Obama urges China action on yuan

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

President Barack Obama has urged China to change its currency strategy, a move that would effectively raise the value of the yuan and benefit US exporters.

He said China should help re-balance global trade to ensure that US goods were not competitively disadvantaged.

Mr Obama said in a speech in Washington that China should move to a "more market-oriented exchange rate".

His rare comments on the yuan risk upsetting Beijing, which says currency issues are an internal matter.

Big business in the US has told Mr Obama to get tougher with China on trade and currency issues.

Manufacturers believe the yuan is being kept artificially low, to make Chinese exports cheaper and imports dearer.

Mr Obama said: "For too long, America served as the consumer engine for the entire world. But we are rebalancing. We're saving more. We all need to rebalance.

"Countries with external deficits need to save and export more. Countries with external surpluses need to boost consumption and domestic demand.

"As I've said before, China moving to a more market-oriented exchange rate would make an essential contribution to that global rebalancing effort."

Difficult relations

In his speech, to the Import-Export Bank's annual conference, Mr Obama said that "at a time when millions of Americans are out of work, boosting our exports is a short-term imperative.

"When other markets are growing, and other nations are competing, we need to get even better. We need to secure our companies a level playing field," he said.

Despite Mr Obama's carefully-chosen words, they are unlikely to go down well in Beijing.

US-China relations have soured recently, largely over Mr Obama's meeting last month with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and over arms sales to Taiwan.

And relations could be about to worsen. The US Treasury Department is considering whether to label China a "currency manipulator" in a report due on 15 April.

Last Saturday China's central bank released a statement pledging to keep the country's currency stable throughout 2010.

Beijing fears that a change in its exchange rate will slow economic growth. Chinese exports fell 16% last year.

Filed under: America, Asia Pacific, Business, Sales, World Tags: America, article, barack-obama, Business, china, chinese, country, obama, speech, World

Tiger Woods Hires Ari Fleischer as PR Guru; Likely to Return to Golf This Month

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

Source: (thehollywoodgossip.com)

Tiger Woods has summoned Ari Fleischer, former adviser and White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush, to be his PR man as he plots his return strategy.

According to the New York Post, Woods is planning to compete at the Arnold Palmer Invitational March 25 in Orlando, and Fleischer is on board with the planning.

“They were in his living room this week going over strategy in two weeks,” a source said, noting that “I would be shocked if he didn’t play the Arnold Palmer.”

Palmer himself reportedly has told confidants that Tiger Woods is definitely playing. Quietly, the people running the tournament are preparing for a media crush.

As for Ari Fleischer's role?

How involved the former Bush aide will be remains to be seen, but appears he is a big part of the healing process that began with Woods' apology speech February 19.

Can Ari Fleischer rebuild the Tiger Woods brand?

Knowing he eventually has to stand before people publicly and take questions, which he didn't then, is why Woods sought out the advice of the renowned spin doctor.

After resigning his White House post, he formed Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, focusing on crisis response and control, in partnership with IMG Sports agency.

Woods is repped by IMG (and has been counseled by Obama and Clinton).

Before his admission to using steroids, disgraced baseball star Mark McGwire was advised by Fleischer. He also advised the Green Bay Packers following their messy divorce with Brett Favre, and the NCAA on how to repair the image of college football's BCS.

Good luck with that one.

On one hand, Fleischer has his work cut out after everything Tiger did to sabotage his own image. On the other hand, Tiger's already back together with Elin Woods, and it's not like his current handlers could possibly have done a worse job.

Original post:

Tiger Woods Hires Ari Fleischer as PR Guru; Likely to Return to Golf This Month

ureader.org does not claim credit for any images featured on this article, unless otherwise noted. All visual content, video's and images, are copyright to it's respectful owners (TheHollywoodGossip.com). If you own rights to any of the featured images and do not wish it to appear here, please contact me for removal.

Filed under: Baseball, Communication, Entertainment, Featured, Football, Golf, Hollywood, Sports, Tiger Woods Tags: article, clinton, facebook, Golf, linkedin, ncaa, picture, Sports, tiger-woods

Internet billions

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

The internet has created some of the world's youngest billionaires, possibly in the shortest possible time scale, ever.

