Compendium GLobal Events Impulse

Compendium 2017
(Important International Events)

Compiled by: Club Impulse
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IMpulse: The International management club of college
Contents
1. Mergers and Acquisitions03
2. Business and foreign trade.07
3. FDI In India.11
4. North America15
5. Latin America.19
6. Australia.23
7. Africa28
8. Asia...37
9. Europe.43
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Mergers and Acquisitions
Acquisitions of high-tech targets have become an instrument of choice for buyers in all sectors
looking to boost innovation, streamline operations and processes, shape customer journeys, and
personalize products, services, and experiences. High-tech deals represented almost 30% of the
total $2.5 trillion of completed M&A transactions in 2016. Approximately 70% of all tech deals in
20169 percentage points more than in 2012involved buyers from outside the tech sector.
What does the tech M&A marketplace look like? Big tech deals, such as the acquisition of
LinkedIn by Microsoft and the purchase of Germanys KUKA by Chinas Midea, are hard to ignore.
But behind the headlines, little is actually known about the underlying drivers in this booming
market when it comes to the key players, their motivations, and the current trends and valuation
levels. An analysis based on BCGs proprietary Technology Deals Databasewhich includes
more than 43,000 high-tech M&A transactions over the past 20 years and which BCG built
expressly to examine acquisitions involving high technology targetssheds light.
Do tech acquisitions pay off for acquirers? Given a median enterprise value (EV)/sales multiple of
2.9 in 2016, and a total deal value almost reaching the levels of 2000, one has to ask whether tech
M&A is adding value for shareholders. We look at the announcement returns of more than 37,000
high-tech deals performed by both tech companies and traditional industrial acquirers and review
acquisition strategies for technology targets.
FLIPKART - EBAY INDIA

Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart acquired the Indian wing of eBay, which infused $500 million into
Flipkart as well as sold its Indian operations unit for an exchange of equity stake in Flipkart. As
Flipkart doesnt have the global presence, the acquisition will bolster the cross border trade and
help Flipkart to combat Amazons onslaught.
AXIS BANK FREECHARGE

Axis Bank is one of the few tech savvy banks in India. It has been embracing technology to ease
the banking. It acquired Accelyst Solutions Private Limited and Freecharge Payment Technologies
Private Limited for $60 million. The acquisition will pave a way for its foray into proliferating digital
payments space in the country.
VODAFONE-IDEA
Vodafone India and Idea Cellular had agreed to merge their operations to create the countrys
largest telecom operator worth more than $23 billion with a 35 per cent market share.
GOOGLE - HALLI LABS

Based in Bangalore, Halli Labs develops solutions to traditional problems using Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and deep learning technologies. Google acquired this 4-
-3-
month old startup for an undisclosed amount in June 2017. The company joined Next Billion Users
team at Google with its CEO becoming Director of Engineering. The acquisition is a testimony to
how big companies look beyond horizons to acquire talent.
AIRTEL-TELENOR
Airtel which is under immense pressure due to losing customers and falling revenues is trying hard
to regain its lost ground. The merger with Telenor India will give initial thrust to the company in the
fight against Reliance Jio and Vodafone-Idea. Airtel is buying Telenor Indias operations in Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP (East), UP (West) and Assam circles, which contribute
about 35% to Airtels total revenue.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON - ACTELION

U.S. health care giant Johnson & Johnson acquired Swiss biotech company Actelion in a $30
billion all-cash deal that includes spinning off Actelion's research and development pipeline
ESSILOR SA - LUXOTTICA GROUP SPA

French lensmaker Essilor International SA agreed to buy Luxottica Group SpA, the maker of Ray-
Ban sunglasses, for about 22.8 billion euros ($24 billion) in stock, combining the largest
manufacturer and retailer in eyewear.
SAFRAN SA - ZODIAC AEROSPACE SA

Safran SA, an international high-technology group and Zodiac Aerospace, a global leader in
Aerosafety, Aircraft systems, Seats and Cabins, announced that they have entered into exclusive
negotiations for an acquisition of Zodiac Aerospace by Safran.
MARS VCA
Mars, Incorporated and VCA Inc. announced the successful completion of Mars' previously
announced acquisition of VCA. On January 9, 2017, Mars and VCA announced that they had
entered into an agreement for Mars to acquire VCA for $93 per share in a transaction valued at
approximately $9.1 billion.
EXXON MOBIL - OIL & GAS ASSETS (PERMIAN BASIN RESOURCE)

TNM Resources, LLC Partners with Och-Ziff to Pursue Permian Basin Oil and Gas Acquisition and
Development Opportunities. Exxon Mobil Corp. agrees to buy 250,000 acres in the Delaware
Basin from the Bass family for up to $6.6 billion, doubling its resources in the Permian Basin to 6
billion barrels of oil equivalent.
ALTAGAS - WGL HOLDINGS
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AltaGas Ltd. to Acquire WGL Holdings, Inc. in C$8.4 Billion Transaction in transformational
acquisition enhancing AltaGas Ltd.'s position as a leading, North American diversified energy
infrastructure company with strong growth opportunities in Midstream, Power and Utilities.
TAKEDA - ARIAD
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) announced the completion of its acquisition
of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARIAD) for $24.00 per share in cash.
SHENZHEN METRO GROUP - CHINA VANKE

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Shenzhen Metro Group has acquired more shares in China Vanke
(2202.HK) (000002.SZ) for 29.2 billion yuan ($4.3 billion), making it the largest shareholder in the
developer, surpassing financial conglomerate Baoneng Group.
HPE NIARA
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has acquired California-based Niara, in an acquisition designed
to strengthen its security portfolio. Niara, will operate within HPE Aruba and work to enhance its
Clear Pass network security portfolio for wired and wireless network infrastructure.
PERFICIENT CLARITY
Perficient has purchased Clarity, a 160-person software consultancy based in Chicago, as it seeks
to expand its cloud and custom app development capabilities.
EXTREME - AVAYA'S NETWORKING BUSINESS UNIT

Extreme has recently bought Avaya and Brocade networking technology and Zebra gear, which
may be an opportunity for enterprises to rethink their networking purchases.
XEROX - MT TECHNOLOGIES
Global Imaging Systems (GIS), A Xerox Company, has acquired MT Business Technologies, a
Mansfield, Ohio-based multi-brand dealer that provides office equipment, productivity solutions
and managed print services to organizations throughout Ohio and South Eastern Michigan.
PALO ALTO NETWORKS LIGHTCYBER

Security technology company Palo Alto Networks (NYSE:PANW) has announced the acquisition
of LightCyber for $105 million in an all-cash deal. LightCyber will add behavioral analytics and
machine learning technology to PANW's offerings.
CISCO - MINDMELD
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Cisco has completed its acquisition of MindMeld, a privately-held artificial intelligence (AI)
company based in San Francisco, CA. MindMeld delivers a platform for deep domain intelligence
to power the next generation of chat and voice assistants.
WINDSTREAM - BROADVIEW
Windstream has closed its $227.5 million acquisition of Broadview Networks and unveiled plans to
expand its metro fibre network in Indianapolis as part of a major development project.
CISCO VIPTELA
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced it has completed the acquisition of Viptela Inc., a privately
held software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) company based in San Jose. Viptela will
expand Cisco's SD-WAN portfolio with increased flexibility and simplicity delivered through the
cloud.
HPE - NIMBLE STORAGE

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) announced that it has completed its acquisition of Nimble
Storage, Inc., the San Jose, Calif.-based provider of predictive all-flash and hybrid-flash storage
solutions. HPE paid $12.50 per share in cash representing a net cash purchase price at closing of
$1.0 billion.
APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT - WEST CORP.

West Corporation, a global provider of communication and network infrastructure services, and
affiliates of certain funds (the Apollo Funds) managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management,
a leading global alternative investment manager, announced the successful completion of the
transaction.
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Business and foreign trade
FORD ATTEMPTS A U-TURN IN CHINA
Ford Motor Co. rebooted its China strategy announcing a slew of new models and initiatives
aimed at reversing declining sales in the worlds largest car market.
The car maker will launch 50 new vehicles in China by 2025, including 15 electric, adding that by
2019 all new models there will be internet-connected.
JAPAN S TORAY JOINS QUALITY-SCANDAL PARADE

Toray Industries Inc. said a subsidiary faked quality data on textiles used to strengthen car tires
a problem it kept secret for more than a year until it spotted reports on the internet.
The disclosure adds to similar scandals at other Japanese companies that have undermined a
national reputation for quality, and once again the failing was connected to the car industry.
Previously Nissan Motor Co. recalled more than a million cars after admitting improper vehicle
inspections, and automotive supplier Kobe Steel.
CHINESE STATE BANK ADDS PRESSURE TO DEBT-LADEN INDIAN WIRELESS

CARRIER
The debt woes of one of Indias leading wireless carriers Reliance Communications Ltd. have
deepened thanks to an unlikely new source of pressurea leading state-owned Chinese bank.
It emerged late Monday that China Development Bank, a policy bank which often helps fund
Chinese companies investments overseas, had late last week filed a petition for Reliance, also
known as RCom, to be declared insolvent.
AFTER TOSHIBA SHARE SALE, ACTIVIST INVESTORS GAIN INFLUENCE

Toshiba Corp.s TOSYY 2.56% plan to sell $5.3 billion of new shares to overseas funds secures its
future but will likely lead to demands for further cost-cutting, unit sales and governance reforms
from activist investors.
Toshiba would sell 2.3 billion shares, equivalent to 35% of its total shares after the new issuance,
to a few dozen foreign funds including activists such as Singapore-based Effissimo Capital
Management Pte Ltd., New York funds Elliott Management Corp. and Greenlight Capital, Inc., and
Hong Kong-based Oasis Management Co.
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ALIBABA TO BUY BIG STAKE IN WAL-MART CHINA RIVAL
E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is making another big bet on brick-and-mortar. It will pay
$2.88 billion for a 36% stake in Chinas second-largest big-box retailer, Sun Art Retail Group Ltd.
Alibaba, which runs the worlds largest online shopping operation, sees traditional retail venues as
a way to expand its reach into fresh foods while also creating new demand for its Alipay mobile-
payment business and its logistics services.
VOLKSWAGEN PLANS $12 BILLION ELECTRIC-CAR BLITZ IN CHINA

Volkswagen AG and its Chinese partners will jointly invest nearly $12 billion by 2025 in developing
electric cars for the local market.That will enable the German auto groupwhich operates in
China through joint ventures with the state-run SAIC Motor Corp. and FAW Group Corp.to
release five electric-car models in China annually until 2025, or around 40 in all.
KOBE STEEL POINTS FINGER AT CARELESS MANAGEMENT , OVERWORKED

EMPLOYEES IN SCANDAL
Kobe Steel Ltd. blamed lax management and overworked employees for a product-quality
scandal, saying the company has to restore trust to survive.
The report by one of Japans largest producers of steel and aluminum is the result of an internal
investigation completed at the end of October. The lengthy document outlined what Kobe Steel
said were the causes of a problem that spanned at least a decade.
FOSUN REVIVES $1.1 BILLION DEAL FOR INDIAS GLAND PHARMA

A unit of Chinas Fosun Group has agreed to acquire 74% of Indian drug company Gland Pharma
Ltd. for $1.1 billion, resurrecting a deal that was previously blocked by the Indian government.
Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co. Ltd. said it is planning to buy 74% of Gland Pharma,
a Hyderabad-based company that makes generic injectable drugs that are largely sold in the U.S.
Fosun had earlier tried to buy 86% of the firm.
LOTTE RETREATS FROM CHINA AS BEIJING-SEOUL DISPUTE DENTS BUSINESS

