UNSC members along with other UNGA members are geared at working out a global “norms of accepted behavior in cyberspace, under the auspices of the United Nations.
At the financial front The British Prime Minister David Cameron’s policy has shown that despite being a Euro-skeptic, British attitude to financial management will not be different from the trend across
Lord Eliza Manningham-Buller, former director of the MI5 agency between 2002 and 2007 revealed to the Iraq Inquiry team that Saddam Hussein had no connection with 9/11 and all intelligence shows Iraq was neither a medium or short term threat, instead implicitly she argues American leadership should be blamed for the havoc in Iraq and how Iraq war diverted attention away from fighting terrorism. Her view tallies with scholarly view that
British Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said the ministry of justice is prepared to tighten up the universal jurisdiction rules acknowledged by Britain, but foreigner will ceased to be prosecuted under the rule saved with substantive evidence, so as not to jeopardize Britain’s image.
The Spanish parliament rejected a ban on the burqa or niqab in the public sphere though prefer not to be worn in government building. Spanish Muslim organization believes the veil issue in
IMF’s recent assessment report shows considerable progress in
Substantive global representation and greater role in world system can make
Criticism of BP is yet to be over even after the block of the spill at the
Ivorians would definitely laud the ruling of an
CENTRAL AND EASTERN
Report has it that Albanian ruling Democratic Party (DP) is ready to compromise with Socialist Party's (SP) on certain issues and only if the latter will not boycott the parliament. Hence possibility of having a joint committee to investigate the June 2009 general elections which is the main cause of the political stalemate will be possible.
Meanwhile, members of Albanian parliament approved of budget change hoping to spur development but rejected by the opposition as reform that will deepen, rather than end the economic crisis.
On July 22, 2010, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations seated in The Hague (The Netherlands), ruled that Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence and secession from the Republic of Serbia over the latter's objection did not violate international law. The ICJ ruling, adopted by 10 votes to four, was issued in the form of a non-binding Advisory Opinion following a request from the UN General Assembly initiated by
Albanian judiciary system is tagged by European Commission (EC) expert as one-sided, concerned about lower level corruption while higher up corruption gets little or no attention. Albanian authorities welcomed the ICJ rulings on the legitimacy of Kosovo’s independence.
After months of heated debate, the Federation of
Elections in Kosovo newly created Serb-dominated municipality of Partesh/Partes was a success as political power gets down on Serbs in the region to govern themselves.
Political misunderstanding between ruling and opposition is prevalent across the region and
Opposition and public in
At the Economic front EU economic and finance ministers approved a proposal by the European Commission (EC) to launch an excessive deficit procedure for
Report from
Despite the favorable ICJ’s ruling for Kosovo, the court nevertheless instructed a re-arrest of former Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, as his 2008 release was unworthy after further investigation shows intimidation of witness.
EULEX’s corruption investigation in Kosovo is unabated as organized criminals are thrown into the judiciary net. Kosovo Central Bank Governor Hashim Rexhepi was also arrested as part of a corruption investigation.
According Reporters without Borders (RWB) Kosovo journalists are a target of threats from nationalist militants and extremists of all kinds if they try working more professionally.
The European Commission (EC) believes Montenegrin’ strategy to fight corruption and organized crime is weak because it lacks main goals, deadlines and monitoring mechanisms.
The Bulgarian government has finally approved an agreement in support of the Nabucco gas pipeline, an EU-backed project aims to transport up to 31 billion cubic metres of natural gas from the Caspian region to
As
The European Commission (EC) published progress reports on
The visit of Croatian President Ivo Josipovic to
He lost the last general election and became the head of opposition. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, brother of the former Polish prime minister believes the Polish government is not handling well the inquiry into the death of his brother. Jaroslaw Kaczynski‘s criticism of the government is also criticized as ploy ahead of 2011 parliamentary elections.
The wind was finally cleared as soon as Slovak new Prime Minister Iveta Radičová, agreed to accept the European safety net for indebted economy. Slovakia before then was hesitant joining the 750-billion euro European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) an issue that became a campaign issue in last Slovakia's June election.
There is a growing change in female electoral participation in east and central Europe particularly in Czech Republic. According to reports female politicians are drawing support and are becoming noticeable like their western counterparts.
At the economic front IMF was instrumental in bailing Hungary out of its financial recession, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is affirmative to discussing his country budget with EU while IMF gets sidelined. Orban rejects austerity measures in favour of a pro-growth policy to woo voters. Separately, Hungarian Parliament passed a controversial tax on banks defying warnings from the country’s international creditors that the levy would hamper growth.
Polish economy continues to show a growing strength as retail sale rose than expected. Meanwhile, the Polish government does not intend to trim spending and the Central bank hopes to increase rate as balancing force for the growing economy.
The new Czech government is championing a tough budget deficit cut, raising credit rating and to implement the severest austerity package in the history of the republic. The measure will not be new but an integral element of austerity measures unfolding across Europe after the Greek financial crisis.
Ukraine’s economy is expected to experience substantive growth as its trade transaction with Russia reaches 50 billion U.S. dollars and an increased export, although Moody's forecast does not expect Ukraine to escape budget deficit likely to stand at 6 percent of GDP in 2010.
