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Italy senate approves civil unions bill
The Italian Senate, using a confidence motion in parliament on Thursday, voted 173-71 to approve a bill permitting civil unions for same-sex and heterosexual couples. The approved bill is a watered-down version of the original bill, which would have granted unmarried couples some adoption rights. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi had to strip out provisions granting adoption rights in order to overcome opposition from his own center-left coalition. Gay rights organizations expressed disappointment over the dropped adoption provisions, which followed months of political debate and mass rallies across the country. Even with the adoption provisions removed, the issue of civil unions split the parliament across religious lines, with politicians connected to the Roman Catholic Church claiming that the bill would encourage same-sex couples to have babies using surrogate mothers, which is illegal in Italy. The current bill, if enacted, will give same-sex couples the right to receive a deceased partner's pension, the right to take a partner's name, inheritance rights and next-of-kin rights in medical emergencies—rights that has previously been reserved for married couples. Italy is currently the only major western country that has yet to recognize civil unions and Renzi hailed Thursday's vote as historic stating that "Hope has won against fear. Courage has won against discrimination. Love has won." The bill will go to the lower house of parliament later this year for final approval. (Click here)
India to inject $3.65 billion of capital into state-run lenders
India will inject at least 250 billion rupees ($3.65 billion) of capital into government-controlled lenders in the year starting April 1 as bad and restructured loans are set to climb from a 14-year high. “We are now confronted with stressed assets at public sector banks, which is a legacy of the past,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Monday in New Delhi while presenting the federal budget for the year ending March 2017 to parliament. The government will find “additional resources” if the banks require more money, he said.
Brazil justice minister to quit as Lula probe tension grows
Brazil's Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardoso plans to resign, fed up with rising attacks from his Workers' Party over a police probe into the activities of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, two Brazilian newspapers reported Sunday. Cardoso will quit this week. He took office with Lula's PT successor Dilma Rousseff at the beginning of her first term in 2011. Leading members of Cardoso's party, known by its Portuguese initials PT, have raised pressure on the minister in recent days after Lula was notified that Brazilian courts plan to subpoena his bank, telephone and financial records. Lula, the PT's historic leader, a five-time PT presidential candidate and two term president from 2003 to 2010, has come under investigation in the wake of a giant and widening corruption scandal at state-led oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA. Lula has already faced police questioning over the financial dealings of his children and friends and now faces questioning of his alleged ownership of a beach-front penthouse triplex and country estate. The penthouse and country home were allegedly renovated by construction companies involved in the price-fixing, bribery and political kickback scandal at Petrobras, as the oil company is known. Lula has said the properties don't belong to him. On Saturday, Lula lashed out at the subpoenas.
Arbitration - Brazil
Attorneys Joaquim de Paiva Muniz, of Trench, Rossi e Watanabe Advogados, and Ana Tereza Palhares Basilio, of Basilio Advogados, have recently launched the 2nd edition of their book "Arbitration Law of Brazil : Practice and Procedure". This work is a timely contribution to the development of commercial arbitration in Brazil, as it provides international practitioners and arbitrators with a useful reference tool to understand the Brazilian arbitral framework.
Foreign capital
In a fresh analysis, André de Almeida and Natalie Yoshida, lawyers at Almeida Advogados, address the limitation of foreign capital in Brazilian airlines. (Click here)
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Brief recovery over as Chinese markets tumble again
Chinese shares on Monday resumed their downward trend as the yuan weakened further. The Shanghai Composite shed 2.7% to 2,687.9 points, dashing hopes that Friday's brief recovery could be sustained. The index was down as much as 4.4% in the morning, hitting a 15-month low. The losses came despite the G20 meeting in Shanghai over the weekend pledging to work towards boosting growth both in China and globally. The yuan edged lower against the dollar as the central bank set a softer midpoint of 6.5452 per dollar - the lowest in almost one month.
