"I don't want any 'yes-men' around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them their jobs."

Samuel Goldwyn
founder of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

In today's Grammatigalhas, the second part of Trial procedure and tactics brings in the heart of the courtroom and explains thecardinal rules of successful trials.

• Top News

Most weapons 'in civilian hands'

Civilians around the world hold more guns, handguns and rifles than previously thought, a new survey says. Three times more weapons are held by civilians than by all the world's armies and police forces together, the study from a Geneva-based group says. The Graduate Institute of International Studies' report calls for greater world co-operation to combat urban gun crime. Uncontrolled urbanization is leading to decreased public safety and increased levels of armed violence, it adds. The survey on the spread of small arms says that out of the 875 million firearms circulating around the world, 650 million are held by civilians - some 200 million more than previous estimates.

Yahoo plea over China rights case

Internet giant Yahoo has asked a US court to dismiss a lawsuit accusing it of complicity in rights abuses and acts of torture in China. The firm filed a motion for dismissal saying its Chinese subsidiary had no choice but to comply with local laws.

Yahoo is being sued by the World Organization for Human Rights for sharing information about its users with the Chinese government. The information has led to the arrests of writers and dissidents.

Lula ally faces corruption trial

A former top aide to Brazil's president is to stand trial for his alleged role in one of the country's biggest corruption scandals in recent history. Jose Dirceu was accused of involvement in an illegal fundraising scheme through which the government maintained support in Congress. He is among 37 people who are to face charges after the Supreme Court ruling.

The scandal broke in 2005 but a lengthy investigation has delayed a decision on legal action until now. Dirceu was the president's first chief-of-staff but was forced to resign over allegations that opposition politicians were paid in order to support the government's agenda. Dirceu's lawyer described the claims as "a piece of fiction" but the Supreme Court ruled that he has a case to answer.

Brazil under US subprime turmoil, but real economy won't be affected

Moody's Investor services said Brazil, like most of the financial markets around the globe, has been hit by the US subprime meltdown and its spillovers into other financial institutions overseas. Brazilian markets were the second most affected after Argentina. Although Brazilian markets have registered some significant recovery after markets were stabilized by central banks' interventions, the markets are still below the pre-turbulence levels. Moody's said the most attractive markets were the most affected, since they kept an important proportion of speculative investment. However, the adjustments have only stayed in the financial area, with 'no real effects on the economy'. For Brazil, a potential delay in the US recovery won't be felt significantly, particularly because the Southern Cone economy is in the middle of a sustained recovery mostly based on domestic sources.

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• Crumbs!

1 - U.S. judge OKs Noriega extradition to France. (Read more)

2 - Is it time to rethink the ASBO? (Read more)

3 - Former Goldman Sachs banker admits fraud. (Read more)

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• MiMIC Journal

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?

BMW and DaimlerChrysler are threatening legal action against a Chinese carmaker they claim is producing copies of some of their models. The German firms are considering the legal challenge against Shuanghuan Automobile. BMW is said to consider Shuanghuan's CEO model to be too similar to its own X5, while Daimler says Shuanghuan's Noble is too close to its Smart Fortwo. Beijing has faced repeated calls to stop its firms copying Western designs.

China announces date for congress

China's ruling Communist Party has announced it will hold its National Congress meeting on 15 October. The congress brings together about 2,000 senior party officials every five years to set out the country's priorities for the years ahead.

RBS urged to monitor Chinese link

Amnesty International has called on the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to closely monitor its investment in the Bank of China. The human rights group said RBS should be making sure working conditions and pollution in firms funded by the Bank of China have improved.

Mobile surge harms China Telecom

China Telecom, the country's largest fixed-line provider, has seen a drop in half-year profits fall as consumers increasingly favor mobile phones. Profits in the six months to 30 June fell to 13.48bn yuan ($1.87bn), down from 14.16bn a year ago. China Telecom faces tough rivalry from firms such as China Mobile, which have been offering cheaper sign-up rates.

Carrefour China in bribes probe

Workers at French supermarket chain Carrefour are being probed by Chinese authorities on suspicion of bribery. Eight employees are alleged to have given contracts to fresh food suppliers in exchange for bribes, said reports. Carrefour confirmed that it recently unveiled "practices in contradiction with Chinese laws".

• Grammatigalhas

Due to technical difficulties, we cannot include the text of Grammatigalhas that normally appears in today's newsletter. The column is available on the website, please click here to read. We apologize for any inconvenience.


