THE CELEBRITY CALF If there was one story that captured the heart of the nation during the dark days of the outbreak, it was the story of Phoenix the day-old calf, who escaped an initial cull and was then saved when government policy subsequently changed.
Owner Philip Board ran Clarence Farm, near Axminster in Devon, but says he no longer has the heart to farm.
We had 70 cows and sheep. All of them went. It was absolutely horrendous.
We had been farming all our lives and all of a sudden the countryside was bare and all you could smell was the smell of death.
[The media attention] was amazing at the time. I woke up one morning and thought it was daylight, there were so many lights outside. I thought 'what the hell have we done'.
I haven't got the heart to go back into farming
Philip Board
The whole world descended on us, we were getting phone calls from Australia and America.
It is very quiet now. My brother runs the farm. I just spend my time doing landscaping and digger work.
Phoenix is on her third calf, she had it last week.
At the time my wife said 'let's call her lucky'. But with all the fires I said we should call her Phoenix.
I haven't got the heart to go back into farming. I don't really miss it because there is so much paperwork and red tape.
It is depressed [in the area]. There was one or two farms that packed it in. It is not the place it used to be.
It was hailed as a reawakening of democracy in an age of falling election turnouts: at least 750,000 people marching in 2003 against the Iraq war.
The anti-war march was a graphic single issue campaign It failed to stop the war, just as another show of strength by a single issue group, the fox hunting lobby, failed to achieve its aim when it took to the streets to protest against plans to ban the pursuit.
But both demonstrations betrayed the myth that a decline in the number of people turning out to vote means people no longer care about politics.
On a far smaller scale, grass roots campaign groups are trying to continue the same tradition of people power, whether fighting plans for a football stadium next to their village, pressing for a new school or trying to clean up their area.
Richard Wilson, co-founder of Involve, a group which tries to encourage public participation, argues that such activity is part of a new era of "post party politics".
People are pursuing their politics in different ways, he says, whether it be by campaigning or buying "ethical" goods.
Businesses have struggled since production was halted at MG Rover News of a planned rebirth of car-making at MG Rover has been welcomed by officials in Birmingham. But for the community in Longbridge still living in the shadow of the sprawling factory it has been greeted with more scepticism and doubt. Bob Davenport, a bus driver who worked at MG Rover for 16 years until 2000, said: "There is a six-month get out clause and they'll get out of it. "They've got to spend absolutely millions and I can't see it. "The land is worth millions and I think they'll take it while they can." Sheila Hunt, a nearby resident, said she felt sorry for the redundant workers. 'Community diminished' "I doubt there'll ever be jobs back there," she said. A female worker who did not wish to be named said: "I can't see it myself but I'll wait and see what happens." Teenage resident Anthony Wilkes spoke of one of the more noticeable casualties in the area after 6,000 redundancies were made at the plant in April 2005. I've got a feeling that it might be good news and bring business back to us Dan Dadrah, newsagent "The cafe shut when MG Rover closed down and there is nowhere else for me to get my sandwiches at lunchtime," he said. But some traders with businesses still operating nearby expressed more optimism for the future after Wednesday's news. One, who works for an electrical shop which opened shortly before production stopped at MG Rover, said: "We used to get custom from the traffic coming down the road so it would be good to have the passing trade again."
Sat-nav blamed for village jams Sat-nav usually takes the shortest route to a destination Satellite navigation systems are being blamed for directing thousands of cars through a quiet Somerset village. Residents in Barrow Gurney claim 10,000 vehicles a day are going through the centre to get to Bristol Airport. The airport's official directions take traffic onto the A38, but sat-nav users may select alternative routes to avoid jams which send them through villages. Parish council chairman Geoff Coombs said it had a knock-on effect for communities like Barrow Gurney. "I think there really should be some special dispensation not to route these very high volumes of traffic through small villages close to facilities such as airports," he said. Makers of the TomTom system said: "Drivers are given various means of deciding the route to take and also have the opportunity to receive live traffic updates to make it as easy as possible to avoid congestion problems. "If a driver ever feels that they are being directed down an inappropriate road then the TomTom can quickly re-route them."
Thousands fall for Hotmail prank By Tim Weber Business editor, BBC News website I'm always pleased when I see healthy page views for our business stories - but there are exceptions. February 2001: MSN 'to charge user fee' Take this story: "MSN 'to charge user fee'" says the headline, and for a few weeks it has steadily moved up the ranks of our daily statistics. On Sunday it was the most-read business story, and on Monday and Tuesday it featured in the top five. The hitch: It was written five years ago - on 25 February 2001. Back then we reported comments made by a Microsoft executive, who said the company was considering introducing fees for its free Hotmail service. It was one year after the dotcom crash and everybody, even mighty Microsoft, was pondering how to make some money on the internet. So why is this old story so popular?Forward first, ask questions later Well, a chain e-mail is making the rounds: Microsoft will soon charge all Hotmail account holders, it claims, and backs up the assertion with a link to our story. The Hotmail log-on page then... Readers alerted me to the e-mail two weeks ago, even before I noticed the story in our rankings. Some wanted confirmation whether the story was true. Others assumed that our servers had been hacked and demanded we should improve security. Unfortunately many people failed to spot clear signs that this was an old story. ... and MSN's Hotmail page now. For starters, all our news stories have a timestamp - between the red BBC banner and the story headline. And there are two more obvious give-aways: Our website looks quite different today, because it had two redesigns since the MSN story was published. We use a different navigation, colour scheme and it is also a third wider, because most people have larger computer screens Then there is Hotmail itself.
