World Economic Forum, U.S Slipping
The World Economic Forum says the United States, with the world's largest economy, is slipping in its global competitiveness because its political leaders have failed to deal with the country's rising debt and continued deficit spending.
On Wednesday, the day after the U.S. said its debt has reached a record $16 trillion, the Geneva-based group said the U.S. remains a world innovation powerhouse. But the WEF said business leaders are concerned about the public's lack of trust in the country's political leaders and “a perceived lack of government efficiency.”
The U.S. slipped two spots in the rankings to seventh worldwide, the fourth straight year it has fallen in the annual survey. The forum's lead economist, Jennifer Blanke, told VOA the U.S. has serious weaknesses that undermine its business competitiveness.
“There is … continuing concern about the macro-economic environment, continuing debt levels – the inability to get the spending under control and really political deadlock about how to even deal with this issue. And, this is leading to concern about political institutions in general. So, the business sector has concerns about its confidence in politicians to make the sorts of decisions that are needed going forward.”
The report said Switzerland, for the fourth consecutive year, is the most competitive country on its list of 144 nations, because of its excellent education system and substantial corporate spending on research and development. The WEF said Singapore, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands follow the Swiss.
The report said the least competitive countries were Burundi, Sierra Leone, Haiti, Guinea and Yemen.
While Northern European countries hold six of the top 10 rankings, some debt-ridden countries in the southern part of the continent fell in the rankings, with financially troubled Greece dropping six spots to 96th. WEF economist Blanke said the continent's leaders need to boost economic growth as they grapple with the three-year-old debt crisis.
“The Europeans really need to deal with their sovereign debt crisis and get some of these countries growing again … They need to be thinking beyond the short-term. They need to get this macro-house in order, but then they need to be thinking about the sorts of investments that will get them there.”
After Singapore, the WEF report ranked four other Asian economies in the top 20: Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.
In the Middle East and North Africa, Qatar led the way at 11th, followed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Oman.
In sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa was ranked 52nd, followed by Mauritius at 54th.
In Latin America, Chile was ranked the highest, at 33rd, followed by Panama, Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica.
The world's second largest economy, China, was ranked the 29th most competitive, down three spots from last year.
The World Economic Forum's 10 most competitive countries:
1. Switzerland
2. Singapore
3. Finland
4. Sweden
5. Netherlands
6. Germany
7. United States
8. United Kingdom
9. Hong Kong
10. Japan
The World Economic Forum's 10 least competitive countries:
135. Swaziland
136. Timor-Leste
137. Lesotho
138. Mozambique
139. Chad
140. Yemen
141. Guinea
142. Haiti
143. Sierra Leone
144. Burundi
The entire report can be seen at http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-competitiveness. The country-by-country rankings can be seen at http://www3.weforum.org/docs/CSI/2012-13/GCR_Rankings_2012-13.pdf.
Source-VOA
Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker Off Nigeria
Pirates have seized an oil tanker and its crew near the coast of Nigeria, the third hijacking in the Gulf of Guinea in two weeks.
Nigerian naval officials say pirates seized the Singapore-flagged ship Abu Dhabi Star near the Lagos port. There are conflicting reports about whether the vessel was in Nigerian waters when pirates took control.
Authorities say they believe the pirates will sail the ship to another vessel to siphon out the oil.
Last week pirates seized an oil tanker anchored in Togo's port, an area where crews typically feel more protected from pirate attacks.
The director of the International Maritime Bureau, Pottengal Mukundan, says Togo's navy was unable to rescue that tanker.
“This is very disturbing because it sends the wrong signal to these criminals, that they can succeed in these attacks,” he says.
Pirates freed the tanker and crew seized last week after stealing the oil on the vessel.
Hijackers in the Gulf of Guinea typically release ships and crew members after stealing cargo, unlike pirates in Somalia who usually hold the crew for ransom.
Mukundan warned attacks in the Gulf of Guinea will likely rise unless governments do more to catch and punish the pirates.
Fire At Venezulea's Amuay Battled
The Amuay refinery produces 645,000 barrels of oil per day
The Venezuelan president has said that firefighters have extinguished the blaze at one of three burning oil tanks in the country's biggest refinery.
Hugo Chavez said the intensity of the blaze at one of the other tanks at the Amuay refinery had been reduced by 75%.
The tanks have been burning since an explosion at the refinery on Saturday which killed 48 people, injured dozens more and damaged 200 nearby homes.
It was among the most deadly oil industry accidents in recent years.
