What's Happening Today - Sunday 28 November

Japan: 

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Shaykh Hasina begins visit for talks with PM Naoto Kan (-1 Dec), also plans to meet with Emperor Akihito

Japan:

Gubernatorial election for Japan's southern island of Okinawa.

South Korea: 

Annual large-scale military exercise Hoguk continues, involving 70,000 troops from Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps (-30) Includes US forces.

Sri Lanka:

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to visit Sri Lanka (to Nov. 30)

Iran: 

Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'd al-Hariri continues visit (-29)

Iran:

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad holds a press conference for foreign and domestic media. He is expected to talk about the imminent implementation of his government's plan to slash energy and food subsidies as well as Iran's nuclear dispute with the West and the upcoming nuclear talks.

Oman: 

Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh conclude state visit

Yemen:

The trial resumes of a US citizen accused of killing a guard while trying to escape from a hospital where he was being held after being arrested as a terrorism suspect.

Syria: 

Indian President Pratibha Patil continues visit to discuss regional and international issues, first visit by an Indian president to Syria (-29)

Syria:

Speaker of Iranian parliament, Ali Larijani , arrives in Damascus to take part in an Islamic parliaments summit.

Jordan: 

Third annual conference for Arab investigative journalists wraps up in Amman; international reporters, experts discuss fostering freedom of information and in-depth reporting in Arab world; conference will host WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange via satellite

Jordan: 

Opening of parliament following 9 November elections

Lebanon:

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah to speak at 2:30 p.m. local time.

Israel:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits construction site of new border barrier. 1500 GMT.

Israel:

Annual Sigd celebration of Ethiopian Jewish community, Central ceremony with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participating. 1900 GMT.

Israel: 

German President Christian Wulff visits (-30) Today, to lay a wreath on the grave of Theodor Herzel, founder of the World Zionist Organization.

Egypt: 

Election to parliament's lower house, People's Assembly, elections amid tensions and a government crackdown on media and opposition that has built up ahead of the vote. There are 508 seats up for grabs in the People Assembly, or parliament's lower house, largely controlled by ruling National Democratic Party.

Sudan: 

Only two more days of voter registration continues in Southern Sudan ahead of next year's independence referendum (-30)

Tanzania: 

EAC Council of the Ministers meet in Arusha to consider progress in the implementation of various EAC projects (-29)

South Africa: 

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP17) opens in Durban (- 9 Dec); heads of state, government officials, businessmen, others in attendance 

Ivory Coast: 

Second round of presidential election held; date postponed from 21 November while first round was held on 31 October; Burkinabe leader to hold talks with Ivorian runoff candidates ahead of poll

Ukraine: 

Speaker of Russian Federation Council upper house of parliament Sergey Mironov begins two-day visit to take part in 9th meeting of Ukrainian-Russian interparliamentary commission (-29)

Moldova: 

Early parliamentary elections, which citizens hope will see the end of a political deadlock since April 2009.

Switzerland:

Referendum - Swiss vote on whether foreign residents who have committed serious crimes should be deported to their countries.

Germany:

Russian-German economic and financial forum.

France:

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key visits France and meets President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Spain:

Catalonia region to hold elections; first election since economic crisis hit two years ago, and Prime Minister Zapatero's ruling socialists expected to take a hit, possible omen ahead of nationwide municipal elections next year and general elections in 2012.

Haiti: 

Presidential and legislative elections, to elect Chamber of Deputies and one third of Senate 

US: 

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu continues visit (-30); meets US State Secretary Hillary Clinton

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My Press Review - Thursday 25 November

U.N. Warns of a Food Crisis

Global grain production will tumble 2 percent this year over all, mainly because of weather-related calamities, a report says.

 

Turkish government suspends military officers

Turkey's government has removed three high-ranking officers from duty pending the outcome of a trial in which a group of military officers are accused of plotting to overthrow the ruling party, the prime minister said Wednesday.

Mubarak critics get silenced treatment

Egypt's parliamentary elections Sunday have been ushered in by one of the most sweeping campaigns to silence critics since President Hosni Mubarak came to power nearly 30 years ago, with the government seemingly determined to shut out its top rival, the Muslim Brotherhood.

 

PM's £2m bid to measure happiness

Prime Minister David Cameron is launching a £2m consultation on how best to measure the well-being of Britain's citizens.

 

Violence sparks panic on Rio's streets

Brazilian police have shot dead at least 13 more people in Rio de Janeiro as they try stop a wave of violence by suspected drug traffickers

 

Vatican denounces China for ordaining bishop

Vatican criticises China for ordaining bishop without approval of the Pope.

