Hong Kong China US report


A report by the US Congressional Executive Commission on China says that the authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have tried to delay democratic reforms in Hong Kong. China's foreign ministry said the report was not completely correct. This report from Chris Hogg:

The news

The American politicians don't pull their punches. They say they're troubled by Beijing's efforts to hinder democratic reform in Hong Kong. In April, China ruled out direct elections for the territory's next leader. The Congressmen say the declaration at that time that Beijing alone had the power to change the political structure here was inconsistent with its 1997 pledge to allow Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy to run its own affairs. But China has hit back, its foreign ministry urging the Congressional commission to wipe out its prejudice, respect the truth and stop its interference in China's internal affairs.

Hong Kong's government has published a point-by-point rebuttal of the US claims, something it's had to do several times in recent months in response to similar criticisms from the British government and organisations like Human Rights Watch. It insisted that basic freedoms of the press, of expression, assembly and religion, remain strong in Hong Kong. A senior government official, echoing the comments from Beijing, appealed to foreign governments to respect the principle that Hong Kong affairs are best dealt with by the territory's government without interference from abroad.

Chris Hogg, BBC News, Hong Kong

Words and phrases

don't pull their punches
say exactly what they think even if it is critical and negative

hinder
to make it more difficult to do something

reform
changes and improvements to a law, social system or institution

ruled out
to reject something, to not allow something to happen

inconsistent
not in agreement with something else

pledge
promise

autonomy
the control of a country, organisation or group by itself

wipe out
to destroy completely

prejudice
an unreasonable dislike of someone or something

rebuttal
a statement which proves that a criticism against someone or something is not true

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Taiwan red fire ants


In Taiwan experts have said that it might take three years to completely remove red fire ants from the capital, Taipei. Red fire ants give a painful sting which causes blisters and can sometimes result in death. It is the first time that the ants have been found in Taipei and Taiwan is only the fourth place in the world where they have been seen. This report from Chris Hogg:

The news

It's vicious and aggressive. When it stings you, the sharp burning sensation can last for an hour and within four hours a white blister appears. The Red Fire Ant comes from Brazil. It's spread through New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Now it's been confirmed that it's infested at least four large areas of Taiwan.

In recent days red fire anthills have been found in the centre of the capital, Taipei, and the authorities have been spurred into action. Taiwan's Premier has urged people not to panic and advised them how to protect their children.

Agricultural experts suspect the red fire ants were brought into Taipei in the soil of potted plants or landscaping material. They warn it could take years to eradicate the pests. They describe this as a war of attrition.

The ants are blamed for losses of five-billion dollars in the United States each year and more than six-and-a-half-billion in Australia. Extra stocks of pesticide have been ordered by Taiwan's government. It hopes to contain the spread of the insects by the end of the year. Complete eradication, which some doubt is even possible, is likely to take much longer.

Chris Hogg, BBC News

Words and phrases

sensation
a physical feeling

blister
a painful swelling containing clear liquid on the surface of your skin

spread
moved outwards to cover a large area

anthills
mounds of earth formed by ants when they are making a nest

authorities
official organisations or government departments

spurred
encouraged to do something

Premier
the leader of a country's government

eradicate
destroy or remove completely

attrition
a process in which you weaken an enemy by continually attacking it

pesticide
chemicals used to kill harmful insects

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World oil prices


Finance ministers meeting in Washington, say they are concerned that past estimates may have overstated the world's oil reserves. This is likely to have an effect on oil prices in the longer term. This report from Steve Evans:

The news

There's been a perception that the recent rise in oil prices was because of the situation in Iraq and because of speculation -- that is, temporary factors. Officials in G7 now say, though, that oil is scarcer than previously thought -- in other words, that there's a longer-term shortage pushing prices up. On top of that, they recognize that strong Chinese economic growth will put more pressure on scarce supplies.

As the G7-plus-China meeting gets under way, ministers from Britain and Germany want efforts made to get more information out to try to diminish the large amount of speculation in the oil market. Last time the G7 ministers met, the British finance minister, Gordon Brown, led an attempt to talk the price down by urging producers to increase supply. The exhortation had little effect, with the price rising anyway. Now it seems that ministers may be accepting that we're moving into a world of permanently higher oil prices that will dampen economic growth.

