11.20.2009

tough business climate

1. Bronfman's opportunity to clean up Discount Bank - Israel

Israeli banks will soon report third-quarter results. The most interesting one will be Discount Bank's. Discount, the country's third-largest bank, wants to challenge Leumi and Hapoalim. But it has been deteriorating for many years, losing ground to the big two, while Mizrahi-Tefahot keeps gaining ground.

The real reason Discount's controlling shareholders, the Bronfman family, sacked Shlomo Zohar, the bank's chairman, remains vague. Rumors that the recent Visa-Cal scandal has something to do with it have been denied by the Bronfmans, and the Bank of Israel has continued its antidemocratic tradition of keeping vital information hidden from the public.

more @ jpost
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1258624596443


2. courts say no private prisons for Lev Leviev's company

A further blow to Lev Leviev: the High Court of Justice has accepted the petition against privatization of prisons, and has ruled that the law amending the prisons ordinance is null and void, because of its disproportionate infringement of the rights of prisoners to personal freedom and dignity. The ruling was given by a majority of eight judges, headed by court president Dorit Beinisch, against a minority opinion of Judge Edmond Levy, who held that time should be given to see how the law was applied in practice.

more @ globes.co.il
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000515622&fid=1725


3. Norilsk Nickel acknowledges pollution, says steps being taken

Russia's metals giant Norilsk Nickel acknowledged on Friday Norway's accusations over pollution caused by the company, but said it has been tackling the problem. NorNickel said it has been carrying out extensive modernization of its production facilities to reduce environmental damage and health risks to residents in nearby areas. The statement came after Norway stopped investing in the firm using its pension fund over ethical considerations....

The company's activities have produced unacceptable levels of sulfur dioxide and heavy metal in the atmosphere affecting Taimyr residents, the ministry said. But NorNickel said environmental issues had not been tackled for decades at the company - which was set up in the 1920s and is now owned by tycoon Vladimir Potanin's Interros - and that turning the situation around will take time as production cannot be suspended.

read more @ ria novosti

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