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Read Migalhas LatinoAmerica every Tuesday and Thursday. Visit the website at www.la.migalhas.com

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• Brief News

Chile ex-general jailed for life

Chile's Supreme Court has upheld the life sentence handed down to a former general for his part in the murder of 12 opponents of Augusto Pinochet. Hugo Salas Wenzel is the first such senior military officer to receive a life term for human rights violations. Salas was the head of the intelligence service, the National Information Centre, which carried out the killings.

US ex-astronaut to plead insanity

Lawyers for former Nasa astronaut Lisa Nowak say they are planning to pursue a defense of temporary insanity when she stands trial in Florida next month. The 44-year-old mother of three is charged with attempted kidnap, assault and burglary.

Police say she confronted a woman she believed was a rival for the affections of a space shuttle pilot. Her lawyers say she was suffering from a long list of conditions, including depression, insomnia and a brief psychotic episode.

Ceremony to unveil Mandela statue

A statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela is to be unveiled in London. Mandela, 89, his wife Graca Machel, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be among those at the unveiling in Parliament Square. Brown hailed Mandela as the "greatest and most courageous leader of our generation".

Judge agrees Noriega extradition

A US federal judge has approved the extradition of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega to France when his Florida jail sentence ends next month. Noriega faces 10 years in prison in France on money-laundering charges.

Ain't gay & won't quit!

Sen. Larry Craig says he is not gay and did nothing inappropriate in a Minneapolis airport. The Idaho Republican said it was a mistake for him to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from a lewd conduct complaint.

EU mulls 'natural disaster' force

The European Commission will put forward proposals this autumn for a standing EU force to respond to fires, floods and other major emergencies. The commission says the current system has its limits.

Home Depot sells unit at discount

US DIY chain Home Depot is to sell its supply unit for $8.5bn - $1.8bn less than initially agreed. The HD Supply sale comes days after intense talks between Home Depot and the buyer, a private equity consortium. A steep downturn in the US housing market, as well as recent turbulence in the credit market, forced the two sides back to the negotiating table.

Parmalat Unit Owner Laep Files for Share Offering in Brazil

Laep Investments Ltd., a Bermuda-based private equity fund that controls the Brazilian unit of Parmalat SpA, and shareholders filed for an initial offering of depositary receipts in Brazil. Banco UBS Pactual SA, the Latin American investment-banking unit of UBS AG, was hired to manage the transaction, Hamilton, Bermuda-based Laep said in a filing with Brazil's Tradable Securities Commission. Laep, controlled by Brazil-born investors Marcus Elias and Eduardo Aguinaga de Moraes, took control of Parmalat in May 2006 during its in-court restructuring after pledging to pay the company's $50 million debt to banks.

Gul elected Turkish president as military warns against undermining constitution

Abdullah Gul was sworn in as Turkey's new president Tuesday after winning a majority of votes in the Turkish parliament's third round of voting on his candidacy. Gul, supported by the Islamist-leaning Justice and Development Party (AKP) who had been serving as Turkey's foreign minster, pledged to uphold Turkey's secularist traditions. The Turkish army , which has ousted four presidents in four decades and regards itself as the guardian of the secular Turkish constitution , warned Monday that "centers of evil" were trying to undermine the constitution. Earlier votes in parliament, which elects the president, failed to elect Gul by the required two-thirds majority. Gul only needed a simple majority in the third round of voting, and received backing from 339 of 550 parliamentarians.

New Technology Could Improve Air Traffic

This week, the Federal Aviation Administration will award a $1 billion contract to one of three competitors to implement Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, a new GPS-based technology that's said to manage airplane traffic more efficiently than radar.

Household Incomes Up; Health Insurance Down

The U.S. poverty rate declined last year and median household incomes edged up, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday. But more people found themselves without health insurance.

EU fundamental rights agency reports rising discrimination in some EU states

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) released its first major report on racism and inequality in the European Union Tuesday, finding ethnic discrimination in employment, housing and education, as well as an increase in racist violence in many member states. Of the 11 reporting member states, racist crimes increased in Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Finland and the United Kingdom in 2005 and 2006. Figures decreased in Austria, the Czech Republic and Sweden. The FRA suggested that member states must do more to fight racism, noting that EU anti-discrimination legislation has helped promote racial equality. The report also indicated that many of the victims of discrimination are unaware of their rights under the law.

