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Biodun@bbcnews.com
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Financial Times Breaking News--Florman unveiled as BVCA head
Topic: bcva, bbc news
Posted by biginla
at 12:19 PM GMT
China's President Hu Jintao arrives for US state visit
Topic: china, xian wan, bbc news, biodu ASIA-PACIFIC18 January 2011 Last updated at 15:56 ET by Xian Wan and Biodun Iginla, BBC News Chinese President Hu Jintao has landed in the US for a four-day state visit, in a crucial meeting of the world's two biggest powers. Analysts say Mr Hu's visit is the most important by a Chinese leader in 30 years given China's growing military, economic and diplomatic clout. Relations have been strained on issues from currency controls and trade disputes to human rights and Taiwan. Talks are also expected to include North Korea's nuclear activities. US President Barack Obama will host a private dinner on Tuesday for Mr Hu at the White House. This will be followed on Wednesday by talks in the Oval Office and an opulent state dinner. Mr Hu is also expected to travel to Chicago, where some predict he will sign a series of trade and investment agreements. In Washington on Tuesday, raucous demonstrators protesting against China's Tibet policies gathered in front of the White House, waving signs and flags and chanting slogans. Meanwhile, workers hung US and Chinese flags along Pennsylvania Avenue, one of Washington DC's chief arteries, which runs between the White House and the Capitol building where Congress sits. Sensitive issuesChina's foreign ministry called Mr Hu's visit "an important one". "We hope the visit will promote positive and co-operative China-US relations, map out new directions for bilateral relations in the new era and raise co-operation to a new level," said spokesman Hong Lei. This is likely to be Mr Hu's last state visit to the US before a handover of power is completed in China in 2013. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that America and China are "at a critical juncture, a time when the choices we make, big and small, will shape the trajectory of this relationship". Both sides recognise the deep divisions that have dogged relations over the past year: the value of the yuan, the huge trade gap, human rights, US arms sales to Taiwan. The US is also concerned by China's growing military strength. Earlier this month, during a trip to China by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Beijing confirmed that it had tested a prototype J-20 stealth fighter, invisible to radar. The US has also bolstered its support for its East Asian allies, most notably South Korea and Japan amid maritime rivalries with China in the Pacific. The two powers have also been at loggerheads over how to curb North Korea's belligerent behaviour and advancement of its nuclear programme. In a rare interview with foreign media, Mr Hu acknowledged the "differences and sensitive issues", but said co-operation rather than confrontation would serve both sides best. 'Manipulation'Ahead of Mr Hu's arrival in the US, a Chinese trade mission signed six deals with US companies in Houston worth $600m (£376m) - which analysts say is an attempt to create a "positive" atmosphere for the talks. Trade between the US and China is worth $400bn, up from $100m 30 years ago, when the US formalised relations with the communist state. The US is also encouraging China to buy tens of billions of dollars of aircraft from Boeing, car parts, agricultural goods and beef. A series of deals on bilateral trade, energy, environmental protection, infrastructure building, and cultural exchanges are expected to be signed during the visit, Chinese state media reported. Meanwhile, US senators have been pressing Congress to penalise Beijing for "manipulating" its currency. They say it is important to punish China if it does not allow the yuan to rise in value rather than manage its exchange rate - making Chinese products cheaper in the US and raising the price of US goods in China. Mr Hu earlier said the yuan was not undervalued, and that China had adopted a "managed floating exchange rate regime" determined by the balance of international payments and supply and demand. He also questioned the role of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency and criticised US monetary policy, saying that by keeping interest rates low, the Federal Reserve was devaluing the dollar and creating inflation elsewhere. Members of Congress have also highlighted China's human rights record. Human rights activists, pro-Tibet campaigners, Uighurs, Taiwanese and other groups are also planning to hold protests during Mr Hu's visit. (Required)Name(Required)Your E-mail address(Required)Town & Country(Required)Your telephone number(Required)CommentsIn most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location unless you state otherwise. But your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Posted by biginla
at 12:08 AM GMT
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
China says U.S. benefits from its market
Topic: china, xian wan, bbc news, biodu by Xian Wan, BBC News Southeast Asia Desk, for the BBC's Biodun IginlaPublished: Jan. 18, 2011 at 7:25 AM BEIJING, Jan. 18 -- The growth of U.S. investments in China shows the Communist giant has become "the profit engine" for U.S. business, People's Daily said. In a lengthy piece, "Trade engagement with China benefits U.S.," published ahead of President Hu Jintao's much publicized summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington, the official organ of the Chinese Communist Party said the United States had invested $65.2 billion in about 59,000 projects in China as of the end of last year, "making China the profit engine for American business." The report, quoting last year's survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in China, said 71 percent of American business in China was profitable in 2009 and 46 percent of those interviewed said they made more money from their China investments than others. The report said more U.S. investments were planned by major corporations this year in China, now the second largest trading partner with 2010 bilateral trade totaling more than $385 billion. The article reminded that currently, "China holds the largest amount of U.S. bonds" and even during the global financial crisis, China "continued to buy them, which played an important role in maintaining a stable U.S. financial market." It said despite these benefits and developments, Washington has "continued to voice its discontent about China, especially on problems such as China's 'excessive trade surplus and the 'undervalued' yuan."
