June 21, 2010 Nº 921 - Vol. 8
"Only the guy who isn't rowing has time to rock the boat."
Jean-Paul Sartre
Insider's view: see how local concerns shape up the global world. Read the daily press review in Migalhas International
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UN releases report detailing impact of global organized crime
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Thursday released a report detailing the globalization of organized crime and its threat to international security. The report specifically addressed the global economic impact of human and drug trafficking, sale of illicit firearms, piracy, identity theft and the illegal exploitation of natural resources. The report found that while countries such as Afghanistan and Colombia supply the majority of the world's illegal drugs, the profits from the drugs are primarily found in the countries where the drugs are being sold. Human trafficking is reported to generate a profit of USD $3 billion, with 140,000 victims being exploited in Europe alone. Piracy has reportedly doubled over the past year resulting in an annual income of US $100 million, the majority of which goes to organized crime. Antonio Maria Costa, head of the UNODC, announced the findings to a special meeting of the UN General Assembly and warned of its possible implications, stating: “Today, the criminal market spans the planet: illicit goods are sourced from one continent, trafficked across another and marketed in a third. Transnational crime has become a threat to peace and development, even to the sovereignty of nations. Criminals use weapons and violence, but also money and bribes to buy elections, politicians and power - even the military.”
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Crumbs
1 - Nobel-winning author Jose Saramago dies at 87 (Click here)
2 - Citigroup looking past volcker may seek $3 billion for funds (Click here)
3 - Obama urges G20 nations to maintain stimulus (Click here)
4 - World Bank says China's economy slowing as stimulus money runs out (Click here)
5 - Danone targets dairy growth with Russia deal (Click here)
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MiMIC Journal
US welcomes China's move towards flexible yuan
Obama has welcomed China's announcement that it will allow the exchange rate of its currency, the yuan, to become more flexible. He called it a "constructive step", saying it would help boost the global recovery. US politicians have long argued that the yuan is undervalued, giving China an unfair trade advantage. But China's central bank ruled out a one-off revaluation, saying there was no basis for any big appreciation. That confused the outlook for markets and prompted scepticism that China's actions would match its words. The issue is expected to be raised at a summit of the G20 group of industrial and developing countries next week.
As China aids labor, unrest is still rising
Chinese workers are much more willing these days to defend their rights and demand higher wages, encouraged by recent policies from the central government aimed at protecting laborers and closing the income gap. Chinese leaders dread even the hint of Solidarity-style labor activism. But they have moved to empower workers by pushing through labor laws that signaled that central authorities would no longer tolerate poor workplace conditions, legal scholars and Chinese labor experts say. The laws, enacted in 2008, were intended to channel worker frustrations through a system of arbitration and courts so no broader protest movements would threaten political stability. But if recent strikes and a surge in arbitration and court cases reflect a rising worker consciousness partly rooted in awareness of greater legal rights, they also underscore new challenges in China. The labor laws have raised expectations, but still leave workers relatively powerless by Western standards. The Communist Party-run legal system cannot cope with the exploding volume of labor disputes. And legal enforcement by local officials loosened when the global economic crisis hit China and resulted in factory shutdowns. If the expected revaluation of the renminbi, the Chinese currency, makes exports less competitive, then local officials and mainland companies may collude to ignore laws and ensure that labor costs stay low. "It's not enough simply to rely on laws," said Liu Kaiming, the head of the Institute of Contemporary Observation, a labor advocacy organization in Shenzhen. "Laws only provide the bare minimum required." Weaknesses include the fact that Chinese workers still do not have the right to form unions independent of the one controlled by the government. The Labor Contract Law enacted in January 2008 tries to guarantee contracts for all full-time employees, but leaves many details vague. Another law enacted in May 2008 helped streamline the system of arbitration and lawsuits, but civil courts and arbitration committees, which are made up of government employees, have been overwhelmed by a flood of cases. Meanwhile, because of lax enforcement, companies dodge other labor laws by cheating on minimum wage requirements and overtime pay.
