Hillary Clinton: China crackdown 'a fool's errand'

Mrs Clinton told visiting Chinese officials the US was concerned about the human rights situation there



US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has criticised China's crackdown on dissent as "a fool's errand", saying Beijing is trying to halt history.


In an interview with The Atlantic, Mrs Clinton also called the nation's human rights record "deplorable".
She defended US dealings with Beijing, saying: "We live in the real world."
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says Mrs Clinton seemed to suggest the Chinese system itself would collapse and that democracy was inevitable.
The article quotes Mrs Clinton as saying last month that China's leaders were "worried" that the wave of pro-democracy protests overtaking the Middle East would spread east to China.
"They're trying to stop history, which is a fool's errand," she said. "They cannot do it, but they're going to hold it off as long as possible."
China-US talks

Since February, China has detained hundreds of pro-democracy activists, lawyers and writers and has clamped down on news media reporting on the Middle East protests.
Mrs Clinton's remarks were published as US and Chinese officials held high-level strategic and economic talks in Washington.
At the opening of the meetings on Monday, Mrs Clinton said in a speech that the US remained concerned about the human rights situation in China.
"We know over the long arch of history that societies that work toward respecting human rights are going to be more prosperous, stable, and successful," she told Chinese officials.
"That has certainly been proven time and time again, but most particularly in the last months."
Criticism of China's human rights record had been muted at the beginning of the Obama administration but has become increasingly more vocal, our correspondent says.

Source link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13353199

China's trade surplus beats forecasts, as yuan in focus

China's currency, the renminbi, has been a point of dispute between China and other countries.




China's trade surplus in April was nearly four times bigger than expected, with exports far exceeding imports.



The trade surplus was $11.4bn (£6.9bn), according to the customs agency, whereas analysts had expected a figure of about $3bn.
In March, China reported an unexpected trade surplus of $140m.
The news comes during US-China talks on trade relations and will put the issue of the Chinese currency in the spotlight.
Many in the US, especially exporters, argue that China's currency is undervalued, making Chinese goods highly competitive in world markets.
China's exports grew 29.9% in April from a year earlier, while import growth slowed to 21.8% year on year.
"Today's trade data shows that Chinese exporters continue to benefit from a supportive exchange rate," said Brian Jackson from Royal Bank of Canada in Hong Kong.
"This number will likely add to the pressure from Washington for Beijing to allow faster currency appreciation, but more importantly should persuade Chinese policy-makers that a stronger yuan can be tolerated by the economy and is warranted as part of their efforts to curb price pressures."
On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said China was making progress "towards a more flexible exchange rate".
Rebalancing trade?

China reported a trade deficit of $1.02bn for the first three months of the year.
Some analysts say that government efforts to rebalance the economy by boosting domestic demand could cut down the full-year surplus.
"I think the trade surplus will continue to shrink as a share of the country's [gross domestic product], and China is seeing a more balanced trade structure," said Du Zhengzheng from Bohai securities in Beijing.

Source link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13343309

Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver separate

Mr Schwarzenegger and Ms Shriver have been married for 25 years



Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver have said they are separating after 25 years of marriage.


"After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion and prayer, we came to this decision," the two said in a statement.
They said they were working on the future of their relationship while living apart and would also continue to parent their four children together.
They did not provide further details.
"This has been a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us," Mr Schwarzenegger and Ms Shriver said in the statement issued by Mr Schwarzenegger's spokesman.
Mr Schwarzenegger finished a seven-year run as California governor in January.
Ms Shriver, a member of the Kennedy dynasty, left her job as a TV reporter when her husband was elected.

Source link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13343348

Why Newt Gingrich is worth watching

Newt Gingrich is known for his intellect but also his messy past personal life

The life cycle of the newt has three distinct phases. Following the pattern of his namesake (more formally known as Pleurodelinae of the family Salamandridae), Mr Gingrich is about to enter a new incarnation. But can a new Newt burst free of all the negatives that have built up over his career and emerge as the man to take on President Barack Obama in 2012?

Consider.
Newt Gingrich's greatest triumph, his claim to fame, was a profound failure that damaged his party.
Social conservatives are suspicious about the messy end to two of his three marriages.
Critics say he's a hypocrite and his latest defence of his sexual behaviour has seemed risible.
He's by no means alone in his harsh attacks on Mr Obama, but some feel it is too calculated, too crude, for a one-time professor.
But in an uninspiring field, he is at least interesting.
Newt Gingrich became a public figure as leader of the "Republican Revolution" in Congress in 1994 when Bill Clinton was president. He was the main author of the initially highly successful Contract With America. The clashes between the president and the leader of the House over America's budget were full of personal invective and tumbled over the brink into a government shutdown. The public blamed Newt Gingrich and the Republicans suffered.
His pursuit of President Clinton over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky when he himself was having an extramarital affair with an aide followed an early, very messy divorce. Mr Gingrich has recently explained that overwork, and thus his passion for his country, were to blame.
His colourful past provokes commentators to use vivid language. One has observed "Gingrich has more luggage than Louis Vuitton", another that he has "more liabilities than the final Lehman Brothers balance sheet".
Now it seems certain he will stand. He writes on Facebook that he has been "humbled" by the encouragement he has received and urges followers to watch him on Fox. "Be sure to watch Hannity this Wednesday at 9pm ET/8pm CT. I will be on to talk about my run for President of the United States," he says.
It is perhaps typical of the hesitant Republican camp that that even what appears to be the first official announcement is oblique, even coy. But Mr Gingrich is not a shy man and he is a very serious candidate.
He's a Christian conservative intellectual with a populist instinct and a savage tongue, a former history teacher who is a cunning strategist. He is a brilliant organiser. He has built a chain of think tanks and fundraising organisations around himself and an invaluable data base of possible supporters.
He's a big figure in a potential field where other candidates are either exciting but lack credibility or serious but dull. Newt's third stage is worth watching.