It wants the data from the search engines to prove how easy it is to stumble over porn on the net. It's a path we shouldn't go down Google co-founder Sergey Brin Check Google's shares If it can prove this, the result might be onerous regulation for many websites. Officials said it had tried to generate the same information using the Internet Archive website but did not get the results it wanted. The BBC's North America business correspondent Guto Harri said that Google's refusal was based on three main arguments. Firstly, Google says it does not want to do the government's work for it, and secondly it says that it wants to protect its product. Thirdly, Google wants to show users that the company is serious about protecting their privacy. 'Slippery slope' Google also argued that the government's position is flawed and that the search data would not help them in dealing with problems such as child pornography. Co-operating with the government "is a slippery slope and it's a path we shouldn't go down," the Google co-founder Sergey Brin told industry analysts earlier this month. The company's stance has been supported by the American Civil Liberties Union. Lawyers for the Department of Justice and Google are scheduled to present their arguments in San Jose later on Tuesday.
Q&A: Microsoft's Vista launch delay The delay from 2006 to 2007 will hit production of new computers Software giant Microsoft has put back the launch of its next operating system until next year, missing the financially rewarding Christmas period. It had originally aimed to launch Vista - the first major update since Windows XP was introduced five years ago - in the second half of 2006. Now, a version will be available for corporate customers from November 2006, while the public will have to wait until January 2007 for the new operating system. What does this mean for the computer industry? The computer industry relies on innovation to drive replacement demand. The world market is largely driven by demand in Europe and the US, and that demand is dependant on innovation to make people buy new models of computers. Most computer sales also take place in the crucial fourth quarter period which covers Christmas. "The industry had been expecting Vista to arrive in time for the important holiday season at the end of the year," says Brian Gammage, research vice-president at technology analysts Gartner. "This means they don't have the new system in place in new computers for consumers. The impact for the industry will be a disappointing one." However, in public at least, large computer makers like Dell and Gateway are putting a brave face on things. But at the end of the day, there is nothing the computer industry can do about it. "Hardware without software might as well not be there," says Mr Gammage. "They need an operating system, and everyone had been waiting for Vista."
Last Updated: Friday, 24 March 2006, 13:54 GMT E-mail this to a friend Prin Office 2007, like Windows Vista, will now arrive next year Microsoft has put back the consumer launch of its new Office software suite to 2007, to coincide with the delayed start date for Windows Vista. Microsoft said on Wednesday it had to delay the launch of the consumer version of its latest operating system. It had originally aimed to launch Vista - the first major update since Windows XP was introduced five years ago - in the second half of 2006. But a version will be available for corporate customers from November 2006. On Friday, Microsoft confirmed that the mainstream launch of its new Office 2007 system would also be delayed to January. This will enable Microsoft to market it in tandem with Vista. Microsoft is planning six versions of the next incarnation of its Windows operating system, three of which will be targeted at home users. 'Enhanced leadership' At the same time, Microsoft has reshuffled the management team at the division which oversees its flagship Windows operating system. Changes include the head of security within Microsoft's Core Operating System Division moving to a new job. We are enhancing the leadership team and structure across the division Kevin Johnson, Microsoft Mike Nash will be succeeded as head of the Security Technology Unit by Ben Fathi. Efforts to improve security in the new system were largely behind the delay to Vista, Microsoft has admitted. Brian Valentine and Jim Allchin will be charged with delivering Vista later
EU writes to Microsoft over Vista Neelie Kroes wants more information from Microsoft The European Union (EU) has written to Microsoft to state its anti-competition concerns about the US giant's new operating system. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes is worried that the forthcoming Windows Vista system will not offer customers a real software choice. Yet the letter does not mean the start of a formal inquiry, and Ms Kroes is responding to a query from Microsoft. Microsoft had asked EU regulators to set out any Vista concerns it may have. Separate case "We're concerned about the possibility that the next Vista operating system will include various elements which are currently available separately either from Microsoft or other companies," said EU competition spokesman Jonathan Todd. Microsoft has delayed the main Vista launch until next year He added that Ms Kroes and her department were highlighting Vista's integrated internet search, digital rights management and documents software as key areas of concern. "We assume that Microsoft has its own interests at heart," said Mr Todd. "It wants to launch another product without having to worry about the Commission instituting various actions under anti-trust law." The EU's look at Vista is entirely separate from its continuing legal dispute with Microsoft over Brussels' 2004 anti-competition ruling against the US giant. Brussels has since accused Microsoft of dragging its feet over implementing its call for the firm to open up its software systems to rivals - something Microsoft denies. Delays mean the launch of the main consumer version of Vista will not now take place until early next year
iTunes achieves one billion mark Apple's iTunes carries around 2 million songs A teenager in the US has made the one billionth purchase from Apple's online music service iTunes. Alex Ostrovsky from West Bloomfield in Michigan bought Coldplay's Speed of Sound.. The 16-year-old won a number of prizes, including 10 music players, while Apple has said they will set up a music scholarship in his name. The service was established three years ago and its sales have surpassed many conventional outlets in the US. Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said the billionth download represented "a major force against music piracy and the future of music distribution as we move from CDs to the internet". CD decline Music purchases over the internet have led to a decline in CD sales in the US, according to official data. According to Nielsen Soundscan, 618.9 million albums were sold in 2005, down from 762.8 million in 2001. Nielsen also reported that traffic to the iTunes site during 2005 grew by 241%, with the number of people visiting the site growing from 6.1 million in 2004 to 20.7 million a year later. Around 14% of active internet users are regularly using the service. Teenagers are the biggest group of visitors to the site, and are twice as likely to use it than any other group. Apple made changes to the iTunes software after complaints were received about invasion of privacy. A system which recommended tracks other downloaders might like to buy contained unique information which was seen as a threat to privacy.
