Albania govt removed visa regime to Albania for Kuwait + UAE citizens
{90 day stay within a period of 6 months}
*official candidate for accession to European Union since June 2014
http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=203086
Poland
Warsaw, campaigning militantly to remove all references to "Nazi Poland" from pop culture, articles, or even historical discourse
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/194547
Poland
Mattel offers apology after 'Nazi Poland' card game outrage
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mattel-offers-apology-after-nazi-poland-card-game-outrage-1498426
Italy / Sardinia
Terrorist network Pakistani nationals since 2005
18 arrested / financing al-Qaeda
http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/0/1179546/
Italy / Milan
‘Expo Milan 2015’ May 1 to Oct. 31
140 countries participating
likely to attract 20 million visitors
http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/737861
Italy Milan - Lombardy region
>capital of fashion + design
>industrial hub
>national stock XCH
>financial centre
http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/737861
Germany - India
German Embassy does Bollywood, starring German Ambassador Michael Steiner
Title: Lebe jetzt - Kal Ho Naa Ho
VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XK3BVXbVsU
Sweden
Swedish companies bullish on India's investment climate / increased companies / increased investment
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/swedish-companies-bullish-on-indias-investment-climate-115042400928_1.html
==========================================
Israel
South Africa expressed outrage after Israel decision to deny a visa to Higher Education Min. Blade Nzimande
Palestine Embassy in South Africa described decision as "racist"
BDS-South Africa wants to expel Israel ambassador to SA
However: "Nzimande has been a vocal critic of Israel"
['vocal critic' probably explains the Israeli decision]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201504241940.html
Israel
Israeli tanks fire at Hamas in Gaza rocket launched on Israel
Biden promises F-35 Joint Strike jets
Israel bought Lockheed Martin x19 F-35s in 2010 for $2.75 billion
signed a contract in Feb to buy additional x14 for abt $3 billion
- x2 delivery = end 2016
- balance = by 2021
https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Apr-25/295680-israeli-tanks-strike-gaza-after-rocket-fired.ashx
Syria - Sweden - Palestine
Palestinian intel operatives helped free Sweden al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front Syria hostages held 17 mths
http://www.nujournal.com/page/content.detail/id/836484/Official--Palestinian-operatives-helped-free-Syria-hostages.html?isap=1&nav=5033
Syria - Sweden - Palestine
Palestinian Intel Reveal Their Role in Releasing x2 Swedish Monk Hostages in Syria
Thomas Olson (50 years) + Martin Rein (33) arrived to Sweden on Saturday.
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php/international/9582-palestinian-intelligence-reveal-their-role-in-releasing-swedish-hostages-in-syria
[ This is very intriguing. Were these guys really monks? Would it be cynical to wonder whether Sweden's recent recognition of Palestine might have helped things along in the hostage freeing exercise? I don't know the answer to those questions; I'm just taking some wild guesses here. ]
Palestine – Human Rights
Islam Hamed, Brazilian-Palestinian hunger strike in Palestine prison
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/americas/18272-brazilian-on-hunger-strike-in-palestine-gets-support-from-social-media
Kuwait - KSA - Yemen
Saudi Arabia Embassy in Kuwait filed request to FM calling for prosecuting Shia Kuwaiti lawmaker for "repeated insults" to SA re Yemen
Strongly critical of SA handling of the Yemen situation
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/18273-riyadh-wants-kuwaiti-mp-prosecuted-over-insults
==========================================
Pakistan
January CIA drone strikes killed:
1) US doctor Warren Weinstein &
2) Italian aid worker Giovanni Lo Porto
http://english.eastday.com/auto/eastday/world/u1ai8485176.html
Pakistan - US Consulate Lahore
Police say Pakistan guard shoots, kills himself in front of US Consulate in city of Lahore
FS Trivia: US diplomatic posts worldwide use armed local police + private guards for external security. US Marines = security on grounds.
http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/08a2e9228cd446c3bd235457e3792e0f/AS--Pakistan-US-Consulate-Shooting/
Pakistan - 1951 Murder First PM
Previously declassified docs of US State Dept disclosed that USA murdered first elected PM of Pakistan in 1951
http://www.milligazette.com/news/12191-pakistan-s-first-prime-minister-liaquat-ali-khan-was-assassinated-by-america
[Found this very interesting.]
