September 1, 2014 nº 1,537 - Vol. 12
"The hardest thing is to take less when you can get more."
Kin Hubbard
Insider's view: see how local concerns shape up the global world. Read the daily press review in Migalhas International
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Russia urges Ukraine ceasefire talks
An "immediate ceasefire" in Ukraine must be the priority for key negotiations taking place on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says. Ukrainian troops "must leave positions from which they can harm the civilian population", he said. Ukrainian and Russian officials are due to hold talks with separatist rebels and international monitors in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.
Record BofA settlement includes $30 million legal aid windfall
The $16.65 billion Bank of America Corp. deal announced last week caps what has no doubt been a most profitable time for law firms advising the bank on government accusations that it sold flawed mortgage securities in the run up to the 2008 financial crisis. But the record (for now) settlement also contains a boon for a less well-heeled corner of the legal world: a program that provides civil legal aid to the poor through interest from lawyer trust accounts. At least $30 million of the $7 billion earmarked for consumer aid will go to the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts program, or IOLTA. IOLTA funds, combined with state and federal money and private grants, generally pay for things intended to improve access to justice.
UK to introduce new anti-terror legislation
The UK government will introduce new legislation to make it easier to seize people's passports to counter the security threat posed by Islamist extremists traveling to and from conflict areas like Syria and Iraq. "It is becoming clear that there are some gaps in our armory and we need to strengthen them. We need to do more to stop people traveling, to stop those who do go from returning, and to deal decisively with those who are already here," David Cameron said. The announcement was made shortly after the government said its security services had raised the assessment of the threat from international terrorism to "severe" from "substantial"—the second-highest level on its five-point scale—as a result of the rise of the Islamist militancy in Syria and Iraq.
FDI
In his new article, Gustavo Fernandes de Andrade (Tauil & Chequer Advogados) describes the myths and realities of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and Foreign Direct Investments (FCI). (Click here)
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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". Click here to go to our special webpage and find your next lease on life.
1 - Judge finalizes order finding polygamy law unconstitutional; victory for ‘Sister Wives’ - click here.
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Crack down on star endorsements
Male celebrities in China may have to stop endorsing items such as female sanitary pads and lingerie under a law requiring them to try the products first, it seems. A draft of the proposed law, submitted to Beijing's National People's Congress Standing Committee this week, says celebrities must test the goods before endorsing them or risk paying a fine. Backers say the bill is designed to prevent "false advertising". In China, male star Jiro Wang is the face of the sanitary towel brand Freemore, while other male celebrities have endorsed bras, lingerie and female body wash.
Hong Kong activists protest China's control of leadership vote
Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have disrupted a speech given by a Beijing official explaining voting changes for the territory. They chanted slogans and held placards accusing Beijing of breaking its promise to allow Hong Kong to choose its leader directly. On Sunday the Chinese government ruled out open nomination of candidates for the chief executive election in 2017. The move sparked anger among pro-democracy groups.
China eases rules on bond sales by local governments
China laid the legal framework to let more local governments sell bonds directly to raise funds for projects of public interest after top lawmakers passed an amendment to the country's Budget Law.
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US senators urge arms for Ukraine
Key American senators call for the US to send weapons to help Ukraine fight what they say is "a Russian invasion". The head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said "We should provide the Ukrainians with the type of defensive weapons that will impose a cost upon Putin for further aggression.” "This is no longer the question of some rebel separatists, this is a direct invasion by Russia. We must recognize it as that." Earlier, Putin said "substantive, meaningful talks" were needed to decide the outcome in the region, while a spokesman clarified that the region should remain part of Ukraine.
The spectacle of the beheading: a grisly act with a long history
Videos and other images of beheadings have appeared with increasing frequency in recent weeks. Decapitation has a long ecumenical history. David cut off Goliath's head and presented it to King Saul. Henry VIII had both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard beheaded. And Saudi Arabia beheads convicted felons to this day. In fact, Amnesty International reports a surge there this year - about two a week. But what made the recent cases we've heard about different was the link between a practice so seemingly ancient and the distribution of the killings via modern social media. Beheadings and decapitation are the oldest warfare tactic in history because it's so successful in terms of psychological warfare and today in terms of information warfare. There is literally hundreds of beheadings that are occurring around the world by different groups and different cartels and even individuals. Many young people are being desensitized by video games that actually have a lot of decapitation. It just has a lot of appeal to young men who are interested in a warrior ethos. It's often found on the cell phones of failed terrorists and of terrorists who have joined different groups. It functions as recruitment for young people. It definitely functions as psychological warfare. And obviously, the way that so many cities have fallen so quickly in Iraq demonstrates that beheadings are going to cow the citizenry into doing whatever you want. It's very effective with the cartels. Journalists in Mexico - there's been several journalists who have been beheaded. And they will upload those images to threaten anybody else who plans on chatting about what they're doing.