Steve Evans, BBC North America business correspondent, Washington

Caroline Wyatt, BBC, Paris

Words and phrases

A perception
an opinion

Speculation
the buying of commodities, shares or property in the hope of being able to sell at a profit

temporary factors
things that affect a situation for a short time only

scarcer
not as common as

On top of that
In addition

gets under way
starts

diminish
reduce

to talk the price down
to reduce the price through negotiation

exhortation
trying hard to persuade

dampen
make less intense

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France’s economic plan to tackle unemployment


The opposition in France has sharply criticised the government’s fifteen billion dollar plan to tackle unemployment and ensure social involvement in the nation's urban areas. This report from Caroline Wyatt:

The news

The proposals were outlined by Jean-Louis Borloo, who rejoices in the grand title of minister for labour, employment and social cohesion. His aim is to boost all three in one fell swoop. The plan is ambitions: to reduce not only France’s stubbornly high unemployment rate of ten percent, but also to tackle the problem where it’s worst, among the children and grandchildren of north African immigrants in the French suburbs, many of which have become high rise ghettoes.

A recent study showed that up to two million people in France, many of them Moslem, now live in areas blighted by social exclusion, domestic violence and racial discrimination. The unemployment rate among those of Algerian or Moroccan origin is running at around thirty percent and even higher for the young. Thanks partly to such problems, the centre-right government of Jacques Chirac was roundly defeated in regional and European elections earlier this year. Cynics suggest that these measures are aimed at winning back the voters in the run up to presidential elections in three years’ time.

Caroline Wyatt, BBC, Paris

Words and phrases

proposals
ideas or suggestions

rejoices in the title of
happy to have the name of

in one fell swoop
a single act

stubbornly
determinedly, refusing to change

ghettoes
parts of a city inhabited by people of one nationality, colour or race

blighted
negatively effected

social exclusion
a community that is deliberately left out, not included

running
continuing

cynics
someone who always thinks the worst

run up
the preparatory time before an event

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Drugs company settles lawsuit


Following a lawsuit by American authorities the big British drug company GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to pay a 2.5 million dollar penalty. It has also agreed to change its ways by publishing all tests results, even if they are negative. This report from Stephen Evans:

The news

Glaxo was accused of not publicising the results of tests on one of its anti-depressants - results which seemed to indicate that the drug might increase the suicidal tendencies in some depressed children who took it. The Attorney-General of New York sued Glaxo and the company has now agreed to publish all test results so doctors have full information before prescribing. It denies doing anything wrong but has also agreed to pay the financial penalty.

The pharmaceuticals industry in general has been accused of only wanting to give full publicity to drug-test results that help sales. The New York Attorney-General's office said Glaxo would now become the industry's standard. The company's difficulty, though, will come if its openness costs it money while its competitors thrive by maintaining secrecy.

Stephen Evans, BBC

Words and phrases

publicising the results
making all the results widely known and available to the public

anti-depressants
medicines or drugs that help people suffering from the mental condition of depression to feel happier and more enthusiastic about things and life

indicate
show

suicidal tendencies
if someone has suicidal tendencies, they might try to kill themselves

sued
taken to court to make them pay money for the harm their actions are said to have caused

prescribing
giving an official written order for patients to collect specific medicine or drugs from a chemist or pharmacy

The pharmaceuticals industry
companies which make drugs and other medicines for sale

the industry's standard
an example of the level of quality, service and behaviour that all pharmaceutical companies must now reach

openness
total honesty, a lack of secrecy

thrive
grow, earn good profits and become increasingly successful

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US soldier faces charges in Kabul


A former US soldier is facing charges in Kabul of torture and running a private jail, along with 2 other Americans. Jack Idema has said he has not had full access to the evidence he needs to defend himself. This report from Andrew North:

The news

At the last hearing a week ago, Jack Idema said videos, photos and documents that had apparently been in FBI hands since his arrest, will prove he was hunting terrorists in Afghanistan with Washington's approval.

