November 1, 2014 nº 1,563 - Vol. 12
"Bonitas non est pessimis esse meliorem." (It is not goodness to be better than the worst.)
Insider's view: see how local concerns shape up the global world. Read the daily press review in Migalhas International
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UN urges end of impunity for crimes against journalists
The UN on Sunday observed the first International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists after the resolution to do so was adopted in December of last year. The date commemorates the assassination of two French journalists, Gislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, in Mali in 2013. The resolution urges members to take active measures to eliminate the current culture of impunity for crimes against journalists. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his thoughts on the day, stating: In the last ten years, more than 700 journalists have been killed for simply doing their job. Some cases have received international attention—others less so. Nine out of ten cases go unpunished. As a result, criminals are emboldened. No journalist anywhere should have to risk their life to report the news. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, echoed Ban's remarks, stating, "I appeal to all governments to ensure a swift and thorough investigation every time a journalist is killed, and to all partners for stronger cooperation to enhance the safety of journalists."
Virginia judge rules police can require suspect to unlock cell phone with fingerprint
A judge for the 2nd Judicial District of Virginia on Thursday ruled that police can force criminal suspects to unlock their cell phones with a fingerprint scanner to allow officers to open and search them. Officers may not, however, compel suspects to give up their phone pass codes. Judge Steven Frucci ruled that revealing a pass code requires a suspect to disclose knowledge, which the law prohibits. Having a fingerprint taken to unlock the phone, he said, is comparable to providing a key or a DNA sample, which is permitted by law. The protection status of phone pass codes was called into question in the case of David Baust, who was charged with the attempted strangulation of his girlfriend. The prosecutor in his case argued that Baust's phone could contain a video of the attack. The judge's ruling prohibits the compelled disclosure of Baust's pass code in the interest of protecting his Fifth Amendment rights.
Why companies might opt to self-report potential bribery issues
Voluntary disclosure is a 'huge factor' in deciding if, how to prosecute a firm. The outcome highlights the tough choices facing companies that uncover potential bribery issues: Run to the government and hope for a break, or try to fix the problem in-house in hopes of avoiding a costly settlement. US authorities are urging companies to follow Layne Christensen's example of self-reporting. In general, companies aren't legally required to disclose possible bribery to the Justice Department or the SEC. At the same time, lawyers say that the SEC's relatively new whistleblower program is making it tougher for companies to keep allegations of wrongdoing under wraps, because it gives tipsters a direct route to report allegations of bribery to the agency.
China - environment
"China is also revolutionizing the environment through well drafted legislation". With this statement, Jayme Vita Roso, from Auditoria Jurídica, argues that Brazilian environmentalists "must study how and what to learn from the Chinese, and work with politicians to plan the future of the country, avoiding the erosion caused by predatory agribusiness". (Click here)
Second annual meeting of BLITA International
Brazilian law firm Angélico Advogados will be represented by Fábio Azevedo and Erick Souza at the second annual meeting of BLITA International in Miami, Florida. The global organization is an association of independent tax advisers that includes tax attorneys, tax accountants, and business consultants.
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1 - China's web regulator denies shutting foreign websites - click here.
2 - Singapore tops World Bank business ranking for ninth year - click here.
3 - Investigation Causes Citigroup to Cut Profit - click here.
4 - Oi, rivals agree to bid for Brazil's TIM, Folha says - click here.
5 - Santander raises stake in Brazil unit after buyout offer - click here.
6 - Lawsuit filed in Malaysia over missing MH370 -click here.
7 - Polish prosecutors question Polanski over U.S. sex crime warrant - click here.
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Hong Kong's Tsang says no excuse for law-breaking protest
Hong Kong's finance chief said accepting legal consequences doesn't excuse the city's pro- democracy protesters breaking the law, as movement leaders discussed their options and demonstrations entered a sixth week.
China passes new counter-espionage law to strengthen national security
The National People's Congress of China on Saturday passed a new counter-espionage law in an effort to strengthen national security. State media reported that the new law will allow authorities to seal or seize any items or other properties linked to any acts of espionage. The enforcement of the law will be carried out by China's national security agencies and judicial system in an effort to investigate and prevent attacks. However, the new law specifically stipulates that the "counterespionage work should proceed according to law, respect and ensure human rights, and guarantee the legal interests of citizens and organizations." Information seized from the new law will remain private in an effort for agencies to maintain confidentiality when sifting through information. The new law also bans the use of any espionage instrument, which lawmakers have stated includes electronic devices such as cell phones.
