9 Ways to Make Your Boss Like You Immediately - TIME

9 Ways to Make Your Boss Like You Immediately Posted: 13 Nov 2017 01:06 PM PST Your goal as an employee should be to make your boss’ life easier. If you can help your manager look good to their manager, you’re in good shape. It’s simple logic; it’s less simple to put into action. To help you out, we’ve rounded up nine ways you can take the hard stuff off your boss’ plate — starting today. Read on to find out how you can quickly become a star in your boss’ estimation. Send your boss an email recapping what you’ve accomplished this week National workplace expert Lynn Taylor previously told Business Insider that when you start a new job, you should ask your boss how often they’d like you to check in. But you should still err on the side of over-communicating, so they know exactly what you’re working on and how much you’ve accomplished. In fact, Eric Barker, author of “Barking Up the Wrong Tree,” recommends that you send your boss an email every week that sums up what you’ve accomplished. If your boss asks for feedback, give it to them — politely Kim Scott, a former Google and Apple exec and the author of “Radical Candor,” recommends that every manager ask their team for feedback on a regular basis. She told Business Insider it’s so important to get an honest answer that managers should sit in silence for six seconds until their employee comes up with something. If you want to make your boss’ life easier, don’t make them wait in silence. Think of an area where they can improve and offer some constructive criticism. Read More: 33 things you should never say to your boss Be open about your professional ambitions with your boss According to Toni Thompson, the head of human resources and talent at The Muse, one of the best ways to get ahead in your career is to “make sure that they [your boss] know what salary you want eventually and the title you want or more opportunities that you want.” This has obvious benefits for you — you probably won’t get the promotion or compensation you’d like if your boss doesn’t know you want it. But it also helps your boss, so they don’t have to guess which roles or challenges you want to take on, and so they can build the best team possible. Ask your boss how you can help with key projectsYou can make a good impression on your boss and coworkers if you offer to lend a hand with important assignments — even if those assignments don’t fall directly within your purview. As Taylor previously told Business Insider, “Your reputation as a team player will quickly spread — just make sure you’re being genuine about it and not taking on more than you can handle.” Show interest in your boss’ life outside of work Writing at LearnVest, Celia Shatzman says you should make a habit of asking your boss about their weekend. Even better, try to mention something specific — for example, “How was your daughter’s school play?” As Jodi Glickman, author of “Great on the Job: What to Say, How to Say It: The Secrets of Getting Ahead,” told LearnVest, “It gives you an opportunity to start building a personal relationship and connect on a non-work level.” Ask for your boss’ advice on something 2015 research from Harvard Business School suggests that asking for advice can make you seem more competent. In one experiment, 170 university students worked on a series of computer tasks and were told they would be matched with a partner who would complete the same tasks. (The partner was really a computer simulation.) When they’d finished the tasks, the “partner” either said, “I hope it went well” or “I hope it went well. Do you have any advice?” As it turns out, students who’d been asked for advice rated their “partner” more competent than those who hadn’t been asked for advice. Interestingly, it’s generally better to ask for your boss’ advice than their opinion. As psychologist Robert Cialdini previously told Business Insider, asking for advice creates a partnership between you and your boss and encourages them to be more supportive of your idea. On the other hand, when you ask for their opinion, they take a step back and become more of an objective evaluator. Read More: 13 times bosses mocked new technology and got it wrong Get to work early Research from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington suggests that employees who get into the office early are generally perceived by their managers as more conscientious and receive higher performance ratings than employees who arrive later.And it doesn’t matter if those who get in later stay later, too. In the Harvard Business Review, the paper authors write: “[I]n three separate studies, we found evidence of a natural stereotype at work: Compared to people who choose to work earlier in the day, people who choose to work later in the day are implicitly assumed to be less conscientious and less effective in their jobs.” The one caveat? If your boss is a night owl, they probably won’t judge you as harshly for showing up on the later side. Thank your boss when they give you feedback Expressing gratitude for your boss’ feedback — even if it’s negative — can make them act nicer toward you, according to a 2011 study from the University of Southern California.In one experiment, about 200 undergrads were told that they had been assigned a partner and were supposed to review a draft of instructions the partner had written about how to assemble parts of equipment. (In reality, there was no partner and the instructions had been written by the experimenter.) Some participants were told they were the supervisor in this relationship; others were told they were the subordinate. In addition, all participants took a pretend test of their abilities and some were told they weren’t that competent. When the experimenter returned notes from the “partners,” some said, “I just wanted to let you know that I received your feedback on my draft.” Others said the same thing, along with, “Thank you so much! I am really grateful.” As it turns out, participants in the supervisor position who’d been told they weren’t that competent were nicer when their partners were grateful. When their partners weren’t grateful, the supervisors whose competence had been threatened were more likely to respond by denigrating those partners, saying they were unintelligent, incapable, and incompetent. You might say gratitude prevented the threatened supervisors from acting like jerks. Read More: 8 ways you aren’t impressing your boss Be upfront about problems — and be ready with solutions Mark Cuban has said that he likes to get regular updates from employees and entrepreneurs. But everyone who works for him knows when they email him, they should deliver the bad news first.He told Arianna Huffington: “Let me try to help you in any way I can and then let me move on to the next one.” That said, it’s never wise to present a problem and leave it hanging there. Always come prepared with potential solutions. As Weebly CFO Kim Jabal previously told Business Insider, you should say something like: “We have a huge opportunity to fix something that has gone wrong. Here are a few ideas. I’d love your input.” This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com

