1993 - A Blast from the Past

It was 12th of March 1993. I was at Goa airport on this bright and beautiful day; ready to board my Damania Airways flight to Mumbai. The flight took off on time at 1pm and as usual; experienced great service on board which included a couple of Bloody Mary cocktails. It was nice to be heading back home after having spent some months of hedonistic fun in Goa. Little did I know that the day would turn into my personal "Ides of March" and the cocktails consumed on board ironic.

The flight landed at just before 2 pm and I could see more than the usual security personnel at the airport. From what I heard; there had been a bomb blast at 1.30pm at the Bombay Stock Exchange. My friends and I joked that it must be the work of Harshad Mehta - the prime accused in the largest stock market scandal (until then) that shook the Indian financial markets in 1992. By 2.20pm; I was all ready to leave the airport for meet the most wonderful thing in my universe; the Queen of Bandra - hotel Searock Sheraton. News just came in that there was a second blast in South Mumbai. I hailed a cab and under the influence of my sixth sense plus a longing to meet my mom ordered it to drive me home. I kind of worked out that 2 blasts would soon drive the City into a panic mode, and then who knows what the situation would be? By the time I reached home at 3pm; the streets were empty - deserted - an almost erie quiet. At my home; everyone was watching the telly. 4 more blasts had hit South and Central Mumbai by the time I had got home. Had I been moving towards Bandra; I would have been caught in standstill traffic as one of the explosions created mayhem in Mahim. 

Barely 20 minutes had passed and I got news that Searock and the two Centaur (Air india owned) hotels had fallen victim too. By the end of the day there were 13 explosions that left some 300 dead and more than 1000 injured. Thankfully no one died at Searock. But; I could have. Had I visited Searock; then I would have made my way to my favourite spot in the hotel - the Executive Club Lounge - on the 18th floor to catch the latest news gripping the City on CNN and BBC. As was my habit; I would have occupied a chair next to the north side floor to ceiling windows overlooking the poolside. The blast that happened at 3.10pm was just 2 rooms away. It shattered most of the window panes in that section and a lot of the lounge furniture ended up on the terrace deck 8 floors below; and shrapnels of glass as far as the pool deck some 50mts. away. I think my favoured chair was one of them too. The hotel had just completed its renovation, and it now looked like it would need another one. Guess there was nothing more iconic in the suburbs that made it the target; or possibly the terrorist camp confused ITC (the hotel management company) with ITDC (a government owned hotel company). I say this because no other private property was targeted; the other hotels hit were government owned. 

I may have personally escaped any harm; but for Searock and my family, things just went from bad to worse. Our personal financial loss mattered to no one; neither the State nor the government owned insurance companies. It just broke our back and life was never the same again. Years later; we had to exit the hotel; which by then had started resembling the dilapidated ruins of the Bandra Fort that stood next to it. Gone were the pride and glory with which it once stood as an address by itself. The Taj Land's End was now the new landmark and Searock the eyesore building across. Those that suffered a loss demanded that justice be served and compensation be provided. I doubt if we will ever be compensated, and if justice will ever be served to our satisfaction. Certainly not by hanging the accused; which has given birth to a national debate on capital punishment, and if the accused actually deserved a death sentence. Irrespective of what people feel the system has failed in delivering both justice and compensation to those impacted directly by the incident. On the other hand, I won't be surprised if the one put to the gallows today ends up as a martyr for those who believe that he stood for the "eye for an eye" principle; never mind whose eye was gouged in revenge*. The fire of hate has just been fanned a bit more and the wounds of the incident cut up all over again.

Today; the sea and rocks are still there but no SeaRock. The rubble of its demolition is part of the rocks; and its memories buried in the sea. Maybe its ghost is still fighting for justice and compensation for the family that built it and refuses to let anything new to rise in its place.   

Ironically; the day the honourable Judges of The Supreme Court of this great Nation was debating the accused's mercy petition; there was a brutal terror attack in Punjab apparently sponsored by the same perpetrators that masterminded 1993 as a reminder of the blast from the past. 

* The 1993 Mumbai Blasts were the supposed retaliation to the demolition of the "Babri" mosque in Ayodhya. 

Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Parliament (Satire)

This morning; I was on the treadmill at the gym; in pursuit of fulfilling my own mantra that 50 is the new 30 - just like the lead actor of "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" - Mr. Salman Khan. I had just about achieved and maintained the desired heart rate, when out of boredom from spot jogging; I decided to watch the news.  I read the 5 point strategy set by the Congress Party for the monsoon session of Parliament, and  My heart rate took a vertical climb faster than any fighter jet. The News channel's flash read something like this:

1. Make Parliament floor the theater for dramatizing controversies (whole of India is watching Big Boss).
2. No Motion until Resignation (don't confuse this motion with the bodily motion that was the star of a film called PIKKU. It has to do with a couple of BJP leading ladies though).
3. Oppose any real issues like GST and Land Bill (how can BJP take credit for passing them when it was thought of in Congress time?)
4.  Disrupt Parliament with protests. (I don't think this is the same disruption that tech boys keep talking about in a foreign accent nor is protest some new app. It has more to do with unparliamentary behaviour in Parliament - wow!)
5. Mrs. G and Son to lead the battle. (How is that a strategy?)

I had no choice but to hit the cool down switch immediately upon seeing the next piece of news flashed -

Sushma Swaraj to expose Congress leader in Parliament.  

The Congress spoke person's retort to her statement was "please do" knowing that such empty threats don't mean a thing to any politician.

I am pretty sure I had selected a news and not an entertainment channel. Well; it was neither news nor entertainment. What is disturbing is that we as a Nation are paying in cash and progress for this bad attempt of politicians to show each other who is the "Biggest Boss", and like all stars now; demanding a 100% hike in salary and perks for the same - while asking the tax payers to give up their LPG subsidy. (Many have complied too).

