News Bites: August 2009

 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton & The Global Fight Against Terrorism

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a strong plea to India to come on board and support Washington in helping Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.  It seems that Delhi has asked for results before it will begin  peace talks with the rival.  Clinton ‘s  visit was meant to put to rest any lingering doubts that India may have regarding President Barack Obama’s intention at viewing India’s rise to  a global power status.  Also on Clinton’s agenda was making certain no U.S. arms technology is leaked to third countries.  Clinton was expected to initiate a smoothing of Indo-Pakistani ties that had been broken last year during the Mumbai attacks. Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister and Pakistani leader Yusuf Raza Gilani finally came to an agreement that they would jointly fight terrorism, however,  Singh made the position that Pakistan must first punish anyone responsible for the Mumbai attacks.

 

Italian Prime Minister, Silvo Berlusconi discovered 30 Phoenician tombs dating back to 300 BC on one of his estates, but didn’t report it. Taped conversations between what is believed to be the Prime Minister and a call girl were leaked to Italy’s left-of-centre press and reveals him boasting about the ancient artifacts. Italian Law requiring any sort of archeological findings be notified to The Ministry Culture in Rome.  Failure to do so could result in fines and one year in jail.

 

A decree to shift the days of the weekend to Friday and Saturday was issued by the Algerian government as a means to boost the North African nation’s withering economy.  Since 1976 Algeria observed its weekends on Thursdays and Fridays, as do other countries such as Iran, and Saudi Arabi.  The new weekend days seems a match for Western schedules and many Muslim countries that observe Friday as Islam’s day of prayer.  The change is set for August. The head of the Algerian employers’ union, Redha Hamiani says that this change could increase Algeria’s gross domestic product up to $800 million a year.

 

Suntech Power Holdings Co, a chinese solar panel maker,  came to an agreement with a unit of China Huadian Corporation to build 500 megawatts of solar projects in China.

Suntech provides crystalline silicon solar panels, design and technical support.  China Huadian takes charge of the investment and development of the projects.  Each  company is set to sign a separate agreement.

 

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani asks the U.S. to provide real-time intelligence, unmanned aircraft technology/weapons to help Pakistan fight the Taliban without relying on direct attacks from U.S. drones.  Pakistan is willing to carry out its own drone strikes to stop negative public pleas protesting against U.S. aircraft attacks.  Public opinion seems that the U.S. attacks bordering tribal Afghanistan regions bordering have weakened Pakistan’s position to rid eliminate militancy and terrorism on their own.  Requests for weapons has long been a cornerstone in the relationship with the United States, but after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took initiatives for additional military sales to Pakistan’s rival India, which could give about 100 American fighter jets, diplomatic fears worsened as officials stated that India blocks rivers running from Kashmir into Pakistan, causing increased military exercises along the border, training and funding insurgents within Afghanistan to take up arms against them. 

 

Five Roman shipwrecks were found under the sea off Ventotene, a small island between Rome and Naples. Experts say the vessels date back to  between the 1st century B.C. and the 4th century.  Cargo findings included vases for holding wine, pots, olive oil, and a variety of tools.

Khasro Ghoran, the Kurdish leader  hopes to finally get the 300-miles of disputed territory that the Kurdish  government believes it should control.  However, the  territory lies within the borders administered by the central government.  The U.S. is in a dead heat to prevent more tension between  Arabs and Kurds, but Khasro says war will happen if their request is denied.

 

A $2.6 billion loan was approved by the International Monetary Fund for Sri Lanka to assist the nation in rebuilding its economy and replacing reserves as the 26-year civil war came to an end. The lender’s executive board, based in Washington, OK’d the 20-month—$322 million loan, effective immediately.

 

An Afghan parliament member, Malalai Joya said Afghanistan people can govern themselves.  She said the elections next months are a deception,

“showcase for the U.S. government to deceive people around the world.”  She says Nato showers the worst on Afghan people and drug production has increased and funds the Taliban.  In 2007, she was suspended for comparing the parliament to a zoo, but is praised “the bravest woman” in Afghanistan and supported for her opposition to Taliban and druglords.

 

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s  new deputy, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, stepped down when a letter written by leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. demanding his removal.  Mashaei was criticized last year after he made friendly comments to Israel. 

 

Vice President Joe Biden went to Georgia to reaffirm strong ties with the ex-Soviet Republic.  Biden said U.S. support will continue for Georgia while they continue to increase  democratic credentials.  Biden stressed that the gesture did not mean the U.S. would guarantee security.  Georgia requested the U.S. help patrol borders on two disputed regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.  Biden  said the U.S. would consider the request, but that Abkhazia and South Ossetia would not be considered separate of Georgia.  Nato promised Georgia and the Ukraine member- ship, but has not set an entry date.

 

An employee from Apple Inc., in China leaped from the 12th floor of his apartment after being suspected of leaking secrets about the company. Reported missing is one of 16 prototypes of the N90 iphone. Sources from Apple say the man’s home was raided after the 25-year old product manager was suspected of the treason.  The incident has now brought an investigation from local police and led to criticism of Apple.

 

Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Iran’s opposition figure stated that he would continue to provoke the protest movement that started with reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  The election loss was said by many to have been the result of what Iranian’s considered “voter fraud.”  Mousavi said that he thought the protests were a positive move in that they could possibly help trigger a much needed political change to occur in Iran.  Just before  made his announcement, some  of his political analysts and long time supporters were worried that his announcement would oppose a peaceful civil disobedience campaign that of which Iran has never experienced since the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s.

Celebrity News: August 2009

IN/OUT OF THE OVEN 

Ana Ortiz of Ugly Betty and musician husband Noah Lebenzon have a girl.  

Gisele Bundchen and husband Tom Brady expecting. 

Nicole Richie ready to pop with baby #2 with baby daddy Joel Madden. 

Ugly Betty’s Ashley Jensen from the T.V series  and her husband, Terence Beesley preparing for a bundle of joy.

 

UNHAPPY RAPPER

Rapper 50 Cent said in court he’s sorry he bought Mike Tyson’s beat ass old mansion and is suing BVH Integrated Services Engineering.  He hired the firm to inspect the Farmington, Conn., home before he bought it from the boxer’s  ex-wife in 2003.  The company quoted $500,000 to fix roofs, decks, driveways and renovate other areas.  The rapper says that he spent well over $6 million to get it into shape. 

 

I-DO

Ace Young, former American Idol finalist has proposed to his girlfriend and Grease co-star Allison Fisher. 

Ex-Girl-Next-Door Kendra Wilkinson and Philadelphia Eagles footballer Hank Baskett not only tied the knot (at the Playboy mansion), but made the  announcement they were pregnant, and are now starring in their own reality TV show.   

Channing Tatum and Step Up co-star Jenna Dewan got hitched in Malibu. 

 

NO-CAN-DO

LeAnn Rimes confirms that she and Dean Sheremet have called it off.

Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush come to an end after two years.  

Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey go their separate ways.

Divorce between Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil is final.  

Talk show queen Joy Behar halts her engagement to Steve Janowitz saying she is too busy for wedded bliss and gets ready for her new talk show set to air on CNN’s HLN network. 

Sports hunk Tony Romo calling it quits with his girlfriend of almost two years pop singer Jessica Simpson. It seems the breakup went down the day before Simpson’s 29th birthday.  

 

BOO HOO

Hayden Panettiere’s home in L.A. was robbed.  Value of the items stolen was not disclosed and of course her reps stated no comment.

