November 17, 2010 Nº 979 - Vol. 8
"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me."
Insider's view
: see how local concerns shape up the global world. Read the daily press review in Migalhas International.
_____________
Read Migalhas LatinoAmérica in Spanish every Tuesday and Thursday. Visit the website at www.migalhas.com/latinoamerica
_____________
Leaked DOJ report reveals Nazi 'safe havens' in US
A report revealing that US intelligence officials knowingly allowed Nazis to settle in US "safe havens" after World War II was released Saturday by the New York Times after being leaked by former Department of Justice (DOJ) officials. The 600-page report describes the actions of the DOJ's Office of Special Investigations (OSI), created in 1979 to deport Nazis, and documents cases of Nazis who were aided by US officials. According to the report, Nazi persecutors gained entry to the US even though government officials were aware of their backgrounds. Senior DOJ lawyer Mark Richard, responsible for editing the final version, convinced then-attorney general Janet Reno to commission the report in 1999. Although Richard urged senior officials to make the report public until his death, the DOJ has resisted releasing the report since 2006.
GM boosts share offer to raise up to $18bn
The US car giant General Motors (GM) says its offer of shares to the public could raise $18bn, $5bn more than first hoped. Investor interest in the sale means demand has rocketed and increased the price the company can charge. The company is currently more than 60% owned by the US government which is keen to return it to the market. It plans to sell 365 million common shares for up to 18% more than first estimated at a price of $33 each. It will also now offer $4bn in preferred stock - four times the original value planned. Preferred stock carries different rights and will help to pay off the company's pension debt - one of the concerns of potential investors in the share sale. A price for the common stock of $33 per share would give GM a market value of about $63bn - close to the $66bn value that GM needs in order for US taxpayers to break even, based on the US Treasury's remaining common stock holding and a share price projection by the Treasury's special inspector general. The stock is expected to begin trading on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges on Thursday.
Google calls for global trade rules to limit Internet restrictions
Google on Monday urged the international community to ensure the free flow of online information by respecting global trade regulations and establishing new rules to protect against limitations on the Internet. Google estimates that up to 40 countries are incorporating surveillance tools into their Internet infrastructure, blocking online services and requiring licensing regimes that discriminate against foreign companies, all of which pose significant barriers to information flow and, therefore, global trade. In places like China, which enforces compliance with strict censorship laws before an Internet Content Provider (ICP) license will be issued, this means that Google must comply with censorship regulations or discontinue operations in the world's largest Internet market. Instead, Google urges policy makers to develop an agenda that recognizes the barrier Internet restriction poses to international trade and to reform Internet policy in a way that is consistent with the World Trade Organization General Agreement on Trade in Services.
F.B.I. seeks wider wiretap law for Web
The F.B.I. wants to expand a 1994 law, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, to impose regulations on Internet companies. The law requires phone and broadband network access providers like Verizon and Comcast to make sure they can immediately comply when presented with a court wiretapping order. Law enforcement officials want the 1994 law to also cover Internet companies because people increasingly communicate online. An interagency task force of Obama administration officials is trying to develop legislation for the plan, and submit it to Congress early next year. The Commerce Department and State Department have questioned whether it would inhibit innovation, as well as whether repressive regimes might harness the same capabilities to identify political dissidents, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
Letter to the editor
Sir, about this story on the riot of inmates, the problem facing the prision system in this country is the overcrowding that causes prisioners to pile up in sub-human conditions in jails, and otherwise, criminal gangs operating within the prision...it's time to reform the prision system, streamline process that are stopped because of the slowness of justice and also a serious political resocialization, otherwise we will be more victims when they are rampant. We watched passively when in fact it is an urgent change. From Claudia Sinibaldi, law graduate and post-graduate degree in politics and international relations.
Before you open the door to the boardroom, peek through the keyhole!
Michael Page specializes in the placement of candidates in permanent, contract, temporary and interim positions within client companies around the world. Have a look at the new section of the Migalhas website and discover the professional development opportunities with large corporations, in legal and business fields, presented by Michael Page International. Click here to peep through the hole!
1 - iPhone Tip: How many apps do you have? (Click here)
2 - America's law schools and firms (Click here)
3 - Bank manager wins 'nervous breakdown' claim against Commonwealth Bank (Click here)
4 - Apple gets rights to sell digital Beatles music (Click here)
5 - Lamborghini driver arrested as TV turn up (Click here)
6 - French Senate passes new e-book law (Click here)
7 - British author Alan Shadrake jailed in Singapore (Click here)
8 - Minnesota man freed after 2 1/2 years in prison following fatal crash sues Toyota (Click here)
9 - High court upholds added sentences for use of guns in drug crimes (Click here)
10 - 'Most wanted' man is arrested (Click here)
11 - Intel sued by University of New Mexico over chips (Click here)
12 - New laws let bars go louder, later (Click here)
_____________
100% Migalhas: www.migalhas.com
_____________
China court rules against plaintiff in first HIV employment discrimination suit
A Chinese court ruled Friday against a man who claimed he was denied a teaching job because he is HIV-positive, in China's first HIV/AIDs employment discrimination lawsuit. The man, known only by the alias Xiao Wu, said that he passed requisite academic tests and interviews for the job but was denied after his health examination. He brought the suit against the Education Ministry in Anqing where the court ruled that the city education officials properly assessed his unsuitability for the position base on health standards. The man's lawyer said that he is only seeking the job he deserves, and he is already planning to appeal the ruling. There are about 740,000 Chinese people living with HIV/AIDs, and many face discrimination in education, employment and health care.