Posted by biginla
at 5:13 PM GMT
Tunisia ministers quit government as protests resume
Topic: tunisia, bbc news, biodun iginla AFRICA18 January 2011 Last updated at 11:22 ET Continue reading the main story Click to play
by Rashida Adjani, BBC News North Africa Desk, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla The BBC's Lyse Doucet in Tunis tells me at the BBC that the protests are unlikely to end anytime soon Several ministers have withdrawn from Tunisia's national unity government, just one day after it was unveiled. Three from the opposition General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) are reported to have been joined by Health Minister Mustafa ben Jaafar. PM Mohammed Ghannouchi angered many protesters when he kept several ministers from the former ruling RCD party in their jobs. Tuesday saw new demonstrations in Tunis and reports of protests elsewhere. Fresh demonstrations were reported in Sfax, Regueb, Kasserine and Sidi Bouzid - where the revolt began in December when a 26-year-old man set himself on fire. Riot police were deployed in central Tunis as large crowds gathered to voice their anger at the make-up of the new government. Police broke up at least one rally and clashed with some protesters, who waved banners and chanted anti-RCD slogans. DiscontentMr Ghannouchi had hoped to placate protesters on Monday by announcing a government of national unity. The line-up included members of the opposition but also retained members of the RCD in key ministerial positions including the defence, interior and foreign portfolios. But first the junior transport minister, Anouar Ben Gueddour, and two other ministers, Abdeljelil Bedoui and Houssine Dimassi, decided to leave the government. All three are members of the UGTT. Later on Tuesday a senior figure in the Union of Freedom and Labour party said that its leader Mustafa ben Jaafar, as health minister a senior member of the government, was also stepping down. Earlier, the UGTT reportedly held an extraordinary meeting at which it decided not to recognise the new government. A UGTT representative reportedly told state TV its ministers' decision to step down was due to the continued presence of the RCD in the government. The remainder of Tunisia's new government was said to be meeting the prime minister on Tuesday afternoon, many thought to be carrying the message that the RCD must leave the government. On the streets there was clear anger. "We don't want this revolution to come from this criminal party," one protester told Reuters news agency. "We do not want this (Prime Minister Mohammed) Ghannouchi who ruled the country with (former President Zine al-Abidine) Ben Ali and was a witness to our slaughter for 23 years. We never want him." 'Sham'At the airport in Tunis there were jubilant scenes on Tuesday as veteran political dissident Moncef Marzouki returned to the country after more than 20 years in exile in France. Mr Marzouki leads the Congress for the Republic, a secular party that was banned under the previous regime. He has pledged to stand in upcoming presidential elections. "I'll do everything I can to ensure a real transition to democracy and peace in this country," he told cheering crowds near the airport, urging them to remain opposed to the RCD. "Don't waste the blood of our martyrs. We don't want any revenge, but we are fast with our principle that this horrible party does not return." Earlier, Prime Minister Ghannouchi defended the inclusion of members of the old regime in his new government. He said they had "clean hands" and had always acted "to preserve the international interest". He repeated pledges made on Monday of a new "era of freedom", which would see political parties free to operate and a free press. He said free and fair elections would be held within six months, controlled by an independent election commission and monitored by international observers. But while some protesters appeared ready to wait and see, others immediately described the new government as a sham. Unrest in Tunisia grew over several weeks, with widespread protests over high unemployment and high food prices pitching demonstrators against Tunisia's police and military. President Ben Ali was forced into exile last Friday. On Monday the government admitted 78 people had died in street clashes. Are you in Tunisia? What do you think of the current situation? Are you taking part in the demonstrations? Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. (Required)Name(Required)Your E-mail address(Required)Town & Country(Required)Your telephone number(Required)Comments
Posted by biginla
at 4:31 PM GMT
Monday, 17 January 2011
What the Arab papers say
Topic: tunisia, bbc news, biodun iginla Monday January 17th 2011 Search News analysis NewsbookTunisia's revolution in the Arab press
Jan 17th 2011, 15:21 by The Economist online by Rashida Adjani and Biodun Iginla, BBC News and the Economist THE Arab press has been awash with responses to the protests in Tunisia deposing Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali. Their views range from from elation at the fall of Tunisia's president, to concern over how the power vacuum will be filled and speculation about which corrupt Arab leader could be next to fall. In al-Sabah, a Tunisia daily, Mohamed al-Taweer revels in patriotic pride:
Salih Atiya, also writing in al-Sabah, praises Mohammed Bouazizi, the man who sparked the protests by setting himself on fire, and the other protesters as martyrs, marvelling at the fact that Mr Ben Ali really is gone:
These last lines are from the final verse of the Tunisian national anthem, which has been widely quoted in newspaper editorials, in tweets and on Facebook pages throughout the Arab world since Mr Ben Ali’s expulsion. In the Lebanese opposition newspaper, al-Akhbar, John Aziz suggests some lessons to be learned from the uprising in Tunisia:
Abdel Bari Atwan, editor-in-chief of al-Quds al-Arabi, a pan Arab daily, congratulates the Tunisians on the ouster of Mr Ben Ali:
In Dar al-Hayat, a London-based Arabic newspaper, Mostapha Zayn criticises Mr Ben Ali for his failures as a leader:
In Saudi Arabia, which offered refuge to the fleeing Mr Ben Ali to the bemusement of many of its citizens, Qaynan al-Ghamidy controversially compares democracy in the West to democracy in the Arab world, writing in al-Arabiyya:
The editor-in-chief of al-Watan, a Saudi paper, argues that the protests are not just about food prices, but injustice, making many other regimes ripe for change:
Burhan Ghalyoun, a Syrian writer based in France, analyses Ben Ali’s failed strategy in a Tunisian newspaper, El-Chourouk:
Tariq al-Hameed cautions that initial excitement may be misplaced in an editorial in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, a widely read pan-Arab newspaper:
Muhammad Ya‘qouby in the Algerian Echorouk Online compares Tunisia’s revolution to that of Algeria over two decades ago:
On the other hand, Wa’il al-Qandeel of an independent Egyptian newspaper, al-Shorouk, predicts that Tunisians will succeed in forging a truly democratic future:
For full translations and commentary, visit Meedan.net Readers' commentsThe Economist welcomes your views. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.Review our comments policy. Sort:
1-18 of 18 happyfish18 wrote: Jan 17th 2011 3:51 GMT Many younger Arabs hope to break the Western stereo-type of Jihadi terrorism and to dream of more freedom from crony Totalitarianism, Foreign domination, Medieval religious oppression etc. and for New Openness, Modernity and Economic development etc. augwhite wrote: Jan 17th 2011 4:44 GMT This will be interesting. The Tunisian military is currently keeping a tentative lid on things; but Tunisia's military is relatively small and relies on 1-year conscripts for manpower. It is also associated with the prior regime. It would have a very hard time ruling without allies. If that analysis is correct, everything will depend on the depth and sanity of the military's coalition partner. Tunisia has a fair amount going for it -- fairly strong middle class, good rate of growth until 2009, no recent population explosion. On the other hand, can it survive the expectations of the rest of the Arab world? All the noise suggests that these (very diverse) expectations will be too high, setting up any new regime to splinter and fail. Ohio wrote: Jan 17th 2011 4:48 GMT How does one help a neighbor in the midst of the chaos of an overthrown government, yet not be seen as an interfering hegemon? I hope the American and European ambassadors visit the new president and firmly enform him that free and fair elections are expected, and that we would be happy to help organize and observe them. Beyond that, food aid if they need it, but no troops, no support of any faction. If there have been military liaisons in the past, a dicrete visit from a fellow general to offer advice on how the military should conduct themselves might be a help to Tunisia's army. I hope this will be a useful counter-example to those who believe Iraq was a good idea. JGradus wrote: Jan 17th 2011 5:09 GMT God's speed to them all, hopefully this will bring some great change! imcampos wrote: Jan 17th 2011 5:30 GMT Here's a great opportunity for Tunisians to show the world that religious sectarianism and irrational fundamentalism are not synonym with Islam. Don't hold your breath, though. Antiviral wrote: Jan 17th 2011 5:55 GMT Americans are not any more responsible for arab dictators than they are for communist dictators. East Germany was not ended by Americans; it was ended by East Germans. IanAdam wrote: Jan 17th 2011 5:59 GMT These are exciting times for the Tunisian people. I agree with “Ohio” that Tunisia will need outside encouragement to progress towards a viable and robust democracy. Take the example of Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989: the period after overturning totalitarian regimes was very volatile, especially when there was no established strong political opposition (e.g. Romania). The numerous EU incentives and guidance sped up their civil society progress and economic recovery. The EU, the US and not least Turkey will have to do the same with Tunisia and provide the prospect for various incentives (e.g. free trade agreements, free movement etc.) along with their expertise to guide Tunisia change in what it deserves to become: a free, democratic and economically sound country. ejreed wrote: Jan 17th 2011 6:18 GMT Tunisia's Nervous Neighbors The Internationalist wrote: Jan 17th 2011 6:27 