Ghani is the next Afghan President
Afghanistan's election commission has named Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as the winner of the country's presidential election. The commission's announcement on 21st September came hours after Ghani Ahmadzai signed a power sharing agreement with opponent Abdullah Abdullah, who will fill the newly created position of government chief executive.
Afghanistan's two presidential candidates signed a power-sharing deal on 21st September that makes one president and the other chief executive, ending months of political wrangling following a disputed runoff that threatened to plunge the country into turmoil and complicate the withdrawal of foreign troops.
The incoming president - Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai - and new Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah signed the national unity government deal as President Hamid Karzai - in power since the 2001 US-led invasion ousted the Taliban - looked on. The deal creates the new role of chief executive following weeks of negotiations on a power-sharing arrangement, after accusations of fraud in the June runoff vote. The candidates signed the agreement at the presidential palace, then exchanged a hug and a handshake.
The power sharing contract says the relationship between president and chief executive - a position akin to prime minister - must be defined by "partnership, collegiality, collaboration, and, most importantly, responsibility to the people of Afghanistan."
It spells out the powers for the new chief executive position: participation with the president in bilateral meetings, carrying out administrative and executive affairs as determined by presidential decree, and parity in selection of key security and economic ministries.
The deal specifies that the president leads the Cabinet but that the chief executive manages the Cabinet's implementation of government policies. The chief executive will also chair regular meetings of a council of ministers.
About Ghani:
Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is politician, economist and anthropologist. Usually referred to as Ashraf Ghani, he served as Finance Minister and as the chancellor of Kabul University. Before returning to Afghanistan in 2002, Ghani, worked with the World Bank. As the Finance Minister of Afghanistan between July 2002 and December 2004, he led Afghanistan's attempted economic recovery after the collapse of the Taliban government.
Afghanistan's election commission has named Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as the winner of the country's presidential election. The commission's announcement on 21st September came hours after Ghani Ahmadzai signed a power sharing agreement with opponent Abdullah Abdullah, who will fill the newly created position of government chief executive.
Afghanistan's two presidential candidates signed a power-sharing deal on 21st September that makes one president and the other chief executive, ending months of political wrangling following a disputed runoff that threatened to plunge the country into turmoil and complicate the withdrawal of foreign troops.
The incoming president - Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai - and new Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah signed the national unity government deal as President Hamid Karzai - in power since the 2001 US-led invasion ousted the Taliban - looked on. The deal creates the new role of chief executive following weeks of negotiations on a power-sharing arrangement, after accusations of fraud in the June runoff vote. The candidates signed the agreement at the presidential palace, then exchanged a hug and a handshake.
The power sharing contract says the relationship between president and chief executive - a position akin to prime minister - must be defined by "partnership, collegiality, collaboration, and, most importantly, responsibility to the people of Afghanistan."
It spells out the powers for the new chief executive position: participation with the president in bilateral meetings, carrying out administrative and executive affairs as determined by presidential decree, and parity in selection of key security and economic ministries.
The deal specifies that the president leads the Cabinet but that the chief executive manages the Cabinet's implementation of government policies. The chief executive will also chair regular meetings of a council of ministers.
About Ghani:
Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is politician, economist and anthropologist. Usually referred to as Ashraf Ghani, he served as Finance Minister and as the chancellor of Kabul University. Before returning to Afghanistan in 2002, Ghani, worked with the World Bank. As the Finance Minister of Afghanistan between July 2002 and December 2004, he led Afghanistan's attempted economic recovery after the collapse of the Taliban government.
G20 finance chiefs bet on reforms to boost growth rate
The G20 group of leading nations have said they are tantalizingly close to adding an extra $2tn (£1.2tn) to the global economy and creating millions of new jobs, but Europe's extended stagnation remains a major stumbling block.
Finance ministers and central bank chiefs, gathered in the Australian city of Cairns on 21st September, and claimed progress on fireproofing the world's financial system and on closing tax loopholes exploited by giant multinationals. Almost 1,000 measures had been proposed that would boost global growth by 1.8% by 2018, nearing the ambitious goal of 2 percentage points adopted back in February.
The proposals to lift global growth will now go for formal approval at the summit of G20 leaders in Brisbane in November. Chief among them was a global initiative aimed at increasing private investment in infrastructure, a particular hobby horse of the Australians who head the G20 this year.
Tax info commitment: The G20 decided to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information between various countries by 2017, a development which will help India in dealing with the menace of black money stashed abroad. The new framework would mark a significant forward movement from the current practice of information exchange mostly on the basis of requests and only in the cases of suspected tax evasion or other financial crimes.
The new global standard, as formulated by Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in July, would be common for all countries. It would facilitate a "systematic and periodic transmission of bulk taxpayer information by the source country of income to the country of residence of the taxpayer concerning various categories of income or asset information"
India has been at the forefront in raising the issues concerning tax avoidance and automatic exchange of information with a view to curbing tax evasion.