Reports say that Rock & Roll Pop Art Auction will offer up several  of Madonna’s personal items some old microcassette tapes of erotic answering machine messages from the star and faxed notes of affection.

 

LEGAL WRANGLES

Rapper Coolio pleads guilty in L.A. court to felony cocaine possession charges and according to his sentence will spend 18 months in rehab. 

Tax difficulties for Chris Tucker who sources say owes an estimated $3.6 million to the State of California, for five years back taxes.

Comedian/actor Dane Cook’s sister-in-law Erika McCauley was charged with helping her husband, Darryl McCauley (Cook’s half brother and former business manager) embezzle millions of dollars from the actor.

Icky rapper R. Kelly at it again with reportedly another investigation for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a MINOR.  What’s up with the justice system?  Didn’t this happen to the rapper a year or so ago when he was charged with soliciting a minor for child pornography?  Oh that’s right he was miraculously acquitted on that charge.  WAKE UP  PEOPLE!   

The fight seems to be over.  Sources say that Hulk Hogan and his ex-wife Linda Bollea have finally come to an agreement  on a financial settlement.

Tracy Quinn, Tony Plana’s former manager filed a lawsuit in L.A. County Court saying she’s been cut out of her share of his Ugly Betty earnings on a deal that she says she made happen.  She’s asking $500,000. 

 

STOP THE PRESS

Jennifer Lopez has called it quits on her Sweetface clothing line.

Sources say Toby Maguire’s mother Wendy and his younger brother Weston are signed up to star in a reality TV show entitled what else…”Growing Up Maguire.”

 

ON THE MEND

Len Goodman, Dancing With the Stars judge underwent surgery to remove a tumor in his prostrate.  He will return to the show in September. 

 

HAPPY ENDING

Amy Winehouse found ‘not guilty’ on assault charges resulting from an  incident where a fan got too close snapping a photo of the star and Winehouse got into rumble mode. 

 

HOOK-UPS

After what seemed minutes when Jon Gosselin and Hailey Glassman opted for a marriage break…Jon had turned his sights on Kate Major, a former Star magazine reporter.  Dating?  Yes, according to just about everyone.  Some reports had Kate doing the same.  She says NO.  Crisis continues as does the shows failing ratings and the couple’s bad press. 

Sources say a love match is in the making for Sex and the City’s Kristin Davis and a celebrity photographer who have been seen together at cozy dinners and parties coast-to-coast?  We’ll keep you posted.  

World News: July 2009

The Swine flu scare hit the global airline market with a huge thump. The airline industry has increased efforts to ensure that passengers avoid health risks especially on international flights.  Most carriers in Asia are scared of another SARS episode and have increased their cabin cleaning, installed state-of-the-art air filters and are allowing in-flight staff to wear face masks.  The carrier Cathay Pacific is  replacing all used pillows, blankets, headset covers and headrest covers, for each flight, according to its spokeswoman Carolyn Leung.  China Southern Airlines is disinfecting all of its aircraft cabins.  Flight attendants on China Eastern Airlines must now wear disposable facial masks, gloves, hats and overcoats during flights to and from select locations.  Mexicana Airlines has implemented efficiency air filters that trap particles normally in constant recirculation during flights.  according to its spokesman Adolfo Crespo.  Reports from June 2009 have 20,000 cases of the H1N1 flu virus in 68 countries; the virus has killed at least 126 people, reports the World Health Organization. 

 

Two U.S. journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, of U.S. media outlet Current TV,  who were detained in North Korea are set to go on trial at one of North Korea’s highest courts.  Allegations say the two women illegally entered the country with “hostile intent” in a explosive  case that comes on the heels of Pyongyang facing international anger for the nuclear testing in May.  According to experts who are keeping a close eye on the arrests, a guilty verdict is predicted for the two women arrested on North Korea’s border with China in March.  It seems likely that the journalists will become bargaining chips in high-stake negotiations with the United States which has fought to bring an end to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.  North Korean law states that anyone convicted of highly hostile acts could be forced into hard labor for a period of 10 years or more.

 

Poland’s leaders, accompanied by foreign dignitaries celebrate the 20th anniversary of the country’s free elections.  Prime Minister Donald and a party of Polish officials gathered in Krakow with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Ukraine who attended the ceremonies in the Wawel Castle Cathedral.  Former Polish President Lech Walesa, former leader of the Solidarity movement that help to topple the communist regime was also there.

 

Cuba says, “NO THANKS” to rejoin the Organization of American States, then says the group’s decision to lift a 47-year suspension against it is a “major victory.”  Cuban National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon told journalists in Havana that the organization’s decision to lift the 1962 suspension doesn’t make a difference as Cuba has no interest in resuming its membership.  The OAS said Cuba’s re-entry would be the result of a “process of dialogue” under the OAS group’s “practices, proposals and principles” referencing human-rights protections and democracy.  The 34-member group made its decision on the second and final day of its General Assembly in Honduras.  Cuba was initially suspended because of its communist government and Soviet bloc ties.  Former Cuban President Fidel Castro said that OAS was an accomplice to crimes committed against his country.  Before leaving Honduras to join President Obama in Cairo, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the assembled OAS members to restore Cuba’s member- ship rights only if political prisoners are released and basic human rights are improved. 

 

The U.S. and Iraqi militaries have tentatively agreed to keep a joint base on the edge of Baghdad’s Shiite slum of Sadr City, maintaining an American presence in a strategic area even after the June 30 deadline for U.S. troops to pull out of the capital.  The base: Joint Security Station Commanche is one of 14 joint facilities that U.S. officials want to keep alive in the neighborhoods. Commanche controls the area where Shiite militants pounded rocket fire onto the Green Zone during the last big fight in the city in 2008.  Militants are thought to be regrouping in the area. The idea to keep some joint bases open helps achieve withdrawal plans without giving Shiite and Sunni extremists a full reign to take over. 

The day before President Obama delivered a speech speaking of peace and goodwill with the Islamic world, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden did his best in a speech to Muslims saying that they should hate him.  This was the second message from al-Qaida in a matter of days criticizing Obama.  It’s a sure sign says officials that al-Qaida

is worried that the new president is making headway bringing countries together, improving America’s image in the Muslim world. Obama met with Saudi King Abdullah during his Mideast tour and gave a speech at the Cairo University as a goodwill message.  Al-Qaida did its best to deter  well wishes from the crowds by countering that Obama and Bush have the same agenda.  On Al-Jazeera TV bin Laden said Obama promoted hate  toward the U.S. by ordering Pakistan to crack down on militants and block Islamic law there.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP), has delivered more than $1 billion in food aid to North Korea since 2000.  Hopes are high that the organization can deliver a half-billion dollars more before the year is out.  To date donor nations have given WFP $75.4 million toward a 2009 goal of $503 million; half of that amount — $38.8 million is food aid that was not delivered in 2008.  The reluctance stems from bad behavior of the North Korean dictatorship of Kim Jong-Il, which sent off a multi-kiloton nuclear explosion, the second in three years.

North Korea continues to threaten South Korea with war by blasting off nuclear missils.

 

The final decision to take over Adam Opel AG stayed open and Germany’s Economy Ministry said it would not  close talks with other bidders to Magna International Inc. (MGA), the Canadian auto parts supplier that the German government referred to its “preferred bidder.” Then the German government picked on the Magna’s consortium stating that it will give EUR1.5 billion in funds to help the Ruesselsheim-based auto firm stay up and running following the bankruptcy filing of parent General Motors Corp.

