World Agenda February 2017

Feb, U.S.: President Donald Trump is poised to make his most controversial decision to date as he picks a conservative justice for the Supreme Court to replace the late Antonin Scalia. Democrats are still seething over the Republican-led Senate’s decision to block
a hearing last year for President Barack Obama’s nominee for the lifetime post.

Early Feb, U.S.: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with President Trump at the White House to discuss issues including the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the situation in Syria, and the Iranian threat. A possible move for the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem could also be on the agenda.

Feb 7, Colombia: Peace talks begin between the government and the country’s second-biggest rebel group, the 2,000-strong National Liberation Army (ELN). President Juan Manuel Santos sealed a peace accord with the FARC rebel group last year after decades of conflict.

Feb 11, India: Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, elects its 403-seat assembly. Four other state polls also get underway in a test of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gamble to abolish high-denomination banknotes.

Feb 15, Belgium: NATO defence ministers meet in Brussels to manage the biggest reinforcement of the Alliance since the Cold War. New U.S. Defence Secretary, retired General James Mattis, will be under scrutiny to see if he is truly NATO-friendly.

Feb 18, Philippines: Church leaders will stage a “Walk for Life” in Manila to oppose extra-judicial drug-related killings, which have
cost over 6,200 lives since President Rodrigo Duterte’s election in June 2016.

Feb 26, Los Angeles: The Oscars look certain to avoid the controversy of the last two years when no actors of colour were nominated. Fences, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, and Moonlight, which has already picked up a Best Picture Golden Globe, are strongly tipped to pick up awards alongside the hot favourite, the romantic musical La La Land.

Feb, Tehran: Iran and China are likely to sign a $3bn contract to upgrade the Abadan oil refinery, in a state of disrepair after years of international sanctions. Iran may view the deal as a safeguard against any further U.S. sanctions imposed by the new Trump administration.
/ENDS