 

US warns of harm from impending WikiLeaks release

State Department expresses fears its diplomatic relations could be damaged following expected publication of sensitive files.

 

Attack Strikes Houthis in Yemen

If Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is behind the attack, it would be its first time act of violence against the Houthi clan.

 

'Clashes' increase Sudan tensions

Southern Sudan's military accuses the north of launching a helicopter attack on its troops, as tensions rise before a crucial referendum.

 

Turkey’s EU membership big error, says Schmidt

Former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt said Turkey’s possible European Union membership would be a big mistake, warning that Muslims may flock to Europe and asserting that they have difficulties adapting to German society.

 

Queen's Gulf visit: Dubai's recent rollercoaster ride

When the Queen meets the ruler of Dubai on Thursday morning, it will be more than a formal courtesy call

 

Afghanistan releases majority of parliamentary election results

Afghan election officials failed on Wednesday to deliver on a promise of unequivocal final results from fraud-tainted September parliamentary elections as the country’s attorney general cast further doubt on the poll by announcing a wide-ranging investigation into the v

 

Final Afghan election results show Hazara minority trumped dominant Pashtuns

Hazaras' strong showing is concerning to majority Pashtuns – many of whom couldn't get to the polls because of insecurity – and casts doubt on how fair the election wa

 

Turkey tells Nobel laureate Naipaul not to come

A Trinidadian writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2001 has been told not to attend the upcoming meeting of the European Writers’ Parliament in İstanbul after conservative circles reacted to the author’s negative views of Islam.

 

Uzbeks jailed over Kyrgyz clashes

Seventeen ethnic Uzbeks are jailed for life for their role in June's deadly ethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan, amid accusations of bias.

Taliban fighters earn money in UK

Taliban fighter reveals he lives for most of year in London and heads to Afghanistan for combat

 

Tajikistan takes flag pole war to new heights

The remote mountain nation of Tajikistan has begun erecting the world's tallest unsupported flag pole, taking a 'flag war' with its neighbours to new heig

 

Iraqi girl given gift of hearing

A four-year-old Iraqi girl has heard her mother's voice - and other sounds - for the first time following an operation in India.

 

'Whoonga' drug a new twist in South Africa's AIDS war

AIDS patients in South Africa are being robbed of their lifesaving drugs so that they can be mixed with marijuana and smoked, authorities and health experts say

 

Bombs and bullets can't stop Afghan cricketers

Cricketers from war-torn Afghanistan have their hearts set on winning the first-ever Asian Games cricket tournament after they outclassed Hong Kong by eight wickets to reach the semifinals on Wednesday.

 

Iron ore price still stuck at 6-month high

The price of imported iron ore remained high in China on Wednesday amid declining supplies from India - the world's third-largest ore exporter - and rising spot steel prices.

 

Debt contagion threatens Belgium

Traders push cost of insuring Belgium's debts to record levels in situation made worse by broken political system

 

Iraq's benefit system runs dry

Parliament has reconvened in Iraq after nearly nine months of deadlock, only to discover that the country has run out of money for incapacity benefits and other payments.

 

Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Turkey Connecting Oil & Gas Networks

Oil Ministers of  Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Turkey will discuss connecting the oil and gas transporting

 

The biggest industrial zone in Egypt to be established in Port Said

Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif stressed that Egypt is keen on the development of Port Said, which is currently witnessing a major

 

Kuwait - 170 % increase in oil exports to China

Kuwait - Kuwait's crude oil exports to China surged 170.2 percent in October from a year earlier to 839,000 tons,

 

 

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What's Happening Today - Thursday 25 November

Tonga: 

Parliamentary election

Japan: 

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad continues visit (-26); met Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Wednesday who urged Palestinian side to resume peace negotiations with Israel, pledged Japan to provide Palestinians with aid worth about $100m in current fiscal year for infrastructure and other projects 

China: 

China International Nuclear Symposium in Beijing; final day 

Cambodia:

National day of mourning following the stampede in Phnom Penh on 22 November which left hundreds dead. 

Thailand:

On occasion of King’s 83rd Birthday Anniversary some 7,056 men will become monks.

Myanmar:

Burmese officials have told some 80 HIV sufferers living in a Rangoon care home that they will have to leave after released opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi paid a visit.