The richest are Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the pair who set up Google in the late 1990s. They went from PhD students to (paper) billionaires in about five years.

The youngest is 25-year-old Mark Zuckerberg, founder of social networking site Facebook, who has returned to the billionaire list in 2010 after dropping out in 2009 amid the economic downturn.

As part ofSuperPower- a season of programmes exploring the power of the internet - BBC News lists the top 26 richest internet entrepreneurs according to the latest Forbes ranking, released this week.

To reorder the table, click on the category names at the top.

Filed under: Featured, Networking, Social Networking, World Tags: article, bbc, billionaire, british, category, economic, facebook, not-responsible, sergey-brin, Social Networking, World

Web censure ‘curbs human rights’

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

Many governments have used the internet to curtail freedom of expression at home, says the US state department in its latest annual human rights report.

In many cases, new forms of electronic communications are restricted to control domestic dissent, it says.

The wide-ranging report also highlights continuing human right violations in China against the Uighurs or extra-judicial killings in North Korea.

Iran's human rights record had "degenerated" after the June elections.

The report pointed out that the "government of China increased its efforts to monitor internet use, control content, restrict information, block access to foreign and domestic websites, encourage self-censorship, and punish those who violated regulations".

Election blocking

It said the government employed thousands of people at all levels of political life to monitor electronic communications.

"The government at times blocked access to selected sites operated by major foreign news outlets, health organisations, foreign governments, educational institutions, and social networking sites, as well as search engines, that allow rapid communication or organisation of users."

Iran was another country which cracked down on websites such as Facebook and Twitter, the report said.

"Ahead of the June presidential election, on the actual day of election, and during the 27 December Ashura protests, when authorities detained 1,000 individuals and at least eight persons were killed in street clashes, the government blocked access to Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites," it said.

Filed under: Communication, Networking, Social Networking, World Tags: article, british, facebook, Networking, social, Social Networking, twitter, uighurs

Live – Europa League

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)

606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on the action

To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide). Not all contributions can be used. Messages will be charged at your standard operator rate.

By Paul Fletcher

Jan Molby's mum in Leeds, via text: "The last thing we need is to win the Europa League and save Rafa from the chop. Allez Lille!"

Europa League Danny: "So, just for the record, there are three other last-16 Europa League first legs starting at 1800 GMT. They are Atletico v Everton's conquerors Sporting; Hamburg v Anderlecht and Rubin Kazan v Wolfsburg."

1752: I'm not sure about all these 1800 kick-offs. How do you crowbar in a pre-match beverage between finishing work and the game starting

LFCDarlo on 606:"What do Lille and Liverpool have in common other than today's tie Bruno Cheyrou. Two words that should remind every Liverpool fan that it could always be worse."

1749: "I am expecting a good reaction," said Reds boss Rafa Benitez ahead of the tie. His team weren't exactly tip top on Monday.1748: And it is just about the English clubs tonight. Europa League Danny will be keeping us (more or less) up to date with news on Hamburg v Anderlecht, Rubin Kazan v Wolfsburg (known across Europe as THE BIG ONE), Benfica v Marseille, Panathinaikos v Standard Liege and Valencia v Werder Bremen.1743: So, I'm told that Lille and Liverpool have never met in a competitive fixture. Both are currently in sixth position in their domestic leagues (make of that what you will). If Lille's home record is anything to go by then this could be a tricky assignment for the Reds. They have lost just once in Ligue 1 since the opening day of the season at their Metropole ground and have scored 25 goals in their last nine home fixtures.

1739: I believe we are having a technical issue. Which is why you cannot read this sentence.