Last Updated: Friday, 31 March 2006, 10:02 GMT 11:02 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version 'Ghost workers' haunting Zanzibar Non-existent civil servants on the Zanzibar government payroll are costing the semi-autonomous Tanzanian islands more than $1m a year, an official says. An inquiry has found about 1,400 "ghost workers" who draw salaries but never report for work, Zanzibar government chief secretary Ramadhani Muombwa said. He told reporters a task force was being set up to investigate the fraud. The Zanzibar islands employ 26,000 civil servants, earning a minimum of $50 a month. "We had to immediately start investigating after finding out that the government has been losing $110,000 a month by paying 1,400 ghost workers," Mr Muombwa said at a news conference. "We are leaving no stone unturned in our investigations and whoever is found to have taken part in the cheating, will be charged and penalised for embezzlement of public funds," he said. The semi-autonomous archipelago maintains a political union with mainland Tanzania, but has its own parliament and president.
Vodafone remodels to shift focus Arun Sarin hopes the restructuring will boost Vodafone's growth Vodafone is overhauling its operational structure to try and exploit changes in market and customer trends. The mobile phone giant is splitting its business into three new units, covering Europe, emerging markets and new business opportunities. The firm, which is selling its Japanese business, said the changes would allow it to cut costs in mature markets and develop new operations. Vodafone's management has been under pressure to improve its sales growth. New focus In February, Vodafone said it would write down the value of its assets by as much as £28bn and that it expected sales growth to fall in 2007. Bill Morrow, formerly head of Vodafone's Japanese arm, will take charge of a new European division comprising its core operations in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Paul Donovan will be responsible for emerging markets in central Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, as well as Vodafone's joint venture businesses in the US, Africa and China. A new division focused on initiatives on the internet and other platforms will be headed by Thomas Geitner. In addition, Frank Rovekamp has been appointed chief marketing officer while Nick Read will become chief executive of Vodafone UK. By simplifying its structure, Vodafone said it would have a clearer focus and an increased emphasis on managing costs. "We are reflecting the different approaches that will be required to continue to succeed, both in terms of our existing operations and in capturing new revenue streams for the future," said Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin.
US consumer borrowing slows down Consumer spending is the biggest driver of the US economy US consumers borrowed less money than expected in February after January's huge credit-based shopping spree, according to a Federal Reserve report. Consumer credit - loans to individuals that aren't mortgages - rose by $3.3bn, well down on January's jump of $6.14bn. Outstanding consumer credit in the US now stands at $2.164 trillion. Analysts say people have been borrowing less on credit cards and taking out loans on the equity value of their homes - a cheaper form of credit. Forecasters had been expecting a $3.5bn rise in February consumer credit. Consumer spending growth is also slowing, and rose by just 0.1% in February, according to the latest Commerce Department figures. Retailers have also been reporting slower sales as rising interest rates, higher petrol prices and the cold weather have conspired to make consumers tighten their purse strings.
771 :One more please for chicken:2006/04/10(月) 19:36:12
US economy keeps producing jobs The US economy created 211,000 jobs in March as the unemployment rate dropped to 4.7%, the Labor Department said. The rate at which employers added jobs surprised analysts, who had forecast 190,000 new posts. However, the Labor Department revised down the number of jobs created in January and February by 34,000. March wage growth was below forecasts at 0.2%, but fears remain that current high levels of employment could boost consumption levels and raise inflation. Hiring and firing
The markets are also worried that current hiring levels could lead to inflationary pay rises, which might then encourage the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in an effort to contain them.
"I think the Fed wants the unemployment rate to stop going down pretty much immediately, and if it doesn't the Fed will keep tightening," said economist Jim O'Sullivan of UBS
778 :Could you explain about Seibu,:2006/04/14(金) 18:58:53
US trade pact causes row in Peru Mr Humala says the deal should be put to a popular vote Peru's decision to sign a free-trade agreement with the US has provoked a domestic political row, with critics calling for the deal to be blocked. The deal, signed by President Alejandro Toledo in Washington, is politically sensitive, coming in the middle of presidential elections in Peru. Ollanta Humala, who is currently leading after the first ballot, urged Peru's Congress to block the deal. Supporters say it will boost trade, but critics warn it will threaten jobs. 'Poorly drafted' Mr Humala, the ex-army officer who is the frontrunner with 31% of votes counted so far, said he was not opposed to a deal in principle. This commercial deal was poorly negotiated Ollanta Humala, Peruvian presidential candidate But he said the agreement was wrong for Peru in its current form and should be redrafted. "We are in favour of a trade deal with the US and with different nations," he said. "What has happened is this commercial deal was poorly negotiated." Peru should hold a referendum to allow people to have their say on the deal before Congress debated it, he added. Alan Garcia, who has won 24.5% of the vote so far, also said the deal should be modified, but third-placed candidate Lourdes Flores is supporting the agreement. Critics have warned that the deal could see subsidised US imports such as rice, cotton and syrup flooding into Peru. Unions fear this could overwhelm Peruvian farmers and small producers, resulting in thousands of job losses. Redistribution President Toledo, whose mandate expires in July, said the deal was essential to improving exporters' prospects and maintaining Peru's current strong rate of economic growth. "I think the Congress will approve it," he said after signing the agreement alongside US Trade Representative Rob Portman.
