President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to pull France out of the European Union’s coveted visa-free Schengen zone unless the bloc makes progress on protecting EU borders from illegal immigration. Sarkozy’s pledge on the hot-button theme of immigration came in a wide-ranging speech to thousands of supporters at a boisterous campaign rally on Sunday, as polls show he faces a tough battle for re-election in April and May. Unchecked immigration would thwart Europe’s ability to take in and integrate new entrants, putting strains on social safety nets for the most disadvantaged across the continent, Sarkozy said to chants of ‘We’re going to win!’ against a sea of blue, white and red French flags
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Japan’s tourism industry is still hurting a year after the tsunami and nuclear disaster, and is not likely to be fully back on track until next year, international industry officials say. There was a 28 per cent fall in the number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2011 compared with the previous year, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) says.
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Treasurer Wayne Swan says small business would be puzzled by an opposition plan to repeal the resources tax and the associated benefits for Australian workers and small businesses. Responding to a Fairfax Media report that the coalition would instead consider asking mining companies to fund new dams, Mr Swan said in a statement: ‘Building a few dams is no substitute for a major new tax break for 2.7 million small business owners or a boost to the retirement savings for 8.4 million Australian workers.’ Mr Swan said: ‘Tony Abbott has again decided to kneel down at the feet of Clive Palmer and Gina Rinehart, rather than stand up for Australian small businesses and workers.’ Under the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT), small business would receive a tax cut from 30 per cent to 29 per cent from July 1. The corporate tax rate would be reduced to 29 per cent from the following year
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