Magna says it will seal the deal in four to five weeks and aims for Opel entry in September.  The Economics Ministry State Secretary Jochen Homann said that the government can’t rule out the possible failure of Magna’s offer.

 

Florida deep-sea explorers who raised around $500 million in treasure from the 200-year-old wreck of a Spanish galleon should give the loot to Spain, stated a federal magistrate.  This two-year struggle over the 17 tons of silver coins and artifacts is believed to come from the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes y las Animas.  Sources say Odyssey Marine Exploration will oppose any written recommendation by the U.S. Odyssey CEO Greg Stemm said that the company will keep fighting.  ”This case addresses some very significant legal issues, so in the beginning it became fairly clear it was going to go to the appellate court level.”  The Mercedes, sank in the Atlantic Ocean west of Portugal in 1804.

Business News: July 2009

General Motors and Chrysler higher-ups defended their strategy for down sizing dealerships during a Senate hearing calling it, “a painful but necessary part of creating leaner, more competitive companies.”  Fritz Henderson, chief executive of General Motors, and James E. Press, vice chairman of Chrysler, stated that dealerships selling small numbers of vehicles were weighing down their companies.  They cited a need for more streamlined  dealers that would work toward the survival of their struggling companies.  “Does my heart go out to the dealers who will not be part of the new company? Absolutely,” Mr. Press said in his prepared testimony.  “But we’ve had to make many hard choices to create a viable business and preserve jobs for tens of thousands of people.”  Unfortunately, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, chairman of the Senate Commerce committee, didn’t agree with their thinking saying that the blame for the auto industry’s  problems should not be blamed on  the dealers.  “Let me be very clear,” Mr. Rockefeller, Democrat of West Virginia, said. “I don’t believe that companies should be allowed to take taxpayer funds for a bailout, and then leave the local dealers and their customers to fend for themselves with no real notice and no real help.”  Chrysler will  close 800-plus dealerships in June and General Motors reduces its 6,000 dealerships to about 3,500 by the end of next year. 

 

Reports have the U.S. deficit at about $1.8 trillion this year as the country spends and spends and spends on financial bailouts, a sweeping stimulus package, additional lending programs, and funds for the auto industry. This will be the highest deficit incurred since World War II.

 

Bing.com takes top honors as the place to go for every search category you can name—from news, to videos, shopping, maps, and travel. Tabs help its users to locate bonus features including Microsoft’s Cashback search rewards program and links to pages for developers and Webmasters.

Microsoft designed Bing as a one-stop site where users can make purchases and engage in other related activities.

 

Stats have the U.S. labor market in bad shape as cities throughout 93 metropolitan areas report unemploy- ment rates of near 10 percent in April.

This comes down to more than 13 times the number reported last year.

Currently, the national unemployment rate is 8.9 percent, and in 150 cities, numbers showed more residents out of work earlier this spring.  Cities posting unemployment rates below 7 percent accounted for 117—less than half of the 347 cities who recorded lower rates last year.  The Labor Department reported nine of the 13 metropolitan areas with jobless rates of at least 15 percent were in California.  El Centro, a  California city half an hour drive from the Mexican border, had the highest rate in the country at 26.9 percent. Detroit had the highest unemployment of 13.6 percent out of 49 metropolitan areas with more than one million population.  

 

A tech industry insider told Reuters that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating allegations by big tech businesses not to poach on each other.  Search engine giants/competitors Google and Yahoo, computer/music player maker Apple and the biotech company Genentech (owned by Roche Holding AG) were put on notice that the Justice Department has a formal probe going to investigate any possible illegal or unethical crossovers among the companies.  Genentech says that it would accommodate any investigation.  ”Our understanding is that a number of companies received this request for information from the U.S. Department of Justice.  Genentech is cooperating and will respond to the request in due course,” the company said in a state- ment.  Reps from Google and Yahoo said they were contacted by the Justice Department and would cooperate.

 

According to reports, two senior U.S. Senate Republicans are drafting legislation that will require the government to hand over to the American taxpayers its controlling stake in the General Motors Corp.

In order for this legislation to pass, the Republicans need a lot of extra help in the form of Democrat supporters, plus  the backing of President Obama.  The bill if passed would widen the debate on the president’s unprecedented action to take a 60 percent ownership stake in GM.  Under the planned bill,  the Treasury Department would handover  the  stock certificates to 154 million Americans who pay federal taxes. Thinking is: Taxpayers financed the government’s $60 billion-plus  investment in GM, who incidentally filed for bankruptcy protection in June.

 

Fewer U.S. workers filed new claims for jobless benefits for a third week and productivity rose faster-than-expected in the first quarter, data showed.  The Labor Department said first-time applications for unemployment insurance benefits fell 4,000 to 621,000 in the week ending May 30, 2009.  In addition, it said the number of people still on the benefit rolls after an initial filing fell for the first time since the start of the year in the prior week.

 

Oil rose to a seven-month high and gas surged after Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said prices may reach $85 by the end of the year as demand recovers and supplies shrink.  Oil jumped five percent when the bank increased its year-end forecast from $65 a barrel and held off on its prediction that prices will dip. The acceleration came after reports showed that less Americans filed claims for unemployment than in prior weeks.  “There seems to be a growing realization that oil will end the year in the $80 area, and this is spurring some buying,” stated John Kilduff, senior VP of energy at MF Global in New York. “The market is taking a little bit of solace from today’s unemployment numbers.”  Crude oil delivery in July rose $3.26 (4.9 percent) to $69.38 a barrel. The trend is moving toward the biggest gain since April 9. Futures climbed as much as $3.48 (5.3 percent) to $69.60, the highest since Nov. 5, 2008.  Prices are up 56 percent this year.  Gasoline for July delivery rose 7.74 cents (4.1 percent) to $1.979 a gallon in New York.  Prices reached $1.9836, highest since Oct. 14, 2008

Initial jobless claims fell by 4,000 to 621,000 in the week ended May 30, in line with forecasts, from a revised said the U.S. Labor Department.  The number collecting unemployment insurance fell for the first time in almost five months, breaking 17 consecutive records.

 

The IRS brings forth new standards for tax return preparers by the end of this year.  The changes could affect chain tax preparation companies like H&R Block Inc. (HRB), Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (JTX) and Liberty Tax Service, as well as tax software makers like Intuit Inc. (INTU).  Around 80% of Americans use a tax return preparer or tax return preparation software to file their taxes.  The IRS will recommend its plan at the end of the year to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, which could include regulatory or legislative changes.  Recommendations will cover the groups of unlicensed tax preparers and tax software providers.

 

U.S. mortgage rates surged to their highest in almost six months despite government efforts to help curb the floundering struggling market.  The interest rates on U.S. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages jumped to 5.29 percent for the week ending June 4, up from 4.91 percent the previous week, according to a survey by Freddie Mac.  Higher rates showed an increase in returns on U.S. government bonds, which act as a benchmark for the mortgage market. “Any additional rate increases will significantly hurt the home purchase power and refinance markets, which will really hurt the economic recovery,” stated Alan Rosenbaum, the president of Guardhill Financial, a New York City-based mortgage banker and brokerage company.  The last time that rates exceeded the current levels was the week ending December 11, 2008, when the 30-year rate was at 5.47 percent.  The latest week marked the biggest jump since a 0.42 percentage point rise in the week that ended October 30, 2008, when interest rates hit 6.46 percent.

