Ed Miliband as its surprise new leader Saturday, after he narrowly defeated his elder and better-known brother in a close run contest to replace ousted prime minister Gordon Brown.

 

Irish prime minister's majority could shrink to just two

 

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen's fragile majority in parliament is in danger of shrinking to two seats after another member of parliament threatened to withdraw support from the fast-sinking coalition.

 

 

Ulster leader warns of terror threat

 

Northern Ireland's first minister, Peter Robinson, calls for more police resources to deal with increased terror threat

 

 

Roma circus next on France's list

 

With its mesmerising songs and startling acrobatics, the Cirque Romanès is one of the most unusual cultural highlights of Paris: the only Gypsy circus in Europe and the only show in the French capital whose artists retreat to their caravans after the curtain falls. For 18 years it has been attracting audiences to its exotic blend of poetry and performance. In June it was deemed good enough to represent France at the World Expo in Shanghai.

 

 

If the rent's too much – check into a hotel

 

With rental prices stubbornly high, many people have turned to hotel life to help solve their accommodation problems.

 

 

When Baghdad was centre of science

 

Islamic science had its heyday in the ninth century, thanks to Abū Ja'far al-Ma'mūn's House of Wisdom, says Jim al-Khalili

 

Polls suggest Argentina doesn't want Maradona back

 

Diego Maradona wants to return as Argentina's national team coach, but polls released Saturday suggest nine in 10 Argentines don't want him bac

 

Row over 'untouchable' Indian dog

 

Police in India are investigating claims that a Dalit woman has been ordered to pay compensation to the high-caste owners of a dog she fed.

Posted via email from luay's posterous

What's Happening Today - Sunday 26th September

hina:

Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev begins visit (-28 Sep) during which will meet counterpart Hu Jintao, other leaders; also visits Soviet WWII war memorial in Dalian, Russian Pavilion at Shanghai Expo

China:

Cuban Vice-President Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz continues visit (-1 Oct)

Philippines:

Revisit as the Philippines marks one year after Typhoon Ketsana, one of the country's worst disasters. It triggered the heaviest flooding in decades, killing more than 300 and displacing thousands, and raising questions about the government's ability to respond.

Russia:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow is ready to consider different forms of cooperation with NATO, including cooperation under the Collective Security Treaty Organization, to tackle the Afghan drug threat

Indonesia:

Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) holds "discussion" in Jakarta on establishing caliphate - single state for all Muslims worldwide - based on Islamic law; one of HTI's central aims

Nepal:

Congress makes eighth attempt to choose between Ram Chandra Poudel of Nepali Congress and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda in vote for prime minister; widely predicted as being unlikely to result in choosing candidate as Terai parties decided yesterday to join Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) and Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) in abstaining

Iraq:

Following up after Iyad Allawi, head of Iraq's largest political coalition, has ruled out participating in any new government headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Yemen:

Two intelligence agents were killed and eight others wounded in an attack northeast of Sanaa, Xinhua reported, near the Al-Eyman University.

Israel:

Ten-month partial freeze on settlement building in West Bank expires this evening; Palestinians have threatened to walk out of newly-revived peace talks if construction resumes; Israeli government has been urged to renew freeze by US President Barack Obama, Egyptian President Husni Mubarak and others but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already said will not renew

Somalia:

Looking for reaction after Somali Islamist group Ahlu Sunna Waljamaah (ASWJ) has withdrawn from the Transitional Federal Government. ASWJ spokesman Sheikh Abdullahi Sheikh Abu Yusuf accused the administration of planning to abolish it and called for a reconciliation conference.

Central African Republic:

Electoral Census held in preparation for polls (- 20 Oct)

Algeria:

Council of chiefs of staff of Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger takes place in Tamanrasset; to review actions undertaken in implementation of 2009 joint strategy to fight terrorism and organized crime; meanwhile, search continues for seven nuclear industry workers - five French, a Togolese and a Madagascan - kidnapped in Niger and held by “Al-Qa'idah in Islamic Maghreb “

Ukraine:

Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Borys Kolesnikov said that Kiev may consider imposing grain export restrictions this year since severe summer drought has caused a reduction in production of grains, Kyodo reported. (NB The production of grain this year was limited to 38 million tons, 12 million tons less than the previous year.)

Germany:

Opposition centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) hold annual congress in Berlin

France:

Mahmud Abbas visits (-27); holds talks with counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy (27); visit comes as Israel is due to announce whether it will extend moratorium on construction in occupied Palestinian territories

EU:

European Commission officials are worried about the fragility of three regional banks in Germany, Der Spiegel reported. A letter from the commission expresses concerns about the threat that WestLB, BayernLB and HSH Nordbank could pose to market stability.

UN:

World Heart Day.

Venezuela:

Parliamentary election; leftist Patria Para Todos (PPT) party hopes to make impact, says offers alternative to government and traditional conservative opposition

UK:

Britain's Labour party holds its annual conference (to Sept. 30).

Posted via email from luay's posterous

My Press Review - Thursday 23 September

'Berlin Wall' barriers spark row

 

Wealthy residents in Potsdam, close to the German capital, are putting up metal fences and hedges to keep the public away from their luxury homes.

 

 

In Dispute, China Blocks Rare Earth Exports to Japan

 

Escalating a dispute over Japan’s detention of a Chinese fishing trawler captain, the Chinese government placed a trade embargo on all exports to Japan of some crucial minerals.

 

An Election Dilemma for Egypt's Opposition: To Boycott or Not?

