Santos quits India due to maritime dispute with Bangladesh
Close on the heels of mining giant BHP Billiton deciding to quit India, Australia’s Santos wants to exit its two oil and gas exploration block in Bay of Bengal due to delays in getting approvals to start work.
Santos, Australia’s third-largest oil and gas producer, was in February 2007 awarded two blocks south-east of Kolkata, has written to the government saying it has not been able to carry out exploration in the area because of defence restrictions and maritime boundary dispute with Bangladesh.
It offered to surrender the blocks NEC-DWN-2004/1 and NEC- DWN-2004/2 on which it has already spent $60 million, reports Business Standard.
Santos had won the blocks, that lie close to Bangladesh border, in the 6th round of New Exploration Licensing Policy.
Little confidence in future of Afghanistan in 2014
A medley of vast conflicts and far-reaching consequences, there’s very little confidence in in future of Afghanistan these days. Karzai, the only president the Afghans have known since the Taliban were driven out, is keen to lose the backing of the American military and close the open checkbook that ensures salaries and benefits for the Afghan army and police forces. Instead, he is insisting on the US supporting a peace deal with the Taliban. The recent Loya Jirga of almost 2500 tribal leaders also supported the US alliance but Karzai is betting the promise of 2014 in signing an accord with the Taliban, which according to him might bring more peace to the nation than a deal with the US military.
This is the year that will deter...
Mandela, the 20th century colossus, dies at 95
Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world’s most beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century when he emerged from 27 years in prison to negotiate an end to white minority rule in South Africa, has died. He was 95.
South African President Jacob Zuma made the announcement at a news conference late Thursday, saying “we’ve lost our greatest son.”
His death closed the final chapter in South Africa’s struggle to cast off apartheid, leaving the world with indelible memories of a man of astonishing grace and good humor. Rock concerts celebrated his birthday. Hollywood stars glorified him on screen. And his regal bearing, graying...
Thai police no longer use force to defend protesters
Thai police have allowed opposition protesters through barricades outside the government and metropolitan police headquarters, sharply easing tensions after two days of violent clashes aimed at ousting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
The reason for the sudden thaw in hostilities on Tuesday was not immediately clear but it came after police said they would no longer use force to defend their Bangkok headquarters from thousands of anti-government protesters who marched on the high-profile target.
Demonstrators were allowed to approach the perimeter fence of Government House with no resistance from security forces. Dozens of protesters also streamed into the police building where they were seen shaking hands with officers.
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India concerned over Bangladesh buying submarines from China
India is concerned with Bangladesh’s decision to order to buy two submarines from China. There are also indications that Chinese submarines have been sneaking into Indian territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal undetected. These developments have led to the Eastern Naval Command seeking more presence in the Bay of Bengal region.
“Why would Bangladesh need submarines? This decision by the government there and the ongoing strife in the country is a matter of concern for us. We also suspect that Chinese submarines are sneaking into Indian territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal region, though none has been detected as yet. This is reason enough for greater naval presence in the region. At the moment, India isn’t really prepared fo...