State & U.S. News: July 2009

Four men accused of attempting to blow up two New York synagogues and shoot down military planes plead “not guilty” to the charges in a White Plains, New York City court. 

A federal grand jury indictment accused the men of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-air craft missiles.  U.S. citizens James Cromitie, David Williams and Onta Williams, along with Laguerre Payen, a Haitian national, were also indicted on charges of conspiring and attempting to kill officers and employees of the U.S.  The men (Muslims) face life in prison if convicted.  

 

Immigrant rights activists hope to counter efforts by a national Latino clergy group wanting to persuade one million illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 U.S. census.  If successful, it affects California’s federal funding as well as political representation. The Washington, D.C. National Coalition of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders, says it represents 20,000 Latino churches in 34 states, and a quarter of its four million members will join the boycott to put pressure for legalization and protect themselves from government scrutiny.  Not all Latino organizations are in on the boycott wagon, however.  La Opinión, a highly read Latin news- paper in an editorial called the effort, “dangerous mistake” and for Latinos it “verges on political suicide.”   

 

California could become the first state in the economic downturn to eliminate student financial aid if  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is successful in dismantling the Cal Grant program. The governor’s proposal would end all new Cal Grants, eliminating the state’s main financial aid program for college students, and prevent existing awards from increasing. Grants awarded to 118,000 freshmen starting college in the fall would be canceled, as well as hikes in 82,255 continuing awards promised when University of California and California State University raised fees this month by 10% and 9.3%, respectively.  At the University of California, among other options, students with university grants could see some of their money shifted to those who have lost their Cal Grants, say officials. California State University and schools in California Community Colleges System have yet to decide how to respond to the potentially devastating aid cuts. The proposal would save an estimated $173 million in 2009-10 and $450 million in 2010-11, state officials reported.

 

The overseer of healthcare in state prisons will dramatically scale back an $8-billion plan to build inmate medical facilities.  The controversial construction plan led to a battle with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown and legislators over how much to spend on healthcare for prisoners while the state is out of money.  On the agenda now are plans to build two new facilities, one in the northern and southern part of California, each with 3,400 beds for sick and mentally ill inmates.  Originally, funds were sought for seven projects and 10,000 beds.

U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson seized control of the prison medical system in 2006, saying inmates died because the care they received was so poor it violated their rights.

 

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger readies a proposal to cut the state worker salaries by an additional 5% as local officials criticize his aim to take $2 billion from counties and cities to help the state deficit.  The  reduction affects 235,000 state workers must  take unpaid furloughs because of the state’s $24.3 billion budget gap.  The proposed cut reduces wages by 15%, and won’t affect state Legislature or court system employees.

 

The California Supreme Court seems unlikely to OK employers to spy on their workers with hidden cameras.

However, state high court members were skeptical of two women who said they discovered a surveillance camera in their office and because of it had suffered serious harm.  The court considered a lawsuit brought by the women against their employer for installing a hidden camera in their office.  Court justices’ noted that they thought workers had a right to expect some privacy in their offices, but did question whether these two women who were suing had enough evidence of wrongdoing to win their case.  The employer of the women stated that the camera never recorded a view of the women.  A state appeals court in Los Angeles ruled that the women had a viable lawsuit. The court said employees need not show they were actually viewed or recorded by a hidden camera to prevail in an invasion of privacy lawsuit.

 

Car companies race to the finish line to offer electric vehicles to the public.  One company is forgoing any high-tech electronics, and making its cars energy source out of the air.  Zero Pollution Motors hopes to bring a car to the U.S. roads by 2011 that will be powered by compressed air and a small conventional engine.  ZPM Chief Executive Shiva Vencat reported that  their price range goal ranges between $18,000 and $20,000, with a fuel economy of 100 miles per gallon. Some car authorities are skeptical.  ”Air compressors are one of the least efficient machines to convert electricity to work,” says Harold Kung, professor of chemical/biological engineering at Northwestern University. “Why not use electricity directly as in electric cars? From an energy utilization point of view, the compressed (air) car does not make sense.”

 

Hundreds of same-sex couples march through California farm towns to protest the battle over gay marriage.

Days after California’s highest court upheld the ban on gay marriages, gay advocates refused to give up their fight and hope to win over objectors to their side.   The march into rural towns brought out well-known activists and a huge group of celebrities including Charlize Theron.  The organizer of the march was a lesbian mother in Fresno, California who was removed from her son’s Catholic school parent-teacher association because she had publically spoken out against the gay marriage ban.

 

Democratic leaders in the House put major environmental legislation on a fast-track, boosting a climate change  bill. Sources said the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill reducing industrial emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels.  The climate bill, in addition to other healthcare reform, have become top priorities of President Barack Obama, and House Democrats and are looking to pass them before the August recess.  The legislation would be a big success for activists hoping to halt the accelerating global warming that is occurring.

 

Lawmakers in New Hampshire approve a gay marriage bill to legalize same-sex marriage. But the ongoing 

debate in New York rages on.  Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz, an opponent of the bill, stated that Senator Tom Duane “should release the names of Senators who are supporting the bill.  If not, he should shut up.” Diaz accused the undecided and undeclared politicians of being “ashamed to be publicly associated with the gay community.”

New York Governor Paterson said he’s still optimistic the bill will pass.

World News: June 2009

Hoping to address the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against China Pro-Tibet, protesters tried to break through a police line guarding the Chinese embassy.  About   12 activists charged the barrier line at the march from Parliament House in support of Tibetan independence.  The incident sparked  an argument among demonstrators and  officials and police arrested four people for disrupting the peace, including a man who threw his shoes at the building.  About 150 people converged on Parliament House in a peaceful rally bearing flags and banners and were joined by representatives from Australia’s major political parties.  Greens leader Bob Brown asked Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to declare Australian support for Tibetan autonomy.

 

The World Health Organization known as WHO announced that swine flu cases world wide have surpassed 2,000.  In Mexico, Schools and Universities reopened their doors the day after restaurants and offices got the green light to take down the shutters that had been ordered to remain in place for five days to suppress the outbreak.

 

Pope Benedict XVI, while visiting Africa, said a responsible and moral attitude toward sex—and not condoms would help fight the AIDS disease. 

 

Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwean Prime Minister said the car crash that killed his wife Susan was an accident.  His statement helped override speculation among Zimbabweans that political intent motivated the driver in the truck that hit their vehicle.  Mr. Tsvangirai had just returned from Gaborone, Botswana where he received follow-up medical care for injuries to his head and neck sustained in the crash. The driver, Chinoona Mwanda (35) was charged with culpable homicide, but his attorney, Chris Mhike said the accident was caused by poor road conditions.

 

Three ‘Doctors Without Borders’ aide workers were kidnapped in Sudan, then were released unharmed.

 

Iraqi’s famous shoe thrower who launched a foot attack at President Bush when he visited the country on his way out of office, was sentenced to three years in jail.  The journalist pleaded not guilty, saying that he was overcome by passion.

 

Referred to as the Swiss Gigolo Helg Sgarbi (44) a master at wooing rich woman into illicit affairs and talking them out of their money got caught!  One victim Susanne Klatten, a billionaire whose family controls BMW, didn’t take the ‘con’ sitting down and prompted police to take action.  Sgarbi then confessed to defrauding the women and was sentenced to six-years in prison.  In a country where old-money families down play their wealth, Klatten went to the police even though people of her status keep scandal a secret.  Three other women victims were extorted millions of pounds by Sgarbi using a blackmail plot involving mafia hit men and a mysterious sect.  Klatten is the 68th wealthiest person in the world with assets totaling $9.6 billion.  Sgarbi told the women he was a secret agent working for the Swiss government in hostage situations.  Not quite James Bond, he was instead an accomplished predator.  

