March 14, 2011 nº 1.016 - Vol. 9
"We make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were villains by necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion."
William Shakespeare
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Death toll of 'ten thousands' predicted in Japan
The Friday earthquake was a powerful shock — 8.9 on the Richter scale — and it will probably take many weeks, if not months, to assess the full scale of damage. But the pattern was striking: devastation stretched along hundreds of miles of seacoast; towns washed away by mudslides; trains carried out to sea; thousands of survivors left stranded on roofs, awaiting rescue. The quake also led to terrifying consequences including the partial meltdown of at least two nuclear reactors. Officials say a hydrogen explosion occurred Monday at Unit 3 of the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, similar to an earlier one at a different unit of the facility. The blast had been anticipated amid a frantic effort to deal with earthquake and tsunami damage to cooling systems for the plant's reactors. Officials said the reactor's inner containment vessel remains intact. Only the fact that the epicenter was not near a densely populated area prevented far greater casualties. The nuclear crisis was a triple whammy for Japan, coming on top of the earthquake -- the fifth strongest ever recorded -- and one of the most powerful tsunami in history, which caused scenes of unimaginable destruction in northeast Japan. Japanese authorities say thousands might have died in the massive earthquake and tsunami, which left many survivors stranded or shivering in makeshift evacuation centers that were running low on supplies today. The Bank of Japan pumped record funds into the banking system to shore up confidence on Monday. But the central bank said it was sticking to its view that the world's third largest economy would resume its moderate recovery, though output would fall in at least for the short term. "Output is likely to fall for some time. We are also worried that corporate and household sentiment will worsen," the BOJ said in a statement after its board voted to double the 5 trillion fund pool put in place last October to support Japan's recovery after the global economic crisis. The central bank said it was ready to throw 15 trillion yen ($183 billion) into the banking system to ensure markets function properly. Most analysts agree that Japan will eventually enjoy a boost from reconstruction, after suffering a temporary economic hit, with household consumption rising to replace damaged homes and goods. As for the world economy, Japan is not a major engine of global growth so the disaster poses less of a risk to other countries than soaring oil prices caused by turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. There have been widespread shutdowns of industrial operations, and repairing the damage will be extremely costly. Some of Japan's biggest companies, including the car maker Toyota, have shut down operations, and the government has introduced a program of rolling power cuts to ration electricity.
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Chinese premier calls for political reform
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has once again said China needs to carry out political reforms.He said the economic achievements of the last 30 years could be lost without "institutional" changes. "Without political restructuring, economic restructuring will not succeed and the achievements we have made in economic restructuring may be lost," he said. The premier did not spell out exactly what reforms are necessary - and said they would have to be introduced gradually. But his comments appear to put him out of step with more conservative colleagues. He also said that there were no parallels between China and the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, countries that are currently going through political upheavals. People can currently vote for their own village leaders in China. The premier held out the possibility that direct elections could be extended beyond this limited level.
China rules out faster yuan rise despite soaring prices
Wen Jiabao has ruled out any changes to China's policy on its currency, the yuan. China has been battling inflation, with consumer prices rising 4.9% in February from the same month a year ago. Analysts had suggested that allowing the yuan to strengthen against the US dollar could make imports cheaper, thus reducing costs. China has been accused of keeping its currency artificially low in order to help its exporters.
China cyber-warfare capability a 'formidable concern'
China's growing capabilities in cyber-warfare and intelligence gathering have been described as a "formidable concern" to the United States. In evidence, last year saw a "dramatic increase" in malicious cyber-activity targeting US computers and networks. "Chinese law prohibits any cyber-attacks including hacking of any form and fights against these types of crimes in accordance with the law," the Chinese foreign said.
U.S. courts confront China's involvement in price fixing
In a closely watched case that could test the reach of U.S. antitrust law, four Chinese companies face powerful evidence that they colluded to limit production and fix prices of vitamin C in the United States.
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Bahrain lawmakers call for martial law after violent clashes
A pro-government group of parliamentarians is urging the King of Bahrain to impose martial law for three months as the country continues to face anti-government protests. The call comes in the wake of a day of clashes between protesters and security forces that resulted in more than 1,000 people hospitalized, a human rights activist said. The Independent Bloc of lawmakers called on Bahrain security forces to intervene to protect national security and stability. The bloc is made up of the 22 pro-government lawmakers in the lower house of the legislature. Protesters in the tiny island nation have been demonstrating for a month, with moderates demanding a constitutional monarchy and hardliners calling for the abolition of the royal family altogether.
Arab League backs no-fly zone over Libya
The 22-member organization can't impose a no-fly zone itself. But its approval gives the U.S. and other Western powers crucial regional backing they say they need before doing so. The move came as Moammar Gadhafi's forces retook the key oil port city of Ras Lanuf.
