Greece warns of worse downturn as strikes loom
10 March 2010 - The Greek economy is set to shrink by more than expected this year, the government said on Wednesday, as it braced for nationwide strikes protesting its plans for bringing the country's budget deficit under control. Greece, grappling with a ballooning deficit and a 300 billion euro (272 billion pound) debt pile, told the European Union that 2010 gross domestic product (GDP) would 'most likely' shrink by more than the 0.3 per cent currently forecast. Another key concern among economists is whether the government has the will and the support it needs to deliver on its budget commitments. The ADEDY and GSEE unions have called a nationwide strike for Thursday, leaving flights grounded; boats docked; and ministries, tax offices, schools, and hospitals shut. In Athens, where tourist attractions such as the Acropolis are due to be shut, police said they were bracing for trouble after clashes with demonstrators last week. (more)

Israeli group: Police improperly arresting children
10 March 2010 - Israeli police are improperly arresting Palestinian boys in nighttime raids in Jerusalem that involve assault rifle wielding security forces handcuffing minors and interrogating them without lawyers or parents, an Israeli rights group charged Tuesday. Most of the youths were accused of hurling rocks at Jewish settlers and damaging their property in the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan. 'They are using military-style night raids to extract children as young as 12,' said Sarit Michaeli of rights group B'tselem, which says the raids are an inappropriate method to detain children. They also argue the raids defy Israeli law, which demands children be accompanied by guardians while being arrested. In affidavits to B'tselem, six boys aged between 12 and 14 years old described arrest raids involving around a dozen heavily armed military police surrounding their homes, handcuffing them, and leading them to cells where they were slapped, kicked, and told by interrogators to confess if they wanted to go home. (more)

US says 'drugged driving' growing threat
10 March 2010 - Motorists under the influence of drugs are a growing threat on US roads, while the number who drink and drive has fallen thanks to education and law enforcement, a top US drug control official said on Tuesday. The United States is calling for discussions at United Nations level to tackle 'drugged driving' and says it wants to collect data to gauge the scale of the problem among public sector drivers and commercial truckers. 'If you think about driving on an American road on a Friday or Saturday evening about 16 per cent of the vehicles -- one in six of the cars -- (the driver) will be under the influence of an illicit or licit drug,' Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy, said. (more)

Venezuelan officials take control of 2 sugar mills
10 March 2010 - Venezuela's government seized control of two sugar mills Tuesday and threatened to expropriate them, accusing managers of hoarding a basic good and violating the labour rights of employees. Commerce Minister Richard Canan said authorities were taking over management of the Santa Elena and Santa Clara mills in the central state of Portuguesa for 90 days 'to guarantee the operations of the mills, so our people don't go without sugar'. The government raised the price of sugar by 30 per cent Tuesday. Sugar -- one of dozens of foodstuffs subject to price controls -- has become scarce at some stores and supermarkets. Mr Canan threatened mill owners who fail to observe regulations with possible expropriation of the businesses. Jose Ricardo Alvarez, president of the National Federation of Sugar Growers, said Tuesday's sugar price increase would do little to help mill owners who are struggling to turn a profit due to price controls. (more)