Zapaday - Breaking Future News Headlines

Anthony Weiner launches NYC mayoral campaign via video

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

New York City, United States - Mid/Late May - Former Republican Congressman Anthony Weiner is to launch his mayoral campaign via video.

Weiner was forced out of Congress two years ago when he was caught texting erotic messages with women who were not his wife.

In an interview to The New York Times magazine, the former lawmaker asked the public
for a "second chance".

Pakistan sends thousands tonnes of wheat to Iran to settle electricity dues

Sun, 19 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran - May - June 2013 -

Pakistan sends 100,000 tonnes of wheat to Iran to pay for the electricity supplied to Pakistan's border areas.

"The wheat is being given to Iran against the outstanding payment of $53 million for electricity supplied to Pakistani border areas from the Iranian grid," ministry spokesman Mohammad Ashraf said in mid-May. "The interim cabinet has approved the decision and exports will be initiated as early as possible", he added.

The wheat shipment does not violate Western sanctions imposed on Iran to discourage its nuclear program.

Indian ministerial panel may consider coal mine allocation to public sector firms

Sun, 19 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Republic of India, India - Thursday 23 May 2013 -

An Indian inter-ministerial panel may consider the allocation of 17 coal mines to public sector firms.

"An
Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) is likely to take a call on
applications from the government companies / corporations for allocation
of coal blocks on May 23," a Coal Ministry official told reporters.

The panel, headed by Coal Secretary S K Srivastava, could consider the allocation
of 17 blocks with estimated reserves to the tune of 8.45 billion tonnes.

France expects first Airbus A400M airlifter

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Republic of France, France - Early/Mid July -

France expects to receive its first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, in time for the annual Bastile Day celebrations on July 14.

"Delivery before July 14 would enable a French crew to pilot the French plane above the parade," said Defense Ministry spokesman Pierre Bayle.

The aircraft delivery is about five years behind the original schedule. France expects a total delivery of four this year, ten next year and another 21 in 2015.

The French order for 50 planes is part of the seven-nation 20 billion euro project to take delivery of the European military transport and heavy cargo plane.

Belgium to restart nuclear reactors following regulator's advice

Sun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Kingdom of Belgium, Belgium - June - December 2013 -

Belgium restarts two GDF Suez nuclear reactors following the nuclear safety regulator's recommendation.

The reactors were shut in August and September of last year over safety concerns after potential cracks were discovered on their core tanks.

In a report submitted by the regulator to Blgium government ministers on May 17, the nuclear regulator advised that the reactors at Tihange and Doel plants "could be restarted in full confidence because all the safety issues ... have been resolved satisfactorily."

Environmental groups oppose restarting the reactors.

European Banking Authority conducts stress test for eurozone banks

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Frankfurt am Main, Germany - May - July 2014 -

The European Banking Authority (EBA) conducts an EU-wide stress test following a review of euro area banks' assets.

The test, which has to be conducted before the single European bank supervisor becomes operational, was originally scheduled for the second half of 2013.

"Since appropriately reviewed balance sheets are a key input to an effective stress test, the EBA has also adjusted the timeline of the next EU-wide stress test so to conduct the exercise in 2014 once the asset quality reviews are completed," the EBA said in mid-May.

House of Representatives to vote on Keystone XL pipeline

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Washington, United States - Mid/Late May -

The US House of Representatives is to vote on TransCanada Corp's Keystone XL pipeline after Michigan Rep. Ted Upton tabled the bill.

The Northern Route Approval Act represents a renewed fight on the Republicans' side against the Obama administration. If passed, the bill will allow work to begin on the northern route without presidential permit.

The pipeline system is designed to transport synthetic crude oil and diluted bitumen from Alberta, Canada to several destinations in the US.

Second top tax official to retire amid IRS scandal

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Washington, United States - Monday 3 June 2013 -

A second top official at the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) retires amid the agency's tax scandal.

Joseph H. Grant, the acting commissioner of the tax exempt and government entities division, announced his resignation on May 16, the same day the US Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew asked and accepted Miller's resignation.

The move came after it emerged Miller's personnel targeted conservative groups for extra scrutiny in a move that harmed the agency's reputation for political independence.

Google appears in Pakistan court in case challenging YouTube ban

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Lahore, Pakistan - Thursday 6 June 2013 - Google representatives are expected to appear at the Lahore High Court (LHC) for a hearing in the case
challenging Pakistan's ban on YouTube.

In mid May, the court adjourned the trial after a request filed by the Ministry of
Information Technology asking for a delay to allow Google to take part in the hearing.

Pakistan blocked YouTube in September 2012 after the company refused to remove a film that allegedly insulted Islam.

British director Greenaway returns home to film 'Death in Venice'

Sat, 18 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Kingdom - January - December 2014 -

British director Peter Greenaway returns home to film an adaptation of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice. It will be the director's first movie made in the UK since 1989.