South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group is conceding defeat for its Lotte Mart business in China,
with plans to sell stores there after heavy losses brought on by diplomatic tensions between Seoul
and Beijing.
Lotte said it has selected Goldman Sachs to manage a sale that marks the latest setback for
South Korean companies hit by boycotts and bans in China, amid anger over the deployment of a
U.S.-made missile-defense system.
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AFTER YEARS OF DELAYS, VIETNAM'S PRIVATISATION PLANS MOVE UP A GEAR
Foreign investors and bankers who flocked to Vietnam in the past two decades as they sought to
cash in on government plans to sell state assets usually left frustrated as what was promised
rarely materialised. But now they are finally seeing some modest grounds for optimism.
In a series of recent moves, the Vietnamese authorities have indicated they may be more serious
about significant sales of government-owned companies.
BANGLADESH BANK, NY FED DISCUSS SUING MANILA BANK FOR HEIST DAMAGES
Bangladesh's central bank has asked the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to join a lawsuit it
plans to file against a Philippines bank for its role in one of the world's biggest cyber-heists. The
Fed is yet to respond formally, but there is no indication it would join the suit.
Unidentified hackers stole $81 million from Bangladesh Bank's account at the New York Fed in
February last year, using fraudulent orders on the SWIFT payments system. The money was sent
to accounts at Manila-based Rizal Commercial Banking Corp and then disappeared into the
casino industry in the Philippines.
Nearly two years later, there is no word on who was responsible and Bangladesh Bank has been
able to retrieve only about $15 million, mostly from a Manila junket operator.
ARCELORMITTAL' S $1 BLN INDIA JOINT VENTURE TO GET GREEN LIGHT NEXT

WEEK
State-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) is set to approve a long-proposed $1 billion joint
venture with ArcelorMittal at its board meeting in the second week of December.
The decision to approve the deal was reached after talks between ArcelorMittal's billionaire
Chairman Lakshmi Mittal, India's Steel Secretary Aruna Sharma and SAIL Chairman P.K. Singh at
a meeting in New Delhi.
INDONESIA PLAN TO BUY RIO COPPER STAKE

Indonesia plans to acquire Rio Tinto's stake in the Grasberg copper mine operated by Freeport-
McMoRan Inc, potentially solving a drawn-out problem for all three parties.
Under a joint venture formed in 1996, global miner Rio has a 40 percent interest in Freeport's
Grasberg contract, entitling it to 40 percent of production above specific levels until 2021 and 40
percent of all production after 2022.
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INDIA TO PHASE OUT 'PETCOKE' IMPORTS AFTER AP INVESTIGATION
India's government says it plans to phase out imports of a dirty fuel known as petroleum coke, or
"petcoke," after an Associated Press investigation found U.S. oil refineries are exporting vast
quantities of the product to India.
But when it comes to domestic use, the Indian government seems to be going in a different
direction. The government argued in court that restrictions on petcoke around polluted New Delhi
should be eased for certain low-impact industries. The move has infuriated environmentalists.
PHILIPPINES HALTS SALE OF DENGUE VACCINE AS SANOFI DOWNPLAYS RISK

The Philippines has ordered French drugmaker Sanofi to stop the sale, distribution and marketing
of its Dengvaxia dengue vaccine in the country after the company warned it could worsen the
disease in some cases.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
The order comes days after the Southeast Asian nation suspended a government programme to
immunize hundreds of thousands of children with Dengvaxia following Sanofi's findings released
last week. Sanofi shares slid more than 1 percent to a 10-month low.
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FDI in India
INTRODUCTION
Apart from being a critical driver of economic growth, foreign direct investment (FDI) is a major
source of non-debt financial resource for the economic development of India. Foreign companies
invest in India to take advantage of relatively lower wages, special investment privileges such as
tax exemptions, etc. For a country where foreign investments are being made, it also means
achieving technical know-how and generating employment.
The Indian governments favourable policy regime and robust business environment have ensured
that foreign capital keeps flowing into the country. The government has taken many initiatives in
recent years such as relaxing FDI norms across sectors such as defence, PSU oil refineries,
telecom, power exchanges, and stock exchanges, among others.
MARKET SIZE
According to Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), the total FDI investments
India received during April-June 2017 stood at US$ 14.55 billion, indicating that government's
effort to improve ease of doing business and relaxation in FDI norms is yielding results.
Data for April-June 2017 indicates that the services sector attracted the highest FDI equity inflow
of US$ 1.88 billion, followed by computer software and hardware US$ 1.32 billion and trading
US$ 769 million. Most recently, the total FDI equity inflows for the month of June 2017 touched
US$ 3.12 billion.
During April-June 2017, India received the maximum FDI equity inflows from Mauritius (US$ 3.29
billion), followed by Singapore (US$ 3.01 billion), Germany (US$ 798 million), USA (US$ 660
million), and Netherlands (US$ 584 million).
Indian impact investments may grow 25 per cent annually to US$ 40 billion from US$ 4 billion by
2025, as per Mr Anil Sinha, Global Impact Investing Network's (GIINs) advisor for South Asia.
FDI IN INDIA
INVESTMENTS / DEVELOPMENTS
India has become the fastest growing investment region for foreign investors in 2016, led by an
increase in investments in real estate and infrastructure sectors from Canada, according to a
report by KPMG.
Some of the recent significant FDI announcements are as follows
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Japanese low-cost retail chain, Miniso, is set to open its first store in India on July 18, 2017 and is
targeting revenue of Rs 10,000 crore (US$ 1.56 billion) over two years by reaching a count of 210
stores by the end of 2018 and 800 by 2019.
Kathmandu based conglomerate, CG Group is looking to invest Rs 1,000 crore (US$ 155.97
million) in India by 2020 in its food and beverage business, stated Mr Varun Choudhary, Executive
Director, CG Corp Global.
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank Group, is planning
to invest about US$ 6 billion through 2022 in several sustainable and renewable energy
programmes in India.
Warburg Pincus, a Private Equity firm based in New York, has invested US$ 100 million in
CleanMax Solar, a rooftop solar development firm, which will be utilised to fund growth
opportunities outside India and to improve product offerings.
Morganfield Group, a Malaysian restaurant and bar chain, is planning to enter India by launching
three of its brands, Morganfields, Mocktail Bar and Snackz It, by the end of 2017. The company
expects to open 250 outlets in India over the next five years.SAIC Motor Corporation is planning to
enter Indias automobile market and begin operations in 2019 by setting up a fully-owned car
manufacturing facility in India.
Toronto-based Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) made investments worth Rs
9,120 crore (US$ 1.41 billion) in India during FY 2016-17, taking their total investment in India to
Rs 22,560 crore (US$ 3.50 billion).
SoftBank is planning to invest its new US$ 100 billion technology fund in market leaders in each
market segment in India as it is seeks to begin its third round of investments.
UAE-based firm, DP World, having previously invested US$ 1 billion in India, is planning to invest
another US$ 1 billion in India's infrastructure sector along with logistics and container terminals.
Xander Group Inc. and APG Asset Management NV have purchased an Information Technology
(IT) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in South Chennai from Shriram Properties and Infrastructure
Pvt. Ltd and SUN-AREA Property Partners for a consideration of approximately US$ 350 million.
The infrastructure sector in India witnessed 33 deals in FY 2016-17 involving US$ 3.49 billion as
against US$ 2.98 billion raised across 31 deals in FY 2015-16, with the majority of deals led by the
power, roads and renewable sectors, as per investment bank Equirus Capital.
Developers from China and Japan will invest US$ 3-4 billion in Indias real estate sector over the
next three years owing to positive regulatory reforms taken by the Government of India such as
implementation of the Real Estate Investment Regulatory Act, as per Mr Christian Ulbrich, Chief
Executive Officer (CEO), JLL Inc.
Walmart, global retail giant, plans to open 50 new cash-and-carry stores in India over the next
three to four years and locate half of the stores in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand while creating
over 40,000 jobs in the two states.
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Global e-commerce giant, Amazon is planning to enter the Indian food retailing sector by investing
US$ 515 million in the next five years, as per Mr Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food
Processing Industries, Government of India.
The Government's Make in India campaign has attracted investment across sectors from various
Chinese companies, as is evident from cumulative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows of Rs
9,933.87 crore (US$ 1.54 billion) between 2014 and December 2016.
The capital inflows to India from Canadian institutional investors was estimated to reach over US$
6.5 billion in March 2016, making Canada the fifth largest foreign direct investment (FDI) partner of
the country, with major investments in infrastructure projects by Brookfield, Canada Pension Plan
Investment Board (CPPIB), Ontario Teachers and Fairfax, among other institutions.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) approved nine Foreign Direct
Investments (FDIs) worth Rs 5,000 crore (US$ 779.83 million), that includes Amazon India's Rs
3,500 crore (US$ 545.88 million) proposed investment.
India and Japan have joined hands for infrastructure development in India's north-eastern states
and are also setting up an India-Japan Coordination Forum for Development of North East to
undertake strategic infrastructure projects in the northeast.
The Government of India is in talks with stakeholders to further ease foreign direct investment
(FDI) in defence under the automatic route to 51 per cent from the current 49 per cent, in order to
give a boost to the Make in India initiative and to generate employment.
In a meeting with Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce
and Industry, Government of India, Mr Takehiko Nakao, President, Asian Development Bank
(ADB), stated that the ADB will increase its investment to upto US$ 5 billion for development along
the East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) over the next five years.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has exempted employee stock options (ESOPs),
foreign direct investment (FDI) and court-approved transactions from the long term capital gains
(LTCG) tax, under the Finance Act 2017.
The Union Cabinet has approved raising of bonds worth Rs 2,360 crore (US$ 365.63 million) by
the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), which will be used in various
renewable energy projects in FY 2017-18.
The Government of India is likely to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in cash and
ATM management companies, since they are not required to comply with the Private Securities
Agencies Regulations Act (PSARA).
The Government of India plans to scrap the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), which
would enable the foreign investment proposals requiring government approval to be cleared by the
ministries concerned, and thereby improve the ease of doing business in the country.
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ROAD AHEAD
India has become the most attractive emerging market for global partners (GP) investment for the
coming 12 months, as per a recent market attractiveness survey conducted by Emerging Market
Private Equity Association (EMPEA).
The World Bank has stated that private investments in India is expected to grow by 8.8 per cent in
FY 2018-19 to overtake private consumption growth of 7.4 per cent, and thereby drive the growth
in India's gross domestic product (GDP) in FY 2018-19.
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North America
US SENATE PASSES SWEEPING TAX CUTS BILL
On December 2, the bill, the biggest US tax overhaul since the 1980s, was passed despite a
Senate committee finding it would add $1tn (742bn) to the budget deficit. President Trump wants
the measures enacted by the end of the year. The Senate must now merge its legislation with that
passed last month by the House of Representatives. The reconciled bill will then be sent to the
president's desk for his signature to be enacted into law.
TRUMP-RUSSIA: MICHAEL FLYNN ADMITS LYING TO FBI

On December 2, Ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn has pleaded guilty to making false
statements to the FBI about meetings with Russia's ambassador weeks before Donald Trump
became president. The charges were brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, as part of his
inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.
IN MEXICO, AMAZON DEBUTS CASH PAYMENT SERVICE

On October 27, Amazon.com Inc. launched a new service in Mexico that allows customers to
deposit cash payments at convenience stores to be posted to an Amazon account
online, Reuters reports. Currently, Amazon is the countrys third biggest online retailer. The
strategy is aimed at helping shoppers who prefer paying in cash for online purchases, whether
because of concerns about credit card fraud or because they receive their wages in cash.
PEPSICO FOUNDATION HELPS MEXICO CITY AND PUERTO RICO RECOVER &
REBUILD
On September 25, The PepsiCo Foundation announced it will provide $2 million in grants to help
communities in Mexico City, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean impacted by the recent natural
disasters:
$1,000,0000 to the American Red Cross for recovery from the earthquake in Mexico City
and for relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean after Hurricane Maria.
$1,000,000 to the Pan American Development Foundation to rebuild greater disaster-

resilient communities in the Mexico City area and Puerto Rico.
SHELL OPENS FIRST RETAIL LOCATION IN MEXICO

On September 6, Shell opened its first service station in Mexico this week, with more sites due to
start providing Mexican motorists with high-quality Shell fuels and retail services over the next few
months.
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Over the next 10 years, if market conditions continue to develop at their current rates, Shell plans
to invest around $1 billion in Mexico.
NORTH AMERICAN CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION SURGED 9% IN OCTOBER

The Americas region crude steel production jumped higher significantly during the month of
October this year. The latest output data published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel)
indicates 9% surge in production by North American countries.
MEXICO CREATES VAST NEW OCEAN RESERVE TO PROTECT 'GALAPAGOS OF

NORTH AMERICA'
Mexicos government has created the largest ocean reserve in North America around a Pacific
archipelago regarded as its crown jewel.
The measures will help ensure the conservation of marine creatures including whales, giant rays
and turtles.
The protection zone spans 57,000 sq miles (150,000 sq km) around the Revillagigedo islands,
which lie 242 miles (390 km) south-west of the Baja California peninsula.
U.S. BEGINS NEW MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN TARGETING THE TALIBANS OPIUM

