40 People Died in Bomb Explosion in the Capital City of Syria

40 people killed and scores others left injured in two powerful bomb blasts in Damascus on 10 May 2012. The blast prompted UN observer chief to appeal for help to finish off the violence in Syria. According to The Syrian Observator y for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, 50 people including civilians and security forces members died in the attack. The target of the attack was an intelligence services base. The opposition Syrian National Council accused President Bashar al-Assad’s government of being involved in the twin bombings, which were among the deadliest attacks in the country’s 14-month uprising. This was the second attack within a period of two days. Earlier on 9 May 2012 a roadside bomb exploded near the convoy of UN observers into the southern flashpoint city of Daraa. There have been numerous bomb explosions in Damascus over the past few months as Assad faces aviolent protest against his regime which his forces are attempting to crush. Suicide bombers had targeted two security service bases in Damascus on 23 December 2011, killing 44 people. The government had blamed Al Qaida for the attack.

India to Export 2.1 million Tonnes (mt) of Iron Ore

India announced its decision to export 2.1 million tonnes (mt) of iron ore to steel mills of Japan and South Korea under a long-term agreement due to be signed in May 2012. The iron ore will be supplied to leading steel mills of Japan and Korea, including Posco, Kobe and Nippon Steel. As approved by the cabinet in March 2012, the iron ore, having 64 per cent Fe content, or high grade lumps is to be sourced from NMDC’s Chhattisgarh mines and will be exported through MMTC. The supplies are slated to begin from July and the agreements are to be signed for three years. Prices are to be decided on a quarterl y basis and the export quantity is to increase in the 2012- 13 fiscal. It is expected that the supply of iron ore, although in smaller quantities, had been a core element of India’s bilateral ties with Japan and South Korea and would further strengthen the relations. MMTC’s earlier contract to supply iron ore for five years to Japanese and Korean steel mills had expired on 31 March 2011. Following the expiry, further contracts was put on hold as price negotiations had not taken place. As a result of the expiry of the contract , NMDC had managed to export only 1.6 lakh tonnes in the 2011-12 fiscal, too, to the Chinese firms on an adhoc basis.

Twenty People died in Church Attack in Nigerian City of Kano

20 people died and several others left injured in an attack on a Christian church in Nigeria on 29 April 2012. The attackers targeted a Christian church service at a univer sity in Nigeria’s city of Kano. No militant group claimed responsibility of the attack, but the role of , Boko Haram, a radical fundamentalist Islamic group, was suspected in the attack. The group has been carrying out a campaign of violence in the country. More than 180 people had died in Kano a few months back when the sect targeted its residents. Nigeria, a west african nation, has a long history of struggle between the muslims and christians. People of both the religions exist in equally good number in Nigeria.

India surpassed China as the Largest Arms Importer in the World

According to a re port published in March 2012 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India topped China as the largest importer of arms during 2007-11 and accounted for 10 per cent of global arms import as compared to Chinese share of five per cent. The report mentioned China, which was the largest importer of arms during 2002-2006, slipping to fourth spot in 2007-11 given the significant advancement in China’s arms industry and increased arms exports. India has taken numerous measures to modernise its armed forces in the past ten y ears. The country has signed several deals to procure military hardware such as 10 C-17 strategic lift aircraft, six C-130 Super Hercules Special Operations aircraft, additional Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets along with several warships. The report revealed the countries from Asia and Oceania as the leading arms importers as they accounted for 44 per cent of arms imports followed by Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa which accounted for 19 per cent, 17 per cent, 11 per cent and 9 per cent of total arms imports respectively. In the budget presented in the parliament for the fiscal year 2012-13, the Finance Minister announced to increse India’s defence budget by 17 per cent and doled out 1.93 trillion Indian rupees for the defence purpose. Of this outlay, 41 percent has to be spent on procuring modern weapons systems and military hardware.

RBI Decided to Set up a 2 Billion Dollar Swap Facility for SAARC Nations

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 16 May 2012 decided to set up a 2 billion dollar swap facility for SAARC (South-Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) member-nations. This facility will be available in foreign currency and Indian rupee. The facility will provide the member nations with the facility to swap U.S. dollar, euro or Indian rupee against the domestic currency or domestic currencydenominated government securities. The withdrawal could be done in multiple tranches. The move for a SAARC swap facility follows a decision taken by the SAARC Finance Ministers at the Ministerial Meeting on Global Financial Crisis held on 28 February 2009. The move by the RBI will strengthen economic co-operation within the SAARC nations and improve intraregional trade.

