Japan cabinet approves bills to enhance coast guard powers

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Japan's cabinet has approved bills to enhance the law enforcement powers of the coast guard in territorial waters. Reports say the coast guard will be able to investigate illegal landings on islands and have more powers to eject ships. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Officials hope to have the bills passed in the current parliament session. The move comes amid growing Chinese assertiveness over its maritime claims, which have sparked tensions with a number of countries. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Under the bills, the coast guard will be able to arrest suspects and examine the destruction of property on remote islands. Another bill will empower the coast guard to ask foreign ships to leave Japan's territorial waters, without requiring it to inspect the ships</li> </ul></div>

Japan cabinet approves bills to enhance coast guard powers

Japan's cabinet has approved bills to enhance the law enforcement powers of the coast guard in territorial waters. Reports say the coa...

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S Korea passes resolution; Demands China to stop N Koreans’ deportation

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6138" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">South Korea's Parliament passed a resolution demanding that China stop the repatriation of North Korean refugees. The move follows a string of protests over the fate of some 30 North Koreans who are reportedly facing deportation from China and harsh repercussions.  </li> </ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The resolution was backed by 154 lawmakers. They also called on the United Nations and other bodies to put pressure on Beijing to follow international law. It is estimated that more than 20,000 North Koreans have fled to the South since the 1950s. The majority of them escape via China.</li> </ul></div></div>

S Korea passes resolution; Demands China to stop N Koreans’ deportation

South Korea's Parliament passed a resolution demanding that China stop the repatriation of No...

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WikiLeaks begin release of e-mails from Stratfor Global Intelligence

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The whistle-blower website WikiLeaks says, it has begun releasing more than 5 million e-mails from Stratfor Global Intelligence, a private U.S.-based firm providing strategic analysis.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>WikiLeaks said on its website that the e-mails reveal the company's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment-laundering techniques and psychological methods. It said the e-mails also contain privileged information about the U.S. government's attacks on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and Stratfor's own attempts to subvert WikiLeaks.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The WikiLeaks said, the e-mails date from July 2004 to December 2011 and include more than 4,000 e-mails mentioning WikiLeaks or Assange, who is currently fighting extradition from Britain to Sweden on sexual assault charges.</li> </ul></div>

WikiLeaks begin release of e-mails from Stratfor Global Intelligence

The whistle-blower website WikiLeaks says, it has begun releasing more than 5 million e-mails from Stratfor Global Intelligence, a private...

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The European Union slaps new sanctions on Syria

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6126" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The European Union has slapped new and stricter sanctions on Syria. These include sanctions on the Iran’s Central bank, cargo flights, precious metal trade and seven ministers. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal said in Brussels that EU foreign ministers may also consider a peacekeeping mision to Syria. However the EU Ministers have insisted that military intervention is ruled out.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>EU's new round of sanctions slaps travel bans and asset freezes on the ministers of health, education, presidential affairs, communications and technology, oil and mineral resources, industry, and transport.  </li> </ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Syrian Central Bank will also no longer have access to any funds it may hold in the EU. Syrian-operated flights carrying only cargo will not be allowed to land in the 27 member bloc. EU businesses will be banned from trading in gold, precious metals and diamonds with Syrian public bodies. </li> </ul></div><a href="http://www.tippani.in/blog/xbusiness.php?submit=showComments&id=6126"> </a></div>

The European Union slaps new sanctions on Syria

The European Union has slapped new and stricter sanctions on Syria. These include sanctions on th...