The media seems to be hungry for content.  It is lapping such drivel up with the obvious reasoning that the people of this great Nation love the chaos being played out in the circular temple of our Republic. Maybe;I should try my hand at politics and fulfill the prophecy of our family astrologer.

Post lifting some weights I had a strategy of my own to get the weight off my mind. I called up a politically connected friend in Delhi to pick his brains on how to go about writing my CV for a political career with a short cut to the top - that's being Indian. Knowing me well he said 'Bhaijan; if you come across as a thinker, there is no place for you in the BJP at least. In that party only 2 people think rest act; and sometimes without any direction. You are too old to join the RaGa gang and too young for Madam's circle; so Congress is pretty much out. You don't have a 'pehalwans' (wrestler's) body to join any of the coward (I think he meant cowherd) parties. That leaves only one party where you can get direct admission to top.' Silence and suspense. I broke it by saying 'Aap batau' (you say). He said 'So smart you are. Of course AAP Bachau (save AAP - the phone line must be really  bad). It needs major saving after all the problems it has created for those who elected them. Free water, cheap electricity all subsidized by VAT on diesel - LOL. Their leader is a fast learner of politics and I am sure under his tutelage you too will ace it. But Sirji; you have to fulfill one requirement; I don't know if you are capable of doing it'. I was all eager and all ears. 'Sirji practice "dharna". Now days no one shows up for any agitation.' 'What? Like sit in for protests? But is that  not more of a Congress thing now?' I asked. 'Sirji don't get into the nutty grutties of all this and be like "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" following Nike's advice - just do it. If you keep questioning everything then become a journalist or activist,' he said with a bit of agitation in his voice. Guess he was better suited for protests and agitations and possibly anarchy. I thanked him for his sage advice.

Politics as practiced today may not be for me (sorry Mr. Astrologer); and nor are the happenings in parliament suited to that institution (sorry Mr. Politician). There was a joke that did the rounds a few years back. The death verdict passed on those who attacked the Parliament to kill the members in session was certainly right; but, for failing in their task. (Sorry again - anyone who is offended). Our Nation deserves better. The institution that gives us our laws has to be respected by those appointed as members and they should remember that Parliament Circus is not the circus they may have in mind. And if all they believe is that they are providing the masses with is entertainment, entertainment and entertainment then maybe they should bring 'Bajrani Bhaijaan' in to Parliament. I am not suggesting Mr. K himself; even though he would have no problem in getting elected even as a PM; should it be left to his fans in India and across our shores. Maybe the character he has played so well will influence some if not all in true patriotism, commitment, duty, selflessness and humanity. I am off to see "Bahubali"now to inspire me on something or the other.




Washout of monsoon session of Parliament will lead to Rs 260 crore loss 

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/48212039.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

It takes 25 years to deliver Happy Days - RIP "Acche Din"

It will take 25 years to deliver 'Achhe din'; foundation being laid: Amit Shah

By Rajendra Sharma, TNN | 14 Jul, 2015, 10.51AM IST

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Ok; it's official now; and there is no reason to doubt the man who said it as he is the real strategist behind BJPs victory last year. The "Acche Din anne walle hain" (Happy days are coming) jingle heard during the National elections was the musical equivalent of a Namo selfie; as no one but he and his parverbalisednd family seem to exude any happiness anymore.

With 25 years more to go to see the elusive happy days; I know for certain that I will have to work and train very hard to keep my body and spirit young and have some reasonable amount of wealth to enjoy it.

If this was the US of A; no person would have been entitled to the prime minister's chair for longer than 8 years (well 10 in our case); but here; the foundations are being laid to cement the current rulers of the land for 25 years. The last one technically have ruled this Nation for almost all of its independent life and kept more than 50% of its population in abject poverty despite the party's prime motto being 'Garibi hatao" (eradicate poverty).

Now that honesty has prevailed; and I respect the candour; maybe in the next election, the current party will propagate promises that it and its very human leader can deliver allowing the Nation to decide if it deserves to be ruled by the same party for 5 more years.

Rest In Peace happy days. Looks like your tombstone rather than foundation has been laid. You have been declared a stillborn for my generation; and this Nation is one of fools (self included) to have believed in miracles. While the minority as usual is celebrating with cake and wine; the rest go back to fighting for their daily bread.

Incidentally the remark was retracted the next day with a statement that the Press misunderstood the intent of what was verbalized. 

Chinese Whisper - It's a Quantitative Arrest

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-10/why-chinas-stock-collapse-could-lead-revolution

To become an economic super power
First; create a phenomenal growth story based on local consumption by a billion plus people.
Second; to make that story fly make the people rich on paper.
Third; to make people rich on paper, give them cheap credit and avenues to spend that borrowed money. People always fall for it.
Fourth; hope that the lie of paper gains can be sustained forever. Utopian thought.
Fifth; just in case the house of cards collapses be ready to print paper money and force it in the hand of Govt. owned institutions to invest in inflated assets. Most of these institutions happen to be State run insurance and social security custodians for retired pensioners. Model tried, tested and failed in USA and Europe under code name "Quantitative Easing (QE)".
Sixth; if that don't work - find a safe haven exile to escape an anarchic revolution.



For now; China is at the fifth rung trying out its own version of QE and at the same time denying to call it by that name. The world is in a Chinese whisper mode and QE is now being called Quantitative Arrest. Call it what you want, it's just the same. With some clever accounting and iron fist escape the fall to level 6. If it does; it will be nothing short of an economic Neutron bomb that could bring much of the world into a state of nothingness.

