IRAN - The European Union embargo on Iranian oil will only come into effect in six months, but the leadership in Tehran wants to act first: Exports to Europe are set to be halted immediately. It is a move which could mean added difficulties for struggling economies in southern Europe.
GERMANY - As fears mount that the euro crisis could trigger a global recession, all eyes are on Germany to take an even stronger lead in the rescue efforts. But Chancellor Angela Merkel has disappointed these expectations, warning against placing too many burdens on Germany.
IRAN - Iranian courts have sentenced two bloggers to death for "spreading corruption," and government security forces have arrested four other journalists, in the lead-up to the nation's March elections.
CHINA - The currency swap agreement between China and the United Arab Emirates [UAE] signed during Premier Wen Jiabao’s tour of the Persian Gulf region ending today, will raise eyebrows in the western capitals, especially London and Washington.
GERMANY - Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has told the World Economic Forum that a "big rethink" is needed in the eurozone within the global economy. "Structural reforms that lead to more jobs are essential," she told delegates at the Swiss resort of Davos. "Do we dare to be more European?"
USA - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned of a 20-30% oil price spike if Iranian exports are disrupted. The IMF warned that if the West imposed financial sanctions on Iran, it would be tantamount to an oil blockade, and the shock to the market could be as bad as from Libya's revolution last year. Iran produces 5% of global oil output.
USA - Facebook's timeline feature becomes mandatory for all users - with just 7 days to 'clean up'. Facebook's Timeline - a new look for people's Profile pages which exposes their entire history on the site - will become mandatory for all users. The 'new look' has been voluntary up until now.
USA - Google has been savaged by critics after revealing plans to link user data across its email, video, social-networking and other services. In a move denounced by some as a massive invasion of privacy, the changes will piece together information from Gmail to YouTube to the Google Plus social network.
IRAN - Iran may turn the sanctions tables by immediately stopping oil supply to Europe. The move is aimed as a response to the EU slapping an embargo on new oil contracts with Tehran. China has lashed out at the sanctions, calling them “blind pressure”.
USA/CANADA - Instead of Protecting People, Governments Cover Up by Raising “Safe” Radiation Levels. American and Canadian authorities have virtually stopped monitoring airborne radiation. Neither American nor Canadian authorities are testing fish for radioactivity. Does that mean that we don’t have to worry about radiation from Fukushima?
JAPAN - The Japanese government predicted a worst-case scenario at the height of its nuclear crisis last year warning that tens of millions of people, including Tokyo residents, might need to evacuate the region to avoid contamination. But fearing widespread panic, authorities kept the analysis secret.
UK - Britain is heading for its first double-dip recession in 37 years after the economy slumped in the final quarter of 2011 and officials warned of a new threat to jobs. The UK shrank 0.2 per cent in the three months to December against expectations of 0.1 per cent, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), due principally to a sharp collapse in manufacturing.
EUROPE - David Cameron has warned that the concept of human rights was being "distorted" - and even "discredited" - by controversial decisions in Europe. Speaking in Strasbourg, he said there was "credible democratic anxiety" about rulings on immigration and prisoner voting by the European Court.
USA - In order to simulate various flavors in processed foods, some food manufacturers are actually using aborted fetal cells to test and produce these artificial chemical enhancers that millions of Americans consume every single day. Concerned about the ethical and moral implications of such a process, Oklahoma Senator Ralph Shortey has introduced new legislation to prohibit this practice from occurring in his home state.
ABUJA, NIGERIA/BERLIN, GERMANY - The German Foreign Ministry is warning that unrest in Nigeria could escalate. The German government is "very worried" about developments in that country, declared the Africa Commissioner in the German Foreign Ministry. For years, Nigeria has been the scene of violent upheavals in the Niger Delta and more recently has been marked by an escalation of attacks by Islamist organizations.