 

President Mubarak's elections are hardly democratic, but his opponents differ on whether staying away from the polls is an effective response

 

 

Yemen sacks chess team for meeting Israeli players

 

The Yemeni chess team has been sacked along with their chess union's board of directors after the team met its Israeli counterpart at a tournament in Belarus.

 

 

Syrian real estate market prices out young adults

 

The real estate market in Syria is marked by high prices, making it tough for Syrian young adults to afford to leave their parents' homes.

 

 

France faces new wave of strikes

 

French unions are set for another day of damaging strikes against government plans to overhaul pensions and raise the retirement age.

 

Israel used 'incredible violence' against Gaza aid flotilla, says UN Human Rights Council

 

Israeli troops broke international law by storming an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, according to a UN inquiry, which found that the killings of activists on-board were comparable to "summary executions".

 

 

Obama calls health-care repeal good politics, bad policy

 

President Obama acknowledged Wednesday that Republicans' push to repeal the health care overhaul is good politics for the GOP, but said such a move would cause people to lose insurance they've gained under the law over the past six months.

 

Russia leads charge in Arctic race

 

An international meeting to try to prevent the Arctic becoming the next battleground over mineral wealth is taking place in Moscow

 

 

Congress to move on China currency bill

 

U.S. lawmakers may vote next week on legislation that would penalize China for keeping its currency artificially low, a touchy issue that has gained broader political support as congressional elections approach.

 

 

Hamas action to catch spies spreads panic in Gaza

 

A secretive Hamas campaign to catch Palestinians spying for Israel has ensnared some prominent Gaza residents, drawn unusual criticism and highlighted the Islamic militant group's deep fears about being penetrated by agents of the Jewish state.

 

 

Gold hits another record as it nears $1,300

 

The gold price has risen for a third day to hit record highs above $1,290.

 

 

200 children die in Nigeria gold rush

 

UN sends emergency team to Zamfara state as processing of ore by hand affects 18,000 people. An unprecedented outbreak of lead poisoning linked to a gold rush has killed at least 200 children in northern Nigeria this year, with a further 18,000 people affecte

 

 

Ethnic Russians in Kyrgyzstan "could be driven out"

 

Russia has warned that the half a million ethnic Russians living in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan are suffering from a surge in Kyrgyz nationalism that could drive them out of the country.

 

 

Russian scientist says America was discovered by Siberians

 

Scientists have said that the first settlers on Sakhalin, the Russian island in the North Pacific, appeared 100,000-200,000 years ago

 

 

Karzai suffers depression, says Watergate investigator

 

Afghan President takes medication for manic depression, says a new book by the investigative journalist Bob Woodward.

 

 

Uzbekistan Urges Probe of Kyrgyz Unrest

 

Uzbek President Islam Karimov has called for an independent international investigation of the June ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan that sent more than 100,000 refugees into his country.

 

 

Romanian president asked Sarkozy to stop expulsion of gipsies

 

President Traian Basescu of Romania said that he had urged President Nicolas Sarkozy last week to "try to stop" the expulsions of Roma gipsies from France.

 

 

Milibands neck and neck as vote ends

 

Both David and Ed Miliband are confident they will be announced as leader at the party conference on Saturday

 

 

Environmental Approach - Bahrain, Egypt Discuss Cooperation in Water Desalination

Egypt Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Nasrelddin Allam met with Mohamed bin Ali Al-Hodar, the official in charge of water and electricity in Bahrain.

 

 

Has Iran (under sanctions) met its Millennium Development Goals?

 

The answer to whether Iran has met UN Millennium Development Goals of reducing poverty while boosting gender equality and access to education depends on whether you believe Iran's numbers.

 

UN opens $40bn female health plan

 

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announces a $40bn (25.5bn) initiative to save the lives of 16 million women and children over the next five years.

 

 

Prospects to settle Transdniestria problem boost optimism

 

The Kazakh chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe supports the intensification of efforts to settle the Transdniestria conflict, Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office for Protracted Conflicts, Ambassador Bolat Nurgaliyev has said

 

 

Eritrea 'may become failed state'

 

Eritrea may become a failed state if the world community fails to engage with it, a think tank warns.

 

 

Syria, Belarus establishing a joint company for manufacturing cars and trucks

 

Syrian Minister of Industry Fuad Issa al-Juni discussed with Chairman of Board of Directors of Belarusian MAZ and MZNT companies

 

 

Town is happy to be called 'most dismal place in the country'

 

Citizens of Denny in Scotland hope winning Carbuncle Award will spur local council into redeveloping 'eyesore' town centre.

 

US man denies Muslim taxi attack

A US man pleads not guilty to charges he attacked a Muslim New York taxi driver with a knife after drinking a pint of Scotch.

 

 

Cherie Blair attacks executives for putting 'token women' in powerful roles

 

Cherie Blair has attacked men from some of the world's biggest companies for their treatment of female employees, accusing them of putting "token women" on their boards.

 

Kılıçdaroğlu vows to solve scarf issue, says secular regime not under threat

 

Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who is currently on a visit to Germany, has renewed an earlier pledge to lift the notorious ban on the use of the Muslim headscarf in the public sphere in Turkey, denying claims that his party is insincere on the scarf issue.

 

Spain jails Kurd for tossing shoe at Turkey’s Erdoğan

 

A Syrian Kurd has been sentenced to three years in jail in Spain for throwing a shoe at Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

 

Bodies found in Burundian river

 

Fourteen bodies, some of them mutilated with machetes, are discovered in a river west of Burundi's capital, feeding fears of rebellion.

 

Florida will stop enforcing gay adoption ban

 

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says the state will stop enforcing its law banning adoption by gay people after an appeals court ruled it unconstitutional.

Posted via email from luay's posterous