==========================================
Vietnam South
Swedish Ambassador Camilla Mellander promotes helmet safety http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/27702/hundreds-of-children-join-swedish-embassys-event-on-traffic-safety
Philippines
US embassy Manilla - protesters clash with the police over US troops, calling for withdrawal US troops
US military biggest joint exercises with Philippines in15 years on April 20, 2015
over 6,600 American forces, 61 Australian
US efforts to increase its presence in region
Philippines protests re foreign military {incl. Aussie troops}
http://www.spyghana.com/philippines-protesters-clash-with-the-police-over-us-troops/
PHL - Canada
Philippines dropped demand on Canada govt to take back trash that was illegally shipped 2 years ago.
50 containers of trash arrived from Canada in 6 batches 2013
household waste incl. adult diapers
passed off as scrap materials
Canadian Embassy subject of demonstrations & petitions, refuses to take back Canada trash
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/121534/ph-gives-in-to-canada-over-garbage-dispute/
[So disrespectful. Canadian authorities should be ashamed.]
Philippines President Aquino
state visit to Canada - May 7 to 9
bilateral: labour, development, infrastructure
Philippines President Aquino
1-day working visit to USA - May 10th
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/121534/ph-gives-in-to-canada-over-garbage-dispute/
Malaysia - US Embassy
NGOs hand US Embassy Kuala Lumpur memo demanding extradition of sex blogger Alvin Tan to Malaysia
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/25/Sex-blogger-just-wants-to-stir-up-trouble-says-Wee/
Malaysia can convict of sedition in absentia & demand extradition from US
*has sedition prior*
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/alvin-tan-can-be-convicted-of-sedition-though-in-us-umno-youth-exco-claims
China
Canada national - Uyghur ethnic
claims: harshly interrogated & pressured to spy on Uyghur China
via US propaganda channel: Radio Free Asia
Origin: USA govt funded source, Radio Free Asia
http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/232263121
[ US propaganda or the real deal? ]
==========================================
South Africa
Xenophobia in SA: Zimbabwe man attacked - buttocks sliced off & had penis skinned http://nehandaradio.com/2015/04/26/xenophobia-in-sa-zimbo-has-manhood-skinned/
South Africa
Nigeria recalls envoy to South Africa over attacks on foreigners
7 killed in attacks since 20 March
South Africa
deployed troops to quell violence
criticism by nations including China & Zimbabwe for failing to protect citizens v. mobs
http://www.globalpost.com/article/6528486/2015/04/25/nigeria-recalls-envoy-south-africa-over-attacks-foreigners
South Africa
Somalis under xenophobic intimidation
over 100 killed last few years / merciless SA gangs
http://www.raxanreeb.com/2015/04/untold-story-somalis-in-south-africa-under-xenophobic-intimidation/
[ South Africa looks scary. The riots aren't people just smashing up shops, or something like that. They're actually attacking other people with lethal intent: bricks, rocks, massive knives, tomahawks etc, going by the photos of mobs on the streets. ]
South Sudan
US Donates Additional $16 Million For Humanitarian Aid
US emergency assistance now exceeds $1 billion
USAID invested an additional $700 million in long-term assistance South Sudan
http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/16548/US-Donates-Additional-16-Million-For-Humanitarian-Assistance-South-Sudan.aspx
Nigeria
Nigeria recalls ambassador to South Africa re xenophobic armed mobs
SA significant bus. interests in Nigeria
http://www.gbooza.com/group/crime/forum/topics/xenophobic-attacks-nigeria-recalls-ambassador?xg_source=activity
Somaliland {autonomous region Somalia}
postponement of Somaliland presidential & parliamentary elections
visiting British delegation from UK Embassy in Addis Ababa Ethiopia
led by deputy ambassador Ms Cate Evan
current administration extended 1 year.