S.E.C. commissioner rebukes his colleagues
The Securities and Exchange Commission is the regulator that is supposed to crack down on executives who put misleading and fraudulent numbers into their financial filings. But Luis Aguilar, a commissioner at the S.E.C., said on Thursday that he was concerned that the agency's stance in such cases might be weakening. Aguilar made his comments in a surprising dissenting statement that sharply criticized an enforcement action against two senior executives who worked for an information technology company called Affiliated Computer Services. Aguilar described the settlement with one of the executives, Kevin Kyser, the former chief financial officer, as "a wrist slap at best."
Germany publishes new draft cybersecurity law
The German Federal Ministry of the Interior on Friday published its revised proposal for a new IT security law. The draft law seeks to protect the privacy of German citizens and improve the IT security of companies operating in the country by imposing new minimum security requirements on telecommunications providers and operators of critical communications infrastructure, among others. The most current draft law was based on a version that was proposed in 2013, but was not approved by the legislature before the federal elections in autumn of that year. The proposed legislation must be endorsed by the German Government before it can go to parliament for approval.
Zimbabwe drafting cyber laws to regulate social media
The Zimbabwean government stated this week that it is in the process of developing new cyber laws to regulate social media. Caecilia Nyamutswa, legal director of the regulatory organization Potraz, communicated to an information and communication technology (ICT) committee that the bills are ready to be brought to the Attorney General for final drafting. After the final draft is complete, the bills will then be brought to the Cabinet and then finally to parliament. In addition, Alfred Marisa, the acting director of Potraz, communicated to the same committee that cell phone "penetration" in the country has reached 100%, although this does not mean every citizen owns a cell phone. Nyamutswa expressed concern that although the the country could regulate ICT on its own, certain violations may not be violations in other countries, and there must be a global consensus on these regulations before they become completely effective.
California lawmakers pass 'affirmative consent' sexual assault bill
California is one step closer to becoming the first state to require colleges and universities "to adopt a standard of unambiguous consent among students engaging in sexual activity." The California Senate gave the bill unanimous approval on Thursday, and it is now headed to the governor's office. Students engaging in sexual activity would first need 'affirmative consent' from both parties — a clear threshold that specifically could not include a person's silence, a lack of resistance or consent given while intoxicated. The bill comes amid increasing national pressure for universities and colleges to curb sexual assault on campus.
Brazil's economy falls into recession
Brazil has fallen into recession, just a month before the general election, latest figures show. Economic output, GDP, fell by 0.6% in the three months to June, worse than analysts had predicted, and revised figures for the first quarter of the year also showed a fall of 0.2%. A recession is usually defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction. With elections due in early October, the economy is increasingly seen as Dilma Rousseff's weak point. The World Cup, held in June and July, was not regarded as generally good for business. Data shows that civil construction, manufacturing and investment especially suffered during the second quarter. "This recession shows the exhaustion of a growth model that has been centered on internal consumption," economist Eduardo Velho said. "It is a good picture of what the economy is suffering - a slowdown in industry, a fall in investment, rising inventories. The recovery from here will be slight," he continued, saying that deep reforms would be needed whoever wins the next election.
'I am not an inmate ... I am a man. And i have potential'
Many of the 2 million men serving time in the US have formed their sense of manhood while incarcerated. And becoming a different kind of man isn't easy — either behind bars, or beyond them. But while dealing with hardships of daily life has been difficult — especially with a criminal record — it's that shift in thinking that's been the biggest change. "It's devastating. On the one hand, you've been thinking all this time that you're Superman, or God, or something. And now you find out you're not even a man." And whether it's because of prison, or in spite of it, they are figuring out what kind of men they want to be.
Lebanon official urges punishment for ISIS flag burning
Lebanon's Minister of Justice on Saturday called for the "sternest punishments" to the individuals in Beirut who burned the flags of the militant groups the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS) and the Al-Nusra Front.
Kenya passes law to protect against human trafficking
Kenya's parliament passed a law on Wednesday that will provide greater support to victims of human trafficking and will make it easier to secure convictions for perpetrators. The Victim Protection Bill provides improved support to victims of crime, including the provision of a place of safety, food, medical treatment, psychosocial support and police protection. The bill also establishes a fund to assist and repatriate victims.
