International relations

Algeria censors papers for Bouteflika 'coma' reports

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:15:47 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Algeria censored two newspapers for reporting that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has fallen into a coma three weeks after being hospitalised in Paris, fuelling speculation on Sunday about his health.

The Algiers public prosecutor ordered legal action against the newspaper's chief editor, Hichem Aboud, accusing him of "undermining state security".

The prosecutor said Aboud had published "unfounded" information according to which Bouteflika, who was hospitalised after suffering a mini-stroke last month, had returned to Algiers on Wednesday in a comatose state.

US vows help to Bangladesh after factory disaster

Agence France-Presse — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:16:09 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday that the US wanted to work with Bangladesh on workers' rights and safety in the wake of the deadly factory collapse, and offered help after a killer storm.

Welcoming his Bangladeshi counterpart Dipu Moni to Washington for talks, the top US diplomat said "our hearts go out to the families" of the 1,127 people killed when a garment factory complex crumbled on April 24.

UN decolonization vote on Polynesia angers France

Agence France-Presse — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:46:39 +0000

Agence France-Presse

The UN General Assembly on Friday put French Polynesia on the global body's decolonization list at a meeting boycotted by France.

The resolution, passed by consensus in the 193 member assembly, was called for by the Solomon Islands and other Pacific states who back the Pacific territory's pro-independence parties.

The vote places French Polynesia on the UN decolonization list along with 16 other territories around the world, including the British-ruled Falkland islands and the US Virgin Islands.

European Commission predicts Greek recession to end in 2014 but unemployment to stay high

The Canadian Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:46:01 +0000

The Canadian Press

ATHENS, Greece - Greece's deep, six-year recession is likely to end in 2014, but growth will be weak and unemployment will remain above 20 per cent for another three years, the country's international debt inspectors said.

The European Commission issued the gloomy predictions Friday in a 237-page assessment of Greece's bailout agreement, as the country formally received its latest emergency loan payout, worth 4.2 billion euros ($5.4 billion).

Japan likely to miss most of July TPP trade talks

Kyodo News International — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:46:14 +0000

Kyodo News International

Japan is likely to miss most of the next round of Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations in July as it is being arranged to start before the country becomes the 12th member of the talks, a senior Malaysian government official said Friday.

The 18th round is set to be held July 15 to 24 in Kuala Lumpur, while Japan waits for the United States to complete its 90-day notice to Congress around July 24 to officially admit it as a new member of multilateral talks for creating one of the largest free trade zones in the world.

N. Korea exploiting "loopholes" in sanctions, U.N. diplomat says

Kyodo News International — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:00:18 +0000

Kyodo News International

North Korea has continued to dodge sanctions put in place over its past missile launches and underground nuclear tests, a diplomat said after a closed-door meeting on the implementation of the sanctions held Thursday at the U.N. Security Council.

"There are some loopholes in the implementation of the sanctions regime that are being exploited by the DPRK," British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said, citing a report by the Panel of Experts, tasked with helping a Security Council committee monitor the implementation and violations of the sanctions.

UN picks ex-Kenyan minister to lead development unit

Agence France-Presse — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:15:23 +0000

Agence France-Presse

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has nominated former Kenyan minister and member of parliament Mukhisa Kituyi to lead the UN's trade and development body when the current chief steps down at the end of August.

"United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has nominated Mukhisa Kituyi of Kenya to serve as Secretary-General of UNCTAD for a term of four years beginning September 1, 2013," the UN agency said in a statement.

6 NATO personnel, 8 civilians killed in Kabul blast

Agence France-Presse — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:30:48 +0000

Agence France-Presse

A suicide car bomb attack in Kabul on Thursday killed two NATO soldiers and four NATO contractors travelling in a convoy, officials said, as well as eight Afghan bystanders who were earlier confirmed dead.

"Two International Security Assistance Force service members and four ISAF contracted civilians died," the NATO-led ISAF mission said in a statement, declining to identify nationalities in line with coalition policy.

bgs/pdw/ami

U.N. watchdog, EU's Ashton to press Iran in nuclear dispute

Thomson Reuters — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:30:40 +0000

Thomson Reuters

By Fredrik Dahl and Parisa Hafezi

VIENNA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Iran faces international pressure over its nuclear program in two separate meetings on Wednesday, but no breakthrough is expected with the Islamic state focused on next month's presidential election.

In Vienna, the U.N. nuclear agency will once again urge Iran to stop stonewalling its inquiry into suspected atomic bomb research by Tehran, which denies any intent to make such arms.

IAEA, Iran talks fail again as US hikes pressure

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:01:43 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Nuclear talks between Iran and the UN atomic agency failed yet again Wednesday, as the top US diplomat in separate six-party negotiations warned Washington's patience was wearing thin.

As the EU's foreign policy chief prepared to meet Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in Istanbul for the first time since a fruitless effort in early April, the UN body's chief inspector admitted parallel Vienna talks had ended without a deal.

Tired of economic crisis, Sudanese pack up to try their luck abroad

Thomson Reuters — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:34:11 +0000

Thomson Reuters

By Ulf Laessing

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - In a cramped government office in Khartoum, engineer Ahmed Taha and dozens of other Sudanese, lured by local newspaper adverts for jobs in the Gulf, sit waiting to get a permit to leave the country and work abroad.

"I've had enough of Sudan and will go to Saudi Arabia," said Taha. "I am so tired of this country, the (economic) crisis, the corruption."

Canada adds $75 million to growing pot of international donations for Mali

The Canadian Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:40:31 +0000

The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Canada has added another $75 million to the international kitty to restore stability in Mali.

The money will be allocated through a variety of international agencies for programs related to food security, nutrition, immunization and access to basic health and educational services.

Canada's pledge comes as international donors meet this week in Belgium to chart a way forward for the west African country as it emerges from crisis.

IAEA, Iran talks fail again

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:26:19 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Nuclear talks between Iran and the UN atomic agency failed yet again Wednesday, as a top US diplomat said she expected the IAEA to report Tehran to the UN Security Council soon.

The IAEA announcement came just as EU foreign policy chief was due to meet Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in Istanbul for the first time since failed six-party talks in April.

"We could not finalise the structured approach document that has been under negotiation for a year and a half," the International Atomic Energy Agency's chief inspector told reporters.

U.S. hails Bank of China's suspension of business with N. Korea

Kyodo News International — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:16:55 +0000

Kyodo News International

The United States on Wednesday hailed the suspension of business by Bank of China, the country's largest foreign exchange bank, with North Korea as a "significant step" to guide the country toward denuclearization.

"It is a significant development, and I think it does help sharpen the choices that Pyongyang faces as it goes forward," Glyn Davies, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, told journalists after holding talks with Chinese officials in Beijing.

Argentina challenges EU over biofuels

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:45:30 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Argentina has launched a new challenge to the European Union over the bloc's rules on the import of biofuels, the World Trade Organization said Wednesday.

"Argentina has notified the WTO Secretariat, on May 15, of a request for consultations with the European Union on measures imposed by the EU and/or its Member States that affect the importation and marketing of biodiesel and implementing measures as well as measures supporting the biodiesel industry," the Geneva-based body said in a statement.