Pakistan:

Ministers and senior officials of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in Islamabad wrap up meeting to deepen cooperation in their fight against drug trafficking. Expected that they issue a declaration 

Russia: 

Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasul visits (-26) for talks with counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow; preparation for President Hamid Karzai's visit to Russia in 2011 on agenda 

Kyrgyzstan:

Ethnic violence verdict expected from court in Alamedin District in Chuy Region, following the murder and looting of an ethnic Meskhetian Turk community in the village of Mayevka 

Tajikistan: 

Council of prime ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states (Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) meet in Dushanbe; Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attend, observing Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani expected to raise question of Pakistan's full membership in organization.Wen Jiabao and Vladimir Putin to attend. Also on the agenda: Will Russian border guards return to Tajikistan’s borders with Afghanistan or not? Also, technical talks on implementation of the CASA-1000 project to transfer electricity from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan and a project to build the Ishkoshim-Chitral road via the Wakhan corridor.

Turkmenistan: 

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visits, meets counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, sign several bilateral documents

Turkmenistan: 

Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qichang visits to attend first meeting of China-Turkmenistan cooperation committee 

Georgia: 

Opposition groups expected to hold "massive" rally in front of the parliamentary building in Tbilisi to protest government's foreign and domestic policies

Iran:

Some 110,000 Basijis of Tehran Province will "renew their allegiance" with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamene'i and meet him on today's Id al-Ghadir, 

Iran:

A delegation from Lebanon's parliament is also to arrive in the Iranian capital, ahead of Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri’s visit Iran on 27 November.

Iraq:

Basra will host an international fair for oil and gas in al-Maaqal port. More than 250 companies and institutions, specialized in producing oil and gas, are expected  to attend

Iraq:

Prime minister to be officially tasked to form cabinet; he calls on political blocs to put forward candidates for ministerial portfolios. Political blocs to discuss ministerial posts distribution on 26 or 28 Nov

Kurdistan:

Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women'. Rallies expected in Diyrbkir, Bazid, Tetwan, Izmir and Batman – but the biggest will be in Kirkuk.

Turkey:

Turkish-Japanese Business Council to hold its 18th joint meeting

Bahrain:

Third hearing in trial of 25 Shia activists and opposition leaders continues.
    
Oman:

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to visit Oman (to Nov. 28).
    
Jordan:

Petitions to be filed against seven newly elected deputies, with the deadline for submissions today. 

Lebanon: 

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues visit; today due to visit Turkish troops serving in UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, inaugurate a Turkish-funded medical centre that specializes in treating burn victims in southern coastal city of Sidon 

Bahrain: 

Egyptian President Husni Mubarak visits on last leg of his Gulf tour that also included Untied Arab Emirates and Qatar

Egypt: 

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov visits to discuss trade issues 

Sudan:

Second conference of African Union (AU) development ministers wraps up in Khartoum.

Ethiopia:

Parliament to start discussion on the five year Growth, Transformation Plan.

Tanzania:

President Kikwete attends the first ever graduation ceremony of the University of Dodoma.

Tanzania: 

East African Community (EAC) Council of the Ministers continues meeting in Arusha to assess implementation of various EAC projects (-29)

Nigeria: 

Navy, Army, Air Force continue joint offensive, codenamed "Operation Nemo", targeting militancy, kidnapping, illegal oil lifting in territorial waters, especially in Niger Delta; fifth and final day 

Ghana:

Brazil sends an eight-member delegation to Ghana to witness a ground-breaking ceremony of13.66m dollar project for the construction of a blood and sickle cell centre in Kumasi [central Ghana] to facilitate the fight against the disease.

Ivory Coast:

Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara will face each other at 2100 GMT in a televised debate that will be broadcast live on the RTI

Greece:

This year's budget revenues will be short by 2.0 billion euros. Dimitris Georgakopoulos said a new tax draft bill would be tabled to Parliament and will include changes in VAT rates to 23 percent.

Ukraine:

Kiev authorities tell small business owners to move from central Kiev square. Up to 1,000 protesters staying on Independence square. A rally is planned.

Ukraine: 

Israeli President Shimon Peres continues visits (-26) to discuss ties; met counterpart Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday; who said two sides would aim to sign agreement to form a free trade zone next year

Ukraine: 

Belgian Prince Philippe visits as head of economic mission, final day 

Slovakia:

Prime Minister Iveta Radicova to address an economic conference on Slovakia's outlook for the next year.
    
Switzerland: 

Turkish President Abdullah Gul visits (-26); accompanied by Minister Besir Atalay, other senior officials

Croatia: 

Serbian President Boris Tadic continues visit to Zagreb as part of two countries' efforts to improve ties; today visits areas where ethnic Serbs who fled the country during the 1991-1995 war have returned 

Croatia:

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele visits Croatia.

