| housands of Egyptians have rallied once again - this time under the banner of protecting the revolution. But as moderates, Salafists and the Muslim Brotherhood gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square, are the divisions beginning to show between the groups that were once united behind the revolution? It was not so long ago that it seemed that the Muslim Brotherhood would be the main beneficiary of last year's revolution in Egypt. Indeed, the parliamentary elections saw the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party installed as the most dominant force in the chamber, and the party's voice was growing in influence across the country. But in the months following the elections, the party has been accused of an inconsistent and indecisive political strategy - one that has put it at odds with both the ruling military and the other parties behind the country's revolution. Among the factors that have affected the Muslim Brotherhood's fortunes, is the fact that in March, the group reversed its position on the presidential election. Initially, it had said that it would not field a candidate. But then the Brotherhood decided to take part, and when its candidate of choice was disqualified, it selected another. Also, earlier this month, a Cairo court ruled that the Muslim Brotherhood's dominance over the committee that would draft a new constitution was unconstitutional. So, is Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood going through a crisis? And is it alienating itself from some of the other parts of the revolution? Joining Inside Story with presenter Teymoor Nabili to discuss this are: Nader Omran, a representative and co-founder of the Freedom and Justice Party, which is part of the Muslim Brotherhood; Sherif Gaber, an activist and advocate for housing rights who has been taking part in some of the protests over the last year following Egypt's revolution; and Abdullah al-Arian, an assistant professor of Middle East history at Wayne State University and a scholar specialising in Islamic movements.
FACTS: EGYPT'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
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Sunday, April 29, 2012
Egypt: Is the Muslim Brotherhood in crisis? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera Eng
Is the Muslim Brotherhood in crisis? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English
John Pilger | You Are All Suspects Now. What Are You Going to Do About It?
John Pilger, Truthout: "You are all potential terrorists. It matters not that you live in Britain, the United States, Australia or the Middle East. Citizenship is effectively abolished. Turn on your computer and the US Department of Homeland Security's National Operations Center may monitor whether you are typing not merely 'al-Qaeda,' but 'exercise,' 'drill,' 'wave'…. What has changed is that a state of permanent war has been launched by the United States and a police state is consuming Western democracy. What are you going to do about it?"
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it's a boy-eat-dog world out there," Obama said.
Washington (CNN) -- The humor at the 98th annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner went to the dogs.
President Barack Obama poked fun Saturday at everything, from the Secret Service scandal to the lavish spending by the Government Services Administration, to the upcoming general election.
However, it was a spoof about Mitt Romney and his dog Seamus that highlighted the president's monologue.
The joke recalled a political ad released by the Newt Gingrich campaign that took aim at Romney for admitting he once put his family dog in a cage and perched it on the top of his car.
"I know everybody is predicting a nasty election, and thankfully, we've all agreed that families are off-limits," the president said. "Dogs, however, are apparently fair game."
Obama talks dog politics at dinner
Kimmel unveils explicit dinner video
Kimmel spares no one at dinner
Obama, Kimmel deliver on dinner jokes
The president's punch line: An ad by a phony Super PAC that featured Romney on Air Force One with a dog cage on top of the aircraft and promoted dog freedoms, while warning of Obama's policy of dog socialism.
"Under his leadership, man's best friend has been forced into automobiles. Imagine the European-style socialism that he has planned for the next four years," the spoof ad said.
The president even poked fun at himself over recent criticism by the Romney campaign about revelations in his book, "Dreams From My Father," where he revealed he was fed dog meat as a boy in Indonesia.
"That's pretty rough. But I can take it, because my stepfather always told me, it's a boy-eat-dog world out there," Obama said.
The dinner was Obama's fourth as president. It has been a ritual in Washington since 1920, when it was first held to boost communication between the press and the president.
Journalists and news organizations were well-represented at the affair, and they brought famous faces in tow.
Among those in attendance Saturday were Claire Danes, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Rudd, Sigourney Weaver, Eva Longoria, Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, Rachel Zoe, Goldie Hawn and Josh Hutcherson.
The annual gala, also known as the "Nerd Prom," raises money for journalism scholarships.
While the dinner is notorious for its sometimes bawdy political humor, the president took a serious moment to recall the deaths of Anthony Shadid of The New York Times and Marie Colvin of the Times of London, "who made the ultimate sacrifice as they sought to shine a light on some of the most important stories of our time."
Shadid and Colvin died in February while covering the conflict in Syria.
Obama uses potty humor at dinner
Obama on Romney: What a snob!