On Nov. 20, American warplanes for the first time targeted and destroyed Taliban opium
production facilities in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, beginning a new strategy under new
authorities granted by President Donald Trump that top generals overseeing the 17-year war
believe will break the current stalemate.
AT LEAST 225 DEAD AFTER POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE HITS CENTRAL MEXICO

On Sept. 19, A 7.1 magnitude earthquake has hit southern Mexico on Tuesday, killing dozens of
people and causing serious damage to buildings in the capital. It has occurred on the anniversary
of a 1985 quake that inflicted major damage to Mexico City.
CANADIAN FIRM TO FACE HISTORIC LEGAL CASE OVER ALLEGED LABOR ABUSES IN
ERITREA
On Nov. 23, A Canadian mining company has lost its bid to block a lawsuit accusing it of human
rights abuses against miners in Eritrea after a ruling by an appeals court in British Columbia.
The decision, against Nevsun Resources, paves the way for a groundbreaking legal challenge that
links the Vancouver company to allegations of modern slavery.
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TRANS-PACIFIC TRADE PACT REVIVED DESPITE TRUMP WITHDRAWAL
On Nov. 11, Leading Pacific Rim nations have announced the salvaging of a trade pact that US
president Donald Trump abandoned in one of his first acts in office.
The remaining 11 countries, including Japan, Australia, Mexico and Malaysia, said they had
revived the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, a multilateral agreement championed under the
Obama administration.
Ministers meeting in Danang, Vietnam agreed on the core elements of what was now called the
comprehensive and progressive agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a joint statement read.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WITHDRAWS FROM PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

On Jun. 1, U.S. President Donald Trump gives a speech announcing the United States withdrawal
from the Paris Climate Accord. Trump cites concerns about the economic burden on the U.S. as
compared to that on other nations. No other nations renege on the accord, and many of the
independent States and U.S. cities declare that they will follow the Paris guidelines.
U.S. BEGINS DEPLOYMENT OF THAAD IN SOUTH KOREA

On Mar. 7, the controversial Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system
(THAAD) starts deployment in South Korea by the U.S. Military. The system is meant to deter
missiles from North Korea, but many in the South believe that the deployment is going to lead to
an escalation of the conflict rather than an improvement. Protests being outside of the U.S.
embassy in the capital of Seoul.
MEXICO OPENS LEGAL AIDE CENTERS ACROSS UNITED STATES

On Mar. 4, legal aide centers open in all of Mexico's 50 U.S. consulates to offer legal advice to
Mexican citizens in the United States as the Trump administration cracks down on undocumented
immigration. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray Caso releases a video saying that although Mexico
supports following the law, the current state of affairs emphasizes the importance of serious
immigration reform.
US ESCALATES TRADE DISPUTE WITH UK AND CANADA OVER BOMBARDIER

On 6 Oct., The US has escalated its trade dispute with Britain and Canada by announcing plans to
slap a further 80% duty on the export of planes built by Bombardier.
The move follows complaints by Boeing that Canadian-owned Bombardier, which employs more
than 4,000 people in Belfast, had dumped its C Series jets at absurdly low prices.
Bombardier is facing a planned 220% tariff as part of a separate investigation, the US Department
of Commerce confirmed.
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AIRBUS TAKES MAJORITY STAKE IN BOMBARDIER JET PROJECT
On 17 Oct., European aircraft giant Airbus is taking a majority stake in Bombardiers controversial
C-Series jet programme, potentially safeguarding 1,000 jobs in Belfast.
The French-based plane maker is acquiring 50.1% of the programme, the future of which was left
in doubt after Canadian company Bombardier was hit by a 300% import levy by the United States.
The huge tariff followed a complaint from Boeing that the company had dumped its C-Series jets
at absurdly low prices.
US sold defence equipment worth over $38 bn in 2017: Pentagon
On 30 Nov., The United States sold military hardware and equipment worth over USD 38 billion
this year, the Pentagon said on Thursday. While a country-wise breakup was not available,
according to a State Department official, the sale of military equipment was the maximum in
Central Asia and Near East region, which amounted to $22 billion. This was followed by the Indo-
Pacific ($7.96 billion), Europe ($7.3 billion), Western Hemisphere ($641.6 million) and Africa (USD
248.6 million).
U.S. GDP SWINGS UP 3.3 PERCENT FOR BEST GAIN IN 3 YEARS

On 29 Nov., The U.S. economy expanded at its fastest clip in three years during July, August and
September, according to a new report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis that pegs the third
quarter's gross domestic product growth rate at 3.3 percent. The estimate represents an upward
revision from last months initially reported 3 percent uptick. The economy has now grown at 1.2
percent, 3.1 percent and 3.3 percent during the first three quarters of the year, respectively.
KEYSTONE PIPELINE LEAKS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

On 17 Nov., The Keystone Pipeline was shut down in Amherst, South Dakota, Thursday morning
after an unknown problem caused 210,000 gallons of oil to leak, TransCanada, the pipeline's
operator said. Officials say the cause of the leak is under investigation.
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LATIN AMERICA
CUBA AND NORTH KOREA HOLD ANTI -US MEETING AND REJECT DONALD
TRUMP'S 'ARBITRARY' NUCLEAR DEMANDS
Cuba's foreign minister and his North Korean counterpart have rejected the United States'
unilateral and arbitrary demands while expressing concern about escalating tensions on the
Korean peninsula, the ministry said. North Korea is searching for support amid unprecedented
pressure from the United States and the international community to cease its nuclear weapons
and missile programs, which it carries out in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.
US IMPLEMENTS TIGHTER SANCTIONS ON CUBA

The US government announced additional sanctions and travel restrictions on Cuba on November
8, following up on an announcement by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Among the
specific changes outlined by the Treasury Department are restrictions on travel to Cuba for
educational or cultural exchange groups, which will now be permitted only for sponsored groups in
the United States, and with the participation of representatives from those groups.
US IMPOSES FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON VENEZUELA

The US has imposed strong financial sanctions on Venezuela, barring banks from any new deals
with the government announced on 25th AUG 2017.US President Donald Trump has signed an
executive order imposing strong, new financial sanctions on Venezuela. The sanctions restrict
trading of Venezuelan bonds sold by the government in the American financial markets to raise
money.
4TH GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINED ERADICATION OF CHILD LABOUR ,

ARGENTINA
Plenary session of 4th Global Conference on Sustained Eradication of Child Labour was held
in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 15, 2017. This Conference was jointly organised by
Government of Argentina and International Labour Organization (ILO). While delivering the
country statement at this conference, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka
Gandhi stated that Indian Government is fully committed to continue working to eliminate child
labour.
LATIN AMERICA IS WORLDS MOST VIOLENT REGION FOR WOMEN: UNITED

NATIONS
As per a report presented by UN Women and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Latin
America and the Caribbean is the most violent region in the world for women.
- 19 -
Highlights of UNDP Report:
i. Issue of violence against women in Latin America is so critical, that the region has been referred
to as most violent region in the world for women outside of conflict zones.
ii. This region also has the highest rate of sexual violence against women outside of relationships.
iii. There is high prevalence of Femicide (killing of woman by a man on account of gender) in
Central America, wherein two out three women murdered died because of their gender.
iv. The report outlined that 24 of the 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have laws
against domestic violence, but only 9 of them have laws to punish other forms of violence against
women in public or private.
CHILE NAMED BEST COUNTRY TO VISIT IN 2018

On 24th October 2017, Lonely Planet, the travel guide company, ranked Chile as the number one
country to visit in 2018, in its Best in Travel 2018 list.
In the top 10 countries category, Chile was ranked the number one country. It was followed by
South Korea and Portugal in the 2nd and 3rd positions.
UN ENDS 13-YEAR MILITARY PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN HAITI
On 5th October 2017, the UN soldiers left Haiti finishing their 13 year military peacekeeping
mission in Haiti.
A UN peacekeeping mission helped to maintain order in Haiti through 13 years of political turmoil
and disaster. It has come to an end now. The UN lowered its flag at its headquarters in Port-au-
Prince. This will be followed by a smaller UN operation consisting of police and civilians who will
support the countrys justice system.
INDIA, BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICA SIGN IBSA TRUST FUND AGREEMENT

On October 18, 2017, India, Brazil and South Africa signed the IBSA Trust Fund Agreement that
seeks to combat poverty in developing countries. On behalf of Indian Government, the agreement
was signed by Minister of State for External Affairs, V K Singh, who led the Indian side at the 8th
IBSA trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting in Durban, South Africa. The IBSA Fund was
created in 2004 with an aim at to support viable and replicable projects that contribute to the
national priorities of other developing countries. Each country (India, Brazil and South Africa
IBSA) contributes USD 1 Million annually to this fund. The fund is managed by the UN
Development Programmes (UNDP) Special Unit for South South Cooperation.
PERU PASSES LEGISLATION TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

On October 19, 2017, Perus conservative Congress passed a bill to legalize medical uses of
marijuana with 68-5 vote in favour. It is to be noted that Perus neighbouring countries, Chile and
Colombia have already legalized marijuana for medical purposes.
NICARAGUA SIGNS PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

On October 23, 2017, Central American country, Nicaragua officially signed the Paris climate
change agreement and presented the relevant documents for the agreement at the United
- 20 -
Nations. Now as Nicaragua has signed the Paris Climate Change Agreement, US and Syria are
the only countries who are not party to this agreement.
FIVE BANKS OF BRICS NATIONS SIGN PACT FOR CREDIT LINES

On September 2, 2017, five banks of the BRICS Bank Cooperation Mechanism have agreed to
establish credit lines in the national currencies and cooperate on credit ratings. The agreement
was signed ahead of the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in Chinas
Xiamen city on September 3d in which leaders of the five countries, including Prime Minister
Narendra Modi took part. Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), Vnesheconombank, Export-
Import Bank of India, China Development Bank and Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA)
have signed an agreement to establish credit lines in the national currencies, as well as a
memorandum of cooperation on credit ratings,
CUBA BEGINS 5-MONTH POLITICAL TRANSITION

5th September 2017, Cuba began a five-month political transition expected to end with Raul
Castros departure from the Presidency, due to his familys dominance in the countrys political
system for nearly sixty years.
1. Over the rest of this month, Cubans will meet in small groups to nominate municipal
representatives. Cuban officials say that 12,515 block-level districts will nominate candidates for
city council elections on 22nd October, 2017.
2. In the second electoral stage, a commission dominated by government-linked
Organizations will pick all the candidates for elections to provincial assemblies and Cubas
national assembly.
HURRICANE IRMA WORLD S LONGEST STORM TO BEAR 1.85 MPH WINDS IN

30 YEARS
Hurricane Irma has become the first storm in the world to sustain winds of 1.85 miles per hour for
more than 24 hours. Its the longest storm to sustain this speed since the 1970s. The hurricane
has thrashed several smaller islands with tree-snapping winds, drenching rains and pounding surf
on collision course with Florida.
50 NATIONS SIGNED UN NUCLEAR BAN TREATY:

On 20th September 2017, 50 countries signed a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. Brazil was the
first country to sign the treaty. The countries that have signed the treaty would be banned from
developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, acquiring, possessing or stockpiling nuclear
weapons under any circumstances. More than 120 countries approved the new nuclear weapons
ban treaty. Whereas, the U.S., Britain and France said that the ban wouldnt work and would end
up disarming their nations while the nations that did not sign the treaty would strengthen up.
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BOLIVIA DECLARED TOTAL INDEPENDENCE FROM WORLD BANK & IMF
Bolivias President Evo Morales has declared his governments independence from World Bank
and IMF on 25th of July 2017. Some of Bolivias largest resistance struggles in the last 60 years
have targeted the economic policies carried out by the International Monetary Fund and the World
Bank. The IMF and the World Bank had dictated the economic fate of Bolivia and the world.
- 22 -
Australia
BREXIT BRITAIN'S 'CREEPING IRRELEVANCE' TO AUSTRALIA HINTED AT IN FOREIGN
POLICY BLUEPRINT
Australia has pledged to bolster ties with a post-Brexit Britain including signing a free trade deal
but its new long-term foreign policy blueprint appeared to signal Londons creeping irrelevance to
Canberra. In a sign of Australias shifting priorities, a 136-page foreign policy white paper released
by prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra included no special section on ties with Britain,
which received just twelve mentions.
AUSTRALIA BANS FOREIGN DONATIONS TO POLITICAL PARTIES AFTER CHINA