China officials 'buy corpses to meet cremation quota'
Two officials in Guangdong province have been arrested after they allegedly bought corpses from grave robbers to have them cremated. They said they were trying to ensure government quotas on the number of cremations every month were met. The Chinese government has encouraged cremations to save land for farming and development.
China expands access to $4.3 trillion interbank bond market
China is opening its 26.31 trillion yuan ($4.3 trillion) interbank bond market to non-financial firms after tightening trading rules following a crackdown on illegal transactions.
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EU condemns Ukraine rebel poll
The European Union has condemned as "illegal" elections held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the polls were "a new obstacle on the path towards peace". The central government in Kiev also described as a "farce" the polls in the two self-proclaimed people's republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Russia said it "respects the will of the people" in the polls, where the two current rebel leaders are set to win. Self-proclaimed election officials say early results suggest Alexander Zakharchenko will become the regional head in Donetsk, while Igor Plotnisky will secure a victory in Luhansk.
Judges for sale?
Millions of dollars are being spent this year on US judicial elections. Some critics worry that all this money is going to corrupt the legal process. The ramifications of the 2010 Supreme Court decision, which deregulated campaign spending of organizations by labeling it free speech, are something Americans have got used to as cycle after cycle of congressional elections have got pricier and more antagonistic. But voters may have to get used to that same politicized atmosphere in their courtrooms. States pick their judges in a variety of ways. Thirty-nine states opt to elect either some or all of their judges. Others use a merit system, in which there is a short list drawn up from which the local governor then chooses. That judge periodically faces retention elections. In states where elections are taking place, however, they are starting to remind voters more of congressional elections, with the same money and harsh rhetoric. "I don't think judges act like politicians because of the money. It's because anyone up for election is going to act like a politician."
Petrobras said to seek resolution in firing standoff
Petroleo Brasileiro SA's board will resume talks tomorrow over a demand from the oil producer's auditor to remove a top executive cited in a corruption investigation. Petrobras suspended an Oct. 31 meeting without reaching a decision on whether to dismiss Sergio Machado as head of transport unit Transpetro after PricewaterhouseCoopers refused to sign off on quarterly results bearing his signature. Some directors were reluctant to oust Machado on concern it would cause friction in President Dilma Rousseff's ruling coalition.
Corporate bankruptcy tourists land in US
The United States, for reasons of law and commerce, has become a destination for foreign companies to file for bankruptcy. When the company that runs much of the public bus system in Santiago, Chile, said this month that it could not pay its bills because of a decline in ridership and a tendency for a large percentage of its passengers to skip paying their fares, it decided to file for bankruptcy. That in itself would not necessarily be noteworthy outside of Chile except for where the company, Inversiones Alsacia, decided to file: New York. Why would a foreign corporation want to file for bankruptcy in the United States? After all, Chile has its own bankruptcy laws. Foreign companies have found advantages when filing for bankruptcy in the United States. Most important, many debtors are really corporate groups, rather than single corporations. When the group is made up of corporations from different jurisdictions, it becomes difficult to keep the group together if each corporation has to file a bankruptcy petition in their home countries. One solution is to file a case in a financial center, regardless of where the debtors are. This binds the big institutional creditors to the bankruptcy plan, wherever the debtors might be. New York fits the bill in that regard. It also explains why so many European companies reorganize under English law, even though they have little presence there.
Argentina suspends P&G business
Argentina temporarily bans the consumer products giant Procter & Gamble from doing business amid accusations of tax fraud. A statement on the presidential website, published on Sunday, said P&G had inflated the price of imports by $138m in an effort to get money out of the South American country. It also accused the firm of attempting to avoid taxes. The alleged fraud involves shipments of razors and other hygiene products. The statement, published on behalf of Argentina's Federal Administration of Public Revenue (Afip), added that details of the alleged fraud have been sent to its counterpart in the US - the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Germany 'would accept UK exit from EU' to protect migration rules
Chancellor Angela Merkel would rather see the UK exit from the European Union than compromise over the principle of free movement of workers. Merkel is alleged to fear that the UK is approaching a "point of no return". Downing Street would not comment on the reports. Cameron wants to renegotiate the terms of the UK's continued membership before holding an in-out referendum. Cameron is now looking at a plan to stretch the EU rules "to their limits" in order to ban migrants who do not have a job, and to deport those who are unable to support themselves after three months.