The Macedonian Marvel on 606:"Hmmm, Hodgson for Liverpool! As a Liverpool fan I wouldn't mind that one bit, but Rafa, you've still got my support, for now."1735: I need your help in the form of some interactive communication. I'm hoping this will facilitate high quality chat and banter (possibly). Text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (world), large it on606or quite simplytweet me.1733: Liverpool against Lille in the first leg of their last 16 tie is, of course, the first of Thursday's big double header of ties involving English clubs. Later we have Roy Hodgson's mightily impressive Fulham at Italian side Juventus. Borrowing from Steve Waugh's remarkable vernacular this would have to be called a big ask, but then the men from Craven Cottage have dealt with a few big asks so far this season. 1732: TEAM NEWS Lille v Liverpool
Right-back Glen Johnson starts for Liverpool for the first time since tearing knee ligaments against Villa on 29 December, allowing Jamie Carragher and Javier Mascherano to continue in their preferred roles of centre-back and midfield. Yossi Benayoun misses out with an ankle injury picked up against Wigan, but Daniel Agger is back after sitting out the 1-0 defeat with a sickness bug. Alberto Aquilani, who has made just seven starts since joining the club, is on the bench once again with Lucas joining Mascherano in the centre of midfield. Lille defender Adil Rami, who scored the crucial goal to overcome Fenerbahce in the previous round of the competition, has recovered from a bout of 'flu to start for the hosts.1731:TEAMS Lille v Liverpool
Lille: Landreau, Beria, Chedjou, Rami, Emerson, Hazard, Balmont, Mavuba, Cabaye, Obraniak, Frau. Subs: Butelle, Vandam, Aubameyang, Toure, Dumont, Souare, Souquet.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Riera, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, El Zhar, Kelly.1730: Now then. My second live text of the football season and my second Liverpool game. Does that mean that I am pro or anti-Liverpool I appealed for clemency on the pro/anti accusation front the other day but I no longer feel the need to be treated with kid gloves - so get accusing. Liverpool were beyond awful at Wigan on Monday and will have to be a lot better in Lille.

Filed under: Communication, Europe, Football, World Tags: article, bbc, british, english, europa, europa-league, Europe, leeds, liverpool

Hoodwinked?

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

By Torin Douglas
BBC media correspondent

Media hoaxes are nothing new.

The Hitler Diaries fooled both the Sunday Times and the German magazine Stern. A fake website about the Bhopal disaster hoodwinked the BBC. But social networking sites mean hoaxes can now travel faster, unchecked, than ever before.

Could this week's reports about the French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni stem from another hoax

That is the latest claim, after rumours about the couple swept France via Twitter and found their way into some British media.

A front page headline in Wednesday's Daily Telegraph proclaimed, "Sarkozy affair rumours sweep France". Over prominent photographs of Carla Bruni and another woman, the paper asked "Has Carla met her match"

The Daily Mail asked: "Are Sarko and Carla cheating on each other" and reported, "they are, if the rumour mill is to be believed, both having affairs."

The Independent's website carried a Press Association report which acknowledged the rumours, but pointed out that the mainstream French media had not reported them.

"Paris gossips were trying to sort out fact from fiction today as the blogosphere raised tantalising questions about the glamorous pop 'n' politics marriage of President Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni," it read.

"While the 'traditional' French media remained silent, bloggers and Twitterers spread word of alleged infidelity in high places - on both sides."

'Cruel hoax'

The reports in Britain prompted Sky News to bring forward a pre-recorded interview with Carla Bruni, in which she was asked whether she believed her husband had had affairs in the past.

That in turn led to reports that she had denied the current speculation, with online headlines such as: "Carla Bruni denies affair rumours sparked by Twitter and internet gossip".

Should newspapers, broadcasters or news agencies such as the Press Association report such unconfirmed rumours It's a growing problem for all mainstream media, as news stories spread via Twitter, blogs and other social media networks. Is the fact that a rumour is spreading rapidly a sufficient justification to report it

If so, the Sarkozy claims should act as a warning. For the next day's Independent carried a new line from its Paris correspondent, John Lichfield, under the headline "End of the affair Or a cruel hoax"

He wrote: "According to one French magazine, L'Express, the rumour began as a hoax by a French trainee journalist.

"He wanted to see how easy it was to get an unverified assertion from the chat website Twitter on to random blogs and into the mainstream media. If so, he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams."

But Lichfield went on: "The L'Express report of a hoax cannot be verified either. No one has yet come forward to claim the credit for starting the rumour rolling."

That story in turn was rapidly "retweeted" across the blogosphere, leaving no one any clearer at this stage whether the rumours were a hoax or had any justification at all.