I Negotiate Major Deals for Chance the Rapper, Foo Fighters and More. Here Are My 3 Tips for Getting What You Want Posted: 13 Nov 2017 07:45 AM PST As a music industry veteran of almost 25 years, including the last 13 as president of my own company MAC Presents, I’ve negotiated over a hundred multi-faceted deals on behalf of brands including Citi, AT&T, Microsoft, Samsung and Southwest as well as for high profile artists like Chance the Rapper, Foo Fighters, Keith Urban, Khalid and the Rolling Stones. Over the years, I’ve acquired a lot of tips that I’ve been able to apply to my personal life as well. Whether it’s a job interview, applying for insurance or just haggling over a cable bill, negotiations can be intimidating. But understanding the value that you bring to the table can unlock tremendous leverage, and help revive an otherwise dead-end conversation. Know Your Worth — and Know How to Sell It There’s nothing more off-putting in a business dealing than desperation. To maintain an upper hand, always walk into a negotiation with a keen sense of your unique skillset and importance to a potential employer or client’s business. Otherwise you could adversely impact your final terms, and end up taking a deal that significantly undervalues your worth. If a partnership is really meant to happen, both parties should be willing to fight to see it through. For example, when an employer says, “What are your salary requirements?” always quote them a number that’s at least 10% higher than your current salary. Otherwise you’ll start your negotiation at a potential deficit and you may not be able to regain leverage once you’ve shown your hand. This protects your worth, and helps you walk away from the wrong opportunity. Always Reject the First Offer Accepting an offer at face value can often dictate the difference between a transaction and a partnership — or in the case of employment, the difference between a job and a career. Earlier this year, I was working with Forever 21 on behalf of one of our artist clients, singer-songwriter Khalid. He had just released his debut album American Teen and I felt it spoke perfectly to Forever 21’s target audience. Without the aid of a Top 40 single at the time, the album debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 album chart in its first week, giving him a strong buzz that we knew would only continue to soar throughout the year. Initially, Forever 21 wanted to partner with us and Khalid on a program that would make him the digital face of the brand’s summer men’s collection, leveraging the brand’s 10 million+ e-mail subscribers and website. While that offer would have given Khalid tremendous exposure at a crucial time when he needed to build his brand and awareness to sell tickets to his first major headline tour and launch his next single, it felt like we were only scratching the surface of what we could do together. Through a series of negotiations, we were able to secure Khalid the first-ever artist ambassador deal for two consecutive collections — men’s summer and fall. It was part of a larger partnership that now included in-store signage, a fan event in Los Angeles featuring a special performance, multiple social-media takeovers, digital video billboards in highly visible locations like New York’s Times Square, and additional revenue streams for Khalid through the sale of exclusive merchandise. By convincing Forever 21 to more than double their initial budgets and make their dollars work harder, Khalid was able to harness the exposure to graduate to the next level as a touring artist — his American Teenheadline tour sold out in days. How “No” Now Can Mean “Yes” Down the Line Almost every deal that I have worked on during my 20-year career in the industry has started with a “no” and I’ve had to turn that into a “yes” by figuring out what both sides want and define as a “win.” A lot of times I say I work on behalf of the deal – if both sides aren’t happy then there is no deal. And this goes for everyday opportunities, too. If a potential employer turns down your initial salary requirements or your employment package, don’t back down from your baseline needs. Once they realize that you’re the best fit for the position, don’t be surprised if they come back around. If you’re not willing to fight for your value, why should anyone else? Marcie Allen is president and founder of MAC Presents, a New York-based music sponsorship and experiential agency.