Asian giants Much of the trade gap relates to US commerce with East Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea, who sell much more to America than they buy. Cheap exports have fuelled China's enormous trade surplus Together, the East Asian countries have accumulated foreign currency surpluses of nearly $1 trillion, much of it held in US Treasury bonds denominated in dollars. Thus they are funding both the budget gap and the trade gap. These huge global imbalances are threatening to derail the world economy, the IMF and other international organisations have warned. The classic economic view of how to correct such changes is to adjust the exchange rate in order to make US goods cheaper and Asian goods more expensive. But many Asian currencies - especially the Chinese yuan - do not float freely on international currency markets, and the US has long been pressuring China to revalue its currency. Now the markets are beginning to take matters into their own hands, by forcing the US dollar down. Traders are worried about the effects of the dollar fall In the last few months, speculators selling off dollars are not just buying other currencies like the euro or yen, but they also buying commodities like gold and oil, forcing up their prices further. In the long run, the fall in the dollar could lead to a cut in the trade deficit and a boost to US exports. But this process often takes a long time, and in the meantime, it is fraught with dangers.
Growth tests Asian giants' strength By Jill McGivering BBC Asia analyst
India and China are obvious and formidable twins.
Cities like Shanghai point to a prosperous future
With a combined population of almost two-and-a-half billion people, they are the emerging giants of the new century.
Both are seeing dramatic levels of economic growth.
Both are increasingly dynamic members of the international community, increasingly conscious of their growing influence and feted by Western governments.
The central governments in both countries have found a new pragmatism in international affairs, eager to forge strategic relationships based on fuelling their growing energy needs at home.
Exports to the US were driven by the car sector Japanese exports rose strongly last month, in the latest indication that the country's economic recovery is continuing to gather pace. Exports in April were 11% higher than the same month in 2005, the Ministry of Finance said.
Goods and services going to the US rose 15%, up for the 15th straight month thanks to a surge in car sales.
Exports to China rose 22%. Japan's economy grew 1.9% in the first quarter of 2006, twice as fast as forecast.
The surge in exports to the US took the politically-sensitive overall surplus with the US to a 20-year high of more than 800bn yen ($7.1bn; £3.8bn).
Japanese shoppers are starting to spending again as wages rise Japanese consumer prices were higher in April than a year ago, the sixth month in a row they have risen, lifting hopes that deflation has been shaken off. Government figures showed core consumer prices, which do not include fresh food costs, rising 0.5% from a year earlier. The main drivers of price inflation were energy and raw material costs. Many analysts are now forecasting that the pick up in price growth will prompt the Bank of Japan to start raising interest rates over the summer months. "The data reaffirmed our view that there is a high possibility that the Band of Japan could start raising rates in July," said Naoki Iizuka of the Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute. "Wages have stopped falling and prices of raw materials are rising. We can now see how growing demand in the job market is being reflected in rises in prices," he explained. Still a way to go Though the Japanese economy is on a steady recovery track, my view that Japan is not out of deflation hasn't changed Sadakazu Tanigaki, Japan's Finance Minister Japan, the world's second-biggest economy, has endured a decade of stagnating prices that have eroded the value of wages and depressed growth. The Bank of Japan slashed its interest rates to virtually zero and has pumped cash into the country's financial system in an effort to get things motoring. While it is still too early to talk of a cast-iron, lasting recovery, there are increasing signs that Japan is putting its difficult times behind it, analysts said. Helping buoy the economy has been an improved outlook for exporters and a pick up in domestic demand. As a result, investors have been buying into Japanese stocks, pushing the benchmark Nikkei index to five-year highs. However, Japan's Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki urged caution. "Though the Japanese economy is on a steady recovery track,
Google software will come as standard in Dell machines Google has taken a major step towards challenging the dominance of Microsoft by signing a deal with Dell. The agreement means millions of Dell computers will leave the factories with Google software already installed on them.
The software includes several personal computer applications, a Google toolbar and a co-branded homepage.
This could pose a serious challenge to the hold Microsoft has enjoyed on 90% of the world's computers.
The Seattle software giant has enjoyed a significant advantage over rivals, with computers automatically defaulting to Microsoft products.
In practice, most people stay with the default programs and search technology that comes with their machine.
You put your questions on aid for Africa to the UK development minister. Read Hilary Benn's overview and answers below.
Hilary Benn: Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone for the challenging questions. The interest in Africa - and the issues it is facing - has been overwhelming. 2005 was certainly a year of promises to the developing world, and Africa in particular.