50 People killed in a Superjet 100 Aircraft Crash in Russia

All of nearly 50 people on board were killed in a Superjet 100 aircraft crash about 40 miles (64 km) south of Jakarta on 9 May 2012. The Superjet 100 aircraft, Russia’s first all-new passenger jet since the fall of the Soviet Union went missing on 9 May 2012. The flight was carrying Indonesian businessmen, eight Russians, including embassy officials, pilots and technicians, and journalists. Indonesia’s Sky Aviation inked a deal in August 2011 with Sukhoi to buy 12 of the Sukhoi Superjet 100s. The Superjet 100, was on its promotional trip when it got crashed.

Tomislav Nikolic won the Serbia’s Presidential Election

The Serbian Progressive Party leader Tomislav Nikolic won the Serbia’s presidential election. Nikolic beat his centrist opponent, the incumbent Boris Tadic in a closely contested election. Nikolic accounted for 50.21% of the total vote, against 46.77% for Tadic, with 40% of votes counted. Nikolic, during his previous stints in power worked as a deputy prime minister under the former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, who was put on trial for genocide at The Hague. He was also the part of the government when Nato forces attacked Serbia in 1999. Nikolic, an ultra-nationalist, has widely been considered as anti-European Union given his vocal opposition of the bloc. He, however, in a bid to recapture the power toned down his antipathy towards the European Union and vowed to not deviate from its European path, after winning the elections. Serbia, located at the intersections between Central and Southern Europe, became a separate sovereign republic in summer 2006 after Montenegro voted in a referendum for independence from the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The country has its unemployment rate spiraling high at 24%. The total foreign debt of the country is also piling up as the current figure stands at 24 billion euro.

Nepal Cabinet Tendered Resignation to form New Government

Nepal cabinet tendered its resignation on 3 May 2012. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai also slated resigned by the end of the month. The decision to step down came in the wake of an agreement among the Nepal’s major political parties to form a new coalition government. Bhattarai will form the new government, including members of all major parties in Nepal, by the weekend to help draft a new constitution by a 27 May 2012 deadline. Once the constitution process is complete, the prime minister will step down and hand over power. The new government would then hold elections within one year. A new constitution is a key part of the peace process that began in 2006 after Maoist rebels gave up their armed revolt. Nepal’s Constituent Assembly was elected in 2008 and given two years to create a new constitution. Its tenure has been repeatedly extended, but the Supreme Court has ruled that no more extensions are possible.

Aung San Suu Kyi sworn in As the Leader of Opposition in Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi took the oath of office to become an official member of Myanmar’s parliament on 2 May 2012. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Laureate, pro-democracy leader of Myanmar for the first time has held public office since launching her struggle against authoritarian rule nearly a quarter century ago. With Suu Kyi assuming the charge of opposition leader in the parliament an all new era of political transformation dawned in Myanmar. But her National League for Democracy party don’t have enough seats in the lower house to claim actual say in the ruling-party dominated house. There are fears the presence of the opposition lawmakers could simply legitimize the regime without any change. The 66-year-old Suu Kyi was held under house arrest for much of the past 20 years and was released in the wake of mounting pressure of the international community on the Junta government. In the by-election held on 1 April 2012 National League for Democracy party led by Aung San Suu Kyi had won 43 of 45 seats on which elections were held. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party is in the power in Myanmar. The party was declared victorious in the main elections held in 2010.

Union Cabinet of India approved Proposal by Oman to hike the Gas Price

The Union Cabinet of India on 28 April 2012 approved the proposal by Oman to hike the gas price for an Indian fertilizer plant in the Gulf nation to 1.5 per million dollar metric British thermal unit (mmBtu), a move that will ensure uninterrupted supply of urea to the Indian market. The proposal was moved by the Fer tilizer Ministry as it required Cabinet’s approval for a change in the agreement between the two countries. Oman, as per a contrct signed between India and Oman in 2005, supplies gas to the Indian fertilizer plant Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO). Oman, according to the contract, was to provide gas to the Indian plant at 0.77 dollar per mmBtu for 15 years beginning 2005. The gulf nation, however, in the midway decided to increase gas rates to 3 dollar per mmBtu from 1 January 2012 giving global price hike as the reason. Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO), a joint venture of Oman’s state-owned Oman Oil Co (OCC) and Indian cooperative firms KRIBHCO and IFFCO, produces about 2 million tonnes of urea a year at Sur for exports to India. IFFCO and KRIBHCO hold 25 per cent stake each in OMIFCO, while the balance is with Oman Oil Company.

