|
|
World News Forecast Preview  |
|
Thu, 10 Dec 2009
The final summit of Sweden's six-month presidency of the European Union could be a triumphal affair as the bloc has succeeded in securing its Lisbon Treaty and has elected a president and foreign minister to preside over the soon-to-be streamlined body. The EU gathering parallels part of the Copenhagen climate change conference. Recriminations are likely to flavor the EU summit if no agreement is found in Copenhagen.
full story 
Wed, 09 Dec 2009
The country that serves as the main gateway to the frozen continent hosts the Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts (ATME) on the management of ship-borne tourism. The experts will be looking at ways to to limit threats to the frozen continent from too many visitors, oil spills, grounded ships and other accidents. Mandatory limits to the size of cruise ships and number of visitors are under consideration, but the tour industry can be expected to push back against mandated measures.
full story
Mon, 07 Dec 2009
Denmark, host of the United Nations Climate conference in Copenhagen -- COP 15, no longer expects the summit to result in a treaty to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Countries continue to squabble over targets and who will pay for what. They now are aiming for 2010 for a deal. Meanwhile, Denmark sees hosting the conference as an opportunity to show off its success at growing its economy -- 75 per cent in 25 years -- while barely changing its energy consumption.
full story
Mon, 07 Dec 2009
The judges of Britain's prestigious but controversial Turner Prize select their choice from among four finalists and present the award on the same day, 7 Dec. The award worth UK 25,000 Pounds (US $40,000) was set up in 1984 to celebrate new developments in contemporary art. It is best known for exhibits, such as pickled sheep and soiled beds, that are often described as incomprehensible. Damien Hirst, the 1995 Turner prize winner, attracted controversy for his exhibit of a pickled cow.
full story
Sun, 06 Dec 2009
When Bolivians go to the poll in December, leftist President Evo Morales will be standing again for the presidency. Divided Bolivia will be electing more members of the Senate than before and fewer members of the Chamber of Deputies in a new first-past-the-post system. The changes follow a constitutional referendum in Jan 2009, which also gave South America's first indigenous head of state the ability to run for reelection. Violence and an opposition election boycott are likely.
full story
Sat, 05 Dec 2009
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, START, is a bilateral agreement between the United States and the former Soviet Union signed 31 Jul 1991. The United States and the countries with nuclear weapons following the Soviet break-up Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine signed a follow-up pact on 5 Dec 1994. The signatories are negotiating a replacement that further limits the weapons, but the talks are likely to involve horse-trading to resolve issues such as the US missile shield plan.
full story
Sat, 05 Dec 2009
The Third International Conference on Space Elevator and Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Tether Design, organized by the EuroSpaceward Association, brings together experts in extreme Space engineering, nanotechnology and power-beaming from around the world. EuroSpaceward's flagship mission is to send astronauts and payloads spacewards on an Earth-tethered carbon nanotube or ribbon. The challenges include developing tethers that are both long enough and strong enough.
full story
Fri, 04 Dec 2009
The F d ration Internationale de Football Association, soccer's global governing body, announces in Cape Town the match-up of the 32 men's teams that have qualified for the FIFA World Cup competition in South Africa in Jun-Jul 2010. There is particular interest in games where where the teams of mutually hostile countries are matched up, such as the United States vs. Iran or North Korea, and in which countries 2006 champion Italy will meet.
full story
Thu, 03 Dec 2009
On 3 Dec 1984, a gas tank exploded at the Union Carbide pesticides plant in Bhopal. The lethal methyl isocyanate cloud killed nearly 3000 people and at least 15,000 died later from related causes. The leak remains the world's worst industrial disaster, and has become a cause for national and international NGOs. The 25th anniversary will see survivors and their supporters protesting in Delhi and other cities, and the plant will open for 15 days from Nov 25 to mark the anniversary.
full story
Thu, 03 Dec 2009
NATO foreign ministers will tackle the priorities of the Alliance's new Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, at their December meeting. They include assistance and troop training for Afghanistan, improving relations with Russia and with partner Muslim nations, and NATO's new push to define its purpose -- the Strategic Concept for the Alliance. The foreign ministers' work on the Secretary-General's priorities will form the backbone of the NATO summit agenda in 2010.