Many of you asked how we turn the commitments made last year into reality. How do we get more children in school, see less mothers dying in childbirth, provide clean water to more people and how do we ensure that aid is used as it should be
Japan's retail sales dip in April Analysts said a bad month wouldn't cloud the brighter economic outlook Japanese retail sales fell during April as poor weather and a decline in the stock market put people off shopping. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said sales dropped by 0.6%, and were 2.4% lower than a year ago. Higher fuel costs, which pushed fuel sales up 8.1%, probably was another factor hitting demand, analysts said. The decline in retail sales was bigger than expected and surprised many analysts as Japan's economy and its job market has been steadily improving. Slowly recovering However, the analysts said that sales should pick up again in coming months and would be strong enough to prompt higher interest rates. "Retail sales were a bit weaker than expected, probably because clothing did not sell as well as we had thought due to bad weather at weekends in April," said Mamoru Yamazaki of HSBC Securities Japan. "Given favourable job and income conditions, I think consumption will likely recover," he explained. "Retail sales may be somewhat weak at the moment, but won't fall as a trend." These figures were not exactly brilliant Seiji Adachi, Deutsche Securities Japan, the world's second-biggest economy, has endured years of stagnating prices that have eroded the value of wages and depressed growth. Recent figures have shown that inflation is returning, and the Bank of Japan is expected to raise borrowing costs over the summer months to keep price growth in check as the economy continues to expand. Earlier this month, the Bank of Japan reported that the country's economy grew by an annualised rate of 1.9% during the first three months of this year - nearly double what observers had expected.
Heinz revamp to cost 2,700 jobs Beanz meanz cuts at Heinz Baked beans and ketchup maker Heinz is to cut 8% of its global workforce to free up cash for marketing and developing more than 100 new products. The Pittsburgh-based firm will shed about 2,700 jobs and close 15 factories in 2007 with five more at risk in 2008. It will also cut $145m (£78m) from what it spends securing premium shelf space and other in-store benefits. Heinz has not disclosed where the closures will be, but previously said its European performance was below par. It expects to increase advertising and marketing spend by 18.7% as part of the overhaul. Growth areas Heinz has sold off several businesses as it focuses on its ketchups, sauces, meals and snacks and has bought the group behind HP sauce. Investment group Trian Fund Management is pressurising Heinz to return more money to shareholders, cut costs and give it a representation on the board of directors. Forecasting a 3% to 4% sales increase in the next year, Heinz said it expected one quarter of its growth would come from Russia, India, China, Poland and Indonesia.
Rebuilding after the 2005 earthquake will get priority Pakistan is to receive up to $6.5bn (£3.5bn) from the World Bank under a new four-year assistance programme. At least $1bn will go on reconstruction after last October's earthquake which killed more than 73,000 people and left 3.3 million others homeless.
The aid is more than double the $2.73bn Pakistan received from the bank between 2002 and 2005.
Transport and energy, key areas in sustaining growth and tackling poverty, will see considerable spending.
Sustained growth
World Bank country director John Wall said the money was to help Pakistan prosper.
As well as the challenge of India and China, Malaysia faces fierce competition on its doorstop.
Singapore trumped Malaysia when it signed a free trade agreement with the United States in 2003, the first Asean member to do so.
This was particularly painful since Malaysia-US trade, now worth $44bn, comfortably eclipses that between Singapore and the US.
Malaysia remains an ally of the US and talks on a free trade agreement, now underway, could be concluded by 2008.
The authorities have pledged to get to grips with entertainment piracy
One potential obstacle is US concerns over entertainment piracy.
Travellers on Malaysian buses can enjoy Mission Impossible III in its entirety although the film is not available on DVD, illustrating the scale of the problem facing the authorities.
Counterfeit DVDs and CDs are two a penny on Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, proving an inevitable draw for tourists.
The array of titles is as remarkable as the speed in which the hawkers hustle away their tables when policemen appear on the scene.
Malaysia is economically vibrant, but with 2020 on the horizon, its leaders will be as aware as anyone that appearances can sometimes be deceptive.
Ismail Haniya had said all workers would get money within two days Some 40,000 Palestinian civil servants are to be paid a month's salary on Monday in what will be their first wage packet since February. Finance Minister Omar Abdel Razeq said the money would go to the government's 40,000 lowest-paid workers.
He said the Palestinian Authority's other 125,000 workers would receive a pay advance but did not specify when.
On Friday, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya promised all government employees would be paid within two days.
"On Monday, those employees who make less than 1,500 shekels ($330, £175) a month can go to the banks and get their salaries," Mr Abdel Razeq told a news conference in Ramallah.
Those earning more than 1,500 shekels a month would be paid in the next stage, he said, without specifying when that would be.
Japanese fund guru facing arrest Mr Murakami 'meekly admits' to wrongdoing A leading shareholder activist in Japan is facing arrest after being drawn into the Livedoor scandal which has shaken the country this year. Fund manager Yoshiaki Murakami said he had unwittingly violated securities trading laws in connection with a takeover initiated by Livedoor in 2005. The former trade ministry official will now resign from his fund, he said. Four former executives of internet firm Livedoor are on trial in Tokyo charged with falsifying corporate accounts. Advance knowledge The Livedoor affair shook markets early this year and put the spotlight on Livedoor's former president, Takafumi Horie, 33, who had gained fame in Japan for shaking up the somewhat conservative business environment. Investigators probing Mr Horie then turned their attention to a deal where Mr Murakami appeared to act on inside information ahead of a Livedoor bid offer for a media firm. Mr Murakami is Japan's best-known fund manager, and is at the forefront of shareholder activism. But he now admits his actions could be interpreted as having violated securities trading laws.
