NEWS Today

Indonesia Pilot Pet Muammar Gaddafi (president of Libya)

2011-10-22T12:44:00.000+07:00

Ganahadi, 14 years of VVIP Pilot in the Middle East

Ganahadi Ratnuatmadja Indonesia became one of the pilots who had a rare experience. During the 14-year career in the Middle East, he had been four times to move into the presidential plane pilots in four different countries. But, the most memorable for him was to be a pilot favorite Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

STATE of Arab oil producers have long been the target of professional pilots. Besides tempted by jingling petrodollars, the region's growing number of world-class airlines. Encouragement that's what makes Ganahadi, a former pilot of Garuda Indonesia, decided to move to countries in the Gulf region since 14 years ago.

According Ganahadi, from technical aspects, the quality of Indonesian pilots are actually able to compete with European and American pilots. The only drawback is the problem of language (language barrier). "This is more due to our flight (Indonesia origin) is less communicate in foreign countries," said the aviator who never attended school in Sotramat Flying School, Belgium, 1973-1974 it.

In fact, if successful through the airline's in there, they promised a variety of facilities and salaries are relatively higher than airlines in the country. "They also get to enjoy the experience of working on world-class airline that continues to grow," he said.

Ganahadi admit, career development as a pilot in the Middle East very open. Pilots qualified to fly the aircraft can compete VIP or VVIP even a kind of private plane or the presidency.

Men's bloody Sundanese started his career as captain of his foreign pilot the Airbus 300's kingdom of Kuwait. Only four years there, moved to the aircraft Ganahadi Kingdom United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1997-2003. With a good reputation UAE for six years, he then served on board the Kingdom of Qatar (2003-2004).

"I work here (Middle East) after passing through the requirements and selection of the very tight and high grade," said Ganahadi by electronic mail to the Java Post yesterday. Gahanadi currently residing in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Ganahadi claim to being the only pilot from Indonesia even one - only urang Sundanese VVIP flying, especially the royal and presidential aircraft. The majority of his colleagues devoted themselves more on commercial airlines.

At present, he added, there are seven pilots citizen who worked in Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA), between four to six at Qatar Airways, as well as a longer flying the plane belongs to the Emirates.

Being a pilot is able to penetrate the selection of a pilot royal or presidential (VIP) is not easy. The selection process through the assessment for a week. Next, test the ability of flight simulators and about two weeks. "I do not know where they saw my qualities. Anyway, I do all my best," explained the pilot who began his career as co-pilot, Fokker 27 and Fokker 28 in 1974-1975 that.

From about 14 years experience in the Middle East, Ganahadi stated that the experience of being a pilot presidential plane Muammar Gaddafi (Libya) is the most memorable. The task was undertaken Ganahadi since 2004 and only ended some time ago.

Ganahadi feel very honored because they never imagined could blow away the number one in the Libyan. In fact, until now did he not know why the pilot is believed to be the charismatic leader in the Arab world.
"Because, during this unprecedented presidential pilot (Libya) from strangers," said the man was born in 1954.

In the eyes Ganahadi, Gaddafi is a figure that is very difficult to trust strangers to fly a plane. He entered at the historic Libya. Because, his early work in 2004, Gaddafi became a byword internationally after its soft stance successfully thaw diplomatic relations between Tripoli-Washington (USA).

During Gaddafi flew, Ganahadi feel he's not a hard and rigid figure. "He (Gaddafi, red) is a warm personal friendship," he said.
Ganahadi also feel the looseness of the rules of protocol during interaction with Gaddafi. The majority of Gaddafi's bodyguard to tolerate the proximity of his boss with the pilot. "Almost every flight, he came to me in the cockpit. He sometimes came quietly without escort," he said.

In addition, Gaddafi asked jokingly Granahadi so often feel comfortable in flight. Gaddafi also occasionally ask avocation Ganahadi if the coincidence is not lifted up.

"He likes chatting with crew members and high officials that I have been a Libyan people. He also never asked me to move citizenship and settled in Tripoli until retirement," he said. I was so close, one of the shareholders of the football club Juventus, Italy, it's even been served a cup of coffee for Ganahadi. Another impression is the amount of attention to family circumstances Granahadi Khadafi in the homeland.

"I was really touched when he sent a special ambassador to Libya (in Indonesia) to represent him while attending my daughter's wedding reception in Bandung," said Ganahadi.

With plenty of experience flying the state-owned Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, and Libya, that, Ganahadi become familiar with many officials in the Middle East. The key to keeping the network was simple. "I always maintain my professional image as an aviator," he said.

By keeping that image, Ganahadi can freely choose to work on the presidential plane or any kingdom. When leaving a job as an airline pilot Kingdom of the UAE in 2003, Ganahadi had promised to the UAE president, Sheikh Zayed at that time (late), and the crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed, that one time he will again be a pilot.

"At that time, I'm two or three years if allowed to work again in Abu Dhabi. This is when I was tired of working in Libya," explains Ganahadi.
Ganahadi had kept his promise. After saying good-bye well with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Ganahadi allowed back to work in the UAE royal plane until now.

When asked for permission to Gaddafi, Ganahadi also made similar statements that one day he will return again to work in Tripoli if Gaddafi is pleased to employ. Farewell to the Gaddafi was overwhelmed with emotion.

"Right now I do not know the next plan, whether to live and work in Abu Dhabi or wait for the call again. I just handed the fate to God," said Ganahadi.

Over the past dozen years working in the Middle East, claiming Ganahadi rarely met with the family. All the people closest to live in his homeland, Cimahi, West Java. He is grateful to his family supported his profession as a VVIP flight. "I did not have a load during work," he said.

Any period of leave comes, Ganahadi make the best use for the homecoming, remove miss being in the middle of the family. When on duty, he took time to communicate via telephone or the internet. "When the holidays arrive, we were occasionally invited them to walk to a number of countries here," he said.

In fact, during his stay in Libya, the entire immediate family to feel how comfortable life in the desert country. Ganahadi targeting his career would end before the time of retirement in the UAE at the age of 65 years. "Before that age, I probably will stop and return to the homeland," said Ganahadi

Khadafi Towards Doom

2011-10-22T12:15:00.001+07:00

"When we catch him and surrounded him, he (Khadafi) like an idiot."

VIVANews - Former ruler of Libya, Muammar Khadafi , kept his promise to die in their own country. He died from a gunshot wound to the head, after being captured soldiers of the National Transitional Council (NTC) in an aqueduct, about two miles from his hometown of Sirte.

"Do not shoot, do not shoot," said NTC Khadafi to a number of soldiers who dragged him from the culvert, as reported by the Telegraph.

When caught, Khadafi was covered in blood. Injured while avoiding attack NATO troops and the NTC, a few minutes earlier.

"When we catch him and surrounded him, he's like an idiot. He said, 'What happened, what have I done?' No one believed his words, "said Mohammad Elhweje, the army also arrested 20-year-Khadafi along with nine other soldiers.

Some photos and video footage showing outstanding Khadafi paraded through the streets after being dragged from the culvert. With her head covered in blood with a fashion almost entirely date, Khadafi became the butt of a soldier who seemed satisfied with his victory. Someone put a gun. Someone grabbed her hair. Khadafi fell several times, rubbing his face covered in blood.

Based on amateur video footage, news service Sky News Khadafi to catch the words of the soldiers who began to torment him. "What you do is not permitted by Islamic law. All you do is prohibited in Islam. Do you know the difference between right and wrong?"

