May 23, 2011 nº 1,044 - Vol. 9
"The galleries are full of critics. They play no ball, they fight no fights. They make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in the arena are the doers. They make mistakes because they try many things. The man who makes no mistakes lacks boldness and the spirit of adventure. He is the one who never tries anything. His is the brake on the wheel of progress. And yet it cannot be truly said he makes no mistakes, because his biggest mistake is the very fact that he tries nothing, does nothing, except criticize those who do things."
Gen. David M. Shoup
Insider's view: see how local concerns shape up the global world. Read the daily press review in Migalhas International.
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Read Migalhas LatinoAmérica in Spanish every Tuesday and Thursday. Visit the website at www.migalhas.com/latinoamerica
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US congressional leaders agree to extend Patriot Act through 2015
Top US congressional leaders agreed Thursday to put forth a clean extension of controversial provisions of the USA Patriot Act until 2015. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner agreed to extend several key provisions of the Act with no amendments and will first put it to floor debate in the House next Monday, where it could reach a final vote by the following Wednesday. Controversial provisions to be renewed include provisions allowing the government to use roving wiretaps on multiple carriers and electronic devices and allowing the government to gain access to certain records relevant to its investigations. The "lone wolf" provision enables investigators to get warrants to conduct surveillance over targets not connected to any particular terrorist group. It is unclear whether House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi agrees with the extension.
4 keys to better writing in English
Georgetown Law and Lex Mercator International invite Migalhas readers to a free online lecture in Legal English and Drafting Contracts in English, starting on Tuesday, May 31, at 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time. Using their computer, lawyers can choose to participate at home, in their offices, or while traveling. Make sure to reserve your spot in the next open lecture by clicking here.
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Can Chinese companies live up to investor expectations?
In a reversal of long-term trends, Chinese companies now enjoy a valuation premium over their peers in developed markets. Are Chinese and other companies in emerging markets finally getting the respect they deserve? Historically, they’ve traded at a discount on all metrics of valuation—typically, in the range of 20 to 30%. Even as the underlying Chinese economy developed and the shares of these companies became a commonly accepted investment option, neither institutional nor retail investors quite shook the perception that such securities were generally risky. Yet if the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s reinforced that belief, the credit crisis of 2007 may have reversed it. Indeed, companies in several major emerging markets now trade at a premium to their peers in developed markets.
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Medvedev calls for legal reforms, stronger judiciary
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev expressed the need for Russia to improve its legal system and make a better commitment to the rule of law, during a speech at a legal forum in St. Petersburg. Medvedev is trying to separate himself from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin who is running against him in the March 2012 presidential election. Medvedev said that during his time in office he has tried to root out the corruption that has plagued Russian politics. But he said that in order for real legal reform there must be a strong judicial system. "Even the best possible laws on paper can prove ineffective in practice and remain no more than declarations if we do not have courts that work, or if we have excessive or overly lax administrative procedures. Sadly, we know this all too well from our own experience. Problems with enforcing laws, lack of respect for the courts, and corruption are not just issues affecting our public life, but are macroeconomic factors holding back our national wealth growth and putting a brake on our efforts to carry out economic decisions and social initiatives. The quality and competitiveness of legal institutions therefore play a vital part for assuring all countries' future, the Russian Federation's too."
Iran implicated in 9/11 attacks by lawsuit
A lawsuit by relatives of 9/11 victims has alleged that Iran knowingly aided al Qaeda in carrying out the attacks, according to affidavits filed Thursday. Included in the affidavits, but under seal from the judge, are the testimonies of Iranian defectors who worked for Iran's intelligence service, declaring that Iran helped plan the attacks through Hezbollah, as well as facilitated the escapes of al Qaeda operatives after the attack. The affidavits also include depositions of 9/11 Commission workers who believe Iran helped to orchestrate the account.
State Department legal adviser defends lawfulness of Bin Laden killing
US State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh on Thursday defended the killing of Osama Bin Laden saying it was "consistent with the laws of armed conflict and US military doctrine" in a brief statement published on OpinioJuris.org. Koh referenced a speech he made in March 2010 defending the use of predator drones to kill US targets where he argued that al Qaeda is an imminent threat to the US, giving the US authority to defend itself using lethal force, which means targeting high-level al Qaeda leaders. Koh explained that the Obama administration is dedicated to the principles of distinction, meaning limiting attacks to military objectives, and proportionality, meaning limiting the death of civilians and damage to civilian property. In his recent statement, Koh said that materials collected during the Bin Laden raid confirm suspicions that Bin Laden remained an imminent threat to the US and its citizens and that his failure to submit to an appropriate surrender authorized the troops use of lethal force.
