Iran's parliamentary election is to be held on March 2, but the political future of the country will be determined before the election. At the end of this month, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will decide whether to remove Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani - one of the most powerful figures during the first two decades of the Islamic Republic, who served as parliament speaker and then as president - from the last official position he holds, and to banish him from the ruling elite of Iran.
Rafsanjani has been the chairman of the Expediency Council - the advisory arm of Iran's leadership tasked with resolving the regime's problems and the disputes between legislative branches - for three consecutive five-year terms. His term is nearing its end and media outlets close to Khamenei have predicted that he will have no chance to hold this position again.
The regular meetings between Rafsanjani and Khamenei which for many years used to take place every Tuesday evening are no longer in the schedule. The 77-year-old Rafsanjani - five years older than Khamenei - has repeatedly made it known that he is in disagreement with the leader over how the country is run. He has also held the Supreme Leader accountable for the political situation that has been ongoing in the country since the disputed 2009 presidential election and has repeatedly said the leader is the is only person who "can solve the problems that ensued [after the election".
For more: Debunking the Rafsanjani myth - Opinion - Al Jazeera English
2/22/12
Are Germany, the Netherlands and Finland Pushing for a “Grexit?”
It’s been a harrowing couple of weeks for Greece and fellow euro zone members, but they have finally found a 130 billion euro bailout formula that looks set to allow the European sovereign debt crisis to muddle through for the moment.
But the deal comes at high costs, not least of which are relations between Greece and the most hardcore northern members of the euro zone – Germany, the Netherlands and Finland — which have been pushing harsh terms on Greece while arguing the strict measures will bring the best long-term outcome.
In response, Evangelos Venizelos, Greece’s finance minister, complained last week that some euro zone forces want to push Greece out of the group, and accused them of “playing with fire.” With the latest agreement, he now says the euro zone has avoided a “nightmare scenario.” But many critics of the process maintain, as they have at earlier stages, that no permanent solution has been reached and that this agreement, too, will fall apart soon — that is, if Greece does not leave, or does not get pushed out of, the euro zone first.
For more: Are Germany, the Netherlands and Finland Pushing for a “Grexit?” | Knowledge@Wharton Today
But the deal comes at high costs, not least of which are relations between Greece and the most hardcore northern members of the euro zone – Germany, the Netherlands and Finland — which have been pushing harsh terms on Greece while arguing the strict measures will bring the best long-term outcome.
In response, Evangelos Venizelos, Greece’s finance minister, complained last week that some euro zone forces want to push Greece out of the group, and accused them of “playing with fire.” With the latest agreement, he now says the euro zone has avoided a “nightmare scenario.” But many critics of the process maintain, as they have at earlier stages, that no permanent solution has been reached and that this agreement, too, will fall apart soon — that is, if Greece does not leave, or does not get pushed out of, the euro zone first.
For more: Are Germany, the Netherlands and Finland Pushing for a “Grexit?” | Knowledge@Wharton Today
Guest column: Israeli attack on Iran could spark new Middle East conflict - by Ron Estes
Israel is beating the war drums to attack Iran.
On Feb. 2, Israel delivered its most blunt warning yet regarding possible air strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, adding to the anxiety in Western capitals that an Israeli surprise attack could spark a new military conflict in the Middle East. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak declared that time was running out for stopping Iran’s nuclear advance. “Whoever says ‘later’ may find that later is too late,” Barak said. The announcement reflected a deepening rift between Israeli and U.S. officials over Iran’s nuclear program.
“The Obama administration is concerned that Israel could attack Iranian nuclear facilities this year, having given Washington little or no warning,” said a former State Department official who specialized in Iran in the Clinton administration and who recently met with Israeli officials. He said Israel “has refused to assure Washington that prior notice would be provided.”