Chevron appeals against Ecuador Amazon pollution fine
US oil giant Chevron has launched a legal appeal against a $9.5bn (£5.9bn) fine by an Ecuador court for polluting much of the country's Amazon region. Chevron accused lawyers and supporters of the indigenous groups who brought the case of "corrupting" the trial. It said the judgment contained "numerous legal and factual defects". The oil firm Texaco, which merged with Chevron in 2001, was accused of dumping billions of gallons of toxic materials into unlined pits and rivers.
Google aids Japan quake victims
Google has launched a version of its Person Finder service for people caught up in the Japanese earthquake. The website acts as a directory and message board so people can look for lost loved ones or post a note saying they are safe. It is designed to be embedded on websites and social network pages to reach as wide an audience as possible. The system has proved useful after other disasters that have stopped people getting in direct touch.
Musharraf 'not told of UK's disapproval of torture'
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has cast doubt on Britain's public stance that countries should not torture British citizens on its behalf. He said he was never told that was the policy and this may have been "tacit approval of whatever we were doing". His comments raise questions about how much MI5 knew about torture being used in the fight against al-Qaeda. Former MI5 director general Elizabeth Manningham-Buller denied that "a blind eye had been turned."
India is world's 'largest importer' of arms
India has overtaken China to become the world's largest importer of arms, a Sweden-based think tank says. A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute - Sipri says India accounted for 9% of all weapons imports between 2006 and 2010. India will continue to be to the leading arms importer in the coming future, the report adds.
Indian navy captures 61 pirates
Dozens of pirates aboard a Mozambican ship have been captured by India's navy after a gun battle in the Arabian sea. The Indian navy says it seized 61 pirates and rescued 13 crew from the vessel, which had been used as a mother ship from where pirates launched attacks around the Indian Ocean. Attacks by pirates off the Indian coast have become increasingly more violent.
AP sues retailers over iconic Obama image
The Associated Press has sued several retailers including Urban Outfitters for the unauthorized use of the Hope image created by artist Shepard Fairey. He used an AP photo without permission to create the image, and was sued by the news agency for violating copyright. That case was settled. AP argues that using the image on T-shirts is willful and blatant violation of the copyright of the photo. A spokesman said that using photos for free devalued the work of journalists.
Car insurance firms encourage claims, MPs say
UK insurance firms have been criticized by MPs for allegedly encouraging injury claims after car accidents. A report from the Transport Select Committee detailed how firms are paid "referral" fees for giving lawyers the names of people involved in crashes. These people may then be persuaded to sue for compensation. But the insurers' association instead blamed the "compensation culture" for being behind the rise in legal costs and premiums.
Rajaratnam's defense team plans to assail witness Kumar's 'monstrous lie'
Last week, under questioning by a prosecutor, former McKinsey & Co. director Anil Kumar told jurors that he was pressured by Raj Rajaratnam, the Galleon Group's founder, to leak stock tips. This week, defense lawyers will try in cross-examination to depict Kumar as a "monstrous" liar.
Virginia Supreme Court to hear global warming subpoena case
The Supreme Court of Virginia on Friday agreed to hear a case seeking to determine whether Virignia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli can subpoena records about a former professor at the University of Virginia. Cuccinelli is requesting that the University turn over records about global warming researcher Dr. Michael Mann, now a professor at Penn State University, in an effort to investigate allegations that Mann received improper public funds for his global warming research. Last year, retired Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Paul M. Peatross Jr. dismissed the request citing Cuccinelli's failure to establish a reasonable belief that fraud had occurred, but held that the University could be a proper target of a fraud investigation. Cuccinelli has argued that Virginia's 2002 Fraud Against Taxpayers Act, allows him to subpoena any records to help determine whether a civil fraud investigation is needed. The University hopes that court will set limits on what documents the Attorney General can demand in a civil investigation. Critics of the lawsuit have accused Cuccinelli, a global warming skeptic, of targeting Mann because of his research. The Virginia Supreme Court will hear the case later this spring.
Crisis underscores fears about safety of nuclear energy
The troubles at an earthquake-damaged nuclear plant in northern Japan will raise fresh questions about the country's ambitious plans to develop nuclear energy. In the US, the fragile bipartisan consensus that nuclear power offers a big piece of the answer to America's energy and global warming challenges may have evaporated as quickly as confidence in Japan's crippled nuclear reactors. Supporters of nuclear power are now advocating a pause in licensing and building new reactors in the United States to make sure that proper safety and evacuation measures are in place. Environmental groups are reassessing their willingness to see nuclear power as a linchpin of any future climate change legislation. In Germany, tens of thousands of people have protested against the government's plans to extend the life of its nuclear reactors. Organisers said events in Japan had proved atomic power was an uncontrollable and risky technology. Nuclear policy is a key issue in German regional elections this year. Austria's Environment Minister Nikolaus Berlakovich has called for speedy checks on Europe's nuclear power plants to see if they can withstand earthquakes and to verify if the plants' cooling systems would continue to function in the event of a disaster.