The Dalai Lama, Received the Templeton Prize

The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, received the 1.7 million dollar Templeton Prize for his role in promoting links between spirituality and science. The award was conferred at a ceremony in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The Dalai Lama was given this award given his immortal service to humanity, in promoting nonviolence, respect and harmony among the world’s different religious traditions, and encouraging greater understanding between moder n science and Buddhist science. The prize money will be used for three different purposes. The bulk of the money will be used to Save the Children in India. The other two fractions of the prize amount will be used in promoting research into spirituality and science and providing science education for Tibetan monks. The Dalai Lama has consistently been at the target of China for supporting anti-China movement in Tibet. China considers Tibet as the integral part of the country, while Tibetan citizens across the world oppose the Chinese rule over the Buddhist nation. China denigrates the Dalai Lama as a separatist who conspires to set Tibet free from Chinese control. It often accuses the Dalai Lama of stirring up the anti-chinese sentiment around the world. The spiritual leader, however, denies the Chinese charges and has repeatedly maintained that he seeks only autonomy for Tibet, not independence.

14 People died in a Plane Crash in Jomsom in Nepal

An Agni Airplane crashed in Jomsom in western Nepal crashed on 14 May 2012 killing nearly 14 of the 21 people on board while, 7 people were rescued alive. The plane was fl ying from Pokhara to Jomsom, Mustang. There were three crew members on board the plane and 18 passengers, most of whom were Indian. The plane got crashed as the pilot failed to turn the plane from a narrow turn. The front portion of the plane was left completely damaged. The high altitude Jomsom, about 200 km northwest of the capital Kathmandu is the gateway to Muktinath Temple, a pilgrimage destination for Hindus from Nepal and India.

Pakistan Successfully Testfired Hatf III Ghaznavi Missile

Pakistan successfully test-f ired Hatf III Ghaznavi missile on 10 May 2012. The missile has a range of 290 km and it can hit its target in India. The missile is capable of carr ying nuclear warheads. The missile was launched at the conclusion of the annual field training exercise of Army Strategic Force Command. Pakistan conducts missile tests on routine basis. The Muslim nation over the past few years has developed a good stock of nuclear arsenals, raising the concern of world community. Pakistan like India is not a signatory to the NPT.

Vladimir Putin sworn in as the President of Russia

Vladimir Putin the former Russian Prime Minister and the president of the United Russia Party took the oath as the President of Russia on 7 May 2012. Putin had won the Russian presidential elections with 63.6 % of the vote on 4 March 2012. Putin, who had served as the President of Russia for two consecutive terms from 2000 to 2008 was constitutionally ineligible to run for the third consecutive term as the president. After Dimitry Medvedev took over as the President of Russia in 2008, he appointed Putin as the Prime Minister of the country. A graduate from the International Law branch of the Law Department of the Leningrad State Univer sity, Putin star ted his political career when he was in the Univer sity. Putin became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union when he was in the univer sity, and remained a member until December 1991 when the party was ultimately dissolved. Putin’s re-election to the office of president witnessed a series of protest across Russia. He was also accused by the opposition party and some international groups of irregularities during the presidential poll. The Russian Federation was formed in 1993 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Boris Yelstin was elected as the first president of the Russian Federation.

More than 90 Soldiers Killed in Yemen

A suicide bomber killed more than 90 soldiers and left over 200 people injured in Yemeni capital Sanaa. Terrorist group Al-Qaida claimed the responsibility of the attack. The suicide bomber, dressed in military outfit, detonated his hidden explosives when the chief of army staff was watching the parade. The two top military officials managed to survive the multiple bombings. The west Asian country, which is also the poorest among the Arab nations, is facing a great danger from the radical Islamic elements in the country. It has been battling the Islamist militants scattered across the region. Yemen over the past few years has emerged as a strong base of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The strong presence of Islamic fanatics in the country poses a grave threat not only to regional security but also to the global peace. Militants have taken the maximum advantage of political turmoil in Yemen over the past one year to gain a foothold in the country. The political uprising in the country in 2011saw the president Ali Abdullah Saleh stepping down after a long year of rule.