Stepping Down

William Lerach, a securities lawyer who has been the nemesis of corporate America, is retiring amid a criminal probe. Lerach, who hasn't been charged, is in advanced talks with prosecutors on a plea deal that could involve serving prison time.

• Daily Press Review

Nelson Mandela statue is unveiled
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England

African Military Leaders Discuss Great Lakes Security
CongoPlanet.com, Independent online news aggregator

Ghana's Spy Agency Conducting Poll?
GhanaWeb, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Israel: Halt Summary Expulsion of Sudanese Migrants
Human Rights Watch (Africa), International news press releases

School baby boom no laughing matter
iafrica, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa

Police officer shot dead
Independent Online, News portal, Cape Town, South Africa

Thint contests validity of warrant in appeal court
Mail & Guardian Online, Liberal, Johannesburg, South Africa

FBI trains Jhb cops
News24.com, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa

Peru considers high-altitude stadiums for World Cup qualifier
Brazil Sun, Independent online news aggregator

Asafa Powell will be back after Tyson Gay defeat
Caribbean News Portal, Online news aggregator

Guatemala: Investigate Killing of Activist's Son
Human Rights Watch (Americas), International news press releases

Elections-Guatemala : Rigoberta Menchú Running for the Long Term
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy

Few glitches - Walker reports voting went smoothly - Some issue with missing names
Jamaica Gleaner, Independent daily, Kingston, Jamaica

Peru: Photo of the day - Chile's Supreme Court to Rule on Fujimori Extradition
Living in Peru, News portal, Lima, Peru

Police release copy of threatening note
The Globe and Mail, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada

Court acquits Truscott
Toronto Star, Liberal daily, Toronto, Canada

Quake jolts Ternate
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia

Afghanistan's Taleban Releases 3 Korean Hostages
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea

For sake of ties, China may give a go
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India

Bombs, firearms seized in Kolkata
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India

Save the planet: wind-powered toys and PC ways to catch insects
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan

Motion to debate dropping of charges against Zakaria rejected
Malaysian Star, Online news portal, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Iraq gun battles kill 52
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand

Ugandan army clashes with DRC gunmen
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China

Trio 'googled ATM blasts'
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia

Probe points to Lashkar's hand
The Hindu, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India

Prison officers in strike action
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England

All-Ireland handball final a sell-out
BreakingNews.ie, Online news portal, Cork, Ireland

Slaughter in the suburbs: Police hunt gunman after triple murder
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England

Nokia brings Crash Bandicoot to N-Gage
DMeurope, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Secret plan to wind up Culture Company
icLiverpool, Online news portal, Liverpool, England

Turkish official with Islamic ties wins presidency
International Herald Tribune, Independent daily, Paris, France

Patients forced to move
Manchester Online, Independent daily, Manchester, England

Father killed in motorbike crash
News & Star, Independent daily, Carlisle, England

New map offers the blind a view of Prague
Radio Prague, Online news portal, Prague, Czech Republic

Strike Action: Prison Officers Walkout
Sky News, Independent newscaster, Middlesex, England

Gul Elected President in Ankara: A Test of Turkey's Maturity
Spiegel International, Liberal newsmagazine, Hamburg, Germany

Prison officers walk out
The Guardian, Liberal daily, London, England

Heineken's Irish sales up by 2%
The Irish Times, Centrist daily, Dublin, Ireland

Ten trapped alive under collapsed Azeri building
The Scotsman, Moderate daily, Edinburgh, Scotland

Teen arrest over Rhys murder
The Sun, Conservative tabloid, London, England

Indian police filmed helping mob beat thief
The Telegraph, Conservative daily, London, England

Teenager confesses to killing and eating room-mate
Times Online, Conservative daily, London, England

'Israel Gives More Rights to Terrorists than U.S.'
Arutz Sheva, Online, right-wing, Tel Aviv, Israel

Iran says ready to fill vacuum in Iraq left by US
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England

Taliban to free Korean hostages today
Gulf News, Independent daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Report: U.K. police increasingly suspect Mossad spy murdered
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel

Gul Is President, What Next
IPS Middle East, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy

US pledges $30 million to support Iraqis' host countries
Middle East North African Network, Online financial portal, Amman, Jordan

Three SKorean Hostages Released
Nahamet, Online news portal, Beirut, Lebanon

Pilgrims flee Iraqi city of Kerbala as security forces battle with gunmen
The Daily Star, Independent daily, Beirut, Lebanon

Sa'ada humanitarian situation remains tense
Yemen Times, Independent weekly, Sana'a, Yemen

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