For more: Guest column: Israeli attack on Iran could spark new Middle East conflict | StAugustine.com
On Feb. 2, Israel delivered its most blunt warning yet regarding possible air strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, adding to the anxiety in Western capitals that an Israeli surprise attack could spark a new military conflict in the Middle East. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak declared that time was running out for stopping Iran’s nuclear advance. “Whoever says ‘later’ may find that later is too late,” Barak said. The announcement reflected a deepening rift between Israeli and U.S. officials over Iran’s nuclear program.
“The Obama administration is concerned that Israel could attack Iranian nuclear facilities this year, having given Washington little or no warning,” said a former State Department official who specialized in Iran in the Clinton administration and who recently met with Israeli officials. He said Israel “has refused to assure Washington that prior notice would be provided.”
For more: Guest column: Israeli attack on Iran could spark new Middle East conflict | StAugustine.com
Nothing wrong with inequality - until it starts limiting opportunity
There is nothing wrong with inequality ... until it starts limiting opportunity.
It is certainly one thing to live in an unequal society where the chances of changing places with the rich, of seeing your children move on and upward, are high. Indeed, if this is the case we may even want a certain degree of inequality: people would have both the incentive and the possibility to better their situation.
But it is another thing altogether to live in an unequal society where there is little chance of moving on, where there are barriers preventing our talents and energies from being rewarded, where the accident of birth determines a child's life chances.
This type of inequality should worry Occupiers and the 99 per cent because it cuts sharply against what we commonly understand to be the American Dream.
For more: Message of the Occupiers: American Dream is vanishing - The Globe and Mail
It is certainly one thing to live in an unequal society where the chances of changing places with the rich, of seeing your children move on and upward, are high. Indeed, if this is the case we may even want a certain degree of inequality: people would have both the incentive and the possibility to better their situation.
But it is another thing altogether to live in an unequal society where there is little chance of moving on, where there are barriers preventing our talents and energies from being rewarded, where the accident of birth determines a child's life chances.
This type of inequality should worry Occupiers and the 99 per cent because it cuts sharply against what we commonly understand to be the American Dream.
For more: Message of the Occupiers: American Dream is vanishing - The Globe and Mail
Greece downgraded further to junk status
Greece was downgraded further by Fitch Wednesday as it scrambled to adopt a batch of emergency laws that will further cut incomes and government spending, a day after securing a new bailout and debt relief deal designed to stave off bankruptcy.
The new austerity measures demanded by creditors in return for the rescue loans follow two years of deepening misery, with the Greek economy in free fall, unemployment at a record high and the state of the public finances in worse shape than previously forecast. Angry unions have called two separate protest rallies outside Parliament in the afternoon.
On Tuesday, the 17-country eurozone approved Greece's second financial lifeline in less than two years, worth €130 billion ($172 billion), and a €107 billion ($141 billion) debt write down on banks and other private holders of Greek bonds.
Note EU-Digest: Fitch Ratings is obviously looking out for the financial industry, which unfortunately also include financial speculators, Together with the other US based financial rating companies they carry far too much weight as to the damage they can do to national economies. It is high time something gets done to curb their quasi importance and influence.
For more: Greece downgraded further - Business - CBC News
The new austerity measures demanded by creditors in return for the rescue loans follow two years of deepening misery, with the Greek economy in free fall, unemployment at a record high and the state of the public finances in worse shape than previously forecast. Angry unions have called two separate protest rallies outside Parliament in the afternoon.
On Tuesday, the 17-country eurozone approved Greece's second financial lifeline in less than two years, worth €130 billion ($172 billion), and a €107 billion ($141 billion) debt write down on banks and other private holders of Greek bonds.
Note EU-Digest: Fitch Ratings is obviously looking out for the financial industry, which unfortunately also include financial speculators, Together with the other US based financial rating companies they carry far too much weight as to the damage they can do to national economies. It is high time something gets done to curb their quasi importance and influence.
For more: Greece downgraded further - Business - CBC News
Turkey's EU hopes drift amid financial uncertainty
At a time when Greece's survival in the eurozone is in jeopardy, it seems academic to debate a Turkish entry to European ranks that some Turks feel won't happen in their lifetime, if at all. The more pressing question is whether the suitors should, as with any soured romance, call it quits or rekindle the flame.