Kimmel dishes out fat, skinny jokes
Kimmel skewers Secret Service at roast
Overall, Obama stayed true to the theme of the night -- humorous barbs. He joked about business tycoon Donald Trump, whom the president kidded at last year's dinner about pushing the president to release his long-form birth certificate.
"We gather during a historic anniversary. This weekend last year, we finally delivered justice to one of the world's most notorious individuals," Obama said to a packed ballroom at the Washington Hilton.
A photo of Trump was shown, rather than that of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Obama then went back even further in time.
"Four years ago, I was in a brutal primary battle with Hillary Clinton," Obama said. "Four years later, she won't stop drunk texting me from Cartagena," a reference to the city where Secret Service agents allegedly consorted with prostitutes.
The president also took aim at the scandal, itself: "I had a lot more material prepared, but I have to get the Secret Service home in time for their new curfew."
Obama, speaking before comedian Jimmy Kimmel, made light of a General Services Adminstration conference in Las Vegas that cost more than $800,000.
"Look at this party. We have men in tuxes, women in gowns, fine wine, first-class entertainment. I was relieved to hear it was not a GSA conference," Obama quipped.
He even chided Kimmel, star of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
"Jimmy got his start on the 'Man Show.' In Washington, that is what we call a congressional hearing on contraception."
Kimmel, who took the stage following the president's monologue, hit back.
"Remember when the country rallied around you in the hopes of a better tomorrow?" Kimmel asked. "That was hilarious."
Kimmel said there was a term for "guys like the president," and it wasn't two terms.
He said he told the Secret Service that for $800, he would stay away from jokes about the scandal.
"But they only offered $30," he said.
Nobody in the room was safe from Kimmel's barbs, which he fired at politicians, journalists, celebrities and corporate executives in attendance.
Kimmel praised Michelle Obama's work to combat obesity with her health initiative. The comedian then pointed out rotund New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to the first lady.
"Look, it's Chris Christie. Get him," Kimmel said.
Kimmel then took aim at Gingrich's weight. But Kimmel's fat jokes fell, well, flat with the former House speaker.
China: Why China's Investments Aren't a Threat
Such statements create three lasting impressions. One, that China is one of the world's biggest overseas investors. Two, that, among the emerging economies, it is the largest foreign investor. Three, that China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) extends all across the world.
However, none of these impressions can be substantiated by data.
Take the notion that China invests abroad more than any other country does. According to the United Nations' World Investment Report 2011 (PDF), China and Hong Kong weren't among the top three foreign investors in 2010. They were only No. 4 and No. 5 respectively — well behind the U.S., France, and Germany. In fact, China's OFDI stock was only 6% that of the U.S. If Chinese companies could buy up the world with that amount of capital, American companies would be able to do so 16 times over.
There's also a widespread perception that China must be the largest foreign investor among the emerging economies. That's not the case, according to UN data. China's stock of OFDI, at 1.46% of the worldwide total, is three times India's 0.45%, and ahead of Brazil's 0.89%. However, Russia has invested more abroad (2.12%) than China has. Yet, nobody worries any more that Russia is taking over the world.
Finally, Chinese companies haven't invested in countries all over the world. Hong Kong accounted for 66.94% of China's OFDI stock while the rest of Asia received 8.55%. Significant round tripping of capital — which flows from China to Hong Kong, and then, back to China — has taken place in order to take advantage of Chinese regulations that favor "foreign" capital.
In addition, of the 12.45% of China's OFDI stock that Chinese corporations invested in Latin America and the Caribbean, tax havens like the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands absorbed 11.65%. As Beijing's control of Hong Kong intensifies, it's likely that the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands are increasingly assuming the role that Hong Kong has played in facilitating capital round tripping.
China's investments in Europe (3.53%), North America (2.11%), and Oceania (2.61%) were relatively small while Africa accounted for just 3.80% of China's OFDI as of 2009. Thus, the world outside Hong Kong accounts for just about a third of China's stock of OFDI, which represents 1.46% of the worldwide stock of OFDI.
Do a little math, and you will see that Chinese companies have invested a mere 0.031% of its worldwide stock of OFDI in North America. In dollar terms, that's about $6.3 billion. (That's the stock of China's OFDI in the U.S., meaning the accumulation of all such investments over the years.) By way of comparison, the revenues of the smallest U.S. company on the Fortune Global 500, Bristol-Myers Squibb (No. 500), was $19 billion in 2010. China's OFDI in North America, while emerging and increasing, is insignificant today.
Because of its small scale and limited geographic scope, China's foreign investments don't threaten any country. Policymakers the world over would do well to consider both the pros and cons, and when the economic benefits outweigh the costs, to approve Chinese investments — just as they would in the case of investments from other countries. When unemployment is high and jobs are hard to come by, turning away investments from the economy with the largest foreign exchange reserves in the world doesn't make much sense.