Overspending Throughout the turmoil, Mr Garcia maintained a cavalier attitude to the laws of economics, taking the view that market forces could not be allowed to interfere with social justice. "The laws of gravity don't mean that humanity has to give up flying," was how he summed up his approach. Even at the end of his presidency, when his approval rating among Peruvians fell to 5%, he still defended the idea that a government can spend beyond its means in the interest of helping the least fortunate. Alan Garcia has always been highly rated as an orator "Other governments, other ideologies and other social sectors have postulated that if the government's income is 100, it can only spend 100," he said in the early 1990s. "We say that if the government receives 100, it can spend 110, 115, because those extra 15 will provide credit for peasant farmers." Mr Garcia's first big mistake was when he unilaterally set a limit on repayments of foreign debt, declaring that Peru would pay no more than 10% of the money it received from exports. Although this went down well with voters, it alienated the International Monetary Fund and ensured that no-one would lend Peru any more money. However, social spending continued unabated, emptying the treasury's coffers. When Mr Garcia left office, Peru's reserves were minus $900m.
US trade deficit reaches $63.5bn US had a $17bn deficit with China The US trade deficit increased in April by 2.5% to $63.4bn (£35.4bn), as oil prices surged to nearly $71 per barrel. The figure was below that expected by analysts, who had feared that the deficit could soon reach $65bn. The trade gap was $252bn for the year to date, leaving it on course to exceed the record $716bn recorded in 2005. The high US trade deficit is leading to pressure on the US dollar, which has been falling in international markets, amid worries about financing the gap. Analysts said that the April figure may help ease some of the negative feeling that has surrounded the dollar in recent months, even if only for a short time. The trade deficit, with higher gasoline prices and the flagging housing sector, will slow GDP growth in the second and third quarters Peter Morici, University of Maryland It's a pretty good number for the dollar all around," said Clyde Wardle of HSBC. The dollar gained against the euro and the yen on Friday after the US Commerce Department released its trade figures.
ING bank faces charges in the US Fund managers have come under increased scrutiny in past years US officials have accused ING Groep of failing to properly disclose fees it earned running a $180m (£98m) New Hampshire state retirement fund. Regulators say the Dutch bank did not disclose conflicts of interest that may have affected investment choices. The company denies the charges and said it was cooperating with authorities. New Hampshire regulators have ordered ING to stop any actions that may compromise the fund and said it will be seeking damages from the firm. Dana Ripley, a spokesman for ING in the US, said ING had "received no improper or undisclosed fees in connection with the New Hampshire fund." "All relevant arrangements were disclosed in the product prospectus," he added. Wider claims The companies involved in the charges are ING Financial Advisors and ING Life Insurance and Annuity Co. As well as the allegations that ING was paid to recommend investment vehicles and tools from favoured companies, it also is accused of "market timing" and "late trading". Market timing involves moving money in and out of a fund quickly for short-term gains, and is frowned upon in the industry because it increases costs and hampers the performance of the fund for its shareholders, analysts said. Late trading is when share orders are placed for funds after the end of stock market hours but are executed at that day's price and not the following session's closing price. An investigation into these practices amongst fund management companies and investment firms was launched in 2003 by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, resulting in billion
AB Ports acquired in £2.5bn deal Port assets are in heavy demand Associated British Ports - which owns 21 ports around the UK - has agreed to be taken over in a £2.5bn deal. The firm accepted an offer of 810 pence per share from a consortium which includes investment bank Goldman Sachs. The owner of Ipswich, Plymouth, Hull, Swansea, Ayr and Southampton ports, among others, handles about a quarter of the UK's seaborne traffic. The deal is the latest in a string of takeovers of British port owners in anticipation of rising global trade. The spectacular growth of the Chinese and Indian economies has fuelled interest in infrastructure and cargo handling assets. Attractive assets P&O was bought in a controversial deal by Dubai Ports World for $6.8bn earlier this year, while Mersey Docks and PD Ports have also been taken over during the past year. The latest deal will mean that many of the UK's leading ports, including Tilbury and Southampton, will be in foreign ownership. PORTS BEING SOLD Ayr, Barrow, Barry, Cardiff, Fleetwood, Garston, Goole, Grimsby, Hull, Immingham, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Lowestoft, Newport, Plymouth, Port Talbot, Silloth, Southampton, Swansea, Teignmouth, Troon The deal comes only days after BAA, the owner of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, agreed to be bought by the Spanish company Grupo Ferrovial. AB Ports employs 3,000 staff worldwide, the bulk of which are UK-based.