When accession talks began in 2005, the idea was that Turkey's Muslim population would enrich the continent, culturally and economically, with Turkey itself destined to become a European-style democracy that could serve as an east-west bridge. More than six years later, doubt haunts hope. Economic troubles mean that Europe, where skepticism toward the Turkish bid was already building, has little energy to expand, while in Turkey reform efforts have slowed and the nation has sought to carve out a leadership role in the Middle East.
"Without a deadline, without a final aim, there is no process," said Cengiz Aktar, a political science professor at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul. "There can't be an endless project."
2/21/12
European Soccer: FC Porto's defense of Europa League title hanging by a thread ahead of trip to Manchester City
FC Porto's defense of the Europa League is hanging by a thread with history weighing heavily against the Portuguese team heading into the second leg of their last-32 match against Manchester City on Wednesday.
After losing 2-1 at home in last week's first leg, Porto needs to beat an English side away for the first time in Europe to stay in the continent's second-tier club competition.
City, though, has a stunning home record this season after winning all 12 of its Premier League matches at Etihad Stadium to help the team to the top of the English standings.
For more: FC Porto's defenFCse of Europa League title hanging by a thread ahead of trip to Manchester City
After losing 2-1 at home in last week's first leg, Porto needs to beat an English side away for the first time in Europe to stay in the continent's second-tier club competition.
City, though, has a stunning home record this season after winning all 12 of its Premier League matches at Etihad Stadium to help the team to the top of the English standings.
For more: FC Porto's defenFCse of Europa League title hanging by a thread ahead of trip to Manchester City
Britain, Netherlands call for EU to focus on growth - by Robin Emmot
Britain, the Netherlands, Italy and nine other countries called on Monday for Europe to shift its focus from tough budget cuts towards measures to create growth as the region looks headed for its second recession in three years.
Germany and France, the euro zone's leading powers, did not sign the letter addressed to top European Union officials, which appeared to challenge the German-led drive for austerity first and likely signals a desire among other EU members to show they can also set the agenda outside the Franco-German axis.
It was the second time in a month that Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, an economist praised by German Chancellor Angela Merkel for his strong measures to handle Rome's own debt crisis, has criticized the north European approach on budgets.
For more: itain, Netherlands call for EU to focus on growth - chicagotribune.com
Germany and France, the euro zone's leading powers, did not sign the letter addressed to top European Union officials, which appeared to challenge the German-led drive for austerity first and likely signals a desire among other EU members to show they can also set the agenda outside the Franco-German axis.
It was the second time in a month that Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, an economist praised by German Chancellor Angela Merkel for his strong measures to handle Rome's own debt crisis, has criticized the north European approach on budgets.
For more: itain, Netherlands call for EU to focus on growth - chicagotribune.com
Germany should be happy to let Greece go - by Laurence Copeland
When the Greek crisis began, there was much talk of contagion as the greatest short-term risk. In my view, this worry is almost irrelevant because bondholders are in any case facing a haircut of over 70%, so the question of default or bailout is now merely a technical detail.
From a longer term perspective, there is also little reason for the Germans to panic over a Greek default, even if it ultimately leads to the disintegration of the euro zone. The line peddled by a number of commentators and politicians that Germany has “done very well out of the euro zone” begs the question of how well it would have done without the euro zone, a question to which I do not know the answer – but nor does anyone else
.
The implicit or explicit claim is that, with floating exchange rates, German trade would have suffered as the DM appreciated against the currencies of its neighbours. This is nonsense, a case of how, in the world of popular economics – what one colleague famously called D-I-Y economics – exchange rates occupy a position of exaggerated importance (If those who study the subject were given the same importance, I’d have had a peerage by now).