CONTROVERSY
Malcolm Turnbull, Australias prime minister, has announced a ban on foreign political donations
and a crackdown on lobbyists acting for overseas interests following concerns about meddling
from abroad, including a scandal involving an MP who made a pro-China speech after receiving a
donation from a Chinese property tycoon. The laws, to be introduced this week, will require
lobbyists and former MPs to declare whether they are acting for a foreign country and will create
criminal laws aimed at foreign agents who meddle in domestic political affairs.
TOURISTS BANNED FROM CLIMBING ULURU AS ABORIGINAL OWNERS SAY 'IT'S

NOT DISNEYLAND '
Visitors will be banned from climbing Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, from 2019 after the
local Aboriginal traditional owners declared that their sacred site in central Australia is not
Disneyland. The move follows decades of pleas by local owners to avoid climbing the rock and
several notorious instances of mischief and misconduct at the summit, including an incident in
2010 in which a 25-year-old French-born exotic dancer stripped in a "tribute to Indigenous
culture". The ban was imposed by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park board, which includes eight
traditional owners and three representatives of the National Parks agency.
NORTH KOREA WRITES LETTER TO AUSTRALIA WARNING ABOUT DONALD

TRUMP'S 'HEINOUS MOVES'
North Korea has written a letter to Australia to complain about the heinous and reckless moves
of Donald Trump and to warn of the global nuclear disaster that could result from any attempt to
topple the regime in Pyongyang. Dismissing the unusual letter as "basically a rant", Australian
prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said it was North Korea that had upped the nuclear threat level.
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"It is North Korea that is threatening the stability of the world, he told 3AW radio. "That is the
regime that has to return to its senses and stop this reckless conduct."
Mr Turnbull said the letter was also sent to other countries, though no others have yet been
named.
WHY MARMITE COULD PREVENT MISCARRIAGES AND BIRTH DEFECTS

Like it or loathe it, but marmite could help prevent millions of miscarriages and birth defects
around the world. A landmark study in Australia has found Vitamin B3, a lot of which is found in
the divisive yeast extract spread, can treat critical molecular deficiencies in pregnant women. The
ground-breaking results were announced after 12 years of research by scientists at Sydney's
Victor Chang Cardia Research Institute. The ramifications are likely to be huge. This has the
potential to significantly reduce the number of miscarriages and birth defects around the world.
COAL BECOMES A FLASHPOINT IN A CLOSE ELECTION IN AUSTRALIA

The bars along Wood Street have gone quiet. Thirsty mine workers on six-figure salaries have
become a rarity since a coal-exporting boom ended. Boom-bust cycles are hardly new for this
northern coastal city in the state of Queensland. But Greg Williamson, the mayor, says: The cliff
we fell off this time was enormous. Many see salvation in a plan by Adani, a firm based in the
Indian state of Gujarat, to build Australias biggest thermal coalmine in the remote Galilee Basin,
about 300km (190 miles) west of Mackay (see map). The proposal has ignited protests around
Australia, and could even decide the outcome of a state election on November 25th.
MANUS ISLAND DETAINEES WIN 42 MILLION PAYOUT FROM AUSTRALIA FOR

'DEGRADING AND CRUEL' TREATMENT
Detainees at an Australian asylum-seeker camp in Papua New Guinea won millions of dollars in
compensation for "degrading and cruel" treatment Wednesday, in a decision hailed as an
important human rights victory. Abuse, self-harm and mental health problems are reportedly rife in
offshore processing centres, with detainees resorting to desperate protests like sewing their own
lips together to raise awareness of their plight.
Wednesday's AUS$70 million (41.6 million) conditional settlement, to be shared by 1,905 people
who have been held on Manus Island since 2012, averted a public trial against the government
and security providers Transfield and G4S. A class action had sought damages for what claimants
said was suffering due to the harsh conditions in which they were held.
AS CHINA RISES, AUSTRALIA ASKS ITSELF: CAN IT RELY ON AMERICA?

When the Australian government set out to write a new foreign policy paper, it faced hotly
contested questions shaping the countrys future: Will China replace the United States as the
dominant power in Asia? If so, how quickly? The governments answers came in a so-called white
paper released last month by the administration of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. For sure,
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China is challenging the United States in Asia, though in the end, it argues, America will prevail
and Australia can count on its security guarantor of the past 70 years.
But a prominent defence strategist, Hugh White, has disputed that view, arguing in a provocative
new essay that China has arrived, the United States is fading and Australia must find a way to
survive on its own. The contrasting assessments have set off a debate in Australia about the
durability of the American alliance and Chinas intentions toward Australia.
The government tried to reassure the public that there was no need to make a choice between
China, Australias biggest trade partner, and the United States, its security patron. Despite the
America First policies of President Trump, who is unpopular in Australia, the United States of old
would endure. Australia would deal with the changing environment, it said, by working harder to
maximize our international influence.
AMAZONS AUSTRALIAN LAUNCH BRINGS EXCITEMENT, DREAD AND DEFIANCE

MELBOURNE, Australia Amazon quietly began operations in Australia on Tuesday, the start of
what could be a monolithic shake-up of that countrys retail market, which is worth hundreds of
billions of dollars. For Australian businesses, Amazons international expansion which now
includes more than a dozen countries has brought with it hasty pivots and familiar feelings
of enthusiasm, doubt and existential dread. But people who posted on social media about
Amazons debut were generally underwhelmed, with prospective Australian customers playfully
pointing out lacklustre product offerings and uncompetitive pricing.
AUSTRALIA JUST SWITCHED ON THE WORLD 'S BIGGEST BATTERY:

The world's biggest lithium ion battery has started delivering power. Activating the massive system
in South Australia fulfills a bold pledge by Tesla CEO Elon Musk to build the battery in 100 days or
provide it for free.
AUSTRALIA URGES STRONG, SUSTAINED U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN ASIA, WARNS ON

CHINA:
Australia believes that international challenges can only be tackled effectively when the worlds
wealthiest, most innovative and most powerful country is engaged in solving them, the
government said.
AUSTRALIA, NZ OFFICIALS DISCUSS SCREENING FOR MANUS REFUGEES - NZ PM:

New Zealand and Australia have begun talks about screening procedures for asylum seekers
holding out in a Papua New Guinea detention center, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
said, amid reports of worsening health conditions there.
- 25 -
RAINBOW CELEBRATIONS AS AUSTRALIANS VOTE FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE:
Australians have voted overwhelmingly for same-sex marriage, paving the way for legislation by
the end of 2017 and sparking rainbow celebrations, with people wearing wedding dresses and
sequined suits and declaring our love is real.
TRUMP MEETS JAPAN, AUSTRALIA LEADERS OVER TRADE, NORTH KOREA

THREAT:
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a trilateral meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull alongside the ASEAN Summit in Manila,
Philippines November 13, 2017. Following the meeting, the White House said the three leaders
reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining maximum pressure on North Korea in the effort to
denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
NEW ZEALAND PM SAYS BAN ON FOREIGN HOME BUYERS TO START EARLY 2018:
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that a ban on foreigners buying existing homes
would begin in early 2018, but the restrictions would not apply to Australians.
Australian senate rejects proposed visa, citizenship curbs: Australias lawmakers have rejected
legislation that would tighten citizenship and foreign worker visa rules, a blow to Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull who had sought to stop a loss of his support base to far-right political parties.
EU TO RACE BRITAIN FOR AUSTRALIA, NZ TRADE DEALS:

The European Union wants to launch and conclude free trade negotiations with Australia and New
Zealand in the next two years, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said,
opening up a potential race with Britain.
AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, U.S. CALL FOR SOUTH CHINA SEA CODE TO BE LEGALLY
BINDING:
Australia, Japan and the United States urged Southeast Asia and China to ensure that a South
China Sea code of conduct they have committed to draw up will be legally binding and said they
strongly opposed coercive unilateral actions. The Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and China should establish a set of rules that were legally binding, meaningful,
effective, and consistent with international law, the foreign ministers of the three countries said in
a statement following a meeting in Manila.
AUSTRALIA SET TO JOIN U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: REPORT:

Australia looks set to fill one of two vacancies on the United Nations Human Rights Council
following Frances withdrawal from the process, the Herald Sun newspaper, quoting remarks by
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Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. The appointment would be Australias first to the powerful body,
coming amid criticism of its own human rights record against indigenous people and asylum
seekers in offshore detention centers on Nauru and Papua New Guineas Manus Island.
CHINA CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE ESPIONAGE AGAINST AUSTRALIA: DEFENSE

OFFICIAL:
Questions about Chinas involvement in Australia arose in 2015, with the lease of a commercial
and military port in the northern city of Darwin to a Chinese firm said to have close ties to Chinas
military. The deal sparked a backlash over the security implications and drew a rebuke from U.S.
government officials. Australia has blocked several notable infrastructure bids made by Chinese
companies since then.
AUSTRALIA TOUGHENS FOREIGN WORKER VISAS, SAYS AUSTRALIAN JOBS FOR

AUSTRALIANS:
Australia will abolish a temporary work visa popular with foreigners and replace it with a new
programme requiring better English-language and job skills, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said.
After U.S. exit, Asian nations try to save TPP trade deal: Australia and New Zealand said they
hope to salvage the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by encouraging China and other Asian
countries to join the trade pact after U.S. President Donald Trump kept a promise to abandon the
accord. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he had held discussions with Abe, New
Zealand Prime Minister Bill English and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong overnight
about the possibility of proceeding without the United States.
- 27 -
AFRICA
1.OIL
Reprieve As OPEC Stalls Cutting of Nigeria, Libya's Oil Output
The international oil body has decided to leave the oil output until December 2018, with a review
at their next meeting in June 2018. "Clearly, there is a continuing obligation to ensure that we do
not just flood the market because of the exemptions we were given", Nigeria's Minister of State for
Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachukwu has said.
OPEC TO DECIDE ON NIGERIA, LIBYA'S OIL OUTPUT

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries will today debate whether to cap oil output
from Nigeria and Libya, which have so far been excluded from supply curbs due to falling
production amid unrest. The two countries have not been sanctioned in the past
NIGERIA'S BARKINDO EMERGES AS OPEC SECRETARY-GENERAL

The former head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mohammed Barkindo, will
replace Libyan Abdalla El-Badri, who has held the position since 2007.
2. ECONOMY
ZIMBABWE GOVT TO AMEND INDIGENISATION LAW
The Emmerson Mnangagwa-led government is amending the controversial Indigenisation and
Economic Empowerment Act to reflect its policy position that the 51-49 percent requirement only
applies to natural resource-based investments. This amendments are meant to attract more
foreign direct investment.
NIGERIA LOSES U.S.$9 BILLION TO ILLEGAL MINING

The federal government has disclosed that Nigeria lost about U.S.$9 billion to illegal mining in two
years. The government has approved the purchase of 50 vehicles for the Special Mines
Surveillance Task Force to check illegal mining activities across the country.
ECONOMIC GROWTH IN AFRICA IS ON THE UPSWING FOLLOWING A SHARP SLOWDOWN

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2017 Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is rebounding in 2017
after registering the worst decline in more than two decades in 2016, according to the new Africas
Pulse, a bi-annual analysis of the state of African economies conducted by the World Bank. The
region is showing signs of recovery, and regional growth is projected to reach 2.6% in 2017.
However, the recovery remains weak, with growth expected to rise only slightly above population
growth, a pace that hampers efforts to boost employment and reduce poverty.
- 28 -
SOUTH AFRICA: GOVT SHOULD PREPARE FOR THE WORST CASE SCENARIO - SEEKING HELP
FROM THE IMF
South Africa should take this lesson seriously. It is facing a serious crisis. South Africa's economy
is growing too slowly to address its profound challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
Social tensions are rising. Business is not transforming quickly enough. The governance and
solvency of key state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are collapsing. Government finances are
deteriorating. Credit downgrades may limit government access to finance. The institutions of
governance are decaying. The complex political situation is paralysing policymaking.
3. CURRENT AFFAIRS
CLEAN SWEEP AS WIGWE WINS AFRICA B USINESS LEADER 2017
Herbert Wigwe, the Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank Plc, has been named the
2017 All Africa Business Leader of the Year, after he won the West African Business Leader of the
Year award two weeks ago, as well as the Sustainability Champion of the Year award for 2017.
China is bankrolling an impressive array of projects across Africa , everything from car factories to
bridges, and expanding its military footprint in step with numerous weapons deals and training
exercises.
RACIST ATTACKS IN INDIA GIVE CHINA THE EDGE IN AFRICA