Markets fear Greek default closer
Bond markets price in a growing risk of an outright debt default by Greece, as talks over 'reprofiling' its debts flounder.
Uruguay Congress upholds amnesty
Members of Congress in Uruguay vote to uphold an amnesty that has shielded officers during military rule from prosecution.
Somali pirates plead guilty in US to Quest hijacking
Three Somali men have pleaded guilty in US federal court to piracy for their role in a hijacking that ended in the deaths of four American sailors. They face life sentences, but could receive lighter terms and eventually be deported to Somalia. Two of them also pleaded guilty to hostage taking at the Virginia court.
France court orders Chirac corruption trial to resume
The French Court of Cassation, the country's highest appeals court, ruled that the corruption trial against former French president Jacques Chirac can continue, rejecting a constitutional challenge brought by one of his co-defendants. Chirac is being tried for allegedly misusing funds during his time as Paris mayor in 1990. Chirac's co-defendant, Remy Chardon, his former chief of staff, challenged a decision by the prosecution to dismiss the statute of limitations in the case against Chardon violates the French Constitution. The court however found the claims were not valid and did not need to go to the Constitutional Council, France's highest constitutional authority. The challenge has postponed the trial since March in only its second day.
Falun Gong practitioners sue Cisco
A group of Chinese Falun Gong practitioners is accusing Cisco Systems in a lawsuit of aiding and abetting torture and other human-rights violations by the Chinese government against members of the religious movement.
Social media use drastically reduces work productivity
A new survey claims that sites like Facebook and Twitter are drastically hurting work productivity. The report finds that 53% of employees waste at least an hour a day sending emails, answering texts and sending tweets. The average yearly cost of the lost productivity is $10, 375 per employee.
Belarus delivers suspended sentences to 2 presidential candidates for inciting riots
Belarus' Minsk City Court delivered suspended sentences on Friday to two former presidential candidates, Uladzimer Nyaklyaeu and Vital Rymasheuski, convicted of organizing protests following the re-election of president Alexander Lukashenko in December. The two-year suspended sentences were handed down days after former presidential candidate Andrey Sannikau was sentenced to five years.
House arrest starts for Strauss-Kahn
Dominique Strauss-Kahn is out of jail, but the experience of others who have faced house-arrest arrangements as tight as his suggests the former International Monetary Fund chief faces a trying time. Strauss-Kahn, accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid earlier this month, will be forbidden to leave a New York City apartment for all but a few situations. The arrangement calls for at least one armed guard to keep him under close surveillance 24 hours a day, seven-days a week—all at Strauss-Kahn's expense. "It's not jail, so it's great relief for the first few weeks. But it can get oppressive really fast."
U.K. gag orders judged overused
Amid mounting criticism of controversial court-issued privacy orders that allow athletes, politicians and others to prevent publication of their embarrassing escapades, a panel of senior judges and lawyers said such gag orders have been issued too frequently but stopped short of recommending a change of law.
U.S. bill to criminalize illicit movie / music streaming
Three U.S. Senators have introduced a bill that would make streaming unauthorized music, movies and TV-shows a felony. The bill is said to address a gap in current legislation where streaming is not considered a criminal offense. The question is whether the new legislation is really needed though, as the authorities have already started several criminal investigations into movie streaming sites in recent months.
Time
Sex. Lies. Arrogance. What makes powerful men act like pigs? Men behaving badly. What is it about power that makes men crazy?
Newsweek
Dispatch From a Shrinking Planet. Google Earth, cell phones, and the Internet are all making the world seem smaller—but the illusion of close contact makes travel more important than ever.
Business Week
How Rajat Gupta Came Undone. The former McKinsey head was a gilded member of the corporate elite. But a tape of his voice, divulging secret details of a Goldman board meeting to a convicted hedge fund manager, cost him what no amount of money can buy
The Economist
The world's most dangerous border. To reduce the risk of terror, the West must help defuse tension between India and Pakistan.