China bond yields fall after PBoC liquidity boost - Financial Times

China bond yields fall after PBoC liquidity boost

Cash injection drives down 10-year benchmark from three-year high

Don Weinland in Hong Kong and Yuan Yang in Beijing

China’s central bank injected the largest amount of reserves since January into the financial system on Thursday, a move that stemmed recent weakness in government bond prices that has driven the 10-year benchmark yield to its highest level since late 2014.

Bond market concerns have intensified this past week as China’s policymakers reiterated their determination to reduce the economy’s reliance on debt-fuelled growth. Jitters have been accompanied by global investors cutting their exposure across emerging markets, with notable swings seen in prices for commodities such as metals and oil.

China’s benchmark 10-year yield has steadily climbed from 3.60 per cent since late September to above 4 per cent this week, a level not seen for three years. The yield eased to 3.98 per cent late on Thursday from an intraday day peak of 4.015 per cent after the People’s Bank of China injected Rmb310bn ($47bn) into the financial system.

The Short View Jennifer Hughes

China must learn to let go of its currency

While the liquidity boost was aimed at calming the market, analysts said the PBoC had no clear target and that yields could rise beyond 4 per cent again without furthe

“They don’t want the market to panic but I don’t think they have a set target,” said Zhou Hao, senior emerging markets economist at Commerzbank in Singapore.

Last month, during the Communist party congress, Zhou Xiaochuan, the outgoing PBoC governor, bluntly highlighted the risks from excessive debt and speculative investment facing the country.

Loose monetary conditions in China have helped keep bond yields artificially low as liquidity — often in the form of stimulus intended to support the economy — has flowed into financial market.

That trend has masked concerns over the build-up of bad debt and a slowdown in China’s economy. Only as the central banks has held off on adding liquidity to the system have those fears been priced in.

“There should be a credit-risk premium but yields have been distorted by all the liquidity,” said Kevin Lai, chief economist for Asia ex-Japan at Daiwa Capital Markets in Hong Kong. “This year they have stopped the liquidity and the bond market is only now catching up with reality.”

Yields remained steady during the party congress in October as banks, mutual funds and other state-backed institutions — often referred to as the “national team” for their role in stabilising the market — continued to buy sovereign debt.

Some of that activity has recently tapered following signals that the government planned to rein in credit growth.

“Investors, in particular mutual funds which have become the second-largest buyer of China’s government bonds, had previously bought sovereign debt because they had assumed the government would loosen [credit] in the fourth quarter in order to achieve the GDP growth target,” said Jonas Short, Beijing head of Sun Kai Hung Financial, an investment bank. “But the realisation that in fact there will be no loosening whatsoever has triggered the sell-off.”

Trump Should Be 'Sentenced To Death' For Insulting Kim: North Korea - Washington Post

Trump Should Be 'Sentenced To Death' For Insulting Kim: North Korea

Rodong Sinmun, a mouthpiece for Kim's Workers Party of Korea, took aim at President Trump, who focused on trade and efforts to halt North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

World | © 2017 The Washington Post | Amanda Erickson, The Washington Post | Updated: November 16, 2017

The ever-escalating war of words between the United States and North Korea got dialed up to 11 on Wednesday, when an editorial in a state-run newspaper called President Donald Trump a coward who deserved the death penalty.

Rodong Sinmun, a mouthpiece for Kim's Workers Party of Korea, took aim at President Trump, who recently returned from a five-country tour of Asia. While abroad, Trump focused on trade and efforts to halt North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

"The worst crime for which he can never be pardoned is that he dared [to] malignantly hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership," the editorial said, according to AFP. "He should know that he is just a hideous criminal sentenced to death by the Korean people."

The editorial also mocked Trump for skipping a visit to the DMZ, a four-mile long zone that divides North and South Korea. Most senior American officials who stop in South Korea spend at least a couple of hours there. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited in March (a North Korean soldier even snapped a selfie); Vice President Mike Pence paid a visit in April.

Trump was scheduled to visit the DMZ. But the helicopter he was riding in had to turn back after five minutes, because of inclement weather. The Rodong Sinmun newspaper denounced this excuse as bogus. "It wasn't the weather," the editorial said. "He was just too scared to face the glaring eyes of our troops."