GMT El Chourouk made an interesting point in comparing Tunisia to China. This is certainly a fascinating event, although the feeling that this may be compared to the French Revolution is a bit overblown. In terms of effect, al-Ahkbar is closer to the truth, even if it reflects the mood of a country where both the Government and the Opposition forces are closely linked to the Stars and Stripes and Syria and Iran respectively. Still, one wonders what will come next... G C wrote: Jan 17th 2011 6:28 GMT While the US loses an ally in the War on Terror, leaders should take note on a Machiavellian scale: educated populations in dejected nations transform their anger toward actively seizing fair participation in their own political-economic systems; poorly educated populations in disgruntled nations, on the other hand, adopt extremist mentors and turn to religious fundamentalism. They direct their anger to unfocused fights against loosely defined, but populist thirst quenching, “oppressors.” The US State Department should strongly considering preemptively fighting wars with education and aid rather than ineffective guns. For more analysis of Tunisia's revolution, read "Revolution in Tunisia Is Like a Disneyland Vacation for the Ruling Family," which can be found athttp://gcontente.blogspot.com/2011/01/revolution-in-tunisia-is-like.html Swedane wrote: Jan 17th 2011 6:53 GMT We can all hope for the best and wish Tunisia good luck, but I can't help wondering: is Islam really compatible with democracy and total freedom? And is the Arab mind mature enough for these ideas? I have my doubts! sanmartinian wrote: Jan 17th 2011 7:14 GMT to Swedane, Unfortunately we all have. Let's just hope and wish Tunisians the very best ant that their revolution doesn't fall in the trap of many others: going backward full steam. I'm very much afraid this will be the signal for a world upheaval that has been brewing silently for quite sometime. AJ Johnstone Vancouver wrote: Jan 17th 2011 7:37 GMT All of the West should learn from this, if they haven't learned from other past incidents: the desire for freedom, responsible government, and equality of economic opportunity is a universal human desire, not a solely Western trait. From the rise of Portugal's empire to the present day, the West has treated the rest of the world as an area to be exploited and its people as a cheap labour pool to be repressed in order to further the goal of economic exploitation. This is no more a sustainable approach than is destructive exploitation of the natural environment. We have loudly applauded our own march towards more democratic and egalitarian societies, but we have been less than enlightened in extending those values to other parts of the world. While it is true that we no longer enslave foreign nationals, that we have mostly reversed colonialism, and we have mostly abandoned gunboat diplomacy, our support for repressive regimes is not a very distant memory in many parts of the world, nor was the recent military overthrow of one repressive regime terribly well received by the population of Iraq. I believe that an aspect of the current economic problems facing the West is the collapse of Western hegemony and the loss of economic advantage for the West as a result. If this is not yet the case, it soon will be. We must not only develop an economic system that is sustainable in terms of our impact on the environment, but also an economic system that is economically and politically sustainable. The resentment of the West that is obvious in some of these quotes from Middle Eastern newspapers is something we must take extraordinary measure to reverse, or we will pay a hard price for our past misconduct at some point in the future, and perhaps that will be in the very near future. xxx hardcore wrote: Jan 17th 2011 7:41 GMT This is a really informative post. I like these kinds of posts--they give you the perspective of a different culture. Thanks. jouris wrote: Jan 17th 2011 8:00 GMT Swedane, you might want to spend some quality time with some Arabs (not to mention some non-Arab Muslims). In my (admittedly anecdotal) experience, there is no incompatibility at all with freedom or with democracy. Indeed, there seems an almost uniform longing for change in that direction. A combination of police/military power and a government control of oil wealth has kept the lid on so far. But I see no reason why that cannot change. And, from what information is currently available, the autocrats across the Arab world are very worried about exactly that. Thadeusz wrote: Jan 17th 2011 8:26 GMT Though interesting, it's never quite clear to me, why these articles appear under the Newsbook heading... bismarck111 wrote: Jan 17th 2011 9:01 GMT @AJ Johnstone Vancouver "From the rise of Portugal's empire to the present day, the West has treated the rest of the world as an area to be exploited and its people as a cheap labour pool to be repressed in order to further the goal of economic exploitation. This is no more a sustainable approach than is destructive exploitation of the natural environment." It's typical left wing BS. What would you replace it with? Economic exploitation is more or less the same whether its Western, Turkish or Chinese. Grow up and get with the program.
