June 22, 2011 nº 1,057 - Vol. 9
"Like all dreamers, I mistook disenchantment for truth."
Jean-Paul Sartre
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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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Greek PM survives confidence vote
The Greek government wins a critical vote of confidence in parliament as it struggles to win support for extra austerity measures and avoid a sovereign default. Greece needs that $17bn infusion from the EU and the International Monetary Fund by mid-July or it risks going into default — the eurozone's first. Experts say the country's options are limited and that default could produce something resembling panic. European Union ministers are threatening to cut off billions in bailout money if Greek legislators don't pass painful austerity measures to dig out of an economic crisis. If Greece defaults on its debts, economists say bank lending could grind to a halt and that the Aegean nation — or perhaps the whole EU — could spiral into a double-dip recession.
Advanced Legal Writing in English
The Advanced Legal Writing course of Georgetown Law CLE and Lex Mercator engages participants in advanced exercises in legal writing, including objective and persuasive writing, such as opinion and demand letters, client email, and internal memoranda. This class is an absolute necessity for aspiring international lawyers. Web classes are held Wedesdays, from June 22 through August 10, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Washington, D.C. time. Migalhas readers have a 20% discount with the discount code "Migalhas20". To read more or enroll click here.
International Aspects of Taxation (in Spanish)
Prof. Peter Byrne, of Georgetown law CLE and Lex Mercator, will examine the core issues in developing international tax rules and study the different approaches countries have taken in dealing with these issues. This course will be taught in Spanish. Web classes are held Tuesdays, from June 21 through August 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Washington, D.C. time. Migalhas readers have a 20% discount with the discount code "Migalhas20". To read more or enroll click here.
Visit our new 'Magic Eye' page and boost your career
Migalhas International brings the best career and professional development opportunities to its readers. We call this service the "Magic Eye". Michael Page specializes in the placement of candidates in permanent, contract, temporary and interim executive positions within client companies around the world, particularly in the legal area. 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. So, before you open the door to the boardroom, click here and peek through the keyhole!
1 - Bipolar magistrate pleads case to MPs - click here.
2 - Joss Stone conspirators had sword in car - click here.
3 - Hackers convicted for stealing Lady Gaga songs - click here.
4 - New 'copy-paste' accusations in Germany - click here.
5 - Our battle to end hunger - click here.
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100% Migalhas: www.migalhas.com
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Yahoo bet on Alibaba highlights risk in China
Yahoo! Inc. and Japan's Softbank Corp., eager for a slice of profits in China's Internet industry, found that even a seemingly safe way around restrictions can turn risky and threaten the value of their stake in the country's biggest e-commerce provider.
China orders prison terms in iPad leak
A Chinese court sentenced three people to prison terms for collaborating to steal information from a supplier regarding Apple's iPad 2 before its release.
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Gasoducto
La canadiense TransCanada Corporation completó la construcción del Gasoducto Guadalajara en México, con un costo de US$ 360 mlls.. La capacidad total del ducto de 307 kilómetros está contratada por 25 años por la Comisión Federal de Electricidad de México, para el suministro de gas natural destinado a la generación de energía eléctrica en la región central del país latinoamericano.
Banca
El banco guatemalteco G&T Continental invertirá US$ 15 mlls. en 2011 en la apertura de 6 nuevas agencias y sus oficinas centrales en El Salvador. El banco es uno de los más importantes de América Central, con activos por más de US$ 4.747 mlls., 1,7 millones de clientes y 3.600 puntos de servicios en Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panamá, El Salvador y Estados Unidos.
Cemento
La suiza Holcim podría invertir US$ 150 mlls. para construir una generadora de electricidad a base de petcoke en El Salvador de cerca de 100 MW. La compañía justificó la inversión por la limitada oferta energética en el país centroamericana y el incremento de la demanda prevista para dentro de 3 a 5 años. La firma prevé utilizar la energía para el suministro de su fábrica de cemento y la comercialización del excedente a través de la red nacional.