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US envoy's secret cable warns of terror sanctuaries in Pakistan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6110" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">America's envoy to Kabul has warned that the existence of terror sanctuaries in Pakistan and insurgent activities of the Haqqani network are a deal-killer for the US strategy in Afghanistan. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>In a top-secret cable to the Obama administration last month Ambassador Ryan. C. Crocker said it amounts to admitting that years of US efforts to curtail insurgent activity in Pakistan by key Taliban ally and lethal Haqqani network are failing. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Disclosing this, the Washington Post reported that the cable was sent through CIA channels rather than the usual State Department ones to keep it secret. </li> </ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The State Department refused to comment on the authenticity of the cable. Spokesman Mark Toner said in Washinton that they are not in a position to comment on alleged leaked cables. He said the adminstration's position is that the Haqqani network remains and safe havens continue to pose a threat to Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States . All must be done to eliminate them, he said.</li> </ul></div></div>

US envoy's secret cable warns of terror sanctuaries in Pakistan

America's envoy to Kabul has warned that the existence of terror sanctuaries in Pakistan and ...

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JPA 2012 launches in Colombo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6072" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Joint Plan for Assistance (JPA) for Northern Province 2012 was launched in Colombo, by the Sri Lankan Government together with the United Nations. The JPA identifies priority activities and strategies which have been developed in support of the overall national programme to assist the people of the war ravaged Northern Province to recover further and to sustain their livelihoods in coming years. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Agriculture, shelter, livelihood, fishery, water and sanitation, electricity, education, health and nutrition and banking will be the key areas that would be focused through the initiatives of this joint plan for assistance. </li> </ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The JPA provides a framework for meeting immediate needs of the resettled communities in the Northern Province while linking humanitarian interventions to longer-term development efforts including the priorities of building houses and shelters, supporting agriculture, food security and livelihood recovery.</li> </ul></div></div>

JPA 2012 launches in Colombo

The Joint Plan for Assistance (JPA) for Northern Province 2012 was launched in Colombo, by the Sr...

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IAEA mission to Iran ends in failure; Iran still defiant

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">U.N. nuclear officials conceded failure on Tuesday after an extraordinary two-day visit to Iran yielded no progress in clearing up allegations about the country’s pursuit of nuclear weapons technology. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Iran’s top leader again said his country has no intention of producing a nuclear weapon. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span>But the IAEA officials were barred from visiting a key testing facility known as Parchin, where some of the research was alleged to have occurred.</span> </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span><span>Intensive efforts were made to reach agreement on a document facilitating the clarification of unresolved issues in connection with Iran’s nuclear program, particularly those relating to possible military dimensions.<span>Unfortunately, agreement was not reached on this document.</span></span></span> </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span><span><span><span>IAEA Director General</span> Yukiya Amano <span>called the visit’s outcome disappointing.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul></div>

IAEA mission to Iran ends in failure; Iran still defiant

U.N. nuclear officials conceded failure on Tuesday after an extraordinary two-day visit to Iran yielded no progress in clearing up allegat...

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Bangladesh Home Minister on 3 day tour to India to participate HM talks

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh Home Minister Shahara Khatun will leave Dhaka for New Delhi on Feb 23 on a three-day tour to India to participate in the Home Minister Level talks between India and Bangladesh. Home Minister P. Chidambaram will be leading the Indian Delegation while Bangladesh Home Minister Shahara Khatun will be leading a 12 member delegation at the ministerial-level talks scheduled to take place on Feb 24. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Officials of the two sides are expected to meet a day ahead to firm up the agenda for the ministerial level discussions, which will be focused on co-operation in security matters. According to sources India is likely to press for the signing of the Extradition treaty, which has been under active consideration of both the governments. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Apart from this the two sides will also review the progress made on the implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan signed between BSF and BGB during the visit of Home Minister P. Chidambaram to Dhaka in July last year. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>In addition this the discussions between the two leaders are also expected to focus on a gamut of bilateral issues related to cooperation in counter terrorism, consular matters and curbing border crimes like smuggling, arms, fake currency, drug and human trafficking.</li> </ul></div>

Bangladesh Home Minister on 3 day tour to India to participate HM talks

Bangladesh Home Minister Shahara Khatun will leave Dhaka for New Delhi on Feb 23 on a three-day tour to India to participate in the Home M...

