World News: July 2009

The Swine flu scare hit the global airline market with a huge thump. The airline industry has increased efforts to ensure that passengers avoid health risks especially on international flights.  Most carriers in Asia are scared of another SARS episode and have increased their cabin cleaning, installed state-of-the-art air filters and are allowing in-flight staff to wear face masks.  The carrier Cathay Pacific is  replacing all used pillows, blankets, headset covers and headrest covers, for each flight, according to its spokeswoman Carolyn Leung.  China Southern Airlines is disinfecting all of its aircraft cabins.  Flight attendants on China Eastern Airlines must now wear disposable facial masks, gloves, hats and overcoats during flights to and from select locations.  Mexicana Airlines has implemented efficiency air filters that trap particles normally in constant recirculation during flights.  according to its spokesman Adolfo Crespo.  Reports from June 2009 have 20,000 cases of the H1N1 flu virus in 68 countries; the virus has killed at least 126 people, reports the World Health Organization. 

 

Two U.S. journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, of U.S. media outlet Current TV,  who were detained in North Korea are set to go on trial at one of North Korea’s highest courts.  Allegations say the two women illegally entered the country with “hostile intent” in a explosive  case that comes on the heels of Pyongyang facing international anger for the nuclear testing in May.  According to experts who are keeping a close eye on the arrests, a guilty verdict is predicted for the two women arrested on North Korea’s border with China in March.  It seems likely that the journalists will become bargaining chips in high-stake negotiations with the United States which has fought to bring an end to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.  North Korean law states that anyone convicted of highly hostile acts could be forced into hard labor for a period of 10 years or more.

 

Poland’s leaders, accompanied by foreign dignitaries celebrate the 20th anniversary of the country’s free elections.  Prime Minister Donald and a party of Polish officials gathered in Krakow with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Ukraine who attended the ceremonies in the Wawel Castle Cathedral.  Former Polish President Lech Walesa, former leader of the Solidarity movement that help to topple the communist regime was also there.

 

Cuba says, “NO THANKS” to rejoin the Organization of American States, then says the group’s decision to lift a 47-year suspension against it is a “major victory.”  Cuban National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon told journalists in Havana that the organization’s decision to lift the 1962 suspension doesn’t make a difference as Cuba has no interest in resuming its membership.  The OAS said Cuba’s re-entry would be the result of a “process of dialogue” under the OAS group’s “practices, proposals and principles” referencing human-rights protections and democracy.  The 34-member group made its decision on the second and final day of its General Assembly in Honduras.  Cuba was initially suspended because of its communist government and Soviet bloc ties.  Former Cuban President Fidel Castro said that OAS was an accomplice to crimes committed against his country.  Before leaving Honduras to join President Obama in Cairo, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the assembled OAS members to restore Cuba’s member- ship rights only if political prisoners are released and basic human rights are improved. 

 

The U.S. and Iraqi militaries have tentatively agreed to keep a joint base on the edge of Baghdad’s Shiite slum of Sadr City, maintaining an American presence in a strategic area even after the June 30 deadline for U.S. troops to pull out of the capital.  The base: Joint Security Station Commanche is one of 14 joint facilities that U.S. officials want to keep alive in the neighborhoods. Commanche controls the area where Shiite militants pounded rocket fire onto the Green Zone during the last big fight in the city in 2008.  Militants are thought to be regrouping in the area. The idea to keep some joint bases open helps achieve withdrawal plans without giving Shiite and Sunni extremists a full reign to take over. 

The day before President Obama delivered a speech speaking of peace and goodwill with the Islamic world, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden did his best in a speech to Muslims saying that they should hate him.  This was the second message from al-Qaida in a matter of days criticizing Obama.  It’s a sure sign says officials that al-Qaida

is worried that the new president is making headway bringing countries together, improving America’s image in the Muslim world. Obama met with Saudi King Abdullah during his Mideast tour and gave a speech at the Cairo University as a goodwill message.  Al-Qaida did its best to deter  well wishes from the crowds by countering that Obama and Bush have the same agenda.  On Al-Jazeera TV bin Laden said Obama promoted hate  toward the U.S. by ordering Pakistan to crack down on militants and block Islamic law there.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP), has delivered more than $1 billion in food aid to North Korea since 2000.  Hopes are high that the organization can deliver a half-billion dollars more before the year is out.  To date donor nations have given WFP $75.4 million toward a 2009 goal of $503 million; half of that amount — $38.8 million is food aid that was not delivered in 2008.  The reluctance stems from bad behavior of the North Korean dictatorship of Kim Jong-Il, which sent off a multi-kiloton nuclear explosion, the second in three years.

North Korea continues to threaten South Korea with war by blasting off nuclear missils.

 

The final decision to take over Adam Opel AG stayed open and Germany’s Economy Ministry said it would not  close talks with other bidders to Magna International Inc. (MGA), the Canadian auto parts supplier that the German government referred to its “preferred bidder.” Then the German government picked on the Magna’s consortium stating that it will give EUR1.5 billion in funds to help the Ruesselsheim-based auto firm stay up and running following the bankruptcy filing of parent General Motors Corp.

Magna says it will seal the deal in four to five weeks and aims for Opel entry in September.  The Economics Ministry State Secretary Jochen Homann said that the government can’t rule out the possible failure of Magna’s offer.

 

Florida deep-sea explorers who raised around $500 million in treasure from the 200-year-old wreck of a Spanish galleon should give the loot to Spain, stated a federal magistrate.  This two-year struggle over the 17 tons of silver coins and artifacts is believed to come from the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes y las Animas.  Sources say Odyssey Marine Exploration will oppose any written recommendation by the U.S. Odyssey CEO Greg Stemm said that the company will keep fighting.  ”This case addresses some very significant legal issues, so in the beginning it became fairly clear it was going to go to the appellate court level.”  The Mercedes, sank in the Atlantic Ocean west of Portugal in 1804.