Across the border; in a country that learnt its lesson in 2009/10 that its shining story can be extinguished as easily as a candle on a cake is preparing to take a lesson from China. Except; it's the wrong one. To revive the economy and growth story; the government is once again keen on stoking the fire of consumption by forcing down interest rates by fudging all the indices that point in the danger direction. Last time; it just inflated land, real estate and stocks to unimaginable highs without any logical fundamentals. All that was achieved in the bargain was that the Rupee slipped 55% in 5 years against the US Dollar erasing any significant gains in assets acquired (in dollar terms). There is talk that China's loss could be India's gain. I wonder if that is true. China is now a major trading partner and any adverse impact on its economy has bearing on ours too. But for now; I am concerned that I am receiving too many phone calls from bank appointed marketers offering easy credit against assets. All I can say is beware the pied pipers of the banking world.

Consumption is good. But there is too much money already in the system looking at unreal returns and no real avenues to provide it. India's growth story has to be built on fixing its infrastructure which to my mind includes agriculture. You read me right. That is the right quantitative arrest required to build a real growth story for India.

Sensex crashes 550 pts as China equity sell-off, P-Note worries spook markets

Tragedy or drama - The Greek OXI Moron (satire)

‎After months of double speak by global experts on Greek politics and economics; the citizens of Greece spoke in one voice (more or less) to deliver the OXI" (NO) vote in the referendum held on 5th of July.

At exactly seven in the morning the next day; the mighty Porus looking leader of India got a call from the leader of Greece (who bears no resemblance to the Great Alexander). After exchanging official salutations and pleasantries got right down to business. "Yasue! Sorry to call you this early, hope I am not disturbing you, but it's quite urgent under the circumstances; I am sure you must have heard how the referendum vote went?"

"Namaste to you. No. (LOL); sorry; as you guys would say OXI problem. Yes; I heard that your people showed the middle finger to Europe - which was quite expected. At least, you are now on safer ground after this.  Sorry if I am sounding Greek to you (LOL at his own joke) but my mind always does this after my morning yoga session. I hear yoga is getting popular in your Country too? Tell me what can I do for you and your brave people who know not what they did. Your people are exactly like mine - emotional - act first think later".

"Bravo! You understand the situation so well. We are broke and may soon be pushed out of EU; so I asked my Ministers which country could we most align with should such a situation arise. My government needs to save our Nation from being globally humiliated. ‎Surprisingly most said we should look at the United States of India though a few suggested Russia or China".

"Accha! you guys call us the USI? (LOL again).  Oh! sorry again  I did not say OCHI (OXI) but "Accha". It means Yes and could also mean is that right in our language - depends on how you say it. I am sure you got that. But what I don't get why India and not the other two? After all Russia and China would both love to take over Greece".

"I like the way you are trying to relate your language to ours. That's exactly why India works for us better. Unlike the other two we feel we have historical ties with India. Our cultures are so related. Our nations are the cradles of modern civilisation. If we had Plato and Archimedes your Country Chanakya and Aryabhatta. Our temples, myth, mythical gods and drama - they are so much like yours and your Bollywood movies. You don't know how popular SRK, AB, and RK are here? Our nations traded with each other when rest of the world was barbaric.  Your diet of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic chilies and oil; is exactly like ours. Our people are laid back, emotional, rational and proud; so also yours. We have great looking men and your Nation full of beautiful women. In fact there is a belief that Greek blood flows through a lot of Indians; after all Greeks were the first foreign invaders to rape and pillage your Nation. But; your kings and emperors were so evolved in foreign relations just like you are and they put their thrones before their pride. At times I think you look, speak and think like our Socrates; and at times, given what you are going through, may even end up like him". After a pause "I mean world famous".

The Indian leader's throat went dry for a second knowing that he was already swallowing poison being served by his trusted own.

"Sir; our people have always loved the idea of getting related to each other. One of your Kings made the wife of Alexander his sister even at the cost of loosing a great battle and another married a Greek General's daughter to strengthen his empire. Wow you guys are so generous, so practical and think with your heads even when you are being f#8ked".

‎"Ahem! I will take what you said as a compliment. We Indians always were fascinated by a fair race - you can tell by the tons of skin lightening cream that is sold here even today. OK; so maybe we are alike in many ways. Even I can think  of so many common traits; but best not discussed on open line. Now please explain what you mean by align?".

"Well; I was thinking... if you can manage 29 states - most of them as big and corrupt and bankrupt like Greece; and none of them have ever been expelled from your Union, despite bigger and bigger frauds each year; then maybe you could add us as your 30th State please? You guys know how to "manage" such financial jugglery of GDP, inflation and key economic figures much better than we do.  It's a way for you to get revenge from us for what we did thousands of years back. By conquering us you also get a foothold right at the heels of Europe. What do you think?"

"So you suggesting we adopt the Achilles heel of Europe and make it our own ‎Pandora's box? How could you even think we would accept?"

"Please don't misunderstand. Greece is bankrupt only on paper. Our elite have stashed billions of Euros overseas - just like yours. Most of our people don't pay taxes - ‎just like yours. Our public servants are lazy and corrupt - just like yours. I hear you have a fine finance minister and level headed central bank governor and you yourself have been great at changing world opinion about your Nation for the better. We need you and your team and your policies to govern us. Tell us how you will deal with curbing black money without actually doing so. Teach us about how to speak of austerity without practicing it. We want to learn how to enforce tax laws for harassing those that don't toe in line. Assist us in bringing optical fiscal discipline. And; help us scare our powerful neighbours. With your 1 billion plus population; if even 20 million visited Greece for a vacation and spend the way they do in UK our troubles would be over. Indians would not even need a visa. Your super rich can buy up islands and redevelop our broken down infrastructure. The Rupee and Drachma are like siblings anyway - big numbers that buy little.There is so much that can be done. It would give my people so much comfort if you added us on your list of Nations to visit. I will have a thousand people greet you at the airport performing yogic poses from the Kama Sutra"

Stroking his beard and a faint smile on his face the Indian leader said "For a moment let me humour this thought; then from a Head of a Nation; you may become just a Chief Minister of a State. How will you adjust to that?"

