Bush Tries to Reassure Investors and Ease Economic Worries
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC730E:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
US president says government has taken 'systematic and aggressive' action to solve current financial crisis
President Bush delivers remarks on the economy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, 17 Oct 2008U.S. President George Bush says the next president's top priority must
be to "change the way we regulate the financial system." Mr.
Bush said Friday Washington has taken "systematic and aggressive"
action to resolve the financial crisis. He warned it will take time
for these measures to work, but assured Americans that they will be
successful. Some economists say there is evidence that stalled
credit markets - a big part of the financial crisis - are starting to
improve. Mr. Bush spoke right after a discouraging government economic
report. The U.S. Commerce Department said the number of new homes
under construction fell to a 17-year low in September. U.S.
stock markets fell around two percent in the opening minutes of trading
Friday. European markets made gains in mid-day action. Key Asian
markets closed before Mr. Bush spoke. They posted mixed results. Mr.
Bush is set to meet Saturday outside Washington (Camp David) with
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Commission President Jose
Manuel Barroso, who say they will press for an overhaul of the global
financial system.An emergency economic summit with leaders of
the Group of Eight - including the United States, Japan, Germany,
France, Britain, Italy, Canada, and Russia - and other nations is under
consideration, but no date has been announced.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
Most Asian, European Markets Enjoying Surge in Trading
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC730F:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
Improvement comes after major US stock indexes soared more than four percent Thursday
European markets followed on the heels of Friday's rebound in Tokyo, as investors were encouraged by Thursday's gains on Wall Street.The key indexes in London, Paris and Frankfurt each gained about four percent at the start of their trading sessions, and were in positive territory by mid-morning.Exchange rates are reflected on a window at the Korea Exchange Bank in Seoul, South Korea, 17 Oct 2008In Asia, Japan's key Nikkei index closed more than2.5 percent higher, rebounding after suffering its worst loss in two decades on Thursday. Share prices also closed higher in Shanghai, but Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped nearly 4.5 percent. The major U.S. stock indexes soared more than four percent Thursday, with investors motivated by falling oil prices and evidence of a thaw in credit markets.U.S. President George Bush is scheduled to speak on the economic situation Friday before U.S. markets open. He will deliver his remarks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.The volatility of U.S. indexes before the late rally Thursday was due in part to a series of disheartening government reports, which raised new fears of a recession and concerns that efforts to rescue troubled financial institutions may not be enough.Mr. Bush will meet Saturday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to discuss the crumbling world economy. The European leaders say they will press for an overhaul of the global financial system.White House spokeswoman Dana Perino says it is unlikely the meeting will result in any major policy announcements.She also says no date has been set for a proposed emergency economic summit with leaders of the Group of Eight (including the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada, and Russia) and other nations.Europe's key markets in London, Frankfurt and Paris closed down sharply Thursday. Russia's main stock exchanges also plunged on worries about falling oil prices.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
McCain, Obama Compete for Laughs at Traditional Political 'Roast'
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC7310:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
Republican, Democratic presidential candidates poke fun at each other and themselves before audience including many leading political figures during annual dinner honoring Catholic who ran for president unsuccessfully 80 years ago
U.S. presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama took a lighthearted break from campaigning Thursday at a charity dinner in New York City. The Republican and Democratic party candidates poked fun at each other and at themselves before an audience including many of the nation's leading political figures. VOA's Walter Wisniewski has this report. John McCain (L) and Barack Obama shake hands at Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, 16 Oct 2008Senators McCain and Obama were on stage together for a second night in a row, following their third and final debate of the election campaign on Wednesday. But at the annual Al Smith memorial dinner, a political tradition in New York, the candidates were competing to see who could trigger the biggest laughs. McCain struck first."A major announcement. Events are moving fast in my campaign, and yes, it's true that this morning I've dismissed my entire team of senior advisers," he joked. "All of their positions will now be held by a man named 'Joe the Plumber.'""Joe the Plumber" is a businessman from Ohio who challenged Obama at one of his campaign appearances, and who was invoked repeatedly by both senators in their debate this week. Obama, in turn, announced that his vice presidential running mate, Senator Joseph Biden, now prefers to be known simply as "Joe the Senator." The Al Smith dinner honors a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for president 80 years ago and raises money for Catholic charities. The traditional gathering attracts politicians from all parties, and only humorous speeches are allowed. In an earlier debate this month McCain referred to Obama, standing near him onstage, not by name but as "that one" - a remark that some criticized as demeaning or even insulting. The Arizona senator joked on Thursday that he came up with the phrase after