G20 targets volatile food prices
Agriculture ministers from the G20 nations set to meet in Paris later today in an attempt to tackle volatile food prices. The World Bank unveiled a new measure to allow food producers and consumers to hedge against volatile prices. Rising food prices have become a threat to the global economic recovery.
Wal-Mart women denied discrimination class action
The US Supreme Court has dismissed the largest class action lawsuit in history, ruling against women alleging discrimination by US giant Wal-Mart. The court ruled that 1.5 million women who said they were paid less because of gender must pursue action individually. Plaintiffs had sought to unite more than a million women in their effort. The court accepted Wal-Mart's argument that the women work in diverse jobs in stores across the US and do have not enough in common for a class action.
Tunisia ex-president Ben Ali sentenced in absentia to 35 years
Former Tunisian president Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali and his wife were sentenced Monday by a Tunisian court after being found guilty in absentia on charges of theft and unlawful possession of money and jewelery. The two were sentenced to 35 years in prison and fined USD $65.6m. The sentencing came just hours after the trial began. The two were also charged with illegal possession of drugs and weapons, but the verdict for those charges would not be announced until June 30. Ben Ali fled Tunisia to Saudi Arabia in January during protests against his 23-year autocratic rule in which his family amassed substantial wealth that many Tunisians say was at their expense.
Chile court orders temporary suspension of hydroelectric dam project
A Chilean appeals court on Monday ordered the temporary suspension of a USD $10bn hydroelectric dam project in Patagonia. HidroAysen, a private Chilean venture, seeks to build five dams whose construction was approved by the Chilean government in May. The Puerto Montt court approved three petitions challenging government authorization of the dam construction and granted the plaintiffs' petition for injunction.
Qantas announces profits and Rolls-Royce settlement
Australian carrier Qantas has agreed on a settlement with engine-maker Rolls-Royce over a mid-air blast incident and the grounding of the Qantas fleet of superjumbos. Rolls-Royce will pay 95m Australian dollars ($100m), said Qantas.
Cristina Fernandez's re-election bid
Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner says she will stand for re-election in October.
JP Morgan Chase settles US mortgage fraud case
JP Morgan Chase has agreed to pay $153.6m to settle charges that it misled the buyers of complex mortgage investments as the US housing market was collapsing in 2008. Regulators said the bank's securities division had failed to tell customers that a hedge fund had helped select the portfolio, and then bet it would fail. The fine means investors who lost as a result will get their money back. JP Morgan neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing under the settlement.
Ban Ki-moon wins second term as UN secretary general
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has been re-elected to serve a second five-year term, in a vote at the UN General Assembly in New York. He was the only candidate after the UN Security Council unanimously recommended his re-election. Critics say he is too deferential to major powers, but he has won praise for his policies on climate change and the protests sweeping the Middle East. When he announced his candidacy two weeks ago, Mr Ban pledged to keep leading the world body as a "bridge-builder" in a time of unprecedented global change.
California stops lawmakers' wages
Elected representatives in California have been told their wages and expenses have been stopped and they will not be paid until the state budget is balanced.
Serious surgical mistakes persist, despite safety rules
Hospitals and outpatient centers have mandatory rules for surgeons to help them avoid operating on the wrong patient — or part of the patient. But patient safety experts say these devastating mistakes continue unabated and a more comprehensive approach is needed.
Syria president promises reform, alleges conspiracy
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on Monday announced that he would soon introduce reforms and present a new constitution, alleging that a conspiracy against Syria is ongoing. In a speech before citizens at Damascus University, al-Assad said he wanted citizen input with respect to a new constitution in the form of a national referendum. Al-Assad spent much of his speech addressing an alleged conspiracy, contending that a group of terrorists was responsible for the vandalism, robberies and murders that have taken place since protests erupted in the country early this year, and that he planned to prosecute and hold those individuals accountable. He also said that foreign political entities pressure Syria and interfere with Syrian affairs for their own benefit, and he accused the media of inciting violence and getting involved in protests to get better footage.
