News Bites: August 2009

 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton & The Global Fight Against Terrorism

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a strong plea to India to come on board and support Washington in helping Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.  It seems that Delhi has asked for results before it will begin  peace talks with the rival.  Clinton ‘s  visit was meant to put to rest any lingering doubts that India may have regarding President Barack Obama’s intention at viewing India’s rise to  a global power status.  Also on Clinton’s agenda was making certain no U.S. arms technology is leaked to third countries.  Clinton was expected to initiate a smoothing of Indo-Pakistani ties that had been broken last year during the Mumbai attacks. Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister and Pakistani leader Yusuf Raza Gilani finally came to an agreement that they would jointly fight terrorism, however,  Singh made the position that Pakistan must first punish anyone responsible for the Mumbai attacks.

 

Italian Prime Minister, Silvo Berlusconi discovered 30 Phoenician tombs dating back to 300 BC on one of his estates, but didn’t report it. Taped conversations between what is believed to be the Prime Minister and a call girl were leaked to Italy’s left-of-centre press and reveals him boasting about the ancient artifacts. Italian Law requiring any sort of archeological findings be notified to The Ministry Culture in Rome.  Failure to do so could result in fines and one year in jail.

 

A decree to shift the days of the weekend to Friday and Saturday was issued by the Algerian government as a means to boost the North African nation’s withering economy.  Since 1976 Algeria observed its weekends on Thursdays and Fridays, as do other countries such as Iran, and Saudi Arabi.  The new weekend days seems a match for Western schedules and many Muslim countries that observe Friday as Islam’s day of prayer.  The change is set for August. The head of the Algerian employers’ union, Redha Hamiani says that this change could increase Algeria’s gross domestic product up to $800 million a year.

 

Suntech Power Holdings Co, a chinese solar panel maker,  came to an agreement with a unit of China Huadian Corporation to build 500 megawatts of solar projects in China.

Suntech provides crystalline silicon solar panels, design and technical support.  China Huadian takes charge of the investment and development of the projects.  Each  company is set to sign a separate agreement.

 

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani asks the U.S. to provide real-time intelligence, unmanned aircraft technology/weapons to help Pakistan fight the Taliban without relying on direct attacks from U.S. drones.  Pakistan is willing to carry out its own drone strikes to stop negative public pleas protesting against U.S. aircraft attacks.  Public opinion seems that the U.S. attacks bordering tribal Afghanistan regions bordering have weakened Pakistan’s position to rid eliminate militancy and terrorism on their own.  Requests for weapons has long been a cornerstone in the relationship with the United States, but after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took initiatives for additional military sales to Pakistan’s rival India, which could give about 100 American fighter jets, diplomatic fears worsened as officials stated that India blocks rivers running from Kashmir into Pakistan, causing increased military exercises along the border, training and funding insurgents within Afghanistan to take up arms against them. 

 

Five Roman shipwrecks were found under the sea off Ventotene, a small island between Rome and Naples. Experts say the vessels date back to  between the 1st century B.C. and the 4th century.  Cargo findings included vases for holding wine, pots, olive oil, and a variety of tools.

Khasro Ghoran, the Kurdish leader  hopes to finally get the 300-miles of disputed territory that the Kurdish  government believes it should control.  However, the  territory lies within the borders administered by the central government.  The U.S. is in a dead heat to prevent more tension between  Arabs and Kurds, but Khasro says war will happen if their request is denied.

 

A $2.6 billion loan was approved by the International Monetary Fund for Sri Lanka to assist the nation in rebuilding its economy and replacing reserves as the 26-year civil war came to an end. The lender’s executive board, based in Washington, OK’d the 20-month—$322 million loan, effective immediately.

 

An Afghan parliament member, Malalai Joya said Afghanistan people can govern themselves.  She said the elections next months are a deception,

“showcase for the U.S. government to deceive people around the world.”  She says Nato showers the worst on Afghan people and drug production has increased and funds the Taliban.  In 2007, she was suspended for comparing the parliament to a zoo, but is praised “the bravest woman” in Afghanistan and supported for her opposition to Taliban and druglords.

 

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s  new deputy, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, stepped down when a letter written by leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. demanding his removal.  Mashaei was criticized last year after he made friendly comments to Israel. 

 

Vice President Joe Biden went to Georgia to reaffirm strong ties with the ex-Soviet Republic.  Biden said U.S. support will continue for Georgia while they continue to increase  democratic credentials.  Biden stressed that the gesture did not mean the U.S. would guarantee security.  Georgia requested the U.S. help patrol borders on two disputed regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.  Biden  said the U.S. would consider the request, but that Abkhazia and South Ossetia would not be considered separate of Georgia.  Nato promised Georgia and the Ukraine member- ship, but has not set an entry date.

 

An employee from Apple Inc., in China leaped from the 12th floor of his apartment after being suspected of leaking secrets about the company. Reported missing is one of 16 prototypes of the N90 iphone. Sources from Apple say the man’s home was raided after the 25-year old product manager was suspected of the treason.  The incident has now brought an investigation from local police and led to criticism of Apple.

 

Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Iran’s opposition figure stated that he would continue to provoke the protest movement that started with reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  The election loss was said by many to have been the result of what Iranian’s considered “voter fraud.”  Mousavi said that he thought the protests were a positive move in that they could possibly help trigger a much needed political change to occur in Iran.  Just before  made his announcement, some  of his political analysts and long time supporters were worried that his announcement would oppose a peaceful civil disobedience campaign that of which Iran has never experienced since the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s.