It is unclear how Khadafi finally breathed her last. Some call was shot in the stomach with a 9mm pistol. Some call Khadafi was shot in the head and heart. There is also a mention was shot in an attack while the procession takes place.

Implementing Libyan Prime Minister, Mahmoud Jibril, said that Khadafi was shot in the head during a shootout between soldiers and loyalists Khadafi NTC.

"Khadafi was found in a culvert. He did not show resistance. At that time, he had been injured in the right arm and we took the truck. On the way there was a shootout between army troops we were with Khadafi loyalists," he said.

VIVANews

Italy credit rating slashed by Moody's from Aa2 to A2

2011-10-05T17:58:00.001+07:00

The Italian government's credit rating has been slashed by Moody's from Aa2 to A2 with a negative outlook.

The ratings agency blamed a "material increase in long-term funding risks for the euro area", due to lost confidence in eurozone government debts.

Despite Rome's low current borrowing needs, and low private-sector debt levels in Italy, Moody's said market sentiment had turned against the euro.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the decision was expected.

"The Italian government is working with the maximum commitment to achieve its budget objectives," said Mr Berlusconi.

He said that a plan to balance the government's budget by 2013 had been approved by the European Commission.

Sell-off

The initial market reaction to the downgrade was muted.

The news broke half an hour after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

But after-hours trading in stock market futures suggested that at least one percentage point of a late 4% market rally may have been wiped off.

Asian trading was mixed, with stocks initially surging after a report in the Financial Times that EU finance ministers were considering a plan to recapitalise European banks.

In Japan, stocks on the Nikkei index lost early gains to close down 0.86%. South Korea's main market lost 2.33%. Australian shares ended 1.40% higher.

Stock markets in Hong Kong and mainland China were closed for a holiday.

Oil prices were trading higher in Asia on hopes that efforts by European authorities to contain the eurozone crisis would prevent the world economy from slowing.

Brent crude for November delivery bounced back above $100 a barrel, rising $1.83 to $101.62.
Slow response

Analysts say Italy's downgrade is likely to be followed by similar cuts in the credit rating of Italy's banks, which would put severe pressure on their ability to borrow.

"This downgrade will make it even harder for Italy to borrow," says BBC business editor Robert Peston. "However, that is not the worst of it.

"If Italy is looking like a more risky place to lend, its banks... will find it harder and more expensive to borrow. The [eurozone] banking crisis will be exacerbated."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15176947

FBI arrests suspect over "Sony" cyberattack

2011-09-23T17:30:00.000+07:00

LOS ANGELES — The FBI on Thursday arrested a member of the LulzSec hacking group suspected over a massive cyberattack earlier this year on Japanese electronics giant Sony, officials said.

FBI agents arrested the suspect, named as Cody Kretsinger, 23, of Phoenix, Arizona, “without incident,” said U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles Andre Birotte and Steven Martinez, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles office.

Kretsinger was due in court in Phoenix, Arizona during the day, when authorities will request that he be transferred to Los Angeles to face prosecution, they said in a joint statement.

He has been charged with conspiracy and the unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, they said.

Sony’s PlayStation Network, Qriocity music streaming service and Sony Online Entertainment were targeted by hackers beginning in April in cyberattacks that resulted in one of the biggest data breaches since the advent of the Internet.

Over 100 million accounts were affected and Sony said it could not rule out that millions of credit card numbers may have been compromised. It has since restored its online services.

The cyberattacks threatened to cause deep damage to Sony’s brand image and the company’s efforts to link its gadgets to an online network of games, movies and music.

© 2011 AFP

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/fbi-arrests-suspect-over-sony-cyberattack

U.S. "Walks Out" as Iran Delivers Anti-U.S. Speech at U.N.

2011-09-23T17:19:00.000+07:00

Sep. 23, 2011

UNITED NATIONS — American diplomats led a walkout at the U.N. General Assembly Thursday as Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fiercely attacked the United States and major West European nations as “arrogant powers” ruled by greed and eager for military adventurism.

The two U.S. diplomats, who specialize in the Middle East, were followed out of the chamber by diplomats from more than 30 countries. They included the 27 European Union members, Australia, New Zealand, Somalia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Macedonia, a U.N. diplomat said. Israel boycotted the speech.

Ahmadenijad’s fiery anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli rhetoric has been a staple of the General Assembly’s ministerial meetings.

Last year, Ahmadinejad provoked a walkout by the U.S., EU, and others when he said a majority of people in the United States and around the world believe the American government staged the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks in an attempt to assure Israel’s survival.

The provocative comments prompted the U.S. delegation to walk out of Ahmadinejad’s U.N. speech, where he also blamed the U.S. as the power behind U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, a technology that can be used as fuel for electricity generation or to build nuclear weapons.

Ahmadinejad’s speech pitted the poverty and unhappiness of most countries against the riches and power of the U.S. and unnamed European nations that he accused of perpetuating wars, causing the current global economic crisis and infringing on “the rights and sovereignty of nations.”

He attacked the United States and European colonial powers for abducting tens of millions of Africans and making them slaves, for their readiness “to drop thousands of bombs on other countries,” and for dominating the U.N. Security Council He singled out the U.S. for using a nuclear bomb against Japan in World War II and imposing and supporting military dictatorships and totalitarian regimes in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

“It is as lucid as daylight that the same slave masters and colonial powers that once instigated the two world wars have caused widespread misery and disorder with far-reaching effects across the globe since then,” Ahmadinejad said. “Do these arrogant powers really have the competence and ability to run or govern the world?”

The Iranian president answered by calling for “the shared and collective management of the world in order to put an end to the present disorders, tyranny and discriminations worldwide.” Last year, he said “the future belongs to Iran” and challenged the U.S. to accept that his country has a major role in the world.

Ahmadinejad made no mention of his disputed re-election in June 2009 when security forces systematically crushed opposition protests, the current internal political turmoil that has sharply diminished his power, or Iran’s nuclear program which the U.S. and its allies believe is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

“While President Ahmadinejad is lecturing the world from the U.N. podium,” Human Rights Watch’s U.N. Director Philippe Bolopion said, “dissent is still being crushed ruthlessly in Iran and basic rights demanded by millions in the Arab world are brutally denied to Iranians who are demanding the same.”

“The world assembly should take with a grain of salt the remarks of a leader who said nothing about the public hanging yesterday of a 17-year-old in his own country,” he said.

In his speech, Ahmadinejad noted “the widespread awakening in Islamic lands ... (in) the pursuit of the realization of justice, freedom and the creation of a better tomorrow.” He said “our great nationa stands ready to join hands with other nations to march on this beautiful path.”

The Iranian leader accused the U.S. of threatening to place sanctions on anyone who questions the Holocaust and the Sept 11 attacks with sanctions and military action.

Without naming the United States, he asked: “Who imposed, through deceits and hypocrisy, the Zionism and over 60 years of war, homelessness, terror and mass murder on the Palestinian people and on countries in the region?”

Ahmadinejad accused some unidentified European countries of still using the Holocaust “as the excuse to pay fine or ransom to the Zionists.” He also said any question about the foundation of Zionism is condemned by the U.S. “as an unforgivable sin.”

Mark Kornblau, spokesman for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, said: “Mr. Ahmadinejad had a chance to address his own people’s aspirations for freedom and dignity, but instead he again turned to abhorrent anti-Semitic slurs and despicable conspiracy theories.”