 

The election of Salvadorean President Mauricio Funes of F.M.L.N. proved a turning point after two decades of rule by the right wingers.

 

Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar’s chief opposition leader came up for air, after hiding for two weeks, and stated that he would be taking charge of the Madagascar nation.

 

Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir threatened to expel even more aid groups, diplomats and peacekeepers on his first trip to Darfur since the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest on charges of war crimes.  Sudan had previously expelled 13 of the largest aid groups operating in Darfur in protest to the warrant issued by the court in The Hague.  According to the Sudan Media Center, the Sudanese Army announced that it was mobilizing three-quarters of its troops and preparing for full alert. Waving a sword in defiance, Bashir told thousands of cheering supporters that other foreign groups could also be forced to leave if they (Bashir and his supporters) banned together and got involved in dealing with his war crimes case. 

 

The Pakistani government finally agreed to reinstate the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after a weekend of strong protests to the opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif.

 

A senior Tibetan monk was released from prison after being held for six months without charge, according to the International Campaign for Tibet, an advocacy group based outside China. Jigme, a monk from the Labrang Monastery in the town of Xiahe, was detained by security officers after he appeared in a video posted on YouTube in which he described torture he sustained during a previous imprisonment. Two well-known human rights lawyers in China, Li Fangping and Jiang Tianyong, took Jigme’s case last month. The lawyers also represent Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche, a senior Tibetan religious leader who is still being detained in the Sichuan Province.

 

The United States made a formal protest with the Beijing government after five Chinese ships were accused of harassing with- out any cause an American surveillance vessel.  The incident took place in international waters, in actions the Pentagon described as illegal, unprofessional and dangerous, off the coast of Hainan Island, south of the Chinese mainland.  Pentagon officials said the American vessel, USNS Impeccable, was carrying out a surveillance mission involving towing sonar equipment designed for anti-submarine warfare.  Two Chinese ships blocked the Impeccable when it requested safe transit and Chinese sailors dropped pieces of wood in its path and tried to hook cables towing the sonar equipment.  USNS Impeccable’s crew sprayed some of the Chinese sailors with a fire hose. 

 

Thousands of American Marines went into South Korea to kick off an annual joint military exercise that the U.S. describes as routine. North Korea disagreed with a statement calling it a preparation to invade.  North Korea plans to send a satellite into orbit, but neighboring governments believe it actually will be testing its Taepodong-2 missile, which theoretically can reach as far as Hawaii and Alaska.  North Korea put a 1.1 million member armed force on standby and cut off a military hotline, the only remaining channel of direct communications between the Koreas. North Korea’s statement reinforced that it might resort to military provocations to vent anger at South Korea, who stopped sending North Korea free food.  North Korean missile and nuclear threats act as the impoverished country’s main tool of extracting foreign aid.

 

Japan came forth and condemned North Korea’s plan to launch a rocket. It warned that it can legally shoot down a rocket if it falls toward its territory.

 

IMF World bank officials met with Pakistani President Zardari to assure him that he can count on them for support and sustained economic growth in Pakistan. With that help Pakistan hopes to root out the violent extremism that plagues the country and its Western borders. 

 

Mohammad Khatami, a reformist former president of Iran, withdraw from the presidential race to support a political ally.

 

A deal was struck between Israel’s conservative Likud Party and the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu Party who appointed Avigdor Lieberman as the nation’s foreign minister.

 

Josef Fritzl received a life sentence for keeping his daughter in a self-built prison beneath his own home in Amstetten, Austria for 24 years.  Reports say he raped her some 3,000 times, fathered her seven children and contributed to the death of one son.  A jury of five women and three men convicted Fritzl of incest, rape, enslavement, coercion and murder by neglect. Fritzl waived his right to appeal saying, “I regret from the bottom of my heart what I have done to my family.” The trial raised questions as to why authorities failed to question Fritzl’s behavior over the years.  Fritzl was a convicted rapist investigated for many other sex crimes, but not questioned when his daughter went missing in August 1984 at the age of 18. He claimed she had joined a sect.  Fritzl kept his emotions to himself as the verdict was read.

Business News: June 2009

A monthly Bloomberg News survey indicates that the U.S. jobless rate will reach 9.4 percent this year and remain elevated through 2011, threatening the nation’s longer-term growth potential.  This peak in unemployment surpasses the 8.8 percent reported last month from a median of 54 projections between March 2 and March 9. The survey shows average unemployment rates for the next two years to exceed the 25-year high of 8.1 percent.

 

“Even if things become less apocalyptic it doesn’t mean the unemployment rate will come down,” said Michael Feroli, an economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York. “It’ll be a long-term restraint on growth.  Even when the economy gets back to normal, what’s normal is going to be defined down.”  The survey shows the Obama administration’s forecasts, submitted with its budget proposal last month, are out of kilter with most analysts.  The White House projected the jobless rate will decline to 7.9 percent next year; analysts say a worse performance means President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus plan may not prove sufficient.

 

The Swine Flu Influenza has reportedly driven up stocks for companies such as CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens as people buy up face masks, antibacterial soap and other precautionary products. Sales and profits have increased dramatically for these companies as a result.

 

A slump in global trade and commodity prices hurts poor countries, increasing the threat of political conflict and even war, Strauss-Kahn said in a speech to African central bank governors and finance ministers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  “The IMF expects global growth to slow below zero this year, the worst in most of our life time,” Strauss-Kahn said. “Continuing de-leveraging by world financial institutions, combined with the collapse in consumer and business confidence is depressing domestic demand across the world.”  The IMF forecast in January that the global economy would expand 0.5 percent this year. The World Bank stated in a March report that the international economy would shrink for the first time since World War II and trade to decline by the most in 80 years.

 

Tucked away on page 122 of President Obama’s budget is a proposal that has the fast money crowd up in arms: “Tax carried interest as ordinary income.”  It sounds like something only a certified public accountant would care about. But in fact, Obama’s administration wants to close one of the biggest tax loopholes on Wall Street—one nobody seemed to notice in good times, when everyone was minting money.  As things stand now, private equity firms and hedge funds get a much better deal from the taxman than most. They are taxed at a mere 15% — the capital gains rate — on most of their income, instead of the higher regular income-tax rate.  For the past two years, they have scrambled to keep it that way. And with the economy swooning, the industry was hoping that lawmakers might just forget about this little tax giveaway.  How do they justify it? Private equity types and other investors argue that they’re in the business of investing, so they should be taxed just like investors who make money in the public markets. The “carried interest” in question—the bulk of these firms’ profits refers to the 20% cut of profits that they take when they sell or exit investments.

 

This tax deal has always struck a lot of people as too nice.  A study commissioned last year by a Congressional committee estimated that executives would save $30 billion in taxes over the next 10 years if the rules did not change—before the current financial downslide started.  Buyout firms and executives mostly invest using other people’s money, like pension funds.  So their 20% cut of profits is closer to a commission than a true capital gain.  

 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the unemployment rate in the U.S. has risen to 8.9 percent in April 2009  from 8.5 percent in March 2009.  The nations unemployment rate was 5 percent just one year ago in April 2008. It is estimated that since the recession started in December 2007, 5.7 million jobs have been lost.