In South Africa, Chinese car manufacturer BAIC is building a US$826 million vehicle assembly
plant in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, with an expected annual output of 55,000 cars. Chinese
arms manufacturer Poly Technologies last year signed a partnership agreement with South
African state arms manufacturer Denel to bid for a US$428 million naval vessel procurement deal.
4. AFRICAS ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN 2017

The continued failure of commodity prices to recover significantly and the global slowdown of
economic growth, especially in China and other emerging markets, made 2016 a tumultuous year
for many African economies, indeed, the worst year for average economic growth. Looking
ahead, those countries which have diversified their economies, focused on energy infrastructure,
and promoted industrialization will be best poised to overcome the current challenges and
succeed in 2017.
Those countries that rely heavily on the export of one or two resources to drive their economic
growth have suffered as a result of the emerging market downturn and its knock-on effects, both in
terms of demand for their commodities and in availability of financing for their major infrastructure
and other development projects.
Nigeria, Africas most populous country and one which only emerged as the continents biggest
economy three years ago, is bedeviled not only by low petroleum prices, but decreased production
- 29 -
due to attacks by the militants in the oil-producing Niger Delta regionat one point last year, the
amount of crude being pumped nearly reached the lowest point in three decades. The rest of the
economy in the West African giant essentially stagnated, hammered both by the governments
maladroit management of the currency float and by the failure of President Muhammadu Buharis
administration to make much headway in improving the countrys overall business climate, as
witnessed by Nigerias abysmal 169th place ranking among 190 countries analyzed in the World
Banks Doing Business 2017 report.
Angola nudged ahead of Nigeria early last year to become Africas biggest oil producer, thanks in
part to the latter countrys problems with its militants, but the distinction means less in a world of
depressed hydrocarbon prices. With inflation projected to have been around 45 percent in 2016,
while the countrys currency, the kwanza, lost nearly 20 percent of its value during the same
period, the countrys grim prospects heading into the new year add to the uncertainty with the
announced plans of longtime President Jos Eduardo dos Santos to retire later this year (elections
are scheduled for August).
Similarly, Algerias heavy dependence on energy exports caused the growth to slow down to an
estimated 3.6 percent in 2016 with the World Bank estimating it will plunge further in the coming
year. Low oil prices will continue to weigh on government finances as inflation and unemployment
both increase; the dinar has nominally depreciated 20 percent over the last two years. The 2017
budget signed by the countrys octogenarian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in late December
raises taxes to compensate for declining revenues from hydrocarbons, signaling that the heavy
public spending that enabled the regime to weather the so-called Arab Spring is no longer an
option.
While South Africa was spared an end-of-the-year downgrade by Standard & Poors of its
sovereign creditit remains at BBB-, one notch above junk statusMoodys opened 2017 by
placing the country on a downgrade review, a step which serves notice to investors, some of
whom have fiduciary obligations barring them from doing business in places branded with junk
status. Moreover, the numerous corruption scandals surrounding President Jacob Zuma have
divided the ruling African National Congress, already reeling from unprecedented rebuff in
the August 2016 local government and municipal elections, adding to the political volatility that
undermines investor confidence just as the country regained its title as Africas largest economy.
Despite its wealth of natural resources, both in terms of extractives and in potential for renewable
energy, to say nothing of the extraordinary human capital in its people, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo will struggle economically in the coming year. Notwithstanding a rickety last-minute
political deal pushed by the countrys influential Roman Catholic bishops that is supposed to lead
to presidential elections before the end of 2017, President Joseph Kabilas decision to violate the
constitution and hold on to power despite the December 19, 2016, expiration of his final term casts
a long shadow over the fourth most-populous country on the African continent and the largest
country by area in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Average Congolese people are bearing the brunt of this. The price of some foodstuffs is up as
high as 80 percent; the Congolese Franc has lost 27 percent of its value in 2016; inflation has
increased to nearly 6 percent; Central Bank foreign exchange reserves have decreased by nearly
- 30 -
half (45 percent) over the past two years. The Congolese government is also slashing state
services, with budget cuts of 22 percent and a further 14 percent, including a 90 percent cut in
spending on healthcare equipment.
Cte dIvoire may well be Africas new economic powerhouse, with a diversified economy and
growth in 2016 expected to hit 8.5 percent, the second-highest in the world. While there are
occasional hiccups like the mutiny this past weekend by some soldiers left over from the countrys
civil war a decade ago, by and large President Alassane Ouattara, an economist and former
International Monetary Fund (IMF) director, is widely credited with sound macroeconomic
management.
According to data from the Ivorian governments Center for the Promotion of Investments in Cte
dIvoire (CEPICI), through in the first nine months of 2016, some 5,720 new enterprises were
started in the country, many drawn by the business-friendly regulatory environment.
Fresh off hosting the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP22) of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Changetwo months ago in Marrakech, Moroccocontinues to forge a role as
an Africanand, indeed, a globalleader on renewable energy. The kingdom, which is on track
to meet more than 40 percent of its needs through renewable energy, primarily solar and wind, by
2020an extraordinary turnaround given that just a few years ago the country was, according to
the World Bank, the Middle Easts largest energy importer, depending on fossil fuels for over 97
percent of its energy. Moreover, in pursuit of the goal of making Morocco the commercial gateway
to Africa as well as Africas bridge to Europe, King Mohammed VI has been busy implementing
his strategy of making Africa the top priority of his foreign policy, with a string of official visits
across Africa, including recent forays to Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, that have resulted in
agreements for multibillion-dollar cross-investments in the agriculture, energy, and financial
sectors, as well as the historic announcement last month of a Moroccan-Nigerian joint venture to
build a gas pipelineto connect the two countries that will eventually link up to Europe.
Senegal has long been a bastion of political stability in West Africa, a reputation consolidated in
2016 when voters in a constitutional referendum not only reaffirmed the two-term limit on the
presidency, but cut the term of office itself down to five years from the current seven years, as well
as enacted a raft of other measures to further good governance. President Macky Salls Plan for
an Emerging Senegal, crafted with help from McKinsey consultants, includes twenty-seven
flagship projects and seventeen major reforms, encompassing diverse sectors ranging from
agriculture to energy to education to health to financial services to tourism. The objective of all this
is to increase the West African countrys productivity in order to grow its GDP, create jobs, and
facilitates industrialization. According to the year-end update to Ernst & Youngs Africa
Attractiveness Index, Senegalalong with Cte dIvoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzaniais
expected to continue growing in the high single digits in 2017.
One possible bump in Senegals road to the future is that the country was counting on a second
Millennium Challenge Compact from the United States to help address regional obstacles to
economic growth.
- 31 -
A largely diversified economic base, Kenya has largely been resilient through the emerging
markets downturn of the last year. While final numbers for 2016 are still being crunched, it looks
like East Africas largest economy grew by at least the 5.9 percent forecasted by the World Bank
and that may even approach the 6.8 percent growth the revised IMF prediction estimated in
October. One of Kenyas advantages has been its membership in the East African Community,
which has evolved from a customs union to a common market and has long-term aspirations of a
monetary union and a political federation. On the other hand, the country faces not-insignificant
political, security, and economic uncertainty in 2017 with presidential, parliamentary, and local
government elections scheduled for August; the ongoing threat posed by al-Shabaab terrorists
operating out of neighboring Somalia (recall that 2016 began with more than 100 Kenyan soldiers
killed when the al-Qaeda-linked militants overran a peacekeeping base in El Adde, Somalia); and
yet-to-be-determined impact on private-sector credit following the signing last year by President
Uhuru Kenyatta of legislation capping interest rates at 4 percent above the benchmark central
bank rate.
DID YOU KNOW?

Despite an economic slowdown in 2016, Africas growth outlook is positive with marked
resilience mainly anchored on strong domestic demand.
Africas growth is less dependent on natural resources and is increasingly favoured by