US condemns Zhang Kai 'confession'
The US says a purported confession from a prominent Chinese lawyer on state television runs counter to the rule of law. Zhang Kai admitted to various crimes including disturbing social order in a broadcast on Thursday. He has been helping defend Christians resisting government orders to remove crosses from buildings. China says it guarantees religious freedom but there are concerns about a crackdown on Christian activities. Condemning the broadcast, a US State Department spokesman said "such confessions are counter to the standards of a rule of law. "We urge China to release Zhang and others detained for seeking to peacefully uphold the freedom of religion guaranteed in China's constitution."
Baidu apps found to be 'leaking' personal data
Personal data is being collected and transmitted insecurely by thousands of apps using code from the Chinese net giant Baidu, say security researchers. Millions of Chinese people are believed to have been affected by the data leaks, said security experts at the University of Toronto. The data reveals where people are, search terms, sites visited and the ID numbers of devices they own. Baidu said it had tackled the problems with the insecure computer code.
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UK EU exit would be global economy 'shock' - G20 leaders
Finance ministers from the world's leading economies have warned of a "shock" to the global economy if the UK leaves the EU. The ministers gave their opinion in a statement released at the end of a two-day meeting of G20 nations in China. Chancellor George Osborne said the referendum issue was "deadly serious". But former Chancellor Lord Lawson said the G20's warning was "absurd" because 15 of its members were outside the EU. Asked if he or his officials had asked for the warning to be included in the statement, Osborne said: "We've got countries around the table like the United States of America, like the IMF, like the Chinese who frankly don't do what anyone tells them to do." However, Lord Lawson said: "The British people will not take kindly to being told by the G20 what they should do. And the notion that the UK leaving the EU would cause an economic shock is absurd.”
UN to expand aid in Syria amid partial truce
The UN is poised to begin delivering aid to people living in besieged areas of Syria, making use of a truce brokered by the US and Russia. Its first deliveries are planned for Monday, with aid due to reach about 150,000 Syrians in besieged areas over the next five days. The UN hopes to help an estimated 1.7 million people by the end of March. Saturday's long-awaited truce appears to be holding despite complaints of breaches from both sides. A key Syrian opposition group said the situation was much better. Before the truce, Western powers accused Russia of attacking moderate rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; Moscow says it only targets UN-designated terrorist groups.
Migrant crisis: Greece needs EU help to avoid chaos, says Merkel
Europe cannot allow Greece to fall into "chaos", German Chancellor Angela Merkel says, amid sharp divisions among members over the migrant crisis. Austria and several Balkan countries have introduced restrictions stranding migrants in Greece. Merkel said EU nations had not battled to keep Greece in the euro just to leave it "in the lurch". She also defended her decision to open German borders to migrants, despite a resulting slump in her popularity. More than one million people arrived to claim asylum last year, sparking opposition within her governing coalition and a rise in far-right extremism.
When should a judge recuse himself? Supreme Court weighs the question
Did a state Supreme Court justice violate the US Constitution when he ruled in a death penalty case he'd been involved with as a prosecutor? That's the case before the US Supreme Court on Monday.
Super Tuesday: here's what you need to know
Everyone's talking about "Super Tuesday," what it means and that it's such a big deal in this presidential campaign. But why? Here's a quick explainer. Think of it as a frequently asked questions for Super Tuesday:
What is Super Tuesday? It's when more states vote and more delegates are at stake than on any other single day in the presidential primary campaign.
Isn't it also called the SEC Primary? That's a colloquial term used by some. It refers to the collegiate athletic conference, the Southeastern Conference, known for its powerhouse football teams. Several states holding contests on Super Tuesday have teams that play in the SEC (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas). But many others do not.
When is it? Tuesday, March 1
How many states are actually voting? 13, plus the territory of American Samoa and Democrats Abroad (expatriates who consider themselves Democrats). We will see results in only 12 of those states (11 for Democrats, 11 for Republicans), because Republicans in Wyoming and Colorado begin their caucuses that day but won't have a presidential preference poll.
