March 8, 2010 Nº 879 - Vol. 8
"The things we fear most in organizations - fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances - are the primary sources of creativity."
Margaret J. Wheatley
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Internet access is 'a fundamental right'
Almost four in five people around the world believe that access to the internet is a fundamental right. The survey - of more than 27,000 adults across 26 countries - found strong support for net access on both sides of the digital divide. Countries such as Finland and Estonia have already ruled that access is a human right for their citizens. International bodies such as the UN are also pushing for universal net access. "The right to communicate cannot be ignored," Dr Hamadoun Toure, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said. Web users questioned in South Korea and Nigeria felt strongly that governments should never be involved in regulation of the internet. However, a majority of those in China and the many European countries disagreed. Recently, the EU adopted an internet freedom provision, stating that any measures taken by member states that may affect citizen's access to or use of the internet "must respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens".
US administration to block vote on Turkey 'genocide'
The Obama administration has said it will seek to block a controversial bill describing as genocide the World War I killing of Armenians by Turks. A congressional panel on Thursday approved the resolution, paving the way for a possible vote by the House. But US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the administration would "work very hard" to prevent this. Turkey voiced strong protests after the vote and recalled its ambassador from Washington for consultations.
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Switzerland rejects move to provide lawyers for animals
Voters in Switzerland have rejected a proposal to introduce a nationwide system of state-funded lawyers to represent animals in court. Animal rights groups had proposed the move, saying that without lawyers to argue the animals' case, many instances of cruelty were going unpunished. But the measure was rejected by around 70% of voters in a referendum. Opponents had argued that Switzerland did not need more legislation. The government had opposed the idea. Voters were almost certainly swayed by worries about how much such a system might cost taxpayers, and by objections from Switzerland's farmers already struggling with reduced subsidies and falling milk prices. Switzerland already has some of the strictest animal welfare legislation in the world.
Icelanders reject payback no matter the cost
Voters in Iceland have overwhelmingly rejected proposals to pay the UK and the Netherlands in the wake of collapse of the Icesave bank. The Reykjavik government approved the repayment plan last December but it was blocked by President Grimsson in January, which led to the referendum being called. With a third of results counted, 93% of voters said "No" in a referendum. Many Icelanders believe the plan should be rejected because they feel they are being penalised for the mistakes of the banking industry. The strident refusal to pay back debt may actually create another obstacle to economic recovery.
Obama hails Iraq election 'milestone'
Obama has hailed a "milestone" in the history of Iraq, as it completed its second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion. He praised the courage of voters who turned out despite bomb and mortar attacks that killed at least 35 people. "Today's voting makes it clear that the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq," he said. Obama repeated his vow to withdraw US combat troops from Iraq by the end of August, and all the remaining US forces by the end of next year.
Firms 'missing out on female talent'
The world's leading companies are failing to make the most of the talents of their female workforce, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has said. Women are still failing to break into senior management or onto the board, the Corporate Gender Gap report said. The US led the way with the highest percentage of female employees (52%), while India had the lowest (23%). To tackle the problem, the WEF urged companies to do more to educate and utilize female talent.
EU considers general carbon tax
The European Commission is planning an EU-wide minimum tax on carbon as part of the EU's green energy agenda - but the UK opposes such a move. The minimum tax would apply to fuel, natural gas and coal.
Moving Sept. 11 trial may have political implications
The Obama administration has long argued that the self-proclaimed mastermind of the 2001 attacks should be tried in a civilian court, but now it is considering bringing Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before a military court. One expert says it's the president's latest communication misstep.
SEC taking another look at penalty policy
The SEC is considering changes to its corporate-penalty policy in cases of fraud, with one commissioner calling for more attention to deterrence when calculating fines.
Partner charged with overbilling client by $1m to gain prestige in firm
A now-former partner of Greenberg Traurig has been criminally charged with theft for allegedly overbilling a government client in the Chicago suburbs by more than $1 million. Mark McCombs, 50, is accused of taking advantage of longstanding professional and personal relationships with officials in Village of Calumet Park and charging more than $1 million since 2003 for work that wasn't performed. If convicted of the felony, he could be sentenced to six to 30 years in prison. While McCombs obtained no direct benefit from his alleged crime, he gained prestige—and, at least potentially, higher pay—at Greenberg Traurig by overbilling, Cook County prosecutors contend.
Spaniards rally against abortion
Thousands of demonstrators have marched through Spanish cities to protest against a bill that will make it easier for women to seek an abortion.
Time
History maker. The World According To Tom. With his new miniseries The Pacific, Hanks tells the story of America's island war. How did this actor turned producer become our chronicler in chief?
Newsweek
F Why we can't get rid of failing teachers.
Business Week
The end of life. Lessons of a $618,616 Death. Two years after her husband's death, Amanda Bennett's cover story examines the costs of keeping one man alive.
The Economist
Gendercide. Killed, aborted or neglected, at least 100m girls have disappeared—and the number is rising.