improvements in the business environment and in macroeconomic governance.
5. PRIVATIZATION OPPORTUNITIES
While many African governments have been particularly resistant to privatisation, the combination
of rising external debt, along with the accompanying interest payments, and weak currencies may
force them to sell off assets such as utilities and infrastructure.
Mozambique looks likely to be one such example. To rationalise state spending and reduce fiscal
risks, the Mozambican government has approved an independent external audit of public funds
and legislation in order to begin reform of public enterprises. More privatisations and the closure or
restructuring of public companies are expected.
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6. NEED FOR DIVERSIFICATION
Economic history has shown that without diversification into manufacturing and services, and
away from simple resource extraction, the long-term development prospects of countries are
always bleak. The need for economic diversification in the continent is high, all the more so given
that the growth cycle is at a low point. For the most part, African governments have not taken
advantage of the last decades growth spurt to move toward diversification neither in their
economic structures, nor in their export baskets. Resource-endowed countries in particular are
anything but examples of sustainable or inclusive growth. Wealth is unable to trickle down into
broader society from narrow extractive industries, especially in the face of rent-seeking
governments.
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7. FDI IN AFRICA
The global political, economic and investment landscape has entered an exceptional period of
transition. Some of the factors contributing to investor uncertainty include:
The UK vote to leave the European Union (EU)
The election of Donald Trump as the US President
Heightened political uncertainty in Europe
Chinas entry into a new phase of slower economic growth
The end of the commodity super cycle At the same time, with the ongoing Fourth Industrial
Revolution and technologies such as the Internet of Things set to disrupt existing business models
and create new ones, the global cross-border investment landscape is poised for tremendous
change.
Looking at Africa, 2016 marked the worst year for economic growth across SSA in over 20 years.
However, this overall slowdown in growth masks a significant variance in economic performance
across different African economies. Even as SSAs three largest economies Nigeria, South
Africa and Angola saw sharp downward revisions in growth forecasts, a diverse group of the
secondtier economies in Africa including Cote dIvoire, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania,
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Mozambique and Egypt are expected to sustain high growth rates over the next five years. As
anticipated in our recent 2016 year-end report, heightened geopolitical uncertainty and
multispeed growth across Africa did indeed present a mixed FDI picture for the continent. On the
more negative side in 2016, Africa attracted 676 FDI projects, which was down 12.3% from the
previous year. These FDI projects created 129,150 jobs across the continent, a decline of 13.1%
from 2015.
More positively though, in terms of capital investments, the flow of FDI into Africa recovered in
2016 after a dip in 2015. During 2016, capital investment into Africa rose 31.9%. Investment per
project averaged US$139m, against US$92.5m in 2015. This surge was driven by several large,
capital intensive projects in the real estate, hospitality and construction (RHC), and transport and
logistics sectors. The continents share of global FDI capital flows increased to 11.4%, up from
9.4% in 2015. That made Africa the second fastest growing destination when measured by FDI
capital.
In 2016, Morocco regained its place as Africas second largest recipient of FDI, with projects and
capital investment up 9.5% and 46.2%, respectively. Investor confidence into Morocco is also
evident from its top ranking on our AAI 2017. Aided by a stable administration, even during the
Arab Spring, Morocco has increasingly marketed itself as an export base for Europe, Africa and
the Middle East. The countrys automotive sector has especially attracted investor interest, with
FDI projects increasing from 5 in 2014 and 10 in 2015 to 14 in 2016. Strong FDI activity in Egypt
and Morocco in recent years has driven the rebound in investor appetite to North Africa. In 2016,
Egypt attracted 19.7% more FDI projects compared with 2015. Even more striking was the growth
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in capital investment, which almost trebled year-on-year, driven by large-ticket RHC projects.
Chinese companies were particularly active, with 16 FDI projects in 2016 (zero in 2015), focusing
mainly on the business services and technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sectors.
There was also an uptick in FDI projects from the US and France. Egypt has embarked on an
ambitious reform program aimed at making it easier to invest by eliminating bureaucracy,
liberalizing procedures to obtain licenses for projects and rolling out new incentives.
In the west of Africa, recession in Nigeria resulted in FDI projects eazing 3.8% compared with
2015. With the plunge in crude prices, Africas largest oil exporter has been hit by a scarcity of
foreign exchange, impacting businesses that are already grappling with issues, including
insufficient power supply and complexity in paying taxes.4 Nigerias business environment is in
urgent need of improvement, considering the countrys 169th ranking on the World Banks Ease of
Doing Business Index 2017.
On a more positive note, the sheer size of the Nigerian market, and its diversification initiatives
have led to a significant shift in the nature of FDI to the country. Should progress be made on
various dimensions of the AAI (notably business enablement, governance and human
development), Nigeria remains wellplaced to become the largest FDI market in Africa over the
next decade. Kenya, which is East Africas anchor economy (and SSAs fourth largest), saw
investment flag in 2016 after a bumper year in 2015. FDI projects were down 57.9%, while capital
investment declined by 55.5%. However, if we take a longer-term perspective, FDI into Kenya has
tended to ebb and flow year-on-year, similar to the experience of Nigeria. Additionally, Kenya had
a strong 2015, mainly driven by a surge in projects from the UK. These understandably slowed in
2016, as the UK copes with uncertainty following the vote to leave the EU. Our confidence in
Kenyas investment prospects remains firm, underscored by the countrys strong ranking as the
second most attractive FDI destination on the AAI 2017.
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ASIA
Japan to keep reduced tariffs on imports from China, Brazil-The expansion would cover
roughly 600 items to prevent a spike in export levies in the aforementioned economies,
excluding goods that could harm domestic industries.
Thai former PM Yingluck gets 5-year jail term for negligence-Thailand's ousted former
prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was handed a five-year prison sentence in absentia
after the country's highest court found her guilty of negligence in the management of a rice
subsidy scheme.
ASEAN to consider admitting East Timor as new member-Six years after applying for
admission in ASEAN,East Timors wish of becoming a member might soon be turning true
Singapores foreign minister warned Philippines that there can be no compromise on
human rights as Duterte continued his high pitched calls for violent punishments to be
meted out to suspected drug traffickers.
Japan: Dentsu head to quit in January over employees death by overwork-This after a
huge outcry over the employees suicide shed new light on the often excruciating working
conditions and scant disregard for dignity of labour in the island nation
Japan fleet returns after killing 333 whales in annual Antarctic hunt-This after Japan
resumed whaling in 2015 despite suggestions by ICJ against the practice
Japan, US to expand North Korea sanctions White House - US President Donald Trump
and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to expand sanctions against North Korea
over its continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, the White House
said.
South Koreans reject deal on wartime sexual slavery SOUTH KOREAs government has
said the countrys citizens widely disapprove of a deal intended to end a feud with Japan
over the latters enslavement of women during World War II, revealing its new presidents
position on the issue.
Japans PM Abe eyes legacy with proposed change to pacifist constitution- Abe, in a
surprise move on the 70th anniversary of the US-drafted charter last month, made a
proposal to revise its war-renouncing Article 9 by 2020 to clarify the ambiguous status of its
military, known as the Self-Defense Forces (SDF).
Toshiba raises 600 billion yen by selling off its flash memory business
Azerbaijan launches investment offensive as cheap oil looms- The sovereign wealth fund
and state oil company diversify their assets by investing abroad and lift their cap on
investment in stocks.
Mongolia signs agreement with IMF on $5.5bn aid package- The fall in commodity prices
since 2011 has dealt a severe blow to the economy of the resource rich country,
exacerbated by a massive outflow of investment. Together with a fall in the value of its
currency, the government racked up debts worth nearly 90% of gross domestic product by
the end of 2016.
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Nuclear fuel bank opens in Kazakhstan- The world's first internationally managed nuclear
fuel reserve opened in August in eastern Kazakhstan. Proponents have championed the
reserve as a vital safety measure at a time of heightened international tensions over the
spread of nuclear technology.
Tajikistan has raised $500 million with its first international bond issue to help fund the
construction of the world's tallest dam- After years of failed attempts to attract foreign
investment for the project,The move by Central Asia's most impoverished country could
encourage neighboring countries into the debt markets
Drastic Uzbek devaluation whets appetite for wider reform- Uzbekistan's moves to devalue
and partly float its currency mark the country's first step toward much-anticipated reforms to
wipe out the black market in foreign exchange and liberalize the economy. On Sept. 4 the
central bank suddenly devalued the som by 48%.
Vietnam sentences blogger to 10 years prison for defaming govt- A VIETNAMESE court on
Thursday sentenced a prominent blogger and rights activist known by her pen name Me
Nam or Mother Mushroom to 10 years in prison for criticising government policies and
defaming the Communist regime on Facebook and in foreign media interviews.
Indonesia: Christian governor Ahok jailed two years for blasphemy- JAKARTAs immensely
popular Christian governor was found guilty of blasphemy against Islam and sentenced to
two years in jail on Tuesday after a trial that was seen as a test of religious tolerance in
Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation.
Malaysia: Anti-graft officials conduct corruption probe at giant palm oil company-
MALAYSIAN anti-graft investigators began collecting documents at the headquarters of
Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV) on Thursday in their probe of corruption and abuse
of power at the worlds third-largest palm oil company.
Halimah Yacob is set to be Singapores first Malay president in more than 47 years -
SINGAPORE named its first female President on Monday following a controversial election
campaign that ended without a single vote being cast after all other contenders were
disqualified. The move has split public opinion and raised questions over the ruling partys
dominance in the notoriously strict state.
Malaysia bans citizens from travelling to North Korea-MALAYSIA said that it will ban its
citizens from traveling to North Korea due to escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula
and related developments arising from missile tests. Relations have been strained since the
murder of Kim Jong Uns half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, at a Kuala Lumpur airport earlier this
year.
Number of wealthy Chinese has grown 9 times in a decade survey-THE number of high
net worth individuals (HNWIs) in China has risen nearly 9 times since a decade ago, a
private survey released on Tuesday showed, as strong growth in the worlds second-largest
economy has spurred wealth creation. Chinese with at least 10 million yuan ($1.47 million)
of investable assets hit 1.6 million in 2016, up from 180,000 in 2006. according to the 2017
China Private Wealth Report by Bain Consulting and China Merchants Bank.
- 38 -
Japan scrambles jets over China drone flight near disputed Senkaku islands-Japan and
China have long been at loggerheads over the tiny, uninhabited islands, called the Senkaku
in Japan and Diaoyu in China. They are controlled by Japan but claimed also by China.
The CIA wanted to kill Indonesias Sukarno, JFK files reveal- A FILE released by the United
States government last week among those pertaining to the assassination of former
president John F Kennedy has revealed that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
considered murdering Indonesias founding father Sukarno.
China, Asean approve framework for South China Sea code of conduct
China says Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo cremated and his wife is free- Chinese Nobel
Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo , 61, died of multiple organ failure in a hospital in
the northeastern city of Shenyang, where he was being treated for late-stage liver cancer,
having been given medical parole but not freed.
Malaysian environmentalists call for halt to Chinese-funded rail project-
ENVIRONMENTALISTS in Malaysia have called on the government to delay the Chinese-
funded US$13 billion rail project linking peninsular Malaysias East and West amid
concerns of massive deforestation.The planned 688-km East Coast Rail Link will connect
the South China Sea, large parts of which are claimed by China, at the Thai border in the
east with the strategic shipping routes of the Straits of Malacca in the west.
Singapore tops global competitiveness index-HAVING been named the best city of the
future just recently, Singapore has been named among the most competitive countries on
the planet by the World Economic Forum (WEF).Its annual Global Competitiveness Index
for 2017-18 ranks the Southeast Asian city-state third in the world, just under Switzerland
and the United States.
In fall from grace, former Hong Kong leader jailed 20 months - FORMER Hong Kong chief
executive Donald Tsang, the highest-ranking ex-official to be charged in the citys history,
was jailed for 20 months on Wednesday for misconduct in public office, a ruling some said
reaffirmed the financial hubs vaunted rule of law.The sentence brings an ignominious end
to what had been a long and stellar career for Tsang before and after the 1997 handover to
Chinese control, service that saw him knighted by outgoing British colonial rulers.
China blames bans on some imports on tensions with Taiwan- POLITICAL tension between
China and Taiwan has affected cooperation on safety standards leading to a large number
of cosmetic and food imports being stopped from entering China, the head of Chinas
quality watchdog said on Tuesday.
Destruction of democracy in Cambodia as opposition party dissolved -CAMBODIAs
government faced international criticism on Friday after a Supreme Court ruling saw the
dissolution of the countrys only credible opposition party, effectively making Cambodia a
one-party state.
Moon Jae In takes helm of South Korea amid North Korea tensions- Final election results
showed Moon winning decisively, with the highest turnout in 20 years despite drizzly
weather in South Korea. Left wing Moon won 41.1 percent of the votes compared with 24
percent for conservative candidate Hong Joon-pyo and 21.4 percent for centrist Ahn Cheol-
soo.
S. Korea: Ousted presidents friend Choi Soon-sil gets three years jail - THE friend of
former South Korean leader Park Geun-hye, who was at the centre of an influence-peddling
- 39 -
scandal that rocked the countrys business and political elite, has been sentenced to three
years in jail. The court decision was the first ruling against Choi Soon-sil, a long-time
confidante of the ousted South Korean president, who has been arrested and is being held
in jail over the corruption scandal that ended her administration.
United States says it is clear that Rohingya crisis is ethnic cleansing- THE United States
has called operations by the Tatmadaw army of Burma (Myanmar) against Rohingya
Muslims ethnic cleansing and suggested possible targeted sanctions because of the
horrendous atrocities in Rakhine State.
Lets kill another 32 every day: Philippines drug war sees deadliest days on record - THE
PHILIPPINE governments war on drugs has seen its bloodiest days on record in August
2017 since it began in June last year, with at least 58 alleged drug suspects killed so far
this week.
Duterte makes public university free in the Philippines - CONTROVERSIAL Philippines
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a bill which grants fully government-subsidized
education at all state universities and colleges (SUCs), said a member of the countrys
Cabinet on Friday. The decision was made by Duterte despite advice against the law from
the presidents top economic advisers.
Philippines: Duterte to expedite bill for self-rule in Muslim region- PHILIPPINES President
Rodrigo Duterte vowed on Monday to fast-track new legislation for autonomy in the
countrys most volatile region, advancing a protracted process to end decades of rebellion
and thwart rising Islamist militancy. The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) submitted to Duterte
on Monday is the culmination of a rocky 20-year peace process between the government of
the predominantly Christian Philippines and the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF).
Philippines: Peace talks with Maoists hits a snag after attack on Dutertes bodyguards PEACE
talks between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) hit a
snag anew, as a result of the guerilla attack in Mindanao that hurt four members of the
Presidential Security Group (PSG).
QATAR'S FOREIGN MINISTER SEALS $6BN WARSHIP DEAL WITH ITALY

Qatar has concluded an almost $6bn deal with Italy for seven warships as a part of a military
cooperation agreement between the two countries.
The deal marks a significant modernisation and increase in Qatar's naval capabilities. It will go
some way towards closing the capability gap between the isolated Gulf nation and other regional
powers, including Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Qatar is embroiled in a dispute with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt, which accuse it of
supporting Islamists and regional foe Iran, charges Doha denies.
The countries cut air, sea and land links with Qatar, leaving the country isolated amid its former
Gulf allies.
ERDOGAN AND PUTIN STRIKE GAS DEAL DESPITE SYRIA DIFFERENCES

The meeting between Erdogan and Putin is the first since Erdogan was voted in as president in
August 2014, and comes despite ongoing tensions over Syria. While Erdogan has widely favoured
- 40 -
the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Putin has been a firm Assad ally and backed an
Assad-led transition out of the crisis.
Turkey also opposed Russias annexation of Crimea earlier this year, and expressed Ukraines
right to territorial integrity. Crimea used to be a province of the Ottoman Empire, and today is
home to 280,000 Tartars, or 13 percent of Crimeas population, who historically have been
persecuted by Russia.
UAE AND SAUDIS FORM NEW PARTNERSHIP SEPARATE FROM GCC

