Vice President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China stands next to Rick Kimberley, right, during a visit to Kimberley's farm near Maxwell, Iowa, on Feb. 16, 2012
China Abuzz – State news agency Xinhua reports on the end of Vice President Xi Jinping’s foreign tour to the U.S., Ireland and Turkey. Meanwhile, attention at home has turned to comments by a Japanese mayor purportedly denying the 1937 massacre of Nanjing. “Nagoya mayor must pay for arrogance” thundered an editorial by nationalistic Communist Party mouthpiece Global Times.
Trade War – The Times of India covers plans by India, China, the U.S., Russia, Brazil and another 21 nations to retaliate against E.U. plans to introduce a carbon tax on flights landing in the eurozone. They intend to review open skies’ agreements, suspend all negotiations on operating rights for the E.U. airlines and impose additional levies and charges on flights coming in from European nations.
Storm Down Under – The Sydney Morning Herald has fresh details on “the jostling for numbers” as Australia’s ruling Labor Party once again descends into a divisive leadership battle. Prime Minister Julia Gillard has scheduled a vote for Monday following the shock resignation of Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd – whom she displaced in a coup 18 months ago – in Washington D.C. Wednesday night.
Egypt’s Open Wounds – Reuters explores the misgivings about the trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mumbarak. Many of the judicial systems put in place by the ousted leader remain, and his picture still hangs in the hall of the court building that was named after him up until a few months ago. “Mubarak is being tried by laws he put in place,” victim advocate Maha Youssef told the news service.