The initial response to a call for councils and other big employers to commit to a living wage of at least $18.40 an hour has been dominated by excuses. But what could be more important?
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World News Brief, Thursday January 26
State of the Union: Barack Obama wants economy "built to last", takes on inequality; Analysis: Speech begins Obama's re-election campaign and how Washington is broken; Japan reports rare trade deficit for 2011; Egyptians return to Tahrir for first anniversary of anti-Mubarak uprising; US Navy Seals op in Somalia rescues aid workers, kills pirates; At least two dead in China-Tibet clash; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 27
US deficit to be focus of tonight's State of the Union address; Iran opposition leaders back Ahmadinejad; France to ban veils when 'using publlic services'; Dalai Lama envoys in China for Tibet talks; and more
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