hearing that some of Obama's most ardent supporters referred to him reverently as "the one.""Being a friend and colleague of Barack, I just called him 'that one.' [laughter] My friends, he doesn't mind at all. In fact, he even has a pet name for me: George Bush." McCain also won laughs by slyly suggesting that former President Bill Clinton's support for Obama has been less than wholehearted, because the Illinois senator won his party's nomination only after crushing the presidential hopes of Mr. Clinton's wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Speaking after McCain, Obama surveyed the audience and said: "There is no other crowd in America that I'd rather be palling around with right now." A wry reference to allegations by McCain's running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, that Obama had been "palling around with" people once considered American terrorists. "It is a tribute to American democracy that with two weeks left in a hardfought election, the two of us could come together and sit down together at the same dinner table ... without preconditions," Obama kept his humor deadpan. "Now recently one of John's advisers told the Daily News [newspaper] that if we keep talking about the economy, McCain's going to lose. So tonight I'd like to talk about the economy." The candidates laughed heartily at each other's jokes, but they also spoke warmly about their mutual respect and admiration. McCain said Obama "is an impressive fellow in many ways.""Political opponents can have a little trouble in seeing the best in each other, but I've had a few glimpses of this man at his best, and I admire his great skill, energy and determination," McCain said.McCain said Senator Obama's campaign has made history. "There was a time when a mere invitation of an African-American citizen to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage and an insult in many quarters," he noted. "Today is a world away from the crude and prideful bigotry of that time, and good riddance. I can't wish my opponent luck, but I do wish him well." Obama reflected on the tough battles that have marked this presidential campaign. "But I've said before and I think it bears repeating, that there are very few of us who have served this country with the same dedication and honor and distinction as Senator McCain," Obama said. "No matter what divisions or differences or arguments we're having right now, we ultimately belong to something bigger and more lasting than a politcal party. We belong to a community. We share a country. We are all children of God."
------------------------------------------------------
Pakistani Judge Extends Detention of US National
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC7311:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
Judge grants police two more days to question American man following brief court hearing; US State Department says officials are providing him with consular assistance
A Pakistani judge has extended the detention of a U.S. citizen arrested earlier this week on charges of trying to enter a restricted tribal area in Pakistan's northwest.The judge granted police two more days to question the American man following a brief court hearing Friday.Pakistani police arrested the man at a security checkpoint Monday, as he tried to enter the Mohmand tribal area near the Afghan border. Police say the man is of Pakistani descent and did not have the permission required for foreigners to enter the country's tribal regions.A U.S. State Department spokesman says U.S. officials are providing the man with consular assistance. He declined Wednesday to give specific details, including the man's name, citing privacy concerns.The Pakistani military has been waging an offensive against al-Qaida and Taliban militants in the tribal region.In the latest fighting, Pakistani security forces say army helicopters struck targets Friday in the Bajaur tribal region. The military says it has killed at least 1,000 militants in Bajaur since August.In other violence, Pakistani officials say the body of an Afghan national was found shot to death in North Waziristan Friday. They say the man was found with a note accusing him of spying for U.S. forces.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Enter Fourth Day
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC7312:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
After Thursday's talks, both sides said they were deadlocked over how to share various ministries
Zimbabwe's political rivals are due to begin a fourth day of talks Friday on a power-sharing deal to form a unity government.After Thursday's talks, both sides said they were deadlocked over how to share various ministries.Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrives at hotel in Harare on October 15, 2008 for the second day of talks, which are being mediated by former South African President Thabo Mbeki Last
week, President Robert Mugabe unilaterally gave his ZANU-PF party
several key Cabinet positions that oversee the military, police and
foreign affairs.State controlled media Friday said ZANU-PF
members are accusing main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of
deliberately stalling the talks in an effort to bring the U.N. into the
negotiations.An opposition spokesman, Nelson Chamisa, says the
party is asking the mediator of the talks, former South African
President Thabo Mbeki, to help find a creative way of breaking the
deadlock. Thursday, Zimbabwe's state media said President
Mugabe may alter the Cabinet lineup he announced last week in an effort
to save the power-sharing deal.Mr. Mbeki helped broker the original deal, meant to end the crisis stemming from Zimbabwe's disputed presidential elections.The
deal, reached in September, calls for ZANU-PF to control 15 ministries,
with the two factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change
getting 16. Mr. Mugabe would remain as president, with Tsvangirai
becoming prime minister.The sides are under pressure to reach a
final deal so Zimbabwe can start to recover from its deep economic
crisis. The country has 80 percent unemployment and an inflation rate
officially estimated at 231 million percent.Witnesses are reporting severe food shortages nationwide, especially in the south.