When the idea of an independent fact-finding investigation of “the hidden elements” involved in the Sept 11 attacks was raised last year, he said, “my country and myself came under pressure and threat by the government of the United States.”

“Instead of assigning a fact-finding team, they killed the main perpetrator and threw his body into the sea,” Ahmadinejad said, referring to the U.S. military’s killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in early May.

“Would it not have been reasonable to bring to justice and openly to trial the main perpetrator of the incident in order to identify the elements behind the safe space provided for the invading aircraft to attack the twin world trade towers?” he asked.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/u-s-walks-out-as-iran-delivers-anti-u-s-speech-at-u-n

"Hidayat" knocked out of Japan Open badminton

2011-09-23T17:11:00.000+07:00

TOKYO — Downcast Athens Olympic gold medallist Taufik Hidayat became the first major casualty at the Japan Open when he crashed to Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan on Wednesday in the opening round.

The out-of-form fifth seed from Indonesia, who has yet to win a title this season, struggled throughout the 53-minute match before losing 21-17, 12-21, 21-18.

“I couldn’t play well at all. I couldn’t find the way to attack. I’ve lost my confidence,” said Hidayat, 30.

“I enjoyed playing badminton in the old days. I want to regain my form, but I’m not sure how long I continue to play.”

There was no such trouble for defending champion and world number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, who eased past Rajiv Ouseph of England 21-13, 21-13.

“I feel good. This is my first match of the tournament so I tried to play in my rhythm and check the court conditions,” said the top seed, who needed only 25 minutes to beat Ouseph.

In the women’s singles, seventh seed Cheng Shao-chieh of Taiwan became the first seed to fall when she abandoned the match to Japan’s Sayaka Sato with a foot injury at 15-21, 4-11 down.

But other seeds—2007 champion Tine Baun of Denmark, China’s Wang Xin and Liu Xin, Indian star Saina Nehwal and Juliane Schenk of Germany—safely went through.

Fifth seed Baun came back from a game down to beat Hong Kong’s Tse Ying-suet 19-21, 21-7, 21-17, while third seed Wang Xin overwhelmed Bae Youn-Joo of South Korea 21-8, 21-9.

Sixth seed Liu Xin whipped Yip Pui-yin of Hong Kong 21-15, 21-17, Nehwal defeated Inthanon Ratchanok of Thailand 21-17, 21-10 and Schenk downed Japan’s Ai Goto 21-10, 21-8.

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4332442169805637449

Asian markets slump for "second" day

2011-09-23T16:50:00.000+07:00

HONG KONG — Asian markets fell for a second straight day Friday and the dollar rose amid growing fears that the global economy is on the verge of slipping back into recession.

However, most markets were off their earlier lows after G20 finance chiefs meeting in Washington promised to take collective action to stabilise the financial system.

Seoul slumped 5.73%, or 103.11 points, to 1,697.44, while Hong Kong gave up 1.32%, or 236.70 points, to end at 17,675.25.

Sydney closed 1.56%, or 61.7 points, lower at 3,903.2. However, the market was off its earlier lows and at one point even edged into positive territory.

Taiwan fell 3.55%, or 259.28 points, to 7.046.22 while Shanghai lost 0.41%, or 9.90 points, to finish at 2,433.16.

Bangkok, which at one point dived five percent, was 4.33% lower in the afternoon. Mumbai was almost two percent lower in morning trade.

Tokyo was closed for a public holiday.

The Asian sell-off followed heavy losses in the United States and Europe, which were caused by the Federal Reserve’s comments on Wednesday that the US economy faced “significant downside risks”, with the economy struggling with slow growth, high unemployment and a depressed housing market.

The warning came after the Fed announced a $400 billion plan to boost the economy that would see it shift its shorter-term debt portfolio to longer-term bonds in a bid to lower long-term interest rates, a move that disappointed markets.

On Wall Street, the Dow slumped 3.51%—marking its worst two-day fall since November 2008—the S&P 500 sank 3.19% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite shed 3.25%.

The Fed’s forecast piled the pressure on already nervous investors, who were selling assets earlier in the week amid fears Greece is on the verge of default, which could spread to other economies and lead to another global financial crisis.

“The selloff in risk assets threatens to become disorderly,” Tim Condon, economist at ING, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The dollar extended its rise against regional currencies as dealers shifted their attention away from riskier assets.

The Australian dollar was at $1.0024 from $1.0017 late Thursday after falling to as low as 98.02 U.S. cents. The Aussie hit a record high above $1.10 just two months ago.

The euro edged up to $1.3524, from $1.3464 late Thursday in New York, while it was also at 103.13 yen, from 102.64.

The dollar fetched 76.27 yen, from 76.25 yen.

On oil markets New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate light sweet crude for November delivery, was up 89 cents to $81.40 in afternoon trade, bouncing back from a massive 6.3 percent, or more than five-dollar, fall in the US session Thursday.

Brent North Sea crude for November settlement was up $1.42 to $106.91, but the gains were narrower. The contract plunged $4.87 overnight.

In other markets, Manila slumped 5.13%, or 210.14 points, to end at 3,885.96.

The fall—the worst in a single day since October 2008, at the beginning of the financial crisis—sent the index to a seven-month low as foreign investors pulled out.

“Fund managers are liquidating their positions because of global economic concerns,” said April Lee-Tan, research head at CitisecOnline.com.

“It’s sentiment-driven… panic-selling.”

Wellington closed 0.89%, or 25.58 points, lower at 3,282.71.

© 2011 AFP

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/asian-markets-slump-for-second-day

Barack Obama 'will veto' Palestinian UN bid

2011-09-22T12:35:00.000+07:00

Barack Obama 'will veto' Palestinian UN bid

Barack Obama has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas he will veto his bid for UN membership, as he tried to persuade him to drop the plans.

But Mahmoud Abbas vowed to press ahead during a meeting with the US president, the White House said afterwards.

Mr Obama had told the UN General Assembly a Palestinian state could only be achieved through talks with Israel.

But French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned a veto could spark another cycle of violence in the region.

Diplomatic efforts for Palestinian UN membership have intensified, with Mr Abbas preparing to submit a written application to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Friday.

Meanwhile, thousands of people have rallied in the West Bank in support of the move.

If Mr Ban approves the request, the Security Council would examine and vote on it. In order to pass, it would need the backing of nine out of 15 council members, with no vetoes from the permanent members.
'Badge of honour'

However, Mr Obama had indicated the US would use its veto, leaving Western diplomats trying to find ways to put off the voting process to buy more time.

And the US president made his position clear to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Abbas during meetings late on Wednesday.

"We would have to oppose any action at the UN Security Council including, if necessary, vetoing," White House national security council spokesman Ben Rhodes said after Mr Obama met Mr Abbas, Reuters news agency reported.

Mr Netanyahu told reporters Mr Obama deserved a "badge of honour" for his defence of Israel.

However, senior Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath argued that Palestinian UN membership was "morally, legally and politically acceptable in every way".

French President Sarkozy urged a compromise, suggesting the General Assembly give the Palestinians enhanced status as a non-member state to allow a clear timeline for talks - a month to start negotiations, six months to deal with borders and security and a year to finalise a "definitive agreement".

A vote on enhanced status - enjoyed by others such as the Vatican - would not require a Security Council recommendation but a simple majority in the General Assembly, where no veto is possible.
Failed talks

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said any UN vote on the issue was in any case "several weeks" away.

Mr Obama had earlier told the General Assembly: "Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the UN.

"There is no short cut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades.

"Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians - not us - who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them: on borders and security; on refugees and Jerusalem."

Palestinians say their bid for statehood has been inspired by the Arab Spring, and is the result of years of failed peace talks.

In the West Bank on Wednesday, schools and government offices were shut to allow for demonstrations backing the UN membership bid in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus and Hebron.

While UN recognition would have largely symbolic value, the Palestinians argue it would strengthen their hand in peace talks.

"The end of the Israeli occupation and a Palestinian state are the only path to peace," AFP quoted Mr Abbas' spokesman as saying after Mr Obama's speech.
Mediation attempt

"We will agree to return to the negotiations the minute that Israel agrees to end the settlements and the lines of 1967," added the spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina.

In his meeting with Mr Obama, Mr Netanyahu said direct negotiation was the only way to achieve a stable Middle East peace. The last round of talks broke down a year ago.

The "quartet" of US, European, Russian and UN mediators aims to give the two sides a year to reach a framework agreement, based on Mr Obama's vision of borders fashioned from Israel's pre-1967 boundary, with agreed land swaps.

Efforts are now reportedly under way to provide a basis for resumed peace negotiations, but work by mediators has yet to produce guidelines for the resumption of talks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15014037

China's stake in Zambia's election

2011-09-19T13:04:00.000+07:00

China's stake in Zambia's election
By Louise Redvers

BBC News, Lusaka - If you want proof that China has arrived in Africa, look no further than Zambia, which this week is gearing up for parliamentary and presidential elections.

Its capital Lusaka has recently become the first African city to offer Chinese currency banking services.

The city's Bank of China branch now handles counter deposits and withdrawals in yuan.

It is expected longer term that Chinese businesses operating in Zambia will start using the currency amongst themselves to avoid commission rates when changing from the Zambian kwacha via the US Dollar.

Qi Wang, the bank's assistant general manager, explained the service in yuan (also known as renminbi) was aimed at Chinese investors working in Zambia, but also Zambians importing goods from China.

"As a bank, we make money through transactions where you change currencies, but we think it is in the best interests of our clients and trade that we remove this additional layer and currency and make it more convenient for our clients," he said.

Although China's relationship with Zambia dates back to the building of the Zambia to Tanzania Railway in the 1970s, it is in the last 10 years that Sino-Zambian trade has really taken off, growing from just $100m ($63m) in 2000 to $2.8bn last year.
Chinese election lollipops?

But in the run-up to Tuesday's polls there are questions being asked about just how far China's influence in Zambia spreads, and if Chinese money is bankrolling the incumbent presidential candidate Rupiah Banda and his party the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

Beyond the claims that the Banda-branded lollipops being given out to potential voters by the MMD were made in China, the sheer scale of the ruling party's campaign has raised many eyebrows about funding sources.

Neo Simuntanyi, director of the left-leaning Lusaka-based think tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told the BBC that Zambian party financing was totally opaque and it was hard to really know where money was coming from.

"Although there's no way to prove it, there are a lot of suspicions that the MMD is maybe benefiting from Chinese support just because of the sheer scale of their campaign," he said.

"The MMD has never had that kind of money before and you can see that in how well-oiled their campaign machine has been and how big their presence is everywhere around the country."

Muhabi Lungu, an MMD parliamentary candidate and former head of Zambia's overseas investment organ, Zambia Development Agency, (ZDA), played down claims that his party had received Chinese funding.

"I don't believe that to be true," he said. "We have raised our money from donations from Zambians and people in business, both of whom are happy with our performance in government and want that to continue.

"I think these allegations come from an opposition which has had no campaign presence to speak about and which is really feeling the size of the MMD campaign."
Chicken farms

Mr Simuntanyi suggested that it was in the interest of Chinese companies to keep the MMD in power, in order to maintain the favourable - or as some would say preferential - investment climate they have enjoyed in Zambia in recent years.

China's main area of interest is mining, having bought up on the cheap a number of copper, cobalt and nickel mines, which had been moth balled by Western investors when commodity prices fell.

Beyond mining and manufacturing, there is also growing Chinese presence within Zambia's retail sector, from imported textiles and electronics, to chickens farmed locally and sold in city markets.

The country is also home to two of China's six African Special Economic Zones (SEZs) one in Chambishi near Kitwe in the Copperbelt, and the other just outside Lusaka.

These are designated geographic areas with liberal policies and tax incentives to attract foreign companies.

Although there have been repeated allegations - and in some cases hard evidence - of poor labour conditions and low salaries in Chinese-run mines and factories, the Zambian government remains happy with its new friend because the investment has driven economic growth to almost unprecedented levels.
Tight race

The MMD's main opposition, Michael Sata's Patriotic Front (PF), has in the past been very critical about Chinese labour conditions, and although the party has disputed media reports it is anti-Chinese, if elected, it would likely shake up the way contracts are awarded.

And Given Lubinda, a PF parliamentary candidate, said the size of the ruling party's campaign had been surprising.

"All of sudden they seem to have so much money - whether or not it's coming from the Chinese, we don't know, but for all that and the advantages they have had through the state-owned television and newspapers, we at the PF have the people," he said.

"Everywhere we go, the response has been incredible and the overwhelming mood from people on the street is that Zambians want change and that will come with the PF, not from the MMD."

The election will be Zambia's fifth since the advent of multi-party democracy in 1991 when Kenneth Kuanda's United National Independence Party was ousted by the MMD.

It is likely to be a very close call between the MMD and the PF, Banda having only beaten his rival Michael Sata by 35,000 votes in the 2008 by-election, called following the mid-term death of Levy Mwanawasa.

With its promises of jobs and better education, the PF is hoping to win over young voters and the urban poor.

The MMD meanwhile is campaigning on the back of its infrastructure investment - new schools, roads and hospitals - agriculture input programmes, which have led to bumper harvest, and the mine-driven economic growth which has averaged 5.6% since 2001, according to the World Bank.

With the two main presidential candidates in their mid 70s, it is expected it will be their last election, which makes the stakes even higher.

Although the country has little history of political violence - apart from street riots in the final months of independence leader Kenneth Kaunda's rule, when the economy had collapsed - there are some concerns that the closeness of the race this year could raise tensions.

While China and its role in the country has been less of an issue during this campaign compared with previous years, the Chinese investors are likely to watch very closely who emerges victorious when the results are announced on Friday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14952240

Night raids in Afghanistan 'provoke backlash'

2011-09-19T12:55:00.000+07:00

Night raids in Afghanistan 'provoke backlash'
By David Loyn

BBC News, Kabul - The number of night raids on civilian homes by international forces in Afghanistan has increased substantially, according to a study.

The Open Society Foundation found that although US forces had improved their practices, the five-fold increase in raids had caused a storm of protest.

The biggest grievance of the Afghan government against foreign forces is the civilian casualties they cause.

The foreign forces say the raids are a valuable weapon against the insurgents.

Despite the political pressure from Kabul, the number of people questioned in their homes in night raids has risen rapidly in the last two years, up five-fold between 2009 and 10 and increasing still further this year.
'Creates violence'

Researchers for the report from the Open Society Foundation assessed that in recent months there may have been 40 raids a night happening across Afghanistan.

They quote one Afghan as saying: "They claim to be against terrorists, but what they are doing is terrorism. It creates violence."

The raids are justified by international forces as a valuable tool in their fight against the Afghan insurgency, in gathering intelligence and arresting suspects.

The report found that international forces have improved their practices so that the Afghan government has more control and women are respected more.

But public recognition of these improvements has been overshadowed by mounting anger over the higher number of raids.

The report says that the increase in raids has provoked a backlash, marring Afghan relations with international partners and complicating long-term strategic discussions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14967254

BBC poll shows narrow support for Palestinian state

2011-09-19T12:31:00.000+07:00

A global BBC poll suggests more people support UN recognition of Palestine as an independent state than oppose it.

Across the 19 countries surveyed, 49% backed the proposal while 21% said their government should oppose it.

The Palestinians say they will ask for full membership at the UN this week but the US says it will veto the move.

International Middle East envoy Tony Blair told the BBC he wants to make sure the move does not undermine chances of a return to peace talks.

The Palestinians are seeking international recognition of their state based on 1967 borders - the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

Israel and the US say a Palestinian state can only be achieved through direct negotiation.

The last round of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down a year ago.

Mr Blair, the envoy for the Quartet of Middle East mediators - the EU, UN, Russia and the US - said he was trying to reach agreement on a framework for a return to talks.

"My objective is to secure a basis on which we can renew negotiations," he told the BBC's UN correspondent, Barbara Plett.

He stressed he did not want to stop the Palestinians from going to the UN.

But, he added, "it's only if the two sides sit down together in negotiation that we're going to get what the Palestinians really need, which is a viable Palestinian state, and what the Israelis need, which is a state that guarantees Israel's security."
Varying support

The poll, jointly conducted by the BBC and GlobeScan, saw majority support in four predominantly Muslim countries, with Chinese people also strongly endorsing the proposal.

Even in countries where opposition was strongest, more people polled supported the resolution than were against it.

The United States and the Philippines both polled 36% against the resolution. But 45% of Americans and 56% of Filipinos backed recognition.

The lowest level of support was in India, with 32% in favour and 25% opposed, with many undecided.

Support was strongest in Egypt, where 90% were in favour and only 9% opposed.

In other Muslim countries, Turkey recorded 60% support, 19% opposition; Pakistan 52% for, 12 against; and Indonesia 51% for, 16% against.

Chinese were among the most enthusiastic supporters, with 56% in favour and just 9% opposed.

Public opinion in the three large European Union member states included in the poll was strikingly similar on the issue: France (54% support, 20% opposition), Germany (53% v 28%) and the UK (53% v 26%).

Overall, 30% opted for not giving a definite answer as they thought their country should abstain, or "it depends", or they did not offer a view.

But more than half of Russians and Chileans did not offer a definite opinion.

A total of 20,466 people in 19 countries were interviewed, either face-to-face or by telephone between 3 July and 29 August this year. The margin of error ranges from + or - 2.1% to 3.5%.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14946179

Obama plans taxes and spending cuts to reduce deficit

2011-09-19T12:17:00.000+07:00

President Barack Obama is to unveil plans to cut the US deficit by $3trn (£1.9trn) over the next decade.

A White House official said his proposals included an overhaul of the tax code that would raise $1.5trn.

The official said the president would veto any cuts in health care for the elderly unless there were provisions for rich Americans to pay more tax.

Republicans in Congress have already said they will not agree to any plans to increase taxes.

Mr Obama's plans include nearly $250bn in cuts on Medicare spending - the health care programme for the elderly.

"He will veto any bill that takes one dime from the Medicare benefits seniors rely on without asking the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share," Reuters quoted an Obama administration official as saying.

The president is scheduled to announce his long-term deficit reduction plan at the White House at 10:30 (14:30 GMT) on Monday.
Closing loopholes

Over the weekend, officials have been providing journalists with a preview of what the president's plan includes.

On Saturday, officials said Mr Obama wanted a "Buffett Rule" that would see Americans who earn more than $1m pay the same rate of tax as those who earn less.

The proposal refers to the billionaire financier Warren Buffett who has complained that he and his wealthy peers pay relatively less tax than the people who work for them.

Many high-income Americans benefit from tax loopholes that see earnings on investment taxed at lower rates than wages.

The US economy has been growing only slowly while the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, above 9%. Facing an election next year, Mr Obama has had a battle in Congress over how to reduce the ballooning deficit while the economy remains stagnant.

A Congressional "supercommittee" of six Republicans and six Democrats has been charged with finding $1.5trn in deficit cuts by late November, when automatic cuts come into force.

Ratings agency Standard and Poor's cut the US AAA rating in August after the country went to the brink of a default over an extended battle in Congress over raising the government's debt limit.

Europe Factors - Shares to gain for 4th day on central banks' move

2011-09-16T14:24:00.003+07:00

(Adds detail, company news; updates shapshot table)

LONDON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - European shares were set to rise for a fourth
straight session on Friday following coordinated central bank action to improve
liquidity, although analysts said the recent upward move in the stock market
still appeared just a relief rally.

Futures for the Euro STOXX 50 STXEc2, Germany's DAX FDXc2 and the French
CAC 40 FCEc2 were up 0.9 to 1.4 percent. Financial spreadbetters earlier
predicted Britain's FTSE 100 to to open as much as 1.2 percent higher.

Investors trained their sight on a meeting of European finance ministers in
Poland on Friday. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was also attending
and expected to discuss the possibility of leveraging the euro zone's bailout
fund to make it more effective in fighting the region's debt crisis.

Shares in the United States and Asia jumped after the European Central Bank
said on Thursday major central banks around the world will cooperate to offer
three-month dollar loans to commercial banks to prevent money markets freezing
up.

The 30-day implied volatility for major European indexes also fell sharply
on Thursday, according to data from Thomson Reuters Datastream.

"There is a no doubt that the developments reached overnight are positive
for markets as it addresses a liquidity issue that had begun to creep into
European banks. There was a lack of confidence beginning to build in the
European inter-bank lending markets and these U.S. dollar funding lines will
help ease these confidence issues," Ben Potter, strategist at IG Markets, said.

Analysts said that these funding agreements would only address a symptom of
the European sovereign debt crisis. It would not solve any of the structural
issues and would not help in cutting the burdensome debt levels in many European
countries.

"We may see markets continue to push higher on the back of these
developments but we cannot imagine it will be the beginning of a sustained move
higher. There are still many larger issues that need to be solved before
authorities have the situation under control," Potter said.

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said the central bank
move was "exactly what is needed" since the world has entered a dangerous phase
of the crisis. She repeated her call for European countries to recapitalise
their banks.

Banks will stay in focus following a 10.8-percent slump in UBS on
Thursday after the Swiss bank said it had lost around $2 billion due to rogue
dealing by a London-based trader. The incident raised questions about the
effectiveness of the risk management systems of banks.

Moody's placed the bank's long-term debt and deposit ratings on review for a
possible downgrade, while a Swiss newspaper reported that UBS would announce it
was massively scaling back its investment bank and slashing thousands more jobs.

On the macroeconomic front, the preliminary reading of the September
Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey is due at 1355 GMT on
Friday, a day after data showed new weekly U.S. jobless claims hit their highest
since late June and a gauge of New York state factory activity contracted in
September.

MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 0636 GMT

LAST PCT CHG NET CHG

S&P 500 1,209.11 1.72 % 20.43

NIKKEI 8,864.16 2.25 % 195.3

MSCI ASIA EX-JP 1.97 % 9.41

EUR/USD 1.3855 -0.19 % -0.0027

USD/JPY 76.78 0.05 % 0.0400

10-YR US TSY YLD 2.083 -- 0.00

10-YR BUND YLD 1.928 -- -0.01

SPOT GOLD $1,767.39 -1.19 % -$21.25

US CRUDE CLc1 $89.38 -0.02 % -0.02

* Asia stocks up, bearish bets trimmed ahead of Europe meet

* Euro zone progress extends Wall St gain

* Nikkei climbs 1.7 pct as financials lead gains

* ECB dollar loan plan boosts morale; US debt falls

* Euro steady on move by central banks, EU meet eyed

* Gold heads for biggest weekly drop since early 2009

* Shanghai copper up as fears ease on Europe debt

* Oil heads for weekly gain on central banks' Europe move

COMPANY NEWS

UBS

UBS, stung by a $2 billion loss from rogue trading, will say in November it
is to scale back its investment bank, cutting thousands more jobs, the
Tages-Anzeiger newspaper reported on Friday.

AIR FRANCE-KLM , EADS

The Franco-Dutch airline is equally dividing its firm orders of long-haul
aircraft between U.S. manufacturer Boeing and Europe's Airbus ,
according to French daily Les Echos.

EDF

The co-owners of Edison -- Italian holding company Delmi, its
backer A2A and French utility EDF -- said on Thursday they had agreed to
extend the terms of their shareholder pact to Oct. 31.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM (DTEGn.DE)

Fifteen Democratic lawmakers asked the Obama administration on Thursday to
approve AT&T's proposed purchase of T-Mobile USA.

NOKIA

Shares in the Finnish phone maker could be under pressure as the BlackBerry
phone maker Research In Motion on Thursday reported a steep
drop in quarterly profit on limp sales of its smartphones and tablets. Its
shares fell almost 20 percent in the after-hours trade.

VW (VOWG_p.DE), BMW , DAIMLER (DAIGn.DE)

Brazil took new steps on Thursday to shield its manufacturing industry from
a strong currency, raising a key tax on auto makers in an attempt to discourage
imports and stimulate domestic production and jobs.

AREVA

joint venture between Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and
France's Areva may land a nuclear reactor order from Turkey, the chairman of
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said in a newspaper interview.

EDISON , A2A

Italian Industry Minister Paolo Romani will meet the head of EDF
Henri Proglio on Sept. 23 as part of talks over the reorganisation of Italian
power producer Edison SpA , sources close to the situation said on
Friday.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM (DTEGn.DE)

Fifteen Democratic lawmakers asked the Obama administration on Thursday to
approve AT&T's proposed purchase of T-Mobile USA.

LONZA

Swiss drugs industry supplier Lonza said on Friday it plans a secondary
listing on the Singapore Stock exchange giving it access to large capital flows
in Asia and helping it to enlarge its investor base in the region.

BG GROUP

Chinese oil companies have been circling BG's fast-growing Brazilian
business, the Financial Times said. The UK energy group BG had considered the
sale of a minority stake in its oil and gas business to Chinese companies.

TRANSOCEAN

The world's largest offshore drilling contractor has found more work for
four of its 28 midwater rigs, and three secured higher rates, according to its
fleet update out on Thursday. For more, click on:

SANTANDER

The planned listing of Santander's UK operations o the London Stock Exchange
is likely to be delayed until 2013 at the earliest, the Financial Times
reported.

(Reporting by Atul Prakash)

Asian shares climb on market move by five central banks

2011-09-16T14:17:00.000+07:00

Asian stocks have climbed on optimism Europe's debt crisis will ease after five central banks announced new emergency liquidity measures.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index added 2%, South Korea's Kospi gained 3.5% and Australia's ASX rose 2%.

The move by five of the world's biggest central banks was aimed at ensuring that lenders, especially in Europe, kept providing money to each other.

There have been fears that credit markets may freeze up.

Banks are facing billions of dollars of losses as a number of European countries struggle to service their debt obligations.

Europe's finance ministers are scheduled to meet in Poland later on Friday in a bid to chart out a plan to deal with the debt crisis in the region. They will also be joined by US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
Here to stay?

Greece is the current focus of investor concern, and there are growing fears that the country may default on its bonds.

This has made European banks reluctant to lend to each other, creating the risk of short-term funding problems for those most exposed.

Peter Cardillo of Rockwell Global Capital said the move by central banks hoped to "convince the market that the euro is here to stay, euro land is not going to disintegrate and Greece is probably going to avoid a default".

Following the news of the central bank co-operation, the euro rose more than 1% against the US dollar, and the price of crude oil gained on optimism global economic growth would help boost demand.

At the same time, the price of gold dropped as investors shifted away from an asset that is seen as giving them protection against global risks. The price of gold has surged in recent months, and many investors are wary about the outlook for further gains.

The five central banks involved in the market co-operation are the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan and the Swiss National Bank.

The new loans are being issued in dollars, because European banks can already access additional euro funds from the European Central Bank. The three additional three-month loan offers will be conducted in October, November and December.

Risks questioned

There have been concerns that a credit crunch in the markets would hurt companies and consumers.

"Increasingly I think international banks outside of Europe are questioning the counter-party risks involved with lending to European banks," Rajiv Biswas of IHS Global Insight told the BBC's Asia Business Report.

Mr Biswas added that given the current situation, the move by the central banks could not have come soon enough.

"I think this step was very important in avoiding the kind of problems we saw in 2008, when we had that terrible crunch in credit markets, which really was a major negative factor for the global economic outlook," he added.
Long-term concerns

US Treasury Secretary Geithner will join his European counterparts for talks later amid fears that the sovereign debt crisis coupled with economic problems in the US may slow global growth.

Analysts said that while the latest move by the central banks had allayed those fears for now, until a long-term solution to those issues was found markets were likely to remain volatile.

"Obviously it's not a long-term solution, we need to see some resolution to the sovereign debt issue to give markets confidence [that] we'll have stronger growth over the medium-term," said Spiros Papadopoulos of National Australia Bank.

Tony Nunan of Mitsubishi Corp added that the co-ordinated action by the central banks had only managed to delay the inevitable.

"We are still nowhere near out of the woods. They are just barely keeping the economy from falling off a cliff, but there is no structural solution to the European sovereign debt problem."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14942212

Steep drop in public confidence in MPs, says watchdog

2011-09-15T15:14:00.000+07:00

'Steep' drop in public confidence in MPs, says watchdog

There has been a steep decline in public confidence in MPs between 2008 and 2010, says the standards watchdog.

The percentage of people in England who think MPs are dedicated to working well for the public dropped from 46% to 26%.

The Committee on Standards in Public Life says its survey suggests concerns "with self-serving behaviour" by MPs overshadow other concerns.

The survey of 1,900 people was carried out in the new year, 19 months after the MPs' expenses scandal broke.

Although the watchdog's fourth survey shows a "long-term decline in public confidence in those holding public office" since 2004, the report says that on many issues, the decline since 2008 has been even "steeper".

It suggests there has been no "bounce" in confidence since the new government came to power - or if there was one it was short lived and died out before the survey was conducted, between 29 December 2010 and 4 January 2011.

"Public satisfaction with the conduct of MPs has declined on every measure except taking bribes since the last survey was conducted," the report said.
'Not taking bribes'

Other findings included a drop in the number of people who believe MPs are competent, from 36% in 2008 to 26% in 2010, a reduction in the number of people who think MPs set a good example in their private lives from 36% to 22%, and a fall in those who think MPs tell the truth from 26% to 20%.

Fewer people also think MPs make sure public money is spent wisely.
Continue reading the main story

The public attitudes survey lists 10 qualities considered important in an MP - including being dedicated to doing a good job for the public, not using power for personal gain, telling the truth and owning up when they make mistakes.

But only on "not taking bribes" did a majority of people - 67% - believe that all or most MPs exhibited that quality.

On each of the other nine, fewer than 40% of people interviewed in England believed most MPs had those attributes.

The report says it suggests concerns about bribery, or about "outside influence" on politics "have been overshadowed by concerns with self-serving behaviour on the part of MPs".

While the committee says it is not possible to say with certainty what lay behind the trend, "it is possible that the expenses scandal has had an impact on people's views and appear to have fed into and exacerbated the long-run trend of increasingly negative evaluations of politicians".

People who supported one of the three main parties were more likely to believe standards were high among politicians. The young, people from ethnic minorities and those in higher paid jobs tended to have more trust in MPs in general.

The survey was carried out before the latest escalation of the phone hacking scandal - and suggests that confidence in TV news and newspaper journalists had slightly increased since 2004.
Party funding

In terms of who people trusted to tell the truth, judges and senior police officers were the most highly rated - with 80% and 73% of people trusting them respectively, followed by TV news journalists, top civil servants and broadsheet journalists.

Tabloid journalists ranked lowest in terms of being trusted to tell the truth - just 16% of people - while trust in MPs in general was at just 26%, although local MPs were more trusted.

Committee chairman Sir Christopher Kelly said the results made "stark reading" and the drop in those who believed MPs were competent and dedicated to the public good was "worrying".

He also warned parties not to duck the issue of reforming political funding, his committee has been carrying out an inquiry and is due to report soon.

Sir Christopher said party funding, particularly donations of more than £100,000 were a source of "major concern" to the public and said most people believed they led to "special favours" for donors.

"It would be a mistake for anyone to think this issue had gone away," he said adding that his committee's report would offer a "fresh, independent look at this issue".

"I firmly believe that the opportunity it offers to deal with this issue proactively, before another funding scandal forces change, should be taken."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14924465

Midwife shortages in England 'risking lives'

2011-09-15T14:31:00.000+07:00

By Jane Hughes Health correspondent, BBC News

Midwife with mother and baby Midwives say shortages could harm patients

Parts of England are facing big midwife shortages, putting mothers and babies at risk, midwives have said.

The Royal College of Midwives says a 22% rise in births over 20 years has led to shortfalls across England, but some areas are worse than others - it highlights the East Midlands and East.

The RCM wants 4,700 more midwives and says the prime minister has backed away from a pledge to raise numbers.

The Department of Health said record numbers of midwives were being trained.

Midwives say births are becoming increasingly complex because of growing numbers of obese and older mothers-to-be, who often need extra support.

The Royal College of Midwives says the extra 4,700 midwives are needed across England to keep pace with the added pressures.

And it says a new analysis of midwife numbers across England reveals big variations - with limited shortages in some areas and serious shortfalls in others.

The calculations were done by measuring the number of midwives in an area against the number of babies born there. The RCM estimates that one midwife is needed for every 28 hospital births and 35 births in a midwife-led unit or at home.

The North East and North West of England had a shortfall of less than 10%.

But according to the figures, the East Midlands and East of England need 41% more midwives, and the South East is also more than a third short of staff.

The college says the disparity is down to different levels of investment in different areas; women living in places with bigger shortfalls are at risk of having less choice over how and where they give birth.

It says Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not have midwife shortages at the moment.

'Critical shortfalls'

"This is a real problem in England," said Cathy Warwick, RCM General Secretary.

"We believe women should have the same choice over giving birth wherever they live. Once you get to really critical shortfalls, maternity services won't be safe."

It's a sentiment echoed by the head of midwifery at Wansbeck hospital in Northumberland, where they say they have enough staff to offer high-quality care.

Janice McNichol has delivered more than 1,000 babies in her career, and prides herself on making sure every mother has a positive experience.

"It's about safety and quality of care," she said. "Making sure midwives are there when mum needs them, to answer questions and help her through the process."

The charity Action against Medical Accidents, AVMA, said the situation in some areas was desperate.

"Having a baby should be the happiest time in a couple's life, but failure to deal with this problem is all too often turning it into a tragedy," said AVMA chief executive Pater Walsh.

"Maternity services should be the NHS's first priority for improving patient safety and having enough trained midwives is an absolute must."

The Department of Health said midwife numbers had risen and record numbers are being trained.

A spokesperson said all mothers and their babies should expect and receive consistently excellent maternity care.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14859228

Eight children hurt in China school attack

2011-09-15T11:46:00.002+07:00

Eight children were hurt when an employee at a child-care centre for migrant workers in the Chinese city of Shanghai slashed them with a knife, local media reports say.

Last updated August 14, 2011

The attack happened around midday in the city's Minhang district.

Reports said the attacker, a woman, had been taken into custody by police.

In 2010 there were a series of attacks in which lone individuals broke into Chinese schools to attack students.

In one attack in March 2010 in the city of Ninping, community doctor Zheng Minsheng stabbed eight young children to death. He was executed for the crime one month later.

Two months later, seven children and two adults were hacked to death at a kindergarten in Hanzhong city by an attacker who later killed himself.

The attacks led to calls for heightened security at schools and kindergartens, and sparked debate over what had caused them.

The Xinmin Evening News said that the woman used a box-cutter to slash the children, who were all three or four years old.

One of the children was seriously injured, the paper said.

It added that the woman, who had worked at the centre for several years, was thought to have psychiatric problems.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14706819

Libya NTC head Abdul Jalil wants help battling Gaddafi

2011-09-15T10:42:00.002+07:00

Libya NTC head Abdul Jalil wants help battling Gaddafi

Mustafa Abdul Jalil says he believes Col Gaddafi is planning attacks
Continue reading the main story

The head of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) has appealed for weapons as NTC forces fight to capture parts of the country still loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Mustafa Abdul Jalil told the BBC that the ousted leader was in southern Libya and planning revenge attacks.

A written message attributed to Col Gaddafi appealed to the UN to stop "crimes" against his birthplace Sirte.

Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy will visit Tripoli on Thursday.

"We say to the leaders coming tomorrow that they will be safe," Mr Abdul Jalil said. He did not specify which other foreign leaders might be accompanying President Sarkozy.

However, French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, who championed the international intervention in Libya, will be joining the visit to Tripoli.

Earlier, the US said it was encouraged by the increasing control the NTC was exercising over security forces in the country.
'Fierce battles'

Gaddafi loyalists still control four areas, including Sirte on the Mediterranean coast, and Bani Walid, south-east of the capital Tripoli, as well as Jufra and Sabha.

Mr Abdul Jalil said many pro-Gaddafi forces had fled to Sabha in the southern desert.

"There will be fierce battles in Sabha with equipment that we do not yet have, and we ask for more equipment to retake these places," said Mr Abdul Jalil.

He said Col Gaddafi had possession of "all the gold" and would be planning attacks on cities, oil fields and power plants.

Col Gaddafi has previously said he would rather die than flee Libya.

NTC officials say members of the former leader's inner circle took gold and cash with them when they fled south across the border to Niger last week.

Mr Abdul Jalil was speaking in his first BBC interview since moving to Tripoli at the weekend from the anti-Gaddafi stronghold of Benghazi.

He confirmed that the NTC would not move the whole of its administration to Tripoli until the last pockets of pro-Gaddafi resistance had been captured.

Earlier, he held talks with senior US envoy Jeffrey Feltman, who pledged Washington's support for the NTC and said the US would reopen its embassy in the capital as soon as possible.

"We remain encouraged by growing command and control over security and police forces," said Mr Feltman, the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs.
Continue reading the main story
Saadi Gaddafi, 2011

Mr Feltman said the US was working with Libya on the control of conventional weapons such as shoulder-fired missiles.

The Americans were also talking to the Libyans about the risk from non-conventional weapons such as mustard agent and toxic chemical precursors, he said.

These had in the past been accounted for by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Warfare.

Meanwhile, a Syrian TV channel sympathetic to Col Gaddafi has broadcast a message purporting to be from the fugitive leader.

"Terrorism and destruction exercised by Nato on the Sirte area is beyond description and has no match in past history of wars," said the written message, which was read out by a presenter.

"You must bear your international responsibility and intervene immediately to stop this crime."

The presenter said the letter had been signed: "Muammar Gaddafi, the leader of the revolution."

Nato has been carrying out air strikes under a mandate from two UN resolutions to protect Libyan civilians.

At least 36 members of Col Gaddafi's inner circle, including relatives and generals, have fled to neighbouring Algeria and Niger since Tripoli fell to NTC forces last month.

With roads to Tunisia, Egypt, Chad and Sudan largely controlled by anti-Gaddafi forces, Niger has been used as an exit route by Gaddafi loyalists - including his son Saadi

Anti-Gaddafi fighters say they have captured the northern half of Bani Walid but have struggled to push further.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14923551

Jacqueline Kennedy's Audio Tapes: 'John John' Says 'He's Gone to Heaven'

2011-09-14T17:02:00.000+07:00

Jacqueline Kennedy's Audio Tapes: 'John John' Says 'He's Gone to Heaven'

By Mark Mooney

Sept 13, 2011

When a young John Kennedy, Jr. – still affectionately known as "John John" - wandered into a session where his mother, Jacqueline was recording an oral history of her slain husband's presidency, there's a moment when time stands still. The tape keeps rolling.

The interviewer, historian and family friend Arthur Schlesinger Jr., took the opportunity to ask the boy a question on his tape recorder.

"John, what happened to your father?" Schlesinger asked.

"Well, he's gone to heaven," the 3-year-old replied.

John Jr. was born 16 days after his father was elected president, and his father's funeral was held on his third birthday. The young boy, standing up straight to salute his father's casket, brought the nation to tears.

But when gently prodded by Schlesinger about what he remembered, the boy adopted the tactic kids everywhere use to ward off prying adults by saying mischievously, "I don't remember any-thing."

John made his escape seconds later, but the moment was a reminder that this President was also a father, who interrupted naps, interrupted the White House school and lined his bathtub with floatie toys for the boy who would insist on piling into the tub with his dad.

That oral history the former first lady was recording nearly 50 years ago will be released this week in a book titled "Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy."

ABC News' Diane Sawyer will host a prime-time, two-hour special based on the tapes tonight, featuring exclusive, never-before-heard extended audio of Jacqueline Kennedy's oral history, rare photographs, plus an exclusive interview with Caroline Kennedy.

One of the many personal memories Jacqueline Kennedy lovingly shares is her husband's frequent morning wake-ups in the White House.

"The television, gosh sometimes it was loud ... there'd be cartoons, and there was this awful exercise man, Jack La...," Jacqueline recalled, referring to 1960s exercise guru Jack LaLanne.

Daughter Caroline and toddler son John would be rolling on the floor doing exercises to Jack LaLanne with their father encouraging them.

"He'd have them tumbling around. He loved those children tumbling around him," she said.

According to Caroline Kennedy, her father didn't like to read to his children, preferring to make up stories instead. Many of them starred Caroline and a pony, and in his stories she frequently won the Grand National horse race, beating a Miss Shaw and Mrs. Throttlebottom. In his tales, there were also sharks, a girl named Maybelle who hid in the woods, and sometimes the kids would join him on a PT boat and sink a Japanese destroyer.

Watch the two-hour Diane Sawyer Special "Jacqueline Kennedy: In Her Own Words" today at 9:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

Like the Pied Piper, the President was a magnet for children, often a disruptive one for teachers at the White House school attended by Caroline and the children of other members of the administration.

"He'd always come out in the garden during their recess in the morning and clap his hands, and all the little things from school would come running," Jacqueline Kennedy fondly remembered.

Life with John Kennedy was a blur of dignitaries, travel -- the family plane was named The Caroline -- and foreign visitors. "There'd be 50 Lithuanians arriving with folk dolls for Caroline or something at 11 in the morning, then they'd go," she said, apparently exaggerating to make a point.

There are famous scenes of John Jr. tumbling out from beneath his father's Oval Office desk during high-level sessions on public policy or the boy banging away on the typewriter of the president's secretary.

As much as Kennedy reveled in a string of inaugural balls, the morning after being sworn in he began badgering his wife to bring the kids to the White House. They had been staying with relatives while the White House was being repainted and prepared for the new first family.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Jacqueline_Kennedy/jacqueline-kennedy-remembers-jfk-white-house-dad/story?id=14499391

Axe attack in Chinese city of Gongyi kills 6

2011-09-14T11:27:00.002+07:00

A man armed with an axe has killed two young girls and four adults in a Chinese city, media reports say.

The attack happened early on Wednesday on a street near a kindergarten in Gongyi city, Henan province.

A 30-year-old local farmer, who is suspected of being mentally ill, has been detained, officials said.

The incident is the latest in a spate of similar attacks across China, several of which have targeted schools and young children.

One local media report said that the group in Gyongi had been taking their children to nursery school when the attack happened.

Four people died at the scene and two more later in hospital, local officials said in a statement.

Suspect Wang Hongbin "has a history of mental health illness", it said.
Social change

In 2010 there were a series of attacks in which lone individuals broke into Chinese schools to attack students.
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In one attack in March 2010 in the city of Ninping, community doctor Zheng Minsheng stabbed eight young children to death. He was executed for the crime one month later.

Two months later, seven children and two adults were hacked to death at a kindergarten in Hanzhong city by an attacker who later killed himself.

Last month eight children were hurt when an employee at a child-care centre for migrant workers in Shanghai slashed them with a knife.

The attacks have triggered calls for heightened security at schools and kindergartens, and sparked debate over what caused them.

The BBC's Damian Grammaticas, in Beijing, says they have focussed attention on the growing social stresses in a society that is changing fast as it pursues rapid economic growth, and on the serious lack of care for those with mental health problems in China.

Two years ago a study published in the journal The Lancet estimated that around 17% of Chinese adults, 173m people, may suffer from mental disorders.

Yet fewer than one in ten had ever sought treatment and even for those who had, there were almost no free facilities to treat them.

Last year China's Premier Wen Jiabao said the attacks had deep-seated causes including social conflicts that China must address.

And the government ordered Chinese media to limit reporting of the school killings amid fears some may have been copycat attacks, our correspondent adds.