Posted by biginla
at 9:25 PM GMT
No reduction of army troops in Kashmir
Topic: india, susan kumar by Susan Kumar, BBC News, for the BBC's Biodun IginlaPublished: Jan. 17, 2011 at 6:30 AM NEW DELHI, Jan. 17 -- India will maintain troop levels in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir, although paramilitary forces may be reduced, the head of the army said. Gen. V.K. Singh made the announcement after comments by India's Home Secretary G.K. Pillai that one-quarter of troops would be pulled out. "I think there was some confusion," said Singh. "What Mr. Pillai said was concerning the paramilitary forces. What I was talking of was the army." "No person from the Home Ministry will talk about the army as it is under the purview of the Defense Ministry. I am quite sure that the Home Secretary knows about it and speaks only about the paramilitary forces," Singh said. "We have not yet felt that we have to reduce our forces. If they want to cut back paramilitary and police forces, I won't say anything ... it is up to them." Troop levels and total paramilitary numbers aren't published by the government but last week Pillai said that 25 percent of troops would be withdrawn from Kashmir's urban areas within the year. "As a confidence-building measure in Jammu and Kashmir, the strength of the security forces would come down by 25 percent," he said during a conference presentation at a university in New Delhi. Pillai also said he would be working with local police forces to manage the withdrawal. Pillai's statement was met with caution by leaders of the state's separatist organizations, many of whom have been under arrest or in prison over the past several decades. India's majority Muslim state of Jammu and Kashmir has been the scene of many violent demonstrations in the past 25 years by separatists who wish to either join neighboring Pakistan, a Muslim majority country, or have Kashmir become independent. Kashmir remains a flash point between the majority Hindu religion country of India and Pakistan. Their armies face each other across the state's mountainous and isolated terrain. Both countries periodically blame the other for harboring anti-government insurgents on their side of the border. The area was split between Pakistan and India when the countries were created upon the withdrawal of British colonial forces in 1947. Pakistan media and some politicians still refer to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir as "occupied Kashmir." Fighting within India's disputed state has been concentrated in the Kashmir Valley, 85 miles long and 20 miles wide and in which lies Kashmir's largest city, Srinagar. The valley's population of 4 million is mainly Muslim. Violent demonstrations have meant police and the military adopting wide-ranging powers of search and arrest under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, a cause of much resentment among the state's population. Last summer saw some of the worst disturbances in many years. More than 110 people, including several police and security personnel, died in street fighting in several major towns and cities. The rioting was sparked by the death last June of a 17-year-old student during a demonstration into which paramilitary forces allegedly fired shots. State and federal government ministers are keen to avoid similar disturbances. Pillai's remarks appear to show a willingness to reduce everyday tensions between the local population and paramilitary forces patrolling the streets. But Syed Ali Shah Geelani, leader of the hard-line Hurriyat Conference Independence group, called the reduction in security forces "inconsequential" and reiterated his demand made earlier this month that all Indian troops leave the state. Geelani said the government "perpetrated the worst form of state terrorism, killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands" in an effort to "push us again into taking up arms. But, let me tell India, that anger and atrocities will not take over us." Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, head of a moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, said troop reductions are welcomed. "We have long been demanding a phased withdrawal of Indian troops," he said. "It could be the first step toward th Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/01/17/No-reduction-of-army-troops-in-Kashmir/UPI-94751295263800/#ixzz1BK6Chwza
Posted by biginla
at 7:38 PM GMT
Tunisia forms national unity government amid unrest
Topic: tunisia, bbc news, biodun iginla AFRICA17 January 2011 Last updated at 12:45 ET Continue reading the main story Click to play