United States Announced the Partial Rollback of Sanctions on Myanmar

United States decided to ease the stiff economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar and named the first ambassador to the former pariah state in the past 22 years. The US’ move came after Myanmar introduced a host of political reforms in the country. Though both Republican and Democrat senators welcomed the move, the human rights activists dubbed the decision as premature as the country’s government is still dominated by its military and have hundreds of political prisoners. Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to parliament in the elections held in April 2012. The election of Suu Kyi to the parliament prompted Western countries to ease the stiff sanctions against the Asian nation also known as Burma, which is emerging from decades of authoritarian rule and diplomatic isolation.

Jean-Marc Ayrault took over as the New Prime Minister of France

Jean-Marc Ayrault a moderate Socialist took over as the France’s new Prime Minister on 16 May 2012. His predecessor Francois Fillon welcomed him at the 18th century mansion in central Paris that serves as the primeminister’s office. The 62-year-old has led the country’s Socialists in the lower house of Parliament for more than a decade. Ayarault is considered to have a fair knowledge of Germany and German and his affinity with Germany will prove to be instrumental in reshaping the ties between the two larger European economies. Ayrault has served as a deputy in that lower house since 1986. He is also mayor of Nantes, a city on the Atlantic coast. The rest of the government ministers was announced on 16 May 2012. They hold their first official meeting on 17 May 2012.

Arsalan Rahmani Daulat Assassinated in Kabul

Arsalan Rahmani Daulat, the Key Afghan peace mediator, was assassinated 13 May 2012. The assassination of Daulat has raised the fears of disr uption in the already fragile peace talk. Rahmani, until April 2012 was the acting head of President Hamid Karzai’s Higher Peace Council. Rahmani had received tremendous success in accelerating the peace negotiation over the past few months. He had reached out to key commanders across southern and southeastern Afghanistan, in an effort to secure a peace deal ahead of the planned withdrawal of the bulk of western troops in the country in 2014. Earlier the hardliners had also mowed down Burhanuddin Rabbani, the head of the Higher Peace Council and the country’s former president.

Jordan’s Parliament Passed a Law to Encourage a Multiparty Political System in the Country

Jordan’s parliament passed a law to encourage a multiparty political system in the country. The move is one of the major reform measures announced by Jordanian King Abdullah II, as the country goes to polls before the end of 2012. The new electoral law in Jordan allows parties based on political affiliation to contest in elections. The earlier system encouraged formation of sever al small parties who voted on the basis of tribal affiliation. It resulted in the lawmakers who were seen as the loyalists of the King Abdullah II. The new law allows for state funding of election but bans foreign aid to the parties. Most of the restrictions such as allowing the government to monitor activities and financial records of political parties have been revoked.

24 people killed and scores injured in the Suicide Blast in Pakistan

A teenage suicide bomber blew himself up in Pakistan’s northwest tribal area of Bajaur on 4 May 2012. The suicide bomber aged 14 to 16, detonated explosives strapped to his chest killing at least 24 people and leaving several others injured. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility of the blast, saying it had wanted to kill the local chief and deputy of a tribal police force recruited by the government to help defeat the Islamist insurgency in the northwest. Bajaur has been one of the toughest battlegrounds in Pakistan’s fight against a northwestern Taliban insurgency. The military conducted major offensives there in 2008 and 2009 and has repeatedly declared it secure. Friday’s blast was the deadliest bombing in Pakistan since Feb. 17, when 31 people wer e killed by a suicide attack on Shiite Muslims in the tribal district of Kurram.

Yusuf Raja Gilani convicted for Contempt of Court

The Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raja Gilani for contempt of court for refusing to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani, who is the first Pakistan prime minister to be held guilty for contempt, could have been jailed for six months but was awarded just a symbolic punishment of about 30 seconds. Gilani, who was handpicked by Zardari in 2008 to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan, had declined to act on the court’s order in the past to reopen corruption cases against Zardari, arguing that the president enjoys immunity under the Pakistani constitution. Accused of corr uption, Zardari had been granted immunity under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in 2007 by then president Pervez Musharraf to facilitate his return home and, primarily that of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The NRO that granted immunity to politicians and bureaucrats in corruption cases was struck down by the Supreme Court as void in 2009. The apex court warned the government of action if its ruling on the NRO was not implemented by 10 January, 2012. It also ordered the government to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen cases against Zardari. On 16 January 2012, the court issued Gilani a contempt notice for not acting against Zardari. Gilani was indicted for contempt of court on 13 February 2012.