"There is a surge of film-making activity in England and the studios seem to be more available," Greenaway commented on the move.

"We go where the circumstances are best in a difficult filmic world, where the money and the opportunities and the invitation exists," he added.

Iranian presidential hopefuls with US ties may be removed from candidates list

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran - Tuesday 21 May 2013 -

Candidates running to succeed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who seek full relations with the US, may be disqualified from the June 14 election as the final list of candidates is announced.

The U.S. has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979.

Pope Francis visits Egypt at Coptic Church leader's invitation

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Arab Republic of Egypt, Egypt - June - December 2013 -

Pope Francis visits Egypt at the invitation of the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, presented to the pontiff by Pope Tawadros II during his visit to Vatican City, the first such visit in 40 years.

According to Pope Francis, the Vatican visit strengthened "the bonds of friendship and brotherhood" between the two churches.

In a sign of reconciliation, the two church leaders agreed to resume the dialogue between the Catholic and Coptic Orthodox churches, initially started in 1988.

Irish mobile phone providers may cut signals during G8 Summit

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Éire, Ireland - Monday 17 June to Tuesday 18 June 2013 -

Irish mobile phone providers across the
border in the Republic could turn off their signals during the G8 summit to
prevent terrorists from using their phones to detonate remote bombs.

Eight world leaders, including President Obama, are expected to convene for
the G8 summit at the five star Lough Erne golf resort in County
Fermanagh.

The Republic of Ireland Defence Minister Alan
Shatter has warned about the threat: "It is possible that terrorist groups
may try to use the occasion of the summit to, at the very least, garner
publicity for themselves."

"This is not to ignore the very real
danger of the loss of life if such a device were successfully detonated," he added.

Italy spends up to one billion euro for idled workers subsidies

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Italian Republic, Italy - June - December 2013 - The Italian government spends up to one billion euros to finance subsidies for idled workers.

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta announced in mid-May that the amount was set aside for the subsidies by his government.

Letta, who has been advocating pro-growth policies, also announced that reforms to unpopular housing tax IMU will be made by the end of August.

Iranian President Ahmadinejad addresses Thailand's water summit

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Chiang Mai, Thailand - Sunday 19 May to Monday 20 May 2013 -

Iran's leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses the Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Thailand just weeks before he is due to stand down from the presidential post.

"He will arrive on Sunday (May 19) in Chiang Mai," said an Iranian embassy official in Bangkok.

The second water summit of the region will focus on water security and climate change.

Karen Handel to run for US Senate seat in Georgia

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

United States, United States - Tuesday 4 November 2014 -

Karen Handel, the former senior vice president for Public Policy at Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, runs for an open US Senate seat in Georgia.

In May 2013, Handel was he fourth Republican from the state of Georgia to announce her candidature for the post held by Senator Saxby Chambliss, who decided not to run for re-election.

Software magnate Vivek Ranadive to buy Sacramento Kings

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

United States, United States - May - July 2013 -

A group led by software magnate Vivek Ranadive is expected to buy 65 percent of the Sacramento Kings.

Kings, owned by the Maloof family, is expected to be sold for around $535 million.

"It's going to be exciting. We're going to build a global brand with
the Kings. We're going to give the fans the product that they deserve.
There's a lot of work to be done," Ranadive told reporters.

Moniz becomes US energy secretary following Senate approval

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Washington, United States - Mid/Late May - Nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz is to take over as the head of the Department of Energy after his nomination was approved by the Senate Energy Committee on April 18 and the subsequent Senate 97-0 vote on May 16.

Moniz, who was nominated for the position by President Barack Obama in March, will replace incumbent Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

Hungarian PM's adviser discusses antisemitism spur on Israel visit

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

State of Israel, Israel - Mid/Late May -

Zsigmond Perényi, senior adviser of Hungarian prime minster, visits Israel for meetings with foreign ministry officials on the issue of growing antisemitism in Hungary.

Hungarian Ambassador Zoltán Szentgyörgyi said the visit is intended to "inform Israeli partners about the measures taken against anti-Semitism by the Hungarian government" and to "introduce the Holocaust Remembrance Year's program for 2014."

Hungary has the largest Jewish community in Central Europe. According to recent research, 63 percent of Hungarians "subscribe to traditional stereotypes or other negative attitudes toward Jews."

Yahoo brings tweets directly into newsfeed in Twitter team-up

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

United States, United States - Mid/Late May -

American multinational internet corporation Yahoo! Inc. teams up with online social networking service Twitter to bring tweets directly into its US homepage newsfeed.

Yahoo will reportedly include "relevant and personalized tweets" alongside its stories.

"Updates direct from politicians, celebrities, media outlets, and other publishers have become an important source of real-time news and information," Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer said in a statement. "140 characters can connect athletes with their fans, capture live chatter from the red carpet, and inspire global debate," she added.