September 5, 2011 nº 1,087 - Vol. 9
"It is legal because I wish it."
Louis XIV
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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Legal rebels 2011: Big Change in BigLaw
BigLaw and innovation? This year's crop of Legal Rebels demonstrates that those are not necessarily contradictory terms. Certainly the major-firm environment has its soothing perks in salary, specialization and star power. And as the legal profession struggles under the pressures of technology, rising competition, client demands and a still-strained economy, it would be hard to blame those lawyers in the front row if they simply kept their seats and rode out the storm. But there are those for whom no easy path exists. They see the future and find fresher, faster and better ways to deal with it; and in doing so they are remaking their corner of the profession through the power of innovation. That makes them Legal Rebels. Whether manager, partner, vendor, associate or paralegal administrator, they are exploring new areas of growth on underserved continents, more intensive ways to challenge job applicants, coupon-style offers to lure in new business, tech-savvy ways to share knowledge and speed communication. They are even taking legal services outside the ubiquitous law-practice model, challenging the very definition of what the legal profession is.
Visit our new 'Magic Eye' page and boost your career
Migalhas International, with the support of executive search firms, brings the best career and professional development opportunities to its readers. We call this service the "Magic Eye". Santivo Consultants is a recruitment consultancy, exclusively serving the legal market. Click here to go to our special webpage and find your next lease on life.
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U.S. sets ultimatum in Swiss bank tax dispute
The United States has written to Switzerland to demand it hands over detailed information this week on its citizens using Swiss accounts to dodge tax.
Libya interim leaders pledge adherence to rule of law
Libya's NTC - National Transitional Council assured world leaders on Friday that Libya will be a society of tolerance and respect for the rule of law. During a meeting in Paris chaired by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, NTC leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil vowed to administer elections and draft a new constitution for Libya within 18 months. Sarkozy said that the airstrikes in Libya would continue until ex-colonel Muammar Gaddafi is caught by interim officials. Gaddafi has publicly announced his refusal to surrender. Leaders of the international community who helped oust Gaddafi have pledged economic and military support to the new Libyan administration.
Scuffles as Hosni Mubarak trial resumes
Riot police are separating anti- and pro-Mubarak crowds that had gathered outside the police academy courthouse where the trial is taking place. Mubarak is accused of ordering the killing of protesters during the uprising earlier this year which ended his rule. He denies the charges. This is the third hearing of the trial. The judge has banned live TV coverage.
Chirac's trial opens
The trial of former French President Jacques Chirac, on charges of illegal party funding during his time as mayor of Paris, opens in his absence. Chirac's lawyers filed an extensive neurological report with the court amid unconfirmed public reports that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
US regulator to sue 17 big banks
US authorities take legal action against 17 banks for losses on mortgage-backed investments that cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars.
Banks 'would not survive sovereign debt devaluations'
A number of European banks would not survive a cut in the value of their sovereign debt investments, the chief executive of Deutsche Bank has warned. He added that the continuing sovereign debt crisis in the eurozone would limit bank profits for a number of years. "The outlook for the future growth of revenues is limited by both the current situation and structurally," he said.
Turkey to take Israel to UN court
Turkey has said it will challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza at the ICJ - International Court of Justice. It is the latest sign of strain between the countries since last year's Israeli action against ships heading for Gaza, in which nine Turks were killed. Based in The Hague, the ICJ is a permanent UN court set up to rule on state-to-state disputes.
Jails struggle with mentally ill inmates
More Americans receive mental health treatment in prisons and jails than in hospitals or treatment centers, yet the criminal justice system was never built to handle people with mental illnesses. A judge in Miami-Dade County is trying to prevent those with mental illnesses who have committed minor crimes from ending up in jail.
Social Security is no Ponzi scheme
As Rick Perry campaigned in Iowa late last month, he made it clear that he doesn't have much faith in Social Security, one of the most popular U.S. government programs. "It is a Ponzi scheme for these young people," Perry said. "The idea that they're working and paying into Social Security today, that the current program is going to be there for them, is a lie. It is a monstrous lie on this generation, and we can't do that to them." Social Security's finances need shoring up. But there is nothing wrong with the program that Congress couldn't fix in a week. Gradually raising the retirement age to 69, changing the formula for cost-of-living increases, and raising the cap on wages subject to the payroll tax would close most of Social Security's funding gap for the next 75 years. Such changes would rely about 60% on tax increases and 40% on benefit cuts, and would mainly affect the wealthiest Americans by asking them to pay more and get less in return. In the end, Social Security would be more progressive and benefits for the very oldest and the very poorest retirees would be enhanced.