full story
Wed, 02 Dec 2009
On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin was published 150 years ago on 2 Dec. The date closes out the Darwin year that began with the bicentenary of his birth on 12 Feb, but debate over how evolution is taught in United States public schools could continue until Doomsday. The 150th anniversary invites a look at how the Beagle project is faring. Darwin's world voyage in HMS Beagle gave rise to his theory of evolution, and the plan is to recreate the voyage in a replica of the 1813 vessel.
full story
Tue, 01 Dec 2009
Barring new financial woes, the largest and most technologically-advanced cruise ship in the world will sail out of her home port of Port Everglades in Florida on Dec 1, bound for Labadee. The coastal beauty spot is leased in Haiti by the ship's owner, Royal Caribbean. The Oasis of the Seas, a 16-deck, 220,000-ton monster built in Finland, will accommodate some 5,400-passengers in 2,700 state-rooms. The 7-day official inaugural cruise, to the Caribbean, has been moved ahead from Dec 12 to Dec 5.
full story
Tue, 01 Dec 2009
The International Court of Justice will hear a challenge to the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence. Serbia and Russia will join three European Union states -- Spain, Romania and Cyprus -- to give anti-Kosovo depositions during the hearings before the United Nations' top legal body. The challenge was brought by Serbia, which continues to fight against the secession of its former province. Slovakia and Greece also do not recognize Kosovo's independence.
full story
Tue, 01 Dec 2009
European Union leaders at their October summit set Dec 1 as a target date to bring into force the hard-fought set of institutional rules aimed at streamlining decision making in the bloc and boosting European clout on the world stage. The entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty across 27 EU states will end an 8-year stretch of negotiating and setbacks. The leaders wishfully thought the end was in sight once before. French and Dutch citizens voted against the treaty in 2005.
full story
Mon, 30 Nov 2009
Stakeholders in the Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty meet in Cartagena to review the impact the agreement has made in the 10 years since it came into force. It prohibits the use, trade, production and stockpiling of antipersonnel landmines. It also obliges countries to clear their mined areas within 10 years of signing. New technology could make mine clearance safer and cheaper. President Barack Obama has been asked to reconsider United States opposition to global treaties prohibiting the weapons.
full story
Mon, 30 Nov 2009
The Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 Dec 1959, internationalized and demilitarized the Antarctic and provided for its cooperative exploration and use. It did not foresee the fierce international rivalry in the 21st Century for oil and minerals. Eleven countries have claimed sovereignty over parts of Antarctica to secure the contiguous offshore oil, gas and mineral rights. The Antarctic Treaty Summit will observe the 50th anniversary and wrestle with a host of challenges to Antarctic health.
full story
Mon, 30 Nov 2009
The Philippines holds presidential elections in May 2010, and Nov 30 is the deadline for individuals to register their candidacy for national office. The likely candidates are Senator Benigno Aquino, the son of democracy icon Corazon Aquino, who leads in the polls with 60 per cent, and property tycoon Senator Manuel Villar, who trails him. Former president Joseph Estrada is also expected. Though he was ousted 2001, he remains popular.
full story
Sun, 29 Nov 2009
Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya pulled out of a last-hour agreement with interim leader Roberto Micheletti that was aimed at solving the country's political crisis, and he has asked his supporters to boycott the presidential and legislative election on Nov 29. Zelaya's attempt to change the constitution so he could run for a second term triggered a military coup on Jun 28 and the subsequent crisis.
full story
Sun, 29 Nov 2009
A proposal to ban the construction of minarets, the slender towers attached to mosques, goes before Swiss voters in a referendum on Nov 29. The Swiss People s Party, the largest party in the Swiss parliament, proposed the ban. Supporters see minarets as divisive political symbols and signs of an increasing Islamic presence in Switzerland.
full story
Fri, 27 Nov 2009
In 2009 the 53-nation Commonwealth of Nations celebrates the 60th birthday of its modern version with questions about its relevance. Critics regard it as an outdated relic of colonialism. Among likely top issues for the 2009 summit of Commonwealth heads in Port of Spain are the global financial crisis, anti-Christian violence in India and Fiji military leader Voreqe Bainimarama. The leaders are also fine-tuning climate change decisions from their last summit, in 2007.
full story
|
|
|
|
SUBSCRIBE
to the World News Forecast to see one year+ ahead.
Future world news headlines and the stories behind them. Foreign news
calendar, planner, daybook and diary.
Home