------------------------------------------------------
Georgians Return Home to War Ravaged Villages, but Many Have Nowhere to Go
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC7313:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
Tens of thousands of Georgians lost their homes, still living in shelters or with relatives
The war between Georgia and Russia in early August drove more than 130,000 Georgians from their homes as they fled bombing, shelling and looting. Two months later, most of them have been able to return, but tens of thousands are still living in shelters or with relatives because they cannot go home. VOA's Sonja Pace visited some of them in the Georgian town of Gori.Georgian women, who escaped violence, waiting in a shelterA kindergarten in downtown Gori has been turned into a shelter. Some 170 people call it home - at least for now.They have all fled the violence of the war in August - the bombing and shelling, the shooting, looting and burnt homes and villages.In one of the classrooms a half dozen women gather round - some sit on tiny chairs made for the children of the school. That doesn't seem to matter. These women have their stories to tell.Elene Khaduri, 69, comes from the village of Kurta in South Ossetia and tells a harrowing tale of having to flee with other older people."All the Georgian villages in the territory of South Ossetia were destroyed by fire. Then we had to escape. The older couple asked me to take them along and another 63 year old man came also. We were hiding and went through the forest and we slept in the forest," she said.Elene Khaduri says she slept in the forest during journey to safety She tells of a journey through empty villages, fields and orchards - of taking back ways to avoid armed men along the roads. She says they made it to the buffer zone, found shelter and were finally rescued by a young relative."On the 15th day, he rushed in, in a taxi. He took us through the villages and this is how we came here," she added.It's one of many stories here in Georgia, where over 130,000 people fled the fighting that broke out between Georgian forces and Russian troops and their separatist allies in the breakaway region of South Ossetia. The Russians quickly routed the Georgian army and moved deep into Georgian territory, establishing self-declared buffer zones around South Ossetia and the other breakaway Georgian enclave of Abkhazia in the northwest.People fled to live with relatives or in shelters. The Russians have now withdrawn from the buffer zones. Stefano Berti, the head of the Gori office of the UN refugee agency, UNHCRStefano Berti heads the Gori office of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. He says getting people back home is now the priority."The government and international organizations - we are starting rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the buffer zone. So hopefully, their [the displaced people's] needs will be covered before the winter," he said.Georgians are returning home, but often to destroyed and burnt out houses. They say they need help to rebuild. But, some 30,000 have yet to return. And for the women in the Gori kindergarten going back is not an option now. Most come from villages in South Ossetia - where Russian troops are in control and separatists have declared independence from Georgia.Zizilo Terushvili heard from neighbors that her house was burned downZizilo Terushvili, 68, says she heard from neighbors that her house was burned down just a day ago. And, she says the local council there set an ultimatum for those wishing to return. "[They said] whoever lived here, you can come back but you must give up your Georgian passport and take a Russian passport," she said.The women are adamant - why should we do that they say - we're Georgian - South Ossetia was our home.But for now, this is home - Kindergarten Number 12. They have shelter, bedding, donated clothes and food. They attempt to establish some semblance of normalcy. For Elene Khaduri and the others going home seems a remote dream."I don't know what the government will do. They probably won't leave us in the street," she said.So for now - they wait and hope.
------------------------------------------------------
Australian Thinking Cap Could Unleash Our Hidden Genius
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC7314:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
Researchers think technique, known as trans-cranial magnetic stimulation, could also be useful in treating depression
Scientists in Australia are developing a thinking cap that could unlock our hidden genius, by switching on and off certain sections of the brain. Researchers at the University of Sydney think their experiments show that we all have hidden creative talents. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.Imagine a cap that could make us smarter and more creative.Professor Allan SnyderProfessor Allan Snyder at the University of Sydney is developing just such a device.He thinks we all have hidden talents, but we have trouble tapping into them.His research is in its early stages. The idea is to switch off parts of the brain to help unlock the genius that lies dormant."The two things that drive me - I'm passionate about understanding the architecture of thought," he explained. "Why are we wired up the way we are? Not how we are wired up but what is the master plan, the architectural plan. And the second thing, of course, I'm fascinated by wanting to have a true vision of the world. I mean, we make hypotheses of what is out there. Wouldn't it be nice to see what really is out there?"He is working on device that is based on research into savants who have extraordinary talents as well as severe mental disability. They appear as if one part of the brain has been subdued so that the other can be more dominant.The aim is to make a thinking cap that could unleash creativity when it was needed, such as when we are tired or under pressure and lack inspiration.The cap uses tiny magnets to change the process by which we think. Tests have shown that it can improve artistic and mathematical ability by turning off the part of the brain that controls our innate view of the world.The magnets let the brain experience raw sensory information, untainted by preconceptions - just as a child might see the world.Researchers think that this technique, known as trans-cranial magnetic stimulation, could also be useful in treating depression.
