September 8, 2010 Nº 954 - Vol. 8
"Men are strong only so long as they represent a strong idea. They become powerless when they oppose it."
Sigmund Freud
L'Shana Tova 5771
Rosh Hashana begins today at sundown. Migalhas International wishes a Happy New Year to its Jewish readers.
Insider's view: see how local concerns shape up the global world. Read the daily press review in Migalhas International.
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Canon law has allowed abuse priests to escape punishment
The system of law operated by the Vatican has allowed serious sex offenders to escape punishment and must be abandoned. Canon law has been allowed to trump criminal law in countries throughout the world. This is a very serious matter‚ the pope through his pretensions to statehood refuses to acknowledge that child sex abuse is a serious crime as well as a sin. The Catholic church must abandon canon law as a punishment for priests who commit crimes. The church's form of law has no public hearings, no DNA test facilities, no enforcement mechanism, and the most severe punishments – excommunication or an order to return to the laity (without entry on a sex offenders' register) – bears no comparison with the sentences of imprisonment or community service that can be expected under criminal law. The penalties are "derisory", with those found guilty of molesting children required to undergo "chiefly spiritual exercises". The pope could very well be arrested for crimes against humanity when he arrives on Monday to begin the first papal visit to Britain in nearly three decades.The Vatican has been accepted as a party to international treaties, including the statue for the international criminal court. Even if the Vatican is considered a state, there is still the possibility of an arrest for crimes against humanity under the jurisdiction of the court.
Sarkozy requests law revoking citizenship
Sarkozy has told his government to draft a law to allow for the French citizenship of immigrants who endanger the life of a police officer to be revoked. He ruled out a suggestion by his interior minister that the same punishment should apply to polygamists. The state's right to revoke citizenship will be expanded to include immigrants who make an attempt on the life of a police officer or another representative of the state, provided they had been naturalised in the decade prior to the offence. This can only be done at present in cases of terrorism or treason. Critics suggest any attempt to revoke French citizenship could be thrown out by the constitutional council because it breaches the principle that all French citizens are equal before the law regardless of race, creed or origin. However, the council did uphold an exception in the 1990s, allowing the removal of citizenship from immigrants convicted of acts of terrorism.
Rights groups file suit challenging border laptop search policy
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the New York Civil Liberties Union and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) challenging a government policy that allows border patrol to search electronic devices without reasonable suspicion. The plaintiffs, which also include press photographers and a university student, claim that the law violates constitutional rights to privacy and freedom of speech.
Federal judge allows indefinite detention of Guantanamo detainee
A federal judge for the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled Friday that the US government can indefinitely hold an Afghan detainee at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The detainee, Shawali Khan, is accused of belonging to Hezb Islami Gulbuddin (HIG), an anti-American insurgency group active in Afghanistan with ties to the Taliban and al Qaeda. Lawyers for Khan have argued that he was a shopkeeper in Kandahar and not involved with fighting against American forces. They contend that Khan was captured by corrupt Afghans who turned him over to American forces and lied about his involvement with insurgents. The defense also presented evidence that HIG had no presence in the Kandahar region when Khan was captured, making his involvement with the group unlikely. The court indicated that a redacted version of the full opinion will be released at a later date.
Forty-seven State Bars join New York Bar in red flags brief
The New York State Bar Association, along with 54 state and local bar associations, today filed an amicus curiae brief that supports the American Bar Association's filing in American Bar Association v. Federal Trade Commission. At issue is whether lawyers are considered "creditors" under the so-called FTC's Red Flags Rule, and would thus be required to develop programs identifying, detecting, and responding to the warning signs ("red flags") of identity theft.
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China checks flying records
China is checking the qualifications of all its commercial pilots, after it emerged that more than 200 of them lied about their experience. An investigation into qualifications has now been launched by the CAAC, the country's aviation regulator, which says it cannot guarantee it has got rid of all the underqualified pilots. This new investigation will also look at others involved in China's aviation industry, including flight trainers, airline investigators, repair crews and air traffic controllers.