Filed under: Entertainment, Featured, Networking, Politics, Social Networking Tags: british, carla-bruni, news-agencies, nicolas-sarkozy, president, press, rumour, social, Social Networking

‘No giveaway Budget’ says Darling

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

The Chancellor Alistair Darling has warned not to expect a "giveaway" when the government's Budget is announced later this month.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Darling said that the Budget would be "sensible" and "reflect the times in which we live".

He reaffirmed his commitment to halve the country's budget deficit over a four-year period.

But he said the government would continue to spend money to support the economy and keep people in jobs.

The Budget will be unveiled on 24 March, with a general election widely expected to be called for early May.

"I don't think anyone's expecting some sort of Christmas-tree-of-a-Budget. They're not going to get anything like that," Mr Darling told the BBC's chief economics correspondent Hugh Pym.

"What you're going to get is a sensible Budget, a Budget for the times in which we live, a Budget for the future of the country."

Recession risk

He called his plans to cut the budget deficit over four years "non-negotiable", arguing that making faster cuts would be harmful to the economy.

"I think that is a sensible rate. To do that more quickly would run the risk… of tipping us back into recession," Mr Darling said.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne told the BBC that tax increases would not be needed to achieve the halving of the deficit.

Increases to national insurance contributions, announced in the pre-Budget report last year, meant tax rises were not necessary, he said.

Speaking on the BBC's Daily Politics programme, Mr Byrne confirmed that there would be a comprehensive spending review should Labour win the election.

"By October/November, budgets will be set for the three years ahead," he said.

Filed under: Business, Featured, Politics Tags: bbc, Business, chancellor, election, plans, Politics, times, told-the-bbc, treasury, widely-expected

Man jailed for organic egg scam

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

A businessman has been jailed for three years for masterminding a scam which saw tens of millions of battery hen eggs sold as free-range or organic.

Keith Owen, who admitted three charges under the Theft Act, was told by a judge at Worcester Crown Court he had abused "well-intentioned" public trust.

The eggs were sold in supermarkets and other stores across the country.

Owen, 44, of Warbage Lane, Dodford, Worcestershire, has been ordered to repay

Filed under: Accounting, Business, Featured Tags: Accounting, british, Business, content, corporation, country, keith-owen, not-responsible, theft, under-the-theft, worcestershire

Rail link ‘must include Scotland’

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

The UK government's proposals for a high-speed rail link must include extending the line to Scotland, according to Holyrood ministers.

UK Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has set out detailed proposals for the first stretch of the 250mph railway.

He said the first part of the route would run from London to Birmingham.

Under the proposals the high-speed trains would then continue on a y-shaped network stretching north to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

That would cut journey times between London and the two Scottish cities to three-and-a-half hours.

Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said that extending the high-speed line to Scotland would make journey times of under three hours achievable.

It is understood that discussions between the Scottish government and the Department of Transport, about how an extension north of the border would be funded, are already under way.

'Compelling case'

Mr Stevenson said: "I am very clear that the business case for a high-speed rail link is greatly enhanced by bringing it all the way to Scotland and the transport secretary is very much of that mind too.

"The Scottish government has developed a compelling case for high-speed rail to Scotland, and it is vital that it happens.

"Scotland's transport future must include high-speed rail, and we will work with the UK government to help deliver it."

Lord Adonis said the London to Birmingham link would cost between

Filed under: Business, Featured Tags: article, bbc, britain, Business, department, french, juliet-swann, scottish, transport

Cuts fears for secret agencies

Posted by admin March 11, 2010 Leave a Review

The government has said the security services face "difficult choices" amid fears of impending spending cuts.

The Intelligence and Security Committee said MI5 and MI6 could suffer real-term cuts because of the financial crisis.

The committee's annual report also defends its own investigations into the mistreatment of a former detainee.

It said officials had given "no convincing explanation" for missing critical documents relating to the US's treatment of Binyam Mohamed in 2002.

The committee oversees the work of MI5, MI6 and the Government Communications Headquarters which works with the other bodies to monitor threats. The committee reports directly to the prime minister, rather than Parliament, and its report is partially censored.

The government currently spends almost

Filed under: Communication, Featured Tags: bbc, binyam-mohamed, british, financial, memory, outlook, pakistan, security