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Jordan invites trade and investment from India

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6060" style="display: block;"> <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Jordan has invited the captains of industry from India for investment and trade with the country. At a meeting of the representatives of the Indian and Jordanian Business Councils in Dubai the two sides agreed to work together to enhance trade and commerce between the two countries. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The move will give a boost to Indo-Jordanian trade and investment. The CEO of the Jordanian Development Corporation, Yarob Al Qdha said Jordan is the gateway to Iraq, Syria, Libya and Egypt and any entry will facilitate entry into the regional markets. The meeting was also attended by a delegation of Jordanian trade and business leaders. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The meeting was organized by the Jordanian Consulate in Dubai. During the meet it was stated that concerns regarding security and stability in Jordan is not an issue. Around 20 big companies in Jordan are owned by the Indians with a trade worh $50 million and it has the potential to grow bigger and better.</li> </ul></div></div>

Jordan invites trade and investment from India

Jordan has invited the captains of industry from India for investment and trade with the countr...

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Yemenis vote to elect new leader amid unrest

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span id="advenueINTEXT"> Yemeni voters head for the polls, ending President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule and thus making Yemen the first Arab state where a revolt has led to a negotiated settlement.</span></li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span id="advenueINTEXT"> The referendum-like poll, in which Saleh's deputy Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi is standing as the sole consensus candidate, is being boycotted by two major opposition groups; the separatist Southern Movement and the northern Shiite rebels.</span></li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span id="advenueINTEXT"> But the main proponents of the uprising that began in January 2011 have asked Yemenis to throw their support behind Hadi, whose posters have been plastered across buildings and throughout the streets of the capital Sanaa.</span> </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span id="advenueINTEXT">Yemen's new president will rule for an interim two-year period, after which presidential and parliamentary elections will be held, a condition of the Gulf-brokered transition deal signed by Saleh in November. </span></li> </ul></div>

Yemenis vote to elect new leader amid unrest

Yemeni voters head for the polls, ending President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule and thus making Yemen the first Arab state whe...

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Eurozone approves bailout for Greece

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6069" style="display: block;"> <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Eurozone finance ministers have reached an agreement on a second bailout for Greece worth 130 billion euros (172 billion dollars), diplomats in Brussels said after more than 12 hours of negotiations. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The euro surged as the news broke, climbing 0.7 percent to $1.328 within minutes. While much depended on the details of the deal, a final agreement on the bailout for Greece will take some pressure off the 17-country currency union, which has been battling a serious debt crisis for two years. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The deal details of which were still being worked out by European finance ministers in an all-night session in Brussels was expected to bring Greece’s debt down to 120.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2020, according to the official. That’s around the maximum that the International Monetary Fund and the euro-zone considered sustainable. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>It was unclear what the final deal with bondholder representatives looked like, but the lower debt level suggested that they compromised further. The big question will now be how many banks and other investment funds will actually agree to participated voluntarily and whether Greece will have to force some holdouts to sign up to make the deal effective.</li> </ul></div></div>

Eurozone approves bailout for Greece

Eurozone finance ministers have reached an agreement on a second bailout for Greece worth 130 bi...

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Iran to cut oil to more EU nations

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Ahmad Qalebani said that the Islamic republic will possibly cut its oil exports to six other European Union states, including Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>It is said that if the hostile measures of some other European countries against Iran is continued, the oil exports to these countries will be stopped.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>It is also said that  if the EU states stop "the hostile measures," Iran is ready to renew its oil contracts with those countries. Iran announced that it had stopped oil exports to British and French companies.</li> </ul></div>

Iran to cut oil to more EU nations

Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Ahmad Qalebani said that the Islamic republic will possibly cut its oil exports to six other European Union st...

