Europe
Heathrow row escalates following British cabinet reshuffle
London Mayor Boris Johnson has called for the British Government to permanently rule out building a third runway at Heathrow airport, as ministers gave assurances that the promise made in the coalition agreement not to build a third runway during the current parliament remained intact. Many people, including Mr Johnson, speculated that the removal of Transport Secretary Justine Greening – a staunch opponent of Heathrow expansion – in yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle signalled an imminent change in the Government’s policy. Numerous ministers have since restated the coalition’s pledge that a third runway will not be approved before 2015, but new Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps said options had to be kept open for the future. Mr Johnson wants a new runway ruled out for the longer term. Mr Johnson is a former Conservative minister who some have speculated will seek high office in a future British government, after his time as London’s mayor is up.
North America
Shooting at Quebec separatists’ election victory
One man has been killed and another is in a critical condition in hospital after a shooting at a separatist election victory rally in the Canadian province of Quebec. After nine years in opposition, preliminary results indicated the Parti Quebecois was set to form a minority government. Party leader Pauline Marois was giving a victory speech in Montreal when shots were heard at the back of the hall. She was rushed offstage and a 50-year-old man was later arrested. His target was unclear, but had been heard shouting in French “the English are waking up”. Parti Quebecois is a Canadian secessionist party – previous administrations have held unsuccessful referendums on separation from the rest of Canada in 1980 and 1995. When the shooting occurred, Ms Marois had just said “we want a country and we will have it”, but popular support for another referendum is low in Quebec.
Latin America
Mexico Gulf cartel boss Mario Cardenas Guillen held
Mexican marines have arrested Mario Cardenas Guillen, a suspected leader of the Gulf drug trafficking cartel. Mr Cardenas Guillen, also known as El Gordo or “the Fat One”, was arrested in Altamira in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas. Officials say his faction of the cartel split in 2010 following the death of his brother, Antonio Ezequiel, in a shootout with marines. The Gulf Cartel has been engaged in a ferocious conflict with its former enforcers, the Zetas, for control over trafficking routes. President Felipe Calderon, who launched an aggressive government crackdown on the cartels in 2006, is due to end his term in office in months.
Africa and Middle East
Former Egyptian culture minister charged with corruption
Egyptian state media alleged Farouk Hosni, who served as culture minister for more than two decades under ousted president Hosni Mubarak, had failed to explain how he had about $3m in assets. Mr Hosni insisted his wealth had been legally obtained through investments and sales of his paintings.
Asia and Russia
Hillary Clinton meets Chinese leaders over South China Sea tension
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is meeting Chinese leaders amid continuing regional tension over the South China Sea. Mrs Clinton said US-China relations were on a “solid basis” ahead of talks with President Hu Jintao, but Chinese state media criticised US involvement in the ongoing maritime disputes with its South East Asian neighbours. One commentary accused the US of “attempting to sow discord in order to fish for advantage”. A BBC correspondent has suggested that the US sees “a diplomatic opportunity in South East Asia” because many countries in the region are anxious about Chinese nationalism, and possible Chinese aggression in pressing its territorial claims. These fears are stoked by jingoistic rhetoric from China’s state media. Many South East Asian countries will welcome the USA’s intervention in trying to cool this rhetoric, while Chinese state media has scalded the US for, essentially, not minding its own business.
Japanese government reaches deal to buy disputed East China Sea islands
Japanese media have reported that the country’s government has reached a deal to buy disputed islands in the East China Sea from their private owner. The government will pay ¥2.05bn ($26m) to buy the islands, which are known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. At a regularly scheduled press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura confirmed only that the government and the owner were in talks; nevertheless the reports that the sale had been agreed were carried by reputable media outlets and cited government sources. China and Taiwan also claim the islands, which were at the centre of anti-Japanese protests across China recently when Japanese nationalists planted a flag there. A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, Hong Lei, said Beijing was watching the situation “and will take necessary measures to defend its national territorial sovereignty”.
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