"Latest news... at this moment the fire at tank 200 in Amuay is extinguished," Mr Chavez said in a series of tweets.
"We continue battling with our heroic firefighters from [state oil company] PDVSA," he said, adding that he was talking by telephone with Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez, who was at the scene.
"With God's help, we will succeed!"
'Consequences'
On Monday, Mr Ramirez predicted that the 645,000 barrel-per-day facility would begin operations again on Friday, and that the fires would be put out within two days.
When things aren't done properly, with responsibility, then you have to prepare for the consequences
Henrique Capriles, Venezuelan presidential opposition candidate
In pictures: Refinery blast aftermath
The country's opposition candidate in the forthcoming presidential election, Henrique Capriles, said government inefficiency under Mr Chavez was to blame for the accident.
"When things aren't done properly, with responsibility, then you have to prepare for the consequences," he said.
Venezuela has the world's biggest certified oil reserves.
Mr Capriles and other critics of Mr Chavez's government have said under investment by the state oil company has led to a decline in production and safety standards.
But Mr Chavez said there was no evidence the blast was the result of poor maintenance. Investigators have yet to determine the precise causes but government officials have said the blast occurred after a gas leak created a cloud that ignited.
Half of those who had died in the incident were members of the National Guard who had been protecting the refinery.
On Monday, Mr Chavez said he was creating a $23m (£14.5m; 18.4m euros) fund to help cover the costs of clean-up operations and replace damaged homes. A total of 31 people remain in hospital.
Typhoon Bolaven Lashes Korean Peninsula
A powerful typhoon is bringing strong winds and heavy rain to North and South Korea, leaving at least eight people dead and thousands without power.
Typhoon Bolaven churned up rough seas as it slid up the coast of South Korea Tuesday before making landfall in already flood-ravaged North Korea.
Five fisherman died after their Chinese vessels slammed into rocks off South Korea's southern island of Jeju. South Korea's coast guard carried out a dramatic rescue to pull at least 11 other fisherman from the Chinese ships to safety. Six others were able to swim ashore, but 12 more remained missing.
The storm knocked over street lights, ripped away signs and toppled a church spire as it pounded portions of southern and western South Korea, where three people were killed.
Forecasters expect another storm, Typhoon Tembin, to affect the Korean peninsula later this week after passing by Taiwan for the second time in three days.
-VOA
Republican Party Opens Shortened Convention as Storm Skirts Florida
U.S. Republicans hold the first full day of their national convention Tuesday, pushing to highlight their policies and presidential candidate Mitt Romney while a tropical storm threatens to overshadow the event's celebratory tone.
Romney is set to arrive in the host city of Tampa, Florida Tuesday, but aides have not said if he will be in attendance during his wife Ann's primetime speech. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie closes the night with his keynote address.
The Republican Party formally opened its nominating convention Monday but postponed most of the proceedings as Tropical Storm Isaac skirted the Florida coastline. Forecasters say the storm could strengthen into a hurricane before striking Louisiana late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Romney aide Russ Schriefer told reporters in Tampa the campaign is concerned about the people in the path of the storm and may revise the convention's schedule again.
The Republican governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, canceled his planned convention speech, saying he was staying home to deal with the prospect of Isaac hitting his state.
A Washington Post opinion poll published Monday shows President Barack Obama, the Democratic incumbent, and Mr. Romney in a tight race for the November presidential election. It says Mr. Romney has the support of 47 percent of likely voters compared to 46 percent for Mr. Obama — little changed from early July's figures.
Mr. Obama is spending Tuesday and Wednesday campaigning in college towns in Iowa, Colorado and Virginia. The Democrats hold their convention next week.
Burmese Army Continues Rights Violations In Karen
As Burma's government and ethnic Karen rebel groups continue peace talks to end one of the world's longest running conflicts, there are renewed reports of human rights violations by the Burmese army in the volatile state.
A new report by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) found that a third of the families in the region reported experiencing abuses, such as evictions, forced labor, restricted movement and sometimes physical attacks, including rape and torture.
The report released Tuesday suggests those living near economic development projects such as mines, pipelines and hydroelectric dams are significantly more likely to become victims of land rights and labor abuses.
The report comes just weeks after the United States took steps to ease bans on investment and financial services to Burma – a move that has been criticized by some rights groups.
PHR Burma Director Bill Davis says that Washington should take greater precautions to ensure that new U.S. investment does not support those linked to rights abuses.