For more: Germany should be happy to let Greece go | The Great Debate UK
From a longer term perspective, there is also little reason for the Germans to panic over a Greek default, even if it ultimately leads to the disintegration of the euro zone. The line peddled by a number of commentators and politicians that Germany has “done very well out of the euro zone” begs the question of how well it would have done without the euro zone, a question to which I do not know the answer – but nor does anyone else
.
The implicit or explicit claim is that, with floating exchange rates, German trade would have suffered as the DM appreciated against the currencies of its neighbours. This is nonsense, a case of how, in the world of popular economics – what one colleague famously called D-I-Y economics – exchange rates occupy a position of exaggerated importance (If those who study the subject were given the same importance, I’d have had a peerage by now).
For more: Germany should be happy to let Greece go | The Great Debate UK
TNT Express to Refocus on Europe Operations as Losses Mount - BusinessWeek
TNT Express NV, the Dutch express- delivery service in takeover talks with United Parcel Service Inc., said it will refocus operations on Europe as financial losses mounted.
For more: TNT Express to Refocus on Europe Operations as Losses Mount - BusinessWeek
The 2011 operating loss at Europe's second-largest express- delivery service was 105 million euros ($139 million) compared with earnings before interest and taxes of 180 million euros a year earlier, the Hoofddorp, Netherlands-based company said today. Sales climbed 2.7 percent to 7.25 billion euros.
TNT Express, which was spun off from the former Dutch national postal operator in May, will seek cooperation agreements with airlines to carry goods outside Europe and partnerships to provide services in China and Brazil. TNT Express is in talks with UPS after rejecting a 4.89 billion-euro offer on Feb. 11 from the Atlanta-based company.
Euro-Zone Finance Ministers Reach Deal on Greece Bailout - by GEOFFREY T. SMITH, AINSLEY THOMSON and COSTAS
Euro-zone finance ministers early Tuesday agreed to an ambitious €130 billion ($172.1 billion) rescue deal that will see Greece's private creditors take an even larger loss in order to put the debt-laden country on a sustainable footing and avert a catastrophic default.
The agreement revolves around a debt exchange that calls for private investors to waive 53.5% of their principal under a massive debt swap that will cut Greece's outstanding debt stock by €107 billion. That goes beyond a 50% haircut agreed upon at a summit in October.
Speaking after the conclusion of more than 12 hours of negotiations, Eurogroup chairman Jean-Claude Juncker said the agreement "provides a comprehensive blueprint for putting the public finances and the economy of Greece back on a sustainable footing, and hence for safeguarding financial stability in the euro zone."
For more: Euro-Zone Finance Ministers Reach Deal on Greece Bailout - WSJ.com
The agreement revolves around a debt exchange that calls for private investors to waive 53.5% of their principal under a massive debt swap that will cut Greece's outstanding debt stock by €107 billion. That goes beyond a 50% haircut agreed upon at a summit in October.
Speaking after the conclusion of more than 12 hours of negotiations, Eurogroup chairman Jean-Claude Juncker said the agreement "provides a comprehensive blueprint for putting the public finances and the economy of Greece back on a sustainable footing, and hence for safeguarding financial stability in the euro zone."
For more: Euro-Zone Finance Ministers Reach Deal on Greece Bailout - WSJ.com
2/20/12
Obama to meet Israel's Netanyahu on March 5
Amid U.S. worries that Israel will attack Iran over its nuclear program, President Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on March 5, officials said today.
The announcement was tucked into a statement on the weekend visit to Israel by Obama's national security adviser, Tom Donilon.
"The visit is part of the continuous and intensive dialogue between the United States and Israel and reflects our unshakeable commitment to Israel's security," said a statement on Donilon's visit. The statement did not mention Iran.
For more: Obama to meet Israel's Netanyahu on March 5
The announcement was tucked into a statement on the weekend visit to Israel by Obama's national security adviser, Tom Donilon.
"The visit is part of the continuous and intensive dialogue between the United States and Israel and reflects our unshakeable commitment to Israel's security," said a statement on Donilon's visit. The statement did not mention Iran.