Chinese Investment in US Clean Energy
Chinese investment in clean energy in the United States is still small, but its growth may offer benefits for American businesses and US-China relatons.
by Linden J. Ellis, Devin Kleinfield-Hayes, and Jennifer L. TurnerThe seven bilateral clean energy agreements signed by PRC President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama in the fall of 2009 focused on renewable energy, advanced coal technology, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and many other technologies to promote lower carbon growth. These agreements have propelled numerous public and private sector collaborations, such as Duke Energy Corp. and China-based ENN Group's solar power, smart grid, and energy efficiency projects. But these agreements and new business partnerships have been downplayed as the United States and China have grappled with how to properly compete in the clean energy sector. Strikingly, clean energy was barely mentioned during PRC Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States in February.
Quick Glance
- Chinese investment currently makes up a small but fast-growing portion of clean energy projects in the United States.
- Some Chinese companies have established local manufacturing in the United States to address US regulators' concerns about job creation.
- Some local governments in the United States have encouraged Chinese investment in clean energy by offering supportive policies such as tax credits.
Recent deals made between US and Chinese companies indicate it should be possible. In early 2012, new clean energy deals targeted manufacturing in the United States. For example, Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., Ltd. agreed in February to purchase materials from E.I. du Pont deNemours and Co. to produce photovoltaic (PV) panels. EmberClear Corp. and China's Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute agreed to build a coal-to-gas plant that could create more than 1,000 jobs, according to the two companies. And China's Wanxiang (USA) Holdings Corp. invested $420 million in Massachusetts-based GreatPoint Energy to develop technology that converts coal to gas.
Although the costs of wind and solar power have significantly dropped, the US clean energy industry is still in its infancy and many companies are not able to stand on their own without government support. The collapse of Solyndra, Inc. in 2011, which had received $535 million in federal loan guarantees, has made domestic investors and the US government wary of the entire industry. In stark contrast, Chinese policymakers and investors have been pushing ahead on clean energy, both at home—with an ambitious new five-year strategy—and in foreign markets.
China: will begin construction on more than 60 key hydropower projects.
Source: China Energy News Net
http://green.news.qq.com/a/20110830/000907.htm
http://green.news.qq.com/a/20110830/000907.htm
Construction will finish by the end of 2015 on eight large hydropower zones, each comprising several hydroelectric plants and each producing tens of millions of kilowatts. By then, the national production of hydroelectricity will reach 910 billion kilowatt-hours, according to a report on xinhua.com. An authoritative source reveals that in the coming 12th Five-year Plan of Renewable Energy Resources, hydropower will be the most prioritized source of renewable energy. During the 12th Five-year Plan period, China will begin construction on more than 60 key hydropower projects.
Previously the market expectation predicted six major hydropower zones, but the goal has now increased to eight. Analysts say that the process of authorizing hydropower projects has accelerated since the beginning of this year. This Five-year Plan clearly emphasizes hydropower projects as a goal, and this emphasis will comprehensively speed up the activation procedure for such projects and bring about a turning point for the industry.
Construction to begin on over 60 hydropower projects in five years
The above mentioned source indicated that the next five years will see construction start on major hydropower zones on the Jinsha River, the Yalong River, the Dadu River, the Lancang River, the Nujiang River, the upper main strem of the Yellow River, the Zangbo River in Tibet and one other river.
It is expected that during the 12th Five-year Plan period, the country’s hydroelectric production will reach about 87.5 million kilowatts. Within the large hydropower zones, the plants operating on main stem rivers that will go into operation are Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, Jinping, Nuozadu, etc. They are expected to produce about 52 million kilowatts. Sichuan, Yunnan and other provinces in China will see about 35.5 million kilowatts generated by their hydroelectric plants on tributary rivers. By the end of 2015, the net estimated installed capacity of these plants is expected to reach about 284 million kilowatts. If this estimation is realized, China will be exploiting 71% of its available hydroelectric power: 100% of that from eastern and central China and about 54% of the available hydroelectric power in west China.
The development of pumped-storage hydroelectric plants will accelerate. A few days ago, the Energy Department issued a statement requesting a moderate acceleration in the construction of pumped-storage hydroelectric plants.
According to Zhang Boting, the Assistant Secretary General of the Chinese Society of Hydroelectric Engineering, the 12th Five-year Plan has adjusted the construction goal of pumped-storage hydroelectric plants from 50 to 80 million kilowatts.
Translator: Wang Wen
Proofreader: Madelyn Finucane
Proofreader: Madelyn Finucane
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