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Annual Army Day observed in Nepal today on Feb 20

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>In Nepal, the annual Army Day was observed coinciding with the Mahashivaratri festival with a grand function at the army pavilion, Tundikel in the capital Kathmandu today .The President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav who is the Supreme Commander of the Nepal Army received the Guard of Honor and launched a souvenir published by the Nepal Army.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and dignitaries including Vice President Parmananda Jha, Chief Justice, Constituent Assembly Chairman Sub ash Chandra Nemwang, Defense Minister, ministers and diplomats observed different parades, games, demonstrations and cultural shows presented by the Nepal Army.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>In his message on the occasion, President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav wished that the army would remain the source of inspiration of people for the highest standard of discipline, honesty and patriotism demonstrated in the course of carrying out it’s duty.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Nepal Army has been celebrating the day annually on the day of Mahashivaratri from 1991.</li> </ul></div>

Annual Army Day observed in Nepal today on Feb 20

In Nepal, the annual Army Day was observed coinciding with the Mahashivaratri festival with a grand function at the army pavilion, Tundike...

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IAEA to hold talks with Iranian in Teheran

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>A high-ranking delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency - IAEA - arrived in Tehran today for talks on the relevant issues of Iran's nuclear programme. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>According to local satellite Press TV, the delegation, is headed by IAEA's chief inspector Herman Nackaerts for the two-day talks. In January, the IAEA sent a high-level team to Iran for the first round of talks with the country's officials over the nuclear issues.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Iran's media reported that the delegation, headed by Nackaerts, did not visit or inspect any nuclear site in the country. However, it said the spirit dominating the three-day talks was positive and constructive</li> </ul></div>

IAEA to hold talks with Iranian in Teheran

A high-ranking delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency - IAEA - arrived in Tehran today for talks on the relevant issues of...

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Belgium-based agency set to move sanctions against Iran

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6040" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Sanctions against Iran have moved one step ahead. The Belgium-based Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) in a statement on its website said it was ready to implement sanctions against Iranian financial institutions. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The move will have far reaching implications on Iranian financial institutions. In case SWIFT decides to expel Iranian Central Bank and other Iranian banks from its network, it would block Iran's entire banking system. Since it will deny them the main conduit for exchanging of crucial financial transaction information with banks in most countries. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>According to Swift's 2010 annual report, 19 Iranian banks are members of the network, which processed nearly 2.3 million messages for Iranian financial institutions in 2010r. </li> </ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">SWIFT is run by the National Bank of Belgium and a consortium of Central banks of the other countries that form the Group of 10: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Britain and the United States. Iran has not yet reacted to the SWIFT’s announcement. The Financial analysts say if it happens it would have further cripple the economy in Iran.</li> </ul></div></div>

Belgium-based agency set to move sanctions against Iran

Sanctions against Iran have moved one step ahead. The Belgium-based Society for Worldwide Interba...

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Pakistan not to provide any assistance to US if it attacks Iran

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6027" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Pakistan has assured Iran that in case of a US attack , Islamabad will not provide any assistance to US forces. Geo News reports that during the trilateral summit between the Presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran which ended in Islamabad today, President Zardari said that Pakistan would not provide the US with air bases to launch an attack on Iran.  </li> </ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">President Zardari emphasized that both Pakistan and Iran needed each other and no foreign pressure could hinder their ties. The Pakistani Zardari has also sent a message to the US to not tell Pakistan who it can and cannot trade with. This was in reference to the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project.</li> </ul></div></div>

Pakistan not to provide any assistance to US if it attacks Iran

Pakistan has assured Iran that in case of a US attack , Islamabad will not provide any assistance...

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German president quits in scandal over favours

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">German President Christian Wulff has announced his resignation in a scandal over favours he allegedly received before becoming head of state creating a new problem for Chancellor Angela Merkel. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Mr. Wulff announced his immediate resignation on Friday, a day after the slow-burning affair escalated dramatically with a request by prosecutors for Parliament to lift his immunity from prosecution. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Mr. Wulff is stepping down after less than two years in the job. He was Ms. Merkel’s candidate for the presidency in 2010.</li> </ul></div>

German president quits in scandal over favours

German President Christian Wulff has announced his resignation in a scandal over favours he allegedly received before becoming head of sta...