Germany:

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin may arrive in Germany in the late evening, to meet Chancellor Merkel.

Germany:

The "Hamburg Summit: China meets Europe" (to Nov. 26).
    
Holland:

Prosecution likely to conduct cross-examination of Jean Pierre Bemba 

France:

Economy Minister Christine Lagarde and Bank of France Governor Christian Noyer speak at an event on the frontiers of the new economy (0800).

Ireland:

By-election in Donegal South West

Haiti: 

Anti-UN demonstrations held in Port-au-Prince, protestors urge UN Stabilization Mission to leave, accusing Nepalese troops in particular of bringing cholera bacteria to Haiti 

US:

Presidents of UNASUR countries gather to celebrate meeting (to Nov. 26).
    
Global:

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
    
Peru:

Chile's Sebastian Pinera and Foreign Minister, Alfredo Moreno, will pay an official visit 

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My Press Review - Wednesday 24 November

Korean Clash Forces the U.S. to Weigh Options

For the second time this year, fears that a North Korean provocation could escalate into war limited the range of President Obama’s possible responses.

 

Haiti cholera 'worse than feared'

The cholera epidemic in Haiti is spreading much faster than predicted, the UN says, and could cause 200,000 cases in the next three months.

 

U.N. reports Iranian nuclear problems

A leaked report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog indicated Tuesday that Iran's nuclear program experienced a one-day shutdown last week, indicating a slowing of Tehran's nuclear progress, analysts said.

 

UN issues severe climate warning ahead of summit

The world is now firmly on the path for dangerous climate change in the coming century, a major new assessment reveals today on the eve of the forthcoming UN climate conference which opens next week in Mexico.

 

Greece calls for Turkey-EU summit on accession

The European Union should hold a summit with candidate Turkey to set out a new strategy for Ankara’s bid to join the bloc as a full member, Greece’s Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas has said.

 

Gunning for Ahmadinejad

Why some Iranian conservatives want the president removed

 

Abortion rates for under-20s shoots up

The number of young people having an abortion has shot up over the last decade, according to official statistics which suggest that four out of ten women under the age of 20 who become pregnant abort their child

 

Non-EU migration capped at 21,700

• Non-EU skilled migrants capped at 21,700, down a fifth
• Theresa May refuses to confirm 2015 deadline
• Labour denounces new policy as a 'con'

Portugal set for general strike

A general strike in Portugal is set to cripple services as workers protest against government plans to cut public sector wages.

 

Koreas fight sends stocks in a free fall

World stocks took a hit from news that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) had fired dozens of artillery rounds into rival Republic of Korea's (ROK) territory.

 

Dublin to unveil austerity plan

The Irish Republic's government is set to publish a four-year austerity programme required for its EU- and IMF-led bail-out.

 

UAE: RAK Airways Ready for take-off

The relaunch of Ras Al Khaimah’s national air carrier, RAK Airways, in October came as major upgrades of roads, ports and the airport

 

China, Russia quit dollar

China and Russia have decided to renounce the US dollar and resort to using their own currencies for bilateral trade, Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin announced late on Tuesday.

 

A licence to print money, but De La Rue still can't make any

De La Rue might have a licence to print money – but it is having a hard time making it and last night the crisis-wracked banknote printer's shares plumbed fresh depths amid fears of that one of its biggest customers is preparing to cash in its chips.

 

Saudi billionaire buys 1 percent stake in GM

The Saudi billionaire with a stake in Citigroup has invested $500 million in General Motors, the U.S. auto giant whose shares returned to trading last week after its bankruptcy and bailout by Washington, his investment company said Tuesday.

Libyan prime minister says Ukraine farm lease deal to go ahead

A stalled deal under which Libya agreed to lease 100,000 hectares of farmland in ex-SovietUkraine will now be implemented, Libya's prime minister said on Tuesday after meeting his Ukrainian counterpart.

 

Towards a healthy future – Kuwait the longest life expectancy in the Gulf region

While Kuwait’s rapid modernisation over the past two decades has seen a rise in life expectancies and a decline in illness rates,

 

Chinese villagers 'descended from Roman soldiers'

Genetic testing of villagers in a remote part of China has shown that nearly two thirds of their DNA is of Caucasian origin, lending support to the theory that they may be descended from a 'lost legion' of Roman soldiers.

Facebook foils Israel's female draft dodgers

How the Israeli army is using Facebook to stop women from dodging military service.

 

400 schools facing 'failing' tag

More than 400 English secondaries could be redesignated "failing" as the education secretary vows to get tough with under-performing schools.