The trial judge adjourned the case till today so this evidence could be reviewed. And some video footage which appears to show Idema interrogating an Afghan was shown in the opening hours of this hearing. But Idema said they'd only had very restricted access to the evidence and the lawyer representing another of the arrested Americans, Edward Caraballo, said the FBI had interfered with it before turning it over.

Caraballo himself arrived in court using a crutch. He showed his feet to journalists which were badly bruised. Idema said all three men had been beaten regularly while in Afghan custody. However, the prosecutor dismissed this and said Caraballo had sustained his injuries because he'd slipped. In his opening remarks, the judge said he's hoping to conclude the case at this hearing.

Andrew North, BBC, Kabul

Words and phrases

hearing
an official meeting to collect facts and decide whether any further investigation is necessary

in FBI hands
in the possession, power and responsibility of the FBI

adjourned
stopped for a short time

evidence
proof, things which make people believe that something is true

interfered with
changed it, damaged it and made it less valid for the hearing

a crutch
a kind of walking stick that’s used to support someone whose leg or foot is injured

custody
someone in custody has been arrested and being kept in prison until their court case or legal hearing begins

the prosecutor
the lawyer whose job it is to prove that the person on trial is guilty

sustained his injuries
suffered, got his injuries

opening remarks
introductory remarks, first comments

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Workers protesting
In a noisy protest in Manila, workers have demanded that a ban on workers taking jobs in Iraq be lifted. The ban was imposed by the Philippines government in July after a Filipino was taken hostage. This report from Sarah Toms:

The news

Chanting and holding banners, Philippine protesters marched to the presidential palace, calling on President Gloria Arroyo to lift a ban against working in Iraq. Most of the demonstrators at this and other recent protests are jobless. They say, without work in Iraq they have no chance to feed their families and escape poverty at home.

Lorry driver Angelo dela Cruz was released by Islamic militants in Iraq last month after President Arroyo agreed to their demands to withdraw fifty-one Philippine soldiers. The pull-out drew sharp criticism from the United States and other allies but won widespread support at home.

Around eight million Filipinos - that's a tenth of the population - work overseas. More than four thousand work in Iraq, mostly as labourers and drivers, but every day hundreds more queue outside recruitment agencies in the Philippines for a chance to go. A third of Filipinos live on a dollar a day.

The billions of dollars overseas workers send home every year means the difference between mere survival and a better life. President Arroyo has asked her officials to study whether it's safe to end the ban on going to Iraq. But for the protesters and other workers here, they are ready to leave now.

Sarah Toms, BBC, Manila

Words and phrases

Chanting
repeating a word or a group of words over and over again

banners
large signs with messages or slogans on them explaining why the people who are carrying them are protesting

to lift a ban
to cancel an official rule which stops people doing certain things

chance
opportunity

Lorry
also known as a truck in American English

pull-out
departure, withdrawal

sharp criticism
quick, harsh, direct criticism

widespread support
approval from most people

labourers
people whose jobs involve a lot of hard physical work

recruitment agencies
companies or organisations that find and supply new workers to employers

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Iraq cleric refuses to meet delegation


Iraqi political and religious leaders, and representatives of the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, described a visit to Najaf by a Baghdad delegation as positive. Although they didn't meet with the cleric himself, one delegate says they will return soon. This report from Kylie Morris:

The news

At first, Moqtada al-Sadr said he couldn't meet the delegation as they were mere messengers rather than legitimate negotiators. Later, he revised his position and said the reason why he couldn't meet the delegates was to do with security concerns.

It was a high-risk venture for the team of six sent from the capital; their plans to travel by road from Baghdad were quashed by an ambush threat. Ultimately, they were brought to Najaf by a US military helicopter. They then drove quickly through the streets of the old city to reach the Imam Ali shrine. Exchanges of mortar fire could be heard and American helicopters and an A10 war plane targeted Mehdi army positions, even as the delegates were inside.