------------------------------------------------------
Study Finds B Vitamins Do Not Slow Alzheimer's Disease
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC7315:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
But researchers say they may increase depression in Alzheimer patients
Researchers have been looking for ways to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, which is affecting more and more people worldwide. VOA's Carol Pearson reports on the latest research aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. Gary and Mary PaunLife for Gary and Mary Paun changed profoundly three years ago when Mary began experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease."It just disrupts mostly what we thought was normal life," Gary recalls. "But it's also brought us a lot closer together."The World Health Organization says the number of Alzheimer cases doubles every five years for people between the ages of 65 and 85. But, if the onset could be delayed by five years, the number of cases worldwide would be cut in half.Doctors had hoped high doses of vitamin B could reduce the rate of brain cell death and slow the progression of the disease. But a new study shows the supplements were not effective and, instead, seemed to increase depression in patients taking them. Dr. Paul Aisen was one of the researchers. "Unfortunately the results were disappointing in the sense that this intervention," Dr. Aisen said. "The high-dose vitamins - did not have a favorable effect on the disease."Patients with Alzheimer's have elevated levels of a chemical compound called homocysteine.Alzheimer brain scan, normal vs dementiaB vitamins break down homocysteine in the bloodstream, so doctors tested whether high doses of vitamin B given to Alzheimer's patients would slow their rate of memory loss. 240 patients received daily B vitamins while the other 170 patients received a placebo. The vitamin supplements lowered homocysteine levels by about 25 percent.
However, both groups had the same rate of memory loss. The study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Some video courtesy of Journal of the American Medical Association
------------------------------------------------------
New Documentary Film Tracks Languages
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EC7316:E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
Filmmakers travel world with scientists documenting last native speakers
Scientists who study linguistics estimate that half the world's spoken languages are likely to disappear in this century. VOA's Paul Sisco spoke with the director of a new documentary film that chronicles the work of two scientists who are traveling the world in a race to preserve what they can. Seth KramerThe film is called The Linguists. Funded in part by the National Science Foundation, it follows the work of two scientists who are documenting and archiving languages that are dying around the world. Film director Seth Kramer got interested in the project because his family once spoke Yiddish.
"I was interested in making a movie about what does this language mean and what does it mean now that it's not in my life and that it has sort of been removed from the vast community that spoke it at one point," Kramer said. "That sort of exploration led to the discovery by me and my fellow filmmakers that this Yiddish language is not alone. That there are 7,000 languages or so spoken around the world and scientists estimate that as many as 90 percent of those languages might not survive the century."The film follows David Harrison and Gregory Anderson, scientists and modern day adventurers working to preserve disappearing languages."We went to Siberia, following our scientists, trying to track down a language called Chulym. We went to Bolivia trying to track down speakers of a language called Kallawaya, we went to India trying to find speakers of a language called Sora. And the last stop was at home in America, a language called Chemehuevi spoken in the southwest which is pretty much down to its last fluent speaker," Kramer said."I speak the Chemehuevi language and I speak it to myself 'cause there is nobody to talk to. All the elders have passed on, so … that's it," Johnny Hill said.Anderson and Harrison spent months trekking to remote villages in search of dying languages. High in the Bolivian Andes, they met Max Chura, one of the few remaining speakers of Kallawaya.Kallawaya speakersDespite the dominance of Spanish in the region, Kallawaya is still spoken but only between shamans with knowledge of the medicinal value of thousands of plants and herbs.When he's not traveling, Harrison teaches in the United States. He blames language loss on urbanization, colonialism, and false beliefs. "This is one of the false choices of globalization: that people have come to believe, or been told, that they need to give up their ancestral language to speak English or some other global language," Harrison said. "And that is simply not true."David HarrisonHarrison hopes the film will send a message that when languages die and are lost, knowledge is too. "The Linguists" premiered at the Sundance film festival this year and efforts are underway to have it released worldwide in 2009. More is available about The Linguists at www.thelinguists.com
------------------------------------------------------
If you have questions about this E-mail newsletter send an e-mail to:
Click here to unsubscribe from the VOA Daily World News Summary: http://enews.voanews.com/u?id=E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA
Forward this E-mail: http://enews.voanews.com/bin/ftaf?id=E2FDB7E6D97F93730081E0D032A28C7E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA
No comments:
Post a Comment