It further said that the G20 leaders are strongly committed to a global response to cross-border tax avoidance and evasion so that the tax system supports growth-enhancing fiscal strategies and economic resilience.
The development assumes significance in case of India, as it has been facing difficulties in getting information on cases of suspected tax evasion from other countries, specially Switzerland, which has been maintaining that such details cannot be shared without specific proof of financial irregularities by the concerned Indian client of Swiss banks.
G20:
The Group of Twenty is a forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. The members, shown highlighted on the map at right, include 19 individual countries—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States—and the European Union (EU). The EU is represented by the European Commission and by the ECB.
The G20 group of leading nations have said they are tantalizingly close to adding an extra $2tn (£1.2tn) to the global economy and creating millions of new jobs, but Europe's extended stagnation remains a major stumbling block.
Finance ministers and central bank chiefs, gathered in the Australian city of Cairns on 21st September, and claimed progress on fireproofing the world's financial system and on closing tax loopholes exploited by giant multinationals. Almost 1,000 measures had been proposed that would boost global growth by 1.8% by 2018, nearing the ambitious goal of 2 percentage points adopted back in February.
The proposals to lift global growth will now go for formal approval at the summit of G20 leaders in Brisbane in November. Chief among them was a global initiative aimed at increasing private investment in infrastructure, a particular hobby horse of the Australians who head the G20 this year.
Tax info commitment: The G20 decided to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information between various countries by 2017, a development which will help India in dealing with the menace of black money stashed abroad. The new framework would mark a significant forward movement from the current practice of information exchange mostly on the basis of requests and only in the cases of suspected tax evasion or other financial crimes.
The new global standard, as formulated by Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in July, would be common for all countries. It would facilitate a "systematic and periodic transmission of bulk taxpayer information by the source country of income to the country of residence of the taxpayer concerning various categories of income or asset information"
India has been at the forefront in raising the issues concerning tax avoidance and automatic exchange of information with a view to curbing tax evasion.
It further said that the G20 leaders are strongly committed to a global response to cross-border tax avoidance and evasion so that the tax system supports growth-enhancing fiscal strategies and economic resilience.
The development assumes significance in case of India, as it has been facing difficulties in getting information on cases of suspected tax evasion from other countries, specially Switzerland, which has been maintaining that such details cannot be shared without specific proof of financial irregularities by the concerned Indian client of Swiss banks.
G20:
The Group of Twenty is a forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. The members, shown highlighted on the map at right, include 19 individual countries—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States—and the European Union (EU). The EU is represented by the European Commission and by the ECB.
Key gets third term in New Zealand
New Zealand sitting Prime Minister John Key’s party secured majority in the elections. The 2014 New Zealand general election took place on 20 September 2014 to determine the membership of the 51st New Zealand Parliament.
Voters elected 121 members to the House of Representatives of New Zealand, with 71 from single-member electorates (an increase from 70 in 2011) and 50 from party lists. On preliminary election night counts, the centre-right National Party, led by Prime Minister John Key, gained the majority with 48.1% of the party vote and 61 of the 121 seats. It is the first time since 1994 that a single party has held a majority of seats in the House
New Zealand sitting Prime Minister John Key’s party secured majority in the elections. The 2014 New Zealand general election took place on 20 September 2014 to determine the membership of the 51st New Zealand Parliament.
Voters elected 121 members to the House of Representatives of New Zealand, with 71 from single-member electorates (an increase from 70 in 2011) and 50 from party lists. On preliminary election night counts, the centre-right National Party, led by Prime Minister John Key, gained the majority with 48.1% of the party vote and 61 of the 121 seats. It is the first time since 1994 that a single party has held a majority of seats in the House
U.S. launches air strikes in Syria against IS
The air strikes launched against Islamic State (Isis) thundered into northern Syria until on 23rd September. Large explosions were reported in the group’s stronghold of Raqqa, in eastern Syria, as well as in Idlib province. There were unconfirmed reports that attacks had also taken place near Deir Azzor and western Aleppo.
A Pentagon statement said the 14 strikes against Isis targets were carried out with Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Jordan confirmed it its airforce had “destroyed a number of targets that belong to some terrorist groups that sought to commit terror acts inside Jordan” without making explicit reference to Syria.
The air strikes launched against Islamic State (Isis) thundered into northern Syria until on 23rd September. Large explosions were reported in the group’s stronghold of Raqqa, in eastern Syria, as well as in Idlib province. There were unconfirmed reports that attacks had also taken place near Deir Azzor and western Aleppo.
A Pentagon statement said the 14 strikes against Isis targets were carried out with Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Jordan confirmed it its airforce had “destroyed a number of targets that belong to some terrorist groups that sought to commit terror acts inside Jordan” without making explicit reference to Syria.
Unprecedented demand for food aid, says U.N.