China's Tianhe-1A crowned supercomputer king
China's Tianhe-1A supercomputer has been confirmed as the most powerful in the world. Tianhe-1A has a peak speed of 2.57 petaflops, far higher than the US XT5 Jaguar that can manage 1.76 petaflops. Located at China's National Supercomputer Centre in Tianjin much of the machine's processing power comes from chips more typically found in graphics cards. It is expected to be doing simulations to help Chinese weather forecasts and to help with work to locate undersea oil fields.
_____________
Tell your friends and colleagues you've read it in Migalhas International
_____________
Licitación
Panamá abre nueva licitación para la contratar al administrador financiero del Metro bus. El 30 de noviembre será la entrega de propuestas. (Presione aquí)
Hierro
La brasileña Usiminas planea invertir US$ 319,3 mlls. en su división de minería, Mineração Usiminas, para incrementar la producción de mineral de hierro a 12 millones de toneladas desde los 7 millones actuales en un año.
EE.UU. – Uruguay
En el marco del Foro de Competitividad de las Américas que se desarrolla en Atlanta, Uruguay firmó un nuevo convenio de cooperación asociada y promoción para el intercambio del desarrollo educativo de la fuerza laboral con Estados Unidos, cuya misión estuvo representada por el subsecretario de Comercio, Francisco Sánchez.
BSP
El interés por invertir en el sistema bancario mexicano va en ascenso. El Banco Espiríto Santo Invetiment ingresa al mercado inicialmente con una oficina de representación, aunque en breve se prevé la adquisición de una entidad bancaria, dijo su presidente José María Espírito Santo. (Presione aquí)
Is an Oklahoma referendum which bans Shariah law constitutional?
A federal judge blocked Oklahoma officials from implementing a voter-approved referendum that singles out Islamic religious law, or Shariah, as a threat to the state. Chief Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange, of U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City, set a Nov. 22 hearing to consider whether the Save Our State Amendment violates the U.S. Constitution.
Kate Middleton's engagement ring -- Would you wear your MIL's bling?
Kate Middleton's engagement ring belonged to Diana, her late Mother –In-Law. OK, so Kate Middleton's finally engaged, and now the whole world is focused on The Ring. And it turns out Prince William proposed to his future Queen of England with the same engagement ring Princess Diana picked out way back in 1981. The crown jewel in question is a giant (18-karat) blue sapphire, flanked in diamonds. And, sure, it's a beauty, but can't help but wonder if Kate wouldn't have ... preferred to pick out her own. Maybe we don't appreciate history. Maybe this is just the kind of stuff that comes with wearing a crown. Yes, it's sacrilege to say, but it had to be asked.
How to stay ahead of Consumer Protection laws
The past two years have brought about a slew of new consumer protection laws. While these laws and regulations are generally well thought-out, they are years late and in many cases a bit toothless. Slow moving regulators cause proliferation of bait and switch products. Even after consumer abuses become apparent, there are often years of bureaucratic red tape before the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (tasked with regulatory oversight on consumer protection), or Congress (the law makers) act. The Federal Reserve Board usually conducts in-depth surveys and studies before enacting regulation that can severely harm a specific financial industry. For example, recent overdraft law changes and debit card interchange regulation may severely hurt banks that heavily rely on overdraft fees. For example, TCF Financial has about $300 million in fee revenue per year at risk, so the bank's $100 million profit in 2009 looks destined to decline. However, given the slow pace at which regulators move, competition inevitably leads to a familiar theme:
1. Creating banks create a financial product that sounds great to the consumer, but is loaded with shrouded costs.
2. Creative banks take massive market share as consumers eat up their product.
3. Competing banks are forced to copy those moves to keep customers.
4. Everyone in the market ends up peddling the financial product with the same shrouded costs Let's take a look at some examples, along with how regulators have responded, and how banks are evolving to exploit loopholes.
Some say that regulators block left, the financial industry weaves right; they're running up a downward escalator. But regulators do seem to get it right in the end, so hats off to them. However, some of the brightest minds are hard at work devising "strategies"; in all likelihood they are already devising new ways that won't be regulated for another 10 years, and by the time Congress reacts, they will already be two steps ahead. And the cycle continues.