Le Nouvel Observateur
Les alliés ont-ils abandonné les juifs ? A l'heure des repentances, un roman relance la terrible accusation lancée contre les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
Der Spiegel
Die Euro-Lüge
Hundreds killed in Nigeria attack
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Hezbollah: Not Responsible for Palestinian Arms in Lebanon
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England
Labourer dies in RAK after being buried alive by debris
Gulf News, Independent daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
At least 41 dead as earthquake jolts eastern Turkey
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
IRAQ: Secular Candidates Have Their Best Chance
IPS Middle East, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
PA agrees to 'proximity talks'
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
Emarat Organizes Training Sessions on Food Safety
Khaleej Times, English-language daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DFSA signs MoU with France's AMF
Middle East North African Network, Online financial portal, Amman, Jordan
Over 500 Killed in Nigeria Communal Fighting
Nahamet, Online news portal, Beirut, Lebanon
Panel formed on Lebanon poll law
Saudi Gazette, English-language daily, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Palestinians agree to indirect peace talks with Israel
The Daily Star, Independent daily, Beirut, Lebanon
Ahmadinejad calls Sept 11 'big fabrication'
Times of Oman, English-language daily, Muscat, Oman
Oscar triumph for The Hurt Locker
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
DDDA spending culture criticised
BreakingNews.ie, Online news portal, Cork, Ireland
Oscars 2010: The Hurt Locker beats Avatar to win six Academy Awards
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England
Revealed: The horror image drawn by Jon Venables just weeks before he killed James Bulger
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Touchscreen device sales to grow 97% in 2010
DMeurope, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
IRAQ: International community hails 'milestone' poll
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
At least 41 dead, roughly 100 injured in Turkish earthquake
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Topshop's '50s-Style Underwear Collection
Look Magazine, London, England
Attempted burglary leaves Cumbrian cash machine on fire
News & Star, Independent daily, Carlisle, England
Top Awards For Bigelow, Bridges And Bullock
Sky News, Independent newscaster, Middlesex, England
Islam for the Diaspora: Importing Germany's Imams
Spiegel International, Liberal newsmagazine, Hamburg, Germany
Mandelson: Ashcroft row exposes Cameron weakness
The Guardian, Liberal daily, London, England
Teenage soldiers latest to die in Afghanistan
The Independent, London, England
Limerick hurlers up the ante
The Irish Times, Centrist daily, Dublin, Ireland
Strasbourg Hears $98Bln Yukos Case
The Moscow Times, Independent daily, Moscow, Russia
Interpol called in to investigate kidnapping of British schoolboy
The Telegraph, Conservative daily, London, England
Oscars 2010: in quotes
The Telegraph, London, England
Defiant Iraqis prepared to face 'God's wrath'
Times Online, Conservative daily, London, England
Terrorist activities no problem to Obama's visit to Indonesia
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
Earthquake shakes eastern Turkey; 11 dead
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
10th Seoul International Financial Forum Kicks Off
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
SC exempts Malik from appearing before court
Dawn, English-language daily, Karachi, Pakistan
Foreign currency exchange rates fixed by National Bank
Gazeta.kz, Official online newspaper, Kazakhstan
SP, RJD withdraw support to UPA Govt
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
One killed, 11 hurt in Mumbai stampede
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Tsegay wins Lake Biwa Marathon
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
AG's Report: Action against 72 officers, 23 companies
Malaysian Star, Online news portal, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Hotel to occupy New York's ground zero
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
80% of adults believe Internet access is fundamental right
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Pakistan holds US 'Al-Qaeda suspect': officials
Sify News, Chennai, India
Bigelow wins top Oscars
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
China faces new pressure to loosen currency control
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Gender imbalance spells trouble for Taiwan
Taiwan Today, Taipei, Taiwan
Telangana lawyers boycott courts
Thaindian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Centre unfazed by opposition to Women's Reservation Bill
The Hindu, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Island Academy highlights potential scientists
Antigua Sun Online, Independent daily, St. John's, Antigua
Iraqi vote marred by violence
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
New copter gives Cayman a lift
Cayman Net News, Online news portal, George Town, Cayman Islands
Heavy surf warning issued for Atlantic coast
Dominican Today, Independent daily, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
RELIGION-MEXICO: Legion of Christ Scandal Escalates
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Reese removed - National security permanent secretary burnt over Armadale
Jamaica Gleaner, Independent daily, Kingston, Jamaica
Peru's Nicolás Fuchs gets third place in the Mexico World Rally Championship
Living in Peru, News portal, Lima, Peru
UBC dumps Manitoba for CIS Volleyball title
The Globe and Mail, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Teen gunned down outside MovieTowne
Trinidad Guardian, Independent daily, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
'Hundreds dead' in Nigeria attack
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
First set of UN troops could leave DR Congo by late June
CongoPlanet.com, Independent online news aggregator
NALAG should fulfil development aspirations of the people- Mr Aidoo Mensah
GhanaWeb, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quake shakes Turkey
iafrica, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
Three cyclists killed in crash
Independent Online, News portal, Cape Town, South Africa
US urges free and fair Ethiopian polls
Jimma Times, Online news portal, Jimma, Ethiopia
Sasol first-half earnings drop
Mail & Guardian Online, Liberal, Johannesburg, South Africa
Be realistic, SWC landlords told
News24.com, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
Anambra, Akunyili, Soludo and others
Vanguard, Independent daily, Lagos, Nigeria
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