According to Ertharin Cousin, executive director of World Food Programme the number of people who need food aid continues to grow and the demands are overwhelming the donor community (led by the U.S. which has given the WFP $1.6 billion) which has been “incredibly generous.”
There are currently four top-level humanitarian crises (Iraq, Syria, the Central African Republic and South Sudan) as well as hundreds of thousands of people caught up in the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and more than 50 million refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people scattered around the world
Because of funding shortages and increasing demands from the four crisis countries, refugees, and countries hit hardest by Ebola, WFP has been forced to cut some rations and distributions.
WFP is funded from donations and over 90 per cent of its budget comes from governments, many of whom have their own financial and domestic challenges.
Even in Syria, where WFP in August increased the number of people receiving food to 4.1 million after working for years to increase access
In the last two months that the Syrian government and the Opposition have begun to respond to WFP requests for more access which has led to increased aid deliveries across conflict lines in the country. Humanitarian convoys are also crossing into Syria through two checkpoints in Turkey and one in Jordan, as authorised by the U.N. Security Council
About World Food Programme
The World Food Programme is the food assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. On average, the WFP provides food to 90 million people per year, of whom 58 million are children. From its headquarters in Rome and more than 80 country offices around the world, the WFP works to help people who are unable to produce or obtain enough food for themselves and their families. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and part of its Executive Committee and its head quarters is at Rome.
According to Ertharin Cousin, executive director of World Food Programme the number of people who need food aid continues to grow and the demands are overwhelming the donor community (led by the U.S. which has given the WFP $1.6 billion) which has been “incredibly generous.”
There are currently four top-level humanitarian crises (Iraq, Syria, the Central African Republic and South Sudan) as well as hundreds of thousands of people caught up in the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and more than 50 million refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people scattered around the world
Because of funding shortages and increasing demands from the four crisis countries, refugees, and countries hit hardest by Ebola, WFP has been forced to cut some rations and distributions.
WFP is funded from donations and over 90 per cent of its budget comes from governments, many of whom have their own financial and domestic challenges.
Even in Syria, where WFP in August increased the number of people receiving food to 4.1 million after working for years to increase access
In the last two months that the Syrian government and the Opposition have begun to respond to WFP requests for more access which has led to increased aid deliveries across conflict lines in the country. Humanitarian convoys are also crossing into Syria through two checkpoints in Turkey and one in Jordan, as authorised by the U.N. Security Council
About World Food Programme
The World Food Programme is the food assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. On average, the WFP provides food to 90 million people per year, of whom 58 million are children. From its headquarters in Rome and more than 80 country offices around the world, the WFP works to help people who are unable to produce or obtain enough food for themselves and their families. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and part of its Executive Committee and its head quarters is at Rome.
London new costliest city for firms
London has overtaken Hong Kong as the world’s most expensive city to live and work in, with a new study suggesting it is almost twice as pricey as Sydney, and four times more than Rio de Janeiro.
The estate agent Savills said that in London, rising rents and the strong pound had pushed up the typical cost per individual employee of renting somewhere to live and leasing office space to $120,000 (£73,800) a year.
That puts the UK capital well ahead of other global hubs such as New York and Paris which, aside from Hong Kong, are the only other locations where the combined annual costs of renting residential and office space top $100,000 per employee.
London’s rise to first place in the rankings was blamed in part on its soaring property prices, which have jumped by 18.4% in the past year, according to Savills. Office rents have also risen significantly. In its most recent quarterly report on the commercial property sector, the rival estate agent Knight Frank said that over the previous 12 months, prime office rents had raised by 9% in the City and by 8% in the West End area. Someone with €100m to spend would be able to buy just 2,700 square metres of prime office space in the West End, but would get 17,000 square metres or more for their money in Berlin or Amsterdam.
London has overtaken Hong Kong as the world’s most expensive city to live and work in, with a new study suggesting it is almost twice as pricey as Sydney, and four times more than Rio de Janeiro.
The estate agent Savills said that in London, rising rents and the strong pound had pushed up the typical cost per individual employee of renting somewhere to live and leasing office space to $120,000 (£73,800) a year.
That puts the UK capital well ahead of other global hubs such as New York and Paris which, aside from Hong Kong, are the only other locations where the combined annual costs of renting residential and office space top $100,000 per employee.
London’s rise to first place in the rankings was blamed in part on its soaring property prices, which have jumped by 18.4% in the past year, according to Savills. Office rents have also risen significantly. In its most recent quarterly report on the commercial property sector, the rival estate agent Knight Frank said that over the previous 12 months, prime office rents had raised by 9% in the City and by 8% in the West End area. Someone with €100m to spend would be able to buy just 2,700 square metres of prime office space in the West End, but would get 17,000 square metres or more for their money in Berlin or Amsterdam.
Obama called for coalition to defeat terrorism
President Barack Obama called on the world on 24th September to join the U.S.-led coalition to defeat jihadists in Iraq and Syria, branding them terrorists engaged in a “network of death.”