Brazil builds internet cable to Portugal to avoid NSA surveillance
Brazil is building a cable across the Atlantic to escape the reach of the US National Security Agency (NSA). The move is one of many ways the Brazilian government is breaking ties with American technology companies -- but it won't come cheap. And, of course, none of this will go to American vendors. Brazil is the seventh-largest economy in the world. US companies could lose as much as $35 billion in revenue in the next two years, as buyers doubt the security of their connections.
Luck played role in discovery of data breach at JPMorgan affecting millions
When it comes to defending a large company against an online attack, sometimes luck and timing can mean as much as spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year on computer security. The broad attack this summer on JPMorgan Chase, which compromised information for 76 million households and seven million small businesses, took the bank's security team more than two months to detect before it was stopped. The bank was able to identify intruders on its network by looking for digital fingerprints seen on a trove of stolen data uncovered elsewhere. The intrusion at the nation's largest bank could have gone on for longer if not for a critical discovery by a Milwaukee security consulting firm that helped JPMorgan uncover the full extent of its breach. That firm, Hold Security, uncovered a repository of a billion stolen passwords and usernames that it said had been pilfered by a loose-knit gang of Russian hackers. The hackers, according to the consulting firm, had infiltrated more than 420,000 websites.
UN rights office condemns Singapore homosexuality ruling
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday provided criticized the recent Singapore Supreme Court ruling to uphold a law criminalizing consensual same-sex relations between adult men. The OHCHR stated that this particular criminal law prosecuting same-sex couples "violates a host of human rights guaranteed by international law, including the right to privacy, the right to freedom from discrimination and the right to freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention including protection for sexual orientation and gender equality." The OHCHR is a firm supporter gay rights and that all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals internationally should be treated with dignity and respect.
A 19th century novel explains Quantitative Easing
This week, the Federal Reserve ended the quantitative easing program. Author John Lanchester says Anthony Trollope's 19th century novel The Way We Live Now clarifies the current financial situation. He drew on his outrage to create literature's greatest portrait of a financial scandal, with a corrupt financier at its heart, the magnificently ruthless, bombastic Augustus Melmotte. His plan is a classic Ponzi scheme — he's going to inflate the value of shares he owns in a railway, disregarding the economic realities and the hapless other investors. It's a novel about a bubble, which is especially relevant today, with the economic news dominated by the Federal Reserve's announcement that quantitative easing, the post-credit-crunch experiment in loose monetary policy, is now over.
Convert to Islam tests boundaries of Germany's terror laws
Standoff between Islamist preacher Sven Lau and German security agents shows the difficulty of drawing a clear line between opinion and sedition. Lau is one of the most prominent Islamic preachers in Germany, with a charismatic message that lures young Germans into radical Muslim circles. He inspired some of his followers to join Islamic militants in Syria and Iraq, and fear they will eventually spawn terror attacks in Germany and the West. Security officials say they monitor a wide range of Islamist proselytizing but only a small minority pass the threshold for prosecution on charges of supporting terrorism. "He continues to radicalize young people and creates fertile soil for future violence. To prove this under the rule of law with means that will stand up in court is, well, difficult."
Argentina asks Spain to arrest 20 Franco-era officials
An Argentine judge has asked Spain to arrest and extradite 20 former officials accused of abuses during the military rule of General Franco. They cannot be tried in Spain because of an amnesty law but the officials could be prosecuted in Argentina. The families of alleged victims asked Argentina for help because it has an extradition treaty with Spain. Judge Maria Servini de Cubria issued the arrest and extradition warrants, invoking "universal jurisdiction" - a legal doctrine that authorizes judges to try serious rights abused committed in other countries.