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Death by Twitter
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff composition was no ordinary post on Twitter: "I just gave the go ahead to Corrections Director to proceed with Gardner's execution. May God grant him the mercy he denied his victims." The message would have been seen by the 7,000 or so users who "follow" Shurtleff on Twitter. But thanks to the exponential way in which messages are spread on Twitter - being "retweeted" by those who find them interesting - the Utah politician's words soon found their way to a wider audience. In all Mark Shurtleff sent three tweets around the time that a five-man firing squad put Gardner to death. These Tweet served a purpose more recognizable to regular users of the service: self-publicity. Is using Twitter to announce the execution of a man just an extension of public service.? Shurtleff was doing nothing unusual: politicians and news organisations now routinely send out tweets to alert people to the latest developments.
BP rejects oil drill partner's 'negligence' claim
BP has denied claims by one of its partners that its handling of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill amounted to "gross negligence". James Hackett, chief executive of Anadarko Petroleum, said it was considering "contractual remedies" for what the company has described as BP's "gross negligence or wilful misconduct" over the spill. Anadarko, the largest independent oil and gas company operating in the Gulf, owns 25% of the well. BP said it "strongly disagrees" with Anadarko Petroleum.
In India, surrogacy not for married couples only
Single men, women and even gays and lesbians could soon get the legal sanction to have children using surrogate mothers. The draft Bill legaliszng surrogacy in India — the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Bill 2010 — has provided for single parenthood by allowing "unmarried couples" and "single persons" from India and abroad to have children using ART procedure and surrogate mothers. The Bill, with potential to rewrite the social landscape, may be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament if the Union Cabinet clears it. By conferring the right to have children on unmarried couples and single persons, the Bill attempts to achieve several historic feats — legalizing commercial surrogacy, single parenthood, live-in relationships and entitling even gays and lesbians to start families using surrogate mothers — at one go.
Law bill to stop leeching lawyers
More Victorians (Australia) may be able to launch legal action under reforms to reduce court costs and foster pre-trial settlements outlined recently. Compulsory pre-trial conferences for all parties to a dispute and time limits on barristers are among moves, which might level the legal playing field for ordinary Victorians. ''The current cost of litigation has reached a point where access to the civil courts is beyond the reach of most Victorians.''
Santos wins Colombian presidency
Government candidate Juan Manuel Santos wins convincingly in the final round of Colombia's presidential elections.
Russia to drop capital gains tax to attract investment
Russia will scrap capital gains tax on long-term direct investment from 2011, Medvedev has said. He also said the number of "strategic" firms, in which foreign investment is restricted and which cannot be privatized, would fall from 280 to 41. Medvedev has been promoting the idea of "modernization", including diversifying the Russian economy. Also, many investors have been wary of coming to Russia because of corruption and the dominant role the state plays in Russia's business life. Medvedev told the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that long-term direct investment was "necessary for modernization".
Texas agency weighs judge's penalty
A Texas state commission is considering whether to punish the state's highest ranking criminal judge following allegations of misconduct for a decision she made in a death-penalty appeal.
Administration to file lawsuit challenging Arizona immigration law
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to file a lawsuit challenging Arizona's controversial immigration legislation, according to media reports Friday. Senior officials for the Obama administration are said to have confirmed the DOJ's intent after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mentioned the legal action in a television interview in Ecuador. The interview took place June 8, but was not picked up by US domestic media until this week. Last month, President Obama personally criticized the Arizona legislation and said the DOJ was considering a lawsuit. Neither the administration nor the DOJ have officially confirmed the US media reports. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer responded to the reports later Friday, saying that federal legal action would be "outrageous" and a waste of federal funds that would be better spent on national immigration reform. Brewer is currently facing at least five lawsuits challenging the immigration law. She subsequently filed a motion to dismiss another lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in May challenging the constitutionality of the law. The law, which takes effect July 29, criminalizes illegal immigration and requires police officers to question an individual's immigration status if the officer has a "reasonable suspicion" to believe an individual is in the country illegally.