 

Vast Sikh temple opens in Kent

One of the largest Sikh temples outside of India finally opens to worshippers in England.

 

Traditional Healers Facing Scrutiny

Traditional healers thrive in Russia, offering dubious or even harmful treatments to those too poor or uneducated to seek professional help. But as officials in Kirov have learned, any effort to interfere in their work will likely result in a visit from prosecutors.

15 year girl publishes novel

A schoolgirl is having her first novel published based on her life as a Muslim girl living in London

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What's Happening Today - Wednesday 24 November

Japan: 

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad continues visit to meet counterpart Naoto Kan, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara; stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Japanese aid for building independent state of Palestine on agenda (-26)

Koreas: 

Watching developments/further reaction after North Korea on Tuesday fired dozens of artillery shells at South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, killing two marines; South Korean president ordered army to retaliate with missile strikes in the event of further attacks; US has described North shelling as "irresponsible and provocative" and said it would stand by its ally Seoul; Russia has spoken of a "colossal danger"; China, North Korea's main ally, has refused to apportion blame and urged both sides to show restraint; meanwhile, South Korean large-scale military exercise continues in the area 

China: 

China International Nuclear Symposium continues in Beijing (-25)

Bangladesh:

German Foreign Secretary is arrives in Dhaka 

Pakistan:

Aalmi Majlas-e-Tahuffuz-e-Khatm-e-Nabuat (AMTKN) has warned the government of launching a countrywide protest if a blasphemy convict is shown any clemency by the presidency, and will hold a rally in front of the Governor's House in Lahore [A Christian woman, Asia Bibi, was convicted by a court of law for desecrating the Prophet Muhammad]

Afghanistan: 

Final results of 18 September parliamentary election to be announced, following delays due to investigation into fraud complains 

Tajikistan:

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani visits Tajikistan for an overnight stay in capital Dushanbe, before attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to raise the question of Pakistan's full membership 

Turkmenistan:

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan arrives on a two-day official visit to Turkmenistan to sign a number of bilateral energy deals.

Russia: 

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin hosts summit of heads of government in St Petersburg aimed at preventing extinction of tigers; last day

Russia: 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao concludes visit after attending 15th Chinese-Russian prime ministerial meeting; energy, telecommunications, intellectual property, cross-border issues on agenda (

Russia:

Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan wraps up visit to Russia after attending China-Russia Energy Dialogue meeting, Joint Commission for Regular Meetings of Heads of Government of China and Russia; goes on to Turkmenistan to meet counterpart, attend first meeting of China-Turkmenistan cooperation committee (-25) 

Russia:

Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin to hold talks with Britain's business secretary Vince Cable.
    
Iran:

Iran's capital Tehran cancels a working day for businesses, organizations, schools and universities due to air pollution

Iran:

A power station in Ardabil province will hold defence exercises to practice safety procedures in case of an air attack.

Iran: 

Iranian Army stages four-day exercise (-26) in North Khorasan Province

Iran:

Trial resumes of prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotudeh, accused of spreading propaganda, conspiring to harm state security

Turkey:

Council of Europe Conference of Ministers of Justice (to Nov. 26) held in Istanbul

UAE:

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to visit United Arab Emirates (to Nov. 25).

UAE: 

Indian President Pratibha Patil visits to meet top officials in bid to boost India's ties with oil-producing Gulf region; last day

Qatar:

Uzbek President Islom Karimov wraps up visit to Qatar at the invitation of the Amir, Shaykh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

Yemen:

President Ali Abdallah Salih attends inauguration of project to confront extremist ideology; scheme initiated by Islamic preacher Amr Khalid involves media campaign, training of young leaders, moderate preachers (-2 Dec)

West Bank:

Fatah Revolutionary Council meets in city of Ramallah to discuss peace talks with Israel, relations with rival faction Hamas, cabinet reshuffle 

Lebanon: 

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits to meet counterpart Sa'd-al-Din al-Hariri, President Michel Sulayman, Hezbollah politicians in bid to calm tensions related to UN probe into 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (-25) 

Gaza:

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini visits Gaza Strip

Egypt: 

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov wraps up visit after meeting counterpart Ahmad Nazif 

Egypt:

Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif meets Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. A joint news conference to follow (1100)

Sudan: 

President Umar al-Bashir to address opening session of second conference of African Union social development ministers 

Kenya:

ICC investigators to question police chiefs and provincial administrators over the politically-motivated violence before and after the 2007 general election.

Ethiopia:

40th anniversary of Ethiopia-China diplomatic relations celebrated with various exhibitions.

