Current Events for the Week of 9 January 2012

Current Events for Monday, 9 January 2012

German Federal Statistics Office (FSO): German exports increased by 2.5% in November, much better than expected
Embattled Swiss National Bank (SNB) President Philipp Hildebrand faces parliamentary committee grilling about controversial currency trade made by wife just three weeks before he imposed cap on soaring Swiss franc (CHF)
Global financial regulators vow to press ahead with tough new liquidity rules for banks starting in 2015, move to head-off opposition from industry by allowing lenders to tap into safety buffers in times of stress
Scandal-riddled Olympus Corp. considering lawsuits against former, current executives for compensation amounting to about $1.2 billion
St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President Dr. James Bullard: strong economic data damps U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed.) need to buy U.S. bonds
Arab League again criticizes Syria over current civil conflict, does not call for U.N. involvement yet
U.S. calls on ally Bahrain to investigate allegations by opposition prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab was beaten by security forces
World Bank President Robert Zoellick: World Bank to recommend Chinese financial reforms
Academi—previously known as Xe Services LLC, Blackwater USA, Blackwater Worldwide—comes to confidential settlement with families of four security contractors killed in 2004 ambush
Chatham House report: global economy could endure disaster for one week
Fitch Ratings becomes third rating agency to cut Hungarian credit rating to “junk”
Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA): Iranian-American mathematician Amir Mirza Hekmati found guilty of spying for U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Semi-official Iranian Fars News Agency (FNA) reports Iranian security forces have conducted military exercise near Afghan border
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi acknowledges U.S. Navy (USN) rescue of kidnapped Iranian fisherman as “humanitarian act,” vows it will not affect current diplomatic situation
Syrian Interior Minister Ibrahim al-Shaar confirms suicide bombing killed 26, wounded 63 in Damascus on Sunday
Yemeni cabinet approves draft law providing President Ali Abdullah Saleh with immunity in-exchange for him stepping-down
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warns Yemeni proposal for general amnesty for crimes committed during recent unrest would violate international law
Former Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf announces he will end self-imposed exile, return to Pakistan to stand in elections
Malaysian court clears opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy charges
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Beijing for talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao
Documentary praising North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s military prowess airs on state-operated television
International group of scientists: next ice age due within next 1,500 years, climate change will postpone it
Veneuzelan President Hugo Chávez: Venezuela will not recognize any ruling by World Bank in arbitration case with Exxon Mobile Corp.
Venezuelan President Chávez prepares to welcome “friend” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Republican party (GOP) debates see rivals take-aim at front-runner former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R.)
Former U.S. House of Representatives (House) Speaker Newt Gingrich (R., GA) touts record of working with former U.S. President Bill Clinton (D) during debate
Current GOP darling former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R., PA), dark horse former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman (R.) seeing gains in New Hampshire polling
Public Policy Polling poll shows Governor Romney leading fractured field ahead of South Carolina primary, holds 17%-point lead over U.S. Representative Paul
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R.) shouts-down anti-Romney protesters while stumping for Governor Romney in New Hampshire
U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D., AZ) returns to Tucson, marks one year anniversary of shooting
U.S. Immigration and Customes Enforcement (ICE) Agency plans ease immigration process for some families
U.S. lawmakers looking for ways to block possible tranfer of Taliban prisoners as part of peace deal before U.S. Obama administration even announces support
Iowan Edward True alleges possible miscount in caucuses
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revises rape definition for first time in 83 years to recognize male victims, removes need for victims to physically resist
British physicist Stephen Hawking misses symposium marking his 70^th birthday due to ill health
British government informs citizens traveling abroad in Kenya of “imminent” Nairobi attack
U.N. launches massive humanitarian project for South Sudan
Archdiocese of Philadelphia announces closures of dozens of primary, secondary schools