While in Asia, President Trump spoke about North Korea on several occasions. In a speech to South Korean lawmakers in Seoul, he denounced the North's "cruel dictatorship." "America does not seek conflict or confrontation. But we will never run from it," President Trump said. "History is filled with discarded regimes that have foolishly tested America's resolve. Anyone who doubts the strength or determination of the United States should look to our past, and you will doubt it no longer."

In response, North Korea state media agency KCNA called Trump a "lunatic old man" "lost to sense." The outlet also urged Americans to oust Trump, and suggested that he had "begged for nuclear war."

Days later, Trump struck back, tweeting "Why would Kim Jong-Un insult me by calling me 'old,' when I would NEVER call him 'short and fat'?" But the American president also suggested that he and Kim might be friends some day.

"I try so hard to be his friend," Trump tweeted. "Maybe someday that will happen!"

Sen. Ron Johnson says he wants to fix the GOP tax bill so he can change his 'no' vote to a 'yes' - CNBC News

Sen. Ron Johnson says he wants to fix the GOP tax bill so he can change his 'no' vote to a 'yes'

"In the current form, I wouldn't vote for it," the Wisconsin lawmaker says.

But he says he's trying to make changes to the Senate tax reform measure so he can support it.

Johnson, a former small business owner, said he's particularly concerned about the pass-through rate.

Berkeley Lovelace Jr.

Thu, 16 Nov 2017

Senator Ron Johnson

Cameron Costa | CNBC

Senator Ron Johnson

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson told CNBC on Thursday he wants to fix the GOP tax reform bill so he can support it.

Johnson said on Wednesday he would oppose the current Senate GOP tax reform bill, the first Republican to explicitly say he would not back the plan.

"In the current form, I wouldn't vote for it," Johnson reiterated on "Squawk Box." He serves on the on Budget, Foreign Relations, and Commerce committees. He's also chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. "It's not a real good process," the Wisconsin lawmaker said. "The House is voting on their today. We're going to be voting on ours right after Thanksgiving."

Johnson said he's been working for months behind the scenes to make changes, but he added that he's not going to let his "version of perfect" sink tax reform. "I want to get this thing fixed, and vote for pro-growth tax reform that makes all American businesses competitive globally," he explained. "I care deeply about this country, I care deeply about this deficit."

As a former small business owner himself, Johnson said he's particularly concerned about the so-called pass through rate, which is named as such because the profits and losses of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S-corporations "pass through" to their owners who are then taxed at individual income-tax rates, currently as high as 39.6 percent.

"We can't leave anybody behind, which is why they came up with the 25 rate for pass throughs," he said. "The problem is, neither the House or the Senate version really honored that commitment to pass-through businesses, which I argue are a huge engine of economic growth."

Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Bob Corker of Tennessee, and John McCain of Arizona have also voiced concerns. They refused to say whether they would ultimately vote for the bill.

Republicans hold only a two-seat majority in the Senate, so the GOP has little margin for defections because Democrats are uniformly opposed to the plan.

The Senate's tax plan, unveiled last week, includes cutting the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent and making broad tweaks to the individual tax system.

— Reuters contributed to this report.

Angelina Jolie addresses Hollywood sexual abuse in powerful UN speech - Independent

Angelina Jolie addresses Hollywood sexual abuse in powerful UN speech

The actor's keynote speech for the U.N. Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial Conference called on global leaders to take better action against sexual violence

Clarisse Loughrey

Angelina Jolie has made a powerful, sweeping call to combat sexual violence around the world.

"Sexual violence is everywhere - in the industry where I work, in business, in universities, in politics, in the military, and across the world," she said during her keynote address to the U.N. Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial Conference in Vancouver on Wednesday.

The actor is one of many women who came forward with accusations against Harvey Weinstein. She alleged to The New York Times that she had a bad experience with the producer in her youth, during the release of Playing by Heart in the late 1990s. She said Weinstein made unwanted advances on her in a hotel room, which she rejected.

What Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie said about Harvey Weinstein

Jolie and Paltrow say Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed them

Angelina Jolie 'offered to act as bait' to capture war lord Kony

As a result, she "chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did," she said in an e-mail to the Times. "This behaviour towards women in any field, any country is unacceptable."

A representative for Weinstein said in a statement, "Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein. Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances."

"All too often, these kinds of crimes against women are laughed off, depicted as a minor offence by someone who cannot control themselves, as an illness, or as some kind of exaggerated sexual need," Jolie stated in her keynote speech. "But a man who mistreats women is not oversexed. He is abusive."