Myanmar leadership considers amending constitution, limiting military veto power
Myanmar's parliament will consider amending the country's 2008 constitution following talks between Myanmar President Thein Sein, top army officials and opposition leadership, an official said Friday. The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) seeks to alter part of the constitution allowing the military to veto any amendments. It is believed that this change will allow further amendments to the constitution, including a change to presidential qualifications that would allow NLD general secretary Aung San Suu Kyi to run for president.
Ecuador court approves vote on removing term limits
The Constitutional Court of Ecuador on Friday ruled that congress may vote on proposal to allow unlimited re-election terms. The case was brought to the court by the ruling Alianza Pais party, which proposed indefinite re-election for elected officials in June. It is anticipated that lawmakers will vote in favor of the proposal since Alianza Pais controls 100 of 137 seats in the National Assembly.
Hungary PM drops proposed Internet tax law
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday announced that the proposed law on Internet tax will not be introduced in its current form. The law, which was due for a vote on November 17, drew criticism for its alleged potential effect of curtailing opposition voices. The proposed legislation sparked mass protests in Budapest and other cities around the country and EU, despite the government's justification that the law was proposed to reduce debt.
Argentina lawmakers pass controversial energy law
Argentina's lower house of Congress on Thursday passed a highly criticized bill for a new Hydrocarbons law. The lower house, controlled by allies of President Cristina Fernandez, passed the bill with a vote of 130-116 with one abstention after 14 hours of debate. The bill seeks to promote foreign business investments in exploration and production of the country's large Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas deposits. To promote investment, the bill will restrict the power of Argentina's oil-producing provinces, which, according to the Argentine Constitution, own the nation's oil and gas reserves. The new law also lowers the minimum amount that foreign companies must invest to avoid import and foreign-exchange controls from USD $1 billion to $250 million. Opposition lawmakers criticized the bill, which was previously passed by the Senate, saying that it is detrimental to the interests of Argentina.
Time
Beyond the stars. Interstellar, Where No Movie Has Gone Before
Newsweek
Talking to the Dead: The Science of Necromancy
Business Week
Reviving Keynes
The Economist
Iran: The revolution is over
Der Spiegel
Der Bio-Betrug. Wie Konzerne die Öko-Idee missbrauchen
L'Espresso
Le mani sui nostril risparmi Partito Doppio
Bangladesh party chief to hang for war crimes
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
37 square-mile no-fly zone over Ferguson, Missouri aimed at keeping away news helicopters
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
Merkel 'would accept UK exit from EU'
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
ISIS kills hundreds in holdout tribe
CNN International, London, England
Kate Moss pokes fun at Cara Delevingne by dressing up as model pal for Halloween with a dab of white powder on her nose
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Banker 'chopped up prostitutes': Briton who called himself 'an insane psychopath' faces two murder charges in Hong Kong†
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Rebels back separatist leaders in east Ukraine vote
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
Army promises unity government as thousands protest in Burkina Faso
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Fenerbahçe Ülker trashed by Panathinaikos in Athens
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Rurik Jutting: British banker, 29, appears in court over Hong Kong murders
Independent The, London, England
Barack Obama blamed as Democrats fall behind in midterm polls
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
Breast is definitely best - but I'm embarrassed to see breastfeeding in public
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England
Terminally ill 'death with dignity' advocate dies
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Exports and Trade Surplus Reach New Heights in October
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
Bangladesh court upholds death for Islamist leader
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
Four teenaged boys electrocuted in Sitapur
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Tax break urged to fill SDF reserve
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Sesame Street marks 45th birthday
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Ukraine President cancels trip over protests in eastern Ukraine
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
'It's real Mills and Boon stuff'
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
BC-AP Americas Digest
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
UniCredit CEO says 2014 results dividend in line or higher, says report
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
Brittany Maynard, 29-year-old right-to-die advocate, ends her life
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Key function of crashed Virgin spacecraft deployed early: safety board
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
OPINION: One Mexico, or Many?
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Publicis to buy U.S.-based Sapient for $3.7 billion
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
Thailand promises peace 'within a year' in insurgency-hit south
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
Canadian warplanes launch first airstrike in Iraq
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
Burkinabe army 'to hand over power'
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
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