Current Events for Tuesday, 10 January 2012

The New Hampshire Primary
U.S. White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley announces resignation, Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Jack Lew chosen to replace him
GOP front-runner Governor Romney faces new attack from rivals: corporate past
Does Mitt Romney “like to fire people?”
The Concord Monitor: Ambassador Huntsman, Governor Romney tied in very early Dixville Notch voting
Senator Santorum’s campaign tries to lower New Hampshire expectations
Where’s the Tea Party?
Head of China Investment Corp. (CIC) Lou Jiwei tapped to become new Chinese finance minister
SNB Chairman Hildebrand resigns in disgrace
U.S. authorities investigating allegations Indian government spy unit hacked emails of U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
Economic signs show Chinese growth slowed to two-year-low in December
Olympus Corp. follows-through with lawsuit threat, files suit against present, former executives
Iranian nuclear program begins uranium enrichment, U.S. warns this move violates U.N. resolutions
United Arab Emirates (UAE) to postpone Strait of Hormuz-bypassing oil pipeline until mid-2012
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claims “foreign conspiracy” is trying to destabilize his nation
Nigeria braces for more strikes across country
Microsoft Corp., Sesame Workshop team-up to bring interactive Sesame Street episodes
University of Johannesburg stampede kills one, wounds several
British Cardiac Society, British Hypertension Society, The Stroke Association study: daily aspirin dose for healthy individuals seeking to prevent hearts attack or stroke may do more harm than good
International Criminal Court (ICC) deadline for Libya to turn-over information about Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi nears
The Samsung Group unveils “future-proof” television at Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
Intel Corp. shows-off gesture-controlled laptop running ultra-thin processor at CES
Brazilian landslide kills eight, dozens still missing
British Chambers of Commerce: U.K. recession “not yet inevitable”
Archaeologists discover Paleolithic tombs in Yemeni al-Mahwit region
U.S. Federal Reserve: November consumer borrowing highest in a decade
U.S. charges former U.S. Army soldier Craig Baxam with aiding al-Shabab Islamist militants in Kenya
The Vatican acknowledges it used Wikipedia to help write biographies of 22 new cardinals sent to journalists
At least 15 killed in three separate Baghdad bomb attacks
Three valuable paintings, including one by Pablo Picasso, stolen from Athens National Gallery
Bissau-Guinean President Malam Bacai Sanha dies in French hospital
Four Russian security personnel, at least three Islamist militants killed in Chechen fighting
New Jersey lawmakers pass bill allowing betting on professional, collegiate sports
Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to review Texas redistricting plan
SCOTUS upholds lower court ruling, without comment, in Bluman v. Federal Election Commission, denying foreign nationals’ ability to donate to U.S. political campaigns
U.S. Obama administration throws-in the towel in Secure Communities Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) fight
Gallup report shows Americans considering themselves “independent” at 60-year high of 40%

Current Events for Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Governor Romney wins New Hampshire primary with 91% of precincts reporting, U.S. Representative Paul ekes-out second place

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney—90,634 votes—39%
U.S. Representative Ron Paul (TX)—52,720 votes—23%
Former U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman—38,789 votes—17%
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich—21,686 votes—10%
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum—21,490 votes—10%
Texas Governor Rick Perry—1,607 votes—1%

U.S. Representative Paul: “we’re nibbling at his heels”
Hostess Brands Inc. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, just months after emerging from bankruptcy
Bomb blast kills Iranian nuclear scientist, Iran blames Israel
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner implores China to cooperate in efforts toughen sanctions on Iran
Dell Inc. quietly planning end-of-2012 tablet launch
Fannie Mae CEO Michael Williams to step-down after successor found
Reuters/Ipsos poll: Governor Romney leads Republicans, narrows gap against U.S. President Obama
Arab League monitor leaves Syria, claims to have seen “scenes of horror”
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti: E.U. must recognize Italian debt crisis efforts
Twenty-six states in opposition to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) files amicus curiæ brief with SCOTUS, contending it unconstitutionally expands Medicaid program for poor, disabled
E.U., Japan move forward with punitive Iranian oil imports cuts
Syrian President al-Assad vows to use “iron fist” against “terrorists” seeking his overthrow, mocks Arab League efforts
Continuing heavy rains cause another deadly landslide in Brazil, 13 more killed
German Federal Statistics Office (FSO): German economy likely shrunk by 0.25% in final quarter of 2011
Global orange juice prices spike over safety concerns in Brazil, cold snap in Florida
The Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight because of inadequate progress on climate, nuclear issues
U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, “drone”) attack kills at least three Pakistani militants near Afghan border
Intel Inc. to try and break into smartphone market again announcing deals with Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. and Lenovo Group Ltd.
Eastman Kodak Co. unveils new restructuring plan, stocks rise 46%
Internet Corporation for the Assignment of Names and Numbers (ICANN) applications for custom, new top-level domain names due in first major internet overhaul in two decades
U.S. federal appeals court rules unconstitutional Oklahoma ban on Shari’a considerations in courtrooms
Powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake strikes off coast of Aceh, tsunami alert briefly issued and lifted by Indonesian authorities
Pakistani Supreme Court warns Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani could be disqualified from office if he refuses to reopen corruption cases against top politicians