US legislators introduce bill ending bullying in federally funded schools
US Representative Jared Polis - D-CO and Senator Al Franken - D-MN on Thursday introduced legislation to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender - LGBT students in federally funded public elementary and high schools from bullying. The Student Non-Discrimination Act - SNDA was reintroduced in both the US House of Representatives and the Senate prompted by the suicides resulting from anti-LGBT bullying of several students in the past year. The SNDA is modeled after Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and would establish a comprehensive federal prohibition of discrimination against LGBT students in public schools. The act would also prohibit schools from discriminating against students based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as prohibit schools from ignoring harassment.
Europe's consumers could lose in auctions of internet spectrum
Across the Continent, the sale and redeployment of lucrative television broadcast frequencies for high-speed mobile Internet service — the so-called digital dividend — has so far done little to increase competition, instead reinforcing the position of existing market leaders. Consumers appear to be in danger of losing out because the largest operators are using their superior financial and political clout to shut newcomers out of the bidding process and out of the mobile market, advocates said. Limiting competition is likely to have the effect of increasing the cost of mobile Internet services, slowing the adoption of its use and realization of the European Commission's ambitious goal of providing broadband service with ultrafast, 30 megabit-per-second download speeds to every European household by 2020.
BP bars partners from Arctic Deal
BP PLC, in a vote Saturday, blocked an attempt by its billionaire Russian partners to join its planned $16 billion alliance with Russian state oil giant OAO Rosneft, deepening a conflict that could turn into a major setback for BP. BP CEO Bob Dudley, right, and Rosneft President Eduard Khudainatov, left, at the signing of the two companies' stock-swap deal in January. The BP-Rosneft accord, signed in January, envisioned a share swap that would give Rosneft a 5% stake in BP and allow the British oil company to jointly explore and develop parts of the Russian Arctic. BP would get 9.5% of Rosneft's shares in the transaction.
Firms revisit whistleblowing
The messy espionage investigation at Renault has become a cautionary tale for U.S. companies under pressure from regulators to aggressively pursue tips from whistleblowers.
Time
Your Data, Yourself. Every detail of your life — what you buy, where you go, whom you love — is being extracted from the Internet, bundled and traded by data-mining companies. What's in it for you?
Newsweek
The Earthquake That's Yet to Come. The tsunami that struck Japan was the third in a series of events that now put California at risk.
Business Week
Jungle justice. Amazon Crusader. Chevron Pest. Fraud? Attorney Steven Donziger won an $18 billion pollution verdict against Chevron. But is he clean enough to collect?
The Economist
Bamboo capitalism. China's success owes more to its entrepreneurs than its bureaucrats. Time to bring them out of the shadows.
Der Spiegel
Das Ende des Atomzeitalters - Fukushima 12. März 2011, 15.36 Uhr
US criticizes Israeli settlement construction plan
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England
LIBYA: Benghazi stands firm against Gaddafi's gains
IPS Middle East, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Tantawi reportedly demands Mubarak return state funds
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
China's Wen offers Japan further aid after quake
Times of Oman, English-language daily, Muscat, Oman
Third force launches campaign to end political crisis in Yemen
Yemen Observer, Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
Anxiety in Japan grows as deaths rise
CNN International, London, England
Fergie's GBP 500k cash-for-access scandal comes back to haunt Prince Andrew
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Putin orders gas for crisis-hit Japan
Moscow Times The, Independent daily, Moscow, Russia
Damilola killer is sent back to prison
Sky News, Independent newscaster, Middlesex, England
Bank of Japan injects record GBP 114bn, doubles asset purchases to calm nerves over economy
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
Al Hilal Bank seeks to popularise islamic banking in Kazakhstan
Gazeta.kz, Official online newspaper, Kazakhstan
Japan races to avert nuclear meltdowns
Hindu The, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Congress in a wait and watch mode, DMK unwilling to relent
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
Contingency funds to help cover quake, tsunami relief measures
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
4 civilians dead in Kandahar bombing
Pajhwok Afghan News, (Independent news agency), Kabul, Afghanistan
Nigerian main militant group warns forthcoming attacks on oil facilities
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Twitter must give user info in WikiLeaks probe
Sify News, Chennai, India
11 soldiers killed in suicide blast at Iraq army base
Times of India, Conservative, New Delhi, India
Unprecedented Japanese disaster shakes Caribbean
Caribbean360, Online news portal, St. Michael, Barbados
Senye in court over pupil assault
News24.com, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
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