Barroso deplores failure over EU budget
The European Commission president says a few EU member states "dealt a blow" to Europe by blocking a deal on the bloc's 2011 budget. Several countries rejected Euro MPs' demands for pledges on future EU funding and on the parliament's role. The budget will likely be frozen at this year's level. Many EU programs will suffer from the budget debacle.
Eurozone to work to help Ireland
Senior European officials laid the groundwork for a bailout of Ireland that could reach $136 billion, saying experts would travel this week to Dublin to examine the country's finances amid alarm about the dire straits of the Irish banking system.
Haiti cholera spreads over border
The Dominican Republic detects its first case of cholera following the outbreak of the disease in neighboring Haiti, where more than 1,000 people have died ans 16,700 hospitalized.
US warning over nuclear treaty
US Vice-President Joseph Biden warns that failure to ratify a new nuclear arms control treaty with Russia will "endanger our national security". He said without such approval, the US would be unable to inspect and track the Russian nuclear arsenal. The treaty aims to reduce the nuclear arsenal of the two countries.
Argentina-Uruguay mill row ends
Argentina and Uruguay both voice satisfaction as an accord is reached to end their long-running dispute over a paper mill.
Bolivia defends seizing foreign energy firms
Bolivia's government has defended its policy of nationalising companies that it says are vital to the economy. Businesses in the energy sector have been seized by President Evo Morales's left-wing administration. It follows a trend started by Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez, who has called on all Latin American nations to follow his lead. Bolivia's government has said it is redistributing oil and gas wealth to the country's indigenous population.
IRS withdraws case against UBS
The IRS said it has dropped a long-running legal action against Swiss banking giant UBS, after the Swiss government handed over names of U.S. taxpayers holding accounts at the bank.
Rangel guilty of ethics violations
An eight-member House ethics committee has found Democratic Representative Charles Rangel of New York guilty on 11 counts of breaking House rules. The panel will make a recommendation to the House of Representatives on appropriate punishment for Rangel following a hearing.The 80-year-old had been accused of 13 counts of engaging in financial and fundraising misconduct. He is a former committee chairman with 40 years' service in Congress.
Colombia to extradite Venezuelan drugs 'kingpin'
Colombia says that Walid Makled, an alleged Venezuelan drugs kingpin arrested earlier this year, will be extradited to Venezuela, rather than the US. The decision is a sign of improving ties between Colombia and Venezuela. Chavez had expressed concern that a trial in the US might be used to wrongly implicate his government in drugs trafficking.
US House votes to ban animal cruelty videos
The US House of Representatives voted Monday to ban animal cruelty or crush videos, revising the 1999 legislation that was struck down by the US Supreme Court in April. The Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 maintains that creating, selling or distributing animal crush videos, which feature small animals being tortured or killed, is a crime punishable with up to five years in prison.The revised legislation more narrowly defines what constitutes a crush video, excluding videos depicting "customary and normal veterinary or agricultural husbandry practices," as well as videos of hunting, fishing or trapping. Originally passed by the House in July, the Act slightly alters the language approved by the Senate in September and will now go back for reconsideration.
California high court rules illegal immigrants eligible for in-state tuition
The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that illegal immigrants are eligible to receive in-state tuition benefits at California's public colleges and universities. The plaintiffs in the class action suit, brought by the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), had alleged that an exemption in California Education Code section 68130.5(a) violates § 1623 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits states from allowing illegal immigrants to receive postsecondary education benefits on the basis of residence unless citizens of the US are eligible to receive the same benefits without regard to residency status. § 68130.5(a) provides an exemption for nonresidents attending California colleges and universities who attended a California high school for at least three years.
No bailout yet for Ireland
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
UAE celebrates Eid Al Adha
Gulf News, Independent daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dead Sea drilling project to shed light on region's geological history
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
Rulers greet Khalifa, Mohammed
Khaleej Times, English-language daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Makkah and Madinah declared malaria-free cities
Middle East North African Network, Online financial portal, Amman, Jordan
Karzai Remains 'Our Partner', Says US Defense Secretary
Nahamet, Online news portal, Beirut, Lebanon
Yemen participates in World Travel Market exhibition
Yemen Observer, Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
Pensioner caught on CCTV using car to shunt vehicle blocking his garage
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Gay reference cut from UN resolution
The Irish Times, Centrist daily, Dublin, Ireland
Qantas plane forced to return after bird strike
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
2-G scam: Apex court asks PM why delay in pulling up Raja?
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
South Africa has 'solar gold rush' potential: Emvelo
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Indian-origin doctor jailed for rape in Australia
Sify News, Chennai, India
Apple accepts student-designed iPhone app
Taiwan Today, Government Information Office, Taipei, Taiwan
Stem cells injected into the brain of stroke patient in world first
Thaindian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Allocation 'arbitrary, unfair and inequitable'
The Hindu, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Internet At Home - A Distant Dream in Cuba
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
'Come clean' - Thwaites urges MPs to declare citizenship status as election looms in Jamaica
Jamaica Gleaner, Independent daily, Kingston, Jamaica
Election losers protest in Guinea
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England