Tanzania: 

Meeting of East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers continues in northern city of Arusha to consider progress in implementation of various EAC programmes, projects (-29) 

Burundi:

Belgian defence minister wraps up visit Burundi 

Nigeria: 

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council meets in Abuja in bid to speed up implementation of Security Sector Reforms in Guinea-Bissau; follows security

Nigeria: 

Navy, Army, Air Force continue joint offensive, codenamed Operation Nemo, targeting militancy, kidnapping, illegal oil lifting in territorial waters, especially in Niger Delta (-25)

Greece:

Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) preceeding the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (to Nov. 25)
   
Moldova: 

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili visits to meet acting President Mihai Ghimpu, leaders of major political parties; second and last day

Ukraine: 

Belgian Prince Philippe continues visit as head of economic mission; meets President Viktor Yanukovych, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to discuss bilateral economic cooperation (-25) 

Ukraine:

Protests by small business owners against a new tax. A small ‘tent city’ has been set up with plans to hold a large-scale nationwide action on 25 Nov to appeal to local councils to ask the president to veto the tax altogether.

Ukraine:

Israeli President Shimon Peres continues visit
    
Belarus:

A rally will be attempted in the centre of Minsk, in October Square,  ahead of a demonstrations planned for presidential election day on 19 December.

Bulgaria:

Sofia hosts economic forum (to Nov. 25).
    
Slovakia:

Government meeting, the cabinet expected to deliver an official stance and conditions of Slovakia's support for EU/IMF aid to Ireland.

Serbia:

EU Enlargement Commissioner Fuele to visit Belgrade 

Belgium:

Bengali PM Sheikha Hasina will leave Russia for a four-day tour of Belgium. 

Belgium:

The annual meeting of the Energy Charter stake place in Brussels. The main topic of the meeting would be relations with Russian oil and natural gas.

France:

Judge Renaud van Ruymbeke may attempt to search the premises of the DGSE [General Directorate for External Security - French external intelligence agency] in Paris in connection with one of the areas of the investigation into the Karachi affair [2002 bomb attack in which French nationals working for the French state-owned Directorate of Shipbuilding in Pakistan were killed] However, PM Fillon has so far successfully blocked the judge from entering the building.

France:

Prime Minister Francois Fillon makes general policy statement in National Assembly, following cabinet reshuffle 

UK:

Emboldened by the numbers who took to the streets of London to campaign against the proposal to charge up to £9,000 a year in fees earlier in November, ,students are planning a wave of direct-action protests across the country.

UK:

Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou holds a meeting with his British counterpart William Hague in London, to focus on the Cyprus issue and EU-Turkey relations.

Ireland:

Dublin to publish its four-year plan for a 15 billion euro programme of austerity measures.

Portugal:

Portuguese police forces will be on strike. The Judiciary Police (PJ), Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), Prison Guards Corps (CGP) and the Authority for Food and Economic Security (ASAE) have already decided on a complete stoppage in protest against the minority Socialist government's plans for austerity measures.
   
UN:

Egypt pushing for UN Security Council session to discuss "Israeli practices in Palestinian territories", which is to hold a Middle East peace process review 

Colombia: 

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera visits to meet counterpart Juan Manuel Santos 

Ecuador:

2nd ACI Environment Seminar (to Nov. 25).

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My Press Review - Tuesday 23 November

Irish Debt Crisis Forces Collapse of Government

A day after signing off on a $100 billion bailout, Prime Minister Brian Cowen said he would dissolve the government next month.

 

New Israeli law could slow peace efforts with Palestinians, Syrians

Israel's Knesset passed into law Monday a bill that could make it significantly more difficult for an Israeli government to consummate peace agreements with the Palestinians and the Syrians. The legislation, which passed 65-33, would require a popular referendum or a two-thirds Knesset supermajority to approve any Israeli withdrawa

 

UK to continue deporting Iraqis

The government will continue to deport Iraqis whose applications for asylum have been refused, a Foreign Office minister says.

 

Israel starts work on Egypt border wall

Israeli bulldozers began laying the groundwork on Monday for construction of a wall to seal off part of the Jewish state’s border with Egypt, the Defense Ministry said.

 

Ground Zero mosque developers apply for federal funding

The developers of an Islamic community centre and mosque near Ground Zero in New York have applied for millions of dollars in public money from a post-September 11 reconstruction fund.

 

WikiLeaks release: WikiLeaks to release three million secret US documents

Third mass release of classified documents after the website published 77,000 secret US files on the Afghan conflict in July.