The U.S. President spoke as the United States, backed by its Arab allies, carried out a second wave of air strikes in Syria, the latest front in its campaign to destroy the Islamic State (IS) group. He has addressed the 193-nation Assembly of UN
Mr. Obama was among the first speakers at the podium of the week-long debate and is to chair a special U.N. Security Council meeting during which a resolution will be adopted on stemming the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq and Syria.
The U.S.-drafted resolution calls on all countries to “prevent and suppress” recruitment and all forms of assistance to foreign fighters, and would make it illegal to collect funds or help organize their travel. The resolution falls under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which means the measures could be enforced by economic sanctions or military force.
Meanwhile, American warplane pounded IS positions in Syria for a second day at a strategic post on the Iraqi border, but the campaign did nothing to halt the fighters’ advance on a Kurdish town where refugees are fleeing.
President Barack Obama called on the world on 24th September to join the U.S.-led coalition to defeat jihadists in Iraq and Syria, branding them terrorists engaged in a “network of death.”
The U.S. President spoke as the United States, backed by its Arab allies, carried out a second wave of air strikes in Syria, the latest front in its campaign to destroy the Islamic State (IS) group. He has addressed the 193-nation Assembly of UN
Mr. Obama was among the first speakers at the podium of the week-long debate and is to chair a special U.N. Security Council meeting during which a resolution will be adopted on stemming the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq and Syria.
The U.S.-drafted resolution calls on all countries to “prevent and suppress” recruitment and all forms of assistance to foreign fighters, and would make it illegal to collect funds or help organize their travel. The resolution falls under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which means the measures could be enforced by economic sanctions or military force.
Meanwhile, American warplane pounded IS positions in Syria for a second day at a strategic post on the Iraqi border, but the campaign did nothing to halt the fighters’ advance on a Kurdish town where refugees are fleeing.
Norwegians created record in travelling
A Norwegian trio has set a new world record for the most countries travelled in a day after passing through 19 nations in 24 hours. The new record was set by Gunnar Garfors, Tay-young Pak, and Oyvind Djupvik, after they made it to 19 countries in just 24 hours, surpassing the previous record of 17 countries.
A Norwegian trio has set a new world record for the most countries travelled in a day after passing through 19 nations in 24 hours. The new record was set by Gunnar Garfors, Tay-young Pak, and Oyvind Djupvik, after they made it to 19 countries in just 24 hours, surpassing the previous record of 17 countries.
Bamiyan SAARC cultural capital for 2015
Bamiyan, the Afghan town which shot into prominence when the Taliban blew up two ancient statues of the Buddha in 2001, has been selected to be the SAARC cultural capital for a year beginning April 2015. Dhaka will be the SAARC cultural capital in 2016-17.
This was decided at the SAARC Culture Ministers Conference which concluded on 25th September. Finalising the cultural capitals for the next two years was part of the Delhi Resolution which was adopted at the conference while preparing a road map on cultural ties till 2017.
The year 2016-17 will also be declared the SAARC Year of Cultural Heritage.
The SAARC countries also agreed to formulate proposals for transnational nominations for the World Heritage List and a regional list of heritage sites.
India’s Project Mausam got a fillip as the Delhi Resolution agrees to recognise the impact and contribution of maritime routes and the monsoon as also other inland relations through centuries of trade, migration and colonialism.
In a measure aimed at promoting literature produced in local languages of the region, the Ministers decided to make them accessible to readers across the world through translations in not just English but SAARC languages.
Other areas of cooperation decided upon include promoting traditions unique to the region, digital mapping of historic sites in member countries, preparing inventories of cultural assets, preservation of folklore and other oral traditions besides a common entrance rate to monuments in the region for people from SAARC countries.
SAARC
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and geopolitical organization of eight countries that are primarily located in South Asia. The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The idea of regional political and economical cooperation in South Asia was first raised in 1980 and the first summit was held in Dhaka on 8 December 1985, when the organization was established by the governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Since then the organization has expanded by accepting one new full member, Afghanistan, and several observer members.
The 18th SAARC Summit is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu in November 2014
Bamiyan, the Afghan town which shot into prominence when the Taliban blew up two ancient statues of the Buddha in 2001, has been selected to be the SAARC cultural capital for a year beginning April 2015. Dhaka will be the SAARC cultural capital in 2016-17.
This was decided at the SAARC Culture Ministers Conference which concluded on 25th September. Finalising the cultural capitals for the next two years was part of the Delhi Resolution which was adopted at the conference while preparing a road map on cultural ties till 2017.
The year 2016-17 will also be declared the SAARC Year of Cultural Heritage.
The SAARC countries also agreed to formulate proposals for transnational nominations for the World Heritage List and a regional list of heritage sites.
