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latest coverage.
Obama: Economy is a 'Continuing Disaster'
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President says 'time for action is now', calls on Senate to quickly pass
stimulus plan
President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks about Middle Class Working
Families Task Force, 30 Jan 2009President Barack Obama says the shrinking U.S.
economy is a "continuing disaster" for middle class working families in
America.He
spoke Friday after a government report showed the U.S. economy shrank
at a 3.8 percent pace during the last three months of
2008.Mr. Obama said the "time for action is now" and called on
the Senate to quickly pass the proposed $800 billion stimulus
plan that has already cleared the U.S. House of Representatives.A top White
House economic advisor says the recession has spread through the entire
economy. Economists
say the gross domestic product declined because worried consumers cut
spending and businesses slashed jobs and investment. These are the
worst growth figures in a quarter of a century. Some information for this
report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Japan's Dismal Economic Outlook Causing Jitters Across Asia
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High unemployment figures, weak economic data, dip in industrial production
contribute to gloomy predictions
Man walks past Tokyo brokerage's electric signboard indicating Japanese stock
index, 30 Jan 2009A raft of dismal economic data is sending Japan, the world's
second
largest economy, further into recession. The gloom has regional
partners increasingly worried. There is concern in Australia, where
Japan is a key trading partner. Japan's bleak economic
outlook has sent shares on the Nikkei index falling by more than 3
percent, caused by a Thursday decline on Wall Street, weak economic
data and pessimistic forecasts of corporate earnings.Early
official estimates have said that industrial production in Japan dipped
by a record 9.6 percent in December, and January's performance is
likely to be just as bad.Japanese unemployment suffered its biggest jump in 40
years while household spending was down for a tenth month in a row. The gloomy
news in Japan seems relentless.
Car maker troubleThe
country's second-biggest car maker, Honda, has been forced to slash its
annual profit forecast by more than half because of rising costs, a
stronger yen and falling sales. Reports in Tokyo have said that motor
giant Toyota is also in financial trouble and expects to record a loss
in the current fiscal year. The rapid worsening of the
Japanese economy and in particular its manufacturing sector is bad for
Australia's once mighty minerals and energy producers, which are facing
falling prices and demand.
Japanese economy now affecting AustraliaJapan bought $22 billion worth of
Australian goods last year, and is the country's main export customer.The
global slowdown has begun to bite on the Australian economy, and the
government is considering a second multi-billion package to stimulate
domestic demand.Heather Ridout from the Australian Industry
Group is calling on accelerated tax cuts for low income earners,
despite reservations at the International Monetary Fund."We're
calling for tax cuts to be brought forward, which are already
scheduled, for the low payed," Ridout said. "The low payed are those
that spend it. The issue with the IMF's view is that if you give tax
cuts to the whole income cohort, that is, to high payed as well as low
payed, often the higher payed people save it."Asian stock
markets remain nervous amid so much gloom. South Korea's Kospi index
lost ground along with markets in Singapore and Malaysia. Australian shares
were up slightly.Hong
Kong's Hang Seng was boosted by speculation that China will cut
interest rates over the weekend and posted a modest rise of just under
1 percent.Markets in mainland China are closed all week for the Lunar New Year.
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US Envoy Warns of Setbacks Ahead in Israel Gaza Peace Process
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Mitchell announces $203 million in additional US funds for emergency aid to
Gaza
President Barack Obama's new special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell
has warned there will be setbacks in the effort to bring peace in the Gaza
Strip. Mitchell spoke Friday in Jerusalem as he continued his tour of the
region.
Envoy describes trip as 'fact-finding mission'He met this week with the leaders
of Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian territories. US Mideast envoy George
Mitchell at a Jerusalem UNRWA warehouse housing aid to be sent to Gaza, 30 Jan
200For Senator Mitchell, it is a fact-finding mission in which he is gathering
information to relay back to the U.S. President as the new administration
begins shaping its policy on the Middle East. Speaking at a U.N. warehouse in
Jerusalem, Mitchell indicated the challenges that lie ahead in resolving the
latest flare-up in the Israeli Palestinian conflict. "The tragic violence in
Gaza and in southern Israel offers a sobering reminder of the very serious and
difficult challenges and unfortunately the setbacks that will come," he said.
Open Gaza border crossings, Mitchell urges IsraelMitchell has urged Israel to
open its border crossings with Gaza to commercial trade. He said doing so
would help end the smuggling of weapons materials to militants who have been
firing rockets at southern Israel. Palestinian man sits on the ruins of a
concrete wall that used to separate Egyptian Rafah with southern Gaza Strip, 26
Jan 2008Israel - which controls border crossings to Gaza - has been allowing
some relief supplies such as food and plastic sheeting to cross into the Strip.
However, residents complain that construction materials needed for rebuilding
the thousands of homes that were destroyed in the 22-day Israeli offensive are
not getting through. Obama deeply concerned about loss of life in GazaThe U.S.
envoy said the new U.S. president has expressed deep concern about the loss of
life and suffering in Gaza, and he said more money for relief efforts is on the
way. "I'm pleased to announce that this week, the President directed the use of
another $20.3 million to provide emergency food and medical assistance to the
wounded and displaced in Gaza," he said.Mitchell said the funds are in addition
to the nearly $40 million in financial support that the United States has
already pledged since the start of the Israeli assault in late December. US
calls for sustainable, durable cease-fireThe U.S. envoy repeated the
administration's call for a consolidation of a sustainable a durable cease-fire
in Gaza following the 22-day Israeli offensive that Palestinian officials say
killed 1,300 people. Thirteen Israelis died in the conflict before a January 18
cease-fire. Ehud Barak (file)Israel's aim in the offensive was to destroy the
militants' ability to fire rockets from Gaza into southern Israel as they had
been doing for years. Israeli military officials said they remain ready to
restart the offensive if the attacks continue.Israeli Defense Minister Ehud
Barak on Friday said the cease-fire is likely to hold because, he said, Hamas
sustained what he described as "a very severe blow" during the offensive.
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Thousands Welcome Turkish PM After Gaza Row
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At World Economic Forum Recep Tayyip Erdogan publicly confronted Israeli
President Shimon Peres over recent offensive in Gaza
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses supporters outside Ataturk
International Airport in Istanbul, 30 Jan 2009Thousands of jubilant supporters
gathered at Istanbul airport to
welcome their prime minister home on Friday after he publicly
confronted the Israeli president over the Gaza war.The crowd
lauded Mr. Erdogan, chanting "We are proud of you and we will always
stand with you" as his plane returned him home from the World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
'You kill people' Erdogan told PeresDuring the forum, Israel's
offensive against Hamas erupted into a tense standoff at a panel
discussion Thursday, and ended when Mr. Erdogan told Israeli President
Shimon Peres: "You kill people," and then walked off the stage.Addressing the
crowd the prime minister was a in defiant mood.He
said "we are going to stand firm but we are not going to get into
conflict. We stood firm, and we will continue standing firm. This is
what people expect of the Turkish Nation."
Turkish media support PM's decisionTurkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and
Israeli President Shimon Peres during a plenary session on Middle East Peace
at Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 29 Jan.
2009Mr. Erdogan's decision
to walk out of a debate with Israeli President Shimon Peres is broadly
supported in the Turkish media. One newspaper's headline read: "Erdogan
Gives Peres a Lesson". Another newspaper referred to it as an
"Historical Slap."On the streets of Istanbul there appears to be widespread
support."I
support the prime minister," one man said. "It is important to
speak out about what is happening in the Gaza, as the world has
remained silent. He is right [with] what he did."
Many surprised about Turkey-Israel tensionMr. Erdogan's
walkout is the climax to increasingly tough criticism by Turkey of
Israel's offensive in Gaza. Earlier this month Mr. Erdogan said Israel
would be damned for its actions, accusing it of crimes against
humanity. He also called for Israel to be suspended from the United
Nations.Israel and Turkey have traditionally strong ties, and
this tough anti-Israel rhetoric surprised much of the international
community. Despite the benefits to Erdogan's popular appeal in
Turkey and the Muslim world, his comment appeared to put at risk
efforts it has made as a Middle East mediator, analysts say.
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Bomb Kills 3 Iraqi Policemen a Day Before Provincial Elections
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Officials say police officers found bomb in Diwaniyah, central Iraq, brought it
to police station to try to defuse it but bomb exploded, killing them
Iraqi soldiers secure streets day before provincial council elections in
western city of Ramadi, 30 Jan 2009Iraqi officials say a bomb blast has killed
three policemen in central
Iraq a day before the country holds its first provincial elections
since 2005.Officials say police officers found the bomb Friday
in the town of Diwaniyah and brought it to a police station to try to
defuse it. The bomb then exploded, killing three police officers and
wounding at least 14 others.Iraqi officials have warned that
insurgents may try to disrupt Saturday's elections. Three candidates
were killed Thursday in separate shootings across Iraq. Despite the
attacks, the run-up to the Iraqi vote has been relatively calm.Iraq
plans to tighten security nationwide starting at 10:00 p.m. local time
tonight (1900 UTC/1400 EST) to try to prevent more violence. Measures
include a night-time curfew, the closure of Iraq's borders and
airports, and the closure of entry and exit points to Iraq's
provinces.Restrictions are already in place in the volatile northern city of
Mosul.On
Saturday, Iraqi authorities plan to ban road traffic in major cities
and near polling centers, with exceptions for specially-authorized
vehicles.Fifteen million Iraqis are eligible to vote in
elections for 14 of Iraq's 18 provincial councils. About
14,400 candidates are vying for 440 seats. A first day of
early voting for Iraqi security personnel and prisoners on Wednesday
went smoothly.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
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Zimbabwe Opposition Agrees to Unity Government
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Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai makes announcement in Harare after meeting
of party leaders
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change has agreed to join
a unity government with long-time President Robert Mugabe next month,
amid a spiraling economic and humanitarian crisis.Morgan Tsvangirai (file
photo) Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai made the announcement in Harare
Friday after a meeting of party leaders. The decision comes more than four
months after a power-sharing deal was agreed to, but never implemented. It
finally paves the way for Tsvangirai to become prime minister, despite
lingering concerns over how cabinet seats will be allocated.The
political developments come as Zimbabwe is now allowing its citizens to
use foreign currencies, including the U.S dollar, British pound and
euro, to try to fight soaring inflation, last measured at 231 million
percent. The United Nations estimates nearly seven million people will
need food aid to survive until April, and that unemployment stands at
94 percent.Regional mediator South Africa has tried to push
through the power-sharing deal. The Movement for Democratic Change is
also demanding the release of arrested opposition activists.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Madagascar Opposition Leader Calls for New Government, More Protests
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Mayor Andry Rajoelina says he is ready to head an interim national government
The main opposition leader in Madagascar is calling for a transitional
government, as higher death tolls of recent unrest are being reported.Andry
Rajoelina, the 34-year-old mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, said Friday he
was ready to head an interim national government.The mayor led a protest
Thursday, as most businesses and schools closed down, and is preparing new
protests for Saturday. Rajoelina and his supporters say President Marc
Ravalomanana has become too authoritarian in his decisions.Anti-government
rallies turned deadly earlier in the week. Police said 44 people were killed
Monday. Foreign diplomats are quoted by news agencies as saying up to 100
people have been killed in the unrest.Tensions erupted earlier this month when
the government shut down a television station run by Rajoelina, a decision that
was recently reversed.The French news agency says other opposition leaders are
now publicly backing Rajoelina, including Jean Lahiniriko, a former ally of
the president.The international community is urging talks between the president
and the mayor.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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Obama Administration's Latin America Policy Could Focus on Cuba, Venezuela
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Experts say new administration faces several issues in hemisphere
Experts on Latin America say the region is not likely to be a top priority for
the Obama administration but the issues of Cuba and Venezuela could draw much
of its attention. A group of Latin America experts met in Washington to discuss
what policies President Obama might pursue in the Americas. Cuban President
Raul Castro (file photo)Experts say Cuba under President Raul Castro -- and
Venezuela under President Hugo Chavez will likely draw much of the Obama
administration's attention in the hemisphere in coming months. President Obama
promised during his campaign to ease restrictions on Cuban Americans traveling
to Cuba that were imposed by the Bush administration. Also, in his first days
in office, Mr. Obama signed a decree to close the detention center in
Guantanamo Bay within a year.All this has prompted experts such as Dan Erikson
of the Inter-American Dialogue to speculate on possible talks between Mr. Obama
and Mr. Castro.
"Raul Castro has said in several occasions that he would like to engage in a
dialogue with the U.S. as long as it is without preconditions," Erikson said.
"He actually suggested Guantanamo Bay as the location of the conversation
between himself and Barack Obama." Hugo Chavez (file photo)U.S. policy toward
Venezuela will be another top issue, and experts say much will depend on the
world price of oil and the outcome of the February 15 referendum in Venezuela
to extend presidential terms.
David Meyers of Penn State University says President Chavez will emerge in a
stronger position if the referendum passes and world oil prices start to go
up. If not, Meyers says, Mr. Chavez might have to change.
"If Chavez loses the referendum and if oil prices stay down, then I think
Chavez may be much more open to some sort of rapprochement [reconciliation],
cautiously. We may see the emergence of the democratic Chavez," he said.
Myers said a recent public opinion poll shows the Venezuelan leader has an
approval rating of 57 percent, yet this does not mean the referendum will pass.
"If you did the referendum now would you vote to have Chavez re-elected
indefinitely to change the constitution or would you opposed it? Thirty-eight
per cent say they would vote to have him indefinitely and 52 percent say no,"
Myers said.Some of the Latin American experts who met at the George Washington
University also discussed how the Obama administration's handling of the US
economic slowdown will affect American policy toward the hemisphere. They say
it could determine whether the United States keeps its markets open and allows
investment capital to flow to Latin America. Organization of American States
head, Jose Miguel Insulza, told the gathering Washington should not just be
interested in good relations with its neighbors but also in good trading.
"Latin America is, as a whole, a larger trading partner for the United States
than the European Union. Mexico is the U.S.' second most important individual
trading partner," Insulza said. Cynthia McClintock is the director of the Latin
American studies at George Washington University. She highlighted the feeling
of optimism in the region toward the new Obama administration. "I think there
is a general sense that Latin America is not going to be his top priority and
that is in part good," McClintock said. "Because things are going relatively
well in Latin America compared to the Middle East."The experts agreed that
other issues like immigration, the free trade agreement with Panama and
Colombia, and the fight against drugs will probably take some more time to be
redefined under the Obama administration.
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NASA Prepares to Launch Satellite Designed to Study Global Warming
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Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO will measure carbon dioxide in earth's
atmosphere
Next month, the U.S. space agency NASA will launch the first satellite designed
exclusively to answer questions about the distribution and source of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere, which is largely responsible for global warming.
Scientists say at least 95 percent of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere
comes from natural sources, such as animal and plant respiration. They believe
global warming is caused by the remainder of carbon dioxide from manmade
sources, such as tailpipe emissions and deforestation, trapped in the
atmosphere. Artist’s concept of Orbiting Carbon ObservatoryNo one is certain
exactly where the manmade sources of CO2 are coming from. Scientists are
hoping to learn that, and gather other data, beginning later this year with the
launch on February 23 of the space agency's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or
OCO."OCO's unique use of mature technology will enable NASA's first space-based
measurements of carbon dioxide with the accuracy and coverage needed to
understand how carbon dioxide affects the climate and how in turn the global
carbon cycle is affected by changes in the climate," explained Eric Ianson,
OCO's program director. The OCO will cover the Earth the every 16 days, using
spectrographs to detect sources of CO2 and methane, another greenhouse
gas. Scientists say humans emit eight billion tons of carbon into the
atmosphere through fossil fuels and land use, but only half of that remains in
the atmosphere. The rest of the greenhouse gases are absorbed back into the
Earth into what scientists call carbon sinks.So, a key part of the $278
million-mission will be devoted to understanding the carbon cycle of which
sinks are a part, according to mission scientist Anna Michalak."And so as
carbon cycle scientists what we want to understand is exactly why and how and
where these sinks of carbon from the atmosphere to the oceans and plants are
taking place because that will then affect concentrations of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere and that in turn affects climate change," Michalak
said.Meanwhile, Japan last week launched the first satellite to monitor
greenhouse gases worldwide. Known as GOSAT, officials say the orbiter,
combined with data collected by NASA's OCO exploration satellite, will offer a
treasure trove of information on global warming that cannot be gathered by
ground based stations.
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Super Bowl XLIII Coaches Share Common Link
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Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt was former assistant coach with Pittsburgh
Steelers and hopes to use tactical advantages to beat adversary, Mike Tomlin
Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt Arizona Cardinals head coach
Ken Whisenhunt will face a familiar opponent on Sunday in the National Football
League's Super Bowl. The former assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers is
hoping to use tactical advantages to win the championship.
Ken Whisenhunt was the offensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers when
the team won Super Bowl XL (40) three years ago. At the time, he had hoped to
follow Bill Cowher as head coach of the Steelers. His opportunity to lead came
instead with the Arizona Cardinals, a perennial NFL loser.
In Phoenix, Whisenhunt used many ideas that had made the Steelers successful.
"I have used a lot of the things that we did in Pittsburgh to help model what
we are doing in Arizona," he said. "I think that obviously when you have been
with an organization that has been as successful as Pittsburgh has [been], you
learn a lot - not only from just the organization itself or from Bill Cowher,
but [also] from [team owner] Mr. [Art] Rooney. Everything we have done there, a
lot of those things we have tried to emulate."
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was in just his second season when
his team reached Super Bowl XL (40). While the two often seemed at odds,
Roethlisberger says Whisenhunt was an important teacher for him.
"You know what, coach Whis was awesome for me. Whether it was on the golf
course or on the football field or in the meeting rooms, [he was] a very good
mentor for me. [He] really helped me become the player that I am today. And I
am really proud and happy that he is here and that I get to play against him. I
just hope I can beat him," he said.
Whisenhunt is hoping he can lead the Cardinals past a formidable opponent. But
he says his familiarity with Pittsburgh's offense may not be as much of an
asset as people would think.
"I do not think really it makes a difference, to be honest with you. I can not
say that something you saw one of their players do two years ago would still be
the same thing in this game," he said. "I mean, everybody changes over the
course of time. And they have had success and have done a very good job. And
they are playing good football."
Pittsburgh is led by second year coach Mike Tomlin, who took the Steelers to a
12-4 regular season record. The Cardinals went 9-7. Since the regular season
expanded to 16 games in 1978, Arizona becomes only the third team in a
non-strike shortened season to reach the Super Bowl with fewer than 10 wins.
Tomlin making first trip to Super Bowl
Mike TomlinThe Pittsburgh Steelers have more Super Bowl experience than
most other National Football League teams. But second year coach Mike Tomlin is
making his first trip to the big game And is the youngest head coach to lead a
team into the championship game.
He has been coaching in the NFL for 10 years, mostly as a defensive assistant
with the Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings. At
each stop, he has helped to build some of the best defenses in the game.
Two years ago, Pittsburgh tapped him as the team's 16th head coach. And at age
36, he has taken the franchise to a seventh Super Bowl appearance. Tomlin says
the support from Pittsburgh's owners has been a big reason for his success.
"I have been blessed. But I work for some great people. People that took a
stake in my growth and development. And really all of it, I pull from all of it
on a day to day basis, lessons learned from leadership," he said.
Tomlin posted 10 wins and six losses in his first season, followed by a 12-4
run in 2008. Defensive star Troy Polamalu, who has been selected for his fifth
straight Pro Bowl, says Tomlin's youth creates a special bond between the coach
and players.
"It is really unique in the sense that he is younger. And he is, I guess, more
hip, more GQ [a reference to Gentleman's Quarterly magazine] than you would see
any other coach. And in that he is more compassionate and more sympathetic to
what we experience as players. One being the youth and two being a similar
cultural background to the players as well."
Tomlin's expertise has produced the top rated defense in the league this
season. He says his relationship with the players creates the right atmosphere
for them to succeed.
"Really, it is about people. It is about taking care of the troops. It is about
putting care of them first," he said. "I have learned that. If you are going to
lead, you have to lead with a service heart. I try to do that. I try to take
care of my men and give them what they need to be great."
Tomlin is the first coach in Steelers history to guide the team to the Super
Bowl in his second season. He is now aiming to deliver a sixth championship,
which would be the most ever by one team in the NFL.
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