The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have formed a new military and trade partnership
separate from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), according to a statement issued by the UAE.
The development comes amid heightened tensions within the GCC, a political and economic
alliance of six countries that includes Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Oman.
Since June, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt have enforced a land, sea and air
blockade against Qatar, accusing the tiny Gulf nation of supporting "terrorism".Qatar has denied
the allegations and accused the neighbouring countries of attempting to infringe on its sovereignty.
TURKEY, IRAN, PAKISTAN SEE BIG TRADE BOOST WITH QATAR

As Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with
Qatar and imposed a land, air and sea blockade on it on June 5, this crisis has
helped Iran, Pakistan and Turkey increase bilateral trade with Qatar, as well as open new
commercial routes and strengthen political ties.
Pakistan, which has historically held strong ties with all GCC countries, chose to stay neutral in the
immediate aftermath of the blockade. However, its then Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif visited Riyadh in an offer to mediate between the GCC countries.
ISRAEL SOLD MILITARY GEAR TO MYANMAR AT HEIGHT OF ROHINGYA

CRACKDOWN
Israeli arms manufacturers continued to sell millions of dollars worth of military equipment to
Myanmar as thousands fled the Asian country's violent campaign in the Rakhine state, it has
emerged.
The equipment was sold to the Myanmar military as the international community condemned the
army's campaign in the Rakhine state and accused it of committing war crimes, including ethnic
cleansing.
The extent of Israeli sales emerged after images posted on social media showed the Myanmar
Navy showcasing two Israeli-made gunboats.The post "welcomes" the addition of the Israeli-made
Super Dvora MK III gunboats to the Myanmar military's fleet.
- 41 -
EGYPT, FRANCE SIGN ARMS DEAL DESPITES RIGHTS OPPOSITION
French President Francois Hollande has signed military cooperation deal with Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Paris despite rights groups' opposition to the move because of Sisi's
"alarming" record of human rights abuses.
The agreements included a 1 billion ($1.24 billion) contract to furnish four Gowind battleships to
the Egyptian Navy and the renewal of Egypts stock of French-built Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
Amnesty International has previously called on France to suspend all transfers of arms to Egypt in
view of the "alarming" human rights abuses being carried out in the country.
TRUMP RECOGNIZES JERUSALEM AS ISRAELS CAPITAL AND RELOCATED US

EMBASSY
President Donald has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and has relocated United
State embassy there a declaration that has spurred violent protests in the Middle East and
undermined White Houses effort to strike a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
Trump has made the announcement despite criticism from numerous U.S. allies, including France,
Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which have urged him to avoid the extremely sensitive topic.
- 42 -
EUROPE
1. BREXIT
Last year, we argued against the conventional wisdom at the time that the risk of a Leave
victory in the UK referendum was substantial, fuelled in particular by widespread concerns about
refugees and migration.
In the event, a slim majority of Britons did vote to leave. Theresa Mays government is now
committed to turning Brexit into reality. Just a couple of months before its self-declared for
triggering the Article 50 process of exit negotiations, the May government does not seem to have
a clear and unified strategy for either the negotiation process or what it wants to achieve in the
future EU-UK relationship.
Once Article 50 is triggered, however, the clock starts ticking and we assume that the formal exit
of the UK from the EU will happen at the latest on 1 April 2019.
The exit negotiations will be difficult and potentially divisive, but are far less important than the
negotiations on establishing a new formal relationship between the UK and the EU.
Substantive negotiations will only be possible once the UK government has defined what sort of
relationship it wants with the EU-27. It will then take time for the EU countries to formulate their
position on the UKs requests; then for some sort of compromise deal to be found; and, finally, for
a treaty setting out the new relationship to be ratified and implemented.
There is virtually no chance of even the first two stages of this process to be concluded by the
time of the UK exit.
Unless an interim arrangement, which in all probability would have to be based on continued
membership of the single market, is agreed prior to the exit date, the UK and the EU will be
heading towards a "messy and hard exit", with potentially very disruptive effects for different
economic sectors.
It is now confirmed that the May government intends to take the UK out of the single market,
which by any reasonable definition is a "hard Brexit". The best that can be achieved for business
under these circumstances is probably a "slow but hard Brexit", which allows for adjustments
during a longer period.
Economists agree that a hard Brexit would impose significant costs, primarily on the UK, but also
on the economies of the EU-27, with their severity varying from sector to sector. Integrated
production chains, for example in the aerospace and automotive industries, will face obvious
difficulties. Restricting the free flow of capital between the continent and Europes biggest financial
centre in the City would have repercussions, not only for London-based financial institutions, but
also for financing opportunities across Europe. Businesses from all sectors should also watch
what happens to the rules for data flows across the Channel.
- 43 -
2. MIGRATION AND REFUGEES
The 2015 refugee crisis abated after the EU-Turkey migration deal and the closure of the Balkan
route in the spring of 2016. According to the EUs Frontex border control agency, the total number
of migrants reaching Europe by two main sea routes in 2016 fell by nearly two-thirds, to 364,000 in
comparison with 2015".
But while the number of primarily refugees from Syria and Afghanistan coming across the Aegean
Sea dropped by about 80%, the number of primarily migrants from West Africa reaching Italy
across the central Mediterranean rose by 20%, and reached a record high. The influx into Italy has
fuelled mounting concerns and dissatisfaction, which may have contributed to the referendum
defeat and resignation of Prime Minister Renzi in December 2016.
Although the number of asylum seekers in Germany fell to below 300,000 in 2016 (according to
preliminary estimates, down from almost 900,000 in 2015), Germany still took in more refugees
than the rest of the EU combined. This has fuelled doubts about EU solidarity among the German
population: the share of Germans who hold a positive view of the EU collapsed from 45% to 29%
in the course of one year. Three out of four Germans say they feel let down by their European
partners.
The seeming stability in the refugee and migrant situation is fragile. The future of the agreement
between the EU and Turkey is not assured, given how much the mutual relationship has
deteriorated in the past few months.
Turkey feels that the EU did not acknowledge the serious threat posed by the failed coup attempt
in July; that European countries are not doing enough to help fight the PKK terrorist group; and
that the EU is not willing to deliver the visa freedom that Turkey craves. The EU, on its part, is
concerned about ever tougher restrictions on media freedom and civil liberties in Turkey and has
criticized the extent of the post-coup crackdown. Calls to freeze or completely abandon Turkeys
EU accession process have grown louder, although among the member states only Austria openly
calls for the later.
If Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan implements his threat of opening up the floodgate of
refugee flows, a renewed large-scale influx of people via the Balkans could have profound
implications for forthcoming elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany (and perhaps early
elections in Austria, too) all of which face populist and anti-immigration challenges of varying
severity.
'Calls to freeze or completely abandon Turkeys EU accession process have grown louder'
To increase its resilience in face of the fragile EU-Turkey agreement, the EU has decided on a
number of measures to strengthen control of the external Schengen border and to move towards a
genuinely common migration and asylum policy. This includes a dialogue with and outreach to the
African countries in view of the migration pressures certain to come from there in the decades
ahead.
- 44 -
Although the situation remains precarious, we see less risk of chaos and collapse than last year.
Relocation inside the EU has largely failed, the African migration issue remains to be effectively
addressed and the integration challenge, different in different countries, remains massive. But
overall, the sense of acute crisis driven by the refugee and migration flows has abated.
The focus has now shifted towards security and Islamist radicalization within individual EU
countries. Although the total number of people killed by successive terrorist attacks in Europe
remains relatively low, also in historical comparison, public concern remains very high, driving also
important measures to remedy deficiencies in counter-terrorist cooperation among European
countries.
3. THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY

Despite the Brexit shock, the economic situation in the EU and the Eurozone area has continued
on its path of gradual improvement during the past year.
Real economic activity is growing, thanks to strong consumption, the ECB's still very
accommodating monetary policies, low oil prices and the weaker Euro. These forces should help
produce growth of 1.5-2% in the European Union this year, one of the strongest growth rates in
years.
There are, however, several risks clouding the economic outlook for Europe. Trade policy
especially has emerged as a possible new crisis area for the EU in the years ahead.
The difficulty the EU had in getting the EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA) ratified (the Belgian
region of Wallonia held up the process during a dramatic week in October) serves to illustrate the
challenges ahead. Since then, the European Court of Justice has ruled that any new trade
agreement that goes beyond external tariff cuts, which is the case for all modern trade
agreements, must be ratified not only by the European Parliament, but also by all national and
some sub-national parliaments across the EU (39 in total).
Next in line to be ratified is the trade agreement with Singapore. The future of the Transatlantic
Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the US once heralded as
Europes best hope for reviving its competitiveness and staying ahead in a global race to set
standards for the digital economy looks highly uncertain with Donald Trump in the White House.
Even a much less ambitious transatlantic agreement is not certain to be ratified, given widespread
doubts about its possible impact on public services as well as environmental and food standards,
particularly in Germany.
Italy voted against proposed constitutional reforms in a referendum last year
Fears of a hard Brexit, populist election wins and an escalating trade war caused by President
Trumps attempts to shield the US market could well cloud economic expectations in Europe in the
year ahead. Meanwhile, the long-term outlook for the Eurozone remains tainted by the seeming
inability of two of its core members France and Italy to implement meaningful reforms. Both
countries are now in election mode, and much will depend on the outcome of their respective
polls. If Francois Fillon wins in France and a reinvigorated Matteo Renzi returns in Italy, prospects
- 45 -
for reform and Eurozone stability will look good. If paralysis continues, however, doubts about the
sustainability of the Eurozone will resurface in due course.
Against this backdrop of risks, we should not forget that some European economies remain
among the most competitive in the world. In the latest rankings of global competitiveness from the
World Economic Forum, six European countries were ranked among the top 10 and seven more
among the top 25.
4. DIGITAL EUROPE
In its endeavour to prepare European societies for the digital future, the EU has made some
incremental progress in 2016, although the process remains slow in view of the complexity and
sensitivity of some of the issues involved.
This was reflected in the process that led to the adoption of the General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR), which will come into force in May 2018, as well as in the eventual agreement
with the US on the new Safe Harbour agreement on data transfers. In both cases, privacy
concerns loomed large in the debate, with the European Court of Justice taking a particularly strict
line.
The new Safe Harbour agreement (Privacy Shield) will be challenged in the European Court of
Justice. There is also a significant risk that the Trump administration will go back on some of the
assurances on surveillance issues given to non-US citizens. This could create significant risks to
the rapidly developing trans-Atlantic data economy with its increasingly important digital value
chains.
Also within the EU, and despite the EUs aim of creating a fifth freedom for the cross-border
movement of data, we still see mercantilist tendencies in the debate about data flows in some EU
countries, and restrictions on how data can be stored will impose costs on business in the EU.
5. FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

In June 2016, the EU published its European Global Strategy, attempting to set out a coherent
framework for its relations with the outside world. From this flowed both a new level of cooperation
with NATO on meeting different "hybrid" threats, as well as plans for new steps in security and
defence cooperation inside the EU.
This notwithstanding, the EU remained a marginal player on wider security issues.
Soldiers of Ukraine's Donbas battalion inspect their unit's bus, which was destroyed in fighting
The Minsk process to deal with Russia's aggression against Ukraine continued to be run by
Germany and France, but in substance went nowhere, with 800 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians
killed in continued low-level attrition fighting in the Donbas area. EU sanctions on Russia have
accordingly been extended for a further six months.
- 46 -
Syria peace talks, started in a UN framework, continued bilaterally between the US and Russia,
but have now been taken over by Russia and Turkey with a role also for Iran. Prospects are
uncertain, at best.
On a positive note there is now a serious possibility of resolving the issue of a bitterly divided
Cyprus although the outcome of the twin referendums to ratify a possible deal remains hard to
predict.
6. THE POLITICAL SCENE