India’s Project Mausam got a fillip as the Delhi Resolution agrees to recognise the impact and contribution of maritime routes and the monsoon as also other inland relations through centuries of trade, migration and colonialism.
In a measure aimed at promoting literature produced in local languages of the region, the Ministers decided to make them accessible to readers across the world through translations in not just English but SAARC languages.
Other areas of cooperation decided upon include promoting traditions unique to the region, digital mapping of historic sites in member countries, preparing inventories of cultural assets, preservation of folklore and other oral traditions besides a common entrance rate to monuments in the region for people from SAARC countries.
SAARC
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and geopolitical organization of eight countries that are primarily located in South Asia. The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The idea of regional political and economical cooperation in South Asia was first raised in 1980 and the first summit was held in Dhaka on 8 December 1985, when the organization was established by the governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Since then the organization has expanded by accepting one new full member, Afghanistan, and several observer members.
The 18th SAARC Summit is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu in November 2014
Expanded U.S. ocean preserve to be world’s largest
Thousands of miles off America's shores, an ocean preserve flush with rare seabirds, turtles and marine mammals will grow to roughly three times the size of California under a memorandum that President Barack Obama signed on 25th September.
The expanded Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument will cover 490,000 square miles, making it the largest marine preserve in the world, the White House said. The move puts the remote waters surrounding a collection of islands off-limits to drilling and most fishing in a bid to protect fragile underwater life.
Millions of marine animals live in the bio-rich expanse included by the new monument, which will also add new protections for more than 130 "seamounts" — underwater mountains where rare or undiscovered species are frequently found. Commercial fishing, deep-sea mining and other extraction of underwater resources will be banned, but recreational fishing will still be allowed, in an attempt to preserve the public's access to federal areas.
Maritime law gives the U.S. control up to 200 nautical miles from the coast. Under Bush, the U.S. set aside waters extending about 50 miles from the shore of the remote, U.S.-administered islands in the south-central Pacific, thousands of miles from the American mainland.
The islands sit between Hawaii and American Samoa and are divided into five regions. Obama is extending the preserve to the full 200 miles — but only for three of the five regions.
Thousands of miles off America's shores, an ocean preserve flush with rare seabirds, turtles and marine mammals will grow to roughly three times the size of California under a memorandum that President Barack Obama signed on 25th September.
The expanded Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument will cover 490,000 square miles, making it the largest marine preserve in the world, the White House said. The move puts the remote waters surrounding a collection of islands off-limits to drilling and most fishing in a bid to protect fragile underwater life.
Millions of marine animals live in the bio-rich expanse included by the new monument, which will also add new protections for more than 130 "seamounts" — underwater mountains where rare or undiscovered species are frequently found. Commercial fishing, deep-sea mining and other extraction of underwater resources will be banned, but recreational fishing will still be allowed, in an attempt to preserve the public's access to federal areas.
Maritime law gives the U.S. control up to 200 nautical miles from the coast. Under Bush, the U.S. set aside waters extending about 50 miles from the shore of the remote, U.S.-administered islands in the south-central Pacific, thousands of miles from the American mainland.
The islands sit between Hawaii and American Samoa and are divided into five regions. Obama is extending the preserve to the full 200 miles — but only for three of the five regions.
U.K. Parliament votes to join air strikes against IS in Iraq
The UK Parliament has backed British participation in air strikes against Islamic State extremists in Iraq. After a seven-hour debate, MPs voted for military action by 524 votes to 43. The Conservatives, Lib Dems and Labor leaderships all backed air strikes although some MPs expressed concerns about where it would lead and the prospect of future engagement in Syria.
Back ground
The US began a series of air strikes in Iraq last month, and on 22nd September it began attacks on targets in Syria. Jets from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have joined US forces in the attacks, and the US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition.
The key success of the US-led coalition is to have so many Arab states as active participants.
But western military contributions are also vital; with France, Australia and the Netherlands already on board, Britain adds another weighty player.
All about Islamic State
Islamic State (IS) is a radical Islamist group that has seized large swathes of territory in eastern Syria and across northern and western Iraq. Its brutal tactics - including mass killings and abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as the beheadings of soldiers and journalists - have sparked fear and outrage across the world and prompted US military intervention.
The group aims to establish a "caliphate", a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law, or Sharia.
Although currently limited to Iraq and Syria, IS has promised to "break the borders" of Jordan and Lebanon and to "free Palestine". It attracts support from Muslims across the world and demands that all swear allegiance to its leader - Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri al-Samarrai, better known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
IS can trace its roots back to the late Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian who set up Tawhid wa al-Jihad in 2002. A year after the US-led invasion of Iraq, Zarqawi pledged allegiance to Osama Bin Laden and formed al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), which became a major force in the insurgency.