For more: Obama to meet Israel's Netanyahu on March 5
Frankfurt Operating 80% of Flights on Third Day of Strikes
Frankfurt airport, the third-busiest in Europe, said it hasn’t been “incapacitated” today as ground- control staff staged their third strike in five days, operating more than 80 percent of scheduled flights.
For more: Frankfurt Operating 80% of Flights on Third Day of Strikes - Businessweek
Fraport AG, which runs the hub, canceled 240 takeoffs and landings out of the 1,250 planned, most involving short-haul destinations, spokeswoman Stephanie Wagener said. At least 70 percent of services should operate tomorrow, the company said.
The 200 strikers, who are seeking a revised accord on wages and plans to outsource ground-control jobs, will continue the action until 5 a.m. on Feb. 22, the Frankfurt-based Gewerkschaft der Flugsicherung union said in a statement last night.
Iranian Political Prisoner Mehdi Khazali Collapses After More Than A Month On Hunger Strike
The Kaleme opposition website reports that Khazali, the director of Hayan publications and a dissident blogger, was admitted last night to Taleghani Hospital, after he collapsed from heart complications on the 41st day of his hunger strike in Tehran's Evin Prison. He has, however, announced that he will not end his hunger strike despite this development. Khazali began refusing food to protest against his "illegal arrest and detention in prison."
Many political activists as well as his cellmates and family members have urged him to end his strike, but he published a letter last Monday saying they should instead ask the authorities to end "their imprisonments. "Khazali's wife and daughter were reportedly arrested on February 14 and taken to an unknown location.
Khazali was sentenced to 14 years in prison, 10 years in exile and 90 lashes for writing critical blogs about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other government officials.
For more: Iranian Political Prisoner Mehdi Khazali Collapses After More Than A Month On Hunger Strike
Many political activists as well as his cellmates and family members have urged him to end his strike, but he published a letter last Monday saying they should instead ask the authorities to end "their imprisonments. "Khazali's wife and daughter were reportedly arrested on February 14 and taken to an unknown location.
Khazali was sentenced to 14 years in prison, 10 years in exile and 90 lashes for writing critical blogs about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other government officials.
For more: Iranian Political Prisoner Mehdi Khazali Collapses After More Than A Month On Hunger Strike
Netherlands: Labour leader Job Cohen stands down and quits parliament
Cohen, the former mayor of Amsterdam, took over the job before the 2010 general election, winning the party 30 seats in parliament, just one less than the ruling VVD. Since then, however, the party's fortunes have plummeted and last week there was renewed speculation about the direction of the party and Cohen's position
Cohen said in a statement on the PvdA website he wanted to contribute to a 'decent society' but had been unable to bring that message across sufficiently. Matters came to a head last week when Cohen and new party chairman Hans Spekman gave an interview to Trouw which seemed to indicate they planned a move to the left. The interview was criticised by a number of PvdA stalwarts and according to some reports, over half of the Labour MPs wanted Cohen to quit.
For more: DutchNews.nl - Labour leader Job Cohen stands down and quits parliament
EU to boost trade ties with Armenia
In order to increase economic growth and investment in Armenia, the EU is launching negotiations on a deep and comprehensive free trade area. The negotiations will focus on regulatory approximation along with market access conditions, both of which will help to achieve a closer economic integration of Armenia with the EU.
By increasing economic integration, the EU aims to enhance political stability and security in Armenia. The free trade area will be part of the broader Association Agreement, which has been negotiated with Armenia since July 2010. It is expected to diversify and strengthen the country’s export capacity and thus open the way to access the EU markets.
“The opening of free trade negotiations mark a turning point in our trade relations with Armenia. We are entering a new phase that will bring our economic ties to a new level of depth and ambition," said Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. "The EU is Armenia's first trading partner and a deep and comprehensive free trade area will give Armenia a more favourable access to the European Single Market thereby helping to boost economic growth in the country."