Saudi Arabia official reports 25 recidivism cases among ex-Guantanamo inmates
A senior Saudi official said Saturday that 25 former Guantanamo Bay detainees have rejoined Islamic extremist groups after going through a rehabilitation program in Saudi Arabia aimed at decreasing religious radicalism within the country. Abdulrahman al-Hadlaq, a top Saudi security expert, spoke generally about the government's effort to rehabilitate Islamic radicals and reported that about 300 men have completed the rehabilitation program, with an overall recidivism rate of about 10 percent. Out of the 300 men who have completed the rehabilitation, 120 were formerly held at Guantanamo Bay, making the recidivism rate among former Guantanamo detainees about twice that of those who were not detained by the US. Hadlaq indicated that of the 25 former Guantanamo detainees who returned to extremist activities, 11 were believed to have joined an al-Qaeda group in Yemen, while the rest have been killed or re-arrested. Hadlaq blamed the discrepancy in the rate of recidivism on the close personal ties developed between former detainees at Guantanamo, as well as the harsh tactics used by the US, which he stated led to more extremist views.
Kyrgyzstan interim government extends state of emergency
The Kyrgyzstan interim government Sunday extended a state of emergency in the southern city of Osh, as government forces began to pull down barricades erected during riots last week between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. The state of emergency, declared by interim President Roza Otunbayeva on June 11, was set to expire on Sunday, but was extended to June 25 to deter fresh violence. Last week, Otunbayeva issued "shoot to kill" orders to the nation's military as the ethnic conflict continued. She also activated the reserves after the Russian government refused a request to send peacekeeping troops. Thousands of Uzbeks have massed at refugee camps on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, refusing to return to their homes in Osh, The ethnic minority fears continued violence and do not trust Kyrgyz troops to protect them. The official death toll stood at 191 as of Friday, but Otunbayeva said during an inspection tour to Osh that the real number was likely 10 times higher, as many of the victims were buried quickly in keeping with local tradition.
Time
Your state bankrupt. The Other Financial Crisis. Schools, health services, libraries--and the salaries that go with them--are all on the chopping block as states and cities face their worst cash squeeze since the Great Depression.
Newsweek
The Fear Factor. Why gay-rights opponents won’t testify.
Business Week
The Bloomberg Businessweek 50. Our ranking of the top performers in the S&P 500, including surprise No. 1, Priceline.com, emphasizes the U.S. economy's endless ability to renew itself.
The Economist
Obama v BP. America's justifiable fury with BP is degenerating into a broader attack on business
Le Nouvel Observateur
Les privileges de la République.
Der Spiegel
"Der Druck ist gnadenlos" Die frühere Bischöfin Margot Käßmann über Rücktritte, Schuld und Öffentlichkeit.
Ex-defence chief wins Colombia vote
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Allawi: The Government Has Not Taken Any Action to Protect Me
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England
Dos and don'ts when using a gas cylinder
Gulf News, Independent daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Protesters attempt to block Israeli ship from docking at California port
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
Twin car bombs kill 27 near bank in Baghdad
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
200 complaints about illegals received in capital
Khaleej Times, English-language daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Taqa has no plans for bond issuance in 2010
Middle East North African Network, Online financial portal, Amman, Jordan
Kyrgyzstan Clears Barricades from Ravaged Southern City
Nahamet, Online news portal, Beirut, Lebanon
Panel formed on Lebanon poll law
Saudi Gazette, English-language daily, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Italy held to surprising 1-1 draw by New Zealand
The Daily Star, Independent daily, Beirut, Lebanon
Suicide blasts kill 26 at Iraqi state-sector bank
Times of Oman, English-language daily, Muscat, Oman
New Porsche Cayenne: 23% lower fuel consumption
Yemen Observer, Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
The OPEC Fund for International Development Scholarship
Yemen Times, (Independent weekly), Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
Budget set to freeze council tax
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Internet firm creates 50 jobs
BreakingNews.ie, Online news portal, Cork, Ireland
Lawyer ruling could wreck 100,000 cases
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England
You killed our father: Rory and Stuart Gray confront bungling Dr Ubani at German conference
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Orange launches mobile HD Voice trial in UK
DMeurope, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