“We've heard a lot of American government sources saying 'Well our companies are different than the companies that have been working (in Burma), different from Chinese companies. Our companies care about human rights.' And maybe they do. But a major problem is that in Karen state and in a lot other ethnic areas in Burma, foreign companies often partner with the Burmese military to implement projects.”
Western nations have demanded peace with rebel groups, including the Karen, as a condition for easing political and economic sanctions against the rapidly reforming country. But clashes continue, despite a series of cease-fire deals earlier this year.
In January, the government signed a preliminary cease-fire with the Karen National Union, one of the country's largest rebel groups. But the latest round of peace talks was called off by the government this week. The talks were set to discuss the sensitive issue of a troop withdrawal.
Although major offensives in Karen state have decreased in recent months, Burma's military still maintains a large troop presence in the state. Analysts say that any withdrawal would be a major challenge for the struggling peace process.
But PHR warns that a cease-fire agreement, while positive, will not necessarily lead to an end of abuses against civilians. It is calling on the government to hold human rights violators accountable and take steps to implement further political and judicial reforms.
Israeli Court Rejects Suit Over U.S Activist Death
An Israeli court Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit brought against the military by the family of a U.S. activist crushed to death by an army bulldozer during a 2003 pro-Palestinian protest in the Gaza Strip.
Rachel Corrie's family had accused Israel of intentionally and unlawfully killing their 23-year-old daughter, launching a civil case in the northern Israeli city of Haifa after a military investigation had cleared the army of wrong-doing.
In his ruling, Judge Oded Gershon called Corrie's death a “regrettable accident,” but said the state was not responsible because the incident had occurred during what he termed a war-time situation.
He said Corrie entered the Gaza Strip despite knowing it was a war zone with live fire being exchanged daily. He also cited a warning from the U.S. urging American citizens not to enter Gaza.
Gershon ruled that the military had conducted a proper investigation, and denied the family's request for a symbolic $1 in damages and legal expenses.
The bulldozer driver has said he did not see Corrie, a pro-Palestinian activist who opposed the military's demolition of Palestinian homes.
The military deemed her death to be accidental, but Corrie's parents were not satisfied by the army probe and filed a civil lawsuit in 2005.
Activists with Corrie at the time said she was clearly visible to the driver of the military bulldozer.
Corrie's parents, Craig and Cindy Corrie, had travelled from the United States to be present in court for the verdict.
The home demolitions were part of an unsuccessful campaign to halt hundreds of shooting and mortar attacks against soldiers and Jewish settlers in southern Gaza, along the border with Egypt. On the day Rachel Corrie died, she and other activists had entered a closed military zone to protest the demolition policy.
According to the U.N. agency handling Palestinian refugees, the military had left more than 17,000 Gazans homeless in the four years after a Palestinian uprising against Israel erupted in September, 2000. The demolitions drew international condemnation at the time.
Burma removes 2000 from Government blacklist
Burma has removed over 2,000 citizens from a government blacklist long used to keep exiled critics of the country's former military rulers from returning to their homeland.
The New Light of Myanmar hailed the move as a continuation of Burma's recent political and economic reforms. The state-controlled paper did not discuss the status of over 4,000 people remaining on the list, keeping many journalists, activists, and others from entering the country.
It said the ban was lifted on 2,082 of the country's 6,165 black-listed persons after “scrutinizing them in conformity with the current policies.” The newspaper did not elaborate or provide detail on who the move will affect.
The news comes as Burmese President Thein Sein reshuffled his Cabinet Monday, promoting allies who back his reformist agenda.
In the long-awaited shake-up, the president awarded four of his key ministers additional posts in the Office of the President. They include the ministers of finance, rail transportation, and national planning and economic development. The ministers are seen as allies of the president who have helped to implement reforms he has promoted.
Another change is the reassignment of Information Minister Kyaw Hsan who was widely seen as close to the former military junta. He is replaced by Labor and Social Welfare Minister Aung Kyi, who has represented the government in talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The reshuffle of nine ministers has been anticipated for months. A further 15 new deputy ministers are also being appointed.
The director of the Burmese President's Office, Zaw Htay, told VOA that the reshuffling process is just starting and will later be followed by reconstruction. “This is just the beginning, more will come. This is not the final.”
President Thein Sein has faced criticism from government conservatives who are reluctant to give up the powers previously enjoyed by the military. Since taking power in March 2011, President Thein Sein has released hundreds of political prisoners, eased press restrictions, and allowed Aung San Suu Kyi to successfully run for parliament.
