February 8, 2010 Nº 869 - Vol. 8
"One person with a belief is equal to the force of 99 who have only interests."
John Stuart
Insider's view: see how local concerns shape up the global world. Read the daily press review in Migalhas International
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Euro MPs shun bank data deal with US
A key committee of Euro MPs has moved to block the renewal of an agreement which allows US anti-terror officials to access Europeans' bank data. The European Parliament's civil liberties committee recommended that the full parliament reject the interim nine-month deal between the EU and US. MEPs said the deal negotiated by EU governments provided insufficient privacy safeguards. The US can access the Swift money transfer system, based in Brussels. The European Parliament plans to vote on the EU-US data agreement next Thursday. The parliament's press service says that if MEPs block it, they will be making use of a new power under the Lisbon Treaty to veto international agreements. The treaty for the first time gives MEPs real power to shape EU legislation in the area of justice and home affairs.
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MiMIC Journal
China to put duties on US chicken imports
China is to enforce anti-dumping duties on US chicken imports, accusing American poultry firms of exporting the meat at unfairly low prices. In just the latest in a series of trade disputes between the two countries, China's Commerce Department said the tariffs will start from 13 February.
As Chinese judge takes stand, court corruption goes on trial
This week's trial of the former judicial chief of Chongqing, part of the massive crackdown on organized crime in one of China's biggest cities, exposes the challenges the central government faces in its push to reform a corruption-plagued legal system. The problem of judicial corruption threatens to undermine public confidence in the legal system just as China pushes to further develop the rule of law. Foreign companies often avoid the country's court system altogether in favor of arbitration, typically conducted outside China.
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Personal insolvency hits 'record high'
The number of people who were declared insolvent in the UK hit a record high in the last quarter of 2009 and during the year in full. The figures from the Insolvency Service marked the depth of the recession, with 35,574 people declared insolvent in the last three months of the year. That was a rise of 25% on the same period a year earlier. The number of businesses going bust also rose to a new annual record in 2009, with 6,355 going under.
Obama to hold televised summit on healthcare
Obama will hold a televised, summit-style meeting to discuss healthcare reform with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. He said the discussions would aim to explore the "best ideas", "step-by-step". Obama made has made healthcare a centerpiece of his presidency but has so far failed to get a new law enacted. Senate Republic leader Mitch McConnell said "shelving" the bill would be the best way to reach consensus.
Brewers Kirin and Suntory call off merger
Japanese brewing and food groups Kirin and Suntory have called off merger negotiations. In a statement, Kirin said it was unable to agree with Suntory on ways to ensure management independence and transparency within the merged company. Suntory blamed the breakdown in talks on a disagreement over the merger ratio which would have determined control of the new business. A deal would have created one of the world's biggest food group.
Germany bending the law to catch tax evaders
Despites Switzerland's warnings against supporting criminals, Germany has dispatched tax investigators to neighboring France to buy stolen data on tax evaders with Swiss bank accounts. Tax authorities would acquire the controversial data following a payoff on the weekend in France. An unnamed informant reportedly insisted on a secret meeting outside Germany for fear of being arrested. The informant has asked for 2.5 million euros ($3.4 million) for a CD said to contain 1,500 names of German nationals who have undeclared cash in Swiss banks to avoid Germany's strict tax rules. The decision to buy the illegally-obtained information sparked a dispute in the German parliament, with some lawmakers saying Berlin should not encourage data theft while others highlighted the potential tax revenue. It has also strained relations with Switzerland, which has warned the transaction would be in breach of the law.
US DoJ objects to Google book plan
The US Department of Justice has said that it is still not satisfied with a deal that would allow search giant Google to build a vast digital library. It said the plan failed to address antitrust and copyright concerns. It echoes objections by online retailer Amazon, which has said that Google's plan to scan and distribute millions of books online could lead to a monopoly. Google were forced to amend details of the plan in 2009 after objections by the Department of Justice.
UK: law firm introduces personal injury iPhone app
"If you just can't get enough of personal injury ads on daytime TV, then Bott & Co solicitors has launched a new iPhone application designed to win compensation should you suffer a car crash or 'incident.' Would be claimants will get instant access to a personal injury solicitor if they have been involved in an accident with the 'Car Incident Assistant' application."
Pakistan to revise blasphemy laws
Pakistan will begin to revise its blasphemy laws later this year, a government official told the Agence France-Presse Sunday. Pakistan's Federal Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti said he has been speaking to various political parties in Pakistan and that his government is committed to doing away with laws that are discriminatory to minorities. Bhatti made the comments at an interview with the AFP in Washington, DC, where he met with various lawmakers and officials during the National Prayer Breakfast. Bhatti discussed a proposed change in the law that would force judges to investigate blasphemy cases before they are docketed. The proposed law would also make the punishment for a false complaint the same as a primary violation.
Federal judge allows suit against Chiquita for Colombia killings to proceed
A federal judge ruled Thursday that a lawsuit that accuses Chiquita Brands International Inc. of assisting Marxist rebels who killed Colombian missionaries may go forward. The suit was brought by family members of five North American missionaries who had worked for the New Tribes Mission (NTM) in South America and were killed in separate incidents between 1995 and 1996. Judge Kenneth Marra held that the plaintiffs had sufficiently alleged that Chiquita provided funding to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which resulted in the deaths of the missionaries. Chiquita admitted it had paid FARC for protection of its workers but it argued that it did not condone the killings. Marra rejected this defense, saying the allegations raised the inference of a conspiracy between Chiquita and FARC.
Calif. law to free inmates early draws protests
A law that took effect last month that was intended to reduce inmate overcrowding by allowing early releases at state prisons and county jails is sowing confusion throughout California. Lawmakers of both parties have called for repealing and modifying parts of the law, a county deputies' union has filed a lawsuit asking a judge to block it and a loophole was exposed after an inmate with a violent past was arrested for attempted rape just hours after his release.