After Zarqawi's death in 2006, AQI created an umbrella organization, Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). ISI was steadily weakened by the US troop surge and the creation of Sahwa (Awakening) councils by Sunni Arab tribesmen who rejected its brutality. After becoming leader in 2010, Baghdadi rebuilt ISI's capabilities. By 2013, it was once again carrying out dozens of attacks a month in Iraq. It had also joined the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, setting up the al-Nusra Front.
In April 2013, Baghdadi announced the merger of his forces in Iraq and Syria and the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis). The leaders of al-Nusra and al-Qaeda rejected the move, but fighters loyal to Baghdadi split from al-Nusra and helped Isis remain in Syria At the end of December 2013, Isis shifted its focus back to Iraq and exploited a political stand-off between the Shia-led government and the minority Sunni Arab community. Aided by tribesmen, the group took control of the central city of Falluja.
In June 2014, Isis overran the northern city of Mosul, and then advanced southwards towards Baghdad. At the end of the month, after consolidating its hold over dozens of cities and towns, Isis declared the creation of a caliphate and changed its name to Islamic State.
Syrian conflict
A year ago, a deadly chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Syria's capital Damascus almost triggered US military strikes. Since then, the balance of power in the conflict has tipped in favor of President Bashar al-Assad, the death toll has mounted steadily, fighting has spilled into Lebanon, and jihadist militants from the Islamic State (IS) have formed a caliphate in a huge area straddling the border with Iraq.
Facing the prospect of US military intervention, on 14th September President Assad agreed to the complete removal or destruction of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal by a joint mission led by the UN and Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) by 30 June 2014.
In November 2013 Syrian government forces launch a large-scale air campaign on opposition-held parts of the northern city of Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. Unguided barrel bombs - typically constructed from oil drums, gas cylinders and water tanks, and filled with high explosives and scrap metal - are dropped indiscriminately from helicopters on densely-populated areas. The attacks kill hundreds of civilians.
On 29th April 2014 the OPCW launches a fact-finding mission to investigate allegations that chlorine gas has been used in more than a dozen attacks in rebel-held areas of Hama and Idlib provinces. In every case, barrel bombs were allegedly dropped from helicopters. After they exploded, casualties reportedly began displaying symptoms typical of chlorine poisoning. In June, the inspectors say they believe toxic chemicals such as chlorine are being used in a "systematic manner" in the Syrian conflict.
On 23rd June, 2014 he joint OPCW-UN mission announces that the removal of Syria's chemical weapons material is complete. It also says Syria has destroyed all declared production, mixing and filling equipment and munitions. In August, the US says all of the most hazardous chemical agents have been destroyed on board a cargo vessel, the MV Cape Ray. The remaining chemicals will be destroyed at Finnish and British facilities.
On 29th June Isis declares it has established a "caliphate" in the territory it controls, stretching from Aleppo in north-western Syria to the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala. The group says its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, will be known as Caliph Ibrahim and it will be renamed the Islamic State (IS).
In August 2014, s deadly battle erupted between the Lebanese army and jihadist militants from Syria after they seize the Lebanese border town of Arsal in response to the arrest of one of their commanders. Dozens of people are killed before a ceasefire is negotiated and the militants withdraw. Arsal is home to tens of thousands of the 1.1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
On 8th August the US launched air strikes against IS militants near Irbil and around Mount Sinjar, its first direct involvement in a military operation in Iraq since American troops withdrew in late 2011
Denmark to join in US led coalition
Denmark on 26th September joined the U.S.-led coalition that is launching airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Iraq. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said her government would send four operational planes and three reserve jets along with 250 pilots and support staff in the fight. The deployment will last for 12 months. Lawmakers in Denmark must also approve, but that is considered a formality.
The UK Parliament has backed British participation in air strikes against Islamic State extremists in Iraq. After a seven-hour debate, MPs voted for military action by 524 votes to 43. The Conservatives, Lib Dems and Labor leaderships all backed air strikes although some MPs expressed concerns about where it would lead and the prospect of future engagement in Syria.
Back ground
The US began a series of air strikes in Iraq last month, and on 22nd September it began attacks on targets in Syria. Jets from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have joined US forces in the attacks, and the US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition.
The key success of the US-led coalition is to have so many Arab states as active participants.
But western military contributions are also vital; with France, Australia and the Netherlands already on board, Britain adds another weighty player.
All about Islamic State
Islamic State (IS) is a radical Islamist group that has seized large swathes of territory in eastern Syria and across northern and western Iraq. Its brutal tactics - including mass killings and abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as the beheadings of soldiers and journalists - have sparked fear and outrage across the world and prompted US military intervention.
The group aims to establish a "caliphate", a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law, or Sharia.
Although currently limited to Iraq and Syria, IS has promised to "break the borders" of Jordan and Lebanon and to "free Palestine". It attracts support from Muslims across the world and demands that all swear allegiance to its leader - Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri al-Samarrai, better known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
IS can trace its roots back to the late Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian who set up Tawhid wa al-Jihad in 2002. A year after the US-led invasion of Iraq, Zarqawi pledged allegiance to Osama Bin Laden and formed al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), which became a major force in the insurgency.
