Aside from all of his investments, Mitt Romney also received speakers fees, as he traveled the country. When he admitted last week that was part of his income, which contributed to his 6 figure earnings. This caused his foes to seize the opportunity by saying he was out of touch with Americans but there’s another reason for him to downplay the payments, which totaled to $374,000 for nine speeches in 2010—an average of $41,592 per appearance. By the way, is two rivals Newt Gingrich reported receiving a total of $21,625 in speaking fees and Rick Santorum reported none.
Capitol Police raking in top-shelf starting pay, benefits
The officers that are seen patrolling the metal detectors and corridors of the Capitol Hill complex are earning some of the best pay and benefits in the business. A new government report shows that the US Capitol Capitol Police, or USCP, provides top-shelf pay when officers sign up and top-shelf benefits when they retire.
Posted by Janet on 01/27/2012
http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/capitol-police-raking-in-top-shelf-starting-pay-benefits/
Parent of Obama-backed battery maker goes bankrupt
It looks like Obama and his business sense is batting 1,000. The parent company of an electric car battery maker that received a $118 million grant from the Obama administration filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday. New York-based Ener1 said it has been affected by competition from China and other countries. In 2009, with the support of Vice President Joe Biden, Ener1 subsidiary EnerDel received a $118 million stimulus grant from the Energy Department.
Posted by Janet on 01/27/2012
http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/parent-of-obama-backed-battery-maker-goes-bankrupt/
RBS chief Stephen Hester’s £963,000 bonus criticised
The £963,000 bonus in shares awarded to Royal Bank of Scotland boss Stephen Hester has been strongly criticised. Labour leader Ed Miliband said that the payout represented a disgraceful failure by the Prime Minister. Then Chancellor, George Osborne, point out that the previous Labour government was responsible as it had forged the contract that included a bonus clause. And there were calls from Lib Dem minister Jeremy Browne said Mr Hester should turn down the bonus.
Posted by Janet on 01/27/2012
http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/rbs-chief-stephen-hesters-963000-bonus-criticised/
Ariz. Town Swirls in Controversy Over Candidate’s English Skills
There’s a fight going on in an Arizona town, over whether a local woman has the ability to speak, read, and write English well enough to run for San Luis City Council. The matter is working its way through state courts, which will decide the issue. And just like in many states, Arizona is one that requires politicians to speak, read, and write English. However, the laws do not define proficiency.
Posted by Janet on 01/26/2012
http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/ariz-town-swirls-in-controversy-over-candidates-english-skills/
Cocaine shipment found at United Nations in fake diplomatic pouch
A shipment that contained 16 kilograms of cocaine was seized last week at the U.N.’s mail intake center. NYPD’s chief spokesman, Paul Browne said the drug was in a white bag evidently masquerading as a diplomatic pouch that raised suspicions when it was being scanned because it was stamped with what looked like a poorly concocted version of the U.N. logo.
Posted by Janet on 01/26/2012
http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/cocaine-shipment-found-at-united-nations-in-fake-diplomatic-pouch/
WA State Worker Gets $2.35 Million in Settlement Over Child Sex Abuse
The state is going to pay a former Mason County woman $2.35 million to settle her lawsuit alleging that the departments of Corrections and Social and Health Services failed to supervise a sex offender who abused her, beginning when she was 10 years old. Danny Dorosky Sr has served a sentence for child rape when he was paroled in August 1990. He was released into the plaintiff’s home.
Posted by Janet on 01/26/2012
http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/wa-state-worker-gets-2-35-million-in-settlement-over-child-sex-abuse/
Taxpayers still owed $132.9B from bailout
A governement watchdog group says U.S. taxpayers are still owed $132.9 billion that companies haven’t repaid from the financial bailout, and some of that will never be recovered. And the report also says that the bailout will continue for many years, says Christy Romero, the acting special inspector general for the $700 billion bailout. Some bailout programs, such as the effort to help homeowners avoid foreclosure by reducing mortgage payments, will last as late as 2017, costing the government an additional $51 billion or so.
Posted by Janet on 01/26/2012
http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/taxpayers-still-owed-132-9b-from-bailout/
Alaska Airlines to stop handing out prayer cards with meals
Alaska Airlines has stopped decades of giving passengers prayer cards with their meals, saying Wednesday the decision was made out of respect for all passengers. Bobbie Egan the airline spokeswoman said that customers complained about the cards and didn’t want to mix religion with transportation. The decision reflects respect for the diverse religious beliefs and cultural attitudes of Alaska Airlines’ customers and employees, the company said in announcing the change.
Posted by Janet on 01/26/2012
http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/alaska-airlines-to-stop-handing-out-prayer-cards-with-meals/