Der Spiegel
Sex & Macht - Anatomie einer gefährlichen Beziehung.
Washington 'disappointed' with Yemen's Saleh, urges him to sign exit deal 'now'
Al Arabiya, Online news, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Pakistani naval base under attack
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Saudi Post loses out SR13bn to illegal courier operators
Arab News, Pro-government, Jidda, Saudi Arabia
Ex-presidential aide critical of Obama's speech
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England
More victims buried in tense Syria
Egyptian Gazette, English-language, Cairo, Egypt
Afghan Taliban reject reports leader Mullah Omar killed
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
PA may abandon statehood drive if '67 lines accepted
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
Taliban storm Pakistan Naval Air Base, 7 dead
Nahamet, Online news portal, Beirut, Lebanon
Lebanese figures: Syria immune against conspiracies
Sana, Syrian Arab News Agency, Damascus, Syria
Yemen opposition refuses further talks with Gulf representative
Yemen Observer, Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
Obama due to begin European tour
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Former Armstrong team-mate describes 'systematic' doping
BreakingNews.ie, Online news portal, Cork, Ireland
Deadly firefight rages on at naval base in Karachi
CNN International, London, England
Crushing defeat for Spain's ruler
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England
Britain's bill for elderly care 'to cost a fifth of GDP' by 2050
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Princes' islands perfect for a long, stress-free weekend
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Taliban militants 'cornered by Pakistani commandos'
Independent The, London, England
Euro slides to 2-month low
Irish Times The, Centrist daily, Dublin, Ireland
Gazprom to cough up for sports investment
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia
The Malthusians who masquerade as Marxists
Spiked, (Alternative Internet Magazine), London, England
Chris Huhne: police inquiry launched after paperwork found
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
President to officially open NAM meeting in Bali
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
Chavalit explains why he left P. Thai
Bangkok Post, Independent, Bangkok, Thailand
Taiwan, Singapore begin free trade agreement discussions
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Taliban focus high-profile targets in spring offensive
Daily Jang, Left-wing daily, Karachi, Pakistan
Euro sinks further on Greek sovereign debt woes
Dawn, English-language daily, Karachi, Pakistan
When in power, people start making money, Maran told U.S. Consul General in 2008
Hindu The, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Taliban spokesman says Mullah Omar alive: Afghan news agency
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
PM, Sonia declare guilty in scams will be punished
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
Hakuho wins test meet despite final-day loss
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Taleban leader killed in Pakistan - report
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Taliban focus high-profile targets in spring offensive
News The, Left-wing, Karachi, Pakistan
Suicide car blast kills 13 in Jalalabad
Pajhwok Afghan News, (Independent news agency), Kabul, Afghanistan
4 injured in bus accident in Buenos Aires
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Australian PM has no plans to meet Dalai Lama
Sify News, Chennai, India
US hikers jailed in Iran make rare call to family
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
Refugee to reporter
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Velez beats Gimnasia to extend lead atop Clausura
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Violent incidents in Pakistan since Osama's killing
Thaindian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Hyundai output disrupted by strike at key supplier
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
Taliban deny Mullah Omar is dead
Times of India, Conservative, New Delhi, India
ICT history created in Grenada
Caribbean360, Online news portal, St. Michael, Barbados
Authorities take new actions to stop Haitian immigrants
Dominican Today, Independent daily, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Mexico nominates Central Bank chief Agustin Carstens for top IMF post
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
G20: Hungry for opportunities
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Fight for the seat - Mixed reactions threaten to loosen JLP foothold in Tivoli Gardens
Jamaica Gleaner, Independent daily, Kingston, Jamaica
Dominique Strauss-Kahn's open secret
Maclean's, Centrist newsmagazine, Toronto, Canada
Debt worries hits euro and stocks; government debt, gold up
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
Powerful tornadoes kill at least 31 in Midwest
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
Penalized for working? Disabled lose 50 cents on every dollar earned
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
Nickelback singer must pay ex-partner $25,000 a month
Vancouver Sun The, Conservative, Vancouver, Canada
UN urges North Sudan out of Abyei
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Akufo-Addo congratulates president Ouattara
GhanaWeb, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tornado strikes Missouri
iafrica, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
Sudanese officials snub meetings with UNSC delegation
Sudan Tribune, Khartoum, Sudan
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