 

The New York Times Company said that it had raised $225 million through a sale and leaseback of part of its headquarters building, one in a series of moves to pay down its debts and increase its cash cushion during a drastic slump for the newspaper industry.  The sale-leaseback agreement with W.P. Carey & Company, an investment firm, might last as long as 15 years, but  it gives the Times Company the option of buying the building back after 10 years for $250 million, an option both sides expect the Times Company to exercise. W.P. Carey specializes in corporate financing, not real estate, and both companies characterized the agree- ment more as a loan secured by the building than as a real-estate transaction.  “W.P. Carey was able to clearly understand our company, our facility and our objectives,” said Janet L. Robinson, the president and chief executive of the Times Company, in a statement.  In the last few months, the company borrowed $250 million from the telecommunications billionaire Carlos Slim Helú, suspended its dividend for the first time in four decades as a publicly traded company searched for a buyer for its minority stake in the Boston Red Sox team and any related assets.  At the end of 2008, the Times Company was $1 billion in debt. It still faces a principal pay- ment on long-term borrowing of $49.5 million due in November, plus a payment of $250 million due in March 2010.  The company spent $600 million on a building on Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, which was completed in 2007. The Times Company owns 58%, and its development partner, the Forest City Ratner Companies, owns the rest.

 

Dow Chemical and Rohm finally settle a dispute over a $15.3 billion merger. This settlement is a victory for Rohm investors, who happily watched their shares skyrocket 40 percent as the long-awaited resolution to the contested deal appeared more likely.

 

Within the United States household wealth has fallen drastically by trillions of dollars. The average American house holds lost an astonishing nine percent of their wealth in the last three months of 2008, the most that national income has fallen in more than 57 years.

 

China is growing ever more concerned by the day regarding U.S. investments. It seems that the United States government’s largest creditor is “worried” about its investments in the U.S. and wants assurances that their investments will be safe, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao says.

 

Japan has promised more spending, and increased backing of the United States’ policies.  Siding with the United States on the urgent need for aggressive measures, Prime Minister Taro Aso promised an increased third round of spending to help the economy emerge from the current recession.

 

The failure of supplier companies, such as American Axle, Lear and Visteon, could disrupt current auto  production and plunge GM, Chrysler and Ford into even further financial straits which many see coming in the form of bankruptcy and additional government bailouts.  This also means a loss of auto industry jobs at foreign-owned auto plants that rely on some of the same supplier companies is right around the corner.

 

Staples and its competitor Office Depot have designed their own stimulus packages to aid anxious job hunters in their search. Staples is offering 20 free single-sided resume copies and 40 free instant business cards through June 13. In turn, Office Depot has joined in by offering 25 single-sided resume copies and five domestic faxes at no cost until May 30.

State & U.S. News: June 2009

Riverside, L.A. and San Bernardino say assessors are pulling in the lowest numbers in property tax collections in more than 10 years; bad news for their cash-poor local governments. Revenue from property taxes has always provided a source of income for cities.  Assessors say reduction in auto sales, rate of foreclosures and low real estate sales will devastate the tax rolls.

 

California counties impose work furloughs, pay cuts, postpone city repairs and reduce public services.  In L.A. County, assessor Rick Auerbach estimates a 1% reduction in the $1.1 trillion property-tax base and says losses will be greater in coming months.

 

A ban on medical marijuana dispensary closures by L.A.’s U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien have people wondering why he had prosecutors back off, then changed his mind and sent a confidential memo to prosecutors lifting the ban.  O’Brien’s decision came  days after Attorney General Eric Holder stated medical marijuana prosecutions would not be a priority for Obama’s Justice Department. 

 

A federal judge blocked a federal rule that allows people to carry concealed, loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.  The decision by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar- Kotelly halts a change in regulations issued during the Bush administration and orders further review.  The rule effective in January allows visitors to carry a loaded gun into a park or wildlife refuge as long as the person has a permit for a concealed weapon and the state where the park or refuge was located allowed concealed firearms. Previously, guns in parks had been severely restricted.

 

State Controller John Chiang announced that California has resumed tax refunds.  A new budget issues payments for income-tax refunds, grants for college students, needy families, elderly, blind and disabled—frozen when California ran out of cash in February. 

 

Governor Schwarzenegger’s administration rolls out a new ethics policy.  Statements for officials’ travel expenses to be posted on the Web amid speculation regarding outside income and the free use of government expense accounts by top aides and other appointees of the governor.  New ethics rules apply to all senior staff members.

 

A San Diego zoo worker responsible for skin infections at the zoo.  A baby elephant being hand-raised by zoo keepers because its mother couldn’t care for it was infected along with 20  human caretakers.  This is the first case of methicillin-resistant ataphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a zoo elephant and the first recorded transmission of the bug from zoo animal to human being, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

 

The state’s interagency Climate Action Team issued the first of 40 reports outlining how Californians can deal with floods, erosion and other effects of rising sea levels.  Computer models suggest that hundreds of thousands of people and billions of dollars in property and infrastructure are at risk if ocean levels rise 55 inches by the end of the century.  This affects coastal development in areas targeted for sea level rise, and halts federally subsidized insurance for property likely affected, requiring that all coastal structures be built to adapt to the change.

 

State department of Education estimates a lay off 26,500 teachers, 15,000 bus drivers, janitors, secretaries and administrators.

 

Rotting/damaged warships off San Francisco Bay don’t cause environmental contamination says the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration  Because of the findings, the agency said “NO” to specific cleanup in any areas near the 70 ships that will remain in the bay, ready for action in case of war.

 

A California stem cell company’s stock jumped after President Obama ended an eight-year limit on federal funding for studies of embryonic stem cells.  The new executive order allows federal funding for research on numerous embryonic stem cell lines that did not qualify for federal support under a policy signed by former President Bush in 2001.  Scientists/patient-advocacy groups lobbied for years to overturn restrictions hoping research offers improved medical treatments for damaged spinal nerves, reinforce weakened heart muscle and help to restore a diabetic’s ability to manufacture insulin. 

 

Owner of an Orange County car dealership accounting for about five percent of all Lamborghinis sold worldwide plead guilty to a  felony involving wire fraud.  Viken Keuylian (45) from Laguna Beach, is facing  30 years in prison.  Reports state Keuylian defrauded Volkswagen Credit Inc. out of $12 million when Volkswagen Credit loaned the money to Keuylian to buy cars and he was to repay the loan when the cars sold.  He got around not paying by saying the cars he had sold were still on the lots, using the money to pay debts, some for a vineyard and a Beverly Hills Lotus car dealership. 

 

U.S. Department of Justice investigating Inglewood Police Department as the incidence of officer-involved shootings of unarmed suspects increases.  This is look #2 by the Justice Department into community protests last year when Inglewood officers shot and killed four people— three of whom were unarmed—in a four-month period.  The L.A. County Office of Independent Review investigated at the city’s request, finding that Inglewood police resorted to physical or deadly force in many of their arrests.

 

A 16 year old internet prank caller from North Carolina was arrested for allegedly making a bomb threat against Purdue University.  The boy, a subculture internet celebrity took donations from kids around the country who wanted to get out of school for the day in exchange for calling in a bomb threat to their school.  

 

Stats show that one in 50 children become homeless in the U.S. each year.  The National Center on Family Homelessness researched data (2005-2006) finding 1.5 million children without homes and rising with home fore- closures.  Most were in Texas, Georgia New Mexico, Arkansas, & Louisiana.  Hawaii, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island & North Dakota fared better.  The study says that homeless children have poor health, emotional problems and low graduation rates.