Swiss voters reject plan to expel foreigners for minor crimes
People in Switzerland have rejected a plan to automatically expel foreigners who commit minor crimes, results show. Some 59% of voters have said "No" to the proposal put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party. The vote happened amid growing unease at rising immigration and the problems, which, the party says, come with it. But opponents said the law would create a two-tier justice system unfairly targeting foreigners, who make up around 25% of Switzerland's population. Almost two million foreign passport holders live permanently and legally in Switzerland, but as gaining Swiss nationality is a complicated and expensive procedure, and is not conferred automatically at birth, these foreign nationals include many who have never lived outside of Switzerland.
Federal appeals court overturns Apple patent win against Samsung
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Friday overturned a 2014 verdict against Samsung in its patent infringement conflict with Apple. The appeals court found that Samsung did not infringe on Apple's quick links patent and that two other patents asserted by Apple were not valid. Accordingly, Samsung will no longer have to pay the nearly $120 million it had been ordered by a jury to pay to Apple. The court did, however, uphold the district court's verdict against Apple, ordering that the company must still pay Samsung money owed to it for infringing its patent on video compression. The 2014 verdict, passed down by the US District Court for the Northern District of California, had ordered Samsung to pay $119.6 million to Apple over patents for smartphone features, and Apple to pay $158,400 to Samsung.
Brazil police probe payments to ex-president's lover
Brazilian police are investigating allegations that ex-President Fernando Henrique Cardoso asked a private company to pay his former lover abroad. Former TV journalist Mirian Dutra says Cardoso arranged the $3,000 monthly payments through the firm, Brasif. The transfers began in 2002 - a year before Cardoso left office. Cardoso denies the allegations. Brasif also says Dutra was paid for work she did for them and the former leader had nothing to do with it. Dutra worked as a reporter for Brazil's Globo TV for 35 years, losing her job last December.
University of Texas dean to quit over gun law
A dean at the University of Texas is stepping down over a new state law which will allow concealed handguns to be carried on university campuses. Frederick Steiner said the policy was not "appropriate" for higher education and "did not make logical sense". Texas passed the legislation last year and it goes into effect in August. Many higher education officials and students have objected to the law, with concerns it may discourage students from attending universities in Texas. Supporters of the law argue it is "critical" to self-defense and upholding constitutional rights.
Starbucks to open first coffee shop in Italy
Starbucks is taking its boldest step yet by opening its first store in Italy. The American coffee chain promised to enter the birthplace of the espresso "with humility and respect".
Apple court filing calls iPhone order dangerous, unconstitutional
Last week, at the FBI's request, a court ordered Apple to cooperate with federal agents and help unlock the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters. The company says the demand is illegal.
Saudi court sentences man to 10 years for atheist social media posts
A Saudi Arabian court on Saturday sentenced a man to 10 years in prison and 2,000 lashes for expressing atheist sentiments in recent social media posts. The religious police of Saudi Arabia, who are in charge of monitoring social media in the country, found more than 600 tweets that contained atheist rhetoric. Some tweets denied that God exists, while others more specifically criticized parts of the Quran and other aspects of the Islamic religion. The 28-year-old man has openly admitted to being an atheist. He proclaimed that he has the right to these beliefs and refused to repent. The court, in addition to the sentence, fined him 20,000 riyals (USD $5,300).
Accused 9/11 conspirator seeks court delay over treatment by guards
A Guantanamo Bay prisoner accused of involvement in the 9/11 attacks testified on Friday that he has been subject to torment and mistreatment by prison guards. Ramzi bin al Shibh, from Yemen, is facing the death penalty with four other defendants for allegedly providing money and information to the 9/11 hijackers. His attorneys on Wednesday urged the court to halt proceedings until the guards stop the abuse, which Bin al Shibh says includes noise and vibrations in the floors and walls that prevent him from sleeping or praying. According to Bin al Shibh, the torment has been going on since he arrived in 2006. The prosecution alleges that he is either lying or delusional, but his attorneys claim that prison guards have ignored a 2013 court order to refrain from abusing him.