Latvian government was gladdened by the recent IMF’s resolve to commence 7.5-billion-euro (9.5-billion-dollar) international loan installment to Latvia. The latter smile was broadened by EU decision to open the door for Latvia to receive a 200-million-euro (260 million dollars) aid.
Although a strongly Catholic country, in Poland gambling is rampant; and gays, lesbians, bisexuals are demanding equal right for sexual minority. The European Commission is concerned about Poland’s gambling law and sexual minorities are doubtful if they can get equal right.
All former communist countries have always tried to end their communist-Russia history by either putting out of sight communist legacy or rejecting certain communist history of their country. Lithuania like other Baltic states is being urged by Russia to discontinue with falsification policy geared at deleting certain aspects of historical events of the 20th century.
Moldova will be receiving humanitarian help in form of technical aid and two crisis experts from Estonia. The aid follows the flood that recently hit Moldova.
Lithuania's government has approved the construction of a floating liquefied natural gas plant in the Baltic Sea, an effort to decrease its dependence on Russian energy supplies. Lithuania gets all its natural gas from Russia and has faced the unexpectedly supply cut during the last few months due to rows between Russia and Belarus.
RUSSIA
The good performance of the Russian economy is eye catching but nonetheless, IMF Board of Governors has offered a note of caution to Moscow to cut its budget deficit.
Investors are urged not to be dissuaded by negative media portrayal of Russia but should rather fathom that since 2000 and the end of 2009, Russia’s stock market and economy comparatively has been doing well than western market. This will be true for the new level of relation between Germany and Russia, as companies from the former are set to contribute to Russia development in non-strategic sectors.
Although they have formally signed a Custom Union, but that has not erase the price tussle between Belarus and Russia. The former has no readiness to accept Russia gas rate beyond $150 1,000 cubic meters. Meanwhile, Russian Finance Ministry has hinted tax hike on gas with the aim of bringing in an extra 180 billion rubles over three years.
The recent bombing of the Baksan Hydropower Plant in Kabardino-Balkaria will make Russian law enforcement agencies take serious measures on security at strategic sites, including hydropower plants and other power facilities.
Belarus and Russia are not just members of a common Custom Union but trade partners unsettled on gas price. Tension between the countries is further ignited as media from the two countries portrays each other to be authoritarian.
Heat waves is threatens lives in Russia and not sparing agricultural production. The heat is a record high stealing almost three hundred lives and contributed to the worst drought in 130 years.
Swapped Russian spies are still under state security radar before their fate to live as ordinary citizen will be determineed.
Russian Orthodox Church is saddened by the low level of youth in church activities and their perverse social behaviors hence the church is bent on missionary effort to guarding youth towards faith.
Russian Energy Ministry plans to develop Trebs and Titov oil fields with ($2 billion) with an extraction possibility of 70 million tons of reserves.
The rising heat in Russia and its effect on agricultural production has forced the government to reverse its grains intervention strategy.
Russia is taking a bold step to cement its foreign relation particularly in the north of Europe where Russia has energy and economic interest. Meanwhile, Russia is urging foreign countries not to grant citizenship to persons having criminal record. On a different note, trouble between the US and Russia is yet over as another Russian faces trial in USA for international drug trafficking Russia accuses the USA of violating numerous international rules upon his arrest.
Russian Foreign Ministry is throwing its weight in US neighborhood urging Colombia and Venezuela to restore a dialogue based on mutual trust with an aim to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Russia’s military industry will hit export of $9 billion by end of the year. India and Venezuela are among top nations finding the Russia military market comfortable. Russian armament department will be boosted by trillion of rubles in order to complement the task of strategic nuclear forces and ground forces.
Russia is bidding for French military hardware is now a concern for NATO allies seeing it as transferring of technology to former foe.
START ratification could be delayed by republicans of US Senate on the ground that Russia has been granted too many concessions.
US/CANADA
2 1/2 million jobless Americans will soon get about $300 for being laid off and unable to find work in the aftermath of the recession. The checks became ripe after Congress approved the measure.
With calls to wind up the war the White House and the Congress might be thinking of a budget trim, a proposal unwelcoming to Pentagon bureaucracy. Meanwhile, White House is still trying to reach an understanding with Senate Republicans to approve its new arms control treaty with Russia by committing to modernizing the nuclear arsenal and making additional guarantees about missile defense.
The Arizona immigration law has caused an uproar and divided the American public. Trying to establish the legality of the law, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton is expected to judge the legitimacy of the law, but she has raised another serious question on the porosity of U.S border, which in fact needed adequate attention.
The accusation of a white blogger in the US led to the firing of Shirley Sherrod, an African American and Georgia State Director of Rural Development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The core member of NAACP, was accused of having for racial discriminatory remarks as posted extracts of Sherrod's address at a March 2010 NAACP event. The decision to fire her was reversed when the full video revealed a different interpretation of her remarks.