The politics of Europe, along with the rest of the Western world, has entered a new period of
volatility.
The EU itself seems to have halted the slide in support and legitimacy it has suffered in recent
years, at least for now. One of the effects of Brexit has been to reduce support in the remaining 27
countries for the idea of leaving the EU, although this probably has been driven more by fear of
the uncertainty associated with leaving the EU than genuine support for the EU process.
The latest Eurobarometer polls, released in November, also show that the decline in confidence in
the EU has been arrested.
The curve shows a clear correlation between EU performance and support for it. During the acute
phase of the Euro crisis in 2011-2012, confidence declined considerably, but as the crisis receded,
confidence started to move up again. Then the refugee crisis in 2015 caused another slide, which
has once again been reversed as the acute crisis was handled. Going into 2017, immigration and
terrorism, rather than the economy, are seen as the key issues for the EU to handle.
The challenges for the cohesion of the EU will come from within the member states in the next
couple of years. Across European countries, previously dominant political parties have lost
- 47 -
support to populist forces focusing on anti-immigration, anti-trade and anti-Europe issues. Many
mainstream parties are trying to regain voter support by copying some of the policies of their
populist challengers, including being tough on the EU.
Such tactics may not succeed, since the current political revulsion seems to go much deeper than
voter dissatisfaction with individual policies. The traditional Left/Right divide is everywhere being
supplemented or replaced with a new divide along the lines of open or closed societies. This new
divide is driven to a large extent by a sense of cultural, physical and economic insecurity among
particularly elderly and less urban parts of the electorates across Europe.
A series of important elections in 2017 will show how these issues will play out in the EU member
states, most notably in France and Germany.
The second round of the French presidential election on 7 May will in all probability be contested
by Francois Fillon of the centre-right and Marie Le Pen of the populist right. Present opinion polls
indicate a 60/40 outcome of such a race, but the situation is volatile, events might influence the
campaign and a victory for Le Pen, although unlikely, cannot be ruled out.
Le Pen favours France leaving the Euro and has talked about a UK-style referendum on future EU
membership. A victory for her would take the EU into a far more fundamental crisis than has been
the case with Brexit.
The German election in early autumn is unlikely to lead to any major change in the country's
European and international policy. Current polls show Angela Merkels CDU as the largest party,
which implies that she will be tasked with leading the EUs biggest country for a fourth term.
However, Merkel will find forming a coalition after the election unusually complicated. With the
populist Alternative fr Deutschland certain to enter the Bundestag and the small Liberal party
likely to return, there could, for the first time, be six parties in parliament. On current polls, the only
option for a majority would then be another grand coalition with the Social-Democrats. If,
however, the Social Democrats suffer further losses, which they will interpret as voters
punishment for not offering a clear alternative to the CDU, they may be reluctant to join another
Merkel government.
Spain now has a minority government that is likely to last for some time, but the prospects for Italy
are more uncertain. Fear of the populist Five Star movement might prevent a new election until
early 2018, also in the hope that the dismal performance of Five Star mayors in Italian cities will by
then have started to diminish its appeal.
In the elections in the Netherlands in March, the anti-immigration Geert Wilders may well attract
the largest share of the vote. He may prefer to leave government responsibility to a coalition of
smaller, more mainstream forces, however. An election in Greece might well bring back a New
Democracy government after the semi-populist experience of the past few years.
- 48 -
7. OUTLOOK
In March 2017, the EU will celebrate the 60th anniversary of signing of the Treaty of Rome by the
original EEC6 countries. Since then, European integration has gone through phases of deepening
and widening, with a fair share of upsets in between. Now, however, for the first time since its
inception, there is a significant question mark about the future direction of the EU. Large parts of
the population in many EU countries are opposed to further deepening or widening, or both.
At the same time, however, the pressure of external events and threats has forced EU countries to
try to find a common solution, in the knowledge that the member states on their own are too small
to master them. The refugee and migration crisis, the terrorist threats, as well as the digital
challenges, all illustrate this.
European leaders will struggle to handle the competing pressures of loosening the bonds of the
EU, while at the same time increasing cooperation. Whether the 2017 round of elections will
produce leaders who are up to the task remains to be seen.
The Europe of dreams has to some extent been replaced by a Europe of reality. Perhaps, over
time, this will prove to be a development that strengthens the Union.
8. EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

Just as the overall ranking on the ease of doing business tells only part of the story, so do
changes in that ranking. Yearly movements in rankings can provide some indication of changes in
an economys regulatory environment for firms, but they are always relative. An economys
ranking might change because of developments in other economies. An economy that
implemented business regulation reforms may fail to rise in the rankings (or may even drop) if it is
passed by others whose business regulation reforms had a more significant impact as measured
by Doing Business.
- 49 -
- 50 -
9. CATALONIA REFERENDUM
Catalan president Carles Puigdemont says the region has won the right to become an
independent state following a banned referendum that was marred by violent clashes.
As Madrid resists calls to recognise the legitimacy of the landmark vote, Sky News takes a look at
separatists' fight for self-rule.
:: Where is Catalonia?
- 51 -
The northeastern region of Spain is home to 7.5 million citizens and has its own devolved
government.
It also has its own language, cultural traditions and the country's second biggest city, Barcelona.
Prior to the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) the region was given broad autonomy, but this was rolled
back under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
Catalonia regained autonomy after General Franco's death in 1975, then secured enhanced
judiciary and taxation powers following a landmark vote in 2006.
However, in July 2010 Spain's constitutional court ruled that parts of the region's autonomy statute
were unlawful and that references to Catalonia as a nation had "no legal validity".
More than a million people held a march in Barcelona to oppose the ruling.
:: What is happening?
Decades of separatist tensions have come to a head, with increasing support for the pro-
independence cause.
In November 2014, Catalonia's government held an informal referendum in which more than 80%
voted in favour of independence.
It has since fought for the right to hold a legally binding vote and pushed ahead with a referendum
despite the firm opposition of the Spanish government.
The yes/no ballot paper asked: "Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the
form of a republic?"
Preliminary results show that 90% of those who voted backed independence, Catalan officials say.
:: What does the Spanish government say?
After the nation's constitutional court declared the referendum illegal, Madrid launched a
crackdown to confiscate millions of ballot slips.
On Sunday, state police were sent to block polling stations and forcibly seize ballot boxes in an
attempt to disrupt the vote.
Violent clashes erupted between voters and security forces, with Catalan officials claiming that at
least 844 people were injured.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has refused to recognise that a referendum took place, while foreign
minister Alfonso Dastis denied there was an "extraordinary level of violence".
Mr Dastis told Sky News: "You may think people were peacefully exercising their right to vote but
the problem is this so-called referendum had been held to be illegal by the constitutional court."
- 52 -
:: Why does Catalonia have a link with Scotland?
The cause of Catalan and Scottish independence campaigners is largely the same - both are
fighting against centralised powers for the ultimate right of self-rule.
As such, a fraternity between the two campaigns is embraced by top-level ministers and
grassroots campaigners alike.
Catalonia's Estelada flag is a common sight on SNP marches and during the Scottish referendum
a group of Catalan firefighters drove 1,500 miles to Glasgow to lend their support.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona fans threatened to wave Scottish flags at a cup final last year after
being denied the right to take pro-Catalan flags to the game.
Last month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued her concern over Madrid's resistance to the
Catalan vote and suggested that the agreement that led to the Scottish referendum was "a
template that could be used by others elsewhere in the world".
The Spanish government hit back, accusing Ms Sturgeon and SNP ministers of "totally"
misunderstanding Spanish law.
:: What happens next?
While former prime minister David Cameron promised the Scottish referendum was "decisive and
irreversible", Catalonia's vote is anything but clear cut.
The Catalan government says the referendum is legally binding and if separatists are successful
independence must be declared by parliament within two days.
But Madrid does not recognise the legitimacy of the vote and will resist Catalonia's calls for
independence.
Mr Rajoy has offered all-party talks on the region's future, but faces the prospect of a general
strike and mass protests across Catalonia on Tuesday.
The referendum has carried a large amount of symbolic significance.
- 53 -

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Compendium 2017

(Important International Events)

FLIPKART - EBAY INDIA

AXIS BANK FREECHARGE

GOOGLE - HALLI LABS

JOHNSON & JOHNSON - ACTELION

ESSILOR SA - LUXOTTICA GROUP SPA

SAFRAN SA - ZODIAC AEROSPACE SA

EXXON MOBIL - OIL & GAS ASSETS (PERMIAN BASIN RESOURCE)

ALTAGAS - WGL HOLDINGS

SHENZHEN METRO GROUP - CHINA VANKE

EXTREME - AVAYA'S NETWORKING BUSINESS UNIT

PALO ALTO NETWORKS LIGHTCYBER

HPE - NIMBLE STORAGE

APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT - WEST CORP.

JAPAN S TORAY JOINS QUALITY-SCANDAL PARADE

CHINESE STATE BANK ADDS PRESSURE TO DEBT-LADEN INDIAN WIRELESS

AFTER TOSHIBA SHARE SALE, ACTIVIST INVESTORS GAIN INFLUENCE

VOLKSWAGEN PLANS $12 BILLION ELECTRIC-CAR BLITZ IN CHINA

KOBE STEEL POINTS FINGER AT CARELESS MANAGEMENT , OVERWORKED

FOSUN REVIVES $1.1 BILLION DEAL FOR INDIAS GLAND PHARMA

LOTTE RETREATS FROM CHINA AS BEIJING-SEOUL DISPUTE DENTS BUSINESS

ARCELORMITTAL' S $1 BLN INDIA JOINT VENTURE TO GET GREEN LIGHT NEXT

INDONESIA PLAN TO BUY RIO COPPER STAKE

PHILIPPINES HALTS SALE OF DENGUE VACCINE AS SANOFI DOWNPLAYS RISK

Some of the recent significant FDI announcements are as follows

TRUMP-RUSSIA: MICHAEL FLYNN ADMITS LYING TO FBI

IN MEXICO, AMAZON DEBUTS CASH PAYMENT SERVICE

$1,000,000 to the Pan American Development Foundation to rebuild greater disaster-

SHELL OPENS FIRST RETAIL LOCATION IN MEXICO

NORTH AMERICAN CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION SURGED 9% IN OCTOBER

MEXICO CREATES VAST NEW OCEAN RESERVE TO PROTECT 'GALAPAGOS OF

U.S. BEGINS NEW MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN TARGETING THE TALIBANS OPIUM

AT LEAST 225 DEAD AFTER POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE HITS CENTRAL MEXICO

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WITHDRAWS FROM PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

U.S. BEGINS DEPLOYMENT OF THAAD IN SOUTH KOREA

MEXICO OPENS LEGAL AIDE CENTERS ACROSS UNITED STATES

US ESCALATES TRADE DISPUTE WITH UK AND CANADA OVER BOMBARDIER

US sold defence equipment worth over $38 bn in 2017: Pentagon

U.S. GDP SWINGS UP 3.3 PERCENT FOR BEST GAIN IN 3 YEARS

KEYSTONE PIPELINE LEAKS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

US IMPLEMENTS TIGHTER SANCTIONS ON CUBA

US IMPOSES FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON VENEZUELA

4TH GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINED ERADICATION OF CHILD LABOUR ,

LATIN AMERICA IS WORLDS MOST VIOLENT REGION FOR WOMEN: UNITED

CHILE NAMED BEST COUNTRY TO VISIT IN 2018

INDIA, BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICA SIGN IBSA TRUST FUND AGREEMENT

PERU PASSES LEGISLATION TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

NICARAGUA SIGNS PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

FIVE BANKS OF BRICS NATIONS SIGN PACT FOR CREDIT LINES

CUBA BEGINS 5-MONTH POLITICAL TRANSITION

2. In the second electoral stage, a commission dominated by government-linked

HURRICANE IRMA WORLD S LONGEST STORM TO BEAR 1.85 MPH WINDS IN

50 NATIONS SIGNED UN NUCLEAR BAN TREATY:

AUSTRALIA BANS FOREIGN DONATIONS TO POLITICAL PARTIES AFTER CHINA

TOURISTS BANNED FROM CLIMBING ULURU AS ABORIGINAL OWNERS SAY 'IT'S

NORTH KOREA WRITES LETTER TO AUSTRALIA WARNING ABOUT DONALD

WHY MARMITE COULD PREVENT MISCARRIAGES AND BIRTH DEFECTS

COAL BECOMES A FLASHPOINT IN A CLOSE ELECTION IN AUSTRALIA

MANUS ISLAND DETAINEES WIN 42 MILLION PAYOUT FROM AUSTRALIA FOR

AS CHINA RISES, AUSTRALIA ASKS ITSELF: CAN IT RELY ON AMERICA?

AMAZONS AUSTRALIAN LAUNCH BRINGS EXCITEMENT, DREAD AND DEFIANCE

AUSTRALIA JUST SWITCHED ON THE WORLD 'S BIGGEST BATTERY:

AUSTRALIA URGES STRONG, SUSTAINED U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN ASIA, WARNS ON