IPod 'slave' claims investigated Designed in California. Made in China. Apple is investigating a newspaper report that staff in some of its Chinese iPod factories work long hours for low pay and in "slave" conditions. The article in the Mail on Sunday alleged that workers received as little as £27 a month, doing 15-hour shifts making the iconic mp3 player. Employees at the factory lived in dormitories housing 100 people and outsiders were banned, the paper said. Apple said it did not tolerate its supplier code of conduct being broken. Outsourced In a statement the firm said: "Apple is committed to ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible." The company added it was "currently investigating the allegations regarding working conditions in the iPod manufacturing plant in China". The report said that at a different factory, in Suzhou near Shanghai, which makes the iPod shuffle, workers were paid £54 per month - but that half of that went on accommodation and food within the factory complex. According to the Mail on Sunday, women rather than men were employed on the production line. Apple is one of thousands of companies that has outsourced manufacturing to China where labour costs are low. IPods carry the text: "Designed in California, Made in China
Bank of Japan boss says 'sorry' Toshihiko Fukui has held his hands up to his mistake Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui has apologised for his links to a fund manager arrested for insider trading. Under a grilling from an opposition MP, the governor said he would not keep any profit made from investing in the fund, managed by Yoshiaki Murakami. There have been callshim to quit, but Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was strong in his support for Mr Fukui. The bank met on Thursday and voted to keep its zero interest rate policy which is helping Japan's recovery. 'Commotion' Mr Fukui has admitted investing $87,000 in the fund in 1999, before he became the bank's governor, although he kept his investment while holding the top job. He also told the parliamentary committee he had shares in other companies, but had not traded them - in line with bank rules. "I apologise deeply for causing a commotion," Mr Fukui said. Only some opposition MP's have called for the governor to resign, though government members have said Mr Fukui was "careless". Signs of improvement The scandal comes at a time when the bank needs stability as it moves to end five years of zero interest rates. It has been urged to wait by the government, which fears the move would suffocate the country's steady economic recovery. Japan's economy has been showing signs of improvement. In the first quarter of 2006, it grew at 3.1% - the fifth consecutive quarter of expansion. But its markets took a tumble this week, with the Nikkei index losing 4.1% on Tuesday alone. Across the globe, markets have slumped in recent weeks, amid concerns over inflation and higher interest rates. The European Central Bank has raised rates, the Bank of England is expected to do so later this year and the US Federal Reserve is tipped to hike interest rates for the 17th time in a row at the end of June.
The scandal comes at a time when the bank needs stability as it moves to end five years of zero interest rates.
It has been urged to wait by the government, which fears the move would suffocate the country's steady economic recovery.
Japan's economy has been showing signs of improvement. In the first quarter of 2006, it grew at 3.1% - the fifth consecutive quarter of expansion.
But its markets took a tumble this week, with the Nikkei index losing 4.1% on Tuesday alone.
Across the globe, markets have slumped in recent weeks, amid concerns over inflation and higher interest rates.
The European Central Bank has raised rates, the Bank of England is expected to do so later this year and the US Federal Reserve is tipped to hike interest rates for the 17th time in a row at the end of June.
Mr Murakami has admitted insider trading in a takeover initiated by Livedoor in 2005.
The former trade ministry official has also said he will resign from his fund, widely known as the Murakami Fund.
Watch Bill Gates Bill Gates has announced he will end his day-to-day role as head of software giant Microsoft by July 2008. Mr Gates said the move would allow him to spend more time on health and education work at his charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"This is a hard decision," said Mr Gates, adding that he was not retiring but "reordering [his] priorities."
Mr Gates will continue to serve as the company's chairman and advise on key development projects after July 2008.
"I'm not leaving Microsoft," said Mr Gates.
The change we're announcing today is not a retirement - it's a re-ordering of my priorities
Bill Gates Chairman, Microsoft
Timeline: Bill Gates Bill Gates's long farewell
"What's happening now is we're starting the transition plan... I'll be working as hard as I ever have during these next years."
Mr Bush will take his message to Europe US President George W Bush has said World Trade Organisation talks are at a "critical moment" and called for "tough" decisions to be made. Washington was prepared to cut all tariffs and subsidies for the so-called Doha round of talks and expected "others to do the same", said Mr Bush.
The US president also issued a warning against protectionism.
If the US became a protectionist nation, reducing poverty would be "much harder", Mr Bush said.
The Doha Development Round of trade talks, which started in 2001, is intended to give poor countries a greater share in the world trading system by opening up agricultural markets in Western nations.
Deadline
"It is tough sledding right now," Mr Bush said during the Initiative for Global Development's annual conference in Washington.
The meeting is intended to encourage private and public players to cooperate in fighting poverty.
The comments come as a deadline for WTO members to reach a decision within the Doha round is fast approaching.
Director general of the WTO, Pascal Lamy, has said countries must agree on basic terms for resolving farm subsidies and cutting manufacturing tariffs by 30 June.
The WTO had hoped to agree proposals to cut farm and industrial goods tariffs by the end of April, but failed to do so.
Back then both the EU and the US said the other side had not gone far enough on agricultural liberalisation.
In saying that the US was prepared to cut all subsidies, tariffs and "other barriers to free flow of goods and services", Mr Bush has touched on an issue that has long caused disagreements between Washington and the EU.
Analysts are uncertain how long the market's positive mood will last Stock markets have continued to recover after comments from US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke eased fears about fast inflation and slow global growth. High oil prices will cause problems but they would be limited, he said.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index added 2.8% to 14,879.34, following strong gains in the US that pushed the Dow Jones 1.8% higher to close at 11,015.19.
In Europe, the UK's FTSE 100 added 1.1%, France's Cac 40 rose 1.2% and Germany's Dax climbed 1.1%.