Halliburton sues BP over disaster
US oil services giant Halliburton sues BP for defamation over the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil rig explosion.
EU Kosovo authorities charge 10 for war crimes
The EULEX - European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo on Friday charged 10 former members of the KLA - Kosovo Liberation Army with war crimes for their actions during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo. The individuals were previously arrested in March. Among those charged is Fatmir Limaj, a prominent political figure in the PDK - Democratic Party of Kosovo. In order for the court to try him, parliament would have to dissolve his immunity.
Obama withdraws EPA smog standards
Obama on Friday requested the withdrawal of national smog standards [press release] proposed by the US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency. The draft Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards would have reduced the amount of smog emissions to between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million (ppm) from the previous 0.075 ppm. The EPA estimates that these changes would help reduce the effects of climate change and improve public health, saving the US between $13bn and $100bn in health care costs. The stricter smog standards, proposed by the EPA in January 2010 [JURIST report], would have replaced the Bush administration's broader 2008 national smog regulations, complying with scientific recommendations.
Prolonged detention of immigrants unconstitutional
A three-judge panel sitting for the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled Thursday that immigrants who are imprisoned while fighting deportation cannot be held indefinitely without a bail hearing and that the government must justify the need for the prolonged detention.
Samsung pulls new tablet after Apple win
Samsung Electronics Co. lost a chance to showcase its latest tablet computer at one of the world's largest electronics shows after Apple Inc. won a second injunction blocking Galaxy Tab sales in Germany.
Time
What to eat now. No more myths. No more fads. What you should eat — and why
Newsweek
Resiloience. Did Osama Win? Bin Laden hoped to provoke a civilizational war between Islam and the West. And we took the bait.
Business Week
Risk. The God Clause and the Reinsurance Industry. The risk business can tell us a lot about catastrophes. Why don't we listen?
The Economist
Ten years on. America has made mistakes over the past decade, but it cannot afford to drop its guard against al-Qaeda.
Der Spiegel
Als Deutschland in den Krieg zog - Afghanistan - Die Geschichte.
L'Espresso
La prigione dei bambini Hanno pochi anni, alcuni pochi mesi. Rinchiusi in centinaia nel centro di detenzione di Lampedusa. Dove restano per settimane tra malattie, incidenti, caldo infernale. Ecco cosa ha visto il nostro inviato.
Courtroom chaos as Mubarak trial resumes
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Pro-Gaddafi channel broadcasting from van
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England
Syrian forces renew raids near Turkey
Egyptian Gazette, English-language, Cairo, Egypt
Foreign Ministry officials admit: Turkey citizens routinely humiliated at Israel's airport
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
Egypt builds wall around Israeli embassy in Cairo
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
PM wants Libya rendition inquiry
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Clashes on streets of Cairo as Mubarak's trial resumes
CNN International, London, England
Italian heritage vandal is caught
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England
Murdered Meredith Kercher's sister reveals family's anguish as they sit through Amanda Knox's appeal
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Celebrity Big Brother 2011: Lucien Laviscount infuriates housemates with his continuous flirting
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Bani Walid defies NTC forces
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
FRANCE: Trial of former president Chirac opens in Paris
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Fans celebrate 'Freddie Mercury Day'
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Italian heritage vandal is caught
Independent The, London, England
Putin says GDP growth back on track
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia
Tony Blair is godfather to Rupert Murdoch's daughter
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
Al Pacino on directing: I feel like a dilettante
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England
Chalerm: Thaksin can seek pardon
Bangkok Post, Independent, Bangkok, Thailand
Usain Bolt signs off in Daegu with 4x100-meter relay world record
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Deep Sea Divers to Search for Black Box of Asiana Cargo Jet
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
Iran Guards kill 22 Kurd rebels: state TV
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
Coimbatore: Drivers charred in bus-lorry collision
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Law flawed but Noda should return donations: Fujimura
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Man torn in half by shark
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
DPRK urges S. Korea to drop 'unification through absorption' policy
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Jacques Chirac absent as Paris graft trial opens
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
Sepia dominates awards
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
US: United plane skids off Ottawa runway
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Toyota to halt Camry hybrid exports to North America
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
Olivia Chow rules out NDP leadership bid
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Protesters scuffle with police as Mubarak trial resumes in Egypt
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Angry Birds Loyalty Promotions Coming to Nearest Retail Shops
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
MEXICO: Murders of Reporters Heighten Despair and Shock
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
World stocks slide on economy and debt fears
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
Gaddafi-held desert town defies Libya's new rulers
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
'We're all going to miss him:' Friends, family remember big-hearted Belak
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
Somalia famine 'may kill 750,000'
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
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