Portal:Current events/2012 February 20

Current events of February 20, 2012 (2012-02-20) (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks South Korea proceeds with live-fire drills near the disputed Korean sea border despite threats from North Korea of "merciless" strikes in retaliation. (AP via News Limited) At least 30 people are dead in the Nigerian city of Maiduguri following an attack on the markets by suspected Islamist militants. (AFP via Yahoo News) Justice and Equality Movement rebels in Darfur release 49 UNAMID peacekeepers but retain three other people they accuse of being Sudanese security agents. (BBC) Business and economy Samsung Electronics announces plans to spin off its LCD business. (Reuters) The Thai economy shrinks by 7 percent (%) during the last quarter as a result of the floods. Japan's balance of trade deficit reaches a record high due to the strong value of the Japanese yen and higher fuel costs following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. (BBC) The price of oil reaches an eight month high following Iran banning sales to Britain and France on Sunday. (BBC) Disasters Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat, orders an inquiry into the death of six people at a stampede at the Bhavnath Hindu temple in the Junagadh district over the weekend. (NDTV) International relations International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear inspectors arrive in Tehran to hold discussions about Iran's nuclear program. (Deutsche Welle) Politics and elections The ruling Workers Party in North Korea calls a conference in mid-April to consolidate the transfer of leadership to Kim Jong-un from his father Kim Jong-Il. (Reuters via Malaysia Star) In the Netherlands, Job Cohen, the leader of the Labour Party, resigns his position after increasing criticism of his performance. (NOS) In the United Kingdom, Home Secretary Theresa May announces plans to split the UK Border Agency into two separate organisations after revelations that hundreds of thousands of people were let into the country without appropriate checks. (BBC) Science Scientists report regenerating specimens of Silene stenophylla from a 31,800 year old piece of fruit, greatly surpassing the previous record for oldest plant successfully regenerated. (NY Times) Sport In football, the start of the Peruvian Primera División is disrupted due to a players strike due to outstanding payments. (Reuters via Eurosport)