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Global Focus

February 10, 2009
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1. Tehran, Iran
Envoys from the US, Germany, China, Britain, Russia and France have held direct talks with Iran about its controversial nuclear programme. This occured after Tehran announced it had launched its first domestically produced satellite carried on a Safir-2 rocket. The UN has imposed sanctions on Iran due to its uranium enrichment program and other countries are threatening to follow.

2. Bangkok, Thailand
The Thai government has said they will not offer asylum to Rohingya immigrants who fled Myanmar. They have denied allegations of racism and abuse after a second group of nearly 200 migrants were found off the coast. Last month, the Thai military admitted abandoning hundreds of Rohingya migrants at sea.

3. Colombo, Sri Lanka
President Mahinda Rajapakse has announced that the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are on the verge of defeat. He claimed that terror had been eliminated despite UN, US and British concerns over 250,000 civilians trapped in the conflict zone. Up to 70,000 people were killed as a result of the fighting in the last year.

4. NEW DELHI, INDIA
India has signed a preliminary deal with Areva, a French nuclear firm, to provide them with at least two new-generation nuclear reactors. The deal will allow Areva to assist in building two to six reactors at the Jaitapur site in the western state of Maharastra. India has refused to sign nonproliferation agreements and have been under a nuclear trade ban since 1974 when they did their first atomic test. This ban was lifted in September.

5. WASHINGTON DC, US
President Obama has been forced to back down on his $900bn “Buy American” scheme after accusations of US protectionism and EU threats of retaliation. The scheme mandated that only US iron, steel and manufactured goods could be used in the scheme’s projects.

6. Pyongyang, North Korea
North Korea has threatened Seoul and Washington that they may be preparing to fire their longest range missile. Sources say that a large object suspected to be part of a long-range Taepodong-2 missile was being transported to the launch site. Western experts do not believe they have the technology to miniaturize an atomic weapon to mount on a missile as a warhead.

7. GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
A military judge dropped the charges against a detainee suspected of the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole. This is the last active war crimes case that remained in Guantanamo and reflects President Obama’s executive order which mandated that all legal cases be frozen for three months until reviews could be carried out.

8. Strasbourg, France
Following on from Obama’s decision to close Guantanamo Bay within the year, the European Parliament is encouraging EU nations to assist the US by accepting detainees from Guantanamo Bay. In a 542-55 vote, legislators agreed that once inmates are no longer considered a security risk, member nations should do their best to accommodate them.

9. HARADHERE, Somalia
A Ukrainian ship carrying weapons and tanks that has been held by Somali pirates for almost five months was released on Friday. Reports from negotiators said that the pirates received a ransom payment of $3.2m. There is some international concern over the direction of the military resources; Ukraine insists that it had been sold to Kenya but some foreign diplomats believe the weapons were bound for Sudan. The Kenyan government has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the weapons.

10. Victoria, Australia
Almost 100 people have been reported dead after bush fires in southern Australia ravage the country. Thousands of firefighters and members of the army are attempting to put out the fires although officials say they will be unable to defeat the fire completely until it rains. Police believe at least one of the fires was started by arsonists.

11. Harare, Zimbabwe
Treason charges against Tendai Biti, Secretary-General of the Movement for Democratic Change have been dropped. While many other political activists remain in detention, this is a good sign from a proposed unity government. Biti was charged with treason after his party narrowly won last March’s election.

12. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear presenter has apologised for calling Gordon Brown a “one-eyed Scottish idiot.” Clarskon made the comment in Sydney. The BBC have noted Clarkson’s apology and don’t intend to take further action. Downing Street said he “is entitled to his own interpretation of the economic circumstances”.