UN chief unsure whether Israeli, Palestinian war crimes reports meet UN mandate
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said Thursday that it is unclear whether Israel and Palestine have fully met UN demands to set up a commission to investigate war crimes that may occurred during the Gaza conflict. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in November giving Israel and Palestine three months to complete an investigation into war crimes allegations. In a press briefing before Ban's report to the General Assembly, a UN spokesperson said that the secretary-general has received reports from both the Israeli and Palestinian governments, but he is unsure about whether they fully comply with the UN resolution. Ban's report to the general assembly is expected to be released after UN member states first receive a copy.
Dutch court rules it has jurisdiction to try politician over anti-Islam statements
An Amsterdam trial court ruled Wednesday that it has jurisdiction to try right-wing politician Geert Wilders for statements against Islam. The court rejected Wilders's claim that he should be tried by the Supreme Court as a member of parliament, finding that Wilders's alleged crime was committed outside his capacity as an MP. The court also rejected all but three of the 18 witnesses Wilders had planned to call. The court will hear the three remaining witnesses, all of whom are experts on Islam, without the jury present. Wilders had hoped to defend his criticisms of Islam and show its dangers by calling to the stand Islamic extremists including Muhammed Bouyeri, who is currently serving a sentence of life imprisonment for murdering Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh. Wilders's trial is expected to begin June 1.
Time
Man of War. Robert Gates: The Survivor. A trusted aide to six Presidents, Robert Gates is the most powerful Defense Secretary in a generation. But what is the Republican at the head of Obama's war room fighting for?
Newsweek
Layoffs are bad for business. Lay Off the Layoffs. Our overreliance on downsizing is killing workers, the economy—and even the bottom line.
Business Week
AT&T’s iProblem. AT&T's iPhone Mess. The iPhone has swamped AT&T's data network and sparked a consumer rebellion. What can Ma Bell do?
The Economist
Facing up to China. Making room for a new superpower should not be confused with giving way to it.
Le Nouvel Observateur
Les diplômes qui donnent du travail. Métier par métier, « le Nouvel Observateur» a enquêté sur les formations qui permettent de s'insérer dans la vie professionnelle. Pour affiner vos choix, notre cédérom «la Cote des diplômes 2010» passe au crible l'ensemble des filières de l'enseignement supérieur
Der Spiegel
Die Scheinheiligen - Die katholische Kirche und der Sex.
Thousands to lose jobs as universities prepare for cuts
The Guardian, Liberal daily, London, England
Iran to build new uranium plants
The Irish Times, Centrist daily, Dublin, Ireland
Putin Warns United Russia to Hear the People
The Moscow Times, Independent daily, Moscow, Russia
MPs' expenses: Labour MPs charged with false accounting try to claim immunity
The Telegraph, Conservative daily, London, England
Texts to Greece saves tourist in New Zealand
Times Online, Conservative daily, London, England
Reshuffle may disadvantage Yudhoyono's government: observer
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
10th Seoul International Financial Forum Kicks Off
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
Militants strike army camp in Khyber Agency
Dawn, English-language daily, Karachi, Pakistan
Wheat stock quotes decrease
Gazeta.kz, Official online newspaper
Ruchika case: Rathore attacked outside court
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
Delhi doc's rape: HC upholds conviction
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Ministers need longer terms to build international presence: Kan
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Selangor's palace first to receive ISO cert
Malaysian Star, Online news portal, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
US student, 12, arrested for doodling
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Inter-Korean tour talks to be held on Monday as scheduled: S Korean gov't
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Jessica Alba's doppleganger distress
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Hostile groups operating from across the border: Manmohan
The Hindu, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Euro fears to weigh on HSI
The Standard, Business daily, Hong Kong
STABBED TO DEATH
Antigua Sun Online, Independent daily, St. John's, Antigua
Buju Banton held in Miami on cocaine charges
Caribbean News Portal, Online news aggregator
IMF says yes to Jamaica loan
Caribbean360, Online news portal, St. Michael, Barbados
Cayman Islands in the foreign press
Cayman Net News, Online news portal, George Town, Cayman Islands
IDB lends US$100 M for 10-year education plan in Dominican Republic
Dominican Today, Independent daily, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
MIGRATION: Lost in the Desert? There's an App for That
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Show me the money! - Golding calls for audit of Haiti relief funds - Jamaicans to stay till March 5
Jamaica Gleaner, Independent daily, Kingston, Jamaica
Lima, Peru: Pictures from Pisco Sour Day
Living in Peru, News portal, Lima, Peru
Smitherman is game to campaign
The Globe and Mail, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Saints march back to win Super Bowl
Toronto Star, Liberal daily, Toronto, Canada
Stop pollution of mangrove swamp
Trinidad Guardian, Independent daily, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Ethiopian jet 'black box' retrieved
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Ugandan rebels kill 100 civilians in north-eastern DR Congo, UN reports
CongoPlanet.com, Independent online news aggregator
An ode to grandparents...
Daily Nation, Independent daily, Nairobi, Kenya
NALAG should fulfil development aspirations of the people- Mr Aidoo Mensah
GhanaWeb, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
'Snowmageddon' strikes US
iafrica, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
Drive without a licence, says judge
Independent Online, News portal, Cape Town, South Africa
Tirunesh wins again at Boston Games
Jimma Times, Online news portal, Jimma, Ethiopia
Last hurrah for the Super 14
Mail & Guardian Online, Liberal, Johannesburg, South Africa
Zuma 'should be forgiven'
News24.com, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
NAFDAC arraigns Kano-based bizman for fake drugs
Vanguard, Independent daily, Lagos, Nigeria
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