After Zarqawi's death in 2006, AQI created an umbrella organization, Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). ISI was steadily weakened by the US troop surge and the creation of Sahwa (Awakening) councils by Sunni Arab tribesmen who rejected its brutality. After becoming leader in 2010, Baghdadi rebuilt ISI's capabilities. By 2013, it was once again carrying out dozens of attacks a month in Iraq. It had also joined the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, setting up the al-Nusra Front.
In April 2013, Baghdadi announced the merger of his forces in Iraq and Syria and the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis). The leaders of al-Nusra and al-Qaeda rejected the move, but fighters loyal to Baghdadi split from al-Nusra and helped Isis remain in Syria At the end of December 2013, Isis shifted its focus back to Iraq and exploited a political stand-off between the Shia-led government and the minority Sunni Arab community. Aided by tribesmen, the group took control of the central city of Falluja.
In June 2014, Isis overran the northern city of Mosul, and then advanced southwards towards Baghdad. At the end of the month, after consolidating its hold over dozens of cities and towns, Isis declared the creation of a caliphate and changed its name to Islamic State.
Syrian conflict
A year ago, a deadly chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Syria's capital Damascus almost triggered US military strikes. Since then, the balance of power in the conflict has tipped in favor of President Bashar al-Assad, the death toll has mounted steadily, fighting has spilled into Lebanon, and jihadist militants from the Islamic State (IS) have formed a caliphate in a huge area straddling the border with Iraq.
Facing the prospect of US military intervention, on 14th September President Assad agreed to the complete removal or destruction of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal by a joint mission led by the UN and Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) by 30 June 2014.
In November 2013 Syrian government forces launch a large-scale air campaign on opposition-held parts of the northern city of Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. Unguided barrel bombs - typically constructed from oil drums, gas cylinders and water tanks, and filled with high explosives and scrap metal - are dropped indiscriminately from helicopters on densely-populated areas. The attacks kill hundreds of civilians.
On 29th April 2014 the OPCW launches a fact-finding mission to investigate allegations that chlorine gas has been used in more than a dozen attacks in rebel-held areas of Hama and Idlib provinces. In every case, barrel bombs were allegedly dropped from helicopters. After they exploded, casualties reportedly began displaying symptoms typical of chlorine poisoning. In June, the inspectors say they believe toxic chemicals such as chlorine are being used in a "systematic manner" in the Syrian conflict.
On 23rd June, 2014 he joint OPCW-UN mission announces that the removal of Syria's chemical weapons material is complete. It also says Syria has destroyed all declared production, mixing and filling equipment and munitions. In August, the US says all of the most hazardous chemical agents have been destroyed on board a cargo vessel, the MV Cape Ray. The remaining chemicals will be destroyed at Finnish and British facilities.
On 29th June Isis declares it has established a "caliphate" in the territory it controls, stretching from Aleppo in north-western Syria to the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala. The group says its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, will be known as Caliph Ibrahim and it will be renamed the Islamic State (IS).
In August 2014, s deadly battle erupted between the Lebanese army and jihadist militants from Syria after they seize the Lebanese border town of Arsal in response to the arrest of one of their commanders. Dozens of people are killed before a ceasefire is negotiated and the militants withdraw. Arsal is home to tens of thousands of the 1.1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
On 8th August the US launched air strikes against IS militants near Irbil and around Mount Sinjar, its first direct involvement in a military operation in Iraq since American troops withdrew in late 2011
Denmark to join in US led coalition
Denmark on 26th September joined the U.S.-led coalition that is launching airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Iraq. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said her government would send four operational planes and three reserve jets along with 250 pilots and support staff in the fight. The deployment will last for 12 months. Lawmakers in Denmark must also approve, but that is considered a formality.
Egypt adjusts clock for the fourth time in 5 months
The Egypt has changed its clock fourth time in less than five months. The switch between summer and winter time was abandoned after the 2011 uprising toppled long-ruling autocrat Hosni Mubarak, but then was abruptly revived this past May, when clocks sprung forward in a move aimed at alleviating rolling power blackouts.
But just weeks later the clocks fell back again at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan — which this year fell at the hottest point of the summer — to shorten the daily dawn-to-dusk fast.
The clocks returned to summer time when Ramadan ended in July, but now winter has come again, despite the fact that daytime temperatures still hover around 30 degree Celsius.
As of midnight on 25th September, Egypt is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The initial switch in May caused widespread disruptions, particularly at the airport, when local flight times were changed at the last minute.
The Egypt has changed its clock fourth time in less than five months. The switch between summer and winter time was abandoned after the 2011 uprising toppled long-ruling autocrat Hosni Mubarak, but then was abruptly revived this past May, when clocks sprung forward in a move aimed at alleviating rolling power blackouts.