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Manned mission to space station this year: China

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">China today on Feb 17 said that it will launch its manned space mission "Shenzhou-9" by August this year, denying speculation that it had put off the project.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>China will launch its manned "Shenzhou-9" spacecraft between June and August this year, as well as conduct a space rendezvous and docking mission with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space lab module, a report in state-run Xinhua news agency said.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The space docking mission will be manually conducted by astronauts, giving China another chance to test its docking technology, Xinhua quoted a spokesman of China's manned space programme as saying.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The Shenzhou-9's three crew members will board the Tiangong-1 after the docking is completed, living there and conducting scientific experiments.  </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span>The orbiting Tiangong-1 is ready to accommodate the astronauts, and the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft and its carrier rocket, the Long-March II-F, are undergoing final checks, he said. </span> </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The Tiangong-1 went into space on September 29, last year, docking with the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft to complete China's first space docking mission just over a month later. </li> </ul></div>

Manned mission to space station this year: China

China today on Feb 17 said that it will launch its manned space mission "Shenzhou-9" by August this year, denying speculation th...

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Syria to hold referendum on new draft constitution

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Syrian President Bashar Assad ordered a referendum for later this month on a new constitution that would allow political parties other than his ruling Baath Party, the centrepiece of reforms he has promised to ease the crisis, even as the Syrian military besieged rebellious areas. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The opposition quickly rejected the move, saying that the regime was stalling and that Syrians in the uprising would accept nothing less than Assad's ouster. The referendum call also raises the question of how a nationwide vote could be held at a time when many areas see daily battles between Syrian troops and rebel soldiers. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Amendments to the constitution once were a key demand by the opposition at the start of Syria's uprising, when protesters first launched demonstrations calling for change. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>But after 11 months of a fearsome crackdown on dissent that has left thousands dead and turned some cities into war zones, the opposition says Assad and his regime must go. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Top Syrian ally Russia has presented Assad's promises of reform and dialogue as an alternative way to resolve Syria's bloodshed after Moscow and Beijing earlier this month vetoed a Western- and Arab-backed resolution at the UN Security Council aimed at pressuring Assad to step down. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The referendum, announced on Syrian state TV, was set to take place February 26. The current Syrian constitution enshrines Assad's Baath Party as the leader of the state. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>But according to the new draft, obtained by The Associated Press, "the state's political system is based on political pluralism and power is practised democratically through voting."</li> </ul></div>

Syria to hold referendum on new draft constitution

Syrian President Bashar Assad ordered a referendum for later this month on a new constitution that would allow political parties other tha...

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Greek economy stuck in deep recession; GDP drops by 7%

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="6011" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Greek economy remained stuck in a deep recession in the fourth quarter, according to official figures released Tuesday that confirm the painful effects of austerity reforms intended to lower debt. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Gross domestic product decreased by 7 percent on the year in the fourth quarter of 2011, in non-seasonally adjusted terms, the Greek Statistical Authority said. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The struggling eurozone country has been shut out of long-term debt markets since 2010, and is surviving on rescue loans from European Union countries and the International Monetary Fund. But harsh austerity measures demanded in return for the emergency loans have hammered the economy. </li> </ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Greece's economy has been in decline since late 2008, with successive quarterly contractions since then, with the exception of the first quarter of 2010. </li> </ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Public Debt Management Agency said it had raised (euro) 1.3 billion (USD 1.7 billion) in an auction of 13-week treasury bills at a rate of 4.61 percent down from the 6.64 percent rate from the previous sale of three-month debt on Jan. 17.</li> </ul></div></div>

Greek economy stuck in deep recession; GDP drops by 7%

The Greek economy remained stuck in a deep recession in the fourth quarter, according to official...

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