 

Row over Israel's Western Wall plan

Israel has approved a £15m five-year plan to develop the area around the Western Wall, one of the most sensitive and contested part of Jerusalem's Old City, in a move which has been condemned by the Palestinians as illegal.

 

Taliban Leader in Secret Talks Was an Impostor

American and Afghan officials say that a man purporting to be Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, a key figure in negotiations, was not, but received American money.

 

Postponing Haiti polls could threaten stability: EU

A raging cholera epidemic in Haiti may deter some voters from participating in Sunday's national elections, but postponing or canceling the polls could threaten stability in the Caribbean country, the European Union's envoy said.

 

Miners’ families braced for ‘loss of life’

The desperate effort to save 29 miners trapped underground in New Zealand remained on a knife-edge last night, as even those working to rescue the stricken men admitted that hopes for their escape were fading by the ho

 

What's So Scary About the Muslim Brotherhood?

The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood has long been the bogeyman of Egyptian politics. Why it still thrives

 

PM Erdoğan clarifies position on NATO missile command

Turkey’s firm demand to have full access to the command system of NATO’s planned missile shield over Europe is not meant to be an insistence of having the command of the system on its own, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said

 

No deal unless EU acts on trade with Turkish Cyprus

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey is ready to open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels and aircraft if the European Union takes steps to end the economic isolation of Turkish Cyprus.

 

Japan army to monitor Chinese ships

Latest moves by Tokyo pose a serious threat to bilateral relations

 

Yuan begins trading against the rouble

China started allowing the yuan to trade against the Russian rouble in the interbank market from Monday as policymakers promote the currency's use in global trade and financ

Electric car ends epic four-month trip

An electric car has completed a marathon journey, travelling through 14 countries in four months.

 

Canada court to test polygamy law

A Canadian court begins hearing a case on whether Canada's anti-polygamy law violates freedom of religion guaranteed by the constitution.

 

Volunteers go hi-tech to map Egypt election irregularities

President Hosni Mubarak's regime has rejected US calls to allow foreign observers at Egypt elections this weekend. But volunteers, armed with innovative software, are undeterred.

 

Turkey to establish DNA bank to better track sexual crimes

Turkey, a candidate for European Union membership that has a poor record regarding sexual crimes is planning to establish a DNA bank to better track assailants.

 

Mountains of rubbish return to plague Naples

The streets of Naples are again piled high with stinking rubbish, threatening a public health crisis in the southern Italian city and further ratcheting up the pressure on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

 

Germany 'to suspend' conscription

Germany is to suspend conscription and switch to a volunteer military service, the government says

 

Germany hears first piracy trial in 400 years

Germany's first piracy trial in 400 years opened yesterday with 10 Somalis facing charges of hijacking a Hamburg-registered ship off the Horn of Africa

 

Grandmother faces UK expulsion

A Canadian-born grandmother who has lived in Dorset for 65 years is refusing to take a citizenship test despite facing expulsion from the UK

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What's Happening Today - Tuesday 23 November

Japan: 

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad visits to meet counterpart Naoto Kan; stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Japanese aid for building independent state of Palestine on agenda 

China:

China International Nuclear Symposium (to Nov. 25).
    
China: 

South Korea's chief nuclear envoy Wi Sung-lac visits to discuss with counterpart Wu Dawei conditions for resuming six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programme; last day. US chief nuclear envoy Stephen Bosworth also attends.

Thailand:

Parliament is due to consider constitutional amendments meant to pave the way for the next election but could end up deepening political division.

India:

British Defence Secretary Liam Fox meets counterpart A.K. Antony, union ministers, senior national security official in bid to boost defence cooperation; delivered speech on UK's Strategic Defence and Security Review at Vivekananda International Foundation on 22 November; second and last day of visit

Nepal:

A high level team of UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict arrive at Palungtar to meet UCPN-M [Unified Communist Party Nepal-Maoists] Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and other leaders to discuss the future of disqualified child combatants, who were discharged last year and are under UN monitoring.

Pakistan:

Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan to reprimand  police performance as police deadline to recover kidnapped lawyer Zyen Khan Khalil expires – Khalil was taken from the court by secret police over a month ago.

Pakistan:

The anti-terrorism court resumes the Benazir Bhutto assassination case after an investigation team of FIA [Federal Investigating Agency] presented its report before the court. (NB The report stated that police officers had shown criminal negligence - washing the scene of the crime immediately after the incident was a serious offence and not carrying out post-mortem of the former prime minister was also a crime.)