For more: EU to boost trade ties with Armenia | New Europe
By increasing economic integration, the EU aims to enhance political stability and security in Armenia. The free trade area will be part of the broader Association Agreement, which has been negotiated with Armenia since July 2010. It is expected to diversify and strengthen the country’s export capacity and thus open the way to access the EU markets.
“The opening of free trade negotiations mark a turning point in our trade relations with Armenia. We are entering a new phase that will bring our economic ties to a new level of depth and ambition," said Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. "The EU is Armenia's first trading partner and a deep and comprehensive free trade area will give Armenia a more favourable access to the European Single Market thereby helping to boost economic growth in the country."
For more: EU to boost trade ties with Armenia | New Europe
Arms Race? Russia to boost arsenal to protect resources, Putin says
Russia needs to modernize its military arsenals to deter others from grabbing its resources, Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says in an article published Monday.
Putin, who is running to reclaim presidency in March 4 election, didn't name any specific nation eyeing Russian mineral riches, but in the past he had repeatedly accused the United States of trying to weaken Russia in order to sideline a rival. "We mustn't tempt anyone with our weakness," Putin wrote in the government daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Putin said the government plans spending about 23 trillion rubles (about EURO 500 billion) over the next decade to purchase more than 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles, more than 600 combat aircraft, dozens of submarines and other navy vessels and thousands of armoured vehicles.
For more: Russia to boost arsenal to protect resources, Putin says - World - CBC News
Putin, who is running to reclaim presidency in March 4 election, didn't name any specific nation eyeing Russian mineral riches, but in the past he had repeatedly accused the United States of trying to weaken Russia in order to sideline a rival. "We mustn't tempt anyone with our weakness," Putin wrote in the government daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Putin said the government plans spending about 23 trillion rubles (about EURO 500 billion) over the next decade to purchase more than 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles, more than 600 combat aircraft, dozens of submarines and other navy vessels and thousands of armoured vehicles.
For more: Russia to boost arsenal to protect resources, Putin says - World - CBC News
Merkel backs German opposition’s choice for president
Ms. Merkel confirmed her support for Mr. Gauck at a press conference in the Chancellery in Berlin two days after Christian Wulff, her hand-picked choice for president in 2010, resigned in a scandal involving financial favours.
The announcement paves the way for Mr. Gauck, a 72-year old Protestant pastor who was a leading figure in the peaceful protest movement that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall, to be confirmed in the ceremonial post by Germany’s Federal Assembly in the coming weeks.
Mr. Gauck was one of a number of pastors who supported the protests that ultimately brought down the East German regime, setting the stage for the reunification of Germany in 1990.
When Mr. Gauck was 11, his father was arrested by communist authorities and sent to the Gulag in Siberia.
For more: Merkel backs German opposition’s choice for president - The Globe and Mail
Dutch Prince Friso's life remains in danger following avalanche
“The health condition of his royal majesty Prince Friso remains unchanged,” at the intensive care unit of the Innsbruck University Hospital, the Royal Dutch House said in a statement. “He is stable, but not out of danger.” The statement added that a prognosis would most likely “not be given before the end of this week.”
The second son of Queen Beatrix was buried under 40 centimetres of snow for up to 20 minutes before he was pulled from the snow and resuscitated.
For more: World News: Dutch Prince Friso's life remains in danger following avalanche - thestar.com
Nokia ends phone assembly in Europe after 4,000 job cuts in Finland, Mexico, Hungary - by Matti Huuhtanen
Nokia Corp. plans to stop assembling cell phones in Europe by year-end as it shifts production to Asia and will cut another 4,000 jobs, its latest attempts to cushion itself from stiff competition in the smartphone sector.The Finnish company said Wednesday it will make the new job cuts at three plants in Finland, Mexico and Hungary this year as it reorganizes global manufacturing operations to compete better with the likes of Apple Inc.'s iPhone and handsets using Google Inc.'s Android operating software.
The cuts come on top of nearly 10,000 layoffs announced last year.
For more: Nokia ends phone assembly in Europe after 4,000 job cuts in Finland, Mexico, Hungary - wdbj7.com
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