Texas judge rules education budget cuts unconstitutional
A judge for a Travis County Civil Court in Texas ruled Thursday that the Texas Legislature failed to meet its constitutional duty to provide for Texas public schools because the school finance system is structured, operated, and funded so that it cannot provide a constitutionally adequate education for all Texas schoolchildren. Article VII of Texas's Constitution provides that it is the duty of the Texas Legislature to establish and provide for the support and maintenance of a system of free public schools. In 2011, the Texas Legislature opted to cut USD $5.3 billion from the public education budget to compensate for tax cuts made in 2006. In 2013, Judge John Dietz ruled that the cut made the Texas education system financially and quantitatively inefficient, and was thus unconstitutional.
Bitcoin Foundation's Shrem will plead guilty
Charlie Shrem, the former Bitcoin Foundation Inc. vice chairman, will plead guilty to unlicensed money transmission under an agreement with federal prosecutors, his lawyer said. Shrem was accused in an indictment of trying to launder more than $1 million in the virtual currency in a case tied to the illicit online bazaar Silk Road. He was indicted in April on charges of money laundering conspiracy, failing to file reports of suspicious business activity and operating an unlicensed money transmission business in a scheme to sell Bitcoins to Silk Road users to buy illegal drugs.
Alibaba to begin investor roadshow on week of Sept. 8
Under the latest timetable, Alibaba will hope to price its stock sale toward the later half of the week of Sept. 15.
Bloomberg view op-ed: nation of privilege undermines rule of law
These days, the word "privilege" has been reduced to a trite buzzword. That's a shame, because it used to mean more than just being born into advantageous circumstances. The word, which means "private law" in old French, originally referred to a system in which different groups of people had different rights under the law. If there's one political idea most people agree on these days, it's the rule of law. We argue endlessly about income inequality, wealth inequality, or inequality of opportunity, but we take it as given that equality under the law is a prerequisite for a just society. And the consequences of private law are dire. The original system of French privilege was one of the main causes of that country's bloody, chaotic revolution. Now here's the problem: The US is looking more and more like it has a real privilege system. We are enforcing laws differently based on race, but also based on class. This is un-American, and it has got to stop.
Time
The answers issue. The second age of reason.
Newsweek
Modi's First 100 Days in Power. It's a new style of government and Modi is on a roll, though not everyone will like it!
Business Week
Holliwood goes YouTube.
The Economist
The euro zone. That sinking feeling (again).
Der Spiegel
Gegen die Uhr. Die hektische Suche nach einem entschleunigten Leben
L'Espresso
Cosi torneremo ricchi. Un futuro a costo zero. Una rete globale per produrre e condividere energia, trasporti, oggetti. È il modo per uscire dalla crisi e tornare ricchi. Come spiega il grande economista
Iraq breaks Islamic State siege of Amerli
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Conquer or compromise: Putin's moment of truth in Ukraine
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
Joan Rivers rushed to hospital following throat surgery
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
Ashya brother defends arrested parents
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Rivers' daughter: 'Fingers crossed'
CNN International, London, England
Suits you! Rihanna tries on mirrored shades and wears floral maxi dress to shop at Prada store in Italy
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
'He wasn't in danger and wasn't neglected': Brother of cancer boy Ashya slams parents' arrest as they head to court for extradition hearing
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
At least 6 confirmed dead in Paris apartment blast
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
Iraqi forces free Armeli in biggest victory over IS militants since June
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Erdo?an as 12th president and successor to Atatürk
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Obama warned Isis terrorists 'will target US cities and kill with abandon'
Independent The, London, England
Ashya King's family defend parents' actions as couple await court ruling in Spain
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
Jennifer Aniston: when it comes to Brangelina, Jen is the honourable woman
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England
Search for survivors after six die in Paris building explosion
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
National Security Chief Mulls U.S. Visit
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
Putin seeks statehood talks on east Ukraine
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
Police officer, wife assault daughter for relationship
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Australia ratchets up sanctions against Russia
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Ukraine President cancels trip over protests in eastern Ukraine
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
Policeman arrested: armed robbery foiled
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Pakistani police, protesters clash anew in capital
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Six dead in Paris suburb building explosion
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
New sanctions will force Russia to 'protect our economy,' Lavrov says
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
U.S. supports coalition forces in attack on Islamic State
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Liberty Reserve Brought Down By 'Joe Bogus': How The Feds Arrested Arthur Budovsky
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
Growing Calls for Reforms of El Salvador's Privatised Pension System
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Retreat in China's PMIs heightens calls for policy easing
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
Pakistani protesters push closer to PM house, force TV off the air
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
Meet Mitzie Hunter, Ontario's minister of retirement
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
Lesotho PM flees 'military coup'
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
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