But just weeks later the clocks fell back again at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan — which this year fell at the hottest point of the summer — to shorten the daily dawn-to-dusk fast.
The clocks returned to summer time when Ramadan ended in July, but now winter has come again, despite the fact that daytime temperatures still hover around 30 degree Celsius.
As of midnight on 25th September, Egypt is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The initial switch in May caused widespread disruptions, particularly at the airport, when local flight times were changed at the last minute.
Government in Gaza strip
The two main Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, have reached a “comprehensive” agreement that would turn over the civil administration of Gaza immediately to officials of a Palestinian unity government led by President Mahmoud Abbas.
The agreement, negotiated in Cairo, is designed to ease the long blockade of Gaza by Israel and Egypt and open the way to reconstruction of the war-ravaged coastal entity. A recent Palestinian Authority study estimated the cost of reconstruction in Gaza following this summer’s 50-day conflict with Israel at $7.8bn (£4.8bn).
Palestinians said the agreement would allow the Palestinian Authority to take control over the border crossings of the Gaza Strip, including the crucial Rafah crossing into Egypt – a key demand of Egypt’s president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. The agreement made on 25th September.
The deal allows the Palestinian Authority headed by Rami Hamdallah to immediately assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and take control over the border crossings in the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah terminal.
Besides, it allows all Palestinian Authority civil servants to return to their jobs and salary will be paid by the PA government because they are all Palestinians. The PA has nearly 70000 civil servants who have not been working since Hamas seized control over the Gaza Strip. A committee comprised of all Palestinian parties will be formed to implement the agreement and resolve any further problems.
Background
The Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation agreement to end their difference and form a Palestinian Unity Government in Gaza Strip on 23 April 2014. Due to the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, Israeli suspended the peace talks with the Palestinians.
Israel believed Hamas as terror organisation and announced a series of sanctioned against the Palestinian. The Palestinian unity government of 2014 was formed on 2 June 2014 under Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The two main Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, have reached a “comprehensive” agreement that would turn over the civil administration of Gaza immediately to officials of a Palestinian unity government led by President Mahmoud Abbas.
The agreement, negotiated in Cairo, is designed to ease the long blockade of Gaza by Israel and Egypt and open the way to reconstruction of the war-ravaged coastal entity. A recent Palestinian Authority study estimated the cost of reconstruction in Gaza following this summer’s 50-day conflict with Israel at $7.8bn (£4.8bn).
Palestinians said the agreement would allow the Palestinian Authority to take control over the border crossings of the Gaza Strip, including the crucial Rafah crossing into Egypt – a key demand of Egypt’s president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. The agreement made on 25th September.
The deal allows the Palestinian Authority headed by Rami Hamdallah to immediately assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and take control over the border crossings in the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah terminal.
Besides, it allows all Palestinian Authority civil servants to return to their jobs and salary will be paid by the PA government because they are all Palestinians. The PA has nearly 70000 civil servants who have not been working since Hamas seized control over the Gaza Strip. A committee comprised of all Palestinian parties will be formed to implement the agreement and resolve any further problems.
Background
The Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation agreement to end their difference and form a Palestinian Unity Government in Gaza Strip on 23 April 2014. Due to the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, Israeli suspended the peace talks with the Palestinians.
Israel believed Hamas as terror organisation and announced a series of sanctioned against the Palestinian. The Palestinian unity government of 2014 was formed on 2 June 2014 under Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Bimstec secretariat in Dhaka
Prime Minister Hasina inaugurated its first secretariat set up in Dhaka on 13th September. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an alliance of South and South East Asian countries. Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal are its members. The prime minister urged for more BIMSTEC initiatives in agriculture.
BIMSTEC is an abbreviation form, its full form is Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). It formed on 6 June 1997. The name was given in the first Summit on 31 July 2004. BIMSTEC has Fourteen priority sectors cover all areas of cooperation. Six priority sectors of cooperation were identified at the 2nd Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka on 19 November 1998.
Prime Minister Hasina inaugurated its first secretariat set up in Dhaka on 13th September. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an alliance of South and South East Asian countries. Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal are its members. The prime minister urged for more BIMSTEC initiatives in agriculture.
BIMSTEC is an abbreviation form, its full form is Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). It formed on 6 June 1997. The name was given in the first Summit on 31 July 2004. BIMSTEC has Fourteen priority sectors cover all areas of cooperation. Six priority sectors of cooperation were identified at the 2nd Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka on 19 November 1998.
Bangladesh: Law against child marriage
Bangladesh officials on 15th September approved the Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2014, a law that sets a two year jail term for any person who marries a girl under the age of 18. The act sets the minimum age of marriage for men at 21 and and for women at 18.
Bangladesh officials on 15th September approved the Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2014, a law that sets a two year jail term for any person who marries a girl under the age of 18. The act sets the minimum age of marriage for men at 21 and and for women at 18.
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