السبت، 14 يناير 2012

Lincoln Tribune

Lincoln Tribune

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Venezuela Closes Its Miami Consulate

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 08:28 PM PST

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ordered the closure of the country's consulate in Miami, days after the United States expelled a Venezuelan diplomat.

In a speech to the National Assembly Friday, Chavez said he was taking the move in response to what he called an "unfair" action by the U.S.

The United States said Sunday it was expelling Venezuela's consul general in Miami, Livia Acosta Noguera, amid reports she discussed possible cyber attacks on the United States.

The allegations were made in a documentary aired by the Spanish-language media outlet, Univision.

Chavez said there is no proof that the diplomat was engaged in espionage

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

China Exports Fall to Two-Year Lows

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:23 PM PST

Another sign that the global economy is slowing: Chinese exports in December fell to their lowest levels in more than two years - while imports grew more slowly than expected.

Sales of Chinese-made goods overseas have been one of the biggest drivers of China's phenomenal growth. But new data shows that export growth may already have peaked. Investment strategist Pu Yonghao at UBS Wealth Management said economic uncertainty is reducing consumer demand around the world.

"Export of course depends on external environment. I would expect it to remain weak and slow down. But in terms of the domestic consumption or production numbers or inflation numbers, [it] should move towards a more positive side," said Pu.
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Economists says raising the value of China's currency could help boost domestic consumption, but it also could hurt exports by making Chinese goods more expensive.

Pu said weak export growth could bolster the argument for China's Central Bank to slow the revaluation of the yuan.

"This year, export number is [the export numbers are] going to be very challenging, I mean, particularly to [on] the Europe side. That's why I think Asian country probably is not going to be very keen to allow the currency appreciation," said Pu.

In the United States, the push is on to boost exports. On Thursday, the largest business federation in the U.S. called on Congress to expand free trade agreements in emerging markets from Brazil to Indonesia.

"Ninety-five percent of the people we want to sell something to live outside the United States," said Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Let's get out there and convince more of these customers and consumers to buy American."

The message may be working. U.S. exports to China are at their highest level in more than a year. But new trade figures released Friday tell a different story. Despite a decline in imports of consumer goods, the Commerce Department says the U.S. trade gap expanded more than 10 percent in November as Americans paid more for crude oil and automobiles.

China Exports Fall to Two-Year Lows

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:23 PM PST

Another sign that the global economy is slowing: Chinese exports in December fell to their lowest levels in more than two years - while imports grew more slowly than expected.

Sales of Chinese-made goods overseas have been one of the biggest drivers of China's phenomenal growth. But new data shows that export growth may already have peaked. Investment strategist Pu Yonghao at UBS Wealth Management said economic uncertainty is reducing consumer demand around the world.

"Export of course depends on external environment. I would expect it to remain weak and slow down. But in terms of the domestic consumption or production numbers or inflation numbers, [it] should move towards a more positive side," said Pu.
<!--AV-->

Economists says raising the value of China's currency could help boost domestic consumption, but it also could hurt exports by making Chinese goods more expensive.

Pu said weak export growth could bolster the argument for China's Central Bank to slow the revaluation of the yuan.

"This year, export number is [the export numbers are] going to be very challenging, I mean, particularly to [on] the Europe side. That's why I think Asian country probably is not going to be very keen to allow the currency appreciation," said Pu.

In the United States, the push is on to boost exports. On Thursday, the largest business federation in the U.S. called on Congress to expand free trade agreements in emerging markets from Brazil to Indonesia.

"Ninety-five percent of the people we want to sell something to live outside the United States," said Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Let's get out there and convince more of these customers and consumers to buy American."

The message may be working. U.S. exports to China are at their highest level in more than a year. But new trade figures released Friday tell a different story. Despite a decline in imports of consumer goods, the Commerce Department says the U.S. trade gap expanded more than 10 percent in November as Americans paid more for crude oil and automobiles.

Clashes erupt during pro-reform protest in Jordan

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 05:19 PM PST

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) -- Clashes erupted on Friday after Jordanian government supporters attacked the vehicles of pro-reform activists following a pro-reform demonstration in downtown Amman, Ammon News reported.