Poland plans to cancel bilateral investment treaties with EU
Poland’s government is seeking to cancel bilateral investment agreements with other European Union members, saying such treaties drive up legal costs and are used to pile “pressure” on the Warsaw government over economic issues. Special tools for protecting investments, used mainly during the late 1980s and 1990s when trust in Poland and it’s legal system was low, are no longer needed, according to a statement from the Treasury Ministry on Thursday. The bilateral investment treaties, known as BITs, stipulate that disputes are settled through international arbitration, not in Polish courts. The announcement comes as Poland’s three-month-old government has been on a collision course with the European Union, which is checking whether the ruling party is adhering to democratic standards, as well as credit rating companies after Standard & Poor’s downgrade last month. It has irked big business, including foreign investors, who they have accused of failing to share their profits with Poles, by raising taxes on banks and planning to do the same for retailers.
Women protection bill becomes law in Punjab
Protection of Women Against Violence Bill 2015 has become a law in Punjab after Governor Malik Rafiq Rajwana signed it on Monday. The Protection of Women Against Violence Bill 2015 declares physical violence, abusive language, stalking, cyber crimes, etc., against women a crime in Punjab. The bill – passed by the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday – features redress for female victims of violence, criminalizes all forms of violence against women and provides them with special centers which remove the bureaucratic hurdles that complicate a woman’s access to justice.
EU tax ruling may prompt business move out of Belgium
Some multinational companies operating in Belgium are considering shifting part of their business out of the country after the EU declared a tax scheme illegal and is requiring the companies to pay back unpaid taxes.
Met museum settles lawsuit, will revise admission signs
At issues was whether the institution had made its pay-what-you-wish admission policy clear to visitors. Signage will change to ‘suggested admission’ from ‘recommended admission.’
Time
Why You Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Drive
Newsweek
See who took home an Oscar—and who left empty-handed.
Business Week
Everyone Is Bashing Big Business. Why Won't It Fight Back?
The Economist
Britain and the European Union: The real danger of Brexit
Der Spiegel
Das Auto-Auto
L'Espresso
Il nostro Eco
Turkey sacks Ankara police chief after suicide bombings
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
MPs approve Osborne's budget rules
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Israeli-Palestinian violence: What you need to know
CNN International, London, England
Heidi Klum is 'mom and a dad at the same time' since her split from Seal in 2012
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Denmark's Princess Marie denies boob job after Her & Nu magazine claimed she had one
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Tense times in Jerusalem
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
Israel seals off East Jerusalem after 'Day of Rage' attacks
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
?? Sanat to present a rich program in its new season
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
'Blood moon' prompts Mormon announcement: This is NOT the end of the world
Independent The, London, England
Pompeii's pilferers punished with a curse from the gods
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
The Apprentice 2015: episode 1, live
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England
Hung ouster in motion, Chu calls for party unity
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Up to 10 Million People Made Sick by Their Phones
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
Pope Francis makes historic first US visit
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
Minister vows to return donations from firms involved in bid-rigging
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Financial services startup Square files for $275M IPO
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Ukraine President cancels trip over protests in eastern Ukraine
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
Beat the post holiday blues
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Nike says expects revenue of $50 bn by 2020
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
It's official ó the 1% finally own 50% of everything
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
New York teen dies after beating at church during 'counselling'
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Liberty Reserve Brought Down By 'Joe Bogus': How The Feds Arrested Arthur Budovsky
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
Wall St declines as Wal-Mart's weak forecast drags on retailers
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
Malaysia's embattled PM facing stern test as parliament returns
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
Blue Jays cut lead to 2-1 against Rangers in Game 5
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
US troops to help fight Boko Haram
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
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