 

Vo Duong Tran, a former FBI agent, made plans to rob an Orange County  ”stash house” that he thought was filled with $500,000 in drug money.  The agent came from New Orleans hoping to get rich but instead was convicted in a Santa Ana federal court on charges related to botched home-invasion robbery.  Tran (41) conspired with a supposed accomplice (an undercover FBI agent) to commit the robbery.  He hoped to create a crew of criminal associates to commit crimes. 

 

Father of teenager Brandon McInerney, who is accused of gunning down a gay classmate was found dead in his home.  The death of 45-year-old Bill McInerney is blamed on an accidental head injury.  Brandon McInerney is being tried as an adult for the death of classmate Lawrence “Larry” King.  The two boys (both 15 years old) were fighting for days before the attack, and it’s alleged King had a romantic interest in McInerney.  

 

President Obama told American’s in a White House speech that he proposes cutting nearly 100 Federal Government spending programs from the budget.  The President cited examples like a defense program, a literacy program and a Department of Education office in Paris.

 

A man strolled into a First Baptist church near St. Louis during a meeting and shot to death the pastor and two congregants according to police reports.  Churchgoers wrestled the gunman to the ground as he waved a knife, slashing himself and two other people.  The assailant was not known  by any of the 150-or-so congregants.

 

The failure in passport security is higher reports say due to the rising problem in counterfeit documents.  As proof of leniency, the identities of a dead man and a 5-year-old boy were obtained by a government investigator in a test of security measures.

 

The House of Representatives has now passed a bill—H.R. 627 giving rights to credit cardholders.  Heralded as “The Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights”, the bill has gotten heavy opposition from banking regulators who have been accused of tricking and trapping honest cardholders to increase their profits.

 

The Supreme Court ruled that: “Only election districts in which minorities make up at least half of the voting-age population are entitled to the protections of a part of the Voting Rights Act that seeks to ensure and preserve minority voting power”.

 

North Carolina officials argued that the act required that they maintain black influence at the voting booth by creating a district that included about 39 percent of the black voting-age population.  In effect the theory was that the law protected black voters willing to join white “crossover voters” to elect a candidate of the black voters’ choice.  It was rejected by the court in a 5-to-4 vote.

 

The Obama administration says it will not use “enemy combatant” in reference to Guantánamo Bay detainees, but asserts the power to detain them. 

 

Thousands of government workers are canvassing neighborhoods and verifying addresses in L.A. and across the nation, marking the beginning of the once-in-a-decade statistical portrait of America: the U.S. census.  The population count will start next year, but census workers have started identifying 145 million addresses in May.  Workers are using GPS technology that enables them to pinpoint locations to  improve the accuracy of the census. The census  will be difficult in areas such as Los Angeles, where multi-family households are increasingly common, homeless people crowd city streets and immigrants speak hundreds of languages. Census results are required by the Constitution and used to redraw congressional districts and guide distribution of billions in federal funds for schools, roads and social service programs.

 

The United States won election to the U.N. Human Rights Council for the first time, joining 17 other nations also picked for the body after the Obama administration ended a U.S. policy of boycotting it.  U..S. . Ambassador Susan Rice said, “We are looking forward to working from within with a broad cross-section of member states to strengthen and reform the Human Rights Council.”  The United States was one of 18 countries elected or reelected to three-year terms on the 47-seat Geneva-based council in a vote by the U.N. General Assembly, joining 29 others who are in mid-term.

Local News: June 2009

Deputy Police Chief Kenneth O. Garner Passing Tribute

Some 3,000 people attended the South L.A. funeral of Deputy Police Chief Kenneth O. Garner who served the LAPD for three decades.  Garner was the second-highest-ranking black officer in the department.

 

National Mass Transit Costs Surge

As gas prices soared, so did the use of mass transit. Passenger levels during 2008 hit peaks unseen since 1957, up 4% from 2007.  Metrolink commuter trains also set records.

 

FBI Looking For Clues 

A vehicle owned by a UCLA neuro- scientist was firebombed by an anti-animal research group for using primates in his study of psychiatric disorders.  No injuries were reported.  A series of fire-bombing and aggressive acts have occurred aimed at university researchers who use animals in medical studies including cars vandalized, threatening calls and e-mails.

 

Non-Beverly Hills Residents & BHUSD After months of heated debates over non-Beverly Hills residents attending the city’s schools under special permits trustees gave a thumbs up.  The district receives $6,114 in state funding per year per student enrolled.

 

Cedars-Sinai Gets A New Tower 

L.A. Planning Commission approved plans for construction of a 200,000 square-foot expansion tower at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to include 100 new patient beds and 700 parking spaces.  Also approved was rezoning a vacant lot next to the L.A. Public Library in Westwood for a park.

 

Free Pet Spaying/Neutering; A Go Again! 

Months after L.A. city said pets had to be spayed/neutered, the voucher system that provided free service to low-income owners was OUT!  State budget cuts were behind the decision, stated department General Manager Ed Boks.  Now the department is returning the vouchers after numerous animal-welfare advocates protested.  

 

L.A. Prepares For A Water Shortage

L.A. faces a water shortage this summer and LADWP will raise its rates and give severe penalties for residents who don’t cut water use by 15% except for low-income residents whose rates will stay the same; owners of larger homes get ready for $11 a month more on bills beginning June 1, 2009.

 

Beverly Hills Library Scores High 

Beverly Hills Public Library ranked in the top 12 of 1,116 libraries in California by the Library Journal and was listed in the top three percent of 7,000 libraries nationwide. The Beverly Hills Public Library was one of 256 libraries to earn a ranking of three to five stars.  Rankings include circulation, visits, program attendance and internet use.

 

President Obama Checks In At The Beverly Hilton Hotel

New to the Presidential Suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, President Obama checked in while visiting L.A. Also on the agenda was a pit stop at The Tonight Show. 

 

L.A. City Cuts Jobs

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released a $7.05-billion budget baring down on his ability to win concessions from employee unions and bent to lease parking garages, two unresolved components to close the $530-million city shortfall. Stating that the spiraling recession requires “extraordinary sacrifice” from everyone, the mayor asked all departments even police and fire to trim costs by 10%. The $231 million saving will come from laying off 2,800 workers, pay freezes, furloughs and early retirements  The mayor pledged to cut his $223,000 -a-year salary by 12% and freeze his own staff members’ salaries.

 

Beverly Hills Elections

The new Beverly Hills City Council and City Treasurer took the oath of office in a community installation ceremony.  The ceremony and reception were held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn.  Council member Nancy Krasne was sworn in as Mayor; Councilmember Jimmy Delshad became Vice Mayor and current Vice Mayor Barry Brucker was sworn in for his second term.  Eliot Finkel is on his second, four-year term as City Treasurer.

 

A New Outdoor Sculpture

Beverly Hills picked an outdoor sculpture by acclaimed New York artist Roxy Paine.  The City’s Public Art Fund picked up the       

$ 342,800 tab and more fees of $10,000-$15,000 are estimated for transportation, installation, future maintenance, lighting and ongoing display.  The stainless steel boulder measures 7 feet tall by 15 feet wide and references a rock carried by a glacier hundreds of miles away from its original geographic location.  It will be installed in Beverly Gardens Park, this summer. 