Brazil government identifies uncontacted tribe
The Brazilian government confirmed this week the existence of an uncontacted tribe in a southwestern area of the Amazon rain forest. The government agency, Funai, uses airplanes to avoid disrupting isolated groups. Brazil has a policy of not contacting such tribes but working to prevent the invasion of their land to preserve their autonomy. Funai estimates 68 isolated populations live in the Amazon.
Greek PM survives vote of confidence
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood expels presidential hopeful
Arab News, Pro-government, Jidda, Saudi Arabia
Bombs kill 25 at local Iraqi governor's house
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England
Palestinian leader in Turkey talks
Egyptian Gazette, English-language, Cairo, Egypt
IAF strikes Gaza tunnel after mortar and Qassam land in Israel
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
Investigation of 'Israeli spy' Ilan Grapel resumes in Egypt
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
Ten al-Qaeda suspects arrested in Aden
Yemen Observer, Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
Greek PM survives confidence vote
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Dow Jones up more than 100 points
BreakingNews.ie, Online news portal, Cork, Ireland
Authorities: Top cartel leader captured in Mexico
CNN International, London, England
GBP 62m ends Qantas engines scare case
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England
Greek debt crisis could cost UK GBP 335bn
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Greek cabinet survives crucial confidence vote
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
GREECE : Government wins confidence vote in parliament
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Garanti, BBVA looking away from Europe
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Greece buys time as government survives confidence vote
Independent The, London, England
Gazprom profits from unsold gas
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia
David Cameron tells defence chiefs to stop criticising Libya mission
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
US 'likely' to pull out 10,000 Afghan troops: source
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
Poll: PT ahead of Dems on party list
Bangkok Post, Independent, Bangkok, Thailand
Taipei tightening caps on work hours for some jobs
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Chris Jones appointed honorary consul to Botswana
Computer World, IT information, Fairfax, New Zealand
Japanese premier pushed to resign soon
Daily Jang, Left-wing daily, Karachi, Pakistan
British PM hits back at military over Libya warnings
Dawn, English-language daily, Karachi, Pakistan
Government draft on Lokpal Bill excludes PM
Hindu The, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Ban Ki-moon unanimously elected for second term as UN chief
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
Pranab, the No. 2, insecure... shows UPA mistrust, probe his office breach: Oppn
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
Rains lash Allahabad, normal life affected
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Police say US man hid in portable toilet
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Japanese premier pushed to resign soon
News The, Left-wing, Karachi, Pakistan
11 dead as Kandahar clashes enter 2nd day
Pajhwok Afghan News, (Independent news agency), Kabul, Afghanistan
'The role of the United Nations is to lead,' UN chief says (3)
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Obama close to decision on Afghan troop drawdown
Sify News, Chennai, India
Television journalist stabbed to death in Russia
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
Trial by TV for refugees
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Greece: Greek PM survives confidence vote in parliament
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Atayal film recounts ancient migration and modern conflicts
Taiwan Today, Government Information Office, Taipei, Taiwan
Qantas, Rolls Royce reach settlement
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
Argentine president Cristina Fernandez says she will seek re-election
Times of India, Conservative, New Delhi, India
RCMP look into G8 spending
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Cuba: Young people for diversity
Caribbean360, Online news portal, St. Michael, Barbados
Nacional uncovers US$389.0M scandal in Fernandez's Administration
Dominican Today, Independent daily, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Buy-side investors favor emerging markets, but prime brokers 'hold the keys to kingdom'
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
Euro stabilizes after Greek vote, Fed eyed
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
Obama to unveil plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
Exclusive: Toronto police swear off G20 kettling tactic
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
Grenada appeals to region to embrace ICT
Trinidad Guardian, Independent daily, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
North Sudan warns south over oil
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
CHAD: Children unprotected as polio spreads
Irin News, Humanitarian news and analysis, Nairobi, Kenya
U.S. denies endorsing Sudanese president's China visit
Sudan Tribune, Khartoum, Sudan
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