Source link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13351055

Memphis flooding: Mississippi River reaches peak

Officials have diverted some of the Mississippi River's flow as the region prepares for river levels to reach near-record levels



The Mississippi River has peaked at just under 48ft (14.6m) in the southern US city of Memphis, the US national weather service has said.


The city is coping with flood levels not seen since the 1930s, which have forced people from some 1,300 homes.
Officials say they are confident flood control systems will prevent further harm, but warn it could take weeks for the floodwater to recede.
The flooding has been caused by melting snow and heavy rains.
"It's not going to get a lot better for a while," Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said.
Officials said the water was expected to remain at peak levels for the next day.
"Pretty much the damage has been done," National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Borghoff told the Associated Press.
Rising water levels

Officials said the system of levees protecting Memphis from worse damage appeared to have held, but Col Vernie Reichling Jr of the US Army Corps of Engineers said: "We'll breathe a sigh of relief once this crest has passed and is in the Gulf of Mexico."


Authorities have also warned residents to look out for snakes and rats which could seek shelter on higher ground.
Officials downstream in Louisiana have begun evacuating prisoners from one of the state's toughest prisons - the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola - and opened floodgates to relieve pressure on levees outside New Orleans.
Police in Memphis have gone door-to-door to 1,300 homes over the past few days to warn people about the rising water levels.
More than 300 people were staying in shelters on Monday, and police increased their presence in evacuated areas to prevent looting.
"I imagine that my trailer, if it's not covered, it's close," Aurelio Flores, an unemployed construction worker, told the Associated Press news agency.
Graceland safe

The record river height of 48.7ft was set in February 1937 during one of the worst Mississippi floods in US history.
In central Memphis, the river had swollen to three miles (4.8km) wide from its typical width of half a mile, the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper reported on Monday.
Further inland, Graceland, the famous home of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, was out of harm's way, as was Beale Street, a tourist attraction known for Blues music.
"I want to say this: Graceland is safe. And we would charge hell with a water pistol to keep it that way and I'd be willing to lead the charge," director of the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency Bob Nations Jr said.
Engorged by the spring thaw, the Mississippi has caused significant flooding upstream in Illinois and Missouri.
Further downstream in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, the river has already reached flood stage.

Source link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13337548

Air India resumes normal services

Some pilots say that pay and conditions are unfair


India's state-run airline has begun operating half of its domestic flights, after 10 days of strikes by pilots, officials say.


Air India says it expects to resume full operations on Tuesday.
About 660 pilots went on strike demanding fairer pay and better conditions.
The strike was called off on Friday night following negotiations between the pilots and officials from India's aviation ministry.
The airline agreed to reinstate some of the striking pilots who had previously been dismissed, and to restore working relations with the pilots' union.
Air India management earlier said it no longer recognised the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (PICA) - to which many of the striking pilots belonged.
"The passenger load is gradually picking up after we opened bookings on Saturday," an airline spokesman said.
The striking pilots said they were being victimised. They claim their colleagues on international routes earn up to 200,000 rupees ($4,500; £2748) more a month than they do.
Indian Airlines merged with Air India in 2007 and since then its pilots have frequently complained about poor employment conditions.

Source link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13330347

Microsoft confirms takeover of Skype

Skype had previously planned a share flotation


Microsoft has confirmed that it has agreed to buy internet phone service Skype.


The deal will see Microsoft pay $8.5bn (£5.2bn) for Skype, making it Microsoft's largest acquisition.
Luxembourg-based Skype has 663 million global users. In August last year it announced plans for a share flotation, but this was subsequently put on hold.
Internet auction house eBay bought Skype for $2.6bn in 2006, before selling 70% of it in 2009 for $2bn.
This majority stake was bought by a group of investors led by private equity firms Silver Lake and Andreessen Horowit.
Other major shareholders include tech-firm Joltid and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
Shares in Microsoft were down 1.3% at $25.50 in early trading in New York.
'Defensive move'

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said: "Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world.

"Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world."
Skype will now become a new division within Microsoft, and Skype chief executive Tony Bates will continue to lead the business, reporting directly to Mr Ballmer.
"It's a strategic asset and a defensive move [for Microsoft]," said Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Financial.
"If they can put it on Windows 8, it gives them an advantage. It helps them in the tablet market."
Other analysts say Microsoft's aim in buying Skype is to improve its video conferencing services.
Price concerns

Although the price tag of $8.5bn will not stretch the US giant, some experts have questioned whether it is paying too much for a company that has struggled to turn a profit.
Michael Clendenin, managing director of consulting firm RedTech Advisors, said: "If you consider [Skype] was just valued at about $2.5bn 18 months ago when a chunk was sold off, then $8.5bn seems generous.
"[It] means Microsoft has a high wall to climb to prove to investors that Skype is a necessary linchpin for the company's online and mobile strategy."
This view was echoed by Ben Woods, head of research group CCS Insight.
"The big unanswered question is how do Skype assets work for Microsoft... how do you justify the price?" he said.
Skype was founded in 2003.
Calls to other Skype users are free, while the company charges for those made to both traditional landline phones and mobiles.

Source link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13343600