China's surging property sales, prices spur speculation of more tightening
China's attempts to cool the real- estate market may be faltering as sales surge, prompting speculation the government could issue more tightening measures.
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Mercados
La llegada de la tercera firma internacional a Colombia no está lejos, después de Canacol y Pacific Rubiales ya se prepara el Grupo Odin, que actualmente adelanta todos los trámites necesarios para listarse en la Bolsa de Valores, pero además, también está detrás de una futura oferta pública de acciones ordinarias. (Presione aquí)
Mexicana
Un juez federal dio entrada al juicio mercantil interpuesto por Mexicana de Aviación, por lo que ésta contará con un plazo de un año para reestructurar la deuda con sus acreedores para evitar la quiebra y desaparición de la empresa. (Presione aquí)
Expropiación
En una decisión controversial, el Congreso apoyó una iniciativa de ley del presidente Porfirio Lobo y decretó el martes que la frecuencia del canal 8 de la televisión local, hasta ahora en manos del empresario Elías Asfura, es propiedad del Estado de Honduras.
Aseguradoras
Un monto total de US$ 640 mlls., han pagado las aseguradoras por siniestros de vivienda tras el terremoto de febrero en Chile, según informó el Superintendente de Valores y Seguros, Fernando Coloma.
European commission warns france about treatment of migrants
Against a backdrop of anger from lawmakers, the European Commission on Tuesday warned France to abide by European law in its treatment of migrants, thousands of whom have been expelled in recent months. But it also accepted French assurances that Roma were not targeted as an ethnic group. A commission document produced last week highlighted failings in France's law by criticizing the country over the way it applied European legislation that was passed in 2004 and is designed to guarantee free movement to the bloc's citizens.
Kenya court convicts 7 Somali pirates
A Kenyan court on Monday convicted seven Somali pirates on charges related to the attack on a German naval supply ship in March 2009, sentencing them to five years in prison. According to prosecutors, the men attempted to hijack the ship using AK47 rifles and rocket propelled grenades, but the hijacking was prevented by security forces on the ship. Following the attack, the pirates were tracked and apprehended by ships acting as part of EU Naval Forces Somalia (EU NAVFOR) before being transferred to Kenyan custody to stand trial. A lawyer for the men urged the court to be lenient in their sentencing, stating that the men would be a burden to Kenyan taxpayers. The men also indicated that they have been rehabilitated through their time in prison and that they will actively work to discourage others from participating in piracy. While the five-year sentence is the shortest handed down by Kenyan courts for piracy charges since the country began hearing piracy cases in 2006, the judge delivering the judgment of the court indicated that it would be a strong deterrent for others considering engaging in piracy. EU NAVFOR praised the judgment as an "important step in the co-operation between European Union and Kenya in the repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia." The men have 14 days to appeal the court's decision.
Argentine court reopens Franco probe
An Argentine court has reopened an investigation into crimes against humanity in Spain during the rule of Gen Francisco Franco. The appeals court overturned a previous ruling that blocked a suit brought by Argentine relatives of two Spaniards killed under Franco. It said they had a right to know if the case was being investigated. Crimes committed under Franco and during the 1936-39 civil war are covered by an amnesty law in Spain.
Spain high court confirms trial for judge Garzon over Franco probe
The Criminal Chamber of the Spanish Supreme Court unanimously confirmed on Tuesday the lower court order that National Court judge Baltasar Garzon abused his power and must face trial. Garzon was charged in April for his attempt to investigate the war crimes allegedly committed under Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War—charges waGarzon claims were politically motivated. The board of judges denied Garzon's appeal of the order, and he will now face trial later this year. The judges found that the witnesses called by Garzon will produce merely personal opinions and also determined that exhumation of 19 mass graves that Garzon ordered in 2008 was inappropriate. The ruling comes just days after an Argentine court reopened the case against Franco for his alleged crimes against humanity.
EU agrees new financial supervision framework
European Union finance ministers have agreed to establish a new framework for financial supervision, designed to help prevent future financial crises. The measures include a European Systemic Risk Board to oversee the health of Europe's economy. They were unable, however, to agree a new Europe-wide bank levy or bank transaction tax. Supervisory bodies , including the European Banking Authority, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and the European Securities and Markets Authority, will have the power to intervene in the affairs of individual countries if EU members agree that the domestic regulator is failing in its duties.