Gates to end daily Microsoft role Bill Gates insists he is not retiring Speech highlights Bill Gates has announced he will end his day-to-day role as head of software giant Microsoft by July 2008. Mr Gates said the move would allow him to spend more time on health and education work at his charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "This is a hard decision," said Mr Gates, adding that he was not retiring but "reordering [his] priorities". Mr Gates will continue to serve as the company's chairman and advise on key development projects after July 2008. "I'm not leaving Microsoft," said Mr Gates. The change we're announcing today is not a retirement - it's a re-ordering of my priorities Bill Gates Chairman, Microsoft Timeline: Bill Gates Bill Gates's long farewell Send us your comments "What's happening now is we're starting the transition plan... I'll be working as hard as I ever have during these next years." The firm said it would take two years to make sure the transition takes place smoothly. Mr Gates said there was a "common thread" between his work at Microsoft and the foundation. How Microsoft's market value compares "I'm very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging," he said.
Mr Forgeard has been one of the driving forces behind the A380
Inside the A380 The boss of EADS has denied he did anything wrong in the months before a profit warning caused by delays in production at its Airbus business. Shareholders have questioned the timing of the news and many are calling for a probe into claims of insider trading.
The claims arose after it emerged that co-chief executive Noel Forgeard and other staff sold EADS shares in March.
That was followed this week by the company announcing delays in production of the new Airbus A380 superjumbo.
EADS shares slumped 26% on the news and some shareholders are unhappy about the way they were kept informed.
VW denies report of more job cuts VW wants to boost its productivity A senior Volkswagen executive has denied a report that the firm may cut an extra 10,000 jobs, but admitted the situation at the company was "serious". VW personnel chief Horst Neumann insisted he had never suggested any plans to extend February's warning of a possible 20,000 cuts over three years. "There is no reason to panic, and certainly no reason to create panic," he told the Reuters news agency. VW has warned that 20,000 job cuts may be needed to boost productivity. Most of the cuts are expected at its core VW car business, where it is continuing with a three-year restructuring plan, and has said some of its German plants are currently too expensive. Voluntary agreements Mr Neumann made his comments to Reuters after German news magazine Spiegel said an additional 10,000 jobs could be at risk because high costs meant production of the next generation Golf model could be moved out of VW's Wolfsburg facility. VW said in February that it had no plans to shut any of its plants, including the six in western Germany. It has also promised that any job cuts in Germany would be through early retirement or voluntary agreements. Like almost all major carmakers, VW is suffering from tough competition and price cuts in the face of stagnant sales.
Six killed in head-on car crash Six people died - five of them from the same extended family - in a head-on crash between two cars. A couple, their four-month-old baby and the man's two sisters, were in a Ford Escort that was in collision with a Toyota Prius near Penrith, Cumbria. An elderly man in the Toyota also died and a woman, believed to be his wife, was taken to Carlisle Infirmary with critical injuries. The accident took place at 1440 BST on the A6 between Plumpton and Stoneybeck. The occupants of the Escort come from the Penrith area. Inspector Sean Murphy, of Cumbria Police, said: "It was a horrendous accident. An investigation is under way to find out exactly what happened. "Our prime concern is to notify the next-of-kin. Officers are currently tracking down various family members to inform them of what's happened."
The reported deal relates to infrastructure, not handsets Nokia and Siemens are to merge their mobile and fixed-line phone network equipment businesses to create one of the world's biggest network firms Both companies will have a 50% stake in the infrastructure company, to be based in Nokia's home country of Finland.
Last Updated: Monday, 19 June 2006, 17:36 GMT 18:36 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Crisis talks over Airbus troubles Mr Forgeard says problems with the A380 should be put in perspective The management of embattled aerospace group EADS has met for the first time since the Airbus-owner announced a severe profit warning. The firm's shares plunged 26% when it reported further delays in the delivery of its Airbus A380 superjumbo. EADS also faces allegations of insider dealing, after co-chief Noel Forgeard sold shares in the firm in March. Opposition politicians in France have called for Mr Forgeard's position at the head of the firm to be reviewed. Executives present Mr Forgeard insists he sold the shares before he knew of delays to the plane and did nothing wrong. Internal divisions are causing difficulties for the Franco-German group with reports that changes in senior management could be imminent. I sold the shares in a completely transparent manner Noel Forgeard, EADS co-chief executive Check EADS' share price The company confirmed a management meeting took place on Monday but downplayed its significance, saying it was not a formal board meeting. According to unconfirmed industry sources, the firms four most senior figures - co-chairmen Arnaud Lagardere and Manfred Bishchoff, Mr Forgeard and fellow chief executive Tom Enders - were all present. Mr Enders has acknowledged that the current situation constituted a crisis for EADS which had extended beyond Airbus.
Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 June 2006, 12:45 GMT 13:45 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Heiress's killer given jail term Richard George Holtby admitted strangling Ms Healey A man who admitted the manslaughter of the daughter of one of the UK's richest men has been jailed. Suzy Healey, whose father Malcolm used to own Hygena Kitchens, was strangled by Richard Holtby when she told him their relationship was over last year. The 38-year-old, of South Cave, denied murder at his trial at Hull Crown Court but had admitted manslaughter. Ms Healey, 39, ran an abandoned animals sanctuary at her home at Ellerker Hall in East Yorkshire. During his trial, the jury of six men and six women heard Holtby "snapped" after he realised Ms Healey - his ex-fiancee - had slept with another man. Ms Healey lived alone in the village Sentencing Holtby to eight and a half years in prison, Mr Justice Wilkie said he had been subjected to a "low degree" of provocation by Ms Healey. He told him: "It is clear from all who spoke of her, Suzy Healey was a demanding person to befriend or become involved with.