British Prime Minister Cameron’s recent visit to the White House was capped by the reiteration of the special areas in US-British relation, whatever the differences both countries are still trustable allies. Relations of both countries got chilled in the wake of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and Americans were still troubled by the release of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, the Libyan intelligence agent who had served eight years of a life sentence for his role in the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
It remains an open question whether U.S and EU will change their policy towards Cuba, as the communist island released around 52 political prisoners. Both the US and EU have conditioned good ties with Cuba only when political and social reforms take place on the island.
LATIN AMERICA
Brazil could be influenced by neighborhood effect in the region wherein women get certain quota in politics. Brazil’s political landscape is characterized by gender imbalance and the Lula’s government now plans to change the trend by adopting quota system adopted by others in the region.
Mr. Serra, presidential candidate for the Brazilian opposition party’s (PSDB) links the ruling (PT or Workers’ Party) with the Marxist rebel group (FARC) of Colombia, however Serra notes that it does not suggest Workers’ Party is involve in human and drug trafficking. The essence of the allegation is suspicious amid an election run-up, wherein Serra hopes to defeat the Workers’ party.
For Chileans going to monitor Venezuelan elections is a political regional responsibility but Caracas sees it as meddling in domestic political affairs.
Argentina’s economy minister is very hopeful of 6 % economic growth this year. Meanwhile, Argentine president’s visit to China appears to have diffused the recent row between the two countries. The visit spurred China agreeing to extend its transportation technology to Argentina.
The Brazilian economy hangs in competing views. According to Reuter’s poll the forthcoming election would affect the economy, a view unacceptable to the government who sees Brazil’s economy growing by 7% even after the election.
IMF predicts a boosted economy for Colombia if Colombia and Venezuela could shove aside their differences, but economy minister of Colombia believes that a trade obstruction by Venezuela will make no difference because already their level of trade had plunged.
Mexican government predicts a growing economy but unforeseen by the Mexican business community, whose businesses have been hampered by the violence associated with drug cartels.
Not all Venezuelans subscribe to President Chavez’s nationalization project, for some Venezuelan economy is better on private business as it pays 70 % of country’s total tax.
Equal right law for sexual minorities was passed by Argentine Senate pushing the Catholic populated country as the first Latin America to adopt such kind of law. The approval of the law could not be obstructed by the opposition and Catholic Church.
Lula’s governmnet is committed at making the dream of hosting the 2014 FIFA world cup a reality as the government revamps the funds for the project. Brazil has been under attack of lacking the will to host the global sporting event.
Mexican drug violence remains a serious concern for both the governmnet and the public as random killings increases across the country.
Brazil will not be left out from the forthcoming energy summit in Washington, where Sao Paulo will be showcasing its energy clout and technology. Environmentalists argue against Brazil’s plan to constructing giant hydroelectric dams in the Amazon, seen as detrimental to the lives of the natives.
Brazilian oil company Petrobras will be buying 18,000 tones steel from China due to high prices in the domestic markets. The steel is to be utilized in the making of transport vessels in Brazil. Such transaction will further boost their BRIC fraternity.
President Hugo Chavez urges that social networking sites and other hi-tech products are instrumental for good governance, while he favors using these avenues to know public views of his government, technology in his view should not be seen as property of capitalism.
The direction of Brazil’s foreign policy and economy growth is commanding respect for the Latin America giant. President Lula is also lauded for his diplomatic clout hence foreign leaders are making a right choice to strengthening their relations with Sao Paulo.
Tension between Colombia and Venezuela is once again rising over the allegation that the latter is support FARC rebel group, upon which Caracas has called her ambassador from Colombia. The United States seems to be at the centre of contention; Colombia is alleged by Venezuela of dancing to the tune of Washington to wage proxy war on Venezuela. Meanwhile, Ecuador is moving towards an understanding with Colombia after the election of President Santos.
The ALBA summit reiterated is pledge to stand with Iran nuclear programme and condemns the attack on an Iranian mosque as cowardice. Meanwhile, Venezuela is planning to mend difference with the Vatican upon the criticism of Catholic Church community and Vatican on his 21st century socialism. Netherlands and Venezuela are prepared to respect each other sovereignty after Venezuela accused the Dutch of air space violation.
AUSTRALASIA
Australia’s future lies in Asia hence to downgrade the essence of the region will be fruitless. This is the new message coming from Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who weeks back cast doubt on the feasibility of a new "Asia Pacific community" forum suggested by ex-PM Rudd. Her new view cannot be disconnected from an attempt to make the region accept her new immigration policy aims at having regional refugee centre in East Timor, a policy objected by few in the region.
Ex PM Rudd could still have more on his plate even after being ousted as pri
me minister. The UN is thinking of inducting him as part of a panel for development assignment, a position that necessarily will not make Rudd leave his parliamentary seat.
David Warren, an Australian scientist who invented the "black box" flight data recorder has expired. His remarkable invention has contributed hugely to flight accident investigation as whatever transpired before flight accident is known through the black box.
The new plan by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to have Citizen Assembly across the country that will decide on global warming and environmental law is being criticized. Critics believe she is succumbing to the demand of the powerful mining industry in the wake of election she hopes to win. Ex-PM Rudd was ousted for policy offensive to the mining sector. §
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and jointly developed by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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