Tunisia has formed a national unity government, the country's prime minister has announced, days after a popular revolt ousted the president. The foreign, interior and defence ministers are to retain their jobs, with several opposition figures joining the government. The government will be led by incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, and aims to prepare Tunisia for elections. He also announced a series of measures to open up political and media freedom. All political parties will be allowed to operate in Tunisia, political prisoners will be freed and the media will be permitted "total freedom", Mr Ghannouchi said. "We have decided to free all the people imprisoned for their ideas, their beliefs or for having expressed dissenting opinions," the AFP news agency reported him as saying. The announcement of the new government included a pledge to abolish Tunisia's information ministry and to create a state where the media had "total freedom". 'Calm and peace'Three prominent opposition figures were named as key members of the new administration. Ahmed Ibrahim, leader of the opposition Ettajdid party, becomes minister of higher education, while Mustafa Ben Jaafar, of the Union of Freedom and Labour, is to serve as health minister. Najib Chebbie, founder of the Progressive Democratic Party, was named as Tunisia's new development minister. One other appointment remained unconfirmed: prominent blogger Slim Amamou, briefly arrested during the protests, tweeted that he had been appointed to a job in the ministry for youth and sport. Unveiling the new government at a news conference, Mr Ghannouchi said he aimed to move on from the autocratic regime of President Ben Ali. "We are committed to intensifying our efforts to re-establish calm and peace in the hearts of all Tunisians. Our priority is security, as well as political and economic reform," he said. The announcement came amid growing pressure from demonstrators for Tunisia to make a clean break with the policies of the former president, who was in office for 23 years. Correspondents say there is some uncertainty over whether the inclusion of several veteran ministers in senior positions will be acceptable to those protesting on the streets. One opposition figure, Ahmed Bouazzi, of the Progressive Democratic Party, said he believed the demonstrations would now be put on hold. "It's not realistic to dissolve the ruling party," he told the BBC, citing the example of the chaos that engulfed Iraq after Saddam Hussein's ruling Baath party was dissolved in 2003. "We can go forward with this government, and can even go again into the streets if it is not working." Widespread protests over high unemployment and high food prices had pitched demonstrators against Tunisia's police and military, eventually toppling Mr Ben Ali's government. Monday's announcement came hours after new street violence flared in Tunis. Police used water cannon, tear gas and occasional gunshots to disperse several hundred demonstrators calling for the party of ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to relinquish power. The country has been in a state of emergency since he fled to Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Posted by biginla
at 6:53 PM GMT
NEWSNIGHT - Monday 17 January 2011 at 10.30pm on BBC Two
Topic: bbc 2, biodun iginla ============================================================ Hi Biodun: Tunisia's prime minister has announced a national unity government, which includes several sitting ministers and some opposition figures, days after President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted after two
Posted by biginla
at 6:30 PM GMT
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: Goldman Limits Facebook Investment to Foreign Clients
Topic: goldman sachs, judith stein, bbc Just over a week after Goldman Sachs offered its most prized clients a chance to invest in Facebook, the firm rescinded the opportunity from clients in the United States because of worries that the deal would run afoul of securities regulators. The withdrawal of the offer -- which valued Facebook at $50 billion -- marks an embarrassment for Goldman, which had marketed the investment to its wealthiest clients, including corporate magnates and directors of the nation's largest companies. Yet Goldman began running into problems almost immediately after The New York Times's DealBook reported two weeks ago that the firm was working on the Facebook investment. The firm said in a statement: "In light of this intense media coverage, Goldman Sachs has decided to proceed only with the offer to investors outside the U.S. Goldman Sachs concluded that the level of media attention might not be consistent with the proper completion of a U.S. private placement under U.S. law."
Posted by biginla
at 6:17 PM GMT
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What do you think of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the US? What do you expect to come of his trip? How important is the visit?