extension / now elections due: 26th June 2016.
http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/politics/7296-somaliland-uk-diplomats-and-guurti-elders-brainstorm-postponed-elections
[ Why is UK interfering in Somaliland's domestic affairs? ]
Tanzania - China economic cooperation has reached unprecedented scale
surpassed US$4 billion
over 500 Chinese cos.
http://www.touch.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/44187-chinese-firms-invest-trillions
==========================================
USA - Bangladesh - Injured Workers
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. + J.C. Penney Co. Inc. & ors
lawsuit Bangladesh 2013 building collapse victims
http://www.nationallawjournal.com/legaltimes/home/id=1202724527483/WalMart-JC-Penney-Sued-Over-Bangladesh-Factory-Collapse?mcode=1202615432600&curindex=0&back=NLJ&slreturn=20150324231410
USA - Human Rights
USA: Stop deporting people to places they never lived
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/end-this-pattern-stop-deporting-people-to-places-they-never-lived/
USA - Pakistan - CIA flexi drone program
- Yemen - both CIA + US military drone strikes campaign
- Somalia - US military targeted killing
- Pakistan - CIA drone program exempt from “imminent threat”
CIA can do signature strikes + more targeted drone attacks
US EMBASSY - Uruguay
day 2 protests. x4 former Guantanamo detainees
want more assistance
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2015/04/25/4260410/former-guantanamo-detainees-keep.html
[ So if the US isn't deporting those in USA who have fallen foul of the law to places they've never lived (after a prison stint); they're forcibly settling Guantanamo prison detainees in places they've never lived - without adequate compensation. So much for the US govt as human rights 'champions'. ]
==========================================
New Zealand - John Key in Saudi Arabia
free trade deal b/w Gulf states NZ "very close"
$1.5-billion bilateral trade
Gulf states import 90% of food
http://www.brecorder.com/business-a-economy/189/1180918/
==========================================
Colombia - Monsanto
Military defends use of controversial weed-killer in US-backed coca fumigation program
Since 2000, US has spent between $1 billion & $2 billion on fumigation program alone.
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/colombia-health-minister-wants-spraying-of-coca-plants-suspended--2nd-update-20150428-01652
El Salvador
- US threatens aid over support for Venezuela
- US pressure to force fall into line
https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/58861
Lat Am
Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle
US funding social & economic projects in Guatemala, Honduras + ElSalvador
- GUATEMALA
- HONDURAS
- EL SELVADOR
Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle
US $1-billion funding
US protection commercial & security interests
Alliance for Prosperity
pouring money into & uplifting successful corporates
not innovation & domestic economic growth
Alliance for Prosperity
= opportunity for large businesses, US owned corporations, & local elites
monopolizing $1 billion plan
Alliance for Prosperity
has potential to spur investment & market opportunities for US + interl firms
http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2015/04/20/u-s-alliance-for-prosperity-program-could-deepen-troubles-in-central-america/
El Salvador - abortion rights
4 activists arrested Friday at El Salvador’s embassy in WA
http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/04/24/four-arrested-in-protest-against-el-salvador-abortion-laws
COMMENT
Just recent things that caught my attention - including trivia I found interesting, or even amusing (eg the Germans going Bollywood video).
Couldn't sleep, even though I'm super tired and sort of cranky.
Lying in bed I kept thinking how detached or alienated I feel from my 'real' life (as opposed to the things that absorb my interest).
Lying between sleep and wakefulness, I felt a freaky floating away, bobbing or elevator type of feeling (like motion but obviously not really being in motion). That put an end to trying to sleep. Guessing that's anxiety.
Thought I'd mess around on here to relax and it's worked. I'm feeling pretty chilled out now.
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