Jolie has dedicated herself to the fight to end sexual violence, acting as a Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Her speech called for sexual violence to be recognised around the world as a weapon and "a critical obstacle to achieving women's equality and our full human rights."

"It is cheaper than a bullet, and it has lasting consequences that unfold with sickening predictability that make it so cruelly effective," she continued. "This is rape and assault designed to torture, to terrorize, to force people to flee, and to humiliate them."

She criticised global leaders for failing to take decisive action; for seeing sexual violence against women as an inevitable part of conflict, instead of an issue that should be addressed when it comes to peace negotiations and punishments.

"Even if we accept that sexual violence has nothing to do with sex, that it is a crime, and that it is used as a weapon, many people still believe that it is simply not possible to do anything about it," she said. "It is hard, but it is not impossible. We have the laws, the institutions, and the expertise in gathering evidence. We are able to identify perpetrators. What is missing is the political will."

China says 'dual suspension' proposal still best for North Korea - Reuters

China says 'dual suspension' proposal still best for North Korea

Reuters Staff

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Thursday a “dual suspension” proposal to handle North Korea was still the best option, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had rejected a “freeze for freeze” agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping arrive for a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, November 9, 2017.

North Korea’s rapid progress in developing nuclear weapons and missiles has fueled a surge in regional tension and U.N.-led sanctions appear to have failed to bite deeply enough to change its behavior.

China and Russia have proposed that the United States and South Korea stop major military exercises in exchange for North Korea halting its weapons programs.

China formally calls the idea the “dual suspension” proposal.

Speaking on his return from Asia on Wednesday, Trump said he and Xi had rejected a “freeze for freeze” agreement, but it was not clear if he was referring to the “dual suspension” idea, which China’s foreign minister announced in March.

Asked how China understood Trump’s remarks, and if he agreed with Trump’s characterization of what Trump said he agreed with Xi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said only through talks that addressed all sides legitimate security concerns could there be a peaceful resolution.

“We believe that the ‘dual suspension’ proposal is the most feasible, fair and sensible plan in the present situation,” Geng told a daily news briefing.

“Not only can it relieve the present tense situation, it can also resolve all parties most pressing security concerns, and provide an opportunity and create conditions to resume talks, and find a breakthrough point to get out of trouble,” he added.

The “dual suspension” is just a first step and not the end point, Geng said.

“We hope that all sides can conscientiously treat and proactively consider China’s proposal, and at the same time we welcome relevant parties to put forward proposals that can benefit the promotion of a peaceful resolution for the peninsula nuclear issue.”

North Korea says it needs to develop its weapons to protect itself from what it sees as U.S. aggression. It sees U.S.-South Korean military exercises as preparations for invasion.

South Korea and the United States, which has about 28,000 troops in South Korea, say their exercises are “defensive in nature”.

Trump’s Corporate Tax Cuts Won’t Spur CEOs to Invest, Say CEOs - Intelligencer ( New York Magazine )

Trump’s Corporate Tax Cuts Won’t Spur CEOs to Invest, Say CEOs

By

Ed Kilgore

Gary Cohn had to be displeased by the tepid reaction of CEOs to the prospect of corporate tax cuts. Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

As you may have heard, the GOP is selling the big corporate tax cut that is the centerpiece of its tax bill as a job-producing, wage-boosting dynamo. The main piece of evidence for this dubious proposition is a recent report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers claiming that cutting corporate taxes will enormously increase capital investment, which in turn will improve GDP and eventually incomes for working people.

Since Gary Cohn is the president’s chief economic advisor, he was probably expecting validation of this point of view while attending a Wall Street Journal event for CEOs today. But he got an unpleasant surprise, as The Hill reports:

[A]n editor at The Wall Street Journal asked the room: “If the tax reform bill goes through, do you plan to increase investment — your company’s investment, capital investment?”

People were asked to raise their hand.

When few hands were raised, Cohn, the White House Economic Council director, asked: “Why aren’t the other hands up?”

If this audience isn’t convinced corporate tax cuts will do economic wonders, why would anyone expect a skeptical public–which in poll after poll opposes slashing rates for big corporations–think otherwise?

But alas, Cohn and his boss are 100% more likely to demand a different group of CEOs as a focus group than to accept changes in this central feature of its tax plan.