Current Events for Thursday, 12 January 2012

Japan vows “concrete” steps to reduce Iranian oil reliance
South Carolina comes into presidential political limelight
Lawyers for alleged Ponzi schemer Allen Stanford ask judge to withdraw from case just 12 days before jury selection
U.S. congressional Republicans working on plan to “take the reins” from White House over Keystone XL Pipeline should the President kill the proposal
Asahi Shimbun newspaper: Olympus Corp. shopping for team-up with five rivals, including Panasonic Corp., The Samsung Group, Sony Corp.
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) investigating video of U.S. soldiers urinating on bodies of dead Afghan Taliban fighters
Super political action committee (Super-PAC) Winning America’s Future puts-out attack advertisement critizing Governor Romney’s past practices with Bain Capital
U.S. President Obama speaks to helping companies hire more Americans, bring businesses back that have been off-shored, out-sourced
European Central Bank (ECB) financiers concerned Greek bond swap may fall short of needs, suggests governments may fill gap
Delegation of U.S. business executives to visit Burma/Myanmar
Second Arab League Syrian observer may quit over violence
E.U. leaders want fiscal pact by January 2013
Microsoft Corp. puts on hold talks with media production companies about online subscription rights
Burmese government signs ceasefire with Karen (Kayin) rebels ending some 60 years of autonomy fight
The Heritage Foundation: Hong Kong “world’s freest economy”

Top 5

Hong Kong
Singapore
Australia
New Zealand
Switzerland

Maharashtra state police arrest, charge five for beating, striping, parading naked Dalit woman
Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy ranks Indian bureaucracy as worst in Asia
North Korea announces Kim Jong-il’s body will permanently lie in-state
Mississippi judge blocks release of 21 inmates granted pardons by outgoing Governor Haley Barbour (R.)
Chinese inflation rate stayed high at 4.1% in Q4 2011 despite government efforts to control it
Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani fires Defense Secretary Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi accusing him of gross misconduct
Nike Inc. agrees to pay $1 million compensation in ongoing dispute over unpaid overtime to Indonesian workers
Cyclone Heidi hits western Australia, closing ports and disrupting trade
Google Inc. announces searches will integrate Google+ by default
European Commission threatens action against Hungary after claiming the country has taken “no effective action” to control its budget deficit
CNN waives own debate rules, to permit Governor Perry to participate in South Carolina debate
Speaker Gingrich admits he may have crossed the line in attacks on Governor Romney’s history with Bain Capital
Pew Research Center poll shows two-thirds of Americans see “strong,” “very strong” class conflicts in American society, wealth gap now number one social concern of Americans

Current Events for Friday, 13 January 2012

U.S. Department of State issues terror warning for U.S. citizens in Bangkok
Novartis AG announces plans to cut almost 2,000 American jobs ahead of patent-loss of top-selling blood pressure medication Diovan
Official Chinese reserves dipped to $3.18 trillion in Q4 2011, may hasten policy shift
Anonymous sources: U.S. House of Representatives (House) Speaker John Boehner (R. OH) willing to maneuver around Tea Party caucus to get long-term Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax deal
Private equity firm TPG Capital comes forward as willing to invest about $1 billion into Olympus
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby warns of possible Syrian civil war
Syrian security forces stop aid convoy at Turkish border
U.S. President Obama formally notifies U.S. Congress of $1.2 trillion planned increase in U.S. debt limit
U.S. Representative Lamar Alexander (R., TX) vows not to “buckle” under mounting pressure against his Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)
U.S. Department of Defense confirms it knows identity of USMC unit in urination video, has identified at least two of the four U.S. Marines involved
Taliban spokesman: urination video will not hurt current talks
U.S. Department of Commerce report: U.S. December retail sales grew at slowest rate in seven months, first-time jobless claims ticked higher last week
U.S. Navy working with Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. to try and reduce costs on PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ships under construction
Anonymous Greek Minitry of Finance source: Greek debt swap deal with private creditors could be clinched by next week
Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani faces confidence vote amid deepening political crisis with military
Massive Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 (avian flu) cull wipes-out South African ostrich farms
Top three Taiwanese presidential hopefuls in last campaign push before Saturday polls
Burma frees several of its most prominent political prisoners
South Korean Fair Trade Commission (FTC) fines LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics for price fixing of some appliances
U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime: Afghan opium profits up 133%
Nigerian unions continue strikes
Iranian Speaker of the Parliament Ali Larijani: Iran ready to restart nuclear talks with U.N. Security Council (UNSECO)
Bahraini security police break-up anti-government rally in Manama with tear gas, stun grenades
Israeli Supreme Court upholds law barring Palestinians from Israeli citizenship
ECB leaves key interest rate unchanged at 1%
Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize to award $10 million for anyone who creates first functional Star Trek-styled “tricorder” medical device
Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan preliminary study shows internet addiction manifests with brain changes, just as other addictions
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will not participate in debates ahead of election because he is “too busy”
New Gallup survey shows American voters who identify themselves as “conservative” outnumber those who call themselves “liberal” almost two-to-one
Stephen Colbert announces he will transfer his S-PAC Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow’s money to Jon Stewart’s S-PAC, launch presidential exploratory commission
Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler pleads guilty to disorderly conduct in gun case
U.S. White House has a new defense for recess appointments: U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R., VA) website