So, when the Senate and the House of Representatives agreed to end the earmarking process a few years ago, it certainly appeared to be a positive step in the direction of gaining a little control over wasteful government spending and a move towards bringing a bit of honestly to the process of government.

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Speculation had been mounting over recent weeks that the IRA was about to make another move towards putting further weapons "beyond use".

BBC: 'Substantial' arms move by IRA

Beyond the standard quick trips to summits, the inevitable ties with the United States and a military commitment in Afghanistan he inherited from his Liberal predecessor, the only hints he has given suggest a move away from Africa and towards Latin America, and a preference for bilateralism over multilateralism.

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But the US government, which helped persuade Mr Saleh to hand over power, has defended the immunity law, saying it is necessary to give the president and his supporters "confidence that their era is over and it's time for Yemen to be able to move forward towards a democratic future".

BBC: Yemen government 'amends Saleh immunity law'

But it could also be that the move towards open mobile presents new opportunities for Chinese companies to exert the control over innovation they crave.

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As we move towards a general election it remains the case that the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) is deeply divided over the question of the leadership.

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"If we pull all the levers, change teacher training... get schools that have language potential to take over under-performing schools, and we move the curriculum review in the right direction, then we can move towards the goal, " he said.

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