US troops punished for Taliban strength
US troops punished for Taliban strength
Six US soldiers have been disciplined for the incineration in February of up to 100 Korans and other religious texts in Afghanistan, the US military said.
They will not face criminal prosecution over the incident, which sparked rioting that claimed at least 30 lives and saw two US troops shot dead.
The investigation said there was no malicious intent to disrespect Islam.
Three US Marines were also disciplined for a video in which the bodies of dead Taliban fighters were urinated on.
For the Koran burning, the six soldiers face "administrative punishments" that could include measures like reduction of rank, extra duty or forfeiture of pay. They are four officers and two non-commissioned officers.
'Secret messages'
In the wake of the 20 February incident, Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for a public trial of the soldiers involved.
His office told the Associated Press news agency Mr Karzai would review the decisions and respond on Tuesday.
The findings showed that up to 100 Korans and other religious texts - a previously undisclosed figure - had been incinerated at Bagram Air Field, a US air base north of Kabul.
Some 53 Korans and 162 other religious books were recovered from the incinerator. All of these texts had been damaged by fire, and about one-third of them were "slightly damaged", according to the report.
They had been removed from the Parwan Detention Centre amid concerns that detainees were using the books to pass secret messages.
A translator was partly blamed in the report for apparently having suggested that most of the texts were extremist in nature, without instructing American forces how to properly dispose of the books.
The report added that warnings from Afghans, including an Afghan soldier, had been ignored - something the investigation attributed in part to distrust between the US troops and Afghans.
But Brigadier General Bryan Watson, the investigating officer, wrote: "I absolutely reject any suggestion that those involved acted with any malicious intent to disrespect the Koran or defame the faith of Islam."
The investigation's findings came on the same day the US Marine Corps announced its punishment for three servicemen who took part in a video in which the bodies of dead Taliban fighters were urinated on.
Three servicemen pleaded guilty: one to "urinating on the body of a deceased Taliban soldier", another to posing for a photo with human casualties, and a third for lying to investigators.
In the video, someone can be heard saying: "Have a good day, buddy."
Their identities have not been revealed and the Marine Corps said it would provide details of disciplinary actions against them at a later date.
HE Governor Todd responds to Leader of the PDM, Oswald Skippings
The response sent to RTC News from HE stated: “I very much regret having to publicly correct Mr Skippings’ version of events issued yesterday, but I cannot remain silent when a public figure tries to discredit the Governor’s Office in this way,” said Governor Todd.
“My staff, together with colleagues in the UK, put together a full programme which would have seen the leaders of the PDM and PNP join other world and Caribbean leaders at the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony on Friday, before going on to meet with the UK politicians and officials that they will work with now and after the November election.
“I note that our simultaneous communications with the PNP led to a successful outcome, and do not understand, therefore, why the PDM’s internal communications failed on this occasion.”
The dates of communication between the Governor’s Office and Oswald Skippings.
- Thursday, 4 July – invitation issued to both political parties from UK Foreign Secretary William Hague (copy attached)
- Sunday 8 July – E-mail from Sharleen Cartwright Robinson acknowledged the invitation.
- Monday 9 July – Reply copied to Sharleen Cartwright Robinson providing further information on the initial programme.
- Tuesday 10 July – E-mail from Governor’s Office to Oswald Skippings confirming dates of visit and requesting passport details etc., to allow flights to be booked. Mr Skippings provided these by return the same day.
- Monday 16 July – E-mail from Governor’s Office to Oswald Skippings asking if he had any special dietary requirements. Reply received the same day from Mr Skippings.
- Thursday 19 July – Draft programme sent to Mr Skippings.
- Monday 23 July – Joining Instructions for Olympic Opening Ceremony sent to Mr Skippings. Separately in a meeting with Governor, Mr Skippings mentions that he hasn’t seen a programme for the Olympic Ceremony. Joining instructions were reissued and copied to Lyndon Hall to ensure receipt.
- Tuesday 24 July – Joining Instructions re-sent to Lyndon Hall to ensure receipt. Email from Sharleen Cartwright Robinson claiming insufficient information provided and therefore, declining the visit. E-tickets e-mailed to Skippings and to Lyndon Hall. Tuesday 24 July at 12.45 – Final programme e-mailed to Skippings.
- Wed 25 July – E-mail Sharleen Cartwright Robinson stating that we had managed to get her provisional flight and accommodation bookings if she wished to accompany Mr Skippings. Confirmation from Lyndon Hall that Skippings would not be travelling to London.