"No worries on that count; my party is better at opposition than ruling - like the one you have called AAP. We will transfer my powers to one of the CMs you may have to exile. Anyway; with my socialist beliefs I could unite all your communist parties in India.  I believe foreigners have a better chance of uniting politicians like my Italian neighbour who can freeze a person with just her gaze like Medusa. I am already excited about this proposal; are you not?"

The phone went silent and all that the Greek side heard was "OXI MORON".

photo credit thecitizen.in

2015 - a bad news year so far.

2014 ended badly with an Air Asia plane crashed in Indonesia. The third aircraft incident to hit Malaysia in one year. Earlier ones being the mysterious disappearance of Malaysian airlines MH370 and the shooting down of MH17 by Ukrainian rebels. The bad news streak seems to have spilled over into 2015 as well. January started off with the Charlie Hebdo killings in Paris and the worsening Ukrainian and Russian crisis; followed by escalation of conflict in Yemen. February saw the growing might of the ISIS in the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region; the terrorist attacks in Denmark and troubles brewing in Latin America.

World economics has not been encouraging either. While the mighty China has seen its stock market crack, a small nation like Greece threatens to drive a crack in United Europe. It is hard to understand how the Greek economy - which is way smaller than the turnover of a fortune 50 company can shake world markets. There was a time when an assailant would say "your money or your life?" now it's an attack on both money and life that one needs to be concerned with.

Thankfully, troubles in India have been restricted to politicians shooting themselves in the foot and attacks on the diet of the masses by imposing bans on beef and "Maggi". After a great wet start; the rain God seems to have listened to the weatherman's prayer to make true his prediction of a drought year. The economy is much better; but the markets and our currency are not showing any signs of it.

There are several full grown and baby Indian Unicorns who may disagree that 2015 is a bad year but the stories of their success are probably as mythical as the creature itself.

The best news is that in relative time terms half the year has gone (usually bad times pass slowly). Let's hope the rest of it gives us a reason to smile.