Participants at Iraq's national conference will be encouraged that their delegation made the journey to Najaf successfully, even if they failed to meet Moqtada al-Sadr himself. The cleric remains in a strong position, with Shia Islam's holiest site under the rule of his militia and US-led forces reluctant to cause any damage to the sacred city, aware of the negative repercussions that would likely prompt.

The delegates brought with them an ambitious list, requesting that the militia be disbanded and leave the shrine, with a promise of political legitimacy for Moqtada al-Sadr if he cooperates. There's no sign of that happening. But the sheer fact that another avenue for dialogue has now been opened will help the residents of Najaf's old city to hope that the fighting might soon be over.

Kylie Morris, BBC, Najaf

Words and phrases

delegation
a group of people who've been chosen to make decisions or vote on behalf of a larger group of people

mere messengers
only messengers, no more important than messengers

revised his position
changed his attitude and/or opinion

quashed
destroyed, made invalid

negative repercussions
bad effects or reactions

prompt
start, cause to happen

an ambitious list
a list that will take a lot of hard work to complete it successfully

disbanded
taken apart, no longer allowed to exist

sheer
simple

another avenue for dialogue
an additional way for talks to happen

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Arrests over insect gambling


Following careful watching by undercover officers, 115 people have been arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly betting on insect fights. Although cricket fights are legal there, gambling on the results is not. This report from Chris Hogg:

The news

It was billed as the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau Fight of Champions. In reality it was just a series of fights between crickets in a backstreet social club. But the police suspected the battling insects, or rather their owners, were playing for high stakes. They raided the premises, arresting the players, confiscating the crickets and more than a thousand dollars in cash as well as what they describe as gambling paraphernalia.

The police say five of those arrested were believed to have connections with organised crime gangs, known here as triads. The club claimed it was a legitimate business. Cricket fights, which were a popular pastime in the nineteen-fifties and sixties, are quite rare in Hong Kong nowadays.

For one thing the widespread use of pesticides has reduced the availability of suitable fighters. It's reported that a champion cricket can cost more than two-and-a-half-thousand dollars. Those who trade them hunt out the fiercest insects and devote many hours to training them.

Chris Hogg, BBC, Hong Kong

Words and phrases

billed as
advertised as

backstreet
something that’s described as backstreet is often unofficial, secret and illegal

high stakes
large amounts of money

raided the premises
unexpectedly entered the property by force

confiscating
taking away

gambling paraphernalia
a large number of items used for gambling

a legitimate business
a business that’s correct and acceptable according to the law

a popular pastime
a hobby that’s enjoyed by many people

quite rare
not very common

fiercest
angriest, most aggressive

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Japanese bank merger


Two Japanese banks have agreed terms for a merger that will create the world's largest bank. UFJ bank plans to join forces with Mitsubishi Financial Holdings. This report from Mark Gregory:

The news

Many Japanese banks have struggled to rebuild their finances after a stock market and property crash in the early 1990s. Their solution to crippling financial problems has been to merge with one another in an attempt to get bigger and hopefully stronger.

This latest deal is the largest one yet. It is in effect a rescue of the UFJ banking group by a smaller but less indebted rival, Mitsubishi Financial Holdings.

The two organisations announced their intention to merge last year. But negotiations were held up by legal challenges from another bank, the Sumitomo Mitsui group, which also wants to join forces with UFJ.

On Wednesday, a court in Tokyo lifted an injunction won by Sumitomo that prevented merger talks from taking place. Agreement on basic terms was reached within hours of the court's ruling. But Sumitomo may still try and block the merger by mounting a hostile takeover bid for UFJ, which means…

BBC, Mark Gregory

Words and phrases

rebuild
here, develop or improve their financial position

crash
here, collapse

crippling financial problems
here, money difficulties that are so bad that they seriously weaken or damage the banks

merge
join together

less indebted rival
competitors who owe less money (note: this use of the word indebted to mean ‘owing money to someone’ is only used in American English)

legal challenges
questioning the rightness of something through a court of law

lifted an injunction
an injunction is a court order which stops someone from doing something so here, the injunction was ended

block
stop

hostile takeover bid
an attempt to buy another company without agreement from that company

overrule
decide against something already agreed by official power

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