Dozens of pro-reform protesters demonstrated following Friday midday prayers near the Al Husseini Mosque in the capital, chanting slogans against the government. They called for genuine reforms and demanded an end to corruption, alluding to the difficult economic conditions that citizens face.

The protest, dubbed "I Am a Citizen, I Am Combustible," came after two citizens set themselves on fire last week and later died of their injuries. A 54-year-old set himself on fire on January 4, a day after a 52-year-old was pronounced dead after setting himself on fire because of difficult economic conditions.

During Friday's protest, protesters blasted corrupt officials and what they described as "endemic corruption". They raised placards reading slogans such as "Bread, Freedom, Social Justice," and "A Warning from my anger and my hunger." Protesters also chanted "Son of Jordan set himself on fire for not being able to provide food for his children."

Activists and counter-protesters clashed briefly and exchanged verbal offenses before police and riot police forces dispersed the crowds. Government supporters also attacked the vehicles of pro-reform activists.

Since February 2011, Jordanians have been demanding the trial of corrupt officials and have stressed that they will continue protesting until they witness "real and tangible measures" to combat corruption. In October, Jordan's King Abdullah II issued a decree approving the formation of a new government headed by Prime Minister Awn Al-khasawneh. This was the country's third government in 2011 amid the pro-reform protests.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


U.S. drone strike kills six suspected militants in Pakistan

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 05:02 PM PST

MIRANSHAH, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least six suspected militants were killed on Thursday when a U.S. drone carried out an airstrike in Pakistan's volatile North Waziristan region, officials said on Friday. It is the second attack in less than a week.

The unmanned aircraft launched a series of missiles targeting a vehicle in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan on Thursday, intelligence officials said. The targeted vehicle, suspected to have been carrying militants, had stopped for some reason when it was destroyed by the airstrike.

Six people, all believed to be militants, were killed as a result of the attack, and Pakistani media suggested they were possibly foreigners from Turkmenistan although officials were unable to confirm this. Two other people were believed to be injured in the strike.

Thursday's airstrike came only two days after U.S. drones resumed their controversial attacks in the region following a break of more than six weeks. Four suspected militants were killed on Tuesday when a U.S. drone carried out an airstrike, also in North Waziristan.

The U.S. temporarily halted its drone attacks in Pakistan in late November after NATO helicopters crossed the border from Afghanistan and carried out several airstrikes in the Mohmand Agency of Pakistan's tribal areas, accidentally killing 24 Pakistani troops. The strike infuriated the Pakistani government and triggered widespread anti-U.S. demonstrations.

Prior to Tuesday's airstrike, the last time a U.S. drone launched an attack within Pakistan was on November 17 when 16 suspected militants were killed, including at least two members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militant group.

In 2011, at least 609 people were killed as a result of 75 drone strikes in Pakistan, according to a report released by the Conflict Monitoring Center. In total, the group has documented 303 drone strikes since 2004, with a total death toll of at least 2,661.

The report showed that the two deadliest months in 2011 were March and June when 89 and 117 people were killed, respectively. Some of the deadliest attacks were carried out on July 11 and 12 when four airstrikes left 63 people killed.

However, in its annual report, the Center said the U.S. drone strike campaign was only able to kill four senior commanders and no more than four al-Qaeda leaders, although scores of other militants with lower ranks were killed. Among those killed were at least three Arab al-Qaeda commanders and 37-year-old Mohammed Azmir, one of the United Kingdom's most wanted. Azmir was killed along with another British terrorist, Ibrahim Adam.

The U.S. considers the Pakistan-Afghan border to be the most dangerous place on Earth. The area is known to be a stronghold of the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, which is one of the top terrorist organizations and threats to U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

But controversy has surrounded the drone strikes as local residents and officials have blamed them for killing innocent civilians and motivating young men to join the Taliban. Details about the alleged militants are usually not provided, and the U.S. government does not comment on the strikes.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


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