Summary of News for 2015 until June 2015

January 2015

• Twelve Are Killed in Terrorist Attack at Newspaper in Paris (Jan. 7): Two masked gunmen storm the office of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly magazine, in Paris, and kill 12 people, including the paper's top editor, Stephane Charbonnier, several cartoonists, and two police officers. Five others are critically injured. The provocative magazine is known for publishing charged cartoons that satirized the Prophet Muhammad, most religions, the pope, and several world leaders. French President Francois Holland responds to the attack by saying that "France is in shock." It is the worst terrorist attack in the country since World War II. U.S. PresidentBarack Obama and other world leaders condemn the attack. (Jan. 8): A manhunt is on for the two gunmen, Said Kouachi, 34, and his younger brother Cherif, 32. Meanwhile, the driver of the getaway car, Hamyd Mourad, 18, turns himself in at a police station about 145 miles northeast of Paris. News reports say the brothers have connections to Al Qaeda in Yemen. France holds a moment of silence in memory of those killed in the attack. (Jan. 9): The Kouachi brothers take a hostage at a printing facility outside Paris. French police launch an assault on the building, freeing the hostage and killing the suspects. Meanwhile, in another incident in Paris, Amedy Coulibaly allegedly takes several hostages at a kosher supermarket. Police kill Coulibaly, but four hostages are also killed. Coulibaly is also blamed for the shooting death of a female police officer on Jan. 8. Coulibaly reportedly has ties to the Kouachi brothers. (Jan. 11): About 1.5 million people and more than 40 heads of state, including French president Hollande, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli prime ministerBenjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, march in Paris to show an unified voice in calling for an end to violent extremism, to support or freedom of expression, and to mourn the victims of the terrorist attacks. The crowd is made up of people of many races and creeds. (Jan. 12): France deploys 10,000 troops to Jewish schools, synagogues and other locations. (Jan. 14): Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claims responsibility for the attack on the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 people. The militant group says in a statement that the leader of Al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahri, ordered the attack in retaliation for the magazine's caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Boko Haram Launches Deadly Assault on Baga (Jan. 8): Boko Haram takes over Baga, Nigeria, the only major town in Borno state to resist being taken over by the group. News reports say the militants burned the city to the ground and massacred hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens, making it one of the most deadly assaults by Boko Haram. A multinational force, manned with troops from Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, has been stationed in Baga. Goodluck Jonathan is widely criticized for not condemning the attack, and his silence may be met with dissent from voters in February's presidential elections.
• Tension Flares between Hezbollah and Israel (Jan. 18): One Iranian general and six Hezbollah fighters are killed during an Israeli air strike on the Syrian section of Golan Heights. After the attack, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatens retaliation. (Jan. 28): Hezbollah fires anti-tank missiles into an Israeli-occupied area along the Lebanon border, killing two Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces respond with ground and air strikes on several villages in southern Lebanon. While there are no reports of Lebanese casualties, a Spanish peacekeeper working with UNIFIL is killed. The exchange is the worst fighting between Hezbollah and Israelsince their 2006 month long war. (Jan. 29): Despite the attacks, both sides quickly exchange messages that they are not interested in an ongoing conflict. According to an Israel official, UNIFIL, a U.N. peacekeeping force located in Lebanon, passed on a message that Hezbollah is not interested in escalating the conflict. Israel responds, via UNIFIL, "that it will make do with what happened yesterday and it does not want the battle to expand."
• Argentine Prosecutor's Death Ignites Protests and Controversy (Jan. 19): Argentine federal prosecutor Alberto Nisman is found dead at his Buenos Aires home with a handgun nearby. For years, Nisman has been the chief investigator of the worst terrorist attack in Argentina's history, the 1994 car bombing of a Jewish Community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds more. Nisman is found deadjust hours before he is scheduled to appear before Congress to discuss his recent allegations that PresidentCristina Fernandez de Kirchner and other Argentine politicians had covered up for the Iranian suspects in the 1994 car bombing. Word of Nisman's death spread quickly, getting the attention of the international media and prompting protests where demonstrators accuse the government of corruption. Prosecutor Viviana Fein begins an investigation into Nisman's death to determine if it was a suicide, a forced suicide, or murder. (Jan. 22):After initially declaring Nisman's death a suicide, President Fernandez reverses her statement, saying now that she believes that it was not a case of suicide. Later, President Fernandez announces her plan to replace Argentina's secret security service with a brand new agency, one that will be managed and controlled by the General Prosecutor's office.
• Rebels Take over Yemen Capital (Jan. 20): Fighting in Sana between Houthi rebels and government troops escalate, and the Houthis take control of the presidential palace complex, sparking fears of a coup. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the group's leader, says President Hadi has failed to follow through on the reforms he promised and demands that a new constitution grant Houthis greater representation in Yemen's government. The escalation follows the release of a draft constitution that calls for Yemen to become a federation of six regions, a concept that emerged from the National Dialogue Conference and one that the Houthis oppose. The Houthis surrounds the presidential palace complex, with President Hadi inside, and take his chief of staff hostage. (Jan. 21): The Houthis and the government sign a cease-fire, in which the Houthis agree to withdraw from the presidential palace and the government says it will abandon the regional plan and give the Houthis more say in the naming of government officials. The Houthis, however, renege on the deal. (Jan. 22):President Hadi, Prime Minister Khaled Bahah, and the cabinet all resign, citing the Houthi's failure to abide by the cease-fire. However, the Houthis say in a statement that parliament must approve Hadi's resignation before it can take effect. The statement hints at the Houthi's reluctance to assume control over the country since it does not have support of the Sunni majority in the south. Many fear that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) will take advantage of the political vacuum.
• Ukraine Cease-fire in Tatters amid Resurgence of Fighting (Jan. 20): The cease-fire in Ukraine is all but shattered when the fighting between separatists and the government intensifies in eastern Ukraine. Rebels take over the Donetsk airport, and evidence mounts that Russia is supplying the rebels with increasingly sophisticated weapons. President Petro Poroshenko says as many as 9,000 Russian soldiers are taking part in the fighting in Luhansk and Donetsk, a claim Russia denies.
• Israeli Prime Minister Agrees to Controversial U.S. Congress Appearance (Jan. 21): House SpeakerJohn Boehner (R-Ohio) invites Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress without consulting the Obama administration, a breach of protocol. Netanyahu accepts the invitation, also without consulting the Obama administration, a move that creates tension between him and the White House. The appearance is scheduled for March 2015, two weeks before Israeli elections. The invitation is seen by many as an effort by Republicans to undermine Obama's foreign policy. President Obama does not plan to meet with Netanyahu during the prime minister's March visit.
• Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Dies (Jan. 23): King Abdullah dies. He is believed to be 90. His half-brother, Crown Prince Salman, assumes the throne. Salman says he plans to continue with his predecessor's diplomatic and economic policies.

February 2015

Here are the key events in world news for the month of February 2015.