Obama to back company tax breaks
Obama is to back new company tax breaks in a bid to regain the initiative as mid-term polls loom. He will lobby Congress - including a blocking minority of Republicans in the Senate - to let companies in the US write off investment costs until 2011. The administration said that the new tax plan would save companies about $200bn over two years. Businesses like Obama tax write-off plan but want to keep Bush tax cuts too! With unemployment stuck at 10% and the economy appearing to slow sharply, the president's Democratic Party could face big losses at the November elections.
Obama announces $50bn infrastructure plan
Obama has called for a new comprehensive infrastructure plan as part of efforts to jump-start the spluttering US economy. The plan will invest about $50bn in roads, railways and airports as well as high-speed rail and the creation of an infrastructure bank. US infrastructure has long been considered underfunded and receives poor grades from government agencies. The move comes amid signs that the US economy is faltering.
Malaysia challenging U.K. to become legal hub for Sukuk
Malaysia, the world's largest market for sukuk (Islamic credit), plans to improve its legal system to become an alternative location to the U.K. for resolving international Islamic finance disputes.
Petraeus: burning Quran endangers Americans
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan says a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Muslim holy book could put U.S. troops in the country in harm's way and inflame anti-Americanism.
Judge upholds his stem-cell federal funding ban
A judge denied an Obama team request that he lift his ban on federal stem cell research funding. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said the Obama Administration overstated the amount of harm that would arise from his ban.
HP sues ex-CEO Hurd over new job at rival Oracle
The suit came a day after Oracle hired Mark Hurd as co-president to help lead the database software maker's efforts to steal business from HP.
U.S. won't pass carbon-price law for power generators this year
The U.S. won't pass legislation this year that charges power plants a price for releasing carbon dioxide and other gases that scientists have linked to climate change, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said. Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed cap-and-trade legislation in which power plants, oil refineries and factories would have bought and sold a declining number of carbon-dioxide pollution rights. The cap-and-trade bill, which aimed to cut U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions 17 percent from their 2005 level by 2020, stalled in the Senate.
UN 'failed' DR Congo rape victims
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Mortar shell explodes between two day-care centers in south
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
Thai Plane Searched at LA Airport after Bomb Threat
Nahamet, Online news portal, Beirut, Lebanon
Panel formed on Lebanon poll law
Saudi Gazette, English-language daily, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abbas asks Washington to help resolve dispute over settlements
The Daily Star, Independent daily, Beirut, Lebanon
UN 'failed' DR Congo rape victims
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Police probing massacre found dead
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England
FRANCE: Country faces day of strikes and protests over pension reform
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
LUKoil Official Found Not Guilty In Deadly Car Crash
Radio Free Europe, Prague, Czech Republic
300 protesters throw rocks, eggs at LA police
The Independent, London, England
Henry Webster race attack: schools ordered on offensive against racist bullies
The Telegraph, Conservative daily, London, England
Wayne Rooney to meet Coleen for first time since prostitute allegations
The Telegraph, London, England
Suspected US missile strike kills six in North Waziristan
Dawn, English-language daily, Karachi, Pakistan
English teacher from Kazakhstan wins competition to study in Cambridge
Gazeta.kz, Official online newspaper, Kazakhstan
Doctors' stir: ESMA may be invoked
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Mr. Karzai's corruption problem
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Home Ministry sec-gen: No meddling in police work
Malaysian Star, Online news portal, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
China passenger car sales up 18 percent in August
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Now, a mobile phone app to warn of excessive radiation levels
Thaindian News, Bangkok, Thailand
BJP stakes claim to form government in Jharkhand
The Hindu, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Qur'an burning plan a 'concern': White House
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Women at work: still behind on the bottom line
The Globe and Mail, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Warner wants $4b for Works
Trinidad Guardian, Independent daily, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
New OPDO chairman and Oromia President selected
Jimma Times, Online news portal, Jimma, Ethiopia
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