Russia: 

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin makes speech at summit of heads of government in St Petersburg aimed at preventing extinction of tigers (-24)

Russia: 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao continues visit to meet counterpart Vladimir Putin at 15th Chinese-Russian prime ministers meeting to discuss energy, telecommunications, intellectual property, cross-border issues; 12 bilateral documents expected to be signed (-24) 

Russia: 

Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan continues visit to attend China-Russia Energy Dialogue meeting, Joint Commission for Regular Meetings of Heads of Government of China and Russia; meets deputy prime ministers Aleksandr Zhukov, Igor Sechin (-24)

Russia:

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to hold a meeting on housing and communal services. Leaders of main political parties may also attend.

Georgia:

Some 300 prisoners are likely to be pardoned by the president - on Independence Day (from Soviet Union)

Iran:

Last day of Conference of World Philosophy Day, (a meeting that UNESCO publicly declined to attend after being invited)

Iran:

Last day of the 20th International Seminar on the Persian Gulf held in Bandar Abbas by Tehran-based Institute for Political and International Studies.

Turkey:

Iran had offered the 5+1 group to meet in Istanbul on 23 November or 5 December but has refused to discuss the nuclear issue 

Iraq: 

Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa may visit to check preparations for hosting Arab summit in March 2011 

Iraq:

Free Kurdish Women organization organizes demonstration in Sulaymaniyah protesting violence against women; another demonstration to take place in Kirkuk on 25 November. 

Bahrain:

Middle East International Gold, Jewellery, Clock & Watch Exhibition (to Nov. 27).

Yemen: 

Amr Khalid kicks off first round of large-scale project to confront “extremist ideology”; involves media campaign, young leaders, moderate preachers training; project will be inaugurated on 24 November in Aden in presence of President Ali Abdallah Salih

Lebanon:

The lebanese minister of communications, along with a Hizbullah MP, will hold a press conference at 12:30 GMT to reveal the details of what the Lebanese govt says is Israel's success in infiltrating the national telecommunications networks.

Libya: 

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov wraps up visit after discussing trade 

Algeria:

Syrian-Algerian Businessmen Council to push forward the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Bousheh described the volume of trade exchange between Syria and Algeria as "modest", noting that in 2009, the volume was USD 230 millions in the favour of the Syrian side which exports huge quantities of textile goods to Algeria.

Madagascar:

Five leaders of three political movements will receive verdicts for attempting to hold a meeting at the Malacam stadium in Antanimena without authorization, ignoring orders to disperse and destroying public property. (NB case comes after recent coup attempt)

Tanzania: 

Meeting of East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers continues in northern city of Arusha to consider progress in implementation of various EAC programmes, projects (-29)

Ethiopia:

Umar al-Bashir attends second day of special summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development [IGAD] to review the latest developments in Sudan and issues related to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement [CPA], especially the phase of the southern Sudan referendum for self-determination.

Ukraine: 

Israeli President Shimon Peres may visit to meet counterpart Viktor Yanukovych (-26)

Ukraine: 

Head of Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, visits to tackle alleged schism within Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate; he may also meet President Viktor Yanukovych to discuss political issues, including price of Russian gas; second and last day of visit 

Belarus:

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov wraps up working visit to Belarus on Customs Union

Belarus:

Ten Belarusian presidential hopefuls complete their registration for the presidential elections on 19 December. (Namely the deputy chairman of the BPF Party [Belarusian People's Front], Ryhor Kastusyow; the incumbent president, Alyaksandr Lukashenka; the leader of the For Modernization union, Ales Mikhalevich; the leader of the Tell the Truth! civil campaign, Uladzimir Nyaklyayew; the deputy chairman of the United Civic Party, Yaraslaw Ramanchuk; the co-chairman of the founding committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, Vital Ramashewski; the leader of the European Belarus campaign, Andrey Sannikaw; the leader of the founding committee of the Belarusian Socialist Democratic Party (People's Hramada), Mikalay Statkevich; economist Viktar Tsyareshchanka; and the director of the company Tryvium, Dzmitryy Us.)

Belgium:

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is to make a speech at the European Parliament, will use the occasion, as well as the OSCE summit in Astana on 1-2 December, to attack and criticize Russia again for the occupation of breakaway republics South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

France:

Five trade unions to hold "various kinds of action" around the country against the pension reform law and will include the CFDT [ French Democratic Confederation of Labour] and the CGT [General Confederation of Labour]  - the two biggest French trade union federations.

US:

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special envoy on Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, is scheduled to address the U.N. Security Council when the 15-nation body holds closed-door consultations on the issue.

US:

Former Republican vice presidential candidate and Tea Party favourite, Sarah Palin's new book "America by Heart" goes on sale in the United States.

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