 

L.A. Pulitzer Prize Winners

L.A.Times reporters Bettina Boxall and Julie Cart won a Pulitzer for their series on how brush fires are fought.  They found that a century after government declared war on wildfire, fire is winning.  Wildland blazes are bigger, fiercer and harder to put out.  The story also looked at ” CNN drops”: Fire commanders are often pressured to order firefighting planes and helicopters into action even when they won’t do any good.  The reason: Aerial drops of water and retardant make good television.

 

Dante Nicholson Pleads Guilty To Hospital/Homeless Scam

Dante Nicholson, 51, of Palmdale, pleaded guilty to offering money as kickbacks to recruiters who took homeless patients from skid row to hospitals, where they received services not necessary.  Nicholson, a former senior VP of City of Angels Medical Center, is the third person convicted in the scheme to defraud Medicare and Medi-Cal.  The charges if convicted carry a maximum of 10 years in federal prison.

 

Family Felon

Actor/comedian Dane Cook’s half brother was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly stealing millions from the comic.  Darryl McCauley was charged with eight counts of larceny over $250 and forgery and larceny by continuous scheme.  Prosecutors said McCauley forged a $3 million check written from Cook’s account to himself.  Sources say McCauley pulled off the scheme even though Cook paid him $12,500 a month to be his personal business manager.  

 

Cutbacks at the J. Paul Getty

The J. Paul Getty Trust, which operates two Los Angeles-area art museums, announced plans to cut 205 jobs and trim the budget amid a falling endowment. Ninety-seven employees will be laid off and the rest of the positions will be eliminated, officials said. The Getty has 1,487 budgeted staff positions at the Villa in Malibu and the Getty art museum in Los Angeles. While admission and visiting hours will remain free at both museums, the cost of parking at the hillside Los Angeles facility will increase to $15 from $10 on July 1, 2009.

 

Actor in Fender Bender

Actor T.R. Knight involved in a three-car accident, was not injured but a man and a woman were taken to the hospital by ambulance.  Police investigated who was at fault, but no citations were given.

 

Man Convicted of Starting Fires

A Riverside County jury returned the death penalty to Raymond Lee Oyler for starting the 2006 Esperanza fire in the San Jacinto Mountains.  The fire killed five fire- fighters, destroyed 34 homes and charred 41,000 acres.  Firefighters and families of victims were happy with the verdict saying that it offered some justice for a heinous crime that would affect their lives forever.  Judge W. Charles Morgan will sentence Oyler to death or life in prison without parole at a hearing on June 5, 2009.  Oyler (38) was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder, 20 counts of arson and 17 counts of using an incendiary device.  Prosecutors said the Beaumont mechanic set fires throughout the San Gorgonio Pass in the summer of 2006 leading to the Esperanza fire.    

 

American Civil Liberties Union 

The Union sued school officials for fostering a “sexist” and “homophobic” atmosphere.  The complaint cites a show—a Facebook video posted in January 2009 in which three Corona del Mar football players threatened to rape and kill a female classmate and also used slurs to describe homosexuals.  The video was posted on the online profile of a fourth student, who threatened the young woman at school said reports.  The video has been removed, but ACLU officials say the school did almost nothing to punish the boys or protect the young woman, even though her parents expressed dire concern for her safety.  ”School and district officials, their through action and inaction, have not only failed to take steps to address this hostile environment, but contributed to it and given sanction to it,” stated the 36-page complaint filed in Orange County Superior Court.  ”These allegations are very serious and the district will utilize its best efforts to ascertain the truth of these matters, and be sure there are procedures to promptly resolve discrimination and harassment disputes.” stated district Superintendent Jeffrey Hubbard.

Celebrity & Entertainment News: June 2009

BACK IN THE SADDLE 

The curtain went down momentarily for two of our fav funny men over the past couple of months.  Both are back as good as ever.  YEAH!  

Robin Williams mending nicely after an aortic valve replace- ment.  All went well and his reps say that he will resume touring in the fall. 

Jay Leno in and out in a flash at  Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank with a nasty case of food poisoning. Not to break his routine he entertained the medical staff.

Jessica Lange getting her strength back and bones healed after a bad fall weeks ago at her Minnesota cabin. It was reported that the much loved actress broke her shoulder and collarbone, dislocated her arm and required several stitches.

A serious throat condition forced Jennifer Hudson to cancel several recent  concerts dates.  Reps say all willbe rescheduled for later dates.

 

IN & OUT OF THE OVEN 

Uber designer Tommy Hilfiger and his wife Dee Ocleppo awaiting the stork.

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden gear- ing up for #2.

Boston Legal‘s Julie Bowen and hubby Scott Philips gearing up for twins. 

Former Bachelor Andrew Firestone and wife Ivana happy and more happy with a new baby named Adam.

Country Super Stars Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley say hello to a second son, Jasper Warren.

Sarah Jessica Parker getting ready for twins with Matthew Broderick and a little help from a surrogate.

 

RAPPER RIFT 50 Cent and Rick Ross fighting over a homemade porn tape 50 Cent bought to release starring one of Ross’ baby mama’s.  

 

FINALLY…AN “I DO” 

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen and her footballer Tom Brady   

Salma Hayek and businessman/baby daddy Francoise Henri Pinault; two weddings in two months. 

 

AND THEN…“I DON’T

Holly Madison (Hef’s ex) calls it quits with Vegas magician Criss Angel.

Another bust-up for Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer (run girl run and fast!)

Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn file for divorce a second time in two years.  The couple have two children and were married in 1996.  

Pregnant singer Kelis gives rapper Nas his walking papers after five years. 

Hotel mogul Steve Wynn calls off marriage to his wife Elaine for a second time.  Married in 1963, they divorced in 1986, then remarried in 1991.  They have two daughters. 

Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol gives her PR seeking baby daddy the boot.

Singer Rihanna hopefully giving no second chances to rapper Chris Brown after his brutal assault on her.

Kimora Lee Simons and Russell Simons making things ultimately final; she gets sole legal/physical custody of their two daughters as well as $40,000 a month in child support. 

More drama unfolding in the bitter divorce war as money matters make things a whole lot worse between Kate Walsh and Alex Young.
BOO HOO

Sad times for Martha Stewart who is mourning the death of one of her dogs who died in a propane explosion at a Pennsylvania kennel. Another 16 dogs were also killed in the explosion.  

 

BUSTED

Coolio arrested with crack cocaine at LAX; found the drug on the rapper on his way through screening.  A scuffle went down as he was hauled off.

Kenley Collins, loser on Project Runway arrested and jailed for reportedly using a living cat as a weapon and firing it at her ex-fiance.  The alleged animal abuser attaced her sleeping ex with the cat, a laptop, and some apples.

Donte Stallworth, a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns was questioned by Miami Beach police when he struck and killed a pedestrian while driving his Bentley; he was tested for drugs and alcohol

Everyone’s fav mum Sharon Osbourne sued for battery, negligence as well emotional distress by a Rock of Love: Charm School contestant who says Osbourne grabbed her hair and punched her during filming.  OH PLEASE.

Demaris Meyer, the passenger riding in Morgan Freeman’s car when he crashed last summer, suing for medical expenses, saying Freeman was drinking.

Amy Winehouse up to her neck again;  charged with assaulting a fan last year.  The victim says Winehouse slapped her when she asked for a picture . 

Record spinner DJ AM suing over a airplane flight that ended in a fiery crash killing everyone on board except for himself and rocker Travis Barker.  The suit carries a hefty $20 million price tag.

Rapper Kanye West arrested for criminal misdemeanors grand theft, vandalism and battery after a camera grabbing/smashing incident last September at LAX.

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