Zimbabwe awaits news on Mugabe's future - BBC News

Zimbabwe awaits news on Mugabe's future

Robert Mugabe: From war hero to president of Zimbabwe

Zimbabweans are waiting to see what steps the military will take next after seizing control of the country.

President Robert Mugabe under house arrest. A Roman Catholic priest known to him for years is trying to mediate a deal on his future with the military.

South African ministers have been in the capital Harare meeting the army and political parties.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc is to hold emergency talks shortly.

President Mugabe, 93, has been in control of Zimbabwe since it threw off white minority rule in 1980.

However, the power struggle over who might succeed him, between his wife Grace Mugabe and her rival, former Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has split the ruling Zanu-PF party in recent months.

Mugabe out of power after 37 years - why did the army act now?

Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe's likely successor?

Grace Mugabe: How a typist became a threat

Last week, Mr Mugabe came down in favour of his wife, sacking Mr Mnangagwa, a veteran of Zimbabwe's anti-colonial struggle and of Zanu-PF.

That proved too much for military leaders who seized control of the country on Wednesday.

What's happening with the Mugabes?

On Wednesday the office of South African President Jacob Zuma said he had spoken by phone to Mr Mugabe who had indicated "he was confined to his home but said that he was fine".

Father Fidelis Mukonori is said to be involved in negotiations between Mr Mugabe and the military.

Mr Mugabe is insisting he remains Zimbabwe's legitimate ruler and should serve out his term, and is resisting Father Mukonori's efforts to secure him a graceful exit, Reuters news agency reports.

Zanu-PF's UK representative, Nick Mangwana, has suggested to the BBC that Mr Mugabe could remain nominally in power until the party congress in December, when Mr Mnangagwa would be formally installed as party and national leader.

Grace Mugabe's whereabouts are unclear. Namibian officials have denied reports she is there.

What about Grace Mugabe's supporters?

Reports suggest that the military are now trying to quash the threat posed by Mrs Mugabe and her allies.

On Wednesday, one of her key allies, Zanu-PF youth wing leader Kudzai Chipanga, made a televised apology for criticising the head of the army as a war of words raged prior to the military takeover.

Kudzai Chipanga, head of Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF youth wing, apologises for criticising the army

Mr Chipanga is thought to be in army custody but insisted his statement was voluntary.

Local media reports say a number of other senior members of the "Generation-40" group supportive of the first lady have been detained.

They are said to include Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo and Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo.

What do the opposition parties want?

One Zimbabwean opposition leader, Tendai Biti, told the BBC he wanted to see a transitional authority in place.

"It is urgent that we go back to democracy," he said. "It is urgent that we go back to legitimacy but we need a transitional period and I think, I hope, that dialogue can now be opened between the army and Zimbabweans."

He later told Reuters that he would join a national unity government if Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T) party, was also in it. Mr Tsvangirai has been abroad receiving treatment for cancer.

What about regional groups?

Mr Biti was among those calling for the intervention of regional bodies such as the SADC, which has called an emergency meeting in Gaborone, Botswana for 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT).

He also said key regional bloc the African Union (AU) could play a role.

What are Zimbabweans being told?

Zimbabwe's media usually toe the government line and today's lead stories make it clear there is a new line to follow.

There is a striking absence of tough questions about what the army is doing.

"Business as usual countrywide," says The Herald, a government-owned newspaper. Yesterday it reassured readers there was "No military takeover".

State TV and radio stations have returned to regular programming.

Some privately owned papers dare address the possible end of Robert Mugabe's rule.

"Transitional govt planned … as Mugabe cornered," the Financial Gazette reports. "Zimbabwe scents the end of an era".

"It could easily have been entitled The end of an error. A 37-year-old error," says a similarly headlined commentary in NewsDay.

Was this a popular uprising?

Not so far, no.

There have been no reports of unrest in Zimbabwe. Correspondents say many people have accepted that President Mugabe is being eased from office. Streets in Harare are said to be quieter than usual but people are going about their business.

Media captionZimbabweans react to the news that troops have taken control

On Wednesday, troops and armoured vehicles encircled parliament and other key buildings.

Hours earlier, soldiers took over the headquarters of national broadcaster ZBC and issued a statement saying that the military was targeting "criminals" around President Mugabe.

On national TV, Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo denied there had been a coup, saying: "This is not a military takeover of government."

He said Mr Mugabe and his family were "safe and sound and their security is guaranteed".

The military insists it has not staged a coup

But despite the reassurances, the AU said the power takeover and detention of President Mugabe "seemed like a coup".