COLOMBIA: Former defence minister Santos wins presidential run-off
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Dance and cultural mixture in Istanbul
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Kristen Stewart: One Hot Goth
Look Magazine, London, England
Cumbria police summer campaign on drink and drugs drivers
News & Star, Independent daily, Carlisle, England
The Rundown - June 21
Radio Free Europe, Prague, Czech Republic
Fan Stands Trial For Changing Room Invasion
Sky News, Independent newscaster, Middlesex, England
SPIEGEL Pub Quiz World Cup Edition: Of Oddity and Elephants in South Africa
Spiegel International, Liberal newsmagazine, Hamburg, Germany
Osborne faces budget backlash on tax and cuts
The Guardian, Liberal daily, London, England
Italians recruit bats to take sting out of summer
The Independent, London, England
Referee mars Brazil win
The Irish Times, Centrist daily, Dublin, Ireland
A Growing Class of Workaholic Russians
The Moscow Times, Independent daily, Moscow, Russia
Evil Baby P mum 'has found God'
The Sun, London, England
Happy Days actor Henry Winkler becomes best-selling children's author
The Telegraph, London, England
Doctor facing police investigation admits shortening one life by up to a fortnight
The Telegraph, Conservative daily, London, England
Bull 1, Mexican matador: never again
Times Online, Conservative daily, London, England
Luthfi Hasan inducted as PKS's president
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
EU set to approve new sanctions on Iran
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
10th Seoul International Financial Forum Kicks Off
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
Sixteen killed in Karak road accident
Dawn, English-language daily, Karachi, Pakistan
US, Russian astronauts arrive at space station
Gazeta.kz, Official online newspaper, Kazakhstan
Indians in UAE prisons to get help in paying blood money
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
Honour killing: SC issues notice to Centre, States
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
Delhi Metro reaches Gurgaon
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Japan happy to play with spoiling tactics
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Philippine authorities continue hunt for seized M'sians
Malaysian Star, Online news portal, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Myanmar flood, landslides toll hits 63
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Commander surrenders
Pajhwok Afghan News, (Independent news agency), Kabul, Afghanistan
Israel: New flotilla will be stopped
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Asian stocks up after China currency announcement
Sify News, Chennai, India
Lohan defends risque role
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
China says no major changes in exchange rate
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
DOH proposes health surcharge on alcohol
Taiwan Today, Government Information Office, Taipei, Taiwan
Couple found dead in Delhi
Thaindian News, Bangkok, Thailand
India wary of NSG double blow
The Hindu, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Edmonton house explosion kills 3
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Flood warning issued as system brings heavy rains
Caribbean360, Online news portal, St. Michael, Barbados
Life-saving device for Brac 'hero'
Cayman Net News, Online news portal, George Town, Cayman Islands
Dominican police raises questions about casino deal after attorney's murder
Dominican Today, Independent daily, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Q&A: "Sustainability Is Paramount for Latin American Development"
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Uncommitted ranks swell, JLP support dwindles
Jamaica Gleaner, Independent daily, Kingston, Jamaica
Peru helicopter ban at Machu Picchu protects fauna
Living in Peru, News portal, Lima, Peru
Fired Penguin CEO says 'flirtatious' relationship consensual
The Globe and Mail, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Pilot killed in Sunday crash at Buttonville airport
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
Smith hits 170 in draw
Trinidad Guardian, Independent daily, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Rudd to aid W Africa plane search
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Top UN envoy bids farewell to first batch of blue helmets leaving DR Congo
CongoPlanet.com, Independent online news aggregator
World Cup steals FPSO Nkrumah's welcome party
GhanaWeb, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oz vows all-out search
iafrica, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
French team have Les Bleus
Independent Online, News portal, Cape Town, South Africa
Congress hearing says Obama inaction on Zenawi makes Ethiopia ripe for al Qaeda recruitment
Jimma Times, Online news portal, Jimma, Ethiopia
China devastated by floods
Mail & Guardian Online, Liberal, Johannesburg, South Africa
Senate screens Jega Tuesday
Vanguard, Independent daily, Lagos, Nigeria
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