• ISIS Militants Execute More Captives (Feb. 3): ISIS militants immolate Jordanian Muath Kasasbeh, a flight lieutenant pilot who they captured during U.S.-led attacks. In response, the Jordanian government executes two terrorists and vows revenge. Kasasbeh's execution follows the murder of two Japanese hostages, Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. (Feb. 6): ISIS announces that its last U.S. hostage, Kayla Mueller, 26, is killed when a building, which is hit by a Jordanian airstrike, collapses. (Feb. 10): The White House and Mueller's parents confirm her death, but say the cause is unknown. (Feb. 15): A group of militants aligned with ISIS beheads 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians who had been kidnapped from Sirte. Egypt responds by launching airstrikes on Derna, a militant stronghold in eastern Libya.
• Argentine President Under Investigation (Feb. 3): While continuing her investigation into Alberto Nisman's death, Prosecutor Viviana Fein announces that an arrest warrant draft for President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been found among Nisman's papers. Later on, prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita brings formal accusations of conspiracy against President Fernandez for her role in a possible cover up of Iranian suspects in the 1994 car bombing. Government officials react angrily to the news. Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich calls it "an active judicial coup." Anibal Fernandez, the presidential secretary, says that the charges are "ridiculous, embarrassing and a clear manoeuvre of anti-democratic destabilisation." Judge Daniel Rafecas is scheduled to begin reviewing the case by the end the month. For years, Nisman had been the chief investigator of the worst terrorist attack in Argentina's history, the 1994 car bombing of a Jewish Community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds more.
• Houthis Dissolve Yemen Parliament (Feb. 6): The Houthis dissolve Yemen's Parliament and announce it will be replaced with a national council that will form a committee to name a new president. In response to the turmoil, Saudi Arabia withholds aid to Yemen because of the Houthis' ties to Iran. In an attempt to form a compromise government, the UNBROKERS talks between the Houthis and rival political parties. However, the negotiations quickly break down.
• Nigeria Postpones Election (Feb. 6): Nigeria's election commission postpones for six weeks presidential elections scheduled for Feb. 14 after the military says it cannot protect voters in the northeast from Boko Haram. Some question if the decision is influenced by President Jonathan, whose victory is by no means guaranteed. Indeed, he faces a strong challenge from Muhammadu Buhari, a former military leader who was behind a 1983 coup.
• Expectations Low for Renewed Truce Agreement in Ukraine (Feb. 12): Amid the crisis in Ukraine, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France meet to try to resurrect the peace agreement signed in September 2014 in Minsk, called the Minsk Protocol. After 16 hours of negotiations, the parties agree to a cease-fire and to end the war in eastern Ukraine. However, some terms of the agreement leave many skeptical that the cease-fire will hold. For example, the location of the truce line is not defined. They do agree that both sides will remove heavy weapons and release prisoners, the constitution will be amended, the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk will be given "special status," and foreign troops and weapons will be withdrawn.
• Denmark Sees Worst Terrorist Attack in Thirty Years (Feb. 14): Two people are killed in two attacks. In the first attack, a gunman fires into a cafe where Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks is speaking. Vilks, who is on a list of Al-Qaeda targets for his Prophet Muhammad caricature, is unharmed in the attack. One man is killed, and three police officers are wounded. The gunman escapes, setting off a manhunt by police. (Feb. 15): Hours later, another attack happens outside a synagogue. One man is killed, and two officers are wounded. The gunman escapes and police continue the manhunt. Later in the day, police shoot and kill the suspect in a shootout. (Feb. 16): Details emerge about the gunman, Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein, including his release from jail two weeks ago where he had been serving a sentence for attacking a train passenger with a knife. Details suggest that El-Hussein may have been radicalized while in jail. The two shootings are the worst terrorist attack in Denmark since the July 22, 1985 bombings of the Great Synagogue and the Northwest Orient airlines office in Copenhagen, which killed one person and injured twenty-six.
• Russian Opposition Leader Is Assassinated (Feb. 27): A vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Boris Y. Nemtsov is shot and killed in Moscow. The shooting takes place on a bridge near Moscow's Red Square, not far from the Kremlin. Putin condemns the killing and promises to lead the investigation into Nemtsov's death. Nemtsov has been an outspoken critic of Putin, and most recently, of the war in Ukraine. Nemtsov's murder is the biggest assassination to happen in Russia during Putin's presidency. The incident sparks outrage and protests, with tens of thousands marching in Moscow in the days after the assassination.
• Venezuelan President Retaliates Against U.S. Sanctions (Feb. 28): During a rally at the presidential palace, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro calls for a major decrease in the number of U.S. diplomats at the American Embassy there. He also declares that from now on U.S. citizens will need visas to visit Venezuela. Maduro's actions are seen as retaliation for the sanctions that the U.S. government has imposed on government officials in Venezuela. Maduro's speech comes hours after four U.S. missionaries are released and leave the country. The missionaries had been held by Venezuelan authorities for four days.

March 2015.

