Saturday, February 28, 2009

Daily Update

ASEAN states decide what to do with the Rohingya refugees of Burma

Japan's recession could be the most severe of all: unemployment skyrocketing, exports plummeting, factories shutting down

European leaders meet in summit to discuss economic crisis in Europe in an effort to determine which powerful nations will aid those struggling the most. Meanwhile, tensions continue to grow between Czech President Topolanek and French President Sarkozy

Contrary to US allegations of disrespect, China defends its actions regarding human rights

Israel still cannot reach coalition agreement as April 3rd deadline quickly approaches, worrying Netanyahu

Iran's quest for hegemony

Rwandan soldiers begin to move out of the DR Congo after entering to attack Hutu rebels

Zuma, the possible next president of South Africa, remains unaffected by opposition party, Cope, despite its mounting strength and his own corruption charges

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Daily Update

Mutiny by Bangladesh paramilitary boarder guards for higher wages leaves 50 dead; mutineers accepted government amnesty and laid down their arms

Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif is ousted from office, threatening to plunge nation into chaos again just as the government tries to muster a response to Islamic Extremism

Iran's nuclear program "gains speed" as Russo-Iranian collaboration on the Bushehr light water reactor intensifies - by itself, the reactor doesn't pose a significant nuclear proliferation risk, but it could be targeted by Israeli air strikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure as a whole

According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has relocated preparations for the launch of its Taepodong-2 intercontinental ballistic missile to an underground refueling station, making it more difficult for the U.S. and its allies to determine when the launch will occur

India files murder charges against one of the Mumbai gunmen, death sentence expected

U.S. Attorney General commends Guantanamo's facilities, "professionalism," and care for inmates, but maintains that the prison's days are numbered

Afghanistan is so far removed from global financial and trading markets that it's weathering the current financial crisis with little difficulty - the U.S.'s backing of the Afghan Central Bank to keep its currency stable helps, too

U.S. State Dept. criticizes China, Russia, North Korea, and others on 2008 human rights record; China deems accusations "groundless"

Japan's recession is predicted to deepen as exports fall by more than 45%

Investigation of deadly Turkish Airlines crash in Amsterdam begins

Monday, February 23, 2009

Daily Update

Sudanese President Bashir may soon be arrested on charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court

Tamil Tigers' offer to ceasefire is rejected by Sri Lanka, who says peace cannot be possible until rebels lay down arms

A reform-minded Saudi Arabia

Rivals meet in Madagascar to stop violence political and social unrest

North Korea recently finished deploying new medium-range missiles with expanded reach capabilities

Spain's People's Party falling apart from internal scandal and disunity?

Pakistan seeks support from China in order to achieve economic security

Human rights group Amnesty International urges an Israel-Hamas arms embargo

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Weekly Update - D.C. Events of Interest

Moday:

Iraq: Recent Events and Challenges Ahead

Monday, February 23, 2009, 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

http://www.stimson.org/events.cfm?ID=662

@

The Henry L. Stimson Center

1111 19th Street, NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20036


Facing the Global Economic Challenge

The Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond, MP, MSP (First Minister of Scotland)

Monday, February 23 , 11:15 a.m.
R.S.V.P. to PresidentsOffice@georgetown.edu

@

Riggs Library
Georgetown University, Washington D.C. 20057


Wednesday:

New Kids on the Block: Chinese Oil and Mining Companies Go Global

Wednesday, February 25 2009, 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.event_summary&event_id=503259

@

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Ronald Reagan Building and
International Trade Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004-3027


Craig from Craigslist!

Craig Newmark, Creator of Craigslist

Wednesday, February 25th, 7:00-9:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30)

@

Gaston Hall,
Georgetown University, Washington D.C. 20057


Friday:

US - Iran: Lessons from the Past for the Present and Future

Friday, February 27 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.event_summary&event_id=508598

@

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars