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Obama Administration Plans Limits on Some Bank Salaries
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New rules would limit executive salaries to $500,000 for banks accepting
federal bailout funds
President Barack Obama with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner in the Oval Office
of the White House, 28 Jan 2009The Obama administration is expected to unveil
new rules limiting salaries for executives of banks who accept federal bailout
funds to $500,000 a year.Administration officials say President Barack Obama
and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will announce the new limits at the
White House Wednesday.
Reports of enormous Wall Street bonuses prompted moveThe move was spurred by
recent reports that Wall Street firms paid some $18 billion in bonuses last
year, while the economy was spiraling downward and the companies were seeking
federal help. Mr. Obama denounced the bonuses last week as "irresponsible" and
"shameful."Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill introduced a bill last week to
set the pay of executives at companies receiving federal bailout money at
$400,000 a year - equal to President Obama's salary.
No 'witch hunts' against bonus recipientsNew U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
said Tuesday he does not plan to conduct what he called "witch hunts" against
the bonus recipients. But he said the Justice Department will look for and
prosecute cases of fraud and misconduct that led to the economic crisis.The
banking company Citigroup defended its use of bailout money Tuesday, saying it
is spending more than half of the $45 billion it received from the government
on programs meant to help consumers, including those having trouble paying
their home loans. Citigroup has been criticized for going through with a $400
million deal that gives it naming rights to the new home stadium of Major
League Baseball's New York Mets.Wells Fargo and Company, which accepted $25
billion in federal bailout money, decided Tuesday to cancel a lavish annual
employees' trip to Las Vegas after news reports about the event. Last year the
insurance company American International Group Inc. was heavily criticized for
spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on spa treatments and resort stays
for its executives just days after accepting billions in federal bailout money.
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Sri Lankan President Says Tamil Tiger Rebels Almost Defeated
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Mahinda Rajapaksa predicts conflict will end 'within days'
President Mahinda Rajapaksa attends Independence Day celebration in Colombo, 04
Feb 2009Asia's longest-running war appears to be coming to an end. That is the
assessment of Sri Lanka's president, who spoke Wednesday at a rally celebrating
61 years of independence - nearly half of it marred by fighting. It was a day
of muted celebration in Sri Lanka's sun-drenched south, while fighting persists
in the country's north - part of a 25-year civil war between Sri Lanka's
Sinhalese-dominated government and a rebel group made up of minority ethnic
Tamils.Amid heavy security in the capital, Sri Lanka celebrated 61 years of
independence with military parades and fly-overs of fighter jets.The country's
president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, wearing a white robe with a maroon scarf, said
government forces are on the verge of victory.
Conflict almost overHe says Sri Lanka is on the verge of what he calls
"destroying terrorism." He predicts the conflict will end "within days."Heavy
fighting was reported in parts of the northeast, as government troops close in
on the last-remaining holdouts of ethnic Tamil rebels, known as the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The reports cannot be independently verified because
Sri Lanka's government has barred reporters from entering conflict areas.The
United Nations says recent fighting has taken a bloody toll on the region's
civilian population, killing at least 52 civilians and wounding at least 80
others, in the past two days. Aid agencies say about 250,000 people are
trapped in the fighting. Sri Lanka's government says that figure is
exaggerated.
Rebels blamed for attack on hospitalAid groups operating in the area said at
least 14 people have been killed during repeated attacks on a hospital in
rebel-held territory. Sri Lankan forces had been criticized for bombing the
hospital. But Sri Lankan military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara blames LTTE
fighters for the attacks."We know the exact location of that hospital," the
spokesman said. "Definitely, the LTTE has fired at that location. And, this
[is] kind of arranged [by the LTTL], where they have videoed everything and
fired at the location and given it to media. This is the kind of terrorist
organization we are fighting with." The United States, the European Union and
other countries have urged the LTTE to lay down its weapons and called for a
cease-fire from the Sri Lankan government to allow civilians to flee the war
zone. But Sri Lankan forces have vowed to fight on.Since the war began in
1983, about 70,000 people have been killed, many of them civilians.
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UN Chief Voices Concern Over Afghan Civilian Deaths
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During brief unannounced visit to Kabul, Ban Ki-moon calls for closer
cooperation between civilian and military leaders
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai during
press conference in Kabul, 04 Feb 2009U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says
he is deeply concerned about civilian casualties in Afghanistan. Mr. Ban
called for closer cooperation between civilian and military leaders. During Ban
Ki-moon's brief, unannounced visit to Kabul, he called 2009 an important year
for addressing Afghanistan's security challenges and establishing full
democracy. The secretary-general said he plans to maintain a strong partnership
with the Afghan government this year and hopes to better coordinate
infrastructure and energy development with international donors. Last year,
Taliban fighters extended their reach from southern and eastern areas of the
country to the outskirts of Kabul, killing record numbers of troops and further
imperiling the already weak Afghan government. Foreign troops have responded
with airstrikes and raids in more remote areas, but the tactics have also led
to hundreds of civilian deaths. Mr. Ban called for closer coordination between
civilian and military officials."I fully share the concerns and frustrations
President Karzai has endured in the course of many tragic incidents where
civilian people have been killed in the course of the military operations
fighting terrorism," he said. Afghan political leaders on all levels regularly
complain that the civilian casualties by foreign troops are undermining public
support for the Afghan government.
Should foreign military get permission before launching air strikes?President
Hamid Karzai has suggested requiring foreign militaries to first get permission
from Afghan officials before carrying out air strikes and house raids. During
Wednesday's news conference with the U.N. secretary-general, Mr. Karzai again
called for an end to civilian casualties.Mr. Karzai says the issue of civilian
casualties has caused tensions between Afghanistan and the United States, but
the overall relationship remains strong. He says military leaders should
negotiate on his suggestions for new rules of engagement.Ban Ki-moon also meets
with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad, where he is expected to announce the
creation of a formal U.N. investigation into the assassination of former
Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto. A Pakistani investigation last year
concluded Taliban militants were most likely responsible for her death in
December 2007. But Bhutto's political party, which now leads Pakistan's
government, suggested that her political opponents may have played a role in
the plot. Officials appealed for a formal U.N. inquiry last year.
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Pakistani Taliban Releases 29 Security Personnel
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Police and soldiers were kidnapped during raid on police station in
northwestern Swat Valley, no other details available
Pakistani Taliban have released 29 police and soldiers kidnapped during a raid
on a police station in northwestern Swat Valley. No other details were
immediately available. Militants captured the base just south of the valley's
main town Mingora after a day-long siege. The militants then blew up the base
and escaped with the hostages.The Pakistani military is battling a growing
Islamic insurgency in Swat Valley, which once was a renowned ski resort. In
other news, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to meet in Pakistan
later Wednesday with the country's leaders. Mr. Ban first made a quick
unannounced visit to Afghanistan, where he met with President Hamid Karzai.
UN to investigate Bhutto murderA Pakistani foreign ministry official told the
French news agency that Mr. Ban is expected to announce the formation of a U.N.
probe into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Ms.
Bhutto was killed at a campaign rally in December 2007.The government of
then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as well as the United States blamed
the assassination on Islamic extremists. The late prime minister's Pakistan
People's Party alleged that forces linked to Mr. Musharraf were involved.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
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Sonia Gandhi Warns of 'Befitting Reply' to Attempts to Destroy Indian Unity
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India's Congress Party touts government successes, talks tough on terrorism
ahead of election campaign
The head of the party which leads India's governing coalition has begun
unofficial election campaigning, with harsh words directed at Pakistan. It is
an early indication the Congress Party intends to portray itself as tough on
defense and terrorism, in a bid to remain in power this year. Although it is
still at least a couple of months before serious campaigning gets underway, the
head of India's Congress Party is wasting no time touting government successes
and talking tough on terrorism. Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi waves to the
public during an election campaign rally in Ranbir Singh Pura district of
Jammu, India (File)Sonia Gandhi told a rally in Silvassa, western India, the
coalition government has made major progress in empowering women, providing
basic services to the rural poor and cutting fuel prices. But Gandhi, the widow
of a slain prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, says tackling terrorism is also one of
the major challenges now facing India.The Congress Party president says India's
neighbors are trying to destroy the unity and integrity of the country. She
says they need to be aware that India will give them a befitting reply. Harsh
rhetoric about Pakistan is not uncommon here. The two nuclear-armed neighbors
have fought several wars. But such comments take on a new resonance, in wake
of the November 26 attack on Mumbai, which left more than 160 people dead.
India blames well-armed and skilled terrorists who it says were trained in and
came from Pakistan. Relations had been gradually warming between the two
traditional rivals. They quickly chilled again, following the 60-hour siege of
India's commercial capital.Congress' political foe, the BJP (Bharatiya Janata
Party), traditionally paints itself as the nationalist party and, in local
elections since November, has attempted to portray the Congress Party as weak
on terrorism. So far, that strategy has not given the opposition a groundswell
of support.In recent weeks, New Delhi has placed intense pressure on Islamabad
to respond to its dossier of evidence allegedly linking the Mumbai attackers to
elements in Pakistan. Top government figures here have expressed impatience
with a lack of a formal response. Media here and in Pakistan are reporting
that reply is expected any day.
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World Powers Discuss Iran in Wake of Satellite Launch
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Envoys from France, Germany, US, China, Russia, Britain reviewing diplomatic
efforts to get Iran to stop enriching uranium
A photo at an undisclosed location of an Iranian satellite launching rocket
carrying the satellite 'Omid' into space, 03 Feb 2009 lTop diplomats from six
world powers are holding talks Wednesday on Iran's nuclear program, a day after
Tehran announced the launch of its first satellite into orbit.Envoys from
France, Germany, the United States, China, Russia and Britain, meeting in the
city of Wiesbaden, are reviewing diplomatic efforts to get Iran to stop
enriching uranium.It is the first meeting of the group since U.S. President
Barack Obama took office last month.The United States, some European countries
and Israel have expressed concern, following Iran's announcement that an
Iranian-made rocket carried a domestically-built satellite into orbit late
Monday.Experts say the same ballistic technology used to put the probe into
space could also be used in long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear
warheads.Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi, has dismissed
concerns over the space launch, telling reporters the satellite launch is a
scientific achievement with "no military aims."But Israeli Space Agency
chairman and parliament member Isaac Ben-Israel says it is worrisome that Iran
has the technology to launch a satellite into orbit. He disagrees with Iran
that the satellite is for peaceful purposes.Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak
warned that Iran has improving missile technology capable of delivering a
nuclear bomb that could hit Israel and beyond.A White House spokesman Tuesday
said there is "acute concern" over Iran's actions. He told reporters the United
States "will use all elements" of its national power to deal with Iran.A U.N.
resolution prohibits Iran from engaging in any missile-related activity, which
Western countries fear could eventually be used to launch a nuclear weapon.Iran
says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
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UN: Hamas Seized Aid Meant for Gaza Civilians
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Hamas welfare minister accuses UN of giving aid to local groups with political
agenda
The United Nations says the Palestinian militant group Hamas has seized
blankets and food meant for hundreds of civilian families in the Gaza
Strip.A Palestinian carries sacks of flour at the UNRWA warehouse in Jebaliya
refugee camp in Gaza City, 26 Jan 2009The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees,
UNRWA,
Wednesday said Hamas police raided a warehouse in Gaza City on Tuesday
and took 3,500 blankets and more than 400 food parcels.Hamas Welfare Minister
Ahmed Kurd accused the U.N. of giving aid to local groups with a political
agenda.The
U.N. has appealed to the international community for about $613 million
in aid for Gazans following Israel's three-week military campaign
against Hamas.More than 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis died in the
violence.Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas told lawmakers at the European Parliament Wednesday
that Israel should be held accountable for its actions in the war.The
International Criminal Court says it is exploring whether it can
legally investigate allegations that Israel committed war crimes in the
Gaza offensive.The Palestinian Authority recently recognized
the jurisdiction of the court. But, it is unclear whether Palestinians
can request an ICC investigation because, officially, only states can
recognize the court.A Hamas delegation met Egyptian mediators
in Cairo Tuesday, and said the militant group was ready to commit to a
truce with Israel for at least a year, in exchange for the full opening
of Gaza's borders.Israel and Hamas stopped major combat two
weeks ago, but sporadic attacks continue. Hamas is urging all
Palestinian factions to "respect the national consensus" on the
cease-fire.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
------------------------------------------------------
Russia Announces Military Initiatives in Eurasia
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Developments appear to represent attempt to increase Russian influence in
region
>From left, Armenian Pres. Serge Sarkisian, Kazakh, Russian leaders Nursultan
>Nazarbayev, Dmitry Medvedev, 04 Feb 2009Three international military
>initiatives have been announced in the Kremlin over the past two days, one of
>them involving an important Central Asian air base used to support U.S.
>military operations in Afghanistan. These developments appear to represent an
>attempt to increase Russian influence in the Eurasia region.Russian President
>Dmitri Medvedev has announced agreement to create a rapid reaction force as
>part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO. Presidents of
>the member states: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
>Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - held a Kremlin summit in which Mr. Medvedev says
>they discussed mechanisms to confront what he called a wide range of
>challenges and threats.The Russian president says all of the leaders agree on
>the necessity of adopting the appropriate decision, and agree to create a
>collective force.
New force will combat terrorism, crimeArmenian President Serzh Sargsyan notes
the new force will strengthen the CSTO's military component, although the new
structure's announced purpose is to combat terrorism and international crime,
including drug trafficking.On Tuesday, President Medvedev and his visiting
Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, agreed to create a new joint
air-defense system involving five air force and 10 missile units. But Russia's
Kommersant business newspaper reports Mr. Lukashenko's agreement was
conditioned by demands for Russian weapon subsidies and Russian orders from
Belarusian defense industries. In a separate meeting at the Kremlin Tuesday,
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said his country will close the U.S. air
base near Bishkek that American forces have used supply military operations in
Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This was
accompanied by an announcement that Russia will give Bishkek a $2 billion loan
as well as a $150 million aid grant. Kyrgyz National Security Council head
Adakhan Madumarov says the United States would have 180 days to leave the air
base after receiving official notification to do so. But the U.S. Embassy in
Bishkek said in a statement it has not received any eviction notice.
Russia hopes to end US military presence in Bishkek
Independent Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer says Russia has long
resented the U.S. presence in Central Asia and paid the Kyrgyz big money to
drive the Americans out. Felgenhauer says Moscow is pursuing its long-standing
policy of consolidating the post-Soviet realm into a sphere of privileged
interests. He says Russia is trying to turn the CSTO into a genuine military
union and to squeeze out the Americans, so all [of these initiatives] are
strategically linked.But the reliability of Moscow's new partners is in doubt.
Analysts point to the material incentives provided to gain Belarusian and
Kyrgyz support, and also to Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon's last minute
decision to visit Moscow, after he indicated he would stay away in what was
seen as a bid to get more Russian financial support for his impoverished
nation. The Interfax news agency reports that Uzbekistan signed the rapid
reaction force accord with unspecified reservations. Tashkent has strained
relations with its CSTO neighbors.Felgenhauer also questions how the new force
will be used, noting that the constitution of Belarus prohibits foreign
deployment of its military, and that the Central Asian nations today face no
genuine military threats.
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AU Leaders Agree to Disagree On Gaddafi's Union Government Proposal
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Members deadlocked over Libyan leader's proposal for central administration
with sweeping powers
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi (L), escorted by bodyguard (R), arrives at the AU
meeting in Addis Ababa, 01 Feb 2009An African Union summit has ended in
confusion over the future of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi's dream of
establishing a continental government. Mr. Gaddafi appears determined to push
toward creation of a United States of Africa during his year as A.U. chairman,
despite opposition from the continent's most influential powers.Meetings of
African leaders usually run two days, but this summit in Addis Ababa dragged
into a fourth day with members deadlocked over A.U. chairman Gaddafi's proposal
for a central administration with sweeping powers. Most heads of state had
departed by the time a compromise was struck that allowed Mr. Gaddafi to
declare victory. "It is a government of the union. It is an authority, a
government. There will be secretaries ... coordinators for various policies,
like defense and foreign affairs and defense policies and foreign policies that
are divergent and we will coordinate everything and our defense policies for
Africa," the Libyan president said.Mr. Gaddafi admitted there are deep
divisions among member states about his idea, but in a speech to the closing
summit session, Mr. Gaddafi outlined a long-term vision of a fully united
Africa, under one flag."We need the peoples of Africa, traditional forces of
women and youth who can use their energies to push us to reach the final phase,
which is the United States of Africa, which will be like the United States of
America today," he said.Special meeting planned
Mr. Gaddafi says a special meeting of African foreign ministers will be held in
three months to discuss getting the union project off the ground. But his
high-profile optimism covered over the low-key determination of a majority of
African leaders to kill, or at least indefinitely postpone the creation of a
continental government.Only a handful of heads of state were in the room to
hear the Libyan leader's closing remarks. But most of Africa's big powers,
such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa are sticking
to the position that it will not be a government with sovereign powers for the
foreseeable future.They left it to African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping
to explain to reporters that moving to a union government would be a long-drawn
out process."The initial purpose was to transform into a government of union,
then the member states during their discussions think government has a
definition which is precise, and we have not yet reached that stage, and we
better move from a commission to an authority," Ping said.Long process lies
ahead
Ping says even the small step of changing the name of the permanent secretariat
from a commission to an authority, as agreed at this summit, could take years,
because it requires a charter amendment that must be ratified by two-thirds of
the member states.This summit has left no doubt that Mr. Gaddafi is determined
to set the wheels of a union government in motion during his one-year term as
A.U. Chairman. But African diplomats and observers say the name change agreed
to at this summit gives opponents of the plan the time they to delay it
indefinitely.
------------------------------------------------------
Book Questions French Foreign Minister's Past Activities in Africa
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Bernard Kouchner rejects allegations, calls Pierre Pean's book 'grotesque and
sickening'
French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner leaves the weekly cabinet meeting in
Paris, 04 Feb 2009A book published in France Wednesday accuses French Foreign
Minister Bernard Kouchner of a conflict of interest during the time he worked
as a health consultant in Africa, before becoming France's top envoy. Entitled
The World According to K, the book has stirred debate in France even before
its release. Its author, French journalist Pierre Pean, accuses Foreign
Minister Bernard Kouchner of a conflict of interest when he worked as a private
health consultant, before President Nicolas Sarkozy tapped him to become
France's top envoy.Pean claims Kouchner worked as a consultant for two private
firms, writing reports on reforming the health insurance systems in Gabon and
Congo. The countries were billed for several million dollars. At the same
time, Kouchner was also working as a consultant for a public company aimed to
improve health services for developing countries. Pean claims that some of the
payments for Kouchner's private activities were only received after he became
foreign minister. Kouchner, the founder of the humanitarian group Doctors
Without Borders and one of France's most popular politicians, has rejected the
allegations. In remarks to the weekly Nouvelle Observateur, he called the book
"grotesque and sickening."A number of politicians have also spoken up on his
behalf, including Jean-Francois Cope, the head of the ruling UMP (Union for a
Popular Movement) party at the National Assembly.Cope told French radio he has
not read the book and that it is up to Kouchner to explain his activities. He
says that in today's political climate, it is easy to throw public officials to
the piranhas, based on mere allegations. But a number of observers and
politicians, particularly from the opposition Socialist Party, are demanding
that Kouchner provide a thorough explanation of his activities in Africa.
------------------------------------------------------
Nominees Prepare for Oscars
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Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway and Frank Langella are among Best
Actress/Actor nominees for Academy Awards, which will be presented later this
month
Hollywood is gearing up for the Academy Awards, or Oscars, which will be
presented later this month. The nominees came together this week for a
luncheon, where they talked about his year's Oscar race.Actress Kate Winslet,
nominated for best actress in a leading role, for her work in 'The Reader,'
arrives at the Academy Award luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, 02 Feb
2009 The race for the Oscar statuette has its share of Hollywood veterans
and relative newcomers. Kate Winslet is a nominee for Best Actress for her
role as a former Nazi guard in The Reader. This is her sixth nomination, her
fourth as leading actress, but she has yet to win."I have been here so many
times and lost so many times that quite honesty, you know, I have a really good
losing face now," said Winslet. "I have sort of perfected that strange, Zen,
blank, calm that you have to have, of course, in that moment when they do not
call out your name."Other acting nominees include Angelina Jolie for the crime
drama, Changeling, and Anne Hathaway for the romantic tale, Rachel Getting
Married. Frank Langella is nominated for his role as former U.S. President
Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon and Sean Penn for Milk, the story of gay activist
Harvey Milk. Oscar veteran Meryl Streep is a nominee for Doubt, a tale of
suspected child abuse in the Catholic Church, and Philip Seymour Hoffman is a
Supporting Actor nominee for his role in the film. The late Heath Ledger is up
for an Oscar as Supporting Actor for his role as the sinister Joker in the
latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight. Winslet is impressed with the
roster."There have been such extraordinary performances by men and women, I
really feel like that, across the board," added Winslet. "Just to be a part of
this global film community in this particular year with this nomination at this
time in my life, feels really special."Mickey Rourke, a Best Actor nominee for
the comeback tale, The Wrestler, is making his own comeback with this
film."Because I was out of work for about 14 years, the fact that so many years
went by, and I got a second chance," said Rourke.Actress Taraji P. Henson has
been working in Hollywood for about a decade, and is a first-time nominee for
her supporting role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The film's star,
Brad Pitt, is a Best Actor nominee for this story about a man who ages
backwards. The actress says her road to Hollywood was not easy."I had no
money. Fresh out of college with dreams and stars in my eyes and I just
remember saying, I want to go to California," said Henson. "I want to really
do this. And some thought I was crazy. My mother was like, you are going to
starve. But they are all really proud because, I had a dream."Robert Downey
Jr., nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his work in 'Tropic
Thunder', poses for a portrait in Beverly Hills California, 02 Feb 2009Robert
Downey Jr., a nominee for his supporting role as a self-absorbed Hollywood
actor in Tropic Thunder, admits the offbeat role in a comedy-action film is not
the surest path to an Oscar nomination."There is no way that I could have read
the script and said, 'It's Oscar time.' I was just hoping I was not shot at
the premiere," he said. Penelope Cruz is nominated for her supporting role in
the Woody Allen film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The Spanish actress says she
would love to win but is pleased with the nomination. This is her second.
Her first was for the 2006 Spanish-language film, Volver. "I am so happy to be
part of a group of people that can work, that can make a living out of this
profession that I have loved so much since I was a little girl, that I really
do not want to obsess about winning," said Cruz. "I want to enjoy every part
of this great adventure."The adventure will continue February 22, when the
Oscars will be presented in Hollywood.
------------------------------------------------------
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