• With Help From Iran, Iraq Begins Major Campaign Against ISIS (Mar. 2): The Iraqi military, aided by Iranian-backed Shiite militias and Iranian troops and advisers, begins a major campaign against ISIS in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, which ISIS captured in June 2014. Iranian-backed militias and Iranian troops lead the fight in Tikrit, Iraq, against ISIS, the radical militant group that has sought to implement an Islamic state in northern Iraq and Syria. Iranian military leaders also provide guidance to the fighters. Fighters from Shiite militias comprise the bulk of the force, some 20,000 men, while Iraqi troops numbered only about 3,000. A small number of Sunni fighters join the battle. (Mar. 13): They drive ISIS out of Tikrit, handing ISIS a significant defeat. The operation is conducted without the backing of the U.S.-led coalition, handing the Iraqi forces a symbolic as well as strategic victory.
• Israeli Prime Minister Makes Controversial Speech to U.S. Congress (Mar. 3): Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress in an effort to sway the Obama administration against negotiating with Iran. Netanyahu calls the negotiations to get Iran to freeze its nuclear program "a bad deal." In his speech, he says the deal that the Obama administration wants "could well threaten the survival of my country" because it will not prevent Iran from having and using nuclear weapons. To the contrary, he says, the deal "will all but guarantee" nuclear arms in Iran. During his speech, Netanyahu receives repeated standing ovations and is greeted by bipartisan members despite the fact that more than 50 democrats are not in attendance. Netanyahu's speech is the most controversial by any foreign leader in years because of the subject matter and because House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) invited Netanyahu to address Congress without consulting the Obama administration, a breach of protocol. The speech is seen by many as an effort by Republicans to undermine Obama's foreign policy. Netanyahu's appearance comes just two weeks before Israeli elections.President Obama does not meet with Netanyahu during the prime minister's visit.
• Boko Haram pledges allegiance to ISIS (Mar. 6): Boko Haram pledges allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an Islamic extremist militant group. The move further extends the reach of ISIS, which seeks to establish an Islamic state in the Middle East ruled by strict shariah law.
• U.S. Senators Warn Iranian Officials Against Signing Nuclear Deal (Mar. 9): As Iran appear to be close to signing a 10-year accord that will scale back its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, 47 U.S. Republican senators sign an open letter to Iranian officials saying the agreement can be reversed "with the stroke of a pen" by President Obama's successor. The letter, written by freshman senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, sparks outrage among Democrats, who say the move, which is without precedent, undermines Obama's foreign policy. Iranian officials dismiss the letter and continue the negotiations, "In our view, this letter has no legal value and is mostly a propaganda ploy," said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
• Netanyahu's Likud Party Wins Israeli Elections (Mar. 17): After polls leading up to the election had him behind, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party win the election. Netanyahu's Likud Party takes 30 out of 120 seats. Likud's main rival, Zionist Union alliance, led by Isaac Herzog, wins 24 seats. The win for Likud means that odds are highly in favor of Netanyahu serving a fourth term as prime minister. Netanyahu must now form a government, a task which may be harder after his vow leading up to the election that no Palestinian state will be established while he is in office, a vow that insulted Arab citizens and alienated some political allies. (Mar. 19): After a backlash, Netanyahu backtracks from the statements he made leading up to the election against the establishment of a Palestinian state. In a TV interview, he says that he remains committed to a two-state vision and Palestinian statehood if conditions in the region improve. "I don't want a one-state solution, I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution, but for that circumstances have to change," Netanyahu says in the interview two days after the election.
• Gunmen Open Fire at Tunis Museum (Mar. 18): At least 20 people are killed when two gunmen, Yassine Laabidi and Hatem Khachnaoui, go on a shooting spree at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis, the capital ofTunisia. Neither of the assailants has known connections to terrorist groups. Security forces kill the gunmen, and they believe two or three accomplices escaped.
• The Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Mosque Attacks as Violence Escalates in Yemen (Mar. 19):Troops loyal to Yemen's President Hadi and those allied with the Houthis and former president Saleh, Hadi's rival, battle for control of the international airport in the southern port city of Aden. After pitched battles, Hadi's forces retake the airport and seize a Special Security Force base, which is controlled by Saleh. Hadi's presidential compound is hit by warplanes believed to be under the command of either Saleh or the Houthis. The Houthis retreat and call for talks and an end to the fighting. (Mar. 20): Two coordinated attacks on Zaydi Shiite mosques in Sana kill about 140 civilians during prayers. Sana Province, an affiliate of the Islamic State, says it is responsible for the attacks. The attacks highlight the deteriorating security conditions in Yemen, a terrorist training ground. The U.S. has counter-terrorism advisers based in Yemen, and after the attacks it withdraws 125 members of the Special Operations unit. (Mar. 22): The Houthis take control of Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city. They start sending weapons and troops to Taiz, signaling plans to continue the fight against Hadi and his forces. Taiz is about 120 miles from Aden. (Mar. 26): In an attempt to stop the Houthi advance,Saudi Arabia launches an offensive on Houthi targets in Yemen. More than 100 Saudi jets are involved in the airstrikes that cripple the Houthi's air force. (Mar. 30): A Saudi-led airstrike hits a camp for displaced civilians, killing as many as 40 people. Iran backs the Houthis, and the involvement of Saudi Arabia runs the risk of inflaming tension or creating a broader conflict in the Middle East.

April 2015.

• Somalian Militants Continue to Target Non-Muslims (Apr. 2): Shabab militants attack Garissa University College in northeast Kenya. In a daylong siege, the militants separate Muslims and non-Muslims, sparing Muslims. The non-Muslims are taken hostage and more than 140 are killed. Security officials free the surviving hostages and kill the four gunmen. In a statement, Shabab says the attack was a planned "operation against the infidels."
• Iran Agrees to Nuclear Deal Despite Interference by Congress, Netanyahu (Apr. 2): Despite the interference by the U.S. Congress and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, the U.S., and the four other permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany agree on a detailed, comprehensive framework for the future of Iran's nuclear program. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's minister of foreign affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, engage in marathon negotiation sessions for eight days to secure the deal. The breadth of the agreement exceeds expectations. The deadline to reach a final agreement is June 30, 2015. Iran agrees to a lengthy list of concessions, including reducing the number of centrifuges spinning enriched uranium at Natanz, Iran's main nuclear facility, to 5,000 from about 19,000; not to enrich uranium over 3.67% for at least 15 years; not to build enrichment facilities for 15 years; that the enrichment site at Fordo will be converted to produce nuclear material for medical purposes for 15 years, and to allow all equipment and centrifuges not in use to be placed in storage monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA will have access to inspect all of Iran's nuclear sites. In addition, the length of time it will take Iran to obtain enough fissile material for one weapon will be extended to one year, up from the current 2 to 3 months. Iran agrees that the one-year break-out period will be in effect for 10 years. In exchange, the U.S. and the European Union will lift nearly all the sanctions against Iran once the final deal is signed. The sanctions have crippled Iran's economy.
• U.S. and Cuba Have Highest-Level Meeting in Decades (Apr. 9): U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez meet in Panama. It is the highest-level meeting between the U.S. and Cuba in more than half a century. Their meeting comes a day before the Summit of the Americas. According to U.S. officials, the meeting between Kerry and Rodriguez goes well, lasting for at least two hours.(April. 11): U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro meet at the Summit of the Americas in Panama. It is the first time the countries' leaders have a face-to-face meeting in more than 50 years. According to news reports, Obama and Castro vowed to open embassies in both countries. "Our governments will continue to have differences," Obama says. "At the same time, we agreed that we can continue to take steps forward that advance our mutual interests."
• Morsi Receives 20 Years in Prison (Apr. 21): Mohammed Morsi and 14 members of the Muslim Brotherhood are found guilty of ordering the torture and illegal detention of protesters in Egypt. They are sentenced to 20 years in prison. The charges stem from violent protests against Morsi in December 2012. They are acquitted of inciting the murder of a journalist and two opposition figures.
• Saudi Arabia Attempts to End Air Campaign in Yemen (Apr. 21): The Saudi Arabia-led air bombing coalition ends its campaign in Yemen. According to coalition officials, the campaign ends because it has "achieved its military goals." The month-long campaign, called Decisive Storm, has targeted Houthi rebels, but failed to stop their advance. Meanwhile, the fighting has claimed hundreds of civilian lives, displaced as many as 150,000, and destroyed neighborhoods. An embargo of food and medicine, which the Saudis enforced, has created a humanitarian crisis. Coalition officials announce that a new operation, Restoring Hope, will now focus on counter-terrorism and a political solution in Yemen. (Apr. 22): Saudi Arabia resumes airstrikes.
• Turkey Removes Vatican Ambassador over Pope Francis Comment (Apr. 24): Pope Francis calls the 1915 murder of between 600,000 and 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks during World War I the first genocide of the 20th century. He makes the comment at a mass commemorating the 100th anniversary of the massacre. Turkey withdraws its ambassador to the Vatican in response. About 20 countries, the Council of Europe, and European Parliament have formally acknowledged the genocide. The U.S. refers to the mass murder of Armenians as "one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century," but has stopped short of calling it a genocide. Turkey denies that a genocide took place and claims that a much smaller number died in a civil war, and it remains illegal to even discuss the persecution of Armenians in Turkey.
• Nigerian Army Frees Boko Haram Hostages (Apr. 27): Forces in Nigeria advance into the Sambisa Forest and begin freeing the women and children who have been held as hostages by Boko Haram. (Apr. 28):Almost 300 hostages are freed. (Apr. 29): A firefight between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram kills over 400 Boko Haram rebels. One woman is killed and eight others injured. (Apr. 28): The Nigerian military destroys 13 Boko Haram camps and frees more women and children. By the end of April, close to 700 hostages are rescued.

May 2015.

• The Duchess of Cambridge Gives Birth to a Girl (May 2): Catherine gives birth to her second child, a girl Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. She weighs 8lbs 3oz. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, her official title, is fourth in line to succeed Queen Elizabeth II, her great-grandmother.
• Cameron Wins a Second Term in a Resounding Victory (May 8): David Cameron's Conservative Party breezes to victory over Labour in the general election. The Conservatives win enough seats to secure an outright majority in Parliament, and Cameron earns a second five-year term as prime minister. It is a stunning loss for Labour's Ed Miliband, who resigns the day after the election. The Conservatives take 331 of 650 seats in the House of Commons, an increase of 24 seats from the 2010 race. Labour wins 232 seats, 26 fewer than in 2010. Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats, who joined the Conservatives in a coalition government after the 2010 election, also fares poorly, taking just eight seats. He also resigns as party leader.
• Morsi Sentenced to Death (May 16): Mohammed Morsi is sentenced to death by a court in Egypt in a separate case than the one he was tried for last month. This case involves a prison break of scores of members of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2011. The court will make a final decision on June 2.
• Ireland Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage in Historic Vote (May 22): Ireland becomes the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in a national referendum. Turnout for the vote is 60.5%. Of those who vote, 62.1% choose in favor of changing the country's constitution to allow same-sex marriage. The vote comes 22 years after Ireland decriminalized homosexuality. The referendum's result shows how quickly the historically conservative country is changing. Of the outcome, Prime Minister Enda Kenny says, "With today's vote we have disclosed who we are: a generous, compassionate, bold and joyful people."
• U.S. Takes Cuba Off State-Sponsored Terrorism List (May 29): In another step toward resuming full diplomatic relations, the U.S. removes Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Of the decision, State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke says in a statement, "While the United States has significant concerns and disagreements with a wide range of Cuba's policies and actions, these fall outside the criteria relevant to the rescission of a state sponsor of terrorism designation."

June 2015.

• Millions Exposed by Computer Hacking Linked to China (June 4): U.S. officials announce that at least four million federal employees are involved in a data breach by hackers who have been traced to China. The breach is one of the largest ever of federal employee data and involves employees past and present. TheObama administration announces that the breach was first discovered in April of this year, but may have started in late 2014.
• Erdogan Loses Majority in Turkey's Elections (June 7): President Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) loses its majority in Parliament in Turkey's election. The party wins 41% of the vote and 258 seats in the 550-seat parliament, down from its current 327 seats. The result puts the brakes on Erdogan's plan to amend the constitution to further consolidate power and were considered a referendum on his increasingly authoritarian leadership. The pro-Kurdish party, the People's Democratic Party, takes 13% of the vote, enough to land representation in Parliament for the first time. The party will have 80 seats. Turnout is high, 87%.
• Gunman Kills Dozens at Beach Resort in Tunisia (June 26): A gunman, identified as 23-year-old Seifeddine Rezgui, opens fire at the Port El Kantaoui resort, killing 38 tourists. It is the second attack on tourists in Tunisia in three months. In March, at attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis killed 22 people. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for both attacks.
• Greece Misses Debt Payment (June 29): Greece misses a critical debt payment of 1.5 billion euros to the International MonetaryFUND (IMF), increasing the country's financial crisis. Greece's international creditors refuse to extend the country's bailout program. The IMF places Greece in arrears, a classification used to avoid saying a country that doesn't pay its debt on time is in default. The missed payment creates alarm and chaos. Greece shuts down its banking system, ordering its banks to close for six days. Standard & Poor's releases a statement about Greece that said, "a commercial default is inevitable within the next six months." Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras calls for a referendum where voters will decide whether or not to accept the terms of the country's creditors. Tsipras urges voters to choose "no," which is met with Pro-European protests in Athens. Tsipras writes a letter to the international creditors, which says that Greece will accept the bailout offered if many of the conditions are changed. However, Chancellor Angela Merkel ofGermany dismisses Tsipras' letter, saying that the letter is too late and that there should be no more negotiations until Greece holds its referendum on July 5.